Conditions
Acne
Acne is a skin condition that varies in severity and can effect people of all ages, but is most common in teenagers and young adults and often also in pregnant and increasingly in older women. Acne occurs when the small canal (follicle) connecting the oil gland under the skin to the pores on the skin surface becomes blocked. The oil gland under the skin produces an oily substance called sebum which carries the dead skin cells through to the skin surface for natural shedding. A tiny hair also grows from within the follicle out through the skin surface. When dead skin cells, the hair and sebum clump together blocking the follicle the bacteria in the clump causes the area to swell and become red. As the clump breaks down a pimple occurs – pimples can progress to cysts and scarring.
Treatments for acne vary according to your specific skin condition, but the aim is to relieve symptoms and reduce likelihood of scarring.
We recommend contacting us to make an appointment for a comprehensive skin assessment so a tailored treatment plan can be prepared for your individual needs.
source: National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. www.niams.nih.gov
Acne Scarring
Acne scarring can cause great distress in sufferers. There are several types of acne scars – deep indented, rolling, raised, and red and white – and each responds to different treatment. Tough scar tissue needs to be broken down to allow the skin to rejuvenate to a more favourable condition.
We encourage you to contact us today to book an initial consultation so we can assess your particular skin condition and provide you with an informed treatment plan. The first 20mins of your initial consultation is free – beyond that the cost is $40 per hour or part thereof.
Broken Capillaries
Broken capillaries occur when capillaries become enlarged or dilated giving a reddish, blotchy spotty appearance to the face. Vascular lesions are often resulting from ‘broken’ capillaries. Most common treatments for ‘broken’ capillaries include IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy.
We require an initial patient consultation in order to provide a treatment plan tailored to meet the individual needs of your skin. Please call us today to arrange your initial consultation – the first 20mins of this initial consultation is free.
Freckles
Freckles are light brown, flat spots on sun-exposed skin. Freckles occur when skin is exposed to sunlight and the melanocytes (pigment producing cells) produce melanin at an increased rate, leaving a darkened spot. Two factors are thought to contribute to the prevalence of freckles: genetics and sunlight. If you have family members who have freckles then it is more likely you will get them too when your skin is exposed to sunlight.
We recommend using high quality sunscreen applied daily to the neck, face and other exposed skin. Avoid exposing your skin to too much sun particularly your face, neck, back and shoulders.
Freckle spots as with other pigmentation conditions can be treated with laser therapy. We encourage you to make an initial consultation with us so we can assess your specific skin condition and develop a treatment plan particular to your individual needs.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of skin resulting from one of two things: i) an increased melanin production by the melanocytes, or ii) an increased presence of melanocytes themselves. It is relatively common and harmless, but can be annoying or distressing if felt to have a negative visual impact. Hyperpigmentation can occur in small patches or large areas of the body.
There are three types of hyperpigmentation:
Post-imflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) – when skin injury or trauma (e.g. inflammatory acne) heals leaving a flat area of discolouration
Freckles – also known as ephelides or lentigines – small flat spots of discolouration linked to sun exposure and genetic predisposition
Sunspots – also known as liver or age spots – these have nothing to do with liver function, but may be more prevalent as you age. They result from increased melanin production from sun exposure.
Melasma – often linked to hormone production during pregnancy it can effect anyone and is caused by several factors including hormones, genetic predisposition and sun exposure.
We recommend contacting us to book an initial consultation so we can properly assess your skin condition then provide you with a treatment plan that best suits your individual needs.
Melasma
Rosacea
Rosacea is a long term non-contagious skin condition most often characterised by facial redness, swelling and dilated superficial dilated blood vessels. Most common treatments include an initial IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) group of treatments followed by a maintenance cycle.
We require an initial patient consultation in order to provide a treatment plan tailored to meet the individual needs of your skin. Please call us today to arrange your initial consultation – the first 20mins of this initial consultation is free.
Stretch Marks & Scars
Stretch marks are the reminder of past skin traumas, when the elastic middle layer of the skin, the dermis) has been over-stretched. Pregnancy, rapid weight gain or loss, rapid growth during puberty can all result in reddish/purple stretch marks which over time fade to leave a fine streaks and a ‘crêpey’ feel to the skin.
Laser technology has been shown to be an effective treatment for the reduction in the appearance of stretch marks and scars.
We encourage you to make an appointment today – book your 20min free initial consultation with us and we will assess your skin condition and develop a treatment plan that meets your individual needs.
Sun Damage
Long term exposure to harmful UV rays from the sun can damage the skin and can result in premature skin ageing, skin cancer and changes in skin colour, texture and tone.
Dry, flaky, thinning and wrinkled skin are symptoms of sun damage, as are sunburn, actinic keratosis (pre-malignant spots), and loss of collagen and elastin.
Treatment options are available to reduce the effects of sun damage. Contact us today to make an appointment for your initial consultation so we may assess your particular skin condition and provide a tailored treatment plan.
