HERE COMES THE SUN(SCREEN)

You know you should be wearing sunscreen every day, but are you? If not, could it be you haven’t yet found the right one? We love the sun, we just don’t love its ill effects, which include everything from hyperpigmentation and premature ageing to skin cancer. We hope our Sunscreens 101 breakdown will answer your questions and make your choices clearer!  

Mineral or chemical? 

Both will protect you from the harmful effects of the sun, but there are also other things to consider…

These two types of sunscreen are differentiated by their ingredients. Mineral sunscreens contain well…minerals…that reflect harmful UV rays, while chemical sunscreens have synthetic elements that protect skin by absorbing UV rays. This translates into slightly varying feels and benefits…

In the end, it doesn’t really matter which sunscreen approach works best for you, as long as you wear it consistently. You can check out some of our superb sunscreens here.  

THE MELASMA MAP

No idea how to navigate this super-common skin condition? We’ll be your compass…

What is it?

The exact cause of melasma remains up for debate, but here’s what we know for sure:

• It can be connected to hormonal changes or medications — many women first experience the onset of the condition when they begin taking birth control pills or during pregnancy

• People with darker skin and/or a family history of the condition tend to be more susceptible

• Sun exposure aggravates its intensity and appearance

• It typically appears on the face as splotchy, uneven patches of discoloured skin, but can also show up on other parts of the body

• It predominantly affects the forehead, cheek and nose area, so is difficult to hide

• Early treatment helps yield better results

Types of melasma

There are three variations of the condition. We can tell which type you have by using a special type of light that discerns the depth of the pigmentation.

• Epidermal melasma is dark brown with a well-defined border, and usually responds well to treatment as it affects only the skin’s uppermost layer

• Dermal melasma is lighter in colour, but the border is feathery and indistinct; this type tends to be more resistant to treatment

• Mixed melasma, a hybrid of the two, is the most common and is also very treatable

Treatment 

Melasma can be treated in a variety of ways:

Creams
Certain products can go a long way in treating melasma topically. Stringent application of proper sunscreen is a great first step that can help you avoid the condition in the first place, and SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic consistently ranks very highly in its ability to lighten dark patches and other stubborn instances of hyperpigmentation. SkinCeuticals Advanced Pigment Corrector, is also great at treating epidermal melasma with no further intervention. 

Our dermatologists may also recommend stronger topical prescription remedies to help alleviate hyperpigmentation.   

Lasers  

Our Picoway laser is quite amazing when it comes to treating hyperpigmentation, especially when it comes to conditions like melasma, which are isolated and benign. Part of what makes this particular laser so effective is that its power is concentrated into a small spot size, allowing it to lessen discolouration in fewer treatments and with practically no downtime.  It also works wonders with acne scarring, so be sure to check out our Picoway specials this month.

The CO2RE laser is also a great option to deal with hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage — and it can be done in a single treatment, with clinically proven, long-lasting effects (we’re taking years)! Downtime usually lasts about a week, but the noticeable improvement to your skin’s tone and smoothness are worth every minute. 

Microdermabrasion 

This cosmetic approach tackles hyperpigmentation by removing dead skin, thereby evening out any pigmentation discrepancies and improving skin texture. Learn more about our microdermabrasion treatments here. 

Chemical peels 

Peels of different strengths can also be very effective against melasma, contributing to better hydration and tone and making skin look clearer and more even. While peels often perform better on lighter skin, we’ve got some fantastic options — including the RevePeel — that are recommended for all skin types and show fantastic results as quickly as one week later! 

The thing to remember about melasma is — like any skin condition — there is no one best way in which to treat it. The best treatment is often as unique as you are, and often involves a combination of sun protection, products or medications, treatments, and time. Give us a call or schedule a consultation and we’ll help you figure about the best approach for you.

CATCHING PEELINGS

We get it — when it comes to chemical peels, you’re in love — and with good reason! Peels can make quite the difference when it comes to your skin’s appearance, so here’s what you need to know before coming in to get one…

There are different types 

Peels are not a one-size-fits all situation. There are light, medium and deep chemical peels, and each is geared towards a different result. 

• Light peels — Penetrate the uppermost layer of the epidermis. Great for minor issues like small blemish scars that only need superficial treatment. Also fantastic for brightening skin’s appearance and helping to control breakouts. Fast recovery time.

• Medium peels — These go just beneath the epidermis. Work well on shallow acne scars, and reversing sun damage and wrinkling around the eyes and mouth. Any side effects, like redness and peeling, don’t typically last longer than a couple of weeks. Not necessarily recommended for those with darker skin tones because of the risk of discolouration.

• Deep peels — Treat all the way through to the lower dermis level. Best for deeper scars and wrinkles, but requires sedation, so the CO2RE laser — or even microdermabrasion — are much better options to treat deep tissue.

Your skin type matters 

The effectiveness of chemical peels rely strongly on the type of skin you have. This is determined by the Fitzpatrick scale, which classifies skin based on skin colour and its response to ultraviolet light. Dermatologists use the scale as a tool to help inform skin pigmentation research and treatments. Lighter skin (Types I-II) react much better to peels, while darker tones are at risk of hyperpigmentation and should avoid this type of treatment. 

There are tangible benefits for lighter skin tones

If you’re light-skinned enough to be a safe candidate for chemical peels, you’ll be thrilled at what they can do: 

• Improve hydration and tone, making skin look more clear and even, and feel firmer to the touch

• Visibly reduce the appearance of acne, sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles

• Give skin the “clean slate” effect, allowing skincare products do their job more effectively

• Prompt cell growth; healthy new collagen makes your complexion glow

Sounds “appeeling”? Call us to find out more or book your spot today.

UNDER THE SURFACE

“Beauty is only skin deep” is a reminder never to judge a book by its cover; quite fittingly, the saying applies to your skin as well. Healthy, glowing skin can only come from the inside out, so what’s happening under the surface is a key indicator of the state of your skin. The CO2RE laser goes deep to rejuvenate your skin from the inside, out.

Breaking the barrier 

The skin barrier, or epidermis, is the outermost layer of your skin. Its main job is to be like a moat around the castle of your body, protecting it from outside intruders. Underneath lies the dermis. Think of it as your castle’s wall — the layer that houses the proteins your skin needs to stay firm and flourishing. 

When it comes to skin rejuvenation, these are the areas that matter most, managing moisture, lipids, and pH levels, all of which are essential for luminous skin, and minimising the negative impact of free radicals and other environmental irritants that contribute to premature ageing. 

The CO2RE transforms your skin

Sometimes, though, regular skin routines are not enough to offset the effects of environmental skin damage, but fear not…our CO2RE laser will come to the rescue:

• Simultaneously treats both the surface of your skin and underneath, for best results

• Performs full and fractional resurfacing with excellent results on both face and body

• Beaming pulses of light energy go deep to remove damaged or pigmented layers of skin, including brown spots and sun damage, visibly reducing the appearance of even deep wrinkles

• Interaction with the laser’s heat encourages your skin to create collagen enhancing firmness

• These new, healthy skin cells create younger, smoother-looking skin

• Non-invasive, hormone-free, practically no downtime

The CO2RE goes much deeper than chemical peels, and produces phenomenal before-and-after evidence:

There’s only one caveat: we limit CO2RE laser treatments to skin types 1 and 2 — meaning those with fair skin — since darker skin tones do not always react to laser therapy in a predictable way. However, lighter-skinned patients are the ones who struggle the most with sun damage and prematurely ageing skin anyway, and the good news is they do really well with it! 

Want to find out if CO2RE resurfacing treatments are right for you? Give us a call, or come in for a consultation. 

DAD’S SKIN, DECODED

The majority of Caribbean men have super-basic skincare routines. We suspect it’s partly a cultural thing: in a region where men are still largely conditioned to be “tough”, taking the time to nurture your skin can feel unnecessary — but nothing could be further from the truth. Making a habit of healthy skin is much better than only paying it attention when something goes wrong, so this Father’s Day we’re here to tell the men, “Skincare treatments are for you too!” 

Facials 

Men can (and should!) have facials too! Our Refining Treatment for Men uses medical-grade Skinceuticals products that completely invigorate skin so that you look and feel your very best. 

We’ve also got a Micro Facial that works well to treat light scarring, discolouration and sun damage, all of which most men who live in the tropics have. It’s good for all skin types and is effective at treating oily and acne-prone skin — but start soon, as it’s a treatment that works best in a series (usually four to six treatments spaced a week to ten days apart).

Manscaping

Our amazing laser hair removal treatments can remove back hair, as well as deal with conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae, more commonly known as razor bumps, which is aggravated by shaving the face. 

The ingrown hairs (which can also happen to women along the bikini line) can be very painful, but our GentleMax Pro™ laser uses a patented cooling technology that makes the process practically pain-free, and leaves you feeling a lot smoother, well groomed and more comfortable. 

And…newsflash! You don’t have to be obsessed with your appearance to manscape. Many of our male clients choose to do it because removing excess body hair helps them feel cooler, especially in our tropical climate. Athletes whose bodies need to be as streamlined as possible for competition (think swimmers, cyclists and body builders) also get fantastic results from our laser hair removal treatments, which produce solid results at the best value price. 

Tattoo removal 

Tattoos may be cool, but some of them come with regrets. Our Picoway laser, however, is extremely adept at making them practically disappear — but the process is an extended one, so you have to be patient and committed. 

The impact of the laser’s intensity (delivered in ultra-short pulses) will cause the tattoo pigment to break down bit by bit, but it’s not a one-and-done process. The time it will take varies depending on the specific tattoo, but you can rest assured knowing that while the ink is breaking down, the integrity of the outer layer of skin remains intact. The treatment has been proven safe and effective in all skin types. 

Our Picoway laser treatments can also help with hyperpigmentation, acne marks, and other forms of scarring. So embrace your inner manscaper and give us a call — your skin will thank you for it!