

Acne
presents when the sebaceous glands become inflamed and blocked. It occurs
during the teenage years and can continue until the 20s and 30s. More
recently it is becoming more prevalent in older people, and it is likely
to be caused by environmental factors. Its distribution is on the face,
chest and back and it can cause severe psychological distress. There are often strong genetic factors that determine the clinical outcome following acne.
Acne scarring can usually be treated effectively with dermabrasion or needling
Age
spots occur as result of sun damage very often in childhood. They can
be seen in younger people but are more common in the older age group.
They occur as a result of an increase in the production of melanin in the skin when it is exposed to the sun, and look like brown irregular shaped spots which are larger than freckles.
Age spots and sun damage can be treated effectively with dermabrasion or a chemical peel.
Excessive
sweating is caused by nervous impulses causing the sweat glands to become
active in response to temperature changes, stress, etc. It can occur
on the palms of the hands, feet, axillae and the face.
It occurs mostly in the younger age group whose sweat glands are active. Many people grow out of it as they enter adulthood.
Problems with excessive sweating can be managed effectively with botulinum A toxin therapy.
There
are a number of different causes for the formation of lines and wrinkles.
Essentially collagen production is slowed, elastin fibres become less
elastic, dead skin cells do not shed as quickly as in earlier years,
and new skin cell production is slow.
Skin ageing can be due chronological ageing which is natural, slow and progressive and external factors i.e. the sun and environment which contribute to 90% of skin damage.
Lines and wrinkles can often be significantly improved using dermal fillers or a course of botulinum A toxin injections.
Pigmentation
is a general term to describe a number of facial lesions including age
spots as well as pigmented solar keratoses. These are due to sun damage
and found in people who are over middle age with fair skin. Typically
they will have spent a great deal of time exposed to the sun. The lesions
are found on a bald scalp, face, and hands and are due to an over production
of keratin. The areas are normally large and scaly.
Unsightly pigmentation can often be significantly improved with a chemical peel or needling.
Rosacea
is characterised by flushing and the appearance of red facial thread
veins. The skin may be oily with some pimples.
The skin condition typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, skin and lower part of the nose. Although it affects men, it is mostly seen in women between 30 and 50 years and in those who are fair. The cause of rosacea is unknown but it may be triggered by the menopause in women.
Rosacea can often be significantly improved using dermabrasion or a chemical peel.
Thread
veins affect at least 55% of the population being more commonly found
in women than men. They can be found on any area of the face.
To many the veins look broken, but in fact they are dilated. There is no one cause but they can be due to heredity, the extremes of heat and cold, hormones, and ultra-violet light (sun) damage.
Thread veins can be treated either chemically using microsclerotherapy or mechanically using the Veinwave system.
As
well as the causes being similar to facial thread veins, leg thread
veins can also be caused by long periods of sitting or standing, and
anything which increases venous pressure, for instance pregnancy.
Thread veins on the legs are usually found in clusters and do not normally pose a health risk. However, as they may give rise to symptoms the underlying cause may need to be investigated further.
Thread veins can be treated permanently either chemically using microsclerotherapy or mechanically using the Veinwave system.