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 used are Trichloracetic acid (TCA, for more superficial lines and blemishes) or Phenol (a much deeper and more serious peel) for deeper wrinkles, flaws or discolorations.

Your Options in Chemical Peels
There are very minor peels and there are deeper, more serious, peels requiring sedation and extensive recovery time. These peels can be used not only on the face, but on the neck, chest, back, arms, hands, etc. – anywhere you wish to rejuvenate or improve your skin.

Alphahydroxy Acid: These peels help with fine, superficial wrinkles, sun damage, unevenness, white and black heads, pimples and splotchiness. These peels can also improve dryness and dehydrated skin. They are minimally invasive and provide mild resurfacing results, producing a mild rejuvenation without the extended downtime of a more invasive peel.

Fruit Acids: There are five main fruit acids: citric acids (citrus-derived), glycolic (derived from sugar cane), lactic acid (although derived from milk, this is still considered a "fruit acid"), malic (derived from apples) and tartaric (derived from grapes).

Citric Acid peels: Usually derived from lemons, oranges, limes and pineapples. These peels are simple and effective, although not capable of significant improvement with one treatment.

Glycolic Acid Peels: Formulated from sugar cane, this peel creates a mild exfoliating action. Glycolic acid peels work by loosening up the horny layer and exfoliating the superficial top layer of skin. This peel also stimulates collagen growth.

Lactic Acid Peel: 70% or less alphahydroxy facial peel to remove dead skin cells, and promote healthier, softer and more radiant skin. This peel is derived from either sour milk or bilberries.

Malic Acid Peel: This peel is the same type of mildly invasive peel derived from the extracts of apples. It can open up the pores, allow the pores to expel the sebum and reduce acne.

Tartaric Acid Peels: This peel is derived from grape extract and is capable of delivering the same benefits as the above peels. Have your skin technician determine which is best for your individual needs.

Are You a Candidate for a Chemical Peel?
Depending upon the peel, you may be a candidate for a chemical peel if you have slight wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, 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 sores which will damage and scar your skin.

For deeper peels which require sedation or extensive recovery, first and foremost, you must be in good health, not have any active diseases or pre-existing medical conditions and must have realistic expectations of the outcome of your procedure. Communication is crucial in reaching one's goals. You must be able to voice your desires to Dr. Hecht if he is to understand what your desired results are. Discuss your goals with Dr. Hecht so that you may reach an understanding with what can realistically be achieved.

What Is Microdermabrasion?

A device that uses an abrasive applicator tip to remove dead surface skin cells and initiates cellular turnover in a safe controlled manner. This approach respects the integrity of the skin and promotes even healing. Maintaining even cellular growth on the surface aids in the youthfulness of the skin’s appearance.

Microdermabrasion has been used to treat aging and sun-damaged skin, some types of acne and acne scarring, pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. Results may include improved skin tone, fewer breakouts, diminished appearance of scars, even skin tone, refined pores, renewed elasticity and a healthy glow.

What Are Biotherapeutic Treatments?

The Bio-Ultimate Facial utilizes microcurrent technology, which is a low level of electricity that mirror’s the body’s own natural electrical currents, triggering chemical reactions at a cellular level to enhance the production of natural collagen and elastin. It also provides circulatory benefits and assists in product penetration. The result is immediate firming, smoothing, and re-hydration on the skin.

What Is Laser Hair Reduction?

The use of laser and electric energies to damage the hair follicle. This disables the follicle from growing hair, which means that gradually over several treatments, there is a permanent reduction in the amount of hair in the treated area. Many people achieve satisfactory clearance after 8-10 treatments, but individual results vary depending on medical and genetic factors. Some people may require more than the usual number of treatments. Treatments are done about every 6-10 weeks depending on body part treated. A consultation is required.

Who Should Get Laser Hair Reduction Treatments?
Anyone who wants a permanent solution to shaving, waxing, tweezing or electrolysis. There are a few medical conditions that contraindicate people from treatment which will be discussed with your technician during consultation.

What Is Fotofacial (IPL) Skin Rejuvenation?

The use of gentle light and electric energies to restore skin to a more youthful state. Brown spots from sun damage and aging, red blotchiness from spider vessels or rosacea, and rough skin texture will improve over a treatment series. Treatment is very safe for the skin and there are no long term health hazards from light or electric energies, which have both been used for decades in medicine, surgery, and aesthestics without adversity.

Generally treatments are repeated every 3-4 weeks and 6-8 treatments are common. Some people may need more than the usual number of treatments. Each treatment will result in gradual lightening and improvement of pigmented and vascular imperfections. Textural improvements are appreciated towards the end of the treatment series.

Who Should Get Skin Rejuvenation Treatments?
Anyone who wants to improve the signs of sun damage and aging skin , such as pigmented and vascular irregularities, uneven or rough skin texture and anyone with rosacea. Skin Rejuvenation can be done on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. A skin care consult is required to discuss your candidacy for treatement.

What Are Skin Tightening Treatments?

The ReFirme Skin Tightening procedure allows you to comfortably achieve a more youthful, tightened and lifted appearance without enduring downtime. The combined Bi-polar Radio Frequency and Light energies heat the dermal tissue within the target area. This stimulates collagen production and produces a firming effect in lax skin. Fine wrinkles are reduced, noticeable lifting can be observed and the texture of your skin becomes more smooth and elastic.

Most patients see gradual and cumulative results throughout the ReFirme Skin Tightening treatment series. The total number of required treatment sessions depends on your skin’s condition. Schedule a consultation to establish your personalized treatment schedule.

What Are VascuTouch Treatments?

A quick and effective way to remove unsightly vascular blemishes and skin tags. The VascuTouch electrocoagulates each tiny vessel and the blood stops flowing. With the proper “post” treatment care the vessel is naturally absorbed into the surrounding tissue and typically within three to four weeks will disappear. Skin tags can be treated in minutes with the VascuTouch and generally fall off within 3-4 days.

What Are Soft Tissue Augmentation Treatments?

Temporary injectable fillers such as bovine (cow) collagen and hyaluronic acid products are the most commonly used soft tissue augmentation products. They are used for wrinkles, and folds such as the nasolabial area (lines that run from nose to mouth) and the glabellar region (frown lines between the brows).

These types of injectable fillers are also used for augmentation of the lips and for filling out acne scars and other types of tissue deficiencies. They are ideal for "trying on" augmentation before undergoing a more permanent procedure because of their temporary nature.

Are You a Candidate for Soft Tissue Augmentation?
You may be a candidate for Soft Tissue Augmentation via injectable fillers if you are looking for a quick, effective and inexpensive method to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Treatments last from 3 to 6 months and take less than one hour in the doctor’s office. Results are immediate and recovery time is short; it is often possible to receive treatments at lunchtime.