Hi everyone,
Welcome back to my weekly column for Goss.ie – where I will be answering all of your questions on skin care, cosmetic treatments and so much more.
Just to introduce myself, I run The Laser And Skin Clinic – located in Dublin, Athlone and Mullingar. We are recognised as one of Ireland’s most reputable and innovative aesthetic skin clinic groups offering the most innovative, safe and highly effective treatments, alongside a five-star service.
When I’m not treating my clients at The Laser and Skin Clinic you’re sure to find me at SkinShop.ie; Ireland’s most advanced online one-stop- shop for cosmeceutical skincare created by myself.
I look forward to answering your questions every week, and make sure to mail [email protected].
Anna
Q 1. Over the last few years I have mild acne around my chin area and along my jawline that leave red blemishes that mark my skin for months. How can I remove or improve the redness and marks?
Prevention is always the best way to avoid scarring and blemishes from developing in the first place by using a good skin care routine that will keep congestion and breakouts under control. It is also important to avoid picking, poking, or touching a pimple as tempting as it can be!
If the blemishes are already there what can you do? While there isn’t a magic wand that can get rid of them overnight, I think it’s important to mention that there’s a difference between acne marks and acne scars and it’s going to be very helpful to learn how to distinguish between the two in order to successfully treat them.
Clients that I consult often mistake dark spots and blemishes for acne scars (I will address acne scars in the next question) but they’re actually quite different. The red, purple or brown marks that linger after a pimple or blemish has disappeared can be post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation which can take 3-6 months to go away on there own but there are topical products and treatments that will help.
For marks that are more brownish in color, pigment-lightening ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, arbutin, kojic acid, or licorice can help treat discoloration. Products such as retinol, vitamin c serums, sunscreens and skin lighteners can certainly assist with speeding up the process for you.
- Vitamin C (containing pure L-ascorbic acid) can help build collagen and promote healing (SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF)
- A high quality Sun Protection will protect from UVA and UVB rays and avoid further darkening and pigmentation of blemishes and acne marks (SkinCeuticals Brightening UV Defense)
- Retinol is a superficial treatment that helps with acne marks by causing accelerated cell turnover and pushing cells with discolored pigment up to the surface (Obagi Retinol 1.0)
- Skin Lighteners (SkinCeuticals Advanced Pigment Corrector)
- Exfoliation (SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator)
Skin-brightening ingredients are fantastic for discoloration left from spots and blemishes but they don’t work as well for pink or red acne marks unrelated to the skin’s pigment or melanin. For these marks in particular I would recommend protecting with antioxidant/sun protection and reducing with laser treatment such as Affirm Laser Rejuvenation which is available exclusively at our clinics.
It usually takes a course of 4-6 treatments to significantly reduce the appearance of red marks left by pimples and spots but they can lighten up significantly after just one treatment.
Affirm laser rejuvenation is a non-ablative fractional treatment that promotes overall skin rejuvenation, helps improve skin tone and texture thereby making the blemishes repair and heal to reveal a new skin with minimal recovery time.
Superficial and deep thermal heat will rejuvenate the top layer treating superficial texture while also targeting deeper layers to stimulate collagen remodeling skin tissue especially for red blemishes and acne scars. A consultation and patch test is required prior to treatment pricing starts at €300 per treatment for full face.
Q 2. I’ve suffered severe acne all through my teens and am left with deep acne scarring on my cheeks? Can you advise me on the best treatment and how many I will need?
Unlike superficial blemishes left behind by pimples and spots true acne scars and permanent indentations from collagen damage and can come in many shapes and forms.
Some scars are thick, raised hypertrophic scars that stick out above the skin; others are keloid, which are scars that have over-healed, and manifest as dense, rubbery skin tissue. Then, there are atrophic scars that appear as depressions in the skin which can be the most challenging to treat. The three main categories of atrophic scars are:
- Ice pick scars: deeper than they are wide, with jagged edges.
- Boxcar scars: broad, rectangular depressions with steep, defined edges.
- Rolling scars: broad depressions that have rounded, sloping edges, hence the name.
Most clients looking to improve the appearance of acne scarring will benefit from a course of 6 Advanced Medical Microneedling treatments but since acne scars vary, so do treatments.
Depending on the individual, I often use a combination approach to treat acne scars and I have found alternating between laser treatments and medical microneedling are the only ways to treat the issue. First, I might use Active-Deep FX Laser Resurfacing treatment to smooth out the skin texture. Then, I often use a combination course of Medical Microneedling and Affirm Laser Rejuvenation for advanced results.
If you would like to book in for a consultation I would be happy to discuss the different options with you upon examining your skin.
In next week’s column, Anna will be answering questions about cosmetic procedures. Get your questions in to: [email protected].
Complete an indepth consultation with me http://skinshop.ie/ask-the- expert/
The Laser and Skin Clinic www.laserandskin.ie
