Skin Rejuvenation
Skin that is free of lines and wrinkles, brown spots and redness appears young, fresh and vibrant. There are several ways to achieve this outcome depending on the issues. First and foremost, a consultation is usually the best way to understand your best options. Here are a few ideas to consider:
Photofacial (IPL-Intense Pulsed Light) is a light-based treatment used to minimize brown spots and redness on the skin. Redness can take more treatments to correct than brown spot removal and reduction. When treating the face, we typically recommend patients receive a full face treatment to start because browns that aren’t yet visible to the eye will be brought out at the same time. By treating the whole face, our patients get a more uniform outcome. Many types of IPL devices require 4-6 treatments. Our Cynosure (formerly Palomar) IPL is so effective that for browns on the face, we encourage one treatment to start. Most patients are satisfied with one treatment, making it very cost effective. It is also very impressive for discolorations on the neck, chest, arms and hands. These areas may require 2 treatments.
For reds, we start with one full face and typically 2-3 more half face treatments provide the desired outcome. There is more swelling with this treatment for reds than browns, so plan on a couple of days of being swollen and in some cases, bruised. Most patients feel it is well worth that inconvenience to regain their much more uniformly colored skin that appears smoother because discolorations are minimized or removed.
Fractional Resurfacing can be done with either non-ablative or ablative laser treatments. Non-ablative provides less downtime- just a day or so- but best outcomes typically come with 3 treatments, each a month apart. For severe lines or scars, more treatments may be desired. This treatment simulates collagen, causing the skin to regenerate. Lines around the eyes or “Crow’s feet” respond the quickest, and lines around the mouth can be more challenging, depending on the depth.
Ablative fractional laser resurfacing treatments are more aggressive. Plan on four days of downtime but a more impressive outcome in most cases. This treatment is done once. It can be repeated for very deep or resistant lines, but because the results take a full six months to be complete, patients need to wait before considering additional treatments.
Microneedling done at a medical practice uses a device that goes into the dermis. This is not allowed in non-medical practices in California. Because of the depth into the dermis, it can also stimulate collagen similarly to fractional resurfacing, but using a different healing mechanism in the skin. It is helpful for lines and textural issues and has minimal downtime- one day for most patients. This is best done in a series of three treatments or can be substituted the 3rd treatment in our fractional laser resurfacing package.
3D Laser Series or “Three for Me” combines both photofacials (IPLs) and fractional resurfacing for the ultimate outcome. On each treatment day the patient receives BOTH the photofacial and the fractional resurfacing treatments. This powerful combination is priced exceptionally well to provide our greatest value and outcome potential in tackling both discolorations as well as fine lines and textural issues.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is the part of a patient’s own blood that is full of the vital nutrients for healing. This natural blood by product is acquired through a simple blood draw of the patient and then the tube is spun in a centrifuge. The PRP is separated from the red blood cells, leaving a clear yellow product that can be applied over the freshly microneedled skin or even injected. Because this is not a prescription drug, it is not FDA approved like a medication would be, but there is an increasing amount of clinical studies showing effectiveness for both skin rejuvenation and as a hair loss treatment.
Reduction of Moles, Bumps & Skin Tags
Mole/Skin Tag Removal
Unsightly skin bumps, moles and tags are very common and can be difficult to treat without scarring. Using our device, Dr. Sherellen Gerhart can safely remove these protrusions with little or no scarring and minimal, if any, discomfort.
