Suffering From

Acne vulgaris (commonly called acne) is a skin disease caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). Severe acne is inflammatory, but acne can also manifest in non-inflammatory forms. Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots, or zits. Acne is most common during adolescence, affecting more than 85% of teenagers, and frequently continues into adulthood. For most people, acne diminishes over time and tends to disappear—or at the very least decrease—after one reaches his or her early twenties. There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take to disappear entirely, and some individuals will continue to suffer well into their thirties, forties and beyond.
(Source: www.wikipedia.org)

The term ‘age spots’, or lentigines, refers to the brown spots we see on sun damaged skin. They tend to appear on the areas of the body which receive the most amount of sun, for example on the hands, face, shoulders, and arms. If you have any brown spots appear on your skin, it’s important to have it checked by a dermatologist as it may be skin cancer. Generally age spots are a form of hyper-pigmentation caused by sun damage to the skin.

(Source: www.agepots.net)

Cellulite describes a condition that occurs in men and women (although much more common in women) where the skin of the lower limbs, abdomen, and pelvic region become dimpled after puberty. It is common for post-pubescent females to display some degree of cellulite. There appears to be a hormonal component to its presentation. It is rarely seen in males. Cellulite is not related to being overweight; average and underweight people also get cellulite. However, diet is a factor that contributes to cellulite and also can contribute to becoming overweight. One plausible explanation – which also explains why very few men suffer from cellulite – is based on the composition and behavior of women’s fat cells and the connective tissue that holds them in place. Very simply, a woman’s connective tissue is inflexible, so as females gain weight their fat cells expand, and tend to bulge upwards towards the surface of the skin, giving the classic orange-peel appearance of cellulite. In men, not only is there generally less fat on the thighs, but also the outer skin is thicker and thus obscures what is happening to any surplus fat below.

(Source: www.wikipedia.org)

Wrinkles are a by-product of the aging process. With age, skin cells divide more slowly, and the inner layer, called the dermis, begins to thin. The network of elastin (the protein which causes skin to stretch) and collagen fibers (the major structural proteins in the skin), which support the outer layer, loosen and unravel, causing depressions on the surface. With aging, skin also loses its elasticity, is less able to retain moisture, oil-secreting glands are less efficient and the skin is slower to heal. All of these contribute to the development of wrinkles. (Source: www.medicinenet.com)

A vein is a blood vessel that carries blood low in oxygen content from the body to the lungs and heart. It is a normal part of the circulatory system. Veins can bulge with pools of blood when they fail to circulate the blood properly. These visible and bulging veins, called varicose veins, are often associated with symptoms such as tired, heavy, or aching limbs. In severe cases, varicose veins can rupture, or open sores (called “ulcers”) can form on the skin. Varicose veins are most common in the legs and thighs. Small “spider veins” also can appear on the skin’s surface. These may look like short, fine lines, “starburst” clusters, or a web-like maze. Spider veins are most common in the thighs, ankles, and feet. They may also appear on the face.

(Source: www.medicinenet.com)

Skin Laxity is loose or lax skin that occurs when you age. It is caused by the collagen fibers being pulled apart and the skin loses its natural youthful firmness. Loose skin although most noticeable on the face can occur on the hands, stomach, thighs, and under the neck, chin and arms.

Sore muscles or fatigue? Massage therapy can help! Massage is effective in reducing sore muscles and fatigue due to some basic principles that promote healing.

*Blood circulation – Muscle tension can impair circulation resulting in deficient supply of nutrients and inadequate removal of waste or toxins from body tissues. This can lead to illness, structural/functional problems and slower healing.

*Movement of lymphatic fluid – The lymphatic system plays a key role in disposing waste/toxins/pathogens. Manual lymphatic drainage benefits conditions where lymphatic flow is impaired by injury and surgery especially where edema (swelling) is a result.

*Release of tension allows greater relaxation which has physiological and psychological benefits.

*Musculoskeletal System can be adversely affected by stress/trauma. Massage can help restore healthy structure and function by allowing better circulation, greater ease and range of movements, flexibility and will help ease chronic patterns of tension.

All bodily systems are affected by better circulation including soft tissue, internal organ systems, nervous system and immune system. This can result in less fatigue and sore muscles with overall improvements in quality of life and physical or mental health.

Stress is the consequence of the failure to adapt to change. It is, in medical terms, the consequence of the disruption of homeostasis through physical or psychological stimuli. Less simply: it is the condition that results when person-environment interaction leads someone to perceive a painful discrepancy, real or imagined, between the demands of a situation on the one hand and their social, biological or psychological resources on the other. Stressful stimuli can be mental, physiological, anatomical or physical.

There are many factors that contribute to an uneven complexion, including the amount of collagen and elastin present in the skin. These tiny proteins give the skin its tone and texture and can be affected by diet, age, hormones and overall health. There are also environmental factors to consider such as wind, dirt, climate, smoking, pollution and ultraviolet rays which will cause sun damage. All of these elements can destroy the skin’s natural collagen and elastin fibers causing the appearance of dry, rough, uneven toned skin. Specific skin disorders such as acne and rosacea can also contribute to the skin’s appearance and cause blotchiness and uneven skin texture.

There are a number of steps that will help to achieve smooth skin and a brightened complexion. These include:

Cleanse and Moisturize- it is important to free the skin of excess oil and debris to allow the skin to look and feel better. It is also important to keep the skin hydrated by using a daily moisturizer.

Exfoliate- simple cleansing is not always enough to improve the skin’s texture. Exfoliation helps remove excess skin, oil, and dirt from the top layer of skin making it less prone to roughness and breakouts. Spa treatments like microdermabrasion or glycolic peels can help smooth and brighten the skin. Laser treatments such as Laser Genesis and IPL can also improve skin tone and texture.

Sun Protection- Sun damage is among one of the leading causes to uneven tone and texture. Therefore, it is crucial to protect your skin by wearing sunscreen everyday – all year round, even on cloudy days. Derma Spa recommends a full spectrum SPF 30 that contains a physical block either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide or both.

The use of lasers for hair removal has been studied for a number of years and is now a popular method for removing unwanted hair. Based on state-of-the-art technology, for over a decade, laser treatments have resulted in a reduction of unwanted hair without causing damage to the epidermis. Derma Spa offers laser hair removal treatments as part of our range of medical esthetic services. Laser hair removal is considered a comfortable, effective way to remove unwanted hair. The advantage of laser is that the laser technology can reach and treat thousands of hair follicles at one time for pure bare elegance. (Source: www.spasincanada.ca).

Using a combination of Xeo Coolglide Prowave 770 and Nd YAG Laser, we can target all dark hair, including the most superficial to the deeper hairs. Our lasers are compatible with all skin types.