Your Rx for Beautiful Skin
Posted December 31, 2014 in Facial Rejuvenation, Injectables, Laser, Peels
A Key Component of Facial Rejuvenation
By Sherri Roberts
Smooth, supple, evenly-toned skin radiates youthful, fresh-faced beauty. But about the time most of us hit our mid-20s, the natural aging process causes the skin’s collagen production to slow—the process which helps the skin to remain smooth and firm—and the skin’s elastin begins to weaken, meaning skin’s ability to snap back into place becomes compromised, which is why expression lines become more visible around the eyes, forehead, and mouth. In addition, skin cell turnover rate begins to slow, so that older, damaged cells which lie on the skin’s surface are less quickly sloughed off and replaced by fresh, new cells. Along with this intrinsic aging process, external factors such as sun exposure, environmental pollutants, and smoking prematurely age the skin, leading to fine lines, brown spots, a blotchy complexion, and a rougher, more leathery skin texture.
While we can’t stop the aging process, the good news is Dr. Patronella’s Added Touch Medical Spa has many non-surgical skin-resurfacing treatments that can remove years from your appearance by restoring a soft, smooth, and even tone to your complexion. Many of these can be performed in less than an hour and require little to no down time. In addition to restoring your skin’s smoothness and youthful glow, these treatments can effectively target and diminish a wide array of concerns including:
- Fine lines
- Brown Spots/sun damage
- Acne/acne scars
- Rosacea
- Stretch marks
- Surgical scars
- Spider veins
- Unwanted hair
Laser treatments, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion all work to resurface the skin, removing the damaged outer layers to reveal fresher, younger-looking skin. The resurfacing action of these treatments is accomplished through differing methods: microdermabrasion uses the gentle mechanical action of crystals to massage away dead skin cells, while chemical peels rely on agents such as salicylic acid and lactic acid—a natural alpha hydroxy acid that is found in milk—to slough away dead skin cells.
Fraxel laser treatments work from the inside out to renew the skin’s surface through microscopic laser columns that penetrate into the dermis to stimulate the remodeling of the skin’s collagen and elastin, resulting in firmer, fresher-looking skin. If skin color irregularities are your primary concern, pulsed light treatments (IPL) are an effective option to restore a more even tone to the skin. They use wavelengths of pulsed light to target and destroy vascular and pigmented lesions such as spider veins, rosacea, and sunspots/sun damage. In addition, pulsed light treatments can be used to eliminate acne-causing bacteria and inhibit future breakouts.
So with such a great assortment of skin resurfacing options from which to choose, how do you know which is best for your needs? While all will help to restore a fresher, smoother, evenly-toned appearance to your skin, the treatment that works best for you will depend upon factors such as the level of exfoliation you desire, the skin characteristics you seek to improve, and your skin tone. The skin care specialists at the Added Touch Medical Spa will evaluate your skin appearance goals and concerns in order to recommend the treatments and products that will most effectively help you achieve the results you desire. Optimal results are generally achieved through a series of four skin-resurfacing treatments spaced about four weeks apart.
To further enhance the appearance of your skin and maintain the results of treatments, we recommend a daily skin care routine that includes products containing active, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients that work beneath the surface of the skin to regenerate it and protect it from the sun damage and free radicals that wreak havoc on its health and appearance. One of the most beneficial products you can use is a retinoid—a powerhouse ingredient that increases skin cell turnover rate and stimulates collagen production to improve the skin’s tone, texture, elasticity, and firmness. By combining skin resurfacing treatments with a daily skin care routine that is customized to meet your skin’s needs, you have an effective formula to rejuvenate the look of your skin—the foundation of natural beauty and a youthful appearance.
If you are interested in learning more about skin resurfacing treatments and our full line of SkinMedica and Obagi skin care products to rejuvenate the appearance of your skin, Dr. Patronella’s skin care specialists will be happy to answer all of your questions and explain the options that will best meet your needs. Call us today at (713) 575-1996 to schedule your consultation with a skin care specialist at the Added Touch Medical Spa.