Knowing the most common signs of aging can help you retain your youthful looks longer. Let’s discuss the most common signs, and the steps we can take towards delaying the aging process.
Loss of Elasticity
Loss of elasticity or ‘plumpness’ is attributed to collagen loss. Collagen is a building block of the skin. During our youth, collagen plumps the skin thereby creating volume. However, as we age we stop producing collagen at the same rate. This in turn affects the elasticity leaving us with saggy skin as we age. Plus, the loss of muscle tone is going to cause expression lines.
Loss of Hydration
Skin becomes dryer as we age because the sebaceous glands in the skin, like any other structure of the body, are not as active as we age. This loss of hydration manifests itself through a dull, sallow appearance, crepey skin, and fine lines. Overall, the texture of the skin changes as a result of water loss.
Hyperpigmentation
There are environmental factors such as sun exposure and climate as well as other pollutants and oxidants in the air that cause aging in general. These environmental factors can also contribute to hyperpigmattion which can cause an aged appearance to the skin. Hyperpigmentation can be in the form of freckles, sun spots, lentigines, etc.
Thin Skin
The thickness of the skin changes as well with aging. The skin tries to thin out as a result of the deficiencies in collagen and hydration.
Fighting the common signs of aging at home
Try to incorporate products that accelerate your skin’s cell turnover rate; They are very useful. Examples include retinol, glycolic and lactic acid. When combined, vitamins C and E make a good protectant.
When it comes to exfoliation, try using an enzymatic exfoliant. These are really good for anti-aging because they achieve deep exfoliation and hydration without causing friction at the surface.
Wearing SPF daily helps. Be mindful when you are being exposed to the sun for periods longer than 15-30 minutes consistently. Wear a hat during longer periods of sun exposure. Cooling the skin also helps, for example, cold spoons kept in the fridge will calm the skin and reduce inflammation.
Finally, avoid the use of irratating cleansers and moisturizers. Stick with products that actually bring nutrients to the skin.
Professional Treatments
When it comes to skin rejuvenation, photofacials are amazing because they do not cause superficial damage to the skin. The light energy penetrates directly to the main contributing factor of loss of elasticity which is the collagen cells.
We have a certain amount of collagen cells in our skin at any given time. When the light energy hits those cells, they are stimulated/traumatized enough so that they regenerate new collagen cells in order to replace those “traumatized” collagen cells. However, those collagen cells that are affected by the light energy for the most part are not completely destroyed, yet they are “repaired” in a sense so you end up with a multiplied amount of collagen present in your skin after a photofacial treatment.
Located in Edmonton, Alberta, Dérmica offers photofacial specials every Friday to address your skin concerns. Every Friday, save 20% on all photofacials.
Our photofacial laser treatments are tailored to treat major skin conditions and deliver maximum results. With just a quick pulse of light we can smooth skin, diminish brown spots, redness, and broken capillaries.
Regardless of which photofacial you choose, your clinical esthetician will create a treatment approach based on observation and consultation.
PHOTOFACIAL MENU
ALISA for Skin Rejuvenation
Ideal for treating dull skin appearance, textural damage such as scarring, fine lines, wrinkles, and mature skin on small to large areas of the face, neck, chest, hands, and arms….[Read More]
ACLARA for Hyperpigmentation
The ultimate solution to clear dark spots, sun spots, or pigment scarring. This treatment will lighten and clear light to dark pigmented lesions on areas of the face, neck, chest, arms, legs, and hands….[Read More]
ALIVIA for Redness and Rosacea
Perfect for skin conditions usually characterized by frequent, consistent redness, and visible capillaries such as Rosacea, couperose skin, sensitized skin, or simply genetically sensitive skin….[Read More]
Book now to take advantage of our photofacial specials!
Located in Edmonton, Alberta, Dérmica offers facial specials every Sunday to address your skin concerns.
Regardless of which facial you choose, your facialist will create a treatment approach based on observation and consultation.
This makes the selection process easier as you simply decide how you wish to be pampered!
FACIAL MENU
PORE facial
Undoubtedly the most popular of the facials. The PORE Facial includes all the essentials of a classic facial with an emphasis on clearing congested skin by extracting blackheads, milia, and other skin blemishes. 60 min.
TEEN facial
The TEEN Facial includes a deep-cleanse and pore extractions leaving the skin feeling fresh and renewed. Teen must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian.
35-45 min.
RELAX facial
The RELAX Facial includes all the essentials of classic facial procedure with light extractions, nourishing mask application, relaxation-face/shoulder/arm/hand massage, and moisturizing paraffin hand-dip. 75-90 min.
BEAUTY facial
The BEAUTY Facial includes all the essentials of classic facial with mild extractions, a brow Sculpt, nourishing mask application, and Pressure-Point facial massage. It is ideal for those preparing their face for an occasion or want to freshen the skin and brows. 75-90 min.
BEARD facial
The BEARD Facial includes all the essentials of a classic facial along with mild extractions, and a beard shampoo & conditioning treatment. it is the best option for men with beards in particular. 60 min.
BACK Treatment
The BACK Treatment focuses on treating skin conditions affecting the back. In similar fashion, it is structured much like a facial service that includes cleansing, exfoliation, steam, extractions, and back massage. 60-75 min.
Facial redness can be a symptom of irritation, inflammation, damage, trauma to the skin, allergies, or skin conditions.
Should I be worried about broken capillaries?
Broken capillaries on the nose.
Although broken capillaries do not typically cause discomfort, they can cause inflammation due to an increased circulation to the area. In turn, this can cause enlarging of the pores. So, the concern is not so much from a health perspective as it is from an esthetic concern.
If the visual appearance bothers you, you should be concerned! If left untreated, it’s going to continue to progress and can cause other unsightly or esthetically unpleasing effects to the skin. It always good to consult with physician or a dermatologist to be aware of what the causes or contributing factors are.
Broken capillaries and redness on the face can make you photosensitive, meaning more reactive to sun exposure.
How do you get rid of redness and broken capillaries on your face?
The first step is to get the contributing factors under control if possible. From there, you can remove the redness and broken capillaries with phototherapy, in particular, Intense Pulse Light (IPL) photofacials.
The reason why IPL is highly recommended for alleviating broken blood vessels and inflammation on the skin is because of it’s target precision. IPL is a very targeted treatment that goes straight to the source without injuring or traumatizing the surrounding tissues or cells. It will not cause further damage or irritation as the light penetrates into the skin thereby preserving the surrounding tissues.
Other treatment options.
Second to photofacials, you can treat using an acid-based method. These treatments are on a topical level. We treat redness using salicylic acid. It helps reconstruct the superficial layers of the skin by causing controlled injury to the skin. In turn, this stimulates the skin to rebuild new cells and also helps to take down inflammation.
Often, broken capillaries are accompanied by a general redness or flush to the skin. This is usually caused by inflammation. Salicylic acid reduces the inflammation which helps to shrink down the pores. It also helps to decongest the pores that clogged up as a result of them opening up more than usual due to the inflammation.
Finally, acid-based treatments strengthen the skin and help to rebalance the skin’s ph level.
Salicylic vs Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Betahydroxy acids work more on a superficial level than alpha hydroxy acids. They don’t absorb as deep. This makes them ideal for treating sensitive or sensitized sin.
Home tips for redness and broken capillaries.
Avoid extended heat and sun exposure. If or when you do experience extended exposure, use different means to cool your skin down as soon as possible. We recommend putting spoons in the fridge (not freezer) and using them to calm the skin. You can also use cooling eye gel packs. Finally, use products that contain aloe.
How do I know if I have rosacea?
There are 5 telling symptoms of rosacea. Symptoms of rosacea include sensitivity, enlarged pores, constant flush to the skin, broken capillaries, and pustules. Consult with physician or a dermatologist if you think you have rosacea to be aware of what the causes or contributing factors are.
What is the best moisturizer for rosacea?
Use a nourishing moisturizer that is ph balanced and is hydrating to the skin. It should contain aloe or other active soothing ingredients.
Does rosacea get worse with age?
Yes, rosacea is a progressive skin condition that is not known to have a cure. But never fear, there are steps you can take to manage rosacea symptoms. The cause is unknown but can be linked to genetics.
The short answer is yes, loose skin can be tightened with a skin tightening treatment course. However, there are factors that contribute to how much the skin can be tightened, if it can be tightened at all. One factor is the area being treated. Some areas of the body have ticker tissue, for example, the limbs, and torso, including the abdominal area. Their underlying structures go a lot deeper. If you are looking to shape or form those body areas, you may want to consider radio frequency and infrared technology.
On the other hand, loose skin located on the chest, neck, face, or hands, can be tightened with IPL phototherapy.
Does skin tightening really work?
Another factor that determines whether skin can be tightened is the root cause of the loose skin. It could be related to age, environmental, or internal factors. As for age, we can’t stop the process. So, even though the skin can appear tighter and smoother after a treatment, it will still age. Therefore, skin tightening treatments will have to be maintained. IPL phototherapy can help you achieve a smoother, tighter complexion while reducing fine lines and mild wrinkles. Moderate up to severe wrinkles may see some improvement but those will not be resolved.
Dehydration
Hydrating products absorb better after a photofacial.
If the loose skin is caused by dehydration or some superficial factor, an IPL skin tightening treatment will help because they get rid of dead skin. Plus, any hydrating products that are applied to the skin after a treatment absorb better into those fresh cells, rather than being blocked by the dead skin. Dead skin piled up can also create fine lines and creases in the skin. But once dead skin is cleared, the fresh, plump cells are revealed.
How long do photofacial results last?
Treatment results last about 3 months after each treatment. The progression of each treatment plateaus at about the 3-week mark post treatment. That is how long it takes for your skin to go through a full process. Keep in mind that it takes the skin up to 2 months to do a full turnover and rebuild those structures.
The number of chemical peels (acid peels) you need in order to see results depends on what your goal is and how far your want to take the results.
If your goal is to exfoliate the skin and brighten the overall complexion on a basic level and you have fairly clear skin, then yes, one chemical peel is enough to achieve a more rejuvenated complexion. Keep in mind that it is not a permanent fix. In other words, the results will last you from six to eight weeks.
On the other hand, if you are looking to treat acne or deep congestion in the skin, then one treatment will not be enough. You will need to continue treatments until the oil is balanced, the inflammation is reduced, and the pores are cleaned out. All this takes multiple sessions. Realistically, these types of goals are achieved in about six to eight treatments.
What about when treating hyperpigmentation?
The same thing goes when treating hyperpigmentation. It depends on a few factors. These include the amount of pigmentation there is in the area, the size of the spot, how deep it is, and the cause of the hyperpigmentation, to name a few. For example, hyperpigmentation can occur due to factors such as medication, skin conditions, genetics, and trauma to the skin.
Anti-aging goals
Like the rest of us, you are always going to be fighting against time! So whatever results you are able to achieve with anti-aging treatments is temporary because you age everyday. So if the goal is anti-aging, then resurfacing the skin and accelerating the cell’s turnover rate is the goal. These results can be achieved with one deep chemical peel. But if you have sensitive skin, it is a process that can be delivered gradually overthree to four sessions. Peels will only penetrate as deep as that grade/level of percentage can go. From there, anything beyond would just be causing unnecessary trauma to the skin.
Are chemical peels painful?
Chemical peels can be uncomfortable. Depending on their pain tolerance, some people may experience pain in the form of stinging or a little burning sensation. The average person will report an intense irritation often described as the feeling you get when you’ve cut jalapeño peppers and then accidentally touched your face.
You may also feel a strong urge to scratch where the peel has been applied while its absorbing into the skin. In terms of it being painful, it’s a matter of individual experience. For most people its not the case. In addition, any discomfort that you feel can be reduced by fanning the area during the treatment.
What is the downside of chemical peels?
The downside of chemical peels is the recovery process. Depending on your reaction, some people may experience major flaking that is very apparent.
