Do You Know What Skin Type You Are?

Skin type Avatars at Skin Worthy

At Skin Worthy in Toronto we treat many types of skin concerns  ranging from severe acne, to pigmentary concerns such as melasma, to addressing skin quality, texture, and overall skin health . Even though our patients range in age, ethnicity and goals, the first thing we must establish is what type of skin avatar a patient falls into. At Skin Worthy we have created treatment protocols to deliver elevated outcomes.  First we establish which protocol is fits best, and then our skin experts examine all the patients unique skin qualities to ensure the plan is customized for success. 

Below are the main 4 Skin Avatars we see most frequently at Skin Worthy.

Avatar 1: The Inflamed + Reactive

(Acne / Rosacea / Oily Skin Type)

Core Skin Concern: Chronic inflammation & oil imbalance

Skin Biology

• Sebum-rich environment, often leading to clogged pores, breakouts,  inflammation and redness .

• Compromised barrier function, leading to heightened sensitivity and reactivity.

• Prone to papules, pustules, erythema (redness), and post-inflammatory erythema (PIE), Oily T-Zone.

• chronic skin condition requiring maintenance 

 Aging Patterns 

• 5 Signs: starts as flushing, and turns into persistent redness, enlarged pores, textural irregularity, hyper-pigmented scarring, inflammatory flare-ups, with severe rosacea widening and inflammation of nasal tip. 

Triggers: Heat exposure, certain foods and alcohol, smoking,  hormonal fluctuations, urban pollution + sun exposure.

 Treatment Approach

• First correct compromised barrier function. This type of skin can first be mis-diagnosed as sensitive skin, where in reality there barrier function is so poor, the skin is reactive. 

• Calm inflammation (niacinamide, azelaic acid), regulate oil (salicylic acid, zinc), avoid over-drying, targeted protocols like ZO Redness Protocol.

  

• Light based therapies, including blue, yellow and red light such as the Broad Band light Photofacial, vascular lasers, probiotics, and barrier-restoring facials.  Our best combination SKINERGY treatment Clear & Bright, and more a more advanced disease process SWAT (Skin Worthy Acne Treatment Program).

  
  
  

  

  

• treatment correction timeline - with proper skincare, in office consistent treatments consider 3-6 months for good improvement. 

 Avatar 2: The Pigment-Prone

(Melasma / Hyperpigmentation / Ethnic Skin Types)

Core Skin Concern: Persistent pigment dysregulation. 

Skin Biology

• Melanin-rich, with overactive melanocytes. High melanogenic activity, deeper Fitzpatrick types, photo-reactivity, slower cell turnover.

• Hormonal sensitivity, often worsened by pregnancy/hormonal fluctuations, heat, and UV light & blue light.

• Prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) even after mild trauma.

• chronic skin condition requiring maintenance 

Aging Patterns 

• 5 Signs: Uneven tone, melasma patches, sun spots, PIH, shadowing under eyes (more common in ethnic skin).

Triggers: Hormonal contraceptives or times of hormonal changes , stress, over-exfoliation,  UV + visible light, excess heat exposure.

 Treatment Approach

• Melanin-suppressing actives (tranexamic acid, kojic acid glutathione, vitamin c) broad-spectrum sun protection, physical blocks are best with reapplication.

• ZO Skin Health Brightening Protocol

  

  
  

• Microneedling with Appropriate serums, skin boosters, PRP

  

  

  

• Low intensity/heat laser treatment with proper skin preparation and settings provided by Dr. Hemsworth 

  

  

  

• treatment correction timeline 3- 6 months for pigment reduction with maintenance required as chronic condition 

Avatar 3: The Delicate & Dehydrated

(Thin, Crepey, Dry Skin Type)

 Skin Biology

• Low lipid content, loss of hyaluronic acid in skin, dermal thinning,  and fragile capillaries.

• Reduced collagen/elastin prone to fine lines and micro-tears.

• Common in peri- or post-menopausal individuals or those with autoimmune history.

• Dryness, itching, barrier fragility causing heightened sensitivity to acids and exfoliants.

• slow cellular turn over resulting in dry, dull looking skin 

Aging Patterns 

• 5 Signs: Crepiness/thin skin, fine lines, dull tone, sensitivity, early sagging.

Triggers: Estrogen decline, low sebum output, Low hydration, retinoid overuse, unprotected cold exposure + dry climates

Treatment Approach

• Use lipid-replenishing ingredients (ceramides, squalane), peptides, mild growth factors. Our favourites include ZO Anti Aging Kit and Hydrating Creme.

  

• collagen induction therapies ranging from lasers to micro needling with skin boosters or bio-stimualors. The photos below showcase our Skinergy treatments that combines Sculptra & Morpheus8 (The Sculptor) and the V2 Beauty Booster.

  

  

  

• treatment timeline 4-8 months for dermal thickening, multiple sessions required, maintenance with increased aging and hormonal changes 

 Avatar 4:  The Dense + Heavy

(Thick, Sagging, Pore-Enlarged Skin Type)

Skin Biology

• Thicker , heavier dermis with more fibrous, fatty tissue, slower metabolic turnover.

• Often appears sturdy in youth, but experiences deeper sagging with age due to fat pad descent.

• High collagen density, oil retention, robust facial musculature, reduced elasticity loss until mid-life.

• may often overlap with rosacea/oily type skin 

• deep skin folds and wrinkles

Aging Patterns 

• 5 Signs: Jowls, nasolabial folds, loss of V-shape, heavy eyelids, enlarged pores.

Lifestyle Triggers: Weight cycling, sugar-rich diet, poor sleep and posture, high impact exercises such as running, increased UV exposure

Treatment Approach

• ZO Aggressive Anti Aging Protocol-as well as Wrinkle and Texture Repair, Skin Firming Serum, and SPF sun protection.

  

  
  

• Sculptor treatment- using RF micro needling and a biostimualtor and restoring deep structure with dermal fillers (and combination therapies).

  

  

  

• using toxin such as Botox and Nuceiva to reduce muscular pull in muscles that may be adding to skin sagging

  

• Firming peptides, retinol (if tolerable), DMAE-based topicals.

While we categorize our main skin types into these four categories, it is quite possible that some may have more combination concerns that overlap into another avatar. That being said - healthy skin is the foundation for every great plan, and for your beauty evolution. To starts yours, call or text us at 647-350-7546 or click the link at the top of this page.