MANILA, Philippines - The skin is composed of three main layers: the epidermis, which is the uppermost level; the dermis, which is the middle layer; and the subcutaneous fat. As we age, the skin experiences changes in its different layers.
The Renew technology at Facial Care Center targets the middle layer, the dermis. As we age, we experience collagen loss, which is why we get wrinkles and which also leads to some scarring and marks. So, with this treatment, the objective is to stimulate the production of and remodel the collagen in the dermis. In recent studies, it was discovered that collagen loss happens in the upper layer of the dermis, which is confined to the first 300 to 400 microns of the skin. So in order to address the problem of collagen loss, this is the depth that the right treatment must reach. If it goes deeper than that, it could result in injury to other layers of the skin that don’t need treatment. This leads to prolonged inflammatory reaction of the skin, which is associated with complications such as pigmentation. If the treatment is too superficial, then its effect will amount to nothing. The optimum depth is really 400 microns in the upper dermis, where you want to stimulate and renew the collagen. This is the level of penetration.
Not only that, but with the Renew by Affirm technology, they are combining two levels of lasers: the high-intensity laser, which is going to create fractional photo thermolysis, and a background of low-intensity laser. Low-intensity laser is known to do two important things: it stimulates the regenerative power of the skin, it and stimulates the fibroblast activities. Fibroblast cells are the ones responsible for the production of new collagen. In this case, when both the high and low intensity lasers are applied to the right depth to stimulate both healing and collagen production, then we have a treatment that is both effective and safe.
Aging and the changes it brings affect all three layers of our skin; so with Renew by Affirm, both the epidermis and the dermis are targeted.
When Renew is reformed to as a “faster” treatment, they mean faster treatment per session and faster recovery time. A treatment session lasts from only 10 to 15 minutes for the full face; Fraxel and other laser treatments take from 30 to 45 minutes. Regarding recovery time, when you are not penetrating too deeply into the skin and when you are combining fractional laser with low-intensity laser, then the downtime will definitely be shorter.
Usually, after the first treatment, a patient can already notice results and so they come back for a second one. But for optimum effects, it is recommended to undergo seven sessions. The skin will also continue to improve for six to eight months after the seventh session, so the story doesn’t end with the end of the last session. Treatments must have a three- to four-week interval in order to give the skin time to stimulate and rebuild new collagen. Patients can also return later, after they have finished their seventh session, for more treatments. There is no limit; the treatment is safe, especially with the concentrated laser beam that the treatment uses.
Aging is a dynamic process, so if a patient comes back a year after his or her last treatment, their skin will be reevaluated in order to determine the proper treatment to be given at that time. Maybe you’ll need to do Renew by Affirm again, or maybe you’ll require other procedures. The skin evaluation after one year is necessary to see the changes that the treatment has made.
Acne scars can also be treated by Renew. But you have to differentiate between the atrophic scars and the hypertrophic scars; maybe the skin will need a different treatment to address scar problems because of specific conditions. But if the scar is just atrophic and the skin just needs new collagen, then Renew is the best way to treat it.
In dermatology, there is no such thing as monotherapy. There are five steps needed to achieve and maintain healthy skin: we need to correct its specific problems, we need to stimulate cell division, we need to improve the nutrition of the skin, we need to improve the functions of the cells, and we need to protect it from aging. What Renew does is improve the condition of the skin and stimulate cell division. Skin nutrition, protection, and improvement of function can be done through a patient’s skin care program, including good diet and nutrition. So the patient is also responsible for making sure that the skin receives optimal care.
It is important to combine the right treatment or treatments with a good regimen to get the best output and to maintain results.
Those who take medication that is known to increase photosensitivity are advised not to try Renew, as they risk experiencing hyperpigmentation. Pregnant women are not advised to take it. Otherwise, there is no limit, even with age.
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For more info about Renew by Affirm, call Facial Care Center at 892-SKIN.