Fall Fixes
By: Dr. Rhonda Klein, MD, MPH, FAAD
Fall is the perfect time to repair our skin after a long spring and summer of inadvertent (or purposeful 😬) sun exposure! Since one of the most common after-care instructions that accompany in-office treatments is sun avoidance, the cooler temps are a great time to schedule some of our most popular laser and corrective chemical peel treatments.
LASER + LIGHT
All of these laser treatments require strict sun avoidance following procedure. This is to avoid long term or permanent sequelae, including scarring and dyspigmentation.
IPL - Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a popular, multi-tasking light based treatment for photorejuvenation aka removing effects of photoaging. Wavelengths target areas of pigment in the skin, including lentigines (sunspots) and telangiectasia (dilated capillaries) for a great photofacial.
Downtime: 3-5 days
Sun avoidance: Strict for 48 hours, advised for 2 weeks
A series of treatments is usually required
PDT – Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a great medical treatment with cosmetic results when paired with IPL. A topical photosensitizing solution is applied to the treatment areas about one hour prior to light exposure. Unhealthy skin cells (precancers) absorb the topical photosensitizer, while healthy ones do not. Exposure to light activates the topical medication, killing the damaged cells - both the visible ones and those that are microscopic and not yet visible.
Downtime: Red and swollen for 2-5 days
Sun avoidance: Strict for 72 hours, advised for 2 weeks
Laser Hair Removal – Laser Hair Removal (LHR) has come a long way! We are experienced in treating both fair and dark skin types with laser hair removal and have the Alexandrite, Nd:YAG, and IPL lasers at the office. The areas of the body with the thickest, coarsest hair respond best than areas with finer hair. This makes the bikini area, legs and underarms excellent candidates for laser hair removal and you can expect significant results within 6-8 treatments. Each treatment should be spaced around 4-6 weeks apart – and yes you can shave in between but should avoid waxing or depilatories for 4-8 weeks prior.
Downtime: Little to none
Sun avoidance: 2 weeks after
CO2 - The SmartSkin ™ laser applies a series of tiny pulses of laser energy to your skin. As these microscopic holes heal, new younger looking skin is revealed, and collagen is stimulated deep within your skin. This laser has the ability to target a number of cosmetic problems at the same time providing overall skin rejuvenation, including: wrinkles, fine lines & stretch marks, deep creases around the mouth and lower face, lax skin around the eyes and loose skin on the neck, uneven pigmentation from aging and UV damage (brown/age spots), and acne scar reduction.
Downtime: Depends on level of treatment, but generally 5-10 days
Sun avoidance: 2 weeks after
Three For Me is a 2-Step treatment. Step 1 – For sun damage and facial veins. The first step treats discoloration and facial vessels using a technology called Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL. This can address unwanted sun damage including freckles, brown spots or age spots, and unsightly veins including broken blood vessels, facial veins and rosacea. Step 2 – For fine lines and wrinkles. The second step uses fractional laser technology to generate collagen and elastin – keys to the support structure of our skin. This results in the improvement of fine lines, wrinkles, scars and other surface imperfections.
Downtime: Depends on level of treatment, but generally 5-10 days
Sun avoidance: 2 weeks after
CORRECTIVE CHEMICAL PEELS
If lasers aren’t for you, Fall is the perfect time to try a corrective chemical peel.
Chemical Peels are effective options for patients looking to achieve skin rejuvenation on the face, neck or hands. The treatment exfoliates the outer layers of dead skin, revealing a new skin layer with improved tone, texture, and color. Our PCA Skin Peels address every skin type and condition and includes a Post-Procedure Kit for best results. Peels target challenging skin concerns all over the body including: Hyperpigmentation, Melasma, Photodamage. Aging, Acne, Sensitive Skin, Rosacea, and Keratosis Pilaris.
Cosmelan Peel for Melasma/Chloasma (AKA “Mask of Pregnancy): Discoloration due to hormonally triggered dyspigmentation (brown to gray patches over the bridge of the nose, cheeks, chin, and elsewhere on the face and body) can be reversed with the Cosmelan Peel. The multi-ingredient chemical treatment is designed to reduce areas of skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation. Melanin is responsible for creating the skin tone, as well as splotchy areas of darker tissue. The Cosmelan Peel decreases the skin’s natural melanin production by inhibiting certain enzymes, providing an even complexion. Two treatment sessions one month apart are recommended.
Downtime: 5-7 days
Sun avoidance: 2 weeks after
BODY CONTOURING
Summer bodies are made in the Winter! Most treatment plans will requires a series of treatments; there is generally minimal downtime following each treatment and sun avoidance is not necessary.
Sculpsure Fat Reduction: SculpSure uses heat that safely passes through the skin to penetrate fat cells. The temperature ranges from 107.6 to 116.6 F which is hot enough to kill fat cells underneath the skin, while leaving other tissues unharmed. The fat cells absorb the thermal energy, which damages and then kills fat cells. Over the span of several weeks, the lymphatic system filters the damaged fat cells and processes them out of the body naturally (read: in our urine/bowel movements). The fat cells are permanently gone, leading to long-term reduction in visible fat. Even if you gain weight, only the cells that are left are affected.
Coolsculpting Fat Reduction: CoolSculpting is an innovative way to contour your body by freezing unwanted fat away with no surgery or downtime. The FDA-cleared non-surgical fat reduction treatment uses controlled cooling to eliminate stubborn areas of fat. Treated fat cells are frozen and then die. Over time, your body naturally processes the fat and eliminates these dead cells. Results are permanent as the fat cells are gone. The number of treatments needed varies by patient – some see results in as little as one office visit whereas others require more. Some patients see up to 20-25% reduction in fat layer thickness after a single session!
Emsculpt Toning and Muscle Building: Emsculpt uses non-invasive HIFEM® (High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic) technology to induce powerful muscle contractions not achievable through voluntary contractions, called supramaximal contractions. These contractions activate deep remodeling of the muscle’s inner structure resulting in an average increase of 16% in muscle mass. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Emsculpt for the improvement of abdominal tone, strengthening of the abdominal muscles, development of a firmer abdomen, and strengthening, toning, and firming of the buttocks. While patients may see the added benefit of fat reduction with Emsculpt, it is often paired with a fat reduction treatment like CoolSculpting or SculpSure to maximize results.
HYDRAFACIAL
…and let’s not forget about the year-round favorite way to refresh the skin – HydraFacial. HydraFacial uses patented Vortex-Fusion® technology to cleanse, extract and hydrate. Each HydraFacial is customized to the patient’s skin concerns. Each HydraFacial has five stages:
Cleansing and exfoliation: a gentle lactic acid serum gets rid of dirt and dead skin cells, leaving skin smoother and brighter
Brightening agent: a gentle blend of salicylic and glycolic acid further exfoliates the skin and unclogs the pores, prepping skin for the next stage
Extraction: gentle suction removes blackheads
Hydration: a curated cocktail of hyaluronic acid, peptides and antioxidants provides hydration and “plumps up” the skin
Rejuvenation: red and infrared LED light reduces redness and boosts the production of collagen
We’re here to help you reboot after summer and tackle your skin and body concerns. Give us a call today and schedule a consultation with Dr. MRAZ or Dr. Klein (203) 635-0770.