Category Archives: skincare

skincare

types and treatment of rosacea

Types and Treatment of Rosacea

types and treatment of rosacea

Rosacea is frustrating, irritating skin condition that’s often mistaken for “sensitive skin.” Rosacea is much more than that a simple sensitivity. What we call “rosacea” is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that affects the face. Treating rosacea is critical, and the condition will worsen without treatment.

Different Types and Symptoms of Rosacea

Before we get into the specifics how how to treat rosacea, it’s important to go over the symptoms and different types of rosacea. Fair-skinned people seem to be more prone to rosacea, with facial flushing a primary symptom. This occurs when the capillaries under the skin become over-reactive. Scientists don’t fully understand the causes for rosacea, but several treatments are very effective in relieving symptoms. The pattern of symptoms is different for everyone. There are the four types of rosacea:

Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea (ETR)

Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea (ETR) is associated with facial redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels. The symptoms of ETR include:

  • Flushing and redness in the center of your face 
  • Visible broken blood vessels
  • Swollen skin
  • Sensitive skin
  • Stinging and burning skin
  • Dry, rough, and scaly skin

Papulopustular Rosacea

Papulopustular Rosacea is a type of rosacea that looks more like acne breakouts than the other types. Papulopustular Rosacea often affects middle-aged women and symptoms include:

  • Acne-like breakouts and very red skin 
  • Oily skin
  • Sensitive skin
  • Broken blood vessels that are visible

Rhinophyma Rosacea

Rhinophyma Rosacea involves the nose tip, with thicker, reddish skin, prominent blood vessels and pitting due to prominent pores and scarring. This type of rosacea is most commonly characterized by:

  • Bumpy skin texture
  • Thick skin on nose
  • Thick skin on chin, forehead, cheeks, and ears
  • Large pores
  • Visible broken blood vessels

Ocular Rosacea

Ocular Rosacea involves the eyelid and front of eye. Ocular Rosacea is caused by bacteria or eyelid/hair follicle mites that affect the eye’s protective tear film, causing itching, burning, increased tears, light sensitivity, dry eye and red eye. Symptoms of this type of rosacea include:

  • Bloodshot and watery eyes 
  • Eyes that feel gritty, dry, itchy
  • Burning or stinging sensation in the eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Broken blood vessels on eyelids

How To Treat Rosacea

While it’s unfortunately if you’re suffering from one of these types of rosacea, the good news is that there are treatment options. In addition to anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and oral retinoids, there are several facial treatments that can help minimize the symptoms of rosacea. Several cosmetic therapies are also very helpful in improving skin’s appearance.

Photofacial For Rosacea

A photofacial refers to a set of skin treatments that use a form of light-based technology to help treat broken capillaries that are causing skin redness, and assist in boosting collagen in the skin. There are two types of light technology that are used in photofacials. At True Med Spa in Downtown Scottsdale, we use Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL, photofacial.

What is a photofacial? IPL is a popular skincare treatment for both men and woman. IPL is used by men and women with light or fair complexions who are looking to treat their rosacea and improve the overall look and tone of the skin.
IPL is an advance over rosacea laser treatment, as Intense Pulsed Light technology delivers hundreds of wavelengths of light (or color). These different wavelengths/light color are selectively absorbed by different tissue allowing a multitude of skin conditions to be treated with IPL technology.

Dermaplaning Treatment for Rosacea

Dermaplaning is an exfoliating treatment that can be used to remove facial hair in patients rosacea. Dermaplaning provides an alternative to chemical peels or microdermabrasion and is a good choice for anyone who has facial hair as well as extremely sensitive skin, redness or rosacea, or visible facial veins. The dermaplaning treatment is done by our experienced aestheticians who use a blade to gently exfoliate the outer layer of dead skin cells to remove peach fuzz on the face. A noticeable improvement is immediate with smoother texture and fresh skin appearance. In addition to the smoother texture and fresh skin appearance, your skin care products will penetrate the skin with greater ease thus providing optimum results.

Lifestyle Changes for Rosacea

Facial treatments are effective in treating rosacea, but if you want to have even better results, lifestyle changes may be required including:

  • Avoid direct sunlight
  • Use wear sunscreen
  • Cleanse skin with gentle cleansers and oil-free, water-based skin-care products.
  • Avoid products that contain: alcohol, menthol , witch hazel, and exfoliating agents
  • Avoid eating spicy foods
  • Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages

If you’re looking for help treating your rosacea, schedule an appointment today.

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.

 

Anti-Aging Facial Treatments in Downtown Scottsdale

anti-aging facial treatments downtown scottsdale

As we age, our skin changes. It’s inevitable. Harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun damage our skin and environmental factors and facial expressions lead to fine lines and wrinkles like crow’s feet. Unfortunately, this damage occurs at a time when our skin is slower to replenish itself, as the rate of healthy young cells slows down when we age. This results in skin looking dull and dry. To top it off, collagen, the structural protein in connective tissue that provides our skin with a plump healthy appearance, diminishes as we age.

What can you do about aging? There are several treatments that True Med Spa in Downtown Scottsdale provides. If you’re looking for improved skin tone and elasticity, read on on learn more about the anti-aging facial treatments available to you.

Anti-Aging Facials in Downtown Scottsdale

With our True Anti-Aging Facial, the skin is hydrated, promoting clear and younger looking skin. This facial includes antioxidants such as Vitamin C and/or hyaluronic acid that nourishes the skin to promote clear and well-hydrated skin. The process for a True Anti-Aging Facial is broken down in to several steps.

First, a medical aesthetician will perform a Visia Skin Analysis to thoroughly evaluate your skin conditions, such as dry skin, broken capillaries, age spots, sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles. The skin is cleansed and analyzed with a magnifying glass. The skin is exfoliated, which removes the top layer of your skin, consisting primarily of dead skin cells. After exfoliation, the medical aesthetician will perform necessary extractions to physical unclog any clogged pores. The last step in the True Anti-Aging Facial is a facial massage with classic strokes such as effleurage, to both relax you and stimulate your skin and facial muscles.

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 treat wrinkles. Our full line of medical grade Anti-Aging Facial products are available as your take-home regimen.

Facial Rejuvenation with Micro-Needling

To rejuvenate facial skin, True Med Spa relies on an aesthetic treatment with Plasma Rich in Growth Factors PRGF®. This technology is one of the latest advances in skin care treatments. It is a new technique that allows the practitioner to isolate and use the growth factors (bio-stimulating substances) from a patient’s own plasma in order to stimulate and accelerate tissue regeneration.

A therapy called micro-needling is used to precisely apply this plasma to the skin. Using the most advanced technology, the medical aesthetician applies thousands of invisible and virtually painless perforations to the skin. The “channels” created by micro-needling allow the skin to absorb PRGF®.

With this therapy, we see excellent production of the patient’s own collagen. This generates a greater consistency, firmness and reduced sagging, and also hydrates skin. Wrinkle reduction is significant, facial expression lines lose their depth, and lustre and luminosity is restored to skin, leaving you with a wonderfully youthful glow.**

Chemical Peels as Anti-Aging Facials

If you have acne and acne scars, enlarged pores, age or liver spots, freckles, uneven skin tone, dull/dry skin and signs of aging, True Chemical Peels can help. These chemical peels are radically different from those used by most aestheticians and remarkably effective. These non-invasive True Chemical Peels are a painless and quick way to rejuvenate the skin.

True Chemical Peels work with the patient’s isolated plasma (specifically, the Epidermal Growth Factor), which 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. Areas of sun-damaged, precancerous keratoses or scaling patches may improve after chemical peeling. Following treatment, new lesions or patches are less likely to appear.

At True Med Spa in Downtown Scottsdale, we practice the best in anti-aging facials, peels, and rejuvenation to promote younger looking skin with improved tone and elasticity. Our aestheticians are well-trained in skin care and ready to help you look younger. Learn more about these anti-aging treatments and your other skin care concerns. For more information contact us at (480) 429-4000 or request an appointment today.

Dermaplaning Treatment in Scottsdale

We all have unwelcome hair. “Peach fuzz hair,” or villus hair is the short, fine translucent hair that appears on the face, chest, neck, back and arms. This peach fuzz is sometimes hormonal and grows more as hormones change. While this hair may be barely noticeable, it bothers many women. Shaving is only a short-term solution, and not always effective depending on the body region. In fact, after shaving peach fuzz, the hair may grow back darker!. Lasers and electrolysis don’t do a good job. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion also aren’t effective for peach fuzz hair removal. So, how do you remove “peach fuzz” hair? The answer is a treatment called dermaplaning.

Dermaplaning for Peach Fuzz Hair Removal

The best way to remove peach fuzz is a breakthrough treatment called dermaplaning, or blading. This is an exfoliating treatment that provides an alternative to chemical peels or microdermabrasion. At True Med Spa, the dermaplane treatment is done by our experienced aestheticians who use a blade to gently exfoliate the outer layer of dead skin cells and remove peach fuzz.

Results of Dermaplaning **

Dermaplaning provides noticeable improvement immediately, as your skin has a smoother texture and fresh skin appearance. You’ll enjoy seeing it disappear from neck, arms, all parts of your body. This fuzz hair will return softly, and will not become coarser because of the treatment. There’s an added benefit to the smoother texture and fresh skin appearance because as your skin care products will penetrate the skin with greater ease.

Dermaplaning Treatment in Scottsdale

If you have specific conditions, such as extremely sensitive skin, redness, rosacea or visible facial veins, then you’re in luck. The dermaplane treatment at True Med Spa is an excellent choice for patients with sensitive skin. There is no down time after the procedure. Immediately, you will enjoy your beautifully smooth skin.

However, unlike pain-free laser hair removal, the effects of dermaplaning treatment are not permanent. Within the next 3-4 weeks, you may want a follow-up appointment at True Med Spa to continue the effects. The normal skin growth cycle is around 30 days. Dermaplaning treatment removes about 2-3 weeks-worth of dead skin cells so it’s best to wait about 3-4 weeks between treatments.

The side effects are virtually nonexistent with dermaplaning, however this might not be the best treatment if you suffer from acne. The oil from the sebaceous glands needs to travel up and connect with the vellus hair in order for it to be excreted. If the hair is removed and the oil builds up, the glands are obstructed and may cause more breakouts. If you have acne and are interested in facial hair removal, schedule an appointment at True Med Spa to see what your options are.

Treatments to Pair with Demaplaning

Dermaplaning is gentle enough that you can go back to work, or get another treatment in the same visit. If you’re looking for a longer day at True Med Spa, ask about getting a chemical peel done immediately after dermaplaning peach fuzz removal. This is an excellent way to make sure that the peel penetrates deeper and more evenly. Lactic acid peels will hydrate and further exfoliate dry and normal skin while a glycolic acid peel is strong enough to combine with dermaplane treatment for oily skin.

For more information, click here to set up an appointment for a dermaplaning facial in downtown Scottsdale.

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.