| BOTOX ® Cosmetic Back to Main Services Menu Treatment for Dynamic Facial Lines and Wrinkles . What You Should Know |
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| When does
BOTOX ® Cosmetic
start to work, and how long does it last? The results of BOTOX ® Cosmetic treatment start to appear in three to ten days. The treated muscles will gradually regain their action over three to four months. When the frown line starts to return a simple repeat treatment is all that is necessary to maintain the desired results. Therefore, the lines can be prevented if you start early enough or they can be decreased significantly if you start later. What are the other uses of
BOTOX ® Cosmetic ? Who can perform BOTOX ® Cosmetic treatment? Has BOTOX ® Cosmetic
been tested? Side effects? What is BOTOX ® Cosmetic? Frown Lines Where do you put the
BOTOX ® Cosmetic? BOTOX ® Cosmetic can also be placed in forehead lines, crow's feet and around the mouth and chin. The FDA has approved BOTOX ® Cosmetic for cosmetic treatment of frown lines between the eyebrows and they are currently in clinical trials for FDA approval for treatment of forehead lines and crow's feet. Finally, BOTOX ® Cosmetic is used to decrease sweating and can be injected in the armpits, hands and feet.
What is a BOTOX ® Cosmetic procedure like?
Is the procedure painful?
Is the procedure safe?
Will I need anesthesia?
Do I need to take time off from work to recuperate?
When will I start to see results?
How long will the effects last?
Will I experience any side effects?
Will my facial expressions look unnatural?
Is BOTOX ® Cosmetic expensive?
How can I find out more about BOTOX ® Cosmetics? Hyperhidrosis As this condition affects millions of people and many people who suffer from primary underarm sweating do not realize they have a chronic, but treatable, medical condition, and that many physicians are not fully aware of how to diagnosis and treat hyperhidrosis. In the Phase III clinical study that involved 322 patients, more than 80 percent treated with
BOTOX ® Cosmetic experienced a greater than 50 percent decrease in underarm sweat production. The treatment, administered by injection, lasted an average of 6.5 months.
About BOTOX ® Cosmetic |
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© 2009 image Dermatology p.c. - Jeanine Downie |
| Collagen
Aesthetics Back to Main Services Menu The Look You Want However, with collagen skin treatments you can just fill in those little annoyances. Collagen treatments last for 3 months and take less than fifteen minutes in a doctor's office. Results are immediate and recovery time is so short, you can sneak in a treatment at lunchtime. Telling anyone or not is delightfully up to you. Cosmoderm & Cosmoplast |
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TYPICAL AREAS FOR COLLAGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Collagen is actually part of the natural support structure of your skin. Wrinkles form when this natural collagen thins. This loss is mostly a factor of aging, but
exposure, pollution, health, heredity and lifestyle also play roles. Without enough collagen, wrinkles and lines start to form wherever the skin moves. Collagen Replacement Therapy
using Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast collagen implants, replenishes the skin's collagen layer, smoothing lines and wrinkles, and adding definition to lip borders from the inside out. And results are immediate.
Cosmoderm & Cosmoplast CHART
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© 2009 image Dermatology p.c. - Jeanine Downie |
| Chemical
Peels Back to Main Services Menu Chemical Peels: B-LIFTx |
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| Special
Beta-LIFTx® benefits Beta-LIFTx® lifts dead, dull cells off the surface of your skin. The procedure stimulates a "burst of renewal" within your skin to bring healthy, young, living cells to the surface. Beta-LIFTx® is also able to penetrate skin follicles -- making Beta-LIFTx® a well-suited chemical peel for conditions such as acne, acne-rosacea, and enlarged pores.  Visible results
No "downtime"
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© 2009 image Dermatology p.c. - Jeanine Downie |
| Hair
Loss Back to Main Services Menu Hair has been called our "crowning glory." Society has placed a great deal of social and cultural importance on hair and hairstyles. Unfortunately, many conditions, diseases, and improper hair care result in excessive hair loss. People who notice their hair shedding in large amounts after combing or brushing, or whose hair becomes thinner or falls out, should consult a dermatologist. With correct diagnosis, many people with hair loss can be helped. Dermatologists specialize in treating diseases of the hair and skin, will evaluate a patient's hair problem by asking questions about diet, medications including vitamins and health food products taken in the last six months, family history of hair loss, recent illness and hair care habits. |
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Hormonal effects may be evaluated in women by asking about menstrual cycles, pregnancies and menopause. After examining the scalp and hair, the dermatologist may check a few hairs under the microscope. Sometimes blood tests or a scalp biopsy may be required for an accurate diagnosis. It is important to find the cause and whether or not the problem will respond to medical treatment. Normal Hair
Growth Causes of
Excessive Hair Loss Hairstyles that pull on the hair, like ponytails and braids, should not be pulled tightly and should be alternated with looser hairstyles. The constant pull causes some hair loss, especially along the sides of the scalp. Shampooing, combing and brushing too often can also damage hair, causing it to break. Using a cream rinse or conditioner after shampooing will make it easier to comb and more manageable. When hair is wet, it is more fragile, so vigorous rubbing with a towel, and rough combing and brushing should be avoided. Don't follow the old rule of 100 brush strokes a day-that damages hair. Instead, use wide toothed combs and brushes with smooth tips. Hereditary Thinning or Balding - Hereditary balding or thinning is the most common cause of hair loss. The tendency can be inherited from either the mother's or father's side of the family. Women with this trait develop thinning hair, but do not become completely bald. The condition is called androgenetic alopecia and it can start in the teens, twenties or thirties. There is no cure, although medical treatments have recently become available that may help some people. One treatment involves applying a lotion, minoxidil, to the scalp twice a day. Another treatment for men is a daily pill containing finasteride, a drug that blocks the formation of the active male hormone in the hair follicle. When confronted with thinning hair or baldness, men and some women consider hair transplantation, which is a permanent form of hair replacement. Anyone who has suffered permanent hair loss may be a candidate for hair transplantation. The procedure of hair transplantation involves moving some hair from hair-bearing portions (donor sites) of the head to bald or thinning portions (recipient sites) and/or removing bald skin. Because the procedures involve surgery as well as time and money, they should not be undertaken lightly. Your dermatologist
will help decide which method or combination of methods is right for
you.
Alopecia Areata - In this type of hair loss, hair usually falls out, resulting in totally smooth, round patches about the size of a coin or larger. It can, rarely, result in complete loss of scalp and body hair. This disease may affect children or adults of any age. The cause of alopecia areata is unknown. Apart from the hair loss, affected persons are generally in excellent health. In most cases, the hair regrows by itself. Dermatologists can treat many people with this condition. Treatments include injections, topical medications, a special kind of light treatment, or in some cases pills.
Childbirth - When a women is pregnant, more of her hairs will be growing. However, after a woman delivers her baby, many hairs enter the resting phase of the hair cycle. Within two to three months, some women will notice large amounts of hair coming out in their brushes and combs. This can last one to six months, but resolves completely in most cases. High Fever, Severe Infection, Severe Flu - Illnesses may cause hairs to enter the resting phase. Four weeks to three months after a high fever, severe illness or infection, a person may be shocked to see a lot of hair falling out. This shedding usually corrects itself. Thyroid Disease - Both an over-active thyroid and an under-active thyroid can cause hair loss. Your physician can diagnosis thyroid disease with laboratory tests. Hair loss associated with thyroid disease can be reversed with proper treatment. Inadequate Protein in Diet - Some people who go on crash diets that are low in protein, or have severely abnormal eating habits, may develop protein malnutrition. The body will save protein by shifting growing hairs into the resting phase. Massive hair shedding can occur two to three months later. Hair can then be pulled out by the roots fairly easily. This condition can be reversed and prevented by eating the proper amount of protein and, when dieting, maintaining adequate protein intake. Medications - Some prescription drugs may cause temporary hair shedding. Examples include some of the medicines used for the following: gout, arthritis, depression, heart problems, high blood pressure, or blood thinners. High doses of vitamin A may also cause hair shedding. Cancer Treatments - Some cancer treatments will cause hair cells to stop dividing. Hairs become thin and break off as they exit the scalp. This occurs one to three weeks after the treatment. Patients can lose up to 90 percent of their scalp hair. The hair will regrow after treatment ends. Patients may want to get wigs before treatment. Birth Control Pills - Women who lose hair while taking birth control pills usually have an inherited tendency for hair thinning. If hair thinning occurs, a woman can consult her gynecologist about switching to another birth control pill. When a women stops using oral contraceptives, she may notice that her hair begins shedding two or three months later. This may continue for six months when it usually stops. This is similar to hair loss after the birth of a child. Low Serum Iron - Iron deficiency occasionally produces hair loss. Some people don't have enough iron in their diets or may not fully absorb iron. Women who have heavy menstrual periods may develop iron deficiency. Low iron can be detected by laboratory tests and can be corrected by taking iron pills. Major Surgery/Chronic Illness - Anyone who has a major operation may notice increased hair shedding within one to three months afterwards. The condition reverses itself within a few months but people who have a severe chronic illness may shed hair indefinitely. Fungus Infection (Ringworm) of the Scalp - Caused by a fungus infection, ringworm (which has nothing to do with worms) begins with small patches of scaling that can spread and result in broken hair, redness, swelling, and even oozing. This contagious disease is most common in children and oral medication will cure it. Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania) - Children and sometimes adults will twist or pull their hair, brows or lashes until they come out. In children especially, this is often just a bad habit that gets better when the harmful effects of that habit are explained. Sometimes hair pulling can be a coping response to unpleasant stresses and occasionally is a sign of a serious problem needing the help of a mental health professional. Questions? |
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© 2009 image Dermatology p.c. - Jeanine Downie |
| Laser
Treatments Back to Main Services Menu Why is Lyra The Best Solution? Prior to Lyra, dark complected and tanned patients could not be treated with a laser due to the high absorbency of light in the pigment of the skin. Lyra's low absorption in pigment makes it an ideal and safe treatment, achieving outstanding results while maintaining the normal appearance of the skin. |
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Shaving bumps "no more" |
How Does Lyra Work?
Although this is a solution, it can be painful and time consuming. Don't Settle For Out-Of-Date Solutions. The old fashioned ways of removing hair - shaving, tweezing, creams, waxing - are time consuming and short lasting. And although electrolysis can permanently remove hair, it is an extremely slow and painful method. But you don't have to settle for out-of-date solutions. Now you can obtain long-lasting results with laser hair removal treatments. The Laserscope Lyra laser system delivers long-pulse laser light down to the follicles, destroying them or impairing their growth. The laser beam is computer guided and passed through a cooling window to protect your skin. You are assured of gentle treatments that produce smooth results.
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| Skin
Cancer Removal Back to Main Services Menu Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers. It is estimated that more than one million Americans develop skin cancer every year. Sun avoidance is the best defense against skin cancer. Over exposure to sunlight (including tanning) is the main cause of skin cancer especially when it results in sunburn and blistering. Other less important factors include: repeated medical and industrial x-ray exposure, scarring from diseases or burns, occupational exposure to such compounds as coal tar and arsenic, and family history. Fair-skinned people who sunburn easily are at particularly high risk for skin cancer. |
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Prevention means guarding the skin against the known causes of skin cancer. Since the sun's ultraviolet rays are the main culprit, the most effective preventive method is sun avoidance.
With a SPF 15 sunscreen applied properly, a fair-skin person who sunburns in 20 minutes can tolerate 15 times 20 minutes (300 minutes) without burning. However, the use of sunscreens should not be an excuse to spend extra time in the sun because other sunrays still go through the sunscreen, such as UVA or infrared, which can age the skin and damage the skin's immune system. Begin early use of sun protection in childhood because it is estimated that 80 percent of lifetime sun exposure occurs before age 18. Children under 6 months of age should not have prolonged sun exposure. The use of sunscreen should always be part
of a program for sun avoidance and never as an excuse for increasing sun
exposure. Early detection is the surest way to a
cure. Precancerous Skin Conditions
Cancerous
Skin Conditions Basal Cell Carcinoma - This skin cancer usually appears as a small, fleshy bump or nodule - most often on the head, neck, and hands. Occasionally these cancers may appear on the trunk as red patches. Basal cell carcinomas seldom occur in African Americans, but they are the most common skin cancers found in fair-skinned persons. People who have this cancer often have light-colored eyes, hair and complexions, and don't tan easily. These tumors don't spread quickly. It can take many months or years for one to grow to a diameter of one-half inch. Untreated, the cancer will begin to bleed, crust over, heal, and then the cycle repeats. These skin cancers can also ulcerate and invade soft tissue and organs.
Although this type of cancer rarely metastasizes (spreads to other parts of the body), it can extend below the skin to the bone and cause considerable local damage. Squamous Cell Carcinoma - This skin cancer may appear as a bump, or as a red, scaly patch. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer found in fair-skinned persons. Typically, it is found on the rim of the ear, the face, the lips, and mouth. It is rarely found in dark-skinned persons. This cancer can develop into large masses. Unlike basal cell carcinoma, it can metastasize. When found early, and treated properly, the cure rate by dermatologic surgery for both basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma is 95 percent.
Malignant Melanoma - It is projected that this most deadly of all skin cancers will develop on the skin of 44,000 Americans annually. Every year, an estimated 7,300 Americans will die from melanoma. It is important to note that the death rate is at last declining because patients are seeking help earlier. Like the less aggressive skin cancers, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, melanoma is almost always curable when detected in its early stages. Melanoma has its beginnings in melanocytes, the skin cells that produce the dark, protective pigment called melanin. It is melanin that makes the skin tan, acting as partial protection against sun. Melanoma cells usually continue to produce melanin, which accounts for the cancers appearing in mixed shades of tan, brown, and black. Melanoma can also be red or white. Melanoma tends to spread, making treatment essential. Melanoma may suddenly appear without warning, but it may also begin in, or near a mole, or another dark spot in the skin. It is important to know the location and appearance of the moles on our bodies so any change will be noticed. The most important step you can take is to have any changing mole examined by a dermatologist so that any early melanoma can be removed while still in the curable stage. Excessive sun exposure, particularly sunburn, is the most important preventable cause of melanoma, especially among light-skinned individuals. Heredity also plays a part since a person has an increased chance of developing melanoma if a family member has had melanoma. Atypical moles (dyplastic nevi), which may run in families, and a high number of moles, can serve as markers for people at higher risk for developing melanoma. Dark brown or black skin is not a guarantee against melanoma. Dark-skinned people can develop melanoma, especially on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, on the genitals, in the buttocks, under nails, or in the mouth. Warning signs of melanoma include: changes in the surface of a mole; scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a new bump; spread of pigment from the border into surrounding skin; and change in sensation including itchiness, tenderness, or pain. How Skin Cancer is Treated - If a skin biopsy reveals that an area of the skin is cancerous, the dermatologist has an array of surgical procedures to treat the cancer depending on the needs of the individual patient. Early detection and removal offer the best chance for a cure. Dermatologists
recommend that one helpful way to discover early skin cancers is to do
periodic self-examinations. Get familiar with your skin and your own
pattern of moles, freckles, and "beauty marks." Watch for
changes in the number, size, shape, and color of pigmented areas. Call
your dermatologist if any changes are noticed.
Periodic Self-Examination - Prevention of melanoma/skin cancer is the best weapon against these diseases. But if a melanoma should develop, it is almost always curable if caught in the early stages. Practice periodic self-examination to aid in early recognition of any new or developing lesion. The following is one way of self-examination. To perform your self-examination you will need a full length mirror, a hand mirror and a brightly-lit room.
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© 2009 image Dermatology p.c. - Jeanine Downie |
| Spider
Vein, Varicose Vein Therapy Back to Main Services Menu Spider veins are small-enlarged superficial blood vessels that appear red or blue. They commonly occur on the legs, but frequently occur on the face or elsewhere. These dilated blood vessels may be short, unconnected lines each about the size of a large hair or connected in a matted, "sunburst" pattern. They may also look like a spider web or a tree with branches. Sometimes, they occur in a small area and aren't very noticeable, or they can cover a large area of skin and be quite unattractive. |
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Larger dilated blood vessels called varicose veins may be raised above the skin surface. They may occur along with spider veins. Patients can have pain, ranging from a dull throbbing pain to a burning sensation. The larger vessels are more likely to cause discomfort, although smaller blue veins have been shown to cause pain. If spider veins are unsightly or uncomfortable, they can be treated with laser or by injection of a solution that will cause them to disappear or become much smaller. There is about a 50 - 90 percent chance for a greatly improved appearance. What
causes these blood vessels to become visible? Spider veins appear in both men and women, but more frequently in women. The female hormones may play a role in their development. Puberty, birth control pills, pregnancy or hormone replacement therapy often seem to bring them out. They may also appear after an injury or as a result of wearing tight girdles or hosiery held up with tight rubber bands. Spider veins may also occur in association with large varicose veins. Spider veins on the nose or the cheeks of fair skinned persons may be related to sun exposure. Can
spider veins be prevented? How
are unwanted blood vessels on the legs treated?
Sclerotherapy A single blood vessel may have to be injected more than once, some weeks or months apart, depending on its size. In any one treatment session a number of vessels can be injected. The solutions available are slightly different and the choice of which solution to use depends on several factors including the size of the vessel to be injected. Dr. Downie will choose a solution that is best for your particular case. Occasionally larger varicose veins are underneath or associated with the spider veins. In such cases, some physicians believe these vessels should be treated before the spider veins. This can be done by sclerotherapy or intravascular laser followed by compression. How
successful is sclerotherapy? Can
sclerotherapy or lasers be used on all skin types? Will
insurance cover the treatment of unwanted blood vessels? Are
there side effects to spider vein treatments? Stinging or pain at the sites of injection, swelling of the ankles or feet or muscle cramps - Some solutions for injection are relatively pain-free. Muscle cramps almost always occur when the injection solution is hypertonic saline. These usually go away within 10 to 15 minutes after injection. Red, raised areas at the sites of injection - These should disappear within a day or so and are like hives. Brown lines or spots on the skin at the sites of treated blood vessels - Probably made up of a form of iron in the blood, these darkened areas may result when blood escapes from treated veins. These dark areas occur more often in patients who have larger veins treated. In most cases, they disappear within 6 months to a year, but in a small percent of patients they may last longer. Laser treatment may cause skin discoloration. Development of groups of fine red blood vessels near the sites of injection of larger vessels, especially on the thighs - About a third of patients develop these; most disappear by themselves, some go away with additional injection treatment or laser therapy, a few may last. Small, painful ulcers at treatment sites either immediately or within a few days of injection - These occur when some of the solution escapes into the surrounding skin or enters a tiny artery at the treatment site. These can be successfully treated, but it is necessary to inform the physician of them immediately. Lasers may cause small areas of skin breakdown, which look like insect bites and heal rapidly. Bruises at the site where the needle went into the skin - These will disappear in a few weeks and are probably related to the thinness of blood vessel walls. Allergic reactions to certain sclerosing solutions - Although such reactions can be serious, they are extremely rare and can be treated by your dermatologist. Minor reactions can be treated with antihistamines.
Inflammation of treated blood vessels - This is very unusual but when it occurs it is treated with medications such as aspirin, compression, antibiotics or heat. Lumps in injected vessels, particularly larger ones, may develop - This is coagulated blood, similar to a bruise within the vein, but is not dangerous. The dermatologist may drain the blood out of these areas a few weeks after injection. Will
treated veins recur? Is
a history of blood clots in the lungs or legs a reason to avoid therapy? Are
there other treatment methods? Surgically tying veins off (ligation) or pulling them out (ambulatory phlebectomy) are other procedures for treating unwanted blood vessels. These methods are usually reserved for larger varicose veins. How
are spider veins on the face treated? What
do I do after treatments? Some physicians bandage the injected areas and instruct patients to "compress" the treated vessels by wearing support hose. This may help seal the treated vessels, keep the blood from collecting under the skin and reduce the development of dark spots. It also may reduce the number of treatments necessary, and the possibility of recurrence. Others put tape dressings on the areas and do not use compression unless the veins are large or in special locations. Between treatments, many physicians recommend the use of compression or support hose. This may be particularly recommended for people who spend a lot of time on their feet or work in a standing occupation. The treatment of spider and varicose veins can be successful. Treatment methods vary depending on the size and location of the abnormal veins. The injection method is presently most commonly used but great advances have been made in other techniques such as lasers.
Mole & Skin
Tag Removal
In many cases she can remove the mole on the same day as the initial consult. These moles are then sent off to a separate laboratiory for microscopic evaluation. Laboratory results are usually available within ten days. © 2009 image Dermatology p.c. - Jeanine Downie
Restylane and
Perlane
M.D.forte
Skin Care System
Aura Laser Treatment
Enhanced
Skin Rejuvenation © 2009 image Dermatology p.c. - Jeanine Downie
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