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At Valley Skin Institute, we use the latest technology and treatment protocols for diseases of the skin, hair, and nails ranging from mild rashes to severe acne and infections. If you notice an irregular spot on your skin, call us for a consultation. We also provide some cosemetic prodedures including the following:
A peel removes several layers of sun damaged skin cells, leaving fresh skin, which has a more even surface and color. It may stimulate new collagen to be formed improving skin texture. Peels may result in superficial, moderate depth or deep skin injury.
Peels can be repeated as necessary; some people have superficial peels every few weeks. It is wise to wait 3 to 6 months before repeating a moderate depth peel.
Glycolic acid and Jessner peels result in superficial skin injury and are well tolerated – the ‘lunchtime’ peel. They remove thin lesions on the skin surface, reducing pigment and surface dryness. The result of the first peel may be disappointing, but after repeated peels, significant improvement is usually evident.
Trichloracetic acid (TCA) is the most common chemical used for a medium depth peel. The results depend on its concentration, usually 20 to 35%. The treatment is painful and treated areas are swollen, red and crusted for the next week or so. It can lead to an impressive improvement in skin texture with a reduction in blotchy pigmentation, freckling and actinic keratoses (dry sunspots). Although fine wrinkles and some acne scars are less obvious, the TCA peel has no effect on deep furrows.
MicroPen. Major Results.
If you are on a hunt for a true solution for facial acne scars, or simply looking to improve your skin’s texture, tone, and color, the pursuit stops here. The MicroPen EVO™ is the latest innovation in automated microneedling technology.
WHAT IS AUTOMATED MICRONEEDLING?
Automated microneedling is a new innovation in aesthetic dermatology for the improvement of facial acne scars. Performed under the supervision of a physician, the MicroPen EVO creates thousands of controlled micro-injuries to initiate the skin’s natural wound repair process resulting in an improvement in the appearance of facial acne scars.
HOW IS THE PROCEDURE DONE?
A sterile, single-use cartridge containing 14 microneedles is attached to the MicroPen EVO. First, your medical professional will apply sterile saline to your skin as a glide lubricant and select the appropriate pen position based on your unique needs. Next, in a single motion, the pen will be gently pressed against the skin while simultaneously gliding in one direction until the entire treatment area has been covered.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE?
The MicroPen EVO is intended to be used as a treatment to improve the appearance of facial acne scars in adults aged 22 years or older.
WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?
While some areas are more sensitive than others, most people generally compare the sensation to sandpaper being moved across the skin. Your medical provider will likely apply topical anesthetic prior to treating to
minimize discomfort.
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE?
Once the treatment begins, it typically takes 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of the area treated.
WHAT WILL MY SKIN LOOK LIKE AFTERWARD?
Some minor pinpoint bleeding is to be expected immediately post-treatment, followed by bright redness, which typically subsides after 2-3 days, depending on the level of treatment. Some patients may opt for a more aggressive treatment depending on their social downtime preference and skin needs.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
Because of its low downtime, patients often opt for light MicroPen EVO treatments every 1-2 months simply out of a desire to maintain their appearance. However, if your goal is to resolve specific skin irregularities, your medical provider might suggest a series of 3+ treatments at 4-6 week intervals.
WHEN WILL I SEE THE RESULTS?
One of the most exciting perks of the MicroPen EVO is the immediate “glow” patients can see as soon as the procedure is finished. Visible changes to the skin develop over the course of several weeks. Results continue to improve up to six months after the treatment.
Contraindications
Are there any reasons why a patient should not receive a MicroPen EVO treatment? The use of the MicroPen EVO should not be used on patients who: Have active skin cancer in the treatment area(s), have open wounds, sores, or irritated skin in the treatment area(s), have an allergy to stainless steel or anesthetics, have a hemorrhagic (bleeding) disorder or hemostatic (bleeding) dysfunction, are pregnant or nursing or if currently taking drugs with the ingredient isotretinoin (such as Accutane). NOTE: This product is not intended for transdermal (under the skin) delivery of topical products such as cosmetics, drugs, or biologics.
Risks
What are common side effects? Dryness, rough skin, tightness, redness, itching, peeling, discomfort, tenderness, and burning. What are other possible adverse events? Patients may experience reactivation of herpes simplex virus (cold sore), pigment changes that include lighter or darker skin in the treatment area that resolves over time, or no change in their
acne scars.
Laser Genesis
Laser Genesis uses micro-pulses of laser energy to activate collagen remodeling to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and diminish the signs of aging, such as facial redness and brown spots. The result is a glowing complexion. Learn more.
The excel V™ Laser by Cutera
This new laser helps diminish reds, browns, purples & blues. Learn more.
LINES HAPPEN.
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Mohs surgery is universally recognized as a precise method for treating skin cancers of the face and other cosmetically sensitive areas because it can eliminate all the cancer cells while causing minimal damage to the surrounding normal skin.
Mohs surgery is also ideal for the removal of recurrent skin cancers tumors that reappear after previous treatment and can plague a patient repeatedly. While skin cancers are usually visible to the patient, individual cancer cells are microscopic, and any cells left behind can cause the tumor to reappear. The tumor may spread beyond its obvious external margins, with “nests” of cells growing in unpredictable areas. With the Mohs technique, all tumor nests can be identified and removed with a high degree of accuracy, so that high cure rates are possible even when the tumor is recurrent. A Mohs fellowship-trained dermatologist is best trained to determine when this technique should be used rather than other procedures. Learn more and see patient photos here.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is treatment used mainly for superficial types of skin cancer and pre-cancers.
Excision refers to removal of a skin lesion by completely cutting it out.
A common reason why skin lesions are excised, is to fully remove skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamouscell carcinoma or melanoma. If the cancer is not cut out it may spread to the surrounding skin and to other parts of the body (metastasise).
Other reasons why a lesion may be removed include for diagnosis, cosmetic appearance, if it is symptomatic (eg tender or prone to being knocked), or to remove an inflamed or frequently infected cyst.
Electrodesiccation and Curettage (ED&C) is a surgical procedure used to removal certain skin lesions such as warts, angiomas, actinic keratosis, basal cell skin cancers and squamous cell skin cancers. After local anesthetic is placed, the surgeon removes the abnormal cells by scraping down to a layer of uninvolved tissue. Finally, desiccation (electrosurgery) is performed with a small, metal instrument used to widen the margin and cauterize the wound to minimize bleeding. The wound is left to heal without sutures and typically heals over several weeks.
Botulinum toxin injections are approved for hyperhidrosis affecting the armpits. Used to reduce or stop sweating for three to six months. Used off-license for localized hyperhidrosis in other sites such as palms. Topical botulinum toxin gel is under investigation for hyperhidrosis
Electrodesiccation and Curettage (ED&C) is a surgical procedure used to removal certain skin lesions such as warts, angiomas, actinic keratosis, basal cell skin cancers and squamous cell skin cancers. After local anesthetic is placed, the surgeon removes the abnormal cells by scraping down to a layer of uninvolved tissue. Finally, desiccation (electrosurgery) is performed with a small, metal instrument used to widen the margin and cauterize the wound to minimize bleeding. The wound is left to heal without sutures and typically heals over several weeks.
Dermatologists apply patch tests in patients with dermatitis, to find out whether their skin condition may be caused or aggravated by a contact allergy. Patch tests are not the same as skin prick tests, which are used to diagnose hay fever allergy (house dust mite, grass pollens and cat dander). Skin prick tests have very limited value for patients with skin rashes.
