Improving Skin Texture
Skin ageing may be thought of as intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic ageing is primarily determined by our genetics: our tissues including collagen, muscle, bones and organs all age and in most cases become weaker and susceptible to disease. We can fight intrinsic ageing by choosing healthy lifestyle options including diet and exercise. Extrinsic ageing of the skin is related to external environmental factors with UV light exposure being by far the most important.
Ageing skin develops abnormal texture with lines and wrinkles being the most obvious signs. Pigmentation abnormalities, open pores, crepey fine texture, scaly sunspots and waxy texture are also common.
Improving skin texture starts with prevention. Our 3 key recommendations are:
- UV avoidance
- Good topical skincare, most importantly using a retinol product
- Regular clinic treatment – 3x yearly is ideal
Treatments: Erbium Laser Resurfacing
Treatments: Erbium Laser Resurfacing
Treatments: Erbium Laser Resurfacing
Treatments for Skin Texture
- Erbium Laser Resurfacing
- Fraxel Laser
- Skin Needling
- PRF
- Bioremodelling injections
Erbium Laser Resurfacing
Ablative Laser Resurfacing is our strongest treatment for reduce lines and wrinkles, skin laxity, uneven pigmentation, acne scarring and other scarring. It is ideal for the face, neck, chest and hands, and restores healthy, younger-looking skin in just one or two treatments. Whilst the face can tolerate very strong treatments if needed, for treatments on the neck, chest and hands, a lighter resurfacing treatment is performed (ProFractional Laser Resurfacing).
How Does Laser Resurfacing Work?
The Erbium Laser works in several ways to reduce scarring and reverse the signs of ageing. Erbium resurfacing may be performed over the entire skin surface, or as a fractional treatment which targets a matrix of tiny columns of skin. Full resurfacing removes the upper layers of the skin (stratum corneum and epidermis), and in stronger treatments may also remove skin from the next layer (the dermis). Removal of old epidermal cells markedly improves superficial pigmentation and fine lines or wrinkles. As the laser penetrates the dermis, deeper lines and wrinkles and scarring are targeted. Fractional treatments produce microscopic channels shrinking excess skin and boosting collagen production in the deep layers of your skin, plumping the skin from the inside out. Fractional treatments may be preferred for delicate skin areas such as the neck and decolletage, or when shorter down-time is desired. The overall results of erbium resurfacing are:
- Tightening of excess skin
- Softening of fine lines and wrinkles
- Smoothing of raised and depressed scarring
- Removal of age and sun spots
- New collagen production
How Many Erbium Treatments Will I Need?
For fine lines and light-to-moderate sun damage on the face, excellent results will usually be seen after one treatment. For more advanced sun-damage or ageing, acne scarring or other scarring or treatments in off-face areas, two or more treatments are recommended.
What Does the Erbium Laser Treatment Involve
Before the treatment, a local anaesthetic cream will be applied to the skin and left for approximately 90 minutes. Oral analgesics, local anaesthetic injections and Entonox gas will also be used as appropriate. As the laser is passed over your skin, you will feel a warm to hot prickly sensation. Treatment time for a full face is approximately 40 minutes.
Fraxel Laser
Fraxel Laser is an innovative approach to improving skin texture, treating pigmentation, lines and wrinkles, acne scarring and other scarring. There are three types of modern Fraxel Lasers and many more Fraxel imitators. We use the Fraxel DUAL 1550/1927 Laser in our Perth clinic, as it rejuvenates skin, has an unparalleled safety reputation and is known for rapid recovery times.
How does Fraxel Laser work?
The Fraxel DUAL targets ageing and sun-damaged skin with microscopic laser columns that penetrate deep into the skin to speed up collagen remodelling and stimulate the production of younger, smoother, healthier skin to replace damaged tissue. As the laser treats only a fraction of tissue at a time, it leaves the surrounding tissue intact, which enables very rapid healing. The Fraxel DUAL treatment resurfaces skin by stimulating the growth of new, healthy skin cells from the inside out.
What can Fraxel Laser treat?
Pigmentation – minimising the appearance of sunspots and freckles as well as hormonal pigmentation
Surface scarring – erasing the effects of acne and other scarring
Sun damage – helping heal skin damage, including Actinic Keratoses (AK’s) – a common pre-cancerous skin conditions
Fine surface lines – intense collagen stimulation means skin looks fresher and plumper
*Individual results may vary
What is a Fraxel Laser treatment like?
A thin layer of anaesthetic gel is applied to the skin and left for about an hour. Before your treatment, the Doctor will remove the gel, and clean the skin. The laser is then passed over the skin surface. Fraxel Laser treatment takes 20 – 45 minutes depending on the size of the area to be treated. Most people find this treatment very tolerable, with most people saying the Fraxel 1927 hurts less than IPL.
What can I expect after a Fraxel Laser treatment?
The recovery after Fraxel depends on the wavelength selected:
1927 Laser (for pigmentation and rejuvenation)
Immediately after the Fraxel you will experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour and then minimal discomfort. The skin will have a pinkish tone for 3 to 5 days. This is a normal sign that the skin is healing. Swelling is usually minimal and generally resolves in 1 to 2 days. Any pigmentation present in the skin will gently darken and the skin will become quite dry before shedding on around Day 3 or 4. After this time your skin will look fresh and smooth, although some pinkness can persist for up to 6 weeks.
Sun avoidance and the use of sun protection is important, both during the healing phase and for several months after treatment. Makeup can be worn through the entire recovery. We use and recommend Jane Iredale mineral makeup, as it is safe to apply after laser treatment and contains a physical SPF 20, and nothing covers redness like it. We recommend La-Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 Baume as a moisturiser and healing barrier post-Fraxel.
Over the following weeks to months, the collagen stimulation continues. The result: smoother, fresher and younger looking skin.
1550 Laser (for scarring)
Immediately after the Fraxel 1550 your skin will feel quite warm, like moderate sunburn, for 1 – 2 hours. Your skin will be quite pink, and this will persist for 3 – 4 days. Swelling is common after this treatment, particularly around the eye area. Using a couple of pillows when you sleep can help to reduce this. After 4 – 5 days your skin will shed, resulting in flaking similar to that of minor sunburn. The use of a moisturiser can help to mask this.
Sun avoidance and the use of sun protection is important, both during the healing phase and for several months after treatment. Makeup can be worn through the entire recovery. We use and recommend Jane Iredale mineral makeup, which has unparalleled coverage, is safe to apply after laser treatment and contains a physical SPF 20.
Over the following weeks and months, the body repairs the deeper dermal tissues producing long lasting improvements and a healthy, youthful appearance. Between 1 and 5 treatments may be required, depending on the skin concern being treated and the individual response. If additional treatments are required, these are usually done 6-8 weeks apart.
Skin Needling
SkinPen Needling is a skin rejuvenating treatment which stimulates new dermal collagen production, whilst also gently resurfacing the epidermis. The SkinPen comfortably and safely produces high density skin needling with a recovery time of 1 – 2 days. It is indicated for lines and wrinkles, acne scarring and anti-ageing, and can be used on all areas.
As for all collagen inducing therapy, it is best done as a series of treatments initially with regular maintenance.
What is SkinPen Collagen Induction Therapy?
One of the main causes of wrinkles as we age is the reduction in new collagen and elastin being produced by the skin. Most modern wrinkle treatments (aside from wrinkle relaxers or dermal fillers) aim to correct this by stimulating collagen production. When the skin is damaged, the body naturally works to repair it. By causing controlled damage, the SkinPen boosts the production of collagen and elastin under the skin to make wrinkles less noticeable and the top layer of skin look fresher.
What is a SkinPen treatment like?
Thanks to the rapid motion, SkinPen Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) is quick and comfortable. After this the treatment feels like a slight scratching across the skin, and most people find it very tolerable. Our Registered Nurse then cleans the area thoroughly before applying a thin layer of hydrating gel. This gel helps allow the SkinPen to glide across your skin easily while creating the micro-injuries designed to rejuvenate the skin. The gel also helps soothe the skin to and is absorbed into the small holes created to help hydrate and repair the skin. The depth of the treatment is carefully controlled, and is adjusted depending on the skin condition, concern targeted and the area to be treated.
As the SkinPen is moved across the skin, hundreds of superficial micro-channels are created every few seconds. The SkinPen procedure takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on the treatment area. Once finished, your skin will be pink and warm, like a mild sunburn. This will fade over the next 24 hours.
Makeup should be avoided for the first 6 hours after treatment, until the skin closes. If possible we ask that you leave your skin clean until the day after your treatment. We use and recommend Jane Iredale mineral makeup, as it will not harbour bacteria or block pores – and nothing covers redness like it.
How many SkinPen skin needling treatments will I need?
The number of treatments needed depends on the condition being treated and the individual response. For a general rejuvenation and freshen up, you may be very happy after one treatment. To reduce lines and wrinkles, mild acne scarring or the appearance pores, best results are usually seen after a course of treatments. For maximum benefit, we recommend at least three treatments, done 4 – 6 weeks apart.
While you’ll usually see a lovely glow right away, best results are seen after 30 days, though results will vary from person to person.
PRF
Platelet-rich fibrin of ‘PRF’ is a skin boosting and rejuvenating treatment which harnesses the power of your own blood cells to stimulate collagen growth. The platelet-rich fibrin is then injected into the skin in small amounts using a very fine needle.
It can be used on the face, neck and hands to improve thin, crepey skin and fine lines. Regular treatment will assist in maintaining skin elasticity and fighting loose skin.
What is Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF)?
Your blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma (the liquid part). Platelets form a vital part of the body’s healing process, when they release growth factors which stimulate collagen production and cell renewal.
PRF is plasma which the red and white blood cells have been removed, and the platelets concentrated. It is then injected into the skin to stimulate collagen production and to re-energise your cells into rejuvenating themselves.
The product injected is 100% your own blood by-product. PRF is a natural cell stimulator, not a filler. It works to increase collagen and thicken your skin to give a firmer and younger looking appearance. The effectiveness of PRF is determined by a number of things, including the existing condition of the skin and your overall health.
PRF can readily be combined with many other treatments for added benefits – laser, IPL, HIFU, wrinkle relaxer and filler treatments may individually be recommended depending on your circumstances.
What is PRF treatment like?
After your consultation, local anaesthetic cream is applied to your skin for 30 minutes. Just before your treatment a small amount of your own blood will be taken (about 10-20mls). This is then placed in a centrifuge to separate out the plasma and platelet portion. The platelet-rich fibrin component is injected into your skin in small amounts using a very fine needle. Most people find this treatment very comfortable.
After the treatment the skin will appear swollen pink and you will feel some warmth in the area. This will settle over the next 12 – 24 hours. Bruising can occur, particularly around the eyes. Results take up to 2-3 weeks to see, with improvement continuing over several months. Great results can also be seen by combining PRF with Fraxel Laser, IPL Rejuvenation or Plasma Pen Fibrolift treatment.
How many PRF treatments will I need?
This will be dependent on your age and the health of your skin. For best results, we recommend three treatments, four weeks apart. Results are long lasting, but will differ from person to person. After your initial course of treatments we recommend a “birthday” treatment once a year to maintain results.
PRF has shown significant benefit for the treatment of atrophic (divot-like) acne scarring with either injection into scars, or by adding PRF into a skin needling program. 3 treatment sessions at 2 week intervals were performed (Nofal et al, 2014).
PRF and photoageing
Improvements in skin elasticity, texture, hydration, wrinkles and micropigmentation have been reported in a number of trials of PRF, with the most common protocol being for injected PRF performed monthly for 3 treatments.
PRF and dark eye circles
Improvement was also noted in two studies for dark circles under the eyes.
Bioremodelling injections
Bio remodelling involves injecting a high potency, stable compound into the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production. The fluidity of the product allows for it to spread evenly within the deep layers of the skin to provide widespread effects to reverse textural problems such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Combined with the increase to your natural collagen production, the high level hydration provided by bio remodelling increases plumpness, lift, laxity and elasticity to create glowing, gorgeous skin.
What are the benefits of Bio Remodelling?
Bio Remodelling improves:
- skin elasticity
- skin strength
- skin hydration
- firmness
- facial volume
- tissue repair
Bio Remodelling reduces:
- the appearance of fine lines
- skin crepeyness
- volume loss
Who is a good candidate for Bio Remodelling?
Most people can enjoy the benefits of Bio Remodelling, no matter your skin colour, tone or texture. It is perfect for reducing the visible signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles, volume loss and crepeyness.
However, for safety reasons, you may not be able to get this treatment if you have/are:
- Pregnant and nursing
- Allergic to hyaluronic acid
- Prone to bleeding disorders
Exact treatment times may vary depending on each individual, but a single session typically takes 15-30 minutes
How many sessions will I need?
Our experienced clinicians recommend two treatments spaced one month apart.
How long until I see results and how long do they last?
Most clients will see a significant difference in their all-over aesthetic by 4-8 weeks post treatment, with results lasting six months.
What does the treatment feel like?
Bio Remodelling typically involves a series of five injections on each side of the face and/or neck.
Is there any downtime?
Minor local swelling or bumps will be noticeable around the injection site in most clients. These tend to resolve within 1-2 days. We recommend leaving the area clean and dry afterwards, though non-comedogenic mineral makeup can be applied for you by our staff at the clinic before you leave if requested.
Other information about Skin Texture
Fast Facts
- Laser resurfacing is also known as ablative skin resurfacing, Sciton laser, Sciton Profractional laser, Contour TRL and the laser peel.
- Laser resurfacing treatments are great for improving sun damage, pigmentation, lines and wrinkles, skin tightening, acne scarring and treating ageing concerns.
- Traditionally the areas treated include the face, neck, chest (décolletage), cheeks, forehead, around eyes (crows’ feet), around mouth (smokers’ lines) and hands.
- Down time required for this treatment ranges from 7-14 days, with pinkness persisting for a period after this.
- Results from skin resurfacing treatments are permanent, however results vary from person to person.
Erbium Laser Resurfacing After Care
We’ll Take Good Care of You…
As you can see from the images above, there is significant down time after an Erbium Resurfacing Laser, but don’t worry – our lovely team will take good care of you and your skin throughout the recovery process.
After your treatment we will give you a take-home kit with everything you need to care for your skin in the weeks that follow your Laser Treatment. We also provide a week’s supply of anti-viral medication at no charge. This is to prevent an outbreak of cold sores which, if it occurs, can be severe after Laser Resurfacing.
We like to keep a close eye on you after your treatment, and encourage clients to come in 3 – 4 times (or daily if desired) in the week following your Erbium Laser so our nurses can examine your skin and make sure you are healing well. During these visits we also offer complimentary Dimalux LED light therapy, which helps to speed up healing and reduce redness.
Are there any side effects from Erbium Laser Resurfacing?
In general, Erbium Laser resurfacing is very safe, though some side-effects can occur:
- Redness will be seen in the week after treatment and this can persist for some weeks afterwards.
- Oozing and crusting is expected for the first 3 – 5 days after a resurfacing treatment. We will give you all you need to care for your skin after the treatment.
- Cold sore outbreaks can occur – antiviral medication will be provided to prevent this.
- Temporary increase in pigmentation can occasionally occur, and is more likely in darker skin types.
- Mild acne outbreaks can occur in susceptible individuals.
- A period of skin redness follows resurfacing and may persist for some weeks or months in strong treatments.
- Blisters are very rare but can occasionally occur. These are temporary.
- Bacterial or fungal infections are rare but are possible with any deep laser treatments.
- Loss of pigment or scarring is very rare.