Category: Fraxel Repair
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.
Uncover That Neck
Many of you tell me that you are happy to wear turtlenecks in the fall and winter–but maybe you don’t have to. Because the skin on the neck is so delicate, it’s prone to changes in tautness, smoothness and color, particularly as we age. There are many ways, though, that we can improve its appearance.
Some of you may notice little lines or bands that run horizontally around the neck or vertical cords (platysmal bands) that become prominent. Also, when collagen and elastin decrease over time, the skin on your neck may sag and look crepey. Changes in color may include brown spots and pigmentation, particularly on the decolletage, the chest area. Or, you may see red, blotchy or wrinkly skin, most often due to excessive exposure to the sun.
There are some measures that you can take at home, such as moisturizing and using SPF and retinol products, as you would on your face. But if you are still not happy, come see us. We have many ways to help your neck look beautiful and more youthful. Here are a few:
Infini: This radiofrequency microneedling treatment tightens the neck and jowls and reduces crepiness, too.
Thermage CPT: This tightens skin on the neck and jowls, non-invasively. It’s often called a “Thermal Lift” treatment, and it’s highly effective for many areas of the body.
Exilis Ultra 360: Another thermal treatment, Exilis Ultra 360 tightens skin on the neck and jowls and reduces fat, non-invasively.
Fraxel Repair: This laser treatment resurfaces and tightens the skin on the neck and jowls and reduces crepiness and hyperpigmentation (brown spots). It 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 and surgical scars.
SmartLipo Triplex: This laser procedure permanently removes fat by destroying fat cells, removing them and tightening the skin. It is effective for large areas of the body as well as smaller ones, like the neck.
Kybella: This series of injections dissolves submental fat permanently and causes some skin contraction, too. Once fat cells are destroyed, they can no longer store or accumulate fat, so re-treatment is not expected.
So, if your neck is making you unhappy, call our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation. We’ll devise an individual treatment plan just for you.
See you soon.
Beauty Time for New Moms
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are rough on your body, causing skin and shape issues that perhaps, you’ve never experienced before. Some of you may not be feeling like your old self, which can be disconcerting. So, after you’ve settled in to this new phase of life, it could be time to correct some of these concerns.
It’s not uncommon for young mothers to notice skin and stomach issues such as acne, acne scarring, melasma (darkened facial skin), cellulite, unwanted fat, unwanted hair growth, prominent facial blood vessels, loose skin, brown spots and stretch marks.
You may feel that you don’t have the time or energy to take care of yourself, or that doing so is too indulgent. But, feeling and looking as great as you can is critical for your self-esteem and general well-being at this exciting time.
Here are conditions that new moms often face and treatments that work well to minimize then and help you feel more like yourself in the process.
- For acne: pulsed dye laser, DermaFrac, microdemabrasion
- For melasma: Fraxel DUAL laser
- For cellulite: Cellulaze, Exilis Elite
- For unwanted fat: SmartLipo TriPlex, Exilis Elite
- For unwanted hair growth: Laser Hair Removal, IPL Hair Removal
- For facial blood vessels: Diolite (KTP532) laser, IPL (intense pulsed light), GentleWaves
- For loose skin: INFINI™, Thermage CPT, Exilis Elite, Fraxel lasers, SmartLipo TriPlex
- For brown spots: Fraxel DUAL laser, IPL (intense pulsed light), Diolite (KTP532) laser, chemical peels,GentleWaves
- For stretch marks: Fraxel lasers
- For acne scarring: INFINI™, Fraxel lasers, pulsed dye laser, dermal fillers
We can help you figure out a treatment plan that will help minimize some of these conditions. Call our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
See you soon.
The Fraxel Decision: Which is Right for You?
The gold standard of laser skin rejuvenation treatments, Fraxel is a state-of-the-art procedure for repairing skin. Whether you suffer from sun damage or the effects of aging and the environment, Fraxel lasers safely and effectively restore your skin. Pinpointing just the areas that need improvement, Fraxel will return your skin to its youthful radiance, texture and tone.
You have two options for treatment, 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. It’s safe for use on all skin types, stimulating your body’s natural healing process as it resurfaces and restores damaged skin. There is no downtime, though you may need several treatments for optimal effects.
Fraxel Repair, a more aggressive approach than Fraxel DUAL, provides a higher level of treatment. It’s a great 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 deeply penetrates the skin with carbon dioxide laser beams, which minimize wrinkles and discolorations and also tighten skin. Typically, just one treatment is necessary, yielding superior results. Old damaged skin is removed, allowing for new collagen formation. Recuperation time is more considerable than that of the DUAL.
With either treatment, your skin will emerge looking youthful, smooth and beautiful. Call our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation, and we’ll help you determine which procedure is best for you.
See you soon.
Sun Spots: Inevitable, but Reparable
No matter how religious you are about avoiding the sun, you’ve probably noticed a freckle or two by this point in the summer. Ultraviolet radiation has a way of seeping through hats and sunscreen, no matter how hard you try to cover up, and it’s a major cause of visible aging. Blotchy, uneven skin tone lends a weathered appearance, but we can help to restore the clear complexion of youth.
Using the most advanced treatments for all different kinds of pigmentation and skin types, we can decrease the appearance of sun spots easily and effectively. Here are a few tried-and-true methods:
Diolite
Lasers generate an intense beam of light that destroys the unwanted cells in the affected area, leaving only healthy cells behind. Diolite is gentle, precise and controlled. We can direct the light to the sun spot only, leaving your surrounding tissue intact.
Intense Pulsed Light
IPL is a breakthrough, age-defying photo-rejuvenation procedure that quickly, effectively, and non-invasively treats skin damage. Pulsed-light systems treat pigmentation very similarly to lasers. IPL is a versatile treatment that repairs imperfections including rosacea (facial inflammation), vascular lesions and acne scarring, in addition to freckling. It can be used on your face, neck, chest, hands, legs–almost anywhere–except for the delicate skin around your eyes. Photo-rejuvenation offers long-term results without any downtime, recovery time or chemicals.
GentleWaves
GentleWaves is a low intensity light-emitting diode treatment that activates your skin’s natural rejuvenation process. And, the best part, it’s entirely painless. You’ll notice changes after just a few treatments.
Fraxel
Fraxel laser treatments offer the most advanced technology for improving skin’s radiance. Fraxel re:pair, Fraxel DUAL and Clear & Brilliant provide different levels of treatment, depending on your individual needs.
It may be a good time to think about sun spot treatment, with just a few weeks left of the summer season. Call our office for a complimentary consultation, and we’ll help you determine your best options.
See you soon.
The Skin Cycle: What You Can Expect, Decade by Decade
Your skin has a natural plan. With each year that passes, it undergoes assorted stressors, some that it has experienced before and some that are brand new. And it reacts to these changing stimuli in different ways, subtle and not-so. Unfortunately, while you may not feel any older, your skin has another story to tell. Aging plays tricks on its delicate composition. But do not despair–you have strategies at your disposal for warding off the first signs of attack. The trick: know what’s coming and take as many precautions as possible.
Here is what you can expect:
In Your 20s and 30s: Get ready. Hormonal changes may happen during this time, causing adult acne. We can treat it, though, with our Pulsed Dye Laser. Also, you may notice hints of wrinkles (yes, they begin early) and pigmentation. Botox and Dysport will help minimize lines, keeping them from setting and deepening. Catching them early is more effective than waiting until they are extreme. Fraxel DUAL and IPL will help reduce discoloration, brown spots and freckling.
In Your 40s: Your skin may begin to lose its luster, appearing dull and rough. Also, age spots may appear since the skin can’t repair itself as quickly or as completely as it used to. You may notice, too, that your skin doesn’t glow as much, since skin cell shedding begins to slow down. But, we can brighten and smooth out your skin with Clear+Brilliant, Fraxel DUAL and Fraxel Repair laser treatments. Your skin tone will look even, and wrinkles and pores will diminish. During your 40s, wrinkles may be deeper than they were before. Dermal fillers such as Restylane, Restylane Lyft, 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: Subtle lines may have turned into deep wrinkles and previously taut skin may have begun to sag. Declining collagen and elastin levels cause your skin to become thinner and more fragile. As the underlying skin structure is less supported, the skin falls down and droops. We have many laser treatments that can work wonders to resurface skin and stimulate collagen production, which will help lift up and plump your skin, nonsurgically. The treatments will also help to brighten and lighten any discoloration caused by sun exposure or simple aging.
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.
Call our office for a complimentary consultation. We’ll help you look your most natural youthful best.
See you soon.
Eyes: Windows To Your….Age
No one really wants to reveal his or her age. But there are places on our bodies that can give secrets away, namely, the eyes.
The skin surrounding your eyes is extremely delicate, making it susceptible to cosmetic problems that make you look older than you are. Also, because it moves so much during facial expression, lines and wrinkles form over time. Crow’s feet emerge on the outside of the eye and creases appear underneath the lash line, for instance. Add dark circles, hollowing, drooping lids and puffiness, and you will appear tired and worn. Perhaps you’ve tried creams that claim to tighten skin or cold tea bags and cucumbers that temporarily reduce fluid retention, but you are still not happy when you look into the mirror.
We offer a range of nonsurgical treatments that will help return a well-rested look to your eyes and ultimately, 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.
Here are a few 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
- GentleWaves Photomodulation
Come talk with us about how we can help. Call our office today to schedule your complimentary consultation. And meantime, keep applying that sunscreen.
See you soon.
