Dr. Ellis has been performing ophthalmic and facial plastic procedures for over thirty years, including eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) , laser skin resurfacing, Botox for wrinkles, and dermal fillers for scars and wrinkles.
If you want to treat and prevent signs of aging and acne scars, Cosmetic Laser Medical Center offers to you the latest and more effective technology and procedures for skin rejuvenation. We Offer:
You can discover how our procedures can benefit your skin and your appearance. A personal interview and clinical examination will be conducted to obtain relevant facts about your medical and dermatologic history. We evaluate your skin condition in order to select the best treatment for you. We can treat wrinkles, fine lines, uneven pigmentation (sun spots), skin laxity and also acne scars.
Aging
There are two types of aging. Intrinsic aging that is inherited and is caused by genes and extrinsic aging that is caused by environmental factors that increase the risk of premature aging.
Intrinsic Aging
Intrinsic aging, also known as the natural aging process, is a continuous process that normally begins in our mid-20s. Within the skin, collagen production slows, and elastin, the substance that enables skin to snap back into place, has a bit less spring. Dead skin cells do not shed as quickly and turnover of new skin cells may decrease slightly. While these changes usually begin in our 20s, the signs of intrinsic aging are typically not visible for decades. The signs of intrinsic aging are:
Fine wrinkles
Thin and transparent skin
Loss of underlying fat, leading to hollowed cheeks and eye sockets as well as noticeable loss of firmness on the hands and neck
Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss, which causes sagging skin
Dry skin that may itch
Inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin
Graying hair that eventually turns white
Hair loss
Unwanted hair
Nail plate thins, the half moons disappear, and ridges develops
Extrinsic aging
A number of extrinsic, or external, factors often act together with the normal aging process to prematurely age our skin. Most premature aging is caused by sun exposure. Other external factors that prematurely age our skin are repetitive facial expressions, gravity, sleeping positions, and smoking.
Photo aging clinical signs are fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, uneven pigmentation , dilatation of the capillaries and pre malignant lesions.
Histological changes of aging skin
Young Skin
Aging Skin
With aging, the outer skin layer (epidermis) thins even though the number of cell layers remains unchanged. The number of pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) decreases, but the remaining melanocytes increase in size. Aging skin thus appears thinner, more translucent. Age spots or liver spots may appear in sun-exposed areas. Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and elasticity. This is known as elastosis and is especially pronounced in sun-exposed areas.
In the dermis, sun effects cause collagen to break down at a higher rate than with just chronologic aging.
Aging of the skin is associated with progressive atrophy of the dermis, as well as changes in the architectural organization, leading to folds and wrinkles. As the dermis comprises living tissue, dermal changes are not simply the sum of age-related changes occurring in the mesenchymal cells and the supporting macromolecular structures. Chronological ageing reduces the life of fibroblasts ( cells that produce collagen). Both endogenous factors, e.g. nutritional and endocrine status, and environmental factors, e.g. UV radiation, toxic compounds or free radicals, affect the functions of fibroblasts and the physical and chemical nature of the supporting macromolecules. Mechanical forces also play an important role in the architectural deterioration of the dermis.
