Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, scaly rash that affects people of all ages (about 2% of the population) and it tends to run in families. Psoriasis is also influenced by many environmental factors. It is not contagious and is not due to an allergy.

The most common ages for psoriasis to first appear are in the late teens and in the 50s. It affects men and women equally, although in children, girls are more commonly affected than boys.

About 5% of those with psoriasis will also develop joint pains (psoriatic arthritis), which may involve one or more joints. This can be very debilitating.

What does Psoriasis look like?

Psoriasis is characterised by red, scaly patches of skin, which usually have very well defined edges. It is often symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body. The scale is typically silvery white. Psoriasis can affect any area of skin and it can sometimes be severe enough to require hospitalisation.

What causes Psoriasis?

Exactly what causes psoriasis is not fully understood but there is a lot of active research into this area. The immune system is involved and appears to be overactive in a way that causes inflammation. Specifically, there is excessive production of TH1 cytokines, particularly TNFα.

These have many effects, including growth of extra blood vessels within the skin (causing the red colour) and increased turnover of the skin cells (causing the scaling and thickening of the skin).

Genetic influences

Like most diseases, psoriasis is influenced by inherited  characteristics. Up to 50% of people with psoriasis will know of another affected family member. Patients with a family history of psoriasis tend to develop psoriasis earlier in life than those without a family history. Other factors that can trigger psoriasis includes stress, infections and injury to the skin.

Many psoriasis studies have noted many affected patients to be overweight or obese. Psoriasis is
associated with a greater risk of ischaemic heart disease (angina and heart attack), stroke and peripheral vascular disease.

Is there a cure?

There is to date no cure for psoriasis but satisfactory control of the disease is possible for most patients. Most forms of psoriasis run a fluctuating course with periods of marked improvement and even complete clearance, only to relapse at a later time. There may be several months or years between relapses. A small group of patients have severe, persistent psoriasis that is very difficult to treat and can be very disabling.

Treatment includes topical creams, oral medications, phototherapy and newer immune-modulating drugs (commonly known as biologics).

Alcohol and smoking — There is an association between increased alcohol intake and smoking and the development of severe psoriasis.

Skin Infections in Children

Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a pox virus and involves the outer layer of the skin, causing tiny white bumps. The centre of the bumps may have a depression filled with while material.

Viral Warts

Warts are growths on your skin caused by an infection with human papilloma virus, or HPV. 

Types of warts include:

• Common warts, which often appear on your fingers, toes and on the knees
• Plantar warts, which show up on the soles of your feet
• Genital warts, which are a sexually transmitted disease
• Flat warts are skin-coloured and can appear in any area of the body
• Periungual warts prefer to grow at the sides or under the nails and can distort nail growth

Cryotherapy

Electrosurgery

Impetigo

Candidiasis

Scabies

Insect Bite Reactions

Insect bites and stings can be simply divided into 2 groups: venomous (poisonous) and non-venomous.

A sting is usually from an attack by a venomous insect such as a bee or wasp, which uses this as a defence mechanism by injecting toxic and painful venom. Whereas non-venomous insect bites pierce the skin to feed on your blood. This usually results in intense itching, which can be prolonged in some instances.

What are the signs and symptoms?

For most people, insect bites or stings cause a mild reaction. Venomous stings usually cause a stinging sensation or pain with redness and swelling of the area. Itch is usually not a concern. In some people who are sensitive to insect venom, a sting may cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.

This results in facial swelling, difficultly breathing and an itchy rash over most of the body. This can be life-threatening so immediate medical attention and treatment needs to be sought.

Non-venomous insect bites usually cause little more than an intense irritating itch for most people. The bite may show up as a small raised red spot. It may blister. Unfortunately the urge to scratch usually results in an open sore that may become infected and take longer to heal.

What is the treatment of insect bites and stings?

If the reaction is mild, insect stings should be treated by first removing the stinger. The site should be cleaned with a disinfectant and an ice or cold pack applied to reduce pain and swelling. If an insect sting causes a severe reaction or anaphylaxis, urgent medical attention should be sought. The main treatment aim of insect bites is to prevent itching. Topical and oral antihistamines, calamine lotion, and topical local anaesthetic agents may provide relief. Generally, as only brief treatment is required, moderate potency topical steroids may be used to provide a faster effect.

Fillers

What are facial fillers used for?

Facial lines and features that can be corrected using implants

• Frown lines (glabellar lines)
• Smoker’s lines (perioral lines)
• Marionette lines (ora commissures)
• Worry lines (forehead lines) Crow’s feet (periorbital lines)
• Deep smile lines (nasolabial furrows)
• Smile lines (nasolabial lines)
• Cheek depressions
• Lip enhancement
• Witch’s chin (chin augmentation)
• Acne scars Facial scars

Skinboosters: What is it?

Skinboosters^TM is a filler treatment which improves skin hydration, firmness and luminosity, through micro-injections of a very soft hyaluronic acid filler into the skin.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar molecule in our skin. It gives our skin the plumpness and hydration associated with youthful, healthy skin. However, over time, our skin loses collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, and it becomes drier, rougher and less elastic.

Skinboosters reverse the skin aging process by reintroducing hyaluronic acid into the skin. Once injected, the water-loving hyaluronic acid molecules start to absorb water up to 200 times its weight and swell, bringing about profound hydration to the skin from inside out. With dramatically improved hydration, the skin looks plumper, brighter, and more youthful.

What are the Benefits?

Skinboosters are excellent for improving skin texture and tone. Unknown to most, Skinboosters also improve acne scars by plumping them up. The benefits of the treatment include:

• Smoother skin
• Improvement in fine lines and wrinkles
• Firmer skin
• Brighter, more luminous skin
• Better skin hydration
• Improvement in acne scars

Red Spots,Veins, Birthmarks & Stretchmarks 

Candela Gentle Laser Hair Removal

Children & Adult Skin Clinic is excited to offer the GentleYAG® laser system that is safe, fast and effective in dealing with unwanted hair. No more messy hair removal with razors and wax!

The Gentle Laser Hair Removal treatment from Candela is able to penetrate the hair follicle with light energy, destroying it at its root while preserving the surrounding skin:

• Smoother skin, free of unwanted hair
• Effective
• Ultra Fast

How does Gentle Hair Removal treatments work ?

The laser creates a beam of high-intensity light that penetrates deep into skin tissue whereit delivers a controlled amount of targeted therapeutic heat. Candela’s patented Dynamic Cooling Device™ (DCD™) technology protects the upper layers of your skin with a cooling burst of cryogen. Thus the
laser is able to target the melanin in the hair follicles and remove the hair safely.

What areas of the body can be treated?

Laser hair removal is safe enough to be used on all body parts including the face, upper lip, back,
underarms, arms, bikini line and legs.

What must I do before laser hair removal?

• Avoid waxing and plucking of hairs for 2 weeks
• Shave the hair short on the day of laser treatment
• Avoid excessive sun exposure 4 weeks before treatment. This is to avoid damage to the overlying
  skin as the tanned skin will also absorb the laser light
• For patients with a history of herpes infection, some anti-viral medications may be needed before
  and after the treatment

Are the treatments painful?

While other Laser hair removal gives a prickly or a light rubber-band snapping sensation, the Candela’s unique . Gentle Hair Removal treatments use a patented Dynamic Cooling Device™ (DCD™), which prepares the skin for treatment by spraying the upper layer with a cooling burst of cryogen in adjustable durations—milliseconds before the laser pulse. DCD helps ensure that Gentle Hair Removal treatments are as comfortable as they are effective.

How long does each treatment take?

An upper lip and chin can be done in 5 minutes. Underarms or bikini lines usually take 10-15 minutes.
Legs and back take longer.

Is the hair removal permanent and how many treatments do I need?

The treated hair will not fall out until 2 weeks later. Mild redness and swelling after the treatment is expected. These reactions subside within few hours to 1 – 2 days. Hair growth is reduced after each treatment and the number of treatments required will be based on your hair color and type, body
area and skin tone. The best results are achieved after a series of four to eight treatments at four to eight week intervals depending on area treated. The process is most effective when the hair follicle is in its active growth phase.

What can I expect and how to take care of my skin after laser hair removal?

Patients scheduled for hair removal should avoid plucking, electrolysis or hair waxing for six weeks prior to treatment. If you have had a history of herpes simplex virus and are scheduled for facial hair treatment, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed. .

During or following treatment, a cool compress or gel pack may be applied for comfort. Any redness or swelling should resolve within a few hours.

After laser treatment, prevent sun exposure by applying sunblock (SPF 30 or above). In the first few  days after treatment, don’t scrub or rinse the treated areas with abrasive skin cleansers. Your practitioner may advise additional precautions.

Are there any possible side effects?

Side effects while few and rarely permanent may include redness, swelling, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, blistering and purpura (a laser bruise) in the treated area—these usually do not last more than a few days. Skin lightening (hypopigmentation) is rare, but darkening (hyper-pigmentation) may occur, especially in patients with darker skin tones. These skin colour changes will fade with time.

Laser Skin
Re-surfacing

(Mixto SX Fractional CO2 Laser)

The MiXto SX Micro Fractional CO2 Laser is a well-established treatment that has been used for more than 25 years in the aesthetic industry for treatment of fine and deep wrinkles, scars and uneven pigmentation. A single treatment can show significant improvement in skin texture and color while softening wrinkles.