SO LONG, SCARS!

As part of the healing process after an injury, different types of scars require different treatments. We’ll examine a few of them and answer a few of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to scar management…

• Your age, gender, genetic makeup, as well as the type of scar (its depth, size, colour, location, and how long you’ve had it) are all factors that affect scar treatment

• The earlier you treat a scar, the better the chances of success. 

• While dermatologists and plastic surgeons may not always be able to erase the scar entirely, they can — in most cases — vastly improve their appearance.

• Scar treatment is not solely cosmetic. If a scar impedes the way your body functions, causes pain or itching, or affects your self-esteem, it’s imperative to deal with it.  

1. ACNE

When we talk about acne scarring, we don’t mean the dark spots left behind by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation when you get a pimple. We mean a range of tougher-to-treat marks that generally fall somewhere within the following range:

Because acne causes inflammation, your skin tries to repair the damage to its moisture barrier by providing damaged areas with more collagen — a process that can sometimes cause scarring.

• Icepick scars are deep and narrow, like pinpoints

• Rolling scars manifest as broad, patchy depressions 

• Boxcar scars, some of the most difficult to treat, are sharp pits with clearly defined edges 

• Hypertrophic scars are raised as a result of an overabundance of collagen during healing

Treatments 

Naturally, prevention is better than cure, but there are many approaches we can take, depending on the patient…

• AnteAGE and laser treatments 

• Chemical treatments like our non-invasive VI Peel, (lessens hyperpigmentation and improves the appearance of various types of acne scarring, with most patients reporting visible results within as little as a week)

• Collagen or derma fillers (for pitted or depressed scars)

• Cryotherapy or steroid injections or(for raised scars)

• Laser therapy (medical consultation before the procedure is key)

• Oygeneo facials

• Prescription medication 

• Pressure treatment/silicone gel plasters (a control method for potentially hypertrophic scars)

• Retinol treatments 

• Surgery (for deeper, more serious scars, dermabrasion and laser resurfacing techniques work well) 

2. FINE LINE SCARS 

These are the types of scars left by minor wounds, and other cuts and scrapes. While these will usually fade on their own over time, we can hasten the process.

Treatments 

• A combination of stem cell-based products and lasers

• A skin care routine with products that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid

• Botox

• Chemical peels 

• Laser therapy

• Regular, hydrating skin treatments 

3. STRETCH MARKS

Although painless, many people are self-conscious about these types of scars. Certain treatments can help make them less obvious…

Treatments 

• Chemical peels

• Hyaluronic acid

• Laser therapy

• Microdermabrasion 

• Microneedling

• VI Peel

4. CONTRACTURE SCARS

Scars sustained by burn injuries can be sensitive; they also tend to tighten the skin and  — depending on their location — impair motion, or affect nerves and tissue.  Depending on the severity of the injury, there are several treatment options, but in general, it’s recommended that burn scars be protected from sun exposure.

Treatments 

• Laser therapy (very effective with minimal invasiveness)  

• Microneedling (to stimulate collagen production and smooth out the scar)

• Pressure therapy

• Silicone gel 

• Skin grafts 

5. KELOIDS

These are similar to hypertrophic scars, except that — because of an overly aggressive healing process — they extend beyond the scope of the original injury. People who have more melanin in their skin are about 20% more susceptible to keloids. These approaches can help…

Treatments

• Cryotherapy

• Laser therapy

• Silicone plasters (to flatten the scar; useful as a preventative method as well)

• Steroid injections 

• Surgery

6. SURGICAL SCARS

Depending on the injury, surgical procedures can leave quite noticeable scars. These treatments offer solutions…

Treatments

• Silicone plasters (help prevent scar from raising after surgery) 

• Polyurethane dressings (reduce hyperpigmentation and size of the scar)

• Laser treatments (decrease the degree of scarring, prevent keloids, increase mobility and reduce pain, all non-invasively) 

• Surgery (improves the outward appearance of the scar)

The takeaway? Every type of scar is as individual as you are, so it’s best to discuss different treatments with your dermatologist in order to determine which course of action is best for you.

GET YOUR BODY CARNIVAL-SAVVY

Carnival is about joy and release, but it’s also about confidence. Introducing the VI Peel — a body peel so effective that any feelings of self-consciousness disappear, right alongside the scarring and skin discolouration that may have you anxious about putting on a costume in the first place! 

Why it works 

Painless and non-invasive, the VI Peel has the power to lift pigment, erase sun damage, alleviate acne and other forms of scarring like stretch marks or surgery incisions, and improve sagging skin, all in one treatment! It’s safe for all skin types, and you should notice visible improvement in about a week:

• Glycolic acid quickly gets rid of dead cells

• Lactic acid hydrates and lightens pigment even as it firms skin

• Trichloroacetic acid deeply penetrates skin to target texture, discolouration, acne scarring and signs of ageing 

• Mandelic acid suppresses pigment and reduces excess oil production   

Acne, scars and hyperpigmentation begone! 

In cases where body acne and resultant scarring is an issue, the peel cleanses and smooths the skin, exfoliating dead cells, as well as clearing away bacteria, excess oil, and any other debris that may be clogging pores. 

Not only do you achieve even-toned, blemish-free skin, potential breakouts are also prevented. Its super resurfacing action hastens cell renewal, resulting in brighter, more even-toned skin that looks and feels totally refreshed. 

Another awesome effect? This targeted, professional formula assists with stimulating collagen production, which is why your skin will feel healthier, smoother, firmer and more resilient — even down to hard-to-get-rid-of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Because the skin on your body is thicker than the skin on your face, this special peel goes beyond the typical reach of topical peels. 

See the results for yourself.

Rejuvenate, reset, and refresh yourself for Carnival — call us to book your VI (very incredible) body peel before you hit the stage! 

FUN IN THE SUN

With the heat of the dry season upon us and the intensity of two days of Carnival ahead of us, it’s important to choose the right products — and adopt the right habits — to protect your skin from the potentially damaging effects of ultraviolet rays. 

Be consistent. 

Got a skin care regimen that already works for you? Stick with your regular cleansing and moisturising. This is especially important for women, who may be regularly putting on heavy makeup to attend fêtes, and need to ensure that their pores stay unclogged in order to prevent breakouts, etc. — and just in case you’re wondering, no skin care routine is complete without sunscreen application. 

“Even if you relish warm showers, always end them with cool water, which helps close pores and seal in moisture.”

— Serpentine Dermatology Tip

Be gentle.

Avoid using harsh products on your skin at any time — but especially in the lead-up to Carnival Monday and Tuesday. These tend to weaken your skin, making it more susceptible to sunburn and damage.

“If you want to try treatments like chemical peels, which are more intense in the short-term in order to achieve better long-term results, schedule them a couple of weeks ahead of Carnival so that your skin has time to recover.”

— Serpentine Dermatology Tip

Be smart. 

Apply the sunscreen before you apply your make-up. The higher the SPF factor the better; anything less then 30 is tantamount to robbing yourself of as much as half the sun protection value. Make sure that your sunscreen is broad-spectrum (so that it shields you from both UVA and UVB rays), and water-resistant (so that it will stand up to perspiration).   

“Reapply every few hours. SkinCeuticals has lightweight and residue-free formulas that can easily be reapplied over makeup. Spray-on sunscreens are also quick and convenient for Carnival days.”

— Serpentine Dermatology Tip

Be safe and have fun! 

REAWAKEN YOUR HAIR!

We recently introduced you to AnteAGE’s products, which are based on the cornerstones of repair, restoration and rebuilding — all geared towards helping your skin regenerate itself. As it turns out, this approach also works when it comes to hair. 

The brand has developed a line rooted in stem cells, which have had proven results in replacing diseased cells with healthy ones, and the results around hair loss have been encouraging. There is compelling evidence that shows stem cell-derived biosignals stimulate cell regeneration, even in topical applications.

AnteAGE’s Hair Growth Factor Solution is a non-invasive way of invigorating hair. Using specialised techniques that influence how bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell cultures produce growth, the solution also uses 12 bio-identical growth factors and cytokines to get hair follicles working again. It’s a treatment that can also be used in conjunction with other traditional hair treatments like PRP.

Before and after

 The AnteAGE Home Hair System promotes natural, healthy hair growth, without any surgery or debilitating side effects. The system contains a trademarked hair serum that helps reawaken stem cells within the hair follicles and nudge them into an active growth pattern. Used alongside a handheld dermal needling device and thickening brush that enhance the product’s penetration, this do-it-yourself system can be used as many as five times each week, or in between professional treatments.

Impressed? Give us a call  to see if this treatment might be right for you. 

HOW WE DEFINE DERMATOLOGY

Need a doctor that really gets your skin, hair and nail woes? That’s where dermatologists come in. At Serpentine Dermatology though, we don’t treat skin, hair and nails. We treat people. 

Helping you find a way to treat excessive sweating, for instance, means you can reclaim your social life. Catching skin cancers in the early stages gives you more time with family and friends, and treating your hair loss goes hand in hand with raising your confidence level and improving your quality of life.

After all, skin, hair and nails are indelibly linked to our external appearance, so dermatologists are very attuned to patients’ cosmetic concerns, but we also go deeper. 

The itching from eczema and psoriasis, for instance, can be so debilitating that it interrupts sleep. The appearance of scarring, or acne and its associated stigma can cause depression and lowered self esteem. The skin is often the first place that symptoms of underlying health issues manifest themselves, as is the case with kidney patients who complain about itchy skin. At the same time, certain skin conditions could make you more susceptible to other conditions like high blood pressure.

We believe everyone should be as comfortable with themselves as they can be, so our mission is to help you love the skin you’re in. One of the best parts of our job it that we get to grow with so many of our patients as they go through life’s journey.

Our training prepares us to treat everyone from newborns to senior citizens. First, we’ve got to have a strong academic background in the Sciences — getting all As at CAPE level examinations is usually a prerequisite to getting into a good university, where most degrees take five or six years to complete. This is followed by a four-year dermatology residency, where we work alongside more experienced doctors in order to complete as many as 16,000 hours of patient care. 

Additionally, we must pass challenging exams to become become board — or in the case of UK-trained dermatologists — MRCP certified, and commit to ongoing training, education and continued professional development over the course of our career. 

It’s also important for us to have local knowledge, as conditions affecting people in other climates, for example, may play out very differently in our part of the world. This makes our job fluid, dynamic, and really satisfying, especially when we see the positive impact it can have on the lives of our patients.