DermalazeJana

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Skin condition blog

Skin Conditions

Skin condition blog

 

A skin condition develops over time due to internal or external factors and the good news is, it can be treated and improved, unlike a skin type.

 

The Four Skin Conditions:

  • Dehydration
  • Sensitivity
  • Acne
  • Pigmentation

 

Some Characteristics of the Four Skin Conditions

 Dehydration:

  • Dehydration is a lack of moisture (water) in the skin.
  • It can have the same appearance as dry skin but, it can be identified by the very fine lines that are present in areas of dehydration. Many people confuse dry skin and dehydration, because they both present as tight, flaky skin. But, there is an enormous difference between the two and should not be treated the same. For instance, oily skin cannot be dry however, it can be dehydrated. So, it is important to know the difference in order to choose the correct skincare products and improve the specific condition.
  • There are various causes such as a poor diet, lack of water intake, climate, smoking, alcohol intake, pollution, harsh skincare products, medication, anesthesia and stress.

 

Sensitivity:

  • Erythema (redness) and dilated capillaries are visible on the skin, the area is irritated and inflamed and sometimes slightly tender.
  • There are different types of sensitivity: product sensitivity, climate sensitivity, friction sensitivity and sinus sensitivity.
    To properly treat and avoid irritation, it is best to try and identify what type of sensitivity you have and what triggers an irritation.

 

Acne:

  • This is due to overactive oil glands, inflammation and bacterial invasion. Many people suffer from acne in some stage of their life. You can read more about acne, why it causes scarring and how to treat it here.

 

Pigmentation:

There are two different types of pigmentation:

  • Hyper-pigmentation, which is an over production of melanin in the skin. So hyper-pigmentation is the darker spots or patches on your skin, like freckles or “liver spots”.
    It can be caused by sun damage, hormonal imbalance or use of hormone therapies, scarring and the ageing process.

  • Hypo-pigmentation, which is an underactive production of melanin in the skin. These present as white spots or patches and can be anywhere on your body.
    It can be due to sun damage, vitiligo, fungal infections, ageing process and scarring.

 

Those are the four skin conditions which can develop due to internal or external factors. Now I can go on and on about each skin condition but, the main thing to remember is there are usually underlying causes which should be identified, managed and treated in order to properly improve and eliminate these skin conditions. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix or once off solution for any skin condition, it takes commitment and time to treat any skincare problem effectively.

Skin types blog

Skin Types and How to Identify Yours

Skin types blog

 

There are many misconceptions about what a skin type is. A person is born with a certain skin type; it can be inherited, and it cannot physically be changed. However, our age and the use of medication can affect our skin type.

There are five different Skin Types:

  • Normal Skin: smooth, healthy colour, plump and firm, no blemishes and no imperfections. (Let’s be honest, almost no-one over the age of twelve has a normal skin)
  • Dry Skin: delicate, thin and flaky.
  • Oily Skin: thick skin, shiny, bumpy and uneven texture.
  • Combination Skin: two or more skin types on one person’s face, e.g. oily T-zone and dry cheeks. This is the most common skin type.
  • Mature Skin: thin, lines and wrinkles, sun damage and pigmentation.

Those are the only skin types a person can have. Many people tend to confuse skin types with skin conditions, which you can read more about by clicking here.

So how do I identify my skin types? Look at the pores! The pores show the amount of oil secretion in the area.

What to look for:
The size of the pores: are they enlarged or constricted, and where are they located.

Here is a table that shortly explains the appearance and characteristics of each skin type, making it easier to identify yours.

Tabel skin types

 

Now you might think: “Why is it important for me to know my skin type?”. It’s very important to know your skin type in order to choose the products most suited to your skin. That way when a consultant, beautician or aesthetician suggests specific products, you will be able to ask the right questions and make a more educated decision.

As I’ve mentioned before, most people confuse skin types and skin conditions. There have been so many of my clients that tell me their skin type is sensitive… no, no it’s not. That is a skin condition, which can be changed and improved. The lack of knowledge regarding skin types is one of the main reasons why people don’t see an improvement in their skin with “off the shelf”  products and home care treatments, because they choose the wrong products for their skin and it’s needs.

Products you buy in a pharmacy or “off the shelf” are classified as cosmetics or cosmeceuticals which have a very superficial effect on the skin and the concentration of the active ingredients is very low but, it can still wreak havoc on your skin. Especially if it is used incorrectly. For instance, if you have a very oily skin there really is no use in using products that just dry out the skin or “controls the oil”. It honestly just makes your problem worse because it cannot control your sebum production. Most likely the products just strip your skin of all the moisture, disturbs your skin barrier and causes dehydration in your skin. Now, your skin would want to produce even more oil to compensate for the dehydration caused by these products. Rather use a product that has a balancing effect on your skin and encourages your skin to normalize the oil secretion. The same goes for anti-ageing products. Applying products that just puts a load of oil on your skin won’t have lasting effects since that oil and “moisture” just sits on top of the skin. It might feel great after you’ve applied it, but as soon as you skip an application, your skin feels dry and not so great.  

How do you choose the products though? Well, it’s relatively simple if you remember that you can’t change your skin type, so balance is key. Choose a product that treats the cause of your concern, not the symptom.

So, the moral of the story is, you can’t really change your skin type. You can however manage it with the use of the correct skincare products and treatments. Embrace your skin type, each has its pro’s and con’s, and learn how to best take care of your skin and its needs.