Improving Skin Quality

Improving skin quality corresponds to the common desire for a more even complexion, a smoother texture, and skin that appears better hydrated and healthier. This is a legitimate and frequent concern that affects all ages and all skin types. Every skin has its own history: age, genetics, sun exposure, lifestyle, and past medical conditions all influence its appearance. Appropriate solutions vary depending on these factors and must be defined during a personalised consultation with Pr Ignacio Garrido.

Understanding the Need

Possible Causes

• Skin ageing: decreased collagen and elastin production, epidermal thinning, and progressive laxity.
• Repeated sun exposure: accumulation of damage (pigmentation spots, loss of radiance, irregular texture).
• Genetic and hormonal factors: influence on sebum production, appearance of spots, or tendency towards redness.
• Lifestyle and environment: smoking, sleep, diet, pollution, and stress can accelerate skin ageing and alter texture.
• History of acne or inflammation: scars, enlarged pores, surface irregularities. These phenomena are normal and evolving. The goal is to precisely assess the causes in order to propose an adapted approach.

Possible Solutions

Depending on the cause and the patient's wishes, several options may be considered. A general distinction is made between aesthetic medicine and surgical procedures when relevant.

Aesthetic Medicine

• Chemical peels: controlled application of an exfoliating agent to improve skin grain and radiance, reduce spots, and regulate superficial alterations. Different depths exist depending on the desired outcome.
• Skin booster or hydrating hyaluronic acid injections: micro-injections aimed at improving dermis hydration and quality, which can refine texture and restore radiance.
• Micro-needling / radiofrequency micro-needling: mechanical or thermal dermal stimulation to promote collagen production and improve scars, pores, and firmness.
• Laser and light treatments: ablative or non-ablative lasers, IPL to treat pigmentation spots, redness, or to stimulate skin renewal. The choice depends on the nature of the problem and the phototype.
• Biological therapies: PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or other cellular regeneration approaches to promote skin repair and radiance. Each procedure requires an assessment of phototype, history, and any concurrent treatments.

Aesthetic Surgery and Complementary Techniques

• Deep resurfacing (CO2 laser, dermabrasion): in some cases, to correct marked texture irregularities or old scars, deeper techniques may be proposed. They require a longer recovery period.
• Facelift or cervicofacial procedures: when deterioration of skin quality is accompanied by significant skin laxity, surgical procedures may be considered to restore tension and facial harmony.
• Excision of skin lesions or grafts: for certain localised anomalies (cysts, chronic lesions), a surgical procedure may be necessary before any rejuvenation treatment. The decision to undergo surgery is made following in-depth discussion of the benefits, risks, and recovery.

The Care Process

• Initial consultation: clinical skin examination (texture, spots, firmness), gathering of expectations and medical history, and definition of a personalised plan.
• Progressive proposal: it is common to combine several techniques (for example a programme of peels and skin boosters) and to stagger care to optimise safety and efficacy.
• Safety and information: explanation of modalities, possible post-treatment effects, and precautions to be taken before and after each procedure. The dialogue between patient and Pr Garrido is central to adjusting the protocol.

Expected Results and Follow-up

• Realistic goals: the improvement aims for more even skin, refined texture, and a more radiant complexion, in line with a natural and harmonious result.
• Variability of results: the effect and duration of treatments differ according to age, skin type, and adherence to post-procedure recommendations. No guarantee of results can be given in advance.
• Follow-up and maintenance: several sessions may be necessary, along with regular maintenance (dermatological care, photoprotection, adapted routine) to preserve the effects over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are results immediate? Some treatments provide a rapid radiance effect, but improvement in texture or collagen stimulation may require several weeks to months.

Are there alternatives without surgery? Yes: peels, non-ablative lasers, micro-needling, skin boosters, and other aesthetic medicine treatments constitute non-surgical alternatives depending on the need.

How long before resuming normal activity? This depends on the procedure: non-invasive treatments generally have little social downtime, while deep resurfacing or surgical procedures require a longer recovery period. These details are specified during the consultation.