Anti-Aging Skin Treatments

Skin changes in appearance as a consequence of aging regardless of how well it has been cared for. Aging itself is probably programmed into the genetic information meaning it is unalterable, at least until genetic engineering becomes a practicality. Various proteins that provide elasticity to the skin deteriorate. Glands that lubricate the skin dry up. Water content decreases and so on. This can be accelerated by sun exposure, smoking, and other forms of trauma. The process moves faster in individuals of fair complexion due to their susceptibility to ultraviolet sun damage.

In the end, the rate of visual aging is the sum of normal biologic aging plus alterable factors (eg. sun exposure). True reversal of aging with various treatments is minimal, at best. However, with a combination of anti-aging skim treatments, skin can reclaim some lost years and look more youthful.

What Anti-aging Skin Treatments are Best for My Skin?

The Quantum Laser Center has used a CO2 laser for many years for skin rejuvenation. It is very effective for treatment of extensive skin damage-deep wrinkles, dark discoloration, and contour problems. For patients who have lesser issues, the CO2 laser is too aggressive a treatment. Only patients who will benefit from delivery of laser energy will be treated in our unit. We won’t use them simply because we own them.

Resurfacing of the skin can be accomplished in a variety of ways. The skin can be sanded (dermabrasion), burned with a laser, or injured by chemicals. All types of resurfacing involve injury. This is a planned injury but it is injury nonetheless. With this type of second-degree wound, the desired consequences outweigh the unwanted ones. Skin is made smoother and more youthful looking but at the expense of increased photosensitivity, possible color changes, and other consequences. The aging features in the skin called for the resurfacing, the location, and skin characteristics determine which approach to resurfacing will be used. Not all patients are suitable candidates.

Patients must also keep in mind that personal preferences, experience, and philosophy from one physician to the next will influence the type of treatment even though the desired endpoint may be the same. The side effects and risks will be different for each type of treatment and must be understood so that an intelligent choice of therapy can be made.

The expense of resurfacing varies from one modality to the next. Certainly, even though money should not be the premier consideration, any increase in cost should be justified by advantages of the form of treatment.

Once again, proper management of the patient must involve the input of a knowledgeable professional. Skin condition, lifestyle, previous treatments, anticipated treatments and skin type all influence the choice, if any, of skin resurfacing. Patients must understand that some changes may be permanent and be prepared to make adjustments in their routines to accommodate them.

Chemical peels describe a variety of ways to induce second degree injury to the skin. The depth of the peel, and thus the depth of the injury, depends upon the agent used and the manner in which it is employed. Peels can be quite shallow. Shallow peels heal quickly, remain red for short periods of time, have little risk, and seldom cause any color problems. The problem is, they don’t do much. For patients who don’t need much, they’re perfect. For deeper wrinkling, they are a waste of time. Organic acid peels and shallower TCA peels fall into this category.

Intermediate peels have intermediate results, side effects, and risks. Their utility depends upon the severity of the skin problem in question. TCA peels are of the intermediate variety depending upon how the solution is applied.

Deep peels, of which the most classic is a phenol peel, do a wonderful job of smoothing even very deep creases and wrinkles in the skin. They do, however, have a greater risk of scarring, commonly lighten the skin, and take much longer to heal. The treating physician must balance these factors to decide if this modality is proper for a patient.

Dermabrasion describes resurfacing by sanding. Most of the time this is done with a high speed rotary surgical dermabrader specially designed for this task. Depth is determined by the length and repetition of treatment. Most of the time dermabrasion works better than the other methods of resurfacing when irregularities exist in a given area. For example, if a scar is elevated in an otherwise smooth region, sanding the scar preferetially will lower it relative the the skin around it. By way of comparison, chemical resurfacing is best suited for uniform treatment of discreet anatomic areas.

When skin is youthful, the body produces plentiful collagen to keep the skin firm, smooth, and elastic. As we age, however, collagen production slows down and we begin to lose the existing collagen in the skin. Collagen is a structural protein that acts as a scaffold for the skin, so as we age, our skin begins to sag and wrinkle, causing the classic signs of aging many people dread. Fortunately, the body is still capable of renewing collagen and other essential compounds of the skin as we age—it just needs a little more help and encouragement to do so. There are many excellent, non-invasive, and minimally invasive skin treatments that can increase collagen production and reduce signs of aging. One of these treatments is known as micro-needling, an effective procedure that can help rejuvenate the facial skin over time.

Micro-needling treatments involve the use of a Rejuvapenâ„¢ tool to administer tiny needle pinpricks to the facial skin in order to encourage the body’s natural healing responses. The needles are so tiny that the pricks are barely noticeable, but the skin responds to these injuries by producing new tissues that will rejuvenate the skin. Since the tool creates these pinpricks evenly, tissues throughout the face restore themselves simultaneously for comprehensive anti-aging. Micro-needling can address a number of different skin problems, including:

  • Skin tone and texture
  • Large pores
  • Skin elasticity and firmness
  • Lines and wrinkles
  • Sun damage
  • Acne scars
  • Scars from surgery or trauma

There are a variety of topical medications in skin care products that help maintain the vitality of the skin. Unfortunately for the patient, there are a great number of them in various concentrations that have different effects on different types of skin. These effects are even more diverse when the medications are used in combination with one another. For this reason, it is wise to have topical skin care supervised by a skin care specialist. Patients should also visit a dermatologist periodically for the examination of the skin and a review of the solutions that are being used.

Retinoids (Retin-A) and other related compounds increase the turnover of the outer layer of skin and enhance blood supply to the same area. Patients’ sensitivity to these medications varies dramatically. Therefore, doses must be carefully individualized. Furthermore, these compounds come in various forms of administration that may have specific benefits as well as disadvantages from one patient to the next.

Various mild acids (glycolic acid) help dissolve the bonds between cells in the epidermis (the outer layer of skin). This allows the dead cells in this layer to shed more easily. Enhancement of exfoliation is particularly useful in combination with Retin-A since that medication may cause the epidermis to build up. The acids are mildly irritating and thereby enhance blood supply to the area of application to a certain degree. Other topical medications will penetrate better in the presence of these acids since they are loosening up the connections between the dead cells.

Bleaching agents may be useful in eliminating unwanted brown patches. They are a family of drugs called quinones which compete with melanin (the brown color in skin) in the melanocyte (the cell that produces melanin). Quinones are used both as treatment and as prophylaxis. Patients anticipating resurfacing (such as with the laser) may be pretreated with a quinone if they are felt to be at risk for hyperpigmentation as a consequence of the resurfacing treatment.

Topical vitamins (such as vitamin C) have been proposed as rejuvenating agents. Although there might be benefits, there is for now little scientific information backing up their use. It is unlikely that much harm will come from their application but they do cost money- probably better spent on a good sunscreen. Every week it seems some new product hits the market. Patients should not subscribe to the use of these agents before checking with a skin care specialist or physician. Although most are harmless (and useless), they do merit professional scrutiny before application.

Skin takes a beating on a daily basis, and it is common to start seeing signs of sun damage and aging as adults, even at a fairly young age. Problems like redness, brown spots, spider veins, and skin conditions like rosacea can affect the complexion and cause self-consciousness and dissatisfaction with the appearance of the skin. While these problems are very unlikely to go away on their own, there are treatments that can help improve the skin and reverse signs of sun damage and aging for a fresh and rejuvenated appearance and improved skin tone and quality.

Many people who undergo skin treatments like photofacials find that their confidence and self-esteem improve along with their skin. So how does the treatment help with these problems?