The Rise of Treatments
The beauty industry is booming and the promise of taking years off your appearance is a billion-dollar business. Lifting, shaping, sculpting and refining your skin were once procedures only a small minority could afford, but over the last decade, they’ve become more mainstream. So much so they are likely to be offered in cosmetic clinics in your suburb, many promoted with no down time. The price tag depends on the type of procedure, number of sessions and qualification of the service provider.
Clinics spend a huge amount of money to advertise their business and services on social media and other digital channels. No doubt you’ve seen the images, paid sponsorships and adverts hitting your newsfeed. Non-surgical procedures that are growing in popularity and are regularly advertised are:
Skin treatments
- Chemical peels
- Dermal rolling and micro needling
- Microdermabrasion
Laser and similar procedures
- Fractional
- IPL and heat-based treatments
- LED
Injectables
- Dermal fillers (including collagen, hyaluronic acid)
- Muscle relaxers – Botox, Dysport
- Liquid Facelifts
- Fat melting
If you are considering any of these procedures or booking into a clinic for a consultation, it is a good idea to firstly assess the current health of your skin microbiome. Many of these procedures can be abrasive and if your skin is compromised in any way, it may do more harm than good.
Understanding Your Skin Microbiome
Your skin has billions of microflora living on its surface. This is what’s referred to as our ‘flora or microbiome’. A well-balanced microbiome with both good and bad bacteria plays a critical role in your overall health & wellness, and the appearance of your skin. These tiny microorganisms help with the production of vitamins, hormones, and chemicals that impact certain functions such as your metabolism and immune system.
Several factors determine the habitat of microflora, such as:
- Your body temperature
- Thickness of your skin
- Skin pH
- Moisture level
- Hair follicles and glands
When the bacteria living on your skin are out of balance, or where the skin barrier is broken (which can actually be triggered by a cosmetic procedure) it can contribute to chronic skin problems.
Common Skin Conditions Associated with a Compromised Microbiome
Acne vulgaris
Acne vulgaris which is a chronic inflammatory skin condition associated with the bacterium P. acnes, the most abundant organism in the microbiota of healthy adults.
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (commonly referred to as eczema) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a variety of contributing factors, including epidermal barrier impairment, immune cell activation and alterations in the community of associated skin microorganisms.
Perioral dermatitis
Perioral dermatitis is an inflammatory rash that can impact skin around the mouth and the nose. It typically appears as a scaly or red bumpy rash around the mouth. The skin can break and there can be redness, itching and a clear fluid discharge.
Need tips, help with treatment and the best products for dermatitis on the face?
Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels on your face. It may also produce small, red, pus-filled bumps.
When you are suffering from any of these skin conditions it is important to care for your skin using gentle products and techniques. This means a range of cosmetic procedures are quite simply not suitable and you’ll need to focus on healing your skin first.
Rosacea symptoms (redness and slight itching on the cheeks) can come and go, however you can manage your skin concern. Learn more about what foods trigger rosacea.
Tips for When Your Skin Microbiome is Compromised
Avoid certain procedures
Stay away from procedures such as chemical peels, dermal rolling and micro needling & microdermabrasion. These are not gentle procedures and should not be used on broken, sensitive or problem skin. As an example, micro needling uses small needles to prick the skin. The purpose of treatment is to generate new collagen and skin tissue for smoother, firmer, more toned skin. This method can draw blood and aggravate your skin microbiome.
Avoid certain treatments
Don’t use any treatments that burn the skin. Stay away from laser treatments as these have the potential to cause a lot of trauma and even result in wounds.
Restore your skin microbiome
Focus on bringing your skin microbiome back to health. Use gentle products, gentle techniques & a holistic approach. AMPERNA® has a full range of probiotic skincare products that can really help your skin. The range includes products containing a Bioferment Oligopeptide Complex. This is a Yeast Ferment Extract & Soy Amino Acid which helps to stimulate skin renewal and actively help refine & restore skin texture and radiance safely. These ingredients help to resurface the skin. The Bio Fermented Oligopeptide AMPERNA® uses in their products has been developed using sophisticated molecular screening techniques and bio fermented from a proprietary strain of yeast. This ingredient along with the hero ingredient, the active probiotic complex Lactococcus Ferment Lysate makes for products that help to support the skin barrier and are gentle enough to use on even the most sensitive of skin.
How AMPERNA® can help
Kiri, founder AMPERNA® can help you nurse your skin microbiome back to health. She has helped many people around the world through their skin care journey. Her Holistic Skin Coaching Service means you can discuss all your skin concerns and develop a tailored plan to work towards healthy glowing skin.
You get in touch here.
Sources:
https://www.realself.com/questions/ipl/burn-scar
https://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/a19548817/what-is-dermarolling/
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrmicro.2017.157
https://www.healthline.com/health/perioral-dermatitis
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/symptoms-causes/syc-20353815
