By Lisa Benest MD
Time is not kind to our skin. Brown spots, wrinkles and laxity can make us look even older. If you:
• Have a busy lifestyle or cannot be away from work for a long time
• Want noticeable results with minimal downtime
• Want to treat discoloration, fine lines, wrinkles and skin laxity
you should speak to your dermatologist about ActiveFX. ActiveFX yields noticeable, long lasting results after just one treatment. Procedures are done in your doctor’s office, with minimal patient downtime and minimal interference to your work or busy life.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
ActiveFX is a fractional laser treatment for laser skin resurfacing. Laser skin resurfacing replaces damaged skin with new, fresh skin. Using the UltraPulse® CO2 laser, an ActiveFX treatment delivers thousands of tiny laser pulses in a pattern over the skin. Each pulse heats a column of tissue, eliminating pigment discolorations at the surface, smoothing out lines, wrinkles and scars, and creating a zone of heating deep in the tissue. This deep heating contracts existing collagen and further stimulates collagen formation to plump out the skin and continue improvement over time.
In an ActiveFX fractional laser treatment, only a fraction of the skin’s surface is treated by the laser, leaving small “bridges” of untouched skin. This technique makes the healing process much faster and enables you to get back to normal activities sooner.
The primary targets of laser skin resurfacing include:
• Fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the upper lip, cheeks and forehead
• Loose eyelid skin
• Crow's feet around the eyes
• Pucker marks (smoker's lines) and frown lines
• Brown spots and splotchy, uneven skin tone
• Scars, especially acne scars
• Loose skin around the neck and jowls
An ActiveFX treatment
Most physicians perform the procedure in the office with a topical anesthetic cream that is applied 30-40 minutes before the ActiveFX procedure begins. Pain is managed using a cold air blower to the skin, or if desired with oral pain medication. You can drive yourself home after the procedure if you have not taken any pain pills. With a gentle washing and moisturizing regimen, your photo-damaged skin will begin to flake off within 2-3 days. After about 3-5 days, your doctor will probably let you wear make-up. Pinkness should be gone in about a week or two, a little bit more for the neck area.
The results of ActiveFX laser treatment are long-term and, with proper sun protection, can persist for many years. Most effects of treatment become visible right away, whereas others – such as new collagen formation – build up gradually and become more evident over time. Therefore, most people look even better 3-5 months after the procedure. So, if you think that ActiveFX might be right for you, make an appointment with your dermatologist and start looking younger right away.
Dr. Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank and offers extensive procedures in cosmetic skin care, using the latest and most up-to-date lasers and medical equipment. She is known for her exceptional care and service.
Visit them for a FREE consultation with their cosmetic nurse specialist.
Lisa Benest M.D.
1624 W. Olive, Suite B
Burbank, CA 91506
818-729-9149
http://www.lisabenestmd.com/index.html
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Plump Up the Volume!
Lisa Benest MD
Wrinkles, lines and facial sagging add years to your appearance. But you can fight back to keep your youthful appearance. Your dermatologist uses two types of injectibles – relaxers and fillers - to reverse those signs of aging. Relaxers, such as Botox, lessen muscle reactions so that the overlying skin becomes smoother. Fillers restore lost volume by plumping up wrinkles and firming sagging spots.
RELAXERS
Many wrinkles are actually creases that are worn into the skin by repeatedly making the same expression. Botox injections smooth wrinkles by safely relaxing overactive muscles, thus allowing the creases in the skin to smooth out. Botox is especially effective in treating frown lines, horizontal lines across the forehead, crows’ feet and vertical lip lines (“smoker’s lines”).
Botox treatments consist of approximately 10 minute sessions. There is no down time after your treatment, which means that you can apply make up immediately. Results typically last about four months, after which the muscles begin to contract once again. As an added bonus, if you begin your Botox regime early enough (say, in your 30’s or 40’s), it can prevent deep wrinkles from ever forming in certain areas.
FILLERS
For areas that Botox won’t handle, your dermatologist might recommend a dermal filler, a substance injected below the skin to fill up and soften the wrinkles. The effectiveness and duration of results depends on which filler is used, what area is being treated, and how each patient interacts with the specific filler.
Fillers come in three main types: those that stimulate collagen and tissue growth, those that replace lost volume with “filler” material, and those that both stimulate and replace.
Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and Radiesse are examples of the last type: they are smooth gels that keep the skin plumped and stimulate the production of new collagen to lift and fill. Common areas treated in this manner include the nasolabial folds (“smile lines”) and the marionette folds under the mouth. Fillers are also very effective in the cheeks, for restoring youthful fullness, as well as the lips.
In most cases, these fillers last nine months, although in some instances the treatments can last for over a year.
The treatment options for minimizing lines and wrinkles, as well as lifting up the downward sag on the face are many and varied. However, not all products are appropriate for all treatment areas. Consult with your dermatologist about which product is right for you. And regain your smooth, youthful appearance today.
Dr. Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank, CA. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about how to take care of your skin as well as the most up-to-date treatments in skin care, schedule a Free Consultation with our cosmetic nurse. Check out our website for a complete list of all our treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com
Lisa Benest M.D.
1624 W. Olive #B
Burbank, CA
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com
Wrinkles, lines and facial sagging add years to your appearance. But you can fight back to keep your youthful appearance. Your dermatologist uses two types of injectibles – relaxers and fillers - to reverse those signs of aging. Relaxers, such as Botox, lessen muscle reactions so that the overlying skin becomes smoother. Fillers restore lost volume by plumping up wrinkles and firming sagging spots.
RELAXERS
Many wrinkles are actually creases that are worn into the skin by repeatedly making the same expression. Botox injections smooth wrinkles by safely relaxing overactive muscles, thus allowing the creases in the skin to smooth out. Botox is especially effective in treating frown lines, horizontal lines across the forehead, crows’ feet and vertical lip lines (“smoker’s lines”).
Botox treatments consist of approximately 10 minute sessions. There is no down time after your treatment, which means that you can apply make up immediately. Results typically last about four months, after which the muscles begin to contract once again. As an added bonus, if you begin your Botox regime early enough (say, in your 30’s or 40’s), it can prevent deep wrinkles from ever forming in certain areas.
FILLERS
For areas that Botox won’t handle, your dermatologist might recommend a dermal filler, a substance injected below the skin to fill up and soften the wrinkles. The effectiveness and duration of results depends on which filler is used, what area is being treated, and how each patient interacts with the specific filler.
Fillers come in three main types: those that stimulate collagen and tissue growth, those that replace lost volume with “filler” material, and those that both stimulate and replace.
Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and Radiesse are examples of the last type: they are smooth gels that keep the skin plumped and stimulate the production of new collagen to lift and fill. Common areas treated in this manner include the nasolabial folds (“smile lines”) and the marionette folds under the mouth. Fillers are also very effective in the cheeks, for restoring youthful fullness, as well as the lips.
In most cases, these fillers last nine months, although in some instances the treatments can last for over a year.
The treatment options for minimizing lines and wrinkles, as well as lifting up the downward sag on the face are many and varied. However, not all products are appropriate for all treatment areas. Consult with your dermatologist about which product is right for you. And regain your smooth, youthful appearance today.
Dr. Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank, CA. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about how to take care of your skin as well as the most up-to-date treatments in skin care, schedule a Free Consultation with our cosmetic nurse. Check out our website for a complete list of all our treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com
Lisa Benest M.D.
1624 W. Olive #B
Burbank, CA
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com
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