Neck and Chest (Décolletage)
As we age the fine skin texture on our neck and chest – or décolletage – becomes thinner, drier and wrinkled. A lifetime of sun exposure exacerbates the damage to this area leaving the skin blotchy and red with a dry, leathery texture which is unsightly. Dry river lines appear from the sternum to the cleavage area. These lines cause considerable distress when wearing low cut tops. Continue reading for the best treatments offered at Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic Dublin.
In the past this area of the body has proven difficult to revitalize. But we can now effectively rejuvenate the neck and décolletage with a combination of new generation dermal fillers, toxin injections , skin tightening, laser therapy and medicated skin treatments.
Poikiloderma of Civatte
Poikiloderma of Civatte is a condition that causes a red-brown discolouration on the side of the neck. The redness represents superficial capillaries and the brown discolouration is overlying pigmentation. The area that is shaded by the chin is usually spared. Poikiloderma is exacerbated by UV exposure, but the underlying cause is not known. Perfumes and various cosmetics have been implicated, as well as hormonal causes like low oestrogen levels. People with a family history of Poikiloderma of Civatte as well as fair-skinned individuals are more likely to develop this condition.
Avoidance of potential causes of poikiloderma of Civatte such as perfumes, UV radiation, and various cosmetics is the first step in treating poikiloderma.
Poikiloderma is then best treated with the AntiLax Skin Tightening and broad band laser combination, the palomar Starlux. This helps to tighten the skin and reduce the pigmentation by closing off any superficial capillaries causing the redness. The wavelengths from these lasers are specifically attracted to the capillaries and pigmentation, and hence normal skin is relatively unaffected.
Treatment Options
Injecting new biphasic soft dermal fillers to restore skin quality and volume from within. This reverses the dry, aged appearance of the neck and chest by acting as an internal reservoir to hydrate the skin, giving it a refreshed, dewy appearance. For most patients this can be maintained by two to three top up sessions a year.
Toxin injections relax the skin muscles in the area. Dry river lines expand and further re-hydrate with time. Future injections are required once or twice yearly.
Two sessions of Intense Pulse Light laser therapy may also be required to correct the hyperpigmentation and redness from sun damage. IPL and Broad band laser treatments also rejuvenate the skin by increasing hydration and the thickness of the dermis.
AntiLax Skin Tightening uses infrared laser and radiofrequency energy to promote new collagen formation in the skin. Tightening results are substantial. Usually 3 to 5 session is all what’s required for long tern correction.
