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How well do you know your skin? When was the last time someone closely examined or assessed your skin? Most of us rely on our own skin analysis by using information gathered through our own experiences and the things we have learnt along the way. This could be a salesperson telling us we have dry skin during a consultation or perhaps our skin used to fall into a certain category but has, in fact over time fallen into a different one. We had a chat with our friends at salon supplier The Global Beauty Group to learn about the importance of performing a professional skin analysis so that we can then treat and take care of our skin in the best way possible.
The Skincare Industry
If you don’t know your actual skin type and what it may need it can feel daunting when entering the world of skincare. To say that during Covid the skincare market “boomed” would be a MAJOR understatement. With everyone staying at home, skincare became something of a self-care ritual that we could do to look after ourselves during such difficult times. Just like the makeup industry before it – the skincare industry exploded and all of a sudden, choosing skincare became all that much harder. With the influx of new skincare products and companies, it has suddenly become that much more difficult to choose skincare that is right for your skin. Consumers are spoilt for choice when it comes to new products to try – all promising the skin of your dreams – and navigating your way through all that is on offer can easily become an overwhelming thing.
Finding The Right Products
Unless you actually know your skin type and exactly what it needs at any given time, it can be all too easy to fall into the trap of purchasing something only to be disappointed when that product didn’t work for your particular skin type. Likewise, any skincare regime or new product takes time to work effectively so bouncing from one new product to the next too quickly isn’t likely to yield results. It is also all too easy to “overload” your skin by trying too many new products too quickly, which can also make it difficult to identify if any of them actually work for your skin.
Who Can Help?
So then, where to from here…and who can we really trust when it comes to our skin? The answer may sound simple but a professional is the best way forward and the only way to truly gather the knowledge you need to look after your skin. Whether it be an aesthetician, a dermatologist or a dermal therapist - all will have undergone training and will have attained an extensive knowledge and understanding of everything from skin physiology, to structure and function. They will also be armed with a broad understanding of the various common skin concerns and conditions we all face - and the best ways to treat them. THIS is where skin analysis comes into play!
Performing A Skin Analysis
The very first step towards attaining YOUR best possible skin is through a professional facial skin analysis. Through this process, your chosen therapist can identify and determine your true skin type and any underlying skin conditions that need to be addressed. You are safe in the knowledge that should they make recommendations (in the form of treatments or products to try) – they are armed with the correct knowledge of your particular skin type or condition.
So what happens during a professional skin analysis?
Most professional skin analyses will be made up of several components, the first of which is using a skin machine specifically designed to analyse and identify factors that are not necessarily visible or seen with the naked eye. Using a skin imaging device not only helps give you a true visual representation and understanding of your skin, but it will also provide a benchmark that will allow both you and your clinician to revisit and re-assess your skin’s progress at a future date.
Some of the key things that can be identified with a professional skin scanner are:
- Hydration and skin lipid levels
- Underlying inflammation
- Melanin levels
- UV exposure history
- Pigmentation (including sun damage, melasma, liver spots, age spots and sunspots) - Phototype
- Erythema (redness and flushing)
- Vascular damage
- Surface texture (i.e. pores, wrinkles and fine lines)
- Cellular damage
- Loss of structural integrity
Additional Benefits
Aside from using a skin analysis machine, your treatment provider is also likely to gather other additional information that can be useful when accessing the skin to make a skincare diagnosis. They might ask you about things like genetic history or inherited characteristics, relevant lifestyle and diet factors, as well as past medical and cosmetic history. They may also talk about certain triggers and other contributing factors such as related symptoms and/or effects of that particular skin condition. Not only is making these determinations crucial to the success of treating your skin in the long term, it will not only empower you but allow you to better understand your skin and why it behaves the way it does!
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