Sensitive Skin / Impaired Skin Barrier

If your face often gets flaky, itchy, red, or acne in all seasons, you may have damaged skin barrier or sensitive skin. Study shows that 30-40% of the population has sensitive skin. In fact, barrier impairment is strongly associated with sensitive skin. Any mistreat and improper skincare routines may further irritate and harm them. So, how aesthetic treatments help to sooth the sensitivity and rebuild the skin barrier?

What is sensitive skin

Sensitive skin is a suboptimal health status of the skin, an intermediate status between being healthy and unhealthy, which results from complex processes involving the skin barrier, nerves, blood vessels, immunity, and inflammation. When the skin is irritated externally, it is likely to respond to the irritants in different ways such as erythema, papules, telangiectasia (spider veins), sensation of tingling and burning, and loss of tolerance to normal cosmetics. The skin condition is called sensitive skin. In fact, the damaged skin barrier is associated with the development of sensitive skin.

Simply put, the skin barrier is a physical barrier of the skin, which consists of sebum and the stratum corneum.

○Sebum barrier: Sebum barrier is a layer of sebum covering the outermost layer of the skin. It is an emulsification product of sebum (secreted by sebaceous glands), lipids (waste from the disintegration process of keratin, and sweat. The sebum barrier is composed of triglycerides, wax esters, squalene, and cholesterol.

○ Stratum corneum: A “bricks and mortar” structure formed by corneocytes and intercellular lipids. The intercellular lipid is composed of ceramides, free fatty acids, cholesterol, etc.

Stratum corneum is made up of multiple layers of corneocytes (imagine them as the “bricks”), each of which is encased and supported by a coating of intercellular lipids (imagine them as the “mortar”). This “bricks and mortar” structure and sebum barrier function together and protect the skin as a brick wall. Therefore, the strength and integrity of the stratum corneum and sebum barrier directly affect the health of skin.

A healthy, strong skin barrier is excellent in keeping away external stimulants such as irritants and UV, preventing transepidermal loss of water and other cellular substances, and anti-inflammation.

Causes

Damaged skin barrier is nearly all man-made and no one was born with barrier impairment. However, sensitive skin could be man-made or happen naturally.

Symptoms

Affected people

Sensitive skin; Often happens on women more than men; People with skin diseases; people with underlying skin inflammation condition; People who are prone to facial redness.

Treatment

People with impaired barriers or sensitive skin have fragile skin and should be cautious when it comes to aesthetic treatments. They are recommended to firstly identify their skin condition in Ai Beauty Clinic by meeting with a beauty practitioner and completing a thorough and professional skin assessment. Based on the assessment results and analysis, a tailored plan that best suits your condition and desired results will be made for you.

A. M22 IPL treatment

What is M22:

M22 is an innovative photoelectric skin revitalisation instrument jointly developed by Lumenis, Stanford University and Harvard University. It innovatively combines the world leading technologies (OPT technology and fractional non-ablative technology – RESURFX) to effectively treat pigmented lesions, acne scars, surgical scars, stretch marks, swelling lines, skin reconstruction (including reducing pores size, hair removal, skin rejuvenation, skin whitening, moisturizing, etc.), facial lifting, and wrinkle removal. M22 has obtained the US FDA and the EU CE certification and is the cutting-edge technology that delivers top skin rejuvenation treatment.

How does M22 work:

M22 IPL treatment adopts the core OPT technology and the only true fractional non-ablative technology, RESURFX. The emitted intense pulsed light penetrates the deep layers of the skin and reaches the melanin pigment and capillary vessels selectively. By absorbing the light energy, the melanin pigment will be decomposed while the capillary vessels will be closed and destructed without damaging the skin surface. The capillary vessels will thereafter disintegrate, and the facial redness will be improved. On the other hand, M22 can stimulate the regrowth of collagen to restore skin’s elasticity, remove fine lines, reduce pores size and smoothen the skin texture.

Procedure:

1. VISIA examination: Access skin condition or existing skin problems with assistance of data analysis and picture analysis.

2. Face-to-face consultation: Customise unique treatment plan based on individual’s skin condition and desired results.

3. Pre-treatment preparation: Clean and disinfect the treatment areas. Put on safety goggles and apply treatment gel.

4. Treatment: Full face treatment, repeat steps at servere areas.

5. Post-treatment: Remove the gel, clean the face and apply a medical grade repair mask to calm the face.

6. Post-treatment caring.

Duration: 45-60 mins

Who is M22 for:

• People who are prone to facial redness and have severe condition of facial veins;
• People who have rough skin, textured skin, sensitive skin, facial redness or large pore size;
• People who want to increase the collagen proliferation and repair their skin barrier;
• People who want to improve their skin condition, but do not rush to get instant results;
• People who are looking for regular skin conditioning treatments to improve their skin.

B. Mesotherapy

What is Mesotherapy:

Our skin is facing all kinds of damages everyday, like photodamage, pollution and the natural aging process.  Mesotherapy for the face can be a regular skin rejuvenation treatment that helps maintain our skin in a good condition in the long run. It is a non-surgical treatment that injects solution with various vital nutrients to our skin directly, which has a significantly higher absorption of nutrients than using skincare products. According to the skin condition, the injection content can also be tailored to meet one’s need for the maximum desired outcome.

How does it work:

Mesotherapy involves the injection of hyaluronic acid or/and multiple nutrients to the dermis. Dermis cells absorb the nutrients via osmotic absorption, which will activate cellular activity, promote the proliferation of collagen and elastic fibroblasts, resulting in smoothing depressed scars, improving pigmentation, deep hydrating and smoothing wrinkles. Leaving you a thoroughly improved skin texture, healthier skin condition and a perfect silky skin.

Procedure:

1. VISIA skin evaluation: Evaluate skin condition or existing skin problems with assistance of data analysis and picture analysis.

2. Face-to-face consultation: Tailored a suitable mesotherapy treatment plan based on client’s conditions and desired results.

3. Pre-treatment preparation: Apply anesthetics. Clean and disinfect the whole face.

4. Treatment: Administer injection solution by qualified practitioner. Repeat injection or scatter injection in severe areas.

5. Post-treatment care: Medical-grade facial repair mask and QDEL phototherapy mask to nourish and repair the skin.

5. Post-treatment precautions.

Duration: 60 mins

Who is it for:

• People with dry skin or redness-prone skin;
• People with damaged skin barrier, irritated skin, or textured skin; People who are looking for regular skin conditioning treatments;
• People who are prone to facial redness and are looking for rejuvenating their skin;

C. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) 

What is PRP:

A Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment, also known as the “Vampire face-lift”, is an advanced treatment for skin rejuvenation purpose. The treatment involves the extraction of the platelets and white blood cells from the client’s blood via centrifugation. The resulting extract containing a high concentration of growth factors will be injected into the client’s skin. PRP treatment is a safe skin rejuvenation treatment that has obtained European CE,  ISO and SQS certifications, and has been clinically proven by extensive research worldwide.

How does it work:

During the PRP treatment, blood will be drawn from the client’s vein and undergo centrifugation to separate the blood components. The layer containing high concentration of platelets and white blood cells will be collected as it is rich in growth factors. The collected solution will then be injected into the client’s superficial dermis. The growth factors stimulate the regeneration and renewal of tissue, healing the damaged and aged cells, which will improve the skin texture, firm and lift the skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and depressed scars, restore a youthful skin condition and slow down the aging process. Receiving regular PRP treatment can strengthen the skin defence system and heal the barrier ability in the dermis, restoring a healthier, youthful and stronger skin.

Procedure:

1. VISIA skin evaluation: Evaluate skin condition or existing skin problems with assistance of data analysis and picture analysis.

2. Face-to-face consultation: Tailored a suitable PRP treatment plan based on client’s conditions and desired results.

3. Pre-treatment preparation: Draw blood from the client and obtain concentrated platelet solution by centrifugation; apply anesthetics, clean and disinfect the whole face.

4. Treatment: Administer injection solution by qualified practitioner. Repeat injection or scatter injection in severe areas.

5. Post-treatment care: Medical-grade facial repair mask and QDEL phototherapy mask to nourish and repair the skin.

6. Post-treatment precautions.

Duration: 60mins

Who is it for:

• People with redness-prone skin;
• People with enlarged pores, dull skin, or textured skin;
• People with problems of acne marks, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, or facial redness;
• People with damaged skin barrier;
• People who want to combine PRP with Mesotherapy as regular skin conditioning treatment;

D. Hydrafacial

What is Hydrafacial:

HydraFacial is a patented skincare treatment developed by an American skincare company, HYDRAFACIAL. This FDA, CE and CSA approved device was designed to promote the health of skin and to restore skin barrier rapidly. Mainly focusing on restoring skin health, HydraFacial utilised the patented 4 in 1 patented Vortex-Fusion delivery system to exfoliate, extract and hydrate skin, and used in conjunction with the HydraFacial proprietary vacuum technology and serums. As a result, impurities can be easily dislodged and removed while simultaneously delivering hydrating skin solutions. It only takes you 30 minutes to solve skin problems without downtime and pain, including blackheads, brown spots, dehydration, wrinkles, sensitivity, dull skin, enlarged pores, pimples, and photodamage.

How does it work:

Hydrafacial treatment combines the usage of an exclusive formula essence and the patented VORTEX two-way vacuum technology to exfoliate the skin, rapidly open up the pores, clear the congestion, non-invasively clear out blackheads, whiteheads, debris and dirt, gently remove old dead skin cells. While vacuuming and cleansing the skin, the essence that is made with nourishing ingredients will be absorbed into the skin, which can accelerate cellular metabolism, restore the skin’s oil-water balance, resulting in a cleaner and healthy skin. In only 30 mins, hydrafacial treatment will cleanse, extract, and hydrate your skin in 3 steps. According to your skin condition, location and desired results, a unique plan can be tailored for your needs.

Procedure:

1. VISIA skin evaluation: Evaluate skin condition or existing skin problems with assistance of data analysis and picture analysis.

2. Face-to-face consultation: Tailored a suitable hydrafacial treatment plan based on client’s conditions and desired results.

3. Pre-treatment preparation: Remove makeup and cleanse the face.

4. Hydrafacial 3 steps: ①Cleanse+Peel ②Extract+ Exfoliate ③Nourish+Protect

5. Post-treatment care: QDEL phototherapy mask to nourish and repair the skin.

6. Post-treatment precautions.

Duration: 45-60 mins

Who is it for:

• People with redness-prone and sensitive skin;
• People with damaged skin barrier;
• People who are looking for gentle repairing of their damaged skin barrier, sensitive skin;
• People who want to combine HydraFacial treatment with other treatments to improve their skin health;

Repair damaged skin barrier/sensitive skin, come to Ai Beauty Clinic,
for safe and professional medical treatment.

Ai Beauty Clinic is a CQC accredited clinic based in London, and also is strongly supported by Cynosure(the owner of Ulthreapy) and Cynosure (the owner of PicoSure).

With rich experience of treating clients of various conditions, led by a famous British medical chief trainer, practiced by doctors and nurses who are GMC/NMC-registered and worked in NHS national hospitals, Ai Beauty provides certified and safe medical beauty treatments.

Ai Beauty always puts safety first. Not only are all medical staff insured by independent medical policy, each client who comes to Ai Beauty Clinic is also insured by £5 millions medical insurance. This full insurance coverage allows clients to have a concern-free treatment experience.

Ai Beauty Clinic has served over 15,000 clients from all around the world, been covered by some famous media such as European Times and CW Television, and established trust and an excellent reputation among them.

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