Cosmetic Dermatology

About Hydrafacial

What is it?

What to expect

After the procedure

When you receive a refreshing HydraFacial, you’ll see improvement as soon as you leave the office. The results of a single treatment can last a week, and when combined with an IPL or chemical peel, the effects can last even longer. To maintain consistent results, we recommend monthly treatments, which will help keep your skin looking fresh and beautiful.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

About Facials

What are they?

A facial refers to any of a variety of skin treatments for the face that are designed to rejuvenate and revitalize the skin. At our cosmetic dermatology center, we offer several types of facials. These include the following: HydraFacial (exfoliates, rejuvenates, hydrates, and improves acne), acne facials, SkinMedica facials, Euro facials, combination facials (with microdermabrasion), back facials for acne, and organic facials. Each type of facial has specific benefits, features, and applications.

What to expect

Depending on your aesthetic goals and the type of facial you want, treatment sessions can take as little as half an hour to perform. In addition to being generally good for your skin, a facial also delivers specific benefits. These can include the following: improved circulation, reduced waste, and toxins, a new production of collagen, newly regenerated skin cells, revolumized skin, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hydrated skin, reduced stress, smoother skin, and a balanced skin tone. In short, a facial refreshes your skin and restores a more youthful appearance. Your skin will look tighter and feel more elastic to the touch.

After the procedure

The experienced skin experts at West Dermatology are skilled at performing a variety of facials to improve your skin. To keep the effects of aging at bay, we recommend regular maintenance with follow-up facials.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

About Chemical Peel

What is it?

A chemical peel is a procedure in which a solution is applied to the top layer of your skin to remove dead, flaky skin cells. This allows the fresh, new layer of skin underneath to develop and grow, leaving you with a radiant and brightened complexion. There are three types of peels, each characterized by how deep they penetrate, which depends on the type and strength of the solution. These include superficial peels, which penetrate only as far as the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis), medium peels, which treat the top layer of the dermis (not to be confused with the epidermis), and deep peels, which treat the bottom layer of the dermis. Chemical peels offer numerous benefits, some of which include the following: erasure of fine lines and wrinkles, reduction of age/sun spots, smoothing of rough skin texture, faded shallow scars (including those from acne), improved skin tone, and balanced pigmentation.

What to expect

Chemical peels are safe for a variety of skin colors, although the lighter the skin, the more effective the treatment will be. To get the results you want, talk to the specialists at our dermatology center, as we’ll help you decide which type of peel is best and tailor the treatment to fit your specific needs.

After the procedure

Downtime and side effects will vary depending on the type of peel you undergo. For example, a superficial peel has no downtime, with only redness and minimal peeling for side effects. A medium peel typically requires 2-3 days of recovery, and common side effects include swelling, redness, and peeling for 4-7 days after the procedure. Finally, a deep peel can entail 1-2 weeks of downtime, more pronounced redness, and swelling for 7-10 days–perhaps longer. Regardless of which type of peel you undergo, you can expect smoother, fresher-looking, and radiant skin once the results are finalized.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

About Microneedling

What is it?

A concept that’s been around for nearly 50 years, microneedling is a dermatology treatment that uses ultrafine needles to promote the body’s natural collagen production, resulting in tighter, smoother skin. The process works by creating minuscule wounds in your skin, which causes the body’s self-healing mechanism to engage. The end result is skin that looks healthier and more attractive. The microneedling device also gently targets radiofrequency energy into your skin, which helps to repair and hydrate the tissue.

What to expect

The controlled wounds caused by microneedling are not noticeable, even when viewed close-up. However, you may look flushed for a short time. One session lasts 20-30 minutes, and since it’s non-surgical and virtually painless, there’s no downtime associated with the procedure. Microneedling is ideal for even the most delicate areas of the face, including the cheeks, upper and lower eyelids, the sides of your nose, and the upper lip. Because it stimulates both the growth of collagen and the production of hyaluronic acid, this treatment is effective for a variety of issues, including rough and/or lax skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and even scars. The procedure is safe and effective for all skin types and colors, and it results in a rejuvenated, radiant appearance. The improvements look natural and regular touch-ups can prolong the effects.

Common treatments

Depending on your aesthetic goals and the extent of your skin condition, you may need 3-5 microneedling treatment sessions to get optimal results. Side effects are minimal and include redness, swelling, bruising, and/or tenderness for 5-7 days.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

About Microdermabrasion

What is it?

Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive treatment that gently removes the thicker, damaged top layer of skin. Once the dead skin cells are removed, they are then vacuumed so that new skin cells can grow. This treatment also stimulates your body’s natural production of collagen, leaving your skin smoother and tighter. Microdermabrasion is great for a variety of skin-dulling issues, including sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, enlarged pores, light scarring, skin discoloration, stretch marks, clogged pores, and poor skin texture.

What to expect

Microdermabrasion sessions are quick and convenient, usually lasting about 30 minutes, giving it the nickname the “lunchtime facial.” Since this is a minimally-invasive procedure, there’s no surgery involved and it’s virtually painless, allowing you to get right back to your daily schedule. Microdermabrasion is safe for all skin colors and types, and it often delivers dramatic changes after a single session. By exfoliating your skin and allowing a new layer of skin to emerge, your skin will look radiant and refreshed.

After the procedure

Results are natural-looking and long-lasting, but it usually takes 5-8 sessions to see optimal results. Side effects include swelling, redness, tenderness, and/or bruising for 5-7 days. Special skin moisturizers can speed up healing, and our dermatology experts recommend frequent sunscreen applications in the days following the procedure.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

About Laser Hair Removal

What is it?

We know that you may have excess hair growth that you’re self-conscious about. If you’re interested in clearing your skin of unwanted patches of hair, we have a range of treatment options that give you softer, smoother skin that mere shaving does not provide, including laser hair removal. This procedure is effective for all parts of your body, particularly the legs, arms, hands, underarms, face (eyebrows, lips, chin), ears, neck, chest, stomach, bikini area, and back.

What to expect?

Laser hair removal entails the use of a laser to target the pigment at the root of a hair follicle during the growth cycle of an individual hair. The pigment absorbs the laser energy, which prevents the follicle from growing, and eventually removes hair permanently. It is an ideal treatment to remove hair because the concentrated energy of the laser penetrates the skin and can remove a large swath of hair with a single pulse without causing damage to the surrounding area. The end result is silky smooth skin and renewed self-confidence.

After the procedure

The number of laser hair removal sessions you undergo depends on your aesthetic goals as well as how much hair you want to be removed. In any case, results from laser hair removal are noticeable after just 1-2 sessions, and although there is the potential for side effects (such as swollen or inflamed skin), these usually clear up within 2-3 days after the procedure. In 3-4 weeks, you should have clear, smooth, silky skin.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

About IPL Photofacial

What is it?

• Hands
• Arms
• Neck
• Chest

• Reduces pigmented spots
• Minimizes facial wrinkles and fine lines
• Shrinks pores
• Eliminates spider veins
• Improves skin redness and flushing
• Stimulates collagen production
• Smooths skin texture

The overall result of an IPL treatment is firmer, brighter, more resilient skin.

What to expect

An IPL photofacial requires almost no downtime and results can be seen within a few days post-treatment. While there are minimal side effects with an IPL treatment, some patients may experience swelling, redness, tenderness, and discomfort, but this should resolve in 1-2 days. Dark spots may crust up with a coffee grounds appearance. However, these will gently exfoliate from the skin surface over 4-7 days.

After the procedure

Immediately after an IPL photofacial, you can expect some skin redness, though this usually subsides within the first week. Patients can expect to see full results a month after their last IPL treatment.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

About Dermal Fillers

What are they?

Dermal fillers are substances injected just below the skin to help restore a more youthful appearance. A natural substance like hyaluronic acid is the main ingredient in most dermal fillers because it easily synthesizes with your skin and body. Hyaluronic acid binds to the body’s natural moisture reserves for a natural-looking improvement to your appearance.

What to expect

Our practice is happy to provide both the Juvéderm and Restylane line of dermal fillers. The Juvéderm line includes Juvéderm XC (to reduce lines around your nose and mouth), Vollure XC (to minimize deep nasolabial lines), Volbella XC (to improve fine lip lines), and Voluma XC (to enhance and volumize cheeks). Meanwhile, Restylane is used to soften nasolabial folds and lip lines, while Restylane Defyne treats sturdy support deep facial lines and Restylane Refyne treats of moderate facial lines and creases. Regardless of the dermal filler used, the treatment is quick, pain-free, and results in no downtime.

After the procedure

Depending on your specific treatment area, dermal fillers can provide you with the following benefits: diminished frown lines between the eyes, reduced smile lines around the nose and mouth, enhanced shallow lines around the lips, plump lips, volumized cheeks, and a reduction of wrinkles and facial creases. Overall, your skin becomes firmer and more resilient because the fillers help stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, important elements in your skin that help you look youthful.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

About Laser Skin Resurfacing

What is it?

Laser skin resurfacing is a skin rejuvenation procedure that gently removes the top layers of your skin, allowing for the newer, fresher layers underneath to rise to the surface. This stimulates the production of new collagen, which leads to reduced superficial blemishes, diminished wrinkles (such as deep frown lines or laugh lines), smoother skin texture, improved pigmentation, and the reduction of scars from acne or chicken pox.

What to expect

Our dermatology experts have the experience and training to perform laser skin resurfacing that matches your aesthetic goals and rejuvenates your overall appearance. Our practitioners carefully and skillfully pass the laser over the targeted areas of your skin in a precise, uniform pattern to deliver customized results that leave you looking refreshed and glowing. Laser skin resurfacing can be done with one of a variety of lasers, all of which are safe and effective for use on many areas of your body, including the eyelids, forehead, nose, mouth, neck, décolleté , and hands.

After the procedure

After you undergo laser skin resurfacing, it typically takes 1-2 weeks to fully heal, but it is important that you follow an aftercare routine that includes applying healing ointment to expedite your healing. If you properly follow aftercare instructions, the procedure will allow for your body’s natural healing properties to flourish, making your appearance look healthy, natural, and rejuvenated.

Providers

Our approach & expertise