# AMA Regenerative Med & Skincare ## Transformative Skincare & Regenerative Laser Therapy in OC & LA ## [What Causes Hyperpigmentation and How to Treat It – Your Complete Guide by AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare](https://amaskincare.com/what-causes-hyperpigmentation-and-how-to-treat-it-your-complete-guide-by-ama-regenerative-medicine-skincare/) # What Causes Hyperpigmentation and How to Treat It – Your Complete Guide by AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare ## Introduction: Understanding Skin Hyperpigmentation Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skin concerns, especially among individuals living in sunny climates like Southern California. Characterized by patches of skin becoming darker than the surrounding areas, hyperpigmentation can impact self-confidence and overall skin vitality. At AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare, we take a personalized, regenerative approach to treating hyperpigmentation safely and effectively. ### What is Hyperpigmentation? Hyperpigmentation occurs when excess melanin (the pigment responsible for skin color) forms deposits in the skin. While it is harmless, it often signals underlying skin imbalances that can be corrected through holistic treatments. ![Hyperpigmentation Detail on Skin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Hyperpigmentation-Detail-on-Skin.jpg) ### What Causes Hyperpigmentation? #### Common Causes of Skin Discoloration: - **Sun Exposure:** UV rays accelerate melanin production, leading to sunspots or “age spots.” - **Hormonal Changes:** Pregnancy, birth control pills, and menopause can trigger melasma, resulting in light brown patches on the skin. - **Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH):** Dark spots appear after acne, injuries, or cosmetic procedures. - **Genetic Factors:** Some individuals are genetically predisposed to small brown spots on skin. - **Medications & Chemicals:** Certain medications, including chemotherapy drugs, can cause skin discoloration. #### Lesser-Known Causes: - **Inflammatory Skin Conditions:** Eczema and psoriasis may lead to residual dark patches. - **Environmental Toxins:** Pollution can damage skin and accelerate pigmentation issues. - **Aging:** Natural aging processes slow skin turnover, making discoloration more apparent. ### Types of Hyperpigmentation - **Melasma:** Hormonal pigmentation, typically on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. - **Sunspots (Lentigines):** Dark, flat spots due to UV damage. - **Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation:** Dark marks following skin injury or inflammation. - **Freckles:** Small brown spots often genetic and intensified by sun exposure. ### How AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare Treats Hyperpigmentation At AMA, we go beyond surface treatments by stimulating natural physiological healing processes. ### Customized Laser Therapy Protocols: - **Multi-Laser Approach:** Simultaneous use of multiple lasers to target different pigmentation depths. - **30+ State-of-the-Art Lasers:** Pigment-targeting lasers, and gentle resurfacing tools. - **Non-Invasive & Natural:** Avoid harsh chemicals, opt for body-friendly regenerative treatments. ### Regenerative & Holistic Treatments: - **Nutritional & Lifestyle Support:** Address hormonal imbalances and oxidative stress contributing to pigmentation. - **IV Therapy:** Skin-Bright IV with Copper – Boost collagen, accelerate skin repair, and promote youthful radiance. ### Prevention Tips from AMA Experts - **Daily Sunscreen:** SPF 50+ to prevent future sun damage. - **Antioxidant-Rich Skincare:** Combat oxidative stress with high-quality serums. - **Healthy Lifestyle:** Balanced diet, hydration, and reduced stress for optimal skin health. ### When to Consult AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare If you notice persistent light brown patches on skin, dark spots, or worsening discoloration despite over-the-counter products, it’s time to consult with our expert team. #### Our Promise: - Personalized Care Plans - Safe, Non-Toxic Treatments - Long-Term Skin Health Focus - Holistic Approach ### Real Patient Success Stories > My melasma has dramatically lightened after just a few sessions. The multi-laser approach works wonders! > > > > Lauren B., Los Angeles > After years of hiding my sun spots, AMA restored my confidence. The treatments are truly life-changing. > > > > Maria R., Pomona ### Take the First Step to Radiant Skin Experience the AMA difference — book your personalized hyperpigmentation consultation today and discover your path to youthful, even-toned skin or visit us online at [www.amaskincare.com](https://amaskincare.com/) **Disclaimer:** This article is for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed medical professional before starting any treatment. ### About the Authors [](/about/) ### [Alice Pien, MD & Asher Milgrom, PhD](/about/) Doctors Alice Pien, MD and Asher Milgrom, Phd are established pioneers in the fields of Regenerative Medicine and Skincare. Their expertise ranges from advanced laser systems to HCT/P – Stem Cell medicine. Their medical education and advanced certifications span from medical schools of NY State University, the University of Chicago, to Johns Hopkins, Harvard and UCLA. They approach medicine with the clinical expertise of over 85,000 successful treatments over the past 20 years and significant scientific research resulting in proprietary protocols that they customize for each individual patient. ### References 1. Biewenga GP, Haenen GR, Bast A. [The pharmacology of the antioxidant lipoic acid](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9378235/). Gen Pharmacol. 1997;29(3):315‐331. doi:10.1016/s0306-3623(96)00474-0 2. Beitner H. [Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoageing of facial skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14616378/). Br J Dermatol. 2003;149(4):841‐849. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05597.x 3. Puizina-Ivić N, Mirić L, Carija A, Karlica D, Marasović D. [Modern approach to topical treatment of aging skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20977120/). Coll Antropol. 2010;34(3):1145‐1153. 4. Sherif S, Bendas ER, Badawy S. [The clinical efficacy of cosmeceutical application of liquid crystalline nanostructured dispersions of alpha lipoic acid as anti-wrinkle](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24056055/). Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2014;86(2):251‐259. doi:10.1016/j.ejpb.2013.09.008 5. Salinthone S, Yadav V, Schillace RV, Bourdette DN, Carr DW. [Lipoic acid attenuates inflammation via cAMP and protein kinase A signaling](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20927401/). PLoS One. 2010;5(9):e13058. Published 2010 Sep 28. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013058 6. Ziegler D, Ametov A, Barinov A, et al. [Oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17065669/). Diabetes Care. 2006;29(11):2365‐2370. doi:10.2337/dc06-1216 7. Golbidi S, Badran M, Laher I. [Diabetes and alpha lipoic Acid](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3221300/). Front Pharmacol. 2011;2:69. Published 2011 Nov 17. doi:10.3389/fphar.2011.00069 8. Salehi B, Berkay Yılmaz Y, Antika G, et al. [Insights on the Use of α-Lipoic Acid for Therapeutic Purposes](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6723188/). Biomolecules. 2019;9(8):356. Published 2019 Aug 9. doi:10.3390/biom9080356 9. Ghibu S, Richard C, Delemasure S, Vergely C, Mogosan C, Muresan A. Un dithiol endogène aux propriétés antioxydantes: l’acide alpha-lipoïque, utilisation potentielle dans les pathologies cardiovasculaires [[An endogenous dithiol with antioxidant properties: alpha-lipoic acid, potential uses in cardiovascular diseases](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18571145/)]. Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris). 2008;57(3):161‐165. doi:10.1016/j.ancard.2008.02.018 10. Silvestri S, Orlando P, Armeni T, et al. [Coenzyme Q10 and α-lipoic acid: antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects in plasma and peripheral blood lymphocytes of supplemented subjects](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4512890/). J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2015;57(1):21‐26. doi:10.3164/jcbn.14-130 11. Skibska B, Goraca A. [The protective effect of lipoic acid on selected cardiovascular diseases caused by age-related oxidative stress](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4407629/). Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2015;2015:313021. doi:10.1155/2015/313021 12. Suh JH, Moreau R, Heath SH, Hagen TM. [Dietary supplementation with (R)-alpha-lipoic acid reverses the age-related accumulation of iron and depletion of antioxidants in the rat cerebral cortex](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15829111/). Redox Rep. 2005;10(1):52‐60. doi:10.1179/135100005X21624 13. Berkson, Burton & Rubin, Daniel & Berkson, Arthur. (2009). [Revisiting the ALA/N ( -Lipoic Acid/Low-Dose Naltrexone) Protocol for People With Metastatic and Nonmetastatic Pancreatic Cancer: A Report of 3 New Cases](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/40819400_Revisiting_the_ALAN_-Lipoic_AcidLow-Dose_Naltrexone_Protocol_for_People_With_Metastatic_and_Nonmetastatic_Pancreatic_Cancer_A_Report_of_3_New_Cases). Integrative cancer therapies. 8. 416-22. 10.1177/1534735409352082. 14. Di Geronimo G, Caccese AF, Caruso L, Soldati A, Passaretti U. [Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome with alpha-lipoic acid](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19499849/). _Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci_. 2009;13(2):133‐139. 15. Scaramuzza A, Giani E, Redaelli F, et al. [Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Antioxidant Diet Help to Improve Endothelial Dysfunction in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26171398/). _J Diabetes Res_. 2015;2015:474561. doi:10.1155/2015/474561 16. Skibska B, Goraca A. [The protective effect of lipoic acid on selected cardiovascular diseases caused by age-related oxidative stress](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25949771/). _Oxid Med Cell Longev_. 2015;2015:313021. doi:10.1155/2015/313021 ### Share this entry [Facebook-f](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&t=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?text=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/?p=6934) [Pinterest-p](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amaskincare.com%2Fsun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin%2F&description=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&media=https%3A%2F%2Ftzyc95.a2cdn1.secureserver.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F11%2Fsun-damaged-skin3-copy-705x397.jpg) [Linkedin-in](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) [Reddit-alien](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Mail-bulk](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&body=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) ## You might also like [![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/whatisacne-705x325-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-acne-what-causes-acne/) ### [Acne : What is it? What Causes it? The Basic Science](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-acne-what-causes-acne/) [![what is rosacea causes symptoms](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/what-is-rosacea-causes-symptoms-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-rosacea-causes-how-to-treat/) ### [What is Rosacea? What is that Redness on My Face?](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-rosacea-causes-how-to-treat/) [![Skin Tags : Causes, Prevention, Removal](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/what-are-skin-tags-2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-are-skin-tags-causes-get-rid-of/) ### [Skin Tags : Causes, Prevention, Removal](https://amaskincare.com/what-are-skin-tags-causes-get-rid-of/) ## [The Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid – More than Just Skin Care](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-ala-alpha-lipoic-acid-benefits/) # The Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid – More than Just Skin Care ![The Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/whatisalabenefitsheader2-495x400-1.webp) If we deliver Alpha Lipoic Acid to damaged skin will it help it? Every so often the airwaves fill with news about a new miracle substance that can cause [skin tightening](/treatments/necktite-non-surgical-neck-tightening-procedure/) and make your skin young again, as if you magically had a neck lift or [non-surgical face lift](/treatments/spectralift-non-surgical-laser-facelift/). Some of these substances are synthetic but most are compounds discovered from some sort of natural source, like a rare melon that is grown only in France or an even rarer orchid found only in a mysterious jungle somewhere.  Of course, the more rare the plant, the more expensive the product, which only increases the hype about it. Most of these substances are animated by the marketing hype about them, which points to the unfortunate fact that few, if any, of them actually undergo serious scientific research and clinical testing.  Most are like a flash in the pan, and as the media hype-wave passes, the substance recedes from memory in perfect timing with the arrival of the next new miracle substance promising miracle skin rejuvenation. On the other hand, a few of these substances actually do work, and some have been around long enough that scientific studies have validated some of the claims made in the media. One such substance is Alpha Lipoic Acid. Alpha Lipoic Acid not only benefits your skin, but has many other important roles. ## What is Alpha Lipoic Acid? Alpha Lipoic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in many plants and animals and is also produced in our human bodies. It has many important biochemical roles in human physiology and is found in every single cell in our bodies. Some of the roles include: ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/alpha-lipoic-acid-inside-cell.webp) Alpha Lipoic Acid is found in every single cell in our bodies. ## 1. It’s a Powerful Antioxidant Alpha Lipoic acid is a powerful [antioxidant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioxidant) that participates in many different physiological functions. As we all know, oxidative damage also prematurely ages our skin, causing [wrinkling](/what-are-wrinkles-causes-prevention/), thinning and skin cancers.  Thus, anything that enhances our skin’s ability to fight oxidative damage, will also increase its heath, supporting skin tightening and skin rejuvenation. ## Treatment of Cancer Alpha Lipoic Acid is now commonly used as an “integrative oncology” IV therapy for various cancers with remarkable results, including [pancreatic cancer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreatic_cancer).  The general medical establishment is quite negative about such out-of-the-box treatments, but associated clinical studies are solid, and no sane person can argue with the results. For this article, our point is clear:  If ALA can help heal a patient with cancer, it certainly cannot hurt to use it for aging damaged skin, with wrinkles, [jowls](/treatments/necktite-non-surgical-neck-tightening-procedure/), acne, [cystic acne](http://zng.c7a.myftpupload.com/what-is-acne-what-causes-acne/) or perhaps [rosacea](/treatments/laser-rosacea-treatment/). ## 2. It’s a Generator of Cellular Activity It has a critical role as a “co-factor” in the generation of energy in every single cell. More and more, in skincare clinics such as ours who practice advanced Integrative Medicine, IV therapy is becoming an integral and critical component of effective protocols for overall health and wellbeing, including that of the skin. ## How Your Cells Generate Energy Every cell in the body must generate its own energy.  Our bodies are NOT engineered like our neighborhoods, where a central power station feeds (supplies) each of our homes.  Every home must have its own energy generator. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/alamitochondia-180x180-1.webp) Mitochondria are small “organelles” that exist inside each of our cells. ## Mitochondria are the Powerhouse of Every Cell Every cell uses the same physiological “machine” to generate energy called [Mitochondria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondrion).   Mitochondria are small “[organelles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organelle)” that exist inside each of our cells.  Within each mitochondria, the primary biochemical pathway that converts food into energy that the cell can use is called the [Citric Acid Cycle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citric_acid_cycle).  Thus, carbohydrates and fats are converted into the molecule “ATP” which is the primary chemical “fuel” that cells use to live and function.  Alpha Lipoic Acid is a key component in this pathway.  Without Alpha Lipoic Acid the cycle would stop, our cells would not be able to produce energy to function (ATP), the cell would die and shortly thereafter so would we.   This applies to all the different types of cells that comprise the skin as well. If each of them is not fully functioning at the level of their mitochondria, the skin will deteriorate, prematurely age, wrinkle, sag, and become more susceptible to cancer.  On the other hand, treatments that energize the mitochondria of skin cells, will cause skin tightening, lifting, toning, and overall skin rejuvenation.  Such treatments should be combined with laser skin tightening, non-surgical facelift, skin resurfacing, [neck lift](/treatments/necktite-non-surgical-neck-tightening-procedure/), and any other protocol that is integrative in nature. ## Ozone Knowledge Nugget Ozone is known to energize mitochondria in a direct and profound way.  Though the scientific explanation goes beyond the scope of this article, I will address ozone in a forthcoming article.  For now know, that mitochondrial stimulation is the reason that our protocols combine ozone with CIA. (Collagen Induction Acupuncture). ## 3. It’s an Anti-Inflammatory Alpha Lipoic Acid has mild anti-inflammatory properties. Ever seen severely [sun damaged skin](/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/)?  Is there any doubt in your mind that it is chronically inflamed?  Thus, it is easy to see why Alpha Lipoic Acid benefits sun-damaged skin and is expected to have a profoundly curative anti-inflammatory effect on the skin ## 4. It has Positive Anti-Aging Effects Alpha Lipoic Acid may have a positive “anti-aging” effect by inhibiting “cross bridging”. ### The Science of Aging Skin One of the biochemical characteristics of the aging process and aging tissue is the bonding together of molecules that should be separate. These chemical bonds are referred to as cross-bridges. Though we do not understand why this occurs, proteins in tissues of older individuals tend to “cross-bridge”, which impairs their ability to function properly. “Hardening of the arteries” (Arterial sclerosis) is an example of damage caused by cross-bridging, and so is wrinkling of skin. ## 5. It’s a Heavy Metal Detox Lastly, Alpha Lipoic Acid can help our bodies remove toxic heavy metals. ## Some Metals are Good Our bodies naturally use specific metals as a healthy and necessary part of our physiology.  Copper, iron, zinc, manganese, chromium, molybdenum and selenium are found in small quantities (referred to as “trace” elements) as important components of certain molecules.  A well-known example is the critical presence of iron in our hemoglobin.  However, other metals, usually classified as “heavy metals” such as lead, mercury, cadmium and aluminum are toxic to us and do not play a role in our physiologies. When somehow we absorb them, they are not only toxic but hard to get rid of as well.  For example mercury that you inadvertently absorbed as a child, will remain in your body for life, causing toxic damage the entire time. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heavymetalsala.webp) ### Chelation – Getting Rid of Toxic Heavy Metals The process of getting rid of toxic heavy metals is called “[chelation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelation)”.  Biochemically speaking, the foreign heavy metal is bound to another molecule that the body can process through a filtering mechanism.  The body does this naturally but only to a limited extent.  Essentially, the foreign toxic heavy metal that the body doesn’t handle well, is “hitched” or “chelated” to a naturally occurring healthy molecule that the body is designed to handle… and the good molecule tows the toxic metal molecule through a filtering process that eliminates it through the urine or feces.  When a person is carrying a significant heavy metal load, their body will need help in getting rid of it. In such cases, Chelation Therapy, wherein the patient takes therapeutic amounts of these healthy chelating compounds, either orally and/or through IV therapy, in order to detoxify from the toxic heavy metals. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/alpha-lipoic-acid-soluability.webp) The matter of solubility is a key factor. For instance, sugar and salt dissolve easily in water, but neither of them will dissolve in oil. ## How Alpha Lipoic Acid Works One of the reasons that Alpha Lipoic Acid benefits our physiology and has so many roles is its unusual property of being soluble in both fat and water. This unusual characteristic is called: “amphiphilic”. One of the reasons that Alpha Lipoic Acid benefits our physiology and has so many roles is its unusual property of being soluble in both fat and water.  This unusual characteristic is called: “[amphiphilic](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphiphilic)”. ## It’s a Matter of Solubility When it comes to the biochemistry of animal physiology, the matter of solubility is a key factor.  As we know from our experience in the kitchen, some substances can be dissolved in water and others only in oil. For instance, sugar and salt dissolve easily in water, but neither of them will dissolve in oil.  On the other hand butter will not dissolve in water, but does dissolve in fat or oil. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/whatisalaoilandwater-177x300-1.webp) In fact everybody knows that “oil and water don’t mix”, which means that they do not dissolve in each other.  Therefore it stands to reason that a substance that dissolves in one of them will not dissolve in the other.  An exception to this would be an amphiphilic compound such as Alpha Lipoic Acid which dissolves in both. ### Why is Solubility Important? The reason properties of solubility are important is because animal physiology can be divided into two primary internal environments; 1. [Hydrous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrate) environments that are dominated by water, such as inside and outside of our cells (intracellular and extracellular environments) 2. [Anhydrous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anhydrous) environments that are dominated by fats (lipids or oils), such as the membranes of our cells which are made up primarily of fats, lipid tissues such as the fat under our skin (subcutaneous fat), and certain organs such as breast tissue. Thus, physiologically active chemicals such as vitamins that need to function in a water (hydrous) environment need to be water soluble, whereas vitamins that need to function in a fat (lipid) environment need to be fat soluble. ##### Knowledge Nugget By the way, solubility is also a critically important consideration of the design of medications and their proper prescription.  For example, to be effective as a drug that fights a bladder infection it must be water soluble in order to collect and be active in the urine, whereas a drug that is engineered for breast tissue will need to be lipid soluble, as breast tissue is predominantly composed of lipids. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/alpha-lipoic-acid-skin.webp) Now that we know a few of the benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid, is it good for our skin? ## The Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid There are a number of conditions for which ALA supplements have proven beneficial. - [Immune boosting](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/lipoic-acid) - [Diabetes Neurological Complications](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2836194/) - [Arterial Sclerosis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3075920/) - [Heart Disease](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4407629/) - [Memory Loss](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4437336/) - [Carpal Tunnel Syndrome](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19499849/) ## Does Alpha Lipoic Acid Benefit Your Skin? Now that we know a few of the benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid, the reason for this article is to address whether or not it can be good for our skin as either a topical or oral product. Obviously all the different types of cells that we have in our skin benefit from what Alpha Lipoic Acid does for all cells.  (Functions 1-5 listed above)  So the critical question becomes, if we deliver Alpha Lipoic Acid to damaged skin will it help it?  Theoretically, it should help… but does it? ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/whatisalatopical-.webp) Can ALA be good for our skin as a topical product? ## Science Doesn’t Really Know Unfortunately, this is precisely where much medical science falls short.  Many things we think we understand about our physiology that lead us to developing a particular therapy or product that according to our ‘theories’ should work, don’t work when clinically tested.  Often times even substances that work when tested on cell cultures in a laboratory setting, do not work when tested on living beings.  Worse yet, sometimes our theoretical therapies actually cause damage. ##### Knowledge Nugget The truth is, that as much as we think we understand about our physiology, we are barely scratching the surface of its actual complexity.  Indeed, every individual element of human physiology is complicated, and when millions of these elements are combined into a single interrelated, exquisitely balanced, complete and synergistic system… and then integrated into all the other dimensions of life that are beyond physiology… we end up with beings that are infinitely complex. I am not the first to say such a thing… but exploring the “inner engineering” of human physiology is like touching the mind of God. ## The Final Analysis of Alpha Lipoic Acid In the case of Alpha Lipoic Acid and its benefits, some clinical testing has been conducted with encouraging, but not conclusive results.  Topical products containing Alpha Lipoic Acid have reduced fine lines and wrinkles to various extents.  However, much more clinical testing is needed before a definitive conclusion about the efficacy of Alpha Lipoic Acid can be reached.  This can also be said about treating acne, [cystic acne](http://zng.c7a.myftpupload.com/services/cystic-acne-treatment/), rosacea, sun damaged skin, [age spots](http://zng.c7a.myftpupload.com/services/age-spots-sun-spots-tattoo/) and [sun spots](http://zng.c7a.myftpupload.com/how-to-prevent-age-spots/). The good news is, that evidence does exist that Alpha Lipoic Acid benefits the skin and can help, and we know that it can’t hurt you.  This alone is progress when compared to other popular products that can cause irritation and even damage when overused such as Tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova), especially for people who are hypersensitive to it. One last point.  Should you choose to use Alpha Lipoic Acid products, make sure that the product uses the ‘R’ form of Alpha Lipoic Acid, which is more effective than the ‘S’ form. ### About the Authors [](/about/) ### [Alice Pien, MD & Asher Milgrom, PhD](/about/) Doctors Alice Pien, MD and Asher Milgrom, Phd are established pioneers in the fields of Regenerative Medicine and Skincare. Their expertise ranges from advanced laser systems to HCT/P – Stem Cell medicine. Their medical education and advanced certifications span from medical schools of NY State University, the University of Chicago, to Johns Hopkins, Harvard and UCLA. They approach medicine with the clinical expertise of over 85,000 successful treatments over the past 20 years and significant scientific research resulting in proprietary protocols that they customize for each individual patient. ### References 1. Biewenga GP, Haenen GR, Bast A. [The pharmacology of the antioxidant lipoic acid](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9378235/). Gen Pharmacol. 1997;29(3):315‐331. doi:10.1016/s0306-3623(96)00474-0 2. Beitner H. [Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoageing of facial skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14616378/). Br J Dermatol. 2003;149(4):841‐849. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05597.x 3. Puizina-Ivić N, Mirić L, Carija A, Karlica D, Marasović D. [Modern approach to topical treatment of aging skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20977120/). Coll Antropol. 2010;34(3):1145‐1153. 4. Sherif S, Bendas ER, Badawy S. [The clinical efficacy of cosmeceutical application of liquid crystalline nanostructured dispersions of alpha lipoic acid as anti-wrinkle](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24056055/). Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2014;86(2):251‐259. doi:10.1016/j.ejpb.2013.09.008 5. Salinthone S, Yadav V, Schillace RV, Bourdette DN, Carr DW. [Lipoic acid attenuates inflammation via cAMP and protein kinase A signaling](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20927401/). PLoS One. 2010;5(9):e13058. Published 2010 Sep 28. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013058 6. Ziegler D, Ametov A, Barinov A, et al. [Oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17065669/). Diabetes Care. 2006;29(11):2365‐2370. doi:10.2337/dc06-1216 7. Golbidi S, Badran M, Laher I. [Diabetes and alpha lipoic Acid](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3221300/). Front Pharmacol. 2011;2:69. Published 2011 Nov 17. doi:10.3389/fphar.2011.00069 8. Salehi B, Berkay Yılmaz Y, Antika G, et al. [Insights on the Use of α-Lipoic Acid for Therapeutic Purposes](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6723188/). Biomolecules. 2019;9(8):356. Published 2019 Aug 9. doi:10.3390/biom9080356 9. Ghibu S, Richard C, Delemasure S, Vergely C, Mogosan C, Muresan A. Un dithiol endogène aux propriétés antioxydantes: l’acide alpha-lipoïque, utilisation potentielle dans les pathologies cardiovasculaires [[An endogenous dithiol with antioxidant properties: alpha-lipoic acid, potential uses in cardiovascular diseases](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18571145/)]. Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris). 2008;57(3):161‐165. doi:10.1016/j.ancard.2008.02.018 10. Silvestri S, Orlando P, Armeni T, et al. [Coenzyme Q10 and α-lipoic acid: antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects in plasma and peripheral blood lymphocytes of supplemented subjects](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4512890/). J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2015;57(1):21‐26. doi:10.3164/jcbn.14-130 11. Skibska B, Goraca A. [The protective effect of lipoic acid on selected cardiovascular diseases caused by age-related oxidative stress](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4407629/). Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2015;2015:313021. doi:10.1155/2015/313021 12. Suh JH, Moreau R, Heath SH, Hagen TM. [Dietary supplementation with (R)-alpha-lipoic acid reverses the age-related accumulation of iron and depletion of antioxidants in the rat cerebral cortex](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15829111/). Redox Rep. 2005;10(1):52‐60. doi:10.1179/135100005X21624 13. Berkson, Burton & Rubin, Daniel & Berkson, Arthur. (2009). [Revisiting the ALA/N ( -Lipoic Acid/Low-Dose Naltrexone) Protocol for People With Metastatic and Nonmetastatic Pancreatic Cancer: A Report of 3 New Cases](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/40819400_Revisiting_the_ALAN_-Lipoic_AcidLow-Dose_Naltrexone_Protocol_for_People_With_Metastatic_and_Nonmetastatic_Pancreatic_Cancer_A_Report_of_3_New_Cases). Integrative cancer therapies. 8. 416-22. 10.1177/1534735409352082. 14. Di Geronimo G, Caccese AF, Caruso L, Soldati A, Passaretti U. [Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome with alpha-lipoic acid](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19499849/). _Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci_. 2009;13(2):133‐139. 15. Scaramuzza A, Giani E, Redaelli F, et al. [Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Antioxidant Diet Help to Improve Endothelial Dysfunction in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26171398/). _J Diabetes Res_. 2015;2015:474561. doi:10.1155/2015/474561 16. Skibska B, Goraca A. [The protective effect of lipoic acid on selected cardiovascular diseases caused by age-related oxidative stress](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25949771/). _Oxid Med Cell Longev_. 2015;2015:313021. doi:10.1155/2015/313021 ### Share this entry [Facebook-f](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&t=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?text=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/?p=6934) [Pinterest-p](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amaskincare.com%2Fsun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin%2F&description=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&media=https%3A%2F%2Ftzyc95.a2cdn1.secureserver.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F11%2Fsun-damaged-skin3-copy-705x397.jpg) [Linkedin-in](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) [Reddit-alien](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Mail-bulk](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&body=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) ## You might also like [![Shaving VS Laser Hair Removal](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/toshaveornottoshave-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/to-shave-or-not-to-shave/) ### [Shaving VS Laser Hair Removal? Which is Better?](https://amaskincare.com/to-shave-or-not-to-shave/) [![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/header-stretch-mark-causes.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-causes-stretch-marks-how-to-prevent-them/) ### [What Causes Stretch Marks & How to Prevent Them](https://amaskincare.com/what-causes-stretch-marks-how-to-prevent-them/) [![Stress can cause unwanted changes in your body and skin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/theeffectsofstressonskin-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/learn-how-stress-can-mess-with-your-beauty/) ### [The Effects of Stress on the Body and Skin](https://amaskincare.com/learn-how-stress-can-mess-with-your-beauty/) ## [Scars : Prevention of New Ones and Treatment of Old Ones](https://amaskincare.com/scars-prevention-of-new-ones-and-treatment-of-old-ones/) # Scars : Prevention of New Ones and Treatment of Old Ones ![girl with scar on arm header](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/girl-with-scar-on-arm-header2.jpg) At some point in our life, each and every one of us has had a injury that turned into a permanent scar. **Everyone’s been there…** Maybe it’s from falling down, taking a nasty spill, a sports injury, an animal bite, surgery or doing just about anything else, injuries to the body happen. It’s just one of those things. Sometimes these injuries heal up without a problem. Other times the skin will scar, becoming a permanent reminder of the former injury. However, for those who want to know how to prevent scarring, or reduce the appearance of a scar that is already there, there are several tips and/or scar treatments that can help. By taking these into account, you will not only learn how to prevent new scars from forming, you will also learn how to significantly reduce the appearance of any scars that you may already have. ## How a Scar is Formed Scarring happens in many shapes and forms. Sometimes these are small facial scars caused by a bad acne breakout. Other times these are long cuts along the body. Depending on the severity of the injury and the deepness of the cut there may be no way to completely prevent scarring from occurring. Other times it is possible to prevent extensive damage and to allow the skin to heal up and return to its natural form. While some people consider scars cool, most people would prefer not to display these battle scars of past injuries. ### First the Injury, then the Scab After an injury to the dermis, which is the thicker layer of skin under the top layer (epidermis), the body will begin to produce new collagen fibers. [Collagen is a protein found within the body](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-collagen-basic-biology/). After the injury clots off and crusts into a scab, your body uses this collagen to kick-start the healing process. The tissue forms over the injury, so if there is a large indentation or separation between the current healthy skin, the scar may grow into a different texture and look different from the rest of the skin. ![Scar formation process](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/the-scar-formation-process3.png) The scar formation process. ### Development of the Scar Tissue The way a scar develops on the body differs not only from injury to injury but also from person to person. Typically, a scar will look paler (it may not have as much pigment in the new tissue as the current skin) than the surrounding skin. Some individuals produce more collagen than others, which leads to a raised scar. Younger people are more likely to develop raised scars than flat or sloping scars because their bodies naturally produce more collagen. Those with a naturally darker skin tone also produce more collagen and are more likely to end up with a raised scar. ![How Stretch Marks Form](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/how-stretch-mark-scars-form2.png) How stretch mark scars form. ### Stretch Marks are Scars Too Stretch marks are actually scars. Most often these [stretch mark scars occur during pregnancy](https://amaskincare.com/what-causes-stretch-marks-how-to-prevent-them/) or weight gain, but they can also happen during a growth spurt or rapid muscle gain. Simply stated, the collagen layer in the dermis of the skin is not able to keep pace with the expansion of the body, resulting in damaged collagen that actually splits the skin. That is why stretch marks can appear just about anywhere. Most commonly they are found around the shoulders and chest, around the back or around the stomach. As mentioned above, stretch marks form differently than other types of scars. However, it is still possible to [treat stretch marks](https://amaskincare.com/how-to-get-rid-of-stretch-marks-which-treatments-work/) to help reduce their appearance. ## How to Prevent Scarring Timing is everything when it comes to preventing a scar from forming. The best time is right when it happens, when the collagen cells are young. It’s easier to prevent scarring after an injury than it is to remove a scar after it forms. While someone might not care one way or the other immediately after the injury whether they end up with a scar or not, they may care later on down the road. That is the main reason someone should try to prevent scarring. Once it forms, it becomes that much more difficult (and potentially expensive) to get rid of. _**Watch the video :** Laser Scar Removal – How Scars are Removed_ ### Scar Prevention Steps to Take First, it is super important to keep your injury out of the sun. The sun is one of the fastest ways to ensure the scar becomes permanent. Since the amount of pigment in the new collagen differs from the rest of the body, it will not react to the sun in the same way as the rest of your skin. Next, it is important to apply moisturizing lotion to the area. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is also critical. The newly formed skin in the area needs to stay hydrated. In addition, avoid sodium or beverages high in salt, such as soft drinks and juices, as these items can lead to dehydration. Finally, if the skin is already scarred or if a new scar is developing, there is one topical treatment that stands above the rest. Cocoa butter cream is one of the best topical treatments as it contains lots of vitamin E. Most skin care products marketed as scar reduction creams have both cocoa butter and vitamin E included as their main ingredients. ### Traumatic and Medical Scars When a scar slopes in or looks like a pit in the skin this is often due to a mass being removed from under the skin. This is common following a physical trauma or a surgical procedure. There isn’t much that can be done to prevent scars from forming in these situations. However, there are scar treatments such as revision surgery or [subcision](https://amaskincare.com/cause-treatment-of-acne-acne-scarring/) that may be able to help reduce the appearance of these types of scars. ## Medical Treatments to Remove Scars The are many different treatments available to reduce the appearance of scars. The type of scar you have will determine which treatment is best for you. ### Treatments for More Serious Scarring ![Scar revision surgery can reduce the look of severe scars](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/scar-revision-surgery.jpg) Scar revision surgery can minimize the appearance of serious scars. ### Scar Revision Surgery Scar revision surgery is a procedure designed to minimize the appearance of a scar. During this procedure the scar tissue is surgically removed and the wound is re-sutured utilizing advanced techniques in wound closure. The end result is a much less noticeable scar that blends more with the surrounding skin. For raised scars, such as keloid scars, the surgeon will probably not recommend surgery. These types of scars are more likely to keep developing, even after surgery. Trying to remove a raised scar may could end up causing further scaring after the procedure. ### Steroid Injections Steroid injections are another option. This is one of the better options for those who suffer from raised scars. ### Radiotherapy Radiotherapy is another treatment designed to help with raised scars, though it’s usually reserved for serious cases where the scaring is extensive. There are side effects that might pop up due to the exposure of radiation during this treatment. ### Subcision Sometimes, very complicated scars can develop adhesions, where the scar tissue penetrates down below the skin, like roots that hold the skin down which creates dimpling. When this happens, a procedure called subcision is used, wherein these adhesions are released, cut through with a special needle that release the adhesions allowing the skin to float freely. ### Treatments for Medium to Minor Scarring ![Laser scar removal can effectively transform your scars](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/laser-scar-removal.jpg) Laser scar removal protocols have the ability to transform your scars. ### Laser Scar Removal Many different types of scars, created by many different types of events, on many different parts of the body, can be effectively treated with lasers. Usually, newer scars on a person do respond better and faster to treatment than older scars on that same person. A typical [laser scar removal](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/laser-scar-removal/) protocol consists of 5 to 7 laser treatment sessions. ### Dermabrasion Dermabrasion, a skincare treatment offered at spas, is another option. The process removes the top layer of skin, exposing the new layer of skin underneath. This can not only help with [preventing the development of acne](https://amaskincare.com/scars-prevention-of-new-ones-and-treatment-of-old-ones/) and reduce the appearance of fine lines, but it may help with the appearance of a scar. Many treatments, and time, will be needed to reduce the appearance of a scar. ### Microdermabrasion Microdermabrasion is a type of dermabrasion that is less invasive and can be done every few weeks since it does not remove as much of the skin. This makes it less effective than dermabrasion for reducing the appearance of scarring. Microdermabrasion is a good procedure to test out before moving on to the more extreme dermabrasion. Especially is you have sensitive skin. ### Dermal Fillers Another effective scar treatment are dermal filler injections. This procedure involves injecting a naturally occurring substance, scientifically modified, under the scar to help smooth out the appearance. Dermal fillers are most commonly used to fill in wrinkles, although they can also be used to fill in scars as well. When there aren’t many other options for reducing the appearance or to prevent the development of scarring, dermal fillers might be an option to consider. ### Chemical Peels Chemical peels are used to primarily for mild scarring such as scarring left over from acne. A chemical solution is used that removes the outer layer of the skin allowing new healthy skin to take its place. The chemical peel also inflicts trauma to the skin which stimulates the body to produce new healthy collagen. It is this new collagen that fills in the scared areas of the skin. ### Microneedling Last but not least, there is [microneedling](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/microneedling/). Microneedling is a procedure wherein tiny holes are punctured in the skin to stimulate the production of new healthy collagen. As we all know, collagen is the body’s natural wrinkle-fighting agent. The microneedling procedure can help with the development of new healthy skin around the scar. This can help fill in the scar, raising it back to the natural level of your skin. This scar treatment works with finer scars and may not be the best option if you have a thicker, wider scar, or one that is raised. ## Conclusion There are numerous “incidents” that can end up causing a scar but there are also many ways to prevent a scar from forming. Knowing how to prevent scarring will help you to keep future “accidents” from turning into a scar. Or, at the very least, keep that scar as small and inconspicuous as possible. For those worried about their appearance, now you know the necessary steps to prevent the development of a scar after a scab from an injury forms. Be safe out there! ### About the Authors [](https://amaskincare.com/about/) ### [Alice Pien, MD & Asher Milgrom, PhD](https://amaskincare.com/about/) Doctors Alice Pien, MD and Asher Milgrom, Phd are established pioneers in the fields of Regenerative Medicine and Skincare. Their expertise ranges from advanced laser systems to HCT/P – Stem Cell medicine. Their medical education and advanced certifications span from medical schools of NY State University, the University of Chicago, to Johns Hopkins, Harvard and UCLA. They approach medicine with the clinical expertise of over 85,000 successful treatments over the past 20 years and significant scientific research resulting in proprietary protocols that they customize for each individual patient. ### References 1. Yang SW, Geng ZJ, Ma K, Sun XY, Fu XB. [Comparison of the histological morphology between normal skin and scar tissue](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27072974/). J Huazhong Univ Sci Technolog Med Sci. 2016 Apr;36(2):265-269 2. Ferguson MW, O’Kane S. [Scar-free healing: from embryonic mechanisms to adult therapeutic intervention](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15293811/). Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2004 May 29;359(1445):839-50 3. Mobley SR, Sjogren PP. [Soft tissue trauma and scar revision](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1064740614000911). Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2014 Nov;22(4):639-51 4. Ward RE, Sklar LR, Eisen DB. [Surgical and Noninvasive Modalities for Scar Revision](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0733863519300269). Dermatol Clin. 2019 Jul;37(3):375-386 5. Chang CW, Ries WR. [Nonoperative techniques for scar management and revision](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11735062/). Facial Plast Surg. 2001 Nov;17(4):283-8 **Tags:** Scar, Stretch Marks ### Share this entry [Facebook-f](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&t=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?text=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/?p=6934) [Pinterest-p](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amaskincare.com%2Fsun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin%2F&description=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&media=https%3A%2F%2Ftzyc95.a2cdn1.secureserver.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F11%2Fsun-damaged-skin3-copy-705x397.jpg) [Linkedin-in](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) [Reddit-alien](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Mail-bulk](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&body=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) ## You might also like [![Melasma is most often caused by sun exposure and hormonal changes from pregnancy or birth control.](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasmacausesheader-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/melasma-causes-dark-spots-skin/) ### [Melasma Causes – What Causes the Dark Spots on My Skin?](https://amaskincare.com/melasma-causes-dark-spots-skin/) [![DMAE – Is it Really](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/skintighteningdmaebenefits2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/dmae-is-it-really-a-facelift-in-a-jar/) ### [DMAE – Is it Really a “Facelift-in-a-Jar”?](https://amaskincare.com/dmae-is-it-really-a-facelift-in-a-jar/) [![A massage therapist performing Myofascial Release Therapy.](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/myofascialrelease-495x352-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/heal-your-body-with-myofascial-release/) ### [Myofascial Release Therapy – Heal Your Body Holistically](https://amaskincare.com/heal-your-body-with-myofascial-release/) ## [Eczema Treatment Tips for Adult and Baby Eczema](https://amaskincare.com/eczema-treatment-adults-babies/) # Eczema Treatment Tips for Adult and Baby Eczema ![eczema-treatment](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eczema-treatment.jpg) Eczema Treatment – Tips on how to treat adult and baby eczema Treating [eczema](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-eczema-symptoms-causes-types/), a condition whose [cause remains unclear](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1397720/#__sec7title), can turn out to be a rather sensitive topic. For one thing, most over-the-counter and doctor-prescribed treatments for eczema have been proven to be ineffective – not to mention expensive and laced with side effects. That being said, it’s important to know how to prevent the evolution of mild cases of eczema and alleviate the pain caused by the more severe ones. ## Eczema Treatment Tips for Adults The truth is [modern medicine still can’t pinpoint exactly what will work](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1397720/#__sec12title) for the appearance of eczema rashes on your skin. Some treatments work wonders for some, while other treatments work wonders for others. What we do know is that the following steps are a great start in treating your eczema. ![Eczema creams help treat adult eczema effectively](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/adult-excema-treatment.webp) Eczema creams can be effective against adult eczema. ### 1. Preemptive Skin Care Works Best for Mild Eczema There are several steps you can take, in order to make sure your eczema stays manageable. Here’s what good skin care looks like: - Moisturize your skin on a daily basis—and always remember to do so within 3 minutes of bathing. This helps ‘lock in’ skin moisture. - Wear soft cotton—avoid wool, or other rough and scratchy fabrics, as well as tight clothing. - Bathe and shower in warm, not hot water, with alcohol-free soap and/or shower gel. - Don’t rub your skin dry with the towel—pat it dry. - Learn what your eczema triggers are and avoid them. If you react to pet hair, consider dispensing with your carpeting and applying anti-dander treatment to your pets. - Avoid rapid temperature changes, if you can, and also try to steer clear of profuse sweating. - Trim your nails to make sure scratching that eczema itch won’t break your skin and cause further complications. ![Hylatopic helps moisturize skin and reduce itching and flaking](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hylatopic-plus-cream-eczema.jpg) Hylatopic is used to soften and moisturize the skin and decrease itching and flaking ### 2. Some High Strength Emollients CAN Work Wonders for Eczema When [the skin is functioning properly](https://amaskincare.com/top-11-amazing-functions-of-the-skin/), its main feature is to create a barrier between your body and the outside world. For people with eczema, this barrier often breaks down. That’s where strong moisturizers step in – [we’re talking moisturizers that can only be obtained at a doctor’s office](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK363123/). Brand names include [Mimyx](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-94111/mimyx-topical/details), [Epicuren](https://epicuren.com/collections/moisturizers), and [Hylatopic Plus](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-152482/hylatopic-topical/details). Bear in mind that these are not cosmetic-grade moisturizers, since they don’t contain alcohol or anti-aging ingredients. Proper use involves applying them liberally and frequently, up to 3 times a day, directly to the eczema patches. You will need to try several products to find which one works best for your skin, as some will tend to leave it oilier than others. Finally, proper use of creams or ointments can reduce or eliminate your need for topical [corticosteroid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corticosteroid) treatment. ### 3. Topical Corticosteroids for Eczema Should be used Sparily If you suffer from severe eczema, your doctor may prescribe such [coticosteroids to help control particularly harsh flare-ups](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424899/), when your skin becomes very red and irritated. It’s important to use steroids in conjunction with ointments and only use it for short bursts. Using steroids to keep your eczema in check on the long-term can come to cause further complications. ![OTC Hydrocortisone cream soothes redness, itching, and inflammation](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hydrocortisone-cream-for-eczema.jpg) OTC Hydrocortisone cream is a milder steroid and works on the skin by reducing redness, itching and inflammation **These include:** - Thinner skin - More prominent blood vessels - Emergence of fine hairs on the affected area - [Stretch marks](https://amaskincare.com/what-causes-stretch-marks-how-to-prevent-them/) - [Peri-oral dermatitis](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-dermatitis-common-types-of-dermatitis/) (spots around the mouth) Steroids are natural hormones produced by the human body. In some situations, such as a severe bout of eczema rash, medical, synthetically-obtained steroids may be needed to help alleviate the symptoms. They will minimize the inflammation and help cracked skin heal. They need to be applied once or twice per day, during treatment, to the active eczema rash areas. Some people, who experience nearly continuous bouts of eczema flare-ups, will be prescribed ‘weekend therapy’. This means they will have to apply topical steroids to the affected area 2 days each week. ![Steroid dosage is measured in Finger Tip Units](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/finer-tip-unit.webp) The quantity of steroids you need is measure in Finger Tip Units The measuring unit used to determine the quantity of steroids that you need is FTU (= Finger Tip Unit). You may use them before or after applying an emollient—just make sure to leave 30 minutes in between the two applications. The safety of topical steroids depends on their strength, condition, and the age of the patient. Some such eczema treatments can cause side effects. [Hydrocortisone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocortisone) 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5% and 1% is not likely to cause adverse reactions. However, be careful with taking oral corticosteroids—they are usually prescribed by doctors when all else fails and are far more potent than topical steroids. ### 4. Do Other Eczema Treatments Actually Work? An alternative to prescription-strength emollients for people with severe eczema is [ultraviolet light therapy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_light_therapy). Its benefits have yet to be proven resolutely, but it has been known to work in some cases. Finally, when all else fails, your doctor may prescribe an eczema treatment that directly targets your immune system. There are two such categories of drugs that have been known to work: ![Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cyclosporine-eczema-treatment.webp) CycloSPORINE is an Immunosupressant - **Immunosuppressants:** these include [Azathioprine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azathioprine), [Methotrexate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methotrexate),  [Mycophenolate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycophenolic_acid) and [Cyclosporine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciclosporin). These substances effectively suppress your immune system. - ****Immunomodulators**:** the list contains names such as [Elidel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimecrolimus) and [Protopic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacrolimus). These drugs control the reaction of your immune system and thus help reduce inflammation. Bear in mind that immunity-affecting medication should only be taken under medical supervision, as it can produce harmful side effects. In fact, [the FDA has labeled Elidel and Protopic as ‘black box’](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/fda-approves-updated-labeling-boxed-warning-and-medication-guide-two-eczema-drugs-elidel-and) – its strongest warning; these drugs can only be prescribed to kids over the age of 2 and adults, after all other types of eczema treatments have failed ![Baby eczema affects up to 15% of infants](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/baby-eczema-treatment-2.webp) Baby eczema affects 10-15% of babies. ## Eczema Treatment Tips for Babies It can be a bit scary to see that your beautiful, otherwise perfect little bundle of joy developing red, irritated, and flaky skin patches known as “baby eczema”. When they crack and baby is suddenly covered in crusts and scars, things only get scarier. However, there’s no reason to panic: 10-15% of babies develop baby eczema. [The good news is that it’s entirely treatable](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK49358/). Here are the steps you need to take, in order to deal with it: ### 1. Make Sure that it IS Baby Eczema There are plenty of other conditions that may look like eczema, but are not it. These include [cradle cap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cradle_cap) (less red and scaly), which is less severe and usually clears up by the age of 8 months. Unlike eczema, it shows up on the sides of the nose, eyelids, eyebrows, behind the ears, and on the scalp. Make sure your child gets properly diagnosed, before attempting any type of treatment. ![Cradle Cap looks similar to eczema but isn’t the same](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cradle-cap.webp) Cradle Cap (pictured) is similar, but different, from eczema ### 2. Proper Skin Care can Alleviate Eczema Rashes As explained above, proper skin care is essential to alleviating the difficulties of eczema rashes. Give your kid lukewarm baths and apply ceramide-containing moisturizers. Eczema develops when the skin does not contain enough of these fatty cells, which literally create the skin barrier. You can buy such creams over the counter, and you can also opt for any perfume-free cream, petroleum jelly, or ointment. Apply them a couple of times each day, especially after bath time. ### 3. Consider More Serious Eczema Treatments ![UV light therapy can help treat baby eczema](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ultrviolet-light-therapy-baby-eczema.jpg) Ultraviolet light therapy can be effective in treating baby eczema If moisturizers alone aren’t doing the job to clear up the baby eczema, talk to your pediatrician. They will [typically recommend one or several of the following](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK49373/): - Antibiotics, to prevent viral and bacterial infections - Antihistamines, to help deal with itchy skin - Dry bandages and medicated dressings - Emollients, to provide a protective film over the skin that keeps irritants out and moisture in - Topical steroids, as highlighted above. Make sure you don’t over-use them, as they can lead to skin issues, such as thin skin - Topical calcineurin inhibitors, to help with inflammation - Ultraviolet light therapy, AKA Phototherapy What is interesting about ultraviolet light therapy is that no one know exactly why it helps, but they know it does sometimes. It is believed to involve immunosuppression but the mechanism of action is not completely understood. ### 4. Start Eczema Prevention at Home In terms of preventing baby eczema, all the advice for adults also applies to babies, infants, and toddlers: ![Scratch mittens help prevent your baby from scratching](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/scratch-mittens-baby-eczema.jpg) Scratch Mittens will help keep your baby from scratching - Try to prevent scratching. Keep your baby’s nails trimmed – file them, if possible. Consider the use of scratch mittens, or long socks, tucked under their long-sleeved shirt. - Only use alcohol-free products. This includes soap, shampoo, detergents, deodorants, etc. - Try oatmeal soaking. Feel free to ask your doctor about this: oatmeal products added to the bath water have been known to reduce irritation. - Create a healthy post-bath routine. Pat the baby’s skin dry and immediately apply moisturizer. - Avoid fabric irritation. To do this, always dress the little one in loose cotton clothing. Avoid wrapping them in too many blankets or putting too many clothes on their backs, in order to also avoid overheating and sweatiness. ### 5. Talk to Your Doctor About Baby Eczema If a week of OTC hydrocortisone treatment has gone by and your baby is not responding (i.e., you’re not seeing the eczema receding), talk to your doctor for a prescription baby eczema treatment. Be particularly wary of pus-filled blisters emerging over the affected skin patches, as these may signal a bacterial infection. Also, try to keep the baby out of contact with anyone suffering from cold sores or genital herpes, as they may be particularly sensitive to them, when affected by eczema. **Tags:** Eczema, Rosacea, [Skin Care](https://amaskincare.com/category/articles/) ### Share this entry [Facebook-f](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&t=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?text=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/?p=6934) [Pinterest-p](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amaskincare.com%2Fsun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin%2F&description=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&media=https%3A%2F%2Ftzyc95.a2cdn1.secureserver.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F11%2Fsun-damaged-skin3-copy-705x397.jpg) [Linkedin-in](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) [Reddit-alien](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Mail-bulk](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&body=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) ## You might also like [![Skin Tags : Causes, Prevention, Removal](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/what-are-skin-tags-2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-are-skin-tags-causes-get-rid-of/) ### [Skin Tags : Causes, Prevention, Removal](https://amaskincare.com/what-are-skin-tags-causes-get-rid-of/) [![DMAE – Is it Really](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/skintighteningdmaebenefits2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/dmae-is-it-really-a-facelift-in-a-jar/) ### [DMAE – Is it Really a “Facelift-in-a-Jar”?](https://amaskincare.com/dmae-is-it-really-a-facelift-in-a-jar/) [![what is eczema](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/what-is-eczema-3-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-eczema-symptoms-causes-types/) ### [Eczema : Symptoms, Causes, Types, Diagnosing & Myths](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-eczema-symptoms-causes-types/) [![Stress can cause unwanted changes in your body and skin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/theeffectsofstressonskin-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/learn-how-stress-can-mess-with-your-beauty/) ### [The Effects of Stress on the Body and Skin](https://amaskincare.com/learn-how-stress-can-mess-with-your-beauty/) [![Dermatitis : Symptoms, Causes &amp](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/whatisdermatitis2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-dermatitis-common-types-of-dermatitis/) ### [Dermatitis : Symptoms, Causes & Treatment of the 7 Most Common Types](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-dermatitis-common-types-of-dermatitis/) [![How to Get Rid of Rosacea](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/howtogetridofrosaceatoptreatments2-495x349-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/how-to-get-rid-of-rosacea-top-treatments/) ### [How to Get Rid of Rosacea – The Top 4 Rosacea Treatments](https://amaskincare.com/how-to-get-rid-of-rosacea-top-treatments/) ## [Skin Tags : Causes, Prevention, Removal](https://amaskincare.com/what-are-skin-tags-causes-get-rid-of/) # Skin Tags : Causes, Prevention, Removal ![Skin Tags : Causes, Prevention, Removal](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/what-are-skin-tags-2.jpg) What are Skin Tags? Causes, Prevention and Removal **They look like small flats of hanging skin and are more common than you imagine.** Although not dangerous or painful, skin tags, scientifically known as acrochordon or fibroepithelial polyps, are a source of discomfort. That is why so many people are eager to get rid of them as soon as they develop. Before learning how to remove skin tags safely and painlessly, here are just a few of the questions about skin tags and what they are all about that we are going to answer in this post: - What is a skin tag? - What causes skin tags? - What is the difference between a wart and a skin tag? - Where do skin tags typically occur? - Are skin tags cancerous or contagious? - How to remove skin tags? - What are the best natural remedies for removing these skin growths? ## What are Skin Tags? [Skin tags are small, benign tumors](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2807705/#sec1-1title) that look like brownish bumps hanging from fleshy stalks ([peduncles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peduncle_(anatomy))). Known under the medical term “[acrochordons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_tag)”, they are also called “skin tabs.” Ranging from what one may consider tiny (2 mm) to huge (5 cm), skin tags affect nearly everyone at least once in a lifetime. Both males and females are prone to developing such lesions. Although they may be found on toddlers, more often then not, they are found on adults. These undesirable skin lesions [mostly occur in obese people](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3179001/) and [pregnant women](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8310967/). The good news is that skin tags during pregnancy are not considered dangerous, and require treatment to remove them only if bothersome. Plus, they can be easily removed by a dermatologist. Wart-like bumps occur on dogs too, and they are often confused with canine skin cancer. What you should know, though, is that skin tags on dogs are pretty harmless. As compared to warts, they should display the same color as your dog’s skin, be thinner at the base, and dangle. ### Where do They Occur? Varying from one to hundreds, skin tags typically form on the neck, eyelids, arms, and armpits (mostly in preteens due to sport activities). They can also develop under the female breasts and groin folds. They are considered non-dangerous, but although they do not cause any pain, skin tags can be very annoying. They can easily become irritated if clothes or jewelry rub against them. ![Close-up of a skin tag on the eyelid](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/skin-tag-eyelid.jpg) Skin Tag on Eyelid At the same time, skin tags may occur in less noticeable spots such as the tongue, on the shaft of the penis (penile skin tags), inside the vagina or anus (also known as [hemorrhoids](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemorrhoid) or otherwise called hemorrhoidal skin tags), or even on the nipples. There are multiple areas where skin tags can grow. However, brownish growths that form in genital, perianal, and anal areas may actually be [genital warts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genital_wart). Vaginal skin tags or skin tag-like bumps that develop on the scrotum are uncommon as these lesions tend to occur in dry areas. There are vaginal skin tags that may develop at the external genitalia/ vulva ([labia majora](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labia_majora) and [labia minora](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labia_minora)), and if they get irritated, they can become itchy and sore. ### A Note on Vaginal Skin Tags It is important to note that skin tag like growths on the genitals could be genital warts. It is very important that you get these types of growths checked out by your doctor as soon as possible. There are ways to distinguish between the two. Skin tags appear like a stalk and usually occur in a dry area of the skin. They do not appear in or around the vagina. They appear singly or in pairs and are not itchy or painful. Genital warts on the other hand typically grown in groups or clusters in or around the vagina or anal area. They are flat, round and cause itching pain or bleeding. ## What Causes Skin Tags? The most [common cause of a skin tag is friction](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18627719/). They appear where the skin rubs against skin or where the skin rubs against clothing such as on the neck, tummy, and back. Typically under folds of skin. As they typically occur in skin creases, bunches of [collagen](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-collagen-basic-biology/) and blood vessels that are trapped in the subcutaneous tissue are also said to cause the growths. Among other causes, age, heredity, and obesity are known to increase the likelihood of developing such tumors. That means there is a good chance you get them if: - You reached adulthood - Your parents and grand-parents had skin tags (tags around the eyes are most common in this category) - You are overweight ![Skin tags vs moles, warts, milia & keratosis](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/skin-tag-mole-wart-milia.webp) The difference between a skin tag and a mole, wart, milia, and Seborrheic Keratosis ### Are They Cancerous or Contagious? Skin tags are not [cutaneous malignant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanoma) conditions, which means they have no cancer potential. However, if they become abnormally large, bleed, or display colors such as red, brown, or black, you should see a doctor. There are rare instances when a skin tag may transform into a cancerous lesion.   Wondering if these annoying bumps are contagious? Rest assured, they are not. This is actually one of the aspects that sets a skin tag apart from a wart. While warts can be cancerous and are known to be very contagious as they are caused by a virus called HPV ([human papillomavirus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_papillomavirus_infection)), skin tags are not transmissible. However, if your skin tags display unusual characteristics, and you experience abnormal symptoms, you should contact your doctor to exclude the possibility of a more severe skin condition. For instance, [moles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevus), [warts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wart), and skin cancers are known to mimic skin tags. **Here are a few images showing the difference between a skin tag and a mole, wart, milia, and Seborrheic Keratosis.** ## How to Remove Skin Tags? Dermatologists recommend getting rid of skin tags only when they are irritated or infected (may be caused by shaving), or represent a source of discomfort. Even so, most commonly they are removed for aesthetic reasons. Some may spontaneously fall off, but most popular skin tag removal methods include surgical intervention.   ![Cryotherapy effectively removes skin tags](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cryotherapy-for-skin-tag.webp) Cryotherapy is an effective method or removing skin tags Unfortunately, insurance companies or funded health care systems (such as the NHS in the UK) do not cover for skin tags removal as it is considered cosmetic surgery. However, there are plans that may pay for the procedure is the tag is in an area that might be affected, causing fissure, bleeding, or inflammation. If this is the case, you may use an ICD-9 diagnosis code (the code that can be used to indicate a skin anomaly on a reimbursement claim). **Treatments to remove skin tags include:** - Cryotherapy (freeze them with liquid nitrogen) - Excision (cut them off) - Electrosurgery (burn them off) ### Non-surgical Skin Tag Treatments There are skin tag removal products that might work. Most products are made of active and inactive ingredients, including essential oils such as [Thuja occidentalis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thuja_occidentalis) (known as white cedar) or [Melaleuca alternifolia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melaleuca_alternifolia) (tea tree oil). [Revitol](https://www.revitol.com/product.php?SSID=1531353519491dV4K4H1abCFlduzv1WptuO7ya2b&prod=10) , for example, is a popular skin tag removal cream you can buy from Amazon or Walgreens (no need to head to the drugstore). [Dr Scholl’s Skin Tag Remover](https://www.drscholls.ca/en/treatments-and-care/skin-tags/) is another product pharmacists recommend as it uses a derma-freeze technology which will make the tags dry up and flake away. If you are looking for a topical homeopathic remedy, Skim Away Skin Tag Remover is another option. Before you buy an over the counter cream, you may want to look at a few product reviews. See what customers report. Some treatments are not worth using. You may even want to look at pics and review the results. The key to removing skin tags painlessly is doing it naturally. Organic remedies such as all-natural plant extracts may not function as quickly as surgery does, but they are safe and effective. ### Natural Treatments for Skin Tags Contrary to what you may find on the internet, the best skin tag home removal solutions do not include using nail polish or cutting them off with scissors or nail clippers. Nobody wants to get an infection or experience a wearisome recovery. The much-despised skin overgrowths can be removed at home by tying dental floss around them as tight as possible. Once the blood supply is cut off, they are supposed to fall off in a few days. Other home treatments include duct tape, Compound W, or vitamin E oil, but there is no scientific evidence that they are really effective. So, what are the best natural remedies to remove skin tags? Surprisingly, there are three products that can be found in your kitchen cabinets and be used as an all-natural kit against those unaesthetic skin growths. ![Tea tree oil works well naturally](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tea-tree-oil-for-skin-tag.webp) Tee tree oil is an effective home remedy ### Tea Tree Oil This is one of the most efficient and painless removers you can use at home (I, myself, tried it) to get rid of those unwanted skin tags. This ingredient cures many skin conditions. To remove the tags effectively, use a cotton bad soaked in water, add three drops of oil, and gently apply it to the skin twice a day. ### Apple Cider Vinegar One of the popular natural skin tag removal home remedies is apple cider vinegar. Few people are aware that this product is actually a beauty weapon. From cleansing to detoxifying purposes, it has been used as a medical remedy for centuries. Its anti-septic properties make it the ideal skin tag removal treatment. Plus, it does wonders against blemishes and breakouts.   ![Apple cider vinegar helps remove skin tags](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/apple-cider-vinegar-for-skin-tag.jpg) Apple cider vinegar is a natural way to get rid of skin tags Apply it to a cotton bad and use it for two to four weeks until the skin tags vanish. It creates a stinging sensation, but there is no need to worry. The acidic properties will destroy all tissues in the skin growth. ![Lemon juice is another all-natural way to get rid of skin tags](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/lemon-juice-for-skin-tag.webp) Lemon juice is another all-natural way to get rid of skin tags ### Lemon Juice Apart from jazzing up salads and cocktails, lemon juice is one of the all-natural remedies you can use against skin tags. Apply it daily to the affected area and leave it on. In just a few days, the tag should dry out. Plus, the cost is insignificant. Do not step out in the sun after applying lemon juice so to avoid a bad tan. ## Skin Tag Prevention To learn how to prevent skin tags, you should consider why they form in the first place. Doctors believe that middle-aged, obese adults are most prone to these tumors. Since obesity and diabetes are linked to skin tags and thought to increase the risk of developing such skin lesions, the key to preventing them is a healthy diet. Also, as we have already mentioned it, most skin tags are caused by friction. Other preventive measures include wearing loose-fitting clothes and avoiding jewelry items that can affect your neck area. Don’t forget, though, that as with most things in life, moderation is an essential part of one’s wellbeing. It is not easy to modify your diet and lifestyle, but it seems that getting in better shape has more benefits than you think. Preventing skin tags from developing is just one of the positive “side effects” of a healthy routine. ### Share this entry [Facebook-f](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&t=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?text=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/?p=6934) [Pinterest-p](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amaskincare.com%2Fsun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin%2F&description=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&media=https%3A%2F%2Ftzyc95.a2cdn1.secureserver.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F11%2Fsun-damaged-skin3-copy-705x397.jpg) [Linkedin-in](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) [Reddit-alien](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Mail-bulk](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&body=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) ## You might also like [![One way to remove an ingrown hair is gently lifting it with a sterile sharp object.](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ingrown-hair-removal-header-495x397-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/17-tips-for-removing-and-preventing-ingrown-hairs/) ### [17 Tips for Removing and Preventing Ingrown Hairs](https://amaskincare.com/17-tips-for-removing-and-preventing-ingrown-hairs/) [![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radio-frequency-skin-tightening-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/all-about-radio-frequency-skin-tightening/) ### [All About Radio Frequency Skin Tightening](https://amaskincare.com/all-about-radio-frequency-skin-tightening/) [![How to Look Younger](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/howtolookyounger2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/young-healthy-skin-how-to-look-younger/) ### [The Secret to Young, Healthy Skin – How to Look Younger](https://amaskincare.com/young-healthy-skin-how-to-look-younger/) [![Which Collagen Treatments Actually Benefit Your Skin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/whichtreatmentsactuallyprovidecollagenbenefits-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/collagen-benefits-which-collagen-treatments-actually-work/) ### [Which Collagen Treatments Actually Benefit Your Skin?](https://amaskincare.com/collagen-benefits-which-collagen-treatments-actually-work/) [![How much damage can the sun really do to our skin?](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sun-damaged-skin3-copy-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) ### [How to Prevent & Repair Sun Damaged Skin](https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) [![Stress can cause unwanted changes in your body and skin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/theeffectsofstressonskin-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/learn-how-stress-can-mess-with-your-beauty/) ### [The Effects of Stress on the Body and Skin](https://amaskincare.com/learn-how-stress-can-mess-with-your-beauty/) ## [Eczema : Symptoms, Causes, Types, Diagnosing & Myths](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-eczema-symptoms-causes-types/) # Eczema : Symptoms, Causes, Types, Diagnosing & Myths ![what is eczema](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/what-is-eczema-3.webp) What is eczema? Symptoms, causes and the different types of eczema. **Why write an entire article on the different types of eczemas?** After all, they’re just rashes that can’t be cured and tend to go away on their own, right? While the above may be true, it’s also true that eczema is an issue for 10-12% of U.S. children and approximately 3% of adults. The drop in percentage of people affected is explicable through the fact that most children born with eczema will outgrow it by age 10. However, the reality remains that there are 30 million Americans affected by this issue. Many sufferers go on experiencing the symptoms of eczema on and off all their lives. This warrants a detailed discussion of just what eczema is, how you can treat it, and why you should not let eczema embarrass you and overtake your life. ## What is Eczema? When most people talk about eczema, they are actually typically referring to [atopic dermatitis](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-dermatitis-common-types-of-dermatitis/), which we discuss in detail below. For now, let’s focus on the scientific definition: As a medical term, eczema refers to a family of skin conditions, which cause inflammation and irritation. The term eczema is derived from the [ancient Greek word for “effervescing”, i.e., “bubbling and boiling over”](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/eczema). Eczema is a chronic condition, which means the rashes come and go: you may see periods where your skin is completely clear, only to then experience major flare-ups. In some cases, bouts of eczema rashes co-occur with hay fever or asthma attacks. Eczemas can develop at any age and [often affect several members of the same family](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12956743/). According to several experts, about one third of the world’s population will experience eczema at some point in their life. ## Symptoms of Eczema Most people are diagnosed with eczema as children and some continue to experience the symptoms even into adulthood. Developing eczema as an adult is comparatively rare. For most people, the symptoms will decrease in intensity over time and eventually disappear. However, people who develop eczemas in infancy will tend to have more sensitive skin as adults. They may remain prone to skin irritations, infections, and even dermatitis of the eyelids. While eczemas can look and feel different from one patient to the next, they will usually have a couple of things in common. Below, check out some of the most frequently encountered symptoms of eczema. While you read them, bear in mind that, even if you may be experiencing all of them, only a certified medical professional can diagnose you with eczema. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/common-locations-of-eczema-2.jpg) This image illustrates the most common areas of the body that people experience eczema ### Location on the Body Eczemas can develop all over the human body. However, some areas tend to be affected more often than others. These include: - The head (cheeks, chin, neck, scalp, and behind the ears) - The torso (both on the chest, as well as on the back) - Parts of the body that bend (the inner knee and elbow, wrists, ankles) - The buttocks ### Appearance A patch of skin affected by eczema usually looks dry, scaly, and thickened – rough like leather, and discolored. In fair-skinned people, eczema spots will usually look reddened at first and then gradually become brown. In dark-skinned people, eczemas can significantly affect skin [pigmentation](https://amaskincare.com/what-are-those-dark-spots-on-skin/), causing the patch in question to turn either lighter or darker in color. Some infants affected by eczema will display particularly bad-looking rashes, with crust, oozing patches of skin. These typically emerge on their faces and scalps, but can pop up on any part of the body. ### Intensity Eczemas can range in intensity from mild, to moderate, to severe. Most people who suffer from eczema will have dry, flakey, sensitive skin, with a tendency for red spots and itchiness. Unlike other types of skin conditions, [eczemas can cause very intense itchiness](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6050257/) – so bad that the sufferer will scratch until they literally bleed. This reaction will, in turn, activate the itch-scratch-itch cycle, wherein scratching will actually make the itchiness worse. To the right is how the itch-scratch-itch cycle works. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/itch-scratch-itch-cycle-2.jpg) Eczemas can cause very intense itchiness starting the “Itch-Scratch-Itch Cycle” ### Blisters Some eczema rashes will turn into blisters; the skin can also crack, peel, ooze, and ‘weep’. Excessive scratching can not only cause further infections, but also turn the skin permanently rough and leathery. A symptom to watch out for is the appearance of pus-filled blisters on affected skin patches, during an eczema flare-up. They might signal the presence of a bacterial infection, which requires antibiotic treatment. Never take antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription. Another condition these blisters might point to is eczema herpeticum, which we discuss in detail below (see ‘The different types of eczema’ section). Sometimes, eczema rashes will be accompanied by the development of hives or bumps. Some sufferers develop an extra skin fold under their eyes. ## What Causes Eczema? Many experts attribute the existence of eczema rashes to genetics, but this likely does not apply to all sufferers. Read on to find out what might be causing your eczema rashes and what definitely does not. The short answer to the question ‘what causes eczema?’ is ‘we don’t know’—at least not yet. That being said, some correlations with other disorders have been established, as has the existence of certain frequently encountered triggers. Here they are, lined up for you: ### Genetics If someone in your family has suffered from eczema, seasonal allergies (such as hay fever), and/or asthma, [you are more likely to develop eczema yourself](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122139/#S3title). Up to 80% of children diagnosed with eczemas also suffer from hay fever. A lesser known fact about developing eczema in early childhood, i.e., prior to the age of 2, is that you’re more likely to have this happen if you were born to an older mother. The exact causes for this remain unknown. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/poorly-functioning-skin-barrier-2.jpg) Eczema is associated with a poorly functioning skin barrier ### “Glitches” in Your Immune System While eczema is not an allergy, it [has ample co-occurrence with certain allergies](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122139/#S4title), which has determined doctors to believe it is partly (or at least sometimes) associated with a poor immune response. It has also been ascertained that eczema can emerge when the [skin barrier functions poorly](https://amaskincare.com/top-10-amazing-functions-of-the-skin/), allowing moisture out and germs in. The experts estimate that one third to two thirds of atopic eczema sufferers among the young also have a food allergy. It has thus been established that sufferers of eczema under the age of 1 develop it as a result of an allergic reaction to food. So, if eczema and some food allergies co-occur, does this mean removing the food allergens from a sufferer’s diet will solve the problem? Not necessarily. Before you decide that you or your child should stop having eggs, milk, or nuts, consult with a registered medical practitioner. Furthermore, a higher incidence of flare-ups has been recorded in people which experience conditions that affect their immunity. These include: - Colds or the flu - Bacterial infections - Pet dander allergies, as well as allergies to other elements (mold, pollen) ### Triggers in Your Environment Science has established certain correlations between environmental factors and the development of eczema. In terms of demographic profiles of sufferers, it turns out eczema is more common among kids who: - Come from middle and upper class families - Live in cold, dry areas - Live in urban settings with elevated pollution levels. There are plenty of allergens, activities, and irritants, which have been linked to a worsening in eczema symptoms. Here are some of them, categorized by type: ### Irritants - Wool - Synthetic fibers - Soap and detergent - Dish-washing liquid and shampoo - Bubble bath - Chlorine and other disinfectants - Raw fruit, vegetable, and meat juices ### Food Allergens - Dairy - Eggs - Nuts and seeds - Soy and its byproducts ### Allergens - Dust mites - Dander/dandruff - Pollen - Pet hair (from cats, dogs, and other animals ### Microbes - [Staphylococcus aureus and other bacteria](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122139/#S12title) - Various viruses - Some fungi ### Temperature - Very hot weather - Extreme levels of humidity (either very high or very low) - An overheated body (+ perspiration) Finally, eczema goes hand in hand with hormonal changes (which may cause some women to develop the disorder), as well as with stress. The exact ways in which [stress determines skin conditions](https://amaskincare.com/learn-how-stress-can-mess-with-your-beauty/) has yet to be established, but it’s safe to say that some conditions flare up during stressful times, while others are stress triggers themselves. ## Diagnosing Eczema There’s no specific blood test for eczema—however, given its frequent co-occurrence with allergies, your doctor might want to test you for immune responses to certain allergens. Most often, when trying to diagnose a case of eczema rashes, a medical professional will look at the following things: ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/atopic-triad-3.jpg) The Atopic Triad – Eczema, hay fever and/or asthma often coincide with each other - Skin appearance (see ‘Eczema symptoms’ above) - Rapid skin changes with age - [Pruritus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itch) – or itchiness - [Xerosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeroderma) – or dry skin - Levels of [Immunoglobulin E](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunoglobulin_E) activity - Family history of eczema - History of certain disorders - Asthma (allergic rhinitis) - Hay fever - Various allergies The frequent coincidence of eczema, hay fever and/or asthma has determined doctors to dub the presence of all three conditions as ‘the atopic triad’. ## The Different Types of Eczema When we talk of eczema, we’re usually referring to atopic eczema, or atopic dermatitis, by its more scientific name. However, eczema is a whole group of (similar) diseases, which also includes, but is not limited to, the ones listed below. Read about them, to find out what sets these different types of eczema apart from regular atopic eczema. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/dyshidrotic-eczema.webp) Image of Dyshidrotic Eczema ### Dyshidrotic Eczema You [risk developing dyshidrotic eczema](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4037938/), AKA “hand eczema”, if you: - Are experiencing stress - Frequently keep your hands in water, or otherwise moistened - Have your hands exposed to [chromium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromium), [nickel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel), or [cobalt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobalt) (frequent among cement workers) - Have allergies (including hay fever). The condition is characterized by the appearance of small vesicular pustules (or blisters) on the hands and feet, including the edges of your fingers and toes, your palms, and your soles. These can be itchy; breaking the blisters can cause inflammation, scaly skin, and pain. This condition seems to emerge during particular times of the year. It is only present in teens and adults and it can be chronic, acute, or recurrent. In terms of severity, it can be self-limited, but can also range to debilitating. The condition is usually unresponsive to treatment and tends to disappear in 2-3 weeks’ time on its own. In rare cases, when the sufferer is affected by bacterial infection, nail changes, [cellulitis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulitis), and even [septicemia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepsis) may develop. To keep the condition in check, try to avoid irritants and use [emollients](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moisturizer) as often as possible. ### Nummular Eczema [This type of eczema is also known as nummular dermatitis, or as discoid eczema](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4475258/). It takes its name from its main symptom: causing the appearance of coin-sized, round, itchy and even oozing spots on the skin. This fairly rare condition is more prevalent in older men, and it is not contagious. As with most other types of eczema, the exact [etiology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiology) of nummular eczema remains unknown. However, these factors typically co-occur with the condition: ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/nummular-eczema.webp) Image of Nummular Eczema - A family history of eczema, allergies, and/or asthma - Stress - Dry, sensitive skin - Environmental factors and triggers (extreme temperature variations, metals, detergents, [formaldehyde](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde)) - Poor blood flow to the legs, accompanied by swelling - Skin injuries: wounds, insect bites, allergy wounds - Bacterial infections - (Rare) sometimes an allergy to medication may also be involved The coin-shaped lesions will usually emerge on the arms and legs, but they can also expand to the chest. They can be pink, brown, or red, and in terms of texture, they’re itchy, oozing, scaly, and even crusty. The skin around them is also usually inflamed, raw, and scaly. For an accurate diagnosis, your doctor may run several different types of tests, including skin biopsies, allergy tests, blood tests, and challenge tests. They will also ask about your medical history to rule out other diagnoses. While there is no cure for this type of eczema, some lifestyle changes, such as avoiding cuts, rough fabrics, stress, irritants, and hot waters, may be recommended. Similarly, you might be asked to wear bandages over the lesions, take [cortisone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisone) or [antihistamines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antihistamine), and undergo UV light treatment. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eczema-herpeticum.webp) Image of Eczema Herpeticum ### Eczema Herpeticum [Eczema Herpeticum is a more serious form of eczema](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3773952/). It co-occurs with atopic dermatitis (or ‘regular’ eczema) and it’s known under several names, include Kaposi varicelliform eruption, Pustulosis varioliformis acute, and Kaposi-Juliusberg dermatitis. It appears when the human virus [herpes simplex](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_simplex) is present (types 1 and 2), but can also be determined by the presence of [coxsackievirus A16](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxsackievirus), or the [vaccinia virus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccinia). It usually causes a fever and [lymphadenopathy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymphadenopathy), as well as many blisters on top of former eczema patches. This condition, which is disseminated, can be fatal for babies. That’s because it affects many internal organs, including the liver, lungs, and brain, as well as the eyes. To treat it, your doctor will typically prescribe antiviral drugs like [acyclovir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aciclovir), [valganciclovir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valganciclovir), and [Foscarnet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foscarnet). The latter name on the list is also prescribed to the immunocompromised carrier of the virus, as well as to strands which are acyclovir-resistant. ## Eczema Myths There are many myths that have been propagated and perpetuated with regards to eczema. The truth is modern medicine still can’t pinpoint a precise cause for the apparition of eczema rashes. But what we do know is that these things are clearly not the causes: **Myth #1:** All eczemas are caused by food allergies. In some cases, allergies to specific foods co-exist with eczema. However, no such indisputable link has been established, so there’s no need to undertake a strict ‘elimination’ diet. Similarly, if you’re a breastfeeding mother and your infant has developed eczema, doctors don’t recommend that you stop breastfeeding. The link between food allergies and eczema is correlation, not causation. **Myth #2:** Eczema is caused by a “leaky gut”. This valid medical term designates a condition within which your gut “leaks” waste, microbes, partly digested food, and various toxins into your body. Even though there is some similarity between this and an eczema, in which your skin ‘leaks’ layers, no connection between the two disorders has been established. **Myth #3:** Eczema is caused by the weather. There is some validity to this myth, in that some patients tend to experience flare-ups in hot, humid climates, while others experience them in cold, arid ones. However, each case seems to be unique in its response to climate conditions, so no definitive causation link can be determined in this sense. **Myth #4:** Eczema is caused by excess bathing. Yet again, there’s some truth to this claim. To avoid eczema breakouts, avoid the following: - Bathing or showering in very hot water - Soaps, creams, lotions, shower gels, deodorants and perfumes with irritants and allergens (these include, but are not limited to, alcohol) However, don’t skip bathing altogether because of this! Simply make sure to use mildly warm water, to minimize skin damage and infections. Always check the ingredients of your bathing products and pick mild, non-irritant, hypoallergenic options. Some doctors will prescribe ‘soap and seal’ baths, which involve adding a small capful of bleach to your bath water. Bleach is an anti-bacterial agent, which can do away with any harmful organisms living on your skin. Follow each such bath with a full-body application of lotion or alcohol-free cream. ### Share this entry [Facebook-f](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&t=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?text=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/?p=6934) [Pinterest-p](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amaskincare.com%2Fsun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin%2F&description=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&media=https%3A%2F%2Ftzyc95.a2cdn1.secureserver.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F11%2Fsun-damaged-skin3-copy-705x397.jpg) [Linkedin-in](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) [Reddit-alien](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Mail-bulk](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&body=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) ## You might also like [![Eczema Treatment Tips for Adult and Baby Eczema](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eczema-treatment-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/eczema-treatment-adults-babies/) ### [Eczema Treatment Tips for Adult and Baby Eczema](https://amaskincare.com/eczema-treatment-adults-babies/) [![Spider veins on the face can be treated with home remedies or professional care.](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/facial-spider-vein-removal-header-495x397-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/6-treatments-to-remove-spider-veins-on-your-face/) ### [6 Treatments to Remove Spider Veins on Your Face](https://amaskincare.com/6-treatments-to-remove-spider-veins-on-your-face/) [![Dermatitis : Symptoms, Causes &amp](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/whatisdermatitis2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-dermatitis-common-types-of-dermatitis/) ### [Dermatitis : Symptoms, Causes & Treatment of the 7 Most Common Types](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-dermatitis-common-types-of-dermatitis/) [![Your Skin is Amazing! These are The 11 Amazing Functions of your Skin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/top10amazingfunctionsoftheskin-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/top-11-amazing-functions-of-the-skin/) ### [The Skin : 11 Amazing Functions & Why You Should Take Care of it](https://amaskincare.com/top-11-amazing-functions-of-the-skin/) [![what is rosacea causes symptoms](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/what-is-rosacea-causes-symptoms-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-rosacea-causes-how-to-treat/) ### [What is Rosacea? What is that Redness on My Face?](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-rosacea-causes-how-to-treat/) [![Skin Tags : Causes, Prevention, Removal](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/what-are-skin-tags-2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-are-skin-tags-causes-get-rid-of/) ### [Skin Tags : Causes, Prevention, Removal](https://amaskincare.com/what-are-skin-tags-causes-get-rid-of/) ## [A Deep Dive into the Cause & Treatment of Melasma](https://amaskincare.com/deep-dive-cause-treatment-melasma/) # A Deep Dive into the Cause & Treatment of Melasma _**Watch the video :** Melasma : A Deep Dive into the Cause & Treatment_ _(The following is a transcription of the above video)_ Today we’re going to be discussing melasma. Now before we get into exactly how we treat melasma, it’s very important that we discuss first, what creates melasma. And to do that we have to take a deep dive into the physiology of the skin, precisely of the skin of the face. ## Where Melasma Forms in Your Skin So let’s take a look at a diagram of the skin. As you can see, there are three layers that we’re talking about here. ![Diagram showing the three main layers of the skin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-skin-diagram-2-1.jpg) Diagram of the skin showing the three layers we are discussing. ### Subcutaneous Fat There is the yellow layer at the very bottom, that’s the fat underneath the skin called [subcutaneous fat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subcutaneous_tissue#Subcutaneous_fat). And though this layer has a lot to do with the overall contours of a person’s face, it has absolutely nothing to do with coloration of the skin. So we’re going to ignore it for this particular session. ### Dermis The next layer up, that thickest layer of the skin is the [dermis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermis) and there’s many important things that go on in the dermis. There are sweat glands in there and hair follicles and [sebaceous glands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebaceous_gland) that make the oils for the skin and all that wonderful pink stuff that looks like pink pudding, it’s anything but a pudding. It’s the [collagen matrix](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-collagen-basic-biology/) of the skin, which is incredibly strong, yet resilient and elastic and flexible and lifted and toned and stretchable and all that wonderful, sexy stuff of youthful skin. Most of that comes from the collagen. How much collagen do you have and what shape is it in? But in the dermis, there is nothing to do with coloration, so we’re going to ignore the dermis and go to the very top layer of the skin, which is the [epidermis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidermis). ### Epidermis As you can see there are two layers to the epidermis. The bottom layer is the live layer and the very top layer is the dead layer of the skin called the [stratum corneum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratum_corneum). Now on the border between the live layer and the dermis beneath it, that wavy border, two very important things happen. The [epithelial cells](https://askabiologist.asu.edu/epithelial-cells) that fill the [epithelium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epithelium) are born on this layer and they migrate constantly towards the surface (see above animation) to push and replace the dead skin that’s falling off. ![Epithelial cells move to the surface to replace dead skin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-epithelial-cells-marching-ezgif.com-webp-to-gif-converter.gif) Epithelial cells migrating to the surface to replace the dead skin that is falling off. ![The large dark cells are melanocytes that produce melanin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-melanocyte-cell-2.jpg) The larger darker cells are melanocytes and they make melanin. ### Melanocytes Also on this border, you can see that slightly larger, darker cell that are sporadically located on that wavy border. Those cells are [melanocytes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanocyte) and melanocytes make [melanin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanin), which is the natural pigment in our skin. Now as you can imagine, the melanocyte is the protagonist in our story of dyspigmentation or the discoloration, which is melasma. ### Epithelial Cells Let’s take a look at how epithelial cells fill the epidermis. A new epithelial cell is born on the bottom, another one’s born underneath it, pushes it up, another one underneath that one and pushes those two up, et cetera, et cetera (see above animation). And you have a constant march, a flow, of epithelial cells marching towards the surface. ![New epithelial cells move upward continuously](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-constant-flow-of-cells-ezgif.com-webp-to-gif-converter.gif) A new epithelial cell is born on the bottom and you have a constant flow of epithelial cells marching towards the surface. ![Melanocytes create melanin packets absorbed by skin cells](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-melanocyte-produce-melanin-2.jpg) The melanocytes produce little packets of melanin that are absorbed into the epithelial cells. When they get to the surface, they die and they flatten out, and the skin will layer upon itself many thousands of layers thick of these dead epithelial cells and that dead layer, the stratum corneum is a crust that surrounds our body and offers us protection. Right next to the epithelial cells are the melanocytes which are making little packets of melanin that are being absorbed into the epithelial cells (see above image) as they march towards the surface. By the time they get to the surface, they will have within them the proper compliment of melanin as determined by your genetic programming. ## The Six Different Skin Types Now in regards to the genetic programming, there are six different levels of melanocyte activity and sensitivity. ![Six melanocyte activity levels are set by your genes](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-skin-types.jpg) There are six different levels of melanocyte activity and sensitivity based on your genetic programming. ### Type VI If you were a type VI skin, it means that your melanocytes are working over time, 24/7, making the maximal amount of melanin and your skin would be very dark. There’s only a couple of populations on the planet who skin really is that dark. For instance, Ethiopians or Sudanese, whose genetic endowment comes from developing under the sub-Saharan African sun. And these folks, of course, need a lot of protection in their skin from the sun and that’s why their skin is so dark. ![Few Type VI skins produce max melanin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-type-6-skin.jpg) There are only a couple of populations with Type VI skin whose melanocytes are working over time making the maximal amount of melanin. ![Type I skin from the north can’t tan due to inactive melanocytes](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-type-1-skin.jpg) Type I skin would be from the northern hemisphere whose whose melanocytes are so inactive, they can’t even tan. ### Type I & II On the other hand, if you were a type I or type II you would be from Northern hemispheres, Scottish or Irish, very, very, very pale skin, skin whose melanocytes are so inactive, they can’t even tan.  If these folks even think about going into the sun, they just burst into flame and they burn. ### Type III Type III skin would be European, such as myself, Italian. ### Type IV Type IV skin would be Asian or Hispanic or some Semitic skins. ### Type V Type V would be all the browns associated with Africa. So there you have it, those are the six different levels of melanocyte activity that give us our natural skin color. ## What is the Purpose of Melanin? Next question. What’s the purpose of having melanin? What does our melanin do for us? ### Protection from the Sun Well, as I implied a couple of minutes ago, melanin protects us from the sun. Yes, all of life on the planet is dependent on sun and yet sunshine is also sun radiation, which is extremely powerful. It will chip the paint on your house, it will fade the paint on your car, it will dry things out and deteriorate them and in fact, if your skin was doused with too much sun, it would damage your skin. ![Melanin shields us from the sun’s rays](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-melanin-protect-sun.jpg) Melanin absorbs the sun and protects us from the sun’s radiation. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-sun-radiation.jpg) The wall of melanin protects us from the sun’s radiation penetrating deep into our skin and damaging us. The melanin in our skin, especially that top layer, remember the stratum corneum, all those dead cells, they are filled with melanin. It’s like a wall of melanin and the melanin will absorb the sun as it comes down, the sun radiation as it comes down, so that it doesn’t penetrate deeper into your body, deeper into your skin and damage you. ### An Example of how Melanin Protects you from the Sun So let’s take for example a case of three ladies, 50 years old, who all have a pretty much the same lifestyle, same sun exposure, same diet, same everything. We’ll have a black lady, an Hispanic or Asian lady and a white lady. The black lady is going to have the healthiest, most beautiful skin because her skin is best protected from the sun. She has more melanin. The Asian/Hispanic will be the second in this contest. And the poor white lady is going to be the most sun damaged, wrinkled and saggy and probably cancer. ![Three 50-year-olds: the one with most melanin has the healthiest skin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-three-ladies-2.jpg) 3 ladies, all 50 years old, the lady with the most melanin is going to have the best looking skin because she is most protected from the sun. ![80–90% of skin cancers result from sun overexposure](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-skin-cancer.jpg) 80 to 90% of all skin cancers are caused by overexposure to the sun. ### Skin Cancer is Caused by Overexposure to the Sun Yes, too much sun exposure can definitely cause cancer in your skin. Even though the issue of cancer is a separate subject matter, please understand that 80 to 90% of all skin cancers are caused by overexposure to the sun. Now we know why it’s important for us to have melanin in our skin. It gives us protection from the sun. ## Who Gets Melasma? So now back to the question,  who gets melasma? As I said earlier, type I and II skin, the melanocytes are so inactive, these people can’t even tan, so the chances of them getting a melasma is very, very low. It’s even very low for type III skin. It’s usually with skin type IV that we begin to see melasmas. Let me explain. ![Melasma is most common in skin type IV](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-skin-type-4.jpg) Skin type IV is where we most commonly see melasma ### Sensitivity of Melanocytes As I said earlier, the higher the number of your type skin, the more sensitive your melanocytes are. Let’s consider suntanning for a moment. As I mentioned, type I and II skin, the melanocytes are so asleep, they’re so insensitive, that they can’t even tan. Type III skin, when exposed to extra sun, the melanocytes will slowly wake up and give you kind of a bronzing. Type III skin can rarely, if ever, tan dark. Skin type IV, however, those melanocytes are very sensitive and when exposed to extra sun, those melanocytes wake right up and they tan deep and dark and fast. Now, let’s backtrack here for a minute. As the melanocytes wake up and produce extra melanin, because now suddenly you’re exposed to extra sun, let’s say you went to the beach, you went to Cabo or Hawaii or someplace, it’s your body’s way of saying, _“Hey, I’m being exposed to extra sun. I need extra protection. My melanocytes are going to wake up. I’m going to produce a suntan, which is extra melanin in my skin, which is going to protect me from the extra sun that I’m being exposed to.”_ That’s right. Your suntan is in fact your body’s natural sunblock. So what does melasma have to do with any of this? Once we get to skin type IV, the melanocytes are becoming so sensitive that they are in fact going to be stimulated not only by the sun, which is their purpose, but by other things too, such as hormones. ![Type IV melanocytes react to sun and hormones](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-caused-by-hormonal-fluctuations.jpg) Melanocytes in Type IV skin are not only sensitive to the sun but also to hormonal fluctuations. ### Hormonal Fluctuations ### Pregnancy So here’s a lady who’s now pregnant. The hormones during pregnancy are shifting in her body. It wakes up the melanocytes in the skin of her face, which are also exposed to the sun and voila, she gets dyspigmentation, some darkness appearing, some patches appearing, which is a melasma associated with pregnancy because of the fact that her melanocytes are sensitive not only to the sun, but also to hormonal fluctuations. ### Birth Control Pill There are some type IV skin whose melanocytes are so sensitive that even going on the birth control pill or ceasing to take the birth control pill or even changing brands of the birth control pill can stimulate the melanocytes to produce a hormonally stimulated melasma. So how about type V and type VI skin? Yes, they too are subject to melasma associated with hormonal fluctuations, but their baseline color is already so dark that sometimes, even with a melasma, you won’t be able to see it. So therefore it’s skin type IV whose baseline color is relatively pale, but whose melanocytes are very sensitive to not just the sun but to other things such as hormones that can get a melasma. We affectionately call skin type IV in our clinics, the unlucky duckling in the middle. ### Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation There’s one other possible source of dyspigmentation, of extra pigmentation, that type IV skin is very subject to, and this is called [post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2921758/). For instance, for type IV skin, any inflammation or irritation to the skin, that irritates and stimulates the skin, can also irritate and stimulate the melanocytes and when melanocytes get stimulated or irritated, what do they do? They produce melanin. For instance, for an Asian or Hispanic that has an acne blemish, the inflammation of the acne blemish, especially if you pick it, can cause a brown spot. Even after the actual blemish goes away, the brown spot may persist for weeks or even months. This is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. ![Picking acne can cause dark spots, especially in Type IV skin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-post-inflammatory-hyperpigmentation-2.jpg) Picking at an acne blemish can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in Type IV skin. ## Stable Melasma Vs. UN-Stable Melasma When melasma patients come to us and they sit here at this consultation table and I’m asking them all sorts of questions about when was the onset of the melasma? What were the conditions surrounding which the melasma showed up? What was going on in your life? Was there a pregnancy? Were there hormones? Was there some kind of major inflammation to the skin? The reason I’m asking all those questions is because we need to distinguish whether or not the patient’s melasma is a stable melasma or an un-stable melasma. This is critically important, especially for the prognosis of how we need to treat that particular melasma. ![All rooms are 72°, except one at 80°](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-house-stable-melasma.jpg) Every room is set to a perfect 72 degrees except one darn room that is set to 80. ### Stable Melasma The best way for me to explain what is actually going on in the melanocytes of the skin, that is producing too much melanin and creating dyspigmentation or melasma, is to use the metaphor of a house with many rooms and in every room there is a thermostat, a thermostat on the wall that controls the temperature of that room. And throughout this house, all the thermostats are set at a perfect 72 degrees except for one darn room where the thermostat is set at 80 and whenever you go into that room, it’s hot (see above image). So the thermostats in the melanocytes of a melasma are set at 80 and they’re producing too much melanin. Now, if we simply go into that room and open the windows and vent that hot air (see above animation), that’s great, but as soon as we close the window, the temperature goes right back up because the thermostat is still set at 80 and the heat comes right back. ![Opening the window cools the room; closing it warms it again](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-house-vent-ezgif.com-webp-to-gif-converter.gif) If we open the window and vent the room, the temperature goes down. But as soon as we close the window, the temperature goes right back up. ![Without resetting melanocytes, spots will return](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-bleach-the-skin-ezgif.com-webp-to-gif-converter.gif) If we only treat the skin of the face without reseting the overactive melanocyte back to 72 the spot will come right back. ### In-effective Treatment for a Stable Melasma So how does that relate to the melasma and the skin of the face? If we only treat the color of the skin of the face and bleach out the melanin that’s there without resetting the melanocytes whose thermostats are set too high, the spots going to come right back (see above animation). I would say that 99% of the women who come here from all over the world have tried virtually everything, dozens of different treatments that are bleaching out the melanin in the skin of their face, but the spots come right back and if you are reading this, you’ve probably had exactly the same experience. ### Effective Treatment for a Stable Melasma Therefore, what the treatment needs to do is reset the melanocytes, to bring them back to 72 degrees so that the spot doesn’t come back (see below image). In a stable melasma, whatever it was that caused the melanocyte thermostats to be reset at 80 has passed and so now the melanocytes are stuck at 80. Therefore, when we treat them properly and reset their thermostats back to 72, they stay stable at 72. ![Resetting melanocytes to 72 prevents melasma recurrence](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-melanocyte0back-to-72.jpg) By reseting the melanocyte back to 72 the melasma does not come back. ![In unstable melasma, your physiology keeps resetting melanocytes to 80](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-unstable-ghost-in-machine-ezgif.com-webp-to-gif-converter.gif) In an un-stable melasma their is something in your physiology that keeps setting the melanocyte thermostats back to 80. ### UN-Stable Melasma In an un-stable melasma, whatever was in your physiology that reset those melanocytes up to 80 degrees is still functioning. It’s still hiding someplace in your physiology as if there’s some kind of ghost in the machine, or ghost in the house, that’s walking into these rooms and keeps on shifting the setting on the thermostats of the melanocytes (see above animation). ### Treating an Un-Stable Melasma Therefore, even after a successful treatment where we reset them to 72, whatever that thing is, perhaps a hormonal fluctuation that you’re still living with, could reset those melanocytes back up to 75 or 78 or 80 and so we’re constantly chasing it. It’s very difficult when you have an un-stable melasma to predict exactly how long the treatments will be successful for. The melasma may return in a couple of months or maybe six months, but we simply don’t know because something in your physiology is un-stable, the landscape keeps on shifting. Therefore, for an un-stable melasma, the treatments might have to be repeated every so often to keep your skin at the color that you wish. ## Treating Melasma with Lasers Let’s take a look at one of our operating suites where we have [dozens of different lasers](https://amaskincare.com/about/), many of which are specific for treating pigmentation in the skin, so you can see where these treatments take place. Here we are in one of our laser operating suites (see above image) and as you can see, there are many lasers behind me and surrounding this operating table there are many more. There’s literally a couple of million dollars worth of lasers in this room representing 25 different modalities and many different types of frequencies, energy wavelengths, that each of these lasers represents. ![An AMA Regenerative Medicine suite with dozens of lasers](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-operating-suites-2.jpg) One of the operating suites at AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare where they have dozens of different lasers. ![High-melanin lasers let melanin absorb energy at low power](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-high-affinity-melanin.jpg) Using a laser frequency that has a high affinity for melanin means you can use low power and the melanin will just absorb the energy. ### Why are Lasers Used to Treat Melasma? Now the question is _“why do we need lasers or why do we choose lasers to treat melasmas?”_ The reason for this is because different frequencies of energy have a high affinity for melanin. What does that mean? If this was a molecule of melanin (see above image) and I have the right frequency of energy, the melanin would just absorb the energy, it would just suck it up and I wouldn’t have to use high power to force the energy into the melanin. ## The Science – How Laser Melasma Treatment Works What I’m going to do now is draw out the whole process for you, the whole equation, so to speak. Here we have a graph (see above image) and this bottom line is the baseline color of your particular skin type. On the left side we have melanin. So this reflects the amount of melanin in your skin. This is your baseline, your basic color of your skin, the color that you want it to be. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-treatment-graph-1.jpg) On the left of this graph is the amount of melanin in your skin. On the bottom is your baseline color. ![Melasma is treated with a low-power laser that targets melanin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-treatment-graph-2.jpg) This is where we will treat your melasma with a laser that has a high affinity for melanin so we can use low power. Over here is the measure of where your melasma is, the amount of melanin in your melasma. We will treat your melasma right here (see above image) with a particular frequency of energy that has a very high affinity to the melanin. Due to the fact that it has a very high affinity, we can use really low power. Again, we don’t have to force the energy in, the melanin is just going to absorb it. Now, why is that important? For two reasons, two critical reasons. ### Do NOT Risk Stimulating the Melanocytes Number one, because we’re using a low power of energy, we don’t risk stimulating the melanocytes. Remember the energy that comes out of a laser is light energy, just like the light that comes from the sun. And what do we know about melanocytes? They are stimulated by light energy. So if I’m using a laser with high power, yes, the energy is going to be absorbed by the melanin, but it’s also going to penetrate deeper down to where the melanocytes are and you risk stimulating them and actually making your melasma worse (see above animation). Now, some of you have had treatments like that where a wrong kind of laser was used or too much energy was used and it did make your melasma worse so you know exactly what I’m talking about.   ![Low power avoids triggering melanocytes; high power can worsen melasma](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-low-power-high-power-1.png) By using a lower power you don’t risk stimulating the melanocytes. Using high power energy can actually make the melasma worse. So number one, we use low power of a high affinity kind of wave length or frequency so that we do not stimulate the melanocytes and we don’t risk making the melasma worse. ![Laser energy alters melanin structure](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-change-molecular-structure-melanin-1.png) The laser energy changes the molecular structure of the melanin. ### Change the Molecular Structure of the Melanin The second reason that we’re going to use low power is because of what does happen to the melanin in your skin. So here is melanin in your stratum corneum, that dead layer of the skin, and melanin in your epidermis. The energy is going to go into the melanin. It’s not going to be high enough to poof, vaporize it, but just enough energy to essentially cook the melanin a little bit. It’s going to change its molecular structure. Here’s a molecule of melanin, the energy goes in and boom, we’ve changed the molecular structure (see above animation).   Then what happens? You walked into the clinic with a whole bunch of melanin in your skin and you’re going to walk out of the clinic with the same melanin that you came in with except a whole bunch of it is now altered. Its molecular structure has been changed. What happens now? You leave the clinic and over the next three to four weeks, the immune system gets involved. ### Your Immune System gets Involved The immune cells come around and they look at this altered melanin and they say, _“Hey, this looks like melanin, but it doesn’t smell like melanin. This is a foreign particle. It’s altered, it doesn’t belong here.”_ What does the immune system do with particles that don’t belong? Little immune cells come out like little Pac-Men and they chew it up, they dissolve it away (see above animation). Over the next three to four weeks you’ll see that your melasma fades away, fades away, fades away. Then it’ll stabilize because again, we didn’t get all the melanin. Melanin is in layers. ![Your immune system breaks down altered melanin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-imminue-system-eats-melanin-1.png) Your immune systems sees the altered melanin and chews it up, dissolves it away. ![Laser alters melanin’s structure, changing its color (see red circles)](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-treatment-graph-3-1.png) Over the next 3 weeks the melasma will fade away. Once it stabilizes we treat again and it fades away. ### Multiple Treatments are Needed So we treat again and over the next three to four weeks, fades away, fades away, fades away, stabilizes, treat again, and over the next three to four weeks, fades away, fades away, fades away. Now you’ll notice that there’s a little bump. With each time we treat your melasma, there’s a little bump (see above image) in this curve here, which represents the fact that when we change the molecular structure of the melanin, it changes color a little bit. It might get a little darker, it might get a little bit of an ashen color. That’s what we need this kind of special goggles for. ![Laser alters melanin’s structure, changing its color (see red circles)](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-treatment-graph-3-1.png) When the laser energy changes the molecular structure of the melanin it changes color as noted in the red circles. ![Polarized goggles reveal melanin color changes](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-special-goggles-1.png) These special goggles with polarized light allow us to see the color change in the melanin. This is a special goggle that has polarized light in it (see above image). With these goggles we can really see the change in the color of your melanin. You may not see it, other people may not see it, but we see it and it’s important for us to see it because it means that the molecular structure of the melanin in your melasma has been changed. The melasma is fading out. In three to five treatments, it should be all the way back to your baseline color and that’s fabulous. ![After treatments, your skin returns to baseline](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-before-and-after-treatment-1.png) After multiple treatments your skin will be back to its baseline color. ### What about the Melanocytes? The miracle of all of this is that not only is your immune system getting rid of the extra melanin in your skin, but for some reason that we don’t even understand, somehow the immune system’s involvement is resetting the thermostat on those melanocytes from 80 back to 72 so that the color, the extra melanin, the melasma does not return (see below animation). We don’t really understand how that’s happening. We don’t understand the mechanism, but it’s consistent and over the last 85,000 patients in 20 years, we see it happening almost every time with perfection, far greater than any doctor could ever do. The innate wisdom of your immune system can do it better. ![Your immune system resets melanocytes to 72](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-immune-system-reset-melanocyte-1.png) Your immune system’s involvement resets the melanocytes back down to 72 degrees. Now, I’ve talked about having the correct laser that has a frequency of energy that has a high affinity for melanin, and it’s not the same for every person. It’s not the same for every melasma. People’s melanin does alter, does change a little bit from person to person. Also the depth of the melanin in a person’s skin may vary. That’s why we have so many lasers here. ### 5 Laser Frequencies that have an Affinity for Melanin There are five known frequencies that have an affinity for melanin starting with 532 nanometers and going all the way up to 1064 nanometers. Now, depending on the person, one of these different frequencies may be better, may have a higher affinity for their melanin, then a different frequency. So that’s one thing that we have to look for. ### 3 Laser Pulse Durations The other thing is different lasers pulse the energy in different amounts of time. ![The Long Pulse laser delivers energy in 1/1000th of a second](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-long-pulse-laser-1.png) The Long Pulse laser pulses the energy in one thousandth of a second. ### Long Pulse Laser – 1,000th of a Second There are long pulse lasers that pulse in the 1,000 of a second. Let me stop here for a minute. Some of you are thinking a long pulse is measured in 1,000 of a second? 1,000 of a second is an impossibly short period of time, but in the world of physics, a 1,000 of a second is actually a long period of time. So yes, there are lasers in this room that pulse the energy in about 1,000 of a second or 2,000 of a second, short pulses like that. ### Q Switch Laser – 1,000,000th of a Second ![Switch laser pulses energy in a millionth of a second](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-q-switch-laser-1.png) The Q Switch laser pulses the energy in one millionth of a second. But there are also lasers that are called Q Switch lasers that pulse the energy in 1,000,000 of a second and they interact differently with melanin. ### PICO Laser – 1,000,000,000th of a Second There are also lasers called PICO lasers that pulse the energy in the 1,000,000,000 of a second. Each one of these interacts differently with melanin. So we have five different frequencies of energy and three different pulse durations or pulse lengths, which means we have 15 different types of lasers that might be the right frequency for your specific melasma. ![The PICO laser pulses in a billionth of a second](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-pico-laser-1.png) The PICO laser pulses the energy in one billionth of a second. ![5 laser types may suit your melasma](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-15-different-lasers-1.png) There are 15 different types of lasers that might be the right frequency for your specific melasma. Believe it or not, for some people it’s a combination of lasers that we have to do to get the skin to respond it’s best in removing your own melasma. ### Which Laser is the Right Laser? How do we know which is which? Again, after 85,000 treatments, we have a good idea of where to start, but in some patients we actually have to do some test spots. We will test different frequencies and different combinations of frequencies, give your skin a few days to respond, let your immune system get involved and we see and we assess what your skin is doing before we actually write a protocol. This is a critically important part of treating anyone, actually, for any kind of medical treatment, that you customize the protocol for that particular patient’s physiology. So we take the time to do that on many of our patients in order to get the very best response and to clear your melasma the most efficiently and effectively and also cost-effectively. ## Other Integrative Modalities to Treat Melasma Before we end this article on melasma, we’ve already taken a deep dive into the physiology of your skin to learn about melanocytes and how melasmas are created and we’ve also done a deep dive into the physics of lasers and of course, how the physics of the lasers interact with the physiology of your skin. I want to point out that there is another way that we very successfully interact with the physiology of your skin in order to control and subdue your melasma and that’s biochemically. ### Platlet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) ![PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-prp-32-1.png) Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP). What you see here is a PRP device. We can extract a little bit of your blood and using this device, extract and distill from your blood very specific growth factors that are very helpful in our work with your melasma. ![PRM (Physiological Regulating Medicine)](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-prm-2-1.png) Physiological Regulating Medicine (PRM). ### Physiological Regulating Medicine & Pharmaceuticals We also have here very sophisticated formulations called physiological regulating medicine, these are homeopathic formulations, and even some pharmaceuticals that will very effectively work to control and subdue your melasma. There are specific types of skin, and during your procedure we’ll see that your skin is receptive to these and we’ll use them during the course of your procedures to reduce and control and eliminate your melasma. ## You Don’t Have to Live with Melasma In a nutshell, when you think about the skin over your entire body and how perfectly colored it is everywhere, and it’s only here on your face that you have an issue, remember that your physiology is doing its job perfectly everywhere else and the entire focus, the entire purpose of our methodology is to remind the physiology of the skin of your face to do here what it is doing perfectly everywhere else. _**Watch the video :** My experience with laser melasma treatment_ ![Our method helps your facial skin work as naturally as the rest of your body](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-before-and-after-3-1.png) Our entire methodology is to remind the skin of your face to do what is is already doing perfectly on the rest of your body. The engineering of your physiology is nothing short of a mystery and a miracle. The engineering is spectacular. No doctor could ever possibly figure out what to do better than what your physiology is already doing. ![Your body can restore your skin's natural color](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/melasma-before-and-after-2-1.png) Your physiology has what it takes to return your skin back to its natural coloration. ### There is Hope! For those of you who have lost some hope, for those of you who think that there is nothing that can work for you anymore, for those of you who need some encouragement, know that your physiology has what it takes to return the coloration of your skin of your face back to where it should be, back to where you want it to be and where it could be. If this has been useful for you, please share it with your friends. Share our website with your friends and other people that you know are afflicted with melasma. Until the next time, we’ll see you back here again. ### About the Authors [](https://amaskincare.com/about/) ### [Alice Pien, MD & Asher Milgrom, PhD](https://amaskincare.com/about/) Doctors Alice Pien, MD and Asher Milgrom, Phd are established pioneers in the fields of Regenerative Medicine and Skincare. Their expertise ranges from advanced laser systems to HCT/P – Stem Cell medicine. Their medical education and advanced certifications span from medical schools of NY State University, the University of Chicago, to Johns Hopkins, Harvard and UCLA. They approach medicine with the clinical expertise of over 85,000 successful treatments over the past 20 years and significant scientific research resulting in proprietary protocols that they customize for each individual patient. **Tags:** Melasma ### Share this entry [Facebook-f](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&t=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?text=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/?p=6934) [Pinterest-p](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amaskincare.com%2Fsun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin%2F&description=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&media=https%3A%2F%2Ftzyc95.a2cdn1.secureserver.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F11%2Fsun-damaged-skin3-copy-705x397.jpg) [Linkedin-in](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) [Reddit-alien](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Mail-bulk](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&body=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) ## You might also like [![What is a birthmark – skin condition](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/whatisabirthmark-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-a-birthmark-does-removal-work/) ### [Can My Birthmark be Removed with Laser Treatment?](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-a-birthmark-does-removal-work/) [![collagen supplements the care and feeding of your collagen](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/collagensupplementsthecareandfeedingofyourcollagen-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/collagen-supplements/) ### [Collagen Supplements – The Care and Feeding of Your Collagen](https://amaskincare.com/collagen-supplements/) [![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/header-spots-removal-laser-dark-skin.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/laser-treatment-dark-skin-hyperpigmentation-melasma/) ### [Laser Treatment for Hyperpigmentation & Melasma on Dark Skin](https://amaskincare.com/laser-treatment-dark-skin-hyperpigmentation-melasma/) ## [A Deep Dive into the Cause & Treatment of Acne & Acne Scarring](https://amaskincare.com/cause-treatment-of-acne-acne-scarring/) # A Deep Dive into the Cause & Treatment of Acne & Acne Scarring _**Watch the video :** Acne & Acne Scarring : A Deep Dive into the Cause & Treatment_ _(The following is a transcription of the above video)_ Today we’re here to talk about cystic acne, both what we know about the [causes of cystic acne](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-acne-what-causes-acne/), the active condition where you have active cysts on your face and in your skin, and also what we do about the scarring that occurs after the cysts have gone away and your skin has all sorts of pockmarks on it. ### 4,000 Years of Acne As a matter of fact, acne has been around [since the days of the Egyptians](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5440448/). Literally, there are all sorts of archeological findings that indicate that cystic acne was an issue all the way back then. Even so, over the last 4,000 years, we haven’t figured out what the real systemic causes of cystic acne are. ### Sex Hormones and Acne We know for sure that it has something to do, in most cases, with [sex hormones](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4769025/) because when people go through puberty, the acne shows up, but not everyone gets it. Even though everyone goes through that stage, not everyone gets cystic acne. We even have cases in our medical practice of identical twins. They live in the same home, they eat the same food, they go to the same school, obviously they have the same parents, and yet one of them has cystic acne and the other one doesn’t. Go figure. We really don’t know, at a systemic level, what causes cystic acne. ![A Deep Dive into the Cause & Treatment of Acne & Acne Scarring](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-identical-twins.jpg) We have even seen cases of identical twins where one has cystic acne and the other doesn’t ### Hygiene and Acne There are a couple of subjects that are often associated with cystic acne that we’re only going to touch on briefly here. One of them is hygiene. I’m going to assume that all of you with cystic acne out there are already taking good care of your skin, in regards to hygiene. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-diet-2.jpg) There are 3 food groups that are known to have an effect on acne ### Diet and it’s Effect on Acne The other is diet. You may know that there are [three food groups that do have an effect on some people with cystic acne](https://amaskincare.com/cause-treatment-of-acne-acne-scarring/), and I’m assuming that you’ve already done some experimentation with your diet to see if eliminating those items might help your skin. One of them is milk products, and that would be cow milk, anything with cow milk in it. The other of course is going to be sugar, refined sugar, and the third one for a very few people is the glutens. So I’m hoping that you’ve already done some experimentation with that, to see if that can help your skin condition. ### Adult Onset Acne Now this also applies to adult onset cystic acne. You may be 25, 35, even 45 years old, never having had [acne as a teenager](https://amaskincare.com/teenage-acne/), and suddenly one day wake up and, boom, cystic acne all over the place. For women, this might be an issue of sex hormones, and of course if that’s the case, you have to have that checked out. The bottom line is this, especially for adults, we do not know the cause of cystic acne, but we certainly know locally how to deal with it, how to treat the cysts, and how to [solve the cystic acne scarring](/laser-treatment-for-hyperpigmentation-melasma-on-dark-skin/). ## Where Acne Forms in Your Skin Before we get into the details how how to treat the cystic acne, we need to take a deep dive into the [physiology of your skin](https://amaskincare.com/top-10-amazing-functions-of-the-skin/) and go through its various components so we can see where your cysts are actually coming from. So here we are, we’re looking at a diagram of an idealized version of the skin (see above animation). The bottom layer, the yellow layer, is the [subcutaneous fat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subcutaneous_tissue#Subcutaneous_fat). That does not have any effect on acne, so we’re going to ignore it. The skin itself is comprised of that thick layer right above the fat. That’s called the [dermis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermis). ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-the-skin-4-1.png) Idealized version of the skin and its various components Above that, the very superficial thin layer that everyone’s looking at, which is the [epidermis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidermis). Now your cystic acne, when it occurs, shows up in the epidermis, as well as the scarring afterwards shows up in the epidermis. But the scarring itself and the cysts themselves actually occur in the dermis. That’s what we have to take a closer look at. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-the-skin-hair-1.png) Some of the items the dermis is made out of include sweat glands and hair follicles ### The Dermis What is the dermis made out of? Well, here we have sweat glands (see above animation). You can see those. Here, obviously, you have a hair and then the hair follicle down underneath it. That round thing at the very bottom of the hair follicle is called the papilla or the root of the hair. By the way, there are lasers that can target that papilla and disable it so that the hair never grows again, and that’s what [laser hair removal](https://amaskincare.com/services/laser-hair-removal/) is all about. ### The Collagen Matrix Now, all that white stuff in there, that’s the collagen matrix of the skin. [Collagen](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-collagen-basic-biology/) is, let me tell you, it is a miracle of engineering. It’s extraordinary. There are many different types of collagen in the body. We’re going to focus on the collagen right here in the dermal matrix. It’s called collagen type one. As I mentioned, it’s a miracle that gives all the structural integrity of your skin and all those wonderful characteristics to your skin. It’s all in the collagen.   ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-collagen-dermal-matrix-type-1.jpg) The dermal matrix is filled with collagen type 1 Now, collagen itself is a very thin protein fiber. It’s a little tiny little thing. For its weight and its size, it’s actually stronger than steel, but it is so small that by itself it cannot confer any of the amazing physical characteristics of your skin. Your body, your physiology, takes those little fibers and puts them through a four phased engineering transformation. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-collagen.webp) Bundles of collagen layered in laminar layers ### How Collagen is Made First it takes those fibers and knits them together into a very tight basket weave. Then chemically, it bonds those fibers together into bundles. Then it takes those bundles and layers them in laminar layers, one on top of another like plywood. As you know, plywood is even stronger than the wood it’s made out of, and thus, too, your skin is incredibly strong. Then it takes those laminar layers and braids them three-dimensionally every which way, in and out. Looking at it under a microscope, it is beautiful.   The bottom line is that the skin is not only incredibly strong, it’s elastic and flexible and stretchable and resilient and toned and full and tight and lifted and youthful and sexy. It’s all about the collagen: how much you got and what shape is it in? As a matter of fact, it’s this collagen matrix that has been damaged by cystic acne. ### The Sebaceous Gland So let’s take a look again. We have arteries and veins down there (see above animation), and then right there, that’s the antagonist in our story. That is a [sebaceous gland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebaceous_gland). Every pore in your skin, whether there’s a hair in it or not, has a sebaceous gland. The sebaceous gland is what makes [sebum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebaceous_gland#Sebum) or the oils for your skin. The oils come up through the pores, and they get absorbed in that very, very top layer of the epidermis, which is dead. It’s the dead layer called the [stratum corneum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratum_corneum). It fills that stratum corneum layer and basically makes an oil mantle around your body to protect you. That’s why water just beads off your skin, because of the oils in that stratum corneum, that dead layer. Now, if your sebaceous glands are overactive, you’re going to have oily skin. If your sebaceous glands are under-active, you’re going to have dry flaky skin. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-the-skin-sebaceous-gland-1.png) Every pore in your skin has a sebaceous gland ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-sebaceous-cyst-1.png) Sebaceous glands can balloon up and become sebaceous cysts ### Sebaceous Cyst For reasons again that no one really understands, an overactive sebaceous gland can also become oversized. It can balloon up, just like that (see above image), and that very cute little sebaceous gland can become a monster sebaceous cyst. That sebaceous cyst is in fact the cyst of cystic acne. When you have cystic acne, that’s what’s filling up your skin. ## How Your Body Reacts to the Sebaceous Cyst So here you are, you have cystic acne. You know that your sebaceous glands have ballooned up. Now you have these bumps in your skin, and we need to treat it. First we have to understand how your body is reacting to that sebaceous gland that has mysteriously ballooned up. As you can imagine, this thing ballooning up in your skin causes quite an irritation in your skin. Your immune system that is monitoring your entire body senses this thing ballooning up in your skin, and it responds to it. ### Immune Inflammatory Response Imagine in fact that you’re sitting in the central control room of your immune system, and the alarms go off. Something is growing in this kid’s skin, or something is growing in this adult’s skin. These foreign bodies are ballooning up, and so the immune system reacts with an [immune inflammatory response](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000821.htm). As you may recall, and you may be going through this right now, that sometimes you can feel that cyst just beginning under your skin. It’s a hard little nodule, like a little hard pea, and by the next morning when you wake up, your little tiny pea has ballooned up. It’s become swollen and red and painful. That’s the inflammatory response. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-immune-response-2.jpg) Your immune system responds to the sebaceous cyst growing in your skin with an immune inflammatory response ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-sebaceous-cyst-balloon-up-1.png) The cute little sebaceous gland can balloon up and become a monster sebaceous cyst Let me draw it out so you get a better picture of what’s going on (see below animation). Here we have the epidermis, underneath it we have the dermis, and underneath that we have the subcutaneous fat. Now we have a pore, and then of course the cute little sebaceous gland. Now this little cute sebaceous gland, again for reasons that no one quite understands, can balloon up and become a monster sebaceous cyst. Now of course, the epidermis is distended way above it, and it’s all red and swollen and painful. You guys know all about this. ### Blood Vessels Carry with them the Immune Cells Now, how did it get big, red, and swollen? That’s the immune inflammatory response. The alarms went off, and the immune system initiated an inflammatory response. All these red blood vessels grew into the area (see above image), in order to bring with them and to carry with them, all the immune cells that are going to attack this foreign thing that’s growing in your skin. The immune modulators and mediators are all now there. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-immune-inflamatory-response-2.jpg) The immune inflammatory response causes all these blood vessels to grow in to bring with them all the immune cells That’s the condition that exists in active cystic acne. You have these oversized sebaceous glands, these overactive sebaceous glands. The immune system has reacted or responded to this, and now the cysts are inflamed and they’re swollen and they’re big and red and pustular and painful. This of course can happen pretty much anywhere on our body, but mainly the main issue is in our faces and our chests and our backs. If your natural immune system and your immune response can’t deal effectively with these cysts pretty quickly and the cystic condition persists for a long time, eventually this will turn into scarring, but we’ll get to that in a minute. Right now, we have an active cystic condition, and the question is how do we deal with it? ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-conventional-spproach.jpg) The conventional method of dealing with cystic acne involves treating the active cystic condition first ## The Conventional Approach to Treating Cystic Acne I’m assuming of course that all of you out there with cystic acne have probably been to a doctor or two, to try to deal with this. You might’ve gone to a dermatologist or a conventional family practice, and generally speaking, the doctor is going to draw out two circles for you to explain to you what’s going on. The first circle that they will draw is the active cystic condition, and right next to it another circle, which is the scarring (see above image). The doctor’s going to say, _“You know what, you can’t really deal with the scarring while the cystic acne is still happening.”_ Which makes sense. Why try to deal with the scarring while your skin is still filled with cysts and making more scars? So the doctor will say _“you have to deal with the active cystic condition first, before we can deal with the scarring.”_ Well, that’s the conventional model, but I’m happy to say that Dr. Pien and I, after 20 years of doing research in this area and treating tens of thousands of people with cystic acne, we have found that the protocols that we use, primarily with lasers and other modalities as well, can in fact take those two circles and overlap them. The diagram now looks like this (see above image), with the active circle overlapping with the scarring circle. If you deal, with the protocols that we’ve developed here, with the active circle, the active cystic condition, you’re pretty much taking care of half of the other circle, which is the scarring condition. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-laser-approach.jpg) With the laser protocols we have developed here we can treat both the active cystic acne and the acne scarring at the same time ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-before-after.jpg) Before and after laser treatment for acne where we caught it early enough that the scarring resolved on its own Here are some before and after photographs of successful treatments of cystic acne, when we caught it early enough so that the scarring resolved on its own. So what did we do? What are the protocols that deal so effectively with the active cysts, that also initiates and takes care of pretty much half the scarring? Again, we’ll talk about the scarring later. Before we jump into the details of the protocols that we have developed with lasers, as well as the additional modalities that we’ll talk about later, let’s first talk about the conventional approach to dealing with cystic acne. Basically what we’re talking about here are medications or pharmaceuticals. They fall into three different groups: antibiotics, hormones, and something called Accutane. ### Antibiotics Let’s start with antibiotics. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-conventional-antibiotics.jpg) Some antibiotics also have an anti-inflammatory property that helps with cystic acne ### Cystic Acne is NOT an Infection There is a misconception out there, just like the misconception that somehow we really understand the systemic causes of cystic acne, when we don’t. There is also the misconception that cystic acne is an infectious condition, that you have infections in your skin. As a matter of fact, cystic acne is not an infection. Not an infection, you say? Then what is all that pus-y white stuff that I’m squeezing out of there? Doesn’t that look like an infection? ### What is that Pus-y White Stuff ? Well, let me explain to you what that pus-y white stuff is. The sebaceous gland, when it becomes oversized and overactive, looks like this (see above image). The inside lining of the sebaceous gland has modified [epithelial cells](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/epithelial-cells) in there, whose job it is to make the sebum for your skin, the oils for your skin. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-inside-sebaceous-gland.jpg) The inside lining of the sebaceous gland has modified epithelial cells ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-inside-sebaceous-gland-2.jpg) An overactive sebaceous gland not only makes way too much sebum but also makes way to many epithelial cells In an overactive gland, not only are these cells making way too much oil, or way too much sebum (see above image), but the gland itself is making way too many of these cells. Those cells are quickly dying, falling off, filling the inside of the gland, and are being mixed with that sebum. That white pus-y stuff that looks like an infection is actually a collection of dead epithelial cells mixed with the sebum, that when you squeeze out is white and pus-y and looks like an infection. But it is not. As a matter of fact, for all of you out there that have tried antibiotics, you know from your own experience that it’s not an infection. Because if it was an infection, the antibiotics would have worked every single time, not only with you, but everyone else out there that has cystic acne. But oh my gosh, all you got to do is go to a high school and you’ll say, _“This can’t be an infection because antibiotics are available to everyone, and all these kids have cystic acne.”_ ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-high-school.jpg) All you have to do is go to a high school to know that antibiotics don’t cure cystic acne ### Why do Antibiotics Work for Some People, or at Least Help? It’s not because of the antibiotic’s antibacterial activity, it’s because that some antibiotics also have an anti-inflammatory property. Given that we know, we’ve been through this, that we know that these cysts have now become inflamed because of the immune system’s response, the antibiotics reduce some of the inflammation, and that helps the cystic acne. I must mention, longterm use of antibiotics is not only ineffective, but can cause very serious negative effects in other physiological systems of our body. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-conventional-sex-hormones.jpg) We do know that sex hormones must have something to do with cystic acne ### Sex Hormones The second class of drugs or medications that can help of course are those associated with sex hormones. We do know, of course, that sex hormones must have something to do with cystic acne, because many people get it when they’re going through puberty and the sex hormones are now increasing in their bodies. We also know that for some women in adulthood, they may have an increase of some sex hormones that may have something to do with their cystic acne. ### The Birth Control Pill and other Hormonal Medications Therefore, there are some medications that do affect the hormonal landscape of our bodies and can help with cystic acne. For women in particular, that’s the [birth control pill](https://amaskincare.com/birth-control-hormonal-period-acne/). Obviously that doesn’t help guys. For both men and women, there are some medications that do interact or interfere with the sex hormones’ effect on sebaceous gland activity. [Spironolactone](https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aad/53310) is one of those medications. Once again, if cystic acne was only an issue of hormonal activity, we would have solved that a long time ago. Obviously that has not happened, so we get right back to square one. We don’t really understand what the systemic conditions are that make a person have cystic acne. ### Accutane The third category of medications, of pharmaceuticals, that are commonly used for cystic acne is the drug Accutane. Don’t know how else to say it, so I’m just going to say it. Accutane is a very dangerous and very nasty drug. It should be considered the last resort of last resorts because it has so many negative side effects, particularly on brain and on liver. The list is as long as my arm and they’re very, very dangerous. If you’re going to go that route, you have to be sure to get a prescription from a doctor that knows how to monitor you. Knows how to monitor both your brain functions and your liver functions in order to be sure that you’re not being negatively affected by the drug itself. We don’t prescribe Accutane in our practice. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-conventional-accutane.jpg) Accutane is a very dangerous drug. We do not prescribe Accutane to our patients ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-laser-treatment.jpg) There are 3 type of lasers that are very effective for treating cystic acne ## Laser Treatment For Cystic Acne Now that we have reviewed the things that sort of work or work a little bit, what are the things that really work consistently and very effectively? Now we get to the laser protocols and the integrative modalities that we have developed here. By the way, I don’t expect all of you in the world that have cystic acne to come here. Obviously that’s impossible. I’m going to explain these protocols to you so that you can find physicians in your area of the world that hopefully have these modalities, have these energies and these lasers, and can use these protocols on you wherever you live. ### Nd:YAG Laser to Shrink the Sebaceous Gland Here we are with the skin, with an oversized, over-exuberant, overactive sebaceous gland. There are different kinds of lasers that can interact very effectively with this oversized sebaceous gland. The gold standard is a laser called the Nd:YAG, with a frequency of 1064 nanometers. It’s an infrared laser, and the energy of that laser will get collected and concentrated inside that gland. Basically, that laser energy will penetrate into that sebaceous oversized cyst. It will concentrate in that cyst and slap it into submission, dry it up, and shrink it back down. It’s not the only laser that does that, it’s not the only frequency that works, but that is the best of all of them. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-nd-yag-laser.jpg) The Nd:YAG laser energy penetrates into the sebaceous gland which causes it to dry up and shrink down ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-vascular-laser.jpg) The vascular laser interacts with all the inflammation and vasculature causing it to disappear ### Vascular Laser to Reduce Inflammation (Redness) The other issue we have to deal with, of course, is all that inflammation that occurs in this cyst, all that inflammatory tissue that surrounds the cyst that we talked about earlier. That, too, has to be treated. For that, we would use a different class of lasers, vascular lasers, that interact with all that red vasculature. ### Erbium (Ablative) will Help the Skin to Purge The third laser that we might use, often do with cystic acne, is an ablative laser. Let’s take a look at the top layer of the skin, the epidermis (see above animation). This is the live part of the epidermis, filled with live epithelial cells. Right above it is that dead layer that we talked about before, in which all the oils get absorbed. That dead layer can sometimes fill up the pores and plug them up. Now that we are causing those glands, those sebaceous cysts to shrink down, all that gunk in there has got to go someplace. It’s got to come out. In order for this gunk to get out, if we take off that top dead layer of the skin that might be plugging up the pores, that gunk can get out easier. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-top-layer-clogged-pore-1.png) The dead layer of skin, the stratum corneum, can sometimes clog up the pore preventing the sebaceous gland from purging ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-epithelial-peel.jpg) Taking off the uppermost dead layer of skin will help the skin to purge when the sebaceous glands shrink back down A very light epithelial peel will open up those pores and allow the purging to happen more easily. Some people get really lucky, and the body dissolves away that gunk internally, so there’s no purge. Those are the lucky ones. But for many, as those glands shrink back down, as those cysts dry up and shrink back down, the gunk’s got to come out, and you’re going to purge. Taking that dead stratum corneum layer off is going to help that process. ### A Very Effective Cystic Acne Treatment So those three lasers used together, the laser that interacts with the sebaceous glands, the laser that interacts with the vasculature and the inflammation, and an ablative laser that will take off the stratum corneum so the skin can breathe, these three classes of lasers used together in a combination, with our additional modalities that I’ll discuss later, are a very effective treatment for cystic acne. Now, I haven’t talked about how to set those lasers up, what kind of power needs to be used, how to modulate those energies, and things like that. That’s way too complicated for this conversation, and if any of your doctors anywhere in the world need to know more about it, they’re welcome to contact me. I’ll explain to them precisely the protocols of how to modulate those lasers, which sequence to use them in, in order to get a very good result in your skin. So that’s what an individual treatment looks like, the combination of those three lasers. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-3-lasers-to-treat-cystic-acne-1.png) These 3 classes of lasers are a very effective treatment for cystic acne ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-kick-sebaceous-gland-1.png) Once you get the sebaceous cyst down you want to keep kicking it over and over again to keep it down ### How Many Treatments are Needed? Now the question is, how many treatments do I need, and how much time between the treatments? This is actually quite simple, but extremely important. The time between treatments needs to be three weeks and no more than four weeks. Why is that? Remember the old adage of don’t kick a man when he’s down? We’ll, in the case of sebaceous cysts, once you get them down, you want to kick them over and over and over again. If you wait too long between treatments, the sebaceous cysts sometimes have the ability to get back up. You don’t want that to happen. You want to come in for treatments every three weeks, ideally, no more than four weeks. ### In Conclusion The bottom line is this, and the data is very clear on this, the longer we can subdue those sebaceous glands, the less chance they have of resurrecting themselves and getting back up. So we want to keep them down for as long as necessary, without giving them the chance to get back up. Now, how many treatments would you need depends on the severity of your cystic acne condition and the responsiveness of your physiology. Generally speaking, between three and five treatments every three to four weeks is going to take care of your cystic acne. Those are the lucky ones, who haven’t gotten any scarring yet. ## Acne Scarring : What Causes it? For those of you out there whose cystic acne is much worse, or you’ve had it for a longer period of time and your skin is already beginning to scar, let’s talk about that. Let me explain to you what is causing that scarring and what the structures of those scars are inside your skin. Let’s imagine once again that you’re sitting in the central control headquarters of the immune system. You’ve already sent your immune army over to these cysts, to deal with whatever that thing is that’s growing in your skin. ### Your Immune Systems Response Now, the immune system expects that within a week or two those cysts will have gone away because your army would have dealt with them. But here it is, two, three, four weeks, a month later, maybe two months later, and the cysts are still there. From the perspective of your immune system, _“Hey, I sent my army over there to deal with whatever that thing is that’s growing in the skin, and it’s still there. Obviously my immune army couldn’t deal with it. Even though I don’t know what it is for sure, I don’t want it to spread. I need to wall it off.”_ ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-scarring-immune-central-control.jpg) Your immune system expects that your immune army would have been able to deal with the sebaceous cysts within a week or two ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-scarring-scar-tissue.jpg) All the inflammatory tissue that surrounded the sebaceous cyst slowly turns into scar tissue ### Scar Tissue is Formed As a matter of fact, all this inflammatory tissue that surrounds the cyst slowly but surely becomes a scar tissue (see above image), and the scar tissue encapsulates the cyst, walls it off, in fact, we now technically call this cyst an encapsulated cyst. So now, why is that a problem? How come that causes the cystic scarring that we see, the pockmarks, the rolling pockmarks, and the boxcar pockmarks? Well, this is why. ### The Sebaceous Cyst Displaced all the Good Tissue Initially, when that cute little sebaceous gland expanded and became this monster sebaceous cyst, it displaced all that healthy good tissue that was all around it (see above image). The arteries and the veins and some neural tissues, and of course all that wonderful white collagen matrix, it all got displaced. It all got pushed away, and now this wall has been created. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-scarring-displace-tissue.jpg) When the sebaceous gland ballooned up it displaced all the good tissue around it ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ace-scar-encapsulation-1.png) When the sebaceous cyst eventually dries up and goes away the skin collapses down into the scar encapsulation that is left behind ### All the Good Tissue is on the Other Side of the Scar Tissue This scar encapsulation has been created, and all that good tissue is now on the other side of the wall. When that cyst eventually dries up and goes away, and they all do, all that good material, all that good tissue that used to occupy that space where the cyst was, is on the other side of the wall and can’t get into where it used to be. So the skin now collapses down inside the scar (see above animation), and you are left with, voila, a pockmark. As you can see, the pockmark is lined with the scarring that encapsulated the cyst. ## Laser Treatments for Acne Scars Okay, so here we are. Your skin now has cystic acne pockmarks, and once again, lasers and a few additional modalities that we’ll address at the end of the video come to our rescue. In your dermis, in your collagen matrix, there are cells called [fibroblasts](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/fibroblast) (see above image) whose job it is to deal with the maintenance and repair of the collagen matrix. They generate new collagen, they repair damaged collagen, and overall the maintenance of the collagen matrix so that your skin is healthy and young and tight and beautiful, is the job of these fibroblasts. The most effective way to stimulate the dermal matrix and all these fibroblasts to regenerate new healthy skin for you includes four different types of lasers. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-scar-fibroblast-cell.jpg) The fibroblast cell deals with the repair and maintenance of the collagen matrix ### Stimulate and Regenerate New Collagen ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-scar-laser-1-fibroblast.jpg) The first laser stimulates the fibroblast cells to generate new collagen The first type of laser is going to stimulate the fibroblasts so they generate new collagen. ### Breakdown Scar Tissue Collagen ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-scar-laser-2-coagulative-1.jpg) The second laser uses a coagulative energy the breaks down the scar tissue collagen The second type of laser generates a special kind of coagulative energy that is very effective in breaking down the scar tissue. This is very important in supporting the dermal matrix to remodel the scar tissue into healthy collagen tissue. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-scar-laser-3-fractional.jpg) The third laser is a fractionated laser that causes the skin to contract ### Contraction of the Collagen Matrix The third type of laser has it beam which is fractionated, which means the beam is broken into tiny micro columns of energy that are so small they are measured in microns. The geometry of this kind of energy causes the skin to contract. This is particularly important so that the pockmarks close in from all sides, like the lens of a camera. ### Resurface The Skin The fourth type of laser is a resurfacing laser. This is particularly important to make sure that the surface of your skin is smooth and with a beautiful texture. Those four classes of lasers, those that cause stimulation and regeneration of new collagen, those that cause contraction of the collagen matrix, those that can break down the scar tissue collagen, and those that can resurface your skin, all used together in a customized protocol, in addition to our integrative modalities, are a very effective protocol for treating your scars. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-scar-laser-4.jpg) The fourth laser is an ablative laser that smooths out the surface of the skin ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-scar-before-after.jpg) Before and after photo of successful acne scar removal after 4 treatments ### How Many Treatments are Needed Once again the question now is, how many treatments will I need and how much time between the treatments? Well, how many treatments you’ll need depends on the severity of your scarring, and of course the responsiveness of your own physiology. Generally speaking, between three and five treatments will transform the scarring of your skin. Now, the time between the treatment is much longer than the time between the treatments when we were dealing with active cysts. ### The Process of Making New Collagen Your skin’s ability to make new collagen, the activity of the fibroblasts cells, takes much longer. That’s why I explained to you previously the amazing complexity and intricacy of the design of the collagen matrix. That, the skin cannot make overnight. It’s very complex, and it takes the skin weeks to generate that. We will do the stimulation with the lasers to get all that machinery going again, but your skin must work 24/7 for many weeks to actually make the new collagen matrix that’s going to repair your skin. Generally speaking, you will do these treatments between six to eight weeks, maybe even as many as 10 weeks between treatments. ### In Conclusion So there you have it. Those four classes of lasers, a series of treatments, anywhere from eight to ten weeks apart, can do wonders for stimulating the natural regenerative machinery that’s already inherent in your skin, to make new, beautiful, healthy, young and gorgeous skin. It is, in effect, a regenerative process. We’re not doing the fixing. Your physiology is doing the work. We are simply stimulating your physiology to get busy and get it done fast. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-4-lasers-to-treat-acne-scars-1.png) These 4 classes of lasers are a very effective treatment for acne scars ## Additional Integrative Modalities for Acne and Acne Scarring ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/complicated-acne-scar.jpg) Encapsulated cysts that are right next to each other can coalesce and cause complicated scarring that can also develop adhesions A number of times, through our description of exactly how we use laser modalities to treat both active cystic acne and scars, the scars left from cystic acne, I’ve mentioned the other integrative modalities that we use. This is particularly important in very complicated cases, where the scarring can be very severe. Sometimes encapsulated cysts that are right next to each other end up coalescing into huge cysts that leave very convoluted and complicated scarring. These are called boxcar and rolling scars. Sometimes, these complicated scars even develop adhesions (see above image), where the scar tissue penetrates down below this skin, like roots that hold the skin down and pulling it down, creating dimpling. ### Subcision When this happens, the treatment needs to include a procedure called subcision, wherein these adhesions are released, cut through with a special needle, and [injections of ozone](https://amaregenmed.com/ozone-therapy-why-the-10-pass-device-is-the-best/) that not only release the adhesions but also stimulate the remodeling of the adhesion scars into healthy collagen. As you can see from the image above, as soon as the adhesions are released, the skin will pop back up and float freely, so that it can be remodeled and regenerated. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/complicated-acne-scar-subcision.jpg) Sometimes these scar tissue adhesions need to be cut through, or release, with a procedure called subcision ### Other Integrative Modalities The other integrative modalities that we use include the ozone, as I just mentioned, also micro-needling, also radio-frequency micro-needling energy devices, as well as PRP, you may have heard of that, and physiological regulating medicine, which include very important anti inflammatory elements, such as specific interleukins. These are very important for the treatment of active and inflamed cysts. At times, we might also use formulations of [salicylic acid](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Salicylic-acid) and [hyaluronic acid](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583886/), which help release the sebum when the skin needs to purge. ![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-scar-computerized-injection.jpg) Very specific quantities of these elements can be injected at precise depths in the skin with a very sophisticated computerized injection platform ### Placental/Umbilical Tissues/Biological Allografts (FDA: HCT/P – Stem Cells) and Exosomes For very severe cases of scarring, we even use very specific placental allograft tissues such as Placental/Umbilical Tissues/Biological Allografts (FDA: HCT/P – Stem Cells) and exosomes. These are at the heart of regenerative medicine and a very powerful stimulant of the generation of new, healthy, beautiful skin. All of these elements need to be injected into the skin, which can be done manually. We might also use very sophisticated computerized injection platforms that can inject very precise quantities of all these elements to very specific and precise depths in the skin. These are some of the modalities that we combine with lasers, and all the research that we do here, in treating all sorts of scarred skin, from burn patients to traumatic scars, to surgical scars, and of course the cystic acne that we’ve been talking about. Bottom line, whatever kind of scarring you have, from cystic acne, to stretch marks, to traumatic and surgical scars, to even burn scars, your skin has innately the regenerative capacity and the machinery to fix itself, to generate new, healthy, beautiful skin. In collaboration with our technologies and our protocols, your skin can be transformed. ## Your Don’t Have to Live with Acne or Acne Scarring All of us here at AMA Regenerative Medicine and Skincare, [Dr. Pien](https://amaskincare.com/about/) and myself, and all of our nurses and our staff, we hope that this has given you more than just hope, but given you confidence that you don’t have to live with this for the rest of your life. If you have found this to be helpful and educational, and now that you understand what’s going on with your condition, and hopefully you have hope and confidence, please share it with other people in your life that have cystic acne, or the scarring from cystic acne. Let them know that they, too, can have more than just hope. They can have confidence that there is a solution for their skin issues. ### About the Authors [](https://amaskincare.com/about/) ### [Alice Pien, MD & Asher Milgrom, PhD](https://amaskincare.com/about/) Doctors Alice Pien, MD and Asher Milgrom, Phd are established pioneers in the fields of Regenerative Medicine and Skincare. Their expertise ranges from advanced laser systems to HCT/P – Stem Cell medicine. Their medical education and advanced certifications span from medical schools of NY State University, the University of Chicago, to Johns Hopkins, Harvard and UCLA. They approach medicine with the clinical expertise of over 85,000 successful treatments over the past 20 years and significant scientific research resulting in proprietary protocols that they customize for each individual patient. ### Share this entry [Facebook-f](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&t=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?text=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/?p=6934) [Pinterest-p](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amaskincare.com%2Fsun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin%2F&description=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&media=https%3A%2F%2Ftzyc95.a2cdn1.secureserver.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F11%2Fsun-damaged-skin3-copy-705x397.jpg) [Linkedin-in](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) [Reddit-alien](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Mail-bulk](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&body=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) ## You might also like [![what is a face lift](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/whatisafacelift2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-a-facelift-procedure-explained/) ### [What is a FaceLift? – The Surgical Facelift VS The Non-Surgical Facelift](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-a-facelift-procedure-explained/) [![Hyperpigmentation Detail on Skin](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Hyperpigmentation-Detail-on-Skin.jpg)](https://amaskincare.com/what-causes-hyperpigmentation-and-how-to-treat-it-your-complete-guide-by-ama-regenerative-medicine-skincare/) ### [What Causes Hyperpigmentation and How to Treat It – Your Complete Guide by AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare](https://amaskincare.com/what-causes-hyperpigmentation-and-how-to-treat-it-your-complete-guide-by-ama-regenerative-medicine-skincare/) [![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/thetop5foodsforgoodskin2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/5-foods-that-boost-the-health-of-your-skin/) ### [The Top 5 Foods that are Good for Your Skin](https://amaskincare.com/5-foods-that-boost-the-health-of-your-skin/) [![a facelift without surgery](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/a-facelift-without-surgery-2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/facelift-without-surgery-spectralift/) ### [A Facelift Without Surgery – The SpectraLift Non-Surgical Facelift](https://amaskincare.com/facelift-without-surgery-spectralift/) [![There are many different anti aging laser treatments available that are specifically designed to reverse the various signs of aging](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/anti-aging-laser-treatments-2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/anti-aging-laser-treatments-reverse-signs-aging/) ### [Anti Aging Laser Treatments to Reverse the Signs of Aging](https://amaskincare.com/anti-aging-laser-treatments-reverse-signs-aging/) [![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acne-sebaceous-cyst-495x281-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/cause-treatment-of-acne-acne-scarring/) ### [A Deep Dive into the Cause & Treatment of Acne & Acne Scarring](https://amaskincare.com/cause-treatment-of-acne-acne-scarring/) ## [My Laser Face Lift – Thick Skin can be a Good Thing – by Bree Walker](https://amaskincare.com/having-thick-skin-can-be-a-good-thing/) # My Laser Face Lift – Thick Skin can be a Good Thing – by Bree Walker ![Thick Skin can be a Good Thing – by Bree Walker](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/havingthickskincanbeagoodthingbreewalker-1.jpg) Having Thick Skin can be a Good Thing – My Experience Having a Laser Face Lift – Story by Bree Walker **_Repost of an article originally written in 2006 (Just imagine how much more sophisticated the technology and the techniques have become since then!)_** It’s been said that a working journalist must have thick skin but I never thought this expression had literal meaning. Now that I am officially middle age, I am eager for a dermatological laser face lift thickening of my skin, even, as my heart grows softer with age. Unfortunately, as time marches on, my Scandinavian skin is destined for its ancestral tissue-paper fragility. ## Surgical Face Lift or Laser Face Lift? My inner debate continues whether I should go under the knife and risk that stretched Saran wrap look that so many Scandinavian women suffer after surgical face and neck lifts, or do I opt for a more long-term approach that includes diligent[ at-home skin care](https://amaskincare.com/5-foods-that-boost-the-health-of-your-skin) and a willingness to explore new non-surgical laser technologies? ![Still debating: surgical vs. laser face lift](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/thickskinbreecloseup.jpg) My inner debate continues as to whether I should opt for a surgical face lift or the less invasive laser face lift. A [surgical facelift](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-a-facelift-procedure-explained/) means instant gratification with potentially more dramatic (possibly too dramatic) results versus a slower, more methodical process of skin cell rebuilding. I’ve been struggling with this issue for years, waiting for just the right procedure to convince me that waiting was the smartest course of action. With so many new options available in the world of cosmetic improvements, a surgical facelift may not always be the best option. That tight-drawn look that sometimes results from continued aging after a surgical facelift may be avoided by considering new advances in [collagen building](https://amaskincare.com/collagen-benefits-which-collagen-treatments-actually-work/). As we age, our skin becomes thinner and more fragile. Pulling the skin into place the way a surgical facelift does will not rebuild the [collagen](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-collagen-basic-biology/) underneath, which is critical to creating moist and thicker skin. One new procedure that provides collagen rebuilding is the SpectraLift™ Non-Surgical Laser Face Lift offered at AMA Regenerative Medicine and Skincare. ![Computerized complexion analysis shows doctors exactly what your skin needs](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/thickskincomplexionanalysis.jpg) Computerized complexion analysis helps the doctors to see exactly what your skin needs. ### The SpectraLift™ Non-Surgical Laser Face Lift I first hear about the SpectraLift™ Non-Surgical Laser Face Lift through a friend who is a makeup artist. She raved about the results she’d seen on acne scarred patients and celebrities she knew who previously had acne. Having the opportunity to see these individuals up close gave her a chance to study improvements in their skin and discover which procedures they used to [treat their acne](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/cystic-acne-treatment/). She made an appointment to visit AMA Regenerative Medicine and Skincare, where many [state-of-the-art laser treatments](https://amaskincare.com/about/) including the SpectraLift™ Non-Surgical Laser Face Lift have been developed by doctors [Asher Milgrom, PhD](https://amaskincare.com/about/) and [Alice Pien, MD](https://amaskincare.com/about/). Utilizing many different types of lasers has allowed AMA to develop unique protocols that allow an extraordinary range of customized treatments. AMA’s advanced laser protocols include treatment for [acne scarring](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/laser-hair-removal/), [cystic acne](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/cystic-acne-treatment/), [sun spots](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/laser-age-spots-sun-spots-pigmentation-removal/), [melasma](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/laser-melasma-treatment/), [rosacea](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/laser-rosacea-treatment/), [spider veins](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/laser-spider-veins-and-broken-capillary-removal-face-legs/), thinning or damaged dermis and of course, [sagging skin](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/necktite-non-surgical-neck-tightening-procedure/) and [wrinkles](https://amaskincare.com/what-are-wrinkles-causes-prevention/). _**Watch the video :** The SpectraLift™ Non-Surgical Laser Face Lift_ ## AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare Delighted by the prospect that AMA might offer what I had been hoping for in terms of a [facelift without surgery](https://amaskincare.com/facelift-without-surgery-spectralift/), I visited the AMA site which is located in an industrial park near the John Wayne Airport in Irvine. You would never know the building contained a serene, graceful spa for holistic healthcare combined with the latest high tech skin care lasers. They offer the latest technology in Southern California high end skin care clinics, with one major difference; doctors Milgrom and Pien oversee every single procedure. They have raised the bar for other laser dermatology clinics and are often called upon to consult to other physicians’ laser practices. ![Asher Milgrom, PhD, & Alice Pien, MD (2006)](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/thickskinasherandalice.jpg) Asher Milgrom PhD and Alice Pien MD (circa 2006) ### From Competency, to Mastery, to Artistry Twenty years ago, husband and wife doctors Asher Milgrom and Alice Pien opted to establish a progressive non-traditional clinic where patients could be treated with the latest laser technology for [skin rejuvenation](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/laser-scar-removal/), acne treatment and scarring. Asher, a self-described physics nerd and Alice, formerly an emergency room physician, GP and pediatrician and now AMA’s Medical Director, decided to combine their skills and elevate the marketplace in high tech laser skin care. Asher, originally educated in an MD / PhD program, was already a well-known developer of other high tech digital technologies but wanted to travel less so he and Alice could spend more time at home with their children. What doctors Milgrom and Pien both understood when they embarked on this new journey was their uniqueness in the marketplace. Now with clinics in Irvine and Beverly Hills, they combine unique holistic protocols that enhance the natural healing and regenerative capacity of the skin. ### 2 Years of Intense Research “As a consultant, I had seen so many other skin care doctors have limited success with only one or two laser procedures,” says Milgrom. “I realized that multiple high tech laser equipment would be cost prohibitive for the average dermatological setting. We knew the key to success was using all of the high tech lasers we had at our disposal and using them artistically so that each patient would have a successful outcome.” Milgrom reports that it took two years of intense research and development for them to reach competency, another two years to achieve mastery and now, 65,000 procedures later, they have attained artistry. The combination of mastery of skill and modalities of multiple lasers in a procedure called the SpectraLift™ Non-Surgical Laser Face Lift is what doctors Milgrom and Pien have accomplished at AMA Regenerative Medicine and Skincare. In other words, the have learned to physiologically turn back the hands of time and thicken the skin. ### A Special Emphasis on Education and Results AMA does not advertise and has one of the most unusual ways I’ve ever seen a skin care clinic market their services. It’s a word of mouth, invitation-only wine and cheese soiree, with a special emphasis on education. Part Tupperware party lecture, roundtable discussion, and sample laser treatments, it sounded exactly like the kind of evening my information junkie, talk-fest girlfriends would enjoy. ![Bree Walker and Dr. Milgrom review skin analysis before facelift](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/thickskinimageing.jpg) Bree Walker and Asher Milgrom PhD examine her computerized complexion analysis prior to the laser face lift procedure. _**Watch the video :** My Experience Having A Non-Surgical Laser Facelift_ There were five of us in a room with both doctors, an array of lasers, and cool videos showing the nitty gritty of the [largest organ of the body, our skin](https://amaskincare.com/top-10-amazing-functions-of-the-skin/). Each of us gained new respect for our skin that night, and four of us left with new laser skin care treatments scheduled on our calendars. Now that each of us have completed three full sessions over a period of six months of the SpectraLift™ Non-Surgical Laser Face Lift treatments, I can report objectively that we have all experienced a true thickening of our aging skin. My girlfriends who all have olive-toned complexions report dramatic improvement in their skin tone, pore minimizing and overall radiance. The SpectraLift™ Non-Surgical Laser Face Lift procedure should be done every four to six weeks, and although my busy lifestyle hasn’t allowed that frequency, there is still a noticeable difference in my skin. Dr. Pien says I will continue to see progressive improvement for another nine to ten months. ## “Are You in Love”… with the Laser Face Lift My friends have also commented on the difference in my appearance. They’ve asked questions like, “What new foundation are you wearing?” and “Have you had something done?” and, best of all, “Are you in love?” It’s exciting to share the news on the latest skin care treatment that doesn’t involve anesthesia or surgery. While I may consider surgical options at a later time in my life, I feel fortunate to have waited for the right procedure to rediscover my youthful skin. ![Dr. Alice Pien Performs SpectraLift on Bree Walker](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/thickskinbreeunderlaser2.jpg) Alice Pien MD performs the SpectraLift Non-Surgical Laser Face Lift on Bree Walker As with all skin care laser treatments as well as with surgical facelifts, [good sun protection](https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) is paramount in retaining any improvement and I will need to be even more mindful of my at-home skin care regiment. One of the many benefits of having this procedure done is that I now appreciate my skin more than ever before; having seen up close how much damage it has suffered over the years of exposure to the sun. I am one sun worshipper humbled beyond her years, with a much thicker skin to thank for it. **Having Thick Skin can be a Good Thing** My Experience Having a Laser Face Lift **– Bree Walker** ### Share this entry [Facebook-f](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&t=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?text=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/?p=6934) [Pinterest-p](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amaskincare.com%2Fsun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin%2F&description=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&media=https%3A%2F%2Ftzyc95.a2cdn1.secureserver.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F11%2Fsun-damaged-skin3-copy-705x397.jpg) [Linkedin-in](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) [Reddit-alien](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Mail-bulk](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&body=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) ## You might also like [![What is melasma](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/What-is-melasma2-1-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-melasma/) ### [What is Melasma? Stable Vs. Unstable, Causes and Treatment](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-melasma/) [![Teenage Acne – Causes, Prevention and Myths Debunked](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/teenage-acne-header-2.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/teenage-acne/) ### [Teenage Acne – Causes, Prevention and Myths Debunked](https://amaskincare.com/teenage-acne/) [![Almost everyone has experienced an injury that left a lasting scar](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/girl-with-scar-on-arm-header2-495x397-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/scars-prevention-of-new-ones-and-treatment-of-old-ones/) ### [Scars : Prevention of New Ones and Treatment of Old Ones](https://amaskincare.com/scars-prevention-of-new-ones-and-treatment-of-old-ones/) [![Science behind hormonal acne and how birth control pills may help reduce breakouts](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hormonalperiodacne-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/birth-control-hormonal-period-acne/) ### [Hormonal Acne : Causes and Prevention. Does Birth Control Help?](https://amaskincare.com/birth-control-hormonal-period-acne/) [![](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/homeremediesforacne-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/home-remedies-for-acne-diet-effects/) ### [Diet and Acne : What to Eat to Reduce and Prevent Acne](https://amaskincare.com/home-remedies-for-acne-diet-effects/) [![Jowls : What Causes Them and How to Get Rid of Them (non-surgically)](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/jowls-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/jowls/) ### [Jowls : What Causes Them and How to Get Rid of Them (non-surgically)](https://amaskincare.com/jowls/) ## [The Secret to Young, Healthy Skin – How to Look Younger](https://amaskincare.com/young-healthy-skin-how-to-look-younger/) # The Secret to Young, Healthy Skin – How to Look Younger ![The Secret to Young, Healthy Skin – How to Look Younger](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/howtolookyounger2.webp) The secret of how to look younger is within your own skin. **Did you know your skin has the power to transform itself from within into a younger, more healthier state?** At AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare, you’ll find the ideal balance of rigorous hi-tech laser medicine and unique holistic protocols to stimulate your skin’s own natural healing and regenerative capabilities. ## The Secret of How to Look Younger Our exclusive “multiple-modality” approach to making you look younger integrates a broad spectrum of [state-of-the-art lasers](https://amaskincare.com/about/) and Energy Medicine protocols. Through this unique, holistic method, AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare can target and transform all the different cell types and tissue layers in your skin, with spectacular results. It’s the perfect partnership between technology and your body’s own physiology. The secret of how to look younger is within your own skin.  In addition to AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare’s 25+ state-of-the-art lasers from both the USA and Europe, our innovation is the integration of Physiological Regulating Medicine (PRM) treatments into our proprietary laser protocols. Developed in association with the European Congress of Physiological Regulating Medicine, PRM integrates advanced microbiology and cellular biology with the scientific principles that underlay the wisdom of time-tested and proven Homeopathy. Tiny injections of naturally occurring “messenger molecules” promote therapeutic detoxification of skin, [new collagen generation](https://amaskincare.com/collagen-benefits-which-collagen-treatments-actually-work/) and even the natural removal of unwanted fat and cellulite. “Your skin will look years younger on the outside because it will be physiologically decades younger and healthier on the inside,” says [Dr. Pien](https://amaskincare.com/about/). “Essentially, we practice Integrative & Energy Medicine,” explains [Dr. Milgrom, AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare’s CEO and Chief Scientist](https://amaskincare.com/about/). “With energy emitted by multiple lasers combined with energy internally released through PRM, our synergistic method allows skin to function at a much younger physiological level. This lets the skin heal on the inside while transforming it on the outside, enabling it to perform as it did before aging and stress took their toll. If you are wanting to know how to look younger, this is by far the best method available.” ### Correct Any Skin Condition Naturally AMA’s advanced laser protocols can correct skin conditions on any part of your body, including [scarring](https://amaskincare.com/scars-prevention-of-new-ones-and-treatment-of-old-ones/), pock-marks, [stretch marks](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/laser-stretch-mark-reduction/), [cystic acne](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/laser-cystic-acne-treatment/), sun damage, chronic ingrown hairs, [skin discolorations](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/laser-age-spots-sun-spots-pigmentation-removal/) ([melasma, chloasma](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/laser-melasma-treatment/), sun spots, age spots, etc.) [birthmarks](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/birthmark-reduction-removal/), [rosacea](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/laser-treatment-for-removing-rosacea/), spider veins, broken capillaries, thinning or damaged dermis, pre-cancerous conditions (such as actinic keratosis) and, of course, bags under the eyes, [fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/spectralift-non-surgical-laser-facelift/).     ![Laser treatment helps you look younger—shown before and after for age spots (left) and rosacea (right).](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AgeSpotsBeforeandAfterHowToLookYounger2.jpg) Lasers are the secret of how to look younger – Before and After laser treatment for Age Spots (left) and Rosacea (right). Treatments also include permanent [laser hair removal](https://amaskincare.com/treatments/laser-hair-removal/), Botox, a variety of dermal fillers for facial sculpting, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, High Potency vitamin injections, homeopathic Physiological Regulating Medicine (PRM) and Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT). ## A Dance Between Your Physiology and Our Scientific Protocols AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare’s doctors are constantly reviewing every case as it progresses through the laser protocol treatments. This is necessary because of the partnership between the science of our unique laser protocols and the patient’s own individual physiology. As the skin’s physiology “wakes up” and begins functioning as it did when younger, the laser protocols are continually modified to match the evolving physiological responsiveness of the skin in pursuit of achieving maximal results. Occasionally we encounter skin that does not respond as well as expected. There may be countless underlying and unknown reasons for this pertaining to the overall health of the patient. In some cases, specific medical conditions or even life style choices such as smoking may be depleting the skin’s ability to fully respond. In such cases, the results will not match our expectations. Consequently we always reassess the patient’s physiological response to the laser treatments in order to modify / customize the protocols for better results. It is a “dance” between the patient’s physiology, the [functions of the skin](https://amaskincare.com/top-11-amazing-functions-of-the-skin/) and our protocols. Though it doesn’t happen very often, when a patient’s skin is difficult to figure out and we find that a treatment session was not as effective as expected, we will typically give extra treatment time to the patient – at our cost – in order to get their “skin on track”. Bottom line, we are as committed as our patient’s are to achieving the results of looking younger that they desire. In fact we love this “physiology dance” with our patient’s, and we believe that this “dance” represents the highest form of advanced medical care in general, and far-and-away the best possible results in aesthetic medicine. ### What Makes Us Unique Our technique of how to make you look younger has been in a constant state of development for 19 years… since the day we started our goal has been restoring the physiological functionality of the skin. Simply put, to get the skin to function as it did when you were much younger. That is the secret of how to look younger. When that is achieved the skin naturally rebuilds itself. That is why the results look so natural… they actually **ARE** natural.  In order to accomplish this we had to develop multiple modality protocols that involve many different types of lasers, as well as other non laser modalities than stimulate the natural physiological functioning of the skin – primarily collagen regeneration and remodeling. (25 different lasers, HBOT, High potency vitamin injections and IV, microneedling, physiological regulating medicine etc.) Our expertise in so many different modalities and the synergy inherent in how they interact with the various tissues of the skin, has also allowed us to offer customized treatments to make you look younger that are far more comprehensive and individualized than any other practice in the country. Bottom line: The results are completely natural and “real”, the process is far safer than any other methods, and you end up with not only better looking skin, but much stronger and healthier skin that is functioning as it did when much younger. **Why don’t others do it?** Who wants to buy and learn how to use 25 very expensive lasers? Most doctors prefer a “transactional” model of practicing medicine. Come in once, get a big ticket procedure and you’re done.  Our protocols are a “holistic process” oriented, which requires multiple visits and much higher demand on the doctor’s time, energy and resources. Bottom line: doctors make much more money the other way. **About the price:** Many doctors have a laser or two in their office. The average price for a [single treatment with a Fractional CO2 laser](https://amaskincare.com/2-laser-specialists-explain-the-co2-fractional-laser-treatment/) will be around $1250. It takes the doctor around 20 minutes to do it. For less sophisticated devices the average price for a single pass on your face will be around $950. Thus our prices are far and away the best deal anywhere in the industry… no one comes even close. **About the results:** 80% of our patients are referred by existing patients. That is the strongest endorsement any practice could ever hope to achieve. ![Some see results after one session; others need a few more](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AntiAgingBeforeandAfter.jpg) Before and After our QDI Non-Surgical Laser Facelift. Some patient’s respond after 1 treatment. Some patient’s require a series of treatments to get the same results. ## Achieving the Results Our Patient’s Desire AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare’s laser treatments are designed to engage a partnership between our scientific protocols and the patient’s unique physiology in order to direct the skin to rebuild and regenerate itself. This is how to look younger naturally. The complexity of finding the exact customized protocols to which a particular patient’s skin will respond best, is the basis on which we integrate so many different laser modalities into each comprehensive protocol. The synergy between the modalities and the patient’s physiology is what produces the superior results we typically achieve. To fully maximize the physiological response of the skin, repeated laser treatments are usually needed, during which customization and modification of the protocols are continuously addressed until either the tissue has reached it maximal response, or the patient is simply happy with the improvement that has been achieved, and how much younger they look at that point, and elects to stop the treatments even though additional progress is attainable. Because of the fact that the patient’s physiological response plays such an important role in the results, it is impossible to guarantee any particular result from our facelift without surgery. What we do guarantee is our commitment to achieving the results that our patients desire. For those patients whose results fall short of what we typically expect, we are known to redouble our efforts to get the patient’s skin “on track”. These efforts are typically punctuated by providing additional laser treatments at highly discounted rates or even at our cost. ### About the Authors [Alice Pien, MD & Asher Milgrom, PhD](https://amaskincare.com/about/) Doctors [Alice Pien, MD](https://amaskincare.com/about/) and [Asher Milgrom, Phd](https://amaskincare.com/about/) are established pioneers in the fields of Regenerative Medicine and Skincare. Their expertise ranges from advanced laser systems to HCT/P – Stem Cell medicine. Their medical education and advanced certifications span from medical schools of NY State University, the University of Chicago, to Johns Hopkins, Harvard and UCLA. They approach medicine with the clinical expertise of over 85,000 successful treatments over the past 20 years and significant scientific research resulting in proprietary protocols that they customize for each individual patient. ### Share this entry [Facebook-f](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&t=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?text=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/?p=6934) [Pinterest-p](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amaskincare.com%2Fsun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin%2F&description=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&media=https%3A%2F%2Ftzyc95.a2cdn1.secureserver.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F11%2Fsun-damaged-skin3-copy-705x397.jpg) [Linkedin-in](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) [Reddit-alien](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/&title=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin) [Mail-bulk](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Prevent%20%26%20Repair%20Sun%20Damaged%20Skin&body=https://amaskincare.com/sun-protection-prevent-treat-sun-damaged-skin/) ## You might also like [![The Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/whatisalabenefitsheader2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-ala-alpha-lipoic-acid-benefits/) ### [The Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid – More than Just Skin Care](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-ala-alpha-lipoic-acid-benefits/) [![Eczema Treatment Tips for Adult and Baby Eczema](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/eczema-treatment-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/eczema-treatment-adults-babies/) ### [Eczema Treatment Tips for Adult and Baby Eczema](https://amaskincare.com/eczema-treatment-adults-babies/) [![Skin Tags : Causes, Prevention, Removal](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/what-are-skin-tags-2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-are-skin-tags-causes-get-rid-of/) ### [Skin Tags : Causes, Prevention, Removal](https://amaskincare.com/what-are-skin-tags-causes-get-rid-of/) [![what is eczema](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/what-is-eczema-3-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-eczema-symptoms-causes-types/) ### [Eczema : Symptoms, Causes, Types, Diagnosing & Myths](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-eczema-symptoms-causes-types/) [![How to Look Younger](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/howtolookyounger2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/young-healthy-skin-how-to-look-younger/) ### [The Secret to Young, Healthy Skin – How to Look Younger](https://amaskincare.com/young-healthy-skin-how-to-look-younger/) [![what is a face lift](https://amaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/whatisafacelift2-495x400-1.webp)](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-a-facelift-procedure-explained/) ### [What is a FaceLift? – The Surgical Facelift VS The Non-Surgical Facelift](https://amaskincare.com/what-is-a-facelift-procedure-explained/)