Your Skin And Body Concerns

What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that presents with flushing of skin on face, central facial redness, enlarged visible blood vessels, small lumps and pustules. Other symptoms include burning and stinging, facial swelling and dryness, thickening of the skin. About 10% of the population is affected usually between 30 to 50 years and women more commonly than men. 

What Are The Different Types Of Rosacea?

There are 4 sub-types of rosacea. Type 1 – Erythemotelangiectatic rosacea. This Type is mild with redness in central face, prominent superficial blood vessels and sensitive and irritable skin. Type 2 papulopustular Rosacea or classic rosacea and presents with small lumps (papules), pustules, and redness and may be misdiagnosed as acne. Type 3 – Phymatous rosacea which presents as thickened, irregular skin on the nose. Subtype 4 – ocular (involving the eye) rosacea. The condition can progress from the mild to severe. Early treatment is important to stop progression to the more severe forms. This condition can be very distressing and embarrassing to the sufferer.

What Causes Rosacea?

Rosacea is common in fair skin. The cause of rosacea is unknown. Sun damage, skin flushing and genetic predisposition are risk factors in developing rosacea. Other factors implicated include dust mites, intestinal bacteria, chemicals, food intolerances and psychological factors. Sun exposure, heat, alcohol and spicy food can aggravate it. The skin is extremely sensitive and may become irritated easily. Research is ongoing. If left untreated or incorrect treatment may result in worsening of symptoms and progression of the disease.

What Treatments Are Available?

This is a complex condition. There is no single approach to treatment. There is no cure however the correct combination of treatments can manage the symptoms and prevent progression to more severe disease. This first step in treatment is making a correct diagnosis. Inflammation and sensitive skin are common features of all subtypes.

Self Care Includes:

• Sunscreen and sun avoidance
• Avoiding aggravating factors such as foods and stress

Dr Luci Clinic Treatment Options:

• Anti- inflammatory supplements
• Gentle skin care products
• Gentle peels
• Skin needling
• Topical and oral antibiotics
• Omnilux LED Light therapy
• Laser Treatments

What Should I Do Next?

Making the correct diagnosis is the first step in managing this condition. At Dr Luci Clinic we perform an in-depth skin and medical consultation as part of our routine assessment. A personalised management plan will be formulated to address your individual concerns and desires. Contact the clinic for an initial free consultation with one of our skin care experts. Please call 02 9567 0399 and arrange to book your next appointment with us at the Caringbah clinic.

What Is Sagging Skin?

Sagging skin is one of the signs of ageing. This is seen most along the jaw line (jowls), around the mouth, cheeks and around the eyes. Sagging of the skin adds to a less youthful appearance.

What Causes Sagging Skin?

Sagging skin results from ageing. Ageing, genetics, chronic sun exposure, smoking , illness and lifestyle factors combine and show on our face. Loss and weakening of the underlying support structures to the skin such as collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid (which holds water) and loss of fat cause the skin to sag as well as contributing to the formation of wrinkles and lines. The face looks less full and youthful. Hollowing in areas around the eyes and cheeks add to an ageing appearance.

What Treatments Are Available?

The treatment required to correct sagging skin will depend on the severity of the problem, the identification of causative factors and your goals.

Prevention of ongoing volume loss and slowing of the ageing process are important.

Home Care Options

• Sunscreen is vital to prevent ongoing sun damage. 
• Certain lifestyle choices such as smoking should be stopped.

Treatments that promote healthy skin will improve the appearance of sagging skin.

Professional Options

• Medical grade peels
• Appropriate skin care will act to rehydrate the skin and encourage the formation of healthy skin, therefore, improving texture, tone, elasticity and hydration of the skin.
• Skin needling will encourage the formation of new collagen also helping to reduce lines and wrinkles
• Laser treatments such as Laser Genesis
• LED light treatments are also extremely helpful in rejuvenating  the skin.
• Cosmetic Injections may be offered to stop the movement of muscles, replace the lost support structures by filling out the lost areas  and promote the formation of new collagen.

These treatments will act together to bolster the skin and underlying support structures helping to reduce the appearance of sagging skin and hopefully reduce the need for more drastic measures such as surgery.

What Should I Do Next?

The causes of sagging skin are multiple. A thorough assessment of the underlying causes and medical history is essential before the best individualised treatment plan can be formulated. An assessment of your goals is vital to achieving the results that you desire. There is definitely no single approach that will fit everyone. At Dr Luci Clinic we pride ourselves on providing a thorough assessment and appropriate safe plan to help you reach your goals and long lasting solutions. Contact the clinic for an initial free consultation with one of our skin care experts. Call 02 9567 0399 , book online, or email us info@drluci.com.au

Scarring And Stretch Marks

Scars are something we all have from birth our very first scar is our umbilical scar aka our naval. Throughout our lives we end up with many more scars, some of which are more visible than others. Some heal a lot better than others.
Before treating any scar we need to know what has caused the scar and fresh scars need to heal first before been treated. Depending on the type of scar there are several treatments that can help minimise the appearance.

What Treatment Options Are There?

Hypetrophic scars have over-produced collagen and appear raised they occur around 4 to 8 weeks following a wound.

Keloid scarring can be caused by the following: surgery; accidents; acne; body piercings (in some cases), whilst their appearance is “unsightly” due to the masses of collagen they are harmless but can be itchy or in some individuals painful. They are more common on the shoulders and chest.

Atrophic scars are sunken looking or have a pitted appearance due to the loss of fat or muscle in that area. This is also known as acne scarring they can also be caused by chickenpox, spider bites or accidents or genetic connective tissue disorder.

Stretch marks aka striae scarring are very common in a lot of people and mainly woman (especially after pregnancy) the main cause is sudden weight loss or through growth spurts or when skin is under tension during the healing process.

What Causes Scars?

Scarring can be caused by surgery, or from even simple accidents. Regardless of what caused the scar all scars have a healing process. Our body automatically repairs the area after the injury has taken place. Once the wound has completely healed, scar tissue is formed. Depending on what type of scar it is this may take months or years, in many cases years later the scar can barely be seen.

But what about those scars that are still visible……. Scars that appear more visible than others have a different composition even though scar tissue is made up of collagen but there is a lack of elasticity in the area. Also if someone is a smoker it will affect the healing process of the scar and also take longer to heal.

What Treatment Options Are Available?

The founder of Dr Luci Clinic, Dr Saliba, is also a surgeon who is familiar with surgical scars as well as general scars and will only offer the treatments best matched to the type of scarring and individual patient needs.

Treatments available include

• Medical Grade Peels
• Laser resurfacing with the latest Co2 laser
• Laser genesis
• Skin needling.

What Should I Do Next?

It is important that the cause of your scarring is understood in detail before any treatment plan can commence. We highly recommend booking an initial consultation with Dr Saliba by calling us on 02 9567 0399 or email us info@drluci.com.au

Sun Damage

Skin ageing occurs due to a combination of intrinsic (inside the body) and extrinsic (outside the body) factors. Intrinsic factors are genetically programme and generally outside of our control. Extrinsic factors include smoking, excessive alcohol, poor nutrition, stress and sun exposure. These factors can be modified. chronic sun exposure contributes 80% of what we consider premature skin ageing. In Australia as well as in other countries, a ‘healthy tan” is sought after and considered attractive. The long term effects however are not so desirable.
Sun damaged skin is seen on exposed areas of the face, neck, upper chest, arms and hands.

Sun damage (UV ray exposure) causes loss and breakage of collagen and elastin. Glycosaminoglcans which include hyaluronic acid (HA) are found in the skin normally and hold up to 1000 times their volume in water. They are reduced as a result ofageing and sun exposure. The skin becomes thin with loss of tone, elasticity and hydration. The skin becomes saggy.

Sun damage causes uneven pigmentation (freckles, sun spots)to occur as the skin tries to protect itself from UV radiation. UV radiation increases risk of skin cancers forming as well as non-cancer lesions such as keratosis(rough warty patches), telangiectasias (visble spider veins) and skin tags. This occurs because the skin becomes slower at repairing the damage caused by the sun and replacing with healthy new cells.

Blood vessels become weak and fragile causing bruising and redness. Damaged blood vessels are not able to provide nutrients to the skin efficiently. This causes skin to become dull and pale.

Free radicals are chemicals created by UV exposure, pollution, stress, smoking and normal metabolic processes. They are a major cause of the ageing process. These substances cause breakdown of collagen and elastin and build-up of damaged elastin.

What Are The Effects Of Sun Damage?

Sun damage causes many negative effects:

• Dry and roughskin
• Wrinkling
• Pale and dull skin
• Dark and light spots
• Freckles
• Unattractive pigmentation
• Loose, fragile and sagging skin
• Benign non- cancerous skin lesions – skin tags
• Red spots (cherry angiomas)
• Seborrheic keratosis
• Lentigos (sun spots)
• Fragile blood vessels
• Spider veins and telangiectasias
• Skin cancer including dangerous melanoma

What Treatments Are Available?

A number of treatments are available to prevent, repair and reverse the damage caused by sun exposure.

Home Care Options:

• Daily sunscreen even if in doors
• Sun avoidance (between 10am and 4pm) is highly advisable
• Avoid tanning beds.
• Generally, reducing exposure to the sun will also prevent further damage.
• Wearing a broad-rimmed hat
• Wear protective clothing

Older skin has also lost melanocyte cells which protect the skin from cancer forming UV light. This makes older skin more susceptible to forming skin cancers.

Professional Options

Repairing sun damaged skin can be achieved with the use of 

• Medical grade peels – to help remove damaged skin and encourage the growth of healthy skin cells.
• Facials – A well developed skin care plan helps manage dry, sensitive skin as well as protect new skin.

This skin care plan may also include the use of Antioxidant skin care, peels, and dietary supplements. Improving collagen synthesis can be achieved with the use of vitamin C and glycolic acid peels.

• Laser Treatments in order to resurface your skin as well as encourage collagen production.
• In some cases, minor surgical procedures may be needed in order to manage non-cancerous skin lesions. It is important therefore, that you undertake regular and thorough skin cancer checks in the management and early diagnosis of skin cancers.
• Treatment to manage pigmentation will be in the form of Lasers, IPL, and fading creams depending upon the individual pigmentation and skin type.
• We also utilise Injectables to improve wrinkles and sagging skin and encourage the formation of new collagen. Please remember though however, that the use of injectables will only be recommended after a thorough skin consultation and performed only by Dr Saliba.
• Finally, your treatment may include skin needling which is used to encourage collagen production, thicken the skin and help with pigmentation.

What Should I Do Next?

Making the correct diagnosis is the first step in managing this condition. At Dr Luci Clinic we perform an in-depth skin and medical consultation as part of our routine assessment. A personalised management plan will be formulated to address your individual concerns and desires. Contact the clinic for an initial free consultation with one of our skin care experts. Please call 02 9567 0399 and arrange to book your us at the Dr Luci, Caringbah clinic.

Tattoo Regret

Tattoos have become a way for people to express their unique identity and important events and people in their life. Up to one third of the population has at least one tattoo. Tattoos are created by pigment particles or ink becoming trapped in the dermis or skin. They are generally permanent. Multiple colours can be tattooed. They come in all shapes, patterns, colours and sizes and can be placed anywhere on the skin.

How Are Tattoos Done?

Ink or pigment particles are injected into the skin using a device that rapidly punctures the skin. The body responds by sending special cells called macrophages to the area of trauma as part of the healing process. These cells try to eliminate the ink particles but don’t succeed due to the size of the ink particles. These cells remain in the dermis of the skin with the particles of ink permanently.

Why And How Are Tattoos Removed?

Why are tattoos removed?

Most people are happy with their body art.  As people age or their circumstances and relationships change a tattoo may no longer reflect their personality, lifestyle or how they see themselves now. Many work places and professional organisations do not allow visible tattoos on employees.

How are tattoos removed?

Modern day tattoo removal is achieved by the use of lasers. The laser beam is attracted to the colour of the pigment. This causes the ink particles to be broken into tiny particles that are then removed from the body by the lymphatic system. The colour, quantity, quality, and depth of placement of the tattoo ink in the skin as well as the age of the tattoo and the  individual response of each client will determine the number of treatments required and the potential for side effects.

What Should I Do Next?

An assessment of the tattoo (and the owner!) is essential to ensure that the safest individualised treatment programme is created for each client, as no two tattoos are identical. Le Sands Clinic has acquired laser technology to clear tattoos effectively and efficiently. Contact the clinic for an initial free consultation with one of our skin care experts. We look forward to seeing you move on to the next phase of your life, projecting the image you want, without the constant reminder of your past in ink! Call 02 9567 0399 book online, or email us info@drluci.com.au

Wrinkles And Fine Lines

Wrinkles and lines are one of the key signs of ageing. These lines are initially seen on our face temporarily due to facial expression. As time goes on they do become permanent. The position of the wrinkles and lines may add to a less youthful appearance and is some cases make us look angry or sad such as the frown lines between the eyes or around the mouth. Not all lines and wrinkles are considered ugly as they do add character to the face and show we have lived a full life.

What Causes Wrinkles And Fine Lines?

There are many factors that combine to create wrinkles and lines on the face. Ageing, genetics, chronic sun exposure, smoking, illness and lifestyle factors can and do show on our faces. Wrinkles form due to repeated muscle movements in face.

Loss of the underlying support structures to the skin such as collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid (which holds water) and fat can accentuate wrinkles and lines. Inappropriate skin care and dehyradtion may also dry out the skin causing fines lines and wrinkles.

What Treatments Are Available?

The treatment required will depend on the severity of the wrinkles and lines present, the identification of causative factors and your goals.

Prevention is important. Sunscreen is vital to prevent ongoing sun damage that is a key cause of wrinkles and lines. Certain behaviours such as smoking should be stopped.

Treatments that promote healthy skin will often improve fine lines and wrinkles.

These treatments should start with appropriate skin care to rehydrate the skin and encourage the formation of healthy skin. Other treatments available:

• Medical grade peels gently re-surface the skin allowing fine lines and wrinkles to be removed. Peels and skin care will improve the texture, tone, elasticity and hydration of the skin acting to improve fine lines and wrinkles.
• Skin needling will encourage the formation of new collagen also helping to reduce lines and wrinkles.
• Laser Genesis
• LED light treatment.
• Cosmetic Injections may be offered to stop the movement of muscles, replace the lost support structures and promote the formation of new collagen.

What Should I Do Next?

The causes of wrinkles and lines are multiple. A thorough assessment of the underlying causes and medical history is essential before the best individualised treatment plan can be formulated. An assessment of your goals is vital also to achieving the results that you desire. There is definitely no single approach that will fit everyone. At Dr Luci Clinic we pride ourselves on providing a thorough assessment and appropriate safe plan to help you reach your goals and long lasting solutions. Contact the clinic for an initial free consultation with one of our skin care experts. Call 02 9567 0399 , book online, or email us info@drluci.com.au

Withdrawing from topical steroid creams can be a difficult and daunting journey. Please read our blog on this subject