Skin care is a treatment procedure carried out to maintain skin health and overcome various skin problems on the face. This type of treatment is one of the most common procedures and can be performed routinely, either at home or in an aesthetic clinic or hospital.
Skin is one of the organs in the human body. As the outermost layer of the body, the skin has the main task of protecting the body from changes in temperature, microorganisms, radiation and exposure to chemicals, as well as pressure from outside the body. In addition, the skin also functions as a sense of touch and controls various aspects of human physiology, such as adjusting temperature and maintaining the balance of body fluids through sweat.
Early skin care is very important to maintain and care for the function and youthfulness of the skin. In addition, skin care also has several benefits, including:
- Improve the appearance of facial skin.
- Treat and relieve disorders that occur on the facial skin.
- Prevent problems that may occur in the future, such as wrinkles or skin cancer.
Skin Care Indications
Although it can be done as an action to maintain skin health, there are some special conditions that cause a patient to require skin care, including:
- Pimples or acne scars.
- Blackheads (black or white).
- Wrinkles due to aging (wrinkles).
- Pigment disorders in the form of hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation, such as melasma or black patches.
- Large pores.
- Dull facial skin.
- Rosacea.
- Mole.
- warts.
- Scars on the face.
Facial Skin Type
The condition of the skin generally depends on the level of moisture, softness, and sensitivity of the skin. However, this condition can change with age, environmental conditions, and the type of routine maintenance performed. Skin types are divided into several types, including:
- normal skin type, namely the condition of facial skin that has a balanced water and oil (sebum) content, so the skin is not too dry and not too oily. Normal skin types generally don't have too many problems, with almost invisible pores, and a healthy-looking glow.
- dry skin type, ie facial skin conditions that produce less oil than normal skin. The low oil content causes the facial skin to peel easily because it is unable to retain moisture. Although the pores of dry skin owners are almost invisible, dry skin types tend to look dull and rough easily. In conditions that are too dry, the skin can feel itchy and easily inflamed.
- oily skin type, This is a condition of facial skin that produces more oil than normal skin. This condition is usually caused by several things, including heredity, hormonal conditions, and environmental influences such as weather factors. Oily skin types are characterized by larger pore sizes, shiny skin, and are more prone to blackheads or breakouts.
- combination skin type, namely the condition of normal or dry facial skin in some parts of the face and oily in other parts of the face (usually on the nose, forehead, and chin). This skin type is characterized by pores that look bigger, blackheads, and shiny.
- sensitive skin type, namely the type of facial skin with a high level of sensitivity (sensitivity). This condition occurs because the skin's natural barrier function weakens, making it easy to experience disturbances that arise as a reaction to various triggering factors, such as changes in weather, stress, hormonal changes, pets, dust, to chemicals. Therefore, sensitive skin owners need to be more careful in choosing skin care products and actions. Sensitive skin type is characterized by skin that is easily reddened, itchy, and dry.
Warning:
Before the patient undergoes skin treatment, there are several things that need to be considered and consulted with the doctor first to prevent possible risks or unsatisfactory results. The warnings may differ depending on the type of skin treatment the patient will be undergoing, but the things that generally need to be done include:
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medicines or chemical substances or solutions used during the treatment procedure.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of skin inflammation, such as: rosacea, psoriasis or atopic eczema.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of being infected with bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking facial medications, especially isotretinoin, and drugs that increase your risk of bleeding, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, at least 10 days before the procedure.
- Tell your doctor if you have or are currently suffering from an autoimmune disease or a low immune system.
- Tell your doctor if you have open sores or keloids (scars that are scar tissue).
- Tell your doctor if you have had surgery around your face within 2 months.
Some types of skin treatments, such as microdermabrasion and lasers, may not be recommended for people with dark skin tones, because of the risk of changing skin pigmentation.
Before Skin Care
Before the patient undergoes facial skin treatment, the patient will first consult with a dermatologist or an esthetician. The doctor will ask and explore about the complaints of skin problems experienced by the patient, the history of skin diseases that have been experienced, and the desired results.
Next, the doctor will examine the patient's skin condition and disorders. Through this examination, the doctor can identify the patient's skin type and determine the appropriate type of facial skin care.
After the patient undergoes the examination process, the doctor will explain about the skin care procedure that will be carried out and the expected results of the procedure, along with the risks that the patient needs to be aware of.
In addition, there are several things that patients need to do before undergoing facial skin care, including:
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for several weeks before undergoing facial skin care procedures. This is done to prevent the risk of pigmentation changes on the facial skin.
- Avoid using facial treatment medications that can cause peeling of the facial skin for a few days before treatment.
- Avoid beauty treatment procedures, such as massages, scrubs, or facial masks and removing facial hair (waxing), at least a week before treatment.
- Avoid smoking for at least 2 weeks before and after skin treatment, as smoking can hinder the healing process.
- For patients who have a history of herpes infection around the mouth, the doctor will give antiviral drugs to be taken before and after the treatment procedure to prevent the infection from happening again.
- Remove all jewelry and remove any makeup that may be in use with soap and water.
- Invite family members or relatives to accompany and take the patient home. This is done because some facial skin care procedures use sedatives, such as moderate or severe peels.
For some maintenance measures, such as intense pulse light (IPL) and microdermabrasion, the doctor may take a photo of the patient's face before the treatment is performed.
Skin Care Procedure
Facial skin care is generally varied and adapted to the conditions and disorders of the facial skin that are owned and experienced by the patient. Several types of facial skin care, including:
- facials. This is a type of facial skin care that is carried out through several steps, such as cleansing (cleansing), evaporation (steaming), exfoliating the skin with a scrub (exfoliation), removal of acne and blackheads (extraction), massage (facial massage), use of face masks (facial mask), as well as the use of serum, moisturizer (moisturizer), toner, and sunscreen if facial done during the day.
- peeling, is a skin treatment procedure that uses a chemical solution to remove or remove dead skin cells.
- facial cauterization, is a type of facial skin care procedure to treat wounds or remove lesions on facial skin tissue. This treatment procedure is part of electrical surgery, which uses a metal instrument such as a pencil to deliver high-frequency electric currents that generate heat to the areas of facial skin that will be treated. This procedure is usually done to treat facial warts and skin tags (growing flesh).
- Laser. This is a type of facial skin care therapy that uses laser light that has a predetermined wavelength to remove dead skin cells and layers and rejuvenate the skin. Laser treatment is also done to reduce wrinkles, acne scars, and fine lines on the face. In addition, lasers are also used to remove hair. Laser treatment can use two types of lasers, namely carbon dioxide and erbium.
- Intense pulse light (IPL), is a type of facial skin care therapy using a device that emits high-intensity light waves. IPL is done to treat various disorders of facial skin, such as scars, acne scars, rosacea, age spots, sun damage, and for hair removal.
- Microdermabrasion. This is a type of facial skin care procedure to revitalize skin texture and tone, and help remove wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, melasma, or sun damage. Microdermabrasion is done by using a special tool that has a rough surface to sand the outer layer of the skin, in order to provoke the growth of smoother and less bumpy skin.
- Radiothermoplasty (thermage), is a facial treatment method to tighten and improve contours or fine lines on the face and neck. This method is done by using radio waves that can generate heat to tighten the skin tissue and structure, so that the skin layer does not need to go through the peeling process. Thermage Can be done on all skin types.
After Facial Skin Care
Doctors usually allow patients to go home and resume normal activities after undergoing skin treatment. The doctor will also give special instructions that the patient must follow during the recovery period at home, according to the skin care performed. With the aim of helping the healing process and maximizing the results to be achieved.
Patients may experience redness and swelling for a few days or weeks depending on the condition of the skin and the type of treatment performed. Burning and throbbing sensations in the skin area may also be experienced by patients undergoing surgery peeling and microdermabrasion.
Patients are advised to avoid direct sunlight by using sunscreen and covering the skin area that has been treated. This is done because the new layer of skin is still vulnerable to sunlight. To overcome disorders that occur in the skin area, the doctor will recommend the patient to use a protective ointment, such as petroleum jelly, and an ice pack to relieve any stinging and burning sensation that may be experienced.
Several types of facial skin care, such as IPL and peeling, may require repeated treatments to get the desired results. The re-treatment is generally carried out with a time lag of about 1 month.
Regardless of your skin type, here are some ways to keep your skin in the best condition, including:
- Protect your skin from direct sunlight by using a sunscreen that blocks ultraviolet rays.
- Wear clothing that covers the skin, such as long-sleeved shirts, hats and glasses when going out.
- Avoid smoking because it can interfere with skin youthfulness.
- Consume healthy and nutritious food, and increase fluid consumption.
- Clean the skin gently every day using a soap that is suitable for skin conditions.
- Avoid using make-upmake up) when going to sleep.
- Use skin moisturizer regularly.
- Avoid stress because it can cause skin to become more sensitive and breakouts.
Skin Care Risk
Facial skin care is a safe procedure to do, although there are some risks of side effects that some patients may experience, including:
- Allergic reaction to certain drugs, substances, or chemical solutions used during the treatment procedure.
- Infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Especially if there is a scar on the treated area.
- Scar. Although rare, some facial skin care methods, such as peeling and lasers, can cause scars or scarring. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics and corticosteroids to reduce the appearance of scars on your face.
- Inflammation. Some facial skin care methods, such as lasers and microdermabrasion, have a risk of causing facial skin to become inflamed. Inflammation is generally characterized by red, swollen, and itchy skin.
- Changes in skin color. Facial skin care, such as laser and peeling, can cause the area of facial skin undergoing treatment to be darker (hyperpigmentation) or lighter (hypopigmentation) than the surrounding skin. This condition can be permanent, but can be prevented by using sunscreen regularly during the healing process.
In order for the skin treatment to be effective and give the expected results, first consult with a dermatologist. Avoid undergoing skin treatments at beauty services without a doctor's supervision and don't be easily fooled by myths. Routinely do skin care at home according to doctor's recommendations, so that skin health is always maintained.
