SKIN AGING

All our skin ages and loses collagen and elastin which support our skin and give it its elasticity. However, if you look at your skin that has not been exposed to sunlight, (your bottom, for example) you will notice that, although it is the same age, it does not look as old as the skin on your face or hands. This is the result of photoaging from exposure to the damaging effects of the sun. This skin will show wrinkling and loss of elasticity but also red spots, blood vessels, brown spots and areas of increased pigmentation. The following list lays out what each treatment can do for these conditions.

Clarity ll.

Treats the colour changes and restores skin to a more youthful appearance. Minimal recovery time. Usually needs at least two treatments.

ProFractional Resurfacing.

Usually 3-5 days of recovery. Tightens skin, wrinkles, brown spots. Exceptional results.

Fractora Skin Rejuvenation

Fractora offers improvements for aging skin that would normally require two, three or even four different technologies.

Botox.

Treats dynamic wrinkles (created by muscles e.g. frown lines). Forehead, smile lines, lines under the chin and others.

Fillers.

Most commonly used are the hyaluronic acid fillers. These can be place deep in the tissues to remove wrinkles and restore volume to the face. Can also reshape areas such as the nose and lips.

Peels.

There are specific peels for aging skin. Helps colour and tone.

BelaMD

Gentle to moderate exfoliation and stimulation of the skin. Consider also as a maintenance treatment.

Microneedling

This damages the skin’s surface which forces collagen production and can be used to smooth fine lines and scars.

PRP Facial

Microneedling with your own PRP blood platelets. Consider this treatment if you want exhilarate your results.

Skin Products.

Good skin care is important. A gentle exfoliant and a good moisturiser are very important. There are lightening agents for areas of pigmentation also.

Mineral Make-Up.

Products such as Jane Iredale mineral powders give a very natural look to the skin as well as superb sun protection to prevent further sun damage.

ACNE

Skin Products.

Careful management of the skin is important. These may be prescription or non-prescription items that are used regularly on the skin.

Peels.

There are specific peels for treating acne. Minimal recovery time. Usually need two or three treatments. See Skin Health.

BelaMD.

Minimal to no recovery time. Usually needs multiple treatments and maintenance.

Fractora Skin Rejuvenation

Fractora uses radiofrequency technology and aims to heat and destroy the sebaceous glands as well as stimulate collagen.

ACNE SCARS

Peels.

Some, more aggressive peels, can improve the appearance of mild scars.

BelaMD.

As above, can improve the appearance of mild scars. Minimal recovery time.

Clarity ll.

This will improve the redness and brown pigmentation but not the depth of the scars. Treats the colour changes and restores skin to a more youthful appearance. Minimal recovery time. Usually needs at least two treatments.

ProFractional Resurfacing.

A laser treatment with excellent results. Recovery could be several days but definitely worth it. Deeper scars will require more treatments.

Fillers.

Fillers such as hyaluronic acid (Juvederm) can be injected under the scars to lift them. Needs to be repeated about yearly.

Microneedling

This damages the skin’s surface which forces collagen production which will smooth acne scarring.

PRP Facial

Microneedling with your own PRP blood platelets. Results from this treatment last longer than just microneedling alone.

Subcision.

After anaesthetic, a small knife like needle is used to break the scar bands letting the skin lift up by its own healing process. Some bruising for a few days only.

Fractora Skin Rejuvenation

Fractora is an advanced scar therapy using radio frequency for improving acne scars, skin texture and tone, and providing a more radiant look.

OTHER SCARS, TRAUMATIC SCARS, STRETCH MARKS

It is not possible to make scars disappear. Many scars can, however, be improved by using many of the techniques listed for acne scars. Other techniques include re-excision, injection of cortisone, silicone gel and others. Each scar requires individual assessment as to possible treatment and outcome.

ACTINIC KERATOSIS

This is a pre cancerous condition caused by sun exposure. It is usually easily diagnosed clinically, but may require biopsy for confirmation. Treatments include;

Liquid Nitrogen.

For small areas that are seen or felt, the application of liquid nitrogen works well. This has minimal recovery and needs assessment about yearly. Low cost

Topical Treatments.

There are prescription creams that can be applied to the skin. Long recovery time. Low cost if you have extended health care benefits.

ROSACEA

A chronic condition characterized by facial erythema (redness) and sometimes pimples. It primarily affects Caucasians of north western European descent and has been nicknamed the 'curse of the Celts' by some in Britain and Ireland, although recently this has been questioned. Rosacea affects both sexes, but is almost three times more common in women. It has a peak age of onset between 30 and 60.

Clarity ll

Treats the colour changes and restores skin to a more youthful appearance. Minimal recovery time. Usually needs at least two treatments.

Subcision

The deep pockets can be improved by introducing a small needle like knife to break the adhesions that create the dimples. Requires local anaesthesia and is slow.

There are also topical medications that can be of some help, and also dry brushing the skin regularly is thought to be of help also.

MOLES AND OTHER SKIN LESIONS

Most moles are benign in character. Any new, rapidly growing mole, or any skin lesion that changes its size, shape or colour, should be viewed suspiciously and checked. Dr. Sullivan uses a Dermascope to assist in this assessment. This is a simple hand held tool that creates a special light and magnification, to more easily assess the characteristics of a lesion. This can help to eliminate the unnecessary removal of benign lesions.

Any lesions that are deemed suspicious, can then be treated with either a small piece being removed for pathological biopsy, or removal of the whole lesion.

Cosmetic removal of skin lesions can be done with careful excision, liquid nitrogen, cautery or lasers. Dr. Sullivan offers a range of choices depending on your wishes. Cosmetic removal of skin lesions is not covered by provincial health care insurance plans, and the cost is the responsibility of the patient.

Excision.

Small, deep scars are often removed using a punch biopsy. This creates a tiny hole in the skin which heals very well leaving no pitted scar.