More Fabulous Advice From NewBeauty!

Today on the NewBeauty blog, they highlight the numerous options for those looking to “refresh” their skin!

They say,

Got skin that feels like sandpaper? Displaying a dull complexion? Rough, dreary-looking skin is usually caused by a buildup of dead skin that stays on the surface for long periods of time.

It’s important to rev up the skin’s natural shedding process to remove dead skin and expose fresh skin, and there are several effective ways you can do this. If over-the-counter methods haven’t made the impact you want, a prescription topical retinoid, glycolic peels, and microdermabrasion can increase cell turnover.

Additionally, erbium lasers and fractionated laser treatments performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon can deeply penetrate the skin to increase cell turnover, diminishing the look and feel of dull, lifeless skin.

Keep in mind, however, that these treatments require downtime of at least a week.

 

To learn more information about any of the above mentioned treatments,

call 720.314.1965

OR

ask us a question on Facebook!

The Affirm SmartSkin CO2 Treatment: A Personal Photo Blog by Kimberly

I had my first Affirm SmartSkin CO2 treatment in early February of 2009 about one month after the laser became available for clinical use in the United States.  I made the decision to have my first treatment because I had significant sun damage and hyper-pigmentation issues.  I was also experiencing loss of volume around my mouth area; AKA: the nasolabial fold.

While I am not opposed to injections of filler, however as a laser aesthetics professional I would prefer to have the benefits of repairing old collagen, stimulating new collagen production, repairing sun damage, tightening the skin and the overall rejuvenation of my skin. The results from my first treatment were so remarkable I have certainly not felt the “need” for another one.  Did I WANT another Affirm SmartSkin CO2 treatment?  YES!!

With the big 5-0 around the corner and looming I want to repair as much as I can, prevent further photo-damage and aging, and look my very best!

I had my second Affirm SmartSkin Co2 treatment on August 28th, 2010.  We did my entire face, neck and chest.  We used a medium-high setting on my face and lowered the setting for my neck and chest to medium-low setting.  We used a medium setting around the eye area.

Below: Before Photos:

Before -Left Side View

Before - Right Side View

Before Affirm SmartSkin CO2

As a skin care professional I take good care of my skin every day.  However, I still pre-treated my skin for 30 days prior to my treatment with a professional strength exfoliating cleanser, Vitamin C serum, Rx HQ cream, and lots of those all important peptides!

Immediately after my treatment I experienced what most people do – a heat sensation for about an hour.  On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being “insignificant heat” and a 10 being “extreme heat” – I would have said it was 3 or 4.  It passed quickly and the rest of the evening my skin felt a little “prickly” and tight.  I did not put anything on it that night other than a post laser ointment right before bed.  I slept through the night with no problems.

Below are my “Day One Photos:

Day One - Front View

Day One - Left Side

Day One - Right Side

When I got up the morning of day one my skin was mildly red, dry and “sandpapery”.  I had no discomfort or swelling to speak of with the medication we use for repressing the swelling.  I washed my face with a hydrating gentle cleanser, applied a stem cell protein moisturizing product, and went about my day mostly staying home, but active with house chores and catching up on email. I applied moisturizer periodically during the day to keep my skin hydrated. I also applied cold washcloths when my skin felt “hot” or “prickly” – which it did several times throughout the day.  Nothing very significant. In the evening I washed again with hydrating gentle cleanser, and applied the stem cell protein moisturizer again.  For the most part I had very little discomfort on day oneand had no signs of peeling.

Below: Day Two Photos:

Day Two - Front View

Day Two - Left Side

Day Two - Right Side

On day two I was still mildly red, dry, “sandpapery” and tight.  Truthfully, it was hard to stay indoors – I felt just fine and had no discomfort worth noticing.  I spent my day organizing and catching up on paperwork….

I continued the same post care regimen of hydrating gentle cleanser, stem cell protein moisturizer, and a professional peptide cream AM/PM.  I did not need to use cold compresses at all.  There were no signs of peeling at this point.

Below: Day Four Photos:

Day Four - Front View

Day Four - Left Side

Day Four - Right Side

On day four I began peeling and sloughing.  I had our esthetician do an exfoliation treatment, aloe vera masque, and LED light treatment for me.  She applied anti-oxidant serum as well as significant hydration after the LED light treatment.  I was not done peeling, but it helped to get the “dead” skin moving and sloughing off more quickly.  I had not discomfort during the facial and found it quite pleasant and my skin looked really good afterward!  I went back to work immediately after my post treatment facial on day four.  I continued the exact same regimen as above, but added a hydrating enzyme masque in the evening before bed to assist with continued exfoliation.  I had absolutely no discomfort at this point at all other than wanting the peeling to be done!

The peeling on my face was mostly done by day five, but the neck and chest took about 10 days to completely peel.

I had mild pinkness on my chest continuing into day ten, other than that I had no visible signs of the laser treatment past day five.

Below: Day Ten Photos:

Day Ten - Front View

Day Ten - Left Side View

Day Ten - Right Side

By day ten the healing and overall progress has barely begun!  The visible signs of the treatment that might cause some downtime were minimal and are gone, however the best is yet to come!

Already, I have been getting asked; “What did you do? Your skin looks great!”

The overall tone, texture, pore size, and tighteness has improved already. The pigmentation from summer is gone!  With the repair of the old collagen and the new collagen re-modeling I will see over the next three months….it is only going to get way better from here!

I will post a 30 day photo here when we get there….but here is one taken on Friday September 17th – day 20 after the treatment.

Cheers to the Affirm SmartSkin CO2!  What would we do without you?!

Day 20 - With make-up

Feel Great Again with Affirm SmartSkin CO2

Ever wonder how celebrities achieve that natural-looking youthful glow? Their secret is actually one of the most talked about aesthetic procedures: fractional laser resurfacing. SmartSkin CO2 treatment allows the patient to reduce the appearance of pores, wrinkles, and sun-damaged skin.

So how does SmartSkin CO2 treatment work?

The skin is treated one micro portion at a time and repeated thousands of times. Each micro column receives just enough laser energy to vaporize the aged skin while also stimulating new collagen growth of surrounding tissue. It’s more than skin resurfacing; it’s deep skin rejuvenation.

Immediately following the treatment, your body naturally starts replacing aged tissue cells with new tissue. Shortly after the procedure, you’ll notice your skin looks and feels visibly smoother, healthier, and younger looking. Results will continue to improve over time, though you can resume your normal active lifestyle in as little as two to seven days.

Don’t forget to check out our new SmartSkin CO2 Before and After Gallery!!

And to learn more about the SmartSkin CO2 Treatment call:

720.314.1965

or email:

refreshlaser@comcast.net

Acne Scar Removal: Healing Old Wounds

In the most recent issue of The Latest in Acne and Rosacea, the power of Fractional ablative lasers takes the stage. For decades there has been a global search for the cure for acne. To date, none has been found- but as this article enforces: Fractional lasers are currently the best treatment for acne scars. Hands down.

Here at Refresh, we have been singing this tune for nearly three years. Seeing our thoughts and findings on white paper is a huge success for not only Fractional Lasers, but for the long-time suffers of acne scars.

Summarized perfectly by Jill Waibel, MD, “You need deep laser resurfacing for maximum improvement.” Additionally, “the [upside] of the laser is that as you do additional treatments, you will see additional improvement, patients don’t plateau.” Meaning, with other treatments available (ProActiv, oral medications, skin care, etc) there is a “best result” and once you reach that point, that is the best you can get. And in some cases, the “best result” will only last so long, because your body grows immune to the active ingredients which got you that result in the first place.

The article also candidly speaks to the unfortunate news that we haven’t found the cure. Dr. Waibel says, “You can improve acne scars, but you can’t make them perfect.” It is important to realize that for the time being, Fractional Lasers are the best option when treating these scars, but our expectations as clients must respect and reflect that.

To learn more about Fractional resurfacing for acne scars, featuring the top of the line Affirm SmartSkin CO2, please call or email.

720.314.1965

refreshlaser@comcast.net

Affirm SmartSkin CO2 on The Doctors

We just found out from a client that our Affirm SmartSkin CO2 was featured on the television show The Doctors. Wow!

In an episode about Five Ways to a Better Body, The Doctors highlighted the Affirm CO2 and here is what they said,

No. 4: Repair Facial Damage

Do you have unsightly scars, wrinkles or Sun damage on your face? Dr. Ordon has a way to fix your facial damage.

Years of being out in the sun without wearing sunscreen caused damage to 37-year-old Julie’s face. She wants to rid herself of the brown spots and wrinkles around her eyes and forehead. Dr. Ordon treats her with Cynosure’s Affirm, a non-invasive facial rejuvenation machine that uses a unique laser with dual wavelengths to help tighten and exfoliate the skin while bringing imperfections to the surface. The laser reduces wrinkles and scars, treats pigmentation and redness, and is virtually painless!

While her face is red immediately after the procedure, Dr. Ordon explains that it will look clearer and younger in a few days. He tells Julie that for the best results she should have a couple more treatments.

How amazing is that?

To learn more about the Affirm CO2 procedure, or to set up your complimentary consultation, call:

720.314.1965

More great SmartSkin Press!!

Wow!! Again, NewBeauty has focused attention on the wonders of the Affirm SmartSkin! Today, however, they highlighted the amazing benefits you can get not only on your face, but on your neck, chest, and decolletage as well.

{And as a side note: we were just able to review some before and after pictures of a client who just reached her 30-day post-SmartSkin mark. She came in predominately for sun damage on the face and neck. And- seriously guys- her results are amazing. Porcelain skin and the smoothest, milkiest neck you’ve ever seen! NewBeauty is right on the mark.}

Here’s what they said,

“A loss of elasticity and firmness, especially along and below the chin, cause fat and underlying tissues to thin out and shift downward, below the jaw line. The result is a loss of volume in the lower face, wrinkles, jowls and sagging skin around the neck, all of which can make you look older than you are.

Those with some loose skin and moderate sagging around the neck may want to consider a skin-tightening procedure like the SmartSkin laser with Affirm CO2 technology, which resurfaces skin and stimulates collagen production. The grid created over the skin targets damaged tissue to correct laxity, discoloration, sun damage, wrinkles, and surface irregularities. It does so with no anesthesia and minimal downtime- only a few days of redness and swelling.

A benefit of the SmartSkin laser is that it can be used not only to treat the face, but also to correct sun damage on the neck. However, although this kind of laser resurfacing offers subtle results, surgery is usually required for a more dramatic difference.”

So true. And really, it is never too soon to opt for this treatment. The younger your skin, the more collagen it is capable of producing. As we age, we lose precious rebuilding opportunities in terms of our skin. Even if you aren’t suffering from the aforementioned reasons for the procedure, it is imperative to do what you can to prepare for the future.

To learn more about the Affirm SmartSkin procedure, or to book your complimentary consultation, call: 720.314.1965

Affirm CO2 on NewBeauty’s Blog!

Today on the NewBeauty Blog, they featured, “a full anti-aging treatment in a fraction of the time.” The wonder treatment? You guessed it, our Affirm CO2!

Here’s what NewBeauty had to say:

If you’re looking to diminish sun damage and reverse the signs of aging, Affirm may be right for you. An FDA- cleared dual-fractional laser treatment, Affirm offers the benefits of two wavelengths- one for micro-rejuvenation and one for tissue tightening- simultaneously targeting all layers of the skin in a single procedure that takes only 15 to 20 minutes.

Comprehensive and innovative, Affirm heats both the surface and dermal layers of the skin, working from the inside out to address the likes of wrinkles, scars, pigmentation, redness, age spots, and skin laxity. Best of all, no downtime is required. In fact, according to Cynosure (the manufacturer, developer and distributer for Affirm) four out of five patients do not request topical anesthesia.

Go Affirm! And although they say not everyone needs anesthetic, we give it to all patients to ensure they are as comfortable as possible.

Wouldn’t you love a full anti-aging treatment in a fraction of the time??

Call today 720.314.1965