Skin Rejuvenation Season

The post-summer months are often called “Skin Rejuvenation Season” because many of the most effective anti-aging and esthetic medicine treatments have their best effects when you spend less time out in the sunshine.

Now is the time of year to help your skin recover from your summer holidays with these treatments recommended by Turó Park Medical and Dental Center’s.  Here are some of the most common problems she sees in patients after the summer holidays and the types of treatments she recommends:

Problem #1:

Brown spots, freckles, sun spots, moles, also known as “hyperpigmentation”

All caused by excessive exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.

Solutions:

• At home treatment options:  Try chemical exfoliation with products containing lactic acid and retinol which can help fade brown spots
• At Turó Park Medical and Dental Center:  A medical-strength Chemical Peel, combined with biostimulation with PRX T33 (combination of tricholorcetic acid and hydrogen peroxide) will increase cell turnover and help brown spots to fade.  Mesotherapy with special anti-spot products can also help to fade them in some weeks.  Mesotherapy consists of micro injections of vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids into discolored areas to encourage fading.

Problem #2:

Fine lines and wrinkles
Solutions:

• At-home treatment options:  Look for serums and lotions containing glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid.  Hyaluronic acid holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, is naturally found in our skin, but the amount in our skin decreases with age.  Using an anti-oxidant serum with Vitamin C has shown to also be beneficial for sun-damaged skin.

At Turó Park Medical and Dental Center:

1. Mesotherapy helps to increase your skin’s natural amount of hyaluronic acid and stimulates formation of collagen and elastin fibers.  This has a natural lifting and plumping effect, to help decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Botulinum toxin works most effectively to reduce static wrinkles in the upper third of the face. Botulinum toxin injection’s wrinkle-erasing effect usually lasts up to 5 months.
3. Fillers (or soft tissue fillers) are substances injected beneath the skin to add volume and fullness.  Fillers work better to decrease the appearance of dynamic deep wrinkles.

Problem #3:

Dry, flaky skin

Swimming in chlorinated pools, sunburns, increased summer alcohol and sugar intake all cause your facial skin to lose moisture.

Solutions:

• At home: Increase water intake and cut back on alcohol and sugary-beverages

Moisturize with serums and lotions with hyaluronic acid.  Serums are ideal for dehydrated or damaged skin because they deliver a more potent dose of hydration and anti-ageing benefits because they are lighter and contain a higher concentration of ingredients.

• At Turó Park Medical and Dental Center:

1. Chemical exfoliants and peels with substances such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, and retinol help remove the outer layer of dead skin cells.
2. Mesotherapy with vitamins, minerals and hyaluronic acid restores moisture to pre-summer levels in just one session.

The most important thing you can do for your skin, regardless of the season, however, is to wear an SPF of 30 or greater every day, rain or shine, even if you are inside all day long.  Dermatologists prefer mineral or natural sunblocks with titanium dioxide, which physically block the sun more effectively than chemical sunscreens. The mineral sunblocks also tend to be less irritating to chemically-treated skin, post retinol or chemical peel.

Do you have other post-summer holiday skin problems?  Questions about how your skin can look its best? Dr. Lloyd Nanhekhan is available for consultations in English, French, German and Dutch at Turó Park Medical and Dental Center.

You can even book your appointment online.  There are different products and treatments work differently for different parts of the face.  Each patient’s skin is best treated with a unique combination of products and treatments.  Come and learn more about your skin, take advantage of this skin rejuvenation season and your skin will thank you!

Author Amy Harris & Article written in collaboration with the Dr. Noemi Gonzalez