Look Years Younger with Non-Invasive Skin Tightening

The skin loses elasticity with age, allowing gravity to create sagging. The tell-tale signs on the face of lost elasticity usually begin in the lower face and neck. The jowls, jawline and neck show sagging skin and smile lines stay in place even when you are not smiling. This is caused by lost collagen and elastin in the skin that allows the skin to become thinner and less firm. One option to control this loss of elasticity is radio frequency (RF) treatments that can help tighten the skin and reduce the sagging caused by aging.

Profound Skin Tightening Treatment

When the lower face begins to sag, some people begin to consider a facelift. While this is an option, there are other treatments that can be effective in the early stages of aging. Profound is a skin tightening treatment that uses a combination of RF technology and microneedling to stimulate collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin. The treatment is performed with a handheld device and is not painful or invasive. Usually only one treatment is needed to get the results desired.

Profound can help lift and firm the skin on the lower face and neck. Over the weeks and months after treatment the skin increases in volume and firmness to give the face and neck a lift. Patients can look years younger and may be able to avoid a surgical facelift for years to maintain a more youthful appearance.

If you have crepey, sagging or lined skin, consider seeking treatment with Profound skin tightening. Consult a plastic surgeon that offers Profound treatments at their clinic to find out if RF treatments are right for you.

Posted on behalf of:
Kami Parsa, M.D.
Oculoplastic Surgery
465 N Roxbury Dr. Suite 1011
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 777-8880

Fight the Signs of Aging with Dermabrasion Procedures

The skin changes as you get older, both in appearance and in biological makeup. Exposure to UV rays can damage the skin, causing the tone, texture and color to change. Plus, the skin loses elasticity as collagen production wanes, creating lines, wrinkles and sagging of the skin. One of the ways to fight the signs of aging skin is with dermabrasion procedures that offer rejuvenation for sun damaged and aged skin.

What Is Dermabrasion?

To help rejuvenate aging skin, dermabrasion removes skin cells from the surface to allow for new skin cell growth for younger, healthier appearing skin. This is a very refined, non-invasive procedure that scrapes the old skin cells away. It can be done surgically or with specialized tools that slough off the skin cells with a rotating mechanism. This procedure must be carefully performed to ensure the skin is not damaged and that only the top skin cells are removed; it is best performed at a medical clinic that specializes in cosmetic procedures, such as plastic surgery clinic.

Once the damaged skin cells are removed, the skin heals and can reveal a smoother, healthier appearance. Some of the issues that are effectively treated by dermabrasion include:

  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Rough textured skin
  • Scarred skin from incisions or acne
  • Uneven skin tone

The dermabrasion procedure can also stimulate collagen production naturally in aging skin. Collagen is used to heal skin, so when skin cells are removed, the skin needs to make more to facilitate healing. This can help improve elasticity and youthfulness in the new skin cells that are formed after the procedure.

If you want younger looking skin, discuss dermabrasion with your local facial plastic surgeon. It is one of many non-invasive cosmetic treatments available through plastic surgeons for improved skin appearance.

Posted on behalf of:
Kami Parsa, M.D.
Oculoplastic Surgery
465 N Roxbury Dr. Suite 1011
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 777-8880

What is an IPL Treatment?

We should all be mindful to use sunscreen and moisturizer on a daily basis, but let’s face it, they are easy to forget.  Sun exposure can lead to pre-mature wrinkles, freckles and sun spots, especially if you live an outdoor lifestyle. I your skin has become blotchy because of sun damage, consider an IPL Treatment.

What is IPL?

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. In this non-surgical treatment, the areas of concern are exposed to a high concentration of flashing light which promotes the return collagen and elastin to the skin.  Redness and dark spots are brightened to bring skin to a more even tone.

What is the Procedure Like?

The procedure itself only takes about thirty minutes to perform in a spa or medical office setting.  A gel is applied and then the light treatment is delivered by a handheld wand to the affected areas. Small scabs will come to the surface where particles in the skin are burned but they are sloughed off within a week or so.  What is left is softer more even skin.  The light treatment also helps correct small wrinkles that may have been caused by sun damage, so that is another plus!

What Else can IPL Treat

Besides Sun Damage and fine wrinkles, IPL can reduce the look of some birthmarks, rosacea, freckles, age spots, and broken blood vessels. It also can be used to remove unwanted hair on different parts f the body.

If you are considering options for a more even skin tone, look for a boutique or medical spa near you that offers IPL treatments.  They will know if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

Posted on behalf of:
Maurice M. Khosh, MD, FACS
580 Park Avenue, Suite 1BE
New York, NY 10065
212-339-9988

Top 5 Benefits of Juvederm

While there are many dermal fillers available for cosmetic treatments, Juvederm has been one of the most popular for over a decade. Approved by the FDA in 2006 to treatment wrinkles in the skin, Juvederm has expanded its line of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to transform the faces of many people of both genders and various ages. Here are five of the many benefits of Juvederm for dermal filler injection treatment.

  1. Natural appearance. The smooth gel of Juvederm products offers a softer, more natural appearance and feel then some other dermal fillers.
  2. Multiple formulas. Juvederm has created different products that are better suited for treating different areas on the face. For example, Voluma XC is designed for filling the cheek area, while Juvederm XC is best for lines and wrinkles.
  3. Darker skin types. Juvederm’s formulas work with darker skin types, while some other dermal filler types do not blend well with dark skin.
  4. Longer lasting results. Some Juvederm products can last for as long as two years, reducing the need for more frequent treatments.
  5. Quick results and treatment times. Treatments for diminishing lines or wrinkles, plumping lips or filling the cheek area are quick and require no downtime. Results are usually almost immediate, offering a fast option for improvement of facial features without surgery.

If you are interested in trying Juvederm to enjoy enhanced facial features or to reduce signs of aging, seek a plastic surgeon with a med spa. You want a qualified medical professional to administer your injections and discuss the best options for treatment to get the best results from Juvederm. Contact a local plastic surgeon clinic to learn more about the different Juvederm products for facial enhancement.

Posted on behalf of
Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery LLC
5670 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Northeast #910
Atlanta, GA 30342
(404) 936-6665

Sun Damage Treatments

Years of basking in the sun can wreak havoc on your skin. The dewy youthful glow is gone, and in its place, rough leathery skin, sun spots and wrinkles. But the damage doesn’t have to be permanent. Many are finding very pleasing results with dermatological advancements in skin resurfacing and rejuvenation such as chemical peels and laser skin therapy. 

Chemical peels use a chemical solution made of salicylic, glycolic, lactose or other type of acid to remove the outer layers of the skin, revealing the fresh, newer skin below.  Which solution to use on your skin largely depends on your skin type and type and extent of skin damage. To see significant results, it usually takes between four and six treatments. 

Laser skin therapy, on the other hand, uses short bursts of light aimed directly at the wrinkle or sun spot to remove the skin’s outer layers. Recovery time lasts about two weeks, and a typical therapeutic program usually consists of four treatments spaced four weeks apart. 

It’s important to remember that if you are using a chemical peel or laser therapy to remove sun damage, you must stay out of the sun. Period. Any treatment that removes the outer layers of the skin leaves skin sensitive and vulnerable to sunburn and other damage. If you must venture out, wear a sun block or sunscreen with very high protection. In addition, a long term skin care regimen recommended by your dermatologist is an absolute must.

Posted on behalf of Benjamin Stong, MD, Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC 

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Sunscreen 101

You probably already know that wearing sunscreen is the single most important thing you can do to protect your skin from skin cancer, not to mention wrinkles, sagging and other signs of premature aging. Skin resurfacing can repair most sun damage, but you can prevent sun damage by wearing the right sunscreen. 

New products on the market give you more choices than ever. Traditionally, sunscreens are chosen based on their SPF rating, but SPF only addresses protection against UVB rays, the ultraviolet rays that cause sunburn. To get a product that protects you against UVA rays – the deep penetrating rays that cause wrinkles – you need to look at the label for these ingredients: zinc oxide, ecamsule or avobenzone. 

As far as the SPF rating, it depends largely on skin type: 

Normal Skin – If you have normal skin, sunscreen with a rating of SPF 15 should suffice. It should be noted that higher ratings do not necessarily translate into much greater protection. In other words, while 15 SPF filters out 93 percent of UVB rays, 30 SPF filters out about 97 percent – not a dramatic increase. 

Sensitive Skin – Those with an increased sensitivity to sunlight include children, those with very fair skin and anyone who’s had cosmetic surgery. People in this category should use an SPF rating of 30 or higher.  

When applying sunscreen, don’t skimp. Use a generous amount and apply on every area that is exposed to the light. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you are doing sports. Remember to re-apply sunscreen immediately after swimming. Most of all, try to avoid staying out in the sun during the noontime hours, as this is the time the sun’s rays can do the most damage to your skin.

Laser Removal of Age Spots

Age spots are simple discolorations in the face, hands, and other tender skin areas that occur after prolonged exposure to the sun and through the aging process. Age spots are simply spots of pigmentation that have ‘settled’ in that area of your body.

Age spots are often treated with over the counter lotions, and many clients find that they are not happy with the results.  The fading that occurs is uneven, does not last a long period of time, and may cause a burning sensation or redness to appear.

An alternative to lotions to treat age spots is laser treatments.  There are several different types of laser technologies that can help remove red and brown spots from your skin, as well as help smooth fine lines, and increase collagen production to the area.  All of these things together will give your skin a younger, healthier appearance.

Laser treatments can also treat spider veins, decrease pore size, and treat rosacea.  Laser treatments are performed in the office of your facial plastic surgeon.  You can generally return to work that same day, and there is minimal to no discomfort.  When you receive the laser treatment, you will be asked to wear dark protective glasses during the treatment to protect your eyes.  For best results, laser treatments are usually performed as a series, with treatments being spaced about 2-4 weeks apart.

Laser treatments are a great way to help rejuvenate your skin in a cost effective manner.  To see if your skin would benefit from a laser rejuvenation, contact your local facial plastic surgeon today!

Laser Skin Rejuvenation

The word laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.   A laser is a single wavelength source of high-energy light that can be accurately focused to transmit that light on to a very small area.  The use of lasers in skin rejuvenation has given patients many options for softening the signs of aging without “going under the knife” or undergoing facelift procedures.  Lasers can also be used to improve imperfections in the skin due to other medical factors besides aging.

There are basically two different types of lasers:  ablative and non-ablative.  Ablative lasers vaporize the top layers of damaged skin.  Ablative laser procedures generally produce significant effects with just one treatment.  Because the top layer of skin is destroyed, down time is necessary for ablative laser procedures.  Non-ablative lasers work deeper in the skin without removing or otherwise damaging the top layers of the skin.  They also stimulate new collagen growth.  The lack of down time required for non-ablative laser procedures offers significant benefits to patients.  However, non-ablative laser procedures usually require multiple treatments to have significant effects.

The use of lasers in facial cosmetic procedures has revolutionized skin rejuvenation.  It has also greatly increased the options for patients who desire to look younger or to improve their appearance but are not willing to undergo plastic surgery.  Lasers are currently used for the following cosmetic treatments:

•  Fine lines and wrinkles
•  Skin tightening
•  Pigmented lesions (sun spots, age spots, melasma and other forms of
    hyperpigmentation)
•  Removal of precancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses
•  Vascular lesions (broken blood vessels on the face, veins on the legs, spider nevi,
    hemangiomas and birth marks such as port wine stains)
•  Tattoo removal
•  Acne and acne scar removal
•  Hair removal

Different types of lasers are better suited for treating different types of conditions.  The Fraxel or other fractionated lasers may be the best for treating wrinkles around the eyes.  The CO2 or Er:YAG are well-suited for treating acne scars.  IPL may be the best to treat vascular lesions and to improve the skin’s texture and color.  The good news is that so many different types of treatments are available.  If you are interested in laser skin rejuvenation procedures, consult a licensed, experienced dermatologist or plastic surgeon in your area.