Feeling The Heat - Recovering From Burns

Healing Skin Burns

Published: ShinMin Daily News 3 April 2016

A 66-year-old man makes a stunning recovery from burns to his face and neck, which he sustained two months ago in a kitchen fire.

"Dr Jean Ho explains...
Burns are classified into:

• First degree. A sun burn is an example of a first degree burn,
• Second degree. Scalding injuries are examples of second degree burns. The damage to the skin may result in none to mild scarring.
• Third degree. Chemical and electrical burns would fall into this category. As there is significant damage to vital structures in the skin including the hair follicles and glands, these burns frequently cause permanent scarring.   

With the exception of first degree burns, specialist treatment and early attention to burn wounds are crucial for improving outcomes. "

Should you sign up for that laser package?

In recent years, a novelty has jumped onto the bandwagon of hyper-consumerism. I am referring to the phenomenon of laser packages.

Clinics offering low-price, express laser treatments have become a common sight.

Creative marketing has also coaxed potential customers into thinking that laser treatments on a frequent basis (daily, or even several times a day) are not only necessary but also highly desirable. Customers are encouraged to sign up for laser packages, even if they do not have any skin problem at all.

This is a disturbing trend.

Patient or consumer? Laser, as a licensed medical device, has been used to address and treat specific skin problems in patients. Each treatment has its accompanying benefits and risks. While the patient receives treatment which is specific to his or her need, the consumer, on the other hand, buys a product, often on impulse. The consumer would not have any more information of the product than what they have heard from advertising campaigns or social media. The consumer may not really need the product or service, but wants it anyway. The consumer cannot fully comprehend the effect that rampant laser treatments would have on the skin.

Encouraging over-consumption. A favourite marketplace gimmick is the sale of packages. A lump sum of money is paid upfront for a pre-determined number of treatment sessions. And since the person buying is not a patient but a consumer, the cost of the package would largely depend on the size of his pocket. Economies of scale is used to sweeten the deal for the customer: the more you buy, the cheaper per treatment it becomes. In the end, the consumer parts with a month's pay on that package. A package that the consumer does not really need, and is unlikely to completely utilize.

Laser abuse. The truth is, more is NOT merrier. Daily laser treatments are excessive, dangerous, and of questionable benefit. Dermatologists do not recommend it. Instead interval of 4 to 6 weeks is routinely advised for safety. Post-laser skin is allowed to heal, and sufficient time to lapse for assessment of treatment outcome. As a medical treatment device, laser exerts profound effects on the skin, even at sub-therapeutic doses. A well-documented complication arising from abuse of laser treatment is skin tone discolouration, uneven pigmentation and subsequent appearance of white patches on the face.

So, before you commit to that laser package, ask yourself, " Do I really need it?"

Thirties and Terrified...Not.

Acne Action 

Skin renewal slows down; combine this with oily type skin, acne continues to be a problem. In addition to physician prescribed effective skin care, clinic-based treatments hasten recovery and maintains results.

Chemical peel – the more superficial Clarifying Peel is perfect for unclogging whiteheads and decongesting the skin.

Laser peel targets acne causing oil glands, shrinks the glands, and reduces pore size. It also gently exfoliates dead skin cells and comedones.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) kills acne-causing bacteria which reside in the oil glands. This treatment  involves the application of a primer onto the  skin, followed by irradiating the skin with light source. It controls excessive sebum production and stimulates collagen synthesis for healing of acne scars.

Wrinkle Warrior

Wrinkles result from weakening and gradual depletion of collagen and elastin in the skin. Fine lines start to appear in thin skin around the eyes. Pigmentation is the result of combination of UV radiation, hormonal stimulation and acne.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing is a state of the art laser technology which is optimized for treatment of stubborn wrinkles, scars, large pores and pigmentation. It penetrates deeply into the skin for regeneration of new collagen and tightening of sagging skin. There is minimal downtime after laser treatment. Some facial redness is expected after the treatment, which goes away within 3 days. Tiny scabs may be evident during the recovery period of 5 to 7 days, though these can be easily concealed with make up.

Botulinum toxin injections should begin earlier than later, before permanent signs of aging set in. Apart from erasing frown lines, botulinum toxin can be used to smooth out a dimply chin, eliminate crow’s feet, slim down square jaws, and upturn the corners of a droopy mouth. Safe, minimal to no downtime.

Hyaluronic acid fillers are often used in combination with botulinum toxin to plump up facial crevices, restoring the youthful contours of the face. The treatment is safe with minimal to no downtime.

Pigmentation Patrol

Chemical peel provide tightening and resurfacing results due to its action on the deep dermis. Dramatic improvement in terms of skin tone, pigmentation and fine wrinkles can be achieved in just 1 session.

Laser Rejuvenation targets unwanted pigmentation as well as stimulates collagen synthesis in the dermis. Skin feels supple immediately after treatment, and signs of aging are reduced. This treatment has minimal to no downtime, and can be repeated as part of an intensive rejuvenative regime, or as a complement to maintenance anti-aging program.

Eyebags, dark circles and “oil seeds”

Start with effective skin care. An eye cream should contain anti-oxidants to protect the skin against environmental stressors and premature skin aging. It should also contain lightening ingredients to target excess pigments in the skin and reduce congestion below the skin.

Hyaluronic acid injections can be use to firm and plump the skin, giving a smooth contour to the eyes and brighten tired-looking eyes.

Pigment laser can improve dark circles caused by excess pigmentation. This also has the added benefit of stimulating collagen production within the skin to smooth out wrinkles and strengthen the skin.

Laser resurfacing can remove wrinkles and stimulate new collagen under the skin. It is used to thicken the thin eyelid skin and is use to improve wrinkles, pigmentation and dark circles under the eyes. Syringoma, commonly referred to as “oil seeds” around the eyes can be effectively treated with long lasting results.

Thirties and Terrified?

A woman in her 30s has a lot going for her. Marriage, babies, family, career. These events may have significant impact on a woman’s health and skin.

Adult acne: Some girls do not quite grow out of it. Acne continues to plague many women. This may be compounded by stress, pregnancy or going off the contraceptive pill.

Expression lines: She may begin to detect a hint of frown lines and crow’s feet appearing. Be it a grimace, a squint, a pout or grin. Years of animation cause the skin to fold repeatedly, giving us the distinctive frown lines, crow’s feet or forehead lines.  

In younger patients, these lines convey an appearance of age, fatigue and frustration.

Over time, the wrinkles become permanently etched into the skin. Early treatment prevents the formation of permanent lines.

Pigmentation: excessive sun exposure and not using sunscreen, leads to  pigmentation and coarse pores.

Aging and pigmentation: Skin aging may not seem like a big deal to a woman in her 30s. Yet the process of aging is already underway in the cellular level. The discipline and care that she applies to taking good care of her skin in her 30s will pay off. Sensible skin care or treatments will be able to fend off the signs of premature skin aging later on in life.

Free radicals are produced in our skin, which breakdown the collagen and elastic tissues. These are neutralized by anti-oxidants found in the skin. Unfortunately there are not that much of it going around, so we depend on supplementation to boost the anti-oxidant levels in our body. We should also abstain from unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking and bingeing.

Eyebags, dark circles and “oil seeds”: If you have had dark circles since youth, then it is most probably due to genetics causing the accumulation of pigments around the eyes. If your eyes are naturally deep-set, you will also appear to have more prominent dark circles. Dark circles are also caused by congestion of blood vessels located below the very thin skin under the eyes.

As we age, the skin starts to appear wrinkled and sag, look puffy, aggravating the already obvious dark eye circles.

If you have allergies like eczema or rhinitis, these conditions may also contribute to the problem.

Dark eye circles are a complex problem, cause by one or more of the above factors

Do You Want To Transform Your Skin?

Do you want to transform your skin?

Have to noticed the fine lines creeping up on you? Blotchy pigmentation and sun spots? Dull tone, sallow appearace with no glow in sight?  

All of these are the result of the effect of environmental stressors on your skin over the years. One too many sun tan, perhaps? Photodamage, caused by the sun’s harmful rays, is the main cause of wrinkles and age spots that you may already see on your face.

As our skin ages and is exposed to UVA and UVB rays, the turnover of skin cells slows significantly, throwing off the balance between growth of healthy new cells and the sloughing of old, damaged cells. Collagen and elastin fibers begin to break down, causing the skin to lose resilience resulting in fine lines, wrinkles and sagging.

Daily exposures to UV light then accelerates this aging process and may cause uneven colouring.

Turning back the clock

If you have experienced sunburns, daily sun exposure, hormonal changes, stress and environmental pollution, then your ski will likely show signs of premature aging.

What is skin transformation?

After a detailed consultation, an individualized skin treatment regime will be prescribed for you.  The treatment regime will restore the cellular turnover, increase collagen and elastin production and remove unwanted pigmentation; to reveal clearer and firmer skin.

If you are looking to turn back the clock, look no further!

Is There A Total Sunblock?

This is a frequently asked question. 

FDA has recommended that sun protection products be referred to as sunscreen, instead of sunblock.

In theory, a sunblock can offer up to 97% UV protection. In practice, this is rarely achieved.

Because, there are simply too many variables to the equation.

Firstly, SPF refers to protection against UVB. The higher the SPF, the longer the time that one can spend under the sun without getting becoming toast. SPF does not encompass UVA protection.

Secondly, protection from sunscreen decreases over time. Some gets removed with sweat, water or blotting tissue. Ingredients degrade under the sun, losing protective function.

Should I pick an SPF that is as high as possible?

The higher the SPF, the denser will be the product, and would feel thicker when applied on the skin.
 
SPF selection should be based on the level of activity or sun exposure anticipated. SPF 15 for basic protection, SPF 30 if more time spent outdoors, SPF 50 or more if skin is particularly sun-sensitive, or if receiving treatment for pigmentation. 

What is the maximum UVA protection to look out?

PA is one of the standard of measure of UVA protection. Other indices are IPD (immediate pigment darkening), PPD (persistent pigment darkening), UVA seal or star rating systems.

Although FDA has approved a new rating system to measure UVA protection, this will not be enforced till 2011.

For now, the only safeguard is to look at the ingredients carefully. Only ingredients such as Titanium Dioxide, Avobenzone, Meroxyl  SX, Zinc Oxide can give the best protection against UVA.