Cosmetic Dermatology

Cosmetic peels are a skin rejuvenation treatment to reduce the appearance of aging or to treat certain skin conditions.

Cosmetic peels can make a dramatic improvement in the way you look. For relatively little effort, you could take years off of your appearance.

You can discuss the cosmetic treatments we offer and learn if they are right for you with your dermatologist at Dallas Associated Dermatologists.

What are Cosmetic Peels Used For?

Cosmetic peels are used to enhance the appearance and texture of the skin.

Skin responds to the chemical ingredients used in the various types of cosmetic peels. When a layer of skin is removed, the skin rejuvenates itself and builds a fresh new layer of skin cells. This results in a more youthful appearance that is devoid of the skin imperfections that were targeted.

Among other uses, cosmetic peels are used for:

• Acne
• Wrinkles
• Discoloration
• Dryness
• Uneven skin tone
• Scars

Types of Cosmetic Peels

Cosmetic peels fall under three categories; light, medium, and deep. The variations designate how deeply the ingredients in the peel formulation penetrate the skin.

• Light cosmetic peel. Light cosmetic peels remove only the outermost layer of the skin, called the epidermis. This type of cosmetic peel treats dryness, fine lines and wrinkles, acne, and uneven skin tone. Most dermatologists recommend repeat treatments no more than once every two to five weeks.
• Medium cosmetic peel. Medium cosmetic peels penetrate to the depth of the upper layer of the dermis. Medium cosmetic peels are used to treat things like acne scars, average wrinkles, and uneven skin pigmentation brought about by sun damage or other reasons. More than one treatment may be needed to reach full effect.
• Deep cosmetic peel. Even with a deep cosmetic peel, the formulation will only reach a safe depth of the skin. Deep cosmetic peels may be recommended to treat older, deeper wrinkles, certain benign skin growths, or scars. Typically, only one session of a deep cosmetic peel is needed to obtain results.

Am I a Candidate for Cosmetic Peels?

Young adults and older adults are good candidates for cosmetic peels, as long as there are no underlying skin conditions that could be negatively impacted by the process. For instance, open, blistering acne breakouts would not respond well to a cosmetic peel.

Others who may not be a good candidate include anyone who:

• Has a history of overdevelopment of scar tissue
• Is pregnant
• Has chronic cold sore breakouts
• Takes certain prescription medication

Cosmetic peels are done in your dermatologist’s office. They do require some healing time, so this is not a treatment that would be appropriate to have done during your work lunch hour.

After a cosmetic peel, the skin will be red, swollen, and tender to the touch. Your dermatologist will provide after-care instructions with details.

There is typically a recovery time of up to two weeks, depending upon what type of peel you received. If you are getting a cosmetic peel to improve your appearance for a certain event, such as a wedding, you should schedule your cosmetic peel well in advance so that your skin has enough time to heal properly.

Cosmetic peels are straightforward treatments and are available at Dallas Associated Dermatologists.

CoolSculpting targets stubborn fat deposits that don’t respond to diets and exercise.

CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved, branded treatment for removing fat and sculpting the body.

The treatment uses a technology called cryolipolysis. Cryolipolysis is simply a term that means that fat cells are frozen and destroyed.

In studies, CoolSculpting has been shown to be able to remove between 18% and 25% of fat cells in targeted areas. For people who have tried and failed to get rid of stubborn fat deposits, CoolSculpting may be a good option to consider.

Dallas Associated Dermatologists offers CoolSculpting treatment in our office.

What is CoolSculpting Used For?

CoolSculpting is used to target fat cells and eliminate them from the body. This is very different from what happens with fat cells when a person diets and exercises.

Through diet and exercise, a person may be able to shrink fat cells so they no longer cause an unsightly appearance on the exterior of the body. But with CoolSculpting technology, fat cells are actually destroyed. The dead fat cells are then expelled from the body through waste.

CoolSculpting is:

• Non-surgical
• Non-invasive
• Painless
• FDA-approved

Types of CoolSculpting

There are two types of CoolSculpting:

• Original CoolSculpting
• CoolSculpting Elite

Original CoolSculpting is effective at removing between 18% and 20% of fat deposits in a single visit.

CoolSculpting Elite is a 2nd generation tool that may remove fat cells more efficiently, up to between 20% and 25%.

Your dermatologist at Dallas Associated Dermatologists may use either tool, depending upon your specific needs.

Both CoolSculpting and CoolSculpting Elite are effective, non-invasive, pain-free, and can be completed during one office visit. Note that more than one visit may be needed if multiple areas of the body are to be treated.

Am I a Candidate For CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is not for the obese. If you are severely overweight, you should work with your physician to bring your weight down to a healthy level.

At that point, if you still have stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise, CoolSculpting may be the answer.

CoolSculpting is for people who are near or at their ideal weight. It is also only FDA-approved for certain treatment areas including:

• Under the chin
• Under the jawline
• Thigh
• Abdomen
• Flank
• Back fat
• Bra bulge/fat
• Under the buttocks
• Upper arm

Note that CoolSculpting is not intended as a treatment for weight loss. It is a treatment for stubborn fat deposits that remain despite having an overall healthy body weight.

If you feel that you may be a good candidate for CoolSculpting, you owe it to yourself to talk to one of our professional clinicians at Dallas Associated Dermatologists.

Want a consultation? You have nothing to lose except those stubborn fat deposits.

About Botox

What is it?

Botox is an extremely popular wrinkle treatment that’s ideal for dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles that form over time from repeated movements, such as smiling or frowning). Derived from Botulinum toxin, Botox is injected through a very fine needle into a muscle underlying a bothersome wrinkle. This process blocks the nerve impulses that move the muscle, causing it to relax. The result is a smoother wrinkle and a softer-looking appearance. Since only the targeted muscle is affected, surrounding muscles continue to move freely, allowing your facial expressions to be easily shown and avoiding the dreaded “frozen face” look when performed by an experienced dermatologist. Botox is ideal for the upper half of the face, including the areas around the eyes, the upper nose, forehead, cheeks, and jaw.

What to expect

A single Botox injection session often lasts under an hour and is virtually painless. You may feel a tingling sensation during the process, but there is no downtime; you can go about your daily routine afterward. Side effects are typically mild and typically include tenderness at the injection site, muscle stiffness or weakness, bruising, itchiness, and swelling.

After the procedure

Within a week after your Botox injections, you should start to notice results, although this can vary from patient to patient. Over the following 3-4 months, the targeted wrinkles gradually vanish, and touch-up injections are suggested every 6 months in order to maintain the rejuvenating effects of the treatment.

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