Dermal Diagnosis™ | AO

your dermal diagnosis™ results

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We're thrilled you're taking proactive steps to understand your skin better. Below, you'll find your most recent Dermal Diagnosis™ results. Use this data as a roadmap to achieving healthier skin.

Date	Dermal Diagnosis™	Profile and Treatment Plan

DERMAL DIAGNOSIS™ RESULT BREAKDOWN

Aging Score	Hydration Score	Pigmentation Score	Inflammation category

Date	Dermal Diagnosis™

DERMAL DIAGNOSIS™ RESULT BREAKDOWN

Aging Score
Hydration Score
Pigmentation Score
Inflammation category

's Dermal Diagnosis™ Profile

Aging.Oily during pregnancy

During this unique and beautiful journey of pregnancy, your body is going through incredible changes, and this includes your skin. It's common to notice shifts in your skin's condition but rest assured, you're not alone, and there are gentle yet effective ways to care for your skin during this time.

As your skin matures, it may show signs of aging, like fine lines or a loss of elasticity. You may notice an increase in oiliness that could result from hormonal changes during pregnancy, leading to a more vibrant but sometimes overly shiny complexion. The good news is that this natural oil production can actually help delay some aging signs by keeping your skin naturally moisturized. In managing your unique skin type, it's essential to embrace a skincare routine that balances the need to hydrate and support aging skin while controlling excess oiliness without stripping the skin's natural barrier.

Key ingredients to include in your regimen are hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide to regulate oil production and improve skin elasticity, and antioxidants like vitamin C to protect against environmental damage and support collagen production. Gentle exfoliation with products containing AHAs or BHAs can help manage oiliness and renew the skin's surface. Still, it's crucial to use these sparingly to avoid irritation.

Your pregnancy is as unique as your skin, and while these changes may feel overwhelming, they are all part of the incredible process of bringing new life into the world. Embrace this time, listen to your body, and adapt your skincare routine to support the natural transformations you're experiencing. Your treatment protocol should prioritize safety and efficacy, focusing on maintaining skin health and addressing aging concerns without compromising your or your baby's well-being. Always consult your healthcare provider or a dermatologist if you are concerned about introducing new products into your skincare routine during pregnancy.

benefits

barriers

goals

YOUR SKIN'S MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

Aging skin

↑ Sebum

Large Pores

Benefits of your AO Pregnancy skin type

Even Skin Tone

resilient skin

hydrated skin

luminous skin

Even Skin Tone: The lack of hyperpigmentation issues means that you enjoy a more consistent and even skin tone.
Natural Hydration: Your oily skin provides a natural layer of hydration, forming a protective barrier against environmental damage. This helps to keep the skin plump and potentially reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Resilience: Your skin's natural oils can offer some protection against environmental stressors, making it more resilient to external irritants.
Luminous Complexion: The natural sheen associated with oily skin can give the complexion a healthy-looking glow, contributing to a more vibrant appearance.

Barriers to your skin health

Aging skin

Oil Management

Enlarged Pores

Aging Skin: While oily skin may be more resilient to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, addressing other signs of aging, such as loss of firmness or elasticity, can be complicated by the need to also manage oiliness and enlarged pores.
Oil Management: Finding the balance between reducing excess oil and maintaining skin hydration can be tricky. Over-drying the skin can trigger even more oil production, while too little control can leave the skin looking overly shiny and greasy.
Enlarged pores: The excess oil production can lead to enlarged pores and increase the likelihood of blackheads, whiteheads, and acne, which can be challenging to manage alongside aging skin concerns.

your frustrations

Premature skin aging.
Oily, shiny skin appearance.
Enlarged pores at risk for congestion.

your goals

Prevent and correct premature skin aging, including lines and wrinkles.
Regulate oil production to reduce shine and maintain a more matte complexion without overly drying out the skin.
Keep pores clear and minimise their appearance through regular exfoliation and proper cleansing routines.

Aging.Oily during pregnancy

treatment objectives

Smooth skin texture

Replace dull and dead skin cells with remodelled skin layers. Resurfacing procedures can induce new collagen formation with a more structured pattern.

Prevent & Repair Premature Aging

Protect the skin from factors that accelerate aging, such as UV exposure and pollution, and correct existing signs of aging, like fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity.

DNA Protection and Repair

Safeguard and repair UV-induced DNA damage, utilizing a blend of UV defense, Retinol, Niacinamide, and antioxidants. This strategy prevents future damage and aids in the repair of existing cellular impairments.

Regulate sebum

Balance oil production to minimize shine and reduce the likelihood of congestion and breakouts without stripping the skin of its natural oils.

include

Broad spectrum sunscreen with antioxidants - preventing premature aging and protecting DNA.
Chemical exfoliating ingredients that accelerate cell turnover and reveal new skin cells.
Effective barrier repair agents that restore your skin's natural barrier and prevent premature aging.
Skin-identical medical-grade ingredients that penetrate the skin to activate a biological response.

avoid

Damaging lifestyle habits, e.g., smoking, tanning beds, excessive sun, and sugar consumption.
Toners and foaming cleansers containing soap & sulfates.
Fragrance in skincare products.
Harsh anti-bacterial products that disrupt the skin's natural microbiome.
Irritating plant extracts and essential oils that will trigger adverse reactions.

Aging.Oily during pregnancy

Active Ingredients your skin needs

Vitamin C - (Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate)

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps neutralize skin free radicals. These free radicals are generated by environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution, which contribute to premature aging. By neutralizing these harmful molecules, vitamin C helps prevent oxidative skin damage, thereby reducing signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Another significant benefit of vitamin C is its role in collagen production. Collagen is a key protein that gives the skin its structure and firmness. As an essential cofactor for collagen biosynthesis, vitamin C helps maintain skin elasticity and can aid in wound healing and scar reduction.

Vitamin C is also known for its skin-brightening properties. It helps to inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase, which is involved in melanin production. By reducing melanin formation, vitamin C can help lighten hyperpigmentation and even skin tone, leading to a brighter and more radiant complexion.

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is a stable, oil-soluble form of vitamin C. Unlike ascorbic acid, which is water-soluble and can be unstable in certain formulations, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is more stable. Due to its lipid-soluble nature, it can penetrate the skin more effectively, reaching the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production, and providing antioxidant protection.

Physiological Effects

Antioxidant Properties: Powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals caused by UV radiation and pollution, preventing oxidative stress and damage to the skin.
Collagen Synthesis: It plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis, aiding in maintaining skin firmness and elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Skin Brightening: Effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out skin tone by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, which is responsible for melanin production.
Photoprotection: While not a sunscreen, it provides photoprotection by neutralizing free radicals induced by UV exposure.

Role in Managing Dermatological Conditions

Skin Aging: Reduce signs of aging and improve skin texture.
Hyperpigmentation: Effective in treating hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and melasma.
Sun Damage: Help mitigate the effects of sun damage and provide some level of photoprotection.
General Skin Health: Both forms can improve overall skin health by boosting collagen production and providing antioxidant protection.

THD Specific benefits

Stable form of Vitamin C: Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is a more stable, lipid-soluble vitamin C, allowing for better skin penetration and less irritation than other forms.
Enhanced Collagen Production: It has been shown to stimulate collagen production more effectively than ascorbic acid, aiding in anti-aging and skin rejuvenation.
Hydration and Barrier Function: Due to its lipid-soluble nature, it enhances skin hydration and reinforces the skin barrier.

References

Pullar, J. M., et al. (2017). The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients.
Murray, J. C., et al. (2008). A Topical Antioxidant Solution Containing Vitamins C and E Stabilized by Ferulic Acid Provides Protection for Human Skin Against Damage Caused by Ultraviolet Irradiation. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Al-Niaimi, F., & Chiang, N. Y. Z. (2017). Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.

Vitamin E

The fat-soluble Vitamin E's benefits in maintaining skin health and appearance are well-acknowledged in both cosmetic and clinical dermatology. Comprising a group of eight compounds, including four tocopherols and four tocotrienols, Vitamin E is known for its role in protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage.

Vitamin E is celebrated in skincare for its ability to neutralize free radicals caused by environmental stressors such as UV radiation and pollution. These free radicals can lead to premature skin aging, making Vitamin E a valuable ingredient in anti-aging skincare products. Its antioxidant action helps to protect the skin from damage, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and improve skin texture and tone.

Additionally, Vitamin E is known for its moisturizing benefits. It helps to strengthen the skin barrier, reduce moisture loss, and keep the skin hydrated and supple. This makes it especially beneficial for dry and damaged skin.

Vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial in soothing and calming irritated skin. This has implications for conditions such as dermatitis and acne, where inflammation plays a key role.

Physiological Effects

Antioxidant Protection: Vitamin E neutralizes harmful free radicals in the skin, preventing oxidative stress and damage caused by environmental factors like UV radiation and pollution.
Moisturization: It has moisturizing properties, helping to improve skin hydration and alleviate dryness.
Wound Healing: Vitamin E may assist in the skin's healing process, although its efficacy in wound healing is still a subject of research.
Photoprotection: While not a sunscreen, it can provide some degree of photoprotection by strengthening the skin's defense against UV-induced damage.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: It helps reduce skin inflammation and is beneficial in managing conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Role in Managing Dermatological Conditions

Skin Aging: Its antioxidant properties make it useful in anti-aging skincare products to protect against free radical damage and improve skin appearance.
Dry Skin Conditions: Vitamin E's moisturizing effects are beneficial in treating dry skin and improving overall skin texture.
Inflammatory Skin Diseases: It can be helpful in soothing inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Sun Protection and Repair: Vitamin E is included in sunscreens and after-sun products for its ability to mitigate sun damage.
Scar Treatment: Some studies suggest Vitamin E may help reduce the appearance of scars, although evidence is mixed.

References

Thiele, J. J., Hsieh, S. N., & Ekanayake-Mudiyanselage, S. (1998). Vitamin E: Critical Review of Its Current Use in Cosmetic and Clinical Dermatology. Dermatologic Surgery, 24(7), 805–813.
Ratz-Łyko, A., & Arct, J. (2016). Anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties of active skin care ingredients. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 9(9), 36–40.
Keen, M. A., & Hassan, I. (2016). Vitamin E in dermatology. Indian Dermatology Online Journal.
Ekanayake-Mudiyanselage, S., & Thiele, J. (2007). Vitamin E in human skin: Organ-specific physiology and considerations for its use in dermatology. Molecular Aspects of Medicine.
Nachbar, F., & Korting, H. C. (1995). The role of vitamin E in normal and damaged skin. Journal of Molecular Medicine.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid, a renowned beta hydroxy acid (BHA), is a cornerstone in dermatology and skincare due to its exceptional keratolytic and comedolytic properties. It uniquely penetrates oil-laden hair follicle pores, making it particularly effective in treating acne-prone and oily skin types.

Salicylic acid works by dissolving skin debris that clogs pores and causes acne, namely sebum and dead skin cells. It's a mild anti-bacterial- and a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, which helps to reduce the redness and swelling associated with breakouts.

What sets salicylic acid apart in dermatological treatments is its ability to exfoliate the skin not just on the surface but within the pores themselves. This is due to its oil-soluble nature, which allows it to penetrate deep into the pores and dissolve the keratin plugs that lead to blackheads and whiteheads.

Furthermore, salicylic acid also can adjust the pH of the skin, creating an environment less favorable for the growth of acne-causing bacteria. Salicylic acid's efficacy in treating various skin conditions, particularly acne, has been extensively documented in the scientific literature. Studies have consistently shown its ability to reduce acne lesions in terms of count and severity. Additionally, salicylic acid is highly recommended for its effectiveness in treating other skin conditions, such as psoriasis and dandruff, due to its ability to soften and remove scales and flakes from the skin.

Physiological Effects

Keratolytic Action: Salicylic acid is known for exfoliating the skin by dissolving the intercellular 'glue' that holds skin cells together. This helps remove dead skin cells and unclog pores.
Comedolytic Effect: It is particularly effective in reducing comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) by unclogging pores and preventing the formation of new comedones.
Anti-inflammatory Properties: Salicylic acid reduces inflammation, which is beneficial in treating acne and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Sebum Regulation: It helps to regulate oil production, making it a valuable ingredient for managing oily and acne-prone skin.
Penetration Enhancement: Due to its lipophilic nature, it can penetrate sebum-filled follicles, effectively treating acne located deep within the pores.

Role in Managing Dermatological Conditions

Acne Vulgaris: Salicylic acid is a cornerstone in acne treatment, effectively preventing and treating existing acne lesions.
Psoriasis: Its keratolytic properties effectively soften and remove scales associated with psoriasis.
Warts: Salicylic acid is commonly used to treat warts because it can exfoliate and remove the thickened skin.
Seborrheic Dermatitis: It helps manage seborrheic dermatitis by reducing scaling and redness.
Keratosis Pilaris: Salicylic acid can aid in smoothing the rough bumps associated with keratosis pilaris.

References

Zaenglein, A. L., Pathy, A. L., Schlosser, B. J., Alikhan, A., Baldwin, H. E., Berson, D. S., & Thiboutot, D. M. (2016). Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 74(5), 945-973.e33.
Kornhauser, A., Coelho, S. G., & Hearing, V. J. (2010). Applications of hydroxy acids: classification, mechanisms, and photoactivity. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 3, 135.
Zander, E., & Weisman, S. (1992). Treatment of acne vulgaris with salicylic acid pads. Clinical Therapeutics.
Gupta, A. K., & Nicol, K. (2004). The use of sulfur in dermatology. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.