What Is STS?
Skin Type Solutions™
There are endless skin care products on the market today that promise to deliver younger, smoother or flawless-looking skin. But regardless of your concerns with your complexion, it can be challenging to know which skin care product or combination of products will truly yield the best results for you and your skin. That’s why Dr. Lilliam Diaz of ICALA Medical Aesthetics is thrilled to be the first and only provider of Skin Type Solutions™ in Puerto Rico for all of her patients’ skin care needs.
Skin Type Solutions™ was developed by world-renowned cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Leslie Baumann, who developed the Baumann Skin Type system— now known as the Skin Type Solutions™ system— after discovering that as many as 80 percent of people are wrong about their skin type and its unique needs. Now considered to be the gold standard of skin typing in the field of dermatology, Skin Type Solutions™ is a scientifically-backed resource for women and men that empowers them to make the best skin care choices for their skin type and discover their best possible appearance.
How Does Skin Type Solutions™ Work?
The Baumann Skin Types system is a one-of-a-kind skin classification system that defines 16 different skin personalities, or skin types. The Skin Type Solutions™ system was developed to help both patients and qualified providers such as Dr. Diaz to diagnose the skin’s distinct phenotype to prescribe the proper skin care regimen and skin care products that will work best for you and your needs.
Appropriate for all ages, genders and ethnicities, Skin Type Solutions™ uses a scientifically-validated self-assessment questionnaire that will:
- Identify the four main barriers to your skin’s health
- Educate you why your skin acts the way it does
- Provide recommendations for specific skin care needs
- Inform which ingredients to look for and which to avoid in your skin care products
- Correspond with a customized skin care regimen for you
How is My Skin Type Determined?
The Skin Type Solutions™ system was designed around the four main barriers to optimal skin health, which include: dehydration, inflammation, dyspigmentation and lifestyle factors that speed up aging. Each of the 16 Baumann Skin Types is based on the different combinations of each of these critical barriers to skin health. Eight common skin characteristics classify these skin types; dry (D) or oily (O), sensitive (S) or resistant (R), pigmented (P) or nonpigmented (N), and wrinkle-prone (W) or tight (T). Of these eight characteristics, your personal skin type will be determined by the characteristic of each of the four subsets that apply the most to your skin.
Dry Vs. Oily (D or O)
Dry or dehydrated skin is typically characterized by a rough texture, dull color and feelings of tightness— especially after washing the face. Oily skin is characterized by increased sebum, or oil, production, which usually contributes to acne. Your genetics, diet, stress and hormones each play an essential role in how much oil your skin produces.
Sensitive Vs. Resistant (S or R)
The presence of inflammation classifies sensitive skin types, usually in response to skin care products such as with redness, stinging, burning or acne. Resistant skin, in contrast, will rarely experience adverse side effects from skin care products.
There are four unique subtypes of sensitive skin that each have inflammation in common:
- Acne: Prone to developing acne, whiteheads or blackheads
- Rosacea: Prone to experiencing redness, flushing or hot sensations
- Stinging: Prone to developing stinging or burning sensations from skin care ingredients
- Allergic: Prone to developing redness, itchiness or flaking of the skin in response to allergens.
Pigmented Vs. Non-Pigmented (P or NP)
The pigmented skin characteristic is measured by the skin’s tendency to develop unwanted pigment, which can be caused by sun damage or as a result of hyperpigmentation in the skin. Alternatively, non-pigmented skin does not produce unwanted pigment easily.
Wrinkle-Prone Vs. Tight (W or T)
Unlike the other skin type subsets, whether or not your skin is wrinkle-prone or tight is primarily influenced by your age and lifestyle habits more so than your genetics. Frequent sun exposure is the primary cause for the appearance of aging skin, as it destroys crucial structural proteins found in the skin like collagen and elastin.
Discover Skin Type Solutions™ at ICALA Medical Aesthetics
When you arrive for your Skin Type Solutions™ consultation at ICALA Medical Aesthetics, Dr. Diaz will provide you with the exclusive skin type self-assessment questionnaire available only Skin Type Solutions™ providers. After determining your skin type personality, Dr. Diaz will recommend the proper skin care regimen and skin care products that will deliver the best results for your particular needs. Once the appropriate skin care regimen and the ideal products for your skin type have been determined, you can use these tools to reveal your best complexion in years and achieve flawless, radiant skin.
To learn more about Skin Type Solutions™ and achieving your most beautiful skin, contact the ICALA Medical Aesthetics office today to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Diaz.
