While you probably already know that dermal fillers are extremely safe and relatively painless, there are a few secrets of which you might not be aware. In this article,  we’re going to fill you in on the reasons we age, the effects ageing has on the skin, and the very effective treatments available today to turn back time and love the skin you’re in!

What causes facial ageing?

Before we talk about the solution, let’s discuss how the problem begins in the first place.

Ageing gracefully is a beautiful thing (or so they say), but, let’s face it,  there are changes that occur with age that most of us would prefer to erase or decrease dramatically. There is a great deal of wisdom, experience, and accomplishments that come with getting older. And though we might feel like we’re living our best lives on the inside, there are transformations that occur on the outside that can make you feel less confident, withdrawn, or even sad.

How Age Affects Our Skin

As the years add up, dozens of changes occur, some widely known, and some not so well-known. 

13 Sign of Ageing, Both Known and Lesser-Known

1. Red Facial Veins
2. Sagging Brows
3. Volume Loss in Temples and Cheeks
4. Uneven Texture
5. Age Spots and Hyperpigmentation
6. Expression Lines and Static Wrinkles
7. Jowls, Marionette, and Nasolabial Folds
8. Bone Loss or Thinning
9. Receding Hairline
10. Uneven Fat Distribution
11. Hyperextended Ears
12. Droopy Nose
13. Perioral Lines

Typically, as we get up there in years, the face loses volume, skin begins to sag, dark spots and hyperpigmentation develop, and lines and wrinkles begin to appear.

Aside from these obvious changes, however, there is also a structural metamorphosis happening behind the scenes. The forehead expands as the hairline  retreats; ears get longer because the cartilage in them grows, and the nose may droop due to a weakening in the connective tissue supporting nasal cartilage.

Uneven Fat Distribution

Fat distribution also shifts. The fat in the face that was evenly distributed in our youth, begins to lose volume, clump, and shift downward, so features that were formerly round may sink, and skin that was smooth and tight gets loose and saggy. To make matters worse, other parts of the face gain fat, particularly the lower half, resulting in the dreaded double chin and jowls.

Expression Lines and Wrinkles

And, of course, there are the expression lines. Those deep wrinkles in the forehead and between the eyebrows (11 lines), a result of facial muscles continually being tugged, and eventually creasing. Other folds may get deeper because of the way fat decreases and moves around. Fine wrinkles due to sun damage, smoking, and natural degeneration of elements of the skin that keep it thick and supple also greet the above 40 set.

As the same crease forms over and over from repeated facial expressions, the lines get even deeper. Over the years, these areas of skin wear down from all that movement. If you fold a piece of paper, for example, the areas along the folds lose structural integrity and get worse the more you fold the paper. Eventually, the paper becomes covered in folds and creases and the folded areas become so worn and thin to the point that it seems like it could tear apart.

While your skin won’t actually tear, the lines do become more and more pronounced. These lines are known as  static wrinkles, the lines that last even when the face is at rest. 

Changes in Bone Structure and Volume

Bone structure changes a lot with age, and menopause-related changes can speed this up. While bone thinning happens to everyone at some point, facial bone tissue tends to degrade much faster in women than men. The entire face is affected by bone thinning. The eye sockets become longer and wider; the bones at the tip of the nose recede; cheekbones project less;  and the lower jaw shrinks in  height and length. 

As facial bones lose volume, it affects how muscle and skin sits on the bones. These changes cause an aged look, making the face appear hollow, causing skin to sag. As the bones around the eye socket change, it can cause crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles to form as well. These changes start to become most obvious after age 40 and become even more prominent after 50. 

An easy way to observe these changes is to take a look at a photo of your grandmother in her 70s or 80s compared to what she looked like on her wedding day. Not only does her skin appear wrinkled, but the structure of her face itself has likely changed. Sunken cheekbones and temples, drooping brows and nose, elongated ears, and the loss of a contoured jawline are all apparent.

Gravity also plays a role.  Aside from bedtime, most of our lives are spent upright, with gravity pulling downward. This pull drags down the skin causing age-related changes.

What You Can Do About It

Now that we’ve discussed the many problems that come with ageing, let’s discuss the solutions. And, thankfully, there are many! 

Even if you have great genes and look much younger than you are, age-related changes in our facial appearance are unavoidable. Those changes reflect our joys and challenges in life. One approach is to simply celebrate our age and appearance for what they are.

Not everyone is comfortable with that, and some might like to postpone embracing those changes. The age-defying facelift, which surgically removes excess tissue and lifts sagging skin in the lower part of the face, is one way to try to stem the tides of time. Facelifts have improved, so the results tend to look more natural. But the surgery is expensive, and other procedures may be needed to achieve the desired results. The facelift procedure is just one of the more popular cosmetic procedures; there are plenty of alternatives for altering the ageing face.

Skin tightening procedures such as face lifts can help, but it won’t change the underlying bone structure. The best non-invasive approach is to restore volume with facial fillers. Injectable fillers plump the areas that have deflated due to bone loss, tricking the eye into seeing a more youthful face.

While the underlying bone structure has changed permanently, it’s unlikely you will look like your 20 year old self again. However, dermal fillers can make a dramatic improvement to help you look years younger.

Dermal Fillers 

Dermal fillers go beyond just the cheeks. They can restore fat pad volume in many areas of the face for a more attractive, youthful appearance.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a substance that is naturally produced by the body. HA fillers can add volume to the lips and enhance their shape and structure by not only plumping the lips but also by trapping water within the lips for a more naturalistic, full pout.

There are muscle-relaxant injections that stop dynamic wrinkles, while dermal fillers are designed to address volume loss and sagging skin. The takeaway is that wrinkles often accompany facial volume loss. If you can’t pinpoint exactly why your face looks tyred and old, it is likely a combination of volume loss and sagging skin. Wrinkles are obvious. But the subtle changes seen with facial volume loss are harder to pinpoint.

Here’s a good way to determine if you can benefit from anti-ageing injectables like dermal fillers. Take a look at an old photograph of yourself. Do you notice how as you smiled in the photo, there were few (if any) lines under your eyes? See how the tear trough area, lips, cheeks and skin look plump and full compared to what you see in the mirror today? That’s volume loss. Dermal fillers can help correct that.

Dermal fillers are designed to treat patients between the ages of 30 to 50 years old and beyond with mild to moderate volume loss in the face and sagging skin. Using facial fillers not only improves facial volume, but it can also give the skin a smoother appearance and even reduce wrinkles in the injected area.

At Specialist Skin Solutions, a physician-led cosmetic clinic specialising in non-surgical, anti-ageing aesthetic procedures, including the latest laser techniques, dermal therapies, anti-wrinkle injections, and body contouring, we offer expert-level dermal filler injections, performed by our elite team of trained expert pros. 

By relying on cutting-edge treatments and years of training, we safely administer fillers, injectables, and dermal treatments with the utmost precision and care in a relaxed, upscale setting. Stemming from our expertise, personalised guidance, and passion for skincare, we offer the latest treatments, technology, and skincare products.

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 other than the plump, luscious lips you’ll see when you look in the mirror!

If you’re ready to start the year off with a bang after the fireworks have become a memory, call Specialist Skin Solutions @(02) 4934 1700 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!

The post Injecting Beauty into the New Year: 13 Reasons Why Your Faces Ages and What You Can Do About It appeared first on Specialist Skin Solutions.

With a new eyebrow trend seemingly cropping up on social media every week, it’s easy to forget that we’ve been tampering with our brows for years. In ancient Egypt, both men and women darkened their brows with powdered minerals, achieving a strong look that offset their heavily-lined eyes.

The transition from plucking the life out of our brows to letting them grow as full as humanly possible has been interesting, with ebbs and flows changing with the times.  Whether plucked and pencil-thin, bold and bushy, arched and dramatic,  or au naturel, there’s a distinctive brow for every decade.

Brows Through the Years

1920s Hollywood Glam

As the film industry was beginning to flourish in Hollywood, the 1920s was an era of sophisticated thin, yet rounded brows that emoted a whimsical and childlike awe to the face. Harnessing  a look that would come to define the decade, Clara Bow, the original “it girl,” with her cupid’s bow lips, dark eye makeup, and thin, downward-arching brows, was the quintessential flapper, brows and all.

1930s Decade of the Arch

As makeup became more affordable, the pencilled-on look remained in vogue, as women were shaving and plucking their natural brows into near or total extinction—then drawing them back on again. Hollywood icon Marlene Dietrich reportedly shaved off her eyebrows and drew them back on – in a perfectly rounded arch.

1940s Natural Beauty

Fuller and more natural brows reigned during this wartime era with thin brows being a thing of the past. Joan Crawford,  one of the stars who sported the original power brow, left thin and over-plucked brows in the past, opting for a big, bold, and more dramatic look.

1950s Bombshell Brows

Marilyn’s red lips and blonde curls weren’t the only things that helped to create the star’s iconic bombshell style, as her dramatic brows typified 50s femininity. Perfectly groomed with a high arch, the squared-out shape of Marilyn’s eyebrows added to her sultry look. Darker eyebrows were the look of the era, with women pencilling over their natural brows. With Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Marilyn Monroe all leading the way with full, strong, dramatic brows, women everywhere started experimenting with makeup using eyeshadow on their brows to achieve full, striking brows like their Hollywood idols.

1960s​ Taking a Backseat

A decade later, during the mod ’60s,  it was all about bold eye makeup, and neat and understated brows took a backseat. Twiggy’s rounded arches worked to offset (and not compete with) her graphic eye makeup. With the focus being more on bold eyes, thick eyeliner, and spiky lashes, the eyebrows were seen as a frame to the face instead of the focal point.

When it came to her brows, actress Sophia Loren forged her own path. As one of the most in-demand stars of the decade, her look was distinctly different from the Twiggy mod. Her unique approach to brow grooming involved shaving them off completely and drawing them back on. She would apply short, thread-thin strokes to make her eyebrows appear more natural. (Think brow pens of today — the woman was ahead of her time!)

1970s Hippies vs. Disco

When it came to brows in the 70s, there were two camps; ultra-thin or naturally full. The former came with the birth of disco fever; preened and plucked into a high arch. Donna Summer’s groomed brows matched the spirit of the disco decade.  

At the same time, however, the rise of the hippie movement led some women to forego brow grooming altogether. The sub-culture tended towards a freer aesthetic, so there were just as many women putting down their tweezers as there were fans of disco taking theirs up a notch.

1980s Brooke Brows

By the 80s, everything had gotten bigger and bolder, with hairstyles and shoulder pads being just the start. With her full, natural-looking caterpillar  brows, actress Brooke Shields became the brow icon of the decade. This decade saw women step away from the tweezers and overplucking, opting for a more natural look. 

While Brooke’s brows were “endlessly loved,” Whitney Houston and Madonna each rocked bushy ‘brushed up’ brows of their own. The less-preened-is-more trend of the 80s sent the au natural look into the stratosphere.

1990s Thin Was Back In

And just like that, the bushy brow trend was over. In the 90s, thin, low-arched eyebrows graced the pages of Vogue once again, as Kate Moss made waves across magazine covers. This led to a generation of women plucking their brows with abandon once again.

2000’s Return of the Skinny

Just when we thought the 90s brows were the thinnest we could go, brows in the aught era got even thinner! With Y2K, we saw women plucking their brows down to almost nothing with women drawing a line for their brows to create looks like music icons Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefan.

Brows stayed ultra-thin well into the first decade of the 21st century, though the arch had raised to become almost angular in shape. Towards the end of the decade, however, a more natural shape began surfacing once again, as brows started filling out—a sign of things to come.

2010 Bold Reemergence  

As Cara Delevingne’s modelling career took off around 2012, so too did the bold brow trend. Showcasing her ample, though groomed, arches, Delevingne inspired women and girls everywhere  to let their brows grow back (or learn how to use brow pencils, powders, and pomades on YouTube with precision.) 

With megastars like Kim Kardashian and Natalie Portman sporting full bold brows, women now have the opportunity to create perfect brows just like their favourite celebrities at home. With endless online tutorials being all the rage, women of all ages are becoming eyebrow stylist experts in their own right, learning to create definition and shape at home.

2020s Moed-Revolution

We’ve come quite a long way since the Sophia Loren shaving-it-off and drawing-it-back-on method. Any scroll through Insta or Tik Tok will show a growing group of influencers and models embracing a wide-eyed, surprised look.

Supermodels like Bella Hadid, sporting heightened, exaggerated brows, are setting the stage for this new brow-raising aesthetic.

Today, face shape plays an integral part when deciding the shape of the brow. And whether it’s salon-based techniques like threading, waxing, or laminating, using brow-specific products at home, or turning to revolutionary cosmetic procedures, today’s women have thousands of options, and the one that’s gaining the greatest traction has nothing to do with makeup at all.

Whereas the makeup counter and salon were once the only venues for creative beauty products and techniques, today’s women are turning to the medical profession to reimagine their looks, turn back the years, and inject beauty into their lives on a regular basis. The latest trend of brow injectables is here— and it’s certainly raising quite a few eyebrows.

Brow Lift Techniques

As with everything in aesthetic medicine, there is no such thing as one size fits all. In the case of brow lifts, there are several techniques for patients to consider depending on their needs and desired results. The three most common techniques are muscle relaxant injections, thread lifts, and surgical lifts. 

Muscle Relaxant injections

The latest trend in cosmetic injectables is raising more than a few eyebrows.  Brow lifts are used to tighten the skin of your forehead, removing  “frown lines” and wrinkles, and restoring vibrancy to the face. Natural-looking results can virtually reverse the unwanted effects of ageing. 

Muscle relaxants injected into the muscles that pull the tail of the eyebrow down are a simple, safe, and highly effective way to add lift to the brow.  Neurotoxin injections work best for a patient who experiences brow drooping and crow’s feet around the eyes when they smile. 

Like most muscle relaxant treatments, the results take about five to seven days to kick in and last three to four months. Though they do require maintenance,  injections are the most budget-friendly brow lift option available today. And the best news is—they can be performed in an office setting during a patient’s lunch hour.

Thread Brow Lifts 

Given the recent rise of minimally invasive thread lifts for the face, it should come as no surprise that the technique is being considered for eyebrows, too.  A dissolvable thread is used to elevate the tail of the brow to achieve an exaggerated brow look. 

While the procedure delivers a more pronounced lift than can be achieved with muscle relaxant injections alone, threading does not last very long and can yield an unnatural result.  The results last  about a month. 

Because the tissue in the area is quite thin, threads are very thin and can be painful.  The price of a thread lift depends on the provider, but can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Surgical Brow Lifts 

For those seeking longer-lasting results, a surgical brow lift represents the most permanent option. 

Pretrichial Brow Lift 

A pretrichial brow lift is a surgical procedure to correct the loss of soft tissue elasticity in the upper third of the face. The pretrichial brow lift is performed by a plastic surgeon. Excess sagging skin around the forehead causing drooping of the brows and wrinkling of the forehead is removed. Underlying muscle and tissue are repositioned, creating a more refreshed, youthful appearance in the upper third of the face. A pretrichial brow lift can also be combined with a facelift.

The Procedure

• Performed under general anaesthesia 
• The incision follows 2 mm behind the hairline, helping induce hair growth through the incision.
• The entire flap is advanced toward the back of the head and the excess is trimmed to close without tension.
• The incision in the scalp skin is closed with sutures and staples 
• A light pressure dressing is applied.

Risk Factors of Pretrichial Brow Lift Surgery 

• Blood clot (haematoma) formation
• Swelling
• Infection
• Facial nerve impairment
• Sensory nerve impairment
• Numbness 
• Loss of hair  
• Inability to close the eyelids completely
• Scarring
• Contour irregularities

Another surgical option is the temporal brow lift, which involves making an incision hidden in the hairline and raising the underlying tissues to restore a more youthful appearance.

Though surgical solutions are much longer lasting and can be less risky than repeated thread lifts, which can cause infection, pain, and scar tissue buildup, they involve sufficient downtime, are painful, and can be extremely costly, with the average cost of a surgical brow lift ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

Confused? It goes without saying that beauty trends come and go. Even the great Kate Moss, who has graced the covers of hundreds of magazines, including 46 (and counting) on Vogue, has changed her eyebrow looks over the years.  Exaggerated arches that are ‘in’ today can be ‘out’ tomorrow. And just like the trends have changed and will continue to change with every passing year (or day, these days) it might be hard to decide which solution is best for you.  If you’re considering going “high brow,” the best place to start is a consultation with one of our friendly, knowledgable, and experienced professionals. 

Unlike surgical eyebrow lifts that require going under the knife or threading that doesn’t last very long and can yield less-than-desirable results, brow injections can achieve similar results with just a few strategic jabs of the needle.

It’s becoming an increasingly popular approach, one that works to lift and lengthen the skin above the brow and forehead for a more open and feline-esque eye area and defined brow bone. The difference is subtle but significant – and not as painful (on both your face and your wallet) as the alternatives.

If you’re longing for a look that is sure to raise a few eyebrows, without going under the knife, then muscle relaxant brow injections just might be the answer. 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. Just book a consultation today!

At Specialist Skin Solutions, a physician-led cosmetic clinic specialising in non-surgical, anti-ageing aesthetic procedures, including the latest laser techniques, dermal therapies, anti-wrinkle injections, and body contouring, we offer expert-level brow-lifting injections, performed by our elite team of trained expert pros. 

By relying on cutting-edge treatments and years of training, we safely administer injectables with the utmost precision and care in a relaxed, upscale setting. Stemming from our expertise, personalised guidance, and passion for skincare, we offer the latest treatments, technology, and skincare products in Australia.

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 other than eye-opening results.
If you’re ready to raise a few eyebrows at your next interview, meeting, or class reunion, look no more!  Book online now. We’re dedicated to helping each one of our clients love the skin they’re in.

For more information on injectables for the face, neck, and body, see these related blog posts, and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list so you never miss another article!

The post Latest Trend in Injectables That’s Raising A Few Eyebrows 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.

Acne breakouts are frustrating enough when you’re young, but adult acne and the scars it leaves behind can last long after the teenage years have passed. And these marks don’t just look unattractive, the damage can also be unseen. 

The psychological effects that severe acne sufferers face while in active breakout mode can be compounded exponentially when the resulting scars act as daily reminders of the anguish, embarrassment, and isolation that a face full of pimples can cause.

The good news is that acne scars can finally be reduced or even erased with the help of some of the latest medical skincare technologies.

What causes acne scars?

We’re all guilty of picking at our zits or popping pimples—and the red, oozy, “made-it-worse visual outcome is almost always a reminder of why it’s best to resist the urge.

But, even when you do keep your hands off your face, sometimes a scar will still be left behind. While acne often makes its presence known above the skin, the reason it leaves scarring behind has more to do with what’s happening underneath the skin.

Whether there’s scarring and how exactly it presents depends on your skin type and the extent of the damage. Scars are formed when a breakout penetrates the skin deeply,  resulting in trauma to the skin tissue.  

Before treating acne scars, it’s important to know what type they are because every type responds differently to treatment, and some treatments are better for particular types than others.

Types of Acne Scars

• Discolouration/Hyperpigmentation: This type of scar is usually flat and happens when the skin remains darker after a blemish has healed. The purple, red, or brown marks can fade over a few months on their own and are more easily erased by serums and less-invasive treatments. 
• Atrophic/depressed/indentation scars:  A depressed scar that sits below the surrounding skin, an atrophic scar is formed when not enough collagen is made while the wound is healing, leaving an indentation in the skin. These scars are more challenging, though not impossible, to erase.

Three types of atrophic scars 

Boxcar

Wide, U-shaped scars with sharp edges, boxcar scars can be shallow or deep. The shallower they are, the better they respond to skin resurfacing treatments. 

Ice pick

Narrow, V-shaped scars that can go deep into the skin, ice pick scars. Similar to a chickenpox scar, these scars can look like small round or oval holes. Because they can extend far under the surface of the skin, ice-pick scars can be the most difficult scars to treat. 

Rolling

Wide depressions with rounded edges, rolling scars have an irregular, rolling appearance.

Hypertrophic or raised acne scars

Most common with chest and back acne, hypertrophic scars stand above the surface of the surrounding skin and are caused by too much collagen during healing.

Treatment for Acne Scars

Before treating acne scars, it’s important for patients to be seen by a dermatologist or a healthcare professional who will help them determine the type of scars, the best treatment method(s) to reduce the appearance of the scars and evaluate whether the marks presented on the skin are actually acne scars and not the symptom of another condition.

Some acne scar treatments below can’t be used alongside topical acne medications because the inflammation caused by the breakouts can reduce treatment effectiveness and new breakouts can lead to new acne scars. For this reason, it is highly recommended that the acne itself be treated before acne scar treatments begin.

Topical Treatments 

Alpha hydroxy acids

Best for more moderate types of acne scars

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which are often found in products made to treat acne, this mild acid exfoliates the outer layer of the skin to help remove discolouration and rough skin and make acne scars appear less noticeable. 

Lactic acid

Best for most types of moderate acne scars

Lactic acid peels done once every 2 weeks for 3 months improved the texture, appearance, and pigmentation of the skin and lighten acne scars.

There are countless peels, serums, and ointments with lactic acid, but you can also use diluted apple cider vinegar as a toner or spot treatment thanks to its natural lactic acid. But apple cider, as well as other at-home treatments, are potentially harsh on sensitive skin. They should always be tested on a small area of the skin before starting treatment with the product. 

If the skin is sensitive and the product is applied, there’s potential for inflammation and irritation, which can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Retinoids

Best for atrophic or depressed scars

Topical retinoids are another acne treatment with scar-smoothing benefits. In addition to speeding up your cell regeneration and improving your skin’s texture, retinoids can also help reduce discolouration and make scars less noticeable.

Because retinoids can make the skin especially sensitive to the sun, it is highly suggested that patients always wear sunscreen daily when using any product that contains retinoids.

Lower-concentration retinoid creams and serums are available over the counter, but a healthcare professional can prescribe products with higher concentrations.  

Salicylic acid

Best for all mild acne scars

From pads to spot treatments and lotions to face cleansers,  salicylic acid is present in just about every kind of acne treatment these days.

Salicylic acid, which works to clear pores, reduce swelling and redness, and exfoliate the skin when applied topically, is considered to be one of the better treatments for mild acne scars. 

Sunscreen

Best for preventing and reducing all acne scars

To make scars less apparent and not get worse, sunscreen should be applied every day over scars.  

If at-home treatments don’t seem to be making a difference, a skin care specialist or healthcare professional can help with more aggressive and effective treatments.

Treatments for Deeper and More Severe Scars

Laser Genesis

Best for all types of acne scars, especially deeper scars

Laser Genesis permanently removes acne scars and simultaneously restores and rejuvenates the skin. A non-invasive, painless procedure, Laser Genesis effectively heals scarring caused by acne, surgery, or burns, while also reducing the appearance of deep wrinkles, evens texture, reducing pores, and eliminating age spots. The icing on the cake is the boost of radiance and firmness Laser Genesis gives the skin by stimulating collagen production. Laser Genesis can be used to treat any part of the body; however, it is predominantly used on the face, neck, chest, and hands.

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 warming action shrinks blood vessels, breaks down scar tissue, and stimulates collagen production, leaving skin free of scars, broken blood vessels, and redness.

Unlike traditional laser treatments, Laser Genesis treats and rejuvenates the skin from beneath the surface, which means that the top layer, or epidermis, is not injured during the procedure. The most commonly reported side effect is mild, temporary redness of the treatment area, but this will resolve as your skin begins to heal.

Just about anyone is a good candidate for Laser Genesis. If you want to know more about how Laser Genesis compares to similar treatments, call Specialist Skin Solutions today to schedule a consultation. You’re just a few sessions away from having scar-free skin at last!

Dermabrasion

Best for scars close to the surface like shallow boxcar or rolling scars and helps deeper scars become less noticeable

Dermabrasion is one of the most effective and common treatments for facial scars. While it uses the same general principle as the microdermabrasion kits you can do at home, healthcare professionals use tools to exfoliate the top layer of the skin.

Chemical peels

Best for all types of acne scars, often used for deeper scars

Not the kind of face masks that you wear during a great Netflix movie, a chemical peel is a strong acid that’s used to remove the top layer of the skin to reduce deeper scars. 

Some chemical peels are mild enough to be used at home, but a healthcare professional can provide a stronger solution with more dramatic results. 

Fillers

Best for all types of acne scars, often used for deeper scars

Dermal Fillers are an injectable gel, generally made from collagen or hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance produced by the body that attracts and binds water.

When injected into the skin, dermal fillers restore volume, soften and fill lines, and are highly effective in eradicating acne scars, even the deeper types. When injected into the acne scar, dermal fillers work by expanding the tissue beneath the area, plumping up and smoothing depressed scars, producing a subtle, natural look that can last *6 to 18 months.

Microneedling

Best for: depressed acne scars

This newer treatment uses a small, handheld, needle-studded roller or a handheld “pen” on the surface of the scars. The needles puncture the skin without going through it. As the skin heals, it produces collagen.

Take away

Acne scars can be frustrating, annoying, and even psychologically damaging, but these days you don’t have to suffer in silence. Though most deep acne scars are permanent, a healthcare provider can help you find the right treatment plan for you. 

If you want to erase or reduce acne scars once and for all, call Specialist Skin Solutions today to schedule a consultation. You’re just a few sessions away from having scar-free, smooth, glowing skin. Want to know more about how our various treatments compare to similar treatments? Contact us today!

The post Adults Only: How to Erase Acne Scars at Any Age appeared first on Specialist Skin Solutions.