Tag Archives: sun damage

by

Sciton® laser: Skin tightening with BBL SkinTyte™

Continuing on with my series of articles about Dr. Macdonald’s Sciton® laser services, available now.

As discussed he will be treating patients soon for:

Sciton® BBL SkinTyte™ laser treatment is an innovative approach to tightening aging skin that is starting to wrinkle and sag.  Of particular concern to many patients is the “turkey gobble” that often develops in the neck region, but common areas successfully treated include:

•    neck
•    lower face/jowls
•    chest
•    hands
•    tummy
•    arms
•    just above the knees

How does SkinTyte™ work?  

BBL (Broadband light) treatment utilizes pulsed light technology to deeply heat your skin while simultaneously cooling and protecting the entire treated surface, setting you on your path to more youthful skin.

Delivered in a sequence of rapid, gentle pulses that heat the dermal layer of your skin’s collagen, use of this technology promotes contraction and denaturation—modification of protein’s natural configuration.  Rebuilding themselves, the skin cells form a new foundation of collagen, leading to increased skin firmness.

How many treatments are needed?  

Although the number of treatments needed will vary based on the level of improvement desired and the starting point of your skin condition, many patients opt for 2-5 treatments to achieve maximum positive benefit.

With no anesthetic needed, this quick and effect “lunch-time” procedure will only last 30 minutes and cause you no disruption to your day.  Not only is there no downtime, there is also no skin care regimen necessary.  The collagen in your skin will, however, continue to rebuild and strengthen up to 4 months after the procedure.

Stay tuned for more details on vein treatments.

© 2012 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

by

Sciton® laser: Skin pigment reduction with Contour TRL™ or BBL™

Continuing on with my series of articles about Dr. Macdonald’s Sciton® laser services, coming soon…

As discussed he will be treating patients soon for:

Skin Pigment. Unwanted skin pigment is normally referred to as hyperpigmentation. It is unwanted melanin in the skin that creates a spotty look with brown spots and is a result of too much sun exposure and also aging.

I am a candidate for one of these laser procedures, to reduce the pigment on my chest, hands (and maybe fronts of legs too). After my 5-series PCA chemical peel (physician-strength) with Dr. Macdonald, we were not able to make much progress on my chest area. I experienced a lot of itching and irritable rash on chest but no peeling on peels #4 and #5 when Dr. Macdonald used the PCA with resorcinol.

On my face, I was left with a vibrant glow after the PCA peel treatment by peel #5 though. I had wonderful, soothing results with his new private label skin care products, specifically the Power of Three by Replenix and Fortified by Glycolix.

Note: on my face, now that the brown spots have diminished, I have some rosacea that Dr. Macdonald would also like to treat with the Sciton® laser (vein treatment to be discussed later in this series of articles).

A) Contour TRL™ Laser Peel skin pigment reduction treatment. This procedure is not only a treatment for overall skin resurfacing, but specifically reduces hyperpigmentation.

Sciton® Laser Peel – Contour TRL™ safely erases skin hyperpigmentation that appears on the skin from sun damage and age. Although there are several different types of lasers on the market used to perform peels, the Contour TRL™ is widely regarded as the most effective laser available. This treatment targets the effects of sun damage and environmental pollutants which create skin tone irregularities, solar spots, and scars.

How does Contour TRL™ work? This laser safely removes a layer of skin, with computer-guided micron precision. The depth of treatment depends on your skin condition, desired outcome and expectation for down time. Treating your hyperpigmented skin with this laser will stimulate the growth of new collagen to improve the skin as healthy new skin cells regrow.

Common body parts treated:
 face, neck

B) BBL™ Broadband Light skin pigment reduction treatment.

Sciton® BBL™ is an innovative light-based technology that sets new standards for skin conditions associated with aging, active lifestyles, and sun damage. It also treats any unwanted melanin and pigment you were born with (i.e., freckles).

How does BBL™ work? This phototherapy treatment utilizes pulses of light energy to gently penetrate into the skin. The light energy will gently heat the upper layers of your skin, stimulating the skin cells to regenerate new collagen. The natural beauty of your youthful skin will be evident as this process blends the natural skin colors restoring your youthful skin’s glow before the pigment irregularities appeared.

Common body parts treated (body parts exposed to the sun): face, hands, neck, chest, shoulders

Stay tuned for more details on skin tightening treatments.

© 2012 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

by

Sciton® laser: Skin resurfacing with Contour TRL™, ProFractional™, MicroLaserPeel® or BBL™

Continuing on with my series of articles about Dr. Macdonald’s Sciton® laser services, coming soon…

As discussed he will be treating patients soon for:

  • Hair removal
  • Skin resurfacing
  • Skin pigment
  • Skin tightening
  • Vein treatment

Skin Resurfacing.  In the laser treatment world, what constitutes skin resurfacing? Revamping skin that is damaged from the sun, clearing up acne scars, enhancing skin tone, minimizing or erasing hyperpigmentation in the skin, and reversing the sign of aging.  Laser resurfacing of the entire face also may delay the need for a comprehensive facelift.

A) Contour TRL™ Laser Peel.

Sciton® Laser Peel – Contour TRL™ is a safe and effective deep skin resurfacing laser treatment to promote a younger and rejuvenated appearance.  Although there are several different types of lasers on the market used to perform peels, the Contour TRL™ is widely regarded as the most effective laser available.  This treatment targets the effects of sun damage and environmental pollutants which create skin tone irregularities and create wrinkles, particularly deep wrinkles around the mouth and eyes.

How does Contour TRL™ work?  This laser safely removes a layer of skin, with computer-guided micron precision.  Treating your skin with this laser will stimulate the growth of new collagen to improve the skin’s thickness and resilience as it grows new, health skin cells.

Common body parts treated:  face, neck

B) ProFractional™ and ProFractional-XC™.

Sciton® ProFractional™ and ProFractional-XC™ laser skin resurfacing procedures offer dramatic results with minimal down time.  Enhancing the overall appearance of your skin, this laser therapy targets wrinkles, acne, skin tone and skin pigments.

How do ProFractional™ and ProFractional-XC™ work?  This treatment utilizes a tiny laser to treat thousands of pinpoint areas of your skin, while rapidly healing along side with your body’s existing stem cells, simultaneously.  The healing areas create new collagen and elastin to add firmness and resilience to the new skin.  Two spot size settings with selectable densities are available to enhance collagen remodeling where desired.

Common body parts treated: face, neck, chest, hands

C) MicroLaserPeel® Superficial Skin Resurfacing.

Sciton® MicroLaserPeel®, sometimes known as the “weekend peel”, offers great results with minimal down time.  It’s an outer to mid-epidermal peel that precisely removes a thin layer of skin to a selectable depth. In other words, it does not go too deep into skin, yet is effective for glowing skin and treats mild wrinkles, scars, sun damage, and pigment irregularities.

How does MicroLaserPeel® work?  The laser beam eliminates some of the damaged skin cells that create a noticeably tired, aged look. As the skin heals, fresh cells grow and resurface the treated area, resulting in reduced wrinkles and improved skin color evenness–a healthier, more vibrant look.

Common body parts treated: face, neck, chest, hands

D) BBL™ Broadband Light skin resurfacing treatment.  

Sciton® BBL™ is an innovative light-based technology that sets new standards for skin conditions associated with aging, active lifestyles, and sun damage.

How does BBL™ work?  Delivering photothermal energy, it utilizes pulses of light energy to gently penetrate into the skin.  The light energy will gently heat the upper layers of your skin, stimulating the skin cells to regenerate new collagen. The natural beauty of your youthful skin will be evident as this process blends the natural skin colors while making it smoother, vibrant while restoring a youthful appearance.

Common body parts treated:   face, hands, neck, chest, shoulders

Stay tuned for more details on skin pigment treatments.

© 2012 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

by

Sciton® laser: Hair removal with BBL™ Broadband Light

Continuing on with my series of articles about Dr. Macdonald’s Sciton® laser services, coming soon…

As discussed he will be treating patients soon for:

  • Hair removal
  • Skin resurfacing
  • Skin pigment
  • Skin tightening
  • Vein treatment

BBL™ Broadband Light hair removal process.  

Sciton® BBL™ is an innovative light-based technology that utilizes pulses of light energy to gently penetrate into the skin, destroying unwanted hair follicles. Say goodbye to shaving, depilatory creams, or even electrolosis–which can be time-consuming and painful.

How does BBL™ work?  Delivering photothermal energy to hair follicles, your treatment can be tailored to your skin type with various selectable wavelengths.  While your hair is in its growth stage (anagen), it is most vulnerable to light therapy. BBL™ selectively heats the full length of the imbedded hair follicle cutting off its supply of nutrients, thus disabling its growth.  (Note: BBL™ treatments are not appropriate for suntanned skin.)

How many treatments are needed?  Because all hair is not always in the growth stage at one time, multiple treatments must be given over time to treat it while it is in the growth stage.  Aimed at permanent hair reduction, and varying per person as well as body part, you will most likely be advised to get a series of treatments, spaced out by 4-8 weeks.

What is the procedure and healing time like?  Although minimally invasive to destroy many hair follicles at once with photothermal light, you will wear safety shields to protect your eyes, and some patients desire anesthetic cream for sensitive skin areas during the procedure–where you may feel a warm “rubber band snap” sensation as the light is absorbed by the targeted areas. With only slight redness and sun-sensitivity after the treatment, there is virtually no down time.

Common body parts treated: face, neck, underarms, bikini line, legs, arms.

Next article:  more details on skin resurfacing.

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

by

Sciton® laser: Skin resurfacing, skin tightening, skin pigment reduction, hair removal, vein treatment

The Sciton® laser sounds amazing. Dr. Macdonald has one now for his office, and is starting the treatment procedures soon to enhance his skin rejuvenation service offerings. [These details will be documented fully on his new website under laser services..coming very soon.]

From treating wrinkles, scars and sun-damaged skin to hair removal, the Sciton® innovative technology supports procedures which range from light and quick, to deeper and more inclusive… all depending on your skin’s needs.

I’ll be writing a series of articles on this laser, but first to introduce the specific areas it treats:

Hair removal.

BBL™ Broadband Light offers high speed laser hair removal and phototherapy, safe for all skin types and colors, for various body parts. The procedure is virtually pain-free with a little numbing cream. The side-effects (temporary pigment changes, redness, slight swelling) only last for 48 hours.

Skin resurfacing.

MicroLaserPeel® (the “weekend peel”), Laser Peel – Coutour TRL™, ProFractional™ and BBL™ Broadband Light are all offered for resurfacing the skin and restoring your natural youthful look. Whether it be sun damage, age or acne scars, these procedures will enhance your overall appearance.

Skin pigment.

Hyperpigmentation from sun damage and aging can make you look years older than you actually are. Laser Peel Contour TRL™ and BBL™ Broadband Light can help you clean up any areas that are exposed to the harmful rays of the sun by reducing unwanted melanin. In the process, the collagen in your skin gets regenerated.

Skin tightening.

Make a difference toward sagging, aged skin with SkinTyte™ or BBL™ Broadband Light procedures. As the infrared energy heats dermal collagen, it also cools it to protect the surface. Comfortably and with no downtime, this procedure promotes the tightening of the skin.

Vein treatment.

Veins that pop out of your legs or your face can be diminished with BBL™ Broadband Light phototherapy. Tiny and larger blood vessels are activated by heat on the upper layers of your skin, allowing the heat to absorb the targeted areas as they stimulate the skin and regenerate new collagen. Smoother, more youthful looking skin is your result.

Next article: details behind laser hair removal.

By the way, appointments are booking already for mid-January. I know I’m going to try to get on the list…

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

by

PCA chemical peel for face, neck and chest

Last month I began a physician-strength PCA chemical peel with Dr. Macdonald for my face, neck and chest (a.k.a. decolletage area) to attempt to repair some –if not all–of my sun-damaged skin.   Now I am on peel #3 of 5 and seeing a positive effect.  Dr. Macdonald, whom I only see every 2 weeks, sees a noticeable difference as well.

On peel #2, the concentration was increased on both the neck and chest to PCA resorcinol which contains hydroquinone to lighten the hyperpigmentation. On peel #3, resorcinol was used on my face too, and yet a stronger dose on chest and neck since I had very little reaction on previous attempts.

The resorcinol peel does produce a hot, burning sensation during the peel, making it soothing to use the fan to cool my skin for 10 minutes.

Rosacea. An issue Dr. Macdonald wanted to bring to my attention is some rosacea on my cheeks and nose (i.e., little red blood vessels on the skin).  After lightening my hyperpigmentation, the red vessels will be more visible.  His solution would be to treat the rosacea with laser treatment after the peels are completed with VariLite laser at 512 nm strength.

Like clockwork, it seems that after 48 hours, my skin begins to peel and lasts until around day 6 for the face, with a longer delay on the neck.

My neck has been the itchiest.  I treated this with hydrocortisone creams.  PCA SKIN® Après Peel Soothing Balm (with 0.5% hydrocortisone) was especially supportive.  I also fell in love with a new lotion with a soothing effect called “Yes to™ Cucumbers”  It is formulated for sensitive skin and gently hydrates with organic cucumbers, aloe vera and green tea.

During one of my peely-ist moments, an acquaintance asked me:  Is that good for you? Answer:  Here is exactly what happens to the skin–and underneath the skin–during the 2 weeks between peels.

The carefully selected solutions in a chemical peel sink into the skin and cause the skin layers below the surface to react on the cellular level.

  • The skin cells are repaired
  • Melanin is reduced (darkness)
  • Cells produce more collagen and elastin
  • Dead cells are eaten away

Even though it looks like a sunburn, there is a science behind chemical peels vs. the sun.  Melanin protects the skin from the sun’s harmful rays or from any skin injury.

  • Suntan. The skin of a person with enough melanin in their skin to handle the sun’s rays turns a little darker as a result.
  • Brown spots. However, the skin of a person with less melanin in their skin reacts; it goes into protection-mode and releases melanin (that naturally lays beneath the skin’s surface).  This melanin rises to the surface… but not uniformly, resulting in a spotty look.

The tender skin on my neck and chest are starting to react for the first time on peel #3.  Of course, I have the itchiness but also some significant skin shedding….

Throughout the peel process, I need to pay extra attention to sunscreen.  During the days where I’m wearing lots of lotions to sooth or cover up peeling and itching, it sure is nice to have the powdered sunscreen by Colorscience®.  [Dr. Macdonald is now carrying this product in his office.]

5-minute sauna and steamroom steam sessions sure do help to break down and soften harder, thicker, dryer skin on days 4-5, while continually dousing with cool water while in the steam.

I’ve experienced the most advanced stage of peeling today (counting my PCA peel last year, 1st and 2nd PCA peels this past month and Vi PEEL™ this year) on day 5 of peel #3.  I’m scared to post this one, but here is a lovely photo of my peeling-look as I woke up this morning.  Today is the day I discovered the “Yes to™ Cucumbers Soothing Cooling Body Butter“.  In a few days I will be all better…

Dr. Macdonald has a full-fledged skin rejuvenation and skincare treatment center in his office, including laser treatments for full fractional resurfacing, skin tightening, sun damage repair to hair removal, dark spots and rosacea.

Pam DePianto is his new Medical Esthetician in the office as of August.  Pam is focusing exclusively on the beauty of your skin…  She brings you 15+ years of experience as a small skin spa owner, a Kaiser skin health educator and, most recently, the lead esthetician for an East Bay dermatology & plastic surgery practice. With Pam, you’ll be in good hands!

Pam is offering a special Pumpkin Enzyme Peel Facial now (on special now through next Friday):

This luxurious facial is loaded with antioxidants, beta-carotene and vitamin C to replenish the skin with much needed nutrients.  Exfoliating the skin’s surface, this facial will soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as it improves the skin’s texture.  Price includes: deep cleansing, steam, pumpkin enzyme exfoliation, extractions, massage, treatment mask, treatment serums, day cream and SPF. 

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.

by

New spacious office space for a Dr. Macdonald chemical peel and more

For over a year now, I’ve been on the path to clearing out the hyperpigmentation on my skin. My light, sun-damaged and aged skin has been stubborn. Since my skin is also sensitive, we have had to take the slow path.

 

Last summer I did 5-series PCA peel through Dr. Macdonald’s office. My results were a better complexion, smoother skin, fine wrinkle line reduction, and less hyperpigmentation.

I wasn’t convinced at that point that I was not capable of going to the next level in hyperpigmentation reduction. To that end, I did the following:

  • Sunscreen and hat all year round (even on cloudy days)
  • Recognition of my sensitive skin and genetics as seen in my father
  • HQRA (Hydroquinone to lighten pimentation & Retinol A to reduce wrinkles)
  • Research on PhotoFacial
  • Research on 2 Sciton laser applications: skin resurfacing, IPL for sun-damage (available in January 2012 through Dr. Macdonald’s office)
  • Vi PEEL™ (12 days) last month

My goal is to make a visible difference in my brown age spots on my face and upper chest area (i.e. decolletage area) and hands so that I a) look younger and b) feel that there is a solution to most of the sun damage from my many years in the sun.

Dr. Macdonald’s new office space at 500 Sutter St, Suite 430 in San Francisco. The new office space is beautiful and is a lot more spacious than the previous office. He has stunning artwork from local artist and photographer, Simeon Schatz on order–a must see…

Dr. Macdonald and his staff are ready to take on more patients and a new Sciton laser, among other perks. [It's only a block away so the parking situation is similar.]

 

PCA Chemical Peel. Since Dr. Macdonald has been working with me on this for over a year, during my recent skin check-up he decided that he wanted to do another PCA peel on me himself (and go a little deeper to make some more progress on the darker pigmented areas, yet pay close attention to my sensitivies).

I had my 1st of 5 PCA peels to my face, neck and chest area (i.e., decolletage). Similar to my previous experiences, I had no irritation in the first 2 days. I am starting to peel today, 48 hours later.

What I like the best this time around is the PCA SKIN® post-procedure solutionwhich includes:

  1. PCA SKIN® Facial Wash (very light and absorbant)
  2. PCA SKIN® Apres Peel Soothing Balm (with 0.5% hydrocortisone)
  3. PCA SKIN® ReBalance (to help inhibit redness and inflammation)
  4. PCA SKIN® Silkcoat Balm (for nighttime moisturizing)
  5. PCA SKIN® Perfecting Protection SPF 30 (for UV protection)

The products are soothing and restorative to the skin (and have a great scent and light non-greasy after effect).

I will return in 2 weeks for PCA Peel #2 of 5.

Day 2

The skin on my face was a bit tight but I kept the PCA SKIN® products on all day. I had a healthy glow.

Day 3

The skin on my face was tighter and noticeably wrinkly. I continued with the PCA SKIN® products.

In the afternoon, which is 48 hours since the peel, my skin started to peel. It started around my mouth and continued through the day.

Day 4

My neck was itchy but the PCA SKIN® products soothed it tremendously. I had to use the products more often than previous days.

By afternoon my face was peeling in big flakes, and the skin on my chest started to peel partially in flakes, previously splotchy looking skin (as if it had peeled). There was no itching or irritation though.

Day 5

The skin on my face and chest was peeling all day. It was a little itchy. I wore a hat and long sleeves all day (even on hot sunny day).

Day 6

My face was still peeling along hairline. I noticed that the peeling on my chest had stopped yet was still splotchy (i.e., half-peeled). I made a note to have double PCA solution applied next time (hopefully) so that it will all peel off.

Day 7

I was still peeling on my face, neck and chest. I started to use an exfoliant cleanser at this point to continue the peeling (possibly). Next peel in a week.

Amazing new sunscreen by Colorscience®

Pam turned me on to this powder sunscreen by Colorscience®. It’s SPF 50 plus comes in a convenient brush applicator. It contains some skin color, so is much like powdered foundation makeup. I love the easy application and light formula. Thank you, Pam!

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.

by

Vi PEEL™ daily results, first 12 days: Final results at 4 weeks

I ended up going for it and got a Vi PEEL™ to  reduce the hyper pigmentation (i.e., brown skin spots), visibly improve my complexion, firm up my skin and produce smoother, more youthful skin.

It has worked beautifully so far.  But 2 weeks later, I have learned that I won’t see the final results most likely until week 4.  As stated already, I had been nervous about getting the stronger peel with my sensitive skin. Here are my daily results.

Day 1

Vi PEEL™ performed by Pamela DePianto, Dr. Macdonald’s Clinical Esthetician.

Preparation. For the week proceeding this day, I had not used any cleansers or creams which would have exfoliated the skin on my face.  I needed to let my skin rest.

The procedure. To prepare my skin, Pam started with an acetone cleanser. She then applied 2 layers of Vi PEEL™ solution while I was cooling off by the fan.

I felt a little tingly and warm sensation but no real burning. In fact, the burning sensation was less than my PCA peel series I did last year.

The scent was more like a “perm” (for permanent hair curling).

Two hours post-procedure. As expected, my skin was yellow-orangish, similar to the look after coming back home from a day at the beach, or after having applied tanning lotion. It’s was not red or hot though. It felt a little tight though.

I was instructed to leave the solution on until I go to sleep at night.  My skin was a little itchy but not too uncomfortable. What bothered me the most was the scent.

Pam sent me home with a small home kit containing:

  • Vi PEEL™ post-peel towelettes (two) containing Retin A and Vitamin C — to use each night before going to sleep
  • Vi DERM™ moisturizer — to use as often as needed when my skin feels tight, irritated or dry
  • Vi DERM™ sunscreen SPF 55, containing aloe and green tea, for daytimes

I was also instructed to avoid exercise and heat such as a sauna or the sun.

Sunscreen is important. Pam reminded me how important sunscreen is on a daily basis. She has a great way to remember the two important breakdowns of ultraviolet radiation that we get from the sun.

  • UVA — think of A as standing for aging. We get UVA rays from the sun through clouds and on days when we don’t know it. This is when most people forget to wear sunscreen, or do not think it’s important.
  • UVB — think of B as standing for burns. We get UVB rays from the sun through direct, hot sunlight. This is when most people think to apply sunscreen.

*** Sunscreen is necessary to protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Nighttime routine. I cleansed my face with a mild cleanser containing tea tree oil and awapuhi. I then followed the Vi PEEL™ instructions by swiping my entire face and neck with the Vi PEEL™ post-peel towelette.  I could feel the stinging sensation of the Retin A / Vitamin C. That sensation didn’t last too long though. I was instructed to apply it one hour before bed and to leave it on overnight.

After a few hours, I found myself still awake working on my computer.

The skin on my neck started itching too much….

I tried many cooling remedies and finally washed off the Retin A / Vitamin C from my neck around midnight and applied the Vi DERM™ moisturizer which contains 1% hydrocortisone, vitamin E and organic aloe vera gel.  [2 hours later my face was unbearably itchy so it too was washed of the Retin A / Vitamin C .  I tried to last as long as I could, but I felt like sleeping..]

Then I went to sleep more comfortably, ceiling fan on.

Day 2

First morning after procedure. I woke to a red face as expected. After cleansing, I applied the Vi DERM™ moisturizer to my entire face and neck. It had a soothing effect.  My skin was comfortably warm.

I noticed that I needed to keep the activity level to a minimum, as even walking fast would make my face feel extra hot, which then turned to an itchiness. Drinking cool water and staying cool in general helped.

Mid morning. Drove in car on a sunny day.  I had to turned on the air conditioning to max to cool down. I wore a big floppy hat for extra sun protection.

My neck still felt itchy, so I applied Vi DERM™ moisturizer repeatedly.

Afternoon. I tried out the Vi DERM™ SPF 55 and it was soothing and comfortable for my face. So, with the A/C blasting and my sun hat, I was comfortable even as the day got hotter.

Nighttime. Cleansed and reapplied the 2nd and last Retin A / Vitamin C towelette provided by Vi PEEL™ for day 2.

  • To my neck: Since Retin A / Vitamin C was too strong for my neck the evening before, and I feel like sleeping, I did not put it on my neck. I used Vi DERM™ moisturizer instead.
  • To my face: Applied Retin A / Vitamin C as directed. It did not burn as much as previous night. I went straight to sleep, so was able to leave it on the entire night. My lips felt especially dry so I used Alba Un-petroleum jelly. [I was not putting the Retin A / Vitamin C on my lips, nor was the Vi PEEL™ applied to my lips--only to the skin above my upper and lower lip.]

Day 3

Upon waking.  Face felt a little dry, a little hot, a little itchy before I did the morning cleanse.

No peeling yet. I noticed the most dryness around my lips.

I also notice that the hyperpigmentation I had on my cheeks had turned darker.

 

Afternoon. Just when I was thinking this “peel” should be renamed, I started peeling in big flakes. It began on my chin. Then around my mouth. No discomfort.

Dr. Macdonald called to check up on me about the state of my skin. He mentioned,

I would not apply the Retin A / Vitamin C this early on in a peel. I would not have advised it until day 4 or 5 instead.  [A change in the Vi PEEL™ company instructions].

Since my Vi PEEL™ packet only included 2 of these towelettes, I was already finished with them.

Dr. Macdonald also let me know that although there is trichloric acid in this peel, he does not consider it a typical TCA peel because the amount is so minimal. This peel is a step between typical PCA and TCA peels.

Evening. Skin started to tighten and peel more continuously all day.

Before bed. I cleansed my face with the Trader’s Joe’s tea tree oil cleanser, applied the Vi PEEL™ moisturizer and went to sleep with some active peeling. No itching or pain.

Day 4

Morning. I woke to tight skin and skin shedding like a lizard. It felt the tightest on my forehead and around my lips. No pain, no itching.

I smiled at all that is getting peeled away here. All of my skin’s impurities.

Afternoon and evening. Continued to peel. I was in public most of the day just smiling as if I had a Hawaii suntan peel. I applied more Vi PEEL™ lotion than previous days.

By bedtime it started to feel like the lotion was irritating my skin, especially on my chin area which had stopped peeling (also where peeling began) so I didn’t put on as much as before. I used another moisturizer which contained more inert ingredients  – Alba’s Un-petroleum Jelly.

Day 5

Morning.  I woke to extra tight skin and very strange looking tight crepey wrinkles when I smiled. 

Forehead and upper cheeks were still peeling.  Using the Vi PEEL™ moisturizer and SPF 55 sunscreen, which both soothed the raw skin.

Afternoon.  Skin peeled off in sheets. By early evening, it was close to done (little remnants along hairline). What remained on my forehead and upper face was a smoothness, yet red and splotchy.  What remained on the lower half of my face was an irritation (slight raw skin pain) and dry, hard skin like a callous or leather.  I continued with the Alba Un-Petroleum Jelly  since at this point the Vi PEEL™ moisturizer  was too irritating.  The Alba product contains:

  • Castor seed oil
  • Coconut oil
  • Beeswax
  • Vitamin E

Early evening. Since the peeling had subsided and I knew my skin craved some serious moisture, I went into the steam but had cold water with me to keep pouring on my face too. I did this routine for about 10 minutes. While I was in the steam, the hardened skin seemed to be completely better!

Hours later, it was a little raw again but the hardened skin was not as bad.

Later in the evening I switched to 100% pure jojoba oil for my dry and scaly chin and lips.

Day 6

Morning. My skin was still dry. The area around my mouth was dry and scabby, beginning to flake off in tiny sections (very unlike the initial layer which came off in light sheets of skin).

My overall face was reddish and all previous hyper pigmentation now darker (reddish) and more pronounced.

I kept up with the moisturizers, caked on at this point.

A quote from my daughter:

“My mom looks like a snake failing to shed its skin. It feels hard like scabs on her chin.”

Afternoon. Check up with Pamela DePianto and Dr. Macdonald’s.

Pam said that I was definitely was not done peeling and healing. The darker skin would lighten up to 4 weeks post-peel.

Day 9 and Day 10

Second layer of peeling on forehead and cheeks.

I was happy to find that the darkest hyper pigmentation areas had extra dryness and scabbing, preparing to peel off.

Before bed I used a Vitamin C Exfoliant cleanser (by L’Oreal). Very mild but has a little kick to the exfoliating. Since my skin is not irritated at all, I wanted to get that extra boost so these dark spots definitely come off…

Day 12

Skin color evened out.  Peeling stopped.  Skin felt smooth….   Planning on next update at 4 week mark.

Week 4

My face is smooth and noticeably healthy, similar to day 12.  It is recommended to do 3 peels with the Vi PEEL™ series.

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.

by

Healthy Skin After Sun Exposure: PCA and TCA Body Peels

photo Wikimedia Commons

Do your hands or upper torso need help restoring a youthful appearance they once had and now are just covered in “brown spots”? I know my answer to that question is ‘Yes’ for me.  I’m also learning that a chemical peel is for more than just the face, but for different body parts too such as the hands and chest.  Dr. Macdonald’s office does both the PCA peels (plus more through Amy, the Medical Esthetician) and TCA (and other physician strength peels).

Did you know that brown spots on your aging skin are 85% due to the environment and 15% due to aging? That statistic opened my eyes as I had thought more of my recent effects were due to aging.  Environmental damage, for me, started in my early years with suntan contests with suntan oil (no SPF) which left me sunburned and peeling… Sun exposure to this day is minimal but I have heightened effects.

Not only do I have brown spots on my face (as we’ve seen in my facial chemical peel story (which ended with this post), I have them on my hands too, as we’ve seen in part with my laser treatment.

But wait, there’s more!  I also am full of brown spots on my chest, front of arms and front of legs.  Basically, all the main target areas hit by sunburn and peeling during the suntan years now have brown spots. [And I didn't even win the suntan contests, even when I used the silver, reflecting suntan blankets... Go figure--someone with my light skin trying to compete with a person whose skin has more natural melanin.]

Since I am now “studying” brown spots on skin, I seem to notice them everywhere, on everyone.  I am perplexed at how clear some people’s hands are.  I have learned the reasons behind this.

The darkness in skin is melanin.  Those with darker complexions naturally have more melanin in their skin.  What happens when we go in the sun?  We either get tan or we get burned (or somewhere in between).

I am interested in the science behind tan vs. sunburn. Melanin protects the skin from the sun’s harmful rays (or from any skin injury).  The skin of a person with enough melanin in their skin to handle the sun’s rays turns a little darker as a result.  However, the skin of a person with less melanin in their skin reacts; it goes into protection-mode and releases melanin (that naturally lays beneath the skin’s surface).  This melanin rises to the surface… but not uniformly, resulting in a spotty look.

Wrinkles are another subject of interest here, increased with sun exposure. The reason is that the UVA light breaks down collagen fibers which were once tightly woven together, and then as the skin repairs itself, the fibers grow back together with a little separation.  This results in wrinkles.   Another reason is that the sun strips the skin of its natural moisture.  Healthy skin needs moisture.

PCA (light peels) and TCA (medium to deeper peels made of trichloric acid) together with the following will help you with your skin health:

  • proper cleanser to balance out the oil and the dryness
  • sunscreen with SPF to block from the sun’s harmful rays
  • antioxidants to neutralize free radicals
  • retinol A (vitamin A) to rejuvenate cells
  • vitamin C to build collagen
  • vitamin D3 to protect

Next time you’re in the sun, especially a hot beach, chose a spot with an umbrella, or wear a hat if you can….

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.

by

HQRA: 4 Months Later, Proactive Skin Protection for Optimal Skin Health

It’s been 4 months since my final PCA chemical peel in a series of 5.

I still continue to use the HQRA on my face every other night before bed.  I continue to see skin improvements.

At this time of year, in the winter months, it is easiest for me to see any spots on my skin since I have not been in the sun in months (so therefore, no tan or extra pigments).  An important point to make here is that this is the first winter since my PCA chemical peel so my skin clarity should be the best it’s been in years!

As sunny and warmer weather appears on the horizon, I find myself in a new predicament.  I actually care about what the sun will do to my skin after working so hard to get it this way!  So I am making the following changes:

  • Buying new sun hats with coverage all around.  Baseball caps still leave a lot of exposed skin on the sides so I will no longer wear these since I now know that in doing so my face is not fully protected from the sun.
  • Ti-Silc sunscreen every day.  This includes driving in the car, and mornings when I think the sun is not at its peak.  I no longer believe that sunscreen is only meant for the sunny beach days.
  • Moisturizer every day and evening.  I now spend time each day thinking about the moisturizer on my face, whether it be before going to sleep or after waking up, having washed my face.
  • The harmful drying effects of wind-burn in snowy regions.  I was recently downhill skiing in Lake Tahoe (2 weekends in a row) and seriously, for the first time, noticed how extra dry my skin was during these weekends, but also the 1-2 weeks to follow!  Extreme moisturizer plus sunscreen needs to be used in these climates.
  • Special sunscreen for sunny beach days or vacations to the tropics.  These sunscreens need to be waterproof.  I may even opt (for the first time in my life) for the zinc-oxide look so that I know I’m getting full protection!
  • Not always sitting in the sunny spot at a restaurant.  I am like a cat the way I gravitate toward a sunny seat wherever I go and promptly sit with my eyes closed in the sun, happily.  I think I will change this habit and chose seats where my back is toward the sun.

I am not only thinking about skin clarity now, but also about wrinkles. This reminds me of some research I did last year on wrinkles and healthy skin that I’d like to revisit now.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body.

Some good habits for the skin include:

  • Topical hydration with lotions
  • Drinking plenty of water each day to flush the pores
  • Exercise to keep the circulation moving

Wrinkles are formed as we age and the moisture inherent in youthful skin begins to dry up.  There are more contributors.

Did you know that there are 43 muscles in the face? This results in approximately 7,000 different facial expressions. Each of these when done repetitively contributes to wrinkles.

Of course, it is not advised to never make a facial reaction in order to lower your chance of getting wrinkles though. We should all live our happy lives as they are meant to be lived, which includes moving these 43 muscles!  But it’s a good idea to protect against extra wrinkles where possible.

We know about the harmful effects of extended sun exposure to the skin.   Smoking cigarettes too is a huge cause of wrinkles, discoloration and poor texture of the skin.  Of course it affects our general health too. You are even effected while being in a smoke-filled room.  Cigarette smoke is harmful because:

  • It contains carbon monoxide which reduces the amount of oxygen the blood can carry around the body.  This hampers your breathing capacity, inhibits your circulation and deprives the skin cells of oxygen.
  • It damages the collagen and elastin fibers of the skin, making it less firm and resilient. This contributes to wrinkles — sometimes 20 years earlier for a smoker vs. a non-smoker!
  • Its constant and repetitive puckering of the mouth and eyes causes smokers to develop wrinkle lines around lips, eyes and forehead sooner.  [I've also read a study that sucking on a straw often can have this effect too.]
  • It increases free-radicals, which can damage the skin.
  • It depletes the tissues of Vitamin C, a nutrient that is vital for healthy skin.

I love my new skin!  As I prepare for bed I am making sure I take care of my healthy skin by drinking my water, washing my face with a facial wash that is not too drying, putting on my eye creams, putting on my HQRA all over my face, and meditating before bed (so I’m completely at ease before sleeping).  It might be a hot tub night tonight too, contributing to a peaceful sleep.  It all contributes to great healthy skin from the inside out!

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.

by

Community Connection: Treating Wrinkles, Healthy Skin, Effects of Smoking on the Skin

It’s time for the next  You…Only Better Boutique charity event put on my Dr. Macdonald.   The last one was a great success.

Let’s remember this holiday season…We get what we give in life!

Please join Dr. Macdonald and friends of Larkin Street in supporting the needs of Larkin Street Youth Services. Your contribution of $50 can give a child a warm bed, a nutritious meal, and counseling to provide them the emotional support and nurturing desperately needed.  Be a friend to a child and make a difference in their life and yours forever.

It’s also a chance for you to receive discounts on your  Dysport™, Restylane® or Perlane™ injections.

After having tried BOTOX® injections (Dysport™ a close substitute) myself to improve the wrinkled look and to look and feel younger, I was happy to hear about this Medi-Spa Services event on Thursday, December 9th from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

To learn more about this wonderful local charity, you can read here: Larkin Street Youth Services

Special Discounts on Treatments:

  • $75 off Dysport™
  • $100 off Restylane®
  • $125 off Perlane™

Additional Beauty and Skincare Promotions from his expert Aesthetician and Cosmetics staff:

  • Complimentary skincare evaluations with dermatology specialist, Amy
  • $15 (regular $20) Eyelash tinting with Amy
  • $30 (regular $45) Eyebrow shaping with Thao
  • Purchase Amy’s new MicroPeel 3-pack series on December 9th for $300 (33% savings, regular $450)
  • KINERASE® skincare goody bags for all

Some research for you on wrinkles and skin

Good health effects your entire body, of course.  But did you know that your skin is the largest organ of your body?  Some good habits for the skin include:

  • Topical hydration with lotions
  • Drinking plenty of water each day to flush the pores
  • Exercise to keep the circulation moving

Wrinkles are formed as we age and the moisture inherent in youthful skin begins to dry up.  We know about the harmful effects of extended sun exposure to the skin.   Smoking cigarettes too is a big cause of wrinkles, discoloration and poor texture of the skin.

Did you know about the following harmful effects of cigarette smoking that affect your skin?

  • Contains carbon monoxide which reduces the amount of oxygen the blood can carry around the body.  This hampers your breathing capacity, inhibits your circulation and deprives the skin cells of oxygen.
  • Damages the collagen and elastin fibers of the skin, making it less firm and resilient. This contributes to wrinkles — sometimes 20 years earlier for a smoker vs. a non-smoker!
  • Constant and repetitive puckering of the mouth and eyes causes smokers to develop wrinkle lines around lips, eyes and forehead sooner.  [I've also read a study that sucking on a straw often can have this effect too.]
  • Increases free-radicals, which can damage the skin.
  • Depletes the tissues of Vitamin C, a nutrient that is vital for healthy skin.

BOTOX®, Dysport™, Restylane®, Perlane™ injections will help you with your wrinkles…

Call 415-956-3223 or email contactus@drMMacdonald.com to schedule in advance. Spaces book up fast.

by

Light Chemical Peel Series Completed: Results + Lessons

Now that I have completed the 5 series Light Chemical Peel (read here for all related posts)…

I am pleased that I went through these 5 peels all spaced out by 2-4 weeks.  In retrospect, I only needed to hide from the public for about 10 of those days.

Now my skin feels extra smooth to the touch, and I’m getting lots of comments from others on my complexion.

In general, the fine lines all over my face have been reduced — from the marionette lines at the corners of my mouth to the lines around my eyes.  No one has mentioned any of this in particular and it’s not the easiest to pinpoint in a before/after photo, but what I have noticed is an overall, more youthful look.   Others are commenting on my overall look.

Some comments from others:

“Look at you, you are glowing!”

“Your skin looks a lot more even toned now, compared to your skin before the peel.”

“Your pores seem cleared out, and you no longer have any areas on your face that were prone to acne break outs.”

“Mom, everyone thinks you look too young to be my mom.”

I truly feel a weight lifted from my face.  It is lighter.  I guess my pores have been rebuilt at the cellular level!   My skin does feel extra smooth, as I mentioned above — but say again for enhancement.

And, I was carded at the grocery store 2 times this past week… :)

Before the first peel:

Before the first peel, my face was noticeably more spotty from age and sun damage and I had more fine wrinkle lines.  I have learned in retrospect that my pores were significantly clogged too.

During my next office visit with Dr. Macdonald I will get him to take an “after” photo in the same lighting and setting as the “before” photos so that you can get the most visible effect of the changes.

Overall lesson about my skin:

It has given me better health habits in terms of the sun now that I know I have rebuilt many of my skin cells deep down.  I want to keep the healthy cells.  Now, I am more aware than ever before of the damage of the sun on the skin, especially my face.

I know how crucial sunscreen is on a daily basis, year round even if you are simply driving in the car (and extra sunscreen for direct sun, plus a hat!)

I feel healthier that the skin layers below the surface have been repaired and the dead cells have been eaten away, making way for the new and existing cells to produce more collagen and elastin.

I have learned that many of the spots on my skin are from my genetics and not necessarily sun spots that can be corrected with a peel.  I see a similar look on my dad’s skin.

Since there are certain limitations with the peel-series treatment, Dr. Macdonald’s office offers other alternative solutions to the PCA Light Chemical Peel that I had:

  • Deeper chemical peel (see the details here)
  • PhotoFacial – laser procedure that is more aggressive than a peel.  Reduces sun damage, evens out pigmentation irregularities, removes vascular and pigmented lesions, and decreases redness from rosacea.
  • Continue the peel with Hydroquinone / Retinol A (HQRA) at home

Ongoing treatment to maintain my skin:

I will follow up my chemical peel treatments now with HQRA Cream in-home treatment by Neutraderm.  I apply it every other night before bed.  It will continue the peel benefits (bleaching dark spots, reducing fine lines, and improving cells), while exfoliating only a minimal amount.

Chemical Peel Promotions in Dr. Macdonald’s office:

If you’re thinking about sprucing up your post-summer skin this fall before the holidays, I definitely recommend you take advantage of Dr. Macdonald’s medical aesthetics experts and the $500 Light Chemical Peel 5-series package (savings of 33%!), that I’ve mentioned here in previous posts.

It runs October through November and includes a complimentary post-healing care kit and 15% discount off the TiSilc sunscreen I love!

You can click here to send an inquiry about scheduling.

© 2010 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.

by

Light Chemical Peel #2

Today is peel #2 of my 5-part Light Chemical Peel series with Amy Crowley, Dr. Macdonald’s Medical Esthetician.

[Note: picture to the left is the before-shot. Picture further down to the right is the after-shot.]

I appear a little white after the peel. And, like before my skin is extra shiny. I’m supposed to leave the solution on my face until I go to sleep tonight, so I will not be going anywhere tonight.

The difference this time from the first peel is that the burning and itchiness subsided quicker (within the hour of the peel). My skin is acclimating to the chemicals apparently. Also, I left Dr. Macdonald’s office to some cool fog, as opposed to scorching heat last time.

Today, Amy applied the same solution as before except this time she went a little deeper. This means that she applied more layers. Last time I got 2 layers of the chemical. This time it was 4 layers (where the 4th layer was only applied to the problem areas). It is Amy’s knowledge that my side effects will not be any greater despite the extra layers.

I told Amy about my favorite lotion, Kiss My Face, Obsessively Natural with alpha-hydroxy and aloe vera. Amy indicated that I should not be using any alpha-hydroxy within 3-5 days of the peel because it exfoliates the skin further. So, I have taken note this time. Of course she told me this but it slipped my mind (and all I remembered was to not use any astringent lotions or potions :) For the next 3 days I will use what Amy recommends: Alba Un-Petroleum jelly (in the baby section at Whole Foods).

I wanted to know exactly what happens to the skin during the 2 weeks between peels. After experiencing what seemed like a sunburn and the after effects of too much sun with my first peel, I couldn’t help but ask Amy to explain to me what exactly goes on behind the scenes in my skin with a chemical peel vs. sunburn. [Of course we all know that sun is damaging and a chemical peel is not, so this question merely seeks to learn of the dermatology behind it].

The carefully selected solutions in a chemical peel sink into the skin and cause the skin layers below the surface to react on the cellular level.

  • The skin cells are repaired
  • Melanin is reduced (darkness)
  • Cells produce more collagen and elastin
  • Dead cells are eaten away

[The sun burns away the top layer of skin only, in comparison. Of course it also does damage, but we didn't get into these details ;) ]

I wanted to know how frequently should a patient strive to do a 5-peel series?

It depends on the results you are looking for but for most people it’s recommended to do the 5-peel series twice per year for optimal results in reducing and/or eliminating fine lines and wrinkles and dark spots.

Is there a better time of the year (weather-wise) to do peels? I thought this would be a factor due to the heat.

Yes, in the Bay Area it’s best to start in October when the weather begins to cool. The optimal chemical peel requires that you are cool, not necessarily just out of the sun. I experienced extra burning after my last peel when I was simply indoors in my house during a 90 degree week. The heat has a tendency to darken the spots even more.

I wanted to know about facials. Could patients optimize the results of the chemical peel by getting facials in between the 5 peel visits, or during the year to follow? I also wondered if the preparation solution applied to my face before the chemical was a sort of “facial”.

The preparation solution is only a deep cleanser to prepare the skin. For patients with blackheads, it is recommended by Amy to get a deep cleansing facial after the second peel to help the skin progress better. For my skin it isn’t necessary during the peel series.

During the year it is recommended to get facials. Amy has many different customized facials depending on the skin type and situation. You can receive deep pore cleansing with steam, extraction and exfoliation, massage, masks. What’s important is stimulating the skin. Amy’s formulas react to the skin to create lymphatic drainage that you could not get on your own if you were to use an “at home” product. Amy did recommend though if you wanted to massage your face, hazelnut oil is an excellent choice.

I wanted to know if Amy could focus the peel more heavily in certain areas where I have “trouble spots” (such as crows feet wrinkles under the eyes, or brown spots).
The answer is Yes, and she did just that today for me. For the first peel 2 weeks ago, she wanted to see how my skin reacted. Today, the 4th layer of the peel solution was only applied to my problem areas (crows feet, brown spots).

Regarding the crows feet wrinkles, and the fact that during a peel series the “crepey” look appears more visibly… Amy mentioned that some patients get BOTOX® treatments in conjunction with their peels.

Often times it’s a matter of timing and convenience as the reason for doing both at the same time, but there are some benefits in that you would not have to worry so much about the extra “crepey” skin (like the situation I have …). As I understand it, BOTOX® treatments do not react unfavorably to the chemical peel because BOTOX® relaxes the muscles and is not necessarily a “chemical” per se that would interfere.

When a patient has both done at the same time, first they get the BOTOX® injections, and then do the chemical peel to follow. Amy, knowing this, will apply a special solution to the BOTOX® area first to prepare and protect the skin for the peel.

So.. that is it for today. Tonight, I will have a relaxing evening at home. Before bed I will wash the solution off and apply my Alba moisturizer.

Stay tuned for more details…

© 2010 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.

by

5 Weeks Post-Surgery: Scars Healing, Chemical Peel Plans


Latest update on my eye surgery healing. I had my 5 week check up appointment with Dr. Macdonald. Here is my office picture to the left with no makeup taken by Dr. Macdonald.

All is well with my eyes — the scars, the contour, the minimal swelling, and the potential for more healing. Dr. Macdonald says that I still have some upper eyelid swelling that will go down gradually over the course of the next year.

The scar tissue that only I can feel if I dig my fingers into my eye sockets is flattening out significantly. I am right on track (actually ahead, he says). I will continue to apply my scar gel twice per day as it’s working miracles. I won’t be back to see him for 5 more months for the eyes check up.

So now we move away from cosmetic surgery recovery and on to something new…

Skin care time. I will embark now on a new journey. Aside from the eyelash treatment posted in the previous article, I will try a chemical skin peel for my entire face. I will start the treatment in a few weeks. The procedure requires 5 visits, all spaced out by 10-14 days.

You can tell from my pictures that my skin could use some improvement. I have considered different options through the years and have, in the end, just settled with my skin, which is a combination of genes on my father’s side and sun damage. Dr. Macdonald thinks it will make a big difference with the chemical peel!

I have sensitive and light skin to start, and a father who is even lighter than me with more pronounced pigmentation than me. In addition, I have been in the sun all my life. I grew up in South Florida and had tan contests as a teenager, thinking we were cool if our skin peeled after using tanning oil with no sunscreen.

So, this is my history. Now I am paying the price!

Since the skin on my face is so light and sensitive Dr. Macdonald recommends the light chemical peel for me as opposed to the deeper peel. The peels will use glycolic acid, amino fruit acids, lactic acid and L-ascorbic acid. With the lighter peels there is virtually no recovery time required, as opposed to the deeper peels. I will test this theory.

I have some photopigmentation that will be cleared with this process. The light peel will dramatically lessen the appearance of fine lines and reduce visible photopigmentation for me.

The way the process works is that I will come into the office where Dr. Macdonald’s Medical Esthetician, Amy Crowley will apply 3 layers of these acids over a course of 30 minutes and go home with some still on my face which I will wash off later. I will only feel tingling on my face for a few minutes. This will be repeated 5 times (spread out every 2 weeks or so).

I am excited to compare all the pictures from peel to peel. Of course you will be able to see all of these results too. :)

I will begin this process in June.

© R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.