We’ve all spent the last few months indulging (perhaps over-indulging!) in holiday festivities and food. And now? It’s a new year when everyone suddenly shift gears to work on being more responsible so they can be the best version of themselves. Whether your goal is to hit the gym, organize your home, lose weight or make an effort to improve your overall appearance, January is always a popular time of year for self-improvement. Because of this, it also happens to be a very popular time for patients coming into our practice! If you’ve ever considered undergoing an aesthetic procedure, you may not be aware that January is actually a great time to act. As the temperatures continue to drop and the sun is often hiding away, we’re likely to spend more time inside and less in the sun (both due to weather and the length of days). It’s also a time of year when people bundle up in layers like turtlenecks and scarves (which are convenient for recovering from swelling, redness and bruising). These factors all make this an optimal time for recovery or “downtime” that we recommend to our patients who undergo a variety of procedures that are more involved. If you’re interested in learning more about some options that are available to you, Dr. Biesman is here to help!
If you’re looking to treat sun damage, acne scars, wrinkles or just seeking optimal skin rejuvenation, laser skin resurfacing is an ideal technology that can produce impressive results when treating severe wrinkles and skin laxity. Now is a great time for this procedure, as downtime is required and winter is a great time to stay indoors to recover. If you have less sun damage and wrinkling and just need a little “refreshing”, we offer a wide variety of resurfacing procedures to match your needs. The recovery time associated with treating deeper wrinkles and more advanced skin laxity is longer than that associated with procedures such as Fraxel which is used to treat more superficial wrinkles and skin discoloration related to sun damage. Recovery time will vary for each patient, as we use a wide range of lasers that vary in intensity, but all promote healing. As a result, the skin begins to eliminate discolored, sun-damaged areas and produces fresh, new skin cells. The regenerated skin is smoother in texture and appears more youthful and vibrant.
INTENSE PULSED LIGHT (IPL)
Perhaps you’re looking to start the year by correcting red or brown skin spots that have long bothered you? If so, Intense Pulsed Light (or IPL) treatments might be right for you! IPL corrects the red and brown skin tones resulting from sun exposure and aging. While the face, neck and chest are the most commonly treated areas, the arms, legs, back and shoulders all respond wonderfully as well. A few treatment sessions spaced approximately a month apart are often required for best outcomes, so it’s great to start now to ensure you reach your optimal results in time for events later this year. Downtime after IPL is minimal, but even still, this isn’t a treatment to have performed within a few days of important photos or events you might have on the calendar.
Kybella® is a purified, naturally occurring product used by our bodies to break down fat in our digestive system. It is a popular option to treat a “double chin” for both men and women without any need for liposuction or surgery. Common side effects include swelling, temporary numbness in the treatment area, and mild discomfort after injection. As with any injection, bruising can occur at the injection site. The winter is a nice time to proceed with Kybella, as wearing turtlenecks makes it easier to hide the swelling. Dr. Biesman was part of the clinical trial that led to FDA approval of this drug, thus allowing Dr. Biesman early experience treating patients with this exciting new product. Dr. Biesman is pleased to have been included in the first group of physicians to obtain access to Kybella and trains other physicians in best practices.
Some other treatments to consider?
- Blepharoplasty (or eyelid surgery) is when we remove or reposition that sagging tissue to create a more bright and youthful appearance. .
- Thermage® is a noninvasive skin-tightening treatment that carefully and precisely heats the skin, inducing a contouring effect by stimulating your skin’s natural collagen production process.
- CoolSculpting® is a major breakthrough in noninvasive body contouring that reduces fat layer thickness safely and effectively without anesthesia, sedation or injections.
- Chemical Peels are a great way to shed the outermost layers of the skin and jump-start your skincare regimen this new year.
If you want to learn more about options that can help you achieve your self improvement goals safely and effectively, schedule a consult with our practice so Dr. Biesman can help start your 2020 off looking and feeling your best!