In my experience, the best treatment for burn scars is the fractional CO2 laser. This laser will soften scars and also tighten tissue as well as stimulate new collagen. However, with darker skin types, it can lead to hyperpigmentation. The tissue needling/dermaroller is a nice treatment for darker skin types with little or no risk for hyperpigmentation, but it does not heat the tissue like the fractional CO2 does, so you won’t get the tightening you’d see with the laser. There have been no clinical trials that show distinctive advantages in utilizing the dermaroller versus the fractional CO2 laser.
What is the best treatment for burn scars?
January 17th, 2012What alternatives to Restylane do you recommend for the lips? Which filler is least painful and longest lasting in the lips?
January 2nd, 2012In my opinion the only option to enhance the lips are hyaluronic acid fillers (Perlane, Restylane and Juvéderm). My favorite is Restylane. Not only can can you rebuild and enhance the red part of the lip, but you can also enhance the white part of the lip with this filler. When enhancing the white part of the lip it is important to make sure the lipstick lines, philtral column, Cupid’s bow and the vermilion border are a distinct line. Restylane as well as Juvederm now come in a version with lidocaine for more comfortable treatments. I recommend using a dental block (without epinephrine) which really helps with any pain or discomfort.
Can I wax after I have a series of IPL sessions? Will waxing cause my hair to regrow?
December 30th, 2011After your IPL sessions, you can go ahead and wax the treated area as photo facials do not disrupt the stratum corneum. However, IPL therapy has been shown to cause hair removal which may or may not grow back. The darker your hair and the lighter your skin, the more likely you are to have reduction of hair follicles.
What are the best treatment options for severe and persistent adult acne?
December 22nd, 2011The best treatment for persistent acne is Accutane. It works by reducing oil production in the sebaceous glands which will permanently treat acne in approximately 70% of cases. Side effects include chapped lips, dry eyes, lips and nose, muscle aches and birth defects in babies should women become pregnant while on Accutane. The controversy surrounding Accutane is that it can cause depression which has never been proven and that it may increase the risk of inflammatory bowel disease which has not been proven to be the cause; however there has been an associated risk. I find this to be a remarkable and life-changing treatment.
Can you use Atralin Gel and hydroquinone together and if so, how do you combine them?
December 20th, 2011In the morning, use the 4% hydroquinone and in evening use both the hydroquinone and the Atralin Gel. Apply the hydroquinone first to a clean and dry face, then follow with the Atralin. Atralin is a popular form of tretinoin (0.5%) as it includes moisturizing agents which contribute to less irritation. Be sure to follow the directions of this prescription carefully, including not applying it near your mouth or the corners of your nose and not too close to your eyes. Also, you should be using a sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater every day, but it’s even more important to do so when using these medications as they can cause increased sensitivity to the sun.
Is the Vbeam OK if you have seborrheic dermatitis?
October 7th, 2011The Vbeam has not been known to cause any serious problems to patients with Seborrheic Dermatitis. The cryo on the Vbeam may agitate it, but it should not cause more “flushing.” Vbeam targets the “reds” which are the blood vessels underneath the skin. It is OK to have Vbeam if you have Seborrheic Dermatitis, however seven treatments in three months seems a like a lot. We usually see Vbeam patients just once a month.
What options do I have to address lip lines? How long does each treatment usually last?
October 5th, 2011“Lipstick lines” or lines around the lips are the result of muscle movement and loss of collagen and elastic fibers. I like using a combo therapy of plumping up the lips with hyaluronic acid fillers to restore volume and the CO2 laser to tighten skin and soften lines. This combination of treatments is the most effective! The CO2 laser treatment lasts forever as we continue to age and the hyaluronic acid filler lasts, on average 3 to 6 months.
Will a hair transplant change my hair texture?
October 3rd, 2011After a hair transplant, depending on the location from where the donor hair was harvested will determine the color of the hair after it is transplanted. For instance, if you have grey hair in the back that is transplanted to the front, it will maintain the color. Yes, the texture of the hair may change after hair transplantation, due to trauma that occurs during the placement of the graft into the recipient sites. We consider the transplanted hair to be resistant to the hormonal cause of hair loss. Although the transplanted hair will fall out in about two weeks, the transplanted hair follicle is intact and new hair generally begins to grow again in about three months. This hair lives and grows indefinitely. The technique I use is the follicular-unit micrografts which provide a more natural look, permanently.
Is it possible to remove a tattoo with blue and black ink?
September 30th, 2011Blue and Black Ink Easiest Colors to Treat with Laser Tattoo Removal
Yes there are several factors that will determine how a tattoo will respond to laser therapy. Blue and black ink are the easiest colors to treat. Other factors include whether the tattoo was done by a professional or an amateur and if the tattoo has been layered by another tattoo? The results and the number of treatments may vary for each patient, but typically multiple treatments will be needed. The farther away the tattoo is from your heart, the harder it may be to completely remove. At Contour Dermatology we like to use the Medlite C6 which has four wavelengths that target multiple colors in a tattoo.
Can I add Radiesse to fill out my cheeks a little more after having had Juvéderm Ultra?
September 28th, 2011Yes, You Can Layer Facial Fillers for More Volume
Absolutely. You can layer fillers on top of each other. The Radiesse won’t conflict or undo the Juvéderm Ultra that is currently in your cheeks.
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