Scraps

The xanthemas appear as yellow spots or plaques and are usually found in eyelid skin. They consist of cholesterol and in a percentage of about 50% of the patients it is an indication that the cholesterol in the blood is high. For this reason, patients with xanthelasma should have their blood lipids checked. Xanthelasma do not disappear on their own, but instead may grow larger over time or even multiply.

They are most commonly found in middle age and more often on women, as well as in people of Mediterranean and Asian origin. These accumulations of cholesterol under the skin are removed for cosmetic reasons.

Xanthelasma can be treated in a number of ways. With all of them treatments there is a chance that they will reappear if the person has the tendency, usually in a few years.

Their most effective treatment is achieved with CO2 laser, which destroys the xanthelasma causing the skin to sublimate resulting in the elimination of the damage. After the treatment there is a crust in the area of the xanthelasma which subsides after a week leaving new skin in its place. The advantage of CO2 Laser treatment is the preservation of the entire surface area of the skin, since the skin regenerates from its basal layer and is not removed. So if the xanthelasma recurs it can be repeated.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel, a chemical substance that causes peeling of skin layers and destruction of xanthelasma at the same time.
Diathermocoagulation during which the xanthelasma is cauterized with the use of an electric current that is transferred with an electrode to the skin. This is a technique that has largely been replaced by the CO2 Laser.
Finally, the surgical removal is a traditional method of treating xanthelasma. The lesion is removed and the skin is sutured. With all treatments, xanthelasma can recur, and this method has limitations on how many times it can be repeated, since skin is removed with each procedure.
The treatment of xanthelasma is done with local anesthesia which is applied either in the form of a cream or in an injectable form. It is very well tolerated and leaves an excellent aesthetic result when performed by a specialist dermatologist. Recovery time is approximately 7-10 days, during which time local care of the area with an antibiotic cream is required. Sun protection is necessary until the skin fully returns to its normal state.

Dermabrasion with diamonds

In microdermabrasion we use a rotating mechanism to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin, usually on the face but often also on the neck, torso and hands. The removal of dead cells is done mechanically and not chemically (as in peelings).

What are the benefits?

Diamond dermabrasion removes the most superficial layers of the skin. The result is that the skin looks brighter, younger and smoother. Discolorations and other skin irregularities, enlarged pores, fine wrinkles are improved. It offers skin renewal in a completely natural way.

How is skin scraping done?

The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is made up of many rows of cells. The most superficial (external) ones refer to dead cells while the deeper ones to cells that mature and rise to the surface. The purpose of microdermabrasion is to gently remove superficial, dead cells and reveal the deepest layers of the skin, thus offering a rejuvenated, soft and clean face full of radiance.

In the past, a machine was used that ejected aluminum or aluminum oxide grains with a controlled momentum.

More recently, however, we have been applying dermabrasion with diamonds. We apply to the surface of the skin a suction device which at its end has a metal head covered with an artificial diamond. When the head rotates it "scratches" gently and controlled the skin. Tailored suction removes dead cells and sebum that slough off the skin, leaving it smooth with no crystal residue. There are different heads and degrees of aggressiveness, and according to the diversity of each skin, the treatment that does not cause irritation is chosen.

It is painless to treat with skin scraping?

Microdermabrasion does not cause pain and does not require the application of an anesthetic cream before the treatment.

 

What other treatments is skin scraping combined with?

Dermabrasion in our clinic is often combined with a special light herbal peeling to enhance the effect on discolorations and more radiance.

How many treatments are needed?

Usually 4-6 sessions every 7-14 days.

Who should not have skin scraping?

The treatment should not be done when there are skin infections (microbial, herpes or warts) as well as wounds in the area. Be careful with people who take anticoagulant drugs because they may easily experience bruising (bruises). Attention is also needed in people with sensitive skin where the intensity is adjusted accordingly.

What should be done after skin scraping:

Intensive moisturizing of the skin and application of a sunscreen product are usually recommended in the days after the treatment.

 

Sun and Photoprotection: What we really need to watch out for

Part of the radiation emitted by the sun is ultraviolet (UV). UV radiation is invisible. There are well-documented studies that link it to the occurrence of skin cancers and to the wrinkles, discolorations, sagging that appear on the skin over the years (the greater percentage of aging that occurs on the sun-exposed parts of the body, e.g. face, neck, dorsal surface of the hands and is due to the sun).

To better study UV it has been arbitrarily divided into three sections UVC, UVB and UVA. UVA reaches the earth's surface, has significant intensity from early morning to late afternoon. UVB is filtered to some extent in the atmosphere but reaches the earth – it is most intense between 11:00 and 15:00. UVC is absorbed in the upper layers of the atmosphere and under normal conditions does not reach the earth's surface.

To protect ourselves from the unwanted effects of the sun, we must avoid prolonged activities in the sun without protection (clothes, hat, glasses). Our acquaintances also offer protection sunscreens. These contain filters that either reflect radiation (physically) or absorb it (chemically). It is important that they cover to the greatest extent from both UVB and UVA and even from the longer end of UVA.

It also matters to repeat the application of sunscreen when we are in the sun for many hours, sweat, swim. There is a debate about the possibility that sunscreen use is associated with low vitamin D levels. In Greece, to have normal levels of vitamin D, a few minutes of daily exposure of a small body surface (eg hands) is enough.

H American Academy of Dermatology moreover, he suggests that we should not rely on exposure to the sun to increase vitamin D levels, but on proper nutrition and supplements if these are necessary (eg bedridden people who are always indoors).

Marita Kosmadaki – Dermatologist-Venoretologist, PhD and Scientific Associate of Hospital "A. Composer"