Category: IPL
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.
Red Lines No More
If your face is beginning to look like a road map, don’t worry. At some point, you may notice tiny red spider veins criss-crossing your cheeks and nose, giving you a ruddy look. These lines are simply small broken veins that are pretty common and tend to return.
We have two treatments that show terrific results in reducing the presence of these veins, without any peeling or sloughing. Both Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and the Diolite laser enhance and rejuvenate skin. You’ll see fewer lines and redness, and your skin will appear more youthful.
Here is what our treatments can do for you:
IPL: Intense Pulsed Light rejuvenation can help to restore a healthy-looking and vibrant appearance. By delivering broadband light through the skin, the laser helps to decrease redness, pigmentation, lines and pore size. After treatment, the overall texture and tone of your skin will be improved. IPL can be used on your neck, chest, hands and legs, as well as the face, where broken veins are most typical.
Also known as a “photofacial,” the noninvasive treatment will not damage the surface of your skin. The light is directed to the deeper parts of the skin (dermis); the outside layer (epidermis) is untouched.
In addition to working well on facial spider veins, IPL photorejuvenation improves imperfections such as rosacea, fine wrinkles, sun and age spots.
Diolite: Diolite is a gentle laser that pinpoints the skin’s target area with extreme precision. It is an extremely effective treatment for eradicating superficial facial spider veins. Diolite helps to erase vascular and pigmented imperfections while leaving your surrounding tissue untouched. Older lasers could cause pain, blistering, oozing and crusting, but Diolite produces the same results without these side effects. After treatment, your skin will look youthful and refreshed.
Diolite can also help to minimize cherry angiomas, which are raised red mole-like lesions. In addition, it works on small brown spots such as freckles, sun spots and pigmented keratoses. These may be found anywhere on the body.
Call my office to schedule a complimentary consultation, and I will tailor a treatment plan just 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.
GentleWaves: A non-thermal, low intensity light-emitting diode treatment, GentleWaves uses a carefully timed sequence of emissions to activate the skin’s natural rejuvenation process. Unlike laser treatments that can cause a snapping sensation, GentleWaves 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 schedule a complimentary consultation and learn about how to reduce the appearance of your freckles and brown spots.
See you soon.
Put Your Best Face Forward
Though the official start of autumn is not for another month, this week marks the end of summer for many of us. The post-Labor Day back-to-work, back-to-school mindset begins in earnest after next weekend and with it comes a little reflection on how the summer went.
Did it go too quickly? Did I relax enough? Not relax enough? Check off everything on my do-it-this-summer list?
If you spent some time on the beach, it may also be the time to assess how your skin handled the sun. You may be noticing a few more dark spots on your face and body–hyperpigmentation, we call it. Whether brown or black, large or small, these spots and freckles can appear anywhere, often on your face, chest, arms and hands. The sun’s UV rays can cause these marks to crop up, even after one day. Natural aging is also a culprit.
To reduce sunspots, freckles, age/liver spots, which are usually small and flat, we offer treatments of Fraxel Dual Laser, Intense Pulsed Light and Diolite.
Other types of hyperpigmentation can emerge, too, at all times of year. These are due to different triggers, and we have treatments for all of them. Take a look below at which type you may have…
Melasma: Look for light to medium brown discoloration, usually on the cheeks, sides of your face, upper nose, forehead and lips. You may see splotchy patches in irregular sizes and shapes. Often, melasma appears when you are pregnant or have just gone through childbirth (it’s sometimes called “The Mask of Pregnancy”). A hormone surge during these times can cause the changes in your skin. Combined with excessive sun exposure, the effects may be pronounced.
Our treatment: Fraxel Dual Laser
PIH: Look for flat pink, red or brown spots on the face. If you’ve had inflammatory acne, you may be prone to this sort of hyperpigmentation.
Our treatment: Light salicylic acid chemical peels
Facial Blood Vessels: Vascular lesions, commonly called “spider veins” are extra blood vessels that are superficially located in the skin. Often, the skin of cheeks, chin and forehead appear red.
Our treatment: Diolite, IPL
Our best advice for minimizing spots is to stay clear of the sun and wear sunscreen–and more sunscreen–every time that you go out, even in the upcoming weeks and through the fall.
For a specialized treatment plan, call our office for a complimentary consultation.
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 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: 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.
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.
GentleWaves: A non-thermal, low intensity light-emitting diode treatment, GentleWaves uses a carefully timed sequence of emissions to activate the skin’s natural rejuvenation process. Unlike laser treatments that can cause a snapping sensation, GentleWaves 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.
I Never Thought I Would Do This
Thank you all for attending our Spring Beauty Seminar this past weekend. I was happy to see so many of you there and am hoping that you learned all that you could about the latest cosmetic treatments that we offer. I look forward to seeing you in our offices in the coming weeks, particularly as the temperatures climb. I like to call spring “The Beauty Season,” since so many of you want to look your best as you spend more time outdoors.
For those of you who are considering our nonsurgical cosmetic procedures for the first time, I understand that the idea of it may get in your way. Mainly, you may not want anyone to know that you’ve been in for treatment.
So, here are a few first-time procedures that no one will know that you’ve had (and that you will forget that you’ve had by the time you’ve left our office). With no incisions, anesthesia or downtime, your treatment will be our little secret, if you want it to be. All that will be obvious is your rested and youthful look.
Botox: Worry lines, frown lines, laugh or smile lines, crow’s feet …these are all “dynamic” wrinkles caused from years of living and using facial muscles to show expression. The more emotion we show, the deeper the wrinkles and lines can be. Botox injections can safely and effectively soften lines and reduce wrinkles. Botox is also known as “cosmetic denervation” – a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure that many patients have come to depend on to show results in a few days. The procedure takes under ten minutes, too.
Dermal fillers: Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane (Silk and Lyft) and Voluma are a few of the FDA-approved treatments that restore fullness and contour that has diminished with age. These treatments are quick and easy, and show immediate results in all areas of the face, including cheeks, mouth, chin, nose and lips, as well as the hands.
Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion is simple, convenient and popular among patients showing early signs of aging, sun exposure and other facial imperfections. It not only exfoliates the skin’s surface, but also promotes new cell growth in the basal, or deepest layer of the skin. It also cleans the pores and stimulates collagen networking to further improve the skin’s texture. After the treatment, your skin will have a new fresh-looking glow.
Intense Pulsed Light : If your facial skin has lost its youthful glow, Intense Pulsed Light Rejuvenation can help to restore a vibrant appearance. The procedure delivers broadband light through the skin, helping to decrease redness, pigmentation, lines and pore size, and improve the overall texture and tone of your skin. IPL can be used on the face, neck, chest, hands and legs. Also known as a “photofacial,” the noninvasive treatment treats imperfections including birthmarks, spider veins, rosacea, fine wrinkles, sun and age spots, vascular lesions and acne and acne scarring.
For new and return patients, please call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation.
See you soon.
Laser Away Those Little Red Lines
At some point, you may notice tiny red spider veins criss-crossing certain areas of your face. These small broken veins generally appear on your nose and cheeks, giving you a ruddy and haggard look. They are fairly common, and they often return.
We have two treatments that show terrific results in reducing the presence of these veins. Both Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and the Diolite laser enhance and rejuvenate skin, lessen the lines and redness and leave you looking more youthful, without any peeling or sloughing.
Here is how they can help you look your best:
IPL: If your facial skin has lost its youthful glow, Intense Pulsed Light rejuvenation can help to restore a healthy-looking and vibrant appearance. The procedure delivers broadband light through the skin, helping to decrease redness, pigmentation, lines and pore size, and improve the overall texture and tone of your skin. In addition to your face, IPL can be used on your neck, chest, hands and legs.
Also known as a “photofacial,” the noninvasive treatment will not damage the surface of your skin. The light is directed to the deeper parts of the skin (dermis), while the outside layer (epidermis) is left untouched.
IPL photorejuvenation works beautifully on facial spider veins and also improves imperfections including rosacea, fine wrinkles, sun and age spots.
Diolite: This gentle laser pinpoints the skin’s target area with extreme precision, helping to erase vascular and pigmented imperfections while leaving surrounding tissue untouched. Unlike older lasers that could cause pain, blistering, oozing and crusting, Diolite produces the same results without the uncomfortable side effects. Your skin will emerge healthy-looking and refreshed.
Diolite is an extremely effective treatment for eliminating superficial facial spider veins. It can also help to minimize cherry angiomas (raised red mole-like lesions) and small brown spots such as freckles, sun spots and pigmented keratoses found anywhere on the body.
Please call my office to schedule a complimentary consultation. I look forward to tailoring a treatment plan just for you.
See you soon.
