Category Archives: acne treatment

true medspa acne treatment

Best Acne Treatment in Scottsdale: Celebrate the Freedom of Clear Skin

true medspa acne treatment

This Independence Day Get Your Clear Skin Back

Truly feel FREE in your own skin… Through the whole month of July, True Med Spa is offering $250 OFF your Acne Photofacial Package. Get your best skin with this 1 month treatment (8 bi-weekly sessions). But don’t stop there. We will send you home with a FREE Acne Defense Kit (Value $100) too! Why? Because we care about your skin and we want to see you glowing and confident this summer.

Free Acne Care Scottsdale

Best Acne Products (Yours for FREE)

Our acne treatment product line is targeted to give your skin the ongoing care it needs to stay fresh all throughout the summer.** So feel confident at the pool, don’t cake your skin with makeup to cover your pimples and instead let your clear skin shine!

Acne Photofacial treatment is 100% safe and it works. During the hot Arizona summer months your skin begins to sweat, opening your pores and trapping bacteria. Each Acne Photofacial treatment targets the bacteria beneath your skin and eliminates it. After your 1 month of treatments (8 total), you too will see results.**

Great staff and service! Dr. Choi is awesome and his wife, who did my photofacial, was very sweet and thorough. – My face feels great, I’m a dedicated customer now!

– Monique V. (source Yelp! website)

See all of our July Specials

Or Book Now: (480) 429-4000

 

managing oily skin

Tips for Managing Oily Skin

managing oily skin

The sheen of oily skin feels unattractive, and detracts from the fresh look many of us prefer. Why does our skin get so oily? Unfortunately, genetics is the primary cause and there’s not much we can do about that. Hormonal ups and downs, stress and humid weather can increase the oil your skin produces. Also, heavy makeup can trap oil and trigger acne problems. Touching your skin with fingers or cell phone also make the problem worse. After all, the oil plays a role in keeping skin healthy and supple. The problem arises when there’s too much of a good thing – as excess oil leads to acne and other blemishes. We’ve got a few tips for oily skin to help you achieve a balance.

Skin Care Tips For Oily Skin

Gentle foaming cleanses are the best way to manage oily skin. Both morning and night, a gentle cleanser will help keep oil under control. Harsh soaps can actually trigger oil production. A washcloth or buff puff can have the same effect.
If those steps haven’t sufficiently cut oiliness, try a product that includes an acid such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or beta-hydroxy acid. These are often referred to as acne products, but they’re fine for oily skin, too.  Cosmetic blotting papers help remove oil without drying your skin. Medicated pads with glycolic acid, salicylic acid or other oil-cutting acid ingredients also help control oil.

For some people, facial masks and clays help draw out oils and cleanses pores, but there may be drying. Kaolin is the ingredient in clay that absorbs oil and helps soothe skin; once per week is plenty. Matifying primers can also help absorb oil and reduce the shine. When choosing sunscreens, look for an oil-free sunscreen.

Regular facials are good for all skin types but especially for oily skin. Read this post for more information on how often you should be getting a facial.

Facial Products For Oily Skin

At TrueMedSpa, we advise patients to use our Epionce GENTLE FOAMING CLEANSER, which effectively removes surface impurities and dissolves makeup without leaving the skin feeling tight, dry or stripped of its natural protective oils. This very gentle cleanser is comprised of natural Willow Bark Extract, Date Fruit Extract and Marshmallow Extract and is set at optimal pH, so it’s ideal for normal-to-combination skin. The cleanse won’t harm skin and the extracts provide a natural protective barrier. The cleanser leaves skin feeling comfortable and clean.

LYTIC GEL CLEANSER is an Epionce favorite, a refreshing go-to cleanser for oily and problem skin types. This cleanser effectively dissolves dirt, oil and makeup, and calms the visible appearance of irritated skin without over-drying. It cleanses without harming the skin’s protective barrier, and is ideal for oily/problem, scaling or blemished skin. Ingredients: Willow Bark Extract, Date Fruit Extract and Marshmallow Extract.

PURIFYING TONER helps remove traces of dirt, oil and makeup. Botanical ingredients reduce surface shine while helping control factors that can lead to the visible appearance of problem or irritated skin. Set at optimal pH, the cleanse gently reduces oil, shine and blemishes. Great for combination, oily and problem skin. Ingredients: Willow Bark Extract, Salicylic Acid, Marshmallow Root Extract, Menthol

Best Facial For Oily Skin

Our True Acne Facial is an effective way to get rid of excess oil as well as non-inflammatory or comedonal acne (whiteheads and blackheads). Comedones occur when pores get clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Facial exfoliation takes off the top layer of skin, which unclogs pores and helps oil flow naturally through the follicles, thus avoiding future breakouts. Extractions remove the existing comedones, which both helps your appearance and also lessens the likelihood of developing a pimple (which occurs when a comedone becomes inflamed).

For the best results, we also recommend our Acne Hydrafacial MD, True Acne Photofacial, and/or True iPixel Laser treatment to effectively minimize acne causing bacteria and acne scars. When getting facials for oily skin and acne, the aesthetician will perform each of the following procedures:

  • Visia Skin Analysis: Our medical aesthetician performs a Visia Skin Analysis to thoroughly evaluate your skin conditions, such as acne, acne scars, sun damage, pores size and skin tone. While older skin is less likely to have breakouts, sometimes there can be deep congestion (blackheads) due to a build up of dead skin on the outer most layer.
  • Cleansing and skin evaluation: The aesthetician wipes away any excess oil and dirt with a cotton pad or sponge. He/she then looks at your skin with a magnifying glass to evaluate your acne, sun damage, dehydration, and/or other conditions.
  • Exfoliation: By definition, an exfoliant removes the top layer of your skin, which primarily consists of dead skin cells. Exfoliation is either a mechanical or chemical process: Mechanical exfoliants are scrubs or other course products that rub away dead skin. Chemical exfoliants are acids and enzymes that slough off dead skin.
  • Extractions: An extraction is the physical unclogging of a clogged pore. The aesthetician uses a specific technique on each acne lesion, forcing the pus, bacteria, and sometimes blood up through the clogged follicle opening. It is a procedure that should only be performed by an experienced aesthetician or dermatologist as it can damage your pores if done incorrectly.

Makeup Tricks For Oily Skin

To maintain a fresh oil-free look through the day:

  • Start with a moisturizing matifying lotion to absorb oil. This keeps oil from mixing with your foundation. Choose a lightweight lotion that will absorb oil.
  • Use a damp sponge to refresh skin during the day.
  • Use blotting papers to remove oil and blotting powder to erase the shine.
  • Before applying eye shadow, use a dry eye primer or powder on the lid.
  • Drink plenty of water. If you stay hydrated, your skin won’t produce as much oil.
  • Use a lightweight moisturizer to help control oil production.

At True Med Spa, our aestheticians use the latest techniques and technology to ensure we are safely delivering the medical results that you are looking for. We hope that you find confidence in our knowledge and expertise and choose us to help you achieve your aesthetic goal. Contact us to schedule a complimentary skin analysis today.

scottsdale facial for men

Skin Care Regimen for Men

scottsdale facial for men

Although you might not want to admit it, men want to look their best. But adult acne, sun damage, and fine lines and wrinkles are hard to escape. Most men don’t have a skin care regimen—do you? With a few changes, it’s possible to keep your facial skin looking young and healthy.

Skin Concerns for Men

Men have many of the same skin concerns as women; primarily sun damage and environmental factors and aging skin.

Sun Damage and Environment

Your skin is a complex living mechanism with cells that regenerate every 30 days or so. New cells come to the surface and flatten to form the top layer of the epidermis, while older cells are constantly being shed.  From the moment you step outside in the morning, your skin feels the effects of the environment. Pollution, toxins, wind, and UV rays known as free radicals cause undetectable damage. Unlike women who may wear makeup with an SPF on a daily basis, many men do not use daily sun protection. Without protection from the sun, harmful ultraviolet rays (UV rays) can cause sun damage, wrinkles and crow’s feet.

Aging Skin

Intrinsic factors in the natural aging process also play a role and can contribute to enzyme loss, reduced collagen and dehydration. This combination of factors can speed up the development of free radicals, blocking skin cells from performing at their best and ultimately leading to a decline in elasticity, resilience, tone and texture.

But environment isn’t the only factor that damages skin; our facial expressions also accelerate the aging process, resulting in the development of fine lines and wrinkles like crow’s feet.  As we age, the rate of healthy young cells that migrate to the topmost layer slows down, which makes skin look dull. Additionally, over time our skin becomes thinner and drier. We also lose collagen, the main structural protein in connective tissue that provides our skin with a plump healthy appearance.

Facials for Men

A facial nourishes your brand-new skin cells, providing increased blood circulation and helping to remove the dead cells on top of your skin. Facials can also treat a myriad of skin problems including facial and body acne, sun damage, age spots, dry skin, broken capillaries, fine lines, and signs of aging.

Your skin condition and age will partially determine how often to get a facial. Depending on your skin type and skin care goals, you may need only a monthly facial or multiple treatments over a period of months. At True Med Spa, your medical aesthetician will set up a facial treatment plan that will give you the very best results for your skin care goals.

Benefits of Regular Facials for Men

With regular facials, you benefit from the expertise of a medical aesthetician and brighter, healthier skin. A cleansing and skin evaluation allows for a custom evaluation of specific conditions like dry skin, broken capillaries, age spots, sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles. How often you need a facial depends on your skin care goals and can be discussed during a consultation.

In addition to a targeted skin care regimen, regular facials also exfoliate your skin which can make you look younger and healthier. Exfoliation removes the top layer of your skin primarily consisting of dead skin cells. Exfoliation is either a mechanical or chemical process that works to remove dry, dull, or dead skin cells and reveal healthy skin underneath. Mechanical exfoliants are scrubs or other course products that rub away dead skin. Chemical exfoliants are acids and enzymes that slough off dead skin.

Anti-Aging Facials for Men

True Anti-Aging facial in effectively hydrates skin and promotes clear and younger looking skin. This facial includes antioxidants such as Citamin C and/or hyaluronic acid that nourishes the skin to promote clear and well-hydrated skin. Our Anti-Aging Facial is an excellent skin treatment for men looking to keep their skin looking young and healthy.

Facial Rejuvenation for Men

At True Med Spa, we also recommend the anti-aging treatment with Plasma Rich in Growth Factors PRGF®, one of the latest advances in facial anti-aging. This new technique uses the growth factors (bio-stimulating substances) from a patient’s own plasma in order to stimulate and accelerate tissue regeneration. The patient’s isolated plasma is applied to the face, neck and neckline skin in order to stimulate tissue regeneration, producing an increase in the skin’s thickness, smoothness and luminosity along with mitigating the effects of the aging process.

This anti-aging treatment activates tissue regeneration can counteract degenerative changes in the skin from the third decade of life, improving the tone and skin elasticity. We recommend this procedure for all men ages 30 and over.

Botox and Fillers for Men

It’s no secret that women aren’t the only ones who want to look younger. True Med Spa performs Botox and other injectable procedures for men right in Downtown Scottsdale. Most of these procedures are quick and virtually painless and can be performed over your lunch break!

Look Better and Younger

At True Med Spa, our Skin Care Specialists use the latest techniques and technology to ensure we are safely delivering the medical results that you are looking for. We hope that you find confidence in our knowledge and experience and choose us to help you achieve your aesthetic goal. Look better and younger today! Schedule a consultation with True Med Spa to establish a skin care regimen that works for you!

preventing and treating blackheads

Preventing and Treating Blackheads

preventing and treating blackheads

What we call “blackheads” are a form of acne, a frustrating problem for many. Blackheads are one of the most common acne problems and are experienced by people of every age.

What causes blackheads?

There are many causes of blackheads but basically blackheads occur when sebum, dirt, and oil get trapped in the skin producing a clogged pore with a dark appearance. Hair follicles have glands which secrete the oily substance called sebum. While sebum keeps skin supple and hydrated, over-production of sebum plugs up pores, causing blackheads. Commonly, hormonal change in teen years, during menstruation, and pregnancy trigger excess sebum production, especially in adolescence. Cosmetics and heavy sweating can trigger extra sebum that causes blackheads too.

How to Prevent Blackheads

Daily cleansing is the best way to prevent blackheads on the nose and face. However, excessive facial washing can be counter-productive, causing irritation. Whatever you do, don’t pick or squeeze blackheads. Picking and squeezing only cause more irritation, inflammation, and acne scarring. Scrubs do little more than further the irritation.

Some people have success with over-the-counter products containing benzoyl peroxide, which has comedolytic and antibacterial properties. These gels and creams are widely available at drugstores. We recommend the ZO line of anti-acne products available at True Med Spa. Another way to prevent blackheads is to refrain from touching your face, which bring germs in contact with the skin. It’s easy to forget to wash your hands before touching your face so try to get into the habit or not touching your face at all. If you don’t, you’re spreading bacteria and germs to your face. Cleaning hands with soap and water is all that’s needed.

How to Get Rid of Blackheads

Blackheads can be a difficult and embarrassing skin condition, but there is hope for blackhead sufferers. Sometimes a professional medical intervention is the best way to remove blackheads. Why is this important? As we’ve discussed, it’s quite easy to make mistakes in treating them. Also, you may use the same product to treat the problem, but if you’re not getting positive results you wished for, it’s time to see a professional..

Doctors and aestheticians have special tools to treat blackheads and provide better medications and oral antibiotics – to get rid of blackheads and prevent blackheads from coming back. Also, am aesthetician will know how to reduce blackheads and how to get rid of blackheads from your back and other areas.

Acne Facials to Treat Blackheads

Our True Acne Facial is an effective way to get rid of non-inflammatory or comedonal acne (whiteheads and blackheads). Comedones occur when pores get clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Facial exfoliation takes off the top layer of skin, which unclogs pores and helps oil flow naturally through the follicles, thus avoiding future breakouts. Extractions remove the existing comedones, which both helps your appearance and also lessens the likelihood of developing a pimple (which occurs when a comedone becomes inflamed).

For the best results, we also recommend our Acne Hydrafacial MD, True Acne Photofacial, and/or True iPixel Laser treatment to effectively minimize acne causing bacteria and acne scars. Intense Pulse Light (IPL) is one of the safest FDA approved acne treatments available for any skin type. We find that people typically have the best results using a combination of the Acne Hydrafacial and the Acne Photofacial.

When getting facials for acne, the aesthetician will perform each of the following procedures:

  • Visia Skin Analysis: Our medical aesthetician performs a Visia Skin Analysis to thoroughly evaluate your skin conditions, such as acne, acne scars, sun damage, pores size and skin tone. While older skin is less likely to have breakouts, sometimes there can be deep congestion (blackheads) due to a build up of dead skin on the outer most layer.
  • Cleansing and skin evaluation: The aesthetician wipes away any excess oil and dirt with a cotton pad or sponge. He/she then looks at your skin with a magnifying glass to evaluate your acne, sun damage, dehydration, and/or other conditions.
  • Exfoliation: By definition, an exfoliant removes the top layer of your skin, which primarily consists of dead skin cells. Exfoliation is either a mechanical or chemical process: Mechanical exfoliants are scrubs or other course products that rub away dead skin. Chemical exfoliants are acids and enzymes that slough off dead skin.
  • Extractions: An extraction is the physical unclogging of a clogged pore. The aesthetician uses a specific technique on each acne lesion, forcing the pus, bacteria, and sometimes blood up through the clogged follicle opening. It is a procedure that should only be performed by an experienced aesthetician as it can damage your pores if done incorrectly.

Anti-Acne Facial Products

Our full line of medical grade acne facial products are available as your take home regime to help you achieve optimal results. ZO® Non-Hydroquinone Hyperpigmentation System was designed by Zein Obagi, MD for to treat skin discoloration gently, safely and effectively. It is a perfect treatment for sensitive skin to restore even skin tone. The ZO System soothes, brightens and restores skin after treatments for beautiful results. The ZO formula also includes Ossential® Daily Power Defense and Oclipse-C™ Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 for optimal skin protection throughout the day.

Acne Treatment in Downtown Scottsdale

True Med Spa in Downtown Scottsdale works with blackhead patients in their teens, 20s, and adult years to create a customized and personalized skin care regimen that will fight to banish blackheads and restore skin tone. If you’re looking to get rid of blackheads and acne on your skin, schedule a consult with True Med Spa today.

 

How often do I need a facial?

facials downtown scottsdale

Your skin is a beautiful thing – a living organ, with cells that regenerate every 30 days or so. New cells come to the surface and flatten to form the top layer of the epidermis, while older cells are constantly being shed. A facial nourishes these brand-new skin cells, providing increased blood circulation and helping to remove the dead cells on top of your skin. Facials can also treat a myriad of skin problems — acne, sun damage, age spots, dry skin, broken capillaries, fine lines, and signs of aging.

Your skin condition and age will partially determine how often to get a facial. Depending on your skin type and skin care goals, you may need only a monthly facial or multiple treatments over a period of months. At True Med Spa, your medical aesthetician will set up a facial treatment plan that will give you the very best results for your skin care goals.

Benefits of facials in treating acne

Facials can benefit people who suffer with acne. Whiteheads and blackheads are a non-inflammatory type of acne caused by pores clogged with oil. This type of acne, called comedonal acne, responds well to a monthly facial.

The acne facial at True Med Spa works by exfoliating the top layer of skin, which unclogs pores and helps oil flow naturally through the follicles, thus avoiding future breakouts. Extractions remove the existing comedones, which both helps your appearance and also lessens the likelihood of developing a pimple (which occurs when a comedone becomes inflamed). At True Med Spa we offer specific facial treatments to treat acne so you can get on with your life, confident in your beautiful skin.

Facials erase sun damage

Facials also work to treat the damage from the damaging rays of the sun in Downtown Scottsdale.** As we age, our skin reflects damage from the sun, lifestyle factors, and the wear-and-tear of daily life. Many people have found that a monthly facial is effective at treating age spots, sun spots, prematurely aged or sun damaged skin, rosacea, broken capillaries, spider veins, acne.

An IPL Photofacial treats sun damage on your skin. This type of facial is the ideal answer for patients with active lifestyles because the procedure requires no downtime. At True Med Spa, we have embraced the latest technology – a generation beyond laser machines, which emits a single narrow wavelength of light. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology delivers hundreds of wavelengths of light that are selectively absorbed by different tissue allowing a multitude of skin conditions to be treated with IPL technology. A medical aesthetician at True Med Spa can work with you to determine how often you should get an IPL Photofacial based on your skincare needs and goals.

Facials can erase signs of aging

Sun damage isn’t the only factor that damages skin. As we age, the rate of healthy young cells that migrate to the topmost layer slows down, which makes skin look dull. Harmful ultraviolet rays (UV rays), various environmental factors, and our facial expressions all accelerate our aging process resulting in the development of fine lines and wrinkles like crow’s feet. Additionally, over time our skin becomes thinner and drier. We also lose collagen, the main structural protein in connective tissue that provides our skin with a plump healthy appearance. The benefit of facials lies in restoring youthful skin, and resolving these multiple skin problems, erasing the spots, lines and other irregularities that detract from our normally healthy skin.

At True Med Spa, we recommend the True Anti-Aging facial to effectively hydrate skin and promote clear and younger looking skin. This facial includes antioxidants that nourishes to promote clear and well-hydrated skin. For the best results, we also recommend our Laser 360 Rejuvenation, True Photofacial, True iPixel Laser, Anti-Aging Hydrafacial, and MD treatments to effectively minimize fine lines and wrinkles. Our full line of medical grade Anti-Aging Facial products are available as your take-home regimen.

Regular Facial Benefits

With regular facials, you benefit from the expertise of a medical aesthetician and brighter, healthier skin. A cleansing and skin evaluation allows for a custom evaluation of specific conditions like dry skin, broken capillaries, age spots, sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles.

In addition to a targeted skin care regimen, regular facials also exfoliate your skin. Exfoliation removes the top layer of your skin primarily consisting of dead skin cells. Exfoliation is either a mechanical or chemical process that works to remove dry, dull, or dead skin cells and reveal healthy skin underneath. Mechanical exfoliants are scrubs or other course products that rub away dead skin. Chemical exfoliants are acids and enzymes that slough off dead skin.

For more information about facials and skin care treatments, request an appointment with True Med Spa. We will personally assess your skin and work together to develop a treatment plan in line with your skin care goals. Click here to make an appointment today.

Treating and Preventing Acne Scars and Redness

acne scar treatment downtown scottsdale

Acne can really leave its mark on your skin long after the blemish has disappeared. Fortunately, there are safe and effective treatments available to help lessen the redness and scars that acne can leave behind. Available treatments can help reduce raised scars and diminish scars that are depressed into the skin. Acne is a very common skin condition that can affect anyone including teens and adults. At True Med Spa in Scottsdale, we use Dr. Zein Obagi’s ZO Skin Health line of skin care products to help manage acne at home. The acne formulated products help control surface oils by decreasing sebum production and prevent future breakouts. These products, while strong enough to fight acne, also leave the skin hydrated, which helps minimize redness and irritation that often occur when acne breakouts.

Common Acne Treatment Mistakes

Many people who suffer from acne suffer alone, thinking that the acne will improve. People make many mistakes in treating acne including using harsh skin abrasives, exfoliating treatments, and even popping and picking pimples. Be gentle with your face. Acne is not caused by dirt; it is caused by bacteria from excess oils. Gentle cleansing in the morning and in the evening is sufficient for healthy and clean skin. Do not over scrub and never pick your blemishes! Popping and picking will cause scarring and more redness. As a rule of thumb, always keep your hands off your face – hands are covered in bacteria.

Sometimes you need professional medical intervention to see an improvement in your acne. Acne can be an difficult and embarrassing skin condition, but there is hope for acne sufferers.

Acne Treatment in Downtown Scottsdale

True Med Spa in Downtown Scottsdale works with acne patients in their teens, 20s, and adult years to create a customized and personalized skin care regimen that will fight to banish acne and treat acne scarring and redness.

Acne Facials

Acne facials are an effective way to treat active acne breakouts in order to prevent scarring and redness. The Acne Hydrafacial MD at True Med Spa is the newest advance in non-laser, non-invasive skin resurfacing. This facial is the only hydra-dermabrasion procedure that combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration, and antioxidant protection. With an Acne Hydrafacial MD, your skin is left looking and feeling clearer, soothed, and moisturized.

Another effective treatment for both acne and acne scars is the IPL Acne PhotoFacial. The IPL Acne facial available at True Med Spa destroys the most common bacteria that cause acne. Intense Pulse Light (IPL) is one of the safest FDA approved acne treatments available for any skin type. We find that people typically have the best results using a combination of the Acne Hydrafacial and the Acne PhotoFacial.**

Acne Scar Treatment

When scars have set in and redness is a bit more stubborn, you need more than acne treatment; you need to fix the redness and scars. The iPixel™ Acne Scar Treatment is an effective way to reduce the appearance of red marks and scars that acne leaves behind. This acne scar treatment works by stimulating the collagen to grow without taking off a layer of skin like other treatments may do. The treatment is done in a series of 3 sessions over a period of 3-4 months. Many patients see results within 14 days of treatment.**

Regardless of what you may be suffering from, it is important to remember that you’re not alone. Contact us to request an appointment and see how True Med Spa can help your acne and acne scars.