What Causes Acne?

It is important to note that the exact cause of acne can vary from person to person, and it may be influenced by a combination of factors. Understanding the specific triggers for an individual’s acne can help in tailoring an effective treatment plan. There are several factors that can contribute to the development of acne, including:

• Excess Sebum Production: sebaceous glands in the skin produce an oily substance called sebum. In some individuals, these glands can overproduce sebum, leading to oily skin and contributing to clogged pores.
• Dead Skin Buildup: the skin sheds dead cells regularly, but sometimes, these cells may not shed effectively and can accumulate, blocking the hair follicles.
• Bacteria: propionibacterium acnes, a type of bacteria, naturally resides on the skin. However, when hair follicles are clogged, it can multiply and cause inflammation, leading to red, swollen pimples.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations, especially during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or due to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can increase sebum production and worsen acne.
• Certain Medications: Some medications, such as corticosteroids, androgen-containing drugs, or lithium, can lead to acne as a side effect.
• Dietary Factors: While not entirely clear, some studies suggest that high glycemic index foods and dairy products might worsen acne in some individuals.
• Stress: Stress can exacerbate acne in certain people, possibly due to the release of hormones that stimulate sebum production.
• Genetics: Acne can be hereditary, indicating a genetic predisposition.
• Cosmetic and Hair Products: Use of pore-clogging skincare or hair care products can contribute to acne, especially when applied to acne-prone areas.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to pollutants and high humidity levels can also influence acne development.

If acne is severe or persistent, it’s advisable to consult a dermatologist for personalized advice and treatment options.

Treatment Options for Active Acne

Various effective treatments are available for acne, catering to different types and levels of severity. At Prestige Medispa in Calgary, we offer the following options:

• Laser Syneron Candela Elōs AC: This innovative approach combines radio frequency and light energies to effectively address active acne at its source. It targets acne-causing bacteria and regulates excess oil production. The treatment accelerates healing and typically requires 6-8 sessions.
• Chemical Peels: Helpful for exfoliating skin, unclogging pores, and reducing acne and scars.
• Spa Facial: Includes manual extractions to unclog pores and prevent further breakouts.
• Skincare Products: Using non-comedogenic cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens can support acne treatment.

Treatment Options for Acne Scarring

• Microneedling: Improves skin texture and reduces scarring by stimulating collagen and elastin production. Not suitable for active acne.
• Sublative Skin Treatment: Uses Radiofrequency (RF) to improve texture, tone, and appearance. Requires less downtime and promotes collagen production.
• IPL Photofacial: Targets various skin concerns, including acne scars, using light wavelengths.
• Microdermabrasion Facial: Exfoliating treatment to reduce surface acne scarring. Not suitable for active acne.

Finding the Best Acne Treatment

Prestige Medispa in Calgary offers diverse treatment strategies for acne and scars, focusing on comfort and safety. Treatment plans vary per individual. Book a consultation to discover the most suitable treatment for you.

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What Causes Age Spots?

Age spots are most caused by excess of exposure to sunlight as the ultraviolet rays accelerates the production of melanin causing Hyperpigmentation. The high concentration of melanin in the skin is what causes the age brown spots.

Age spots are generally flat and may be black, brown, or even tan in color. These spots often appear on areas of the body which are exposed most to the sun. These areas can include the face, upper back, shoulders, and even the back of the hands. Age spots range in size from a few millimeters, half an inch. They appear more prominent if they are close together and the larger they are.

Treatment Options for Age Spots

We offer our visitors and clients several different treatment options for age spots. We offer safe laser therapy at our clinic, which can help destroy the cells in your body which produce melanin—without damaging the surface of your skin. Laser treatment (Sublative skin resurfacing) of hyperpigmentation will not only break up existing pigmentation, it will also stimulate collagen which will lead to smoother, more resilient skin.

We also offer intense pulled light (IPL) treatment for our clients, which utilizes a combination of radio frequency and intense pulsed light to safely and effectively treats hyperpigmentation as well as some vascular lesions.

In addition to skin resurfacing and IPL treatments, our professionals can help deal with hyperpigmentation with advanced facials combined with chemical peels to help resurface your skin and minimize the appearance of discolouration.

With so many different treatment options for hyperpigmentation, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Contact Prestige Medispa in Calgary and our team would be more than happy to assist you in what treatment would work best for you and your skin.

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What Causes Melasma?

Melasma occurs when melanocytes – the cells responsible for producing color in the skin – become hyperactive and start producing more color than they should. While the condition can affect nearly any type of person, it affects women aged between 20 and 50 and those with skin of color more than other people. It is also often called “pregnancy mask” since this condition may suddenly appear during/after pregnancy.

Even though the exact cause of melasma is unknown, it is commonly triggered by certain factors:

• One of the most common triggers of melasma is sunlight and/or excessive heat. Excessive exposure to sunlight causes the melanocytes in the skin to produce excessive amounts of melanin. This is one reason why melasma becomes more prominent during the summer.
• Changes in hormones are also responsible for melasma. The condition is extremely common in women who are pregnant and could also be triggered by birth control pills and hormone replacement medication.
• Genetics are also another factor. If someone in your family has melasma, you may be more prone to developing it as well.

Treatment Options for Melasma

At Prestige Medispa in Calgary, we can work with you on effective treatment options, or a combination of them, to help you treat your melasma and manage your results.

As a basic start, sun protection is crucial. Avoiding direct sun exposure and using broad-spectrum sunscreen with high SPF (30 or higher) daily is crucial. Hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing can also help.

Chemical peels can be an amazing solution to exfoliate the skin’s top layer, promoting the growth of new, evenly pigmented skin.

Another option is a microdermabrasion treatment. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that uses a device to exfoliate the outer layer of the skin, helping to improve melasma.

If faster results are desired, Sublative Skin Resurfacing is considered one of the most effective treatment methods for melasma. This treatment delivers radiofrequency energy to the skin in a fractional manner, via an array of multi-electrode pins. The pigment in the dermis is triggered and moves to the epidermis, where it can be eliminated from the skin. Additionally, the skin’s healing process accelerates, producing more collagen over time.

At Prestige Medispa in Calgary, we offer products with hydroquinone at a percentage of 2% from AlumierMD. Hydroquinone is a gold standard topical treatment for melasma and can speed up results when used in a skincare treatment plan. It improves the appearance of brown spots, discoloration, melasma, and sun-damaged skin.

Please consult with your treatment provider on how to incorporate hydroquinone into your skincare regimen and how it can benefit your skin in conjunction with other treatments.

It’s important to note that while treatments have the potential to speed up the removal of pigmentation from melasma, they are not cures for the condition.

Finding the Best Melasma Treatment

We understand how frustrating melasma is to treat, and we would love to help you on your skin’s path to recovery. Give us a call at +403.281.5005 for a free skin analysis and consultation today!

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What Causes Rosacea?

The condition can occur in anyone. However, it is most commonly seen in women with fair complexions. Rosacea may have a genetic component, and some people may have a genetic predisposition to it. People who suffer from Rosacea may display the following:

• Persistent flushing/blushing of the skin.
• Visible blood vessels (spider veins), predominantly around the nose and cheeks.
• Thickening of the skin and bumps that may contain pus.
• Enlargement of the nose.
• Dry, irritated, swollen eyes and eyelids.

There is no cure for rosacea, but there are ways to control and reduce the redness and other symptoms of the condition.

Treatment Options for Rosacea

At Prestige Medispa in Calgary, we offer several different treatment options for people suffering from Rosacea. We provide laser therapy from qualified technicians, which can lessen the appearance of enlarged blood vessels and redness. With laser treatment for rosacea, the redness of your skin can be controlled and greatly reduced.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is another highly effective treatment option for individuals who suffer from Rosacea. Similar to laser treatment, intense pulsed light treatment involves heating the chromophores and structures responsible for causing redness and visible veins on the face. IPL can effectively alleviate inflammation, redness, and visibly even your skin tone.

Finding the Best Rosacea Treatment

If you’ve noticed any of the aforementioned signs and symptoms of rosacea and would like a free skin analysis and consultation, give Prestige Medispa in Calgary a call to speak with one of our certified technicians.

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