At AF Aesthetics, located in Sydney, we are dedicated to providing a comprehensive experience that blends advanced aesthetic services and medical care with convenience, courtesy and quality. With over 50 combined years of medical knowledge and cosmetic experience, our doctors can provide expert care for a wide range of concerns, including the following dermatology skin conditions.
Acne Scarring
Acne can improve with time, but some types can lead to permanent scarring. Acne scars occur when the body produces collagen to repair damaged tissues. Sometimes, the repairs restore smooth skin with no sign that there was ever damage. However, in other cases, the body produces too much or too little collagen, and a visible mark of the repair — a scar — is left behind.
Acne scars fall into two broad categories. Raised scars protrude out from the skin’s surface. Depressed scars form a pit or dent in the skin. There are various types of acne scars within these categories, including ice pick scars, boxcar scars and rolling scars.
Acne scars can be stubborn, but there are many treatments that can help improve their appearance. Many people have a mix of different types of scars that require a combination of treatment modalities.
Hypertrophic & Keloid Scarring
Scarring is a natural part of the healing process after there is trauma to the skin. Many scars become smoother and lighter with time, but others develop a raised, conspicuous appearance resembling a skin growth. Raised scars result from an exaggerated healing response that overproduces collagen. This can happen when the wound heals poorly or is subjected to a great deal of tension, or simply due to a person’s skin type and natural healing tendencies.
Keloids are large, thick scars with a smooth, firm surface. They project up from the skin and extend out beyond the boundaries of the initial injury. There is considerable variation in the size, shape and colour of keloid scars. Some can become tender, painful or itchy, and large keloids can limit movement if located on a joint.
Hypertrophic scars are less severe than keloid scars. They are also wide, thick and raised, but they are not as large and bulbous as keloids, and they tend to be easier to treat. Both of these scars occur more commonly in darker skin types.
Pigmentation
There are numerous causes of unwanted skin pigmentation. Ageing, sun damage and genetics can result in areas of irregularly coloured skin that, although usually harmless, some people wish to remove for cosmetic reasons.
Most pigmentation conditions result from the overproduction or underproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. Some pigmentation conditions affect only localised patches of skin, while others can affect the entire body. Examples include freckles, age spots, melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Excess pigment often responds well to laser treatments. Some lasers work by shattering the pigment so it can later be removed by the body’s lymphatic system. Others work on a more surface level, creating a controlled injury that causes the skin to repair itself. At AF Aesthetics, we often recommend the PicoWay laser for pigment removal.
Some types of pigmentation may also be improved with chemical peels or microneedling.
Rosacea & Redness
A temporarily flushed face is a natural reaction to exercise, excitement, embarrassment, warm weather and other triggers. But when redness lasts, it may be a sign of a more serious condition called rosacea. Rosacea is a chronic and sometimes progressive condition that causes redness, swelling and skin sensitivity. It is most likely to affect women, people with fair skin and people over age 30.
Persistent redness and visible blood vessels on the face are the most recognisable signs of rosacea. Some types of rosacea also produce small, red, acne-like bumps that may contain pus. Rarer subtypes cause thickening skin (typically on the nose) or eye irritation. Many people experience traits of more than one type of rosacea simultaneously.
There is no cure for rosacea, but treatment can control and reduce the symptoms. Mild cases can often be managed at home with lifestyle modifications and topical products. More severe or stubborn cases benefit from office-based treatments under the guidance of a medical professional.
Redness can also be a symptom of many dermatologic skin conditions, including sun damage, post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) and dilated capillaries. It is not always a cause for concern, but it can be irritating and uncomfortable, particularly if it is persistent. The success of treatment relies on an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause.
Stretch Marks
Stretch marks, or striae, develop when the skin expands or shrinks rapidly. This accelerated change causes the collagen and elastin fibres that support the skin to rupture. As the skin recovers from the damage, stretch marks may appear. Pregnancy, weight gain, extreme weight loss and growth spurts are common causes of stretch marks.
There are two types of stretch marks. New stretch marks, called striae rubra, may be purple, red or pink depending on your skin tone. They may also be slightly raised or itchy. Old stretch marks, called striae alba, are flatter and lighter. Striae alba are a white or silver colour and may take on a wrinkled or papery texture.
Like any scar, stretch marks may be permanent, but treatment can help make them less noticeable. A variety of procedures can make stretch marks less noticeable, including laser therapy and energy treatments utilising radiofrequency or ultrasound.
Request Your Consultation at AF Aesthetics in Sydney, AU
AF Aesthetics, located in Sydney, was founded to provide full-service cosmetic care to our patient in a comfortable and contemporary environment. We aim to provide you with a personalised, patient-focused experience that keeps your skin healthy. To request a dermatology appointment in Chatswood, contact us online or by phone on 8004 3323.