Do you have scars on your face that make you feel self-conscious when socialising in public venues or social events?

Scars can be a result of accidents, scrapes, acne, burns, insect bites, chicken pox and surgical cuts. Most people are oblivious to know that there are treatments that can help reduce their scars.

There are the three main types of scars our skin therapists treat: Acne Scars, Post Skin Cancer Removal Scars as well as Injury Scars. Our skin therapists will perform a thorough consultation to determine which treatment(s) will best suit your condition and concerns.

Acne Scars

There are three main types of Acne scars that we treat:

Ice Pick Scars develop after an infection from a cyst or other deep inflamed blemish works its way to the surface. The skin tissue is destroyed, leaving a long column-like scar. Deep, very narrow, looking like the skin has been pierced with an ice pick or sharp instrument.

Boxcar Scars develop when an inflammatory breakout destroys collagen and the tissue is lost. The skin over this area is left without support, creating a depressed area that are round or oval with steep vertical sides.

Rolling Scars arise when fibrous bands of tissue develop between the skin and the subcutaneous tissue below. These bands pull the epidermis, binding it to deeper structures of the skin. It’s this pulling of the epidermis from within that creates the rolling or wave-like depressions.

Post Skin Cancer Removal Scars & Injury Scars

It can be a cruel reminder for someone who, once battling cancer, having a surgical scar on their face, or someone being involved in an unpleasant event of physical violence, resulting in an injury scar. Especially when they see it every morning when they look in the mirror to do their hair or skincare routine.

Scars are formed when fibroblasts, i.e. cells of the connective tissue, reach the injured area of ​​the skin and close the wound there with an extracellular matrix. Depending on the depth and the size of the injury, the scar may be darker than the normal skin tone, and it may also be thicker than expected due to new tissues filling in the gap of the wound.

Life is a consistent roller coaster; a ride of high’s and lows. On those high’s, we can feel completely in control, like we’re on top of everything, completely organised. But dwelling in the lows can make us behave out of control, respond with bad habits and make poor decisions.

Our diet takes a plummet, our exercise regime disappears, and our skincare routine becomes non-existent. Add on the chronic stress of life and these factors can place an immense amount of strain to our bodies and is reflected through our skin with dull colour, dehydrated complexions and weather worn wrinkled creases begging to come back to life!

Wrinkles are the most obvious result of ageing skin and there are three categories of what causes ageing.

The first category of ageing is biological and can be caused from the changing cell functions deep down in the skin, such as: poor communication from messenger molecules, hormones that aren’t able to influence the skin as they should, cell walls that aren’t able to retain water, collagen and elastin fibres being broken down, or an increase of inflammation that impairs the immunity of the cells.

The second category of ageing is environmental and it includes factors such as: UV radiation, weather extremes, pollution and smoke. All increase the free radical damage in the skin. This is where we suffer the most, as men, on the outdoor worksites, doing home maintenance and renovations, working in the garages with metals, oils, and dirt.

The third category is mechanical ageing and this refers to wrinkle-creating behaviours such as muscle movements or repeating day-to-day actions (resting your chin or cheek in your hand, pursing the lips when drinking through a straw, squinting, laughing too hard at the pranks you pull on your workmates etc.).

Within each of these categories, you can change certain habits and behaviours to slow down ageing so that you continually look young and fit as you age. Exercising, drinking of plenty of water, reducing the intake of fast food and processed refined sugars, 7-8 hours sleep every night etc.

But if you’re looking for more immediate results, we have a numerous amount of treatments to gain instant results such as Anti-Wrinkle Injections and Fillers, and those that bring gradual natural looking results such as Threads, Sublative, Sublime just to name a few. Team these up with regular facial treatments (one every 1-3 months) and your daily skincare routine, and you’ll be able to slow down the ageing process!

We are living in one of the most beautiful warm locations in the world! Every year the sun blesses us with her light and warmth as her rays reach out to us.

But most of us enjoy it (maybe a little bit too much) that we expose our skin with no protection beyond the healthy advice of 15-20 minutes of exposure required to synthesis Vitamin D.

Sun damage is a function of cumulative time in the sun and intensity of the ultraviolet radiation (i.e. sun intensity). You can get accurate advise on the ultraviolet radiation (UV) index for your location from arpansa.gov.au.

Your skin may appear dry, flaky and slightly more wrinkled than skin on other parts of your body that have not been exposed to the sun as much. Dry skin is also one of the most common causes of itching.

You may also notice a more severe symptom known as actinic keratosis. An actinic keratosis appears as a small bump that feels like sandpaper or a persistent patch of scaly (peeling) skin that may have a jagged or even sharp surface and that has a pink, yellow, red or brownish tint. At first, an actinic keratosis may be the size of a pimple. Rarely, an actinic keratosis may itch or be slightly tender.

After continuous exposure to the sun, there may be long-term changes in the skin’s collagen. Symptoms of collagen changes can include fine lines, deeper wrinkles, a thickened skin texture and easy bruising on sun-exposed areas, especially the back of the hands and forearms.

Pigmentation is extremely common and presents itself in many different ways from freckles to melasma. Pigment can be genetic or due to external factors such as excessive sun exposure or trauma to the skin. Each type of pigmentation has a different pathway of formation. Therefore, treatment options will vary.

When treating any form of pigmentation there are non-negotiable products that will protect the skin from further UV damage and assist with shifting superficial pigments. You could expect your skin therapist to prescribe a pigment inhibitor and an SPF as a bare minimum.

It can be disheartening, off-putting, and even embarrassing for some, to have a continuously red, flushed appearance spread over the face. We’ve even heard some men say that they didn’t know it was an official skin condition and dismissed the idea that it could be treated, believing it was just an unfortunate genetic make up that can not be managed to reduce inflammation.

Pharmacies promise the world with topical creams that will reduce inflammation of Rosacea. Only for you to be disappointed that they only reduce the redness for a short period of time and not help solve the root cause of the skin condition. Most women use make-up to cover the inflammation, but unfortunately with some of us men who are labourers, don’t wear make up and are constantly exposed to the harsh pollutants and chemicals at the work place.

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that typically affects the face with symptoms such as redness, pimples, swelling, and small and superficial dilated blood vessels.

The most often affected areas are the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin. Flare-ups can occur and vary from person to person with each having different triggers. Some triggers may be spicy foods, particular beverages, hot and dry environments, sometimes cold environments and stress.

At CAVE X, our skin therapists take you through a personalised treatment program alongside a homecare system to achieve maximum results of managing your Rosacea.

A treatment program to calm the skin and reduce inflammation may include Hydrating Masks and LED Light treatments. Once your skin’s barrier has built up, the program may include advanced treatments including Laser Genesis and Laser Limelight (IPL) to reduce redness and dilated blood vessels.

Along with the in-clinic treatments, our skin therapists will provide products customised to your sensitive skin that, consistently used daily (or as prescribed by your skin therapist), will provide efficient long-lasting results.

So don’t lose hope! There are treatments to help manage rosacea and the unsettling inflammation flare-ups that come with rosacea.

Do you suffer from acne, pimples and blemishes?

More than likely you’ve been told, at least once in your lifetime, to not have too much high processed sugar foods (No! Chocolate! Donuts! Ice-Cream! We can’t live without the deliciousness that oozes from their corners!), as well as fast-foods (What!? Not even KFC’s chicken!?), because they aggravate your immune system, irregulating your chemical and hormonal balance, and as a result, causing break-outs.

But do not fret! There are foods that help fight against breakouts and, of course, your overall health! Combine eating these foods with a regular exercise regime and an acne skin care treatment system, it will put the odds in favour of clearer, healthier, skin!

The key vitamins and minerals within these foods that help fight acne are:

• Omega-3 – Inhibits inflammation, particularly from UV light, by hindering the production of cytokines. Improves barrier function. Promotes skin healing.
• Vitamin C – Contains anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce redness and swelling that comes with acne.
• Vitamin E – Controls the production of collagen and elastin in the skin. This leads to faster healing of acne and acne scars.
• Vitamin A – An anti-oxidant, fights free radicals within the cells, helping to ward off inflammation caused by acne.
• Vitamin B6 – Reduces skin’s sensitivity to testosterone and participates in the synthesis of RNA and DNA. It also regulates hormone activity, preventing hormonal imbalance that causes acne.
• Vitamin K – Anti-inflammatory properties by reducing redness of the skin and promotes tissue growth and renewal.
• Magnesium – Lowers cortisol production, stabilising hormonal imbalances. It also lowers stress and anxiety which are related to causing breakouts.
• Zinc – Helps decrease oil production in the skin, and also can protect against bacterial infection and inflammation.
• Manganese – This is needed for the production of the amino acid proline, which is essential for collagen formation and wound healing in human skin cells.
• Copper – Helps produce collagen and elastin, two types of connective tissue, helping with repairing and strengthening skin cells.
• Selenium – An anti-inflammatory that helps hormonal imbalances. Also an antioxidant which plays a role in neutralizing free radicals and prevents cell damage.
• Flavonoids – Inhibits the enzymes that may cause an inflammatory response from acne.
• Fibre – Helps control insulin levels, high insulin levels are known to trigger androgens, which in turn trigger our oil-producing glands to produce excess oil. This oil can clog pores and cause breakouts.

WARNING: If you are allergic to any of the foods mentioned below, obviously don’t eat them. We prefer you to be alive and well!

Also, it may be best to check with your doctor, nutritionist, or dietitian, if these foods are suitable for you as an individual. Everybody will respond differently to how much of the vitamins and minerals we consume.

Without further delay! Here are the Super Foods that you can implement into your diet:

Wild Salmon – High in Omega-3s

Oysters – High in Zinc

Eggs – Contains Omega-3s, Selenium, small amounts of Zinc, Manganese, Copper, and Vitamin E

Brown Rice – High in Magnesium and Selenium

Sweet Potato – Vitamin A, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C, as well as Copper and Manganese

Broccoli – Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, as well as Magnesium

Legumes – Each legume holds more of certain vitamins and minerals than others, but most contain Vitamin K, Manganese, Magnesium and Omega 3.

Cucumber – Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Avocado – Vitamin E

Dried Apricots – Magnesium, Beta-Carotene (converts into Vitamin A when digested), and a good source of Fibre

Blueberries – Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Manganese, and they hold a small amount of Copper, Vitamin E and Vitamin B6

Nuts – Each different nut holds more of certain vitamins and minerals than others. But most contain Copper, Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Omega 3.

Turmeric – Flavonoids

It’s always best to stick to fresh produce rather than packaged and processed foods. A lot of the time when food progresses through the process to being packaged, it loses a lot of its nutrients which strips the food of its purpose. The more refined it becomes, the less beneficial and effective it becomes.

As we mentioned before, to achieve clearer, healthier skin, combine a balanced nutrient rich diet with a skincare system and possibly some skin treatments.

We offer and extensive in-depth consultation to check the severity of your acne and will be able to provide skin treatments and products to help reduce your acne breakouts.

Warning! Summer Is Coming!

As it gets warmer over these summer months, our bodies will naturally burn more calories to produce more sweat to keep us cool. If you’re in an indoor environment locked in with air conditioners continuously running, it can dry the skin out. And if you are using harsh cleansers or exfoliating cleansers, they can damage your skin’s natural moisture barrier.

This means our biological water loss will be increasing, which in turn, means our water consumption needs to increase.

Some overlooked symptoms of early stages of becoming dehydrated are tiredness, dry lips as well as dry mouth, and headaches. We usually experience these and dismiss them from being dehydrated and try to use quick “band-aid” fixes to reduce the symptoms. Such as, drinking coffee, or other stimulants, to become awake and alert. Or we’ll take Panadol/Nurofen for our headaches.

We forget that have 250-500mL of water will actually help reduce these symptoms just as effectively.

But How Do We Tell the Difference Between Dehydrated Skin and Dry Skin?

Dehydrated skin lacks water, whereas dry skin lacks a fair amount of sebum,. Dry skin can also be the result of certain medications or diseases. Factors like climate, lifestyle, age and the products you use on your skin can contribute to a change in your skin type.

But here are some other signs with your skin that might be evident that you are dehydrated:

• Dull/dark looking skin
• Prominent dark circles and shadows around eyes
• Itchiness
• Appearance of fine lines/wrinkles
• Puffy eyes
• Increased sensitivity

Hydration + Moisturization = Healthy Skin

Hydration and moisturization go hand in hand to keep your skin cells functioning at optimum levels. Hydrating requires to add water, while moisturizing implies adding ingredients to lock water inside your skin.

If you only add water to your skin, it may temporarily feel plump. However, the water will escape from your skin if there is nothing to retain it.

Moisturization involves adding ingredients that lock in the moisture and repair your skin’s barrier. This prevents water loss and improves your skin’s texture and health.

Here are 10 Things You Can Do to Hydrate Your Skin:

1. Drink An Adequate Amount Of Water

The first step to hydrating your skin is hydrating your body. It is recommended for you to drink at least 3-4 litres of water every day. Your body may require more, depending on your daily activities and weight.

2. Use Hydrating Skincare Products

Water-based creams/products that penetrate through your skin and deliver water are vital and are recommended if you have dehydrated skin.

Products containing hydrating agents like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, urea, ceramides and panthenol can preserve skin hydration.

3. Avoid Very Hot And Long Showers

As contradictory as it may sound, bathing for long hours can eradicate your skin’s barrier. This may result in loss of moisture content and necessary oils which can dehydrate your skin. Using lukewarm water while bathing is ideal.

4. Face Masks/Sheets

Face masks are packed with hydrating ingredients. Incorporating a hydrating face mask into your daily skincare regimen will keep your skin plump and moist. It can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark circles.

5. Humidifiers

A humidifier can be used when the moisture content in the air around you is low. Especially useful when locked in an office all day.

6. Sunscreen Is Essential

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent UVA and UVB skin damage every time you step out in the day. Sun exposure can dehydrate your skin, causing it to lose moisture and break down its collagen and elastin, which are responsible for its strength and elasticity. This can cause premature signs of aging.

7. Eat Foods Rich In Water

Fruits and vegetables are not only hydrating but are beneficial for your skin in many other ways. Citrus-based fruits like oranges and lemons are packed with juice and are rich in Vitamin C, which is vital to maintain your skin’s texture. Foods rich in Vitamin A and B3 are also essential to improve your overall skin health.

8. Reduce Intake Of Caffeine & Alcohol

Both caffeine and alcohol can reduce the water content of your skin, this causing tightness and dehydration. Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake to two cups of coffee and one glass of wine to minimize their impact on your skin.

9. Exfoliate Every 4-5 Days

Exfoliating your skin is important to get your skin rid of dry patches, dead cells, etc. accumulated due to the lack of moisture. Make sure to exfoliate once in 4-5 days. However, remember not to over-exfoliate as too much exfoliation may disrupt the natural skin barrier, leading to moisture loss.

10. Moisturize

During summers, your body tends to lose a lot of moisture, which is why hydrating yourself from the inside out is important. Besides, eating water-rich foods and drinking adequate water, make sure to cleanse, tone, and moisturize religiously at night before sleeping.

We hope this helps you bring awareness to your hydration levels and aids when you realise the symptoms of being dehydrated.