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Labels: Pedicure

Labels: Lasers, Spider veins, Varicose Veins

Injection lipolysis (breakdown of fat) may work best when two ingredients are used, according to an expert.

Phosphatidylcholine, when it is combined with deoxycholate for injection lipolysis, "may lead to reduced swelling and fewer nodules," says Adam Rotunda, M.D., a Newport Beach, Calif., dermatologist.

A recent study conducted by Giovanni Salti, M.D., of the Florence Surgical Center, Florence, Italy, has suggested the procedure is effective at breaking up fat cells in the region where it is injected, Dr. Rotunda says.

When phosphatidylcholine is included with the other agent commonly used, sodium deoxycholate, the effect was the same, but the inflammation and immune reaction was less.

Patients treated with injection lipolysis often have localized adverse effects including swelling, redness, and sometimes the development of nodules that may last for months.

At BC LASER we use combined phosphatidylcholine and sodium deoxycholate for reducing small pockets of persistent fat. The other alternative that we offer is the use of Ultrashape using ultrasonic waves to break up fat.

Labels: Fat Removal, Lipodissolve, Liposuction, Ultrashape

We perform laser peels for "benign epidermal pigmented lesions and rough texture". These are those irritating brown marks that people find annoying with some rough skin. We use an amazingly powerful technology from Hoya Conbio called the Medlite C6 laser which allows for an ideal light based peel. We use a particular wavelength called the 532 nm light (Green Light) that is suited for lighter skin types.

The advantage of this peel compared to IPL (which a lot of spas and clinics use) is that it does not leave any residual pigment behind that is left after 5 or 6 IPL treatments. 532nm can remove any light pigmentation effectively. We usually find that couples of sessions are enough for the treatment. Once the treatment is done a mild redness is left on the skin for 4 days. This can be nicely covered up with mineral make up. The brown spots start to lift and flake off over a period of 7 to 10 days with small crusts. It is no touch treatment.

In our practice these laser peels are even more popular than Botox or fillers. This laser peel requires maintenance once or twice a year. We prefer a real laser to an IPL. It is a much more effective treatment.

Labels: Brown Spots, IPL, Laser Peel, Lasers, Pigment Spots

We have been using Botox for the treatment of migraines for about 4 years. Recently our use has been increasing. Patients have been finding this a rather convenient way of managing their migraines. They come in and get Botox injections performed and usually they are headache free for 3-6 months. We have just completed our review of patients treated at BC LASER AND SKINCARE and have found that over a period of time the need for injections begins to reduce from twice a year to once a year. We have also noticed that whilst they are receiving their Botox injections their need for migraine medication reduces significantly from none used to minimal.

We have been using Botox for tension headaches and Temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) pains for the last two years and have been getting good results. Some patients find that their extended health plans will cover the injection costs.

Labels: Botox, Headache

It is rare that a product or procedure is introduced that opens up a new area of cosmetic enhancement, or redefines an old one. The introduction of collagen filler injections was one, as was the introduction of Botox. The use of lasers to resurface the skin and destroy blood vessels was also a paradigm changer. Now we have the introduction of Latisse, which reliably produces longer, thicker and darker eyelashes in the vast majority of people.
83% of American women use mascara, more than the 64% who use lipstick. The release of new mascaras with vibrating wands has boosted sales. Now, with the release of Latisse, there is a product that may make mascara obsolete for many, at a somewhat increased cost.Latisse is an offshoot of the drug Lumigan, made by Allergan. Lumigan is used as an eyedrop for the treatment of glaucoma. An unexplained side effect noted with Lumigan was the growth of longer eyelashes. Because the product had already passed safety tests for use in the eye, Allergan was able to obtain relatively rapid approval of the product for use on eyelashes. Side effects seen with Latisse have been irritation of the eyelid skin and eyes, and some apparently temporary brown discoloration of the skin near the eyelashes. When the product has been used as drops in the eyes, there has been, in a small percentage of people, a permanent darkening of the eye (iris) color.The eyelash growth takes two months to be noticeable and takes four months to reach maximum.
Latisse is not available in Canada yet. It may be released in the end of the year

Labels: Eye Lash Enhancement, Latisse

Labels: Cosmetic Tattoo, Lasers, Tattoo Removal

In the March 2009 issue of the journal "Dermatologic Surgery" there is an article reporting the use of 90% trichloroacetic acid to treat this problem. Trichloroacetic acid is a caustic that destroys cell proteins causing local inflammation and crust formation, followed by local scar formation. This may be accompanied by mild to moderate local pain and inflammation in the area. Temporary local swelling and redness occur. There may also be a temporary increase in pigmentation in the treated area.
The number of treatments required varied from 2 to 6, and the minimal interval between treatments was 2 days. This technique was used on 32 women of varying ages, and all were reported to be satisfied with the results.This concentration of trichloroacetic acid has been used previously in the treatment of acne scarring, but its use in ear lobe repair appears to represent a significant advance in the treatment of enlarged earring holes.

Labels: Earlobe Repair

There are lots of choices but the best answer I can give you is combination treatments, combinations treatments, combination treatments. No one type of aesthetic treatment is enough.
I use a combination of the following to get the individual result the person desires. There is no one treatment that is 100% effective all the time in all the patients. One has to look at the individual and figure out the best combination in consultation with the person seeking the improvement.

Rhytec plasma
CO2
Erbium
Fraxel
Thermage
Refirme
Fillers
Botox
Skin care creams

Labels: Laser Resurfacing, Lasers, Skin Tightening, Soft lift

Despite its association with passion, love, and vibrancy the color red is not what most people want to see on their faces when they look in the mirror. Redness on your face develops from inflammation and from dilated tiny blood vessels right at the surface of your skin. Sometimes the redness can be sudden, whereas other times it can develop slowly over many years. Here are five things your should know about facial redness and what to do about it.

1. The most common cause of facial redness is Rosacea. Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that leads to red, sensitive skin and sometime to pimples on the nose and cheeks similar to acne. People with Rosacea often have sensitive skin that stings when exposed to sun or cold and turns bright red when they eat hot or spicy foods. If you have Rosacea, then try products that contain anti-inflammatory and anti-redness ingredients such as feverfew or licorice.

2. Over-exfoliating or scrubbing your skin can lead to redness. This is common among young women with acne. Remember that acne is from bacteria trapped in clogged pores. Scrubbing with apricot scrubs or using alcohol based toners will not help erase your acne, but it certainly will worsen the inflammation. Often this makes a bad situation worse. Unless you have very oily, sebaceous skin, remember that scrubbing is best done in moderation and in the middle of winter when your skin is already is dry and sensitive, scrubs might not be needed at all.

3. Excess sun exposure over years can lead to redness. The ultraviolet radiation from the sun triggers blood vessels to grow like weeds across your face. If you look closely at some people’s skin, you can see that diffuse redness is actually millions of tiny threadlike vessels right at the surface. This condition can be treated by using a laser that targets blood vessels. The laser can literally explode the tiny vessels, destroying them along with their unwanted redness. The downside is that you will often have obvious bruising for a few days; however, when the bruising heals, the redness is often significantly reduced and sometimes is erased altogether.

4. Allergic contact dermatitis can also cause redness on your face. Common causes of allergy include chemical sunscreens, preservatives in cosmetics, hair dyes, and fragrances. Skin allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a particular allergen. It is the same reaction as poison ivy or poison oak and can lead to redness, scaling, and itching. If you have a rash around your eyes, a rash that is itchy, or a chronic redness and scaling on your face, then see your physician. He or she can do patch testing to determine if you have a skin allergy and can give you a list of products to avoid.

5. Rarely is redness on the face the result of an underlying medical condition. Women with lupus, an autoimmune disease that can affect many organs, sometimes develop a bright red rash on their cheeks and nose, often called a butterfly rash because from a distance it looks like a butterfly on their face. The rash is triggered by sun exposure but can occur any time of the year. If you have the sudden development of this type of facial redness, then you should see a physician. A few blood tests can diagnose the condition and sometimes treatment is needed to keep the immune system from flaring.

Labels: Lasers, Reddness