Modalities and Treatments:
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There is an endless list of modalities and treatments that are available and every year technological advances continue to give us more options. This is just a few common treatments available and it is advisable that you consult your therapist or medical practitioner about what would be the best course of action for you!
Light Emitting Diode: LED
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LED uses light at different wavelengths to stimulate effects within cells. Red light at around 630nm is usually used for it's antiaging effects. This light reaches down to the papillary dermis stimulating fibroblasts to synthesise extracellular matrix and collagen which is the framework for skin tissues. LED light therapy has no side effects.
Chemical Peels:
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There are many different peels that a Therapist or Medical Practitioner may use to treat your skin. Peels may help with wrinkles, hydration, skin tone and texture. They chosen by their mechanism of action i.e. caustic, metabolic or Toxic action, and their concentration, how deep they will penetrate. Your therapist will advise you of the quantity of treatments needed and homecare that is crucial to maintain the effects of the procedure. Your skin may also need to be prepped with homecare products before undertaking any of these procedures.
Superficial Light Peels are peels that a Beauty Therapist may use and will penetrate the Stratum Corneum to the upper stratum spinosum. These peels have an exfoliative action. Done in a series, these peels will help with skin texture and mild photo aging and treatments will usually be done at weekly or fortnightly.
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Light Peels (superficial) are peels that will penetrate the epidermis to the basal layer. These peels are used to help with fine lines, improve texture, shallow scarring and epidermal pigment. These treatments are usually done every 2 - 4 weeks and could be 6 weeks if the peel has penetrated the full epidermis. The skin may shed for 5 -7 days but minimal down time is expected and you may be red and sensitive to the sun for a few weeks.
Medium Depth Peels are peels that will be performed by a Dermal Therapist or Aesthetician as they will penetrate to the Papillary Dermis and require the knowledge of the skins wound healing process. These peels are used for mild scarring and photoaging and improve dermal texture and help with pigmentary conditions. A glogau scale client of 2 - 3 would benefit from this procedure. There will be 8 - 10 days of scaling and redness and the skin will be UVR sensitive for up to 3 months post procedure. These peels are performed at a minimum of 4 weeks but may be 3 - 6 monthly depending on the depth achieved and the recovery of the client.
Deep Peels will only be performed by Medical Practitioners and will penetrate to the mid-reticular dermis. These procedures will be performed under anaesthesia in a sterile environment as there is a high risk of infection and complications. Dramatic skin tightening can be seen with this procedure and a glogau skin type 4 would benefit. This procedure will also help with severe photo damage and Deep Scarring. This procedure may require dressings and occlusive ointments. It will take up to 14 days for crusting, scaling and redness to reduce and full results may not be seen for up to 6 months. This is usually a one off treatment. Now with the introduction of new technology such as lasers this procedure is not as common.
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Microdermabrasion:
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Microdermabrasion is a procedure that uses abrasion by physical means to get exfoliative results. Crystal Microdermabrasion is used for Superficial Light to Superficial Depth of penetration and Diamond Tips are used to get Medium Depth penetration. The exfoliative effect of Microdermabrasion induces a wound healing response and the vacume action increases blood flow to the area. Both of these actions induce repair processes that help with barrier function and dermal remodelling which will reduce TEWL, (transepidermal water loss), increasing hydration and increase collagen deposition in the dermis. A glogau skin type 1 and 2 will benefit from this treatment and it could be used on a type 3 or 4 depending on the extent of skin laxity. Treatment frequency will depend on depth of penetration.
Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT): Microneedling
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Collagen Induction Therapy is which involves puncturing the skin with small needles multiple times producing a wound healing response that induces collagen production. The skin would be prepped with an anaesthetic cream to reduce discomfort. The needles are on a roller that is rolled 4 to 6 times on a small patch of skin in 4 different directions. The procedure can be done multiple times at 4 - 8 week intervals. Serums can also be applied during the procedure as they will then penetrate deeper into the skin than topical application. The treatment produces mild erythema, odema within minutes of the treatment that only lasts 2-3 days and generally no other side affects. An improvment in most patients is observed after at least 2 -3 treatments including skin texture, fine lines and wrinkles, skin laxity and scarring.
Non Ablative and Ablative Rejuvenation:
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Non Ablative skin rejuvenation involves no breakage of the skin and are perfect for clients who can't afford the downtime associated with Ablative procedures. Non Ablative treatments may help with skin tightening, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and visible vessels. These procedures will require a series and the results are not usually immeadiate. Treatments may include RF devices (Radio Frequency), IPL Photo Rejuvenation, Infrared Technologies, Ultrasound and Non Ablative Laser Treatments such as Fractional Laser Resurfacing.
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Ablative Skin Rejuvenation can target wrinkles or pigmentation in a single treatment but usually require downtime such as wound care and take a while to heal. These treatments will break the skins surface and include laser treatments such as Ablative resurfacing and Fractional Ablative Resurfacing.
