For many people people, skin issues can be debilitating.You only have to look at NHS data published in September 2022 to see that around half the population have had or have a skin condition in any twelve month period – now that’s a lot!
The British Skin Foundation reported that around 70% of British people with skin conditions or scars say it affects their confidence. So you will be pleased to hear that there are several treatments that can help with numerous skin conditions such as acne, scarring and dark patches, also known as ‘pigmentation’.
To help you understand how each condition affects us, you really need to have a basic understanding of your body’s largest organ – the skin!
The skins main layers include;
- Epidermis – top layer that you see.
- Dermis – middle layer that makes up for 90% of the skins thickness.
- Hypodermis – bottom or fatty layer.
Each layer has a function;
- Epidermis – acts as a protective barrier, protects your body and provides skin colour.
- Dermis – has collagen and elastin, grows hair, enables tactile sensations, makes oil, produces sweat and supplies blood containing oxygen and nutrients.
- Hypodermis – cushions muscles and bones, has connective tissue, helps the nerves and blood vessels and regulates body temperature.
All of these layers interact with each other, signalling and having a significant impact on the outer layer of skin that you see every day. Our skin barrier is the first line of defence and so it’s more important than ever to ensure this is protected at all times – sunshine, wind, light and other external influences can all have damaging effects. This is why an SPF of at least 30 is recommended every single day…yes, even in the winter!
Renavé Best Sellers (from £25):
- ZO Skinhealth gel sunscreen broad spectrum SPF50
- Heliocare oil-free gel SPF50
- Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sheer Matte Sunscreen Brush SPF 30
So what can you do?
Never under estimate the benefits that a good skincare regime can give you and take a look at the skin-care products you’re currently using. You maybe surprised to hear the benefits of using SPF 12 months of the year – with the long term effects of using protection against UV rays known as one of the best preventative treatments on the market. In addition to this, the inclusion of a retinoid/Vitamin A has been demonstrated to have significant effects on fine lines, wrinkles and overall skin condition. Once you’ve booked an appointment with Dr Beth you will receive advice on products and treatments that will target the areas of concern.
How can we help?
When you come into the clinic Dr Beth will go through your skincare regime and give you a home plan to make sure you’re using products with the correct ingredients for your skin type or concern. This may need a slight tweak with a few additional products or for some patients who’ve never had a medical grade skincare regime, it may mean you need to start from scratch with guidance on which products to purchase.
Either way, it doesn’t need to be over complicated, just a basic, regular routine to get you started which will help your skin to look and feel its best. Whilst we can achieve amazing results with our in-clinic treatments, these are always enhanced when teamed with great skincare. This could be compared to seeing a personal trainer once a month (coming into the clinic for treatments) but then eating a diet high in processed/sugary food and not doing any exercise in between (not having a good skin-care regime at home with effective products for your skin type). What you do at home plays a major role in achieving the results you will see.
Other than home skincare, what else can you do to improve your skin quality?
Medical Microneedling is a very effective treatment for scarring as it triggers a natural healing response from your skin by creating controlled micro-injuries (tiny channels in the skin). This improves the texture, collagen levels, elasticity and hyaluronic acid in your skin. After you turn 25, your collagen levels gradually decrease, with an even faster deterioration of these levels around the menopause. Therefore regular collagen boosting treatments can really help to maintain skin tightness and appearance. We also offer an anti-pigmentation microneedling treatment using a specifically developed anti-pigment serum.
Another way to simulate collagen and improve the overall glow of the skin is with skin boosters. Sometimes called an \’injectable moisturiser\’. skin boosters are a safe and effective way to maintain collagen levels and hydrate the skin. This is an excellent treatment choice for those with dry, dull skin and go hand in hand with home skincare protocols.
Polynucleotides are an innovative treatment which help combat the appearance of scars and pigmentation. By injecting a highly purified gel into the skin (containing components derived from fish DNA) this stimulates collagen production and enhances skin tightness. They are also an effective anti-oxidant and have a moisturising effect making them a wonderful allrounder, suitable for almost everyone.
It is also worth remembering that there’s so much more optimism and knowledge around skin conditions and treatments now. You only have to scroll through social media or the press to see an array of A-list celebrities and models talking about their battles with skin problems – Brad Pitt has spoken very openly in many interviews about his struggle with acne and the actress Catherine Zeta-Jones reported that a life-saving tracheotomy as an infant left her with a noticeable scar at the base of her throat. “Makeup artists are always trying to cover it up, but I don’t want to hide it,” the actress told People.
Hopefully you will feel a little more informed after reading this blog.
If you are looking for microneedling, chemical peels or other skin treatments, Renavé Clinic in Retford offers a range of options to suit all skin types and concerns.
Get in touch with the clinic if you would like some friendly advice or would like to book a consultation with Dr Beth – every skin journey starts with a 1-1 consultation for a bespoke treatment plan. You can also sign up to our mailing list below, to receive special offers, tips and new treatment information direct to your inbox each week!