Category: Fraxel Repair
Lasers: A Crash Course
You’ve heard the word “laser” so often, but what does it truly mean and how does it work so well for so many conditions?
The word is actually an acronym, standing for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. This means that the device produces an intense beam of bright light that travels in one direction, toward the area that needs treatment. The laser beam can cut, seal or vaporize skin tissue and blood vessels, allowing us to perform all sorts of procedures on the face and body.
What is special about the laser is that it has the unique ability to produce one specific color, or wavelength, of light, which can be varied in its intensity and pulse duration. The wavelength and power output of a particular laser determines its medical application. Unlike light from the laser, light from non-laser sources is composed of many different colors and looks white.
Lasers have been used for the treatment of skin lesions since the 1960s. Since then, technological advances have improved the devices, making them a superior technique for treating skin blemishes, facial changes due to aging, discoloration and numerous other conditions.
We use a variety of lasers, including Fraxel Dual and Repair, Clear + Brilliant, Diolite, Gentlelase, Smartlipo Triplex and Cellulaze.
Call our office today and schedule a complimentary consultation. I’ll help you determine which laser is right for you.
See you soon.
Diminish the Dots: Ways to Restore Your Even Skin Tone
Even if you avoid the sun religiously, your skin is bound to suffer some effects of UVA and UVB rays. If you avoid the beach and cover yourself with sunscreen, you’ll still notice that your skin may appear more tan in the summer than it is now, in November. And now, you may even notice freckles and brown spots, which are more visible on fair skin than dark. So, it’s a terrific time for reducing the appearance of these spots and restoring your skin to its smooth and even tone.
Freckles can have a range of colors, from red, yellow, tan, light brown, brown or black. You’ll most likely notice that on your skin, they are generally the same color. Caused by an increase in the amount of dark pigment, or melanin, freckles reveal themselves in two different ways–simple and sunburn. Simple freckles are usually tan, round and small. Sunburn freckles are darker, larger and may have irregular borders. They usually appear on the upper back and shoulders where severe sunburns often occur.
To reduce the appearance of these dark spots, we offer a variety of treatments:
Diolite: This gentle, precise and controlled laser generates an intense beam of light that destroys unwanted cells in the affected area, leaving only healthy cells behind. With the Diolite laser, we can direct the light to the treatment area only, leaving the surrounding tissue intact.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light ) Treatment: This photo-rejuvenation procedure quickly, effectively and non-invasively treats skin damage. IPL is a versatile treatment that corrects all kinds of facial skin imperfections and signs of aging, such as freckles and sun spots, as well as rosacea (facial inflammation), vascular lesions and acne scarring. It safely treats areas including the face, neck, chest, hands and legs and offers long-term results without any downtime, recovery time or chemicals.
Fraxel: A trio of laser treatments, Fraxel offers the most advanced technology for improving your skin’s radiance and youthfulness. Depending on the intensity of the treatment you need, you can choose Fraxel Repair, Fraxel DUAL or Clear & Brilliant. Each is a state-of-the-art device with its own advantages.
Call our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation and learn about how to reduce the appearance of your freckles and brown spots.
See you soon.
Which Fraxel is Right for Me?
Every day, our skin takes a beating. Exposure to the sun, fatigue, stress, pollution, smoking and simple aging stress and damage delicate skin, particularly on our faces. Fraxel laser treatments repair and restore it safely and effectively, without surgery. Pinpointing just the areas that need improvement, Fraxel is the gold standard for laser skin rejuvenation treatments.
And, you have two options: Fraxel DUAL and Fraxel Repair.
Here is what each can do for you…
The Fraxel DUAL Laser provides moderate-level treatment for many skin conditions, including pigmentation, uneven tone, lines and acne scarring, poor texture and more, both on and off the face. Safe for use on all skin types, the laser stimulates your body’s natural healing process as it resurfaces and restores damaged skin. Downtime is minimal, though you may need several treatments for optimal effects.
Fraxel Repair is the procedure of choice for deep lines, hard-to-erase lip lines, pronounced photodamage, sagging face and neck skin, facial wrinkles and discolorations, age-related/sun-damaged rough skin texture, acne scars and surgical scars. Fraxel Repair allows for deep dermal laser penetration, with greater response. It uses carbon dioxide laser beams, which not only minimize wrinkles and discolorations, but also have the ability to tighten skin.
A more aggressive approach than Fraxel DUAL, Fraxel Repair usually requires only one treatment to tighten and resurface the skin, yielding superior results in the treatment of deeper lines, wrinkles and laxity. It actually vaporizes tissue, removing old damaged skin and allowing for new collagen formation. Recuperation time is more considerable than that of the DUAL.
Based on your individual concerns, I will help you choose the treatment that is best for you. Either way, your skin will emerge looking youthful, smooth and beautiful. Call our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
See you soon.
Neck News: Toss Those Scarves and Turtlenecks
Just as the skin on your face ages and endures the elements, the delicate neck area is prone to changes in color and tautness that many of us don’t like.
You may notice brown spots and pigmentation, particularly on the decolletage. Or, this chest area may appear red, blotchy or wrinkly, most often due to excessive exposure to the sun. Some people develop little lines or bands that run horizontally around the neck, and others have vertical cords (platysmal bands) that become prominent. Also, when collagen and elastin decreases over time, the skin on the neck may sag and look crepey.
At home, remember to moisturize and use SPF and retinol products, as you would on your face. If you are still not happy, come see us. We have many ways to help your neck look beautiful and more youthful.
SmartLipo Triplex: permanently removes fat by destroying fat cells and tightens the delicate skin on the neck
Kybella: dissolves submental fat permanently with injections and causes some skin contraction, too
Infini: tightens the neck and jowls using microneedling and radio frequency and reduces the crepiness, too
Thermage CPT: tightens skin on the neck and jowls, non-invasively
Exilis Ultra 360: tightens skin on the neck and jowls and reduces fat, non-invasively
Fraxel Repair: resurfaces and tightens the skin on the neck and jowls and reduces crepiness and hyperpigmentation (red and brown spots)
Call our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation. We’ll devise an individual treatment plan just for you.
See you soon.
What Do I Do With an Empty House? Come See Us
In the upcoming weeks, many of you will be sending your college kids back to campus, some of you for the first time. Whatever stage you find yourself in, the maiden launch or the latest of many, you’ll no doubt feel a mix of emotions. It is hard to see your children go, but that is, after all, what we want them to do.
Their independence gives you a bit more time to yourself, and why not direct your energies toward your own care and feeding. Moms are famous for living on the back burner. Now is a good time to ease yourself forward.
We offer many super-parent beauty treatments that are easy to accomplish, convenient and stress-free.
Here are a few conditions that you may be concerned about and treatments for helping you feel better about how you look:
• For unwanted fat: SmartLipo Triplex, Exilis Ultra 360
• For unwanted hair growth:Laser Hair Removal, IPL Hair Removal
• For loose skin: Infini, Thermage CPT, Exilis Ultra 360, Fraxel lasers, SmartLipo Triplex
• For brown spots: Fraxel DUAL laser, IPL (intense pulsed light), Diolite (KTP532) laser, chemical peels
• For cellulite: Cellulaze, Exilis Ultra 360
• For double chin: Kybella
Please call our office for a complimentary consultation. New seasons are a time for positive change, and we are ready to help you transform, physically and emotionally.
See you soon.
Tracking Changes In Your Skin
It seems that summer just began and now, Labor Day is a few weeks away. The time goes quickly, and while you may not feel any older, your skin has another story to tell. Aging plays tricks on the delicate composition of your skin. The best way to ward off the signs of stress is to know what is ahead and take as many precautions as possible.
Here is what you can expect:
In Your 20s and 30s: Get ready. Hormonal changes can happen during this time, causing adult acne. We can treat it, though, with our Pulsed Dye Laser. Also, you may notice the first signs of wrinkles and pigmentation. Botox and Dysport will help minimize lines, keeping them from setting and deepening. Fraxel DUAL and IPL will help reduce discoloration, brown spots and freckling.
In Your 40s: Your skin may look dull and rough, and age spots may appear since the skin can’t repair itself as quickly or as completely as it use to. You may notice that your skin is beginning to lose its youthful glow as skin cell shedding begins to slow down. But, we can brighten and smooth out your skin with Fraxel DUAL and Fraxel Repair laser treatments. Your skin tone will look even, and wrinkles and pores will diminish. During this time, wrinkles may be deeper than they were before. Dermal fillers such as Restylane, Restylane Defyne, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Refyne, Restylane Silk, Voluma, Juvederm, Belotero and Radiesse, and neurotoxins, such as Botox and Dysport, are effective in reducing the appearance of these lines and folds.
In Your 50s and 60s: You may notice that subtle lines have turned into deep wrinkles and previously taut skin has begun to sag. Declining collagen and elastin levels cause your skin to become thinner and more fragile and the underlying skin structure to be less supported. Lasers such as Fraxel Repair and Fraxel Dual can work wonders to resurface skin and stimulate collagen production, which will help lift up and plump your skin, nonsurgically. They will also help to lighten any discoloration caused by sun exposure or simple aging. Loose and sagging skin can be tightened with radiofrequency treatments like Infini and Exilis Ultra 360.
At all times of your life, remember to do what you can to preserve your skin’s natural beauty. Wear plenty of sunscreen (and not only in the summer), avoid the sun as much as possible, steer clear of smoking and cleanse and moisturize often.
If you’d like to hear how we can help you look your most youthful best, call our office for a complimentary consultation.
See you soon.
When Freckles Are No Longer Adorable
Despite your efforts to avoid the sun, freckles may be having a field day on your face right about now. While you may have a few here and there throughout the year, and while they may be cute, these tiny brown spots tend to flourish after repeated exposure to sunlight, particularly if your complexion is fair.
Caused by an increase in the amount of dark pigment, or melanin, freckles can have a range of colors, from red, yellow, tan, light brown, brown or black. In one person, they are generally the same tone. The two basic types of freckles–simple and sunburn–look a bit different. Simple freckles are usually tan, round and small. Sunburn freckles are darker, larger and may have irregular borders. They usually appear on the upper back and shoulders where severe sunburns often occur.
To reduce the appearance of these dark spots, we offer a variety of treatments:
Diolite: This laser generates an intense beam of light that destroys unwanted cells in the affected area, leaving only healthy cells behind. Diolite is gentle, precise and controlled. With the Diolite laser, we can direct the light to the treatment area only, which leaves the surrounding tissue intact.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light ) Treatment: This photo-rejuvenation procedure quickly, effectively and non-invasively treats skin damage. IPL is a versatile treatment that corrects all kinds of facial skin imperfections and signs of aging, such as freckles and sun spots, as well as rosacea (facial inflammation), vascular lesions and acne scarring. It can safely treat areas including the face, neck, chest, hands and legs. Photo-rejuvenation offers long-term results without any downtime, recovery time or chemicals.
LED Photomodulation: A non-thermal, low intensity light-emitting diode treatment, LED Photomodulation uses a carefully timed sequence of emissions to activate the skin’s natural rejuvenation process. Unlike laser treatments that can cause a snapping sensation, LED Photomodulation treatments are entirely painless. Youth-restoring results are gradual, and patients report noticeable changes after 5 to 7 weekly treatments.
Fraxel: A trio of laser treatments, Fraxel offers the most advanced technology for improving your skin’s radiance and youthfulness. Depending on the intensity of the treatment you need, you can choose Fraxel Repair, Fraxel DUAL or Clear & Brilliant. Each is a state-of-the-art device with its own advantages.
Call our office today to learn about your easy options for reducing the appearance of freckles and brown spots. Our consultations are complimentary. Meantime, apply that sunscreen.
See you soon.
Beware the Dreaded Droop
It is not something that you write in your calendar: “Skin sagging, July 30.” It is something that creeps up over time, sneakily, until one day, you notice.
The skin that used to appear taut and firm has begun to droop. You know that your body’s production of collagen has slowed, but you didn’t realize what exactly this process would do. Collagen, the natural anchoring substance under the skin, gives you a youthful and lifted appearance. But as it depletes, whether by simple aging or hereditary and environmental factors, your skin may begin to sag. Combined with the gradual decrease in elastin, the material that provides suppleness and resilience, your skin loses its tension and spring.
No area of your body, it seems, is safe. You may experience sagging in the face, neck, eyelids, abdomen, arms, legs and buttocks. While no nonsurgical treatment can reverse the condition entirely, many can drastically improve your appearance. We offer safe and effective treatments that will help your skin look younger and tighter.
Here are a few:
Thermage CPT is a thermal lift that is particularly effective for reducing loose skin around the eyes.
Exilis Ultra 360 is a treatment that combines radiofrequency and ultrasound to offer maximum power and targeted control, so that we focus on only the areas that need help.
INFINI is a high-energy radiofrequency device that smooths wrinkles and plumps skin. It is also particularly helpful for minimizing acne scarring.
Fraxel Repair is a laser that works on reducing deep lines, hard-to-erase lip lines, pronounced photodamage, sagging face and neck skin, facial wrinkles and discolorations, age-related/sun-damaged rough skin texture, acne scars and surgical scars.
SmartLipo Triplex is a laser treatment that removes fat and tightens skin at the same time.
Kybella is a treatment that we use to minimize submental fat, more commonly known as the “double chin.”
If sagging skin is a concern for you, come in and talk with us about how we can help you feel better. Our consultations are complimentary, so call today to schedule an appointment.
See you soon.
Recharge Those Eyes
When you really want to know how someone feels, you look into his eyes. They can often hold the answers to many mysteries. Unfortunately, they can be a lot more obvious about your age.
The skin surrounding your eyes, because it is so delicate, is at risk for a multitude of cosmetic problems that make you look older than you are. And, because this area is involved in facial expression, the natural movement of the skin causes lines and wrinkles to form over time. Crow’s feet, additional lines and wrinkles underneath the lower lashes, dark circles, hollowing, drooping lids and puffiness all contribute to a tired appearance. Perhaps you’ve tried creams that claim to tighten skin or cold tea bags and cucumbers that temporarily reduce fluid retention, but the concerns remain.
We offer a range of nonsurgical treatments that will help return a well-rested look to your eyes and therefore, your face. Depending on your individual needs, we can craft a personal plan that will help you look refreshed and more youthful, with minimal downtime and recuperation.
Take a look at some of our most popular eye treatments:
- Thermage CPT
- Botox
- Dysport
- Dermal fillers (Belotero, Juvederm, Restylane, Restylane Lyft)
- Fraxel Repair Laser
- Fraxel DUAL Laser
- Laser Wrinkle Reduction
- Clear & Brilliant
- Microdermabrasion
- LED Photomodulation
Come talk with us about how we can help. Call our office today to schedule your complimentary consultation.
See you soon.
Men Worry About How They Look, Too
When people talk about body image, we assume that they are referring to women. But lately, men seem to be more concerned about being muscular and thin than they have been in the past.
A recent study by Chapman University researchers revealed that men agonize about their bodies nearly as much as women do. The report, which was published in the March 2016 journal of Psychology of Men and Masculinity, surveyed about 116,000 men between age 18 and 65 and about as many women. The findings showed that:
- About 25 percent of the men were dissatisfied with their appearance, compared to about 28.5 percent of women.
- More than half of the men had gone on diets in the past year, and nearly 42 percent were unhappy with their weight.
- About 37 percent did not like the condition of their muscle tone.
- About 69 percent felt judged on their looks and felt pressure from magazines and television to have a slimmer and more muscular body.
If you are male and concerned about your body shape, you have most likely dieted and spent many hours in the gym. Sometimes, these tactics are not enough for certain trouble spots or for men of certain ages. In our offices, one of the most popular procedures for men is SmartLipo Triplex, particularly for the neck, abdomen and breast area. SmartLipo Triplex is a minimally invasive method for removing unwanted fat and sculpting areas of the body that you’d like to change. An FDA-approved laser treatment that virtually melts fat cells and suctions them away, SmartLipo provided dramatic high-definition results after only one treatment.
We also find that Kybella is effective for reducing the double chin, a common male problem that often resists diet and exercise. This new procedure slims and contours the area below and around your chin and neck, without surgery.
We know that your self-image is not derived solely from your weight and muscle mass. You may also be concerned about the effects on your face of aging, sun damage and stress, all of which can negatively impact how you feel about yourself at home and at work. Many male patients come see us for Botox, particularly for their foreheads and crow’s feet, and for dermal fillers that minimize the folds around their noses and corners of their mouths. Some of these fillers include Belotero, Juvederm, Restylane Defyne, Restylane Refyne, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Silk and Radiesse. Also, to decrease wrinkles and sagging on the face and around the eyes, many men come to us for Fraxel DUAL and Fraxel Repair Laser Treatments.
So, if you are not entirely happy with how you look, you are not alone; there are plenty of men just like you. Don’t hesitate to call our office for a complimentary consultation. We’ll try to help you look and feel your best.
See you soon.
How Looking Pretty May Actually Be Good For Your Health. Truly.
While hard data may be elusive, certain studies have shown that physical appearance plays a large role in the development of personality. The thinking goes like this: people form opinions about other people based on what they see. Then, the people being seen tend to fulfill the expectations that they think other people have for them. So, if they are viewed as pleasant looking or beautiful, they begin to think of themselves that way. If they believe that others think they are unattractive, they are conditioned to believe that, too.
This theory, then, links physical attractiveness with self-image. The more beautiful one is perceived to be, the higher the level of confidence and esteem.
If you take this notion one step further, you might make the case that confidence and self-esteem lead to happiness, or a certain amount of happiness. Look good/feel good, we’ve all experienced that. Interestingly, happiness has been correlated with better health, both in individuals and communities. Some studies have even suggested that states of happiness, positive mood, optimism and humor may be associated with lower stress-related hormones and better immune function, that general well-being can protect and predict health. Happy people may live longer, some might argue.
So, what does this all mean and how do we come in? If one way to boost self-image (and perhaps, health) is to look good, we can help you with that.
Last week, I talked about the subtle first-time treatments that can improve your appearance quickly and easily. Today, I’d like to remind you about certain other procedures that offer dramatic results: Fraxel Repair Laser Treatment, Kybella, SmartLipo Triplex and Thermage CPT.
Fraxel Repair: This is the procedure of choice for deep lines, hard-to-erase lip lines, pronounced photodamage, sagging face and neck skin, facial wrinkles and discolorations, age-related/sun-damaged rough skin texture, acne scars and surgical scars. Fraxel Repair allows for deep dermal laser penetration in targeted areas, with greater response than other treatments.
Kybella: Finally, you can slim and contour the area below and around your chin and neck – without surgery. I’m proud to be one of the first physicians to offer the revolutionary Kybella procedure: the first and only FDA – approved, nonsurgical treatment to reduce submental fullness, more commonly known as “double chin.” Submental fullness affects both men and women, and can be influenced by several factors such as aging, genetics and weight gain. Submental fullness is often resistant to diet and exercise and can detract from a balanced facial appearance, resulting in an older and heavier look.
SmartLipo: Many times, no matter what we do, our bodies fail to look exactly the way we’d like them to. Body contouring, currently the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure, provides a sure way to achieve your ideal body shape. SmartLipo Triplex is a minimally invasive method for removing unwanted fat and sculpting areas of the body that you’d like to change. A laser treatment that virtually melts fat cells and suctions them away, SmartLipo is one of the surest ways to boost self-image.
Thermage CPT: This nonsurgical facelift will actually transform skin all over your body. The Thermage CPT thermal lift will tighten loose skin on the eyelids, under-eye areas, abdomen, arms, legs and even your sagging buttocks. Thermage CPT, the most effective lift treatment for a multitude of concerns, yields dramatic results without incisions and recuperation. In the eye area, for instance, Thermage CPT reduces “hooding,” improves texture, and tones and softens fine lines and crow’s feet. This new treatment is a safe, effective and unique option for “eyelid rejuvenation.”
Call our office to find out how you can enjoy these dramatic results…and dramatic happiness and good health, too, we hope.
See you soon.
Love Yourself First
This Valentine’s Day, you may be thinking about the people in your life whom you love. But don’t forget about you.
Being happy with ourselves is a struggle for many of us. For all sorts of reasons, we often have a hard time embracing our strengths, accepting our imperfections and knowing what to do to feel and be our best selves.
I often wonder how we fit into this landscape. We improve physical imperfections. Some might say that people should be content with what they look like, without the extra help that we offer. Over the years, we’ve found that this extra help, when you request it on your own, goes a long way to help you feel better about yourselves. And we are happy about making you happy.
So, this Valentine’s Day, take some time for yourself. If we can help you do that, let us know.
This month is an optimal time to consider our favorite mid-winter treatments, including SmartLipo Triplex, Fraxel Dual and Repair, Kybella, Thermage CPT and Laser Hair Removal.
If you’d like to talk with us about how we can help you feel and look your most happy, call our office for a complimentary consultation. We’ll help you determine what is best for you.
Meantime, Happy Valentine’s Day, and see you soon.
