Cosmetic Dermatology
Acne Treatment
Acne is the term for the blocked pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples and deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that can appear typically on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. Seventeen million Americans are estimated to have acne, making it the most common skin disease in the country. While it affects mostly teenagers, and almost all teenagers have some form of acne, adults of any age can have it as well. Acne is not life-threatening, but it can cause physical disfigurement in the form of scarring and emotional distress.
Treatment for acne varies depending on the type and severity of lesions, as well as the patient's skin type, age and other factors. Options include:
- Topical Medications
- Antibiotics
- Accutane
- Blackhead Extraction
- Microdermabrasion
- Photodynamic Therapy
- Skin Care
- Blu-U Light Treatments
- Laser Treatments
Photodynamic Therapy/Blue Light
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment for mild or serious conditions of the skin through the use of a photosensitizing drug and a light source to activate it. PDT destroys abnormal cells that cause actinic keratosis, a precancerous condition, and can also minimize pores and reduce oil glands to treat acne, rosacea and some scarring as well.
During the PDT procedure, a topical photo sensitizer is applied to the skin and left for an incubation period of several minutes to several days. After incubation, the sensitizer is activated with a blue wavelength light source. Patients may experience sensations of warmth, tingling, heat or burning during this part of the treatment. After light activation, the treated area is washed and patients can return home, and most return to work within one to two days after the procedure.
For optimal results, patients may need up to five treatment sessions, depending on the severity of their condition and the aggressiveness of their treatment. Sessions are spaced two to five weeks apart, and can be continued afterward to help maintain the initial results of the treatment.
Ellipse IPL2
The Ellipse IPL2 is an intense pulsed light therapy designed to treat sun damaged skin. The light is carefully targeted to the problem area and absorbed by the upper layers of skin. Your doctor will carefully control these pulses to eliminate the affected tissue without harming anything surrounding it.
This clinically-proven treatment is very effective for reducing redness around the face, neck and chest. It also can be used to lessen the appearance of freckles, age spots and other areas of uneven pigmentation on the face or body. The Ellipse IPL2 safely removes vascular lesions including spider veins and hemangiomas on the face as well
Laser Hair Removal
GentleLASE®by Candela provides fast, safe and effective laser hair removal for patients of all skin types. In addition to hair removal, it can also treat razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae) and ingrown hairs. The advanced alexandrite laser system precisely targets areas of hair growth and delivers narrow-wavelength light to the hair follicles while the surrounding tissue remains untouched. A patented Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD%u2122) keeps the skin comfortably cool during and after treatment, soothing and protecting as the laser energy heats the follicles to reduce hair growth. GentleLASE's DCD and large spot size mean faster treatment times than ever before. We were the first in North Carolina to offer this service.
GentleYAG® by Candela is one of the most versatile and effective laser treatments available today and can benefit a number of different conditions. It is safe for practically any skin type, including traditionally harder-to-treat darker skin. The wavelength of the laser, along with its patented cooling device, provides greater protection for every skin pigment any time of year. The GentleYAG laser precisely targets an area, leaving the surround tissue untouched.
GentleYAG is ideal for the removal of unwanted hair on the face as well as all over the body including the neck, breasts, stomach, arms, shoulders, bikini area, legs and back. In addition to hair removal, it can be used to treat razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae).
Liposonix Ultrasound
Liposonix Ultrasound helps contour areas of body fat resistant to diet and exercise. Want to lose that inch? Liposonix Ultrasound targets the fat around the abdomen and love handles to make a visible difference in the shape of your waistline. This safe, non-invasive method uses high intensity ultrasound to reduce even the most stubborn fat stores. If a healthy diet and regular exercise are still leaving you with a little too much excess around your middle, Liposonix Ultrasound may be just the right treatment for you. After a single one-hour session, the average patient loses an inch around the waistline, which translates to one pant size smaller. The results are generally noticeable eight to 12 weeks after the procedure.
Melasma Treatment
Jessner's is a mild peel formula that smoothes texture, reduces discoloration and removes blemishes to produce healthy, glowing skin on the face, neck, hands and chest. After a series of Retin-A treatments to prepare the skin, the Jessner's solution is applied to the face, left on for 10 minutes, and then washed off with cool water. Post-peel care includes application of Vaseline to the treated area for four days and avoidance of direct sunlight for one week. Retin-A may be used again after one week. Jessner's peels can be repeated as desired at least four weeks apart.
The Med-Lite IV laser is another effective form of treatment for difficult melasma, or brown discoloration on the face. The laser can be used to precisely target the spots and gently break down the pigment that is causing them. Typically successful after only one session, your skin may appear reddened for several days after Med-Lite IV treatment. When that goes away, the skin in the area will be much more even in tone.
Mole Safe
Mole Safe uses digital photos and dermoscopy to monitor and track existing and new moles. It creates a complete digital record of your skin, including all moles, as seen through a microscope. By using that as a baseline, we can identify any changes that have taken place during regular checkups. This is especially beneficial for patients with multiple moles or a history of melanoma. If changes are discovered, further testing can be performed and melanoma can be caught at its earliest-and most treatable-stages.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a procedure used to treat spider veins by injecting a solution into the veins which causes them to gradually disappear. By injecting a salt solution, known as a sclerosing solution, the lining of the veins become irritated and eventually turns into scar tissue that then fades away.
This procedure is usually performed in your doctor's office and takes no more than an hour. Most patients need two to four treatments in order to achieve desired results. There is no downtime other than avoiding strenuous activities for the first two to three days.
While sclerotherapy is proven as an effective treatment for spider veins, it is not recommended for everybody. Pregnant women and those whose saphenous veins are affected are not typically eligible for this procedure. Sclerotherapy is not effective for large varicose veins and is only recommended for smaller, superficial veins.
Silk Peel Dermalinfusion
Silk Peel Dermalinfusion peels and improves dark areas, acne and sun damage, giving the skin a smoother, healthier appearance.This method involves the application of various enhancing serums to the shallow and deep layers of the skin almost concurrently with mechanical exfoliation, giving the skin the most complete care with the least discomfort. These serums are specific to various issues common to the skin, such as dryness or acne, and may be used together or individually to maximize their effectiveness.
Tattoo Removal
Med-lite IV is one of the most versatile and safe lasers available today for tattoo removal. Pulses of laser light are emitted at highly specific wavelengths to target areas of dark pigmentation, including tattoos of various sizes and colors. Sensations during treatment are comparable to a rubber band snap, and after the session the skin may feel slightly sunburned.
Ultra PulseCo2 Laser
Manufactured by Lumenis, the UltraPulse Fractional CO2 laser is an FDA-approved system with many different treatment applications, including acne scarring, wrinkles, looseness and other effects of aging and sun damage. This safe, effective laser can be used to treat nearly any skin on the body, and is most commonly used on the face, neck, chest and hands.
The UltraPulse laser is a carbon dioxide laser, which have been used for many years for effective skin resurfacing. While traditional CO2 lasers remove the entire surface of the skin in order to reveal fresh, new layers underneath, the UltraPulse laser uses fractional laser technology to effectively resurface the skin with minimal side effects and risks. This will not only tighten the skin dramatically, but can be used to remove precancerous growths, discolorations and age spots. With fractional laser technology, the laser penetrates only small areas of the skin, depending on the size of the laser beam. This allows the laser to penetrate the skin deeper than before without scarring.
V Beam and Varia Lasers
The Vbeam® pulse dye laser by Candela has been a gold standard laser treatment for vascular conditions for over 20 years. The most versatile of the Vbeam lasers, the Perfecta treats a remarkable array of skin conditions, including swollen, visible veins and such vascular and pigmented lesions as port wine stains and hemagiomas. Treatment with the Vbeam Perfecta is fast, safe, effective and comfortable, thanks to a large spot size and a patented Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD%u2122). Combined with Perfecta's advanced micro-pulse technology, the DCD prevents post-treatment bruising and offers patients little to no downtime after treatment.
The Varia laser is effectively used for the treatment of unwanted veins and vascular lesions.This procedure is safe for all types and colors of skin. It offers a wide range of pulse widths and power levels, making the Varia laser ideal for treating everything from the smallest of spider veins to larger varicose veins and growths. Most vascular problems can be resolved within two to five sessions of Varia laser treatment, each typically lasting for 20 to 30 minutes.