Skin Quality

Why skin should not only look beautiful, but above all healthy. Skin quality refers to the interplay of hydration, elasticity, smoothness, firmness and radiance of the skin. It affects not only the face, but also the neck, décolleté and hands – and it changes throughout our entire lives.

A recent international survey shows: almost everyone is affected by at least one skin quality concern. What the most common causes are, what you can do yourself, and how we support you at our practice in Vienna, you can read in this article.

We are happy to offer you a personal consultation by appointment. Book your appointment here

Photo: © yellowj

Contents of this article

What is meant by skin quality?

Skin quality is more than a buzzword from the cosmetics industry. It describes how the skin feels and looks in everyday life: smooth or rough, hydrated or dry, firm or slack, even or uneven. Three building blocks of the skin are decisive here above all – hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin. They provide firmness, moisture retention and a smooth skin texture.

Over the years, the body's own production of these three substances declines. The result: the skin becomes drier, thinner and less elastic. Good skin quality is therefore no coincidence, and certainly not simply a matter of skin type – it is the result of genetics, lifestyle and, where needed, targeted medical support.

How do you recognise poor skin quality, and what are the causes?

The signs are varied and often occur in combination:

Dry, rough or dull-looking skin

Fine lines and wrinkles

Enlarged pores

Uneven complexion, pigmentation spots

Reduced firmness and elasticity

Diminished natural glow

The causes are rarely limited to a single factor. Natural skin ageing plays a role, as do UV exposure, lack of sleep, stress, smoking, an unbalanced diet, and environmental stressors such as fine particulate matter. Hormonal changes, for example during menopause, also noticeably accelerate the breakdown of collagen and elastin. In recent years we have also observed that rapid, medication-assisted weight loss (e.g. through GLP-1 medications) can lead to a noticeable loss of skin elasticity.

How widespread are skin quality concerns really?

One of the most extensive international surveys conducted on this topic to date, involving more than 11,000 people across Europe, Asia and the Americas, paints a clear picture: nearly nine out of ten people are affected by at least one skin quality concern, with the average person experiencing two at once. The most frequently reported concerns were fine lines and wrinkles, dry skin, and a tired, dull complexion – most commonly affecting the face, followed by the neck, legs and upper arms. As the most important attributes of good skin quality, respondents consistently named: smooth, hydrated and radiant.

What also stands out is how strongly the topic affects personal wellbeing. For around 85% of respondents, skin quality has a noticeable impact on quality of life, and more than a third feel self-conscious or insecure because of uneven or blemished skin. Scarring, for example from acne, along with fine lines and wrinkles, was found to be particularly distressing. Younger people are increasingly affected too: many take their first targeted steps to improve their skin quality at an average age of just 26.

How does skin quality affect wellbeing?

Skin is our most visible organ – and often the first thing others, and we ourselves, form a judgement on. Uneven, tired or dull-looking skin can therefore be a burden that goes far beyond appearance alone: at work, in relationships, and in how we see ourselves. In our practice, we regularly see that patients with skin quality concerns hesitate to bring up the topic at first – yet in most cases, it can be treated well if addressed early and individually.

What makes our practice stand out when it comes to skin quality?

Prof. Dr. Rzany is one of the most experienced dermatologists in the German-speaking world in the field of aesthetic and medical skin treatment. This experience, combined with a scientifically grounded, individual approach, also shapes our concept for improving skin quality. We don't rely on a single treatment, but on a coordinated interplay of medical skin analysis, targeted treatments and accompanying cosmetic care – all from a single provider, at our practice in Vienna.

This is also the great advantage of our practice: whether skinboosters, polypeptides, Sculptra, Radiesse, chemical peels, laser treatments or accompanying cosmetic treatments – you don't need to switch between different providers to improve your skin quality. We coordinate every building block with the others and support you throughout the entire treatment journey – from the initial skin analysis to long-term maintenance.

What can you do yourself for your skin quality?

Many of the foundations for good skin quality can be influenced in everyday life.

Consistent sun protection is one of the most effective measures of all, since UV radiation is proven to break down collagen and elastin faster than almost anything else. Adequate hydration, a balanced, antioxidant-rich diet and enough sleep support the skin's regeneration. Nicotine and excessive alcohol consumption, on the other hand, have a clearly negative effect, as does chronic stress, which can weaken the skin barrier through hormonal processes.

A daily skincare routine tailored to your skin type, using hydrating and barrier-strengthening ingredients, forms the basis. However, these measures can only partially compensate for deeper changes such as advanced collagen loss – this is where medical treatment comes in.

Our range of treatments to improve skin quality

Every treatment with us begins with a thorough skin analysis and medical history. Only after that do we create an individual treatment plan together with you, tailored to your skin, your age and your goals. We draw on a broad spectrum of treatment methods, which we also combine as needed:

Skinboosters (hyaluronic acid): fine injections that supply the skin with moisture from within, plump up the tissue and provide a lasting glow effect.
Polypeptides: biologically active substances introduced into the skin in a targeted way to stimulate regeneration processes and strengthen skin structure from within.
Sculptra: a biostimulatory collagen stimulator that boosts the body's own collagen production over several months, sustainably improving skin firmness and structure.
Radiesse: combines an immediate volumising effect with collagen stimulation, and is particularly suitable for tightening and improving contours where skin elasticity has declined.
Chemical peels: promote cell renewal, refine skin texture and reduce minor irregularities, pigmentation spots and superficial scarring.
Laser treatments: depending on the laser type, used to improve skin texture, redness, pigmentation, or to stimulate new collagen formation.
Microneedling and mesotherapy: targeted delivery of active ingredients or micro-injury to the uppermost layer of skin to revitalise and refine the complexion.
Light and radiofrequency therapy: combined use of different light spectra to tighten the skin and improve its structure.
Accompanying cosmetic treatments: including HydraFacial and individually tailored skincare regimens, carried out by our in-house beauticians.
Nutrition and lifestyle counselling through specialists in our network, where diet or stress appear to play a noticeable role.

The advantage for you: you receive all of these treatments with us under one roof – from medical injectable treatments to accompanying cosmetic care. This saves you having to visit several providers and ensures that every step is properly coordinated. Which combination makes sense for you is something we discuss in detail during a personal consultation – because, just like skin itself, skin quality is different for every person.

We are happy to advise you on all options at our practice in Vienna. Book your appointment here

Summary: skin quality – causes, prevention and treatment

Good skin quality – smooth, hydrated, radiant – is a central concern for most people and has a noticeable effect on personal wellbeing. The causes of declining skin quality are varied: natural skin ageing, UV exposure, lifestyle, hormonal changes and external stressors.

With a combination of sun protection, a balanced lifestyle and individually tailored medical treatments, skin quality can, in most cases, be significantly and sustainably improved.

You are welcome to arrange an appointment for an initial consultation at our practice. Book your appointment here

Source: Galderma Skin Quality Consumer Survey, 2026

Datum 26.07.2026

Dr. Johannes Bisschoff