Understand your skin

About the Aging Process

Understanding your skin can be of great help when planning to enhance your appearance.

An integral understanding of skin anatomy & physiology is the foundation of our practice.
Skin provides our unique appearance and facial shape, providing protection from the environment, preventing excess water loss and protecting the body from infection. Understanding the structure and function of this vital organ is the first step in providing effective anti-ageing treatment.

Reducing Ageing

As the skin ages, its qualities evolve. Collagen and elastin fibres are degraded and the quality of the body’s own hyaluronic acid is reduced, resulting in decreased elasticity and changes in structure. Key areas in the face which provide symmetry and youthful contours lose volume, resulting in typical ageing features. Anti-Wrinkle Injections primarily act to reduce the repetitive skin folding that leads to wrinkle formation over time. Dermal Fillers restore contour volume, skin hydro-balance and improve the skin structure and elasticity, filling out wrinkles and folds to return facial symmetry and youthfulness.

Beauty ideals change over time, within and between cultures, with the desire to feel beautiful central in most people’s lives. Choosing to manifest this through presenting an enhanced youthful appearance is achievable with modern cosmetic techniques.

Structure

The skin is divided into three layers:

  • The Epidermis (or outermost layer) for protection and hydration
  • The Dermis for maintenance and elasticity
  • The Hypodermis (or subcutaneous tissue) for energy
Ageing skin

Senescence is the medical term for aging. With age, wrinkles appear, the skin loses its elasticity and becomes thinner, drier and paler, with blood vessels becoming visible.

Anti-Aging Techniques & Prevention Methods

Several techniques exist within the modern cosmetic industry which can help reduce or prevent skin senescence.

  • Dry skin is treated with moisturizing agents
  • Wrinkle fillers reduce the signs of aging skin. If wrinkles are secondary to muscle contraction they are treated with botulinum toxin
  • Contour and volume changes can be corrected with wrinkle fillers.
  • Skin is toned using specific lights or lasers, chemical peels, dermabrasion or photodynamic therapy
  • Unwanted hair is removed with laser therapy. Hair transplantation corrects receding hair
  • Visible blood vessels are treated by laser, electrocautery or microsclerotherapy (injecting a product into the vessels to clog them)
  • Photodamage can be prevented by taking simple measures such as wearing clothes which protect from the sun, staying in the shade and applying sunblock
  • Pigmentary changes are treated with depigmenting agents or chemical peels
Skin Facts

The skin is is the largest organ in the human body: it is a tissue which covers the whole body, representing 15% of body weight and about 2m2 of surface. The physiology of skin changes with time, with physical ageing causing subtle aesthetic changes throughout life.

What is Skin Senescence or Ageing Skin?

The aging process produces many changes to skin. There is a loss of volume in the face, with redistribution of fat in the cheeks (malar fat pad), chin, nasal area and lips. Repetitive muscle contraction over the years causes deeper and permanent wrinkles in certain areas, such as glabellar lines between the eyebrows, crows feet around the eyes and forehead area wrinkles. The contours of the facial skin drapes over the underlying skull and muscles.

Protection

The skin provides the primary layer of protection for your body. It is your initial preventative measure against physical, chemical and biological threats (microorganisms, UV radiation, etc), and makes up the foundation of your innate immune system.

Sensation

Skin contains an abundance of nerves and is a sensory organ with sensory receptors.

Thermoregulation

Skin regulates your bodies temperature via both secretions (sweat) and regulation of cutaneous microcirculation.

Metabolic Activity

Skin produces Vitamin D in the presence of sunlight, which is important in many things, including bone formation. Skin is also a secretory organ, secreting sweat and sebum (oils).