The appearance of your skin is strongly influenced by two types of aging. Intrinsic (internal) aging is caused by the genes we inherit, while extrinsic (external) aging is caused by environmental factors such as exposure to the sun.

Skin is divided into 3 layers, the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Ageing affects all 3 layers.

In the epidermis (outer layer) there is normally a constant turn over where new cells produced in the lower layer replaces older cells in the outer most layer, where cells die and shed about every 2 weeks. As we age this process slows down; fewer new cells are produced, and as a result more dead cells accumulate. Skin becomes dull, and  might feel rough, dry and even leathery.

Other changes we might notice are increased pigmentation, due to sun damage or hormonal melasma. Cells producing pigment (melanocytes) enlarge and become over active, pigment accumulates, and decreased turn over means there are fewer new cells to replace the older pigment filled cells.

Epidermis

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SKIN TREATMENTS
Repair the Damage

The dermis contains collagen, elastin and reticular fibres that give the skin its strength and flexibility. Hyaluronic acid also plays an important role in the way our skin looks, feels and functions. It retains water like a sponge, helping to hydrate our skin, improving overall appearance. As we age our hyaluronic acid and collagen production slows down - causing the skin to lose elasticity and volume. This leads to thinning of the skin, wrinkles or fine lines, sagging skin, and enlarged pores.

The Vessels within the dermis become more fragile, which might lead to redness, or dilated and broken capillaries.

Dermis

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The subcutaneous fat layer thins, reducing its normal insulation and padding, which leads to more fragile, sagging skin, with loss of youthful contours.

Subcutaneous Tissue

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So how can we prevent or treat the signs of skin ageing?

We need to:

1.    Increase cell turn over in the epidermis

2.    Stimulate collagen production in the dermis

3.    Treat pigmentation by destroying the pigment and inhibiting the cells producing the pigment

4.    Treat redness and broken capillaries by shrinking dilated vessels and strengthening the dermis

5.    Use sunscreen to protect against further sun damage.

6.    Know your Skin Type? Please click here to view information and questionnaire >

Treatment Options

1. Active Ingredients

There are several active ingredients proven to stimulate collagen and improve cell turn over, as well as address issues such as redness, blemishes and pigmentation. Dr Ansulette Kay can assess your needs and customize a skin treatment plan with prescription strength products to address various skin concerns. Ask Dr Ansulette Kay which treatment regime will be most suitable for your skin concern.

2. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels regenerate and resurface the skin at varying depths depending on the agent and concentration used. The strength and type of chemical peel can be tailored to suit the patient and skin condition. The type of chemical peel and the concentration of peeling agent will determine the depth of peeling. Deeper peels will result in greater clinical improvements in the skin, however are associated with greater downtime and side effects.

Superficial peels remove the dead layers of the skin and can help improve uneven pigmentation, whilst medium depth peels target the deeper layers of the epidermis. Deeper peels have the ability to stimulate collagen production, which improves both texture and tone. Contact Dr Ansulette Kay to see if a chemical peel would be right for you.

3. Collagen Induction Therapy (Skin Needling)

How does it work?

The aim of all skin resurfacing and rejuvenating treatments is to produce collagen, which occurs when a healing response is triggered in the dermis.

Skin needling, also known as Facial Mesotherapy and Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT), works by introducing needles into the skin to create micro-injuries in the dermis. This action activates the skin’s natural wound healing process by releasing fibroblasts and growth factors that create collagen and elastin, causing progressive improvement in the texture and thickness of the skin. Dr Ansulette Kay uses a sterile, one-use-only cartridge with steel needles, inserted into a pen-like device to administer the treatment. The depth of the needles and rate of penetration can be adjusted to suit the area being treated.

Skin needling can be performed on all skin types and colours, including sensitive skin.

Results include thicker, tighter and smoother skin, increased blood flow to areas of poor healing, minimized appearance of scars (including acne) and fine lines and increased penetration of serums and moisturizers.

Other results can include minimized stretch marks and hair loss. Skin needling can be repeated every 6-8 weeks as long as the epidermis is healed; however, collagen formation can continue for up to 12 months after one treatment.

What to expect?

Dr Ansulette Kay will assess your skin and decide if skin needling is the best treatment for your skin concern. You will be started on active ingredients at least 4 weeks prior to treatment to prepare the skin.

Prior to treatment Dr Ansulette Kay will apply a special local anaesthetic cream for 30 minutes, which will make the treatment comfortable. Each session takes 15 to 20 minutes to perform, where after a soothing ointment will be applied. Moderate redness and swelling can be expected 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, and flaking, peeling or crusting can occur 3 to 5 days post procedure. It is important to follow the skin care instructions given post skin needling.

Collagen induction will start immediately, but collagen remodelling will be maximal at the 3 to 4 month mark. To achieve the best results Dr Ansulette Kay do 3-4 sessions spaced 6-8 weeks apart.

Before

After

Before

After

4. IPL and Lasers

LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulation of Radiation) is monochromatic (single colour) light, which is coherent (rays run parallel) and collimated (linear). IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is broad spectrum light (like a rainbow) which is non-coherant (diffuse rays) and divergent (spreads).  Laser & IPL produce various wavelengths of light, which selectively target Haemoglobin (found in blood i.e. thread veins), Melanin (found in hair and pigmented skin lesions like freckles), and Ink & Dye (found in tattoos), which is then selectively destroyed by the energy of the devices. There are many machines on the market, not all of them TGA approved. Dr Ansulette Kay will assess your skin condition and if a laser treatment is needed she will refer you to dermatologists who specialise in the use of lasers, to ensure you get a safe and effective treatment.