Skin Rejuvenation- What Should You Do First?

When it comes to deciding which skin rejuvenation treatment you should do first there is no “one size fits all” answer. Your treatment plan should be discussed with an experienced dermatologist who specializes in anti-aging procedures. The treatment will vary based on an individual’s skin type, age, ethnicity, sun exposure, and overall health. Your budget and your ability to schedule time off work is also another factor that will determine what treatments are right for you. Skin rejuvenation treatments started at the age of 30 would be very different from a patient starting them at 50.

Your dermatologist should be skilled at matching the growing number of technologies and treatments with your specific needs and concerns. There are many effective non-ablative technologies available but their effectiveness will differ from patient to patient and be dependent upon the condition of the skin and the patient’s overall health.

When planning your skin rejuvenation treatments the doctor must also consider the length of the treatment and how often the treatments should be performed to give the optimal results. As with any condition, there are quick ways to get results as well as slower, more progressive procedures and you should discuss them both with your doctor.

What skin rejuvenation should you do first?

Based on the information above, your first course of action is to book an appointment with an experienced, Board Certified dermatologist. Getting a skin evaluation is the first step of the process. The information gathered in this consultation/evaluation is the only way to determine what the best course of treatment is for your specific needs.

During this consultation, your doctor will examine your skin and he or she will ask you what results you would like to achieve.  You will also discuss the costs and recovery times for each procedure as this will play a very big factor in the types of treatments available to you.

You should also be honest about your current state of health. There are some procedures that are unsafe for people who have underlying health concerns. The doctor will also inform you of any risks involved.

Only after this consultation can it be determined what skin rejuvenation treatments you should do first.

You should also understand that most skin rejuvenation treatments may include a maintenance plan. Once the initial skin rejuvenation series of treatments are completed you will need to schedule further treatments, generally spaced at longer intervals apart, to maintain your more youthful look.

Before beginning your skin rejuvenation you should take measures to prevent the effects of aging on your skin

The first line of defense against the effects of aging is to eliminate things that are known to prematurely age your skin. Those include tanning and smoking, lack of sleep and poor diet and exercise habits. The skin generally reflects your overall health.

• You should use a wide spectrum sunscreen daily. This will include UVA and UVB protection.
• Get 7-10 hours of sleep every night
• Reduce alcohol consumption to the occasional glass of wine
• Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and fish
• Take supplements to improve your nutrition
• Exercise daily
• If you smoke, now is as good a time as any to quit.  Smoking ages the skin the most and will block or reverse any improvement that you receive from skin rejuvenation procedures

With this foundation, your skin rejuvenation program will be centered on the following main areas.

1. Brown spots or areas of hyperpigmentation
2. Red spots and enlargement of blood vessels
3. Volume changes with increased prominence of skin laxity and crease lines on  the face
4. Frown lines and wrinkles that show up with expression and movement
5. Roughness and skin texture changes with increased prominence of pores
6. The appearance of moles and other growths on the face that were not there when you were younger
7. Unwanted facial hair that may or may not be associated with bumps and discoloration

So, once your areas of concern are identified during your consultation, then a treatment program can be developed and an action plan started to help you get the results you are looking for.

The treatment plan can consist of treatments including one or more of the following: Botox Cosmetic, Hyaluronic Acid or other fillers, Laser Collagen Stimulation, Laser Resurfacing, Laser Peels, Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion, Cosmeceutical Skin Care Products, Mole Removals, and Laser Hair Removal.

As mentioned above, if you smoke, this should be stopped first before considering any of the other treatments. Nicotine in cigarette smoke is a vasoconstrictor and decreases the blood supply to the skin surface inhibiting wound healing and decreasing the delivery of nutrients to the skin.

To learn more, download the free report “Consumer’s Guide to Cosmetic Dermatology and Anti-Aging Skin Treatments”