Excessive sun exposure damages every layer structure and cell in the skin. The simple freckle is the earliest sign that the skin's protective melanin response has been overloaded. With a lifetime of sun exposure, collagen disappears and elastin grows abnormally leading to thick, roughened skin that tears on contact. Skin texture coarsens and the skin appears mottled as the skin's normal colour is replaced by brown and white spots.
Prescription Creams are the only products that have been clinically proven to repair sun damage to the skin's structures and cells. Retinyl Palmitate is a cosmetic strength Vitamin A compound that can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinyl Palimitate is one of the key ingredients of the Clearskincare Youthful Skin Pack.
Fractional Laser and the treatment of Sun Damage, Lines and Wrinkles
Since the early 1990s, Ablative Lasers (lasers that burn the outer layers of the skin) have become the high tech equivalent of surgical dermabrasion or deep chemical peels for skin resurfacing. Ablative skin resurfacing with lasers declined in popularity due to the high level of unacceptable complications (particularly loss of skin colour on treated areas) and the development of less aggressive, but equally effective laser treatments.
What are Ablative and Non-Ablative Lasers and how do they work
A laser is a high-energy beam of light that can be aimed into certain areas and structures within the skin. These beams of light are made up of one wavelength and can vary in terms of their strength and the type of tissue that they can target.
The process of directing a light source to target a selected area of the skin to damage it is technically known as "selective photothermolysis" (thermolysis - decompose by heat and photo - light.)
Ablative Lasers
Ablative or skin resurfacing lasers direct an intense burst of laser energy onto the surface of the skin. This energy heats water within the surface layers of the skin, causing both the water and the tissue of the skin to vapourise. Every time the laser passes over the skin, some of the outermost layers of the skin are removed in a precise and controlled way.
This intensive treatment can significantly reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and pigment (or skin colour) changes on the face, neck, and other parts of the body. Acne and other types of scars and certain stretch marks can also be improved.
There are two main types of ablative laser - carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers, and erbium:YAG lasers.
Non - Ablative Lasers
Non-ablative lasers have lower energy levels than ablative lasers and try to cause damage within the dermal layer of the skin without removal of the outer epidermal layers. This lessens the recovery period after the treatment and reduces the number of complications that can occur.
New collagen is produced via a heat injury to the dermis, which helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. However, the results from this type of procedure are less obvious than those which can be achieved with ablative laser skin resurfacing during which the surface of the skin is removed.
Fractional Photothermolysis causes tiny dot, or pixel-like damage to treated areas in the skin, leaving most of the surrounding skin intact - fractional damage. The key to safely resurfacing the skin is doing it fractitionally, and this can be done with lasers or with needles (Skin Needling). Fractional Skin Resurfacing allows the skin to heal much faster than if the whole area was treated, as the healthy, untreated tissue surrounding the treated tissue acts as a natural bandage whilst the treated area heals.
Fractional Photothermolysis or Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing can be compared to the precise alteration of digital photographs that is now possible; pixel by pixel.
Fractional Skin Resurfacing aims to achieve comparable skin improvements as ablative laser resurfacing without the associated side effects or downtime.
Optimal improvement after Fractional Skin Resurfacing is usually visible in about 2 - 3 months as collagen remodelling and skin tightening continues. The longevity of results is comparable to ablative laser resurfacing and as always is dependent on future ageing, the effects of gravity and sun exposure.
Fractional Skin Resurfacing and Sun Damage, Lines and Wrinkles
Fractional CO2 resurfacing is an excellent treatment for sun damage, lines and wrinkles and for skin tightening. Sun Damage can be significantly improved with the right combination of prescription skin creams but to achieve a quick and visible improvement in wrinkles and skin sagging, fractional CO2 resurfacing is extraordinary.
At Clearskincare, we offer a range of solutions for all types of Sun Damage and for lines and wrinkles. We assess your skin and give you options that take into account your wishes and your budget. These options include –
We are also proud to offer the most affordable fractional CO2 treatments in Sydney, so that no one who really needs this treatment has to miss out.
The Clearskincare Sun Damage Programme can be adjusted for each individual. If you would like more information about Clearskincare’s Sun Damage Programme please contact one of our skin consultants.
