Acne

Acne can be unattractive. It can also cause permanent scarring and emotional distress. Fortunately, several treatment options are available. Patients can often improve mild acne by washing with warm water and a mild soap twice a day and/or using a topical over-the-counter acne medication . For severe cases, l aser treatment may be recommended. Results are usually visible as soon as the first session.

Laser Hair Removal

Whether for hygienic or cosmetic reasons, the patient who is tired of temporary, often painful methods of removing unwanted hair may welcome laser and intense pulsed light hair removal.  Men and women alike can benefit from this procedure.  Our laser technologies emits a gentle bean of light that passes thought he skin and is absorbed by the hair follicle.  Upon absorption, the light energy disables the hair follicle while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed.  Our trained professionals use a patented hand held wand to accurately target unwanted hair.  The wand is equipped with a special cooling device that cools the skin during the treatment, making laser hair removal a comfortable experience.

The lasers utilized a wide beam to target as many hairs as possible, as opposed to treating hairs individually like electrolysis.  With this in mind, large areas such as the legs, arms, or back can be treated in a shorter period of time, making the treatment more affordable.  It is important to note, hair grows in phases and the hair follicles must be in the active growth cycle to be treated.  For this reason, a series of treatments is typically recommended for optimal results.

Scar Revision

Scar revision is performed to reduce the appearance of scars caused by injury or previous surgery. Scars are by definition permanent, but surgery can narrow, fade and otherwise reduce the appearance of severe or unattractive scarring, which is especially helpful in areas of cosmetic importance such as the face and hands.

There are many surgical methods of scar revision, only some of which may be appropriate for a particular type of scar or its location. These include surgical excision, skin grafts, flap surgery and Z-plasty (repositioning a scar so that it aligns with the face and is less noticeable). The effectiveness of scar reduction depends on a number of factors, including the nature of the injury, your body’s healing mechanism, the size and depth of the wound, how much blood supplies the area and the thickness and color of your skin.

BOTOX® Cosmetic

Delicate muscles beneath the skin contract and cause the skin to fold when we make facial expressions.  As time goes by, these fold form permanent creases that are called “dynamic wrinkles”.  Dynamic wrinkles tend to deepen with the aging process. BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments offer individuals with dynamic wrinkles smoother skin and a well-rested appearance.  Treatment involves the injection of a minuscule amount of botulinum, an FDA-approved substance that is now commonly referred to as Botox.

BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes select muscles and limits their ability to contract.  After treatment, the overlying skin lays flat and unwrinkled while the untreated facial muscles contract in a normal fashion, allowing normal facial expression to be unaffected.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer refers to the abnormal, uncontrolled growth of skin cells. The most common skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma (affecting cells in the lowest layer of the epidermis) and squamous cell carcinoma (affecting cells in the middle layer of the epidermis). A rarer but more dangerous skin cancer is melanoma, the leading cause of death from skin disease. Risk factors for developing skin cancer include pale skin, family history of melanoma, being over 40 years old, and regular sun exposure. Skin cancers vary in shape, color, size and texture, so any new, changed or otherwise suspicious growths or rashes should be examined immediately by a physician. Early intervention is essential to preventing the cancer from spreading.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are an exciting and relatively inexpensive way to rejuvenate aging or acne prone skin.  Peels have been used for decades to revitalize and resurface the skin. We currently offer many different types of peels depending on your medical condition, individual skin type and personal expectations.   They involve applying a chemical solution to remove the damaged outer layers of skin and reveal a younger, clearer, more radiant complexion.    Peels offer refreshing results with little or no down time. 

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Spider & Varicose Veins

Spider veins and varicose veins are caused by abnormal blood flow and weakening of the blood vessel wall in the affected veins.  Spider and varicose veins may be prevented by wearing sunscreen on the face, exercising regularly, controlling your weight, elevating legs when resting, not crossing the legs when sitting, avoid long periods of standing, wearing elastic support stocking, and eating high fiber foods.

Collagen

Collagen is a naturally occurring protein found in the second layer of skin (the dermis) which “plumps up” the skin, joints, bones and ligaments. Injections counteract the effects of gravity, sun exposure and years of facial muscle movement by filling out sunken areas and smoothing lines for a rejuvenated look. Results may begin to fade in a few months, depending on the patient’s age, genetic background, skin quality, lifestyle and body site. Because of this, and because injections cannot improve severe wrinkles or deep folds, the procedure is often combined with facial resurfacing or plastic surgery for more a satisfying and longer-lasting outcome.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that causes redness and swelling on the face. The scalp, neck, ears, chest, back and/or eyes may also be affected. Symptoms range from red pimples, lines and visible blood vessels to dry or burning skin and a tendency to flush easily. Many people find that the emotional effects of rosacea – such as low self-confidence and avoidance of social situations – are more difficult to handle than the physical ones. Although it can affect anyone, rosacea typically appears in light-skinned, light-haired adults aged 30-50. It is not yet known what causes rosacea and the disease is not curable, although it can be treated with topical and oral medications, laser therapy or laser surgery.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion removes a layer of surface skin to improve the appearance of facial scarring due to acne, chicken pox, injury or other causes, as well as uneven pigmentation, wrinkles, sun damage, tattoos, age spots and certain kinds of skin lesions. The skin is frozen, typically with a spray, and then abraded with a high-speed rotary instrument for a dramatically smoother, fresher look. After the procedure it is normal to feel a sensation similar to sunburn for a week or so, at which time most patients are able to return to work. The newly revealed skin will likely appear pinker than usual for two to three months. Patients should be sure to adequately protect skin from sun.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis encompasses a group of chronic skin disorders that cause an itching and/or burning sensation, scaling and crusting of the skin. Over seven million men and women in the U.S. of all ages have some form of psoriasis, which may be mild, moderate or severe. The most commonly affected areas are the scalp, elbows, knees, hands, feet and genitals.

Psoriasis cannot be cured but it can be treated successfully, sometimes for months or years at a time and occasionally even permanently. Treatment depends on the type, severity and location of psoriasis; the patient’s age, medical history and lifestyle; and the effect the disease has on the patient’s general mental health. The most common treatments are topical medications, phototherapy and oral or injectable medication (for severe symptoms).

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PDT is a two-step therapy that offers quicker, more significant improvement when compared to standard IPL treatment performed exclusively. Added benefits of PDT include clearing-up teen and adult acne, minimizing pores and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. PDT involves the application of a clear, topical photosensitizing agent called Levulan, which is activated with Intense Pulsed Light. Levulan, a naturally occurring substance found in the human body, is effective in treating sun damaged skin, pre-cancerous spots called actinic keratosis, sun spots and fine lines and hyper-pigmentation. An added benefit of PDT is its ability to minimize pores and reduce oil glands, which makes it an extremely effective treatment for active acne.

During a PDT treatment, the skin is thoroughly cleansed with an acetone solution. This enhances the absorption of the Levulan , which is applied to the treatment area for 30 – 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area. The Levulan is activated with an Intense Pulsed Light, resulting in significant improvement in the overall appearance of the skin.