Will photo facial treatments affect my Restylane service?
Minimally invasive procedures have become a very popular way of improving one’s appearance. Several different treatments can be performed at one time minimizing downtime. Photo facial and facial filling with Restylane and Perlane is a very common combination of services. The fillers address volume deficiencies like under eye dark circles, lip lines, loss of facial fullness and Photo facial can improve sun damage, facial redenss to even the complexion. The filler is placed sufficiently deep in or below the skin that it is unaffected by the Photo facial. So there is no reason to be concerned if you are having both services at the same time or if you previously were treated with fillers. Your suitability for either or both of these procedures is best determined at a private consultation with a qualified oculoplastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon. The good news is that these procedures are compatible, safe, and comfortable.
Understanding the basis for how Restylane and Fotofacial both work will clarify why it is safe to receive both treatments. Photo facial is an intense pulse light treatment (IPL) that improves red spots, small blood vessels, and sun damage. These treatments are the basis for photo facials, and they are generally delivered over the course of four to six sessions at three weeks intervals. This is sufficient time to see improvements in your skin’s appearance, creating a more even tone and skin firming. Fotofacial works by directly treating your skin where the sun damage, pigmentary, and capillaries responsible for redness reside.
Restylane treatment, on the other hand, is carefully placed under the skin to correct deficiencies in facial volume, such as the under eye circle. For example, under eye Restylane is safely placed beneath the skin to address the volume needs, thus improving what we perceive as dark circles under the eyes. Because Restylane works from under the skin while Fotofacial directly targets the skin itself, Restylane treatments are unaffected by IPL treatment, and vice versa.
It is important to always disclose your complete past and current medical history with your physician as you develop your treatment plan. This will ensure that your care is as safe and personalized as possible. Dr. Steinsapir specializes in both Fotofacial and Restylane treatments and is the inventor of of Deepfill Restylane method, the breakthrough approach to correcting under eye hollows. Dr. Steinsapir is friendly and approachable, and will gladly answer your questions and help you feel confident in your treatment choices. Call us today to schedule an individualized consultation and see results.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us
Will photo facial treatments affect my Restylane® service?
While we are never proponents of the “blue plate special”–the nickname for stacking up cosmetic surgeries all at once–it’s true that many individuals who are seeking to improve their looks do benefit from a balance of procedures. For example, if you experience certain volume deficiencies in your face then you may see aesthetic improvement from the filler Restylane®; and if you have sun damage, facial lines, or blotchy skin then you may also be a good candidate for Fotofacial® or photo facial treatments. Your suitability for either or both of these procedures can be determined at a private consultation with a qualified oculoplastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon. The good news is that these procedures are compatible, safe, and relatively comfortable.
Understanding the basis for how Restylane® and Fotofacial® both work will clarify why it is safe to receive both treatments. Photo facial is an intense pulse light treatment (IPL) that improves red spots, small blood vessels, and sun damage. These treatments are the basis for photo facials, and they are generally delivered over the course of four to five sessions that are three weeks apart. This is sufficient time to see significant improvements in your skin’s appearance, creating a more even tone and a tightening of the skin. Fotofacial works by directly treating your skin where the lines and damage are directly located.
Restylane® treatment, on the other hand, is carefully placed under the skin to correct deficiencies in facial volume, such as the under eye circle. In this example, under eye Restylane® is safely placed beneath the skin to address the volume need, thus correcting the optical problem that we perceive as dark circles under the eyes. Because Restylane® works from under the skin while Fotofacial® directly targets the skin itself, Restylane® treatments are unaffected by IPL treatment, and vice versa is also true.
It is important to always disclose your complete past and current medical history with your physician as you develop your treatment plan. This will ensure that your care is as safe and personalized as possible. Dr. Steinsapir specializes in both Fotofacial® and Restylane® treatments and is the inventor of of Deepfill Restylane®, the breakthrough approach to correcting under eye hollows. Dr. Steinsapir is friendly and approachable, and will gladly answer your questions and help you feel confident in your treatment choices. Call us today to schedule an individualized consultation and see results.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician or surgeon and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
What steps should I take to protect my skin from aging?
It’s wonderful that you’re looking for ways to take care of yourself before you start to develop problems! Understand that taking certain preventative measures and taking good care of your health will serve you well, but there is still no magical solution and there never will be. The effects of aging are inevitable, but with some good care you can help to prolong your youthful skin. Treatments like BOTOX, facelift, chemical peel, and Fotofacial can help keep your skin young, but they are not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle. Taking good care of your skin is something you should always do before, during, and after your cosmetic treatment. Here are some tips to help you, although most of them are common sense things we should all be doing anyway.
Chemical Peel Before and After Photo
Wear Sunscreen
Minimizing sun exposure is the singlemost important and effective measure you can take to prevent your skin from looking aged. In face, about 90% of the changes we see that we associate with aging skin are caused from photodamage. Preventing photodamaged skin is not just about looking younger, either; it is about improving your health and preventing dangerous conditions like skin cancer.
While it can be glamorous to visit the tanning salon in a convertible, understand that both the sun and tanning salons expose you to harmful ultraviolet (UV) light, which causes the bulk of photodamage for most people with aging skin. It can take some years for the effects to add up to visible damage, which is why it’s just as important to wear sunscreen when your skin still has the glow of youth as it is later in life.
Many people with sun-damaged skin benefit from a Photofacial (also called Fotofacial) or a chemical peel to correct problems like dark spots, fine facial lines, deep furrows and creases, loss of youthful skin elasticity, and changes in the skin’s overall coloration.
Wearing sunscreen isn’t going to reverse sun damage on face overnight or replace a cosmetic facial treatment if you are to the point where you need treatment, but it will prevent a lot of problems down the line and make your treatment last longer. Whether you are absolutely satisfied with beautiful skin, you need too see a cosmetic surgeon in Los Angeles to treat aging skin, or you have recently had treatment, you should be wearing sunscreen to protect your skin from aging faster and developing serious health problems. Sunscreen is for everyone.
Drink Lots of Water?
Hydrated skin looks healthier and younger. However, there is absolutely no evidence that drinking eight glasses of water a day actually hydrates the skin in a meaningful way. Some say that drinking lots of water keeps nutrients moving through your body and toxins moving out. But really this is more popular nonsense than actual science-so don’t drive yourself nuts polluting the earth with empty plastic bottles that once held fancy water from France. Often the best daily approach is to use a good facial moisturizer to help hydrate the outer layers of the skin. These products don’t need to cost hundreds of dollars to make a difference. The fancy products that get touted on the talk shows are often no better than the $30 moisturizer from the drug store so don’t spend $300 for a moisturizer from the department store; that just is not worth it!
Eat a Healthy Diet
This should be a no-brainer, but the way we eat shows up in our skin. However for the most part we get all the vitamins we need from our over able diets. So unless you are living on cigarettes and potato chips, taking tons of vitamin supplements will not help you in the same way that a truly healthy lifestyle will. Your skin especially needs essential fatty acids like omega 3 and omega 6. You can find this in foods like walnuts, fish, and flax seed oil. However, there is no need to do this in excess and your current diet probably contains all of the essential oils your skin needs.
Whenever possible, opt for whole wheat grains over “white” breads. Eat fruits and vegetables, nonsaturated fats, and low-fat dairy products. Balance is key. Use common sense and the advice of your doctor or dietitian. Your whole body will feel better.
Improving the way you eat is not going to give you a facelift if you need one; it will, however, help you feel good and protect your skin from rapid aging.
Quit Smoking
Our skin contains natural enzymes that constantly repair our skin. Although they can’t stop our skin from aging, they keep it healthier for much longer by fixing damaged skin every day. Cigarettes contains dangerous free radicals and toxins that destroy these enzymes that work to repair our skin, and smoke products also destroy elastin and collagen, which keeps our skin young and healthy. If you are a smoker, remember that everytime you smoke you are speeding up the aging process in your skin.
Please stop smoking. Your health will benefit in countless ways, and the state of your skin will stabilize and stop aging at such a rapid rate. We’re not saying that it will be easy, but there are a lot of great resources out there to help you quit. Be sure to set a date for when you’ll be smoke-free. This will help make your goal a reality.
Control Your Acne
Some people are naturally more proned to acne than others. While there is some debate about what exactly causes acne, we all know that it doesn’t look good and can leave behind permanent scars. Consult a dermatologist to help get your acne under control. This will help to keep your skin young and prevent acne pits and scars from developing. Your dermatologist will be able to help you assess the best treatment plan. Dr. Steinsapir may be able to help you with a chemical peel to treat acne if you are a good candidate for this safe procedure.
Please note that Accutane, a powerful treatment, is not compatible with most cosmetic procedures as it impairs your ability to heal. This can be a great treatment for some, so talk to your dermatologist about your options. Do be aware that you won’t be able to have many cosmetic procedures for a year or two after you end your Accutane treatment, so be absolutely sure to disclose any history of Accutane treatment with your cosmetic surgeon before pursuing further treatment.
Take Time to Destress
Stress shows up in our skin, often contributing to lines and creases in the face. Gravity, stress, and age all take their toll on our skin. Be sure to find time to relax and get enough sleep in addition to the guidelines above. You’ll look and feel better!
Consult with an Expert
You don’t have to care for your skin without help. Your regular doctor, dermatologist, and cosmetic surgeon can all educate you about how to keep youthful skin and how to treat problems of aging skin. Dr. Steinsapir specializes in facial cosmetic procedures in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, including keeping facial skin young, through minimally-invasive treatments that provide natural results. Call us today to schedule your individualized consultation with Dr. Steinsapir, who can answer your questions about how to both treat and prevent aging skin.
Can I Get a Fotofacial If I Have Asian Skin or Olive Skin?
Fotofacials, also known as IPL (intense pulsed light) Photofacials, are great for correcting sun damage and uneven skin tones. If you have unwanted reds and browns in the skin, a fotofacial can create an even tone and revitalized complexion. Fotofacials also diminish small wrinkles and the appearance of pores. Although fotofacials are said to work best for those with light complexions, do not rule out fotofacials if you have a darker complexion.
Skin Pigmentation
Melanin is the component that primarily determines our skin color. The genes we inherit from both of our parents determine how much melanin and what type of melanin we have in our skin. Depending on this genetic makeup, our skin may be anywhere from very light to very dark, and it may have different shades of browns, reds, and olives present. Melanin is responsible for the diversity in human skin colors, and is something to celebrate. Individuals with Asian skin or olive skin can take pride in their heritage and natural beauty. Higher concentrations of melanin in the skin protects the skin from the damaging effects of the Sun’s rays and can delay aging changes in the skin compared to relatively lightly pigmented skin. Sun damage, aging, acne scars, and prominent blood vessels also affect our skin’s appearance. Fotofacials target this damage in the skin, renewing your natural, healthy complexion.
Melanin and Fotofacials
The goal of a Fotofacial is usually not to lighten the skin overall, but to give it a more youthful and healthy appearance by gently correcting sun damage, color spots, blood vessels, and inconsistencies in skin tone. A Fotofacial is not about becoming whiter or lighter. Instead, Fotofacials improve damaged skin, close small capillaries and red spots, and stimulate collagen production. The diminished appearance of wrinkles and pores further improves the complexion.
The Intense Pulsed Light administered during a Fotofacial targets melanin, but it is important to understand what this means. Instead of whitening or lightening the skin overall, Fotofacials target selected areas where melanin is most concentrated. Because sun damage can increase the amount of melanin in the skin, and damage can occur unevenly, a properly tuned Fotofacial targets the areas with the highest melanin concentrations. This allows the excessive melanin from sun damage, freckles, and Sunspots to be separated from the intrinsic skin melanin. Sun damage can be improved without harming the natural tone. As the natural skin tone increases, less energy is used for each Fotofacial treatment. Provided the spots on your skin darker than the surrounding skin, you may be a good candidate for a Fotofacial. To get the most from your Fotofacial, it is important to choose an experienced physician with broad experience treating a wide variety of skin types.
Risks
If your problem areas are not significantly darker than your natural skin tone, a successful Fotofacial may be more difficult to achieve. With Asian skin, it is easy to underestimate the amount of pigment present, resulting in burns, blisters, and even skin discoloration. This happens when the IPL treatment power setting is too high. If the power setting is too low, however, you will have no benefit from the treatment.
The best way to avoid this is to have an experienced doctor administer the Fotofacial, rather than have a nurse, technician, or medical assistant administer the procedure. Many practices routinely turn over Fotofacial treatments to nurses and technicians, who do not have the expertise of a fully qualified doctor. Nurses and technicians rely on standard recommendations for power settings, rather than observing how your unique face is reacting to the treatment and adjusting the power settings accordingly. This is why the immediate presence of a physician is highly beneficial to get the greatest benefit from your treatment.
Individualized Treatment Plans
When you are seeking a doctor, ask as many questions as you have. Press the doctor to find out if he or she has experience with your skin type. Ask the doctor how he or she makes treatment decisions to get a feel for how insightful the doctor is. The doctor most likely to achieve great results will be one who has worked with a variety of skin types, including yours. A doctor who has worked with your skin type has first-hand experience necessary to achieve the best treatment results. A doctor who has a history of treating diverse skin types can distinguish differences in treatment, both subtle and large, that each skin type requires. If your skin differs somewhat from similar skin types, the doctor’s range of abilities will help him or her figure out how to adjust your treatment accordingly.
When questioning doctors to find the one right for you, ask who is and isn’t a suitable candidate for a Fotofacial. A good doctor will be happy to answer your questions without making you feel stupid or like you are wasting his or her time. A competent, honest, and ethical doctor will admit that certain complexions may not benefit from this treatment. An ethical practitioner will also be honest if this treatment is not suitable for your complexion.
Fotofacials often benefit people with Asian or olive skin. Depending on the individual nature of your skin, a Fotofacial may help you. However, because your skin type presents certain challenges, you may be better off without a Fotofacial. The only way to know for sure is to consult a doctor who specializes in Fotofacials and has treated a wide range of skin types.
What to Expect at a Consultation
Call Dr. Steinsapir today for a consultation. He will assess you personally to determine if Fotofacial will be beneficial for you. If a Fotofacial is not right for you, Dr. Steinsapir will tell you about more suitable options. If you are a candidate for Fotofacial, he will personally perform your Fotofacial to maximize the benefits according to your needs and the needs of your complexion.
