The Latest Advances in Stretch Mark Removal
The latest research on stretch mark removal and the benefits of CaHa (Radiesse), Ultherapy, and microneedling.
Morpheus 8 vs. Vivace Ultra: Which One Is Right for You?
A comparison of 2 popular types of radiofrequency microneedling
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: 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 the aging
