In partnership with SA’s top medical aesthetic companies
Skin resurfacing sounds quite daunting, but the options – from very gentle exfoliation to deep-level resurfacing – mean there is one made just for you.
Did you know that your skin resurfaces itself? This natural process happens about every 28 days (getting a bit slower as we age) when old, dead skin cells slough off, exposing fresh, plump news skin cells underneath.
The kind of resurfacing that happens with your skin care routine or in an aesthetic clinic operates on the same principle – removing layers of the skin to improve the skin’s condition – where it can make a big difference – but numerous methods and intensities are used to achieve different goals. It is used successfully to address issues such as skin tone and reducing pore size, and is also effective for deeper issues such as scarring and pigmentation.
So will resurfacing work for me?
No two persons’ needs are the same: one’s skin condition may require deep-level resurfacing with several days of downtime, whereas another may need mild, superficial resurfacing stimulation to boost collagen, with no downtime at all.
Caution!
The only people who should not have exfoliating treatments – unless done under medical supervision – are those with serious skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis.
For this reason, it is essential to consult a skin-care professional to work out a treatment plan before you embark on any skin resurfacing treatments. At the Renewal Institute, a consultation with one of our doctors, who will assess your skin conditions and budget, will ensure the correct treatments are prescribed for you.
Which treatments?
Resurfacing can be done at a superficial level to unblock pores and help skin radiance (with a superficial peel, microdermabrasion, etc.), or it can penetrate deeper into the deeper layers of the skin.
Treatments may include lasers and lights, chemical peels, skin needling – or they may be used in combination. Combo treatments are preferred due to their effective results, because the problem is tackled from different angles.
How the treatments are carried out is as important as getting the correct diagnosis and treatment plan for your skin’s needs. You should only entrust your skin to qualified skin-care professionals for these treatments, as they could damage the skin if not done correctly. Check for the certifications of the doctors and therapists to ensure they are well-trained, backed up by proper experience performing resurfacing treatments.
To schedule an individual assessment with one of the doctors on the Skin Renewal team, or to find out more about which skin-resurfacing treatments are best suited to your skin, visit Skin Renewal on www.skinrenewal.co.za or contact 0861 SKIN SA (754 672).
Take the quick Beyond Beauty Survey and you could win a R2 000 Skin Renewal voucher to spend in our online store, with free delivery within South Africa. T&Cs apply.