Melasma (Hyperpigmentation)
Melasma is a darkening of the facial skin, commonly affecting the apples of the cheeks, the mid-forehead, jawline and areas around the mouth. Overachieving melanocytes are to blame. These pigment-producing cells become stimulated to produce extra, unwanted melanin, resulting in patchy discoloration. Triggers include estrogen supplements, birth control pills, pregnancy, cellular hypersensitivity to normal estrogen levels and sun exposure. When trying to lighten those bits of brown, it is possible to bleach the skin with creams. If that does not provide the desired result, prescription creams can be used, as well as lasers therapies and glycolic and trichloracetic acid peels.

Hypopigmentation
Hypopigmentation is the lack or loss of natural skin color. This is caused by a decreased level of melanin, the substance that is responsible for the pigmentation or color of the skin. A depletion of melanocytes, or the cells located on the bottom layer of the skin’s epidermis, causes a decrease in the amino acid, tyrosine. This amino acid is necessary for the production of melanin, or pigment. Without it, or when there is not enough, hypopigmentation occurs. There are three main types of hypopigmentation, including vitiligo, albinism and the loss of pigmentation due to skin injury or inflammation, like eczema.

Photodamage
Photodamage is the structural and functional deterioration of sun-exposed skin, resulting in wrinkles, roughness, altered texture and discoloration. Applying the highest and broadest (covers ultraviolet A and B light) SPF daily, over face, ears, neck, chest, forearms and tops of hands can prevent this type of damage. In addition to SPF, topical antioxidant products such as vitamin C, E and K can hydrate and rejuvenate the skin. However, if the skin has already been damaged, vitamin A (retinoid cream) or Alpha Hydroxyl and Beta Hydroxy products can be used to clear the skin and reduce redness.

Birthmarks
Most babies have birthmarks when they are born and some may even appear within the first few weeks of life. Most blood vessel birthmarks are benign and fade in early childhood, however some may continue to adulthood. Some may be cosmetic concerns in the future. Rarely, birthmarks can be serve as precursors to cancer. There are two common types of birthmarks: vascular and pigmented. Vascular birthmarks are made up of blood vessels that have not formed correctly; meanwhile pigmented birthmarks are areas of skin where the color is different from the rest of the skin. More commonly, pigmented birthmarks are referred to as café-au-lait, as they are usually light brown.

Excessive Hair
Forty percent of women suffer from excess facial hair for various reasons including hormones, genetics, medications and even age. You can treat unwanted hair growth using fine clippers, VANIQUA cream (which is a prescription that halts hair growth,) Electrolysis and Physician-performed Laser Hair Removal, that works with all skin types.

Wrinkles/Creases
Wrinkles are a natural part of aging and are more prominent on skin that has been exposed to the sun. Wrinkles form in both the epidermis and the dermis and depending on the layer in which they form, the appearance varies. Your epidermis loses its ability over time to hold onto moisture, resulting in fine lines on the skin’s surface. Meanwhile, deeper down collagen and elastin begin to break down, weakening the skin’s support structure.

Spider veins are formed by the dilation of a small group of blood vessels located close to the surface of the skin. Although they can appear anywhere on the body, spider veins are most commonly found on the face and legs. They usually pose no health hazard but may produce a dull aching in the legs after prolonged standing. Varicose veins are abnormally swollen or enlarged blood vessels caused by a weakening in the vein’s wall. The exact cause of spider and varicose veins is unknown, although heredity, pregnancy and hormonal changes are believed to be factors contributing to both conditions. More than 20 percent of women have some form of a varicose condition. Treatment can include sclerotherapy, a concentrated injection with a very small needle into the spider or varicose vein, or laser leg vein treatment can be used.

We perform ear piercing in our office and offer a numbing cream to use one hour before the procedure. Care for ear piercing is as follows: Cleanse front and back of earlobes, at least twice a day, with an hydrogen peroxide alcohol or an antiseptic solution saturated cotton ball or tissue, and then apply Neosporin, without removing earrings. Next, rotate ear-piercing studs two or three times. Keep hairspray, soap, shampoo and other hair products away from the ear. When done showering, the earlobe should be thoroughly rinsed with pierced ear antiseptic. The training stud should not be removed for six week. After six weeks, the training stud can be removed and other earrings may be worn. However, some type of earring should be worn at all times for the first six months. The earring post should be 14kt gold or 24kt gold plated surgical stainless steel. Sensitivity to metal can develop after ears piercing. In addition, no wire-style earrings should be worn for at least four months after the ears have been pierced.

Clarisonic
The Clarisonic Sonic Method, a combination of patented sonic devices and state-of-the-art skincare formulas, is clinically proven to amplify the results of both professional treatments and daily skincare regimens. Our sonic technology harnesses a patented range of sonic frequencies to drive oscillation between 200 to 350 movements per second – working with the skin’s natural elasticity to beautifully transform its texture and appearance. Clarisonic offers multiple devices including Pro and Mia 2. In conjunction with the devices, you may use one of four brush heads: acne, gentle, body and deep pore.

AgeLOC
AgeLOC is an anti-aging product from NuSkin. It is currently available in Galvanic Spa Facial Gels. Together with the Galvanic Spa, Nu Skin Facial Gels give your skin an immediate, visibly younger appearance. AgeLOC helps internally slow future skin aging before it starts. Both products provide visible results quickly, with benefits that will last into the future.

Acne Vulgaris (Acne)
Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammation of the skin that occurs most often during adolescence, but can occur on and off throughout life. The skin eruptions most often appear on the face, chest, back and upper arms, and are more common in males than females. Symptoms include blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, redness, cysts and abscesses. Acne is caused by plugged oil glands. Exfoliating acne facials are applied to peel away acne and darks spots.

Hydrating
Hydration can be measured by how much water is found in our skin. By hydrating, or moisturizing, we are restoring or maintaining the fluid balance. By regularly moisturizing, you minimize oil secretion resulting in plumper and smoother skin. When your skin is dry, your glands will produce more oil for protection and can become tight, flaky and dull.

Rejuvenating
The CosmedicDerm skin care line adds the beneficial properties of glycolic, retinol, hyaluronic acid to the base of green tea, vitamins A, C, E and CoEnzyme Q10. These additions increase exfoliation, removing brown spots and flaky skin and induce collagen formation, smoothing skin texture. Skin appears more radiant with increased light reflection and clarity.

Microdermabrasion is a surgical procedure that treats acne, photodamage, hyperpigmentation and fine texture change by sanding the skin with a rotary abrasive instrument. This abrasive instrument improves the contour as a new layer of skin replaces the abraded skin, giving new skin a smoother appearance. Soothing ointments and dressing are then applied. Pain during microdermabrasion is minimal to mild. Patients are instructed to avoid unnecessary direct and indirect sunlight for several weeks after the procedure and to use a sunscreen on a regular basis when outdoors.

Chemical peels can be applied to the face, neck, or hands. They may be used to reduce fine lines, treat wrinkles, improve the appearance of mild scars, treat certain types of acne and reduce age spots, freckles and dark patches due to pregnancy or birth control. During a chemical peel, a chemical solution is applied to the skin and allowed to soak in. Over the next one to 14 days, depending on the level of chemical penetration into skin, the skin peels off. This controlled procedure destroys parts of the skin to allow new skin to grow in its place.

Glycolic Peels
Light peels will use glycolic acid. The most common side effect is brown discoloration of the skin, which is usually reversible.

Trichloracetic Peels
Medium peels will utilize trichloroacetic acid to peel away dark spots, smooth texture and scars. The most common side effect is temporary brown discoloration of the skin, which is more common in darker skin tones.

Clear and Brilliant Gentle Laser Skin care treatment
Clear + Brilliant Gentle Laser Resurfacing is an FDA-approved, fractional laser device that works as a preventative laser treatment to combat the early signs of aging or as a maintenance tool used after more aggressive treatments such as Fraxel. This unique treatment is a series of six sessions that let you go about your daily routine directly after the procedure, unlike a chemical peel that leaves you out of commission for a few days.

Fraxel Rejuvenation
Fraxel Rejuvenation is a non-invasive laser therapy providing a wide array of treatment options. The laser addresses many forms of aging with a method that is customized to each patient’s needs and concerns, requiring minimal recovery time. It is the perfect solution for people who want younger looking skin, without a plastic or fake appearance, and cannot afford an extended amount of recovery time from work or their social lives. The “smart scanning” hand piece ensures consistency and safety, while fractional lasers penetrate the top skin layers. Fraxel light energy stimulates collagen and resurfaces the top skin layer. The skin’s natural rejuvenation process lessens the appearance of wrinkles and scars by stimulating collagen.

GentleYag Hair Removal Laser System
The GentleYAG effectively treats all skin types, including tanned skin, offering unmatched treatment capabilities in permanent hair reduction, leg veins, facial veins, and wrinkles. Patients are treated year-round with GentleYAG’s 1064 nm wavelength, multiple spot sizes, variable pulse durations and Candela’s patented cryogen cooling system (DCD™) for maximum patient comfort and safety. 

GentleLase Hair Removal Laser System
The GentleLase System, a revolutionary long-pulse, high-energy alexandrite laser, emits a gentle beam of light that passes through the skin to the hair follicle, where it is absorbed. The laser energy is transformed into heat, which destroys the hair follicle, leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. During treatment, a cooling device further protects the skin. Cryogen is sprayed onto the skin to cool the upper layers and provide patients with increased comfort. The GentleLase System safely removes unwanted body hair without damaging the delicate pores and structures of the skin. An area of the skin is tested prior to the treatment. After testing, the treatment may even be performed on the same day, or up to two weeks later, depending on the skin reaction. The number of treatments required depends on skin color, hair color and coarseness of hair.

Candela TATULAZR (Tattoo Removal)
Treatment with the TATULAZR varies from patient to patient. Results depend on the age, size and type of tattoo, as well as the color of the patient’s skin and depth to which the tattoo’s pigment extends beneath the skin’s surface. Patients with previously treated tattoos may be candidates for the TATULAZR. Tattoos that have not been effectively removed by other treatments may respond well to TATULAZR therapy, providing prior treatment did not cause excessive scarring or skin damage. The Candela Laser is safer than traditional methods because of its unique ability to selectively treat the pigment of a tattoo. Thus, it will eliminate tattoo pigment while leaving the surrounding skin and skin pigment intact. The most easily treated tattoos are blue-black tattoos, both amateur and professional.

Tattoo Removal
Tattoos can be faded with laser treatment. Effectiveness depends on age of tattoo, location professionalism of the tattoo, the color and if other removal methods have been tried.

Sclerotherapy is a technique in which a sclerosing solution is injected into small vessels of the skin to minimize the look of blue veins. The use of a very fine needle results in minimal discomfort. Sclerosing solution dries out the small cells that line the inner walls of blood vessels. A large number of veins within a given area may improve with a single injection. Results vary with the number of areas that have to be injected and the response to each injection. The required number of injections depends on the desired amount of improvement. Eradication by sclerotherapy and treatment is simple, effective and safe. Thousands of people are delighted with the results obtained from this treatment.

Botox & Dysport
Botox Cosmetic and Dysport treatments are simple, nonsurgical procedures that smoothe the deep, persistent lines between your brows that develop over time. One 10-minute treatment- a few tiny injections- relaxes the muscles that cause lines to form and keeps them relaxed for up to four to six months. Most people return directly to work or normal activity immediately following treatment. Within days, they report looking more natural and relaxed. Your doctor will determine exactly where to administer several tiny injections to achieve the best results. No anesthesia is required, although your doctor may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream prior to injecting.

Restylane & Perlane
Restylane, Restylane-L®, Perlane®, and Perlane-L® are all members of the Restylane product family. Each is a clear gel formulation of hyaluronic acid specifically formulated to act as your body’s own naturally produced hyaluronic acid. All of these products help patients to instantly, visibly reduce moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, as well as add fullness to lips.
 
Juvederm (Ultra XC and Ultra Plus XC)
Juvéderm is a silky gel filler that doctors use to instantly flatten wrinkles around your mouth and nose. With just one treatment, patients get soft and natural-looking results that last up to a year. Juvéderm is manufactured using Hylacross technology, creating a smooth-consistency gel. It is infused with lidocaine to improve comfort during treatment. Juvéderm provides the natural-looking results you expect, with the improved comfort you want. Everyone’s skin ages differently, and Juvéderm may be used to rejuvenate multiple problem areas. From smile lines to vertical lip lines, you can soften unwanted wrinkles and restore natural contours.
 
Voluma
A new filler by the makers of Juvaderm Ultra XC which is injected deeper into the upper cheeks to lift the facial skin, softening the lines around the cheeks, lower eye area and smile lines. It has been called a “non-surgical face lift.”
 
RADIESSE
RADIESSE Volumizing Filler adds the volume and lift needed to diminish the signs of aging. What makes RADIESSE truly unique is the product’s ability to act as a scaffold under the skin, providing structure and stimulating your own natural collagen to grow. Radiesse is composed of microspheres of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), the same material that is a major component of bone and teeth. After injection, the body will resorb the gel for the first several weeks to months, with cells from the surrounding tissue replacing the gel carrier around the small solid particles of CaHa. Cleared for filling or augmenting dental intraosseous and oral maxillo-facial defects in the U.S., Radiesse is used for deeper corrections such as facial recontouring, fold improvement, scar correction and lip augmentation. This treatment is not recommended for fine lines.