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Non-Invasive Procedures
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion helps to smooth out irregularities on the skin
by gently abrading the skin’s top layers. The procedure is
most commonly done to remove sun-damaged skin and to remove
or lessen the appearance of scars and dark spots on the
skin.
Temporary side effects can include itching, tingling,
burning, swelling, redness. Lightening of the treated skin,
sensitivity to the sun and loss of the ability to make
pigment (tan) can also occur. Risks involved with the
procedure can include abnormal color changes, whiteheads,
infection, scarring, skin flare-up, allergies, fever
blisters and cold sores.
Chemical Peel
Chemical peels improve the appearance of the skin and is
typically performed on the face, neck or hands. The
treatment restores youthful skin by eliminating the topmost
layer of skin, which is often damaged by weather and other
external factors. The new, regenerated skin is usually
smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.
Botox® Cosmetic
Botox® Cosmetic is a popular non-surgical
injection that temporarily reduces or eliminates frown
lines, crow’s feet, laugh lines and forehead creases. The
Botox® Cosmetic procedure temporarily paralyzes
the muscles that cause wrinkles while giving the skin a more
smooth and rejuvenated appearance. This simple treatment
must be repeated every 3 to 4 months.
Thermage®
The Thermage® procedure is a revolutionary
non-surgical technique that tightens aging skin with no
incisions. Thermage employs a patented capacitive
radiofrequency (CRF) technology called ThermaCool™, which
has been clinically proven to tighten and gently lift skin
to smooth out wrinkles and renew facial contours. The
incision-free procedure is fast, easy and requires no
downtime from regular activities. Unlike lasers, the
procedure can be performed on patients of all skin types.
The ThermaCool device has been cleared by the FDA for the
non-invasive treatment of facial wrinkles.
The ThermaCool device uses a special treatment tip called
ThermaTip™ that delivers a controlled amount of CRF energy.
With each touch of the skin, the ThermaTip evenly heats a
large amount of collagen in the deeper layers of the skin
and its underlying tissue while simultaneously protecting
the outer layer of the skin with cooling. Immediately
following the Thermage procedure, skin should feel lighter,
smoother and more youthful with additional tightening over
time. Back to
top Fat Injections (Autologen)
There are various fillers that infiltrated the market,
several of which have become very popular. Despite the
availability of these fillers, our clinic prefers fat
transplantation as the filler of choice. Your own body fat
is removed, usually from the thighs or buttocks, and is
transferred to another area of the body. The fat can be used
to fill in grooves and wrinkles in the under eye area,
crow’s feet, cheeks, lips and nasolobial folds (the lines
between the nose and the corners of the mouth).
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Fillers
Juvederm™ (Hyaluronic Acid)
Juvederm is an injectable gel that is considered the “next-generation”
dermal filler. Juvederm helps to add volume and hydration
to the skin while smoothing away facial wrinkles and folds.
It is also the first FDA
approved hyaluronic acid filler that is proven to be safe
and effective for persons of color. Juvederm provides long-lasting
results for up to
nine months.
Restylane® (Hyaluronic Acid)
Restylane® is a cosmetic filler that restores volume and
fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial
wrinkles and folds. Restylane is made from an acid that
occurs naturally in the human body. It is best used for
cheeks, under eye area, lips and nasolabial folds (the lines
between the nose and the corners of the mouth). The effects
of Restylane generally last for approximately six months.
Sculptra® (Poly-L Lactic Acid)
Scupltra® is approved by the FDA for the
restoration and correction of the signs of facial fat loss
in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Sculptra
is a biodegradable substance used in dissolvable stitches.
Sculptra is best used for frown lines, cheeks and nasolabial
folds. The effects of Sculptra generally last for up to 2
years.
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Lasers The Erbium-Yag laser has been effectively used to reduce fine wrinkles around
the eyelid and the face. The laser can also be used to remove small marks, lesions and smooth out scars. With the Erbium-Yag laser, the risk of hyperpigmentation is much less.
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Skin Cancer Skin cancer is
more common among patients who have a history of heavy sun
exposure. Patients with fair skin and lighter hair are at
higher risk for skin cancer.
There are three different types of skin cancer; basal cell
carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal cell
carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and is also
easily treated. Basal cell carcinomas usually appear early
on as small ulcerating lesions. These cancers generally do
not spread to other parts of the body. Treatment of basal
cell carcinoma usually includes removing the cancer from the
skin and stiching with a fine closure. This will result in
the smallest scar possible.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a more serious type of skin
cancer but can be easily treated when identified promptly.
Unlike basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma can
spread to other parts of the body. Squamous cell tumors
appear as thick and rough ulcerating lesions when they
develop and usually appear on sun-exposed areas of the body.
Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma is similar to that of
basal cell carcinoma and is highly successful with early
detection.
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. The first
sign of melanoma is a lesion on the skin that resembles a
mole or a change in the size, shape or color of an existing
mole. Any suspicious lesion with an irregular shape and
color should be closely monitored. It is important that
melanoma be detected as early as possible. Surgery to remove
the melanoma is standard treatment for this disease.
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