Note:  The following information is simply for your awareness and is not considered medical advice. If you are experiencing moderate to severe skin discomfort or uncertainty, please contact your doctor or medical professional immediately. For a skincare solution designed specifically for you please book a consultation with one of our skincare specialists.

You deserve healthy, radiant skin that reflects your inner vitality. Especially after the cold, dry Kelowna winter months, the cozy nights in, and all the recirculated heat moving around your home (and clogging your pores!). Maybe you’re craving that extra shine and are eager to get things glowing, so to speak. There’s just one problem (besides needing the extra motivation – we have vitamin shots for that!) – you don’t always know what’s going on with your skin so you don’t know the right or best way to treat it. 

You may not realize that your skin faces numerous challenges every day. Whether it’s environmental stressors or the natural aging process, the skin is in a constant state of surrender, unless it’s being protected and cared for. And the best way to protect and manage your skin is to understand what’s going on, signs to watch for, the common skin concerns, and the innovative and modern solutions available to you. Having this knowledge can empower you to make informed decisions about your skincare and give you the confidence to take action and adjust when needed. 

To get you well informed, we’ve collected a list of some of the most common skin concerns or problems we see in our Kelowna clinic or that you’ve talked to us about. We’ve included symptoms you might experience and possible products, treatments, or solutions you can consider if you’re experiencing any of these issues. Please be sure to book a consultation with one of our skincare specialists before attempting to resolve your own skincare concerns.

Common Skin Concern: Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Wrinkles and fine lines tell the stories of our lives. They’re the evidence of laughter, concentration, and expressions that have shaped our faces over time. While they’re a natural part of aging, there are ways to soften their appearance if you choose to do so.

Symptoms or signs

Shallow, small creases or deeper folds in the skin around the eyes, on the forehead, near the mouth. Skin feels slightly rough or less smooth and appears looser or sagging in certain areas. There should be no other symptoms associated with wrinkles and fine lines.

Modern & Easy Solutions:

• Neurotoxins (commonly referred to as Botox®) can gently relax the muscles that create expression lines, softening wrinkles around the eyes, forehead, and between brows
• Microneedling triggers your skin’s natural healing response, boosting collagen and elastin
• Dermal Fillers like Restylane® or Teosyal® are intended to restore lost volume and smooth deeper lines
• Medical Grade Topicals containing retinoids, peptides, and growth factors stimulate collagen production (our favourite is Skinbetter Alpharet which is a combination of retinoid and alpha hydroxy acids)

Common Skin Concern: Sagging Skin

Over time, the skin’s supportive structure weakens and leads to a loss of firmness and definition. There isn’t an easy fix but there are ways to prevent skin from sagging quickly and products that can support its structural health.

Symptoms or signs

Hanging or folding skin, especially around the jawline and cheeks. Skin feels thinner or more fragile and is droopy around common areas like the jawline, neck, eyelids, and arms. There should be no other symptoms associated with sagging skin.

Effective Approaches:

• Targeted Microneedling restores elasticity in areas of laxity
• Biostimulants work deep within the skin to regenerate your natural collagen framework
• Neurotoxins can be used to relax muscles pulling down which can improve hooded eyes and jowling to a degree 
• Topicals – Vitamin C supports collagen production
• Oral collagen has also been shown to improve collagen in the skin (we like marine-based collagen)

Common Skin Concern: Hyperpigmentation and Sun Damage

From sun spots to melasma and post-inflammatory darkening, uneven skin tone can affect confidence and make skin appear damaged and aged.

Symptoms or signs

Areas of skin that appear darker than surrounding skin with colour ranging from light to darker brown. Certain areas may look blotchy or discoloured. Skin may feel slightly rough in texture and there may be small freckles, larger patches, or widespread discolouring. There should be no bleeding, pain, itching, or discomfort. Common areas include the face, hands, neck and areas frequently exposed to the sun. Dark spots may appear slowly over time.

Brightening and Preventative Approaches:

• Chemical peels improve complexion with deep exfoliation to fade sun spots 
• Microneedling can also break up pigment, especially when paired with brightening agents like glutathione or glycine. Tranexemic acid can also be used.
• Aquafirme facial and other exfoliating treatments accelerate cell turnover
• Wearing sunscreen will prevent further pigmentation and sun spots (we love Colorescience Flex daily and the brush-on for reapplication)
• Other topicals: Vitamin C has brightening properties and retinol can help with exfoliation and lightening pigment. Our hero product is the Sente pigment correcting mask which can be used weekly.

Common Skin Concern: Acne and Breakouts

Acne isn’t just a teenage concern; many adults experience breakouts due to hormones, stress, diet, or environmental factors.

Symptoms or signs

Red or inflamed bumps that can be small or large in size. Swollen spots (pustules with whiteheads which are closed with white or flesh-coloured bumps) or small, clogged pores (blackheads which are open with a dark center).  There may be cystic lesions which are large, deep painful lumps under the skin (filled with pus) or you may have oily, shiny skin (excess sebum production). These areas may feel sore or sensitive to touch or even itchy or irritating. Surrounding skin can appear red or puffy and there may be dryness, peeling, flaky skin.

Clearing Solutions:

• Chemical Peels exfoliate and purify congested skin
• Medical-grade topicals with ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids (try our favourites: Alpharet or Hale Derma)
• Lifestyle factors and simple at home care including regularly changing pillowcases (every 1-2 nights), cleaning makeup brushes, sanitizing your phone, cutting down on hair products, ensuring your face is cleansed properly (double cleanse at night with an oil based cleanser first) to allow absorption of products, stay hydrated, cut down on alcohol, greasy foods, and anything else that might trigger acne (dairy can be a culprit) 

Common Skin Concern: Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic condition that causes redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes bumps that can be mistaken for acne.

Symptoms or signs

Persistent facial flushing or redness, often on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin with tiny, broken capillaries possibly appearing. Small, red, acne-like bumps that may contain pus may also occur. In severe cases, skin can become thicker, especially on the nose. Skin may feel hot, irritated, sensitive, dry to the touch and slightly scaly. Redness can worsen with heat, spicy foods, alcohol, and stress. Some people experience dry, red, or watery eyes (ocular rosacea).

Calming Strategies:

Note: Professional guidance is suggested for severe cases that may require prescription intervention

• Aquafirme is an excellent option for cooling and used to soothe rosacea and other skin symptoms
• Specialized topicals containing anti-inflammatory and barrier-strengthening ingredients (we suggest Alumier Hydracalm)
• Gentle skincare products that avoid reddening or triggering flare-ups (Alumier Sensicalm Cleanser and Dermamade Azelaic Acid for skin balancing are gentle products we carry in-store)

Common Skin Concern: Scarring

Whether from acne, surgery, or injury, scars represent the skin’s healing process (but may benefit from refinement).

Symptoms or signs

Scars can be red, pink, brown, or white, depending on the skin type and the age of the scar(s).  The texture can be raised or depressed, depending on the scar type. Hypertrophic scars are thick & raised. Keloid scars are also raised and often shiny and atrophic scars are sunken or pitted, common with acne or chickenpox. Scars can be smooth or rough edged and either blend in with the skin or stand out uneven and jagged. Some scars may feel tight or slightly itchy as they heal and if they’re deep they may be sensitive to touch. Older scars may feel numb due to nerve damage.

Smoothing Solutions:

• Microneedling can break down scar tissue and stimulate healthy regeneration
• Neurotoxin treatments can be helpful to reduce the look of scars
• Intralesional steroids can be injected into keloid scarring to help shrink them down
• Biostimulants and even fillers can be used to soften the appearance of scars
• A specialized scar protocol can be tailored to your specific type of scarring

Common Skin Concern: Dull or Uneven Skin Texture

Sometimes, the skin simply needs refreshment to restore its natural glow and smooth texture.

Symptoms or signs

Skin looks flat, tired, dull. There may be uneven patches, dryness, or small bumps that make the skin feel coarse. Areas may appear patchy, discoloured, or blotchy and skin may look less smooth due to visible pores. There may be peeling in some areas or a buildup of dead skin cells that can make your skin feel clogged or bumpy. A general overall dehydrated and dry look and feel and skin is less plump than usual.

Revitalizing Options

• An Aquafirme Facial with Exosomes will provide deep hydration and plumping
• Chemical Peels can reveal fresher skin cells and invigorate skin
• Vitamin Therapies boost skin metabolism from within 
• Microneedling addresses multiple concerns simultaneously
• Skincare products designed to revitalize and brighten skin (we recommend watching for products that contain alphahydroxy acids. Our recommendation is Alumier Bright & Clear)

Your Unique Skin Journey

Remember that every skin story is unique. What works beautifully for one person may not be ideal for you. The most effective approach is one informed by medical professionals and which addresses your specific concerns while supporting your skin’s overall health. And don’t forget – it’s not just about the products and treatments but also about diet and lifestyle. Getting sufficient sleep and rest, proper hydration, and all the vitamins and nutrients your diet can provide is key.

Consider consulting with an Onyx Beauty Lab skincare professional in Kelowna, BC to address all of your skin requirements. We can evaluate your unique needs and design a personalized treatment plan addressing your areas of concern. With today’s advanced understanding and innovative solutions, achieving healthier, more radiant skin is within reach—regardless of your age or skin history.