Dermatologic
Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure whereby the skin's surface irregularities are diminished by abrading or "sanding" the skin with special diamond rotary instruments. Your surgeon carefully reduces the skin surface to a specific depth and after a period of healing the skin is smoother with fewer irregularities.
Often, more than one technique is used to give the best improvement in the appearance of facial scars and wrinkles. For example, frequently a dermabrasion will be performed several weeks after scar revision. Sometimes, dermabrasion and chemical peel are performed together or in sequence to treat deeper wrinkles, such as those occurring around the lips.
Procedure
Most of these procedures are performed using a light intravenous sedative and local anesthesia. Sometimes a surgeon will apply cold packs to the face before dermabrasion. Depending on the amount of area to be treated, surgery usually lasts between 30 to 90 minutes. You should experience little, if any, discomfort.
In general, during the first several days after surgery the skin is somewhat tender and swelling can be expected, most prominently around the eyes. Usually after several days the treated areas appear as if you have had a bad sunburn. In most cases you are able to camouflage the areas adequately with makeup after about one week. It is not at all unusual to have some persistent redness, sometimes lasting several months. Sometimes, several weeks after surgery small white dots, resembling acne, may appear. These disappear in a short period of time. Occasional areas of darkened skin color may appear. This is usually temporary and may be treated with prescription facial creams. Sometimes the treated areas will appear lighter than untreated areas. While this is sometimes permanent, it is usually quite subtle.
Microdermabrasion is a skin resurfacing technique that is widely used. It helps restore facial skin that has been dulled from the effects of aging and from the sun. It has a faster recovery than other similar techniques like dermabrasion, chemical peeling and laser resurfacing. It is like dermabrasion, but uses tiny crystals to eliminate the surface skin layers. This is an almost painless procedure and does not require anesthesia.
Procedure
The procedure itself is simple. Contact lenses are removed and protection over the eye is placed to avoid injury from stray particles. Goggles are placed over your eyes to protect them. The skin is cleansed. The doctor eliminates the surface skin by means of a handheld device where tiny crystals are sprayed on the skin and suctioned back up into the machine along with loosened skin. Pressure may be adjusted so as to restrain the amount of penetration or an area may be passed over several times to remove the most damaged skin. No anesthetic is needed although it may be used if desired.
Side Effects
Theoretically, corneal abrasion from stray crystals is a risk. However, the placing of eye protection virtually eliminates this.
Recovery
Recovery is quick. Normal activities may be resumed right away. The skin will turn pink instantly afterward, although this color will lighten within a few hours.
Treatment result is the appearance of refreshed-looking skin and a difference in texture. Depending on the extent of the problem, the procedure may be repeated to achieve more remarkable results and create smoother, younger-looking skin.
Cellulite is the dimpling skin that seems like orange peel or cottage cheese. It is the buildup of fat, fluids and toxins that have been trapped deep in the skin below the epidermal layer. The dimpling effect is brought about by the thickening and hardening of the connective tissue that protects and cushions your muscles and organs.
Cellulite treatment involves a great many benefits such as reducing cellulite and body circumference, an increase in skin tone and radiance and an overall improvement in the appearance of scars and burns.
Procedure
In order for cellulite reduction to take place, there are several factors that need to happen. First, the fat cells in the subterraneous layer of fat must be minimized considerably. Second, these fat cells should separate from each other and have enough space between them for the proper lymphatic drainage to happen. The body’s ability to drain unnecessary toxins and lymphatic waste from the body must progress, diminishing superfluous swelling in those areas of the body. Third, the connective tissues must extend to develop skin tone and elasticity. Lastly, hormonal conditions must stop fluctuating and stabilize to have a better hormonal balance.
Types of Cellulite Treatment
Endermologie is a massage machine with two rollers and a gentle suction action that when rolled over the top layer of fat makes a fold. This folding action extends the connective tissue and results in the lessening of cellulite and body measurements.
VelaSmooth is a non-surgical alternative procedure to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Velasmooth used radiofrequency energy, infrared light, suction, and massage to enhance blood flow and push fat cells back into the fat layer where they could not be seen through the skin. While the light energy pre-heats the treatment area, gentle suction facilitates radiofrequency energy penetrate into the fat tissue - redistributing and increasing a person’s metabolic level. VelaSmooth also develops lymphatic circulation to promote better overall blood flow.
Facials are done for an overall cleansing of the face, removal of dead skin cells, and moisturizing, thereby making skin glow and beautiful. It can treat some facial problems, tone the skin and restore its color. Facials are not only done for cleansing purposes but for its pampering and relaxing effects as well.
Procedure
The face is cleansed using steam followed by a gentle scrub. Several may be employed depending on the kind of facial, such creams, exfoliation, extraction, lotions, masks, peels, and steam. Basically, facials remove dirt and dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. The massage helps in blood circulation which aids in the removal of toxins and waste from the body. It also helps in relaxing the facial muscles which is important in delaying the appearance of wrinkles. The mask is used to tone and clarify skin.
Types of Facials
Bio-lift facial is a combination of cleansing, massage and rejuvenation techniques with the addition of an eye-bag treatment. This uses a bio-mask to tone and tighten facial skin for a more radiant and youthful look.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid or AHA facial is popular for its anti-aging effects. The AHA acids are derived from fruits and flowers that help in making skin smoother and look healthier. This is best for people with pigmented skin and who are prone to having wrinkles.
Paraffin facials involve the application of a paraffin mask to seal in the anti-aging and rejuvenating creams applied on the face. This mask helps the skin to absorb the creams better which gives the facial skin a radiant glow.
Acne facials remove acne. This involves cleansing, enzyme or glycolic acid exfoliation, followed by manual deep pore extractions and an anti-bacterial masque. This must be done in two-week intervals until the face is clean and removed of acne.
Collagen facials prevent against damage and wrinkles. This facial involves the exfoliation, warm vapor, deep pore cleansing, lymphatic drainage massage, and self-healing masque over a freeze dry collagen sheet to ensure the ideal hydrating effect. The collagen facial uses liquid nutrients and laser treatment for better and quicker absorption in the skin.
Aromatherapy facials use essential oils to help clear the skin and improve function of the facial skin. It helps in the elimination of toxins, improvement of skin regeneration, and has an uplifting effect giving a revitalized and rejuvenating feeling.
Galvanic facials are done to improve moisture retention for dry skin. In this facial, a Galvanic gadget gives off direct galvanic current to introduce water-soluble substances through the facial skin, making the skin better at absorption and giving the dehydrated skin the moisture that it needs.
PhotoRejuvenation is a cosmetic treatment designed to produce younger and healthier looking skin. As most of us age, we begin to see visible signs of sun damage, time, and lifestyle choices appearing in our complexion. This aged look may include freckles, Rosacea, wrinkles, broken capillaries, dark spots, blotchy skin color, redness of the face and neck, enlarged pore size and uneven pigmentation. PhotoRejuvenation is the only procedure that can treat the above all at once. With the use of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL™) technology, dramatic improvements can now be accomplished with little or no "downtime" and with very minimal discomfort.
Procedure
Recovery
It is recommended that you stay indoors and keep out of the sun and bright light 24 hours after the treatment. The skin will become red and swollen followed by peeling skin for about 3 to 7 days. There will be a gradual decrease in redness, broken capillaries, flushing, irregular pigmentation, pore size and fine lines. After every treatment, the skin will have a feeling of smoothness and will appear to have a more even tone.
A peel or chemical peel is a procedure which is usually used in conjunction with a facial treatment. This is done by applying a chemical solution that peels off dead skin, allowing new skin to regenerate, improving facial skin appearance.
Procedure
The face is thoroughly cleansed with an agent that removes excess oils, followed by chemical solutions like glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid or phenol acid. These chemicals help in peeling off layers of skin to allow new skin to regenerate. There may be a warm to hot sensation during the procedure then followed with a stinging sensation. A deeper peeling process may be more painful and might require medication during or after the procedure.
A screening blood chemistry that includes blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and liver function must be done before the procedure. ECG monitoring is also necessary during the peeling process.
Side Effects
For some skin types, there is a risk of developing a temporary or permanent color change in the facial skin. Scarring may also result. For those with a history of fever blisters, there is also a small risk of reactivating cold sores or herpes simplex infection.
Recovery
It is best to avoid overexposure to the sun after the chemical peel since the new facial skin is delicate and more sensitive.
