Lotions and Creams

The mildest form of treatment is the application of a therapeutic cream or lotion. The regular use of an appropriate skin care regimen is designed to reduce undesirable textural and pigmentary changes and slow their progression. A number of products are available, the most common of which contains either an alpha-hydroxy acid such as glycolic acid (e.g. Gly Derm®), retinoic acid (Retin-A®, Renova®), amino fruit acid (AFAs™ ), or Kinerase®. These products gently exfoliate the outer skin cell layers. They may also reduce some of the fine lines and improve splotchy, irregular pigmentation that is often seen from sun exposure, pregnancy or birth control pills. A personalized program is designed after a consultation to determine which products will be most appropriate for your skin.

Facial Rejuvenation

Dr. Green has been performing facial rejuvenation procedures for more than 20 years. There are diverse treatments that may include non-ablative procedures, resurfacing, the use of filler materials and Botox™. The optimal rejuvenation technique and depth is determined after consultation with Dr. Green, based upon your skin's needs and your goals. MiniPeels These light chemical peels involve the application of an alpha-hydroxy acid, which is a mild exfoliating agent found naturally in many fruits (which is why they are often referred to as fruit peels.) They may be so mild that many people have them done during their lunch break, thus they have also come to be called lunchtime peels. This treatment promotes clearer, smoother skin while encouraging cell renewal. In addition, for those with acne-prone skin, these MiniPeels promote the removal, and reduce the development, of blackheads and whiteheads. Usually a series of six is recommended in conjunction with a skin care regimen. This individualized program is designed to minimize the appearance of fine lines, dry skin, splotchy pigmentation and other undesirable effects of long-term sun exposure. A series of minipeels is often repeated every 6 to 12 months to maintain your optimal skin health. MicroDermabrasion The procedure is often referred to by diffferent names such as the Radiant Peel™, PowerPeel™, DermaPeel™, and ParisianPeel™, among others. Microdermabrasion is a technique that exfoliates surface cells and debris. It is the accumulation of these cells and debris that makes the skin have a dull, rough, lusterless appearance. It provides somewhat deeper exfoliation than is provided by MiniPeels. Microdermabrasion provides the skin with a smoother feel and attempts to enhance subtle irregularities in skin color and texture. The technique involves tiny crystalline particles which impact the skin, dislodging skin cells and debris in the outermost layers. Although the skin may be pink for a few hours, or longer, immediate return to work and normal activities is possible. Treatments are initially performed once every two weeks and then monthly. In conjunction with Microdermabrasion, a skin care regimen is recommended based upon your particular skin care needs. This is determined at the time of your initial consultation. Quantum IPL™/Photorejuvenation This process of improving the skin color and texture through the use of light energy is known as Photorejuvenation. [Photo = Light; Rejuvenation = To make young again]. Rejuvenation of the skin is not new and has been accomplished for many decades through chemical peeling, laser resurfacing and dermabrasion. These procedures, while extraordinarily effective, involve removal of the epidermis – the outermost layer of skin. For that reason, they are considered ablative procedures and require a recuperation period of several days to weeks. Improvement in skin color and texture without damaging or removing the epidermis is referred to as non-ablative rejuvenation. The Quantum IPL™ is a novel light source used for non-ablative photorejuvenation of the face, neck, chest, forearms and hands. The light produced by the Quantum IPL™ consists of visible and infrared wavelengths. It does not emit any ultraviolet rays or other harmful rays. The Quantum IPL™ is FDA approved and is considered safe. The following graphic illustrates the Quantum IPL™ treatment process. Red blemishes from broken blood vessels and brown spots of pigment from sun damage respond to Intense Pulsed Light. The light is changed to heat energy as it reaches to the level of the collagen beneath the skin surface. After treatment with the Quantum IPL™ improvement in skin color and texture occurs in stages: •  Improvement in skin color can be observed within weeks while changes in texture may not become apparent until months after treatment. •  Initially, i.e., within weeks after treatment, improvement is noticed in the color of the skin, as the Quantum IPL™ attempts to promote a more even complexion. In particular, it attempts to improve dark patches - known as hyperpigmentation - and persistent redness - known as erythema. Hyperpigmentation may appear as diffuse darkening of the skin or it may be more localized - in patches of varying sizes. These patches may include - what are commonly referred to as - freckles, age spots, sun spots, and liver spots. Erythema may also appear diffusely or in smaller patches. Both hyperpigmentation and erythema develop as a consequence of years of sun exposure and may also appear as a result of some inflammatory skin conditions, such as Rosacea. •  As a later appearing benefit, i.e., often months after treatment, improvement may occur in skin texture, i.e., fine lines, because of the Quantum IPL™ potential to stimulate the production of new collagen in the dermis. Treatment takes about 30 minutes and is administered every 3 to 4 weeks. Immediately after treatment your skin may be pink and slightly swollen for a few hours or longer, but often no visible changes are present and you can immediately resume all activities. All usual skin care products can be continued. However, if you do have any redness, you should not use any products that may irritate the skin until the redness fades. A series of 6 treatments are initially administered at intervals of 3 weeks. The appeal of the Quantum IPL™ is that there is no interruption in your lifestyle – you may continue all normal work and recreational activities. After treatment, you should apply a sunscreen prior to any anticipated sun exposure, until any redness and swelling disappears. However, because sunlight is the most common cause of many of the alterations in skin that we are attempting to improve with the QuantumIPL, a sunscreen is a recommended part of your daily regimen when sun exposure is anticipated. Laser and Chemical Resurfacing Prominent and deep wrinkles and facial expression lines, as well as significant changes in skin color and texture, require deeper resurfacing. Resurfacing is presently performed by laser (laser resurfacing) or with a chemical solution (chemical resurfacing). Chemical resurfacing is commonly called chemical face peeling, even though there is no actual peeling of skin. These procedures involve the removal of the outer layers of skin that have been altered, primarily, because of age or decades of sun damage. Once the damaged layers of skin are removed, the skin spontaneously regenerates or resurfaces. When it does, the newly formed skin texture is smoother than in its untreated condition. In addition, splotchy pigmentation is usually improved and skin color becomes more even and homogenous.     Facial Resurfacing Around the lips and chin         Facial Resurfacing Around the eyes     Unlike the more superficial alpha-hydroxy peels and microdermabrasion techniques, these deeper resurfacing techniques are ablative and can take from 5 days to more than 2 weeks to heal depending on the depth of the skin resurfacing. And the depth to which the skin resurfacing is taken, is based upon the extent of the textural changes and wrinkling that is present. Like the more superficial alpha-hydroxy peels, chemical face peeling does not actually involve any peeling of the skin. Instead, a chemical solution is applied to the skin that dissolves the outer layers of skin. In contrast, laser resurfacing accomplishes the same result but through laser light and heat. Botox™ Treatment Botox™ is a naturally derived product used to reduce facial expression lines, especially on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes (crow's feet). These lines may not only make us look old, but often convey an expression of fatigue or anger even if those appearances do not represent how we are feeling. Following a Botox™ treatment, you may immediately resume all normal activities and significant results can be observed usually within one week. Filler Materials Filler materials are used to diminish deeper facial expression lines and wrinkles. These materials include injectable collagens such as Zyderm™, Zyplast™, and Fascian™. Following a treatment, you may resume all normal activities.