A Guide To The Best Skin Rejuvenation Treatments

What Problems Can Skin Rejuvenation Help With?

Skin rejuvenation treatment modalities can treat several different skincare concerns that relate to texture, tone and laxity.  They include, but are not limited to:

– Wrinkle reduction or improvement

– Acne

– Rosacea

– Scarring (surgical and acne)

– Photo-damaged skin

– Pigmentation issues

– Improving skin tone

– Collagen regeneration

Skin Rejuvenation vs Skin Resurfacing: What’s The Difference? 

The terms skin rejuvenation and skin resurfacing are often used interchangeably.  But there is a distinct difference. Skin rejuvenation is a collective term for treatment modalities that improve the appearance, topography and laxity of the skin.

Skin resurfacing is a specific treatment modality that physically removes the epidermis whilst simultaneously stimulating collagen synthesis in dermal fibroblasts.  It is a type of skin rejuvenation.

 

Facial Rejuvenation Treatments: Topical Products 

Skin Resurfacing Creams And Serums

– Retinoids: Topical retinoids are a commonly used modality to treat acne vulgaris.  They have been proven to both reduce visible lesions and additionally inhibit the development of microcomedones and new lesions.

– Hydroxy Acid: Hydroxy Acids (commonly known as fruit acids) have been shown in clinical trials to improve skin tone, wrinkles, elasticity, tone and hydration.  Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) act dermally and epidermally and stimulate exfoliation in the stratum corneum to promote cellular renewal. They are used to treat several indications including acne, scarring, pigmentation, oily skin and wrinkles.

– Hyaluronic Acid (HA): Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring humectant in the human body and commonly found in the skin.  Skin Hyaluronic Acid accounts for 50% of total body HA and can be found in the dermis and epidermis.  Hyaluronic Acid can be applied topically or injected as an intradermal filler into the dermis to reduce the appearance of facial folds, fine lines and wrinkles and to restore volume.  The effects of injectable Hyaluronic Acid are seen immediately.

– Niacinamide: Studies have shown that niacinamide can improve epidermal barrier function, has antioxidant effects, decrease skin hyperpigmentation, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, decrease redness/blotchiness, decrease skin yellowness (sallowness), and improve skin elasticity.

– Peptides: Peptides are a short chain of amino acids and are applied topically to the dermis to stimulate collagen synthesis and create a firmer and smoother skin tone.

– Grape Seed Extract (Vitis Vinifera): Abundant in polyphenolic proanthocyanidins, Vitis Vinifera (commonly known as grape seed extract) has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and wound healing properties. It is applied topically to treat a variety of indications including hyperpigmentation, acne vulgaris, acne scarring to improve skin tone and elasticity.

– Coenzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring coenzyme that offers skin cells antioxidant protection from free radical attack and that supports collagen synthesis.  It is commonly used in topical applications to repair photo-ageing damage, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and support collagen and elastin products to improve skin tone and laxity.

– Green, Black & Oolong Tea Extracts: Green Tea is particularly regarded as being effective in skin rejuvenation as it contains polyphenols and catechins (a class of flavonoids that have powerful antioxidant effects). In addition, one study showed that ‘the antioxidant EGCG which is abundant in green tea, has the ability to rejuvenate dying skin cells’, making skin look healthier.

– Vitamin C: A well-known and regarded topical application, Vitamin C has been clinically proven to improve the appearance of wrinkles, stimulating collagen synthesis and providing antioxidant protection against UV-induced photodamage.

– Vitamin E: Another popular topical treatment, Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that has been used for decades to improve the appearance of the skin, particularly as an inhibitor for UV-induced photo-ageing and photo-damage.

Rejuvenating Facial And Face Masks

LED light therapy is a well-tolerated, non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment that uses surface-mounted, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to expose the skin to clinically proven wavelengths of red and near-infrared light, delivered in safe doses. It is used to improve the appearance of anti-ageing and photo-damaged skin, acne, rosacea and inflammatory skin conditions, erythema and redness, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis, pigmentation and wound healing, bruising and burns.

Natural Products For At Home Skin Rejuvenation

There is an abundance of at-home remedies that may offer some short-term superficial benefits to skin and provide regenerative effects. These include (although are not limited to) avocado, coconut oil, green tea, coffee scrubs, honey and egg white face masks.  However, there is little scientific evidence to support the efficacy of these as standalone treatments.

Minimally Invasive Skin Rejuvenation Treatments

Microneedling (MN)

Microneedling (MN), also known as collagen induction therapy is a relatively new, but increasingly popular treatment modality that uses multiple sterile microneedles to puncture the stratum corneum, creating micro-conduits and stimulate its wound healing response in the epidermis to improve the topographic texture of the skin by ultimately depositing collagen by fibroblasts. Its popularity can be attributed to a combination of minimal adverse events and downtime that are associated with other treatments.

It is commonly used to treat indications such as wrinkles, scarring, acne, alopecia, skin pigmentation, stretch marks, rosacea and skin laxity and be used as a standalone treatment, or in combination to deliver vitamins (in particular A & C) to maximise dermal collagen formation.

Botulinum Toxin (Botox)

Botulinum Toxin (Botox) remains a popular skin rejuvenation method across the globe, with data by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) stating that botulinum toxin accounts for 43.2% of all global nonsurgical procedures.  Used primarily in dermatology to treat and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, according to one media report, an estimated 900,000 facial injections of Botox are carried out every year in Britain alone.

One study that looked into the treatment evolution and patient satisfaction of Botulinum Toxin A showed that the most frequently injected subsite was the glabellar region. The findings showed an impressive trend toward increasing numbers of patients receiving treatment of the superolateral orbicularis oculi (57-80%) and the depressor anguli oris (10-20%).  The treatment takes about two weeks to fully take effect and lasts approximately three to four months, and although the treatment modality does carry the risk of complications, it doesn’t cause any long-term adverse events or side effects.

Dermal Fillers

An increasingly popular treatment modality for facial skin rejuvenation, dermal fillers are rated as the second most common non-surgical aesthetic procedure.  Injected intradermally to the dermis and sub-dermis, they are used to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds, glabellar lines and rhytides and to restore volume.  The effects of dermal fillers are seen immediately.  Adverse events include bruising and localised swelling at the point of epidermal entry.

Noninvasive Skin Rejuvenation Treatments

(include information about downtime, price, number of sessions, how long each one takes for maximum results, pros and cons)

Laser & Light Skin Rejuvenation Treatments

One of the most effective and well-tolerated skin rejuvenation modalities, laser therapy resurfaces the skin by simultaneously removing the epidermal layer and promoting collagen synthesis and retraction of the dermis and epidermis.

Another well tolerated and popular modality, Intense Pulsed Light (abbreviated IPL) describes the use of intense pulses of non-coherent light distributed over a range of wavelengths; from 400nm to 1200nm. The technology utilises specific wavelength ranges to target various chromophores in the skin. This enables effective treatment of a broad spectrum of conditions, including vascular and pigmented lesions, skin photoaging treatments and hair removal.

Industry leaders and IPL innovators Lumenis offer aesthetic professionals access to a new generation of state-of-the-art non-invasive skin rejuvenation in the form of their ‘Photofabulous’ treatment. Photofabulous focuses on Lumenis’ Photofractional™ treatment that has recently been launched with updated technology in the UK and that uses a powerful combination of multi-application Stellar IPL™ and ResurFX™ devices to provide gold standard skin rejuvenation solutions.

Lumenis Photofractional™ offers a powerful combination of Stellar IPL™ and ResurFX™ technology that are expertly combined to treat multiple indications including pigmentation, age/sunspots, fine lines, scarring and overall skin appearance simultaneously with remarkable results. Suitable for Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-IV, it can be used almost anywhere on the body, including the face, neck, chest, arms, legs, hands, and even the abdomen. Combining the two treatment modalities together to address skin tone and texture offers patients a complete rejuvenation therapy that harnesses the benefits of both technologies for ultimate outstanding results.

Stellar IPL™ is a well-tolerated Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) device that can treat over 20 skin indications including acne, rosacea, pigmented and vascular lesions and age spots. Targeting the dermis, without harming the epidermis the hand-held applicator that boasts Optimal Pulse Technology (OPT®) to control pulse shape and length and allow determining the specific fluence per sub-pulse when using Multiple Sequential Pulsing (MSP™) to enable fine-tuned treatment settings and a safer procedure while cooling between pulses.  In addition, there are 9 ExpertFilters™, that are changeable in seconds alongside 3 SapphireCool™ light guides for patient comfort through continuous contact cooling.

ResurFX™ is an advanced 1565nm fibre laser system for true fractional non-ablative skin resurfacing, keeps the skin intact, stimulates collagen growth and tightens underlying skin.  With a state-of-the-art CoolScan™ scanner for customisable treatments, its patent pending algorithm ensures precise, homogenous and safe energy delivery and offers up to 20% coverage in one pass.  Lumenis Photofractional™ is already a favourite of some of the globe’s most revered aesthetic practitioners.  Practitioners can visit www.lumenis.co.uk for further information.

Home Laser Skin Rejuvenation Kits vs Clinical Lasers

The use of home laser skin rejuvenation may be a cheaper alternative to clinical laser skin rejuvenation treatments, but they should be approached with caution.  There is no substitute for treatment in a clinical environment by a qualified aesthetic practitioner. Clinical treatments should always include a thorough assessment of the patient and their individual circumstances and needs.

Chemical Peels

Commonplace in clinical practice, chemical peels are used to remove dead cells and re-texturise the epidermis.  Chemical peels vary in strength and efficacy and successful outcomes are based on a careful patient selection as well as appropriate use of specific peeling agents.

Chemical peels can be beneficial in treating mild acne scarring, wrinkles and pigmentation issues.  They are usually classified as superficial, medium and deep and are used to create injury of a specific skin depth to stimulate epidermal growth, collagen synthesis, evenly distribute melanin and improve visible skin topography.

Chemical Peels carry some risks and can make skin extremely sensitive.  They should be used with caution on Fitzpatrick skin types IV to VI and patients should be fully consulted, and skin should be assessed to determine suitability.

Microdermabrasion

A minimally invasive epidermal resurfacing treatment modality, microdermabrasion is thought to be advantageous when treating fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, age spots, brown spots, enlarged pores and blackheads, certain types of atrophic acne scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone and texture, melasma, photodamage, striae distensae (stretch marks) and dull-skin.

It has been a popular treatment option across the globe and is considered safe for use on all Fitzpatrick skin types with mild to moderate effects reported on most indications.

Summary Table: Minimally Invasive vs. Non-invasive Skin Rejuvenation Treatments

A table summarizing the average cost, efficacy, time of each session, and downtime + anything else relevant)

Treatment	Average Cost	Downtime	Efficacy
Laser Skin	£85 – £300 per treatment *source NHS England	Little to no downtime.	Excellent
Chemical Peel	£60 – £500 depending on treatment required *source NHS England	Approximately seven to 14 after a medium chemical peel, but redness might last for months.	Excellent (depending on indication and peel used)
Microdermabrasion	£60 per treatment *source NHS England	Little to no downtime.	Variable (depending on indication)
Botox	£100 to £350 for each treatment, depending on the clinic and the area being treated. *source NHS England	None	Good to Excellent
Dermal Fillers	From £200 to several hundred pounds (depending on area to treat and complexity of indication) *source NHS	Varies for each type of filler but usually recommended that you avoid intense physical activity for the first 24-48 hours to minimize swelling and bruising.	Good