Radiofrequency is the HOT treatment of choice in anti-aging, fighting dreaded sagging, increasing skin tightening, and boosting new collagen production little to no down time.

What radiofrequency procedures does The Derm Institute offer?

Exilis Protégé Elite: This system uses radio frequency (RF) waves to tighten skin, smooth fine lines, and improve texture of areas like the neck, décolleté, upper and lower eye lids, and jawline.  If you noticed increased laxity, or crepy skin in these areas, Protégé will help!

Vanquish ME: This innovative body conturing device uses RF to heat targeted fat tissue and kill fat cells all with no downtime or discomfort.  There is virtually no down time and treatments can address those bothersome areas like abdomen, love handles, thighs, and even the dreaded bra bulge. Treatment with Vanquish ME only takes 1 month. Yes, that’s smoother, slimmer, and contoured areas in just 30 days.

Infini: Our newest system is becoming one of our most popular and effective treatments to tighten the skin, reduce pore size, and contour a sagging jawline or tighten loosening neck skin. Pinpoint microinvasive needles direct heat to induce collagen contraction in areas like the face, neck, and even on the body.

How do these RF procedures compare to other treatments like C02 laser or other devices on the market?

No real downtime. In a world where you are always on the go it’s hard to have that “me” time without taking away from work or home activities. RF technology devices allow for you to not only keep your schedule, but also receive effective treatment with little down time.

Minimal to no discomfort. It is always ideal to have little to no pain and treatments like Vanquish and Protégé, and, provide true alternatives to surgical procedures without the pain or risk of going under the knife.  Patients sometimes find these treatments are relaxing while they are turning back the clock on aging!

Effective Results. Each RF device at The Derm Institute offers results that can be seen within 30-60 days. Infini can actually still have results even just 6-8 weeks after the first treatment! Can you believe that? Results get better over time as the body builds more collagen.  Our patients have been thrilled.

How to I learn which treatment is the right one for me?

Schedule an appointment at The Derm Institute with Dr. Annie Chiu, she will provide you an indepth consultation on each device and determine, based off your needs and concerns, what treatment or combination of treatments will optimize your results.

…Shared by Your TDI Team

Lasers are an ever growing and changing technology using beams of energy to target unwanted skin conditions. Fractional Ablative and Fractional Non-Ablative resurfacing produces finite columns of treated areas in a gridlike fashion, leaving small islands of normal skin intact to shorten healing time and decrease the risk of pigmentation problems.

Lasers

• Reverse Premature photodamage and aging
• Stimulate and tighten new collagen production
• Improves texture, pore size, scars, and stretch marks

Ablative lasers are meant to target deeper wrinkles,discoloration and photodamage. Fractionated non-ablative lasers typically produce results with one session with downtime of approximately 7-10 days.

Non-Ablative lasers treat pore size, fine lines, discoloration, scars, as well as stretch marks. Treatment typically requires 3-5 sessions, but downtime is very limited, with only a few days of mild swelling, and a dry, sandpaper like sensation to the skin. Typically makeup can even be worn to cover this.

Fractional laser treatments are one of the Derm Institute’s specialties. There is no cookie-cutter approach–It is important to take into account skin color and ethnic background to achieve the optimal result. Below is a quickie “Cliff’s Notes” guide on lasers.

1. There is no magic single laser that treats everything, pigment, lines, scars, etc are all different targets that sometimes require different lasers. But Fractionated Non-Ablative Lasers comes close to targeting almost all these concerns to smooth and clear the skin.
2. Fraxel, Artisan, Pearl, Mixto, etc are all name brands utilizing the same type of non-ablative fractional resurfacing technology with slight variations based on provider preference.
3. These treatments typically require a few sessions but have minimal downtime of approximately 3-7 days.
4. The Derm Institute recommends strictly following aftercare instructions, including the application of sunscreen or a healing ointment such as Biafine or Aquaphor to reduce downtime.
5. IPL or Intense Pulsed Light is not technically a laser, but an intensified light source made to target pigment and blood vessels. Downtime is extremely minimal and great results can be achieved in 1-2 sessions.

. . . Shared by the TDI team

People ask a variety of questions about laser and light and treatments, most of the answers to these questions depend heavily upon the individual and the type of treatment.
A single answer will not cover all possibilities. In this post Dr. Chiu answers some frequently asked question about laser and light treatments. To learn more about laser and light treatments and to find out what is the best treatment for you contact us to schedule a consultation.

1. Which laser treatment is best for facial rejuvenation and skin tightening?

There is no magical single laser for this question. Lasers are incredibly target specific. If you are looking to even color, an Intense Pulsed Light treatment may be all that is necessary. For acne scarring, pore size, and coarsening, a fractional non-ablative laser can be very effective. The best treatment for overall skin tightening and treatment of deeper wrinkles is the fractional ablative laser resurfacing.

2. Do laser treatments stimulate collagen production?

Laser-light technology has been shown to stimulate collagen production through remodeling of collagen and deep heating of collagen fiber. Post treatment skincare products can also help the collagen synthesis process. We recommend products containing retinoids and growth factors to maintain your investment.

3. What is the best time of the year for laser skin resurfacing?

True resurfacing lasers are often best done in the Fall or Winter, when the skin is not quite as susceptible to sun exposure immediately after the procedure. However, nowadays, with awareness of sun protection, the best time is whenever you may have a few days to a week of “down-time”, depending on the procedure.

4. What is the best laser treatment for scars and large pores?

Fractionated non-ablative lasers can be quite effective for surgical scars, acne scarring and enlarged pores. The treatments are typically done in a series, spaced about one month apart. Fractionated technology leaves very small “islands” of normal skin intact, dramatically decreasing downtime and improving safety in darker skin types.

5. Which treatment is better for chin and upper lip lines: Fractional Laser or Dermabrasion?

A multi-modal approach using both fine line fillers, tiny drops of Botox, fractional ablative laser, and/or deep chemical peels are great ways to improve vertical lip lines, otherwise commonly known as “smokers’ lines”.

6. Which laser is best for neck tightening with minimal downtime?

The laserlift utilizing a minimally invasive technique of removal of fat under the chin area and heating of the skin at the same time from under the skin can produce dramatic results in a single session. This is a new technology that allows a previously difficult to address area to be treated with minimal downtime.

7. What are the potential side effects of laser skin resurfacing?

As with any procedure, laser treatments have certain risks, especially if the treating provider is inexperienced. Potential side effects include burning, bruising, hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. Darker skin types including Asians and Hispanics are more prone towards discoloration post laser, so it is important to seek physician level care with someone who is experienced with these skin types.

8. How long should I wait between laser•light treatments?

With experience in how to push settings in a safe manner, some procedures require only a single session. Stretch marks, acne scarring, and surgical scars can require 3-4 sessions, and we recommend doing them about one month apart.

9. Laser skin resurfacing •pros and cons?

Patients considering laser resurfacing for scars should discuss the pros and cons with Dr. Chiu or your dermatologist before proceeding to decide on a plan. This often depends on your specific concern and skin type.
The more invasive the laser, the more dramatic the results can be, however it also comes with greater downtime. Ablative laser resurfacing can produce dramatic smoothing of wrinkles and tightening, but there are also more potential side effects. New fractional technologies has definitely decreased the potential “cons” associated with laser treatments, but realistic expectations, sun protections, and a thorough discussion with your physician is key.

10. What is the best skin aftercare following laser resurfacing?

Generally, after laser treatments, the most important thing you can do for about a week is to make sure the skin stays moisturized and protected from the sun. About a week or two after the treatment it is important to start up with a skin health regimen that maintain and further improve the results from the laser treatment. Products that contain retinoids and growth factors can improve long-term results of laser-light treatments.

. . . Shared by Dr. Chiu and The Derm Institute Team