Skin Analysis
Our Comprehensive Skin Consultation
As part of our dedication to providing individualized treatment plans, each of our clients must engage in a consultation with A Spa at Spring Ridge Licensed Aesthetician prior to undergoing any medical aesthetic procedure. We also encourage our clients interested in non-medical facials or body treatments to schedule a complimentary skin consultation as well, as many of these services can also be customized. The education you will receive from our expert staff is invaluable!
VISIA® Digital Complexion Analysis
The first step in our skin analysis and consultation process begins with a computerized complexion analysis. We are proud to be the only spa in the area that utilizes the VISIA® System. It uses multi spectral imaging to reveal damage on and beneath the surface of our skin that is not detectable by visual examination alone. VISIA® imaging allows our licensed professionals to evaluate your skin’s health and appearance based on six criteria that affect your complexion; wrinkles, pores, brown spots, evenness (skin tone color variation), porphyrins (evidence of bacteria in your pores) and UV spots and damage caused by overexposure to the sun.
Pores:
Pores are the circular surface openings of sweat gland ducts. Due to shadowing, pores appear darker than the surrounding skin tone and are identified by their darker color and circular shape. The VISIA® system distinguishes pores from spots based on size; by definition, the area of a pore is much smaller than a spot. Unfortunately the pores are part of our DNA and they cannot be changed. Although pores cannot permanently become smaller we can minimize the appearance of pores using a good skin care regimen that will be prescribed to you by one of our trained aestheticians.
Wrinkles:
Wrinkles are furrows, folds or creases in the skin, which increase in occurrence as a result of sun exposure, and are associated with decreasing skin elasticity. This skin feature has the greatest variability from image to image as it is highly dependent upon the facial expression of the client. Wrinkles are identified by their characteristic long, narrow shape. Depending on the depth of the wrinkles there are various routes one can go to smooth the skin. Through stimulation of the collagen at the deeper layers of the skin the wrinkles can be plumped and firmed. This is achieved with fillers, injectables, laser treatments, and specific skin care products.
Texture:
Texture is primarily an analysis of skin smoothness. Texture measures skin color and smoothness by identifying gradations in color from the surrounding skin tone, as well as peaks (shown in yellow) and valleys (shown in blue) on the skin surface that indicate variations in the surface texture.
Porphyrins:
Porphyrins are bacterial excretions that can become lodged in pores and lead to acne. Porphyrins fluoresce in UV light and exhibit circular white spot characteristics.
Brown spots:
Brown Spots are lesions on the skin such as hyperpigmentation, freckles, lentigines, and melasma. Brown Spots occur from an excess of Melanin. Melanin is produced by melanocytes in the bottom layer of the epidermis. Brown Spots produce an uneven appearance to the skin, and are detected in VISIA®® by RBX.
Red Areas:
Red Areas represent a potential variety of conditions, such as acne, inflammation, rosacea or spider veins. Blood vessels and hemoglobin contained in the papillary dermis, a sub-layer of the skin, give these structures their red color, which is detected by the RBX Technology in VISIA®. Acne spots and inflammation vary in size but are generally round in shape. Rosacea is usually larger and diffuse compared to acne, and spider veins usually are short, thin and can be interconnected in a dense network.
UV Spots:
UV spots occur when melanin coagulates below the skin surface as a result of sun damage. UV spots are generally invisible under normal lighting conditions. The selective absorption of the UV light by the epidermal melanin enhances its display and detection by VISIA®.
The VISIA® system links to a large database of women so it can compare your skin to women your age with similar skin types across the country. So, in addition to pinpointing your particular skin issues, it also gives you an idea of how your skin compares to other women your age. You will receive a printout of the analysis similar to the one shown here to take home and study.
Product and Treatment Options
Our licensed aestheticians will explain the results of the VISIA® skin analysis and make recommendations for skin care products and treatments if needed. We feel the most important aspect of the consult is to educate our clients about their skin issues and good skin care. While we feel our consultations are extremely valuable, we have chosen at this time to offer them free of charge. We are confident that once a client has visited our beautiful spa, met with our knowledgeable staff and learned about what we have to offer, the result will be a loyal satisfied customer of The Spa at Spring Ridge.