IPL PhotoFacial procedure @ dermlasercenter

Dr. Caglia performs PhotoFacial Rejuvenation (Intense Pulsed Light) procedures for patients from the Dallas and DFW area including the surrounding cities of Plano, Allen, Frisco, Mckinney, Southlake, Rockwall, Grapevine, Addison, Garland, Mesquite and White Rock, Texas.

Procedure 

PhotoFacial Rejuvenation (Intense Pulsed Light) procedure

What is PhotoFacial Rejuvenation (Intense Pulsed Light) ?

According to Wikipedia Photo rejuvenation is a skin treatment that uses intense pulsed light or other thermal or chemical methods to treat some skin conditions and remove wrinkles arising from photoaging. The process induces controlled wounds on the skin, prompting it to heal itself by creating new cells. This process reverses the effects of photoaging to a certain extent by removing wrinkles

Number of Treatments

Depending on the area treated, there will be a series of 5 – 8 treatments. Treatments usually take from 15 – 30 minutes and are administered in the Dr. Caglia’s office

IPL Photo Facial procedure @ dermlasercenter -  Find out if you could benefit from IPL Photo Facial procedure. Schedule your consultation with our practice today. Call 972-690-7070

OTC Stretch Mark Creams

Many men and women are affected by stretch marks, which are caused by a tearing of the dermis layer. Stretch marks occur because of rapid growth causing the skin to stretch too quickly overcoming the skin’s elasticity. Many people don’t realize that stretch marks can also occur because of rapid weight loss.

One important thing to note if you have stretch marks is that it is best to treat them when they have first appeared and are still red or purple. Most research on stretch marks has been done when they were in the early stages after they have first appeared.

Most people that have stretch marks would like to believe that there is a quick fix to their problem. There are so many creams and products that promote themselves for being able to prevent stretch marks or reduce the appearance of stretch marks or make them disappear all together. How is anyone supposed to know which one to choose or what really works if there are so many? Many of these lotions and creams haven’t even been studied or shown to provide a real benefit. These companies that are manufacturing and selling these products are making profits solely on well-designed packaging and empty claims. If any of these products do help, there is actually no scientific proof to back their sayings.

One stretch mark cream, Mederma (onion extract gel), has actually been clinically studied by scientists. These tests showed that Mederma was effective in reducing the appearance of scars. However, the patients that were observed, had to be apply Mederma daily for eight weeks. Three out of four patients showed considerable improvements. In these patients the scars were substantially softer and less visible.

Some other items that have claimed that they get rid of stretch marks are vitamin C, wheat germ oil, products containing peptides, glycolic acid, retinoids, and laser treatments.

Itching, Scratching, and red inflamed skin

It is estimated that nearly 18 million Americans are affected by atopic dermatitis, an inflammatory skin disorder that is characterized by repeating breakouts of red, dry, and itchy skin that can be very uncomfortable.

Atopic Dermatitis Skin Relief Routines:

If you have atopic dermatitis and you are looking for some things to do to give your skin relief, then here are some options.

Always keep skin moisturized with a ceramide-containing moisturizer and use gentle cleansers to prevent further irritation to your skin. Moisturizers should be used twice every day. You should bathe in lukewarm water for 15 minutes or less, once per day. You should avoid using hot water or soaking, even if that is what you prefer.  Taking a short bath in lukewarm water helps to prevent skin from over-drying, and bathing daily is important to remove dead skin cells.

It is better to cleanse at the end of your bath so your skin does not get over exposed to the chemicals in your cleanser. Also avoid bubble baths because the chemicals they contain can aggravate your skin.

For scalp treatment, a shampoo or hydrating cleanser such as CeraVe can be used no more than one to two times per week for 10 to 15 minutes. Try to use something that doesn’t contain cocamidopropyl betaine or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives such as, quaternium-15, brunopol, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, dimethylol-dimethyl hydantoin, and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate.

Other types of cleansing methods that patients with AD can do are bleach baths. Bleach baths are suggested one to two times per week for repeated infections. The ratio of bleach to bath water is a quarter cup of household bleach to a half tub of water. The water and bleach should be mixed before the patient enters the tub. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse with water, pat dry and apply a moisturizer. Make sure you bleach your other towels, bed sheets, and clothes at the same time. You don’t want to use clothes or linens that have already been contaminated.

If you have any medicated cream, you should apply it to rough, red, or scaly skin apply it before you use moisturizer. Medicated cream should also be applied twice per day. Moisturizer should be applied thickly from head to toe while skin is still damp to help hold in the moisture. When getting ready to apply moisturizer, extract the full amount from the container that you plan on using to prevent contamination in the jar from your fingers.  Emollients are used to correct dryness and scaling of the skin. They are the top of the line standard of care for atopic dermatitis patients. Moisturizers containing physiologic lipids should be used.

Another skin relief regime is doing wet wraps. Because patients’ skin with atopic dermatitis is excessively dry, wet wraps can be used to lock in moisture. First you want to wet your skin, then apply a topical steroid to the dermatitis and then add moisturizer. Wrap the area with a single layer of damp gauze dressing, followed by a layer of dry wraps. Damp clothing can be used in place of the gauze. Afterward, cover this with an additional dry layer of cotton such as additional gauze, clothing, or the top of a tube sock, and leave it on overnight¹.

Stop those Acne Breakouts!

Many people suffer from acne and scarring from acne breakouts. Acne is a skin condition that causes blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed red growths (zits) and are seen most commonly on the face, neck, chest, or upper back and shoulders.

Are you wondering what you can do, or what products you can buy to help with acne and acne breakouts?

Well you can start by maintaining a daily face cleansing routine. You should make sure to wash your face at least twice a day and especially after exercising because sweating clogs pores, which can cause a breakout.

Benzoyl– peroxide, topical and oral retinoids, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories are most commonly used in the prevention of acne and acne breakouts.

Benzoyl-peroxide is one of the most effective over the counter products used for mild to moderate acne treatment. People who use benzoyl-peroxide experience mild side effects that may include dry skin, skin tingling, or warmth. These side effects should subside over time after frequent use. Any other symptoms or if these symptoms become severe, this is not normal and a doctor should be called immediately.

Topical retinoids such as Differin, Retin-A, and Tazorac are some of the most commonly used for moderate to severe acne. Topical retinoids reduce outbreaks by unclogging pores and are often used in conjunction with oral antibiotics and benzoyl-peroxide.

With any of these treatment options skin may become increasingly sensitive to sunlight so proper protection should be used.

An oral retinoid such as Vitamin A is also helpful in long term reduction of acne. Vitamin A can reduce the amount of oil secreted by the glands.

An anti-inflammatory such as Nicotinamide is useful along with these other treatments against acne because anti-inflammatories decrease the redness and swelling of infected pimples.

What’s up with your sunscreen?

Sunscreen’s purpose is to protect us against damage from ultraviolet rays. There are two types of ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB rays. Did you know that both UVA and UVB sun rays harm humans in different ways?

UVA rays:

• Less intense than UVB, but they are 30 to 50 times more common.
• They are always present and remain at approximately the same strength throughout all daylight hours, every day.
• UVA rays can even seep through glass and clouds.
• They enter into the skin more deeply than UVB.
• UVA rays cause pre aging of the skin, sun spots, and wrinkles.
• UVA rays can contribute to the development of skin cancer.

UVB rays:

• UVB rays cause skin blushing and sunburn.
• UVB rays plays a significant role in the development and growth of skin cancer
• UVB rays are more powerful than UVA rays
• The strength of UVB rays varies depending on the time of the day, season and location.

The sunscreen you choose should protect against both of these types of rays.

The FDA has made some changes to the verbiage that has to be listed on sunscreen containers to help customers better understand what protection they are getting. New words such as “broad spectrum” will now be on some sunscreen labels. The well-known ‘SPF’ (sun protection factor) label only protects against UVB rays; the ones that cause premature aging.  If broad spectrum is listed on the sunscreen label it is to inform buyers that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Manufacturers will be required by the FDA to test sunscreen for defense against both types of rays and if they pass they can be labeled ‘Broad Spectrum.’

Muffin Top Getting You Down?

Are you having problems with stubborn excess fat, and just want to look good in your clothes again? Thankfully, because of new advancements in technology,  a new less invasive form of liposuction has been discovered. Most people are familiar with the older traditional type of liposuction, and maybe don’t know that there is an easier way or what it entails. So many people try diet and exercise to no avail and still find that they can’t lose the extra fat. It is discouraging for these people to work so hard to look good and not get the results they want or expect.

SlimLipo – technologically advanced lipolysis

SlimLipo is laser assisted liposuction. The laser is used to melt fat turning it to a liquid, which is then removed by a very small tube and is just one of the nice advantages of SlimLipo compared to traditional liposuction. This melting away of fat produces smoother results with less contour irregularities which are normally seen with traditional liposuction. SlimLipo also has a much shorter recovery time and less swelling and pain afterwards. After SlimLipo, patients are able to return to work in only one to two days.

Is your face making its own emotions?

As people age, fine lines and wrinkles become more prominent and defined. As those lines become defined, sometimes the face can show emotions that aren’t even being expressed. However, there have been many discoveries in ways to diminish lines or abolish them all together for extended periods of time. One of these discoveries is Botox.  Botox Cosmetic is one of the top of the line and most popular products used to reduce facial wrinkles. Botox is the latest development in botulinum toxin treatment. Although Botox is a wonderful and effective way to treat wrinkles in frown lines, forehead creases (glabellar lines), skin bands on the neck and crow’s feet, many people are still skeptical to get the procedure done. These people are often worried because they are misinformed or because they misunderstand how the botulinum toxin functions. Botulinum toxin is the same toxin that causes botulism poisoning, which is life threatening. However, Botox has been FDA approved as a safe method to use for cosmetic and therapeutic treatment. Botox is a prescription medicine that will be prescribed by your doctor only if you are a candidate. Botox is a popular choice because it is less intrusive than other types of cosmetic procedures.

Another Surprising Use of Botox:

The majority of people know that Botox is used to reduce wrinkles, but what many may not know or realize is that there are other uses for the Botox Cosmetic treatment. Several people are victims of what is thought to be a genetic problem that makes the sympathetic nervous system work overtime. This type of extra activity produces an overload of sweat that is not normal. This additional, unnecessary sweat can be embarrassing and make some feel unattractive or self conscious. Most of the people that suffer from excess sweat or hyperhidrosis haven’t figured out that there is actually something that can be done to help reduce their sweating significantly.