Sun spots, wrinkles, varicose veins… we all have to eventually face the fun little surprises that come with aging. Notice I said face, not embrace. Thanks to major advancements in medical aesthetics technology over the past decade, we don’t have to learn to live with frown lines and age spots. San Joaquin County is brimming with qualified aesthetics professionals who can help you determine what peel, filler, laser procedure, or other advanced treatment is right for you.
VEIN TREATMENT
Varicose veins or “spider veins” are a common ailment often due in part to a genetic predisposition for developing the disease. According to Dr. Stephanie Dentoni of the California Vein and Vascular Institute, normal veins carry blood to the heart, and the calf muscle aids in this process. She explains that when walking, the calf muscles contract or squeeze veins, which forces blood toward the heart against gravity. If the valves are not working properly, blood may fall and pool in the opposite direction, toward the feet, causing enlargement of the veins. Varicose veins on the skin surface develop from dysfunctional veins that may not be visible. These invisible veins can increase the risk of developing a blood clot that may be life threatening.
Three common treatment options for varicose veins are compression stockings, vein injections (sclerotherapy), and endovenous laser ablation. Dr. Dentoni says that for small “spider veins” on the surface, the preferred treatment is sclerotherapy. She explains, “A medication is injected directly into the vein, which causes it to seal and ultimately disappear. This is done in the office, no anesthesia is needed and normal activities are resumed immediately.” Endovenous thermal ablation, on the other hand, is a more effective treatment for the larger, leaking invisible veins below the surface. Dr. Dentoni describes a heat source delivered through a fiber or catheter threaded inside the diseased vein that collapses it and allows the body to dissolve it over time. It is a painless, outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia in an office setting.
INJECTABLES/FILLERS
We all want healthy skin, but what does that even mean? Toy Prescott of Central Valley Dermatology (CVD) says, “One description of healthy skin is ‘firm to the touch.’ As we age, gravity does take over and we do start to sag a bit.” Injectables and facial fillers have flooded the skin care market, hoping to help combat this problem. With so many types on the market, how do you know which to choose?
First, it is important to note that muscle relaxant injectables like Botox and Dysport are different from dermal fillers like Juvederm and Restylane, and there are also differences in where and how you would use them. According to Dr. Kimberly Cockerham of Zeiter Eye Medical Group, “Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are all botulinum A. They are purified proteins that temporarily disrupt the muscle action in the area where they are injected.” Dr. Shaukat Shah of Total Body Cosmetic Surgery Center advises, “Cosmetic Botox should be done when you start to notice your frown lines (glabellar lines) or your Crow’s feet (lateral canthal lines).” He says it will help erase the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines and Crow’s feet. According to Dr. Cockerham, the injections last about three months in most patients. “In contrast,” she continues, “dermal fillers fill lines or add volume to our face. Most are hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring component in our skin.” Dr. Shah reports, “Juvederm is a filler that is used to correct parentheses lines, vertical lip lines, lines around the corner of the mouth, and marionette lines.” Dr. Cockerham concludes that when the two – Botox and fillers – are combined, it is often referred to as a “Liquid Face Lift”.
LIGHT THERAPY
If your medical aesthetics professional determines a peel or resurfacing isn’t right for you, there is another option light therapy. “IPL (Intense Pulsed Light therapy) will improve skin texture and appearance by stimulating the production of collagen resulting in a more youthful, radiant look,” says Dr. Shah. “The therapeutic light energy erases skin damage while promoting healthy skin. It restores the skin’s natural cellular activity and reduces melanin production, which causes brown spots and port wine stains.” Dr. Cockerham explains, “IPL, also known as the IPL photofacial, is again best utilized on patients with light to olive skin. This device also has a warm zapping sensation, so numbing cream is usually applied prior to the procedure. Post procedure, sunblock is applied and the mild pinkness of the skin usually fades within the hour after treatment.” James does LED (photo rejuvenation) Light Therapy at her spa. “This is one of the most advanced rejuvenating treatments on the market. This clinically proven therapeutic cell-renewing process utilizes colors of light to increase and rebuild collagen production, even skin tone and heal inflammation in the deepest layers of the skin. Light therapy can be done on its own between your regular skin appointments or can be followed by a micro or oxygen treatment for an added benefit.” She advises, “Many different machines and light therapies are out there, so be aware.”
FACIALS/PEELS
Two common med spa treatments that are a staple in many people’s beauty routines are facials and peels. But, Denice James of Essentials Day Spa and Salon warns, there is an extreme difference between the two. “A facial usually means steam, deep cleansing, exfoliation, massage, masque etc. In a week you look in the mirror and say, oh well, that was nice, felt good, but my skin looks pretty much the same–not a big difference.” She continues, “A Peel Treatment is a chemical exfoliation process that will produce better results for the skin.” James notes that while basic aesthetic peels may use buffered acids that will give you some light epidermal exfoliation, clinical peels that are non-buffered have a much deeper exfoliation/penetration value and a better ability to remove dead skin cells, shrink and tighten pores, lighten dark areas and smooth overall texture. “I prefer Pharmaceutical Grade non-buffered peels that range from 15% to 70% (depending on skin type) for the most visible results.” Prescott adds that there are peels for almost any skin issue these days. “We have half a dozen peels at CVD–peels specifically targeted for acne, peels designed to lessen fine lines, etc.”
FACIAL RESURFACING
Two types of skin resurfacing are microdermabrasion (or micro-resurfacing) and laser resurfacing. According to James, the micro-resurfacing procedure can vary based on the type of machine used (diamond abrasion vs. crystal abrasion) and the technician performing the procedure. “I use a wonderful machine that was seen on The Doctors, and I get a lot of compliments about it feeling and being so much more comfortable then others out there,” she shares. “I like to describe micro as a light sandblasting and vacuuming of the skin. It should be a painless treatment that manually exfoliates the epidermal layer of the skin to smooth fine lines, reduce scarring, lighten pigment and tighten because micro-resurfacing has the ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production within the tissue, thus producing tighter younger looking skin.” According to Dr. Shah, “Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical skin resurfacing procedure. It stimulates collagen and helps repair skin that has been damaged from the sun, acne scars, and signs of aging. Tiny crystals are directed onto the face and vacuumed away along with dead surface cells, revealing healthier skin.” Prescott uses Dermasweep microdermabrasion, which he says is excellent for exfoliating the skin. “The skin is very smooth to the touch the next day,” he reports. “There are no harmful side effects when the procedure is done properly.”
Laser resurfacing is the often harsher alternative that targets fine lines, brown spots, texture and tone. According to Dr. Cockerham, it is most effective on patients with light to olive skin. “Facial resurfacing is often a one-time treatment with 5-7 days of brown spots that flake off leaving the skin pink,” she says. “Tinted sunblock that is breathable (Oxygenetix) can be used from day one to cover the areas as they heal. All of the CO2 lasers are now ‘fractionated’ with sophisticated software that makes the healing process and outcome much better than even a decade ago.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
California Vein and Vascular Institute
2216 N. California St.
Stockton, (209) 462-8346
veinandvascularinstitute.com
Central Valley Dermatology
296 N. Cottage Ave.
Manteca, (209) 239-2901
423 N. Lincoln Center
Stockton, (209) 477-SKIN
cvderm.com
Essentials Day Spa and Salon
1110 W. Kettleman Lane #43
Lodi, (209) 366-2226
essentialssalon.com
Hugh L. Vu Skin & Laser Center
1617 St. Marks Plaza, Suites E & F
Stockton, (209) 476-7074
vuplasticsurgery.com
Total Body Cosmetic Surgery Center
1805 N. California St., Suite 201
Stockton, (209) 939-3800
totalbodymd.com
Zeiter Eye Medical Group
1801 E. March Lane, Suite A-160, Stockton
1630 W. Yosemite, Suite 3, Manteca
421 S. Ham Lane, Lodi
(209) 461-2172, cockerhammd.com