Sun-damaged skin, treatment and prevention.
Most people want to keep a young and fresh look but as our skin ages due to sun exposure and decreased production of collagen this can become a challenge.
Ellipse treatment of sun-damaged skin makes your skin look younger by removing age spots, other uneven pigmentation and diffuse redness. The skin texture is also improved and many women report that it becomes easier to apply makeup. Although facial treatments are the most popular, any area of the body can be treated.
Last year we upgraded our Ellipse system to the new sirius model. The system uses SWT (selective waveband technology). Short, safe busts of light are directed at the skin. The light is filtered to ensure the wavelengths used are absorbed by the haemoglobin in the the fine blood vessels and the melanin in the age spots.When cells containing a lot of melanin or haemoglobin are treated, the target heats up and is destroyed within a few thousandths of a second.
The ideal patient are those with light skin, who are not suntanned at the time of treatment. The contrast between the age spots/blood vessels and background colour of the skin is greater, making the treatment easier. Treatment time is relatively short with a full face taking around 20 minutes. We recommend three treatments but usually improvement can be seen after the first treatment. The treatment is to painful and requires no downtime. Some clients liken the sensation to the flicking of a rubber band. Generally aftercare is minimal but a sensitive skin may benefit from using an aloe vera gel after treatment or a cold compress. Sun exposure should be avoided for 30 days even if there is no sign of inflammation in the treated area. An SPF30 is recommended for 30 days following treatment.
Following treatment you may notice the skin looks a little ‘dirty’ but after a few days your skin will look shooter and fresher. You might choose to have 1-2 annual maintenance treatments to maintain your youthful appearance.
A patch test is recommended prior to your first treatment to rule out any contraindications and to ensure you are choosing the right treatment for your specific skin concern. For optimal results a professional peel can be carried out prior to your first laser treatment. Our mesoestetic skin peels vary from glycolic, lactic, salicylic and mandelic to the use of combined peels. All our professional peels are customised, safe and extremely effective. This can be discussed as an option at your laser consultation.
The cost for a professional skin peel is £65 and for a full face photo rejuvenation treatment is £95. Individual age spots on the face and body can be treated and price will be discussed at consultation.
For further information on clinical trials carried out by leading doctors you can visit the Ellipse website at www.ellipse.com.
Prevention is always better than cure, so follow these simple steps to avoid damaging your skin:
Apply sunscreen before you go outdoors.
Use a sunblock on your lips.
Limit your time outdoors when the sun is at its peak.
Wear sunglasses with UV protection.
Wear a large hat, loose trousers and a long sleeved shirt.
Be aware that some medications, including antibiotics can cause your skin to become more vulnerable to the sun ( photo sensitive). Follow the above precautions and reapply your sunscreen regularily.
The more unprotected exposure you have to the sun over your lifetime can increase the risks of skin cancer. If you have a persistent scaly patch or nodule on your skin or have noticed any change in moles, contact your GP for advice.
Often clients who have been sun worshippers will report a very dehydrated skin with more noticeable lines and wrinkles. The Dermalogica age smart range has a variety of products within the range that can improve the appearance and feel of the skin. The ‘NEW’ daily superfoliant just launched 3rd January 16 is set to become this years best seller, this product will resurface, detox and reduce the signs of ageing all while helping to protect the skin from harmful environmental pollutants.RRP £55
Get your new year off to a good start and book your skin consultation at Beauty Haven today, invest in your skin today and reap the rewards.