Posted on Fri, May 24, 2013
Does Thermage Hurt
A certain degree of discomfort has always been associated with Thermage; Chicago medical spas are not exempt.
The good news is that the pain level has improved over the years. This is partially due to better pain management and partially to a better understanding of the technology itself. It can be
deceptively easy to set Thermage too high. This was especially true in the early days. In fact, this was done intentionally at first to try to improve the results. Unfortunately, this was also before they understood the nature of Radio Frequency energy.
Time proved to be the remedy many specialists and manufacturers needed to get it right.
Radio Frequency is one of the more intense forms of resurfacing. Not unlike ultrasound –assisted liposuction; this modality gives off a lot of heat so that it can encourage collagen production down to your skin’s deepest layers. In liposuction water is intentionally dripped onto the cannula to keep your skin from burning. Thermage, Chicago-based or otherwise, should have blue cooling tips and adjustable settings to control your exposure to energy.
Without the cooling tips, the treatment is often too intense for most patients to sit through.
Additionally, specialists recommend taking a pain reliever about 30 minutes before your appointment. You will also be given the option to take valium or another prescription pain reliever before the procedure starts. These precautionary steps are usually enough to make the procedure bearable. Cooling gel or Vaseline may be added once the treatment is over to minimize discomfort after your appointment.
All of this reportedly reduces the sensation to a gentle, repetitive warmth.
The best news of all for many patients is that most people respond within 1 to 3 treatments. These treatments take about 20 to 60 minutes to administer. Not bad when you consider the prolonged and youthful results patients have noted. People like to say, no pain, no gain. At Skin Deep we believe in: no pain, big gain. Come in for a consultation and discover what these changes can do for you.We are now accepting new patients by appointment; schedule yours today.
Posted on Thu, May 23, 2013
Liposonix Chicago
Skin Deep has spent a significant amount of time reviewing each method of non-invasive fat reduction individually.
Believe it or not, we aren’t done yet. On today’s docket: Liposonix. Chicago clinics have debuted many of the metabolic fat loss methods over the years, but this technique remains one of the most questionable. A large part of the reason for the debate is the noticeable differential in the results of the various methods.
Despite its namesake; Liposonix, Chicago-based or otherwise, will not produce the same dramatic results.
Why? It’s not designed to have a dramatic contouring effect. Liposonix focuses on minute
sculpting; rather than large-scale changes. It will help remove the last stubborn inches of unwanted fat that are holding you back from your goal weight or physique. Patients don’t normally get “before and after’s” similar to Venus Freeze or non-invasive laser lipo. These treatments are structured very differently.
It’s really a matter of short burst vs. long-term.
Venus Freeze and laser lipo can be done in quick succession because they use an alternate type of energy to get results. When you’re relying on your metabolism to do most of the work, you either have to break down a layer at a time, or break down multiple layers over time. Liposonix does the latter.
It takes 3 to 4 months for your body to break down and flush out multiple layers of fat.
This time table is necessary and fully utilized by your body to avoid systemic shock and secondary health complications. After 120 days, the treatment can be repeated to improve on the results. It’s not uncommon for patients to opt for multiple treatments to achieve the maximum effect.
The best way to look at fat reduction is to see it as a customizable solution to a myriad of problems.
Liposonix may not be the answer for “bat wings” or jawline laxity, but it can help you get bikini-ready just in time for summer. The best way to match the technique to the problem is to talk directly to a specialist about what it is you are hoping to achieve.
Posted on Wed, May 22, 2013
Chicago Botox Injections
There are a limited number of cosmetic applications for Botox injections.
Chicago clinics and spas have recommended that patients start these treatments in their late 20s to early 30s to get the maximum benefit. This age range attacks the problem before it starts. The key is timing. This principle also matters when patients are scheduling their appointments.
We want you to achieve the most natural look possible with Botox injections.
Chicago specialists recommend that you get your next cycle of injections a couple of weeks before the previous cycle wears off. This gives you a natural transition into the next 3 to 4
months. It also keeps the necessary muscles weak and makes it more difficult for people to visibly know that you’ve had work done because there are no sudden changes to your look. This stratagem means you only need the injections 3 to 4 times a year in total.
There are 5 facial zones where Botox can be used:
1. The elevens (the muscles in between your eyebrows above your nose)
2. The brow (for the transverse “surprise” lines)
3. Crow’s feet
4. Under eye area
5. Upper cheek
Where and how much serum you get in each zone depends on the specialist.
Taking an all-inclusive approach has several benefits.
By injecting the serum in the brow muscles that pull your eyebrow downward and allowing the upper brow muscles to move normally; you create a chemically-assisted lift. Some specialists don’t put the injections in the upper check or lower eye area; others do. It is usually done to keep the wrinkle effect from migrating to these areas.
Speaking of migration; it is very important that the serum is properly mixed.
Get it in the wrong concentration and the dosage can migrate as far as an inch. This could paralyze the wrong muscle group and lead to drooping eyelids and other problems. There is minimal bleeding in the brow area, but the nearer you get to the eye, the more it bleeds. One injection infuses the muscle belly; the other infuses skin. A skilled specialist knows the technical difference.
Posted on Tue, May 21, 2013
Venus Freeze Chicago
Different types of energy have different effects on your skin and body.
We know about the effects of radio frequency (RF) and laser energies, but what about other energy sources? Lucky for us, plastic surgeons have started asking the same question. Enter: Venus Freeze. This revolutionary energy therapy has been called a hybrid between RF and laser resurfacing. It offers the benefits of both-fat loss and skin tightening-without the discomfort of either.
Venus Freeze may be considered the best of both worlds, but it actually relies on a different form of energy entirely.
The energy it uses is magnetic. Many patients are familiar with the use of magnetic energy as a holistic healing modality, and that is one of its uses, but allow that energy to heat up to 42
degrees Celsius and it becomes a fat melting trigger. In 15 to 30 minute cycles for 10 treatments; patients have been able to: erase or significantly minimize wrinkles, tighten arms, refine necklines, reduce cellulite, and melt away up to an inch and a half of fat.
Flipping through the before and after pictures will tell you a lot about Venus Freeze; except how it works.
Like most fat reduction methods; Venus Freeze is able to break down your cellular walls so that unwanted fat is released and flushed from your body naturally. As luck would have it, 42 degrees Celsius also happens to be the ideal “hot zone” for collagen production. This is your skin’s secret weapon for staying: firm, tight, refreshed and youthful.
This one-two punch produces subtle changes.
It’s best for patients who want to fix a few specific issues, and want to do so without surgery. While it won’t produce the drastic changes of a tummy tuck; you will be left with natural looking youthful results that add to the longevity of your body and skin.
We’ve saved the best news for last.
The treatments feel like a hot stone massage. There are no “snapping rubber band” sensations or the need for anesthetic. Patients are very comfortable and look forward to relaxing during their sessions. We’re serious.
Posted on Mon, May 20, 2013
Does Laser Hair Removal Work If I’m Black
People have said quite a bit about the fact that laser hair removal now uses adjustable lasers.
The problem is not all of our patients understand what that means. In order to better explain this and give our patients something to rave about; we’ve decided to make it the focus of this blog article.
The seeds of this advancement were planted way back in the humble beginnings of laser hair removal.
In the 1990s, we didn’t know as much about the technology as we do now. Our only approach to the method was a restrictive one. To safeguard patient health, the treatments were limited
to people with light skin and coarse, dark hair. While the demand for treatment obviously exceeded these narrow parameters; specialists were concerned about the high risk of burns, scarring, and disfigurement. The laser’s attraction to dark pigment was simply too great to warrant taking the risk.
`We did not throw in the towel.
On the contrary, dermatologists and manufacturers were hard at work finding an answer to the limits of a very new technology. The demand for a more inclusive hair removal treatment has been around for a while, but it wasn’t actually possible until about 10 years ago.
The technology is by no means perfect.
There are still patients that are ineligible for treatment. The point is that pool is shrinking thanks to the invention of adjustable lasers. By being able to adjust the strength and pulsation patterns, patients that were previously ineligible can now experience the benefits of laser hair removal. You may need more treatments if you are not in the ideal patient group, but you are no longer barred from treatment.
Consider this our really long winded way of saying: yes, if you are black or another ethic patient, you can get laser hair removal.
Posted on Fri, May 17, 2013
Laser Hair Removal Cost
Laser hair removal costs about $2,400 for 6 treatments.
Skin Deep does not offer any discounts directly to patients except for a price break when you purchase a session package. Treatment coupons have been offered by services like Groupon. These “deals” can cut the cost of treatment by as much as 50%. What you need to watch out for is the proper administration of the treatment.
Spas that offer huge price discounts usually have technicians controlling the devices, not board certified specialists.
This can lead to several unnecessary risks for you-the patient. It is quite common for technicians to set the devices too high when treating an area. This can lead to a high level of
discomfort and even burns or skin reactions because of the intense heat and pulsation of the improperly set laser hair removal wand. Ask to see the specialist's ASPS certification before consenting to treatment.
Please review your medical history in detail before the session starts.
This includes any moles or darkly pigmented areas you might have on your body. If you have a mole in the treatment area, the laser should not be placed directly on top of it. Direct contact with a laser’s pulsation can cause your moles to develop abnormal cell structures; leaving you vulnerable to harmful skin conditions. You can get moles removed or take Retin-A before your first laser hair removal treatment.
Do not take preparatory matters into your own hands.
Schedule a consultation with a specialist to insure that the proper customized steps are taken. These steps are tailored to each individual case, so please follow them to the letter. Don’t alter your preparation unless you are instructed to by your specialist.
The same rule applies to aftercare.
The two best things you can do for yourself are:
1. Schedule a consultation
2. Proceed as instructed at all times
This is the best way for you to get the most out of your treatments. Laser hair removal is an investment; one that we want to see pay off for our patients. Taking these steps makes the investment and preparation worthwhile.
Posted on Thu, May 16, 2013
Does Fraxel Skin Resurfacing Hurt
Fraxel skin resurfacing can be quite intense.
It generally does a phenomenal job when reducing pigmentation differences, smoothing out rough textures and wrinkles, tightening skin, and reducing acne scars. It works a little more invasively than other resurfacing treatments. The pulsation it produces permeates the skin at several points along the application path.
As the light is absorbed by your skin, your skin tone changes.
It looks bright and fresh. This is because the fraxel skin resurfacing method creates troughs or funnels deep inside your skin. These troughs fill with collagen and distribute it to the surrounding healthy tissue. This is what tightens, firms and rejuvenates your skin from the outside in.
So, now that you know what fraxel skin resurfacing is, just how painful is it?
Well, the answer to that question, depends on who you ask. The laser treatment is more extensive than some of the more popular, and perhaps milder, options. It has been compared to: playful pinching, rubber band snaps, and box cutter scratches. You will be automatically be treated with a preparatory numbing cream to minimize any discomfort.
The numbing step adds 30 minutes to an hour to your treatment time, but it is a good idea to take this step.
You don’t know how fraxel skin resurfacing will affect you until you’ve been through it at least once. The discomfort during the treatment isn’t the only sensation or after effect you have to deal with. The biggest side effects are swelling and redness. Patients describe the sensation as a stinging sunburn. It lasts about an hour. The sensitivity will pass in about 24 hours; the swelling passes in about 4 days.
You will be left with an even, smooth, tight appearance.
You can wear makeup or shave as soon as the swelling goes down. Most patients take about 24 hours off from work. Your sessions are set about 6 weeks apart. The more you use fraxel, the better your skin will look. It presents one of the best ways to re-capture your youthful appearance.
For more information on this treatment, contact Skin Deep directly.
Posted on Wed, May 15, 2013
Botox Reviews
We’ve talked about procedural reviews in the past.
Time has even been spent comparing cosmetic procedures to the at-home equivalents that are on the market. That said; there is a dangerous trend starting that we need to expose and address. There are a lot of popular anti-aging procedures, but when it comes to fighting wrinkles there is one procedure that stands out more than the rest: Botox. Chicago spas contribute to over 11 million recipients nationwide.
The popularity of Botox is not in question; the DIY kits are.
Yes, you read that right. Sellers on sites like Amazon and EBay are currently selling kits for about $95.00 U.S. According to the listings, these kits contain:
· “Botox” powder
· Saline
· Face map
It’s designed so you can mix, map, and inject various concentrations of the drug into your own face for less than what you would pay for a single injection in-clinic.
As DIY ideas go, this is a bad one.
Cosmetic specialists go through years of education and training to figure out the proper techniques, dosages, injection sites, and counter measures for the effects of fillers and serums. It is not something that should be done by just anyone. Additionally, you can’t be sure that what you are purchasing is actually medical-grade Botox. Chicago has very specific regulations regarding the materials used in cosmetic procedures. These regulations are backed by the FDA.
Cutting costs is not worth the risks to your health.
It is of the utmost importance that Botox never comes in direct contact with the bloodstream. The serum is derived from a toxin that can damage your vital organs and/or cause serious life-threatening health problems. Injecting too much can cause reactions, complete facial paralysis, and chemically-induced eyelid atrophy. Atrophy is treatable, but it requires the close attention of a medical professional.
If cost is the determining factor, please talk to our staff about financing options.
The risks to your health and appearance are too great to take this DIY gamble. Please find out more about your cosmetic alternatives before you do irrevocable harm to yourself.
Posted on Tue, May 14, 2013
Botox Injection Chicago
An estimated 36 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches.
Of that 36 million, 6 million suffer from chronic migraines (14 or more headaches a month). When you’re combatting something this debilitating, new treatments are a welcome sight. One of the more recent treatments for migraines is raising a lot of eyebrows. Botox injection has been approved by the FDA for this type of headache treatment.
The serum is more commonly associated with wrinkle prevention, but Botox injection was originally used for medical purposes, not dermatological ones.
It was introduced in the medical field as a way to treat a lazy eye. While it was being used for this application; one of the side effects noted was wrinkle reduction near the injection site. Just like that, its claim to cosmetic fame began. The interesting thing about Botox is its ability to act as a nerve inhibitor and relaxant.
The same properties that stop minute contractions of the facial muscles can now inhibit nerve communication in the head and neck.
This reduces pain in the head and neck and also allows the muscles and blood vessels to relax and open more fully. The increase in blood flow and relaxation reduces the tension and constriction that causes migraines. To be clear, Botox is never injected into the bloodstream directly. As the nerves and muscles around the blood vessels relax, it allows the blood flow to increase naturally.
Botox injection has been used to treat everything from TMJ to spasticity.
The serum is injected directly into the nerves and musculature of the head and neck. They are localized wherever there is pain. The effects last about as long as the treatment for wrinkles; 3 to 4 months. This discovery has given great hope to patients suffering from long-term conditions. They should only be administered by a dermatologist or specialist.
Unlike with the wrinkle-fighting treatment; if Botox injection is used for a medical purpose such as:
· Excessive sweating
· TMJ
· Spasticity
· Migraines
The injections are covered by insurance. You may be responsible for a co-pay or other fees. Find out before scheduling.
Posted on Mon, May 13, 2013
Affordable Laser Hair Removal in Chicago
Pricing out laser hair removal depends on a few factors.
The biggest one is where you get your treatments done. Not what clinic, but what region of the country. The price of the treatment varies by region. The most expensive domestic average is on the West Coast. The treatments in California run from $500 to $600. The only locations that are more expensive than that are in England and Australia where the treatments start as high as $750.
As far as pricing goes, Midwestern locations like Chicago are in the affordable range.
Laser hair removal will cost you about $350 to $400. Remember to multiply that cost by 6 or 8
so you know the full cost of the entire process. Depending on the size of the area you want treated, you’ll end up paying between $2,400 and $3,200.
Patients usually want to know why it takes several treatments to see results.
Laser hair removal depends on three things:
· Attraction
· Hair density
· Growth rate
For best results, the hair needs to be treated multiple times with a laser that is properly set.
Taking this approach decreases hair density and insures that the highest percentage of unwanted hair is eliminated during its growth stage.
It’s impossible to eliminate all of the unwanted hair through laser treatments, but the small amount you’re left with will grow in lighter and finer than it did prior to laser treatment. This method is effective on 80 to 95 percent of unwanted hair. The hair that is eliminated will remain gone for up to 12 months. When it starts to return, you’ll need a couple of follow-up treatments to maintain the results.
Talk to a specialist if you’ve had an adverse response to laser treatment in the past.
Meaning; you haven’t responded well to treatment or that the laser treatment caused you to grow hair instead of reducing it. These are very rare occurrences and usually point to user error; rather than a problem with the treatment. That’s why; it’s important to find a specialist who’s properly certified. Expertise is worth investing in.