Seeing signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles and skin laxity, can really take a toll on our self-esteem and confidence. We know we can’t stay young forever, but that doesn’t mean we have to just grin and bear the appearance of these hallmarks of aging. If you see areas of concern that are causing you to look older than you feel, call You Derm Laser & Esthetics in Calgary, AB and ask about laser skin resurfacing.

What Causes the Signs of Aging?

We can clearly see the signs of aging getting more comfortable on our faces, but those areas of concern are from more than just the passage of time. There is a breakdown happening under the surface of your skin, and it’s aging your appearance.

The Basics

Collagen

Collagen is the protein that holds all of our skin cells together and acts as its foundation. In fact, our skin is 80% collagen. The middle layer, or the dermis, is filled with this fibrous protein that makes a smooth and strong scaffold for our surface skin to lie on. When we’re young, our collagen is packed tightly together, connecting all the layers, so our features are all firmly anchored and immovable.

Collagen is also responsible for healthy skin cell regeneration, keeping our skin vibrant and bright.

Elastin

Elastin is a protein in our bodies that keeps our organs, including our skin, flexible and able to easily return to their natural position. When a young person pinches an area of their skin or rubs the delicate area under their eyes, their skin will immediately snap back into place.

Elastin is also responsible for keeping our skin from sagging. Gravity is constantly pulling on our skin, but between the strong fibers of collagen and the firmness and elasticity provided by elastin, our skin holds firm.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar our bodies produce to keep our ligaments, eyes, skin and other connective tissues lubricated and hydrated. This sugar molecule can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, so it’s no wonder young skin constantly looks dewy and supple. This magnet for moisture can plump up areas like our lips, cheeks and add a glowing sheen to our skin.

The Decline

When we’re young, our collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid levels and production are at their peak. Around age 25, we lose approximately 1% of production per year, and women can experience another 30% drop shortly after menopause. As our levels decline, we’ll see signs of aging slowly appear on our faces and bodies.

Lines, Wrinkles and Folds

We started with a firmly packed, strong and smooth dermis, or foundation, for our skin. As collagen breaks down, that surface develops areas of weakness where small dips, waves and crevices can form. Gravity pulls our top layer of skin down to fill those weakened areas.

Because our elastin has also been compromised, our fallen skin won’t bounce back to its original place. Our layers of skin aren’t plumped by enough hyaluronic acid to compensate for this structural change and we’re left with:

• Nasolabial folds from the nose to the corners of the mouth
• Marionette lines from the mouth down the chin
• Crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes
• Neck lines that can look like bands
• Lines on the decolletage
• Smile lines further out on our cheeks

Skin Laxity

There are few things more dreaded than loose and sagging skin. When our collagen fibroblasts become sparser and aren’t held as tightly together, our layers aren’t anchored to each other as much as they once were. This can cause our outer layers of skin to let go of the structure and let gravity pull areas down.

Again, elastin is in short supply, so when the skin sags, there’s not enough to pull it back into place. Hyaluronic acid that worked so closely with collagen is now too far away from the outer layers of our skin to make much of a difference.

Volume Loss

Not only will our skin lose its volume, but the soft tissue and fat layers under our skin can lose volume too. When this happens, you’ll see once prominent cheekbones flatten and the apple of your cheeks deflate. The lack of collagen allows for fat pads to slip and larger areas of the dermis to lose shape.

Discoloration

Another tell-tale sign of aging is the small to medium brown spots or patches we’ll get on the areas of our bodies that have been most exposed to the harmful UV rays of the sun. When we’re in the sun unprotected, our body raises the level of melanin in our skin. Melanin gives our skin and hair their pigment. It’s also our body’s way of protecting itself from those harmful rays.

As collagen production decreases, those damaged cells will make their way to the surface as a discoloration.

The Sun

There are many things that lead to a faster decline and breakdown in collagen within our control. The sun is the number one factor in premature aging and adds to the severity of lines, wrinkles, laxity, and discoloration. Its harmful UV rays damage our skin and our collagen whenever we’re exposed without sunscreen. Even sitting in an office with windows, driving in a car and walking to and from your mailbox exposes you to damaging rays.

Dermatologists and physicians all agree the single best investment anyone can make in their skin is sunscreen. We recommend choosing a high-quality sunscreen that is infused with ingredients that will also nourish your skin. If you want to protect your skin to the fullest, a drug-store brand won’t do the job.

Protecting With Revoderm

Revoderm has created a revolutionary line of sunscreens with everyone’s skin type in mind. Their new line of antioxidant mineral sunscreens is the first of its kind in Canada. This innovative sunscreen uses the antioxidant Venuceane, which prevents oxidative stress from the sun’s UV light and from its infrared radiation. Revoderm will significantly decrease photo-aging.

This cutting-edge ingredient is heat activated and derived from algae that live in hydrothermal vents and volcanoes deep in the ocean. This ingredient works on a cellular level to soothe inflammation caused by the sun, while zinc oxide protects your top layers of skin. This is the investment dermatologists are referencing.

Laser Skin Resurfacing for Treatment of Wrinkles

Laser skin resurfacing involves removing the upper layer of skin to reveal a brighter and healthier complexion. Ablating the top layer of skin with a laser allows for an extraordinary amount of control and amazing results.

The removal of the top layer of skin also increases the production of collagen so that when the skin cells regenerate, they are brighter, healthier and more youthful-looking. This can be the perfect treatment to address:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Uneven tone and texture
• Large pores
• Dull complexion

Results

Results are different for everyone. You can expect a brighter, smoother, more vibrant and youthful appearance as your collagen levels ramp up. You and your healthcare provider can decide if this is a good stand-alone treatment or if you’d improve your results even more by pairing this with another resurfacing treatment like:

• Dermal needling
• Chemical peels
• Light treatments
• Other laser procedures

Other Laser Procedures

Technology allows us to reverse some signs of aging, including lines and wrinkles, and restore a more youthful-looking complexion. There are many laser procedures available, so it’s important to consult carefully with your doctor to ensure they understand your specific areas of concern and the results you’d like to achieve.

Laser Genesis

This is a non-invasive laser treatment that not only targets fine lines and wrinkles but can help people suffering from redness or struggling with acne scars. This non-ablative laser gently heats the upper dermis deep below your skin’s surface, leaving the surface of your skin unharmed.

Your body treats the heated layer of skin like it’s an injury, though it won’t look or feel injured, and goes to work repairing it. Your body’s natural healing process is to increase its production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. This new production of cell regenerating proteins works to reverse signs of aging from the inside out.

Results

Results will happen gradually as your collagen levels build and become stronger. You’ll see results happen slowly over the first few months after treatment, with optimal results being achieved around the six-month mark. Results from this treatment are subtle, natural-looking and can last for over a year.

How many sessions you require depends on the condition of your skin, the areas of concern you have and what your desired outcome is. On average, clients will receive between 4-6 treatments to reach the level of results they want. Each patient is different, so only a consultation with your healthcare specialist can truly determine how many sessions will be right for you.

Titan Laser

This laser skin resurfacing doesn’t just target collagen regrowth to address fine lines and wrinkles but is also suitable for restoring lost volume and density. This treatment uses deep infrared heating to increase deep dermal collagen. Because the loss of collagen structure is being treated on such a deep and large scale, this treatment is appropriate for addressing:

• Larger areas of lost volume
• Fine lines, wrinkles, and folds
• Loose, sagging skin on the neck, lower face, and forehead

Results

Because this treatment works on the deepest levels of your dermis, results will happen gradually as each layer of your skin is rebuilt with stronger layers of collagen. When full results are seen at the six-month mark, you’ll notice:

• Firmer and tighter skin
• More youthful-looking contours
• A better-defined profile
• Fewer lines and wrinkles
• Thicker skin

3D Personalized Laser Procedure

Our most customizable laser skin resurfacing, the 3D personalized laser treatment is perfect for those clients with mild-to-moderate lines and wrinkles, mild skin laxity and who want an overall brightening and rejuvenation treatment.

During this treatment, an experienced technician will focus the laser light on the skin in the treatment area. Your body will convert this light energy to heat, which will work below the surface of your skin to generate a higher production of collagen, rebuilding weakness in the surface of your skin.

Results

As collagen and elastin production increases, you’ll see a visible tightening of your skin and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin will look refreshed and rejuvenated.

Call for a Consultation Today

If signs of aging are making you feel discouraged or disheartened and are affecting your self-esteem and confidence, you don’t have to resign yourself to them.  Call Your Derm Laser & Esthetics in Calgary, AB  at 403-768-2824 to schedule your consultation. We’re committed to helping you look as young as you feel.