| Dr. Eugene J. Nowak D.O, is a Board Certified Dermatologist. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Cosmetic Dermatology.
Q. What is cosmetic dermatology?
A. This is a term that can mean different things to different people. First Dermatology is medical speciality that offers board certification. And while we are not the only speciality that offers cosmetic treatment, we have the most extensive training in dealing with skin treatments and skin related issues. For us Cosmetic Dermatology is trying to enhance or return the appearance of the skin and the body appearance. We can do this through Laser treatments for scars or skin laxity. Filler products for deeper lines or wrinkles. Botox for frown lines and crow’s feet. Thermalipo for body contouring and shaping. Sclerotherapy or laser tx for spider veins.
Q. What are the types of cosmetic dermatology available?
A. Well every Doctor build his practice in a different way could be more into invasive or non-invasive procedures, more surgical or laser oriented or more facial and skin care than body procedures. It really depends on the Doctor’s expertise.
Q. What is the difference between Cosmetic Dermatology and surgical dermatology?
A. Within the speciality a person can choose the areas that they enjoy the most. Some Dermatologists just do medical treatments, some focus on surgery for skin cancers. And some choose to work with cosmetic treatments, which may include laser, fillers, Botox, and cosmetic surgery
Q. What does hyaluronic acid do to facial skin?
A. Hyaluronic acid is present in every tissue of the body, and it performs many important functions. It helps deliver nutrients to and carry toxins from cells that do not have a blood supply, such as those found in cartilage.
Cosmetic products containing hyaluronic acid claim to hydrate the skin, allowing it to appear smoother and more radiant. Injectible hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm lessen the appearance of lines, sagging and depressions in the skin.
Q. What is your recommended treatment for facial "spider veins?" Also, what are the common associated side effects of the procedure used?
A. Currently this is mostly a laser treatment. With redness typically for a few days there is a small chance of a bruise depending on the vein size. Typically there is 40 to 50 % improvement with the first treatment. The areas can be treated until the desired improvement is seen. Leg veins can be treated with sclerotherapy as well as laser treatments. Improvement is seen with each treatment although multiple treatments are needed.
Q. What are the main differences in the CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast procedure from other injectible collagen treatments?
A. These are collagen based products, and while they were the best available at one time they are not used very often now. Fillers are greatly improved from that time. With now Restylane and Juvederm being Hylauronic acid based fillers. No skin test is needed and the product will last for 6 to 12 months. It can be used in the lips, nasolabial folds, and cheeks. How long it lasts really depends on the individual patient, what product was used and how much product is used. Radiesse would be the next most common filler used. It can be used for the nasolabial folds, cheeks and for scars. It is not used in the lips. The product lasts for 10 to 18 months. And can last longer with booster injections done within 3 to 4 months
Q. What is the difference between ablative and non-ablative laser?
A. Lasers are very specific wavelengths of light that target specific structures or colors in the skin, veins, hair. Different lasers are needed to treat different conditions. We have 10 different lasers available to treat different conditions. When we use the terms ablatiive and non ablative we are typically talking about skin resurfacing. Ablation is to remove the surface of the skin and heat the collagen below to tighten and improve the appearance of wrinkles , sun damage, and acne scars. These treatments went from complete ablation with a CO2 laser with dramatic results, but also dramatic downtime. (We have not done these in over 10 years) . To the non ablative it is more of a heating of the skin and the collagen. While the downtime is less the results are typically not as dramatic. Currently we use lasers that treat not the entire skin surface but a fraction or portion. This still gives a good result, but with less down time then full ablation. It is a nice balance of results with less downtime. This laser treats 30 to 40 percent of the skin and has several days where there can be swelling, reddness and darker skin. This will start peeling on day 3 and can peel for up to day 6. Reddness can last for 10 to 14 days. Results are seen very quickly and can continue to improve for 3 to 6 months.
Non ablative treatments are also available in a fractional option. We use the Fraxel. Which treats about 10 to 20 percent of the skin and heats the surface skin as well as the collagen below. It has minimal downtime with reddness for 1 to 3 days and then some mild peeling. Improvement is seen with each treatment, but must take multiple treatments to see the final result. Benefits include improved pigmentation, reduced lines and wrinkles, improvment of acne scars, and decreased pore size.
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