At our Santa Barbara medical spa, we offer new and innovative treatments to cover all skin types and a wide variety of problems. We know that clients go to a medical spa to see results! Dr. Perkins is constantly researching and evaluating the best and latest technology so that you can receive treatments that make a positive difference.
If you have skin concerns – including wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, aging skin, acne, or something else – we will work with you to find the solution that best meets your needs. (We also have wonderful day spa services – massage, facials, body treatments – to help you unwind and relax.)
Call us today (805-695-2160) to book a complimentary consultation or an appointment.
We are always looking for the best non-invasive and minimally invasive technologies to offer our clients. For skin tightening treatments, we have been offering Total Tightening (a combination of ReFirme and Titan technology) for a number of years and we continue to get great results with it.
Dr. Perkins recently completed an extensive evaluation of another skin tightening technology that uses focused ultrasound called Ultherapy (he even got a treatment himself!) He is impressed with Ultherapy’s ability to do foundational skin tightening in the layers underneath the skin itself. With only one treatment, clients can see lifting, smoothing, and tightening of the skin on the face, neck, and/or chest.
Even better, Dr. Perkins has created a package called Ultherapy PLUS which combines an Ultherapy treatment with two Total Tightening treatments. Ultherapy PLUS will provide our clients with the most complete and effective non-invasive skin tightening package on the market today.
If you are interested in looking younger without surgery, call us today (805-695-2189) to book your consultation and see if Ultherapy or Ultherapy PLUS is right for you.
Botox use is at the top of the charts, again! The American Society of Plastic Surgeons released their stats for cosmetic surgery and minimally-invasive procedures in 2014. Overall aesthetic procedures, such as those offered in our Santa Barbara medical spa, are on the rise. Here are the top 5 minimally-invasive treatments performed in 2014:
There were almost 14,000,000 minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures done in 2014. We believe that these treatments are so popular because they yield great results with little (or no) downtime and are affordable to most.
We always offer a complimentary consultation if you are interested in any of our Santa Barbara medical spa services. Schedule an appointment by calling 805-695-2189.
As most of our loyal clients know, Evolutions Medical & Day Spa in Santa Barbara has the Biggest Week of the Year right around the corner! Injectable Week happens once a year with big savings on your favorite dermal filler or wrinkle-reducer (Botox or Dysport). This year it begins on Monday, December 2nd, and lasts until Saturday, December 7th, 2013. We are booking appointments now for Injectable Week!
For those of you who are not as familiar with dermal fillers, Sculptra, and/or the wrinkle-reducers Botox and Dysport, we will happily share with you some information about each of them. Perhaps it will help you to make a decision about getting an injectable treatment or encourage you to add a new treatment to your anti-aging arsenal.
Botox and Dysport Botox and Dysport treatments are one of our most popular services at Evolutions, year round. This is not surprising! In 2012, there were over 6 million Botox or Dysport treatments in the US. Botox and Dysport are forms of botulinum toxin type A. They are both injected under the skin to treat overactive muscles in the forehead area. Botox and Dysport block the signals to the muscle that tell them to contract, resulting in a smooth, frown-less forehead. Botox or Dysport can take from 1 to 7 days to “set in” and start working. Both are FDA approved and are deemed safe and effective in the treatment of facial wrinkles. Dysport is a smaller molecule than Botox, so the units are different (i.e. 20 units of Botox equal 60 units of Dysport). Results are temporary and last about 3 to 4 months.
Possible Treatment Areas for Dermal Fillers
Restylane and Perlane: Dermal Fillers Restylane and Perlane are in the same family of products. They are both dermal fillers made from hyaluronic acid that are formulated to act like your body’s own naturally produced hyaluronic acid. These are injected under the skin to fill in moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Restylane can also be used to add fullness to the lips. Replacing volume lost in the face can help restore a more youthful appearance. Perlane differs from Restylane in the average size of the particles and the depth of the injection. Your Evolutions clinician will help you determine which product is best for you. Results are instantaneous and can last 6 months or more (in most cases).
Radiesse Dermal Filler Radiesse is also a dermal filler. It differs from Restylane or Perlane in that it is comprised of calcium microspheres in gel. Radiesse is also injected under the skin to provide volume and structure in areas where volume has diminished. The bonus that Radiesse offers is that it works to stimulate your body to produce it’s own natural collagen. As the calcium gel is absorbed, your own natural collagen will remain behind, giving you volume and structure. Results are instantaneous and have been clinically proven to last one year or more.
Sculptra Aesthetic Our newest treatment, Sculptra Aesthetic, is a bit different than hyaluronic dermal fillers or Radiesse. This new facial injectable does not give instantaneous results, instead subtle results are achieved over time. Sculptra is made from poly-L-lactic acid, a biocompatible, biodegradable synthetic material that has been used by physicians for years in dissolvable stitches. Sculptra works deep within the dermis to gradually restore the collagen foundation that is lost as we age. With a more solid foundation, fullness is steadily returned to facial wrinkles. Results can last two years or more. Most clients require a full treatment of Sculptra Aesthetic, which is an average of three injection sessions over a few months, for the best outcome. Full results are gradually seen over 3 to 6 months.
A Note About Dermal Fillers and Botox/Dysport Treatments If you’ve never had a dermal filler or Dysport/Botox treatment, you will have to come in for a consultation with our Physician’s Assistant, Nurse Practitioner or Dr. Perkins prior to your first treatment. Call us today to book your complimentary consultation (or submit a consultation request online) and/or to make an appointment for Injectable Week (805-687-0212).
Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Terry Perkins, and founder of Evolutions Medical & Day Spa, has been an advocate of the use of Botox before many of us even knew about it. In fact, Dr. Perkins was one of 16 doctors selected by the FDA to conduct a study in 1999 of Botox which led to FDA approval of Botox for cosmetic use. Since then Botox has become a very popular treatment for those who want to “erase” their frown and wrinkle lines from their foreheads. However, the latest exciting news is that Botox may also be beneficial in keeping wrinkles at bay. Repeated weakening of the muscles over time can help prevent the wrinkle(s) from forming or from becoming too deep.
To further support this, a study was done on identical twin sisters to evaluate the long term effects of Botox use. One twin received Botox approximately two to three times per year in the forehead and glabellar region (frown lines between the eyebrows) for 13 years. The other twin received Botox only twice over the 13 year study (at years 3 and 7). The results showed that imprinted forehead and glabellar lines were not evident in the twin that was regularly treated with Botox but were evident in the twin that was only treated twice. It was also noted that untreated facial areas (the nasolabial folds – the line that forms from the nose to the corner of the mouth) showed comparable aging in both twins.
Recently an article that was published on “Today Health” cited the twin’s study and also referred to an article by JAMA Dermatology which stated that it is “rarely too early” to start the “conservative and thoughtful use of neuromodulators [i.e., Botox], fillers and noninvasive energy-based treatments.” The article goes on to say that it is not endorsing the use of Botox in children or teens, nor are we, and even the 20s may be too early as well. Signs of aging varies by individual and often will depend on many factors, including a person’s skin type, their genes, and any environmental damage (sun and UV exposure), but normally begins in the 30s for most people.
The best time to start Botox as a preventative treatment to help inhibit the progression of deeper wrinkles would be at the onset of wrinkles (even if they are very mild). At Evolutions Medical & Day Spa, we always offer a complimentary consultation to help our clients individually decide what may be best for them.
Many of our clients feel very fortunate that Botox and Dysport treatments became available to help transform their “look”, literally turning their frown upside down. The next generation of Botox users are even luckier to have the option to prevent wrinkles before they start!
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.
Yesterday evening Evolutions Medical Spa hosted an educational event about chemical peels and how beneficial they are for all skin conditions and skin types. Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Terry Perkins, the founder and Medical Director of Evolutions, explained and demystified chemical peels. Following is a recap of his presentation:
How Skin Turnover Works
An understanding of skin will lead to a better understanding of how chemical peels work to freshen the skin. Skin cells are created in the basal layer and move upwards. Cells die as they get closer to skin surface and naturally slough off. Most people in their youth have skin turnover every 28 days or so. That is why young children and young adults usually have glowing, voluminous skin. As we age cell turnover can slow to 40-45 days coupled with the fact that collagen and elastin naturally decrease and we are left with skin that is “relaxed” and saggy. Chemical peels help expedite the skin turnover process so that new cells can move to the surface for a result of more normal-looking skin.
What Do Chemical Peels Do?
A chemical peel creates a controlled depth injury to outer layers of skin. The injured tissue then exfoliates or peels and new cells replace the exfoliated cells at a faster rate. Collagen and elastin production is increased. There are several different types of peels, from light to deep:
Lighter peels affect the epidermis: typically this is the type of peel you will get at a day spa or this is the layer that is affected by micodermabrasion
Medium peels affect the papillary dermis: these more aggressive peels are usually done in a doctor’s office or at a medical spa; you may see improvement in lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation
Deep peels affect midway in the dermis: chemabrasion is an example of a deep peel and is done at Cosmetic Surgery Center in the operating room.
Deeper peels have more downtime, but more downtime yields better results.
Benefits of a Chemical Peel
Peels can lighten, tighten, brighten (more luminosity to the skin)
They smooth skin and improve texture and color uniformity
Peels can bring out healthier skin; often any precancerous/abnormal skin may peel off
Consistent peels can keep your skin younger-looking skin throughout your lifetime
Commonly Asked Questions about Chemical Peels
Do peels hurt?
The stronger and deeper it is, the more likely you will have some discomfort. Deeper peels feel hot because of the acid on the skin. At Evolutions, we have a hand-held cooling device so the patient can direct cool air where it feels hot.
Will skin peel off?
This depends on what you are doing. Some of the enzyme peels and the Flash Peel will increase cell turnover with no peeling. In general, most peels do cause sloughing, some degree of peeling skin. We don’t recommend you do a peel right before a big event. Plan to do a peel three to four weeks prior to any special occasion.
Where can peels be done?
Virtually any part of the body: face, neck, chest, hands are all treatable. You don’t need to do the same peel everywhere, for example, a less aggressive peel can be done below the jawline because skin turnover is less fast, while a more aggressive peel can be done on the face.
Are peels mainly done for aging skin?
Peels can be done for aging skin and there are also peels that can be done to help control acne and slough off the dark pigmentation that some people get after the acne lesion is gone.
Are peels as effective as laser treatments?
Yes, in general. Lasers use light energy to penetrate the skin while chemical peels use acid to reach deeply into the dermis.
Peels Available at Evolutions
Pumpkin Antioxidant Facial: this pumpkin peel is an enzyme type peel. Pumpkin contains high concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin C, and beta-carotene found in any fruit or vegetable. This facial and peel combination exfoliates and draws out impurities while introducing vitamins, enzymes, and nutrients. There is no downtime, no pain, and no peeling. A very relaxing experience.
* NEW! Flash Peel: this peel is a combination of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid that can be customized depending on the client’s skin. It can be a little tingly because of the alpha hydroxy acid. A mask is applied and massaged into the skin which gives the skin added hydration and nourishment. The service is a quick 30 minutes (easily done on your lunch hour). There is little to no peeling and yet the result is clear, rejuvenated skin.
* NEW! Jessner’s Peel: this peel has stood the test of time. Dr. Max Jessner, a dermatologist, came up with this in the early 1900s. He used resorcinol (a cousin to phenol) and mixed it with lactic and salicylic acid to create a peel that is not all that aggressive. It can be done in multiple layers and as you do more layers, you get a white tinge to the skin, known as “frosting” or “blanching” which means proteins in the skin are starting to denature. It won’t get as deep as the Obagi blue peel because it’s not a strong acid which is why we classify it as a light peel to medium peel. Jessner’s Peel is especially helpful for acneic and/or oily skin. It contains lycopene and red wine (antioxidants for the skin) and is anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. Good for all for people of all skin types who want to freshen the skin.
Clay Mask Peel (Advanced Acne Facial): this peel is excellent for people with oily or acne-prone skin. The AFA (amino fruit acids) clay mask works to draw out oils and impurities and offers optimal exfoliation.
Alpha Beta Peel: our most popular peel at evolutions! This peel combines alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids into one powerful peel. We can vary the strength by applying it in 2-4 layers. A great choice for clients who want to see results quickly. Typically skin will begin to peel two to four days after the peel is applied and the skin will peel for approximately two to four days after that.
Obagi Blue Peel: the Obagi peel is our most aggressive peel available. The peel comes from a kit made by the medical grade skincare company Obagi. The peel is available in concentrations of 15% or 20% TCA. We tend to do 20% so the client gets the best result. It is excellent for pigmentation issues. The Obagi Blue Peel is only available through a physicians office. Downtime is about seven to ten days total. Usually the peeling process occurs four to five days post application of the peel.
More Aggressive Options
These peels are only available at Dr. Perkins’ office – Cosmetic Surgery Center in Santa Barbara, just two blocks from Cottage Hospital. For questions or to schedule a consultation about one of these options, call his office directly 805-563-0000.
Comfort Peel: the Comfort Peel is the strongest peel with 23% TCA. It is similar to blue peel but has a topical anesthetic in it so the first layer stings a bit but the second layer stings less because of the numbing agent in it.
Phenol Peel: this peel can dramatically take care of sun damage and wrinkles. Dr. Perkins estimates that it can get rid of 95% of wrinkles in one treatment. The downside is that phenol is toxic to melanocytes so the patient may have permanent lightening of the skin. The Phenol Peel is not commonly done anymore because of the lightening side effect.
Chemabrasion: this procedure combines a medium depth TCA peel (35% augmented TCA that has penetrating agents mixed in) with a light dermabrasion. It is done under anesthetic in the operating room. The downtime is about seven to ten days. Chemabrasion can get rid of 75-80% of wrinkles with one treatment. Post-op care is like caring for a wound – wash in the morning and evening; keep covered with ointment. This is also a great treatment for acne scarring.
Improving Peel Results
You can improve the result of your peel by:
Doing a home care pre-treatment (recommended for more aggressive peels); the staff at Evolutions can suggest what product(s) to use in the weeks prior to treatment
Vibraderm prep: a physical exfoliation that will allow the peel to penetrate evenly and more deeply
Stem cell add-on: from the skincare company DNA, the addition of stem cells helps augment the wound heeling
Multiwave LED – light therapy: multiple wavelengths of light speed the wound heeling and may shorten the time that you do not look good
Peel series: doing a series of light peels will give you a better result than just doing one; strong peels don’t need to be done in a series but, in some cases, a second follow up peel can be done if the client wants to see even greater results
Laser / Light-based treatment combined: we offer the FotoPeel which alternates between Fotofacials and chemical peels. A great option for sun damage. This series makes people look really good really fast!
Ongoing home care / maintenance: we always encourage our clients to use effective products for ongoing home care; Dr. Perkins has hand picked products from some of the top medical-grade skin care lines to upkeep your skin in between treatments. We also recommend periodic peels for good maintenance.
Conclusions
Chemical peels are an important component (along with home care and possibly light-based treatments) in improving and maintaining the quality of your skin throughout your life. There are many types of peels for many different purposes. Remember that you don’t need to peel after a peel and all areas of the body can be treated.
Yesterday’s event at EvolutionsMedical Spa in Santa Barbara was a treat for everyone. Our rep from Medicis (the company who makes Restylane, Perlane, and Dysport) delivered a thorough overview on dermal fillers and answered many questions from the audience. After the presentation, guests were invited to watch Dr. Perkins perform a dermal filler treatment so that they could witness the immediate effects that fillers have!
Here is a recap of the evening’s presentation:
What is Restylane? Restylane is a dermal filler that is made from hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance in your skin that provides fullness and elasticity. As we age, hyaluronic acid diminishes and the skin loses volume. Hyaluronic acid recruits water to the skin to encourage fullness. Restylane, and Perlane (another dermal filler), are made from cross-linked hyaluronic acid so that it is not metabolized as fast as the hyaluronic acid that naturally occurs in the body and this gives clients a result that can last six months or more.
What can dermal fillers – Restylane and Perlane – do for me? Restylane and Perlane can be used to to add volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Restylane can also be used for lip enhancement (for patients 21+ years). Restylane is a thinner product that is typically used for wrinkles, fine lines, and delicate areas. Perlane provides more structure and lift. It is possible to use both products together. Which product you use is best determined by your clinician.
Where can dermal fillers be used? The areas treated by Restylane or Perlane are:
laugh lines
marionette lines
lipstick lines
corners of mouth
lips (Restylane only)
How long do dermal fillers last for? When you get a filler treatment, there is little to no downtime, and you will see results immediately. Effects of the filler will last at least six months. In a clinical study, 95% of patients who returned for a second treatment 4.5 to 9 months after initial treatment continued to see results for up to 18 months. For some patients, receiving a second treatment before the first treatment completely wears off is a better value because they may achieve the same results with less product. For instance, a patient who had 2 syringes done in the first treatment, may only need 1 syringe in the follow up. Of course this may vary by individual.
How safe are dermal fillers? Restylane was approved by the FDA for cosmetic use in 2005. It is composed of non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid which means there is limited risk of animal-based disease transmission or development of allergic reactions to the proteins. No allergy testing is required before use. It is fully biocompatible. Restylane is used in over 70 countries worldwide.
Are there side effects to Restylane or Perlane? Some people may experience swelling at the injection site, redness, pain, tenderness or bruising up to about seven days after treatment. Side effects vary depending on the individual. Some people will have no side effects. Any bruising is usually easily able to be covered by make-up.
How do I prepare for my filler treatment? It is suggested that you stop the following medications and supplements one week prior to treatment: St. John’s Wart, high doses of Vitamin E, aspirin, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (ibuprofen) as these may increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site.
Are there people that should not have a dermal filler treatment? Treatment is not recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18 years of age, or have a bleeding disorder. If you suffer from cold sores, discuss this with the clinician before treatment.
I’d like to discuss this further before scheduling a treatment … At Evolutions we always offer a complimentary consultation so that you may have your questions answered and feel confident in your decision. Schedule a consultation by calling 805.687.0212 or completing our online consultation form.
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).
