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.

Laser Genesis is the latest in technological innovations for skin rejuvenation, a medical procedure effective for softening wrinkles, reducing dark spots, healing acne scars, making large pores appear less visible,  and reducing fine lines around the delicate eye area.

Let’s take a deeper look at Laser Genesis.

What are the Benefits of Laser Genesis?

Laser Genesis effectively heals scarring caused by acne, surgery, or burns and redness and broken blood vessels caused by rosacea and simultaneously erases fine lines, reduces the appearance of deep wrinkles, evens texture, reduces pores, and eliminates 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.

How Does Laser Genesis Work?

Laser Genesis is a non-ablative laser used to treat the dermis – the middle layer of skin. The basic difference between ablative and non-ablative treatments is that ablative lasers remove the top layer of skin, while non-ablative lasers work by heating the underlying skin tissue without harming the surface, allowing the body to naturally produce new collagen  And 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.

What to Expect on the Day of Treatment 

On the day of treatment,  you can expect an easy, pain-free, and surprisingly relaxing hour at the doctor’s office. The treatment area will be cleaned to ensure your skin is free of any lotions or makeup, and eye protection will be placed over your eyes to protect them from the laser.  

An experienced technician will move the Laser Genesis wand over the affected area in a continuous and repetitive motion. While the wand is moving over your skin, you may feel a slight warming sensation. Some patients say it feels like a relaxing massage. After 20-30 minutes, your treatment is complete. Sunscreen will be applied to protect the newly treated skin from the sun. Now you are free to return to your busy schedule with zero downtime!

What are the Benefits of Laser Genesis?

Laser Genesis simultaneously restores and rejuvenates the skin with results that include:

• Removal of scars – Laser Genesis gives new hope to patients who thought they would have to live with their scars forever.
• Relief from severe redness (also known as rosacea) – For patients that have tried to conceal their rosacea with topical treatments and makeup for years without success, Laser Genesis makes the worries, embarrassment, and stress go away by eliminating the constant need to cover up, decreasing redness, eliminating broken blood vessels, and restoring an even coloration to the skin.
• Rejuvenating boost of collagen – As we age, our skin begins to decrease its production of collagen. The lack of collagen gives our skin a lackluster, saggy, aging appearance. But Laser Genesis counteracts the aging process by stimulating the body’s natural ability to produce collagen and promoting cell renewal within the dermis. The result is a reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, pore size, and irregular texture.

When Will I See the Results?

While a minimum of three sessions is typically recommended, with optimal results being achieved after ten visits, treatment plans vary by patient based on the size of the treatment area and severity of their skin concerns. Most patients notice gradual, cumulative results over the course of their treatment plan. At your consultation, Dr. Beldholm or one of his trained Laser Genesis skin experts will assess your skin and determine the number of treatments that will give you the results you desire.

Once your treatment plan is determined, you will return every four weeks. While results for the treatment of scars are considered permanent, yearly follow-up treatments are recommended yearly for patients with rosacea and broken blood vessels to maintain optimal benefits. As with most treatments, the long-term results of Laser Genesis vary by patient, the extent of the skin’s damage, and how well the patient cares for their skin. Wearing sunscreen, following a daily skin care regimen, exercising, eating well, consuming minimal alcohol, and avoiding exposure to pollution and cigarette smoke (both first and second-hand) will help with the treatment’s long-term effectiveness and allow for the amount of time between treatments to be extended.

Are There Side Effects?

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.

How Much Does it Cost?

The cost of Laser Genesis varies by patient, depending on the size, severity, and the number of areas affected. Doctor Beldholm and his experienced staff will assess your skin, make a recommendation on the number of treatments needed to achieve the desired results, and advise you on the cost of your treatment plan at your consultation.

Is Laser Genesis Right For Me?

Just about anyone is a good candidate for Laser Genesis. Most patients choose Laser Genesis to eliminate acne scars, burns, enlarged pores, rosacea, or broken capillaries. We must caution that people with autoimmune diseases, active cystic acne, or who have used or are currently using certain medications to treat acne may want to consider alternative treatments. 

If you want to refresh, repair and rejuvenate damaged or problem skin, call Specialist Skin Solutions today to schedule a consultation. You’re just a few sessions away from having scar-free, rosacea-free, glowing skin at last!

Want to know more about how Laser Genesis compares to similar treatments? Contact us today!

The post Laser Focused: Scientifically Proven Laser Genesis Targets Rosacea, Broken Capillaries, Wrinkles, and Acne Scars Painlessly, Permanently, and Safely 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!

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