OUR PROGAM
Many patients who are interested in doing everything they can to improve their facial appearances, even surgery, are often not taking optimal care of their skins. Because facial surgery can only tighten or reposition skin, muscle, and fat that have changed with aging but not change the character of the skin itself, the best results are usually obtained by a combination of surgery and skin care or sometimes even skin care alone.

We have cared for hundreds of patients in the past six years through our Skin Solutions program, largely using the BioMedic product line. "Before" and "After" photographs of each of these patients have convinced us of the effectiveness of this program, and all patients are invited to examine these photographs when they come to the office for consultation.

HOW YOUR SKIN AGES
The biology and character of the skin changes as we age; the amount of change is determined by heredity, skin type, history of acne or rosacea, and many other environmental factors such as sun exposure or smoking. In general, the rate of new skin cell turnover and maturation slows, so that fewer new cells come to the surface at a decreased rate; and the surface, shedding, layer of the skin becomes thicker. Skin elasticity and circulation decrease, new pigmentation ("age spots") can appear, pore size becomes coarser, and the skin appears drier, less rosy, and more lined.

All of these changes can be reversed, at least in part, by good skin care, a combination of treatments that you perform yourself morning and evening, and light "peels" that are performed here by my esthetician, Jennifer Cross. The peels are essentially deep cleansings or exfoliations; they are not painful and do not require healing. Patients can resume work or other normal activities immediately after leaving the office.

TYPES OF PEELS
Peels come in three varieties: The MicroPeel [30% Glycolic acid or Lactic Acid (for sensitive skin)], the MicroPeel Plus (20 or 30% Salicylic acid), and the MicroDelivery II (microdermabrasion with or without added Vitamin C). Each of these peel methods has specific indications, and what is best for you will depend upon your own skin type, your goals, your skin sensitivity, the speed and aggressiveness of the program that you desire, the constraints of your schedule (i.e., how often you can return for office appointments), and Jennifer's professional judgment about the type of treatment that will benefit you most. In addition to the peels themselves, we frequently add prescription medications like Retin-A, Hydroquinone, or other medications for acne, rosacea, or pigmentation as necessary.

HOW WE MONITOR YOUR PROGRESS
Every treatment program is approved by me, and Jennifer is in constant contact with both me and (as needed) the representatives at BioMedic so that each patient's progress can be carefully monitored and so that we can modify your program as often as necessary to maximize the results. We treat this nonsurgical procedure as seriously as any of the operations that we perform. Our photographic documentation and years of experience with this program have convinced us of its efficacy, and BioMedic has been so impressed with the extraordinary results that Jennifer has been able to achieve that they have used some of our patient photographs (with the patients' permission, of course) on their own web site. I attribute the success of the program to the quality of the products themselves; to the willingness of our patients to follow their programs with dedication; and, most of all, to Jennifer's skill in creating the right program for each patient, educating and instructing each patient carefully, and having the type of magical personality that motivates our patients to carry out their programs correctly and consistently.

IN SUMMARY
If you want your teeth to look good as you age, you have to take care of them. Just think of how much less environmental exposure your teeth have than your skin does. Good skin care is the equivalent of good care of your teeth, hair, nails, or physique; Skin Solutions is like taking your skin to the gym. Results are usually evident within two to three months, and like consistent exercise, improve with time. There is never an endpoint: Just as you can always condition your body better, you can improve your skin.

For specific questions about treatment programs, costs, or information about consultations, please contact the office directly by phone during our business hours of 9:00AM - 5:00PM, Monday through Friday.