Faqs

A chemical peel uses exfoliating solutions such as Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), Phenol, or Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) to remove damaged or aged layers of skin to reveal the softer, more youthful skin underneath. There are three types of chemical peels:

•  Superficial peels - The mildest chemical peel that is safe for use on all skin types. Typically, superficial chemical peels use mild solutions such as glycolic acid or dry ice.

•  Medium peels – Harsher than superficial peels and cause a second-degree burn of the skin. Trichloroacetic acid is the common peeling agent used in medium peels.

•  Deep peels - The harshest chemical peel that penetrates through several layers of skin. Phenol is typically used for a deep peel. Deep peels may bleach the skin and should not be used on dark-skinned patients.

Most chemical peel procedures begin with prepping the skin either with skin care treatments or with microdermabrasion. A licensed professional will scrub your skin and use a mild toner to remove any oils before gently applying layers of an acidic solution to peel away the aged surface of the skin. Depending on the procedure, the solution is left on your face for a certain period of time before the product is removed. Then your skin will be wiped clean and an antibacterial cream will be applied to help with comfort and healing.

Several weeks before your chemical peel procedure, you will need to prep your skin by cleansing it two times a day, applying a moisturizer once or twice daily, and applying sunscreen everyday. Prepping the skin before the procedure will help your skin peel more evenly, reduce the risk of infection and other complications such as uneven skin color, and amp the healing process after the peel. It is important to consult with your qualified cosmetic surgeon to determine your precise skin care regiment prior to a chemical peel.

Very! The Genesis Plus has been FDA cleared. It has been rigorously tested in clinical studies. The laser handpiece was designed to treat the diffuse redness, discrete facial veins, wrinkles, scars, etc., while not damaging the surrounding skin or tissues.

No! Unlike other systems, the Genesis Plus requires no anesthetic creams or gels before treatment. Gel is messy, time consuming and uncomfortable. The Genesis Plus is the next generation in laser collagen stimulating treatments — NO GEL!

The actual treatment will only take a few minutes. And, since there is no need to apply gel or any topical anesthetic, your total appointment time can easily fit into your lunch hour.

Although most patients report few if any side effects, the most commonly noticed might be a slight redness that disappears within a few hours after the treatment. Consult with us for complete information on the benefits and risks of treatment.

Immediately after the treatment you will experience some minor redness and the feeling of warmth. The redness and warmth typically last only a few hours. Patients often describe the treatment as relaxing and therapeutic with visible results that are subtle yet noticeable. You can expect to immediately return to normal activities utilizing sunscreen if participating in outdoor activities. You can re-apply makeup immediately.

The laser handpiece does not touch the skin in Laser Genesis treatment. Instead, it is held about an inch above the skin area to be treated. As the pulses are delivered the handpiece is moved over the area causing a gentle rise in temperature until reaching the therapeutic level.

Laser Genesis is a comfortable, non-ablative, non-invasive treatment. Unlike other laser treatments it does not wound the skin’s surface therefore virtually eliminating the need for complicated post treatment care. Typically patients describe the treament as a gentle warming of the surface. The treatment does not require any anesthetics, creams or gel.

The treatment results are often very subtle. On average you may require four to six treatments in order to achieve the results you are looking for. Every patient’s conditions and needs vary. For more information about your expected results or the number of treatments necessary, contact us today!

There are no complicated pretreatment rituals with this procedure. Prior to the actual Laser Genesis treatment you will be asked to remove your make-up or moisturizers and in some cases, you may be asked to shave the area to be treated so as not to interfere with the laser treatment. We will review and assist with all pretreatment requirements.

Areas of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and eyes are related to loss of collagen associated with age, sun exposure, and the sucking action of smoking.  Acne scars and large pores are associated with decreased levels of collagen within the skin. Gently warming the skin with the CoolGlide® genesis treatment stimulates the growth of new collagen to improve the appearance of the damaged skin and create a vibrant, healthy appearance.

Diffuse redness is a general appearance of facial redness, such as rosy cheeks. As with facial telangiectasia, this condition is a result of dilated capillaries, however the appearance is more of general redness rather than discrete well-defined vessels. The most commonly affected areas are the nose, forehead and cheeks. Diffuse redness is often associated with a condition called rosacea and it can be hereditary. Laser Genesis therapy will help your appearance by gently treating and reducing the condition. We may recommend maintenance treatment with a cream applied to the areas of rosacea for an extended period of time.

Telangiectasia or facial vessels are dilated capillaries that commonly appear on the surface of the face and in areas around the nose, cheeks and above the neckline. Capillaries are tiny blood vessels that are present throughout the body. Prolonged sun exposure, aging, trauma and other factors can cause capillaries to become dilated and visible. There is also a hereditary factor in developing facial telangiectasia. Laser Genesis therapy will help your appearance by treating any visible trace of these unsightly veins.

Unlike many other procedures available today, with Laser Genesis skin therapy with the CoolGlide®, We can safely treat your entire facial area, and neck, if there are undesirable veins or redness present.

Laser Genesis is a non-ablative procedure that can reduce visible facial vessels as well as diffuse redness, port-wine stains, acne scars, large pores, and fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and eyes. It works by gently warming the upper dermis, stimulating the growth of new collagen, improving the appearance of your skin. The result is a healthy looking and vibrant appearance.

Medical Microdermabrasion is the newest way to rejuvenate and revitalize your skin in just an afternoon! The new non-particle Microdermabrasion unit is a comprehensive approach to skin care that is non-surgical, safe and effective. Gentle peeling using a controlled abrasion device is used to soften fine lines, lighten age spots and improve skin texture and color. The real benefit is that after treatment you are able to leave the office with a clean and fresh sparkling tone.

Yes. The entire treatment is performed in a sterile environment and there are almost no side effects and little trauma to the skin. All tools that contact the treatment area are either disposable or sterilizable.

You should see some positive results, such as softer, smoother skin, with even one single treatment. In many cases, the results have been virtually miraculous.

All types of skin and color.

Face and neck, elbow and knees, hands and feet, shoulders, stretch marks on abdomen and hips.

The procedure usually takes 20-30 minutes. The skin therapist may combine this treatment with rejuvenating and hydrating creams.

Dermabrasion is often painful for patients and in some cases may result in negative effects such as unnatural skin texture, a risk of dispigmentation or scarring. This treatment requires no anesthesia. For deeper peeling, a topical cream such as EMLA can be used prior to the treatment. All treatments are done on an outpatient basis.

Sodium bicarbonate, which is non-allergic to most skins.

No. It is virtually painless.

Microdermabrasion is a safe and effective alternative to the use of chemical acids. The results are predictable and can be accomplished in gradual stages with no downtime or redness. In most cases, clients see immediate results with quick recovery.

Aging skin: fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots/pigmented; acne skin: acne scars, congested skin, enlarged pores, blemished skins; and devitalized skin: dull skin, thickened skin, chickenpox scars, stretch marks.

It depends on the area and type of skin being treated. To obtain the maximum results, we recommend a series of six treatments at least two weeks apart.

It has been widely used in Western Europe for over 15 years and has been approved by the FDA in the U.S. in recent years.

This gentle technique is performed with a jet of fine mineral crystals. These crystals are vacuumed across the skin to remove the dead and damaged skin cells and to stimulate the collagen beneath the surface of the skin, creating better skin tone.

Microdermabrasion is ideal to treat sun damaged skin, age spots, superficial pigmentation, fine lines, oily pores, blackheads and whiteheads. The neck and chest can also be treated to blend the skin and remove sun damage often found in that area.

• Ablative: Resurfacing treatments that remove the uppermost layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis) to varying degrees.
• Dynamic wrinkles: Expression lines that may appear as folds when the skin is not moving, and deepen with facial movements or expressions.
• General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
• Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
• Laser and energy therapies: Ranging from ablative to non-ablative, these treatments use laser energy, light energy, radio waves, ultrasonic energy, or plasma energy to treat the skin.
• Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
• Loss of skin tone: Weakening of the supportive skin structure that results in a loss of skin firmness, or the development of cellulite.
• Nasolabial fold: Deep creases between the nose and mouth.
• Non-ablative therapy: Treatments that do not remove any skin but rather penetrate the skin or treat the skin superficially (only on the surface).
• Pigmentation: Freckles, sun spots, melasma, or other darkened patches of skin result mainly from sun exposure.
• Scars: As the result of acne or injury to the skin, scars may be rolling (a wavy appearance to the skin), pitted, discolored, or have raised borders.
• Static wrinkles: Wrinkles that are visible at all times.
• Tear trough: Deep creases below the lower eyelids.
• Vascular conditions: Blood vessels visible on the surface of the skin, vascular lesions that appear as tiny blood filled blisters or even a constant flush of facial redness.

A series of treatments are required to achieve improvement in skin texture and clarity and repeated treatments are essential to maintain your results.

Laser resurfacing can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles of the entire face, or those that develop in specific regions of the face, such as the upper lip and around the eyes.

Laser and light treatments, or specially formulated chemical peels, resurface the skin to treat pigmentation disorders, such as sun and age spots.

Careful consideration of your natural skin color and type will determine the treatment best suited for you to minimize the risk of developing additional pigmentation or a loss of pigmentation (whitening of the skin).

Laser and fractional resurfacing, or mechanical resurfacing such as dermabrasion or dermaplaning, can improve the appearance of acne scars as well as other skin conditions.

The degree of scarring, your skin type and color will determine the treatment options available to you.

While not as involved as surgical cosmetic procedures, skin rejuvenation is a medical procedure. You should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

Skin rejuvenation is an option for you if:

• You are physically healthy
• You don’t smoke
• You have a positive outlook and specific, but realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance.

Skin rejuvenation is a treatment to resurface your skin, or to improve the texture, clarity and overall appearance of your skin.

Conditions that can be treated include:

• Static wrinkles: These wrinkles are visible at all times and do not change in appearance with facial movements.
• Dynamic wrinkles: These are expression lines that may appear as folds when the skin is not moving, and deepen with facial movements or expressions.
• Pigmentation: Freckles, sun spots, melasma, or other darkened patches of skin result mainly from sun exposure.
• Scars: As the result of acne or injury to the skin, scars may be rolling (a wavy appearance to the skin), pitted, discolored, or have raised borders.
• Vascular conditions: Blood vessels visible on the surface of the skin, vascular lesions that appear as tiny blood filled blisters or even a constant flush of facial redness.
• Loss of skin tone: Weakening of the supportive skin structure (collagen and elastin fibers) that results in a loss of skin firmness, or the development of cellulite.

Laser hair removal is a procedure by which hair is removed from the body by utilizing a long pulse laser. Lasers are developed and designed from years of research. The laser parameters are carefully defined by studying the anatomy of the hair follicle and precisely matching the laser light and pulse duration to the follicle size, depth and location to inhibit the re-growth of the hair.

Laser hair removal is performed by a specially-trained laser specialist or a doctor depending on where you go, who distributes the light of a long pulse laser onto the skin. The laser works by disabling hairs that are in their active growth cycle at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter their growth cycle at different times, several treatments are necessary to disable all of the follicles in a given area.

In 1975, Thomas B Fitzpatrick, MD, PhD, of Harvard Medical School, developed a classification system for skin typing. This system was based on a person’s response to sun exposure in terms of the degree of burning and tanning the individual experienced. For successful removal of hair, wrinkles, veins, sun spots, and scars using LASER technology, it is necessary determine your correct skin type.

TYPE I: Highly sensitive, always burns, never tans.
Example: Red hair with freckles or Albino

TYPE II: Very sun sensitive, burns easily, tans minimally.
Example: Fair-skinned, fair-haired Caucasians

TYPE III: Sun sensitive skin, sometimes burns, slowly tans to light brown.
Example: Darker Caucasians, European mix

TYPE IV: Minimally sun sensitive, burns minimally, always tans to moderate brown.
Example: Mediterranian, European, Asian, Hispanic, American Indian

TYPE V: Sun-insensitive skin, rarely burns, tans well.
Example: Hispanics, Afro-American, Middle Eastern

TYPE VI: Sun-insensitive, never burns, deeply pigmented.
Example: Afro-American, African, Middle Eastern

Under normal circumstances hair growth in each hair follicle occurs in a cycle. There are three main phases of the hair growth cycle: anagen, catagen and telogen.

Anagen (active) is the growing phase or when the hair fiber is produced. During anagen, the hair contains an abundance of melanin, the pigment which gives your hair its color. This is the phase during which laser hair removal treatment is most effective.

Catagen (club hair) is the period of controlled regression of the hair follicle. This phase is when the lower part of the hair stops growing, but does not shed, and the follicle is reabsorbed. It will be difficult for permanence to be achieved when the hair is in the catagen growth cycle.

Telogen (tired) is the last of the hair growth cycle. In this resting phase, the old hair falls out in preparation for the development of a new anagen hair. Permanence cannot be achieved when the hair are in the telogen growth cycle.

Remember, anagen is followed by catagen, a period of controlled regression of the hair follicle. Ultimately the hair follicle enters telogen, when the follicle is in a so-called resting state.

Normally this cycle of hair production will continue for the duration of the individual’s life. However, other factors can influence, promote and inhibit hair production. How well the laser can eliminate the hairs, depends on the skin type/color, hair type/color and what initially caused the hair to grow.

The causes of excessive hair growth pattern are many and varied, including:

• Heredity
• Pregnancy
• Glandular and/or hormonal imbalances (possible PCOS condition for women), including diseases causing these effects
• Insulin resistance issues
• Reactions to certain medications
• Normal aging processes
• Excessive temporary removal methods like waxing, tweezing, creams and depilatories, etc

Every laser candidate should explore a possible underlying reason of the extreme hair growth before starting laser because if there is something in the body consistently triggering hair growth, laser treatments might seem ineffective because the body will keep developing new hair. So, it will always seem like there is not reduction, when in fact it’s NEW hair your body is producing that you are seeing, not that treated by laser growing back. Women with PCOS hair growth patterns (upper lip, chin, cheeks, etc) should see an endocrinologist and have hormonal tests taken. Men can get tested for insulin resistance etc. Talk to your doctor if you suspect you might have an underlying medical condition causing excessive hair growth before starting laser hair removal. Once the condition is control through treatment/medication, laser hair removal can then be performed. Laser can affect the hair that’s currently present, but cannot prevent NEW hair from developing.

In one pulse, the laser can remove all the hair on a patch of skin the size of a nickel (depending on the specific laser spot size ranging from 9-18mm on average – i.e. the “head” of the laser from which the power is coming with every pulse). Everyone’s pain threshold is different, but generally laser hair removal is not much more painful than waxing, but the sensation is different. It resembles a rubber band snapping against the skin for a quick second with each pulse. Most people do not require an anesthetic cream (like EMLA), but one may be used for very sensitive patients/areas (can be provided or prescribed at the clinic). Be aware that using anesthetic creams is only safe on small areas (like upper lip, bikini, or underarms) and in small quantities. Using it on large areas like the back can cause adverse effects or even death. Consult with your tech and doctor if unsure.

The possibility exists that some side effects or complications can occur given various variables, including:

Normal

• Itching, during treatment
• Redness for up to 3 days
• Swelling (around mouth of follicle) for up to 3 days
• Pain, tingling, or feeling of numbness (cold spray)

Rare

• Crusting/scab formation (on ingrown hairs)
• Bruising
• Purpura (purple coloring of the skin) on tanned areas
• Infection
• Temporary pigment change (hypo-pigmentation or hyper-pigmentation)

Side effects occur infrequently and, as a rule, generally are temporary. If any of the above last for more than 3 days, make sure to contact your technician and/or doctor. There is a possibility that settings were set too high and the technician needs to know in order to adjust on your following treatment.

Most people need at least 6-8 initial treatments spaced 6-10 weeks apart. This is because hair grows in 3 phases and is killed in the first “anagen” active growing phase. Several treatments are needed to target ALL hair in the active growth phase. Approximately 6-10 weeks after every treatment, additional treatment is required to eliminate the hairs that came out of the dormant phase and are now active. After 6-8 treatments or so, patients should experience a considerable percentage of hair reduction. Depending upon hair type and genetic factors, some clients may require additional treatments beyond these initial treatments. If it seems like the treatments are not working after 6-8 treatments, patients should look into possible underlying reasons (see Question #9 below).

Usually, treatments are spaced 6-8 weeks apart to start, and gradually move to 8-10 weeks apart after the initial 2-3 treatments. Instead of following an arbitrary schedule, wait until you have experienced shedding of the treated hairs (should complete within 2-3.5 weeks) and you see enough hair come in after the hairfree period to justify the next treatment.

You should shave the area to be treated 1-3 days before treatment (some clinics will offer to do this for you, but beware of irritation caused by disposable razors etc). No waxing or removing hair with the root with any other way is allowed 4-6 weeks before and throughout the course of treatment as hair needs to be in place to be targeted by laser. The area should be shaved as closely as possible so that laser can target the most energy towards the hair follicle and not waste energy on the part of the hair above the skin’s surface. If your hair is the type that you can’t see where it was right after you shave, make it a bit easier on your tech not to miss the spots you want treated by shaving 1-3 days before so the outline of where hair is growing is just VERY slightly visible.

After treatment is completed (underarms take under 10 minutes, back treatment can take 1 hour or so), you should apply aloe vera to soothe the skin for a few days. Within 2-3.5 weeks, you should experience shedding of all treated hair. At first, hair will look like it’s growing back in, but it is just coming through the skin to shed. Shedding starts at about 1.5 weeks and can last until 3.5 weeks post-treatment or so. Exfoliating and/or scrubbing gently in the shower with a loofa can help speed up the process. After shedding finishes, you might experience little black dots still “stuck” in the skin. These are commonly referred to as “pepperspots” and will shed eventually, but might take a bit longer. Exfoliate to help those out as well.

After shedding occurs, you should experience a hairfree period for a few weeks, until next set of hair that was dormant before starts to come in. Once you have enough to justify one, go in for another treatment. This usually happens within 6-10 weeks post-treatment. Patient continues this process until he/she has reached diminishing returns and the remaining hairs are too fine for laser to target, or until you have reached you desired reduction.

If you don’t experience shedding, the settings used might have been too low and you should inform your technician that it didn’t happen. Also, if you feel that a lot of hair didn’t shed, the technician might have missed a lot of areas, and you might consider asking for a free touch-up. This should be done 4 weeks after treatment as by then shedding will be complete and you will know that whatever remains wasn’t affected. Certain clinics might offer these touch-ups free of charge when you sign up for treatments as their standard practice.

Lasers are optical devices which produce intense coherent, collimated and mono-chromatic beams of light. A laser consists of an active medium such as a crystal, gas or liquid that amplifies light when excited by an external energy source (a flash amp or electric discharge, for example). When the appropriate medium is employed, the laser can be fine-tuned to generate a very narrow band of light wavelengths (such as the individual colors of the visible spectrum).

Lasers designed for permanent hair reduction emit wavelengths of light designed to be absorbed by the pigment in the hair (melanin). If the surrounding skin is relatively light compared to the color of the hair, then the entire energy of the laser will be concentrated in the hair shaft, effectively destroying it without affecting the skin or follicle. Hair removal lasers target the dark pigment in the hair. That’s why laser hair removal works best on light skin (so laser passes right through) and dark coarse hair (has most pigment).

The ability of the laser to produce a very narrow bandwidth on a consistent basis is the key to a safe efficient treatment. The types of lasers used for permanent hair reduction include the ruby (old machines only safe for very pale skin types – not recommended), Nd:YAG, diode, and alexandrite.

While the laser emits a beam that only heats the hair shaft, heat is transmitted from the hair shaft to the surrounding tissue for several milliseconds after the laser pulse. Several lasers possess cooling attachments which cool the surrounding skin to fully absorb any heat transmitted from the destroyed hair shafts.

Be aware that hair removal systems that use traditional light for treatment (Intense Pulse Light machines or IPLs) are not true hair removal lasers. These devices use a highly concentrated beam of traditional incoherent light, often in conjunction with a cream or gel, to burn the hair shaft. A serious flaw with these systems is that they lack the laser’s ability to produce a selective bandwidth of light that will only affect the hair shaft (selective photothermolysis). These devices produce a wide bandwidth of light that can heat up all of the surrounding tissue. IPLs are generally cheaper devices and are used for various skin procedures first and foremost, with hair removal as more of an afterthought. Judging from consumer feedback, true lasers usually achieve better and faster results for hair removal purposes.

The general opinion is that laser hair removal is permanent, and the Food and Drug Administration approved it as “permanent reduction,” but doesn’t work on everyone. Generally, this means that you shouldn’t expect laser to remove every single hair from an area. Most people need to follow up with electrolysis treatments for any remaining hairs for complete clearance as hair becomes too fine for laser to target and you reach diminishing returns. Most will also need touch-up treatments 1-2 times a year after the initial set of treatments for any new growth your body develops with age.

It has also been observed that some people seem to be non-responders – this is not confirmed and reasons are not known as not enough research has been done in this area. Keep in mind that it’s also difficult to judge whether someone’s lack of results is due to the person’s potential underlying medical condition that causes continuous growth and makes it seem like laser isn’t working, whether the treatment wasn’t performed properly, or whether for some people it just doesn’t work and we don’t know why. Basically, you can’t determine this for yourself unless you try it. In addition, results also depend on many variables involved, including the tech’s experience, type of laser used and how settings are set, etc.

A set of at least 6-8 treatments at specified intervals are generally necessary to achieve substantial hair removal with laser. Factors that determine the length of treatment include the particular area to be treated, the texture of hair, frequency of treatments, history of temporary measures to remove hair (waxing, tweezing, shaving, and depilatories, etc.) etc.

Electrolysis is considered a permanent hair removal method that has been used for the past 125 years. It involves treating one hair at a time and can take a considerably long time to complete a large area, but IS an option as well. It is also the recommended method for small areas (generally, chin, upper lip, eyebrows, etc), as well as for fine and light-colored hair. The most cost-efficient treatments to completely clear an area should start with laser to remove the bulk of the hair and finish with electrolysis to remove the remaining finer sparse hair.

Both men and women seek laser hair removal services to have unwanted hair removed. Hair removal is commonly done on the hairline, eyebrow, top of the nose, lip, chin, ear lobe, shoulders, back, underarm, abdomen, buttocks, pubic area, bikini lines, thighs, face, neck, breast, arms, legs, hands, and toes.

Laser works best on pale skin and dark coarse hair. The closer you are to this combination (i.e. the lighter the skin and the more coarse and dark the hair), the better the results will generally be. Alexandrite long pulse and diode types of lasers work best on light-colored skin. Nd:YAG long pulse lasers are better and safer on darker skin (skin types IV and darker – see Question #12 below to determine your skin type). Since laser works by being attracted to and targeting the dark pigment, using an alexandrite or a diode laser on darker skin can result in skin burning or loss of skin pigment (hypo-pigmentation). Long pulse Nd:YAG lasers were created to cater to dark-skinned patients, so they are safer on the skin at settings that actually affect the hair than alexandrite and diode lasers.

When choosing your hair removal options, select an environment whose main priorities are your safety, health, and results.

Sclerotherapy is a treatment of spider and varicose veins that involves the injection of a solution into a vein, which irritates the inside of the vessewall, causing it to collapse and completely disappear. This procedure has been used to treat spider veins since the 1940’s and before that for larger vessels.

The majority of persons who have sclerotherapy will be cleared of their varicosities; or at least see a 50-90% improvement. In very rare instances, a patient’s condition may become worse after sclerotherapy treament, and develop a group of fine red blood vessels near the injection site of a larger vessel. However, even in those cases, 90% of those veins will disappear on their own, and some will go away with additional treatments.

There are no other methods that are nearly as effective as sclerotherapy. Laser treatment is only effective for small veins on the face and occasionally for fine red blood vessels on the legs.

The number of treatments needed to clear or improve the condition differs from patient to patient. The two main determining factors are the extent of varicose and spider veins present and how each person individually responds to treatment. Typically, an area of veins needs to be reinjected 2-3 times in order for the vein to collapse. Most patients come in for treatment every 1-2 weeks.

We recommend that you wear loose fitting pants and avoid applying moisturizing creams to your legs on the day of your visit.

After your initial consultation, your treatment will begin. First your legs are cleaned with rubbing alcohol. Then with sterile disposable tiny needles we start to do the injections. Some patients experience an occasional slight burning sensation during the injections. When we finish doing the injections your legs will be cleaned off again and hydrocortisone cream will be applied to the area of treatment. This cream helps diminish any itching sensation and also helps decrease swelling and pain. Finally, your legs will be wrapped with ace-wraps to immediately help compress the veins so that they will disappear as quickly as possible.

At the end of your treatment the area on your legs that was treated will be wrapped with an ace-wrap. You will need to wear the ace-wrap for at least four hours, and maximally until bedtime. After you remove the ace-wrap you will put on a graduated compression stocking, supplied in our office, and will sleep in it only for the first night. You will then wear it for the next two days, but remove it at bedtime.

It is recommended that you do not swim for the first 48 hours but otherwise there is no restricted activity. In fact, we encourage walking. It is also recommended that, while sitting, you keep your legs elevated as much as possible.

Bruises and red raised bumps at the injection site: Depending on how you heal, these bruises and bumps will completely go away in 5-14 days.
Itching: You may experience mild itching along the vein route. This itching can occur immediately after treatment and can be intermittent for 1-2 days.
Pain: Few patients experience any pain after treatment. At times, the bruises or swelling can be tender to the touch. However, this all resolves in a few days.
Hyperpigmentation: A low percentage of patients, more commonly with people with darker skin tones, might notice a discoloration of light brown markings where the veins once were. This pigmentation typically resolves within a few months. We also prescribe bleaching creams when necessary to help diminish these marks.
Ulceration: These are extremely rare and occur 1/10-15,000 injections. They are typically less than a centimeter in size and look like a cigarette burn. They can occur when some of the solution escapes into the surrounding skin or enters a tiny artery at the treatment site. These can be successfully treated.
Allergic Reactions: As with any medication, one can be allergic to the sclerosing agent. Severe reactions are extremely rare, but do need to be treated immediately.

Restylane is the trade name of Hyaluronic Acid, a substance that plays an important role giving volume to the skin, shape to the eyes and elasticity to the joints. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in your skin and other tissues.

After many years of research, the company Q-Med in Uppsala, Sweden, succeeded in developing a way of using a Non-Animal, Stabilized, Hyaluronic Acid to replace the loss of volume in the skin. Before the launch of RESTYLANE in 1996, only collagen made from cow hide and hyaluronic acid made from rooster combs had been available.

During treatment, the crystal-clear RESTYLANE gel is injected into the skin in tiny amounts with a very fine needle. The gel produces volume under the wrinkle, which is lifted up and smoothed out. When enhancing lips or facial contours, RESTYLANE adds volume and shape to the treated area.

Anyone who has moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds can be treated with Restylane injections. It typically is injected into the mid-to-deep dermis sections of the skin. Results of your Restylane treatment will include:

• You will notice an immediate smoothing of the wrinkles and folds.
• Restylane will impart lift and add new firmness to your skin.
• With lip enhancement, the results will be a noticeably fuller and more sensuous contour.

Immediately after the treatment, you can expect slight redness, swelling, tenderness or an itching sensation in the treated area. This is a normal result of the injection. The discomfort is temporary and generally disappears in a few days. After a lip treatment, the lips may become swollen and look somewhat uneven. This can persist for a few days (up to a week). If the discomfort continues, please contact your physician.

During the first 48 hours after your treatment, do not massage or rub the treated area. If you have had a lip enhancement, avoid puckering your lips for the first two days after the treatment. Until the initial swelling and redness have resolved, do not expose the treated area to intense heat (e.g. in a solarium or by sunbathing) or extreme cold.

Glycolic acid will dehydrate skin and make pores larger after extended use. PCA uses lactic and citric acids which are skin-friendly because they are natural constituents of your skin. Physician’s Choice™ peels are unique because they are moisturizing and hydrating and leave your skin fresh.

A glycolic peel is a light chemical peel that is an exceptional cosmetic option for individuals who seek smoother, youthful, and more radiant skin.  A glycolic peel uses a mild alphahydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane to produce a light peel of the outermost damaged layers of the skin.  Many experts believe that the glycolic AHA is the most promising for skin rejuvenation because it has the smallest molecular size.  A glycolic peel is an excellent non-surgical minimally invasive procedure that can treat fine facial wrinkles, acne, uneven pigment, and skin dryness. 

A glycolic peel in an excellent alternative to deeper peels for those patients who do not wish to go through the discomfort and recovery period required of the latter.  A glycolic peel can be done without an anesthetic (though a sedative may be used in the patient’s best interest or request).  This technique can provide dramatic changes with virtually no skin redness or other unwanted after effects.  A patient will be able to resume normal activities after a glycolic peel almost immediately.  Time off from work and other responsibilities is not required.

The glycolic peel works by loosening and reducing the glue-like substance that holds the damaged outer skin cells to each other and the underlying tissues.  This action sluffs off the unhealthy layers of skin and also unblocks the follicles to reduce and prevent acne.  The glycolic peel then works deeper into the skin to rejuvenate and regenerate collagen and elastin.  This effect can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and make the skin more radiant, vibrant, and younger looking.

The glycolic peel treatment that a patient receives will be tailored to his or her skin and aesthetic goals.  Most patients will require a series of treatments combined with home care in order to achieve the optimal results.  A glycolic peel is given by a certified and trained cosmetic practitioner in a doctor’s office, surgery center, or hospital.  If you would like to learn more about the amazing benefits of a glycolic peel, please contact us to speak with a reputable and experienced board certified cosmetic surgeon in your area.

The procedure consists of four simple steps and generally takes no more than 15 minutes. Following treatment, most patients can immediately resume their normal activities.

Following treatment, most patients immediately resume their normal activities. Most patients report that their skin feels softer and smoother. Most post-peel redness is slight and can be easily covered with makeup. Some patients may experience slight skin flaking in the few days following the peel treatment, but it is not necessary to see flaking skin for the peel to be effective.

“BOTOX® injection” or “botox shot” is the term most widely used to describe the procedure of adminstering the Allergan BOTOX® Cosmetic treatement. BOTOX® injections utilize Botulinum Toxin Type A to treat wrinkles.BOTOX® Injections were originally slated to treat neurological disorders; today, BOTOX® injections are widely used to remove facial lines, especially frown lines, “crow’s feet,” and forehead lines.

“BOTOX® treatments”, or “BOTOX® injection treatments” are a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that works at motor nerve endings (nerves that lead to muscles). BOTOX®® Cosmetic is a drug used for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines (frown lines). These frown lines come from muscles called corrugator and/or procerus muscles. The BOTOX® injection treatment is the name used for the process of injecting the BOTOX® Cosmetic product into the patient.

BOTOX® injection treatments were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic use in April 2002. (It has been approved for the treatment of several medical conditions since 1989.) BOTOX® is a trade name for botulinum toxin A. BOTOX® is related to botulism.

BOTOX® injection treatments are successfully used to treat blepharospasm and strabismus, and BOTOX® treatments are also proven useful in treating cervical dystonia — these are all conditions that in some way involve spasms, involuntary muscle contractions. Within a few hours to a couple of days after the botulinum toxin is injected into the affected muscle(s), the spasms or contractions are reduced or eliminated altogether. The effects of BOTOX® treatments are not permanent, reportedly lasting anywhere from three to eight months. By injecting the toxin directly into a certain muscle or muscle group, the risk of the BOTOX® injection treatmentsspreading to other areas of the body is greatly diminished.

When BOTOX® — botulinum toxin A — is injected into the muscles surrounding the eyes, for instance, those muscles can not “scrunch up” for a period of time. They are paralyzed. So the wrinkles in that area, often referred to as “crow’s-feet,” temporarily go away.

Typically the amount of BOTOX® and side effects and BOTOX® danger remains low. Any BOTOX® side effectscan typically only last 6 months at a maximum, because BOTOX® treatments are temporary. People with neuromuscular disorders should consult with their physician carefully before having a BOTOX® injection treatment, as cardiovascular problems may arise. Likewise, those with cardiovascular disease should also pay special attention.

It is a natural response to assume there is some BOTOX® injection danger with a prosuct derived from a toxin, but it is in fact very safe, and has been is use for some time. It is always prudent to refview the BOTOX® injection side effects and procedure so that any BOTOX® injection danger is know and understood.

Some patients have been known to experience the side effects of BOTOX® of bruisng at the site of the injection. The most common BOTOX® side effects following the use of BOTOX® Cosmetic for glabellar lines are headache (13.3%), respiratory infection (3.5%), temporary eyelid droop (3.2%), nausea (3.0%), and flu syndrome (2.0%). Blepharoptosis is consistent with the pharmacologic action of BOTOX® Cosmetic and may be technique related. In rare occurences BOTOX® cosmetic can spread into neighboring muscles and cause temporary paralysis. In less that 1% of patients, this can cause drooping of the eyelid.

Less frequently side effects of BOTOX® occurring (<3%) adverse reactions included pain in the face, erythema at the injection site, and muscle weakness. These events are thought to be associated with the injection and occurred within the first week.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is used to treat adult patients who are 65 or younger.