Blog Archives
Sun Damage: Prevention and Treatment
UV rays have a powerful impact on the health and appearance of the skin. Whether from the sun or artificial sources, UV rays penetrate deeply into the dermis, damaging collagen fibers and accelerating age-related skin concerns, including lines and wrinkles, dry and leathery skin, solar elastosis, actinic keratosis, and solar lentigo (sun spots).
Damage from UV rays is cumulative, often beginning when we are young and less diligent about sun protection. However, as we age, protecting our skin from further damage becomes increasingly essential, even in cloudier places like Seattle, even when inside.
Because UV rays can penetrate cloud coverage and windows, it is vital to wear sunscreen daily, though not all sunscreens are equally safe or effective. We have carefully selected the most efficacious formulas for sale at our office. We will happily help you choose the best fit during your next visit.
Although windows cannot prevent UV exposure, staying indoors from 10 am to 2 pm on sunny days is best. This is when the sun is at its most potent. When you go outside, wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses, and remain in the shade as much as possible. All of these things can help to prevent further sun damage from occurring.
Correcting Sun Damaged Skin
Nearly everyone will experience sun damaged skin at some point. Fortunately, several options can help to improve the appearance and comfort of skin that UV rays have damaged. Some of the most popular options include:
- Chemical Peel
- Microdermabrasion
- Microneedling
- Cryotherapy
- IPL Therapy
- Laser Skin Resurfacing
These treatments work in different ways and to varying degrees to address issues as diverse as textural irregularities, hyperpigmentation, rough and dry skin, and sun spots. Depending on the treatment, some can also soften fine lines and deep wrinkles, tighten the skin, remove acne scars, and eliminate stretch marks.
Many treatments available for sun damaged skin are safe for all skin types and tones. However, each is designed to address different concerns. A one-on-one consultation with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Steven Greene is the best way to learn which treatment will produce the best results.
Are you ready to learn more? Call Advanced Dermatology and Laser Institute of Seattle at 206-402-4797 to schedule your consultation today.
Next Page »What are the Best Treatments for Facial Volume Loss?
As we age, the substances in our skin that help produce a soft, full, and smooth appearance begin to diminish. Over time, this allows for a loss of volume in the face, resulting in issues such as sagging cheeks, droopy jowls, sunken eye sockets, and hollow temples. Fortunately, while these are expected consequences of aging and an inevitable outcome of facial volume loss, safe and effective treatments are readily available.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers offer the best solution for restoring lost volume to the face. However, the type of filler that will work best for your specific needs depends on several unique factors. During your initial consultation with one of our cosmetic dermatologists, we will carefully evaluate your problem areas and help you decide on the right filler for your concerns.
At the Advanced Dermatology and Laser Institute of Seattle, we offer a range of safe and effective dermal fillers. Some of our most popular include:
- Hyaluronic Acid Fillers. Fillers from JUVÉDERM®, Restylane®, and Belotero Balance® contain hyaluronic acid (HA), which helps the skin retain moisture. These fillers restore lost HA to improve facial volume and create a softer, more youthful appearance for up to 18 months
- Poly-L-Lactic Acid Fillers. Sculptra® contains poly-L-lactic acid, a collagen stimulator. Collagen is a structural protein responsible for skin elasticity and strength. Like HA, collagen diminishes as we age. Stimulating collagen production helps to restore lost volume for up to two years
- Calcium Hydroxylapatite Fillers. The active ingredient in Radiesse® is calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA). CaHA stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to restore lost volume to the face. CaHA fillers can produce results for 15 or more months
Finding the Best Fit
Several considerations go into determining which filler is appropriate for each person. The best way to learn which option might be right for you is through a one-on-one consultation at our office. Our experienced and thoughtful staff is here to listen to your concerns, carefully evaluate your needs, and guide you toward the best solutions.
Call us at 206-402-4797 to schedule your visit today. We Serve Seattle and all nearby areas of Washington.
Next Page »Keralase Treatment for Hair Loss
Keralase is a new treatment for hair loss combining laser technology with a proprietary scalp hair growth serum. Patients with pattern hair loss and other causes of hair thinning who are seeking a nonsurgical treatment solution for their condition will benefit from this combination treatment. Scalp hair is parted and the laser energy is focused onto the scalp surface creating a new drug-delivery system into the mid to deep dermis of the skin. Immediately afterwards a powerful blend of biosimilar growth factors and proteins (Kerafactor Serum) are massaged into the scalp to stimulate stronger, smoother thicker and fuller looking hair. The microchannels have been shown to create 5 times higher absorption of the nanoliposomes which transport the active ingredients in Kerafactor Serum. This product specifically supports scalp health increases blood supply and helps to transition resting miniaturized hairs into the actively growing phase of hair growth for optimal results.
What is Keralase?
Keralase is a nonsurgical treatment that begins with laser scalp pre-conditioning followed by a scalp massage with Kerafactor Serum. This product travels deeply into temporarily laser formed channels in the skin to help stimulate hair regrowth. The entire procedure takes about 15-30 minutes with minimal downtime. The treatment process is well tolerated while patients are advised to avoid exercise and shampooing until the next day.
How many Keralase treatments will I need?
A typical treatment schedule is usually six sessions with one treatment every four weeks. After each in office treatment, patients continue at home daily topical Kerafactor serum applications. A Kerafactor shampoo & conditioner is also available for at home use. Maintenance laser treatments are recommended every six to twelve months after the initial in-office treatment series is completed.
What is Kerafactor Topical Serum?
Kerafactor serum contains seven bioidentical growth factors which have been shown to target known deficiencies and scalp conditions which can cause poor scalp health. These growth factors are delivered in a nanoliposome carrier for increased absorption. This serum formulation can improve thinning hair. When applied topically to the scalp, it promotes stronger, thicker and fuller looking hair in both men and women.
Next Page »Does Sunscreen Actually Prevent Sun Damage?
There are two types of sunscreen: mineral and chemical. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and convert them into heat before releasing them from the skin. These sunscreens penetrate the skin deeply to dissipate UV rays. Mineral sunscreens do not penetrate the skin but rather sit on top where they work to reflect UV rays away from the body. Both can be effective against sun damage.
Daily use of a chemical or mineral sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher has been shown to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. Daily use of sunscreen can also help to reduce the risks of sun damage such as lines and wrinkles, dark spots, textural irregularities, and more.
Damage done to the skin by UV rays is cumulative. The more frequently you are exposed to direct UV rays, the higher your chances of developing a sun-related skin imperfection. But not all sunscreens are equally safe and effective. Selecting a high-quality, full-spectrum option is essential for optimal results.
We can help you choose the best sunscreen for your skin during your next visit.
Treating Sun Damaged Skin
Cosmetic imperfections brought about by UV exposure can be treated with a variety of non-surgical options. At our office, we can treat non-cancerous sun damage with:
- Chemical Peel. Applied directly to the skin, peels work to deeply exfoliate, encouraging smoother, blemish-free skin
- IPL Photofacial. IPL penetrates deep into the dermis to eliminate damaged and discolored skin cells
- Laser Skin Resurfacing. Laser skin resurfacing removes the top layer of skin to expose healthier layers underneath. This service also stimulates collagen production, helping to address a range of age-related skin concerns
Age, environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and more can combine to impact the appearance of the skin. The treatments we offer for sun damage help to produce a smoother, more youthful, and more attractive appearance – often after just one treatment.
If you are struggling with sun-damaged skin and would like to learn more about your treatment options, please call The Advanced Dermatology and Laser Institute of Seattle at 206-402-4797 to schedule a consultation today.
Next Page »What Does LaseMD Ultra Do?
LaseMD Ultra is a powerful, highly customizable laser resurfacing treatment. Dr. Steven Greene is proud to offer his guests this option. Along with all of our other cosmetic dermatology services, LaseMD Ultra may be the right way to rejuvenate your skin and improve your facial appearance.
LaseMD Ultra is a great way to address:
- Texture
- Hyperpigmentation
- Discoloration
- Age spots
- Enlarged pores
- Fine line
- Acne scars
- Melasma
This non-ablative laser offers effective results with little downtime. You should expect your face to be red for at least one to three days. After the treatment, your skin will have a rough, sandpapery feeling. This is the exfoliation process. It will resolve within a week or so. Afterward, your skin will be smooth and renewed.
The treatment itself is non-invasive and tolerated well by most people. You’ll relax and recline in the treatment chair while Dr. Greene gently moves the laser across your face in a specific pattern to reach all the areas. You may feel warmth, or a prickling or tingling sensation as the laser works. The entire session should take 20 minutes or less. You may want to schedule several sessions to get optimal results. Although the face is the most common treatment area, LaseMD Ultra can also be used on the chest, arms, hands, neck, and shoulders.
Most people feel fine getting right back to their routine. Your face will be red, so you may want to avoid social events for a day or two, but it is up to you and your personal comfort level. As the redness goes away, you should begin to see the improvement in your skin, which can last for a year or longer before you may decide to opt for a touch up or another type of skin rejuvenation.
Schedule Your Laser Treatment
If you live in Seattle or the surrounding areas and are searching for an experienced, board-certified dermatologist to provide LaseMD Ultra laser resurfacing, please call Advanced Dermatology and Laser Institute of Seattle at 206-402-4797 to arrange a consultation with Dr. Steven Greene.
Next Page »What is Botox?
In the mid-1980’s, Dr. Jean Carruthers, an Oculoplastic Surgeon from Vancouver, BC first observed the cosmetic benefits of lessening the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes in her study patients who she was treating for eyelid twitching (blepharospasm) with Botulinum Toxin (later named Botox). After she and her husband, Dr. Alastair Carruthers, a prominent Cosmetic Dermatologist, realized that she had discovered a new “disruptive” therapy, they performed the groundbreaking evidence-based research that paved the way for its cosmetic place in history for temporary reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
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Restore Your Skin’s Former Glory with Laser Skin Resurfacing
Your skin can really take a beating. Over the course of your lifetime, your skin has to deal with several issues, leaving it worse for wear. But fractional laser skin resurfacing with the Cynosure Icon 1540® can give your skin its former glow in as little as one treatment. This fractional, non-ablative laser covers a wide range of skin problems, including sun damage, scarring, and the signs of aging.
Next Page »How Long Does BOTOX® Cosmetic Last?
BOTOX® Cosmetic lasts 3-4 months before the effect fades. You can restore the results with a re-injection appointment.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is one brand of botulinum toxin type A, an injectable protein that smooths wrinkles and creases on your face. This injectable has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. In fact, botulinum toxin type A injections were up 3 percent in 2018 compared to 2017 (the most recent years with statistics available). Millions of people receive these injectable treatments every year in the U.S., and with good reason: the benefits of BOTOX® injections are many –
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Leg Veins: Why They Appear and How to Treat Them
Spider or varicose veins can appear unsightly and make you want to hide body parts that have them. They are more than just an embarrassing blemish, though. They can also be a severe health hazard. Veins can put you at risk of developing blood clots or open sores.
At Advanced Dermatology and Laser Institute of Seattle, our board-certified dermatologist Dr. Steven Greene has more than 25 years of experience helping rid his patients of unpleasant, potentially dangerous veins. We offer numerous treatments to help improve the appearance of mild to severe veins. Read on to learn about the causes of spider and varicose veins and how we can help you deal with them. More »
Next Page »Eliminate Your Double Chin With Kybella®
Double chins can be unsightly and embarrassing. Fat under the chin can be resistant to diet and exercise, and people who are otherwise fit and toned can still be stuck with stubborn chin fat that’s nearly impossible to get rid of.
If you struggle with a double chin, Kybella® could help you get rid of that unfortunate feature and improve your facial contour without the need for surgery or downtime. At Advanced Dermatology and Laser Institute of Seattle, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Steven Greene and his team have decades of experience helping patients look and feel their best. We can help you decide if Kybella is the best option for you.
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