Skin Procedures:
BOTOX(R) Cosmetic
BOTOX® Cosmetic has been established as one of the safest and most effective ways in eliminating the fine lines in the upper face. It is one of the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic treatments available; Dr. Chang is treating close to 3-4 patients a day. This fact is not only important in understanding his experience in the use of Botox and Facial Fillers such as Juvederm and Radiesse, but it also means that the Botox is always fresh; since it loses its potency after even a few hours on the shelf.
It is most often used for 3 areas: the horizontal "worry" lines of the forehead, the vertical "angry" lines between the eyebrows, and the fine "crows feet" lines around the eyes. The miracle of BOTOX® Cosmetic is that it provides a nonsurgical option to problems the plastic surgeon often used to operate on.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein extracted from the Bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. When it is injected into the muscle, it weakens the muscle, preventing it from moving and "wrinkling" the overlying skin. The lines soften and often disappear completely. Since the approval of Botox Cosmetic by the FDA in 2002, it has become the number-one physician administered aesthetic procedure in the United States.
Patients who are scheduling the procedure for the holidays or for special events should note that it takes 3-5 days for it to be become effective; and it sometimes takes 1-2 weeks to be maximally effective. The effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic lasts an average of 3 months; although some patients have pointed out that the effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic seem to last longer and longer after multiple treatments. The simple nonsurgical procedure is administered in a series of injections which takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Dr. Phillip Chang is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with offices in Loudoun ( Ashburn and Leesburg ) and Fairfax ( Reston ) Virginia. Dr. Chang specializes in nonsurgical and surgical cosmetic enhancements including the use of Botox, Juvederm, Dysport, and Laser Resurfacing, Sculptra, and Radiesse.
Skin Procedures:
Micro-laser Peel
The Micro-Laser Peel is part of the nonsurgical armamentarium available at Aesthetica. The Peel uses the state of the art SCITON Laser with ERBIUM to resurface the skin. The goal is to remove evidence of sun-damage, blemishes, and fine lines in a manner that is not only effective, but has minimal down-time and complication.
- Tightens skin and improves the appearance of fine lines
- Reduces the appearance of brown age and sun spots
- Improves skin texture and pore size
- Improve fine to moderate lines around the eyes and lips
- Improve appearance of acne and superficial scars
An effective treatment regimen is 3 to 5 sessions spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart. Dr. Chang suggests that you combine the Photofacial IPL and the Sciton Micro-Peel Laser treatment for maximum effectiveness. The Micro-Peel-IPL Package has been created for your convenience and cost-effectiveness. You will experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour and then minimal discomfort. The skin will have a pinkish tone for 5 to 7 days. This is a normal sign that the skin is deeply healing. Swelling is minimal and generally resolves in 2 to 3 days. Most patients will return to work with make-up in 2-3 days.
Skin Procedures:
Profractional Laser
Profractional Laser technology, along with Photofacial Intense Pulse Light technology have revolutionized skin care. Profractional Laser technology has the ability to tighten skin by penetrating deep into the dermis in micro-zones while leaving the immediately surrounding skin unaffected and intact. In this way, it allows the skin to heal much faster than if the entire area were treated at once, using the body's natural healing process to create new, healthy tighter tissue to replace skin imperfections. Optimal improvement is usually visible in about 2 to 3 months. Because Profractional Laser technology spares healthy tissue, it is effective even on delicate skin areas, such as the neck, chest and hands.
- Tightens skin and improves the appearance of fine lines
- Reduces the appearance of brown age and sun spots
- Improves skin texture and pore size
- May be used to tighten the skin of the face, neck, and hands
An effective treatment regimen is 3 to 5 sessions, spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart. Dr. Chang suggests that you combine the Photofacial IPL and the Micro-Profractional Laser treatment for maximum effectiveness. The Micro-Profractional Laser-IPL Package has been created for your convenience and cost-effectiveness. You will experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour and then minimal discomfort. The skin will have a pinkish tone for 5 to 7 days. This is a normal sign that the skin is deeply healing. Swelling is minimal and generally resolves in 2 to 3 days. Most patients will return to work with make-up in 2-3 days.
Skin Procedures:
Radiesse®
Radiesse is a cosmetic dermal filler that restores facial volume and fullness to the skin to correct facial wrinkles and folds. Commonly uses include reducing the depth of the parenthesis lines around the mouth, and restoring the cheeks to make them fuller. Radiesse is a gel form of calcium hydroxyapatite, natural body product. It is thicker than either Juviderm or Restylane and therefore lasts longer than either of these products. Because it is thicker, however, there is a higher potential for feeling the material.
- Reduce the depth of the parenthesis lines around the mouth
- Reduce the fine lines of the upper lip
- Restore volume of cheek
- Contour the nasal shape in the one-hour rhinoplasty procedure
Radiesse has been used in over 2 million treatments in over 60 countries. It is often used in conjunction with Botox to provide a nonsurgical cosmetic make-over of Dr. Chang’s patients. The product lasts on average about 1-2 years.
Skin Procedures:
JUVÉDERM® Injectable Gel
JUVÉDERM® Injectable Gel is a cosmetic dermal filler that restores facial volume and fullness to the skin to correct facial wrinkles and folds. JUVÉDERM® is provided by the same company that produces BOTOX® Cosmetic. It’s uses include reducing the depth of the parenthesis lines around the mouth, reducing the fine lines of the upper lip, and restoring the volume of the lips and cheeks to make them fuller. JUVÉDERM® is made of hyaluronic acid, a natural body product.
- Reduce the depth of the parenthesis lines around the mouth
- Reduce the fine lines of the upper lip
- Restore volume of cheek and lips
- Contour the nasal shape in the one-hour rhinoplasty procedure
JUVÉDERM® has been used in over 2 million treatments in over 60 countries. It is often used in conjunction with BOTOX® Cosmetic to provide a nonsurgical cosmetic make-over of Dr. Chang’s patients. The product lasts on average about 6-9 months; and therefore only needs to be schedules 2 to 3 times per year.
Skin Procedures:
Photofacial IPL
The Photofacial IPL laser provided by the Sciton corporation provides the mose advanced technological advance in photofacial IPL technology. In a matter of 20 minutes and with no down-time, the laser can reduce or eliminate sun and age spots of the face, brown spots, and rosacea. Most patients are so happy, they also treat their chest and hands. Most patients can expect at least 50% improvement with each treatment. Since there is no recuperation time, most patients can return to work or resume their normal activities the same day. The dark spots flake off over the next 7 to 10 days. You will notice a dramatic improvement in the complexion, color, and texture of your skin
- Reduces the appearance of brown age and sun spots
- Improves skin texture and pore size
- Improves rosacea
- Most often used for the face, chest, neck, and back of the hands
Most patients purchase a package treatment of 4 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Dr. Chang suggests that you combine the Photofacial IPL and the Micro-Profractional Laser treatment for maximum effectiveness. The Micro-Profractional Laser-IPL Package has been created for your convenience and cost-effectiveness. Swelling is minimal and generally resolves in 2 to 3 days. Most patients will return to work with make-up in 1-2 days.
Skin Procedures:
High Speed LightSheer DUET Laser Hair Removal
We are pleased to offer the High Speed LightSheer DUET for permanent hair reduction with exciting speed and amazing comfort.
A better solution for removing unwanted hair
Virtually your entire body is covered with hair, but most of it is fine, pale and invisible to the naked eye. When darker, coarser hair appears in places which make you uncomfortable, it may be time to consider hair removal with LightSheer DUET.
In the past, hair removal procedures included plucking, shaving, waxing, and elecrolysis or chemical depilatories. Most of these remedies are painful or messy, and they are all temporary. Laser hair removal is a more effective solution, and the High Speed LightSheer DUET uses state-of-the-art diode lasers with vacuum-assist technology to remove unwanted hair with greater speed and comfort than traditional methods.
The High Speed LightSheer DUET laser produces a larger beam of high concentrated light, which is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicles. The laser pulses for a fraction of a second, heating up the hair and damaging the hair shaft and bulb, impeding its ability to re-grow. With the large spot size, the process treats numerous hair follicles at once, making the treatment faster than traditional laser hair removal alternatives.
Faster Treatment Times
Treatment Area |
Traditional Methods |
LightSheer DUET |
|---|---|---|
Back |
60 min |
15-20 min |
Chest |
40 min |
15 min |
Shoulders |
20 min |
10 min |
Underarms |
10 min |
4 min |
Full Legs |
60 min |
20 min |
Lower Legs |
45 min |
15 min |
Bikini Area |
15 min |
5 min |
The appearance of the treated area immediately following treatment will vary from patient to patient, depending on the extent of the procedure and the skin type. Side effects are rare and are typically minor, and may include redness and swelling around the hair follicle (which is a positive clinical result, indicating the hair follicle has responded to the treatment). Most people return to normal activity right away.
Skin Procedures:
Sculptra Aesthetic
Sculptra Aesthetic is the first facial injectable that can give you noticeable results that emerge subtly. It replaces lost collagen to give you a more natural looking appearance without giving you away. A full treatment of Sculptra Aesthetic, on average, three injection sessions over a few months, can last up to two years.
Sculptra Aesthetic works to target the underlying causes of the signs of aging such as collagen loss. Sculptra Aesthetic is a facial injectable that works gradually in a series of treatments ? an average of 3 injection sessions over a period of a few months ? to produce a refined, more youthful-looking appearance. During the course of your Sculptra Aesthetic treatments, collagen is replaced. Over time, you'll notice changes to your face that can last up to 2 years.
Skin Procedures:
Acne Regimen
Acne is a common skin disease that affects nearly 80% of adolescents and young adults aged 11 to 30 years old. It is not unusual for women, in particular, to develop acne in their mid- to late-20s, even if they have not had breakouts in years (or ever). The psychosocial impact is understandably difficult to assess, however, anecdotally we can all relate to the psychological damage when we develop a blemish or see our children fixate on its social ramifications as they try to navigate through adolescence. Acne lesions do not only affect the face; they often affect the back, chest, and other areas with a high concentration of pilosebaceous glands. Acne is a disease of the pilosebaceous unit, involving abnormalities in sebum production, follicular epithelial desquamation, bacterial proliferation, and inflammation. The goals of treatment therefore target opening up clogged pores, decreasing the function of the pilosebaceous unit, killing bacteria, and decreasing inflammation. There are very few conditions that affect over 80% of the population with such severe psychosocial costs.
The choice of therapy in my office is based principally based on the type of lesions and the severity of the acne,
but the degree of psychosocial disability relating to the disease and the presence of scarring may also influence the approach to treatment. In general, this armamentarium includes:
- Facial cleansers which promote cleaner skin, removal of oils, and bacteria
- Benzoyl Peroxides
- Glycolic Acids or Salicylic Acids
- Topical Antibiotics ( clindamycin, erythromycin )
- Oral Antibiotics ( tetracycline, doxicycline, minocycline )
- Combination Topical Antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxides (eg. Ziana )
- Topical Retinoids ( Retin-A )
- Oral Retinoids ( Isotretinoin- otherwise known as Accutane )
- Photofacial BBL and/or Profractional Laser Treatments
Another way to think about the treatment algorhythm is based on the principles ( as mentioned above ) of opening up clogged pores, decreasing the function of the pilosebaceous unit, killing bacteria, and decreasing inflammation.
Continue reading about Acne Regimen and Treatments available at Aesthetica
Skin Procedures:
Acne Photo Light IPL Treatment
What is the most common skin disease in the United States?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Acne ( also called Acne Vulgaris ) is the most common skin disease in the United States. Acne Photo Light Therapy, available through Dr. Phillip Chang at Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery Center, is not only a safe and effective treatment for typical acne, but it is increasingly seen as an excellent alternative to Accutane.
Overview:
Most people in their teen years are afflicted with “pimples”. Mild acne will clear with a good skin care regimen and some help from topical products, but those with moderate and severe acne need some additional assistance. Most people who are afflicted with moderate to severe acne understand that, aside from the embarrassment and the effect on their self esteem, severe acne can result in permanent scarring.
Acne Photo Light Therapy is a safe and effective method for reducing the appearance of acne. The Photo Light Therapy targets the inflammatory bacteria and glands that cause cause acne without the need for need for medications such as Accutane.
Significance:
Acne results when the skin’s sebaceous glands produce too much oil, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The oil contributes to clogged pores at the skin’s surface, and also provides an ideal environment for the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes ( p.acnes ) to grow unchecked. The result is pimples, whiteheads, blackheads and inflammation. The Acne Photo Light treatments target and kill P. acnes, and also may shrink the sebaceous glands that create the oil and clog the pores.