Stretch Marks: What Are They & How To Treat Them

Tag Archives: SkinCeuticals

Stretch marks, also known as striae, are a type of scarring that occurs on the skin due to a sudden fluctuation in its size. This abrupt change causes the collagen and elastin to rupture, leaving behind narrow lines or streaks as the skin heals. Stretch Marks

Although they can develop anywhere on the body, they usually reside on the abdomen, breasts, and thighs. Stretch marks are most common in women after pregnancy, but they can also develop from rapid weight gain or loss.

When they first show up, they typically have a pinkish, red hue and may feel slightly raised. Eventually, that color will fade and they level off into the skin. Their appearance may improve over time, but as is the case with any scar, they are permanent.

There are some products and treatments however that can make stretch marks less noticeable. They include:

  • Ceramide Moisturizer. This will help hold the skin together and retain moisture.
  • SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. This vitamin C serum helps to improve the appearance of fine lines by firming the skin.
  • Micro-needling. This cosmetic procedure uses a bunch of tiny needles to make small perforations to the skin to induce collagen production. This in turn plumps up the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines.
  • RF Skin Tightening. A noninvasive treatment that heats the under layers of skin to stimulate collagen, causing the skin to look fuller and tighter.

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    With any of these options, it is important to be patient and understand that results will not be seen immediately. If stretch marks are something that is bothering you, contact our office today to see what options are best for your situation specifically.

     

    Source: The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)

    As discussed in a past post, acne is a common skin condition that affects millions of people. Although it may only appear on the skin, the effects can go much deeper. Many sufferers deal with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. With the start of the school year, those problems are only amplified.

    So, what exactly causes acne and what can you do to control it? We recently sat down with our aesthetician Lauren Battaglia and asked her just that. Here’s what she had to say…

    “Acne occurs when the pores on the skin become blocked with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells.  This causes the inflammation that appears on the skin. Working as an aesthetician over the years, I have helped a number of patients with varying degrees of acne. I put them on a great regime of treatments and products.”

    Some products that she says are the most effective for combating acne are as follows:

    • SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel – “This cleanser is great because it decongests pores, smooths out skin texture, and brightens the skin. A must for any skin care routine.”
    • SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque – “Amazing mask! I love, love, love it! It decongests the pores as well, removes excess oil and helps to calm the skin.”
    • SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense – “One of my favorite serums! It’s oil-free and helps to reduce the formation of acne. It even improves clogged pores as well.”

     

    Lauren also offers a facial specifically for acne. It consists of a deep, thorough cleansing and extraction that breaks down impurities, sebum, dead skin cells, and blackheads. “It’s really a must for teens or others struggling with stubborn acne,” she says.

    With skin type and acne severity varying from person to person, certain products/treatments may work better for some than others. If you would like to meet with Lauren to discuss a customized skin care regime for yourself, contact our office today.

    hormonal breakouts

    Throughout adolescence nearly every woman deals with acne breakouts of some kind. And a common misconception is that they will eventually go away later in life. Unfortunately, that is not true, and acne breakouts can occur at any age.

    The main reason for them to occur beyond adolescence can be attributed to hormones, and in women in particular, their menstruation cycle. Prior to menstruating, an imbalance in hormone levels can stimulate the sebaceous glands which in turn produces excess oil. This causes the pores in the skin to become clogged, leading to inflamed lesions on the skin. These hormone driven breakouts typically occur on the lower part of the face, around the jaw or chin area.

    Although these breakouts are internally influenced, topical treatments are important to ensure that the condition is maintained and does not worsen. SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense is a great option because it helps decongest clogged pores and fight the formation of acne. Not only does it help with that, but it can also improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

    For more serious hormonal breakouts, providers may recommend certain contraceptive pills. This is due to the fact they can regulate hormone levels and prevent stimulation of the oil glands in the skin.

    Unfortunately, the relationship between hormones and breakouts will always be prevalent, but there are options to keep the condition under control. Contact our office today if you believe you are experiencing hormonal breakouts.