Showing posts with label photo damage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photo damage. Show all posts
Which Kind Of Under-Eye Circles Do You Have?
Dark circles are a common beauty problem, but not all under-eye circles are created equal. The color of your dark circles can help you decide what kind of treatment is most effective for your condition.
BBL Keeps You Forever Young
Scientifically Proven Way Of Reversing The Aging Process
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| Before - Age 43. After - Age 55. BBL treatments have been shown to reverse the appearance of aging skin |
While most aesthetic treatments can only help to mimic the appearance of youthful skin, BBL treatments are the first to be a proven functional anti-aging therapy, where the process of aging is actually reversed and the skin is able to be renewed and rejuvenated from within.
How To Avoid Botox - Prevent Wrinkles With A Healthy Lifestyle
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| Can skincare help you avoid Botox? Not as much as lifestyle choices |
Many people only start worrying about wrinkles in their thirties, when the stresses of hectic, active or unhealthy lifestyles start showing up in the form of dull skin or fine lines on previously pristine complexions. By their forties, the damage would have worsened enough that indeed, Botox, lasers and skin tightening therapies would be a god-send. Applying anti-aging products at that stage may not be enough to reverse or delay the damage that was already done.
Should women be using anti-aging skincare in their teens and twenties to prevent effects of aging in later years? Anti-aging creams and lotions have certainly improved vastly in previous years, and many have proven skin smoothing and tightening qualities, but most are designed to replenish and boost insufficient collagen production, which is not a concern in such a young age. Others contain retinoids, which work by encouraging the rate of exfoliation and skin renewal, also not a concern when the skin is young and healthy and able to renew itself naturally. These anti-aging skin products are mainly focused at the 30s to 40s age group, when natural skin rejuvenation qualities of the skin have been compromised or decreased as part of the aging process.
Skincare products can be helpful but should not be the key focus when the goal is to prevent signs of premature aging. Aging is a process that begins as early as birth, and some scientists even argue it is a process that commences at the moment of conception. The key building block of healthy skin, collagen, declines at a rate of about 1% per year, so a 30 year old woman will have lost about 30% of her collagen, although these factors, as outlined below, may cause that rate of deterioration to be accelerated.
How To Age Like A Celebrity And Look 30 Forever
There are some lucky people who never seem to face the ravages of time. Celebrities like Madonna, Tina Turner and Demi Moore are some examples, and despite being over 50, they manage look better than people 20 years their junior.
Aging is a process that is greatly affected by genes, environment, sleep habits and diet to name just a few factors, but since this is a cosmetic medicine blog, and my patients come to me to reverse the effects of time rather than prevent them, let's examine exactly how a face ages.
As the face ages, it undergoes significant and visibly identifiable changes. It begins with weathering of the skin, and changes to the texture, transluscence and variance in skin colour in the mid twenties. By the mid thirties, furrows and lines are visible in forehead and near the eyes. Loss of fat from the temples and upper cheeks may show by the age of forty, and the undereye area is one tell-tale sign of aging as the skin begins to sag and pouch. The neckline is also an age giveaway as it becomes loose and baggy during the fifties. By the sixties, the skin is noticeably lined and very loose and saggy as the cheek fat atrophies.
Lipoatrophy, the loss of fat in the underlying facial structures means the facial skin begins to sag, the cheeks become sunken and gaunt, facial shadows become more pronounced and lips become flatter and thinner, jowls appear on the sides of the face, and the neckline is visibly looser.
The Fix: Thread lifting, fillers, Thermage
Thread lifting for jowls and sunken cheeks
Fillers for deep lines and for plumping cheeks, lips and sunken areas
Thermage for overall facial rejuvenation and collagen remodelling
2. Skin texture and pigmentation
Environmental effects such as sun exposure and air pollution, as well as hormonal changes and effects of diet all play a part in the appearance of the skin as we age. The skin also gets thinner and fine lines appear, while melanin deposits and surface damage all contribute to obscure the glow of healthy, young skin.
The Fix: Skin resurfacing
3. Wrinkles and lines
Wrinkles appear in forehead, eye, cheek and around the mouth, as a result of the loss of fat and also due to constant muscle movements.
The fix: Botulinum-A injections
There are many exciting techniques for holding back the ravages of time, and ensuring you look your best, even into your 50s and 60s. These treatments are best used in combination, for a natural look that is purely you, but just younger, brighter and refreshed, so you too, can look and feel like a star, no matter your age.
Cosmetic Medicine, MD
Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email.
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| Christy Brinkley will celebrate her 58th birthday this year, but her looks remain forever 30. |
Aging is a process that is greatly affected by genes, environment, sleep habits and diet to name just a few factors, but since this is a cosmetic medicine blog, and my patients come to me to reverse the effects of time rather than prevent them, let's examine exactly how a face ages.
 |
As the face ages, it undergoes significant and visibly identifiable changes |
As the face ages, it undergoes significant and visibly identifiable changes. It begins with weathering of the skin, and changes to the texture, transluscence and variance in skin colour in the mid twenties. By the mid thirties, furrows and lines are visible in forehead and near the eyes. Loss of fat from the temples and upper cheeks may show by the age of forty, and the undereye area is one tell-tale sign of aging as the skin begins to sag and pouch. The neckline is also an age giveaway as it becomes loose and baggy during the fifties. By the sixties, the skin is noticeably lined and very loose and saggy as the cheek fat atrophies.
How to Turn Back The Clock
1. Loss of volumeLipoatrophy, the loss of fat in the underlying facial structures means the facial skin begins to sag, the cheeks become sunken and gaunt, facial shadows become more pronounced and lips become flatter and thinner, jowls appear on the sides of the face, and the neckline is visibly looser.
The Fix: Thread lifting, fillers, Thermage
Thread lifting for jowls and sunken cheeks
Fillers for deep lines and for plumping cheeks, lips and sunken areas
Thermage for overall facial rejuvenation and collagen remodelling
2. Skin texture and pigmentation
Environmental effects such as sun exposure and air pollution, as well as hormonal changes and effects of diet all play a part in the appearance of the skin as we age. The skin also gets thinner and fine lines appear, while melanin deposits and surface damage all contribute to obscure the glow of healthy, young skin.
The Fix: Skin resurfacing
3. Wrinkles and lines
Wrinkles appear in forehead, eye, cheek and around the mouth, as a result of the loss of fat and also due to constant muscle movements.
The fix: Botulinum-A injections
There are many exciting techniques for holding back the ravages of time, and ensuring you look your best, even into your 50s and 60s. These treatments are best used in combination, for a natural look that is purely you, but just younger, brighter and refreshed, so you too, can look and feel like a star, no matter your age.
Cosmetic Medicine, MD
Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email.
Sun Safety : Is Your Sunscreen Doing Its Job?
Proper sun protection should be of key concern for all people of all walks of life. With the correct sun care, skin whitening lotions, depigmentation treatments and anti-aging creams would probably be much less popular and certainly a lot less necessary.
A main factor in the health and appearance of the skin is its interaction with the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight can cause skin darkening, accelerate the aging process, cause skin abnormalities and are the number one cause of skin cancer. So much damage is caused by lack of knowledge about the negative effects of the sun, and when the harm is done, it takes a lot of time, effort and often discomfort to reverse it.
This recent blog post, detailing the damage done to a trucker's face from exposure to the sunlight through his driver's seat window, is compelling evidence of the damaging effects of sunlight.So it goes without saying that sun protection is a topic dear to the heart of any doctor who has any dealings with the skin. As with many skin care products, sun care products can be misleading and poorly understood, and thus are prone to being used improperly.
Daily sun care is of course, something that most of us know we must use, but it is easy to ignore the need for this when we are in a rush or when other issues seem more pressing. Despite their tender skin, sun protection for children is often something that is poorly utilised. For those who have undergone laser or other corrective skin care procedures, effective sun protection is of paramount importance. As the skin is healing, it is at its' most susceptible to damage.
Here are a few of my basic rules for proper, effective sun protection, whether you have recently undergone an aesthetic procedure, or even if you are only concerned with staying healthy in the sun.
1. Use a Sunblock With Zinc for Complete Protection. The SPF label on your sunscreen only refers to its UVB blocking components. UVB rays are responsible for burning the skin, but UVA rays are the ones that cause cancer, DNA mutation and cause deeper damage of the skin. UVA rays are only blocked by physical sunblock components that leave a white residue on your skin. This can be considered unsightly by some, and is why many cosmetic sunscreens do not contain it. UVA rays can be minimally blocked by some chemical components including titanium, but only a sunblock containing zinc will give you proper protection against UVA rays. There are formulations available that offer micronized zinc that does not leave an unsightly residue.
2. A Higher SPF May Not Be Necessary. An SPF of 30 blocks 96.5% of UVB rays, and an SPF of 45 blocks 98% of UVB. Therefore, any sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is more than sufficient for anyone who spends a moderate amount of time out in the sun. A higher SPF will not give you greater protection or prolong its effectiveness. I also have patients tell me their skin cream is SPF 15, their foundation is SPF15, and the powder is SPF 15, surely it all adds up to SPF 45! Unfortunately, no, different layers of sun protection may seem like more coverage, but in actual fact it does not provide increased protection.
3. Apply Sunblock To The Skin, 30 Minutes Before Exposure, and Reapply Frequently. For it to work effectively, sunblock needs to be applied to dry, cleansed skin, under your make-up or skin creams, where it can create a physical layer. Allow the sunblock to set and gain effectiveness for up to 30 minutes before exposure to the sun. It is also important to note that sunblock needs to be reapplied every 1.5 hours or so for full coverage. No sunblock lasts all day, despite their claims. Sunblock is also never completely waterproof, but some brands have water resistance that allow them to be used at the beach.
4. Look For Additives for Added Protection. If you can find a brand that offers added antioxidants such as Vitamins C & E, these additives have the ability to reduce inflammation and improve overall skin protection.
5. Oral Sunblock Can Be An Effective Tool For Photo-Protection. There are some antioxidant products in the market that act as oral sunblocks, to decrease the damaging effects of the sun. Used in conjunction with topical sun protection, they can be an added layer of protection against the long-term effects of sun damage.
6. Prevention is Better Than Cure. Avoiding exposure to sunlight isn't entirely practical, but minimising exposure when the sun is at its peak between the hours of 10am to 4pm helps. Use curtains and shades to minimise the amount of sunlight into your home, and sun protective clothing can give an added layer of protection when you are outdoors.
7. Darker Skin Is Not Immune To The Effects of UV Rays. Although darker skin types are naturally protected from the sun burning effects of UVB rays, damage can still be caused by UVA that result in melasma, sun spots and even cancer. Melasma, in particular, is quite common in dark skin types and can be very pronounced and widespread. It is especially hard to treat as the natural pigmentation of the skin makes it very sensitive to most melasma treatments currently available. The best advice is to use an SPF of at least 15 with zinc at all times, and avoid overt exposure to sunlight during peak sun hours.
The proper use of the right medical-grade sunblock can be very helpful in reducing the risks of sun related skin conditions such as cancer, melasma, pigmentation disorders and photoaging. Since sun damage isn't generally evident until years after the worst has been done, often patients come to me in their 40s and 50s lamenting their melasma, pigmentation and wrinkled complexions. In our tropical South East Asian countries, effective sun care must surely be one of the easiest ways to look good even in to maturity.
- Cosmetic Medicine , MD
A main factor in the health and appearance of the skin is its interaction with the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight can cause skin darkening, accelerate the aging process, cause skin abnormalities and are the number one cause of skin cancer. So much damage is caused by lack of knowledge about the negative effects of the sun, and when the harm is done, it takes a lot of time, effort and often discomfort to reverse it.
This recent blog post, detailing the damage done to a trucker's face from exposure to the sunlight through his driver's seat window, is compelling evidence of the damaging effects of sunlight.So it goes without saying that sun protection is a topic dear to the heart of any doctor who has any dealings with the skin. As with many skin care products, sun care products can be misleading and poorly understood, and thus are prone to being used improperly.
 |
| Proper medical-grade sun care is far more important than collagen drinks and Vitamin A creams in the fight against premature aging. |
Daily sun care is of course, something that most of us know we must use, but it is easy to ignore the need for this when we are in a rush or when other issues seem more pressing. Despite their tender skin, sun protection for children is often something that is poorly utilised. For those who have undergone laser or other corrective skin care procedures, effective sun protection is of paramount importance. As the skin is healing, it is at its' most susceptible to damage.
Here are a few of my basic rules for proper, effective sun protection, whether you have recently undergone an aesthetic procedure, or even if you are only concerned with staying healthy in the sun.
1. Use a Sunblock With Zinc for Complete Protection. The SPF label on your sunscreen only refers to its UVB blocking components. UVB rays are responsible for burning the skin, but UVA rays are the ones that cause cancer, DNA mutation and cause deeper damage of the skin. UVA rays are only blocked by physical sunblock components that leave a white residue on your skin. This can be considered unsightly by some, and is why many cosmetic sunscreens do not contain it. UVA rays can be minimally blocked by some chemical components including titanium, but only a sunblock containing zinc will give you proper protection against UVA rays. There are formulations available that offer micronized zinc that does not leave an unsightly residue.
2. A Higher SPF May Not Be Necessary. An SPF of 30 blocks 96.5% of UVB rays, and an SPF of 45 blocks 98% of UVB. Therefore, any sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is more than sufficient for anyone who spends a moderate amount of time out in the sun. A higher SPF will not give you greater protection or prolong its effectiveness. I also have patients tell me their skin cream is SPF 15, their foundation is SPF15, and the powder is SPF 15, surely it all adds up to SPF 45! Unfortunately, no, different layers of sun protection may seem like more coverage, but in actual fact it does not provide increased protection.
3. Apply Sunblock To The Skin, 30 Minutes Before Exposure, and Reapply Frequently. For it to work effectively, sunblock needs to be applied to dry, cleansed skin, under your make-up or skin creams, where it can create a physical layer. Allow the sunblock to set and gain effectiveness for up to 30 minutes before exposure to the sun. It is also important to note that sunblock needs to be reapplied every 1.5 hours or so for full coverage. No sunblock lasts all day, despite their claims. Sunblock is also never completely waterproof, but some brands have water resistance that allow them to be used at the beach.
4. Look For Additives for Added Protection. If you can find a brand that offers added antioxidants such as Vitamins C & E, these additives have the ability to reduce inflammation and improve overall skin protection.
5. Oral Sunblock Can Be An Effective Tool For Photo-Protection. There are some antioxidant products in the market that act as oral sunblocks, to decrease the damaging effects of the sun. Used in conjunction with topical sun protection, they can be an added layer of protection against the long-term effects of sun damage.
6. Prevention is Better Than Cure. Avoiding exposure to sunlight isn't entirely practical, but minimising exposure when the sun is at its peak between the hours of 10am to 4pm helps. Use curtains and shades to minimise the amount of sunlight into your home, and sun protective clothing can give an added layer of protection when you are outdoors.
7. Darker Skin Is Not Immune To The Effects of UV Rays. Although darker skin types are naturally protected from the sun burning effects of UVB rays, damage can still be caused by UVA that result in melasma, sun spots and even cancer. Melasma, in particular, is quite common in dark skin types and can be very pronounced and widespread. It is especially hard to treat as the natural pigmentation of the skin makes it very sensitive to most melasma treatments currently available. The best advice is to use an SPF of at least 15 with zinc at all times, and avoid overt exposure to sunlight during peak sun hours.
 |
| Melasma in dark skin types can be very hard to treat |
The proper use of the right medical-grade sunblock can be very helpful in reducing the risks of sun related skin conditions such as cancer, melasma, pigmentation disorders and photoaging. Since sun damage isn't generally evident until years after the worst has been done, often patients come to me in their 40s and 50s lamenting their melasma, pigmentation and wrinkled complexions. In our tropical South East Asian countries, effective sun care must surely be one of the easiest ways to look good even in to maturity.
- Cosmetic Medicine , MD
Striking Evidence of Damaging Effects of Exposure to Sun
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| Veteran trucker's face with unilateral dermatoheliosis |
His case was presented in the April 2012 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, and is a very convincing piece of evidence of the negative effects of exposure to the sun. This patient's skin condition is consistent with the effects of Favre-Racouchot syndrome, a disorder caused by exposure of the skin to damaging sunlight.
This kind of damage is typically caused by UVA rays, which are less intense than sunburn-causing UVB rays, but can be up to 50 times more prevalent. Such frequent and prolonged exposure to the sun can also cause DNA mutations that can lead to skin cancer.
This photo is a reminder of the importance of prevention and protection from excessive sun exposure, and the use of at least an SPF 30 sun block at all times is a must. Wearing protective clothing and hats are also important, as is the use of sunglasses to protect the eye and ocular area from photo-aging, especially during the peak sunlight hours of 10am to 4pm.
CosMed, MD
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