Non Surgical

The first step is an Analysis of your skin by a skin health specialist. The analysis determines the current state of the skin and based on what you want to achieve, a skin health program is developed to correct existing problems and to maintain the results.

A skin health specialist will analyze problems such as:

1. Appearance of facial lines and wrinkles
2. Acne and acne scarring, unsightly blemishes, large or clogged pores
3. Redness of the skin (rosacea) or small, red veins visible on the skin's surface
4. Uneven pigmentation, brown spots, age spots

Once a skin analysis and assessment have been completed, a specific program is designed to correct existing problems and to stimulate and continually protect the skin. The skin care specialist will consider issues such as skin colour, age, how severe the skin condition is and appropriate maintenance programs.

A skin health program - designed specifically for you - will include a combination of treatments, products and procedures working together to restore the skin's natural look and function.

Chemical Peel

What Is a Chemical Peel?

This procedure can restore sun-damaged, wrinkled, blemished, acne scarred or blotchy skin to its original youthful appearance. The results are normally a smoother more even toned textured skin. The skin will look younger, tighter and "fresher" than before although it cannot remove all facial flaws. Deeper lines, wrinkles and other flaws may require additional treatments or techniques. The chemicals normally we use are Trichloracetic acid (TCA) for more superficial lines and blemishes.

The Obagi Blue Peel

This type of peel is relatively new. Developed by Dr. Zein E. Obagi, this peel is an in-office trichloracetic acid (TCA) peel to correct fine lines, superficial scars, minimal laxity and pigmentation problems. It is performed in 1-4 steps and is very beneficial to persons of all skin types. Usually more invasive peels are unfortunately suitable to only those of European Caucasian descent. With the Blue peel, persons of ethnic skin tones such Asian, African-America, Italian and other darker skins tones can safely undergo beneficial resurfacing.

The solution is applied in 1 to 4 layers and left on the skin for 25-30 minutes. You may feel a slight burning or stinging sensation as each layer is applied which may last from 2-5 minutes. A gain a fan will help you tolerate the stinging sensation - so request if this is used. The blue tint will darken and advise the skin technician when the peel is complete. The blue tinge that you get from this peel may last for up to 3-10 days, depending. So prepare to take off a few days for this one as well. This peel may be reapplied at 4 week intervals.

Are You a Candidate for a Chemical Peel?

Depending upon the peel, you may be a candidate for one if you have slight wrinkles, hyperpigmentations, splotchiness, unevenness, acne, acne scars, black heads or sun damaged skin. You may not be a candidate if you have herpes as this can spread to your healing skin and cause great, weeping sores which will damage and scar your skin. Ask your primary physician for a release and perhaps a prescription for a oral medications such as Zovirax™. This will decrease your risk of an outbreak. If your primary care physician does not release you or opposes to your having a peel - DON'T take that chance! Also, deeper peels may not be suitable for you if you are prone to keloids or hyper- and hypopigmentation.

Preparing for Your Chemical Peel

You will more than likely be asked to closely follow a skin care regimen which may include the use of AHAs, Retin A, Kojic Acid, Hydroquinone, etc. to prepare your skin and even out the skin tone itself. This will make the peel more effective as well as lessens the pigment and fades a tan by prohibiting melanin production and skin cell turn over. This way you are less likely you hyperpigment after the procedure.

Typical Post-Peel Instructions

1. You will cleanse your face as usual but be instructed to use a gentle-formulated cleanser.
2. You may be instructed to use a special moisturizing cream or lotion.
3. Do not apply any type if glycolic acid or exfoliation products as this can severely damage or irritate the skin during the entire time of healing or the skin will become irritated.
4. Avoid sun exposure if you can. Use a high SPF sunblock to help block the harmful UV rays.
5. Do NOT peel, rub or scratch your skin at anytime, whatsoever. This WILL cause damage and compromise your results as well as possibly severely scar you.
6. Let your surgeon or skin care specialist know immediately if you have a herpes break out. This can also result in severe and permanent scarring.

Lip Enhancement

Many of us want fuller, larger lips - or perhaps a smaller area between the base of the nose and upper lip (lip lift). As we age our lips seem as though they "deflate" or even thin out. The upper lip is more prone to the signs of aging, such as "dropping" or thinning so some patients may simply need upper lip rejuvenation. Perhaps with fat grafting (the technique we are using) implants, a lip lift or even resurfacing of the skin above the lip. Please research each available product or technique fully before committing to one. You will find that there are always pros and cons for each but by researching you can make an informed decision.

Indications for Lip Enhancement

For persons with small, deflated lips, asymmetry, reconstructive needs, "dropping" or "sagging" upper lip, lack of color, wrinkling from smoking or aging and other complaints.

Contraindications

Persons having been on or having the following may not be good candidate for lip enhancement.

1. Accutane for six months prior or following. Accutane may increase your chances of keloid-like scarring.
2. collagen/scarring/connective tissue disorders
3. lupus
4. active diseases may affect outcome or increase risks
5. diabetes may affect outcome or increase risks
6. problems with clotting
7. excessive oral plaque or dental abscesses
8. oral herpes

Botox Injection

Time, sun, stress, hormonal changes and environmental influences take their toll on skin causing it to become damaged and unhealthy. Skin health restoration is not a product it is a process! Skin health restauration requires control of key cell types: Kerainocytes, melanocytes and fibroblasts.

What Is BOTOX?

BOTOX is a therapeutic agent derived from the bacterium, Clostridium Botulinum; Also known as Botulinum Toxin Type A. The brand BOTOX is produced in controlled laboratory conditions and given in extremely small therapeutic doses originally for the treatment of blepharospasm (eye spasm) and strabismus (misalignment of the eye). BOTOX Purified Neurotoxin Complex is a vacuum-dried form of purified botulinum toxin type A and is being investigated for several conditions associated with overactive muscle activity.

How Does BOTOX Work?

Normally, your brain sends electrical messages to your muscles so that they can contract and move. The electrical message is transmitted to the muscle by a substance called acetylcholine. BOTOX works to block the release of acetylcholine and, as a result, the muscle does not receive the message to contract. This means that the muscle spasms or movements that cause wrinkling, stop or are greatly reduced after using BOTOX. Patients sometimes refer to the effects of the injection to their area of treatment as being "paralyzed".

What To Expect At Your BOTOX Appointment

BOTOX is injected with a micro-needle into the muscle(s) that your individual needs require. The most requested areas of treatment and complaint are the forehead and outer eye area. One to five injections are usually given per muscle. It may take approximately 30 minutes to complete an average amount of injections during your visit. Many surgeons advise that patients report very little pain or discomfort associated with BOTOX injections due the size of the micro-needle, but you will feel at least some discomfort due to the injection. It has been described as a feeling of great "pressure". After your treatment, you will usually see the effects of BOTOX within a few hours to three days. Care must be taken in restricting the amount of muscle movements in the treatment area while it "settles in In The Weeks Ahead Maximum benefit is reached in one to two weeks. The effects last approximately three months thereafter from a single treatment of BOTOX. Resulting in the smoothing of your skin and the improvement of fine lines and superficial wrinkles in the area of your treatment. When the effects start wearing off, you will notice a very gradual fading of its effects. At this point you will return for your next treatment. BOTOX has proven itself again and again in eliminating superficial lines and wrinkles. Patients report that during a course of treatment their lines "seem to disappear" and the skin regains its former smoothness.

Risks, Complications & Contraindications

Given its unique mechanism of action, BOTOX offers sustained relief, dose after dose. As far as long term effects are concerned, treatment with BOTOX can typically be repeated indefinitely. However, if you are pregnant or taking certain medications, you are not eligible to receive BOTOX treatments. The effects of BOTOX may be increased with the use of certain antibiotics or other drugs that interfere with neuromuscular transmission. Be sure to disclose any and all pre-existing medical conditions and all medications you may be currently taking before undergoing any treatment.

Warning: Pregnant women must not receive injections of BOTOX due to possible crossing of the placenta.