Choosing a Cleanser

Choosing the right cleanser is really a matter of properly identifying your skin type. Whether your skin is dry, oily, or a combination of both, you should find a cleanser that will cater to your skin’s specific condition.

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks can be frustrating for women of all shapes and sizes. Fortunately, the right dermatologist can use laser technology to eliminate stretch marks and the embarrassment that tends to go along with them.

Using Fillers to Reshape Your Face

No rule states that you have to look your age. These days, the use of fillers is working wonders for women whose faces could use a bit more volume.

What Is the Vbeam Pulsed Dye Laser?

If you’re looking to eliminate the signs of sun damage or rosacea, then you’re in luck. The Vbeam Pulsed Dye Laser can eliminate redness without any unwanted side effects. Best of all, it works on patients of all ages.

Maintaining Healthy Skin During Pregnancy

Keeping your skin in good shape during pregnancy can be somewhat challenging. Follow these expert tips to avoid suffering the skin-related side effects of pregnancy.

Removing Birthmarks

Some birthmarks are just plain unsightly, while others can be downright dangerous for your health. If you have a birthmark that needs to go, then know that the birthmark removal process is one that is quick, safe and straightforward.

Recognizing Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is one of those diseases that should never be taken lightly. To keep yourself safe, you’ll need to learn how to recognize the signs that a mole may be dangerous.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition involving the accumulation of large patches of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. The most common complaints associated with psoriasis are pain, discomfort, unsightly skin patches and, in severe cases, movement difficulties.

Whereas normal skin cells mature and shed about once a month, psoriasis causes the body to shed skin cells in some areas every three to four days. This creates a build up of old skin cells that irritate the new skin below and eventually begin to flake off. Affected areas of the skin may be red and scaly (“silvery” scales are common), may appear dry and cracked, and will likely become itchy or painful. The condition is sometimes associated with arthritis and can cause joint pain and stiffness.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation and U.S. National Library of Medicine, the exact cause of psoriasis is not known, although the condition appears to be passed down through families. Psoriasis is assumed to be an immune system disorder and several factors seem to trigger outbreaks, including infections, damage to the skin, changing seasons, stress, prescription medications and the use of tobacco or alcohol.

Psoriasis is not only a cosmetic condition. This disease carries with it some significant psychological and emotional effects as well. People with psoriasis often suffer from a negative self-image and believe that they are treated differently from others because of their appearance. They may tend to avoid social situations and recreational activities due to fear of rejection. Because psoriasis seems to be worsened by stress, and having psoriasis is stressful in and of itself, a vicious cycle can be created that perpetuates both the psychological effects of the condition and the severity of the condition.

Can It Be Treated?

For years, dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons have struggled to find ways to cure psoriasis. Unfortunately, a cure is still not available. With the help of cutting-edge treatment options, though, psoriasis can certainly be managed. However, what works for one patient will not necessarily work for another. So it’s important to approach treatment with an open mind, realistic expectations and the patience to try multiple approaches until your doctor finds the right method to treat your condition.

Treatment options for psoriasis include topical creams, behavioral modifications, dietary changes and medications. Your doctor will likely recommend a combination of several therapies in order to maximize your benefit. Still, until recently, no single treatment or combination therapy has been able to completely stop symptoms from occurring.

However, new laser technologies have even enabled doctors to eliminate the symptoms of psoriasis completely (albeit temporarily), relieving the pain, discomfort and cosmetic effects associated with the condition for an extended period of time. For the first time, psoriasis patients have the potential to be able to live essentially symptom-free for a stretch of several months.

What Are the Benefits of Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is showing excellent results. In fact, the National Psoriasis Foundation cites anecdotal evidence of patients achieving total freedom from their psoriasis for up to eight months after treatment, but admits that little long-term data is available and that results will vary. Because a small, targeted light beam is used, only the affected skin is treated—surrounding tissue is left unharmed. This helps speed the healing process and keep discomfort to a minimum. In most cases, laser treatment yields results more quickly than topical medications and the results are often much more dramatic.

What Are the Risks?

All medical procedures come with some degree of risk and laser psoriasis treatment is no exception. Laser treatments are generally associated with minimal risk although adverse effects are sometimes reported. The most common side effects are redness and blistering at the treated sites.

Of course, there is always the chance that the treatment will not yield the dramatic results you may be hoping for. Because psoriasis is a chronic condition, you can expect it to return eventually. Your results may be relatively long-lasting after laser treatment, but there is a possibility that your condition will worsen again shortly after your procedure. Laser treatment is most effective on those patients with mild to moderate psoriasis. Those with more severe symptoms will likely see an improvement in, but not the complete elimination of, their psoriasis.

The Bottom Line

No one should have to suffer the physical pain and psychological effects of psoriasis when such effective treatment methods are available. Management of your condition may be the only thing standing in the way of you and the healthy, happy, socially active lifestyle you dream of.

Although having prominent varicose veins can cause humiliation and self shame, the millions of women currently facing it are hardly alone. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have shown that the condition may effect more than 12 million people in the United States, with 41% of women experiencing some form of abnormal veins by the time they reach age 50.

Thanks to a medical procedure known as sclerotherapy, however, women no longer have to worry about hiding their legs and arms. With the help of a trained medical spa professional, varicose vein sufferers can undergo a series of injections designed to erase obtrusive veins over time.

What is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a proven treatment for varicose veins often administered by physicians or medical spa technicians. By injecting a solution made of sodium chloride into the protruding vein, physicians can cause irritation in the lining of the vessel that will in turn force the blood to clot and turn into scar tissue—allowing the vein itself to eventually fade over time, according to research from the Cleveland Clinic.

Hardly a new procedure, sclerotherapy has been around since the 1930s, when physicians first began understanding the mechanisms of what was causing varicose veins in aging women.

Before undergoing the procedure, patients can expect to be given a local anesthetic such as lidocaine to numb the injection site; however patients who suffer from severe allergies to certain anesthetics may also choose a different solution for the procedure, as long as they inform their medical spa technician or physician in advance.

The number of varicose veins that can be treated during one session depends largely on the professional giving the solution, as well as the pain tolerance of the patient. Most commonly, sclerotherapy sessions last 30 to 45 minutes, with an average of 50% to 80% of a person’s varicose veins being erased during each session.

Who are the best candidates?

Thanks to the variety of solutions that can be used in sclerotherapy treatments, nearly all women who suffer from varicose veins are generally considered good candidates for the procedure.

To be considered an optimal candidate, however, patients should be non-smokers who are both physically and mentally healthy. Anyone with a blood disease should check with their physician before going forward. In addition, women who are breastfeeding or who have recently given birth may not be eligible for the procedure, since the solution used in sclerotherapy can impact a woman’s breast milk.

For anyone who is not considered a good candidate for sclerotherapy, other options for the removal of varicose veins still exist, including laser removal or surgery.

What risks are involved?

Because it has been in use for so many years, the lasting effects of sclerotherapy treatment are well understood by physicians, and many of the potential risks and side effects have been minimized thanks to the use of new and better solutions. However, as with any medical procedure, some dangers do exist for those undergoing sclerotherapy.

It is advised that patients undergoing the procedure discontinue use of aspirin or ibuprofen medications at least 48 hours prior to their appointment, since these medications could negatively impact the outcome.

Although rare, patients undergoing sclerotherapy should be prepared to see lumpy or hard veins in the weeks following the procedure—which should dissipate within a matter of months. Noticeable brown lines may appear around the site of the injection. While these should go away within three to six months, they can last longer—or permanently—in some patients.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warns that further side effects may include temporary stinging, leg cramps, skin sores near the injection site, spots around the veins that were treated, and groups of red blood vessels that may appear enlarged.

Finally, there is the risk that sclerotherapy treatment will not work for some patients, since approximately 10% of patients report seeing no visual change in the look of their varicose veins several months after the procedure.

How much does sclerotherapy cost?

The cost of sclerotherapy can vary greatly based on the geographic area where a patient lives, the setting where it is being done—medical spas tend to be cheaper on average than doctor’s offices—and how severe a patient’s symptoms are. In general, patients can expect to pay $100 to $400 per 30-minute session in a medical spa setting.

Usually gray, brown, or black, and varying in size, dark spots are most commonly found on the areas exposed to excess sunlight and are often harmless from a medical standpoint, according to the Mayo Clinic. Unfortunately, they are still seen as an unsightly nuisance by the legions of women who do not want to be confronted with the fact that they are getting older on a daily basis.

It is due to this that practically an entire cottage industry of treatments for dark spots has blossomed within the field of dermatology. From home remedies to medical procedures, men and women today have a number of options for getting rid of any dark spots they’d rather not have around.

Sun Protection

It may not be of much help once age spots have already begun appearing on your face and hands. But to prevent getting any more it is best to stay out of the sun as much as possible. If staying out of the sunlight during peak hours is impossible, it is best to apply copious amounts of sunscreen and wear sun-protective clothing, which can help limit exposure to harmful rays.

So why must men and women over 40 worry about seeing dark spots after too much rays, when their younger peers don’t? Blame it on the melanin, which produces at an increased rate in the skin due to UV light, and produces dark spots when it becomes “clumped” over time.

Skin Bleaching

For patients hoping to erase dark spots with the use of an at-home product, one of the most common options is using a form of “bleach.” Ingredients such as hydroquinone work to stop the production of melanin in the skin, which in turn decreases the likelihood of dark skin spots. In addition, some people choose to use a hydroquinone cream together with other agents such as tretinoin or cortisone cream, while others choose a stronger prescription remedy such as Retin-A.

Although over-the-counter bleaching creams are relatively safe, they may not be strong enough for many people. And while prescription agents such as Retin-A are usually strong enough to help fade even the darkest of spots, they also come with a variety of possible side effects such as redness, drying, and peeling of the skin. In addition, prescription options are much more expensive.

Chemical Peels

After bleaching, the next most popular option for treating dark spots is chemical peels. When given by dermatologists or trained spa technicians, chemical peels can remove signs of age spots—as well as skin discoloration and wrinkles—in as little as an hour, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Unfortunately, not everyone reacts to chemical peels in the same manner, and deep peels done with harsh chemicals may be harmful to certain skin types. While “lunch time” peels performed using glycolic acid are generally considered safe for all adults, it may take a series of treatments over the course of a month before patients see full results in regards to the fading of sun spots.

Dermabrasion

Often used to treat acne scars, dermabrasion can also be used to treat sun spots and other skin discolorations as well by essentially “sanding down” the skin’s surface with a rotating brush. The technique of dermabrasion is can be used over large surfaces, including hands, arms, and obviously the face. The downside of the technique, however, is that patients commonly experience redness and temporary scabbing afterwards, forcing patients who undergo it to wait a full eight to 12 days before returning to a normal appearance.

Laser Resurfacing

For anyone looking for a dramatic fix and unafraid of a little pain, laser resurfacing is an in-office treatment that can deliver dramatic results. With the help of a laser, dermatologists can burn off dark spots—along with wrinkles and fine lines—in as little as one treatment. Even better, the results of laser resurfacing can last up to five years for some patients.

As with any procedure involving laser therapy, however, undergoing resurfacing can be especially painful, as redness, peeling, and scabbing may occur in the days following the procedure. Additionally, laser resurfacing can be among the most costly option for treating dark spots, with treatments costing $1,000 to $5,000 per session.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

Sometimes laser resurfacing is combined with liposuction treatments. Liposuction removes unwanted fat, but can leave wrinkles in the skin. Laser resurfacing would then target those wrinkles as a sort of post-operative treatment.

How it works

Pulses of laser light go through the skin, vaporizing water and even destroying surface skin, but without causing any harm to the layers of skin beneath (the dermis). Hundreds or even thousands of pinpoints of laser light are delivered to the skin’s surface. It allows the damaged skin to grow back quickly, in little at a time.

Here’s a breakdown of the different resurfacing lasers, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser: It’s the strongest of the available resurfacing lasers. It’s designed to treat deep wrinkles.

Erbium laser: This is gentler than the carbon dioxide laser. It’s suited to milder wrinkles.

Pulsed dye laser: This uses the spectrum of yellow light. It targets skin blemishes that have resulted from abnormal blood vessels.

Cost:

The average cost of a single laser resurfacing session is $2,128. That includes physician’s fees only. Keep in mind that more than one session may be necessary to adequately achieve the goals you and your doctor have defined, according to the online plastic surgery resource, a Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery

Who’s it for?

If you’re looking to erase deep lines and wrinkles, to smooth or tighten eyelid skin, to remove brown spots, to treat uneven skin tone, or to improve unsightly scars, then you may want to check out laser resurfacing. It targets those blemishes that sit right on the top layer of skin, in the epidermis. Laser resurfacing destroys the skin containing the blemishes, allowing new skin to fill its place.

Risks and Benefits

Laser resurfacing allows the physician to customize treatment for each patient because lasers can be controlled to target specific areas of the face, for example, in ways that dermabrasion or chemical peals cannot.

But laser resurfacing alone cannot treat crow’s feet, broken blood vessels, or dark circles under the eyes. And those who have previously undergone silicone injections are not medically eligible for laser resurfacing.

As with many medical procedures, laser resurfacing comes with its risks: Burns, scarring, abnormal pigmentation, or infections are all possible.

The Bottom Line

Different  laser resurfacing treatments are designed for the severity of the skin blemishes in question. Though it can be expensive, laser resurfacing’s effects are long-lasting.

IPL stands for intense pulsed light. It’s a cosmetic treatment that’s also known as photorejuvenation. Don’t get IPL mixed up with all the different cosmetic laser treatments you’ve heard of.

IPL doesn’t use any laser light. IPL is in a class all it’s own. Check this out: Lasers use single-color wavelengths of light. IPL uses the entire spectrum of light. Depending on the treatment, different wavelengths are blocked so that they don’t enter the skin. That means that IPL treatment could be more useful than lasers to treat m ore skin disorders. That’s because different skin disorders can be treated with different wavelengths of light.

Let’s focus on two examples of treatments that IPL offers: hair removal and skin blemishes.

Hair removal: A xenon flash-lamp with focusing optics is aimed at specific parts of the skin the patient has identified for removing unwanted hair. The practitioner applies a broad spectrum of light to the skin using either a hand-held tool, or by controlling a mechanical arm.

Light travels through the skin, through the outer epidermis and into the dermis, striking the hairs’ roots. The light converts to heat energy and actually vaporizes the hair, the entire follicle, from the root up.

Skin blemishes: The filtered broad spectrum of light penetrates the skin tissue. In the case of treating vascular lesions, the light is absorbed by the blood. In the case of treating pigmented lesions, the light is absorbed by melanin.

These different targets are reached by filtering the broad spectrum of light.

On a small level, the tissue where the vascular or pigmented lesions are has been slightly injured from the IPL heat energy. So the body naturally removes that area of the skin and replaces it with new skin. That means the skin is new – and looks new, fresh, and blemish-free – where there were previously lesions.

Who’s it for?

Here’s a partial list of skin conditions that bring people to IPL treatment: sun damage, acne scars, broken capillaries, pigmentation marks, fine lines and wrinkles, a red complexion, sunspots, large pores, vascular lesions, and spider veins

Remember that IPL is known as photorejuvenation. Rejuvenation is the key word there: People want to look young again and to have the fresh, strong aura of youth.

The Pros and Cons

IPL is cheaper and faster than laser treatments. IPL is non-surgical and non-ablative, which means that it doesn’t damage the skin’s surface. However, it takes several treatments to get the desired results, and once you get those results, they don’t last forever – they last up to a year. Side effects include skin redness that can come and go, and increased or decreased pigmentation.

And IPL isn’t for everyone. It excludes those with lupus, dark skin complexions, dark tans, and those with porphyria (a blood disorder that makes people sensitive to light).

The Bottom Line

Intense pulsed light treatment can be a great alternative to laser treatment. IPL uses the full spectrum of light. One of its main drawbacks is its impermanence: Don’t expect the desired effects to last longer than a year.