Can we really improve skin quality?
One of our core beliefs at AvenueMD is the importance of skin health. Our skin is the first thing people notice when they meet us, and nothing is more attractive or confidence-building than healthy, glowing skin. Patients constantly seek us out to help improve the quality of their skin and get them to a place where they aren’t reliant on makeup every day to cover up, but can confidently leave the house with their own natural radiance. So, the question is – can we really turn back the clock and improve the health of our skin from within?
The skin undergoes many changes over time, both as a result of the natural aging process as well as environmental and lifestyle factors like diet, sun exposure, and smoking. As a result, we see a gradual decline of structural supports in the deeper skin layers, such as collagen and elastin, along with an impaired ability to retain moisture. These structural changes show up as dullness, pigmentation, fine lines, and laxity.
When we consult patients on skin health, the first step is to determine the state of the skin and whether we need to maintain skin health to minimize these changes, taking more of a preventative approach, or, if the changes have already started, how we can use our tools to begin to reverse course.
One of the easiest and best preventative strategies is a comprehensive skincare regimen built with the right active ingredients for each unique person. We understand how tempting it can be to continuously experiment with new skincare products or to follow the recommendations of a friend or relative. However, the best results come from starting a bespoke regimen targeted to your specific needs and sticking to it. Results can take a few months to fully appreciate, so patience is a virtue!
When we want to build beyond skincare, we can start to consider in-office procedures, many of which effectively boost skin quality. Microneedling is used to create small, controlled injuries at the surface of the skin that prompt healing and renewal, creating more structure and improving the health of collagen. If more intense renewal is necessary, we may choose to do a laser resurfacing procedure with a device like CO2 or UltraClear, where similar controlled injuries are created using laser energy instead. These procedures can involve more downtime depending on the aggressiveness of the settings chosen, but they can be tailored to each patient’s needs and capacity for time off to heal. If pigment is a concern, in addition to a foundation of brightening skincare, the PicoSure laser can help fade pigmentation while also renewing deeper skin quality.
In addition to lasers and devices, injectable procedures can be used to enhance skin quality. Sculptra is an injectable product with biostimulatory properties, meaning it works to stimulate processes in your skin to improve collagen and elastin production and promote a healthy dermis, increasing skin tightness and brightness. Furthermore, we can use small microdroplet injections of hyaluronic acid just under the surface of the skin to restore hyaluronic acid content in the dermis, where it naturally exists, improving hydration and promoting an overall glow.
Creating a long-term, comprehensive plan is essential to ensuring that all components of skin health are considered and supported, so that you can continue to glow with confidence for years to come!
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