wrinkles Archives

The Eclipse Micropen: The latest tool for fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin texture and reducing scaring

We are so excited to start offering the Eclipse Micropen for treatment of scaring, fine lines and wrinkles, and much more. We have been seeing great results and cannot wait for more patients to use it! You can take advantage of our week of beauty specials to get a FREE MicroPen treatment when you buy 2.

image-micropen

How does it work?

The MicroPen device works with the body’s natural immune response in a treatment called “percutaneous collagen induction therapy” (PCIT). The instrument’s tiny needles penetrate the epidermis and dermis (2 outer layers of skin) in a very controlled, precise manner. These micro-injuries to the skin stimulate the body to produce new collagen and elastin – the support system of healthy skin. As the treated area heals, smoother, more even, healthier-looking skin appears.

We sometimes use Eclipse MicroPen to create micro-channels for applying topical treatments, such as lightening agents. This allows more effective absorption deeper into the skin.

What does the MicroPen help?

Fine lines and moderate wrinkles
Scars from acne, surgery or injury
Uneven skin tone or texture
Stretch marks
Premature aging from sun exposure
Enlarged pores

What can I expect?

A sterile needle-tip containing 12 tiny micro-needles is attached to the Eclipse MicroPen. We apply a thin layer of hyaluronic acid gel to your skin and select the appropriate treatment depth based on your unique needs. Next, in a single motion, the pen is gently pressed against the skin while simultaneously gliding in one direction until the entire treatment area has been covered. Treatment time depends on the size of the treatment area and usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

MicroPen before and afters stretchmark

Is there downtime after MicroPen treatments?

There is no downtime to recover from the procedure, but the treatment will result in redness that resembles a raspberry or scrape. The redness may take anywhere from 24 hours to 4 days to go away. If you receive treatment in an area that you cannot easily conceal, you may want to allow time for the treatment site to heal.

When can I expect to see results?

Visible improvements to the treated area begin to appear over 2 to 3 weeks. Continued improvement may continue for up to 6 months following treatment.

How many treatments will I need?

For optimal results, we usually perform 3 to 4 treatments at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks. More severe or advanced conditions, such as scars or deeper wrinkles, can require up to 8 sessions spaced anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks apart.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 27th, 2013 at 9:44 pm and is filed under Cosmetic Procedures. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Frownies: The At-Home Botox Alternative?

How Botox works is that it temporally prevents a muscle from moving. If you cannot move a particular muscle you cannot make the expression that causes a certain wrinkle. It usually takes four to seven days for Botox to start working and the effects tend to last from three to four months. As muscle action gradually returns, the lines and wrinkles begin to re-appear and wrinkles need to be re-treated. The lines and wrinkles often appear less severe with time because the muscles are being trained to relax. As we get older and lose elasticity in the skin, a permanent crease can form leaving a wrinkle that is noticeable even without muscle contraction. Botox does not get rid of these wrinkles, but may help soften them.

When I spotted Frownies on Pinterest I had to check them out. . They are essentially thick pieces of paper with an old school stamp-like adhesive. You wet them, and then stick them on your face in areas you have a wrinkle caused by movement. In the picture, you can see the woman has them in between her eyebrows and on her forehead – typical places you get wrinkles due to making normal facial expressions. Frownies are not moisturizers and they don’t help to fill in wrinkles, nor do they stimulate collagen. They simply prevent you from making the expressions that cause certain wrinkles – exactly like Botox. The advantage to Botox is that it lasts 24 hours a day where you may only wear frownies for about 8 hours a day.

Frownies may mildly improve these expression lines but results would only be temporary and lines would return as soon as you start moving that muscle again.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 15th, 2013 at 10:50 am and is filed under Botox/Dysport, Cosmetic Procedures, Skin Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

…but a tan makes me look 10lbs thinner

Who doesn’t love the first warmth of the summer sun after that cold winter chill? While our winters in Southern California usually only run in the 60°s we love our warm summer weather too. With Memorial Day coming up this weekend many people will be spending time outside. Being sun smart doesn’t mean that you have to lock yourself indoors. Check out these tips for how to protect yourself while still enjoying your summer:

SUNSCREEN! SUNSCREEN! SUNSCREEN!– did you need me to say that again? Regular use of a good sunscreen is key to preventing skin cancers and sun damage. SPF (sun protection factor) which is what we all look for in sunscreens, only refers to our protection against UVB rays, but we now know what UVA rays are just as dangerous to our skin. We recommend a sunscreen with broad spectrum coverage (i.e., blocks both UVA & UVB rays). UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and cause wrinkling and skin cancers. Look for ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to be assured that you are properly protected.
PHYSICAL PROTECTION- UV rays are at their strongest between 10am-4pm. If possible try avoiding direct sunlight during these hours. Enjoy the warm summer days while sitting under an umbrella or cabana while sipping your beverage of choice. Unable to seek shade during the day? Choose a fabulous wide-brimmed hat, a pair of large sunglasses and a light weight cover-up for extra sun protection.
FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT- Sunless tanning has come a long way. No need to worry about looking like Snooki when you step out of the spray booth. Mystic Tan, a popular spray tan machine, offers a very light formulation perfect for spray tan novices. Also, tanning lotions are great because they allow for a gradual natural looking glow.

So remember…

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 25th, 2011 at 6:11 pm and is filed under Skin Cancer, Skin Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.