You might have heard of IPL (Intense pulsed light) and BBL (Broadband light) photo facials and may be wondering which one is better?
Let’s first discuss the similarities to the two treatments. Both deliver non-invasive light waves into the skin to correct issues such as hyperpigmentation, broken blood vessels and many other skin conditions. There is typically little to no downtime other than avoiding sun exposure post treatment.
BBL is one of our top skin rejuvenation treatments which is hardly surprising with the stunning results that countless patients have received. Creating a change at a molecular level is what sets BBL apart from IPL. Studies show that BBL treatments can slow down the clock on aging skin by rejuvenating the genetic code in skin cells. As a result, cells with rejuvenated DNA perform like younger cells. This means your skin looks younger after receiving a treatment because it is! Since BBL is a more advanced technology its also more accurate at targeting specific skin conditions such as:
-Skin tone and texture
-Acne
-Pigmentation
-Birthmarks
-Freckles
-Age Spots
-Broken capillaries
-Bruising
-Rosacea
-Aging skin
Although the number of treatments varies from patient to patient, we suggest an initial series of 3 treatments spaced out every 4 weeks for the best outcome and after that 2-4 times a year for maintenance.
If you’re ready to undo the signs of aging and see if you are a candidate for BBL, schedule your complimentary consultation!
There’s no denying the benefits of exercise and healthy eating for your overall wellbeing. From lowering your risk of heart disease to improving mood and overall brain function, it is important to incorporate whatever form of exercise excites you into your daily routine.
Whilst we all know what to do, sometimes the demands of daily life get in the way of our healthy habits and as a result our weight can slowly increase. Unfortunately, as we age it becomes more difficult to lose that extra weight. With age, both males and females experience a significant decline in their sex hormone production (ie testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone) which play a significant role in metabolism and may affect an individual’s ability to lose weight. This hormonal shift can lead to a redistribution of fat from other parts of the body to the midsection. In men, a decrease in testosterone can also lead to a decrease in muscle mass, which can contribute to an increase in belly fat. Here’s how Skin Appeal can help you lose that stubborn fat and drop the extra weight.
Semaglutide Injections- Semaglutide is a medication that works by mimicking the action of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone that is released in response to food intake, and it helps regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin secretion and slowing down the rate at which food is digested. It improves body composition by reducing excess body fat, including abdominal fat, and increasing the proportion of lean body mass.
Vanquish ME – Breakthrough technology that uses radiofrequency waves to non-invasively reduce fat with lasting results. It has the industry’s largest spot size covering the abdomen from flank to flank, cumutively improving circumferential size.
Vanquish
Emsculpt NEO- The first and only device to burn 30% fat while increasing 25% muscle.
Emtone- The first and only device to use both thermal and mechanical energy to firm skin and reduce cellulite for dramatic results.
Call to schedule your complimentary body consultation to learn more about our weight and fat reduction options and discover which treatment is right for you.
As a 24 year old woman, I often have people asking me why I made the choice to start taking care of my skin at such a young age. Every year, I receive treatments for filler, neurotoxin (Botox, Dysport, or Daxxify), skin resurfacing lasers, and a full anti-aging skincare regimen. My common response to the phrase, “you’re so young; you don’t need all of these treatments,” is quite the contrary, and it’s that these treatments are preventative. Now to dive a bit deeper into “preventative skincare,” I’ll tell you what I know as a Licensed Aesthetician and skincare professional:
● Collagen is a protein our body produces that plays a huge role in cell renewal (replacing cells that have died). With this, it also gives our skin its supple structure and support that gives us that ‘youthful’ look.
● Collagen production begins to slow down by your mid-20’s. Our collagen production practically has cut in half by the age of 30 and decreases by 1% each year after that. At 40, the amount of collagen our own body produces is miniscule.
● Intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as UV damage, pollution, smoking, diet and water intake can also contribute to our body’s decrease of collagen production.
● The primary way for our bodies to maintain a healthy level of collagen production is by using collagen stimulating skincare or receiving treatments that stimulate our natural collagen production.
So when I say, I am using skincare and skin treatments as a means for prevention, I am referencing the prevention of the loss of collagen.
What are the signs your body’s collagen production is decreasing?
● Wrinkled or crepey-looking skin.
● The skin has lost its ability to “bounce back.” If you pinch your skin and your skin doesn’t immediately snap back to its original position, your skin is losing its elasticity.
● Hollowness in the face, especially around your eyes and cheek bones.
What skincare products can I use to prevent collagen loss?
I will always recommend using a full, comprehensive anti-aging skincare routine, consisting of at least a cleanser, hydrating toner, hydrating/brightening serums, a chemical exfoliant (AHAs/BHAs), and sunscreen. However, here are some ingredients to look for that specifically help your body produce collagen or prevent collagen loss:
● Topical Vitamin A (Retinoids): You have probably heard the terms Retinol, Retin-A, Tretinoin or Retinaldehyde at least once in your life. These are all forms of topical Vitamin A products. While I could write an entire blog post on Vitamin A itself, I’ll keep it short and sweet for now. In simple terms, Vitamin A gets converted by your body to Retinoic Acid, which stimulates your cell turnover rate, which is the rate at which new (collagen) cells replace dead cells. Vitamin A is also an antioxidant which protects our cells from cell death caused by pollutants like UV rays.
● Alpha- and Beta-Hydroxy Acids: Chemical exfoliants such as Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and more, also work to stimulate our cell turnover rate to produce collagen amongst many other benefits.
● Peptides: Peptides are strings of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins in our body, i.e. collagen. Peptides also act as messengers in the body, sending signals to your cells to stimulate collagen production.
● Sunscreen: SPF is the most important skincare product you will ever use. In terms of preventing collagen loss, SPF protects our bodies from harmful UV rays which break down collagen.
What Treatments Can I Get to Prevent Aging and Collagen Loss?
The simple answer to this, is all treatments at every layer in the skin from facials, chemical peels, microneedling, laser, and even injectables help to prevent collagen loss. Any treatment that causes our skin to go into its natural healing process from treatment is going to force our skin to produce collagen. While some treatments are certainly more effective than others in stimulating collagen, here are some of my favorites that we perform at Skin Appeal:
● Halo Laser: Triggers the body’s healing response to produce collagen, effectively preventing and reversing signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, crepey skin, texture, and scarring.
● BBL: Also known as the Forever Young treatment, BBL (BroadBand Light) heats up the skin tissue and your skin absorbs this controlled heat, collagen is stimulated.
● Microneedling: Minimally invasive treatment that acts as a controlled wound to the skin and creates 1600+ microchannels per second. This process stimulates your healing response which in turn stimulates collagen.
● Sculptra Injection: Sculptra uses poly-L-lactic acid that works in the deepest layers of the skin to increase collagen production over time, treating volume loss that is caused by collagen depletion.
Although we have only just scratched the surface of how our skin ages, I hope this blog emphasizes the importance of daily skincare and receiving collagen stimulating treatments every year to actively fight against collagen depletion that we see in our skin as we age. The sooner we treat this collagen loss, the slower our skin loses collagen, and the slower our skin ages! If you’re unsure of what products or treatments are right for you, come see us at Skin Appeal for your in-person or virtual complimentary skin consultation!
In 2002, Botox Cosmetic was the first FDA-approved neuromodulator intended for use in the aesthetic environment for reduction of lines and wrinkles in the upper face. Similar products, such as Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau, have followed suit, receiving FDA approval for the same aesthetic indications. While there are subtle differences between these products, such as onset and duration, the technology that determines the product’s mechanism of action (how it functions within the body) has remained the same…until NOW.
Daxxify, the new kid on the block, is the latest FDA-approved neuromodulator on the market, boasting unmatched, state-of-the-art technology. What truly sets Daxxify apart, is the utilization of Peptide Exchange Technology which has changed the interaction between the active ingredient, Botulinum Toxin A and the neuronal cell membrane. Extensive cellular and molecular research has demonstrated the benefits of utilizing these novel cell-penetrating peptides, which are essentially short, positively charged, amino-acid sequences.
Benefits include:
· Enhanced binding affinity between Botulinum Toxin A and the neuronal cell membrane,
· Decreased surface absorption of Botulinum Toxin A into the product container and treatment syringe (seen with other neuromodulators)
· Decreased aggregation (or “clumping”) of Botulinum Toxin A
· Improved temperature stability
Additionally, Botox Cosmetic and virtually ALL other neuromodulator products on the market prior to Daxxify, are formulated with human serum albumin, and in some situations, similar animal counterparts, which act as stabilizers and impact how the product functions within the human body. Because PXT eliminates the need for animal or human product stabilizers, Daxxify has become first and only neuromodulator on the market that is consider a vegan product.
Prior to its’ FDA approval, Daxxify underwent rigorous clinical research, namely the largest phase 3 clinical trial of all its neuromodulator counterparts. Clinical research validated not only its’ efficacy, but also its’ safety profile. Perhaps the most exciting finding relates to the product’s longevity. Amongst all 3 clinical trials, Daxxify treatment results lasted on average, 6 months, and in some patients, up to 9 months. Ultimately, patients previously treated every 3 months with neuromodulators other than Daxxify, may experience the same treatment outcomes with ONLY 2 treatments per year!
Skin Appeal is amongst the first practices in Tucson to offer Daxxify as a neuromodulator option, in addition to both Botox Cosmetic and Dysport. For the month of April, Daxxify is being offered at a reduced introductory price! Contact our office today for additional information or to schedule a treatment appointment!
