The Perfect Injectable and Laser Combination

When lines and wrinkles start to creep across your face, or the results of years of acne and sun damage make their presence known, it’s time to take action. The market for skin care products is a billion-dollar industry, making promises to reverse damage and signs of aging, but there are times when only a professional can help. At Sadick Dermatology, we offer many options for skin rejuvenation that, when performed alone, can give you superior results. However, some of our treatments can be performed together to take your appearance to another level – restoring fresh, youthful skin. So, in this article, we will discuss the best laser and injectable combination for treating your skin – Fraxel Restore Dual Laser, Juvederm and Botox.

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The Fraxel Restore Dual Laser

How it works – It’s a laser treatment that has the ability to penetrate deeply into the dermis without burning or destroying the skin’s outer layer. The heat from the laser stimulates your body’s natural collagen production, which will gradually repair damage and improve skin tone and texture.

What it treats – Sun damage, fine lines, skin texture issues, acne scars.

Treatment – A topical anesthetic is applied to clean skin, and most treatments last about 30 minutes. Depending on the conditions you’re treating, it may take three to six sessions to achieve the results you desire.

Recovery – There is little to no downtime after your Fraxel treatment, and the only side effects are mild swelling and redness, similar to the feeling of a sunburn. Any flaking or peeling is normal, and it is important to follow Dr. Sadick’s skin care instructions to avoid scarring or damage to your skin.

Results – Because the results of Fraxel laser treatments depend on your body’s collagen production, it usually takes up to six months to see results after each session. For optimal results, you should stick with your treatment schedule and be patient while your body works its magic.

Juvederm Facial Filler

How it works – Juvederm uses a form of hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a molecule found naturally in the human body. It binds to water, smoothing lines, filling wrinkles, and using its own natural ability to give you youthful-looking skin and plumped up lips and cheeks.

What it treats – Facial lines, under eye hollows, acne scars, loss of volume in the lips, loss of volume in the backs of the hands.

Treatment – Injections are quick and virtually painless, as the Juvederm formulation contains a mild anesthetic.

Recovery – There is no downtime required, and side effects are mild and minimal. They may include minor swelling, bruising or redness at the injection site.

Results – While you will immediately notice some results, the final effects aren’t typically visible until about two weeks post-treatment.

Botox Cosmetic Injections

How it works – Botox is used to treat active (or dynamic) wrinkles. These are wrinkles that are a result of repetitive facial movements, like smiling, frowning or squinting. Botox contains a neurotoxin that causes temporary paralysis in the muscles responsible for active expressions. This keeps your forehead smooth, and with continued use, can prevent new wrinkles from forming.

What it treats – Forehead lines, frown lines, crows feet.

Treatment – Botox is a quick and virtually painless injectable procedure.

Recovery – There is no downtime after Botox injections, and side effects (if any) are temporary. These may include mild redness or swelling.

Results – Results of Botox are typically visible within about five days after treatment, but final results may take up to two weeks.

Depending on the extent of your skin damage, combining Fraxel laser treatments, Juvederm and Botox can offer facial rejuvenation results that are superior to those found with only one of these treatments. Because each treatment addresses a different type of issue, combining them can offer a comprehensive treatment that promises to take years off of your appearance.

Combining these three treatments is safe, and they can be performed together in one session, or at least spaced closely together. Most providers choose to perform the laser treatment first, as it is unknown whether the laser energy causes the filler material to break down and affect your results. There is no danger of interaction between Botox and Juvederm ingredients, and overall, your results leave you looking youthful and beautiful.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a safe and non-invasive alternative to a surgical facelift, or simply a way to refresh your appearance while still looking natural, call Sadick Dermatology today at 212-772-7242 to schedule a consultation, and let us help you find the perfect combination of treatments for you.

The Most Effective Acne Scar Treatments

Did you know that nearly 60 million people suffer from acne in the U.S.? It can affect everyone, from teenagers to adults, and even celebrities like Megan Fox and Rihanna who always seem to look flawless. There’s a huge feeling of relief once you’ve gotten rid of your acne, but for some, they’re left with varying amounts of scarring. The good news is that there are several acne scar treatments available that are designed to eliminate mild to severe acne scarring, restoring your confidence and giving you the smooth, beautiful skin you’ve always wanted. Take a look at the list below.

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Fraxel® Dual Laser

How does it work – The Fraxel® DUAL laser resurfacing treatment is a revolutionary technology that uses microscopic columns of light to target the deep layers of your skin. It works by stimulating collagen production and the growth of new, healthy skin cells. The laser treats only a fraction of tissue at a time, which leaves the surrounding tissue intact and promotes rapid healing.

Duration – The procedure usually takes 20 to 25 minutes for a full face.

Side Effects – The side effects of this treatment are typically mild and include redness, swelling, and sunburn-like reactions. These typically resolve within a few days.

Downtime and Results – There is no downtime associated with Fraxel Dual Laser treatments. Patients can typically return to their normal activities immediately following treatment. Also, The Fraxel Dual Laser gives you immediate results after your first treatment, but the full effects are visible usually after 2-3 months. During that time, the treatment structure allows the skin to repair and replace damaged tissue. Your doctor will let you know how many treatments you’ll need to get the results you want.

SmartXide DOT Therapy – CO2 Laser

How does it work – SmartXideDOT Therapy utilizes CO2 laser technology to resurface and rejuvenate skin. It affects small areas of skin, instead of the entire top layer. This process tricks your body into thinking it has been injured, triggering a boost in the production of collagen. As new collagen is created, it works to fill in the scars on your face, leaving your skin smoother and healthy looking.

Duration – The face is treated in about 15 minutes. However, the procedure begins with the application of an anesthetic cream that needs to stay on your skin for about an hour.

Side Effects – Redness and peeling for the first couple of days (5-7), but these will resolve on their own.

Downtime and Results – Requires very little downtime for recovery. You will begin to see your results within about a month after treatment, with your final results visible about four to six months after the procedure.

PicoSure

How does it work – PicoSure is a laser treatment, utilizing short-pulse lasers focused on the treatment area to deliver fast bursts of energy. These bursts are so quick that they can target the specific scar with no heat damage to the surrounding tissue. Actually, the device delivers energy into the dermis, where fibroblasts—the cells responsible for producing collagen—are located. When these cells receive this new energy, they begin to remodel the collagen matrix of acne scars, resulting in a smoother texture.

Duration – The procedure should take about half an hour, but the exact time depends on the severity of the scars.

Side Effects – Skin may appear pink for a few days following treatment.

Downtime and Results – No downtime is required, and results start showing within one to two months of beginning treatment. Depending on the severity of your scars, you may need more than one treatment, but once you’ve completed the optimal number of sessions, you will be able to enjoy lasting results.

EndyMed Intensif

How does it work – EndyMed Intensif utilizes a microneedle device to focus radiofrequency (RF) energy into your skin. The RF energy allows deep dermal penetration to stimulate collagen production without overheating or damaging your epidermal layer or any surrounding tissues.

Duration – Most sessions take between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the severity of your scarring and the size of the treatment area.

Side Effects – There may be temporary redness and swelling like sunburn, but they resolve on their own.

Downtime and Results – There is no downtime needed, and results appear gradually over the following months. You may only need one treatment to see noticeable results, but for optimal results, you may need more than one session.

Venus Concept - Venus Viva™ MD

How does it work – Venus Viva is one of the best acne scar treatments available today! It utilizes radio frequency waves and microneedling to create micro-damage in the skin. This damage stimulates new skin cell growth and collagen production, resulting in smoother skin tone.

Duration – The treatment takes 15-30min.

Side Effects – The procedure is virtually painless and offers no side effects.

Downtime and Results – There is no downtime, and most patients need 3-4 treatments to achieve optimal results. Injectable fillers can also be used to enhance the treatment.

Conclusion

If you have noticeable scarring as a result of acne, it may be time to explore our minimally invasive acne scar treatments at Sadick Dermatology. Call us today at 212-772-7242 to schedule an appointment for a consultation to determine what procedure will rejuvenate your skin and leave you looking as beautiful as you feel.

3 Reasons to Try SculpSure

Are you looking for a way to eliminate stubborn fat while sculpting and defining your curves – without surgery? SculpSure is helping many of our patients at Sadick Dermatology do just that today. This laser treatment is a revolutionary way to get rid of isolated areas of adipose tissue (fat) that don’t respond to your workouts the way you would like. As FDA approval for SculpSure has expanded this year, we have even more reasons to recommend this nonsurgical method of body contouring to our patients.

Safe and Effective

SculpSure was first approved by the FDA in 2015 for reducing fat in the abdomen and flanks (love handles). Since that time, approval has been expanded to other areas, indicating the device is both safe and effective, Dr. Sadick told Allure Magazine in June of this year. Dr. Sadick explains SculpSure in the same article, “It’s a laser fat technology that passes heat through the dermis to directly target fat cells. The heat melts the fat, which is then absorbed into the body.”

The laser technology is delivered into the adipose tissue without damaging surrounding dermal layers or other tissue. This means you can say goodbye to stubborn fat without incisions, anesthesia or downtime frequently seen with other fat reduction methods. This reduces risks associated with the procedure as well as minimizing discomfort and downtime.

According to the SculpSure website, clinical studies have found the following results associated with the SculpSure procedure:

• 24-percent reduction in stubborn areas of fat
• Patient satisfaction rate of over 90 percent
• Results start to become evident in about six weeks

Most patients will see positive results after a single treatment session, although some will schedule a second appointment to achieve even more dramatic results. Results will improve gradually as the treated fat cells are flushed out through the body’s lymphatic system. Since fat is removed, results will be permanent if no weight is gained afterward.

Fast Treatment, No Downtime

A SculpSure treatment session lasts just 25 minutes. There is no anesthesia required to prolong the time you are in our office, and you will be able to get up and leave as soon as the procedure is over. This allows our patients to sculpt and tone those problem spots over a lunch hour if they choose, making this one of the most convenient methods of body contouring on the market today.

As the SculpSure device starts to work, you may feel some cooling on your skin’s surface, that will continue throughout the treatment. This integrated cooling helps maintain a comfortable temperature outside while the heat penetrates the adipose tissue below. Patients usually feel some warming sensations during treatment as well, but it is not often painful.

As soon as your procedure is completed, you will be ready to resume your daily schedule. You should not experience any side effects like bruising or swelling, which are common after other types of body contouring procedures. You may be sore in the treatment area for a few days, but it should not be severe enough to prohibit you from performing your regular tasks. There is no restriction on exercise after SculpSure, so you don’t have to worry about missing workouts to recuperate from the treatment.

Multiple Treatment Areas

While SculpSure began as a contouring treatment for the abdomen and flanks, its use has been considerably expanded as its safety and efficacy have been proven. Over the summer, the FDA approved SculpSure for trimming the lower body, and more recently it was approved to eliminate problematic submental fat underneath the chin. Today, we offer SculpSure body contouring for the following areas:

• Abdomen and waistline
• Hips and flanks
• Inner and outer thighs
• Upper and lower back
• Underneath the chin

With many different treatment areas to choose from, we can offer you full body contouring with a single, nonsurgical device. The procedure can be tailored to address each area safely to create the precise sculpting you want.

SculpSure works on every skin type and tone and is recommended for patients with a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or less. If you want to remove more than 25 percent of the fat cells in a single treatment area, Dr. Sadick may recommend liposuction instead of SculpSure. In patients with some skin laxity, SculpSure may be followed up with a skin tightening treatment like ThermiTight or Ultherapy to enhance your results further.

Body sculpting has become more comfortable and convenient than ever before, thanks to the introduction of SculpSure. If you would like to find out more about this revolutionary treatment, contact Sadick Dermatology today at 212-772-7242 to schedule your consultation.

Sun Damage? No Problem!

Months of outdoor time over the summer season can take a significant toll on the complexion. If sun-weary skin is getting in the way of your fresh fall look, we have the solutions you need to reverse sun damage and restore a clearer, more radiant appearance. With a variety of laser devices available at Sadick Dermatology, we can help you choose the treatment or combination of treatments that will meet your needs best. Last fall, Dr. Sadick told the Dermatology Times why two could be more valuable than one for some patients.

“A combination treatment approach allows physicians to meet patient expectations, allows for greater patient satisfaction and can ultimately result in increased patient retention in clinical practices,” Dr. Sadick stated. He recommends a collection of complementary treatment options, which is what he provides at his office. With a variety of options available, he can address most signs of sun damage to provide his patients with the best possible results.

Treating Brown Spots and Visible Vessels

Brown spots and spider veins are common byproducts of too much time in the sun. IPL (intense-pulsed light therapy) or a photofacial is one option for eliminating these blemishes. This device emits multiple wavelengths of light that target the blood in the visible vessels or the melanin that leads to the formation of pigmentation spots. The procedure produces the best results in patients with lighter skin tones. A series of treatment sessions is recommended to ensure the best possible results, which can last many months before a maintenance treatment needs to be scheduled.

IPL is performed in our office with or without topical anesthetic. Many of our patients find the treatment is tolerable without any numbing beforehand, while others prefer to take that step to avoid any discomfort during the procedure. Most treatment sessions take about 30 minutes to complete, although the use of topical numbing cream will extend the time you spend in our office as we wait for the anesthetic to take effect. You won’t need any recovery after your procedure, but you may notice your skin is pink and tender for a day or two. Sun protection is a must while the skin is healing to avoid unnecessary complications or side effects.

Reducing Subtle Lines and Wrinkles

You might associate the formation of those facial creases with the aging process, but sun exposure can accelerate their development as well. If you notice fine lines making an appearance after your summer of fun, we have different treatment options available. Injectable procedures like Botox and dermal fillers are a quick and easy way to smooth away lines, with results that can last for many months. These treatments can be performed on nearly any area of the face and can be performed with different treatments to achieve even more dramatic results.

Laser skin resurfacing is another option in skin rejuvenation that will address facial lines and other signs of sun damage. Our Fraxel laser system is an efficient way to restore health and beauty to the skin without excessive discomfort or downtime. The procedure delivers narrow columns of laser energy into the deeper dermal layers, stimulating cell renewal and collagen production for natural, long-lasting results. Fraxel is performed using a topical anesthetic, and most patients require a series of treatment sessions to achieve their best outcome.

Addressing Early Skin Laxity

Sun exposure depletes collagen inside the dermal structure, which can lead to early skin laxity. When loose skin is still a relatively new problem, it can be treated non-surgically using innovative skin tightening devices like Thermage. This system delivers bi-polar radiofrequency energy into the underlying layers of the dermis, where the heat causes constriction of tissue and stimulates additional collagen production. In just one treatment session, you should see results that last for years and this procedure can be combined with other types of skin rejuvenation for truly dramatic results.

Full Skin Rejuvenation in a Single Treatment

To achieve complete skin rejuvenation with a single, painless treatment, Dr. Sadick is finding the revolutionary PICO Genesis to be an excellent option. After treating Real Housewives of New York City’s Sonja Morgan with this device, he has begun to recommend the procedure to many of his patients in need of sun damage repair or anti-aging results. Last spring, he told New Beauty exactly why he was growing so attached to this treatment.

“PICO Genesis not only gives us a new way to treat common pigmentary concerns, but I’ve also been particularly impressed with the results I see in more challenging cases such as lighter brown spots,” Dr. Sadick explained. “In addition to the skin tone improvements, it’s visibly clear that there is also something special happening to the overall skin quality – the skin looks brighter and more youthful even following one treatment. PICO Genesis is a game-changer for me, especially when treating my darker-skinned patients.”

PICO Genesis uses picosecond pulses of laser energy to shatter pigment and eliminate brown spots and other pigmentation irregularities. At the same time, the procedure evens out skin tone and produces a healthy, radiant glow to the skin after a single treatment session. The device works well on all skin types and tones, giving this treatment much more versatility than other procedures using light and laser energy.

No matter what type of sun damage your skin has suffered this year, Dr. Sadick has a nonsurgical treatment that can help you reverse the harm and restore vibrant, youthful skin. To learn more about any of these treatments, contact Sadick Dermatology today at 212-772-7242.