Skincare Case 121

Age: 32 Years old
Gender: Female
Fitzpatrick: 2-3
Skin type: Dry
Main Concern: Uneven, textured skin wants smooth skin for light makeup for her next week’s wedding.

History: She has been a smoker for more than ten years with a high-demand, stressful job. Her job is primarily indoors.
She takes multivitamins and drinks half a gallon of water daily.

Findings: Despite her complaints of dry skin, the pores on her skin reveal a normal or combination skin type.
Fine lines and skin texture (unevenness) are all over the face.
The skin looks dull and asphyxiated in touch.

Home care routine: She washes her skin with bar soap every day and uses a heavy night cream every night.

Skincare Exams Case 121
Case Discussion (Please click here)

The case involves a 32-year-old woman who is a smoker with a high-stress job. She has a Fitzpatrick skin type of 2-3 and dry skin. Her main concern is uneven, textured skin and she wants a smooth skin texture for her upcoming wedding. She currently washes her face with bar soap and uses a heavy night cream.

Causes

The main causes of her skin problems are likely due to smoking, stress, and inappropriate skincare. Smoking is known to accelerate skin aging, causing fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. High-stress levels can also impact skin health, potentially contributing to dryness and textural irregularities. Additionally, washing the skin with bar soap can strip it of natural oils, leading to dryness and uneven texture.

What was Done Wrong

The use of bar soap for face washing is inappropriate for her skin condition. Bar soaps can be harsh and overly drying, leading to more skin texture issues. Also, while it’s good to use a night cream, it should be appropriate for her skin type and condition. A heavy night cream might not be providing the specific care her skin requires.

Office and Home Treatment Options

Office treatments:

  1. Microdermabrasion: This can help to remove the top layer of dead skin, reducing uneven texture and giving the skin a smoother appearance.
  2. Chemical Peels: These can help to exfoliate and resurface the skin, improving its texture and tone.
  3. Hydrating facials: These can help to replenish lost moisture, giving the skin a plumper, smoother appearance.

Home treatments:

  1. Gentle cleanser: Replace the bar soap with a gentle, hydrating cleanser suitable for dry or combination skin.
  2. Exfoliate: Use a gentle exfoliator once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture.
  3. Moisturize: Continue using a moisturizer, but consider one that is designed for dry or combination skin.
  4. Hydrating masks: Use hydrating face masks to boost skin hydration and smoothness.

Preventions

  1. Quit smoking: This is one of the best things she can do for her skin and overall health.
  2. Manage stress: Find ways to reduce and manage stress, such as through exercise, meditation, or other relaxation techniques.
  3. Appropriate skincare: Use products designed for her specific skin type and condition.

Home Care Daily Routine

Morning:

  1. Wash face with a gentle, hydrating cleanser.
  2. Apply a hydrating serum.
  3. Apply a day cream/moisturizer suitable for dry or combination skin.
  4. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Evening:

  1. Remove any makeup using a gentle makeup remover.
  2. Wash face with the same gentle cleanser.
  3. Apply a nourishing night cream.
  4. Once or twice a week, replace the night cream with a gentle exfoliator, followed by a hydrating mask.

This plan can help improve her skin texture and hydration, but it’s important to remember that significant improvements might not be achievable within a week. For long-term improvements, she should consider quitting smoking, managing her stress levels, and maintaining a consistent skincare routine.