Cosmetic Dermatology

About Clear + Brilliant

What is it?

Clear + Brilliant is a gentle, skin-refreshing laser that penetrates shallower than most lasers, yet deeper than a light peel or microdermabrasion. This helps it replace rough, damaged skin with smooth, healthy tissue. Effective even if you’re in your 20s or 30s, Clear + Brilliant is designed as a maintenance treatment that can help correct mild damage, such as from the sun, or protect against aging. It’s an ideal treatment if you’re looking to improve skin texture or shrink pores. This treatment can also lighten skin discoloration and protect against wrinkles, skin dullness, and uneven tone.

What to expect

Each Clear + Brilliant session is quick (20-30 minutes), comfortable, and downtime is virtually non-existent. Side effects can include swelling and tenderness, but are minimal, temporary, and not enough to prevent you from returning to your normal schedule. Although you may be happy with what Clear +Brilliant can do for you, you may also want to combine it with other treatments for even greater effects. Complementary treatments include Botox, Pellevé, Ultherapy, and Isolaz or Vbeam lasers.

After the procedure

In our experience, Clear + Brilliant treatments 1-2 times a month for 4-6 months are the most beneficial, and we also suggest follow-up treatments every 2-3 months. For the best results, we recommend undergoing regular Clear + Brilliant maintenance between other, more intense skincare treatments

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About Chemical Peel

What is it?

A chemical peel is a procedure in which a solution is applied to the top layer of your skin to remove dead, flaky skin cells. This allows the fresh, new layer of skin underneath to develop and grow, leaving you with a radiant and brightened complexion. There are three types of peels, each characterized by how deep they penetrate, which depends on the type and strength of the solution. These include superficial peels, which penetrate only as far as the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis), medium peels, which treat the top layer of the dermis (not to be confused with the epidermis), and deep peels, which treat the bottom layer of the dermis. Chemical peels offer numerous benefits, some of which include the following: erasure of fine lines and wrinkles, reduction of age/sun spots, smoothing of rough skin texture, faded shallow scars (including those from acne), improved skin tone, and balanced pigmentation.

What to expect

Chemical peels are safe for a variety of skin colors, although the lighter the skin, the more effective the treatment will be. To get the results you want, talk to the specialists at our dermatology center, as we’ll help you decide which type of peel is best and tailor the treatment to fit your specific needs.

After the procedure

Downtime and side effects will vary depending on the type of peel you undergo. For example, a superficial peel has no downtime, with only redness and minimal peeling for side effects. A medium peel typically requires 2-3 days of recovery, and common side effects include swelling, redness, and peeling for 4-7 days after the procedure. Finally, a deep peel can entail 1-2 weeks of downtime, more pronounced redness, and swelling for 7-10 days–perhaps longer. Regardless of which type of peel you undergo, you can expect smoother, fresher-looking, and radiant skin once the results are finalized.

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About Microneedling

What is it?

A concept that’s been around for nearly 50 years, microneedling is a dermatology treatment that uses ultrafine needles to promote the body’s natural collagen production, resulting in tighter, smoother skin. The process works by creating minuscule wounds in your skin, which causes the body’s self-healing mechanism to engage. The end result is skin that looks healthier and more attractive. The microneedling device also gently targets radiofrequency energy into your skin, which helps to repair and hydrate the tissue.

What to expect

The controlled wounds caused by microneedling are not noticeable, even when viewed close-up. However, you may look flushed for a short time. One session lasts 20-30 minutes, and since it’s non-surgical and virtually painless, there’s no downtime associated with the procedure. Microneedling is ideal for even the most delicate areas of the face, including the cheeks, upper and lower eyelids, the sides of your nose, and the upper lip. Because it stimulates both the growth of collagen and the production of hyaluronic acid, this treatment is effective for a variety of issues, including rough and/or lax skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and even scars. The procedure is safe and effective for all skin types and colors, and it results in a rejuvenated, radiant appearance. The improvements look natural and regular touch-ups can prolong the effects.

Common treatments

Depending on your aesthetic goals and the extent of your skin condition, you may need 3-5 microneedling treatment sessions to get optimal results. Side effects are minimal and include redness, swelling, bruising, and/or tenderness for 5-7 days.

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About Ultherapy

What is it?

Ultherapy is an FDA-approved skin tightening treatment that uses ultrasound energy to rejuvenate, tone, and refresh the skin. This ultrasound energy strengthens your skin’s framework and stimulates new collagen, providing you with a refreshed and brightened appearance. And since ultrasound technology gives a precise visualization of the targeted area, treatment is precise and efficient.

What to expect

Ultherapy tightens skin on your face, brow, neck, and even chest (breast) for a lifted rejuvenated appearance. Our expert practitioners are skilled and experienced at performing this non-invasive therapy for loose, sagging skin. A single treatment session typically takes about a half hour, while a combination treatment (e.g., face and neck) could take 90 minutes. One session is often enough, but depending on the laxity of your skin as well as your specific aesthetic goals, you may need several sessions.

After the procedure

The results from Ultherapy are gradual and natural-looking. Though there is a possibility of side effects, they are often mild and temporary, ranging from swelling and redness to tenderness or tingling for 5-7 days. Furthermore, results can vary from patient to patient, but most individuals notice an improvement within 1-3 months after treatment, with full effects being noticeable after 5-6 months. We recommend treatment sessions every 12-18 months to keep your skin looking healthy and refreshed!

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We know that saggy skin on your face or neck can have a negative impact on your appearance and self-esteem, so our skin experts are here to provide treatment options. Our compassionate staff will tailor a treatment plan unique to your particular condition, address any concerns you may have, and answer all of your questions throughout the treatment process.

About IPL Photofacial

What is it?

• Hands
• Arms
• Neck
• Chest

• Reduces pigmented spots
• Minimizes facial wrinkles and fine lines
• Shrinks pores
• Eliminates spider veins
• Improves skin redness and flushing
• Stimulates collagen production
• Smooths skin texture

The overall result of an IPL treatment is firmer, brighter, more resilient skin.

What to expect

An IPL photofacial requires almost no downtime and results can be seen within a few days post-treatment. While there are minimal side effects with an IPL treatment, some patients may experience swelling, redness, tenderness, and discomfort, but this should resolve in 1-2 days. Dark spots may crust up with a coffee grounds appearance. However, these will gently exfoliate from the skin surface over 4-7 days.

After the procedure

Immediately after an IPL photofacial, you can expect some skin redness, though this usually subsides within the first week. Patients can expect to see full results a month after their last IPL treatment.

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About Tattoo Removal

What is it?

Tattoo removal is the erasure of unwanted skin art, almost exclusively through the use of a laser. It is a safe, effective, and minimally-invasive method of eradicating skin ink. In general, lasers remove unwanted ink by emitting pulses of energy into the skin. The pulses penetrate the top layers of the skin for absorption by the ink. The pigment breaks down into tiny particles that your body absorbs and then safely removes, all without harming adjacent, un-inked skin. Because some colors are more difficult to remove than others, we use a variety of the latest, most state-of-the-art lasers for tattoo removal. These include lasers with gemstones such as ruby or with fractional CO₂ technology.

What to expect

One obvious benefit of tattoo removal is the reappearance of clear, unmarked skin. For some individuals, tattoo removal helps erase unwanted reminders of the past, similar to closing a chapter on part of your life. Tattoo removal is virtually painless, and results in little risk of scarring and downtime. The number of treatments required depends on your tattoo size, the colors used in the tattoo, and the tattoo’s complexity. For example, darker ink colors like black and dark red are easier to remove, while lighter colors like green or light blue may require additional laser sessions. The ink type and depth, as well as your skin tone, are also factors to consider. On average, most individuals need 5-10 treatments to thoroughly erase their tattoo, with these treatments spaced about 4-6 weeks apart.

After the procedure

Side effects of laser tattoo removal are generally mild and temporary and could include swelling, redness, and a sunburn-like sensation. A “white frosting” may appear over the treated area, as well. Most of these should subside within a few hours after your procedure, although it could take up to 3-5 days for some individuals.

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We know skin art can be an unwanted reminder of the past or an obstacle to professional progress. For this reason, our trained experts offer various tattoo removal options to erase your art and restore clear, unmarked skin. What makes us unique our focus on you as a person. Our practitioners tailor tattoo removal to fit your unique needs and will provide compassionate support throughout the process.

About Acne

What is it?

Affecting more than 50 million Americans, acne is the most common skin problem in the country. Acne is the result of clogged pores that eventually become small red bumps, or pimples, which can be characterized as blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, pustules, and more. While these blemishes commonly appear on your face, they also can develop on the neck, shoulders, upper arms, chest, back, and buttocks.

What causes it?

When the clogging in your pores builds up too much, they become a breeding ground for P. acnes, the bacteria that cause pimples to develop. However, it’s important to remember what doesn’t cause acne: stress, fried foods and other poor diet choices, poor hygiene, and hormones. While it is true that these things can worsen your acne, there is no truth to the myth that they actually cause the condition.

Common treatments?

Many acne treatments are available, but their efficacy can differ from person to person; what works for you may not work for someone else. Furthermore, some medications and treatments are more effective for milder cases of the condition, while other treatments are better for severe breakouts. Mild or moderate cases of acne (i.e., a few blemishes, whiteheads, and/or blackheads) can be erased with simple over-the-counter medications with benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, or salicylic acid. However, for severe acne cases (red, swollen, often painful blemishes consisting of cysts and/or nodules), an array of treatments can work: these include prescription-strength topical or oral medications, antibiotics to destroy the acne-causing bacteria, a variety of light therapies (including lasers), chemical peels, and drainage and extraction procedures for the most stubborn acne.

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About Botox

What is it?

Botox is an extremely popular wrinkle treatment that’s ideal for dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles that form over time from repeated movements, such as smiling or frowning). Derived from Botulinum toxin, Botox is injected through a very fine needle into a muscle underlying a bothersome wrinkle. This process blocks the nerve impulses that move the muscle, causing it to relax. The result is a smoother wrinkle and a softer-looking appearance. Since only the targeted muscle is affected, surrounding muscles continue to move freely, allowing your facial expressions to be easily shown and avoiding the dreaded “frozen face” look when performed by an experienced dermatologist. Botox is ideal for the upper half of the face, including the areas around the eyes, the upper nose, forehead, cheeks, and jaw.

What to expect

A single Botox injection session often lasts under an hour and is virtually painless. You may feel a tingling sensation during the process, but there is no downtime; you can go about your daily routine afterward. Side effects are typically mild and typically include tenderness at the injection site, muscle stiffness or weakness, bruising, itchiness, and swelling.

After the procedure

Within a week after your Botox injections, you should start to notice results, although this can vary from patient to patient. Over the following 3-4 months, the targeted wrinkles gradually vanish, and touch-up injections are suggested every 6 months in order to maintain the rejuvenating effects of the treatment.

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About Kybella

What is it?

If you’re like many people, you may think that a double chin only affects overweight people and that it can be eliminated with conventional fat loss methods. However, a double chin can develop even if you are in good shape and keep an ideal weight. Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable designed specifically to destroy fat cells in a saggy chin. It consists of synthetic deoxycholic acid, which naturally and easily breaks down and absorbs fat. It’s a minimally-invasive way to eliminate a double chin that does not disappear due to exercise, diet, or regular fat-loss methods.

What to expect

The experts have the experience to administer Kybella treatments that reduce a double chin. One treatment session with our skillful practitioners takes a half hour and depending on your aesthetic goals, you may need one session every 4-6 weeks for about 6 months. Another benefit of Kybella is that the destroyed fat cells will no longer store or accrue fat; it’s a permanent solution that other options cannot duplicate.

After the procedure

The full results of Kybella will be visible within 2-3 weeks after your injections, but results can vary. Downtime is minimal, although you should take it easy for 24-48 hours, and side effects such as swelling, redness, tenderness, and bruising are usually mild and subside in 5-7 days.

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