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Tag: wrinkles

The Benefits of Botox for Men

Man receiving Botox injection in forehead.

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

scarring

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

Why Botox Alone Is Not Enough To Stop Wrinkles

BOTOX IS A ONE DIMENSIONAL APPROACH Although Botox has a household name and seems to be synonymous with anti-aging, it is a very small component of achieving youthful skin. Botulinum toxin can be found in various injectable forms including: Botox, Dysport, and Jeuveau. Injected botulinum toxin plays a large part in slowing down the aging process by relaxing muscles. Although regular injections with neurotoxins are vitally important for wrinkle prevention, it is only one small part of aging prevention.  MULTIDIMENSIONAL APPROACH Botox only treats one dimension of our face: the muscles. Our faces also have other organs that age with time such as skin, fat, and bone. To adequately prevent aging, a multidimensional approach is most effective. Addressing all components of the face are essential to a successful anti-aging regimen. HOW CAN I PREVENT SIGNS OF AGING? Our genetics cannot change but skincare, lifestyle choices and preventative measures can be addressed. Small acts of prevention can add up over time to have the overall effect of slowing down the aging process. SKINCARE ROUTINE TO SUPPORT BOTOX RESULTS: One of the first and most budget-friendly steps you can take is changing up your skincare regimen. Opt for professional-grade skincare products instead of off-the-shelf products from department stores or pharmacies: Retinol: Nouvelle Retinol 0.6% Correction Cream by Neocutis helps diminish fine lines and wrinkles by increasing cell turnover as well as the production of collagen. Sunscreen: The Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield protects against UVA & UVB, blue (HEV) light, pollution, and infrared radiation (IR). Antioxidants: Biopelle Antioxidant Defense Serum delivers dramatic results to help repair damaged skin. It also is a strong protectant against environmental stressors, such as pollution and free radicals. The serum features powerful growth factors and anti-aging benefits and is fortified with Vitamin C, Ferulic acid and Edafence (which is an exclusive plant-based ingredient from Antarctica that delivers powerful antioxidant defense).  Stem Cells/Growth Factors: As we age, the cells in our skin break down and skin stem cells are less able to replace them. Biopelle’s Tensage Stem Cell Cream features Cellpro Technology, a unique, natural ingredient extracted from snail eggs to help improve skin’s appearance during the aging process. LIVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE: Stop smoking: Tobacco smoke contains toxins that can lead to premature aging including dull and dry complexion, loss of skin’s firmness, premature lines and wrinkles, and leathery skin.  Protect Your Skin from the Sun: Seek shade and cover up (hats, long sleeves, long skirts and pants).  Eat healthy foods & stay hydrated: A healthy diet promotes healthy skin. Make sure you stay hydrated and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.  Avoid spikes in blood sugar from sugary foods like sweets and pastries, because this can also cause wrinkles over time. Get enough sleep: It’s called beauty rest for a reason. Skin repair occurs predominantly at night time. Sleep gives your body time to refresh and renew itself. IN CLINIC TREATMENTS TO COMPLEMENT BOTOX: The following treatments are considered crucial anti-aging maintenance. Without a couple of these treatments per year, your skin’s quality and collagen production will continue to decline. Microneedling & Vivace (Microneedling with Radiofrequency) stimulates collagen and elastin. Building these skin proteins diminishes fine lines and wrinkles that have become too deep for Botox to correct on it’s own. These treatments are recommended every 6 months for maintenance. Chemical Peels help with resurfacing the skin reducing fine lines and wrinkles. We recommend 2-3 peels per year. Neurotoxin Injections (Botox) every three months to relax facial muscles is still essential to preventing those creases from facial expressions. WHAT DOES SLK CLINIC OFFER TO FIGHT SIGNS OF AGING? In the battle against signs of aging, SLK clinic offers many measures to help prevent and treat signs of aging. Radiofrequency, Botox, microneedling, chemical peels and medical grade skincare products all help with fine lines, skin tone, and texture. Used in combination with scheduled Botox injections, a patient will find wrinkles diminish and an overall slowing of the aging process.

Microneedling vs Hydrafacial: which is better?

Microneedling and Hydrafacial Hydrafacial and Microneedling are two of the most talked about aesthetic procedures available to patients. The providers at SLK Clinic are frequently asked by our Nashville patients to discuss, compare, and explain which treatment option is better. Below are some of the most common questions we receive: WHY ARE THESE TWO PROCEDURES SO WILDLY POPULAR? Hydrafacial Infusion The hydrafacial procedure is a non-invasive technique that utilizes a suction device to extract debris in clogged pores, exfoliate, and hydrate the skin all during the procedure. The infusion aspect of Hydrafacial means serums are administered during the procedure into the newly unclogged pores. The procedure in essence is an extremely effective facial compared to traditional facial methods. The newly highly hydrated skin has the temporary effect of smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. The Hydrafacial procedure is usually performed by a non-medically licensed provider such as an esthetician.  Cleaning action of Hydrafacial using the suction device. Microneedling Microneedling is the process of causing controlled micro-injuries to the skin through the process of thousands of fine needle pokes. When there is an injury to the skin, the body begins to immediately repair itself through a process called the healing cascade. A vital component of the healing cascade is the addition of new collagen. Collagen production changes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by resurfacing the skin. Another very important aspect of microneedling is the needle depth as the procedure is performed. The needle depth determines what layer of skin is affected by the treatment. For new collagen to form, a needle must reach the dermis layer of skin. Only medically licensed providers can microneedle at an appropriate depth for collagen resurfacing. The healing cascade of microneedling. Growth Factor infusion during Microneedling Another positive aspect of microneedling is the addition of growth factors. Microneedling provides us a window of opportunity to infuse growth factors that normally wouldn’t be able to penetrate deep into the skin on their own. Growth factors significantly drive up collagen production because growth factors act as signalers. Growth factors summon stem cells which responsible for regeneration and new growth. When topical growth factors are combined with microneedling, growth factors are allowed to penetrate deeper into the skin than typically possible, thus increasing healing properties as well as collagen production. How does microneedling with growth factors stack up against Hydrafacial infusion? Both procedures have benefits and deciding between the two varies depending on what treatment goals are. If a patient is looking for short-term reduced appearance of pores for an event with no downtime, then Hydrafacial is the best procedure. If a patient is ok with a few days of redness and is looking for a permanent solution for fine lines, wrinkles, scars, enlarged pores, and uneven skin tone, then microneedling is the best option. What does SLK Clinic offer? SLK’s mission is to deliver medical-grade aesthetic procedures that provide long-term results. Microneedling fits this treatment philosophy but Hydrafacial does not which is why SLK offers microneedling with growth factors and not Hydrafacial infusions.  VIEW BEFORE/AFTER PHOTOS OF MICRONEEDLING AT SLK

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