Extrinsic aging/Sun-damage
Research shows that there are two types of aging. Aging caused by the genes we inherit is called intrinsic or internal aging (see Aging). The other type of aging is known as extrinsic or external aging and is caused by environmental factors, such as sun exposure.
A number of extrinsic, or external factors often act together with the normal aging process to prematurely age our skin and is mainly caused by the sun, which is known as photoaging. Other external factors include repetitive facial expressions, gravity, sleeping positions, and smoking (see intrinsic aging).
A few minutes of unprotected sun exposure every day over time can cause noticeable damage to the skin. Freckles, age spots, damaged capillaries, rough and leathery skin, wrinkles, loose skin, a blotchy complexion, actinic keratoses (thick, scaley, white or reddish patches of skin), and skin cancer can all be attributed to sun exposure.
Photoaging occurs over a period of years and results in the skin losing the ability to repair itself causing accumulative damage. Collagen and elastin fibres break down combined with a reduction in new collagen formation causing the skin to become loose, wrinkled, and leathery. Cellular DNA can become mutated resulting in pigment changes, skin cancers and other lesions.
Damaging effects caused by Ultraviolet Radiation
Visible effects:
- Lines and wrinkles
- Thin, fragile skin
- Loss of skin tone and elasticity
- Increased pigmentation that is often patchy
- Loss of pigment often appearing as white spots
- Star shaped scars
- Damaged capillaries
- Keratoses and other benign skin lesions
- Skin cancers
- Sallow and dull appearance
Physiological effects:
- Increased skin fragility
- Epidermal and dermal thinning
- Decreased cell turnover
- Decreased desquamation
- Decreased vascularity
- Decreased number of melanocytes (Cells that produce brown pigment)
- Decreased number of fibroblasts (Maintain dermal architecture by producing more collagen via inflammation and wounding and inhibit collagenase (an enzyme that destroys collagen)
- Collagen and elastin destruction and abnormalities
Pathological effects:
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Basal Cell Carcinomas
- Melanoma
Treatments
- Dermal Fillers
- Wrinkle relaxers
- Infrared skin tightening
- Skin needling
- Chemical peels
- Microdermabrasion
- Topical skincare applications
- Cosmetic surgery
During your consultation, a personalised treatment program will be designed for you to address your individual needs and concerns.
Call our office on 9300 0663 to make an appointment for your free consultation