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                                                                       About Scarring
What is Scarring?
Skin over the jawbone is tighter than skin on the cheek, and will make a scar easier to see. When a scar is depressed, it will make the skin seem shaded. When it's higher than surrounding skin, it will cast a shadow.
How can Scarring be treated?
Do not be discouraged - with proper treatments and products, scarring can be diminished in eight to twelve weeks. This can be done with no side affects or down time.
What is Smoothbeam Laser treatment?This is a laser procedure in which a beam of light at a specific wavelength is applied to the skin and is absorbed by the collagen in the skin, as well as sebaceous glands. This laser procedure may be used in women and men, teenagers to older patients. Any skin type may be treated. What is Smoothbeam Laser used for?Smoothbeam Laser is used for acne, acne scarring and is also used for wrinkles. The laser works by targeting and heating the collagen and sebaceous glands in the dermis while protecting the epidermis. A cooling device cools and protects the skin’s surface. Many acne patients choose to have this procedure in addition to their ongoing medical acne treatment. In those patients whose acne has resolved but they still have scarring, the Smoothbeam Laser helps improve the scars. What are the possible side effects from Smoothbeam Laser treatment?Possible side effects include hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin in the treated area) and hyperpigmentation (darker skin in the treated area) and redness. Although scarring has been reported this is unusual. Occasionally, this laser is not effective. Is Smoothbeam Laser painful?When the laser is applied to the skin, patients feel some stinging, similar in sensation to the snapping of a small rubber band against the skin. We therefore have our patients apply an anesthetic cream to the area being treated for 30 minutes prior to the procedure. This ensures patient comfort during the treatment. Are there any pre-treatment procedures?You will need to have a consultation to review the before and after treatment procedures. The skin being lasered must not be tanned. If the patient has a history of cold sores in the area to be treated, a prescription for an anti-viral medication will be given to you by the physician to be started the day before the laser procedure and taken for a few days afterwards. Patients who took Accutane for acne may not have laser for at least six months (and possibly one year) after stopping Accutane. How is Smoothbeam Laser performed?After the patient has been placed in a comfortable, relaxed position, then the skin is cleaned and topical anesthetic applied. The Smoothbeam handpiece is applied to the skin to deliver the laser light. A cooling device is used at the same time so that the patient feels a spray of coolant on the skin just before each laser pulse. Dark glasses are worn to protect the patient’s eyes from the light. How many treatments will I need?In general, patients have two to six treatments, approximately every four to six weeks. Each treatment takes approximately 30 minutes to one hour. How do I take care of my skin after the Smoothbeam Laser treatment?Cool compresses applied to the treated area help to reduce redness, swelling and discomfort. Gentle skin care is advisable after each treatment. Avoid scrubbing with abrasive cleansers. It is important to protect all your skin from the sun using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day as well as sun protective clothing. When will I see results?Results become visible gradually after two to six treatments. New collagen formation starts after the first laser treatment, but takes time to become visibly improved.
About Wrinkles
What causes Wrinkles?Although wrinkles can signify wisdom, most people nowadays would rather not have them.
However, over time, the dermis loses both collagen and elastin, so skin gets thinner and has trouble getting enough moisture to the epidermis. The fat in the subcutaneous layer that gives skin a plump appearance also begins to disappear, the epidermis starts to sag, and wrinkles form. Skin ages all over the body, but much more so where there has been sun exposure. Changes brought on by sun damage (photoaging) include "dryness" (really roughness), sagginess, skin growths like keratoses ("liver spots"), and wrinkles. Most wrinkles appear on the parts of the body where sun exposure is greatest. These especially include the face, neck, the backs of the hands, and the tops of the forearms. Wrinkles come in two categories: fine surface lines and deep furrows. Wrinkle treatments are in general much more effective for fine lines. Fine lines and wrinkles affecting upper parts of the face are usually treated successfully with Botox. Deeper creases may require more aggressive techniques, such injection of dermal fillers.
Some of these factors are beyond our control. The main preventive measures we can take are to minimize sun exposure, wear a sunblock daily and not smoke.
What treatments are available for Wrinkles?Many products and procedures promise to reduce wrinkles. Some do little or nothing (like the products that claim they reduce "the appearance of fine lines," which means that they don't reduce the lines themselves). Others can achieve a fair amount of success. At BODY FOCUS we offer several medical (topical medications and skin preparations) and cosmetic techniques that sucessfully aid in reducing wrinkles such as:
Medical treatmentsVitamin A Acid (tretinoin, Retin-A, Renova) This ingredient, available by prescription, has the longest track record of success in treating acne, aging skin and fine lines. Creams containing tretinoin must be used on an ongoing basis. They may produce redness and peeling at first, but skin eventually gets used to it.
These so-called "fruit acids" include glycolic and lactic acid. Preparations containing these fruit acids are quite safe and cause no more than mild and temporary irritation. They produce only subtle improvement, though. These include preparations that contain the vitamins A, C, and E, as well as beta-carotene. Such creams may provide a certain amount of sun protection as well as mild improvement of fine wrinkles.
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When a person is young, he or she doesn't have wrinkles because the skin does a great job of stretching and holding in moisture. The dermis has an elastic quality thanks to fibers called elastin that keep the skin looking and feeling young. A protein in the dermis called collagen also plays a part in preventing wrinkles.
