Over time and environmental exposure, skin of the face can become sallow, wrinkled, blotchy with redness or brown spots, and lax. Many different treatment approaches can be taken to help alleviate these problems.

Intense Pulsed Light (PhotoFacial^TM, Light Facial)
Products
Restylane
Chemical Peels

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
aka "Light Facial", "PhotoFacial", "FotoFacial"

IPL is used to lighten brown spots, seal blood vessels, and tighten collagen on the face, neck, chest, arms and hands. IPL treatments usually cause no 'downtime'. In other words, a person can have a treatment, and immediately go on about their life. He/She does not have to stay at home recovering after each treatment. The Light Facial treatment series is usually comfortable, and its effects are long lasting.

Rosacea Treatment with IPL
IPL is wonderful for treating the condition called 'rosacea'. With this condition, people experience flushing and blushing. They can have increased nose size over time, and often have red 'pimples' on their nose, cheeks or chin. The "Light Facial" IPL treatments reduce the signs of rosacea without the need for antibiotics or topical creams. The person may have a much smoother, more evenly pigmented complexion after a series of IPL treatments for rosacea.

Red vessels and Brown spots
Light Facials are also terrific for people who have 'little red veins' on the sides of their nose or cheeks. These vessels are diminished, and in many cases simply vanish after the treatment series.

Blotchy brown spots, and melasma are treated with IPL. Pigmentation can be evened out, so a smooth complexion can result.

Hands, Neck, Chest Treatment
IPL treatments can be used on the face, neck, chest, arms or hands. Brown spots on the hands fade and flake off after the IPL treatment series. 'Chicken skin' of the neck and chest caused by too much sun exposure can be made to soften, and smooth out in color with IPL treatments.

How are Treatments Done, and Potential Side Effects
IPL treatments are usually done in sets of 5 treatments, one treatment a month for 5 months in a row. A person can be slightly pink, or a little swollen, for about 24 hours after each treatment, but often may not have any residual effects. Risks of the treatment potentially include bruising, blistering, scar, and lighter/darker skin. These events are rarely seen, and are minimized by the patient using excellent sun protection (with SPF 30 or higher sunscreen applied every two hours while in the sun), during the treatment period.

Makeup can be used immediately after each treatment if desired. Patients are asked to arrive 60 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time, so that numbing cream may be put on the area to be treated, to make the treatment comfortable, and enjoyable.

Products

Facial rejuvenation is supported by products used on a daily basis. Alph-hydroxy acid skin care products, like NuCelle, can help rejuvenate the skin at the cellular level, without causing peeling or redness. NuCelle contains Mandellic Acid which comes from almonds, instead of more irritating glycolic acid contained in many other alpha-hydroxy acid products, and a marine complex that reduces inflammation in the skin.

The NuCelle System includes a cleanser, toner, mandellic acid serum, and a moisturizer with sunscreen for morning, and one with antioxidants at night. NuCelle can help gently, steadily reverse the effects of sun aging, allowing the skin to gain a more youthful, healthy appearance.

Brown blotchiness can also be minimized with the help of Lustra, Tri-Luma, Glyquin, Claripel, PhytoPlus solutions or creams. These are available through prescription and consultation with either Dr. Scholz or Dr. Sawada.

Topical vitamin C solution is also available through Accent Dermatology and Laser Institute.

Skin rejuvenation relies upon excellent, regular sun protection. Daily facial moisturizer with sunscreen should be used to maintain any rejuvenation regimen. Application of sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, applied every 2 hours while in the sun, is recommended. Excellent sunscreens that provide non-oily protection are available through Accent Dermatology and Laser Institute.