|
|
(HealthNewsDigest.com) – As a plastic surgeon in Toronto, Canada, the importance of a quality skin care regimen is constantly evident. Addressing early fine lines with a good skin hygiene course of therapy and practicing skin care with the proper products and sun protection is an effective way to delay the need for invasive methods. When skin care routines do not produce the desired results, other techniques, such as resurfacing or injectable fillers, may be appropriate. Skin care regimens are equally as vital following plastic surgery or non-invasive skin treatments.
To maintain healthy skin, it is imperative to sustain balance in the skin’s properties. Sun exposure and smoking are factors that are common adversaries. Stress and stretching of the skin through weight gain and weight loss can also prove to be harmful. To counteract components of a person’s life that may work against the integrity of the skin, certain practices must be put into place. These include eating a nutritious diet, routine exercise, and healthy sleep habits. Emotional health is equally as important, but often overlooked.
Skin Hygiene
Skin hygiene is necessary to ensure the health of the skin. A proper skin care regimen should include cleansing, toning, exfoliation, and moisturizing. The epidermis collects a myriad of substances throughout the day. Particles from air pollution, dust, sweat, and cosmetic products build up on the skin, composing the layer of dirt we see when wiping the face. Sebum, the oily and waxy substance secreted from the sebaceous glands, is also present to lubricate and waterproof the skin. The aforementioned dirt becomes trapped by the sebum. Effective cleansing products are necessary to break through the oil to release the particles. A pH balanced cleaner will help to achieve this while maintaining the skin’s ability to battle bacterial and fungal infections. Most soap people use has a high pH, which can irritate the more acidic skin. Hypoallergenic cosmetic facial cleansing agents composed of soap, oil and water and intended for a specific skin type will more effectively remove the makeup, sebum, and dust that accumulate and reduce the risk of irritation. It is also advised not to scrub the face when washing or drying.
After cleansing the skin, a toner can be used to refresh the face and constrict the pores. By tightening the facial skin, makeup and oils are prevented from clogging the pores and leading to further irritation or infection. The pH balance of the skin can be restored through usage of toner astringents. Aftershave for men works in much the same way and contains the same substances, such as witch hazel, menthol, camphor, boric acid and rose water.
Exfoliating the Skin
To promote regeneration of the epidermis, exfoliation is necessary to increase the cell turnover rate from old to new. New, youthful skin is better at retaining moisture and has better texture. Age can slow down the natural migration of young healthy cells to the top layer of skin. Exfoliation helps to gently speed up the process by removing the dead cells sooner.
Moisturizing the Skin
The final step of skin hygiene is moisturizing. Once the water content of the skin moves from the deep layers to the surface it evaporates. Retaining moisture aids in keeping the skin from becoming too dry and has been proven to increase the healing time of wounds. Detergents, over washing, and age, among other factors can lead to dry skin. Choosing the right moisturizer based on skin type will increase the ability to maintain the correct water content. Dry skin is best cured with occlusives, products with vegetable or mineral-oils or animal fats that act as a barrier and reduce water evaporation on the surface of the skin. Oily skin should be addressed with moisturizers that contain a high concentration of humectants. Humectants bind water at the surface of the skin and within the epidermis to create higher water content. Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, sorbitol, collagen, or propylene glycol may be present in these products. People with normal skin should use a moisturizer with a balance of both.
Skin Treatments
Non-invasive skin treatments are often the first method patients utilize when daily skin care alone does not work, before selecting surgical means. Several options are available to restore a smooth, firm appearance of the skin as well as a youthful glow. Fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, acne scars, freckles, and other forms of facial skin discoloration can be corrected through microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing, laser skin tightening, and chemical peels. These non-invasive treatments can be performed right in a doctor’s office, unless extensive treatment is required or the treatment is being performed in conjunction with another surgical procedure. In those cases, skin treatments will be carried out in a hospital or surgical facility.
Microdermabrasion
During microdermabrasion, tiny crystals are released through a handheld device which buffs away dead skin cells, revealing the new skin below. This is a mechanical form of exfoliation. Sun damage, fine lines, crow’s feet, surface wrinkles, and age spots can be corrected with microdermabrasion. Acne scars and other blemishes may also be addressed by the procedure which typically takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. No anesthesia is required. Additional microdermabrasion sessions may be required to achieve the desired results, along with maintenance treatments. Patients may return to their normal activity that same day.
Laser Treatments
A second common skin treatment is laser skin resurfacing. Skin discoloration and enlarged pores are corrected in this manner. The heat emitted from the laser also encourages collagen production, improving the firmness and smoothing the texture of the skin. The entire face or a small area can be treated, causing the procedure time to range from a few minutes to an hour depending on the extent of the treatment. Local anesthesia and sedation may be used, as it is more invasive than microdermabrasion, with the top layers of the epidermis being removed. Recovery can take up to two weeks, during which time some swelling, discomfort, and pink or redness of the skin may occur.
Laser skin tightening works to solely stimulate collagen production, without removal of any layers of skin, to improve wrinkles and loose skin on the face and neck. The more youthful skin appearance is an outcome of the tightening effect initiated by the heat. There is no recovery time while the results continue to improve over the following months. Multiple treatments may be suggested.
Chemical peels may be used at varying strengths based on the need of the patient. Tone and texture are improved while the damaged outer layers of the epidermis are removed and new, healthier skin replaces it. Mild peels are composed of alphahdroxy acid (AHA) and do not require anesthesia or any significant downtime. Medium strength peels use trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and the deepest peels are comprised of phenol. Anesthetics are included in the chemical mixtures, however many patients elect to have sedation as well during phenol peels. TCA peels warrant a 7 – 10 day recovery time, while phenol peels can require two weeks or more.
Individuals should seek a qualified plastic surgeon if they have concerns about wrinkles, creases, skin firmness, discoloration, or other problems with the face. He or she will be able to recommend a suitable skin care regimen, skin treatment, or surgical procedure to correct the issue.
Dr. Robert Mounsey is a respected plastic surgeon in Toronto, Canada. He also performs a variety of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as rhinoplasty, facelift and otoplasty. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mounseyonline or call 416-438-2499.
###
For advertising and promotion on HealthNewsDigest.com call Mike McCurdy at 877-634-9180 or [email protected] We have over 7,000 journalists as subscribers who have access to our content for their own media.