ESTHETIC MEDICINE (esthetic dermatology) deals with maintaining and improving the attractive appearance of the skin in healthy patients. Wrinkles, color correction, smoothing of the skin, removal of brown discolorations and capillaries are the most popular procedures. You can choose a specific treatment that will provide the desired effect. Patients may choose to participate in the “Skin Rejuvenation Program”, where we choose an individual skin type treatment. We offer a separate program for men interested in improving their appearance.
In any case, the procedure should be preceded by consultation with a dermatologist who will perform the procedure. Such consultation will allow for clarification of any doubts. Consultations also provide an opportunity for the patient to be provided with reliable information regarding the effectiveness of treatment, its durability and possible temporary adverse aesthetic symptoms that may be associated with the surgery. Below are some of the most common methods of aesthetic dermatology.
BOTOX
“Botox” is a well-known brand name of the first botulinum toxin used in medicine. This substance is used to correct wrinkles and excessive sweating.
REMOVING WRINKLES WITH BOTULINUM TOXIN
Botulinum toxin is used to treat wrinkles around the eyes, between the eyebrows, lateral wrinkles of the forehead and some in the lower parts of the face. The treatment consists of subcutaneous or intramuscular administration of a substance that temporarily prevents the contraction of certain muscle groups. For example, reducing the contractility of the forehead muscles means that the furrows characteristic of the crease do not form. The effect of the treatment is reversible. After administration, the effects are visible in about 7-10 days and usually last from 4 to 8 months. After this period, the treatment can be repeated. The method is safe.
Botulinum toxin (“Botox”) is also used to reduce the excessive sweating. The treatment gives the perfect effect of temporarily reducing sweating of the hands, feet, armpits, forehead and skin of the scalp. The effect of the treatment lasts about 8-12 months.
FILLING IN WRINKLES
Wrinkle filling with stabilized hyaluronic acid preparations is used to treat nasolabial folds, fine wrinkles around the lips and eyes and on the forehead. The method consists in the intradermal administration of hyaluronic acid, which is a natural component of the intercellular space (depending on the severity and location of the wrinkles apply different depths of administration). The effect of the treatment is reversible, it lasts about 8-12 months.
MEDICAL PEELING (EXFOLIATION)
Peelings are treatments aimed at removing external layers of the epidermis, including unnecessary cells and substances. There are many types of peels known in dermatology. They differ in the method of how they were manufactured and in their exfoliant ingredients. In any case, the peeling should be individually matched to the type of skin, age and whether there is any underlying skin disease. The application of peeling may be different in patients who expect to improve their appearance or rejuvenation their skin, compared to those who are receiving treatment for hyperpigmentation, excessive seborrhea or comedones. It is worth emphasizing that the face and cleansing peel is the most common, but many people eliminate imperfections of the arms, back or legs with this method.
Medical peels carried out for aesthetic reasons cause:
- refreshing, brightening, smoothing and oxygenation of the skin
- reduction of fine, shallow wrinkles
- improved tension and elasticity of the skin.
Such peelings can also be part of a larger “Skin Rejuvenation Program” offered by our office. Such programs are individually selected for each patient with the guidance of a dermatology specialist.
Medical peelings carried out from medical indications can be used at:
- stains
- excessive seborrhea
- actinic keratosis of the face, shoulders or thighs
- acne – after treatment and as a prophylaxis
- eliminating some traces of inflammatory skin diseases.
In most cases, it is advisable to perform a series of treatments at several week intervals.
After the peeling, the following can be expected as a natural symptom from the procedure:
- skin erythema occurring 1 hour after surgery
- visible exfoliation of the skin
- skin edema.
These symptoms last from several hours to 2-4 days, depending on the type of peeling and the applied method of treatment. Individuals who care about the post-procedure symptom duration should discuss this with their doctor and select a method of treatment accordingly.
Laser IPL (Intense Pulse Light)
The office has IPL equipment, is mainly used for closing blood vessels, eliminating discolorations and photorejuvenation treatments.
Closing blood vessels
Thanks to the appropriately selected wavelength of light, you can close vessels located at different depths under the skin. IPL energy is absorbed by the hemoglobin in the vial, and this causes its closure. Usually, two or more treatments are needed to fully close larger vessels. The treatment is not painless, but almost all our patients come back for the second treatment, which convinces us that the therapeutic effect is greater than the temporary discomfort associated with the surgery itself. After the treatment, the skin is often swollen and red for 12 or more hours.
This method allows effective closing of blood vessels on the face, but we do not use it to close the vessels in the legs.
Discolorations
The effectiveness of IPL in the treatment of hyperpigmentation depends mainly on the depth of the lesions and their cause. Therefore, the decision to use IPL in the treatment of discoloration should always be preceded by a dermatologist consultation. The most superficial discolorations (e.g. on the hands of people over 40 or 50 years old) can subside after a single treatment. Most facial blemishes will require more treatments, and in the case of the deepest changes, it is necessary to combine this method with a proper peeling.
Photorejuvenation
With the right choice of parameters, IPL can give the perfect effect of leveling fine wrinkles on the skin and improving its color. People who want to “stop the time” and rejuvenate the skin are encouraged to establish a “rejuvenation program” with the doctor who, depending on the needs, may also include appropriately selected peels, botox or wrinkle fillers. Such programs depend mainly on skin type and age. They are different for men and women.
Experts in esthetic medicine are: dr n. med. Olga Warszawik-Hendzel, dr n. med. Marta Sar-Pomian, dr Małgorzata Maj , dr n. med. Leszek Blicharz