Laser Treatments MD

WHEN it comes to treating aging skin around the eyes, laser resurfacing can often trump surgery, according to Dr. Michael McGuire, a Los Angeles plastic surgeon and president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “If the skin is mildly wrinkled and/or pigmented, the laser can be a good option,” he said, adding that he frequently gives laser treatments to patients in their 40s to defer face-lifts.

The debate surrounding laser treatments is whether to go fractional or cover the entire surface of the treated area. Fractional lasers, like the Fraxel, burn tiny holes into the skin to stimulate collagen production. Because much of the skin remains untouched, recuperation time is minimal, but multiple treatments are necessary.

Regular laser resurfacing, on the other hand, destroys entire outer skin layers in the targeted area and requires at least a week of recovery. But it is a single treatment and produces arguably more dramatic results.

The most recent news with fractional lasers is that they now involve the use of carbon dioxide, which “vaporizes” the targeted skin points, according to Dr. Bruce Katz, a New York-based dermatologist. This allows for a higher level of regeneration, said Dr. Katz, who recently introduced a 10-minute procedure based on this technology. Available for about $750 a session at Juva Skin and Laser Center, the new procedure requires at least three treatments. After a treatment, “you may go to work and even apply makeup to the area,” Dr. Katz said.

Dr. McGuire said he prefers carbon dioxide laser procedures that treat the entire skin surface. “Any laser treatment that leaves some skin ‘islands’ will be less effective at achieving skin tightening and pigmentation removal simply because the entire surface is not treated,” he said.

Welcome to Skin Clinic MD! Your laser clinic or med spa treatments are taking care of your skin, but what about your smile? Save money on the very same teeth whitening products that your dentist offers at a fraction of the price.

There are many women who suffer from daily neck and back pain, numbness in their arms and hands, and discomfort from their large breasts.   Breast reduction and other breast procedures are options for women who want to alleviate their pains and reduce their breast size, but come with some disadvantages. The Laser Bra technique aims to not only reduce and lift, but actually improve the breasts’ support system and their appearance.

The traditional method of breast reduction requires three incisions which, depending, on the shape and size of the breast, may be hidden around the areola and the lower breast crease. The skin is cut, and a wedge shape portion of the lower part of the breast tissue is removed, as well as the excess skin that was covering it. The entire breast is then lifted to a higher position on the chest. The physician usually tries to preserve the nipples’ connection to the underlying breast tissue to preserve nipple sensation. Sometimes though, the nipple and aereola must be removed and freely placed in a higher position for a proper appearance. If it is removed the patient will lose their sensation and ability to breast feed.

A breast lift is a very similar procedure with the key difference being that breast tissue is not actually removed, it is only repositioned. Those with smaller breasts will typically have a more permanent benefit, while those with large breasts will often see the skin stretch back out again over time.

Dr. David Stoker visited the set of “The Doctors” to discuss the Laser Bra breast lift and reduction, a procedure currently performed by only 8 physicians in the country. Traditional breast reduction simply discards the excess breast tissue and skin. This procedure preserves that tissue so that it can be placed in the upper portion of the breast, resulting in a fuller, perkier appearance. The outer layer of the epidermis is removed using a CO2 laser and the tissue is placed against the chest wall, supporting the breast.

Placing the live tissue back in the upper portion of the breasts assists in preserving blood flow to the area, resulting in a quicker healing time. Typically, nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed are maintained.

Skin that that feels almost like sandpaper often has a dull, muddy complexion. This is caused by a buildup of dead skin that stays on the surface for for long periods of time—too long.

It’s important to rev up your natural shedding process to remove dead skin and expose fresh skin. A prescription topical retinoid, glycolic peels and microdermabrasion can increase cell turnover.

You may also want to consider Erbium or fractionated laser treatments, which deeply penetrate the skin to increase cell turnover, diminishing the look and feel of dull, rough, lifeless skin. Keep in mind, however, that these treatments require at least a week of downtime.

Those ugly stretch marks don’t have to be permanent…

Stretch marks, or striea, are linear dermal tears or scars that occur when the skin is subjected to progressive stretching.

Stretch marks are scars on the skin and for many years, there have been few effective treatments. Many try to avoid the issue altogether by using cocoa butter or olive oil in an attempt to make the skin more pliable during pregnancy but whether or not you’ll get stretch marks is largely determined by the amount of weight gain as well as genetics. If your mom has stretch marks, the odds are good that you will too.

As laser skin treatments have gained popularity in recent years, doctors have begun using them for stretch marks.  Thermage treatments tighten the skin, thereby lessening the appearance of the marks. Fractional resurfacing treatments like Fraxel or ActiveFX can also be used as they both tighten the skin and bring about a skin self-healing process that can also diminish the appearance of stretch marks. According to dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer, creams with retinoic acid are recommended while lasers should be reserved for extreme cases.

While these laser treatments and creams are effective, they are not considered a ‘cure’ for stretch marks and there is no laser treatment specifically devoted to it. The current lasers can improve the skin’s appearance, but you should discuss how much improvement can reasonably be expected with your doctor.

Despite the fact that both deep chemical peels and laser resurfacing treatments offer similar end results, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your skin type and skin concerns to determine which treatment is best for you.

Both focus on regenerating the skin and improving fine lines, wrinkles and texture, but the way each works is different.

Laser resurfacing has a fixed penetration, and the effect is enhanced by the number of passes. On the other hand, the effect and penetration of chemical peels have to do with their concentration and the amount of time they are left in contact with the skin.

In both cases, it’s extremely important that the person administering the treatment is well-versed and experienced; otherwise your skin could experience damage beyond the controlled injury intended by the procedures.

Have you tried either or both?  Let us know your thoughts.

Those nasty spots that pop up as we get older can be treated..

Identifying Age Spots
Age spots typically appear on sun-exposed skin, are more common in people who have a fair complexion, and are usually brown, black, or gray. Sizes range from freckle-size to more than a centimeter across, and they may appear alone or group together. Because age spots are related to sun exposure, they are often accompanied by other signs of sun damage, including wrinkles, dry rough skin, translucent skin, and fine red veins on the nose, ears, and cheeks.

A doctor can diagnose age spots by inspecting your skin. If the doctor is uncertain, a biopsy can be done. Other conditions can resemble age spots, including moles. These skin conditions are usually small and dark brown, and they can be flat or raised. Moles tend to vary in color and size, and they may become darker with repeated exposure to the sun or during pregnancy.

Seborrheic keratoses also resemble age spots. These skin growths may be tan, brown, or black and have a waxy, wart-like appearance. They range in size from tiny to more than 1 inch in diameter. Lentigo maligna, a type of skin cancer, can also develop as a result of sun exposure. Lentigo maligna starts as brown, black, or tan lesions that gradually become darker and larger. They often have uneven coloring, irregular borders, and are flat or slightly raised.

Treating Age Spots
Age spots are harmless, but some people want to lighten or remove them for cosmetic reasons. During treatment, minimize exposure to the sun. Use a sunscreen with at least a 15 sun protection factor rating after consulting with your doctor.

Treatment of age spots can include use of bleaching and fading creams. These products are available either by prescription (hydroquinone, tretinoin) or over-the-counter (OTC; contain glycolic acid or kojic acid). Prescription medications may gradually fade the spots over several months, while OTC products are generally less effective. A new study (October 2009) has found a new depigmenting agent, undecylenoyl phenylalanine 2%, to significantly lighten age spots, but the substance is not yet on the market.

Laser treatments are another approach. Several laser treatments are usually needed to destroy the extra melanocytes that create the dark pigment. Once treatments are done, age spots fade gradually over weeks or months. Some people choose freezing, which involves the use of liquid nitrogen or another freezing agent, which is applied to destroy extra pigment. There is a slight risk of permanent scarring or discoloration.

A technique called dermabrasion involves removing the surface layer of the skin using a rapidly rotating brush. Redness and temporary scabs may develop. A chemical peel requires the application of an acid that burns the outer layer of skin. As the skin peels, new skin forms to replace it.

Automated beauty tools are beginning to make the days of applying makeup or washing your face by hand look outdated…

Professional-level devices are now available for use at home as manufacturers refine their products — and their sales pitches — to reach the large consumer market. The sometimes-pricey devices are more available than ever as spas, doctors’ offices, websites and infomercials sell them with celebrities and others touting their effectiveness. And with many devices now in their second or third incarnations, manufacturers may be approaching the right combination of price and performance, erasing the memories of gimmicks gone bad. Consumers now can laser away hair, treat acne, reduce uneven pigmentation, airbrush on cosmetics and cleanse skin, as well as a professional.

These new beauty power tools are part of a growing trend for at-home spa treatments that can replace or complement professional services, said Michael Moretti, editor of the Medical Insight Report, which covers the aesthetic medical industry. His recent report on home-use devices profiled 26 companies that make consumer versions of professional products, a market that he projected will grow about 25% annually for several years to come.

Cosmetic companies are hopping on the bandwagon. Neutrogena recently launched the new two-speed Wave Duo Power-Cleanser with Foaming Pads. The buzzing, $14.99 palm-sized plastic device comes with single-use foaming pads and the required AA battery. Vibrating mascaras by Maybelline and Lancome promise to mimic the delicate wiggle a makeup artist uses to build color on the lashes. Garnier’s $16.99 Ultra-Lift Pro Deep Wrinkle Roller puts ingredients such as Vitamin A in a roll-on dispenser that promises to firm and lift skin on the neck and face.

Skin care may have led the revolution in gadgetry, but color cosmetics are following up with technical innovations too. This fall, about 100 Sephora stores launched the $225 Temptu Airbrush Makeup System, designed to mist skin with an atomized foundation that looks slightly more dewy than most professional-level airbrushed makeup. Lancome followed up its much-hyped $34 to $39 vibrating mascaras with a $48 buzzing powder puff, the new Oscillation Powerfoundation mineral makeup. It features a motorized, cushioned applicator that the company says delivers 7,000 vibrations a minute to wiggle micronized powder foundation smoothly across skin.

The old adage you get what you pay for proves true with many of these buzzing beauty products. Before buying, shoppers should investigate the manufacturer’s history and even check out Internet buzz, said Dr. Tina Alster, a clinical professor of dermatology at the Georgetown University Medical Center.

Alster is a fan of the Clarisonic skin-care brush and recommends the $149 to $225 devices for patients who have clogged pores, oily skin or whiteheads, or who are acne prone. Spas and doctors’ offices, including hers, are using the brushes to quickly remove surface dead skin for better product absorption, makeup removal or skin smoothing. The company recently launched a version that is designed to scrub your body. Alster also recommends the brushes for anyone who uses glycolic acid, retinols or Vitamin C products.

Like a power toothbrush for your face, the Clarisonic bristles move a few millimeters, 300 times a second in an oscillatory fashion and the message seems to be getting through: Sales have increased 2,179% in three years.