Treating ‘Ozempic Face’: Non-invasive Facelifts & Skin Tightening
Are you on the lookout for the best Botox provider in Chattanooga, but feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of choices? Look no further! In this blog post, we will guide you through the essential steps…
Non-Surgical Body Contouring: 4 Ways to Sculpt Your Physique
Are you on the lookout for the best Botox provider in Chattanooga, but feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of choices? Look no further! In this blog post, we will guide you through the essential steps…
11 Reasons to Maintain Your Skin With Vivace Every Year
THE SKIN IS AGING EVERYDAY Lack of medical-grade skin rejuvenation maintenance treatments year after year is one of the biggest pitfalls of patients who strive to prevent the aging process. All too often, we see patients who have over-estimated the effectiveness of drug-store or department store skincare products, or rely too heavily on superficial treatments like dermaplaning and facials. Underestimating the importance of aesthetic dermatology devices in one’s annual skincare plan can lead to undesirable outcomes such as negative body image, or early face-lifts accompanied by long periods of downtime and healing. Here are 11 science-based reasons to remember to re-treat your skin with Vivace every year: Book Now 1. Intrinsic aging. Our bodies are continuously undergoing intrinsic aging. Intrinsic aging is the aging caused by our internal biological clock. Age-related changes in our genetics and metabolism result in several changes in the skin, the most notable change being in the basal epidermis layer of the skin. The end result? Thin, dry skin, fine wrinkles, and gradual skin atrophy. A successful preventative aging regimen should include non-surgical rejuvenation on an annual basis to restore and maintain function of the basal epidermis. 2. Extrinsic aging. At the same time we’re undergoing intrinsic aging, our bodies also undergo extrinsic aging. In contrast with intrinsic aging which is unstoppable, extrinsic aging is caused by factors within our control such as lifestyle factors, individual behaviors, and our environment. Collectively, these factors can cause up to 80% of skin aging in the form of sagging, loss of elasticity, coarse wrinkles, and impaired blood flow. Radiofrequency therapies such as Vivace deliver heat at controlled depths to directly rebuild collagen, tighten skin, and rejuvenate blood and nutrient flow to the skin. 3. Air particulates. Soot, cooking fumes, motor vehicle traffic, and daily household chemicals cause daily chemical wear and tear on the skin that can result in skin aging, inflammation, irregular pigmentation, and inflammatory skin diseases. The Vivace technique combats these effects by using minimally invasive microneedles to achieve controlled dermal heat injury. The thermal injury results in destruction of old collagen bundles and initiates a wound healing response, essentially converting abnormal skin to normal skin. 4. UV radiation. Did you know UV light is classified as a complete carcinogen because it both mutates DNA and mutates it in a random fashion? In fact, UV light has properties of both a tumor initiator and a tumor promoter. Whether we spend a summer by the pool, or go on vacation, these UV effects can accumulate over time. This is why making non-surgical skin rejuvenation such as Vivace radiofrequency microneedling is an essential part of any annual skincare regimen. 5. Sugar intake. When we consume dessert, pastas, sweetened coffees and beverages, or pastries that result in a spike in blood sugar, glucose molecules attach themselves to collagen and elastin in the skin in a process called “glycation.” These toxic byproducts of sugar consumption cause clumping and stiffening of the skin fibers, decreased resistance to mechanical forces on the skin, impaired wound healing, and disturbances in the blood flow of the skin. Not to mention, accumulation of glycation in the body is also thought to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gut disorders, eye conditions like cataracts, and cancer. Some expert dermatologists believe that the combination of spikes in blood sugar plus sun exposure is a leading contributor to fine lines around the mouth (such as “lipstick” lines.) Since the average modern diet includes a high amount of sweetened foods and beverages, it is important to continuously combat the effects of glycation by repetitive stimulation of new collagen growth. 6. Dermal remodeling window. Dermal remodeling from any aesthetic device has a limited time window of action. Dermal remodeling slows down 6-12 months after each Vivace treatment. This means the elevated metabolic activity that generates new skin tissue only sustains for 6-12 months, depending on the individual, their lifestyle choices, and their skincare regimens. After that period, a repeat treatment must be done in order to continue the same elevated level of new skin activity. Patients often notice dulling or less radiance in their skin after about 6 months without Vivace. This is a signal that new skin production has slowed and the body has returned to it’s baseline. To keep the biological clock “turned back” and retain the same youthful skin production, the treatment can be repeated. 7. Gravity. Gravitational forces manifest themselves in the form of lowered brows, tear trough length and depth, eye bags, and nasolabial folds. It is believed that heat application from radiofrequency can target both the dermis and the deeper fibrous network below it to achieve increased collagen density, increased organization of collagen fibers, and increased elastin fibers. These results help to counter the effect of gravity with 3-dimensional improvement in thickness, density, firmness and elasticity of the face. Microfocused ultrasound (Ultherapy) is also a powerful method of lifting against gravity. Because we use Botox primarily for its preventative abilities, the ideal patient can range in age from their 20s to 60s. By weakening muscles in the face, it is able to relax facial contractions so they cannot “bunch,” crease, or contort the skin. With continued use over time it can dramatically reduce the lines and wrinkles associated with aging. At this time in present history, there is no other substitute in the dermatology world that can prevent forehead lines, crows feet, bunny lines, or glabella lines as well as botulinum toxin. 8. Daily facial movements. Although Botox is the gold standard for relaxing facial movements that cause creasing and wrinkles over time, an anti-wrinkle regimen that is 100% dependent on Botox is usually not the most natural looking result. Vivace’s microneedle delivery mechanism inserts its pins directly into fine lines or coarse lines, where it can deposit heat that will re-align and reconstruct wrinkled or disorganized bundles of collagen. This allows patients to keep wrinkles at bay without completely removing normal facial movements. 9. “Inflamm-aging.” Inflammaging is a relatively new term coined to describe
How to Prevent Mascne (Mask-Acne)
Have you been noticing more breakouts since the arrival of coronavirus 2020? It’s entirely possible your new acne may be caused by increased mask usage. We like to refer to this particular type of acne as “mascne” (Mask-acne.) Folks who work in healthcare are very familiar with mascne but for those of us who aren’t accustomed to wearing a mask, this acne is likely an unwanted surprise. Book Now WHAT CAUSES MASCNE? Mascne is brought on by a combination of friction, dirt collection, and increased moisture retention. All of these factors contribute to debris and oil on the skin, which is basically heaven for Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria that cause comedones or pimples. 1. Wash daily… Wash your mask, that is. If you have a cloth mask wash it every day or buy several so you can change them out daily. Our bodies shed thousands of dead skin cells everyday, so your mask will accumulate more than enough pore-clogging debris after one day of use. Of course, cleansing your face at least once a day is still essential for acne-free skin. You can cleanse even more frequently by investing in some facial cleansing cloths. Colorescience hydrating cleansing cloths ($19) are perfect for removing oil and build-up on the go. 2. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. You’re going to need to exfoliate about twice as often as you were before prior to wearing a mask. Frequent exfoliation allows the corneocytes (the dead cells that form the outermost layer of the skin) to shed more rapidly, giving them less of a chance to clog pores. Individuals with extremely oily skin may have to exfoliate as often as everyday. Pro tip: Opt for gentle chemical exfoliants such as glycolic or lactic acid that do the work for you. Avoid using physical scrubs that damage the skin barrier; these can actually exacerbate acne. We like Biologique Recherche Lotion P50. Colorescience hydrating cleansing cloths ($19) are perfect for removing oil and build-up on the go. 3. Use salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is your new best friend during this time. This is one of the most time tested anti-acne ingredients. Not only will it help shed that top layer of dead skin, but it’s also highly anti-inflammatory. You can find salicylic acid in various cleansers or toners. At our clinic, we recommend a triple therapy salicylic acid treatment kit ($68) for our acne patients. Reveskin’s Acne Purifying Treatment Kit penetrates deeper into the skin than over-the-counter salicylic acid formulations. Available for purchase online for $68. 4. Lather with benzoyl peroxide cleanser daily. Benzoyl peroxide is lethal to acne bacteria. A 60 second lather with this daily will help keep the acne population on your skin under control. 2% Salicylic acid toner, available for $29.50 at Paula’s Choice. 5. Get an anti-acne treatment. Radiofrequency microneedling Vivace treatments decrease sebum production for an extended period of time which will provide acne relief for up to 8 weeks. Skintox (microdroplets of Botox placed in the epidermis) also halts oil production for 2-3 months. Microneedling is yet another great way to put a damper on ongoing acne and will speed reduction of pre-existing acne scars and associated discoloration. Vivace, a cutting edge radiofrequency microneedling device that diminishes acne production. With these tips under your belt you should be able to recover your glowing skin in no time, yet still continue to stay safe while wearing your mask for hours per day! To book a consult for acne at SLK, please request an appointment here. Book Now
The Best Treatments For Acne
“I’m not a teenager anymore, why do I still have acne?” This is a common question we hear from our patients. The truth is, it is relatively common for acne to continue or even start in adulthood. Although acne is commonly thought of as a problem of adolescence, it can occur at any age. Here are some of the best treatment options to help treat stubborn active acne and also residual acne scars after the acne has cleared. BOOK NOW 1. RADIOFREQUENCY MICRONEEDLING Radiofrequency microneedling has been shown to reduce active acne, redness and acne scars. The glands in our face, called sebaceous glands, are responsible for the oil production that leads to breakouts. These glands are easily impacted by heat. RF microneedling uses tiny needles to deliver heat energy directly into these glands, thus damaging them. Once gland activity is diminished, patients experience less acne as the pores experience less build-up. A single session of radiofrequency microneedling, can result in a reduction in oil secretion of 70-80%. 2 treatment sessions have been shown to result in a up to 50% reduction in acne blemishes, and three treatment sessions have been shown to result in up to a 76% reduction in blemishes. How long do these results last? Radiofrequency microneedling keeps acne at bay for up to 8 weeks, at which time another maintenance treatment should be performed. At SLK, we have developed a radiofrequency microneedling protocol especially for patients prone to acne. We also utilize a blue LED light during acne treatments. This wavelength of light is particularly effective at killing one of the main bacterial culprits of acne: Propionibacterium acnes. 2. CHEMICAL PEELS Some chemical peels address both acne and hyperpigmentation. Acne is inextricably tied to inflammation in the skin. Inflammation stimulates pigment production in the area causing noticeable increased areas of discoloration. Certain types of medical-grade skin peels contain prescription-doses of active ingredients that simultaneously lift pigment and clear acne. Usually only a medical professional is licensed to use these types of peel. A peel is the quickest way to remove years of acne and damage caused by acne. During the peel, the top layer of skin is exfoliated off targeting hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and acne. Results take about 1 week to see. At SLK we use a peel specifically formulated for acne patients called the Acne Purifying Peel. This peel combines the power of micronized silver and salicylic acid to banish acneic bacteria from the skin. 3. MICRONEEDLING Occasionally I recommend that individuals who battle hyperpigmentation, scarring, or rough texture caused by acne receive a combination of a peel with microneedling. Microneedling is used to treat scarring, smooth depressions, and improve the overall look and feel of your skin. The procedure will rebuild collagen, plus the microchannels can be used as an entryway for PRP which is especially effective at combatting acne and acne scars. At SLK, we use the newest version of SkinPen Precision -Series 4. SkinPen is FDA approved and is the only pen on the market that uses smart technology to detect skin resistance and intuitively increase the motor speed when working on denser tissue. SkinPen ensures the needles insert all the way into any tissue, no matter the density. This is especially important when treating tough tissue caused by acne damage. 4. HOME SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR ACNE We highly recommend consulting with a skincare professional who can design a proper skincare regimen for you (and weed out the products that aren’t helpful, or a waste of your money). Here are some of the key products often recommended for acne patients: 10% Benzyol Peroxide face wash: kills acne bacteria Salicylic acid pads: reduces buildup of dead skin – exfoliates and unclogs pores, reduces inflammation and redness. Vitamin C: helps lighten and brighten hyperpigmenation from acne scars. Retinol: increases cell turnover so pores do not clog, improves healing, lightens dark scars. Growth Factors: your ticket to scarless, accelerated healing if an outbreak does occur. They are also anti-inflammatory. At SLK, we are experts in designing customized skincare plans that incorporate both acne treatments and skincare products. To book your skincare consult, follow the link below: BOOK NOW
What Is The Best Device For Skin Tightening?
“What can be done about my loose skin?” This is one of the most popular questions we hear at SLK Clinic during our consultations. Loose skin can happen anywhere on the body as we age. Luckily SLK offers skin tightening solutions that can treat loose skin on practically any body part. BOOK NOW So what causes our skin to loosen? Men and women alike lose vital collagen and elastin during the lifespan as part of the natural aging process. Aged collagen and elastin increases the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and loose skin. Loss of collagen, and more importantly elastin are two of the most vital contributing factors to aged skin. Age is not the only factor contributing to loose skin. Patients with significant weight fluctuations due to pregnancy or lifestyle choices may also benefit from skin tightening once their weight stabilizes. What is the best treatment for skin tightening? SLK Clinic offers a revolutionary solution for skin tightening. The Vivace device is a microneedling system that derives its power from specifically targeted radiofrequency waves designed to build new collagen and elastin. Vivace is one of the most revolutionary devices on the market and is completely customizable to each patient’s skin tightening needs. Vivace precisely delivers the perfect amount of tailored energy during every treatment to change the overall appearance and structure of the skin. The final result of Vivace establishes new elastin in the skin providing a lifting and tightening effect. Elastin production ramps up after Vivace is performed and continues to produce extra amounts until approximately six months after the procedure. How often should I have Vivace performed for skin tightening? Vivace for skin tightening should be performed in a series of three sessions. More sessions may be added as needed for tailored results. WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR AREAS TO TIGHTEN WITH VIVACE? Some of SLK’s most popular treatment areas include: around the eyes, submental “double chin”, arms, abdomen, back, flanks “love handles”, above the knees and derriere. What is the downtime after Vivace for skin tightening? There is practically no downtime after Vivace is performed. You may expect some mild, transient redness that resembles a sunburn the day of the treatment. Any redness will quickly subside. If downtime is a concern SLK offers special growth factors that may be used in addition to the treatment to reduce already minimal downtime. Is Vivace a type of surgery? No, Vivace is not a type of surgery although the results on some patients may resemble surgery. All patients with loose skin can benefit from Vivace skin tightening. BOOK NOW
How To Get Results That Last With The Vivace Treatment
ANATOMY LESSON Collagen and elastin are two of the most important words in aesthetic dermatology. So, why are collagen and elastin so important? As the human body ages, collagen production significantly decreases as well as the quality of collagen produced. Decreased collagen production and quality results in skin that is less youthful looking with increased fine lines and wrinkles. Elastin’s name takes after its function – elasticity and allows the skin to stretch and come back to its initial state. Elastin is also lost over time. Elastin and collagen are two of the most important aspects of skin to address to turn back the aging process. Book Now STIMULATING COLLAGEN AND ELASTIN Over the counter products claim to have the ability of affecting collagen and elastin. Product claims are usually very exaggerated and cannot live up to their touted effects. Over the counter products mostly affect the stratum corneum (dead layer) of the skin and the epidermis. This is important because collagen and elastin reside in the dermis (living layer of skin), not the epidermis or stratum corneum. In essence, the over the counter products are wasting consumers time and money. VIVACE – MUCH MORE THAN JUST MICRONEEDLING Vivace is one of the most revolutionary devices on the market that can rebuild collagen and elastin. It is a medical device that delivers radiofrequency (heat) waves through the pins. New collagen is formed with the application of radiofrequency waves. The addition of new collagen helps smooth lines, tighten pores, and resurface scars. Radiofrequency is also proven to establish new elastin in the skin. New elastin has a skin lifting and skin tightening effect. New elastin and collagen give the skin a more youthful glow and in effect turns back time on aging. Collagen and elastin production ramps up after Vivace is performed and continues to produce extra amounts until approximately six months after the procedure. Lastly, the radiofrequency evens out skin tone by decreasing melanin production. Melanin is responsible for skin color. AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR VIVACE? Almost everyone is a good candidate for Vivace. Unfortunately, there are some absolute contraindications that must be discussed with your Vivace provider including but not limited to: pregnancy, breastfeeding, implanted electronic devices, Accutane use, and seizures triggered by light. It is important to tell your provider all of your current medications and medical concerns to establish if you are a good candidate for Vivace. Vivace can be used wherever you experience loose skin, including your face, neck, chest, abdomen, thighs, and more. START REMOVING FACIAL WRINKLES NOW Please call us at 615-873-4110 to schedule a consultation or book a consult online to discuss skin care goals and to see if you are a good candidate. Book Now
Skin Tightening: What Is The Best Way To Tighten Loose Skin?
Collagen and elastin are the two proteins that help skin stay firm, plump, and hydrated. These begin to decline as we age. Starting at age 20, a person produces about 1% less collagen each year. The result of lost collagen and elastin is loose, crepey, sagging skin on the face, neck and body. With advances in science and technology in the past 20 years, we finally have an excellent non-invasive treatment option available that allows us to avoid going under the knife with surgery. Book Now Non-surgical skin tightening devices work by using targeted radiofrequency energy to heat deeper layers of skin, in order to stimulate collagen and elastin production. The goal of these procedures is to gradually improve the skin with periodic treatments over time. This painless technology improves mild to moderately loose skin on the face, neck or body without surgery or scars. At SLK, we use a 5th generation radiofrequency device called Vivace. Vivace skin tightening technology is much-improved from it’s older cousins like Thermage and Fraxel. It uses a handheld microneedling device that uses 36 gold pins which use fine robotic movements to deliver completely painless energy with every pulse. Vivace tightens skin practically anywhere on the body. At SLK, we use this device to tighten abdomens, thighs, arms, and backs, and of course, many faces, necks and chests. The device is extremely effective at restoring firm, smooth skin and a more youthful appearance with little to no downtime. Your treatment does not stop in our office; we give each patient extensive instructions on how to continue stimulating production of new skin long-term. For adequate skin tightening results, a series of 3-6 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart is recommended. Skin takes several months to produce new collagen and elastin after a Vivace treatment is completed. All SLK patients are sent home with the appropriate, medical-grade products to optimize recovery and maximize results. Full results can be visualized six months after your last Vivace session. For more information on skin tightening, please schedule a consultation with us in our Nashville office. Book Now
RF Microneedling VS Microneedling
Microneedling is trending in aesthetic dermatology. The procedure is talked about everywhere from Instagram to beauty magazines as one of the newest, must have procedures. But what exactly is microneedling? BOOK NOW 1.IPL IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. It is often referred to as a laser, which is a misnomer, since IPL uses bright flash lamps, rather than isolated beams of laser light. IPL is very effective at removing brown spots like freckles and sun spots, however it is not safe for anyone with tan skin because the device cannot differentiate between the melanin in a dark spot and the baseline melanin that makes up someone’s skin color. Due to this limitation, many offices have shied away from using IPL in recent years, or sold off their devices. 2. PEELS: Whereas topical therapies such as retinoid creams can be very slow-acting, chemical peels rapidly lift all types of hyperpigmentation in a matter of days, including freckles, sun spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne scars. Chemical peels can also be tailored to be safe on all skin colors, and they can be used all over the body- including the chest, arms, legs, and back. Unlike IPL which is better for “spot treatments” and cannot evenly treat large areas of skin, chemical peels can be spread evenly over large stretches of skin. It is important to recognize, however, that the results of peels completely depend on the frequency and quality of topical skincare (See our past posts for more on this) used before and after treatment. If your provider does not have a thorough discussion with you about pre-care and after-care, this is probably a red-flag that they do not have a deep knowledge of how the peeling process works. Peels also have the added benefit of inducing the repair mechanisms of the epidermis and dermis, resulting in brighter, thicker, more overall glowing skin. Our favorite Peel is Revepeel because it is the safest for all skin colors. ViPeel is another effective, commonly used peel. 3. MICRONEEDLING. Although chemical peels and IPL have been in use for decades, only recently has microneedling been studied as a way to remove pigmentation. About 6 clinical studies since 2011 have shown the benefits of microneedling, and that these benefits are augmented when used in conjunction with excellent pre-care and after-care, or when alternated with chemical peels. In particular, microneedling is a very safe technique for dark skin types, where risk of side effects is very high with techniques that are light or laser-based. Some of the most commonly used microneedling devices include: MDPen, Skin Stylus, and Skin Pen. BOOK NOW
The 5 Types Of Radiofrequency Skin Tightening Devices
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY RADIOFREQUENCY DEVICES? Are you interested in skin tightening? Are you confused by all the different options of radiofrequency (RF) devices on the market? The reason so many devices exist is because radiofrequency skin tightening technology has advanced rapidly in the past 20 years, with new and improved devices being released every few years. Read below for a quick overview of all the types of RF microneedling devices on the market right now: book now 1. FIRST GENERATION RADIOFREQUENCY DEVICES FDA approval: Early 2000s Devices: Thermage, Exilis, Pelleve. Cons: Pain, poor skin penetration, very shallow treatment depths In the early 2000s, the very first RF skin tightening technology was monopolar based. What does that mean? Monopolar energy uses a grounding pad and an electrode placed on the skin. The energy travels from the electrode through the skin to generate heat within, and back to the grounding pad. High levels of energy (100 watts or more) are needed to complete the circuit because skin is resistant to electrical current. Unfortunately, these high wattages cause a significant level of pain. Additionally, these devices are limited to only treating the superficial dermis and upper epidermis. 2. SECOND GENERATION RADIOFREQUENCY DEVICES FDA approval: 2005 Devices: Velashape Cons: Still painful. When an electrode loses contact with the skin, an arc is created resulting in burns and blisters. To combat issues with the pain from first-generation RF devices, bipolar technology was developed. This new concept used a positive and negative electrode which are placed on the skin simultaneously. The energy between the two points then completes the circuit. A gliding handpiece was also implemented so that patient pain could be minimized while achieving higher temperatures. 3. THIRD GENERATION RADIOFREQUENCY DEVICES FDA approval: 2011 Devices: Pollogen The third generation of RF based technology is tri-polar RF. Tri-polar circuits have two negative and one positive electrode to complete the circuit. RF currents can thus be applied to the body without discomfort as the current change is too quick to depolarize a nerve. This technology also allows for theoretically a deeper penetration of RF energy as the poles are spaced farther out than that of bipolar RF. This device is much more comfortable, however the tightening results were inconsistent due to the poor penetration of energy beneath the skin. 4. FOURTH GENERATION RADIOFREQUENCY DEVICES FDA approval: 2011-2013 Devices: Venus Freeze and Venus Legacy The fourth generation of RF is multipolar radiofrequency. These treatments are designed to change the direction of the electromagnetic field while the practitioner moves the hand piece. Some handpieces also include a vacuum to manipulate lymphatic drainage. This device penetrates deeper to target both fat and collagen. This is a great option to use on the body or for patients post-liposuction. 5. FIFTH GENERATION RADIOFREQUENCY TIGHTENING DEVICES FDA approval: 2016 Devices: Cartessa Vivace, Endymed Intensif, Candela Profound, Cutera Secret, Lutronic Infini Cons: The depth of penetration is too superficial to be effective for fat reduction. Certain manufacturers’ RF microneedling devices are still quite painful.Price is more expensive because this is the latest technology. One challenge that has remained in the use of radiofrequency is the consistency of results. This is largely due to the resistance of radiofrequency in different types and densities of skin. Theories range from skin hydration, sun damage, age, to collagen and elastin densities. As a response to this challenge, radiofrequency combined with microneedling has been the most recent development in RF technology. With the addition of needles to the radiofrequency device, energy waves are now able to bypass the resistant skin surface, transmitting high levels of heat into the deeper layers of skin without the need for high power wattages. This results in a much less painful patient experience, and much more predictable results from patient to patient. RADIOFREQUENCY MICRONEEDLING INDICATIONS: Acne vulgaris Acne scarring Scarring Skin rejuvenation Skin tightening Stretch marks Primary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RF MICRONEEDLING? BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULT: book now
