Newsletter

July 2011

Skin tightening the easy way

In our efforts to get more out of life, we also expect more from our appearance as we age. The idea is to look better, without going under the knife.

Ageing changes such as skin thinning and sagging are caused by too much sun exposure and bad living, e.g. smoking and drinking too much, as well as inadequate sleep. These ageing changes are related to poor diet, bad digestion and diminishing hormone levels.

Supplements for skin

The important nutritional supplements for your skin are the main antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, C and E), selenium and Omega 3 fish oil. The latter is an effective antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory.

In my clinical work, I've noticed that virtually everyone I test has low zinc and low Vitamin D. These, along with Vitamin C, are important for collagen production. Vitamin D is also vital for the skin and general health.

Hormone imbalances can also cause problems as you age. I have extensive experience in this area and have helped many people to restore a healthy hormone balance.

By the way, you'll probably start hearing more about peptides in relation to skincare in future. These are sometimes described as "miracle ingredients". Peptides are molecules that contain amino acids – both are building blocks for proteins. There are peptides that tighten, but there are also peptides in other categories. Think of peptides as messengers that tell the skin cells to do certain things: grow, increase collagen, etc. We can advise you on what your skin specifically needs.

Three skin tightening treatments

At Skinfresh Clinic, we offer three skin treatments that have variable ability to tighten skin on their own. However, when they're combined, their effect is significantly enhanced. All with no pain or downtime!

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is the process of resurfacing the top layer of the skin to a precise depth by the combination of exfoliation and vacuuming.

Removing the dead skin cells and stimulating blood flow stimulate the deeper dermal level to produce collagen and fibroblasts (baby collagen cells). This results in fresher, improved skin with an enhanced surface texture and quality.

Clinical studies have shown this treatment to be effective for acne, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, fine lines and superficial skin disorders. The normal recommendation is for 6-12 treatments 7-14 days apart, depending on the severity of the problem.

Because the suction component of microdermabrasion stimulates the deep dermal collagen, this treatment can provide subtle skin tightening and thus a subtle lifting effect.

This is a comfortable treatment with no downtime. It takes between one and one and a half hours. Your skin can be pink or slightly red afterwards, but this can be easily covered by makeup and will resolve in a few hours. Maintenance needs to continue with a good skincare programme and monthly treatments.

Light treatments

A gold standard treatment for skin tightening is Titan®, a far infrared light procedure. Titan® has been scientifically validated and clinically proven to treat the deep dermis and permanently tighten the skin.

The ideal candidate for Titan® is a non-smoker with thin, lax skin. It's often people over 50 that respond best. After an initial course of 2-4 treatments of the face, jowl and/or neck, one top-up treatment can be performed 1-2 years later to maintain the effect as you age.

Intense pulse light machines (IPL) work on the skin's surface to improve discolouration, but do not tighten the skin.

Laser treatments

Laser Genesis® treatment is specific to the 1064 ND Yag laser and is used to heat the deep dermis. It is a comfortable, walk-in/walk-out procedure with no downtime. We use it for texture and collagen production as well as deep redness, including rosacea. Because it works on the mid-dermis, it will tighten the skin.

We have a wealth of clinical experience with this painless laser. After an initial course of treatment, it needs to be topped up around six monthly to maintain the tightening and the other beneficial effects.

Additional treatments

Other treatments that can help achieve a lifting effect for the skin include botulinum toxin (Dysport®) and dermal fillers such as Restylane®.

At Skinfresh Clinic, we are the national trainers for Cutera Medical Lasers and have registered nurses who administer the treatments. We train overseas regularly and continually upgrade our knowledge and skills. You can be assured that we take patient safety seriously and that we are keen to get great results for you!

Feel free to come see one of our nurses for a personal assessment and skin treatment programme.

Coping with the Winter Blues

With the cold and long winter nights, many people will feel like hibernating. In winter, it's not unusual for people to gain weight, need more sleep, crave sugar and carbohydrates, and generally don't perform to their usual standard at work… Fascinating how it all gets better in spring!

About 10% of New Zealanders suffer from SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder, the condition commonly known as the "winter blues". While this condition is seen in children, it tends to start when people are in their 20s or 30s. It is also four times more common in women than men.

Typical symptoms include moods that change with the seasons, with depression starting in autumn, peaking in the winter and getting better when spring comes. Other symptoms include the need for an unusual amount of sleep, drowsiness by day, lack of concentration, craving carbohydrate, gaining weight, increased appetite and lack of energy. These symptoms could be at a level where they may even cause problems socially and at work.

SAD is worse in the deep south

As one can expect, SAD is worse where winters are more extreme, for instance in the most southerly and northerly regions of the world. In New Zealand, this means that people in the South Island generally run a greater risk of SAD. Because people acclimatise, those who move to the southern part of New Zealand would be more at risk than people who had been living there a long time.

SAD affects people to different degrees. The effect can be very mild, with only a small loss of performance and slight increase in appetite. At the other end of the scale, SAD can lead to such severe symptoms that medical intervention is needed. Between these extremes there is what's known as "subclinical SAD". This is like SAD, but with milder symptoms that don't significantly impair function.

On top of this, many SAD-sufferers struggle with other associated conditions such as bulimia and anxiety disorders which can get worse in winter. Women who suffer from SAD and premenstrual syndrome often find that their symptoms get worse in winter months. Many people who suffer from SAD don't realise they have this problem and it can take many years before they seek help.

Causes of SAD

There are many theories as to what causes the condition. Mood disorders and SAD tend to run in families, suggesting there is a genetic aspect. Some theories have it that there are abnormalities in the neurotransmitters (brain chemistry) relating to dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline. Another theory is that SAD is similar to jet lag, i.e. that it has to do with phase delay in the body's natural rhythm.

Light therapy and medications for SAD

The first-line treatment for SAD – light therapy – has a 70% response rate. In light therapy, bright light is shone on a person, about 2500 lux for two hours or more a day, compared to about 300 lux of light in the normal house or office. A week of light therapy is usually enough to solve the problem.

Other protocols use even more light – 10,000 lux for 30 minutes a day. Light therapy can also be administered by so-called "dawn simulation" – increasing the light level in the bedroom before dawn. Light therapy has been found to work for normal depression as well.

Medications that can help with SAD include fluoxetine (Venlafaxine Effexor® and Prozac®). The natural substances tryptophan or 5-hydroxy tryptophan have also been found to help. Both are precursors of serotonin. In cases where light therapy has failed, tryptophan has often been found effective. St John's Wort can help, as does SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), which helps with serotonin production in the brain.

Notes for treating SAD

• St John's Wort, tryptophan, 5-hydroxy tryptophan and SAMe cannot be taken while on antidepressants. They will increase serotonin in the brain excessively, causing overdose symptoms.
• The natural substance melatonin (which is released by the brain in response to darkness) can help improve vitality and the quality of sleep if taken at night.
• Vitamin B6 also helps in serotonin production. Here's a clue: When you can't remember your dreams, you probably don't have enough vitamin B6.
• Omega 3 fish oils play an important role in the production of serotonin. Studies show that people in Iceland don't get SAD, but that SAD increases when they eat less fish.
• Plan holidays to sunny places in mid-winter and go for morning walks if the sun shines. The bright sunshine helps to reset your brain chemistry.

If you have any symptoms of SAD, you don't have to suffer them. Get some help!