SkinMedica Newsletter

A CLOSER LOOK AT ANTIOXIDANTS
Charlotte based board-certified plastic surgeon, Kevin Smith, M.D. F.A.C.S., gives his expert insight on antioxidants.

In recent years, doctors and researchers alike have come to believe in the free radical theory of aging. You’ve likely heard of free radicals as well, and it’s important to understand these chemical particles before delving into more about antioxidants.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that seek out electrons in our bodies and in our skin. Free radicals are the byproducts of our bodies’ oxygen-driven energy system, and they steal electrons from cells and collagen, in turn degrading and corroding our cells, which causes aging changes both within and on the surface of our bodies. When an electron is stolen, another free radical is formed …

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WHAT SUN DAMAGE REALLY MEANS

Everyone knows the importance of sun protection, so I will not repeat it all over again. What some might not know is what exactly happens to your skin when you walk away from the beach with that beautiful suntan. Perhaps in the short term, it makes you look good, but that golden color is not all you’re getting. What appears as “attractive tanned skin” is actually the result of injury to the skin. Essentially it is damage to DNA that causes the tanning response, in other words tanning doesn’t begin until some damage has already happened. …

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PREPARING FOR SUMMER TRAVEL

Your SkinMedica® favorites are TSA-approved

It’s summer travel season, and just because you’re heading out of town doesn’t mean you should leave your skin care regimen home. Nothing gets a trip off on the wrong foot like having your products confiscated at airport security, but luckily all of your SkinMedica favorites are TSA-approved, so you can have beautiful skin and a beautiful vacation.

Instead of lugging around a full-size cleanser, make Skin Polisher your skin’s travel companion. Designed to gently lift dull, dead cells from the skin with round, soft jojoba beads that won’t irritate skin, after just a few days you’ll see a revitalized complexion that most people will think is a result of a relaxing getaway. The cream formulation won’t overdry skin, and leaves you with a gorgeous glow. …

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SkinCeuticals has been featured on the Today Show for a second time this month! Yesterday (5/25), editor-in-chief of Allure Magazine promoted C E Ferulic as a product that doctors love and recommend in a segment discussing the five biggest mistakes women make when it comes to caring for their skin.
Click here to view.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque Featured on Today Show

Click here to watch

 The National Rosacea Society is a great resource for anyone suffering from this skin condition disorder or skin redness in general. Although the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, all facial flushing is the result of blood vessels that dilate too easily, leading to visibly red skin. In those with rosacea, redness is often accompanied by acne-like lesions, and flare-ups that can be triggered by spicy foods, hot liquids, alcohol, changes in weather and other lifestyle or environmental factors. Inflammation is a major contributor to rosacea and any skin flushing, and it is also responsible for the redness associated with acne.

Treatments for rosacea and redness vary depending on the severity of the skin reaction, and dermatologists may recommend oral antibiotics, lasers and skin care products. As with any patients with sensitive skin, those who experience redness should choose gentle skin care products free of harsh ingredients, and steer clear of acids and other exfoliating products that can cause irritation. Anti-inflammatory ingredients can also help soothe redness.

One problem with over-the-counter skin care products that claim to soothe redness is that many of these contain active ingredients that have never been proven to address the underlying causes of visible redness. These products may provide redness relief for the short-term only to result in rebound redness or just provide a temporary tint as cover-up.

One product that has been proven to alleviate the appearance of visible redness is SkinMedica’s Redness Relief CalmPlex. This treatment moisturizer is designed for those who suffer from chronic or acute, UV-induced redness, and it can also be used by anyone who experiences flushing. As opposed to being a treatment for a specific skin condition, Redness Relief CalmPlex is a treatment moisturizer that fits into any skin care regimen for anyone with redness prone skin. It won’t clog pores and it provides adequate moisture for most skin types. Redness Relief CalmPlex contains niacinamide to help strengthen the skin’s barrier and make sensitive skin more resilient. When used in conjunction with a gentle face wash, clinical testing shows a marked improvement in physician-graded redness. (Just remember to apply sunscreen daily on top of Redness Relief CalmPlex, as sun exposure can make redness worse.)

the best new flaw fixers available today. One big issue for many people is how to git rid those dark spots and patchy discoloration on your skin. On the subject of skin imperfections, sun spots, freckles, age spots, and other hyperpigmentation, Ms. Williams noted that we used to be limited to using Hydroquinone to try and fix those flaws. Hydroquinone however, has side effects and can cause irritation, redness and excessive peeling – and on top of that it is a cytotoxic chemical that you should not use for long on your face.

watch?v=F7kVlwVQ71I?rel=0&w=480&h=390

Entertainment Tonight Features SilkPeel as a

Dr. Oz show. featured The Skin Medica’s TNS LipPlump System and Lytesse undergarments both available at our Clinic. Check the link to see a part of the show.

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/tuesday-dr-oz-show

FRAXEL re:pair — Dramatic Results in a Single Treatment

“The Fraxel is excellent but really can’t achieve the profound movement of facial structures that we see in a facelift. What I would say is that the fractional technology dramatically enhances the safety of the powerful CO2 laser. While many lasers and light based devices fail to deliver results, we get some degree of improvement every time with the Fraxel re:pair.”

Michael S. Godin, M.D.

Facial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

THE FIRST OF ITS KIND—ABLATIVE EFFICACY WITH FAST RECOVERY

The Fraxel re:pair laser is the only CO₂ laser on the market that delivers the efficacy of conventional bulk ablative lasers—without the prolonged downtime, risks or complications.

Though it’s the newest product in the Fraxel family, the Fraxel re:pair laser has already started revolutionizing the industry. It delivers dramatic results in a single treatment—without weeks of downtime. It’s also a compelling option for patients who want remarkable results without surgery.

Advanced technology—

CO₂ resurfacing meets fractional photothermolysis

Unlike traditional CO₂ lasers, which perform a thin, general ablation of the entire skin surface, the Fraxel re:pair laser uses microscopic treatment zones (MTZs) to ablate tissue deep within the dermis. Even though the laser does not protect the stratum corneum, the unique Fraxel technology spares much of the surrounding healthy tissue in the demis. This results in immediate coagulation, tissue shrinkage and skin tightening.

The Fraxel re:pair is a CO₂ laser which combines the efficacy of ablative skin resurfacing with safety of fractional delivery. See how the Fraxel re:pair laser compares to the conventional CO₂ laser:

Video about the revolutionary Fraxel re:pair

Powerful and versatile—Treat many indications with a single system

Thanks to the unique fractional technology, the Fraxel re:pair system can be used for both superficial skin conditions and deeper damage. And since you select the energy level, treatment level and number of passes, you can tailor each treatment to your patient’s needs. Key features of the Fraxel re:pair system:

• Treats up to 4 times faster than any other ablative fractional device. Our exclusive Intelligent Optical Tracking^® system adjusts to hand speed and ensures treatment is uniform and fast. A typical full-face treatment takes just 30-40 minutes, which enables you to treat more patients and maximize ROI. The continuous-motion system, meanwhile, delivers higher coverage and better, longer-lasting results.
• Delivers the broadest range of fractional ablative treatment parameters. The intuitive, touch-screen interface guides you through the parameter selection—superficial to deep (5-70 mJ) and mild to aggressive (5-70% coverage). The system optimizes the microscopic spot size for each energy level, maximizing penetration while minimizing bulk heating in surrounding tissue.
• The only fractional ablative device with FDA clearance for vascular dyschromia. In addition, Fraxel re:pair treatment is cleared for ablation and resurfacing of soft tissue, rhytides, pigmented lesions, wrinkles, fine lines, furrows and textural irregularities.
• Safe choice. The unique Fraxel scanning technology, combined with the precision and effectiveness of a CO₂ laser source, reduces the degree of risk for lines of demarcation or long-term side effects compared with traditional CO₂ lasers.
• Clinically proven technology. The Fraxel re:pair laser is backed by extensive research with more than three years of clinical follow-up with over 2,500 patients and 5,000 histologies.

FRAXEL re:pair. Frequently Asked Questions

How is Fraxel re:pair different from Fraxel re:store?

As a non-ablative laser, Fraxel re:store treatment coagulates epidermal and dermal tissue, while penetrating the stratum corneum as if it were a window, leaving it completely intact. As a result, there is no clinical downtime. And depending on the aggressiveness of the treatment, social downtime is only 2-4 days. The ablative Fraxel re:pair laser, on the other hand, still treats the skin fractionally, but it microscopically removes all layers of the skin in its treatment zone, including the stratum corneum. Due to the removal of the skin’s protective barrier, there is a very small risk of infection following the treatment, as with any ablative laser system. However, thanks to the fractional modality, these risks are much lower than traditional bulk ablative lasers. Depending on the aggressiveness of the treatment, clinical downtime may last up to 2 days and social downtime may last 1 week.

How many Fraxel re:pair treatments are in the typical treatment regimen?

What is the treatment procedure?

First, cleanse the skin. Then, 60 to 90 minutes prior to treatment, apply a topical numbing agent to the treatment area. You may also choose to give another medication, such as Ativan, to relax the patient. The procedure takes approximately 30-40 minutes for a full face. Note: Dr. Godin prefers _____________.

Does Fraxel re:pair treatment hurt?

Most patients describe an increased sensation of heat during the treatment, and there may be some discomfort or pain. However, unlike the experience in traditional CO₂ treatments, patients will feel quite comfortable immediately after a Fraxel re:pair treatment.

What should patients expect after Fraxel re:pair treatment, and what are the risks?

 

Depending on the aggressiveness of treatment, patients may have some pinpoint bleeding following the procedure, as well as some oozing for up to 48 hours until the wounds close up. The most common side effects are edema, which usually subsides after a week, and erythema, which may last up to a month, depending on the aggressiveness of treatment. Other temporary side effects may include minor itching, dry skin, peeling or flaking, and a bronzed skin appearance. Some of these skin reactions may not occur with all patients.

A New “Liquid Lift” Rejuvenator?
Posted Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Out of the popularity of the “liquid facelift” comes another option to rejuvenate your appearance. This one is being called the “liquid eyelift.” To set the record straight, neither one is a true lift because the results are temporary. However, for those individuals who only need subtle adjustments, the “liquid eyelift” can be a welcome nonsurgical option.

Using injectable fillers to fill in hollow areas, your doctor can give the appearance of a subtle lift on parts that are sagging. It is important to note, however, that if there is significant sagging, fillers will not correct it. In this instance, you would most likely be a better candidate for surgery. There are pros and cons to each option, which should be explained by a board-certified plastic surgeon. The results from surgery are permanent and more dramatic but require more downtime. And the results from fillers and, in some cases, Botox as well, used in the liquid option require minimal downtime but need to be done regularly (about every 6 months, on average) to maintain the look.

Envy is also the exclusive licensor of skin brightening peptides including Lumixyl, developed at Stanford University. The Lumixyl peptide is now also available in a topical solution for SilkPeel procedures, addressing hyperpigmentation and photo-damage. More information can be found at www.envymedical.com or by calling (888) 848-3633.

Redness Relief – CalmPLex – Now at MG Skin Care 540-774-3223