Aesthetic skin concerns affect not only your complexion and overall appearance. In some cases, they can also impact the way you see yourself and undermine your self-confidence. For some, it may be pigmentation or sun damage and for others, it may be sagging skin or fine lines and wrinkles. The good news is whatever you’re most concerned about, we at Cutis have treatments that can address or improve them.
What are the most common aesthetic concerns?
You may not realize it, but a lot of people have similar skin and aesthetic concerns they wish to address or get rid of. Here is a brief rundown of the most common aesthetic concerns and their causes.
- Age spots or hyperpigmentation – refer to small areas of discolored patches that commonly appear in the face, back, or hands, and other areas of the body regularly exposed to the sun. Age spots and many other forms of hyperpigmentation are caused by an increase in the production of melanin or the pigment that gives the skin its color.
- Facial redness – can be due to conditions such as rosacea, acne, and broken blood vessels or spider veins. Rosacea is a common skin condition that affects more than 400 million people. Common symptoms include facial flushing, spider veins, thickened skin, and papules and pustules
- Acne – is one of the most common skin disorders that affects both teens and adults. It usually occurs when the hair follicles get clogged with excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Hormonal imbalances, which affect females from puberty to 40s and beyond, can also contribute to the development and worsening of acne.
- Acne scarring – is different from dark spots or acne marks, also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Inflammation due to acne causes trauma to the skin tissues, resulting in scarring. Acne scars can be flat and shallow or deep and box-shaped, and may give the skin a wave-like or pitted appearance.
- Fine lines and wrinkles – are one of the most common signs of aging. While they usually appear in the late 40s or 50s and beyond, they can also occur in your early 30s or late 20s. Typical areas for wrinkles include the forehead, between the brows, and around the corner of the eyes.
- Blackheads – are a form of non-inflammatory acne. They are not trapped dirt or bacteria; but are made of oxidized sebum and dead skin cells on your pores. Blackheads are most common among adolescents, but they can occur at any age.
- Enlarged pores – can be clogged with sebum, dirt, and dead skin cells. While genetics mostly determine your pore size, there are factors that contribute to the appearance of large pores. These include sun exposure, acne/breakouts, excess oil or sebum, and harsh extractions.
- Unwanted or excess hair – can occur in the face and other areas of the body. Hormones and certain conditions can lead to excess hair, and in many cases, the desire for smooth and flawless skin is one of the main reasons people opt to remove hairs in their legs, arms, underarms, and bikini areas.
- Sagging skin – is mainly due to the loss of elasticity that naturally occurs with aging. Declining levels of collagen and elastin, along with the loss of facial fat pads, weakening facial muscles, and bone loss, can result in a saggy appearance with less defined facial features. Other signs include flatter cheeks, a rounded jawline, and a sunken appearance in the eye area.
- Cellulite – causes the skin to look dimpled and lumpy. It is said to develop when the fat layer beneath the skin pushes through connective tissues or collagen fibers. While it is more common in people who carry excess weight, skinny people can have cellulite too.
- Stretch marks – are a type of scars (striae) that occur due to the pulling of the skin. Rapid stretching causes the collagen and elastin fiber to break or rupture, leaving scars as the skin heals. Factors that increase your risk of having stretch marks include pregnancy, rapid weight gain and weight loss, growth spurts, and sudden muscle growth.
- Localized stubborn fat bulges or flabby areas – refer to trouble areas of fat that don’t respond well to diet and exercise. These commonly accumulate around the belly and hips, upper arms, thighs, buttocks, and under the chin. While poor lifestyle habits contribute to these flabby areas, aging, and hormonal fluctuations can also contribute to excess body fat.
What causes these aesthetic concerns?
A number of factors contribute to the development (and worsening) of aesthetic skin concerns. These include:
- Aging
- Genetic factors
- Hormones
- Repetitive facial movements or expression
- Skin trauma
- Poor skincare habits
- Stress
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits
How can we help?
The right treatment, of course, depends on the specific concerns. We at Cutis Medical Laser Clinics offer a wide range of non-surgical aesthetic treatments that can address or improve these skin issues. If you, for instance, are concerned about age spots and hyperpigmentation, we have light- and laser-based treatments that can fade them, as well as a depigmenting solution that lightens pigmentation and prevents its reappearance.
We also have non-invasive rejuvenation treatments that improve or deal with body concerns, such as laxity, stretch marks, and stubborn fat. Our aesthetic clinic focuses on US FDA-cleared and CE-marked treatments that are safe and effective, with results that can help you look and feel confident about your body.
Your individualized treatment plan, depending on various factors such as your acceptable social downtime, your expected time frame and your budget, will be explained in detail during your consultation with our aesthetic doctor.
Potential treatments are as follows:
Pigmentation
Facial redness
Acne, blackheads, and acne scarring
Enlarged pores
Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin
Unwanted or excess hair
Cellulite and stretch marks
Localized stubborn fat bulges or flabby areas