The Ultimate Dull Skin Treatment for Radiant Skin
Tired of dealing with dull skin?
Dull skin can leave you wondering what changed. Just yesterday, it seemed you had a radiant, healthy glow without much effort. Now, your skin looks dull, uneven and possibly like you’ve been suffering from a lack of sleep (hello, dark circles).
It happens. Skin changes with age, environmental stressors and our own lifestyle habits. If you’ve been noticing a little less glow, we can help. We’ll give you some insight into what could be causing that dullness, as well as some tips on how to support your skin health and bring back that radiance.
What are the causes of dull skin?
Your skin is your body’s first line of defense. This means that it’s hit with some pretty heavy stressors throughout your day.
Pollution, sun damage from UV rays and cigarette smoke can produce free radicals in the skin that can rob it of its radiance. Antioxidants in your skin care products can help shield your skin from these environmental stressors, along with a daily sunscreen. But there’s more.
Dead skin cell buildup
One of the most common causes of dull skin is the buildup of dead skin cells on your skin's surface. The skin continually renews itself, but as we get older, this renewal process slows down. Having fewer new skin cells can give dead skin cells free real estate, which can create dullness and uneven skin tone and texture.
Exfoliating can help slough away these dead skin cells, and it’s often the first step we recommend in tackling dull skin. Exfoliating helps remove the buildup of dead cells on the skin so it looks healthy and polished.
Loss of collagen and elastin
The two most important proteins in our skin, collagen and elastin, begin to slow down production lines after age 30. In fact, by age 30, you’re already making 1% less collagen per year, and that decrease is cumulative with each birthday.
Less collagen production can leave your skin thinner, and it’s usually the reason we begin to see the signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles, appear around the eyes and mouth. It’s also why skin may appear lackluster.
The aging process is inevitable, but we have plenty of options for brightening, plumping and firming that can help you reclaim your healthy skin.
Dry skin
Dry skin can also be a factor in skin dullness. When your skin has a hard time holding onto hydration, you're more prone to visible dullness, dryness and flakiness. Plus, dry skin can be more susceptible to showing early signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
While some people just have naturally dry skin (similarly to how some people just have naturally oily skin), dry skin can also be the result of a damaged skin barrier. In these cases, many times, it’s generally best to give your skin time to heal and lay off the treatments.
This is when hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and brightening products like vitamin C serum can help — as can drinking plenty of water. For more personalized advice, it’s a good idea to ask your skin care provider about your dry skin and how to address it.
How can you address dull skin?
Glowing skin really does begin and end with a proper skin care routine. Whether you’re a six-step skin care connoisseur or you tend to stick to the essentials, we have solutions to help you combat dullness and support overall skin health.
In addition to taking better care of your skin through your skin care routine,certain skin care treatments can dramatically improve your appearance and the health of your skin.
Microneedling
To correct dull skin, we want to trick the skin into behaving like it did when it was younger. That means encouraging the skin to produce more collagen and elastin and helping to support the skin renewal process. Microneedling is a great treatment option for this!
Microneedling works by creating tiny wounds on your skin. The skin’s response is to step into action and “heal” the wounds, and it does that by producing new skin proteins and new skin cells.
During a microneedling treatment, your skin care provider will numb your skin to keep you comfortable. Then, using a microneedling device, the provider will create invisible tiny wounds on the skin. You’ll experience minimal downtime, and in about two weeks, you'll notice rejuvenated skin that is healthier, firmer and, of course, more radiant.
Microneedling can also be used to help diminish the appearance of dark spots and areas of uneven pigmentation. It’s one of the best ways to support the overall health of your skin and improve texture and tone.
PRP facial
For even stronger results, we recommend PRP as an add-on to your microneedling treatment. PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, and it involves a small amount of your own blood.
You might have heard it referred to as “the vampire facial,” but it's not scary — this treatment is completely safe, trusted in the medical community and highly effective.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a component of your own blood that contains a high number of growth factors. These growth factors can spur your skin into action, supporting its natural ability to improve its own tone, texture and firmness.
During the treatment, we'll draw a small amount of blood and spin it down in a centrifuge. Then, we’ll apply this topically and even inject it into your skin as a part of your microneedling treatment. Don’t worry, through — your skin is numbed to keep you comfortable. The best part is that you can see visible results in about a week’s time.
Dull skin is done
No matter your skin type, you’ll probably experience dull skin at some point in your skin care journey. It’s a really common skin issue, but thankfully, you have options to address it! In addition to topical skin care products, certain treatments can significantly support your skin’s health and appearance.
Ready to tackle dull skin for yourself? Book a consult with us, and one of our providers will create a treatment plan tailored to your skin's specific needs.
SOURCES:
Age-associated changes in human epidermal cell renewal | PMC
Platelet-rich plasma, a powerful tool in dermatology | PubMed.gov
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