Derma vital is a revolutionary new, non-invasive treatment for wrinkles, fine lines and skin laxity.  It results in smoother, tighter, firmer and, therefore, more youthful-looking skin.

Wrinkles are the natural consequence of laughing, frowning, too much time in the sun and the slowing down of collagen production; they can make us both look and feel old.  Derma vital treatments deliver energy safely and comfortably to the underlying layers of the skin, gently stimulating the production of new collagen, while protecting the outer layer.  The collagen plumps and smoothes the complexion, making it look younger.

The new and innovative technology used in the Derma vital system is known as FACES (Functional Aspiration Controlled Electrothermal Stimulation). Skin is drawn gently into the tip of the hand piece and energy delivered deep into the dermis to create a mild and virtually painless warming.

A typical treatment takes about 15 minutes, after which you can return to normal activities.  A series of treatments is recommended for optimal results and the skin will continue to improve several months following treatment.

In dermatology, lasers adds another dimension for the treatment of skin diseases. Laser resurfacing can improve cosmetic flaws, such as wrinkles, scars, and sun damage, and is the latest scientific breakthrough in skin rejuvenation. Lasers (short for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) work by producing an intense beam of light that travels in one direction. This beam can gently ablate skin tissue to improve wrinkles, scars or blemishes. In addition, lasers can also be used to destroy visible blood vessels or to cut skin tissue. Using a laser hand piece, undesired skin cells and wrinkles disappear and are replaced by fresh skin cells. One of the laser's most significant advantages over traditional techniques for skin resurfacing is that treatment is relatively bloodless. This procedure also offers increased degree of precision and safety in treating delicate areas.

It is important to understand the limitations of skin resurfacing using lasers. The laser is not a substitute for a facelift, nor can the procedure eliminate excessive skin. However, by tightening loose skin, laser resurfacing can improve certain folds and creases. More importantly, laser resurfacing offers an alternative to traditional resurfacing (dermabrasion) and can also work well in conjunction with other cosmetic skin procedures such as chemical peels.

Laser Types

There are two types of lasers used for laser resurfacing, the erbium:YAG and the CO2 (carbon dioxide) lasers. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, using local anesthesia in combination with orally- or intravenously-administered sedative medications.

Laser resurfacing is often used to treat facial wrinkles. Wrinkles around the eyes, mouth or forehead may be treated individually, or full-face laser ablation may be performed. In general a partial-face laser ablation takes 30-45 minutes and the full-face treatment takes 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

Following laser resurfacing, a sterile dressing is applied to the treatment sites for 24 hours. The patient then cleans the areas three times a day with saline solution. An ointment such as Vaseline or Aquaphor is then applied. Strict wound care is intended to prevent scab formation and facilitate healthy wound healing. Typically, the areas heal in 10-21 days.

Once the areas have healed, makeup may be worn to camouflage the pink to red color that is generally seen after laser skin resurfacing. Most dermatologists recommend oil-free make-ups as well as green-based foundation since they neutralize the red color. The redness in the laser-treated sites generally fades in two to three months but may take as long as six months to completely disappear.

Universal IPL is the most technologically advanced platform ever developed for aesthetic medicine-customizable with any combination of a growing number of world class technologies to meet the needs of your practice today and into the future.

The Universal IPLPlatform

Set your practice apart by Performing PhotorejuvenationONE with the Universal IPL module. Your patients are becoming more sophisticated. They are demanding no-downtime procedures but want the best possible results. Technological advances allow PhotorejuvenationONE with the Universal IPL module to provide unparalleled performance and results for your patients with photo-damaged skin, age spots (sun-induced freckles), most benign brown pigments, broken capillaries and the redness or erythema of rosacea.

Universal IPLMulti-Spot Module

Using proven Technology for the treatment of deeper lesions, the Universal IPL Multi-Spot module provides versatility allowing targeted treatment of leg veins, vascular lesions, facial wrinkles and more.

Universal IPL Quantum Module

Universal IPL Quantum Module simultaneously treats a wide range of skin conditions:

Botox is the brand name of a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Scientists have discovered a way to use it to human advantage. Small, diluted amounts can be directly injected into specific muscles causing controlled weakening of the muscles. Cosmetic physicians have been using Botox for years to successfully treat wrinkles and facial creases.

In April 2002, Botox gained FDA approval for treatment of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows - called glabellar lines. However, Botox is often used for other areas of the face as well.

What are facial dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are substances that are injected just below the surface of the skin to fill in lines, wrinkles, and scars. Unlike face lifts that stretch the skin, fillers add volume for a more natural youthful appearance. Fillers can also increase the fullness of the lips (see section on lip enhancement) and lessen the downward slant of the corner of lips. The most common areas treated are the smile lines around the nose and mouth, fine lines above the mouth, frown lines between the eyes, and acne scars.

There are two classes of dermal fillers:

Permanent and temporary
The main permanent dermal filler in use today is silicone. There are a variety of temporary dermal fillers currently in use and several will be discussed below: Hydroxyappetite (Radiesse), hyaluronic acid (Restylane and Hylaform), sculptra, fat, and collagen. Temporary fillers are absorbed by the body over time, usually in 2-6 months and require repeated treatments to maintain the effect.

Microdermabrasion, also referred to as the “lunch time” procedure, is a popular procedure which is classified as light, or very superficial dermabrasion. This method employs aluminum oxide crystals that are propelled at the skin and immediately sucked up. Although not scientifically proven to improve the appearance of skin, many patients report that their skin feels smoother. It is used to treat acne, dyschromias, and general “rejuvenation”. It is also popular because it is painless and there is no recovery time after the procedure. Newer devices now are crystal-less.

Mechanical resurfacing of the skin has been in use for about 50 years and involves the use of abrasive tools to remove the outer layers of the skin to produce an improved appearance. Dermabrasion has been used for the treatment of photoaging (from sun damage), wrinkles, scarring, acne, precancerous lesions, and perform discoloration (called dyschromia). Superficial and deep techniques are available. There are two layers of the skin; the outer layer is called the epidermis and the inner layer, the dermis. Superficial dermabrasion removes portions of the epidermis and deep dermabrasion removes all of the epidermis and portions of the dermis.

Deep methods are the preferred method for treatment of scarring (i.e. from acne or trauma) and other less common skin conditions (i.e. epidermal nevi, rhinophyma, and benign tumors). It has also been used for removal of resistant tattoos. Deep methods are more effective but generally require healing time and carry a higher risk of complications.

Manual dermasanding abrades the skin with silicone carbide sandpaper. This method is usually considered to be a medium depth procedure and is sometimes used in combination with other methods, such as chemical peels, carbon dioxide lasers, and motorized dermabrasion.

Motorized dermabrasion is a medium-deep or deep procedure and employs the use of a motorized brush or diamond cylinder. These tools are used to remove the outer layers of the skin in a controlled setting. Local anesthesia is used for pain control during the procedure. Dressings usually need to be worn after the procedure and temporary facial swelling and pain are normal. Within 7-10 days, the skin has healed but is often very red. Complete healing may take up to one month and collagen remodeling may continue for months after the procedure. Dermabrasion has been proven to improve the cosmetic appearance of the skin, especially in the treatment of scarring.

Not everyone is a good candidate for dermabrasion. Those with active acne, infections, and other scarring skin conditions may need treatment before undergoing dermabrasion. You and your physician need to decide if dermabrasion is the right procedure for you.

Complications are rare but include infection, prolonged healing, hyperpigmentation, and scarring.

Chemical peels, also known as chemical resurfacing, are chemical treatments to produce an improved appearance of the face. Chemical peels are used for the treatment of photoaging (from sun damage), wrinkles, scarring, acne, precancerous lesions, and discoloration (or dyschromia). Chemical peels produce controlled injury to the skin that promotes the growth of new skin with an improved appearance.

Many different chemicals are used including glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), salicylic acid, “Jessners” solution, and phenol. The different chemical solutions produce different degrees of injury to the skin. There are two layers of the skin; the outer layer is called the epidermis and the inner layer, the dermis. Superficial peels (e.g. glycolic acid) produce very superficial injury confined to the epidermis. Superficial peels can help improve conditions such as acne and dyschromia. Deeper peels (e.g. phenol peels) produce injury within the dermis and can reverse moderate-to-severe photoaging and wrinkles. In general, the deeper peels offer the most dramatic results but require longer recovery periods and carry a higher risk of complications.

Chemical peels have actually been used for hundreds of years and have a proven safety record in the proper hands. However, chemical peels are not for everyone. For example, people who are in poor general health should not get peels. Also, active infections and certain medications (i.e. isotretinoin (Accutane)) may preclude the use of certain types of chemical peels, especially medium and deep. Sometimes, people with abnormal scarring, certain skin diseases, or recent surgeries should not have a chemical peel. You and your physician should decide if chemical peels are safe for you.