Archives for February 2023

Here’s a full suite of cosmetic services that will have you loving your skin this Valentine’s Day! 

Why settle for a box of chocolates when you can have healthy and smooth skin? Show your complexion a little love with these fantastic skin-beautifying solutions! 

In-Office Treatments 

Whether you have a date with your honey or just want to give yourself the gift of a beauty boost this Valentine’s Day, these services and treatments will have you looking as radiant as a bouquet of roses! 

Struggling with acne? Tired of painful and rough ingrown hairs? Want to do something about the chicken skin on your knees and elbows? Our state-of-the-art facilities offer comprehensive treatments for a wide variety of skin issues.  

Beautiful skin is healthy skin. If you have concerns about the texture or appearance of your skin, schedule an appointment with our board-certified dermatologists for a full consultation on your skin health. 

Botox 

Did you know that St. Valentine is said to be a patron saint of young people? This year, celebrate him by preserving your youthful appearance!  

Botox is a widely used anti-wrinkle injection designed to treat dynamic wrinkles (lines and creases that develop after years of muscle activity, like smile lines or frown lines). It works by blocking the nerve signals to the muscles, which inhibits the contractions that cause wrinkles to deepen and become visible. Because the procedure effectively prevents involuntary facial tension, the result is a smoother, more relaxed, and youthful appearance. 

One Botox appointment typically lasts less than one hour, with no downtime. The full effects of the procedure are generally noticeable within one week. Touch-up treatments are recommended approximately every six months. 

This treatment freshens and rejuvenates while allowing your natural radiance to shine through. 

Dermal Fillers 

Dermal fillers are volumizing injections that reduce the appearance of lines and add fullness to the mouth and cheeks, depending upon the treatment you select. The results are natural-looking, immediate, and long-lasting. 

Dermal fillers are extremely effective treatments for the following issues: 

• Mild skin laxity 
• Lack of fullness in the lips, cheeks, jaws, or under-eye areas 
• Pitted acne scarring 
• Moderate facial creases or folds 

Dermal filler treatment is fast, comfortable, minimally invasive, and requires no downtime. Results can last as long as several years, depending on the type of filler used. 

IPL Photofacial 

Give yourself the gift of a brighter, smoother, more even complexion with an Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) photofacial! Say goodbye to lingering acne scars, discoloration, and dullness with this non-invasive, highly effective treatment. 

IPL photofacials are excellent options for people who wish to correct a wide variety of skin issues. This treatment stimulates collagen production and leverages the healing powers of the body to facilitate cell regeneration. This technology releases multiple pulsed light wavelengths that penetrate deep into the skin without damaging the external layer. 

IPL photofacials correct a wide range of skin conditions, including the following: 

• Acne and acne scars 
• Enlarged pores 
• Spider veins 
• Fine lines and wrinkles 
• Hyperpigmentation 

Not only are IPL photofacials great for the face – they can be used anywhere on the body! This includes the following areas: 

• Arms 
• Back 
• Chest 
• Hands  
• Shoulders 
• Neck 

IPL photofacial treatments do not require downtime, and results are apparent within one or two days post-procedure.  

Medical-Grade Skin Care 

We also offer a fantastic suite of products that will give your skin lots of Valentine’s Day luster! Here are a few of our favorites: 

Alastin Daily Beauty Regimen 

This kit is definitely the gift that keeps on giving! This comprehensive set of some of Alastin’s most popular products gives skin a potent dose of powerful elastin and collagen-boosting ingredients. From the antioxidant-rich Gentle Cleanser to the HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad-Spectrum SPF 36 sunscreen, this kit delivers a concentrated nutrient boost for day and evening cleansing routines. 

WestDerm Ultimate Hydration Regimen  

Your skin needs extra hydration during the dry winter months, and WestDerm’s Ultimate Hydration Regimen delivers major moisture. With the antioxidant power of Green Tea Polyphenols, ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid, and skin-rejuvenating retinol, this skincare system was specifically engineered to moisturize and rejuvenate all skin types. 

SkinCeuticals Advanced Clear Holiday Kit (Silymarin CF & Clarifying Clay Masque)  

Give yourself a luxurious at-home spa treatment with SkinCeuticals Advanced Clear Holiday Kit! This balanced skincare system combines concentrated antioxidants’ restorative properties with pure earth clay’s potent detoxifying benefits. Oily and combination skin becomes clearer, smoother, more vibrant, and less prone to breakouts. 

For comprehensive medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatological services, please visit our information page to find an office near you. 

Here’s Why Your Pout Might be Peeling 

Are your lips less than smooch-worthy? Here are a few reasons why, and what you can do to keep your kisser thoroughly kissable! 

If your lips are on the dry side, you probably think you just need to slather on the drugstore lip balm and wait for your lips to restore themselves to their former glory. In most cases, you would probably be right. 

But what if it doesn’t work? 

Seasonal dry lips are perfectly normal. There are no oil glands in the lips, and the lips’ stratum corneum (the layer on top of the skin that acts as a barrier) is extremely thin, so they are particularly vulnerable to the lack of humidity during the cold winter months. Nevertheless, some cases of dry, chapped lips are indications of a medical abnormality.  

Sometimes, you might merely need to put extra care and attention into your normal skin and lip routine. However, cracking dry lips that don’t improve with moisturizer, lip balm, exfoliation, and time might require the attention of a qualified dermatologist. 

This Valentine’s Day, treat your lips to a little extra TLC. Here are a few things you should know about the causes of dry lips, and what you can do about them. 

When to Treat Dry Lips Yourself 

Here are a few common causes of dry lips that you can address at home.  

Too much lip-licking. 

Hang on – you’re not supposed to lick your lips? 

Well, not when they’re super dry, no. The enzymes in saliva are meant to break down the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the foods we eat as part of the digestive process; too much saliva on dry lips can make them dryer. 

Because keeping saliva off the lips at all times can be challenging, it’s important to have a good lip balm on hand that can effectively seal in maximum moisture while blocking the corrosive effects of saliva. The best lip balms combine humectants, emollients, and occlusives. This combination attracts atmospheric moisture to the lips and effectively seals it in, creating a protective layer. Paraffin wax lip balms are particularly effective. 

If you are struggling with dry, chapped lips, choose a lip balm without potentially irritating ingredients like menthol or salicylic acid. Apply a thick layer before bed every night, and wear a lip balm with ultraviolet (UV) protection during the day. 

Too much sodium or spice. 

If you’ve spent this winter noshing on salty snacks, you might have found the culprit for your dry lips. The salt and spice content on the exterior of potato chips, crackers, or pretzels can linger on your lips, dehydrating and irritating them.  

Skip the snacking (or switch to healthier raw vegetables and fruits), apply a layer of lip balm, and see if your lips heal in a day or two. 

Too much sun. 

The lip area is especially susceptible to sun damage because the outer barrier is very thin. If you’ve spent this winter on the slopes where UV rays are especially harsh, your lips might be paying the price.  

Treat your lips as though they’ve been sunburned and soothe them with lip balm and aloe vera. Aloe vera gels contain a compound called aloin which has anti-inflammatory properties. It can also attract needed moisture which can minimize peeling. 

Too many skincare products. 

While those exfoliating acids or skin rejuvenating retinol might keep your skin bright and beautiful, they could also irritate your lips’ delicate skin. 

Make sure you aren’t overloading your skin with serums and exfoliants, and always wear a protective layer of lip balm before applying your products. 

When to See a Doctor 

You might have a medical concern if you don’t see improvement after a few days of at-home lip nurturing. Drugstore remedies can’t necessarily correct the following causes of dry lips. 

Infection 

Wearing dentures, drooling in your sleep, or having an underbite might make you more susceptible to yeast growth. This fungal infection can cause pain, dryness, and cracking in the corners of the mouth. 

The most effective solution for fungal growth is anti-fungal medication. Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to learn the best course of treatment. 

Vitamin Deficiency 

A deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause cracking, soreness, a rash around the mouth, and dryness of the lips. Check with your physician to determine whether you have a vitamin deficiency, and what the cause could be. 

Actinic Cheilitis 

Actinic cheilitis is a condition that emerges after chronic damage from sun exposure. This complication is a potentially serious issue that can progress to skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinomas will emerge in between 10% and 30% of people with actinic cheilitis. 

If your dry lips also have plaques or scaly patches, please schedule an appointment with a dermatologist for an evaluation.  

Contact Dermatitis 

Your skincare products, cosmetics, or personal care products like toothpaste could trigger an allergic response like redness, irritation, and peeling.  

Your dermatologist can help you discover the source of the reaction and prescribe an oral or topical medication that will help address the issue. 

Tell your dry lips to kiss off – schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist today! Visit our information page to find a location near you.