When you’re expecting a child, there’s a lot of changes you might expect, but there’s probably much more that you do not. As your body grows to support your growing baby, you may also experience changes to your skin such as a sudden glow on your face, pinkish streaks on your belly, increased oil production, excessive dryness and itchiness, stretch marks, varicose veins and spider veins.

Though not every pregnant woman will experience the same skin changes, it’s a good idea to be aware of which conditions are common and safe and which are less common and might be an indication of something more serious happening.

Common Skin Changes During Pregnancy

Stretch Marks 

The skin is a living organ that expands as the baby develops. As this happens, the skin on the belly stretches to accommodate the growing baby bump.

The average woman gains about 14 kilograms throughout the nine months of pregnancy. And as a result, it is common for pregnant women to experience stretch marks which appear as pinkish or reddish streaks running down the abdomen, thighs, or breasts. In fact almost 90% of women will experience some stretch marks.

Exercise, staying hydrated, and lotions that contain vitamin E and alpha-hydroxy acids have been said to help in the prevention of stretch marks. Though these remedies have not been medically proven, it never hurts to try. And the good news is, these streaks are likely to disappear or fade to silvery faint lines after delivery.

Linea Nigra

If a dark line suddenly appears along your belly during the second or third trimester, don’t worry. A darkened vertical line in the middle of a pregnant belly, linea nigra is a common, totally normal, and completely harmless part of pregnancy. A lesser-known surprise to add to the growing list of pregnancy mysteries, the linea nigra, AKA “pregnancy line,” can be alarming if you’re not expecting it. While it might not be the most attractive part of pregnancy, it’s nothing serious. And the good news is it usually fades shortly after delivery. While some physical changes that happen in pregnancy, like growing and swollen breasts, have a biological purpose, there’s no clear reason for linea nigra.  

Though some old wives’ tales say that the length of your pregnant belly line will determine whether you’re having a boy or a girl, it’s really just a myth. 

Though this mysterious line normally fades after giving birth, the truth is, it’s different for everyone.  As hormonal levels start to decrease and stabilize, linea nigra should start to fade in the weeks and months after birth. For some women,  this pregnancy line may take as long as a year to fade. In rare cases, it never completely goes away.While there are really no at-home remedies that fully get rid of linea nigra, there are skin-lightening agents, chemical peels, and laser treatments that can help.

Mask of Pregnancy

Pregnancy causes the skn to be extra sensitive and exposure to the sun ups the chances of dark spots showing up on the face. “Mask of pregnancy, ”  also referred to as melasma or chloasma, is the result of increased pigmentation causing dark splotchy spots which most commonly appear on the forehead and cheeks.

When a woman becomes pregnant, the body begins to produce more hormones, which can cause hyperpigmentation. Nearly 50% of pregnant women show some signs of the “mask of pregnancy.” While this skin condition doesn’t normally cause or turn into cancer, there are certain skin cancers that look similar to melasma, so it’s important to let your doctor know if you aren’t sure which skin condition you are experiencing – to be on the safe side. 

The best way to prevent “mask of pregnancy” is to wear  sunscreen with a SPF 30 and  wear a hat to protect the skin fro the sun’s harsh rays in the warmer months. The good news is, these skin changes usually fade after giving birth. 

Pregnancy Glow

During pregnancy, the body produces 50% more blood, resulting in more blood circulation. This causes the face to look flush. The body also produces more hormones during pregnancy, which causes the oil glands to kick into overdrive.

Between the red face from the increased blood circulation and the shininess from the overly active hormones, the face takes on a pinkish sheen. The combination of redness and shine is commonly referred to as “pregnancy glow.”  

Acne

The additional hormone production brought on by pregnancy causes the glands to secrete more oil. For women who already experience breakouts,  acne may become more irritated. To avoid breakouts, it’s important to stick to a consistent  and thorough cleansing routine every morning and before bed. And though it may seem tempting to wash even more often,  too much of a good thing can cause the skin to become dry.

While some toners and astringent are effective for removing any oil that still remains after washing, it’s important to stay away from any cleaners or astringents that contain acne medications like benzoyl peroxide, as these medications are not safe for a growing baby.

Dealing with acne during pregnancy can be quite challenging, so it’s important to seek medical advice from a healthcare provider before self-treating any symptoms of acne during pregnancy. This can be especially difficult for women who suffer with cystic acne as injections are also not safe for pregnant women. There are excellent medications for severe acne, however, medical providers warn against using them until after child bearing years as they are extremely dangerous to the growing baby.

Though it might seem counterproductive, using an oil-free moisturizer can help to reduce greasy skin.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are bulky bluish veins that may appear on the legs during pregnancy. This happens because the body is trying to compensate for the extra blood flow that goes to the baby. Those women with a family history are more prone to developing varicose veins during pregnancy. The bad news is they can be uncomfortable and unattractive.  The good news is, there are ways to lessen their severity or even prevent them from forming altogether.  Speak to your provider as soon as you learn you are pregnant, especially if you have a family history, for effective ways to lessen the severity of this annoying, but common, skin condition.

Spider Veins

Also known as spider nevi, spider veins are tiny thin reddish blood vessels that branch outward. Like varicose veins, spider veins are also caused by the increase in blood circulation.

Usually appearing on the face, neck, upper chest and arms, spider veins should not hurt and normally go away shortly after delivery.  Though any woman can develop spider veins, caucasian and other lighter-skin women are more prone to develop them than dark-skinned women.  Some spider vein conditions are passed through generations. If they are hereditary, there’s not much that can be done to prevent them. Oherse, avoiding crossing your legs and increasing vitamin C intake can help minimize their severity.    Most spider veins will fade on their own shortly after delivery, but for those that remain, Laser Genesis treatments can be highly effective.

Dry Itchy Skin

As your baby bump grows, the skin on your belly will stretch and tighten. This can cause discomfort, dryness and itching. These symptoms are normally harmless, but, when accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, and/or jaundice, especially in the last trimester, it could be symptoms of something more serious. 

Cholestasis, a condition related to liver function, can appear as dry itchy skin accompanied by abdominal discomfort, yellow skin, and a general feeling of unease. While nausea and fatigue are quite common for pregnant women in the early months, symptoms that persist after the first trimester, especially when combined with excessive dryness, could be a signal of cholestasis. If you suspect that you may be experiencing these symptoms, contact your practitioner immediately.   

Itchiness that is more intense or spreads to your arms and legs could be a sign of a less common condition called pruritic urticarial papules and plagues (PUPP). PUPP, which occurs in about one in every 150 pregnancies, appears as itchy, reddish, raised patches on the skin. The good news is PUPP will normally go away after delivery.

To help alleviate itchy skin on the belly during pregnancy,  staying well hydrated, both inside and out, by drinking plenty of water and regularly applying moisturizer can help. Non-medicated oatmeal baths are also helpful for alleviating an itchy baby belly.

Skin Tags

Small, loose growths of skin, skin tags are a common skin condition that happens in pregnant women and usually appear under the arms or breasts or on the neck.  After pregnancy, most skin tags tend to disappear, but if they do not go away, they can be safely removed by a physician.

Darkening of Freckles and Moles

Increased hormones cause changes in the skin’s  pigmentation. Existing areas of dark pigmentation such as freckles, moles, nipples, areolas, and labia, can become even darker during pregnancy.  Most of the time, this is not serious but if you notice that a mole or freckle changes in appearance, size,  or shape, contact your healthcare provider.

13 Tips for Preventing or Alleviating Pregnancy-Related Skin Conditions

1. Avoid sitting for long periods of time to prevent varicose veins and spider veins.
2. Walk  as much as possible to help keep blood circulating.
3. Avoid standing for long periods of time.
4. Keep feet propped up if sitting for long periods of time. 
5. Wear  support stockings to aid with circulation.
6. Eat foods high in vitamin C to keep veins healthy and elastic.
7. Sit with legs higher than your head for at least a half an hour a day.
8. Eat healthy and get plenty of exercise to avoid excessive weight gain.
9. Keep skin properly and thoroughly moisturized with non-medicated creams or lotions.
10. Wash face twice a day (but not more often)  to help with excessive oil production.
11. Avoid using topical medications that contain benzoyl peroxide or other strong ingredients to treat acne during pregnancy.
12. Drink plenty of water to keep skin hydrated.
13. Lotions that contain vitamin E and alpha-hydroxy acids may help prevent stretch marks.

When you’re expecting a baby, we know there are a lot of changes happening that you might not be expecting—and we’re here to help.  Our lovely team of experts is immensely knowledgeable and trained on the latest techniques, highly experienced, and incredibly dedicated to providing the best results possible. And they’re here to meet with you to discuss your individual concerns. Just book an online consultation or give us a call @0249341700 today!

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, the range of treatment options, and our pricing structure. We know you have a lot going on and we’re here to help you with the changes to your skin you may not have expected when you’re expecting.

Specialist Skin Solutions
30 Belmore Road, Lorn, 2320
0249341700

The post What You May Not Expect When You’re Expecting: Recognizing, Preventing, and Treating Common Pregnancy-Related Skin Conditions appeared first on Specialist Skin Solutions.

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.