#Face Microneedling in Washington

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[plastiksurgery]

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[tsgbaltimoreandannapolismaryland]

What You Need to Know About Micro Needling for Skin Health

(Above: Nurse practitioner, Caroline Ruhl, of Pro MD Health. Photo courtesy of Julie’s Journey)

Aesthetic procedures are constantly improving to reverse or halt the effects of aging. Caroline Ruhl, a nurse practitioner at PROMD HEALTH, recently educated us on the advantages of microneedling to utilize the body’s own ability to produce new collagen and reinvigorate the elasticity in our skin. 

Here’s what we discussed with Caroline:

The Scout Guide (TSG): What is the theory behind microneedling? 

ProMD Health: As we age, we don’t produce collagen anymore, and the collagen in our skin starts to break down. Through microneedling, we create tiny injuries in a controlled way in a specific pattern to allow your body to heal itself and create new cells to heal the skin again. It’s a great way to break down scar tissue, like in a stretch mark. The makers of SkinPen, the tool that we use in our office, discovered a way to induce your body to think that it needs to heal itself. SkinPen is a collection of 14 tiny needles on the end of a vibrating pen. It allows us to use different patterns to create controlled micro injuries to the skin. 

TSG: What type of patient should consider it? 

ProMD Health: Think of it as what type of patient shouldn’t consider microneedling. Everyone is a candidate - if you’re aging, have had scarring or pigmentation changes to the skin. The only people we won’t microneedle are those with active acne or an open injury. 

(Above: Dr. George Gavrila microneedling a patient).

TSG: Microneedling is an alternative to what other type of skin treatment? 

ProMD Health: Lasers. Lasers create a heat injury to stimulate the same healing process. Lasers are more limited in terms of which patients are eligible for the procedure. Certain things prohibit patients from using laser treatments. Microneedling can be used on any skin type. 

TSG: Besides the face, on what other parts of the body can microneedling be used? 

ProMD Health: Everywhere. I have patients that have had tattoos removed, and they have scar tissue from the removal, so we microneedle that area for them. Back of the arms, tummy, butt. There’s no place you can’t use it. 

TSG: Does microneedling hurt? 

ProMD Health: It’s not as painful as you think. We use the smallest needle available. We put lidocaine on the site prior to the procedure to numb the skin. Some people choose not to even use lidocaine. It’s on the lower scale of pain for an aesthetic procedure. I describe it like a sunburn or windburn. Not painful. 

TSG: How often will a patient need to have the procedure to see results? 

ProMD Health: We create a treatment plan with each patient dependent on the severity of what they’re trying to treat. Initially, to see any significant results, one treatment is not as effective as three. We suggest doing three initially. If it’s something more severe, we reevaluate and see what’s needed after that. 

TSG: Is there anything else we should know about microneedling for skin health?

ProMD Health: We really encourage patients to use all the different options open to you. Using different mediums to treat your skin is really important. Treat what’s underneath, not just topical skin care. Microneedling gets below the epidermis and stimulates collagen production, which we lose as we age. 

(Above: Annapolis office of Pro MD Health. Photo courtesy of Lauren C Photography)

CONTACT: PROMD HEALTH

Annapolis - 443-333-4940

Baltimore - 410-449-2060

Washington, DC - 202-609-8887

@promdhealth

[miskindermatology]

Combination Therapies are Essential for Optimal Results

Improved technologies are now available to shape, tighten, lift, and generally rejuvenate the skin. From body sculpting to fat freezing, innovations in noninvasive procedures offer patients a multitude of options to meet their desire for self-improvement. Expert dermatologist and founder of MI Skin Dermatology, Dr. Melda Isaac, typically combines numerous treatments to achieve optimal results.

One of the newer rejuvenation treatment combinations performed in her office includes the combination of a skin tightening device with a filler.  Exilis Ultra and Ulthera, both radio-frequency and ultrasound-based devices, work well to tighten slack skin, in all skin types. However, when combined with injections of Sculptra, we can expect better results for firming and improving the skin quality of the sun damaged décolletage, loose, crepey skin on the upper inner arms, anterior thighs, and abdomen.  Sculptra alone can be safely used to boost volume in the buttocks and when combined with Ulthera or Exilis can give a better lift to the derriere! Sculptra injections combined with skin tightening treatments can even improve the appearance of mild to moderate cellulite on the backs of thighs which has been extremely challenging to treat.

It is now commonplace in Dr. Isaac’s office for a patient to have CoolSculpting to freeze unwanted fat, then immediately have Ultherapy over the same area to tighten the skin. This combination is particularly effective and popular to reduce the double chin and better define the jawline. Dr. Isaac feels the combination contributes to improving tightness and better skin quality compared to either treatment alone. This dual treatment combination is also helpful to tighten and improve the sagging skin and laxity on the thighs and upper arms.

Another hit combination is the implementation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for an uptick in collagen building, cell growth and even better hair health when injected into the scalp. PRP is used after ablative laser resurfacing and microneedling procedures with or without radiofrequency to expedite healing, reduce downtime and improve results.  Dr. Isaac feels that when PRP is combined with microneedling, radiofrequency or laser treatments, the addition of PRP improves the appearance of acne scarring and photodamaged skin better than the results that can be achieved with only having the device or laser treatment performed.

For a safe, nonsurgical lift to reduce skin laxity, Dr. Isaac adds a Thread Lift procedure to any of her rejuvenating laser or device treatments.  Threads are made from suture material and are safely used for lifting lax skin, particularly in the face and neck. Placing threads or sutures to lift the skin is also used in combination with Botox and dermal fillers. Results from the threads compliment all other rejuvenating treatments. Threads work well because they stimulate collagen since the material of the thread is made from a material that acts like a foreign substance to the body which stimulates collagen growth.  Threads or suture materials are also manufactured with changes in the surface of the thread (barbs, cones or knots) that will catch onto the skin and anchor the thread into the dermis to hold it in place.  As Dr. Isaac places the thread and positions the skin over it, lifting results are seen immediately and continue to improve over time.

For years Dr. Isaac has combined different lasers on the same day of treatment, always striving to achieve better results in skin rejuvenation.  For example, Dr. Isaac will sequentially perform an Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment or use one of her many lasers to reduce broken blood vessels, and brown spots caused by sun damage, aging, or acne scars. Then, she will use a resurfacing laser such as Fraxel or CO2 to improve the skin’s texture and then use a Radiofrequency or Ultrasound device for even better tightening and lifting.

We haven’t even touched on adding Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin along with the myriad of other injectable filler treatments to further complement the results from the lasers and devices. Dr. Isaac always reminds her patients that a youthful face is three dimensional. “Don’t underestimate volume,” she often reminds her patients. Restoring facial volume with fillers must be subtle for natural results. Placing filler strategically for its best lift and to improve a contour is what distinguishes Dr. Isaac from other injectors. It is essential for patients to remember that it is not the device, but the artistry, expertise and experience of the operator that gives the best results.

Contact MI Skin Dermatology to schedule your skin treatment consultation today or call (202) 393-SKIN (7546).

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