This is a guest post courtesy of Dr. Christopher Pavlou, the Founder, Owner, and practicing medical and aesthetics doctor at Skin Technique in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that bright glowing skin is something we aim to have. When our skin is at its healthiest, we feel good about ourselves — it gives us confidence to face the day ahead knowing that we look our best.
However, our skin is constantly exposed to harsh elements in the environment, and damage caused by sunlight, pollution, and even our own hormones can cause it to look dull and dehydrated. Here are five treatments that will get your skin glowing again in no time.
Microneedling
Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling is a tried, tested and true method for improving your skin’s natural glow. A device with fine, sterile needles is applied to an area of the face, causing tiny puncture wounds in the surface layer of the skin. The body’s natural healing process kicks in, producing more collagen and elastin to heal the damaged skin from the inside.
Microneedling improves the texture and firmness of your skin, and is especially effective on areas affected by acne scarring and wrinkles. The treatment is gentle enough that it could even be used on sensitive skin, but it’s always good to check with your skincare professional ahead of time to ensure the best results.
Chemical Peel
One of the most popular ways of achieving that healthy glow quickly is by doing a chemical peel. This treatment uses a gel made from naturally-occurring acids — alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), beta hydroxy acid (BHA), glycolic or salicylic acid — as well as other good-for-your-skin ingredients to make your skin look fresh and new.
Chemical peels encourage the growth of new skin cells by removing the top layer of your skin, taking with it the dirt, grime, and dead skin that causes dullness, wrinkles, and discoloration. With minimal discomfort and a short treatment time of only 15 minutes, your old skin will peel off within a week to reveal a radiant and smooth complexion.
Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP)
A popular treatment with Hollywood celebrities, PRP has also been gaining mainstream popularity. This innovative technique uses plasma-rich platelets derived from a patient’s own blood to bring a bright and healthy appearance to the skin. The growth factors and nutrients in the plasma effectively treat concerns like wrinkles, acne scarring, and sagging skin.
PRP is unique in that it uses a body’s natural tissues and substances to improve the texture and firmness of the skin. The plasma platelets are easily absorbed by your skin, eliminating the risk of any potential complications and resulting in a youthful glow.
Cold Laser
There are several types of laser therapies that can help various skin issues. Light therapy is an effective and inoffensive way to get bright and beautiful skin that glows. During a cold laser treatment, low intensity LED lights are placed around your skin, similar to a tanning bed. These non-heat emitting lights of a LED light therapy stimulate your skin’s production of collagen, which increases your skin’s elasticity and makes your skin look tight and youthful.
In addition to getting rid of dead skin cells, the increase in collagen helps to strengthen the surface layer of your skin. It also helps with the appearance of acne scars and spots, and reduces redness for a more even skin tone.
Microdermabrasion
While the name may be a mouthful, microdermabrasion is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for achieving beautiful smooth skin — they don’t call it the “instant facelift” for nothing. This treatment uses tiny rough grains to lift and buff away the old, damaged, and dirty top layer of your skin. Those old skin cells are replaced with brand new healthy cells, improving the tone, texture, and radiance of your skin.
New techniques such as DermaSweep can customize your treatment to target your biggest skin concerns such as dehydration and dullness brightening, ensuring your skin gets the proper level of nutrients and moisture to give your skin that gorgeous healthy glow.
About the Author:
Dr. Christopher Pavlou is medical doctor and board certified in aesthetic medicine. He is the owner and founder of Skin Technique, a medical aesthetic clinic in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. He has brought his philosophy of Honour Your Beauty to Skin Technique by offering a variety of specialized services including dermal fillers, anti wrinkle treatments, lasers and coolsculpting. When he isn’t performing naturally rejuvenating treatments and procedures, he loves to share his expertise and knowledge on aesthetic artistry with others who are looking to educate themselves in the evolving field of aesthetic medicine.