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Skin Rejuvenation
 
 
 


skin rejuvenation

What causes skin aging & what happens?
Skin aging is caused by a combination of genetic makeup, photodamage, stress, smoking & pollution. Aside from genetic aging, the most profound cause of skin aging is sun exposure.

Collagen & elastin fibers are normally arranged in a parallel fashion. With age & exposure to the elements, skin turnover slows down which results in a build up of dead cells on the skin's surface. This is not only a cause of several skin problems, but is a barrier to any product that is applied to the skin. Collagen and elastin production decreases and the fibers become crosslinked & disorganised.
 

  • Cells become less capable of retaining moisture & therefore become dehydrated
  • Skin becomes thinner, blemished and heals slowly due to slower cell production.
  • Loss of elasticity with formation of fine lines, wrinkles & furrows due to disorganisation of collagen & elastin fibers, & decrease or cessation of collagen & elastin production.
  • Skin dimples & sags & becomes more susceptible to the effects of gravity.
  • Skin becomes dry & scaly due to inability to retain moisture.
  • Irregular pigmentation and brown spots due to hormonal change & sun damage.
  • Muscles of expression further result in deep lines caused by repeated use.
 What can we do to reverse & prevent skin aging?
Whilst we cannot alter our genetic makeup, we can reverse & then prevent the damaging effects of other factors which contribute to the aging process. Cosmeceuticals aid in the reversal and prevention processes.
 
Skin Care Products
For certain skin problems I may recommend a special lotion for you which I can order from a compounding chemist. There are products to suit every skin type & to treat every skin problem. With a suitable skin rejuvenation program we can reverse the damaging effects of several factors which contribute to skin aging. These include sun damage, pollution, stress & smoking. Your skin will become smoother, firmer & evenly coloured, ultimately resulting in a younger & healthier looking complexion.
 
What are Cosmeceuticals?
 Cosmeceuticals are skin care products which contain active ingredients that bring about skin rejuvenation by stimulating the skin cells & regulating their functions. Unlike "cosmetics" which may look good & feel nice, but do not contain ingredients that actually treat the cells. Our aim is to provide a range of products which are simple, effective & affordable.
 
What are some of the active ingredients & how do they work?
 
Alpha Hydroxy Acids - fruit acids such as glycolic acid which is derived from sugar cane. Used in light peels & some skin products. Acts on the epidermis & helps to remove the dead outer layer of skin cells by breaking down the glue-like bonds between them. Stimulates cell turnover & both the production & re-organisation of collagen & elastin.
 
Antioxidants - including Vitamin C, A, & E which help to neutralise the damaging effects of "free radicals". These are unstable chemicals that are formed when the skin is damaged by the sun, stress, pollution & smoking. They interfere with cellular DNA, (the protein containing the genetic code), resulting in cellular mutation & alteration, & malformation of cell synthesis. Antioxidants act on the dermis & stimulate collagen synthesis.
 
Hydroquinone -prevents the production of pigment & is used to treat irregular pigmentation, sun spots & dark circles under the eyes. Products containing these ingredients help to soften fine lines & wrinkles, improve skin tone & texture, reduce age spots & irregular pigmentation, improve elasticity & hydration. Whilst some of these ingredients are available in over the counter products, our range includes medical strength products. These products are therefore only available after initial assessment & recommendation by a qualified medical practitioner.

What does the skin rejuvenation program involve?
There are 3 main components to skin rejuvenation:
treatment, prevention & maintenance
   
TREATMENT
Your program is based on your skin type, colour, specific problems, what you wish to achieve & how quickly you want to see results.
   
Firstly, the damaged outer layer of cells must be removed. This can be done in several ways. The quickest & most effective approach is to combine an "at home" program of glycolic acid containing skin products with a course of 6-8 glycolic acid peels, starting with a 30% peel & gradually increasing the strength.
   
It is important to use the glycolic products for at least 2 weeks before your first peel, in order to prepare the skin. Peels are initially carried out every 2-3 weeks. Normal skin cell turnover time is 6 weeks, and this rate of turnover slows down with increasing age. As the active ingredients in the products work by regulating cellular functions, it may take 6-12 weeks for your skin to rejuvenate. If you have a particular skin problem it may even take longer. For most, however, results will be seen within 6 weeks.
   
When you first start using these products the skin cells are undergoing change. The damaged outer layer of cells is being replaced by a new healthy layer & one or more of the following responses is quite normal:     
  • Stinging
  • Burning
    •  
  • Pink/red skin
    •  
  • Irritation
    •  
  • Tingling
    •  
  • Dryness
    •  
  • Flaking
    •  
  • Wrinkles & blemishes may worsen
    •  
Remember that these products contain active ingredients, & this is why these responses are to be expected. They are usually mild & disappear once the skin learns to tolerate the products. If there is oversensitivity then the products chosen may be too strong for you. This is why it is important for you to attend the clinic for ongoing assessment until a maintenance stage is reached.
 
MAINTENANCE & PREVENTION
Maintenance & prevention involve a combination of the following:                          
  • Glycolic acid containing products - to encourage & accelerate cell turnover & stimulate the production of collagen & elastin
  • Antioxidant containing products - to fight off free radicals & prevent cell damage
  • Hydration - to keep the cells healthy
  • Sunscreen - to prevent sun damage & skin cancer
  • Regular peels - 1-2 monthly depending on skin type & needs
  • Oral antioxidants & multivitamin supplements are recommended
 

Your "at home" program will be simple, affordable & effective, & will probably involve the use of 4 products:          

 
  1. Cleanser
    2.  
  2. Moisturiser
    3.  
  3. Sunblock
    4.  
  4. Special treatment product/s
    5.  
         
Some examples of common skin problems which are treatable:
   
  • Sallow/dull skin
  • Irregular pigmentation & freckling
  • Fine lines/wrinkles
  • Age spots (sun spots)
  • Sun damage
  • Dry/rough/scaly skin
  • Oily skin
  • Acne or acne prone skin
  • Acne scarring
  • Blemish prone skin
  • Large pores
 
 
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