SkinHealth Blog

IPL Photo Rejuvenation Skin Treatment

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Photo Rejuvenation  (Photo = Light; Rejuvenation = to make young again!) is a non-surgical cosmetic skin treatment that uses laser light energy to reverse the signs of aging or to correct skin irregularities.

As many as a million Americans receive IPL Photo Facials annuallyto treat such skin effects as:

• brown age spots or blotches
• freckles and sun damage
• broken blood vessels or spider veins
• Rosacea (roh-ZAY-sha) or red-faced, acne-like skin

There are some notable benefits of IPL photo rejuvenation versus other cosmetic laser procedures:

1. The epidermis or outer most layers of the skin remains untouched. Rather the energy-filled laser beams are channeled to the deeper skin layers or dermis.
   This promotes the growth of new skin cells - that will yield newer and younger skin -- as the unwanted pigmentation is removed.
2.  Little or no pain.
3. No post-treatment downtime. You can resume your regular daily routine as soon as the treatment is finished.
   
4. Long term results varying slightly in the technique and technology used which may be supplemented with other treatmens.

Even patients with less aged-effected skin use IPL treatments as a preventative cosmetic solution to sustain and even skin tone and expose a more radiant complexion by the turnover of new skin cells.

For best results, SkinHealth Centers in Boston and Wellesley recommends at least three IPL treatments, spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart as needed. Each treatment lasts about 30 to 45 minutes.

Don't miss SkinHealth's March Special on IPL Photo Rejuvenation.

Glycolic Moisturizers: Perfect for that Winter Alligator Skin!

In the winter climes, your skin can become dreadfully dehydrated and scream out for more moisture - you know that alligator skin feel!

Glycolic acid moisturizers are the best winter time relief for dry, scaly skin on your legs, arms and body. The glycolic acid helps to dissolve the "cellular glue" that holds dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. The build-up of dead cells dulls your complexion, clogs your pores, and causes fine lines, wrinkles and brown spots to appear.

Glycolic acid, a naturally occurring substance derived from sugar cane, is the preferred alpha hydroxy acid for use in skin care products because of its ability to penetrate the skin. When used on a daily basis, glycolic acid products can greatly improve the appearance and texture of your skin.

Skin-Retexturizing with Glycolic Moisturizers

Quick-absorbing glycolic lotion exfoliates, moisturizes and rejuvenates your skin. This potent trinity means that your skin will naturally look and feel healthier, younger, tighter and smoother. Generally speaking visible results can be seed on most people within a month.

With the right complex, you can say goodbye to flaky legs and dry arms - that alligator skin!

SkinHealth's Intensive Body Moisturizing Complex with 15% glycolic offers winter-time relief for dry, flaky skin without irritation. It is fragrance free and fortified with antioxidants to keep the skin supple. SkinHealth glycolic moisturizers are available at SkinHealth Centers in Boston and Wellesley Centers and online at http://shop.skinhealthcenters.com

Special savings for purchases through 2-28-1010

 

Lip Augmentation: A Younger Look for Valentine’s Day!

Ample, luscious, perfect lips have always had their admirers. Among them was Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the 19th century English poet who wrote what could truly be considered an ode to beautiful lips:

A man had given all other bliss,
and all his worldly worth for this,
to waste his whole heart in one kiss
upon her perfect lips.

A plump pout is widely synonymous with youth, and an icon of sensuality. Indeed, many feel lips are the most youthful aspect of a face, especially when complimented by high cheeks.

It's no wonder, then, that for beauty reasons alone, lip augmentation is a highly sought after cosmetic procedure. Celebrities with full, plump pouts, such as Angelina Jolie, have cut a public figure many women want to emulate.

In addition to plumper and fuller lips, lip augmentation can improve lip shape and reduce fine lines and lip wrinkles around the mouth.

The possibility of ending up with lips that are over-plumped or too big and puffy gives many people pause. You can imagine the outcome, if you haven't seen pictures of unfortunate results.

In the hands of an experienced doctor or nurse practitioner with a studied sense of how natural lips should look, that almost never happens. Also, bigger is not always better; going for a less-is-more, subtle change approach produces a younger, softer and totally natural look.

There are both minimally invasive, non-surgical temporary solutions and permanent solutions including implants for lip augmentation.

Lip augmentation is generally performed with non-surgical, injectable lip fillers.

Lip fillers should be selected with care to ensure softness and non-delectability. That's the reason why aesthetic cosmetic practitioners like SkinHealth Centers in Boston and Wellesley feel that the hyaluronic fillers are the best for lips.

Hyaluronic fillers include Restylane, Juviderm, Perlane and Juviderm Ultra.

Does it hurt? Most patients seem to prefer that a numbing agent is mixed into the syringe as the injection is given. There may be some mild discomfort. A dental block to totally numb your mouth is also an option.

Lip augmentation is for young and old: For those who wish to enhance the lips they are born with, replace what time has taken away, and for younger women who have not yet lost volume in their lips but want a fuller, poutier look.

Lip enhancement with hyaluronic lip injections usually lasts six to eighteen months.

Botox® and Dysport® -- injectable cosmetic wrinkle smoothing agents

There's no holding back our facial emotions - leastways smiling and laughing. As we age, the contracting effects can produce lines, from crow's feet around your eyes to wrinkles along your forehead?

Botox® and Dysport® are both injectable cosmetic wrinkle smoothing agents that have both been shown to really work. Essentially, these injectibles temporarily relax or paralyze the muscles in the upper face, smoothing out undesirable lines to produce a more relaxed and youthful appearance.

Botox and Dysport have been administered to over 21 million people in the past decade with very few complications. Botox® has been used effectively for cosmetic purposes in the United States for a number of years now. Dysport® has been used safely for many years throughout Europe, Brazil and more than 26 other countries worldwide has recently been approved for use July 2009 in the US physicians.

SkinHealth Center physician Dr. Daniel J. Townsend, who specializes in cosmetic surgery of the eye and eyelids, Botox and Dysport as well as facial fillers such as Restylane, Juviderm, Perlane, Artefill and more, was one of the first physicians in the country to use Botox and trains other physicians.

More in depth information available here.

Restylane – What to Consider When Consulting a Doctor.

For smoothing wrinkles, sculpting lips, and improving other facial features - especially around the mouth and nose -- Restylane injections are a growing favorite. The results are generally fully evident within a week and the effects of Restylane treatments can last six months or more.

Restylane is a clear liquid gel, a non-animal-based hyaluronic acid (a natural sugar compound), approved by the FDA in December 2003.

Consulting a Qualified Doctor with specific Restylane injection experience is essential for safety, for achieving optimal results and to ensure that you receive the most appropriate treatment for your condition.

Here are some tips to consider when consulting a doctor:
• Review the doctor's credentials, education, training, type of certification held, and number of times that the treatment has been performed by the doctor.
• Find out the dosage that will be required to achieve a satisfactory result for your condition.
• Ask your doctor to estimate the number of treatments required to maintain the results you are expecting.
• View before-and-after photos of patients who received Restylane and alternative procedures.
• Ask about complication risks and possible side effects, including the impact of smoking.
• Be sure to discuss current medications you're taking and their impact on Restylane treatment.
• Request a list of pre- and postoperative instructions. Following these instructions can reduce the risk of complications.

At Skinhealth Centers in Boston and Wellesley, Massachusetts, Dr. Daniel J. Townsend, specializes in cosmetic surgery of the eye and eyelids, Botox and facial fillers including Restylane and more.