Defining skin quality: our guide to achieving a healthy, glowing complexion.

14 Aug

Butter Cosmetic and Skin Clinic | Skin Quality | How to achieve healthy, glowing skin.

What is skin quality?

Skin quality as a concept is gaining popularity in the aesthetic industry. Good skin quality is an important component of facial attractiveness and continues to be one of the most universally desired features. In a recent global survey by Allergan Aesthetics, 94% of the 14,584 people interviewed desired to improve their facial skin. Terms such as “radiance” and “healthy, glowing skin” are frequently requested by patients seeking improvements in their appearance.

Skin quality is determined by:

Appearance (how the skin looks when it reflects light)
Texture (how the skin feels)
Flexibility (how the skin stretches and ‘bounces back’ to its original shape when physically manipulated, e.g. pinching of the skin)

ERYTHEMA / redness

DULLNESS / absence of glow

RADIANCE / ability of skin to glow or reflect light

SHINE / excess sebum (oil) on the skin

PIGMENTATION / variation in melanin production causing darkened areas on the skin

ROUGHNESS / uneven, not level texture

FINE LINES / light wrinkles

COARSE LINES / deep wrinkles

DRYNESS / lack of moisture, dehydration

PORES / small openings in the skin that facilitate the removal of oil and sweat

CREPINESS / fine tissue paper wrinkling of the skin

LAXITY / loose skin

HYDRATION / water content, moisturisation

ELASTICITY / ability of skin to bounce back when pressed

FIRMNESS / ability of skin to be stretched

THICKNESS / density of skin

Why does skin quality matter?

When it comes to our overall health and appearance, skin quality plays an essential role. The skin is one of the first features people notice about us and a key indicator of our well-being.

The appearance of our skin provides a wealth of information. Skin health is closely linked to overall well-being, and clear skin is one of the body’s visual certificates of health and vitality, as well as disease and nutritional state. The quality of our skin has even been linked to other aspects of health, such as reproductive and fertility health. Skin quality has also been shown to substantially impact emotional health, quality of life, self-perception, and interactions with others.

Recognising good skin quality.

Good skin quality typically refers to skin that is healthy, well-nourished, and balanced. Here are some key characteristics:

Smooth texture: the skin feels smooth to the touch and free of bumps, rough patches or flaky areas.

Even tone: skin that has even tone without discolouration, redness or hyperpigmentation is often a sign of good skin health.
Hydration: well-hydrated skin appears plump and supple, with a natural, healthy glow. It doesn’t feel tight or dry.
Elasticity: good skin has a certain level of elasticity, meaning it bounces back when stretched or touched, which is a sign of good collagen levels.
Minimal pores: smaller, less noticeable pores often indicate healthy skin. Enlarged pores can sometimes be a sign of excess oil production or skin congestion.
Few blemishes: skin with few or no blemishes, such as acne, blackheads, or dark spots, is often considered ‘good’.
Radiance: healthy skin typically has a natural radiance, often described as a ‘glow’. This comes from good blood circulation and a proper skincare routine.
Resilience: good skin can effectively protect against environmental stressors like pollution, UV rays and harsh weather conditions (and no, this doesn’t mean you can skip your SPF!).

How does ageing affect skin quality?

As we age, our skin naturally breaks down and loses important substances like collagen and elastin that keeps it firm and smooth. This leads to a range of changes such as drier skin, larger pores, more wrinkles, sagging, uneven skin tone, and rough texture. Overall, the skin becomes less hydrated and less resilient, showing signs of ageing more prominently.

How to achieve good skin quality.

Achieving and maintaining good skin quality involves a combination of factors, including genetics, diet, hydration, effective skincare, quality of sleep, stress management and overall health. Skin quality can also be improved through skin treatments such as chemical peels, lasers and microneedling and medical aesthetic skin treatments.

Customised prescription skincare

Achieve a healthy, glowing complexion with customised prescription skincare, through our partnership with The Secret Skincare. The Secret Skincare products were designed by doctors to treat a variety of challenging skin conditions such as pigmentation, rosacea, acne and dermatitis.

SkinPen microneedling

SkinPen is an advanced medical microneedling device utilised for the treatment of various skin conditions through Collagen Induction Therapy. SkinPen microneedling harnesses the natural wound healing process of the skin to treat acne scars and help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, surgical scars, stretch marks and enlarged pores. SkinPen is also helpful in improving the cosmetic appearance of pigmentation conditions such as melasma.

Medical aesthetic treatments

We also offer medical aesthetic skin treatments to hydrate and remodel the skin, without changing facial volume. Skin boosting treatments target the deepest layers of the skin, far beyond the reach of your Hyaluronic acid serum. Other than intense hydration, you can expect to see a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, improved skin firmness and a seriously healthy-looking skin glow. Skin boosting treatments can also be combined with other medical aesthetic treatments to improve the appearance of fine lines around the eyes, accordion lines, neck lines and poor skin texture (including acne scarring).

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Key topics

References

Humphrey S, Manson Brown S, Cross SJ, Mehta R. Defining Skin Quality: Clinical Relevance, Terminology, and Assessment. Dermatol Surg. 2021 Jul 1;47(7):974-981. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000003079. PMID: 34148998; PMCID: PMC8231670.