Understanding Chemical Peels: How They Work The skin has many layers. Skin cells are formed deep within the skin itself and as the cells mature, they make their way toward the surface of the skin. In fact, the outermost layer of skin is actually made up of dead skin cells that had migrated from deeper layers. A chemical peel removes the outer layers of skin to reveal younger skin beneath, literally. Not only are the skin cells younger because they were “born” more recently than skin cells in outer layers, but the skin that remains after a chemical peel appears younger and smoother. Effects of Aging and Sun Damage on Skin Ultraviolet light from the sun and the ravages of time make the skin appear old. The skin becomes lax, discolored, wrinkled, and blotchy however most of the physical entities that cause these blemishes reside in the outer layers of skin. The more layers of skin that rest on top of scars, folds, and wrinkles, the deeper they appear. By extension, these blemishes are more noticeable and unappealing. Thus by chemically removing the outer layers of skin, scars and wrinkles are minimized. Also, discolorations and blotches appear less intense compared to the surrounding skin. The Science Behind Chemical Peels There is really nothing glamorous about a chemical peel. Often the substance used to remove the outer layers of skin is some sort of acid. What is actually occurring in a chemical peel is that the peel is disrupting the connections between skin cells and actually destroying the cells themselves. Stronger agents, like phenol, rapidly destroy skin cells while milder...
What Is a Medi-Spa? A medispa or med-spa is perhaps the natural extension of a dermatologists practice. In order to become a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, one must spend four years in medical school, match to a very competitive residency, and then complete four to seven more years of training. A massage therapist or aesthetician needs very little training by comparison. Despite this difference, physicians recognized that hundreds of millions of dollars were being spent on spa treatments each year. In order to capture some of these out-of-pocket dollars, physicians began offering their medical services along with non-medical services. Thus a patient could have a dermal filler injection along with her microdermabrasion and deep tissue massage. Unfortunately, when physicians started getting into the business of spa treatments, they created a bit of confusion among patients seeking cosmetic services. The average patient did not know what procedures needed to be performed by a doctor and which could be performed by a well-trained, but possibly unlicensed, staff member. In order to compete with the new medispa, traditional day spas would hire physicians to be their medical directors or physician liaisons. The doctor would receive compensation, the day spa would change to a med-spa and the services would remain the same (but the prices would go up). Even worse, with the physician to “direct” the medispa, some facilities performed procedures that were at the boundaries set up by medical licensure boards. Defining a Medical Spa: Industry Standards In other words, the term medical spa is pretty loosely applied. The International Medical Spa Association defines a medical spa as “a facility that operates...
Protect Skin From Sun Damage Before It Begins One of the most powerful ways that we have in the fight against sun damaged skin is prevention. We know that sunburns and sun damage come from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation is light that cannot be seen with the human eye because the wavelength is too small. There are two important UV wavelength ranges for the skin, UVA and UVB. Both UVA and UVB wavelengths can cause premature aging of the skin and UVB rays are particularly nasty causes of skin cancer. Incidentally, tanning booths emit both UVA and UVB radiation, just like the sun. In order to protect skin from sun damage and burns, it is critical to find something that prevents both UVA and UVB radiation from striking the skin. Clothes and hats work the absolute best at blocking rays, but few people want to wear that type of physical protection at the beach. Most people that care about their health and choose to avoid sun damage to skin opt for a lotion that they can slather or spray on their skin to act as a thin barrier for the sun’s rays. This protection comes in the form of sunscreen or sunblock. Sunscreen vs. Sunblock There is much confusion about the terms sunscreen and sunblock, even among medical professionals. Some define sunblock as a physical barrier that reflects radiation and sunscreen as a chemical barrier that absorbs radiation. In truth, the terms are used so interchangeably that any meaningful distinction has since been lost. What is important is how well the sunscreen works, how to use it in...
Decoding Skin Conditions: When to See a Dermatologist Most diseases affect the skin in some way. This is especially true with infections and immune system diseases. Hands down, dermatologists are the experts at recognizing subtle differences in the way diseases affect the skin and at making diagnoses the old fashioned way, without a lot of expensive tests. Sure dermatologists will take skin biopsies and send out for blood work, but the field of dermatology rests on visual identification. When other medical professionals are stumped about a particular skin lesion (and with the skin that happens a lot), a dermatologist is the professional to visit. Common Skin Conditions Dermatologists Treat Dermatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide range of skin conditions beyond just acne or skin cancer. Common issues like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and fungal infections often require targeted medical interventions to control symptoms and prevent flare-ups. For individuals dealing with chronic skin disorders, seeing a board-certified dermatologist can help identify effective long-term management plans, including prescription treatments, lifestyle adjustments, and ongoing skin care routines. Searching for terms like “best dermatologist for eczema” or “psoriasis treatment near me” is a great first step for those seeking professional help. The Importance of Annual Skin Exams Routine skin checks are essential for early detection of potential skin cancers and other abnormalities. Many dermatologists recommend scheduling a full-body skin exam once a year, especially for individuals with a personal or family history of skin cancer, fair skin, or frequent sun exposure. These exams allow professionals to monitor moles, lesions, and other changes in the skin that might otherwise go unnoticed. For people...
Many of us can identify something about our face or body that we do not like. Maybe we can even identify a few things. In the majority of people these perceived flaws do not fit the notion of physical beauty and, if they were corrected with cosmetic surgery, may actually make the patient look more attractive. Most of us have a reasonable self image or body image. When we see a feature that could be improved or enhanced we either have surgery to change it, wish to have surgery some day or simply live with the less-than-ideal feature. Some people, however, do not have the self-esteem or positive self image to rationally consider a flaw and move on. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a psychiatric disorder in which the sufferer is exceedingly preoccupied with minor or even nonexistent “flaws” in their appearance. They seek out the services of cosmetic surgeons, dermatologists and other specialists in a never-ending pursuit of perfection. Sadly perfection is rarely achieved, either because the “flaw” was not “corrected” or one surgery reveals to the patient’s mind another “imperfection” that must be addressed. In BDD, appearance becomes an obsession. People with BDD avoid social interactions because they are ashamed of their appearance or fear ridicule. They constantly seek reassurance from others about their appearance, which put strain on relationships. Patients with BDD will commonly worry about their appearance for hours each day. Shrewd plastic surgeons can identify people with presumed or borderline BDD and require that these patients seek psychiatric treatment before surgery. This saves the patient from potentially disfiguring surgery and from multiple procedures. Unfortunately...
Cryolipolysis is performed by a plastic surgeon, dermatologist or other physician in the office setting. No anesthesia or sedation is required for the cryolipolysis procedure because it is non invasive and relatively painless. A small area of fat tissue is gently drawn into a suction cup, of sorts. The cryolipolysis device applies cold (which is really removing heat from the tissue) to the treated area for a period of several minutes. The cryolipolysis device is then moved to each treatment area sequentially. Since there are no incisions, anesthesia or sedation, patients can resume normal daily activities immediately after cryolipolysis. What Areas of the Body Can Be Treated with Cryolipolysis? Cryolipolysis is most commonly used to treat localized fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. These include the lower abdomen, flanks (love handles), upper arms, thighs, back fat, and the submental area (double chin). Treatments are highly customizable, and many cosmetic surgeons will develop a treatment plan that targets multiple zones over a series of sessions. Because it’s non-invasive and requires no downtime, cryolipolysis is often chosen by patients looking for subtle body contouring without the risks or recovery associated with liposuction surgery. Who is Eligible for Cryolipolysis? The technology is fairly new but appears to be quite safe in limited laboratory and clinical studies. It does seem that the best results are achieved by patients that are already fit and in good health. Also, cryolipolysis is better suited to treating small target areas like “love handles” rather than large areas of fat like the entire lower abdomen. How Long Do Cryolipolysis Results Last? One of the most...
Several types of acne treatments are useful for the treatment of scarring from acne. Scars can be a devastating result of acne from both the teenage years and adult acne. Chemical Peel Acne Treatments Chemical peels use the application of an acid to the skin needing acne removal treatment. This causes the top layer of the skin to slough off and stimulate new skin. Acids range in strength from mild – which can be applied at home or in a spa acne treatment procedure to much stronger acne scar treatment acids which must be applied by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. The milder acid treatments can be considered to be a natural acne treatment method as they are composed of fruit acids such as beta hydroxy or alpha hydroxy acids. These types of acid peel acne treatments are also used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Dermabrasion Acne Treatment Techniques Microdermabrasion is the process of using a machine to exfoliate the top layer of skin. Microdermabrasion is used for mild acne scarring and must be repeated occasionally. It may be performed by a doctor or aesthetician or by a person at home using a home acne treatment. Actual dermabrasion involves the removal of more of the skin by essentially sanding off skin layers with a dermabrasion tool. It is thought to stimulate collagen and new skin formation resulting in acne treatment for scarring. It is generally painful, produces redness and swelling and must involve some type of anesthesia. Dermabrasion acne procedures require a week or more of recovery time and though it is not useful for...
Restylane is the brand name of the first hyaluronic acid injectable dermal filler approved by the FDA. Originally the company that produces Restylane, Q-Med AB, received FDA approval for the filler to be used as a treatment for deep nasolabial folds, that is, the deep crease that can occur between the nose and the corners of the mouth. The injectable dermal filler has been used by cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists for so much more. Restylane has been used successfully to “fill in” virtually any wrinkle or facial crease. It has also been used to augment the lips and make them appear fuller. Since wrinkles tend to give away the age of the face, filling them in is one way to (temporarily) reverse some of the signs of aging. The manufacturers of Restylane state that over ten million Restylane injections have been delivered across the globe since its release. The Science Behind Restylane The main ingredient of Restylane, hyaluronic acid, is found throughout the body naturally. It is part of the extracellular matrix, that is, the supporting structure that exists between most cells in the body. Rather than try to collect hyaluronic acid for mammals in which it is abundant, the manufacturers of Restylane turn to bacteria to pump out large amounts of hyaluronic acid. Since the chemical is simply excreted by the bacteria, it is very easy to purify. Also, by using genetically engineered bacteria instead of other sources of hyaluronic acid, the risk of allergic reaction with Restylane injection is much smaller. The other advantage of allowing bacteria to produce hyaluronic acid is that molecule is highly cross-linked....
