Dermatology and Cosmetic Laser Center of Huntington

Microdermabrasion
Men, women, and teens all share a common desire to have healthy, youthful skin.

Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical, exfoliating treatment helpful for those unhappy with acne scarring, sun-damaged skin, age spots, freckles, stretch marks, fine lines, scars, and rough skin. Treatment is most frequently performed on the face. Microdermabrasion is a safe, therapeutic approach to skin care when used alone, or in combination with other treatments.

What is treatment like?
Microdermabrasion is performed with a stream of fine crystals, which are delivered across the skin's surface and then removed via vacuum, uprooting the damaged cells to reveal fresh, invigorated skin. Newer technology without crystals will be available to you soon.

What are the benefits of Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion improves:

Skin Texture
Uneven Skin Color
Dull or Dry Patches
Acne and Acne Scarring
Rough, Thick or Dry Skin
Clogged Pores and Blackheads
Large Pores
Fine Lines
Sun Spots
Age Spots

Skin is restored to a more youthful appearance and best of all there is no "down time". Resume regular activities immediately!

What results can I expect?
Poor health, diet, aging, stress, and the elements of nature can hinder the skin's cell renewal process. Microdermabrasion accelerates the cellular turnover process, bringing you closer to healthier, younger-looking skin. It allows you to gradually resurface your skin without the risks, side effects, and down time of more aggressive alternatives. In as little as 20 minutes, this gentle, abrasive technique efficiently produces satisfying results. Improvements in appearance and texture will occur with successive treatments. Microdermabrasion can be used aggressively to achieve dramatic results, but does not take the place of surgical or laser treatments.

How many treatments will I need?
To achieve maximum results, five initial treatments are usually recommended, typically scheduled one to three weeks apart. Follow-up sessions are recommended every four to eight weeks. You will experience a progressive improvement throughout your treatment program.

How does my skin look immediately after treatment?
Microdermabrasion leaves your skin feeling soft and you will notice a healthy glow to your complexion. Due to the increase of circulation, a mild temporary blush surrounding the treated area may be the only evidence of your therapy.

Chemical Peels
Men and women alike share a common desire to have healthy, youthful skin. Exposure to the sun and the elements in combination with adverse living habits contribute to the appearance of our skin. Chemical peels are increasingly popular with those who are unhappy about acne scarring, sun-damaged skin, age spots, freckles, fine lines, rough skin, and uneven pigmentation.

What is a Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels are topically applied acids that aid in the restoration and rejuvenation of the skin's surface. They create a uniform and controlled shedding of several layers of the skin. Depending on the nature and depth of the peel, a significant number of layers can be exfoliated allowing new growth to be exposed, creating a fresh vibrant appearance.

Who are candidates?
Your skin type and the results you are aspiring to achieve will determine if you are a candidate, as well as which class of peel is most appropriate for you.

What are the benefits of a Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels can enhance your appearance by reducing blotchy and uneven pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, freckling, age spots, sun-damaged skin, and acne scars in a relatively brief measure of time. Chemical peels accelerate the production of new cells. Enjoy fresh smooth skin immediately after your first treatment!

What are the side effects?
Chemical peels have become increasingly popular because of the array of advantages and relative lack of complications. Side effects are rare and usually temporary. Some side effects include uneven pigmentation, redness, and very infrequent scarring if the skin is not cared for appropriately. Sun protection is crucial to minimize the risk of side effects. A treatment program of individually suited products and sun protection will benefit your skin's ability to maintain the results of the peel. You can decrease the likelihood of side effects by carefully following the instructions from your dermatologist.

Types of Chemical Peels:
Chemical peels are classified as superficial, medium, and deep peels.

Superficial Peel
This peel is designed to help smooth coarse, dry skin, improve the texture of sun-damaged skin, and even out skin tone. The recovery is generally rapid and usually involves some minor flaking. A series of treatments is ordinarily recommended to obtain the desired result over a period of time. Typically, there is no down time and with appropriate sun protection, you can resume regular activities immediately.

Medium Peel
Medium peels contain a stronger potency of acids. Medium peels target the epidermis and upper dermis and cause the skin to slough within five to seven days. Immediately after treatment the skin has a red appearance and is occasionally accompanied by swelling. Within a day the skin turns brown in color, and after three or four days the skin initiates the peeling process.

Deep Peel
Deep peels produce the most dramatic results. This peel is recommended for treating wrinkles, scars, blemishes and, in some cases, precancerous skin lesions. A deep peel targets the dermis. In some cases, anesthesia is required during the procedure to reduce the warm to hot stinging sensation. After a deep peel, the skin is red and can result in some swelling and blistering. A crust may form and the skin will turn brown just prior to peeling. Many layers of the skin will peel over a period of one to two weeks. An ointment may be given to keep the area moist. Temporarily, the new skin will have the color and sensation of significant sunburn, which will gradually fade to your normal skin color.

Aesthetician Services
These services include Chemical peels, Microdermabrasion and Photodynamic therapy. We also provide and perform several types of facials as well as complementary makeup and product consultations. Please feel free to inquire about these techniques and procedures when you call or visit!

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new medical procedure for photorejuvenation of the skin. It is a medical skin treatment to reverse the signs of aging and thereby improve the health and vitality of skin. Ideal candidates have either sun damaged skin, preskin cancers (actinic keratosis), rosacea, acne, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, poor skin texture, or enlarged pores. This therapy combines the application of a photosensitizer (5 ALA) with a laser pulse light, with dramatic improvements and little "down time" and minimal discomfort.

How does the treatment work?
The procedure involves a microdermabrasion followed by application of Levulan^® (5 ALA) to the skin for 15 to 60 minutes. This allows the Levulan^® to concentrate into the damaged skin, glands, and follicles. We then use Blue Light to activate this photosensitizer. As a result, diseased areas are treated selectively with minimal damage to surrounding normal skin.

How many treatments will I need?
For photorejuvenation, 2-3 treatments spaced 3-4 weeks apart are necessary for optimal results. For acne, 4 to 6 treatments 2-3 weeks apart are needed to achieve results. Some patients see significant improvement in 1 or 2 treatments; others require more.

Are there any possible side effects?
Redness, mild swelling, increased warmth, and tingling like a mild sunburn may occur for 1-2 days after treatment, with rapid recovery. Brown pigmented spots may appear darker and capillaries may be more visible before they fade. Sun avoidance is absolutely necessary for 48 hours after the procedure.

What improvement will I see?
Skin is smoother and softer, pore size is reduced, skin becomes more even toned, and acne resolves as sebaceous glands are diminished.

Medical treatment photos courtesy of Candela® Corporation, Sanofi Aventis, and Allergan®.