Cigarette smoke contains toxins that affect the quality of your skin, leading to lines, wrinkles, premature aging, and potentially even worse skin conditions.

More than 7,000 toxic chemicals are present in cigarette smoke. Among the many side effects, these carcinogenic ingredients can damage the cells of your skin and lead to signs of premature aging, including deeper wrinkles on the face, lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet, and lines around the lips, and mouth. Nasolabial folds, the area of the skin that extends from the bottom of the nose to the edges of the mouth, have been found to be deeper among people who smoke as well.

In addition to lines and wrinkles, smokers tend to have less elastin and fewer collagen fibers in the skin than those who don’t smoke. This causes the skin to become harder and less elastic, losing its ability to bounce back when moved or stretched. 

Further, because smoking narrows blood vessels, the amount of oxygen reaching the skin is reduced. If all that isn’t enough to convince you to break the habit, there’s more bad news. Smoking increases the production of free radicals,  unstable atoms that can damage cell proteins and DNA by altering their chemical structure.

Other skin-related concerns caused by smoking include:

• Yellowing of the fingers and nails
• Baggy skin under the eyes
• Sagging skin at the jawline
• Uneven skin pigmentation
• Dark spots caused by increased melanin levels
• Wrinkles on the Hands

Smoking doesn’t only affect the appearance of your skin—it can damage your skin in other ways, too. Cigarette smoking decreases blood flow which increases the risk of skin infection. And because the skin is not able to heal properly, even cuts and scrapes can lead to scarring. 

To make matters literally worse, if you have an existing skin condition, smoking could exacerbate the symptoms and may worsen the following conditions:

• Hidradenitis suppurativa (small, painful lumps on the skin)
• Cold sores 
• Palmoplantar pustulosis (inflammatory disorder)
• Psoriasis  
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease)
• Vascular skin conditions (such as rosacea)
• Atopic dermatitis (the most common form of eczema) 

In fact, studies have shown that even second-hand smoke can have a negative impact on the skin.  This can be particularly harmful to the delicate developing skin of babies and young children.

Cigarette smoke contains carcinogens, which increases your risk of developing many types of cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma might look like rough or scaly red patches, raised lumps, open sores, or wart-like growths on your skin.

Electronic Cigarettes vs. Traditional Smoking

We all know that traditional cigarettes are terrible for our health. But what about e-cigarettes? Does vaping cause fewer wrinkles than cigarettes? Though e-cigarettes don’t contain tobacco and many of the cancer-causing chemicals found in cigarettes, they do contain nicotine which causes premature aging and wrinkles.

The good news is that many experts agree that electronic cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes send nicotine to your body by heating it up and delivering it to you in the form of inhalable vapor instead of burning toxin-filled tobacco, the cause of most of the damage caused by cigarettes. You also avoid the thousands of chemicals found in traditional cigarettes.  

However, the chemicals and heat aren’t the main contributors to wrinkles and premature aging when you smoke. Our skin’s real enemy is nicotine. And electronic cigarettes aren’t free of that. Just like in traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain nicotine that constricts the blood vessels, reducing blood flow to your skin. When your blood flow is reduced, your skin doesn’t get all of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Fewer nutrients mean more wrinkles. And not just more facial wrinkles, but more wrinkles all over your body.

Nicotine has also been found to delay wound healing and accelerate general skin aging. The facial movements made when vaping can also lead to wrinkles on your face.

Beyond wrinkles and premature aging, electronic cigarettes have been found to contain other chemicals that could cause cancer. In fact, formaldehyde,  a known carcinogen,  from e-cigarettes could be 15 times higher than from smoking cigarettes. There is also increasing evidence to suggest that e-cigarettes may cause wrinkles, premature aging, and serious health issues. 

So, when it comes down to it, the best thing you can do is to stop smoking altogether.

What Happens When You Kick the Habit?

From premature wrinkles to discolouration, smoking can impact your appearance. But, don’t despair. Despite the effects smoking has on your skin, quitting can help you recover. 

Here are just a few benefits you’ll notice once you’ve stamped out the last butt:

Slowing of the Ageing Process

While wrinkles that have developed may not disappear entirely, you will see an improvement in bad skin after quitting smoking after a short amount of time. In fact, your skin will begin to improve after a matter of days as collagen and elastin renew themselves.  

Increased Cell Turnover

As your skin begins to repair itself, skin cell turnover will increase. This will help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve your skin’s ability to heal wounds, including acne scars.

Reduced Discolouration 

Increased blood flow will also make you appear brighter with a healthy glow. You may also see a reduction in discoloration.

Prevent further damage

Finally, quitting smoking improves your skin by reducing the chances of developing serious skin conditions like cancer and preventing further damage.

For many people, one of the biggest motivators for quitting is improving the way they look. Beyond skin improvement, your health will also enjoy benefits within just 20 minutes of that final cigarette.

If you quit today, the damage stops today, and slowly, your skin and body can begin to repair themselves. But not all damage will go away.  

The good news is, your youthful looks don’t have to go up in smoke forever. There are more options available every day for people who have quit and want to improve the appearance of their skin. But, the keyword is QUIT. It makes no sense to treat wrinkles caused by smoking until you break the habit. There are many anti-ageing treatments that can help improve skin damage from the effects of smoking.

• Muscle Relaxant Injections
• Dermal Fillers
• Laser Genesis
• Chemical Peels
• Dermabrasion

If you’re ready to break the habit and erase the effects that smoking has left behind, call Specialist Skin Solutions @(02) 4934 1500 today to book an appointment. We’re dedicated to helping each one of our clients feel their best by bringing out their natural beauty and loving the skin they’re in. We look forward to speaking with you!

At Specialist Skin Solutions, we believe in transparency and education, first and foremost, providing every client with information, explanations, and treatment options before performing any procedure. 

Offering a thorough consultation prior to treatment, we’ll discuss the areas of concern and the range of treatment options suggested to produce optimal results. The amount and type of product, as well as our pricing structure, will also be discussed during the consultation process so there are no surprises.

The post Up in Smoke: How to Erase Lines and Wrinkles Caused by Smoking appeared first on Specialist Skin Solutions.

Types of Peels

Medical-Grade Peels

A medical-grade peel is an exfoliation and resurfacing treatment that gently unglues and peels away your skin’s topmost layers. By inducing acute inflammation, the goal of a medical peel is to rid your face of dead, unhealthy cells and allow smooth, dynamic cells to surface. 

Medical-grade chemical peels are an amazing option for individuals who are looking to reverse sun damage or other minor or major imperfections in their skin. These chemical peels allow you to remove dead skin cells and address fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and unwanted dark spots in a safe and effective way. They are extremely controlled treatments that are performed in the comfort of our office.

Not all medical-grade chemical peels are the same. They come in different strength levels and are designed to accomplish different goals. Most chemical peels are performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing you to go home immediately after the treatment is complete. They are designed to make your face look brighter, tighter and younger.

The level or grade of medical chemical peel that you use will vary depending on the color of your skin, the texture of your skin, how elastic your skin is, and the condition you want to treat. Peels come in the form of very superficial, superficial, medium, and deep.

Very superficial and superficial chemical peels are designed to be a surface-level treatment. They may get rid of some dry skin, address some problems with texture,  and treat some minor discoloration in your skin. This type of chemical peel usually allows you to go on with your everyday life with little to no downtime.

Medium peels reach down further to remove the epidermis as well as the top layer of the dermis. This is generally designed to address fine lines, acne, and other facial conditions. Depending on your situation, you may need to have multiple treatments spaced out a set amount of time apart. This procedure can require a little bit of downtime, depending on how quickly your body can recover and heal from the procedure.

Deep peels affect all of the top layers as well as additional layers of the dermis. Deep chemical peels are the most intense and there is downtime associated with this peel. You will need to stay out of the sun for a period of time, and you will need to take steps to keep yourself protected as your skin recovers. This type of skin peel tends to deliver the best results and last for a long time. Deep peels are not for everyone. We will examine your skin to determine which level of medical-grade peel is best for your skin color, texture, and concerns. We will also factor in lifestyle and financial considerations before creating a treatment plan that works for you.

Deep Sea Peels

If the idea of an acid peel isn’t for you, the Deep Sea Peel is the perfect alternative. Deep Sea Peels use plant extracts and sea herbs and are incredibly effective for promoting the stimulation of collagen and elastin production and cell turnover.

Deep Sea Peels utilize manual exfoliation to resurface the skin, lifting away stubborn pigmentation and softening the look of acne scarring.

The Deep Sea Peel also induces more shedding than traditional lactic and salicylic peels as it dries out the epidermis resulting in a more intense exfoliation for your skin.

The treatment level of this peel can be individually tailored to meet your personal needs as it is worked into the skin by massage as opposed to penetrating like an acid peel would, resulting in smoother, denser, and more hydrated skin.

Typically, the treatment takes around 45 minutes. You may experience a slightly shorter or longer treatment depending on your individual needs, the condition of your skin, and your comfort levels throughout the duration of the treatment.

The Deep Sea Peel can be enjoyed by most skin types provided that the skin has been correctly prepared prior to your treatment.

If you have sensitive or impaired skin, it is not recommended to have a Deep Sea Peel. This type of peel is also not recommended for pregnant clients or those currently using acne medication.

Recovery times after the Deep Sea Peel range from 4-7 days. During this period, it is normal to experience redness, heat, tingling, pin-prick sensations (similar to sunburn), and peeling. Best results are evident 14 days after treatment.

The Peeling Process

The peeling process begins with a gentle cleansing, as a defatting solvent is wiped over the area to be treated. The chemical solution is then applied and allowed to penetrate the skin for a specific amount of time, depending upon the type of peel used, the skin type,  and the severity of the patient’s concerns. Once the predetermined time is reached, the peel is removed, and soothing ointment is applied.  

The patient is then sent home to heal. The duration of the healing process varies based on the specific type of treatment, although every patient is different.

While superficial peels don’t generally require anesthesia, deeper peels may require local anesthetic or oral sedation. Cold compresses are often enough to manage pain, although patients who opt for deeper peels may prefer to have pain medication available.

Peels are commonly recommended to treat fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone,  and blotchy or dull complexions. Peels are also used to treat age spots, acne scars, precancerous lesions, and rough or leathery patches.

Most patients who are in overall good health can safely undergo this type of cosmetic treatment. However, anyone with darker skin should seek a doctor’s recommendation before having a chemical peel, as the newly revealed layers of skin could be significantly lighter than their current skin tone.

Associated Risks and Potential Side Effects

• Skin darkening or lightening, especially among people with darker skin.
• Permanent scarring.
• Chemical peels on rare occasions can cause fungal and bacterial infections
• Persons with herpes simplex may experience a flare-up of the disease after the treatment.
• Deep peels use a type of phenol that might damage the heart muscle, cause uneven heartbeats, and damage the kidneys and liver.

The post Peeling Back the Years: Cosmetic Peels for Younger-Looking, Rejuvenated Skin appeared first on Specialist Skin Solutions.

Extrinsic Ageing

Due to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, the appearance of the hands changes with time. 

Extrinsic ageing, which affects the epidermal and dermal layers, is a result of factors including exposure to the sun, chemicals, and smoking. 

Ways extrinsic ageing manifests on the hands

Actinic keratosis: Rough, scaly patch on the skin that develops from years of sun exposure

Solar lentigines: Harmless patches of darkened skin, AKA dark spots or  age spots, common in people over the age of 40, solar lentigines results from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causing local proliferation of melanocytes and accumulation of melanin within the skin cells (keratinocytes).  

A solar lentigo is a flat, well-circumscribed patch that can be round, oval or irregular in shape, with colour varying in skin colour, size, and number. Though they occur in light and dark skin, they tend to be more numerous in fair-skinned individuals.

Hypopigmentation-punctate palmoplantar keratoderma syndrome: A rare, genetic, epidermal disease characterized by punctate keratoderma on palms and soles associated with irregularly shaped hypopigmented macules, typically localized on the extremities.

Solar purpura: A condition, most often affected on areas exposed to the sun, often occurring on the hands, forearms, and legs, causes one or more flat, purple bruises.

Intrinsic Ageing

In contrast, intrinsic ageing alters the deeper soft tissue planes, decreasing skin elasticity, soft tissue volume,  and dermal vascularity. Signs of intrinsic ageing include wrinkles, translucent and thinner skin, and prominent veins, joints, and tendons. 

Many patients notice that their ageing  hands sharply contrast with their newly rejuvenated faces, and request hand rejuvenation procedures. However, despite great advances in facial cosmetic procedures, hand rejuvenation has been slower to catch up. 

Hand rejuvenation refers to a whole suite of aesthetic techniques that improve the appearance and feel of your hands.  Hand rejuvenation procedures result in softer, plumper, brighter, and smoother hands.

Types of hand rejuvenation

Just like several types of rejuvenation for the face exist, there are several treatment options to restore the youthful appearance of the hands. Most hand rejuvenation treatments focus on extrinsic ageing by unifying pigmentation and skin resurfacing. 

These treatments, including topical acids like tretinoin and vitamin C, topical 5-fluorouracil, bleaching agents, microdermabrasion, chemical peeling, and laser treatments, have been shown to be the most effective and safe. At Specialist Skin Solutions, we offer a whole suite of rejuvenation techniques that will have your hands looking radiant and youthful again in no time. 

• Dermal Fillers
• Laser Genesis 
• Chemical Peels
• Age spot removal

Dermal Fillers

Just like those that take years off your facial age, dermal fillers are effective for contouring the hands, subtly filling in wrinkles and adding volume to plump bony hands and sagging skin. 

Dermal Filler is a medical injectable gel made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance already found in your body that attracts and binds with water, hydrating and plumping ageing skin anywhere on the body, including the extremities. When injected into the hands, dermal fillers restore volume, soften and fill lines, contour, and rejuvenate.

The ideal complement to laser treatments, which work wonders to resurface the appearance of hands, dermal  fillers complete the process by adding volume to eliminate that bony, veiny look. That’s not to say that bones, tendons and veins don’t have important functions— but dermal filler just makes them less noticeable by plumping the surrounding tissue. 

Though dermal fillers are not permanent, results can last between 6 to 18 months, depending on the area treated and the product used.

At Specialist Skin  Solutions, we believe in educating our clients, which is why a thorough consultation takes place prior to every treatment to discuss the areas of your concern,  treatment options, the amount and type of product to be used, as well as associated costs.

Laser Genesis

Laser Genesis is the latest in technological innovations, a medical procedure effective for softening wrinkles and reducing dark spots on the hands.

Restoring and rejuvenating the skin of the hands from beneath the surface, Laser Genesis uses a heat-based laser to target deep layers of the skin. Triggering the skin’s natural healing process to stimulate collagen production, Laser Genesis leaves hands resilient, radiant, and healthy-looking.

Laser Genesis does not wound the skin. Instead, it works by penetrating the top layer of skin and delivering thousands of micro-pulses of light to the dermis, the middle layer of the skin. The warming action shrinks blood vessels, breaks down scar tissue, and stimulates collagen production, leaving skin free of broken blood vessels, and dark areas.The state-of-the-art laser hand treatment diminishes sun spots, age spots and other hyperpigmentation imperfections, as well as lines and wrinkles. Laser treatments are an ideal complement to dermal fillers. While laser treatments work wonders to resurface the skin on the hands, dermal fillers complete the process by adding volume to eliminate that bony, veiny look.

Chemical Peels

Not just for the face, chemical peels can be beneficial for the hands as well. By exfoliating the outer layer of skin, which can become dry, tough, and aged from our many tasks and activities throughout the day, a chemical peel can not only improve the texture of the skin, but it can also help fade dark marks and tighten some of the laxity that can develop in this area over time.

Is hand rejuvenation right for you?

In general, anyone who is unhappy with the way time has changed the appearance of their hands are good candidates for hand rejuvenation. More specifically, you should consider hand rejuvenation if any of these conditions apply to your hands:

• Veiny appearance
• Wrinkled and crepey
• Thin skin
• Age spots or sunspots
• Very dry skin

It’s never too late to turn back the hands of time.

The post Turn Back the <em>Hands of Time:</em> Effective In-Office Treatments for Younger Looking Hands appeared first on Specialist Skin Solutions.

But the good news is, you don’t have to let stress get under your skin (both physically and metaphorically.) 

In this article, we’ll explain the connection between the mind and the body, how stress can negatively impact good skin health, and what you can do to keep anxiety at bay before it wreaks havoc on your skin.

The Mind-Skin Connection

There is a strong correlation between the body and the mind and the way the body responds to changes in our psychological state. And it all starts before we are born.

When we’re small, as in just after conception, we’re just a mass of cells that divide, develop, split, and stretch. From a single layer of embryonic tissue, two separate but inherently interconnected systems are born—the brain and the skin. And they are bound for life.

When the brain senses embarrassment, the skin blushes; when the skin senses pain,  the brain processes it; and when the brain gets anxious about events like political unrest, global warming, or a highly contagious virus, the skin shows it—with a zit, an eczema outbreak, or a psoriasis flare-up, depending on the individual.

There are two different types of stress—acute and chronic. A sudden surge of stress, the kind that comes and goes, can be a good thing. It can enhance mental clarity, heighten senses, and create wound-repairing collagen.  But it’s the chronic stress—the ongoing and continuous kind—that can take a serious toll on the skin.

The last two-plus years have been that kind of stressful for most of us. Between the pandemic, political unrest, riots, and war, it’s no wonder we’re all feeling stress, and it’s written all over our collective faces.

Cortisol

Conditions like depression, anxiety, and stress can cause new skin problems to develop or existing issues to worsen. And much of this is caused by the overproduction of cortisol, the primary stress hormone, and its effect on the skin barrier, the barrier that traps moisture in and keeps allergens, irritants and pollutants out. 

During times of stress, cortisol slows the production of beneficial oils, which causes the skin to get dry, rough, and irritated. Without adequate lipids to seal in hydration, the skin starts to leak water in a process known as transepidermal water loss.

At the same time, cortisol stimulates the overproduction of sebum, which is why our skin seems oilier when we’re under stress, leaving it open to acne breakouts. 

All of this alters the skin’s pH and creates a hostile environment for the trillions of symbiotic microorganisms that exist on and in the microbiome, also known as the skin barrier.

Some microbes feed off sebum, which helps sustain healthy oil levels; others feed off dead skin cells, nature’s exfoliation; some produce peptides and ceramides that keep skin firm and moisturized; and still other microbes offer protection from pollution, sunlight, and pathogens.

Stress also prompts the body to produce free radicals, which target various cells in the body. When free radicals target DNA, it can lead to skin cancer. When They target collagen, it can lead to wrinkles. And when free radicals target lipids, it can lead to dehydration and acne.

Long-term exposure to cortisol can also inhibit the production of hyaluronic acid and collagen, the chemicals that keep skin plump and youthful.  

Oddly enough, skin-care products containing hyaluronic acid and collagen are actually not meant for people under stress. They are really meant for people who have healthy skin. That’s because most topical ingredients can’t penetrate deep down to the lower layer of the dermis. Exposing a broken barrier to too many topical agents can, in fact, exacerbate existing issues.

Ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinol  are very ineffective on stressed-out skin because they deplete the normal, healthy barrier function, so it’s best to remove them from your skincare routine when you’re under stress.

Inflammation

Psychological conditions like stress and anxiety can also cause internal inflammation because when your brain perceives a threat, the immune system sends out a response to protect and heal the body. A body under stress causes the immune system to go hog wild, sending out an inflammatory response. And the same response happens in the skin, which can cause conditions like cystic acne.

On top of all of that, stress can also cause inflammation in the gut, causing another reaction that affects the skin. This gut-skin connection impacts the balance of bacteria in your gut, which leads to a release of inflammation that can work to magnify chronic inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis,  which can flare up when a person is stressed.

Managing stress

Managing stress may seem nearly impossible these days with so many stressful factors bombarding us every day. But a majority of our stress-induced issues do not actually come from the stressors themselves. Instead, they come from the way we deal with the stressors.

Tips for Keeping Your Skin (and Your Head) Stress-Free 

• Maintain a healthy skincare routine: A consistent and thorough skincare routine every day, even on days when you feel tired or stressed, is critical to quell the effects of stress on the skin. Never forget to take off your makeup and wash your face before bed, no matter how crummy you might feel, because neglecting your skin worsens existing skin issues or can cause new ones, creating a vicious cycle. 
• Exercise regularly: Exercise releases feel-good hormones that can boost energy, mood, and outlook. Exercise also increases antioxidants and lowers cortisol levels, meaning fewer breakouts and a stronger skin barrier. 
• Maintain a healthy diet: To prevent free radical damage, fill your plate with antioxidants, which stabilize unstable molecules to leave skin clearer, calmer, and brighter. Vitamins A and C, lycopene, astaxanthin, and polyphenols are all great options that can be obtained from eating a healthy, well-balanced diet with whole foods.  Equally important, avoiding processed and sugar-laden foods that trigger more inflammation inside your body is essential.
• Get plenty of rest: Sleep gives your body the time it needs to heal. It also improves your mood, boosts energy levels, and aids in cognition.
• Take time for self-care: Find time to relax and participate in re-energizing activities that make you happy. Take a bath, read a book, get a massage, listen to music, meditate, practice yoga, pet a dog, hold a baby, or do whatever it takes to make you feel good.
• Spend time with nature: Simply getting outside and witnessing the strength of a tree, the scent of flowers,  or the songs of birds has been proven to lower inflammation in the body. 
• Have a good cry: Crying is a stress reliever that helps decrease cortisol levels,  which can result in fewer breakouts. 

Sadly, no matter how hard you try, stress can leave lasting damage to your skin. And we’re here to help. Specialist Skin Solutions offers a variety of treatments that are effective in restoring skin health that’s been impacted by stress. Give us a call @ (02) 4934 1700 if you have any questions or contact us today to set up a consultation. Our team is waiting to help you love the skin you’re in!

In conclusion,  we can’t stop stressful situations in the world from occurring. They’ve been happening since the beginning of time. But you don’t have to let stress show on your face. There are ways we can deal with stressors, things we can do for our skin,  and ways we can treat ourselves that can prevent stress from getting under our skin.  
Contact us to book an appointment today!

The post Written All Over Your Face: How Stress Affects Skin appeared first on Specialist Skin Solutions.