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April 23, 2008

IPL Fotofacial

Do you suffer from skin problems such as having a red complexion, sun spots, blemishes, acne scars, age spots, or wrinkles? If so there is a new treatment called IPL Fotofacial that may be able to help.

IPL Fotofacial has had amazing results with sun spots. Sun spots are virtually the same as age spots and liver spots, it doesn’t matter what you name them, they are unattractive and no one likes them. For nearly everyone they start to appear in your late 40’s or early 50’s, they are collections of melanin that have accumulated in the top layer of your skin.

Sun spots differ in size and can bunch together so that they appear even larger, and in most instances they are joined together with other signs of sun damage that include deep wrinkles, dry rough skin, fine red veins on your cheeks, nose and ears, and paper thin skin. IPL Fotofacial can remove your sun spots.

What is IPL?

IPL,(intense pulsed light), like laser treatments uses an intense light beam for treatment, but IPL uses a broad band of light instead of a narrow band used in laser treatments.

This intense light works of the deeper layers of the skin instead of the superficial layers. By targeting the deeper layers of the skin you can treat things like spider veins, vascular birthmarks, melasma, hair, and wrinkles.

When you go in for an IPL treatment they will apply a cool gel to your skin and give you some eye protection. Each session will last from 20-60 minutes. Each treatment usually runs around $350-$600 in price range.

In most cases you will need four to six sessions of IPL therapy in order to see long term results. With good skin protection these results can last up to a year.

After IPL Fotofacial, you may have some redness after treatment, but this should resolve within hours, and you should be able to go back to all of your normal activities right after treatment.

If you have questions about IPL Fotofacial and whether or not you may be a candidate, call a specialist in your area today.

DermaNetwork.org is a leading resource for IPL Fotofacial information. Search for a cosmetic dermatologist near you today!


April 22, 2008

Acne Scar

Acne is a widespread skin condition that has the propensity of leaving an acne scar.
Acne itself begins in the oil-producing construction of the skin known as pilosebaceous follicles that are located all over your face, chest, shoulders and upper back. Each follicle is derived from a hair follicle and a sebaceous gland. The glands secrete an oily mix called sebum that transfers from the hair follicle to the skin surface. Acne occurs when deceased skin cells, bacteria, hormones and additional oil impede the skin’s sebum. The obstruction leads to inflammation and the growth of blackheads, whiteheads, or tender red lumps.

Things that aggravate acne and can lead to an acne scar

• Emotional stress
• Fatigue
• Humidity
• Cosmetics

In persistent acne cases lesions grow to be red and inflamed and can become filled with puss. Acne can also expand far into the skin and form nodules or cysts that are called cystic acne that can be very painful and cause acne scarring.

Prevent an Acne Scar with Good Skin Care

• Keep your hands off your face
• Don’t squeeze your pimples
• Don’t use oily cosmetics
• Remove your makeup at night
• Use noncomedogenic sunscreen and toiletries
• Eat a balanced diet
• Wash your face twice a day
• Do not scrub your skin with strong detergent soaps and rough scrub pads
• If you have oily hair, keep it off your face and wash it daily
• Avoid excess exposure to sunlight
• Don’t use tanning booths or sun lamps

DermaNetwork.org is a leading resource for acne scar information. Search for a cosmetic dermatologist near you today!


Blue Light Acne Therapy

Acne is one of the most universal skin syndromes, touches approximately 85% of all Americans. Blue light acne procedure can assist in getting rid of your acne, but there are numerous discussions being debated in the medical community— one being the question: Does stress worsen acne?

In the past stress has not been a measured aspect that was thought to have generated acne flare-ups, but the latest research has suggested that it could be a trigger. A small study done at Stanford University in 2002 revealed that there may indeed be a connection between exam-related stress and the harshness of acne.

Another study, in 2003, established that a chemical relationship probably existed, linking acne and other skin disorders and stress. This study paid close attention on the outcome of stress and the response created by the brain. The letting go of chemicals in the brain brought on by stress triggered a boost in sebum production by the oil glands, which eventually resulted in amplified acne.

Significant research is still necessary on the stress and acne correlation, but this proves to be a fascinating beginning.

Or

Can you lessen the stress in your world and reduce your acne?

Blue Light Laser Acne Therapy

Blue Light Acne Therapy is Blue Light Photodynamic therapy and it has been FDA approved. This acne procedure eliminates the P acnes bacteria in your skin. It can be done alone or accompanied by a topical application of ALA, or Levulan for the management of acne vulgaris.

For Blue Light Acne Therapy, you will be seated in front of the Blue Light application system for approximately 15 minutes. Depending on the rigorousness of your acne, you will have weekly applications for a fixed number of weeks.

Acne is unquestionably not treated the same way it was when we were children or even a decade ago for that matter. But thanks to investigative studies our understanding of acne and how it starts has increased, leading to a variety of new acne therapies and changes in treatment options that already exist.

For more information on acne, the treatment options available and blue light laser acne therapy, you should consult with a cosmetic dermatologist in your area today.

DermaNetwork.org is a leading resource for blue light acne therapy information. Search for a cosmetic dermatologist near you today!


April 18, 2008

Melasma

Brown patches that appear on your face during pregnancy or as you age are a skin pigmentation disorder called Melasma. And thankfully, there is a revolutionary FDA approved laser treatment option called Fraxel that can help to remove the melasma from your face and return your skin tone and texture to a more youthful, vibrant appearance.

Melasma patches are most obvious on the face, but can show up on the upper lips, forehead and even your arms.

Causes of Melasma

The most widespread contributing factor to Melasma is pregnancy, but oral contraceptives, heredity, endocrine dysfunction, medications and other reasons can add to this skin discoloration.

Treatments for Melasma

Until recently, we haven’t seen much success in regards to the treatment of Melasma, and truthfully, for most women the patches disappear after they give birth. But for that group of women who are trapped with the discoloration they have struggled with correcting the problem.

Struggled that is until now, until Fraxel Laser Treatments, which have had showed an enormous accomplishment in the treatments success with melasma.

Fraxel Laser Treatment

The Fraxel Laser penetrates deep into the dermis, providing you with an powerful treatment, while leaving the surrounding tissue untouched. The Fraxel laser treatment choice enables your skin to heal quickly, and it also uses the body’s own healing mechanism to create new, healthy tissue to replace skin imperfections.
For more information about Fraxel Laser Treatments for melasma you should contact a cosmetic surgeon in your area. Whether its treatment for melasma or another cosmetic procedure, a doctor in your area can help you decide what treatment options are best for you.

DermaNetwork.org is a leading resource for melasma information. Search for a cosmetic dermatologist near you today!


Freckle

How many times have you heard, “oh he’s so cute, just look at all of those cute little freckles!” Cute, maybe when you’re like 2, but as you grow older, they become annoying and bothersome and you try to cover them up with makeup or you search for some other viable option to have your freckles removed.

I don’t know of too many teenagers or adults who show off their freckles. Nope, there aren’t any beauty pageants that advertise a freckle contest and offer prizes for the biggest freckle, the most distinguished freckle, and let’s don’t forget the most talented freckle. Nope, it’s never happened and never will, because most people want to have their freckles removed.

And thanks to the revolution of lasers you can now have your freckles removed quickly and easily. Thanks to the precise technology of lasers, treatment can be targeted even at a very tiny spot.

Other Freckle Removal Options Include

Another freckle removal option is Retin-A and numerous forms of chemical peels. However, a laser is the quickest way, but Retin-A is really good too, the down side is that it can take months of using the product before you see any results.
Chemical peels essentially come in two types, surface and deep penetrating. The surface peels, such as glycolic peels, can get rid of your freckles, but only after multiple treatments. The deep penetrating peels will remove your freckles right away, but there is a longer recovery period.

Which brings us back to lasers, the greatest advantage of the newer laser systems is that the laser energy is absorbed completely by the color of the freckle, and it doesn’t harm any of the surrounding skin. This is my treatment of choice, particularly on the face.

For more information about freckle removal treatments you should contact a cosmetic surgeon in your area. Whether it’s a freckle removal or another cosmetic procedure, a doctor in your area can help you decide what treatment options are best for you.

DermaNetwork.org is a leading resource for freckle information. Search for a cosmetic dermatologist near you today!


Cosmelan

Skin ageing caused by sun exposure, facial blemishes caused by disproportionate pigmentation and, in most cases, imperfections created by melanin, are increasingly common in our world today. Cosmelan is a cosmetic product that offers relief.

Dark blemishes found on your hands and face, are one of the biggest concerns of both men and women. With Cosmelan you can remove these blemishes and return your skin to a much smoother state.

Cosmelan Advantages Include:

• Very effective in treating all forms of melasma
• Rapid and easy depigmenting action
• It can be used on all skin types
• Light peeling effect
• Skin rejuvenation
• Safe to use all year round
• Great for people with acne
• Does not contain TCA

Cosmelan works by blocking the development of hyperpigmentation. The areas that can be treated include:

• Melasma
• Brown Spots
• Blotchy Skin
• Hyperpigmentation

During the first two days of using Cosmelan, your skin may turn red.
If your skin is extremely sensitive, you may experience an itching feeling. Slight burning and tightening of the skin can also occur, especially during the first 24 to 48 hours after you begin the use of the product.

On the second and third day following treatment, flaking can occur on all skin types. By the fourth day your skin will appear healthy and luminous.

The second application of Cosmelan is a home maintenance cream called Cosmelan 2 that should be applied 2 times per day during the first two weeks, and once a day from the third week on for up to a year to sustain the maximum results guaranteeing an optimum depigmentation response.

DermaNetwork.org is a leading resource for Cosmelan information. Search for a cosmetic dermatologist near you today!


Botox Cosmetic Injection

Your face makes thousands of different expressions every day, each one contributing a little bit to your lines and wrinkles. Some lines, like those between your brows, can become very prominent. Botox Cosmetic Injection, a cosmetic procedure is one way to minimize these lines and wrinkles is to lesson the movements of certain muscles and reduce the stain on your face.

Botox Cosmetic Injections are made from bacteria that is purified and used in a very small quantity. Botox blocks nerve signals to the muscle, which weakens the muscle and lessens the lines in the skin over that muscle— lines gradually smooth out from disuse and new wrinkles cannot form in the treated area. Botox will eventually wear off and the muscle will return to normal, necessitating another injection of Botox to continue the effect. Overuse of the product or if used for a long period of time may teach the muscle not to contract, or the muscle may weaken from lack of use. If this occurs, the treatments can be stopped or lessened.

Areas Commonly Treated Include:

• Between the eyebrows (vertical lines)
• Forehead lines (horizontal lines)
• Crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes
• Neck lines

When you visit your doctor for a Botox treatment he or she will inject a tiny amount, using a very small needle in to the area where the result is desired. This may require several injections or very small proportions. The treatment may sting of burn for a moment, but the discomfort in minimal and there is no “downtime”.

Side effects may include: bruising or swelling at the injection site, a temporary headache, or rarely the effect may be noticed on muscles near the treatment area.
This could cause a droopy eyelid or eyebrow, but will correct with time.

Botox can literally erase lines from your face and improve its overall youthfulness and appearance.

Botox for Neck Bands

If you have unsightly muscular bands that run from the base of the neck to under the chin, which are very common with neck aging, this can be treated with Botox injections.

DermaNetwork.org is a leading resource for Botox Cosmetic Injection information. Search for a cosmetic dermatologist near you today!


April 17, 2008

Acne Scarrng

Acne scarring can be the fatal punishment of acne, you not only had to endure the unsightly pimples, but now you are left with the constant reminder. But don’t give up, there are things that you can do to treat acne scarring and diminish the appearance.

First you need to be aware of a few things about scars, and aware of a few things about acne. Acne is defined as lesions or pimples whose origin begins when the hair follicles or pores on the skin get plugged with oil and/or dead skin cells.

A clogged follicle is just the thing that assists bacteria in growing and creating the red bumps and pus-filled red bumps that we call pimples. The normal bacteria that creates acne is called Propionibacterium acnes. Hormonal transformations that occur during the teen years are the culprit in most cases that cause increased oil production contributing to the problem.

Types of Acne Include

• Mild acne—whiteheads or blackheads
• Moderately severe acne—red inflamed pimples
• Severe acne--painful pus-filled cysts or lumps

The most severe acne scarring is caused by the rigorous forms of acne that have nodules that are more prone to leave lasting scars, more so than other types of acne. The best thing that you can do for your acne is to seek treatment as soon as you can once you notice the acne, this will help to prevent further severe acne and more scarring. If you have nodules, you should see a cosmetic dermatologist for treatment.

Forms of Treatment Include

Laser resurfacing, the laser removes the damaged top layer of skin and tightens the middle layer, leaving skin smoother.

Dermabrasion, which utilizes a rotating wire brush or spinning diamond instrument to wear down the surface of the skin. As the skin heals, a new, smoother layer replaces the abraded skin.

Fractional laser therapy is a deeper level of treatment than laser resurfacing or dermabrasion. Fractional laser therapy doesn't wound the top layer of tissue making for a more rapid healing process.

DermaNetwork.org is a leading resource for acne scarring information. Search for a cosmetic dermatologist near you today!


Botox Cosmetic Injection

Botox cosmetic injection can be used to treat numerous issues that include eye deviation, eyelid spasm and facial spasms. As you age, wrinkles and furrows tend to appear on your face which can be a result of sun exposure and sagging, loose skin. Botox treatments can help to enhance your facial features and alleviate these issues.

Botox cosmetic injection can relax the muscle regions where there is excessive tension. For that reason, it can be used to care for facial lines brought on by the muscle action of the skin. Botox works best on the deep creases found between the eyebrows, the crows feet wrinkles, and forehead lines.

Most people who have had Botox cosmetic injection, stat that the procedure hurts some, but it’s temporary and then they don’t feel anything, right after an injection, you may experience some mild swelling that usually dissipates in 4-24 hours.

Side effects of Botox cosmetic injections are unusual. Rarely, short-term drooping of the eyebrow or eyelid may take place. This can last up to a few weeks. Occasionally, numbness may develop in the treated area.

For most people, they notice immediate results after the first session and these results can last from 2 to 4 months. Most cosmetic surgeons recommend that you have Botox injections every three months. That way, trouble muscle areas steadily shrivel and disappear, allowing the wrinkles they cause to fade away.

If you are pregnant and/or a nursing mother, the manufacturer recommends that you do not participate in Botox treatments.

Botox cosmetic injection is a popular non-surgical procedure that for the short term can soften moderate to severe frown lines, forehead creases, crow’s feet near the eyes and thick bands in the neck. In addition, Botox cosmetic injections can block the nerve impulses, momentarily relaxing the muscles that cause wrinkles providing your skin with a softer, more refreshed appearance. There is little to no downtime following a Botox treatment. Makeup may be applied directly afterwards.

Risks May Include

• Bruising at the injection site
• Slight drooping of one eyelid that lasts about 2-3 weeks
• Headaches
• Numbness
• Swelling

DermaNetwork.org is a leading resource for Botox cosmetic injection information. Search for a cosmetic dermatologist near you today!


April 16, 2008

Laser Acne Removal

Are you drained from all the work that it takes to apply messy lotions and remembering to take medications as prescribed for your acne every day? If so, you may be considering laser or light therapy as an alternative. Let me share some information on laser acne removal therapies, this article will assist you in understanding what research studies show and why lasers and light therapies still are not regularly prescribed to treat acne.

Information from clinical trials is limited. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorize laser and light procedures as procedure-oriented, so the tough, long-term studies required for approval of drugs are not necessary. As such, more relative studies are needed to decide long-term effects and to perfect these technologies. However, statistics from current studies indicates that laser and light therapies show much secure in treating acne. Here’s what is known about blue-light therapy. The FDA approved narrow-band, high-intensity blue-light therapy for treating acne. Now commonly advertised, this is possibly the best-known light therapy for acne treatment. Blue light works by destroying the acne-causing bacteria, P. acnes, and is being used to take care of inflammatory acne vulgaris that has not responded to other acne therapies. The blue-light products of today do not contain ultraviolet (UV) light, which was a key factor of previous light therapy used to treat acne. UV light can injure skin and is no longer used to treat acne.

In all studies blue-light therapy seems to improve acne vulgaris in certain people. This therapy seems to be most successful for inflammatory acne lesions and may not be suitable for you if you have nodulocystic acne.

Pulsed light and heat energy (LHE) therapy. This treatment combines pulses of light and heat, which researchers trust targets two causes of acne. It is known that LHE destroys P. acnes, the acne-causing bacteria. LHE also may reduce sebum (oily substance) production by shrinking the sebaceous glands. A system that combines pulses of green light and heat has been approved by the FDA for treating mild to moderate acne.

DermaNetwork.org is a leading resource for laser acne removal information. Search for a cosmetic dermatologist near you today!

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