| VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 | OCTOBER 2009 |
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Sun Spots Melasma A Patient's Perspective Don't Forget Your Boo-Tox! Save The Date Halloween Triple Treat Did You Know... We'd Love To Hear From You! Contact Us |
| Spa Treatment of the Month: Cosmelan Peel Myth Busters: Sun Spots Hot Items Ask Dr. Ava. Q&A |
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» Back to top MELASMA Melasma (sometimes called pregnancy mask) is a darkening of the facial skin which can be caused by estrogen supplements, birth control pills, pregnancy and sun exposure. Like sun damage or age spots, melasma is also the result of overactive melanocyte cells over-producing pigment in the skin. Melasma is usually seen on the cheeks, mid forehead, jaw line and around the mouth. Melasma is more commonly seen in darker skins, or skin that has a tendency to tan such as African-American, Asian & Hispanic skin-types. Melasma can be treated successfully. There are several treatments available but because treating melasma effectively can vary from patient to patient, sometimes it’s a matter of finding the treatment that’s the best fit: Treatments recommended might be a Cosmelan peel, a chemical peel, IPL or laser treatments, or topicals like a bleaching cream containing hydroquinone or Tri-Luma. Sometimes a combination of treatments are best, like chemical peels done in conjunction with micro-dermabrasion and bleaching creams over a period of a few months prove effective Remember, once you have achieved desired results from melasma treatments it is very important to continue with preventative maintenance; that means definitely wearing a sunblock every day, avoiding excessive sun exposure, wearing protective clothing and hats when necessary and perhaps a bleaching cream at night. » Back to top 
“The sun took a major toll on my skin after playing pro-beach volleyball for many years. And then I found Dr. Shamban and all the wonderful staff at the Laser Institute. They worked with me to turn back the clock. Now, when I look in the mirror I honestly can’t believe how amazing my skin looks and feels! I hardly have to wear make-up anymore and I get tons of compliments on my skin. I feel like I’m working with a team to achieve the best results. It’s made all the difference in the world.” “I had a lot of sun damage from playing pro-beach volleyball. Dr. Shamban and the staff at the Laser Institute recommended Active FX to help reduce sunspots and the fine lines around my eyes. After only 4 days down time I couldn’t believe my eyes! My skin looked like it did when I was 20! No lines, no freckles, just beautiful radiant skin. I don’t even need to wear make-up anymore. I am very impressed with the results!” » Back to top MYTH BUSTERS: SUN SPOTS MYTH 1: Is it true that my sun damaged skin will repair itself & the sun spots will go away if I just stay out of the sun from now on? Absolutely not. Remember most of us have been probably exposing our skin to too much sun for most of our lives. Unfortunately by the time we are in our 30’s and 40’s we are starting to show it. This is the time to really become careful with our skin, taking every possible precaution to avoid exposing our skin to the sun. The only way to repair and treat sun damaged skin is to seek treatment like lasers, photofacials or peels, and after treatments do your best to avoid sun exposure, period. It’s pointless to have these procedures and then go right back to your old routines and just have that sun damaged skin return and worsen. Be proactive year-round! MYTH 2: Are age spots and freckles just part of the aging process? No. Sun spots and freckles are a result of over-exposure to the sun. Your chances for ending up with sun spots increase with increased sun exposure, meaning the more time you spend in the sun younger in life makes you that much more likely to develop sun spots later in life. You are not getting the sun spots simply because you are getting older. MYTH 3: If I have a peel or some kind of treatment for melasma or brown patches will it ever come back? Yes it can come back, even with preventative maintenance after treatments. However if you are diligent about caring for your skin after your treatments but find your melasma does come back you can keep it from worsening with proper care. After treating your melasma I usually recommend patients continue using some type of bleaching cream, Retin-A, or continuing peels or photofacials periodically to keep the skin clear. These things in addition to daily sunscreen and avoiding direct sun exposure will help your melasma stay away. Sometimes pregnant women will find that post-pregnancy their melasma does improve or go away, and occasionally other melasma sufferers do notice an improvement without treatment, but this is rare. » Back to top  Be warned, the holidays are upon us. Halloween is just the beginning. There’ll be events you just have to attend, one right after another for the next few months. No worries, come in for a Botox treatment before November 1st and receive a 20% discount! Then you can be sure you’ll look nice and rested for greeting your trick-o-treaters — and scary but in a good way… Two bewitching new ways to save on Botox… Express Success In honor of working women, Botox is launching it’s “Express Success” charitable education campaign. You will enjoy a $50.00 rebate on treatments done before December 31, 2009, which will benefit Dress for Success, an organization which helps women in need to succeed in the workplace. Donations help Dress for Success to promote women’s economic independence by providing professional attire, a support network and career development tools to help women thrive! Brilliant Distinctions *After Botox or Juvederm treatments we will give you a welcome portfolio. Simply register online with the activation code for an instant 200 points at www.BotoxCosmetic.com/Activate. Earn additional points with each *treatment and redeem your points for vouchers you may use toward future Botox treatments! *Treatments must be at least 3 months apart » Back to top  » Back to top DID YOU KNOW… Did you know that there are treatments for melasma safe to do during pregnancy? Most importantly take care to make sure the melasma doesn’t get any worse by wearing a good sunblock every day and wear a sun-protective hat if you’re out in the sun. SilkPeel and Microdermabrasion treatments are safe during pregnancy and SkinCeuticals makes a great topical treatment for excessive pigmentation called Phyto + Botanical Gel. With botanicals like cucumber extract, kojic acid, and thyme extract, Phyto+ is a natural alternative to products containing hydroquinone, and it’s active ingredients work synergistically to help lighten the skin. You can also use a gentle exfoliating scrub like Nia-24 once a week to treat yourself to soft, smooth skin while promoting cell turnover for fresher, brighter skin. » Back to top
» Back to top HOT ITEMS
ASK DR. AVA!
Great question. Everyone wants to look great for the holidays and there are actually several things you can do. I’d recommend you start with a SkinMedica Peel for a really good exfoliation, and then a week to two weeks later a microdermabrasion treatment, that way you’re skin is all prepped and ready to go, and I find that my patients get better results this way. Then you should have at least two IPL treatments about 3 weeks apart, and lastly treat yourself to a luxurious facial a week or so before your parties. You’ll look and feel fabulous & you’re certain to get on Santa’s good list! » Back to top  » Back to top GOODBYE LINES, HELLO LASHES… Save 25% on the purchase of a Latisse kit with your Botox treatment for the month of October! » Back to top SPA TREATMENT OF THE MONTH: COSMELAN PEEL
The Cosmelan Peel is a great treatment option if you suffer with skin discoloration like age spots, sun damage or melasma. This de-pigmentation treatment mask contains active ingredients like kojic acid and actually blocks the body’s biological process that causes skin discoloration, leaving you with a significantly brighter, clearer complexion. The Cosmelan Peel is non-invasive and is safe for all skin types. » Back to top WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
» Back to top  CareCredit gives you the freedom to get your procedure whenever you’re ready. It’s easy to apply. With three simple steps, including an instant approval process, you can say goodbye to the waiting time and reward yourself sooner. |
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