You are Invited!!!

Dr Fleming would like to invite you and a friend to attend our Launch Party to introduce our new mineral make up line – COLORESCIENCE

When: Wednesday, December 2nd @ 7:00 PM

Where: Delta Laser & Skin Care Centre, #1 6305 120th st, Delta, BC

Lauren our COLORESCIENCE expert will be here to educate and demonstrate this fabulous Mineral Make up line. You will also have an opportunity to have a complimentary make-up application to experience the COLORESCIENCE difference for yourself.

Call 604 543 8965 to reserve your spot.  Space is limited.

For more information visit our web site http://www.deltalaser.ca/events.html

Since I have been receiving Botox® Cosmetic injections for about 4 years and have been thrilled with the results each time, I’m still surprised when people ask me, “Is Botox safe?” but…I suppose for those who are considering their first Botox treatment, there is still a lot of fear, confusion and trepidation. So, I thought it might be a great topic to write about for those considering Botox for the very first time. So….here we go!

First of all, BOTOX® and BOTOX® Cosmetic are the same product simply marketed to consumers through different marketing channels of Allergan, the parent company that manufactures Botox. So, what IS Botox?

BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) for injection, is a sterile, vacuum-dried purified
botulinum toxin type A, produced from fermentation of Hall strain Clostridium botulinum type A grown in a medium containing casein hydrolysate, glucose, and yeast extract, intended for intramuscular use. It is purified from the culture solution by dialysis and a series of acid precipitations to a complex consisting of the neurotoxin, and several accessory proteins. The
complex is dissolved in sterile sodium chloride solution containing Albumin Human and is sterile filtered (0.2 microns) prior to filling and vacuum-drying. All this very technical info can be found on the Allergan website at www.botoxcosmetic.com .

How does it work?
Botox is mixed (or diluted) with saline and then injected into the belly of the muscle. Once injected it rests on the muscle receptor and blocks the impulse to contract the muscle sent by the brain. The inhibition of the muscle contraction is what causes the lines and wrinkles to soften and smooth out over time. It can take up to 14 days for botox to take full affect, while most people see results in 5-10 days and the results last up to 3 months. Although some individuals may metabolize the product faster thus the result does not last as long and others may metabolize is slower, prolonging their result beyond the typical 3 months.

Patient squinting before Botox injections

Patient squinting after Botox injections (14 days post injections)

other questions often asked include:
1. Does it hurt?
Not really. If you feel anything, you may feel a slight sting at the injection site, but it lasts only a few seconds. If you are very concerned about pain, ask your physician to apply a topical numbing el for 15-20 minutes prior to your treatment.

2. If I do it once and I don’t do it again, will I look MORE wrinkles than before I started?
NO! Absolutely not. Actually, you will only look better and eventually go back to the way you looked before. Understanding how wrinkles are formed and how Botox helps improve wrinkles is important. Wrinkles between the eyes, crows feet, forehead and around the mouth are caused by repeated muscle contractions. So, by injecting Botox and inhibiting or stopping these contractions all together, the treated areas have a chance to relax and smooth out.So, while Botox is in effect the tissue in the treated areas is not contracting and therefore not contributing to the wrinkles and lines. If you decide not to repeat your Botox treatment (although I don’t know why you wouldn’t!) the previously treated area will stay smooth for some time and eventually once you make the expressions and contract the muscles again, the original lines and wrinkles will probably return as they were prior to the treatment.

3. Will I look scared or surprised all the time?
Well, that depends on the skill of the injector. You should look natural and relaxed. It is important to stress to the injector what result you are looking for so he or she can ensure you receive YOUR desired result.

4. How much is it?
Botox treatments can vary depending on geography and injector skill and experience. Most injectors charge per unit, and the unit cost varies anywhere between $12.00-$18.00/unit. Although I have heard of a few Plastic Surgeons charging $26./unit. You should plan to receive 25 units per area, so at an average of $14./unit, that’s about $350 per area.

Another practice is to charge a flat rate per area, and this can range from $250-$500/area. I prefer the per unit fee, as I want to know what I am receiving.

So, why the variance in pricing? There are many reasons, but primarily it is market demand and skill/education level of the injector. Physicans often charge slightly higher rates than PA’s or ARNP’s. Ask if there are any specials running and definitely ask for the Botox® Cosmetic Benefits Program. This program is offered directly from Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox (and Latisse) and they send you gifts and specials and great reminders, etc.

5. How do I choose an injector?
Do your research!!! Price alone should NOT be your deciding factor. Ask around to your friends and folks in the community. Injectors who are great, typically have great reputations and those who are not great, typically do NOT have great reputations. Ask the injector to map your face and explain to you exactly where they will inject and what result they expect to achieve. It is also ok to ask the injector how long they have been working with Botox and what areas they commonly treat. Advanced injectors are skilled at treating ALL facial areas including the mouth, under eye, jowls, frown lines, and the neck whereas those with basic skills may only inject the forehead and glabellar (between the eyebrows) areas.

6. How long does the procedure take?
The actual treatment is typically very quick 15 minutes or so. However, if it is your first visit to this injector, you will want to establish a rapport and ask him or her to map your face and discuss any questions you may have, so be sure to prepare yourself with questions and ASK them!

7. Is Botox safe?
YES, yes and YES! Botox has been used for 20+ years in medicine for treating migraines and muscle spasms. It was introduced cosmetically and approved by the FDA for cosmetic use in 1989 and 2003, although is used “off-label” frequently. Injecting Botox® Cosmetic anywhere other than the glabellar is considered off-label use. The following link outlines significant detail about Botox and is found on the FDA website. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/103000s5109s5210lbl.pdf

Please send me questions you may have regarding Botox or other injectable treatments…soon I will be covering fillers of all kinds including, Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Juvederm Ultra, Evolence, Radiesse, Sculptra and more.

la aparicion de los materiales de relleno inyectables supuso una revolucion en el campo de la medicina estetica
la indicacion de estos materiales abarca la correccion de arrugas y pliegues de la piel, aumento de pomulos, aumento y perfilado de labios  y relleno de surcos.

La formación de las arrugas se produce en la mayoría de los  casos debido a que las fibras de apoyo de la piel se quiebran y deshidratan.

hay rellenos finos para las patas de gallo o para el codigo de barras ; medianos para los surcos entre la nariz y las comisuras de los labios o para rellenar una cicatriz; y gruesos para corregir defectos inherentes a los rasgos.Muchas veces no basta con rellenar la arruga, sino que se debe mejorar el estado general de la piel mediante tratamientos de hidratación profunda u otros, porque, no sacas nada con infiltrarte si tu piel se ve envejecida.Durante el envejecimiento, se acentúan los surcos y líneas faciales que son propios de la mímica facial, dejando una impronta fisonómica a veces inestética.

la caracteristica que mejor define a un implante es su permanencia en el tejido y atendiendo a esto podemos clasificarlos en dos grandes grupos:
Reabsorbibles que desaparecen por degradacion u absorcion

No reabsorbibles o permanentes

la tendencia actual es utilizar los reabsorbibles debido a que preesentan menos efectos secundarios y los que presentan son transitorios los resultados al no ser definitivos se pueden corregir e ir adaptandose al desarrollo del paciente.
lo ideal son los materiales reabsorbibles pero de larga duracion.
A pesar de que son muy numerosos los materiales disponibles en el mercado nosotros solo mencionaremos los reabsorbibles de uso mas frecuente en la actualidad.

*** COLAGENO    (EVOLENCE) :
Se trata de un relleno  que aparecio en el 2004  en el mercado para corregir arrugas y para remodelación facial.La novedad que este producto de relleno aporta con respecto a otros también fabricados a base de colágeno, es que el colágeno utilizado es de origen porcino y no bovino, de tal manera que el riesgo de alergia es más pequeño.Sus efectos duran alrededor de un año, debido a que las fibras de colágeno utilizan la tecnología Glymatrix con moléculas de azúcar para unirse, lo cual da mucha estabilidad al producto y permite espaciar las sesiones de retoque. Este sistema de unión de las fibras asegura además que la composición del relleno es totalmente natural.
Este producto aparece en el mercado con dos formatos: Evolence y Evolence Breeze. El primero de ellos es muy eficaz para recuperar la estructural facial, mientras que el segundo se utiliza para corregir pequeñas arrugas y relleno de labios.
Los resultados del tratamiento son inmediatos y el período de recuperación es pequeño o prácticamente inexistente, lo cual le da mucha ventaja frente a otros productos.
El colágeno es una sustancia de relleno desde 1981, que fue aprobado por la FDA.

*** ACIDO HIALURONICO   (RESTYLANE) :
El ácido hialurónico, a diferencia del colágeno que es una proteína, es un polisacárido de alta compatibilidad biológica.
Es un producto natural biodegradable y reabsorbible que se integra dentro de los tejidos de forma natural. No se puede utilizar en personas alérgicas a las proteínas del pollo o el huevo.
Restylane es el primer implante inyectable para uso estético a base de ácido hialurónico de origen no animal, por lo que se denomina NASHA (Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid) , que ha obtenido la aprobación CE.  Por lo tanto no necesita prueba alergica alguna.

Se emplea para corregir líneas de expresión moderadas y severas, en especial las que se forman en el surco nasogeniano. Dado que sus efectos perduran alrededor de seis meses se hace necesaria la repetición del tratamiento unas dos veces al año.

Restylane se inyecta directamente en la piel en pequeñas cantidades usando una aguja muy fina y después de la inyección, se debe aplicar un suave masaje en la zona tratada para repartir adecuadamente el producto. Los resultados son inmediatos.

Restylane Finas Líneas sirve para corregir las patas de gallo, en personas con la piel muy fina, y el labio superior. Mientras que Restylane se puede emplear en cualquier arruga.Normalmente es utilizado para surcos faciales profundos como el surco nasolabial y región glabelar aunque también para aumento labial.
Es un producto , fabricado por primera vez en Suecia en el año 1996.
En los tratamientos antiarrugas con este producto, los efectos suelen durar alrededor de nueve meses a un año, mientras que si se utiliza para el relleno labial, la duración es algo menor, de no más de seis.

*** HIDROXIAPATITA DE CALCIO    (RADIESSE) :

Son microesferas de 40 µm de hidroxiapatita cálcica suspendidas en un gel de carboximetilcelulosa (Radiesse®). . Su inyección es segura y casi no induce reacción a cuerpo extraño  .

Es un material de relleno inyectable de apariencia cremosa
La complicación más frecuente es la formación de nódulos , no utilizar en los labios.
Es un producto a caballo entre los productos permanentes y los reabsorbibles. Su duración se estima en 24 meses.
La implantación se realiza en consultorio con anestesia local, por lo que el paciente puede volver tras las sesiones a sus tareas diarias. Se inyecta de forma localizada en la zona afectada, y no se nota ni se mueve. Se puede producir algún hematoma o molestia, pero ésta desaparece a los pocos días.
El tratamiento se intenta realizar en una sola sesión, Si posteriormente fuera necesario corregir, se realizaría una segunda sesión a los tres meses.

Reduce la aparición de las líneas de expresión que pueden verse alrededor de la boca de los fumadores, corrige las arrugas graves de las comisuras de los labios o del surco nasogeniano, las que aparecen en el entrecejo, mejora el contorno del mentón y de los pómulos aportándoles volumen, perfila la línea de la mandíbula y corrige la nariz sin utilizar métodos quirúrgicos.

Radiesse es biocompatible, no es necesario esperar a resultados de pruebas de alergia, y puesto que es biodegradable, se adapta maravillosamente a las necesidades estéticas de su rostro siempre cambiante.

Radiesse necesita una corrección exacta, por lo que aporta más aumento por centímetro cúbico que los productos que requieren sobrecorreccion para lograr resultados óptimos. Radiesse cuenta con la autorización para uso en el aumento facial, posee marcaje CE y varias autorizaciones de la FDA de los Estados Unidos.

*** ACIDO POLILACTICO  (SCULPTRA) : (Antes conocido como New Fill).

Elaborado por el prestigioso laboratorio Sanofi Aventis.
Restaura visiblemente la cara, produciendo un efecto de rejuvenecimiento natural en la piel.
Trata las arrugas más profundas. SCULPTRA multiplica hasta por 3 el grosor de la piel.

Usado internacionalmente desde 1999 con el nombre de New-Fill™ en aproximadamente 150,000 pacientes de más de 30 países.

SCULPTRA™ es un efectivo tratamiento para rellenar arrugas y uno de los mas recientemente aprobados por la FDA. Este tratamiento no invasivo corrige las líneas más profundas y arrugas ofreciendo resultados más duraderos y utilizando un material biodegradable conocido como “ácido poli-láctico”. Estudios realizados han revelado que la potencia de SCULPTRA puede corregir la lipodistrofia asociada al VIH,
Utilizando un anestésico local para disminuir la incomodidad, SCULPTRA™ es inyectada utilizando una aguja muy fina. Funciona aumentando el grosor de la piel y rellenando. Los resultados son graduales, dependiendo de los efectos que se deseen conseguir y del tamaño del problema. Con el tiempo, la apariencia es visiblemente modificada después de varios tratamientos. Una vez que se logra la apariencia deseada, este tratamiento semi-permanente dura hasta dos años, pero puede requerir pequeños retoques.
SCULPTRA™ no requiere pruebas de alergia antes de ser utilizado, Sculptra Como la mayoría de las inyecciones, tiene algunos efectos secundarios, aunque mínimos, podrían aparecer. Los más comunes serían: enrojecimiento, inflamación, hematoma y dolor alrededor del área tratada. Utilizando hielo inmediatamente después del tratamiento se pueden minimizar y a veces evitar estos efectos.

*** TRIFOSFATO CALCICO   (ATLEAN) :

ATLEAN, nuevo relleno facial con BTCP, lo último para combatir la flacidez. Remodela y redensifica el tercio inferior de la cara de forma totalmente natural.

Ya existe un nuevo relleno 100% reabsorbible que combate con eficacia la flacidez facial . Se trata del nuevo relleno facial ATLEAN que remodela el tercio inferior de la cara eliminando la temida flacidez de forma progresiva y duradera. Además redensifica la piel aportando la luminosidad y vitalidad perdidas con la edad. Su efecto es absolutamente natural, su fórmula biocompatible y 100% reabsorbible.
Se trata de un gel compuesto por ácido hialurónico y partículas de fosfato tricálcico (BTCP) que se inyecta en la piel provocando un efecto tensor que atenúa y/o elimina las arrugas, líneas de expresión y cicatrices estimulando la producción de colágeno en la piel.
La novedad radica en que es el único relleno que elimina la flacidez gracias a las partículas de BTCP (fosfato tricálcico) contenidas en su fórmula.
Atlean es un remodelador facial que produce la síntesis progresiva y duradera del colágeno inducido por el BTCP. El ácido hialurónico tiene un efecto tensor y rehidrata la piel de forma inmediata, entre las 4 y 6 semanas de su aplicación, con resultados visibles tras su aplicación. Las partículas de BTCP producen una estimulación tisular de los fibroblastos que provoca la síntesis de colágeno que a su vez ayuda a la redensificación de la dermis. Actúa de forma progresiva y duradera (12 meses).
El tratamiento se realiza en dos sesiones con un intervalo de 4 a 6 semanas, y los resultados duran 12 meses.
Se aplica con inyecciones intradérmicas en la hipodermis superficial. Son necesarias dos sesiones, una estándar y otra de retoque para mantener el efector tensor y alargar la duración del tratamiento.
Está especialmente aconsejado en mujeres de 30 a 55 años para remodelar y redensificar. El tratamiento con Atlean elimina la flacidez del tercio inferior de la cara, proporciona tersura y luminosidad a la piel y rejuvenece progresivamente la zona tratada.
Atlean es biocompatible y 100% reabsorbible por nuestro organismo, por lo que las reacciones adversas son debidas a la inyección y de carácter leve y pasajero. Pueden ser rojeces, inflamación, dolor, picor o escozor, y algún amoratamiento en la zona donde se ha inyectado. Si salieran pequeños bultitos con un suave masaje desaparecen rápidamente.

Si usted desea mas información puede solicitar una cita gratuita y sin compromiso en el tlf : 954 455 455  para evaluar su caso.

Para pedir cita online  pinchar el siguiente vinculo

http://www.clinicaruher-sevilla.ea29.com/Cita-Online_1526710.html?iwNow=1255004491328

That being said, I guess I’ll start with what the Fraxel Laser is.  Simply put, Fraxel was the first laser of it’s kind in the rejuvenation market and has performed well over 500,000 treatments across North America with an unparalleled record of research, FDA clearances, proven results and physician endorsements.  Although you might hear other clinics talk about their “fractional” or “pixellated” laser treatments, there is only one Fraxel. There’s just nothing else like it for safely and effectively improving the appearance of your skin and creating a renewed self confidence.

The way Fraxel works is by shooting microscopic laser columns deep into the dermis causing tiny wounds, which trigger your body’s natural response system to heal those wounds.  This speeds up the remodelling of the natural collagen and elastin in your skin which results in smoother, tighter, fresher and more youthful looking skin.  Just as important is the area of skin that Fraxel treatment doesn’t touch. Because the treatment is so precise, the laser columns target only a fraction (get it? – “fractional”?) of skin at a time, leaving the surrounding tissue intact. This fractional treatment allows your body to heal the skin faster than if the entire area were treated at once.

Acne scars can occur as the skin heals from pimples, whiteheads and/or blackheads.  These scars are typically indented marks or raised, red areas that sometimes give the skin a wavy appearance and are caused by a variety of factors. Fraxel effectively removes damaged skin on the surface and reaches deep into the skin to stimulate collagen remodeling. In this way, Fraxel acne treatment improves the elasticity, texture and tone of your damaged skin while keeping your healthy tissue intact—which minimizes any discomfort or downtime. 

 Traditional approaches—such as deep chemical peeling, conventional lasers, topical agents and abrasion therapies—usually achieve only moderate results or, worse, they destroy a lot of healthy tissue along with the scar, and often require long recovery times. Fraxel laser is also better to remove acne scarring instead of more invasive treatments (invasive treatments are things like CO2 laser resurfacing which can lead to alot of down time due to scabbing, oozing puss, open wounds and the like) because there is minimal downtime - oh, and no puss.  

Over 20 million people in North America suffer from acne.  Acne scars left over from your teenage years can have a negative affect on your self-esteem. The Fraxel may be the solution you’re looking for to get rid of those embarrassing acne scars (without the use of blue dye – yeah!!).  Find out more about Fraxel laser by visiting our website, checking out our blog post “Photorejuvenation vs. Fraxel: What do I Choose?”   .Or, simply give us a call at 604-543-8965  or e-mail at info@deltalaser.ca  to book your consultation and get started on the road to clear, smooth skin, and a brighter, more confident future!

Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane are the most popular lines of new fillers for deeper wrinkles around the mouth and to enhance the lips.

Many changes occur in our appearance as we age and one of the signs of aging is hollow cheeks due to fat loss in this area. The cheeks tend to flatten and droop because our face loses volume due to the loss of bone, muscle, and fat. The most common cause of this is the effect of aging but it can also be due to certain diseases. This condition creates sunken cheeks and a gaunt look and this will make you look really old, much beyond your actual age.

Don’t worry because there is help available in the form of non-surgical treatment. Numerous cosmetic injections, fat injections and facial implants can be done to correct this condition.

• Dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid such as Resylane, Juverderm or Perlane help restore volume.
• Dermal filler – Radiesse containing calcium microspheres can also be injected.
• Sculptra which contains poly-L-Lactic Acid can also be injected to restore volume to a great degree and longer lasting results.

Get in touch with Rejuvé for treatment of hollow cheeks

During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Tang will discuss whether this treatment may benefit you and review all the available treatment options. Their goal is to help you regain a more youthful appearance in the most natural way without interfering with your rigorous lifestyle. Get in touch with Rejuvé today. Their office is located at downtown Saratoga on the corner of Highway 9/Sunnyvale-Saratoga and Big Basin Way (behind Starbucks). Their Office hours are Tue–Fri: 10–6pm | Sat: 10–2pm. Contact them on these numbers – (408) 867-7400, fax – (408) 867-7401 and check their website http://www.anti-agingsolutions.net or http://www.rejuvemedical.com/ for more details.

Radiesse is a fairly new cosmetic filler made of calcium microspheres suspended in a water-based gel.   Radiesse is different from collagen and normal fillers with hyaluronic acid.   Because of its design, it’s expected to curtail, if not eliminate, allergic reactions.   Radiesse claims to not only reduce medium and deep lines and wrinkles but it als provides a fuller look where it’s used.  This new filler possibly eliminates some plastic surgery facelift procedures.

According to the Radiesse website, this filler also stimulates the body to produce new collagen.  They also state that it’s more effective than Restylane based on a 60 subject clinical trial.  Radiesse also provided greater subject satisfaction over Juvederm and Perlane based on a 205 subject trial.

 Realself  had some real testimony on the Radiesse which was not favorable but remember that not all procedures work for everyone.   It’s unfortunate nonetheless when anyone suffers from something like this.  Medicadepot also lists a story on over 930 media reported complaints bad procedures on fillers in general during a five year period.   To keep it in perspective, last year1.36 million women and 84,000 men were treated with dermal fillers.

More information on the Radiesse clinical trials:

1. Based on a clinical study of 205 patients who were treated with a regimen of RADIESSE, Juvéderm and Perlane fillers. Patients were provided with a questionnaire and asked to rate the level of satisfaction at 4, 8, and 12 months post second injection. Patients were provided a yes/no questionnaire to address recommendations of RADIESSE dermal filler or other products at 4, 8, and 12 months.  Moers-Carpi, M. M., Vogt, S., Santos, B. M., Planas, J., Vallve, S. R., and Howell, D. J. (2007). A multicenter, randomized trial comparing calcium hydroxylapatite to two hyaluronic acids for treatment of nasolabial folds. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, 33: S144–S151.

2. Based on a clinical study of 60 patients who were treated with a regimen of 2 injections 3 months apart with RADIESSE and Restylane fillers. Masked evaluaters measured effectiveness at 3, 6, and 9 months psot second injection. Moers-Carpi, M. M., and Tufet, J. O. (2007). Calcium hydroxylapatite versus nonanimal stabilized hyaluronic acid for the correction of nasolabial folds: A 12-month, multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, split-face trial. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, 34, 1–6.

3. Data on file. Based on a split-faced nasolabial fold trial of 60 patients who were treated with a regimen of 2 injections 3 months apart with RADIESSE and Restylane

I was trying to decide what our next blog post should be, when it occurred to me that the jargon used in our industry can be very confusing…We throw words around like IPL, Titan, Fraxel etc… all day long.  To us, the people who work in the industry it is very black and white, but to the average person seeking out the best anti -aging strategy for them it can be very confusing and in-fact very intimidating!!! 

It is my goal today with this post to help you sort through the confusion and show you the light at the end of the beauty tunnel!!!

Let’s start with the basics, there are two categories of procedures out there, Invasive procedures, and Non-Invasive procedures.

Invasive proceduresare treatments that require downtime.  Meaning you would have to take time off work or from your daily life and activities.  Examples of invasive procedures are, face-lifts, liposuction, rhinoplasty and blephroplasty. Which brings me to another definition, rhinoplasty is a nose job and blephroplasty or commonly referred to as an upper or lower bleph, is eye lift surgery.  People are seeming to do less and less of these types of invasive procedures. 

Non Invasive proceduresare treatments that causes the patient essentially no down time.  This means the patient can have the procedure done and literally walk back into their daily life.  Examples of non invasive procedures are things like botox, facial fillers, fotofacial etc…(Don’t worry, I will define these things too.)  Studies are showing that people are opting for these less radical, non invasive procedures simply because it reduces on the amount of time they need to take out from their jobs or daily life.  This is an attractive option for people because they can upkeep their appearance without any effect on their life.  These are the types of procedures our office The Delta Laser and Skin Care Centre specializes in.

Here comes a few of the most common terms used at our office:

IPL:  IPL stands for Intense Pulse Light.  This is the type of machine often used to perform Fotofacials.

Fotofacial: Fotofacial treatments eliminates redness, broken cappileries, brown spots and reduces fine lines and pore size all with no down time.  In other words, fotofacials will treat skin imperfections that we can see.

Titan:  The Titan uses an infrared light source to tighten skin and reverse the signs of aging.  The Titan heats the dermis to cause collagen contraction. In addition the Titan can stimulate long term collagen rebuilding that leaves patients with younger tighter skin. 

Fraxel:  The Fraxel is today’s choice for mild resurfacing. Fraxel treatment,  affects a fraction of tissue at a time with thousands of microscopic laser coloms, each just one tenth the size of a hair follicle in diameter. Fraxel re:store treatment can resurface damaged skin and uncover the skin of your youth — all with minimal impact on your daily routine. What it treats:wrinkles around the eyes, acne scars, surgical scars, age spots/sunspots, melasma and Actinic Keratoses. Downtime: Most return to regular activities within a day or two.

Botox:  Botox is most commonly used in the upper portion of the face.  It is really safe, quick and easy.  It gives you a big bang.  We use it to treat the dynamic muscles that cause you to frown, or squint.  We take before an after photos so you can appreciate your result.

Facial Fillers:  Facial fillers are used to provide volume to the face.  As we age we are slowly losing the youthful fullness that we once had in our face.  The most commomly used facial fillers are hyaluronic acid based.  Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule found naturally in our body.  Allergy testing is not necessary with this type of filler.  The most commonly used hyaluronic acid based filler is Juvederm and Restylane.  There are other types of facial fillers out there, some examples are Radiesse, Evolence, Aretcoll the list goes on…..

OK, I am going to stop here because this is too long already. I hope this helped, if you have any more questions visit our website the Delta Laser & Skin Care Centre or call us @ 604 543 8965.

The Soft Lift Makeover with Botox and Juvederm – so you can make the most of you!!! 

OK, so have you heard the new BUZZ word… Soft Lift.  Let me tell you more about it. The Soft Lift is a new approach to discretely reverse the aging process. This treatment targets multiple signs of aging at the same time.  The whole idea behind the Soft Lift is by combining the dermal filler Juvederm with Botox Cosmetic, you get an overall result that will keep your own natural look in balance while providing an instantly more youthful looking you.  The best part about it is that it can be done in one session with no downtime. 

Here’s how it works: first we have the Botox.  Botox is a purified protein that relaxes muscles and smooths away wrinkles.  It can be used to treat horizontal forehead lines, frown lines in between your eyebrows and crow’s feet around your eyes.  This creates an overall more refreshed,  relaxed look.

Next we have the Juvederm.  Juvederm is a safe  injectable gel used to smooth away wrinkles and restore lost volume.  It  is made from hyaluronic acid, a sugar found naturally in your body.  Juvederm is used most often to smooth away lines around your mouth and nose, to enhance the lips, ( my personal fav), and to restore lost fullness to the cheek area.

So, in a nut shell, the Soft Lift combines Botox and Juvederm. The Botox will address the lines around the eyes and forehead that can often make a person look angry or tired, and the Juvederm is used to treat lines around the mouth and to restore the loss of fullness that can occur with aging in the cheeks, lips and chin.  They are recommending the Soft Lift for people in their 30’s right thru to their 50’s. 

There you go – ”The Soft Lift” – you heard it here first!  If you want to know how the Soft Lift can benefit you, please call us @ 604-543-8965 or e-mail us at info@deltalaser.ca and come in for your personal consultation with Dr. Fleming.  What are you waiting for?….

Facial Fillers are becoming one of our most popular procedures, but the comment we get most often from our clients before treatment is, “I don’t want to look different!!” You must understand that when it comes to facial fillers, our primary concern is that the only person who notices a difference is you. In other words you will still look like you, only better. We NEVER want you to look different.

At the Delta Laser and Skin Centre we use mainly hyaluronic acid based fillers, such as Juvederm, Restylane & Perlane. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the body that retains moisture. It is a clear gel that is injected into the skin to provide volume and fill in wrinkles. We are using Juvederm around the mouth, marionette lines, nasal labial folds (the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth) and of course the lips. Some of the newer areas that we are using Juvederm in is the sunken area around the eye and also to slightly build up the cheek . Our goal is to enhance your facial features to provide you with a more youthful appearance, but still keep it natural looking.

For longer lasting results at our clinic we will normally suggest Juvederm Ultra or Ultra Plus. We have seen these fillers last up to 12 months. Some hyaluronic acid based fillers only last about 3- 6 months. We don’t like to use permanent fillers at our clinic because they are just that – permanent. There is more safety in a facial filler that is temporary. We are also a big fan of Juvederm at our clinic because the newest addition to the Juvederm family is a Juvederm that contains lidocaine right in the filler!!! Our goal is to always have our patients comfort level at it’s maximum, this new Juvederm only makes this easier.

With Juvederm the whole procedure can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a half an hour. The results are instant and there is minimal to no downtime. Let us help you smooth away your facial wrinkles and folds, while restoring your skins youthful volume with a quick, easy and safe Juvederm treatment by calling us at 604-543-8965 or e-mailing us at info@deltalaser.ca.

Check back soon for information on the ”Soft Lift” – the new combination treatment of Juvederm and Botox.

Injectable derma fillers are a popular option today as it promises a more youthful appearance without surgery or anesthesia and no downtime. The well known injectable treatment is Botox, but now many people go in for dermal fillers in conjunction with Botox to fill in and re-counter the face for a youthful look. There are many types of dermal fillers available and each type is created for a specific purpose. One of the more widely used dermal fillers in the United States is Perlane.

Perlane is made by the same company and also from the same hyaluronic acid as Restylane. The main difference is that the gel particles in Perlane are larger which makes it more effective at filling in the deeper folds, thus achieving facial fullness. It is also used to augment lips and other areas of the face to restore the youthful volume.

If you would like to get the Perlane treatment done, you can have it done at Rejuvé. They offer a wide variety of non-surgical treatments ranging from Botox to laser photo rejuvenation to dermal fillers to laser skin tightening to mesotherapy to soften lines and wrinkles, even skin complexion, tighten skin; melt fat in unwanted areas underneath the eyes, chin, or body. From basic self enhancement treatment to anti-aging laser treatments or even body sculpting, you can get it all done at Rejuvé. They have a board of certified physicians and highly skilled team of licensed professionals who are dedicated to providing you with the highest level of care in the world of health and aesthetics. They offer complementary consultation and they will customize a comprehensive plan especially for you. They are located at downtown Saratoga on the corner of Highway 9/Sunnyvale-Saratoga and Big Basin Way (behind Starbucks). Their Office hours are Tue–Fri: 10–6pm | Sat: 10–2pm. Contact them on these numbers – (408) 867-7400, (408) 867-7401 fax and also check their website http://www.anti-agingsolutions.net/ for more details.

There are really 6 ingredients for healthy skin, but with all the new creams, lotions and potions available today, how are we supposed to know what really works?  Dr. Fleming found an article in Allure (Dec 2007) that directly addresses this question.  So, what are these 6 ingredients? Let’s start with the “A’s”:

Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A and are used to smooth the skin’s surface, even skin tone, increase blood flow & unclog pores.  “They may even help to prevent some types of skin cancer,” according to Doris J. Day, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University.  And according to Ranella Hirsch, president elect of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons, “retinoids are the one topical treatment actually proven to regenerate collagen”.  Retin-A has FDA approval for the treatment of acne as well as skin regeneration and can be found in topical prescription products such as Tazorac.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s) are a family of acids that include glycolic, citric and malic acid discovered in 1974 by two scientists from Temple University when they were searching for a cure for ichthyosis (extremely dry skin).  They found that the acids helped to smooth the skin and also improved the thickness of the skin.  AHA’s provide a reliable mechanism for exfoliation without being rough like scrubs and therefore allow other ingredients to penetrate the skin more easily and effectively.

Hyaluronic Acidis known for it’s ability to bind water to the skin.  And as we all know, water retention leads to plumping, which is a good thing for skin and lips (not so much for the tummy or hips!). There are lots of topical products that have hyaluronic acid, but unfortunately the molecule size is too big to effectively penetrate the skin.  That’s why there are injectable products like Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm. With injectable hyaluronic acid, we can fill deep lines like the ones from the nose to the edges of the mouth, as well as naturally enhance lips, cheeks and tear troughs.  The effects last anywhere from 3 to 9 months, as hyaluronic acid is naturally absorbed and metabolised by the body.

Hydroquinone is a lightening agent that works by inhibiting the enzyme that forms pigment in the skin.  Hydroquinone offers a solution for hyper-pigmentation in skin types that are unable to be treated by other methods such as Photorejuvenation. Recently kojic acid and some botanical extracts have been touted for they’re lightening abilities, but nothing so far has been as effective as hydroquinone.

Antioxidants are a group of vitamins and nutrients that are used to fight “free radicals”, molecules generated by sun damage and pollution, that damage the DNA of healthy skin cells which leads to wrinkles, discoloration and even cancer. Vitamin C is at the top of this group. Vitamin C was originally studied for it’s ability to stimulate collagen production, but was found to be really good for protecting the skin from sun damage and can be found in a number of Vivier and Young Pharmaceuticals products. The latest addition to the family of antioxidants is Coffee Berry. Coffee berry is said to be even more powerful than vitamin C and it can be found in our skin care line by Revale.

Finally, there’s Sunscreen. We’ll discuss sunscreen in more depth in our next blog because it gets a little confusing with all the SPF’s, UVA, UVB, physical or chemical blocks.  Basically, without a good sunscreen applied every day, you don’t have a good skin care regimen.  Sun exposure is the biggest cause of discoloration, wrinkles and premature aging of the skin.  A good sunscreen is one that will protect your skin from the burning rays of the sun (UVB), as well as the aging rays of the sun (UVA).  UVA’s can also lead to skin cancer, so it’s really, really important to wear a good sunscreen applied several times a day, every day, whether you work outside or in, summer, winter, spring or fall.

I know it’s a lot to take in, so if you have more questions or would like to schedule a skin care consultation, give us a call at 604-543-8965 or e-mail us at info@deltalaser.ca.  We’ll be glad to assist you any way we can.

Repeated muscular contractions such as frowning and squinting form lines known as dynamic wrinkles.  Botox Cosmetic works by relaxing the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles, giving the face a more relaxed and refreshed appearance.  The procedure is so simple and quick that patients can often have it done over their lunch hour.

Botox Cosmetic continues to be the most popular among all cosmetic procedures (surgical and non-surgical combined).  In North America it has been used by more than 2 million women and men like you, who want to take control of their appearance and look as good as they feel.

The dose of Botox depends on the muscle strength, size of muscle, and the age and sex of the patient.  There is considerable individual variation as well.  The “average” female glabella (between the brows)  usually requires 25-30 units of Botox to obtain adequate relaxation.  The first 50 units of Botox costs $10/unit; above this amount the price drops $1 for every 25 units.  This is done to avoid penalizing those  patients who require high doses of Botox.  Here’s a couple before and after photos:

Photo courtesy of Dr. Marcia Fleming

Photo courtesy of Dr. Marcia Fleming

For more information give us a call at 604-543-8965, e-mail us at info@deltalser.ca,  or check out our website at www.deltalaser.ca.

Delta Laser has finally entered the 21st century and started a blog in order to help educate our clients (and hopefully future clients) about the differences and innovations in laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation services. With all of the new technology available, not to mention the existing technology, we hope to clear up some of the confusion surounding what the different treatments are and what realistic expectations can be. Most of the time it seems difficult at best to get a straight answer, so that’s we we intend to do. Give straight answers to your questions and hopefully guide you in the right direction. Please feel free to post your comments and check back often, as we intend to post new blogs at least once a week. Of course, if you have a specific question or concern, you can call us at 604-543-8965 or e-mail info@deltalaser.ca. Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to helping you solve the mystery surrounding hair removal & skin rejuvenation.