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Carmel Valley Facial Plastic Surgery approach to Skin Rejuvenation
Skin Care Simplified: An evidence-based and results-based approach to prevention and treatment of aging skin.
We have built a successful facial rejuvenation program over the years and have helped thousands of our patients feel better and look as young as the feel. My treatment approach has always been based on the fact that our faces age by changes in:
In order to achieve a natural, balanced and harmonious outcome we must evaluate and address these changes. This three prong approach has served our patients well over the years and is what gives our results that highly sought after, naturally refreshed look.
However, like many of you, I have been feeling confused by all the choices out there for skin care. All you have to do is take a walk through a department store, drug store or Sephora and you are left with your head spinning. So many pretty bottles filled with lotions and potions that smell and feel great, but what exactly are they doing for our skin (if anything)? Most of you most likely have no idea what it actually in these products and what they are doing.
Feeling somewhat overwhelmed, I have been hesitant to try and crack the code and decipher what really works and what makes sense. However, I felt I owed this to my many patients who have been wanting to actively slow down the skin aging process or protect their investment following our procedures. After all, the skin is truly the only part of facial aging that we can actually slow down by what we do at home or in the office. Volume loss and sagging just happen and we treat them as they come.
I am glad to report that I have reached conclusions that I am comfortable with and confident recommending to all of you. The approach is based on clinical and laboratory studies as well actual results. It is based on medical grade products that have science to back up their use.
So let's examine why everyone can benefit from a good skin care program and why certain products can be so beneficial.
The skin ages by getting thin (loss of collagen and extracellular matrix), losing elasticity (loss of the protein elastin). This leads to lines and wrinkles and an overall loss of firmness. This process starts in our 30s and progressed rapidly during our 40s and beyond. The skin also gets discolored. Brown pigment (from melanin deposits) and redness (from broken capillaries) result from years of accumulated sun exposure. Dullness and loss of skin brightness (luminosity) happen as a result of accumulation of dead skin on the outer surface of the skin (epidermis)..
Once you know what the problems are, you can look for treatments and skin care that target these problems. Many of the changes can be treated at home once you are on the right skin care program, while others require treatments in our office.
We offer complimentary skin care evaluations to make sure everyone gets started on the right plan.
In a nutshell, I have arrived at the conclusion that there is core group of products that form a solid foundation of a results-based skin rejuvenation and prevention program. Everyone, regardless of age should be one these. The combination, of course, would be tailored to your specific needs of course.
(G) Growth Factors
(R) Retinol/Retin-A
These two categories work together to treat thinning skin: These products help stimulate collagen, elastin and extracellular matrix. The net effect is the skin thickens over time and has fewer lines and wrinkles. These products truly renew and rejuvenate the actual skin and the expression of the genes that are seen in young skin. Time tested and backed by science and actual results.
(A)Antioxidants: Vitamin C and E fight free radical damage and keep our cells healthy and help reduce cell mutations that can lead to skin cancer and skin aging. This is an integral part of good skin health. Not all products are the same. It is important to use a product that can actually deliver the products to the cells as opposed to sitting on the surface of the skin.
(S)Sunscreen: This is one of the most important categories to get right. Despite the fact that many do use sun screen, it is unfortunate that many are on the wrong sunscreen. The sun has a combination of UVa and UVb radiation, most sunscreens are chemically-based and block UVb light. UVb is responsible for sun burns, tanning, and skin cancer. However, UVa light is what causes sun damage and skin aging. This is blocked by a physical blocker like zinc or titanium oxide. The only sunscreens you should use are broad-spectrum sunscreens that block both UVa and UVb light.
(S) Specialty products: this category is all the other things that can be added to meet your specific needs.
These are procedures at are extremely effective at treating specific skin issue are work together with your home based skin care regimen.
Brown and Red Pigmentation.
Sciton BBL fotofacials are used to minimize brown and red pigments. This is a light-based treatment and is done in a series of 3-4. The Sciton’s BBL technology is considered one of the best in the industry in terms of safety, efficacy and comfort.
Sciton Micro Lasers Peels and Chemical Peels. Depending on your down time and skin type these resurfacing options help give the skin its glow back by removing the layer of dead and dull skin. Resurfacing is the ultimate exfoliation and patients are left with bright and vibrant looking skin. Treatment options range from no downtime, to several days, to 2 weeks for deeper peels. The deeper laser peels are excellent for deep lines around the lips and mouth.
Sciton Profactional Technology. This laser option tightens the skin and increase collagen synthesis. This can be performed alone or in conjunction to any peel.
For lines and wrinkles around the eyes and forehead, Botox is still the gold standard and often recommend to be used not only to treat the lines but to prevent them from forming.
Personally, I have never felt so excited and hopeful about the treatment options we have for helping every patient get their glowing and youthful skin back or to preserve it.
I would encourage you make an appointment to have a skin care evaluation. For those who come in for your post op appointments, Botox and fillers, and skin treatments we can always talk about it then as well.
Warmly,
Dr. Karam
Dr. Karam, who is board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and American Board of Otolaryngology, offers services in San Diego County including San Diego, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Rancho Bernardo and La Jolla in Southern California.
If you are ready to schedule an appointment with Dr. Karam, contact us today.
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