carbon laser peel

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR SKIN AFTER CARBON LASER PEEL TREATMENT

Home > Blog > HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR SKIN AFTER CARBON LASER PEEL TREATMENT

After your carbon laser peel treatment, your skin feels smooth and radiant. You also found the treatment to be effective for your skin and you enjoyed the overall experience, which means you’re likely to be returning for another session. However, you may have questions on how to maintain your skin texture. To answer your questions, we’ve gathered certain recommendations.

Here are some helpful tips on how to care for your skin after undergoing the skin treatment.

What Is The Treatment All About?

If you’re new to laser treatments, here is a brief introduction on what the skin care treatment is all about before providing tips on how to maintain your skin after the procedure. The Carbon Laser Peel is a gentle non-invasive procedure that works well on most skin types and is safe for your skin. The treatment starts with an application of carbon onto the skin. Then, the laser is gently moved across your skin, taking the carbon and embedded skin impurities along with it.

You’ll be surprised by how the procedure rejuvenates your skin, even after the first treatment. It is beneficial for individuals with fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, discolouration, and uneven skin texture. The treatment also helps to boost collagen production and remove dead skin cells, which improves skin laxity.

Tips on How To Care For Your Skin After The Treatment

Having a regular skincare routine would maintain the carbon peel laser treatment results. For this reason, we recommend that you create healthy habits to look after your skin. But most importantly, here are some tips to retain the best-desired skin result.

1. Use The Recommended Products:

Use the recommended products from your doctor. Use them consistently and on a daily basis. If you have an allergic reaction, immediately discontinue use and check with your doctor.

2. Do Not Use Retinol:

Retinol and lasers don’t go hand in hand. Retinols are known for their anti-ageing properties. But because they are drying and could irritate the skin, they should be avoided after any laser treatment, for at least 1 – 2 weeks. Instead, you should use a gentle cleanser after your laser treatment.

3. Don’t Go Heavy On The Moisturiser:

You should apply moisturiser daily. If you have oily skin, use a lightweight moisturiser. Also, it’s good to use products that your doctor recommends or prescribes. If you have a staple moisturiser that you have been consistently using, ask them if it’s suitable for use after the treatment.

4. Apply Sunscreen, Even If You’re Indoors:

After the treatment, you may experience some slight redness on your skin. However, the redness will subside on its own within a few hours. You may apply Aloe Vera gel to keep your skin to reduce redness.

It is also advised that you apply sunscreen after the treatment as the skin tends to be sensitive. Make sure to wear sunscreen indoors too. Not only will this step help you maintain your glowy skin, but it will also prevent the early onsets of skin ageing.

5. Use A Hydrating Cream:

Apply a hydrating cream after your treatment. This hydration aids in holding the skin’s moisture and increases the depth of penetration, so that your skin retains its moisture.

6. Avoid Makeup Temporarily:

Try not to use any make-up products for at least 2 weeks after the carbon laser treatment as they may aggravate your skin further after the treatment. A good skin specialist can advise you in this regard. If you want to use makeup, you can apply them lightly once the redness is gone.

7. Stay Hydrated:

Lastly, make sure that you drink enough water as it is important to keep your skin hydrated. That way, your skin can remain healthy and glowy.

Now that you know what to do to maintain healthy and glowing skin, it’s time for your next laser treatment. If you have any other concerns, make sure that you consult us first.

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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ACNE, SCARRING AND HOW TO EFFECTIVELY TREAT IT

Home > Blog > ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ACNE, SCARRING AND HOW TO EFFECTIVELY TREAT IT

Introduction

If you have acne, worry not, you’re not alone. Acne or Acne Vulgaris is the most common skin condition in the world. About 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 will have it, making the adolescent to the young adult age group much more prone to it. Of those, one out of five will have acne scarring. Teenagers get acne thanks to their changing hormones during and after puberty. For adults, elements such as stress, the environment, genetics, menstrual cycles, oil-based products, certain medical conditions, and birth control pills can all lead to acne- though hormonal changes ultimately is the main cause.

Acne grows when bacteria, oil and dead skin fill up and inflame the pores- the tiny openings in the skin- through which oil (sebum) and sweat rises to the surface. It can present itself in many different forms like whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts. Whiteheads and blackheads are relatively common and tend to heal smoothly. The latter, however, are the types that can lead to scarring and can lead to much distress in an individual’s life and will require effective acne scar treatment.

How Does Acne Cause Scarring?

Acne scars are the result of inflammation of acne lesions. Some acne lesions are small and the scars created are shallow and quick to heal, like in the case of whiteheads and blackheads. Sometimes the contents of the lesion spill into the surrounding tissue hence causing deeper scars. The skin’s response is to repair the scar by forming new collagen tissue.

Acne scar formations occur in 2 ways. Either a scar develops when there is loss of tissue, resulting in an indentation in the surface of the skin called an Atrophic or a depressed scar; or a scar develops that is raised on the surface of the skin, called a hypertrophic or a keloid scar. It is usually a sign that the skin is doing its job and healing itself. The skin creates collagen or repair tissue to help heal the damaged acne, however, if there is an overproduction of collagen, a raised scar is formed.However, just because you have acne, it doesn’t mean that it will end up in a scar. If you do end up with scars, the good news is that not all acne scars are permanent. Today, effective acne scar treatment is available throughout the globe. Some treatment modalities like laser acne treatment significantly reduce the scars, while others help the skin in its healing process.

What’s The Best Treatment For Acne Scars?

Acne scars are stubborn, and no single treatment is suitable for everyone. Treatment process can be slow and tedious. A variety of lasers, fillers, micro-needling and pulsed light are some of the available options for effective acne scar treatment. The skin needs to be acne free before starting the treatment for acne scars, meaning first the acne lesions must heal before treatment can begin.

One or a combination of the following treatment modalities might improve the appearance of the acne and scar, depending on the scar type, the skin type and the severity of the scarring.

  • Home Skin Care: Using sunscreen and cosmetic products can help cover the scars. Some medicated creams containing Azelic, Hydroxyl or Salicylic acids can also help too.
  • Soft Tissue Fillers: Injecting collagen, fat or other substances under the skin can slightly plump the skin over and lift it, which makes the scars less noticeable.
  • Steroid Injections: Injecting steroids into raised scars can improve the appearance of the skin, as they soften the fibrous tissue, causing the scar to flatten.
  • Laser Resurfacing: A laser delivers heat to the scar and the collagen underneath, which then encourages the growth of new skin to replace it. There are two different types of laser resurfacing: ablative and non-ablative. The doctor will decide which type is suitable according to the scar and skin type.
  • Dermabrasion or Microdermabrasion: A procedure that is used for severe acne scarring. During this procedure, the top layers of skin are gently exfoliated with a rapidly rotating nozzle. As a result, scar appearance may be reduced and deeper acne scars may appear less noticeable.
  • Chemical Peel: This treatment involves special chemicals to remove the top layers of the skin. Whenever the top layer is removed, the new skin that grows over it is smoother and has lesser scars.
  • Microneedling: This procedure uses micro needles to stimulate collagen growth in the underlying tissue. It’s a safe, simple and a very effective technique for acne scarring.
  • Surgery: A minor procedure called excision, the dermatologist cuts out individual acne scars and closes the wound with stitches.
  • Subcision: This treatment incorporates a canula needle to break down fibrous bands that pull down scar tissue into the lower layers of the skin. Thereafter, the skin is released so that it can return to the surface and grow out smoothly.
  • Cryosurgery: This treatment uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the raised scar tissue. Eventually the scar tissue dies and then falls off.
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Scars and What Can One Do About It
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ACNE CAN BE AN EMBARRASSING ISSUE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE WEATHER IN SINGAPORE. WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?

Home > Blog > ACNE CAN BE AN EMBARRASSING ISSUE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE WEATHER IN SINGAPORE. WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?

What Is Acne?

Commonly believed to be only prevalent in teenagers, acne actually affects a broad range of age groups. Simply put, it is known as a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles are clogged by oil, dead skin cells and other impurities. Most people manage to outgrow acne by their late teens but some continue with this lifetime affliction. Types of acne can include whiteheads, blackheads, red bumps or pus-filled lumps. They appear mostly on the face but some also appear on the back, chest, shoulders and neck. In serious cases this could include larger solid lumps under the skin which causes pain.

What Causes Acne?

  • Acne can be caused by hormonal changes, especially during puberty. At this point, the sebaceous glands enlarge and produce more sebum as it is stimulated by the increase in androgens.
  • Medications that contain corticosteroids, testosterone or lithium can cause a higher possibility of acne appearing.
  • Eating some foods such as carbohydrate rich foods (bread, bagels, chips, rice) can make acne worse.
  • Stress is not a main cause of acne but it can exacerbate it.

Common Acne Complications

Complications for acne include scars such as pitted skin (acne scars), thick scars (keloids) and skin changes (lighter or darker skin that is known as hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation).

Types Of Acne Scars Include:

  • Boxcar – wide and U-shaped scars
  • Ice pick – narrow V shaped scars with depth or small round/oval holes like chickenpox scars
  • Rolling – wide depressions with rounded edges and an irregular appearance
  • Hypertrophic – raised scars that happen mostly with chest and back acne, standing above nearby skin and caused by collage overproduction during the healing process
  • Dark spots – discoloration left behind and may fade away

How Can I Treat My Acne?

There are available in-clinic solutions for acne.

  • Dermabrasion – The use of a wire brush or wheel to deeply exfoliate the top layer of the skin and promote regeneration. It is ideal for shallow scars close to the skin surface and able to achieve some effect for deeper scars
  • Chemical peels – A chemical acid is applied onto the skin to remove the top layer of skin and reduce the appearance of deeper scars. This would be suitable for all types of acne scars.
  • Laser Resurfacing – It is an ablative laser facial which removes the top layer of the skin. It has minimal downtime as compared to other types of resurfacing treatments. It is effective if the breakout has stopped completely.
  • Fillers – An experienced doctor uses fillers to fill acne scars and to improve overall skin texture. Fillers contain hyaluronic acid which is a natural component in your skin. The filler helps to fill depressions and smoothen overall skin texture. Fillers are not a permanent fix and need to be redone once every 6 to 18 months.
  • Microneedling – The process consists of a small roller or pen with microneedles to puncture the skin and encourage it to heal, producing new collagen growth. This treatment takes a few sessions to see improvements but it is generally a safe treatment.
  • Injections – Corticosteroids can be used by injecting them into raised scars, achieving the result of softening and flattening the scar.
  • Subcision– Noticeable scars can be reduced by inserting a blunt cannula needle. The needle removes the scar tissues under the skin making it less visible.
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