Nia 24 Skin Strengthening Complex was recently featured as one of 26 products in Buzzfeed’s article, “Splurge-Worthy Skin Care Products You’ll Wish You Knew About Sooner”, and touted as the product to “get visibly firmer and more even skin tone and texture”. We couldn’t agree more!
The Skin Strengthening Complex improves the skin barrier function which helps to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, accelerate repair and deliver optimal moisturization.
Key Ingredients include:
Pro-Niacin to strengthen the skin barrier, improve tone, texture and hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin A to improve elasticity and skin texture.
Green Tea and Rosemary Antioxidants restore and protect skin from free radical attack.
Peptide Complex to diminish deep set wrinkles and expression lines.
Wheat Germ and Evening Primrose oils for moisture.
Ceramides reinforce the skin barrier to maximize the moisture-holding capacity.
This is a light weight moisturizer that works on all skin types. Apply a small amount twice daily after cleansing on face and neck.
Get your Nia 24 skin care products at Evolutions in Santa Barbara!
Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeonDr. Terry Perkins (and also founder and Medical Director of Evolutions) gave a very informative presentation this evening at our Educational Event. A recap of the presentation follows:
“Tightening and Lightening” Plus Sublative Rejuvenation
PART 1: TIGHTENING YOUR SKIN
What is skin laxity and how can we treat it?
The skin becomes lax, and has more of a “hanging” appearance, due to damage to and loss of collagen and elastin. Skin laxity can be attributed to the natural part of aging but it is also relate to sun damage.
How can we treat skin laxity? There are surgical options such as traditional surgery (facelift) and deep peels that help restore collagen and tighten the appearance of the skin. There are different ways to treat skin laxity non-surgically and that includes light based, radio frequency, and focused ultrasound treatments.
Treating skin laxity non-surgically involves sustained heating of the dermis. The immediate effect is collagen contraction and the long term effect results in the stimulation of new collagen to be produced. When we heat the dermis in these tightening treatments, the epidermis (outermost layers of the skin) are protected.
Who are the best clients for a skin tightening treatment at Evolutions? Age is not a barrier. Clients can range in age from 30 to 80+ years. Best results are usually seen with clients that have a minimum amount of excess fat in the area of concern and when their skin is neither very thin or very thick. Non-surgical tightening is great for someone who wants to address their skin laxity but is not ready for surgery. It is important to have realistic expectations. Skin tightening treatments at Evolutions can turn back the clock a few years, but not decades.
Titan Skin Tightening Treatment
Titan Skin Tightening Treatment
Titan uses an infrared light to heat the dermis, well beneath the surface of the skin. The heating contracts existing collagen and stimulates new collagen to be produced.
On the right is a before and after photo (courtesy of John Hunts, M.D.) of a Titan treatment on the eyelids. The “after” photo was taken two weeks after the 5th treatment.
Titan treatments can be done on many areas of the body including the jawline, under the chin, and the abdomen to tighten the skin and reverse the signs of aging. Results are cumulative and most clients have two to four treatments over a few months although a single treatment may produce good results for some.
ReFirme Treatment
ReFirme™ Skin Tightening Treatment
ReFirme™ features the revolutionary elōs technology which simultaneously combines the power of bi-polar radio frequency (RF) and light energies to precisely heat the dermal tissue in the targeted treatment area.
ReFirme™ treatments can help be done safely and effectively on the face, neck, abdomen, upper arms, and knees. In addition to improving skin laxity, it also addresses wrinkles and textural irregularities.
Total Tightening Treatment at Evolutions
This treatment combines ReFirme™ and Titan into one treatment to maximize the benefits of both treatments. Total Tightening synergistically works to heat the entire upper half of the dermis. With each treatment, the existing collagen is tightened as well as stimulating new collagen production that results in tighter, “fresher” skin.
The results are cumulative and therefore we recommend a package that includes 4 treatments done four to six weeks apart. Total Tightening is truly “the best of both worlds” in non-surgical skin tightening technology and is exclusive to Evolutions Medical Spa.
PART 2: LIGHTENING – IMPROVING EXCESS PIGMENTATION
What is pigmentation? Pigmentation refers to the coloring of person’s skin, often it is the word pigmentation is used when it is distinctive or in excess (as in spots on the skin). Pigmentation is created by melanin in the skin. Different skin types have different levels of melanocytes and that is how different skin colors occur.
Why does the body produce melanin? Melanin is produced at a normal level based on skin type. However, when the skin is exposed to trauma, inflammation, or exposure to the sun (a suntan is equal to a skin injury), the amount of melanin rises in response to these events. Melanin can also be accentuated by hormones, birth control pills, and pregnancy.
When Pigmentation Problems Arise Over-stimulated melanocytes create appearance problems such as sun damage, age spots, “liver” spots, freckles, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and melasma (dermal and epidermal pigmentation).
Treatment for Pigmentation There are quite a few options for excess pigmentation:
Sunscreen: prevention is your best defense against pigmentation. Use it daily, year round!
Home Care: bleaching agents can help to lighten the skin while exfoliating agents can help to brighten the skin. Recommended bleaching agents are Obagi Clear, C-RX Night (with hydroquinone), Revale Illuminesse Brightening Complex, Nia24 products, and retinoids. Exfoliating agents increase cell turnover to freshen the skin. Examples of effective exfoliating agents are alpha-hydroxy acids, amino fruit acids (AFA Exfoliating Gel), and retinoids.
Chemical Peels: exfoliate and increase cell turnover in a short amount of time with chemical peels. Recommended chemical peels offered at Evolutions include the Clay Mask Peel, Alpha Beta Peel, Jessner’s Peel, and Obagi Blue Peel. Read in depth about what chemical peels do, how they feel, and descriptions of all the chemical peels offered at Evolutions in this blog post.
Vibradermabrasion: treat superficial pigmentation problems with no downtime through Vibraderm, a physical exfoliation. Adding on a Vibraderm treatment to facials and peels as a pre-treatment will improve the penetration of the products and/or the peel. Vibraderm does not have a suction component to the treatment so there is no risk of broken capillaries as there is with a microdermabrasion treatment.
Light-based Treatments: use intense pulsed light (IPL) and radio frequency technology to reduce excess pigmentation. They are safe and non-invasive.
FotoFacial RF™: this is the “gold standard” for the treatment of pigmentation and works deeper than most chemical peels. It is available in a series or in combination with other treatments such as a FotoPeel, FotoPeel Plus, and FotoFacial Genesis packages.
Q-Plus C (Q-Switched Laser): this laser can treat spots individually or can treat an entire area with our new Q-Peel package. The Q-Switched Laser works in pulses of billionths of a second to “explode” pigment. It can treat pigmentation issues (spots) as well as tattoos of all colors.
Sublative Rejuvenation Plus DNA Repair (New!):a fractional resurfacing device that uses radiofreqency energy instead of light to treat wrinkles, pigment, acne scarring, skin laxity, tone and texture. A Sublative Rejuvenation treatment has less downtime and discomfort than older fractional laser devices (i.e., the Fraxel). A DNA stem cell ampoule is now included with the treatment. The stem cell ampoule introduces genetically flawless live stem cells which influences the older cells to replicate stronger, healthier, more youthful-looking skin cells. This is an FDA-approved treatment that is clinically proven to renew compromised skin. Sublative Rejuvenation can be combined with other light-based treatments such as the FotoFacial RF™ or Total Tightening.
Chemabrasion: this surgical procedure combines a deep peel with dermabrasion. It treats wrinkles, sun damage, and pigmentation issues. The change can be dramatic. Downtime is approximately one week. This is done by Dr. Perkins at Cosmetic Surgery Center located near Cottage Hospital. Please call his office at 805-563-0000 for a consultation.
In conclusion, Dr. Perkins stressed the importance of daily use of sunscreen. The best way to treat sun damage is to prevent it! When pigment issues do arise, Evolutions offers a number of medical spa treatment options, for all areas of the body, with “at home” options also available.
Evolutions always offers a complimentary consultation for your skin concerns. Please call us at 805-687-0212 to make an appointment or fill out our online consultation form.
Our “Summer Skincare” event provided us with so much information that we have decided to split the recap into three posts – each dedicated to the three topics of the evening – all of which are equally important. The first topic was about the Clarisonic Skin Care System and can be read here. Our next topic is about Obagi Medical Products.
What is Obagi about?
Obagi has been around for almost 20 years and is the #1 prescription strength skincare line. Obagi products transform skin cells to achieve beautiful, healthy skin. Obagi is for everyone – they have skin care lines for all types of skin and skin issues. Most Obagi systems are used from 12 to 18 weeks and afterward a maintenance program is designed to keep the skin looking great. This post will cover the various Obagi skin care systems.
Obagi Nu-Derm System
An anti-aging therapy that penetrates below the skin’s surface to transform skin cell functions. It is the #1 selling system and is the most aggressive. Use it for moderate to severe photodamage, heavy melasma, and more severe fine lines and wrinkles. There are multiple steps involved in the system and it is used morning and evening. The bottles are clearly labelled and a routine is easy to establish. Tretinoin (Retin-A) has to be added to the system separately (available at Evolutions). The Nu-Derm system will:
Reduce hyperpigmentation (discoloration)
Transform rough skin
Alleviate sallowness
Prevent acne flares
Improve skin laxity
Diminish fine lines and wrinkles
Obagi C-RX System
This system rejuvenates skin with the use of L-ascorbic acid (an antioxidant that protects skin from free radicals) and prescription strength 4% hydroquinone (a lightening agent to gradually fade brown spots). It is ideal for mild to moderate photodamage, mild wrinkles, freckles, and fine lines. This is another multi-step system that helps to restore and maintain younger looking skin.
Obagi ELASTIderm Eye Products
An eye treatment that actually brings back the lift around your eyes! Most eye creams simply plump the eye area. This patented eye product helps to restore elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Use it under the eye and on the upper eye area as well. It can be used in combination with other Obagi systems or alone. It is available in a cream, for those who want more moisture, and a gel, which is lighter and less moisturizing. People see results in as little as two weeks.
Obagi Decolletage System
Similar to ELASTIderm eye cream, this system is designed for the neck and chest, thinner skin areas that often get neglected (less moisturized or overlooked in your sun protection regimen). The Decolletage system fixes the elasticity in the neck and chest and also has a lightening component to help erase sun damage. Generally it is well-tolerated for most skin types and easily absorbed.
Obagi Rosaclear System
This system is ideal for those who have rosacea or redness of the skin. It also helps reduce the redness of blemishes caused by rosacea. The Rosaclear system is gentle, and non-comedogenic. It consists of a cleanser, topical gel, hydrating corrector, and a skin balancing sun protection SPF 30.
Obagi CLENZIderm System
The CLENZIderm system is ideal for those who suffer from acne. It contains a solubilized form of 5% benzoyl peroxide and salicyclic acid to deeply penetrate into the follicle to treat acne at the root, where it starts. It is as effective as a topical prescription. There are two types of cleansers, depending on skin type, a pore therapy product, cream cleanser, and moisturizer. Add in a sun protection of at least SPF 30.
Obagi Blue Peel
This chemical peel helps to restore tighter, smoother, clearer, healthier skin. This peel is the deepest, most aggressive peel available at Evolutions Medical Spa and offers a significant result in a short time period. It is a good peel for those with pigmentation issues.
Evolutions Medical Spa is the longest open-selling Obagi account in the Santa Barbara area. Obagi products are prescription strength and it is recommended that you use them with physician supervision because they are more aggressive than over-the-counter skin care products. Evolutions invites you to a complimentary consultation to discuss which Obagi product line will best fit your skincare needs. To make an appointment, call Evolutions at 805-687-0212.
Our “Summer Skincare” event provided us with so much information that we have decided to split the recap into three posts – each dedicated to the three topics of the evening – all of which are equally important. The first topic is about the Clarisonic Skin Care System.
What is the Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System?
The Clarisonic skin cleansing system, or popularly known as the “Clarisonic brush”, uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to gently, and thoroughly, cleanse your skin. It removes six times more makeup and two times more dirt than cleansing with your hands alone. The inside area of the brush oscillates ten degrees in either direction, moving with the skin’s elasticity, while the outer ring of bristles stay stationary and act as a splash guard. The movement of the bristles makes this brush unique to all the other electronic skin brushes on the market, which use a rotary movement that tugs at the skin and can cause damage. Use the Clarisonic with any cleanser of your choice as long as it is non-abrasive.
What are the benefits of cleansing with the Clarisonic?
If you use the Clarisonic on a regular basis, once in the morning and once in the evening, you will see many benefits, including:
Clearer, smoother skin
More product absorption – your cleaner skin will absorb moisturizers, and other facial products, more thoroughly and evenly
Less blackheads because it removes dirt and sebum (oil)
Minimized appearance of pores
Clarisonic Brush Heads: Which is right for you?
There are five types of brush heads available for the face, and one for the body. The facial brush heads target different skin types:
Normal: perfect for normal skin, shaving prep and use on the neck and chest (this is the brush head on the grey plastic base)
Sensitive: for sensitive to normal skin types (this is the brush that comes with all Clarisonic units)
Delicate: for delicate or extra-sensitive skin (this brush has a light blue plastic base)
Deep Pore: use for cleansing on oily skin, large pores, and is gentle enough for daily use
Acne: extra-plush with bristle gradation to provide gentle cleansing for sensitive and acne prone skin
Clarisonic Settings for Optimal Cleansing
Depending on the model you buy, the Clarisonic has different speeds, or settings, ranging from a sensitive cleanse to a deeper cleanse. The Clarisonic Mia (a popular unit for travel that comes with an international charger) has one speed, while the Mia 2 has two speeds. The Clarisonic PRO has four speeds to meet all skin cleansing needs.
Tips for the Clarisonic
We learned last night from the Clarisonic rep a secret that has to be shared! Your brush can do double duty for spot treatment. Pop out the center of the brush, snap it on the Clarisonic and use this smaller brush head for the area between the nose and the cheeks and the nose itself.
Clean your brush head with antibacterial soap at least once per week
Use a permanent marker to write the date on the back of the brush head and remember to replace the brush every three months
For those of you who like to use the Clarisonic on your back, there is a back handle now available that attaches to the Clarisonic Pro
At Evolutions Medical Spa we use the Clarisonic brush as part of our facial services. Dr. Perkins and our staff highly recommend incorporating the Clarisonic cleansing system into you skincare routine to maintain beautiful skin in between facial services. The Clarisonic system and brush head replacements are available for purchase at Evolutions.
Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins – and founder of Evolutions Medical Spa – never ceases to amaze us with the knowledge he holds about the skin and skin care. Last night he shared with a captive audience how to get on the path to clear, bright skin. Here is the recap from the “Brighten Up” educational event at Evolutions.
What stands in the way of luminous skin? For many of us, it is an issue of pigmentation. Pigmentation, also referred to as age spots, “liver” spots, freckles, is caused by melanin. Melanin is produced as a protection to the skin in response to sun exposure (a sun “tan” is actually a skin injury), trauma, or inflammation. Melanin can also be influenced by hormones, birth control pills, and pregnancy. Appearance problems occur when melanocytes are over stimulated such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (from pimples) or melasma, which is a broad patch of pigmentation that can occur in the epidermal or dermal layers of the skin.
How do we get rid of pigmentation? Below are the options that Dr. Perkins outlined for us:
HOME CARE
While Evolutions offers a variety of services that are effective in the treatment of pigmentation problems, Dr. Perkins stressed that it is also important to practice diligent home care to prevent or lighten pigmentation. The #1 recommendation from Dr. Perkins is to wear your sunscreen daily! The fact is that more than half of UV exposure is “incidental” exposure such as sitting near a window, driving in your car, walking outside to chat with your neighbor, you get the picture! UVA actually goes through glass, so you aren’t protected in your car or at your window office.
Evolutions offers a variety of bleaching agents and hydroquinone (which stops the formation of pigment from being formed). Some product recommendations:
Obagi Clear and C-Rx Night: a product with hydroquinone as an active ingredient that helps to fade unwanted pigment
Revale Illuminating Serum: has the highest potency of antioxidants – good anti-oxidation helps skin repair
Nia24: helps skin repair at the DNA level which normalizes pigmentation
Retinoids (“Retin A”, “Tretinoin”): help normalize cell differentiation
Combination Prescription Products (“Firm and Fade”): offered exclusively at Evolutions that combines Retin-A, hydroquinone, and a low potency steroid (used to calm down inflammation)
In addition to using a brightening/lightening product, you may want to add in a product that encourages cell turnover. Products that contain alpha-hydroxy acids, amino fruit acids, and retinoids are all good choices.
VIBRADERM
Vibraderm is done using abrasive aluminum paddles that provide a gentle abrasion. It is faster than microdermabrasion and does not have a vacuum component (which can cause broken capillaries). This physical exfoliation is used to treat superficial pigment problems with no downtime. It will improve the penetration of products / peels and is great as a stand alone service or in conjunction with a peel or facial.
LIGHT-BASED TREATMENTS : FOTOFACIAL RF
This “Gold Standard” treatment of pigmentation uses Intense Pulsed Light / Radiofrequency to target pigment and “red” areas. A FotoFacial works deeper than most chemical peels and can significantly improve your skin texture by reducing redness, age spots, sun damage, spider veins, fine lines (although not a treatment for wrinkles) and large pores. We offer the FotoFacial in a series or in combination with other treatments (FotoPeel, FotoPeel Plus, and FotoFacial Genesis Packages), depending on an individual’s needs.
CHEMICAL PEELS
Chemical peels are a “controlled” injury to the skin that causes a deep, even exfoliation. At Evolutions we offer different depths of peels (from light to medium to deep).
AFA Peels: the alpha-hydroxy peel is a “light” peel for those who want the benefits of a peels without a large amount of actual peeling. This peel can be done alone or in a series of five (recommended).
Alpha Beta Peel: this is the most popular peel at Evolutions. It is a medium-depth physical exfoliation and works well to get rid of superficial sun damage and is a great choice for clients who want to see results in 4-5 days.
Obagi Blue Peel: this is the deepest peel offered. It will significantly improve your complexion. You will have firmer, clearer, smoother, healthier skin.
LIGHT-BASED TREATMENTS: Q-SWITCHED LASER
This newest laser is used for our newest service – tattoo removal. It delivers laser energy so rapidly that it breaks up pigment without excessive heating of the surrounding tissue. Currently we are testing how effectively it can treat stubborn brown pigmentation. Stay tuned at a later date for more information on the Q-Switched Laser!
SUBLATIVE REJUVENATION
This unique fractional resurfacing device uses radiofrequency energy instead of light to safely treat all skin types. Sublative Rejuvenation is used to treat wrinkles, pigment, acne scarring, skin laxity, tone and texture. There is less downtime and discomfort than older fractional laser devises (i.e. the Fraxel) and it can be combined with other light-based treatments (such as the FotoFacial RF or Total Tightening) for customizable treatment options.
CHEMABRASION
This surgical procedure done by Dr. Perkins at Cosmetic Surgery Center in Santa Barbara (near Cottage Hospital) combines a deep peel with dermabrasion (not microdermabrasion). It treats wrinkles, sun damage, and pigment. You will be very impressed with the results. For more information, contact Cosmetic Surgery Center at 805.563.0000.
CONCLUSION
The best way to treat sun damage is to prevent it by using your sunscreen daily (on your face, neck, and decolletage). When pigment issues arise, there are a number of treatment options available at Evolutions and “at home”. Pigmentation can be treated on all areas of the body.
At Evolutions we always offer a complimentary consultation. If you are interested in one of our medical spa services, or simply looking for a new home care routine, call us at 805.687.0212 to make an appointment (or book online).
Evolutions Medical Spa Santa Barbara is now offering Sublative RF™ Skin Rejuvenation – the newest fractional skin resurfacing device on the market! The Sublative RF replaces the Matrix RF because it is 30% more powerful and a more comfortable treatment. If you want to improve your skin tone, texture and color, Sublative Rejuvenation is the treatment for you!
Mild to moderate wrinkles, acne scars, brown spots and textural irregularities.
Who can have this treatment?
Sublative Rejuvenation is safe for any skin type and FDA-cleared to treat a range of skin conditions.
How does the treatment work?
A bipolar radio-frequency penetrates through the top layer of the skin, sending energy beneath the skin which maximizes collagen production. This newest Sublative RF treatment sends energy in a wider area beneath the skin than the older Matrix RF treatment, thus making the treatment more effective.
What will my skin look like after treatment and is there downtime?
Immediately post treatment your face may be pink or red. The only visible “injury” to the skin that may develop the next day, and/or a few days following, are teeny-tiny spots (comparable to the size of a pin point) that will go virtually unnoticed and can easily be covered with a facial mineral powder. There is no downtime although we do recommend that you use a sunblock and keep your skin shielded from the sun for a few days.
How many treatments are recommended?
For optimum results, Evolutions usually recommends a series of three treatments, about four to six weeks apart, but this may vary by skin condition.
Obagi Medical Products and Systems are innovative, results-based topical products that are designed to prevent and improve the most common and visible skin disorders in adult skin such as fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, acne, and Rosacea.
Obagi was recently featured on The Ellen Degeneres Show where they generously gave each member of the audience a $500 American Express gift card and the Obagi Nu-Derm system that transforms the skin from a cellular level resulting in younger and healthier looking skin.
Have you heard of the reality TV show The Real Housewives of Orange County on Bravo? Gretchen Rossi made headlines last season as the new “housewife” who was really a girlfriend and care-taker to a much older, and richer, man dying of leukemia. If you watched the show, you’d know that Gretchen, when not taking care of her boyfriend, was very much interested in taking care of herself. She was always put-together and well-groomed, exercising regularly and never leaving the house without a hair out of place. Gretchen has extended her interest in beauty into *real life* launching The Gretchen Project, where she travels the globe in “search of everlasting beauty” and shares her information through interviews with experts in the fields of beauty and cosmetic treatments.
In episode 3, Gretchen talks with Dr. Roy Geronemus about “Tips on Choosing Beauty Products & the Science Behind Current and New Beauty Treatments”. At one point in the video, Gretchen asks Dr. Geronemus about facial scar (and acne scar) treatment, transcription as follows:
Gretchen: I have acne scars from when I was a teenager. Is there
something I can do for them?
Dr. Geronemus: Yes, treating acne scars is one of our most popular procedures. We’re doing a lot of procedures including Sublative Rejuvenation and Fractional Resurfacing.
Gretchen: I’ve heard about Fractional Resurfacing. Tell me a little more about that procedure.
Dr. Geronemus: There are a number of devices from non-invasive to more invasive. Non-invasive do not remove the skin, but they do create collagen over time that plumps up acne scars so they’re smoother. That takes multiple treatments. For deep scars, the more aggressive Fractional Resurfacing actually wounds the skin. It can work well, but there is some downtime where you’re sitting home for a week or so. In between is Sublative Rejuvenation, where you’re able to treat the skin without any injury. It’s particularly good for dark skin types.
It is exciting that both Dr. Geronemus and Gretchen spoke about “Fractional Resurfacing” as something that can be done to smooth over facial/acne scars. Many people think that microdermabrasion is the answer to smoothing and correcting facial skin when, in fact, there are many other options that may be less invasive with better results such as the Matrix RF which is the newest fractional resurfacing device and is only available in the Tri-Counties at Santa Barbara’s Evolutions Medical Spa.
The Matrix RF will restore your skin’s beauty – treating mild to moderate wrinkles, red and brown spots, and textural irregularities. Read more about the Matrix and how it can work for you in a past blog post of ours.
Nia 24 Skin Strengthening Complex was recently featured as one of 26 products in Buzzfeed’s 
