STICK YOUR NECK OUT!

Nothing quite gives away your age like the skin around your neck — and honestly, it’s never too early to start caring for it. 

Causes

There are a lot of factors that contribute to the skin in this area becoming less supple, including:

• The fact that the skin is this area is thinner and more susceptible to the effects of premature ageing

• The lack of a proper skin care routine 

• Sun exposure

• Loss of skin’s firmness and volume as you age 

• The screen scourge (repeated motions of lowering your neck to look at mobile devices) 

Solutions

The secret? 

MOSITURE.

Your décolletage will always tend to be drier than the rest of your face because it has fewer sebaceous glands, and therefore less oils to keep the area hydrated and tight.  

SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair can come to the rescue! 

As a corrective, retinol-based cream, it’s been speciality designed for the neck area to counteract visible signs of ageing — regardless of whether you have dry, normal, oily, or combination skin, as the product is free of alcohol, parabens, dyes, and fragrances. It also works wonders with discolouration and keeps skin looking fresh and dewy. 

Use daily and you will see the results sooner than your think. It’s also the perfect supporting routine for professional cosmetic treatments like contouring and skin tightening.  

Benefits

• You will quickly notice a visible reduction in the appearance of lines, wrinkles, folds, flabbiness and uneven skin tone 

• Patients report an average of 16% improvement in skin firmness

• Because Tripeptide-R Neck Repair targets both early and advanced signs of neck ageing, it’s a fantastic non-invasive alternative to surgery or neck treatments

This cream is also a great partner to SkinCeuticals’ Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 if you want to shorten your adjustment period (retinoids often take some getting used to) and achieve full face and neck correction. 

Another great solution? Our AnteAGE Accelerator serum, which has a host of nourishing vitamins and antioxidants, helps the neck area heal itself by strengthening the skin barrier. It’s a super-hydrator, and excellent at protecting skin against the harmful effects of free radicals, which cause premature ageing.  

So while sticking your neck out and taking risks is definitely part of life, it’s reassuring to know that these super-effective neck creams are a sure bet. (We’ve got some in stock; call us to order.) 

YOUR SKIN IS AS UNIQUE AS YOU ARE!

This isn’t really news — especially in Trinidad and Tobago, which is wonderfully diverse — but whether we’re talking pigmentation or sensitivity, appearance or resilience, your skin is as original as your fingerprint. 

People with fairer skin tend to heal better from scars than those with more melanin, while darker skin tones show signs of ageing much more slowly. People with Mediterranean origins may have less of a chance of contracting skin cancer, while those of Asian ethnicity may experience pigmentation challenges as they age. We’re all different, and our skin treatments and products should definitely take that into consideration. 

You can take our fun quiz to figure out which of the five skin types you might be, but regardless of where you fall, there are habits you can cultivate that help keep skin healthy and glowing — whether your skin is in perfect balance or struggling with dullness, sensitivity or ageing. 

Diet 

You are what you eat, keep meals balanced and avoid processed and genetically modified foods. Skin-smart foods include nuts, grains and healthy oils (great sources of polyunsaturated fat that promotes skin health without causing oiliness), beans, citrus, carrots, squash, and pumpkin, all sources of key vitamins. Don’t forget to drink sufficient water, or your skin will begin to look dry, tight and dull.  

Exercise 

Just like the rest of your body, your skin feels healthier and looks rosier when you exercise. Moving gets your blood circulating, and helps your lymph nodes drain the system of toxins and waste. It also releases endorphins, which promote general well being. 

Skin care routine 

Whether you want to stick with your tried and true technique or switch things up from time to time, you’ve got to care for your skin every single day. It’s like taking a shower or brushing your teeth — kind of non-negotiable if you want your body’s biggest organ to stay in the pink of health.

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!