Conditions

Description:

Collagen depletion is one of the main factors which contributes to the appearance of ageing, including skin laxity, lines and wrinkles.

Collagen is an extra cellular fibre which resides within the dermis, offering tensile strength, structure and elasticity to the skin. From age 25-30 collagen begins to deplete, which is the time we start to notice changes in the skin, including the development of fine lines and enlarged pores. As the body ages and with contribution from environmental pollutants and sun damage, collagen depletion is accelerated.

From age 40, the body ceases to produce collagen, which is when we often notice a reduction in skin’s volume and elasticity. Gravitational changes occur, as there is the loss of the skins support and structure.

Description:

Your skin contains a pigment called melanin, which determines the colour of your skin, hair and eyes. People with darker skin types tend to have more melanin in their skin cells than those with lighter skin – but imbalances and disorders of the skin can lead to inconsistent colouration, patterning and ‘blotches’.

When skin cells are healthy, your skin will appear normal and even. However, when skin cells become damaged or unhealthy, extra melanin is produced to help protect your skin. Alternatively, the cells that produce pigment can be damaged, which prevents melanin production. As a result, parts of your skin may turn lighter (hypopigmentation) or darker (hyperpigmentation), both of which are recognisable skin conditions.

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Pigmentation, or hyperpigmentation as it is also known, can occur for a variety of reasons. The effects can also become more obvious as we age, and if left untreated and unprotected can worsen.

Common causes of hyperpigmentation are over-exposure to the sun, genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions and trauma to the skin (such as burns or as a result of spots and picking).

The face, chest, and hands are the parts of our body which are most exposed to the sun, they are more prone to pigmentation. There are many different types of hyperpigmentation:

Melasma

A chronic skin condition which causes brown patches to appear on the face. It is more prevalent in women and those with darker skin types. It is believed to be linked to sun exposure and hormonal changes such as pregnancy.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

This is darkening of the skin caused by inflammation (e.g acne, eczema, psoriasis) or trauma to the skin (e.g burns, aesthetic procedures such as laser, chemical peels).

Freckles

Freckles appear as multiple, small, brown flecks on the skin, often present from a young age.  Common in lighter skin types

Lentigo/lentigines (age spots)

These are very common over the age of 40; presenting as flat, brown, well-defined patches on areas of sun-exposed skin, such as the hands, face and chest.

Description:

Although ageing skin is a natural part of life, premature aging doesn’t have to be. How your skin ages will depend on several things. Genetics, skin type, gravity, daily facial movement, and even sleep position. However the biggest impact comes from our lifestyle choices, diet, cosmetics, sun exposure, and free radical damage.

Environmental factors, primarily sun damage and the use of inappropriate skin products, are responsible for up to 80% of premature skin aging and unhealthy skin. This is known as Photo ageing.

Natural, genetic ageing (also known as chronological ageing) makes up to ±20% of ageing.

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When we ages chronic exposure to the sun as well as the use of chemical irritants on the skin, e.g. soap and perfume, give rise to specific changes in the skin. These are:

• Rough texture
• Small capillary blood vessels
• Uneven pigmentation
• Lines and wrinkles
• Dryness/oiliness
• Thinning and transparency
• Skin becomes more easily bruised.

Description:

Vascular conditions causing redness are also referred to as Thread veins, Telangiectasia, Angiomas and spider angiomas, Poikiloderma of Civatte, Spider veins, or broken veins. They are small veins that classically appear on the face, chest, thighs or calves. They are completely harmless, but can affect a person’s self-confidence. They are very common in both men and women.

They are very small blood vessels in the dermis which have become visible, and can range from red to purple to blue. They can affect people of any age, but are more common in those who are older.

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Vascular conditions like these are generally genetic and there is a strong chance if your family suffer with broken veins then so will you. However, trauma to an area can also cause them.

They can also be caused by a range of things that are not genetic, such as smoking, alcohol, stress, environmental damage and chemical influences such as incorrect product and treatment applications.

Most Vascular conditions can be treated using laser and IPL. The. Where the light is absorbed by the red blood cells in the vessels which causes the cells to become sticky (coagulated) and then causes the vessels to collapse and shrink. These collapsed vessels are then absorbed by the body in the following weeks.

If you are experiencing redness, but also other symptoms, such as spots, visible blood vessels and dry and thickened skin, you could be suffering from a skin condition called Rosacea. Please refer to the rosacea page for more information.

Facial flushing can also be attributed to an impaired barrier function meaning irritants can penetrate the skin and moisture can escape which is where home care products are also essential to help the skin repair its protective barrier.

Nimue’s Interactive Range includes products suitable for skins that manifest temporary sensitisation due to ill health, medication, skin resurfacing procedures generally stressed skin and skin with severe environmental damage due to pollution and effects of global warming. The primary focus of the Interactive Range is for skins that manifest typical symptoms of hypersensitive or sensitised skin.

Description:

Problematic skin, also classified as acne, presents in varying degrees and symptoms. It affects people of all races and ethnic groups.

Acne is characterised by comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and pus-filled spots (pustules). It usually starts at puberty and varies in severity from a few spots on the face, neck, back and chest, which most adolescents will have at some time, to a more significant problem that may cause scarring and impact on self-confidence. For the majority, it tends to resolve by the late teens or early twenties, but it can persist for longer in some people.

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Developments of Acne

1. Hormonal fluctuations – triggered by puberty, pregnancy, stress, medications, lifestyle and incorrect use of products leads to an increase of a hormone known as DHT which some people are sensitive to.
2. Barrier Impairment – this sensitivity causes a reaction which affects the natural protective barrier of the skin, known as the Acid Mantel.
3. Sebaceous glands – in a bid to protect itself the skin begin s to go into overdrive to correct this impairment. Increasing the activity of the sebaceous gland. With high levels of oil production sebum develops a thicker consistency.
4. Skin cells – additionally the natural cell turnover starts to accelerate which leads an abnormal build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin due to reduced shedding. Which mixed with the excess oil, causes blockages in the pores. Hair follicle - Hair is absent or weak therefore unable to act as a wick to assist in the removal of the blockage.
5. Bacteria – P –Acne (known as Propionibacterium acnes) lives on everyone’s skin, usually causing no problems. However, as a result of the surface blockage, it provides a favourable environment for P-Acne to breed and multiply. Inflammation – now that the follicle has an excess of sebum, dead cells and bacteria causing an irritation within the skin the natural healing process begins. This is the development of the acne characteristics.

There is no permanent cure for acne, but the symptoms and side effects can be controlled so your skin can be clear and spot free by effectively clearing the dead skin, controlling the oil and killing the P. Acnes bacteria.

Cysts - Painful, filled with pus and can cause you scars, and require professional medical treatment.

Whiteheads - Covered by a thin layer of your skin, appear as white bumps or spots.

Blackheads - Rise to your skin surface and appear as a dark bump (this is not due to dirt).

Pustules - May appear white or yellow on top and red at the bottom, generally pus-filled. Popping your pustules can lead to acne scarring.