Santa Barbara Medical Spa Questions

Wrinkles can be made smoother (or “relaxed”) with Botox or Dysport. Other facial wrinkles can be plumped with a variety of dermal fillers. Botox, Dysport, and dermal fillers are temporary and the duration for which they last depend on the person and the product being used. Botox / Dysport and dermal fillers can be used together or alone.

Evolutions also offer a Layered Liquid Lift which is a protocol developed by Dr. Perkins that is a unique layering technique of various dermal fillers and Botox or Dysport. This procedure is non-invasive and, for the right patient, provides a similar result to a facelift. It may last up to 18 months.

If you are seeking an evener texture and tone in your skin, we often recommend Sublative Rejuvenation or Laser Genesis Facials.

Sublative Rejuvenation is the newest fractional resurfacing device that improves textural irregularities and treats mild to moderate wrinkles, brown spots, and acne scars.

The Laser Facial, using Laser Genesis Skin Therapy, addresses redness, uneven texture, large pores, scars, and fine-line wrinkles.

The FotoFacial RF™ is highly effective for reducing age spots, sun damage, uneven pigmentation, redness or rosacea, spider veins, and fine lines.

Some of these treatments can be combined with others (such as Vibraderm, chemical peels, bleaching creams or the Q-switched laser) to yield the best results. Since every person’s needs are different, we highly encourage you to come in for a complimentary consultation to discuss what would be your best options.

Botox and Dysport are both sold in “units”. It is important to note that since Dysport is a smaller molecule than Botox and therefore the units are different (20 units of Botox equals 60 units of Dysport). At Evolutions, it is common to use 20-24 units of Botox for the glabellar region (frown lines), 8-12 units of Botox for the forehead, and 10-14 units of Botox for the peri-orbital area (“crow’s feet”).

Dermal fillers are used to improve facial contours and wrinkles. Dermal fillers are sold by the syringe. The number of syringes needed for correction depends upon the area(s) being treated and the depth/number of wrinkles.

To determine which products to use and how much it would cost you, we recommend coming in for a consultation – always complimentary – prior to treatment.

At Evolutions we know that acne plagues adults as well as teenagers. We have a number of excellent acne treatments including:

• Injections for cystic acne
• Acne vitamins
• Clarisonic Pro skincare brush system
• Acne skin care products
• Acne Facials: from “Express” to “Advanced”, these acne facials are designed to kill acne-causing bacteria, provide exfoliation and safe extractions.
• Acne Peel: this peel can be done alone or in a series and is great for clients with oily, acne-prone skin. It is a 30% salicylic acid peel that cleans out clogged pores, exfoliates, and helps normalize cell function.
• Multiwave LED Acne Treatments: this is a short, painless light therapy that kills acne-causing bacteria and can be done alone or in combination with other treatments. Great for mild acne.
• Isolaz™ Deep Pore Acne Therapy: this therapy purifies the pores from the inside out. The pneumatic suction loosens and extracts dirt, blackheads and excess oil from deep within your pores and the broadband light destroys the acne-causing bacteria underneath the skin. Combine with Levulan for more aggressive acne fighting.
• Levulan Photodynamic Therapy: this treatment shrinks pores, oil glands, and improves stubborn acne. Clients with significant acne and pre-cancerous conditions see significant improvement. A series of 2-3 treatments is recommended for best results.
• Mineral makeup that won’t clog pores

We periodically provide discounted treatments. We have an opt-in email list for those who are interested in “Last Minute Promotions”. These are short emails that go out periodically when our aestheticians and nurses have openings in their schedules. Usually, the appointment availability is within the next 24 hours from when the email is sent and the price of services is reduced. To get on this list, fill out the email list form on our website.

At Evolutions, we also believe in educating our clients so they have the ability to make informed choices about their treatment(s). About 10 out of 12 months per year, we host an evening event that is free of charge and open to our clients and the general public. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins speaks about a pre-selected topic and usually, the treatments and/or products associated with the topic are offered at a discount that is available only available for the event’s attendees.

Certain services, such as laser services and chemical peels, are meant to be done in several consecutive treatments to optimize the desired results. We reduce pricing when purchasing a series to encourage clients to make a commitment to the suggested number of treatments as well as keep the proper time schedule for each consecutive treatment in the series.

Evolutions show pricing on certain services (such as facials and chemical peels) but pricing for other services can vary depending on whether the treatment being purchased will be a single treatment or a series and what area is being treated (for example, there will be different pricing for laser hair removal of the legs versus the back because the treatment time varies depending on the size of the area treated). Also, the total number of treatments may vary from person to person in order to obtain the optimum results.

The specific skin care regimen for each person should be customized and should address exfoliants, antioxidants, retinoids, and sun protection as basic elements. One of our clinicians can help design a program for you with the products we carry which are hand-picked by Dr. Perkins and are the best in the medical cosmetic industry. Some are patented and only available through a physician’s office. Products at Evolutions are from a variety of lines such as Obagi, Revale, DNA, Neova, NuCelle, Latisse, Benev, TiZo (and more) and have been chosen based on their reputation, effectiveness, and level of client satisfaction.

The pharmaceutical grade skin care products are more effective and yield results because they have more pure and higher active ingredients than products available at a department store or drugstore. “Over the counter” products are often “cosmetic grade” (a government designation that allows a higher amount of bacteria to be present than in pharmaceutical grade products) and have a higher level of preservatives to decrease bacterial growth as they sit on store shelves.

When clients get an injectable treatment such as dermal fillers we provide them with a package of Arnica, a homeopathic pill that dissolves under the tongue to reduce bruising. We recommend they take the Arnica immediately after the treatment and over the course of the next few days. We also recommend the use of a topical Arnica gel that can be purchased over-the-counter at most health food stores or pharmacies. A Multiwave LED treatment can also help to resolve to bruise more quickly. The bruising can usually be covered with make-up. Typically bruising lasts about one to five days. Some patients do not have any bruising.

It is okay to do both in the same visit as the neuromodulators (Botox/Dysport) are targeting the muscle beneath the skin and the laser treatments deal with the skin itself.

Yes, financing is available through CareCredit – a company that provides financing specifically for healthcare services.

Multiwave LED (Light Emitting Diode) light therapy delivers energy to the skin that is absorbed by the cells for therapeutic benefits. The various wavelengths (red, blue, infrared, green, and amber) penetrate the skin to different depths and stimulate different metabolic activities that provide the energy your cells need to activate production of new collagen and elastin and increase circulation; leaving your skin healthier and younger-looking. Multiwave LED Therapy is painless, safe, and effective with no downtime. Treatment programs take about 15 minutes and are optimized for the condition being addressed.

Although both the dermatology office and Evolutions Medical Spa offers a multidimensional approach to treating acne, we can probably offer a wider range of “weapons” including acne facials, many and varied skin care products (including exfoliants, retinoids, and antioxidants), the Clarisonic Pro Sonic Skin Cleansing System, Vibradermabrasion, the Isolax Deep Pore Therapy, Levulan Photodynamic Therapy, various chemical peels, injections for cystic acne, acne vitamins, oral antibiotics, and mineral makeup that won’t clog pores.

Pustular acne breakouts should be gotten under control as quickly as possible and then maintained with a combination of the above treatments and home care.

We request a 24-hour notice (at minimum) for cancellation. Less than 24 hours notice or “no-shows” may result in a charge.