By Jess Ashcroft, Licensed Master Aesthetician<\/p>\n
The Merriam-Webster<\/a> dictionary defines rejuvenation as the \u201crestoration\u201d of youthful vigor.\u201d Our quest for skin rejuvenation is ultimately about things like:<\/p>\n There are different ways to go about achieving rejuvenation. At Advanced Dermatology & Skin Surgery<\/a>, some of the biggest concerns we see are antiaging, pigmentation, and acne. We aim to reduce fine lines and wrinkles with antiaging treatments while promoting new collagen and elastin to plump and lift the skin. For pigmentation, we want to break up and lift pigment while helping to stop or slow the production of future pigmentation. Regarding acne, our goal is to decrease oiliness, slough off dead skin, kill bacteria, and reduce inflammation.<\/p>\n Advanced Dermatology & Skin Surgery offers a wide variety of treatments that cover different skin types, concerns, and medical needs. Working with your Dermatology Provider, you can devise a plan specifically geared toward your goals and needs, whether it\u2019s one type of treatment that helps you achieve what you are looking for or a combination of multiple.<\/p>\n We offer ablative or non-ablative laser treatments. Non-ablative options are great for less severe conditions like pigmentation, scarring, redness, unwanted hair, or general antiaging. Ablative lasers will be more corrective for more severe conditions since they work by removing the outer layers of the skin.<\/p>\n Non-ablative lasers include hair removal lasers, vascular lasers, or intense pulsed laser (IPL) devices. These types of lasers will typically have less downtime. The hair removal laser is attracted to your hair\u2019s pigment (color), so it works best for those with black or brown hair. The light is converted into heat, which damages the hair follicle root, resulting in a reduction or loss of hair growth. Unfortunately, it can\u2019t treat those with white\/gray hair since the laser would be attracted to your skin pigment instead. Skin will feel warm, pink, and a little swollen. Most people need between five to ten treatments to accomplish their skin care goal.<\/p>\n The vascular laser is excellent for those with rosacea or other red, blue, and purple lesions. We use this laser to treat leftover redness from surgeries or distended veins. It uses the same concept as the hair removal laser, but a vascular laser uses light to target and destroy\u00a0the skin’s unwanted capillaries and blood vessels.<\/p>\n The heat coagulates and damages the blood vessel, which causes the immune system to break it down and get rid of it. Patients usually need one to five treatments.<\/p>\n Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL, uses a broad spectrum of lights flashed simultaneously to treat multiple conditions, most commonly pigment and redness. Typically, IPL will contain a longer wavelength of light that also \u201cexcites\u201d the cells responsible for making collagen and helps kickstart that production. One to three treatments are recommended with yearly maintenance.<\/p>\n The Fraxel\u00ae DUAL laser uses a deep wavelength and creates microscopic laser columns that help stimulate the production of collagen while helping remodel scars and remove pigmentation and sun damage.<\/p>\n Our CO2 laser resurfaces and ablates (removes) the skin\u2019s top layers. This is generally done under anesthesia to make the patient more comfortable. It has significantly more downtime, but it causes a more dramatic improvement in a single session. The CO2 laser improves skin texture, skin laxity, and scars. It is often used with blepharoplasty and facelifts to help soften surgical scars.<\/p>\n Microneedling is used to treat fine lines, scars, and pigmentation. It typically uses very fine needles at specific controlled depths to create micro-wounds in the skin. These micro-wounds help trigger our body\u2019s healing response, producing more collagen and elastin, kickstarting our skin turnover time. As a result, you are getting new skin faster and sloughing off old skin and pigment. A medium such as hyaluronic acid is used so the needles can move smoothly across the skin. Patients typically leave the office red\/pink with some sensitivity. We recommend one to three treatments for the best results.<\/p>\n Chemical peels utilize a series of acids typically from food\/fruit sources. Peels resurface the skin, lighten pigment, reduce acne, and promote collagen production. We usually start patients on a milder peel before moving to a more advanced one. Our lighter peels are great for beginning a series, maintaining previous results, or prepping for a special event. These will minimize any skin peeling, and your skin may feel dry and flakey. As we increase the intensity, be prepared for more downtime. The peel is liquid and applied with an applicator. We typically must wait three to eight minutes for the peel to go to the desired depth, where we will either use more layers or neutralize it. Getting a peel feels warm, tingly, and itchy until neutralized.<\/p>\n Neurotoxins like BOTOX\u00ae Cosmetic or Dysport\u00ae are injected into the muscle and help reduce\/stop movement. This helps to soften and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. BOTOX Cosmetic or Dysport is used for forehead lines, crow\u2019s feet, and lines around the mouth. It usually lasts three months and takes up to seven days to see the results.<\/p>\n Fillers are used to increase volume, plump, and lift. Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are very effective and include brand names JUV\u00c9DERM\u00ae and Restylane\u00ae. A wide range of fillers with differing properties is helpful for customizing treatment. Commonly used to fill lips and cheeks, it can also be used on chins for a more defined look or in tear troughs to help brighten and rejuvenate the undereye. Fillers usually last 6-18 months.<\/p>\n Another filler is Sculptra\u00ae Aesthetic. Sculptra does not use hyaluronic acid but a thinner liquid injected to help facilitate and stimulate collagen production. Patients will not have the instant gratification of an HA filler but will see results over time as collagen is replaced.<\/p>\n Kybella\u00ae is made from a synthetic version of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring acid in our bodies. It dissolves and destroys stubborn fat cells and is mainly used to treat fat under the chin. It may take multiple treatments, and patients typically may be swollen and possibly bruised due to injection depth.<\/p>\n Facials are excellent for treating acne and when needing skincare maintenance. Facials typically involve deep cleansing of the face, along with exfoliation to remove dead skin. Extractions may be done on lesions ready to be removed, like blackheads, whiteheads, and milia. Following extractions, masks, serums, or creams are applied to calm and hydrate the skin. The HydraFacial\u00ae is an excellent facial system that helps to strengthen patients\u2019 skin. It deeply cleanses, extracts, and hydrates using vortex fusion technology. The result leaves you with a clear, glowy complexion.<\/p>\n Ultherapy uses concentrated sound waves (ultrasound) at controlled depths to create micro-wounds that facilitate tightening, lifting, and new collagen production. It is FDA-approved for lifting the skin on the neck, chin, and brow. Typically, patients leave pink and a bit swollen. We usually recommend one to three treatments for the best results.<\/p>\n These three products are my holy grail for maintaining skin rejuvenated:<\/p>\n I always tell patients how their skin will look is 80% from homecare and 20% from routine skincare treatments. Some homecare tips include using a professional skin care routine consistently. Secondly, do not over-exfoliate. Over-exfoliating – damages your skin\u2019s protective barrier and causes inflammation, dryness, and breakouts. Lastly, throw out that magnification mirror! You will always find something wrong with your skin when you look at it 20X magnified.<\/p>\n If you -would like to learn more about these treatments, schedule a consultation<\/a> with any of our highly qualified and experienced Providers at our Spokane Valley, Spokane North, or Coeur d\u2019Alene locations.<\/p>\n\n
\nAchieving Skin Rejuvenation Through Treatments<\/h4>\n
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Lasers<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Non-Ablative Lasers<\/h4>\n
Ablative Lasers<\/h4>\n
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Microneedling<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Chemical Peels<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Injections and Fillers<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Facials<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Skin Tightening Ultherapy\u00ae<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\nBest Products and Tips to Help Keep Skin Rejuvenated<\/h2>\n
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\nAbout Our Aesthetician<\/h4>\n