'Tis the season to look younger? Holidays see boost in Botox

While some are busy making plans for Christmas and New Year's Eve, others are planning trips to get cosmetic procedures. The Winter Park Laser and Anti-Aging Center said the holiday season has brought a boost in business. Managing Director Jennifer Calabrese said many people have been coming in to the Laser and Anti-Aging Center's managing director for quick procedures, like Botox or light cosmetic peels, before they head to holiday parties or events. "They want to look better and younger with a lot of instant gratification," said Calabrese. The spike in appointments isn't just from the ladies, either. Calabrese said she believes the social norms are changing, with more male celebrities getting cosmetic work done. "I think men are starting to realize that it's OK for them to do it, too," said Calabrese. "Plus, I have a lot of men who are recently divorced or dating younger women, and they want to look good, too. So, it's become an equal opportunity treatment." But be warned: If not done right, those procedures can be dangerous, and even life-threatening. Leaders with the Florida Department of Health said any medical treatment like cosmetic work must be performed by a doctor, a physician's assistant under supervision, or a registered nurse practitioner; and anyone going under the knife needs to know the risks involved. Calabrese agreed with the Health Department's warning. "Anytime you are getting anything that's a medical grade, be it a chemical peel or injectable, you definitely don't want to get this done in someone's home," she said. "These are definitely things that should be done in a medical setting." For customers like like Judith Christian, who went in Tuesday for a Botox injection, the results outweigh the risks. "It just makes me feel so much better about myself," she said. The Department of Heath urged consumers to verify the license status of all health care providers before seeking any medical treatment. For more information on Botox in Orlando go to www.winterparklaser.com http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/12/18/christmas_and_new_ye.html

Winter Park Laser is Moving Orlando Medical Spa

Winter Park Laser is Getting a Face-lift-A NEW BUILDING! For the past 9 years Winter Park Laser has been so fortunate to grow thanks to the support of our many amazing clients-thus we are moving into a bigger state of the art new facility that includes the following: *5 treatment rooms * Large waiting room * Glass encased retail space, and a lot more SPACE! Please stop by any time for a tour! We will be moving to 1155 N Kentucky Ave Winter Park FL 32789 (right by the chick fil-a on 17-92) & we will open on January 2nd 2013 there for treatments. Thank you for all of your support & Happy Holidays!! Aneta Filardo Owner, CME, MBA Jennifer Calabrese Managing Director Kathryn Bies PA-C Medical Director: James F. Farrell M.D. Winter Park Laser and Anti-Aging Center www.winterparklaser.com * (407) 601-1185 SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS- OPEN 12/1/12-12/24/12 CLOSED 12/25/12-1/1/123 RE-OPEN 1/2/13 (at new location)

The Benefits of Combination Cosmetic Treatments

After running a medical spa for 8 years-Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center in Orlando I have come to realize that surgical and non-surgical treatments are always stronger when paired together. Every client comes in to a med-spa or Plastic Surgeon's office and of course wants the ONE treatment that will make them look 10 years younger instantly. Unfortunately that doesn't really exist. A lot of times clients who have years of damage want to fix one area at a time with Botox or fillers and while they get a good result it is difficult to tell because the rest of the integrity and condition of their skin is waning. When cosmetic treatments are combined either surgical & non-surgical or just non-surgical treatments the results are much better. Here are some examples of great combination treatments we do at our Orlando Medical Spa-Winter Park Laser. #1 My favorite combo: Chemical peels & Laser resurfacing or IPL Intense Pulsed Light Photo-facials Why it works: Chemical peels will exfoliate dead skin leaving a fresher, brighter surface with tighter pores, while the laser will go deeper to stimulate collagen, elastyn & erase sun spots-awesome in combination together! #2 Velashape II & Liposuction or tummy tuck Why it works: After lipo or a tummy tuck lymphatic drainage treatments such as the Velashape II are great to smooth out any lumps & to stimulate circulation & lymphatic drainage for better, smoother results. #3 Botox with Ablative Laser Resurfacing for crows feet Why it works: The botox relaxes the muscles around the eyes creating a flatter surface for the laser to work on, giving it a more even surface allows for a deeper & better coverage of the laser beams around the eyes for a better result. For more information go to www.winterparklaser.com.

Winter Park Laser Adds New Filler-Belotero to Orlando Med Spa

Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center has been performing dermal fillers for 9 years at our Orlando Medical Spa and we are incredibly excited to add a new & unique dermal filler-Belotero Balance to our menu. This filler is by the makers of Radiesse. There is a large need for this filler as it is especially created for superficial fine lines & safe to inject in forehead lines & crows feet where we never would have injected other hyularonic acid fillers before. This is great for those clients who do not have deep lines but would still like correction. Belotero is specially designed to integrate into your skin and mold to your distinct facial contours. BELOTERO BALANCE® Dermal Filler has unique properties that allow it to adapt within the skin for soft and even correction. The versatility of the product makes it strong enough to handle deep treatment areas such as smile lines around the mouth, yet soft enough to treat more delicate areas such as lines around the lips or crow's feet. This is even safe for the tear-trough area. BELOTERO BALANCE® Dermal Filler is made of a material called hyaluronic acid or HA. HA naturally exists as a component of your skin. By binding to water, it fills in wrinkles and folds, allowing immediate and smooth correction. What makes this product unique is that the hyaluronic is already hydrated allowing us to go further up in the dermal tissue than normal for an accurate correction. For more information on Belotero Dermal Filler in Orlando go to www.winterparklaser.com or call (407) 601-1185.

The Benefits of Laser Tattoo Removal vs. Cover-Ups

At our medical spa in Orlando Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center we have been performing laser tattoo removal for 3 years & have seen over 400 tattoos within that time walk through our doors for consultations. I can't tell you how many times the tattoos people want removed our "cover ups" meaning a tattoo on top of a tattoo. Why tattoo cover ups can be a bad idea: #1 the tattoo usually ends up being MUCH bigger-& when you do decide to get it removed via laser tattoo removal it will cost you double! #2 Most of the time you can still see the first tattoo & that looks weird. #3 Do not get a flesh tattoo b/c laser tattoo removal works via pigment meaning the darker the pigment the easier it is to remove it, flesh color is virtually impossible to remove. #4 If you do not fade it via laser tattoo removal first the colors can look awkward #5 You risk making it worse & are spending money to do so!! Laser tattoo is a much better option. Even if you truly want to cover up a tattoo most good tattoo artists will advise you to have at least 1-3 sessions of laser tattoo removal to fade the tattoo first. Laser tattoo removal will give you a fresh start removing the tattoo completely over a series of sessions depending on the color of the tattoo. If you don't like your tattoo remove it-don't try to put on a bigger butterfly over an ugly butterfly-it never seems to work out. For more information on laser tattoo removal in Orlando, Winter Park or Central Florida go to www.winterparklaser.com or call (407)601 1185 for free consultations.

Lash Extensions Now Available at Winter Park Laser

Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center is excited to announce the addition of "Lashes by Lavish" with Brandi Snyder to our Orlando Medical Spa. She will be in our office on Mondays & Saturdays with extended hours starting in 2013. Here is the information on eyelash extensions available for $250 for a full set & $60 for a fill: Amazing Individual lash extensions!! You will be obsessed! Never wear mascara again! Nova Lash… Award-winning, long-lasting, medical-grade lash extension adhesives have earned NovaLash its reputation as “the healthiest” professional eyelash extension system. Comprised of a wide-ranging palette of colors, textures and sizes of eyelash extensions that can be combined for looks that run the gamut from subtle and natural to trendy and glamorous; each lash application is a work of art with an intricate finish. What Are NovaLash Lash Extensions? NovaLash Lash Extensions are a glamorous new way to extend the length and thickness of natural eyelashes, and are a practical, convenient and beautiful alternative to the daily use of mascara. Unlike decades-old, traditional false lashes, lash extensions are the first innovation in lash lengthening that can be worn daily, without nightly removal. Because each tapered, synthetic lash is bonded to a single natural lash, the final result is of effortless glamour and difficult to detect even close up. For more information or to schedule an appointment at Winter Park Laser call (407) 601-1185 or go to http://lashesbylavish.com/lashes or www.winterparklaser.com

An Answer to Rosacea with IPL Photo-Rejuvenation

After operating a medical spa for 9 years-Winter Park laser in Orlando we are still amazed at how many clients suffer with Rosacea every day and don't ever receive relief until they come to our office. Rosacea is a chronic condition causing facial redness and sometimes pimples. Rosacea affects adults and can range from mild to severe. Left untreated it worsens over time and is aggravated by extreme weather, alcohol, stress, and spicy foods. Treatment in the form of topical steroids can aggravate the condition which is what many Dermatologists used to prescribe. After suffering with Rosacea for years those clients have now found a solution-IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Photo-rejuvenation or photo-facials. The IPL helps Rosacea by reducing or eliminating redness and constricting broken capillaries. Palomar® Intense pulsed light treatments use the MaxG hand-piece to deliver energy to target and destroy vascular and pigmented lesions associated with veins, Rosacea, sun damage, and age spots from face, chest, hands, legs, and arms. During the procedure, the entire treatment area is scanned with an IPL handpiece and treated with multiple passes and customized settings. It only takes 20 minutes to treat a full face and requires minimal downtime of slight redness for a few hours. The results can be seen after 1 treatment but normally require a series of 3-5 treatments to achieve desired results. IPL photo-facials can give long lasting relief to Rosacea sufferers with a maintenance treatment of once a year and good skincare habits. For more information go to www.winterparklaser.com

Laser Tattoo removal on the rise among women

WINTER PARK, Fla. - Tattoos can offer a veritable snapshot of a time when adulthood and responsibility seemed worlds away. To some, the ink from a spring break or a late night whim is a badge of honor. To others, tattoos can be a constant reminder of the person one used to be. That's why an increasing number of people are deciding to have them removed. Tattoo removal has never been easier, and businesses specializing in the laser procedure is booming. A recent visit to Winter Park Laser on Fairbanks Boulevard saw patient after patient going under the laser to remove tattoos they got when they were younger and now regret. Jennifer Calabrese, manager at Winter Park Laser, told Local 6 men and women are motivated to have ink removed for different reasons. Men often have tattoos removed for job prospects such as government positions. Many women, on the other hand, are trying to change the image they have of themselves or convey to others. "They don't reflect who they are now, when they are in line at their private school dropping their child off," Calabrese said. Calabrese said many of her customers are tired of covering up in the hot Florida weather. "They want to be able to wear v-neck shirts and spaghetti strap dresses," Calabrese said. "They don't want a dragon tattoo that they got when they were 16 to show at PTA meetings." The removal process can be a bit painful, so Calabrese recommends a local anesthetic. As for price, Calabrese said a good rule of thumb is to add a zero to the price you originally paid for the art. A complete removal can typically take up to ten sessions, with each session lasting 25 minutes. The size of the tattoo, as well as the color, can influence how long it will take to disappear. For instance, black and red inks are easier than yellow and green inks. Calabrese said her clients include everyone from lawyers to stay-at-home mothers, all sharing their regret for the tattoos of their youth. For more information go to www.winterparklaser.com or call Winter Park Laser at (407) 601-1185

Our Top 3 Holiday Gift Ideas from Winter Park Laser

Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center has been fortunate as a medical spa in Orlando to be in business for over 9 years and in that time we have helped clients pick out awesome and unique gifts for the Holiday season to set them apart for their loved ones. Here are our TOP 3 Favorite Holiday Gift Picks for 2012: #1 The Clarisonic Pro Brush: This is not your typical brush you can purchase at Department stores-this one can only be purchased at Medical Spas or Physician offices like Winter Park Laser in Orlando. The Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean, soften and smooth skin. In just 60 seconds, the micro-massage action removes 6X more makeup and 2X more dirt and oil than cleansing with your hands alone. Removing more dirt and oil from your pores also helps products work more effectively. *Benefits of the Pro compared to the department store brushes: It's the same price & you get 4 speeds (compared to 3 speeds), an extra year for warranty, a free back extender for the body brush & extra trial size products! #2 The Image Skincare Holiday Kit This amazing already gift wrapped set comes with 4 awesome Medical Spa Skincare products (Cleanser, Vital c seru, spf & more) plus has a beautiful bronzer & lip gloss for only $89! #3 The Gift of Laser Hair Removal-This is something that a lot of people want but don't always want to spend on themselves-especially for men and teens (who aren't working yet :) Laser Hair Removal is much more popular and effective than ever before. You can purchase 1 treatment of a small area such as a lip for as little as $65, and this is a gift that will last a life time as your loved one will no longer have to shave! For more information go to www.winterparklaser.com or call (407) 601-1185

November Medical Spa Specials

“BUY ONE, GET ONE LASER HAIR REMOVAL PACKAGE SPECIAL” lhr back of girl Purchase any Large Area Laser Hair Removal Package, and get a Second Small Area Package FREE!! *All packages include 6 treatments and are for original full price only. Not to be used with any other coupons or offers. Large Areas: Lower Legs, Full Legs, Full Arms, Full Face, Extended or Brazilian Bikini, Full Back, Full Chest, or Full Abdomen Small Areas: Underarms, Upper Lip, Chin, Side-burns, Hair Line, Sideburns, Stomach Strip, Neck, Hands, or Feet. SAVE UP to $699! “Holiday Make-Over Package” IPL b a half face INCLUDES TWO IPL PHOTO-FACIALS & One Medium Chemical Peel (includes Jessner or TCA Orange Peel) Total: $550 SAVE $150 Remove excess pigmentation, sun spots, Rosacea, broken capillaries, tighten pores, erase wrinkles & plump up fine lines! Go to www.winterparklaser.com for more information. image holiday kit IMAGE Holiday Kit- Great Holiday Gift! Products include The MAX Facial Cleanser Vital C Hydrating Anti-aging Serum Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 30 Vital C Hydrating Repair Creme Bonus Products: Plumping lip gloss & bronzer Get Your Holiday Liquid Face-lift juvederm before after Buy One Syringe of Juvederm Ultra or Ultra PLUS & Get 50% OFF the 2nd Syringe (Save $275) All Offers Expires: November 30, 2012

How to Look Fabulous Before The Holidays without Surgery

Medical Spas are a huge industry for one reason: People want to look their best without surgery. Most people do not have the money or the down time to incur a cosmetic surgical procedure. This is why Botox cosmetic has become the #1 cosmetic procedure in America because it takes 20 minutes, has no down time and makes you look 5-15 years younger in 2 weeks! The Holidays are only 3 weeks away (Thanksgiving) and Christmas & Chanukah are close behind it. So what are the best procedures to make you look younger and fabulous in a time crunch? I'm going to list the top 4 from our Orlando Medical Spa: Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center. #1: Chemical Peels: This is the oldest and still one of the best cosmetic treatments to date to help your skin look better with in weeks. There are light and medium chemical peels that require only a few days of flaking with big pay offs. This involves a chemical solution being applied by a licensed aesthetician. This chemical will exfoliate and break down the dead skin cell layers that have piled up on your skin over time and reveal new fresh skin-diminishing brown spots, tightening pores, evening out skin tone, diminishing fine lines, wrinkles & giving skin a healthy glow instead of dullness. #2: Botox Cosmetic: If you haven't done Botox yet; you might be the only one (haha). Once you do it once you will be hooked-why? Because it is easy and gives you a huge bang for your buck. The procedure uses tiny insulin needles so it is virtually painless, only leaves swelling for about 2 hours but does take 2 weeks to take full effect so if you want results by Thanksgiving you need to start soon. BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the brows in people 18 to 65 years of age for 3-4 months on average. It works by blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles. This reduces muscle activity that causes moderate to severe lines to form between the brows. #3: Dermal Fillers AKA Liquid Facelift: We love Dermal Fillers such as Juvederm XC at our Medical Spa-they can literally make someone look 10 years younger instantly! The dermal filler is used to replace volume in areas such as the cheeks, lips and around the mouth-also lifting the cheeks & therefore tightening some skin. JUVÉDERM® XC is the smooth gel filler (hyaluronic acid) that our PA-C uses to instantly smooth away wrinkles around your mouth and nose. With just one treatment, you’ll get smooth and natural-looking results that last up to a year. #4: IPL Photo-Facial: My personal favorite treatment takes 20 minutes for a full face, has little discomfort and only leaves slight redness for a couple of hours. Give it 2 weeks for end result and it will at least 30-40% of sun spots and redness or broken capillaries in 1 treatment!Palomar® Intense pulsed light treatments use the MaxG hand-piece to deliver energy to target and destroy vascular and pigmented lesions associated withveins, Rosacea, sun damage, and age spots from face, chest, hands, legs, and arms. During the procedure, the entire treatment area is scanned with an IPL handpiece and treated with multiple passes and customized settings. For more information go to www.winterparklaser.com

How to Know if Laser Hair Removal is Right for You

Laser Hair Removal is much more popular and widely acknowledged than it was 10 years ago when we started in this business with our Orlando Medical Spa, however there are still plenty of people who are foreign to the subject and are starting to gain interest but need the fact to know if they are a good candidate for this treatment. Laser Hair Removal is still a"new laser treatment" relatively speaking as it has only been commercialized since 1996. I will list the most common myths & facts about candidates for laser hair removal. Myth: Laser Hair Removal is not safe for dark skin types. Fact: Laser Hair Removal can be very safe & effective for dark skin types as long as the correct laser and settings are being used. Actually dark skin clients are often great candidates because they are prone to ingrown hairs. The best type of lasers for dark skin is either an IPL Laser technology or a Yag. You always want to go to someone experienced with treating dark skin types. At Winter Park Laser we have 10 years of experience treating Indian, black, and mediterranean skin that this has become a specialty for us. Myth: Only women have laser hair removal. Fact: A lot of men are getting laser hair removal for all areas of their bodies especially backs, beards, and shoulders. Myth: You can not have laser hair removal if you are a blonde, red head, or have gray hair. Fact: Do to the advances in laser hair removal recently blondes, red heads and older gray haired clients can now have effective treatments with the Yellow Handpiece by Palomar. However really fine peach fuzz can still be difficult to treat. For more information on laser hair removal please visit Winter Park Laser in Orlando or go to www.winterparklaser.com

Body Contouring-Sculpting Your Body without Surgery in Orlando

Velashape II (body sculpting) has become the 2nd most popular treatment at our Medical Spa in Orlando-Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center. This is mainly because women and men want a way to sculpt their bodies and lose inches quickly but do not want the down-time and recovery from surgical procedures. Velashape II is the only FDA approved treatment on the market to do 3 things-tighten skin, reduce cellulite and lose inches. We see an average of 3-5 inches lost in the thigh or abdomen area. Velashape offers a way to emphasize a flat belly, and to accentuate a waist or lift the buttocks. Body sculpting means 3 main things: removing excess fat or tightening skin, smoothing out skin imperfections such as dimples from cellulite or adding volume or lift to certain areas to put back curves or defy gravity such as in the buttocks area. Lipo is a quick solution but includes a lot of risks such as infection, lumps or uneven body parts and the fat coming back in a different area. Velashape offers a great solution utilizing ultrasound and radio-frequency technology and has no risks involved as it feels like a warm deep tissue massage. VelaShape II™is Powered by the revolutionary elos™ Technology utilizing bi-polar radio frequency, it treats the deeper tissue, offering a measurable reduction in fat layers, circumference and the upper layers of the skin, resulting in cellulite reduction, the smoothing of the skin’s tone and texture, inches lost, and noticeable reshaping of the treated area in 5-6 treatments. We use an infrared thermometer to ensure your body heats up to 104 degrees-the temperature it takes to melt fat. Many clients describe the treatments as feeling like a warm deep tissue massage. The Velashape II is 20% more powerful than its predecessor Velashape I giving you shorter treatments, with better, longer lasting results in fewer treatments. This treatment has no discomfort, is non-invasive and requires no down-time. For more information contact Winter Park Laser in Orlando or go to www.winterparklaser.com

What is a "Liquid Facelift" using Dermal Fillers

After running a medical spa-Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center for 9 years it is clear that Medical Spas are only becoming more popular. This is mainly because more people are opting for non-surgical options. Decades ago women and men were only turning to surgery for face-lifts, not my office specializes in a newer, no down-time non-surgical procedure know as the the "liquid face-lift" which utilizes various types of dermal fillers and injectables such as Botox cosmetic to lift, and tighten the face, & give plumpness back to cheeks in 20-45 minutes with little down-time and normally for around $1000-$1500 with results last a little over a year. Winter Park Laser mainly uses Juvederm Ultra Plus XC for our "liquid facelifts" in Orlando. A "liquid face-lift" using cosmetic dermal fillers such as Juvederm (a hyaluronic acid product) can be performed on several areas of the face or focus on "trouble spots" such as the deep naso-labial folds (laugh lines) around the nose and mouth. This treatment replaces volume lost giving one high cheeks again, improving the hollowness under eyes, lifting brows, lifting jowls and plumping lips, giving back the youthful look of full cheeks, lips, and less wrinkles. Once corrected this procedure can make women and men look 10-15 years younger instantly in 20-45 minutes. A non-surgical Liquid Face Lift involves the use of advanced dermal fillers, usually in combination with BOTOX Cosmetc. The injectables used are normally Juvederm, Perlane, Restylane or Radiesse. The only possible side effect is slight temporary swelling for 24-48 hours and a small risk of swelling but one could go back to work immediately unlike a surgical face-lift with weeks of recovery.

How to Erase Sun Damage with IPL Photo-Facials

Perhaps it's the fact that our Medical Spa is located in Orlando (Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center) or the fact that we treat Florida's baby boomers who slathered themselves in baby oil in the 70's but one of our biggest complaints from men and women is the excess pigmentation, age spots and sun spots on their face that they would like to be removed. I always smile because I know it's an easy fix-IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Photo-facials and we use the best one on the market-Palomar's Max G handpiece. One IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) photofacial can be performed on the face, chest, neck, hands, legs and arms and will set you back only $199-$275 in most places but will give your skin a world of change. Palomar® Intense pulsed light treatments use the MaxG hand-piece to deliver energy to target and destroy vascular and pigmented lesions associated withveins, Rosacea, sun damage, and age spots from face, chest, hands, legs, and arms. During the procedure, the entire treatment area is scanned with an IPL handpiece and treated with multiple passes and customized settings. Once the pigment or redness absorbs the light & transfers it into heat-the pigmented lesions are destroyed and the capillaries constrict and fade. A noticeable change occurs within 1 treatment, however a series of 3-5 is normally necessary for the best results. The formation of new collagen results in an increase in the elasticity and overall appearance of your skin. Pigmented lesions come to the surface and slough off. Red and blue vessels typically disappear. Sun damage is repaired. The skin simply looks younger, feels tighter and pores appear smaller. For more information about IPL (intense pulsed light) photo-facials in Orlando please go to www.winterparklaser.com.

Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing Offers Non-Invasive Solution to Wrinkles in the Orlando Area

Fortunately in today’s society there are new ways to rid yourself of unwanted wrinkles, sun damage and sagging skin without surgery or facelifts. After performing laser skin resurfacing at our medical spa in Orlando for 4 years we have seen the improvements in the laser technology. The newest trend in laser skin resurfacing is Fractional Ablative & Non-ablative laser skin resurfacing. In one treatment you can tighten skin, shrink pores, reduce wrinkles, erase sun damage and fine lines with results last a minimum of 5-10 years this is a great alternative to surgery. This Hard-hitting lasers use short, concentrated laser beams to precisely target damaged skin. Although ablative lasers have been around for a long time, the technologies used today are far more advanced than those of the past and Palomar Medical has been pioneers in this field. In the past, ablative lasers like CO2 lasers fully removed the top layer of skin and left a white cast on the skin. The skin also took much longer to heal, with fractional ablative and non-ablative lasers what we use now there’s less risk of discoloration, infection and scarring. Fractional lasers create tiny holes or wounds which are made just where there is damage. The healthy skin that surrounds it helps the skin to heal, making new collagen and elastin. The Palomar 2940 ablative laser holes close in 6 hours instead of 96 hours like past lasers allowing for only 4-7 days of healing instead of 2-3 weeks and less risk of infection. After the healing the results will leaving you looking years younger with tighter pores, smoother skin and less wrinkles as well as sun damage. In Florida this treatment should be administered by a physician, Physician’s assistant or ARNP only. For more information on ablative or non-ablative fractional laser skin resurfacing in Orlando go to www.winterparklaser.com

Laser Hair Removal for Men Increase in Orlando Popularity

After treating client for laser hair removal for the past 9 years in Orlando FL and Central Fl we have seen more male clients increase in our database here at Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center. In the past our laser hair removal clientele was 98% female but it is now at least 30% males. This is due mainly to laser hair removal being more widely accepted and public knowledge. The most popular areas for men are full backs and beard. Many men suffer from ingrown hairs or simply don’t want to shave anymore. Laser hair removal offers a safe and permanent solution for men offering them freedom from embarrassing ingrown hairs or stubble without the pain of waxing or the hassle of shaving or tweezing. Laser hair removal works by directing concentrated pulses of light to a group of hair follicles, using enough power to disable or destroy the root responsible for hair growth without harming the surrounding skin. It requires an average of 6-7 treatments to give you amazing results. Treatments are once every 4-7 weeks as hair growth cycles differ on various body parts and requires no down-time. After just one treatment you will see an immediate improvement. Your skin, hair color, coarseness of hair, age, metabolism and other factors influence your hair growth rate. Thanks to New Advances in technology all hair types including most blondes and red-heads can now benefit from laser hair removal. Laser hair removal is especially good for men with dark skin of African or latino decent as they are more prone to vicious ingrown hairs. We also do laser hair removal for bikini areas, abdomen, chest, and legs for men. For more information on laser hair removal go to www.winterparklaser.com

Laser Tattoo Removal Gives Orlando residents a Second Chance

When you are walking down the street in Orlando chances are you don’t know who has tattoo and who doesn’t. This is because there are many “upscale” residents including businessmen, elected officials, physicians, attorneys, and Mothers who don’t want you to know they have a tattoo. While you may not know-Winter Park Laser does. We have been performing laser tattoo removal in Orlando for 3 years. Many people got tattoos when they were very young and it is now something they don’t feel represents them as a person or their image and they want to be positive role models for their children. It is not uncommon for a wealthy businessman dressed in a suit to come in and want a crazy fraternity symbol or dare to be removed from his body. Laser tattoo removal gives a second chance to make a good first impression especially for those trying to get a job in law enforcement or the government as they now require that tattoos not show in uniform. While there are many types of lasers the best is a Q-switched Yag laser-we prefer the Naturalase by Focus Lasers. This is the highest energy q-switched system in the world. Take advantage of four Q-switched wavelengths in one system. Tattoo ink is removed by using specific wavelengths of light which pass into the skin, and is absorbed by the ink. A given wavelength targets only a single color (or a group of nearby colors). For example, the red wavelength removes the green ink and the green wavelength removes the red ink. The rapid absorption of the light energy (shock wave) causes the tattoo ink to break into tiny particles which can then be removed by the body’s natural filtering systems often referred to as the body’s lymphatic drainage system. For more information on laser tattoo removal in Orlando go to www.winterparklaser.com

Scar Revision Using Lasers for Permanent Removal

This treatment was invented & patented in the USA by Palomar Medical and has been approved by the American Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Fractional Non-ablative lasers can be used to reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks and melasma (dark skin patches). Many patients report visible improvement of their scars after only 1-2 treatments, although it can take 4-6 treatments depending on the age of the scar and the age of the person. This treatment works best on flat scars (not keloids) and is safe for all skin types. Laser scar removal uses fractional laser light to create micro-columns of coagulated tissue that extend deep into the dermis without ablating the epidermis. This triggers a wound-healing process that replaces the disorganized, compacted scar tissue with healthy new tissue, greatly diminishing the appearance of the scar tissue. Advanced Contact Cooling protects the epidermis, promoting safer, more comfortable treatments. This treatment is a great option as it offers little discomfort which can be minimized with topical numbing creams and has little down-time; simply a mild sun burn like effect of redness and swelling. Treatments are 3-4 weeks apart. If you would like to find out if you are a viable candidate for this treatment you should seek a consultation-they are complimentary at our medical spa-Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center in Orlando FL. You can find out more about laser scar removal by visiting our medical spa website: www.winterparklaser.com

Cosmetic Fillers are Great Alternative to Surgical Facelift

Injectable procedures offer a wonderful alternative to invasive surgical procedures such as a facelift. Many injectable cosmetic fillers offer results that can last for over one year, and fillers are quick, painless, and requires little or no recovery time. We perform anti-aging consultations on a daily basis and the most common question is what is the difference between all of the types of injectables on the market and which one is best for me. This should give everyone some insight. The first injectable procedure many people think of is BOTOX Cosmetic. BOTOX Cosmetic is a purified protein comprised of botulinum toxin type A. The main ingredient in BOTOX Cosmetic relaxes contractions in certain facial muscles. These contractions normally lead to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. BOTOX Cosmetic has a long history of proven results, and provides a smoother appearance for three to four months. However, dermal fillers and BOTOX accomplish different results: BOTOX relaxes wrinkles and is best for forehead and around the eyes while while dermal fillers restore lost facial volume and are best for lips, and lines around the mouth or naso-labial folds. There are many dermal fillers on the market. Some of the most popular ones are as follows: - Juvederm, Restylane, & Perlane - They all contain hyaluronic acid (Perlane & Juvederm Ultra Plus have larger molecules for a deeper fill) and they work to plump up the areas in your skin which have lost volume to promote a softer, more youthful appearance. Depending on the treatment area as well as your unique skin, a single treatment of either of these fillers can provide results for 9-14 months. - Radiesse - a smooth gel injectable filled with microspheres of calcium hydroxyapatite great for very deep naso-labial folds. A single 1.5cc syringe of this filler can last 12-16 months. Both BOTOX Cosmetic and facial fillers can be used to reduce the appearance of fine lines, deep wrinkles, and creases from almost any area of your face. In addition, Juvederm and Restylane can both be used for lip augmentation. No single solution is best for every patient. Talk to your local medical spa, nurse or plastic surgeon about the best option for you, also research who in your state is licensed to perform these treatments and that they are supervised by a Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist.

Why Exfoliation is Necessary for Healthy Skin

Exfoliation is extremely vital to the overall look and health of the skin on the face and body. However, many people do it incorrectly, do it too often, or don't exfoliate enough. Exfoliation is beneficial because it removes those cells that are clinging on, revealing the fresher, younger skin cells below. Exfoliation is necessary because as you age dead skin cells start to pile up on the skin causing dull uneven looking skin and preventing products from being able to properly penetrate into the skin giving it the necessary benefits. Exfoliation should only be done weekly and not everyday. Exfoliation is the removal of the oldest dead skin cells that cling to the skin's outermost surface, or epidermis. There are many different types of exfoliation, including chemical peels, manual with scrubs and dermaplaning. Chemical Exfoliation uses enzymes, alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) or betahydroxy acids (BHAS) loosen the glue-like substance that holds the cells together, allowing them to slough away. Facial peels are a form of chemical exfoliation. Chemical peels can be mild or stronger levels of exfoliation. Dermaplaning is an exfoliating treatment that provides an alternative to microdermabrasion and is a good choice for anyone with extremely sensitive skin. The dermaplaning treatment is performed by an experienced aesthetician who uses a modified blade to gently exfoliate the outer layer of dead skin cells. A noticeable improvement is immediate with smoother texture and fresh skin appearance. Hair returns softly and will not become coarser because of the treatment. Even products penetrate the skin better following this treatment and a chemical peel can even be performed directly after for deeper penetration. However you choose to exfoliate always consult with a professional, and remember if you have Rosacea or sensitive skin stay away from harsh scrubs or constant exfoliation.

Why Botox is "In" Amongst the Younger Crows

When Botox arrived on the market 10 years ago, it was 40-50 years old with wrinkles that clamored to their local medical spa to try out the new anti-aging elixir in markets mostly like L.A. or New York. Fast forward 10 years later and Botox is as popular as a facial and available nationwide. Also, now knowing the preventative benefit of Botox the younger demographic is now a large sector of frequent Botox users. Women and men as young as 25 are now having Botox Cosmetic Injections. However, they are not just to remove wrinkles they are using the wonder drug to prevent future wrinkles. Botox is the only cosmetic treatment that can relax your muscles that create elaborate expressions such as squinting. By doing this one can no longer flex the facial muscles & make wrinkles appear or make them worse. This is actually a smart trick, those who start out younger with Botox will need less aggressive procedures in the future when they age and start to have real wrinkles. Often in the medical spa business I have so many clients who are 45 and have never done anything to their skin-they have a hard time understanding how many treatments and the amount of money it will take to correct their issues compared to those who have taken care of their skin they often just need a little Botox or a chemical peel to freshen things up. For more information on Botox or other cosmetic procedures go to www.winterparklaser.com

Why Chemical Peels are Safe for All Skin Types

After running a medical spa for 8 years I often suggest chemical peels in combination with all laser treatments and by themselves because they can help with almost every skin issue client's have, including acne, dull skin, large pores, wrinkles, and black-heads. However, almost 50% of the response I get is "I have really sensitive skin, so I don't think I can have a chemical peel. This is a false statement that many people think would be an obvious truth. Unfortunately, the term "chemical peel" has scared many people away, when in fact those same people could greatly benefit from one type of chemical peel. There are light, medium and strong strength chemical peels ranging from no down-time to severe peeling for days. However, there are even chemical peels for Rosacea red skin such as Mandelic peels. While a chemical peel can cause redness immediately following the treatment, it can go away in as little as a few hours with a light peel. It is very rare for someone to not be able to receive a chemical peel, it is simply a matter of a well trained esthetician finding the right chemical peel for your skin type and concerns. If someone has very sensitive skin, redness and flaking can occur for a couple of days but skin will be clear, and glowing after a few days. Patients often say that their skin has never looked so radiant or flawless after the peel. Peels will not only help rid of acne scars, fine lines and sun damage, they can also help stimulate collagen growth. Dermaplaning is also a great option for deep exfoliation and uses no chemicals just a modified blade that blades away the top layer of dead skin. This leaves behind no redness. Find a reputable medical spa in your area that can give you a complimentary consultation. Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center has been treating clients for 8 years in Orlando Fl.

The "Liquid Facelift" Facts with Dermal Fillers

In today's society plastic surgery is seen as extreme as many patients are finding "lunch time" procedure that provide a great benefits toward anti-aging, with little down-time and that costs a fraction of regular surgical procedures. One of the most popular non-surgical treatments is the "liquid face-lift" which utilizes various types of dermal fillers and injectables such as Botox cosmetic to lift, and tighten the face in 20-45 minutes with little down-time and normally for around $1000-$1500 with long lasting and amazing results.

A "liquid face-lift" using cosmetic dermal fillers can be performed on several areas of the face or focus on "trouble spots" such as the deep naso-labial folds (laugh lines) around the nose and mouth. This treatment can give one high cheeks again, mask bags under eyes, lift brows, lift jowls and reshape and restore plump lips, rounded faces and plump cheeks. Once corrected this procedure can make women and men look 10-15 years younger instantly.

A non-surgical Liquid Face Lift involves the use of advanced dermal fillers, usually in combination with BOTOX® and Dysport® The injectables used are among a group of 2nd generation dermal fillers that provide more enduring results than earlier products. The new group of 2nd generation, advanced dermal fillers includes JJUVEDERM Ultra Plus, Radiesse®, Restylane®, and Perlane® .

Non surgical face lift While all of the products work slightly different; all dermal fillers replace volume which is something that not even an actual surgical facelift or lasers can do. This is am amazing "lunch time" procedure that when performed by an experience and licensed Nurse Practitioner, Physician's Assistant or physician can yield amazing results.

Clearing Up Confusion on Chemical Peels

While Chemical peels are the oldest cosmetic treatment around, they are also shrouded with the most confusion. We have been offering advanced medical grade chemical peels at our medical spa for 8 years and without fail the most questions and concerns come with chemical peels-even more so than laser treatments. Even with the advances in laser technology combination therapy with chemical peels can still play a vital role in results, so this information should clear up some of the confusion about common concerns.
Concern #1: The term Chemical peel sounds intimidating & scary.

The term 'Chemical' makes many people think of it as an un-natural process. Actually chemical peels are naturally derived with AHA's such as lactic acid comes from milk, mandelic comes from almonds and so on. It features good things like naturally occurring fruit acids and enzymes to prompt your skin to increase its cellular turnover. This means that the collagen production, which slows as we age, is sped back up and with the increase in collagen production, the top layer of your skin cells will gradually "peel" off.
Concern #2: Chemical peels might be painful.

Most chemical peels have mild tingling sensations that do not last longer than a few minutes and are quickly cooled down with cold water or a peel neutralizer. Many advanced stronger chemical peels such as the VI Peel even have numbing agents built into the peel. Most peels are over in 25-45 minutes and leave very little discomfort.
Concern #3: Will I look scary after the peel and can I go in public?

There are 3 types of chemical peels-mild, medium & strong. Mild peels leave your skin refreshed with very little down-time except for some flaking for 24-48 hours. Medium peels don't start peeling for 48 hours and mild peeling can occur for 2-3 days. However all of the peeling can be controlled with the correct post-procedure products.

Chemical peels should be performed monthly as part of your skin care routine. They are an easy way to improve the texture of your skin, and to slow down the aging process.

Get Bikini Body Ready with Velashape II

Exercising all fall and winter doesn't guarantee a "jiggle free" bikini body for summer; in fact exercise and diet are clinically proven to not improve cellulite. Fortunately, when your personal trainer can't get rid of the difficult "saddle bags", there's a new clinically proven, FDA-approved & cleared non-surgical solution for reducing the look of cellulite, sculpting the body, shrinking love handles and inches all over-Velashape. While Velasmooth and Velashape have been out for a few years, the Velashape II launched about one year ago and is the most powerful weapon against cellulite now on the market.
VelaShape II uses a combination of light and bipolar radio frequency energies to heat the superficial and subcutaneous fat tissue that contributes to cellulite and fatty deposits, triggering the cells to shrink. By using mechanical rollers and vacuum suction increase circulation and massages skin for a smoother look. Within fiveto six weekly treatments thighs, abdomens, and buttocks are smoother, smaller and dimple free. VelaShape II can also be used on arms in some cases. The Velashape II is 20% stronger for a better result with fewer treatments. An infrared thermometer should be used during treatment to ensure that the body heats up to 104 degrees-the temperature necessary to melt & shrink fat cells.

The best things about this new procedure is that there's no down time and it feels similar to a warm deep tissue massage. You can continue to work out before, during and after treatments. Hollywood celebrities like Christina Milian, Ashley Jones, and Tatiana Ali are tweeting about there love for VelaShape. Reality star Khloe Kardashian, Kim Kardashian and Atlanta Housewife Kim Zolciak have used VelaShape while filming their shows. For more information on treatments go to www.winterparklaser.com

What You Need to Know Before You go to a Medical Spa

At our medical spa we do a complimentary consultation for every new client and we look thoroughly over our client's medical history, however not every spa will do this so here are some tips on being informed and ready for your medical spa treatments which can tend to be stronger than traditional "day spa" treatments. These tips will keep you safe.

You might be wondering what the tangible benefits of having professional treatments are and why they are worth the investment especially with so many over the counter treatments available.. For those who don’t suffer from severe or chronic (repetitive) skin conditions, home care is one option and I encourage maintaining a home-care regimen even if you go to the spa. Although even if you have good skin occasional chemical peels will keep your cell turn over going & give you that consistent glow. Professional treatments can aid in accelerating the anti-aging process for more rapid results. Generally speaking, estheticians treat the epidermis (outermost layer of skin), while doctors, Nurses or Physician Assistant's can treat down to the dermis level (skin layer under the epidermis). Thus, a good esthetician will tell you when to seek out a medical spa for certain skin conditions, such as cystic acne. Para-medical esthetician's are also licensed to go deeper into the dermis under physician supervision and work with medical grade skin-care only.

An esthetician should always perform a skin analysis, examining your skin under a large magnifying glass -we offer Visia skin complexion analyses as well. If you are not asked to fill out what is known as a medical history form or a consent form, walk out. This form is critical to the consultation process, which should be performed for every new client. Also important-you should always receive a detailed post-care instruction sheet. Estheticians often use medical-grade ingredients and it’s important that they are aware of a client’s medications, allergies, and home care before treatment. These are known as contraindications and are important in determining whether you are a good candidate for a particular treatment. If you are allergic to milk and receive a peel containing even the smallest amount of lactic acid, you may experience severe side effects. Moreover, pregnant women should never have a chemical peel as peels penetrate down to the cellular level. It’s similar to avoiding certain foods during pregnancy. Intake forms vary by spa and cannot cover absolutely everything so it is important to ask questions, and that the consultant/esthetician is asking you additional questions and educating your on the treatment.

A great medical spa will provide you with pre-treatment and post-treatment instructions and will call you after your treatment to check on your progress. They also have to have doctors, PAs, or nurses on staff to answer questions or write prescriptions when necessary.

Exfoliation is fundamental to healthy skin care and requisite to maintaining a youthful complexion - it is often the focus of spa treatments. As a medical spa we find that chemical peels are great combination therapy and enhance the results of all laser treatments including IPL photo-rejuvenation, and fractional laser resurfacing. This is because once the dead skin cell layer is removed the laser can penetrate better, and the cell turn-over is accelerated.

Chemical exfoliation penetrates deeper into skin than micro-dermabrasion and exfoliates via high concentrations of AHA/BHA acids. The acids loosen the bonds between skin cells, allowing them to shed quicker than they normally would. Medical spas can use higher concentrations of acids than day spas. While peels can provide rapid results, it’s very important that the esthetician determine what strength is best to use. While peels do cause a tingling sensation, it should be neutralized before the tingling turns into a burning sensation. Everyone has a different tolerance for peels and that tolerance tends to grow with every use. If you are new to a spa or new to chemical peels you should always start with lighter peels and work your skin tolerance up to higher grade peels. It is also important that the correct type of chemical peel is performed for your skin type. If you have dark skin, always ask what possible side effects there are for the peel being performed and if it is safe for dark skin.

SPF should always be applied at the end of any medical spa chemical peel, facial or laser treatment on the face, chest or body. This is especially important post-treatment as chemical peels and laser treatments increase photo-sensitivity to the treated area. Remember, peels work at the cellular level and are still working long after you’ve left the spa.

Lastly, I have previously stated that many people have a tendency to over-exfoliate, which is detrimental to skin health. Often, clients see impressive results from a peel or microdermabrasion and think that more is better. There have been many times that I’ve kindly discouraged a client who wants microdermabrasion every week! Unfortunately, there are spas that will perform treatments as often as requested. Chemical peels, and laser treatments should always be spread out 2-4 weeks apart depending on the treatment, weekly is too often.

Important tip: Melasma in olive skin types should not be treated with IPL (intense pulsed light) this can make the Melasma worse-we have corrected to many of these mistakes from other medical spas.
In conclusion when deciding on the best medical spa for you, do your research, look at how long the spa has been in business, read online reviews, read their website, ask questions in your consultation, make sure the technician is licensed and appropriate to perform the treatment for you.

Tip: Don't base your decision on price-it is better to pay a little bit more for a great treatment, then to have to pay to correct an inexpensive treatment that damaged your skin-this can cost ten times more in the long run.

Eliminate Hyperhidrosis-Excessive Sweating with Botox

We all have had those times where we were embarrassed by the unattractive "pit stains" under our arms on our cool new white tee-shirt as we were sweating due to nerves, or heat from nervously a talking to a "crush", in an interview, or on a hot summer day. While most of us have had a day or two like this in a life-time for those who suffer from Hyperhidrosis this is an every day and often embarrassing ocurence. Hyperhidrosis is a disorder marked by excessive sweating. It usually begins at puberty and affects the palms, soles, and mainly armpits. Hyperhidrosis in general and axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating in the armpits) in particular are more common in the general population than was previously thought. A group of dermatologists in Virginia reported in 2004 that 2.8% of the United States population, or about 7.8 million persons, have hyperhidrosis.


Fortunately there is now a cure for Hyperhidrosis-BOTOX®
During the procedure at a medical spa or doctor's office, a small amount of BOTOX® (generally 40-50 units under each arm) is injected into the affected underarm area through a very fine needle (insulin needles). In a short appointment with your medical specialist, about 15 injections are made to the underarm area.The actual procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes and lasts 7-12 months on average. You should notice a significant reduction in underarm sweating within 4 weeks of your first treatment. If you do not see a significant reduction in sweating, you should contact your healthcare provider and request a follow-up consultation.

This treatment can also be performed for those who may not have diagnosed hyperhidrosis but simply want to sweat less or those who live in severe humid warm clients such as Florida.

More Men Are Opting for Laser Hair Removal

Next to Botox injections laser hair removal is the second most common cosmetic procedure done here in the U.S. however although our medical spa has been open for 8 years, we have really seen a surge in male clientele for laser hair removal in the past 2 years-it is obviously becoming more socially acceptable through reality television and advertising in magazines, newspapers etc, also many more women are pushing husbands and boyfriends to treat their backs and bikini lines. Laser hair removal clients is now about 30-40% men.
As a medical spa we now try to offer specials for men and women so that men understand that these treatments are not gender biased-they are equally effective for men and women. Although men and women commonly want different areas treated with laser hair removal the reasons are the same- excess hair in embarrassing areas such as backs or shoulders, ingrown hairs causing unattractive bumps on the neck and beard area, or they are tired of shaving.

For many men the problem areas are the shoulders and back. The highly concentrated light from the laser is absorbed by the hair follicle and destroys it in the anagen cycle. While the dark hairs are destroyed, the skin around it remains unharmed

Typically the first treatment you have more hair follicles you are going to feel more of it because there's more to remove. Each treatment becomes more comfortable. Removing all of the hair typically takes 6-7 treatments 4-7 weeks apart and the sessions are 5-60 minutes depending on the size of the area. There is topical numbing available for those men with a low pain tolerance.
Cost of laser hair removal for men varies depending on the size of the area but starts as low as $85 per treatments. For more information go to www.winterparlaser.com

Save $200 on Botox Cosmetic at Winter Park Laser

SAVE $200 ON BOTOX
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Save $200 on Botox Right now just by signing up for "Brilliant Distinctions" from Allergan (the makers of Botox. You will save $50 on your first treatment, $75 on your 2nd treatment, & $75 on your 3rd treatment, call our office or sign up today by clicking HERE: Brilliant Distinctions
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*This offer ends at March 31st and is valid for purchase of $200 or more.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is administered by Kathryn Bies PA-C with over 6 years of experience. It is a nonsurgical treatment that is injected directly into the muscles between the brows, the forehead or the crow's feet. It works by blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles. This reduces muscle activity that causes moderate to severe lines to form between the brows.
Call (407) 601-1185 to schedule your appointment or for a free consultation.

Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center
1215 W. Fairbanks Ave. Orlando FL 32804
(407) 601-1185 *
www.winterparklaser.com
Medical Director: James F. Farrell M.D.

Laser Stretch-Mark Removal Advantages

Lots of people with stretch marks are hunting for treatment past those traditional stretch mark removal methods. Stretch marks typically turn up when the skin is dramatically stretched particularly in pregnant women, teens with growth spurts, and those who experience sudden and fast weight gain. Even though stretch marks don’t pose any health danger, they are unsightly marks that bother many women and men especially for summer time or bikini time. Stretch marks can impact your own self-esteem and self-confidence especially for younger girls or new moms. Until the past 1-2 years every doctor told women and men that there was no solution to remove stretch-marks, until Palomar Medical received FDA clearance and approval over a year ago with the Fractional 1540 Laser Skin Resurfacing hand-piece to effectively remove stretch-marks (white and red striae). Since then our medical spa and many other has been removed unwanted stretch-marks for hundreds of women and men.

The Lux1540 laser hand-piece improves the unsightly color and skin texture associated with stretch marks, leaving clients with smoother, better-looking skin in four to five treatments there is a 50%-95% removal of white or red stretchmarks on areas such as the abdomen, hips, breasts, buttocks, thighs, arms, or calves. For stretch mark treatment, the Lux1540 hand piece delivers an array of high-precision micro-beams to create deep, narrow columns of coagulation in the epidermis and dermis. This triggers a restorative natural healing process that creates healthy new tissue, including the deposition of new collagen. This treatment improves the tone and texture of the skin while tightening the area and removing unwanted stretch-marks.

This treatment is finally giving hope to new moms, body builders, those who have gained and lost weight as well as young girls who experienced a sudden growth spurt to remove unwanted stretch-marks and regain their confidence. For more information on this treatment go to www.winterparklaser.com, or www.palomarmedical.com

The New Non-Surgical Facelift-Laser Skin Resurfacing

Over the past decades while cosmetic procedures have only increased, the number of non-invasive procedures is far outweighing the the surgical procedures. As more people are working, they do not have the time for "down time", risks of infections or the other risks involved with actual surgery. This is why many people are not turning to lasers to tighten, lift&rejuvenate skin on the face.

The closest non-surgical treatment to an actual face-lift is Ablative laser skin resurfacing. At it's birth a decade ago the pain was intense and the down-time was 3-4 weeks with risk of infection and local anesthesia. However, thanks to the modern technology and intelligence of laser companies like Palomar Medical laser resurfacing is not re-born with less pain, faster treatments and minimal downtime & bleeding with maximum results for fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage and loose skin.

Palomar Medical has patented the only bloodless laser resurfacing treatment available-it combines the ablative 2940 hand piece with the non-ablative 1540 hand piece on the Artisan platform for an amazing 1 treatment non-surgical facelift! This treatment is perfect for those with fine lines, wrinkles, large pores or skin that is in need more tightening but don’t want the downtime of surgery or older dot lasers that took 2-5 weeks of downtime. The Palomar fractional laser resurfacing only requires 4-7 days of healing and the holes close in 6 hours (most lasers the holes close in 96 hours) which offers less risk of infection. Fractional ablative wrinkle treatment from Palomar uses pulses of laser light that deliver excellent long-term results in just one simple treatment. The laser light penetrates skin to just the right depth and with just the right level of heat to evoke a dramatic healing response that promotes collagen production, diminishing the appearance of fine lines around the face, especially the eyes and mouth which are most prevalent in clients. It’s a wrinkle treatment that’s easy for the patient.
Benefits of ablative & non ablative laser resurfacing for Clients is One treatment with as little as four days of recovery time, excellent improvement in appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, & minimal treatment discomfort compared to full surface CO2 resurfacing treatments.

Men are Anti-Aging for Love

When Cupid's bow strikes, we do things least expected of us. And in the case of men, it is more so, as days before Valentine’s Day, dermatology experts are registering a rise in the footfall of male clients seeking skin treatments.Experts tell us that there is almost a 40% rise in the number of men asking for treatments. While laser hair removal is a huge hit among men, there are many who ask for a treatment called Dermal Fillers.

“Dermal cosmetic fillers such as Perlane, Juvederm, Radiesse or Restylane are used to replace volume loss in the lips, cheeks & naso-labial folds around the nose and mouth that are usually caused by natural fat pad loss in the cheeks. Fillers act as an instant liquid face-lift to replace loss volume” informs James Farrell M.D.-plastic surgeon & medical director of Winter Park Laser. Botox and Dysport have also become increasingly popular amongst men as they are finally realizing they have to get in the "cosmetic game" to keep up with their younger looking counter parts.

“Men are starting to get concerned with their physical appearance, and it is only becoming more popular, many laser treatments like ablative or non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing or IPL (intense pulsed light) photo-facials to erase sun damage and wrinkles are very popular” says Dr James Farrell, plastic surgeon, Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center. They can now have treatments performed that erase wrinkles within 20-60 minutes and have very little down-time so that no one knows what they have had done.

At Winter Park Laser at our medical spa in Orlando we treat men of all ages and walks of life-from typical masculine construction workers to male models-dermal fillers, laser treatments and Botox offer all men a simple alternative to looking older than their partners-it also helps in a competitive job market where looking younger could help seal the deal on a job contract. For more information on treatments go to www.winterparklaser.com.

Non-Surgical Facelift Option with Laser Skin Resurfacing

Over the past few decades, lasers are increasing with new technology and capabilities in the cosmetic industry giving plastic surgery a "face-lift" of it's own with more non-surgical options for skin tightening and wrinkles. While ablative fractional laser resurfacing has been around for a few years, Palomar medical recently received the first FDA approval for a combination bloodless ablative & non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing treatment.

This treatment is perfect for those with fine lines, wrinkles, large pores or skin that is in need more tightening but don't want the downtime of surgery or older dot lasers that took 2-5 weeks of downtime. The Palomar fractional laser resurfacing only requires 4-7 days of healing and ht holes close in 6 hours (most close in 96 hours) which offers less risk of infection. Fractional ablative wrinkle treatment from Palomar uses pulses of laser light that deliver excellent long-term results in just one simple treatment. The laser light penetrates skin to just the right depth and with just the right level of heat to evoke a dramatic healing response that promotes collagen production, diminishing the appearance of fine lines around the face, especially the eyes and mouth which are most prevalent in clients. It's wrinkle treatment that's easy for the patient.
Benefits of ablative & non ablative laser resurfacing for Clients is One treatment with as little as two days of recovery time, excellent improvement in appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, & minimal treatment discomfort compared to full surface CO2 resurfacing treatments. For more information on treatments go to www.winterparklaser.com.

Laser Tattoo Removal Increases in Popularity for Men

At Winter Park Laser the variety of men and women getting tattoos removed varies from soccer moms, to business men and everything in between. While there a lot of women erasing the bad memories of an ex-boyfriend's name from their lower back, there are equally now older "frat boys" getting tattoos removed. There has also been an increase in tattoo removal business since the stricter regulations on enlisting into the military or applying for a government position have been imposed.
Winter Park Laser treats 25-35 tattoos per week with the Medlite 4 Laser, and sees that number increasing.

Complete removal of a tattoo usually takes between six and 12 laser treatments every four to eight weeks but vary depending on color and size of tattoo. Prices typically range from $75 to $450.

"It's all about how deep the ink was applied, and if it is an amateur or profession tattoo" says Brenda Pribila ARNP. "You could say by square inch, but not all tattoos come by the square inch."
As long as there are spring break trips, alcohol infused decisions, ex-lovers and career changes, laser tattoo removal is here to stay and is only increasing in popularity. For more information on treatments go to www.winterparklaser.com

Chemical Peels can rejuvenate the Skin

Chemical Peels can Rejuvenate the Skin

Starting in Egyptian times, chemical peels were the first form of non-surgical cosmetic treatments used to slow down the aging process and rejuvenate tired, dull skin and wrinkles. A chemical peel is a process involving various chemical agents being applied to the skin which causes isolated intentional injury that is superficial to the top layers of the skin. This is called exfoliation and the top layers of dead cells then slough off to reveal a new more youthful layer of fresh skin. Chemical peels are great rejuvenation and anti-aging because as you age the cell turnover slows down. When dead skin cells start to pile up on the skint hey can cause the skin to look dull, crepey, dry, and uneven pigmentation.

Unfortunately the media often depicts chemical peels in movies and TV as scary, red tomato faces with weeks of downtime, but that is not the case. There are light (superficial), medium and strong depth chemical Peels and they differ in how deep they penetrate the skin layers. The deeper the penetration, the more extensive the rejuvenation and recovery time. It is always a good idea to start with light peels first to prepare the skin and then ease into stronger peels. Chemical Peels are a great way to rejuvenate and maintain skin after acne treatments or any type of laser skin resurfacing treatments.

Here are a few examples of various chemical peels from Glytone or IMAGE Skin care that we use at our Medical Spa under Physician Supervision and like:
Alpha Hydroxy Acid Peel:
An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peel is a superficial-depth peel. It is the mildest type of peel formulation. The advantage of the mild nature of the AHA peel is that while the effect is mild, there is no extended downtime. People can return to work after the peel, although the application of make-up is discouraged for at least three hours after the peel. AHA peels help to treat fine, superficial skin wrinkles and sun damage. It can be used on people of all skin colors and it can be used on areas other than the face, such as the neck, chest, arms and hands. The most common type of AHA peel is the glycolic acid peel.

TCA Orange Peel: A physician grade TCA/Salicylic Acid Peel that aggressively treats aging and sun-damaged skin. A revolutionary treatment that will rejuvenate skin in one treatment (45 minute

Jessner’s Peel:
Jessner’s peel is a superficial-depth peel. It is appropriate for people requiring a deeper peel. Because it is a combination of salicylic acid, lactic acid (an AHA), and resorcinol, it reaches deeper into the skin than an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peel or beta hydroxy acid (BHA) peel alone. A Jessner's peel can be used to lighten areas of hyper-pigmentation (unsightly darkening), treat acne and acne scars, and improve the appearance of photo-damaged and sun-damaged skin.

Vi Peel™: The VI peel is a strong peel created to reverse the signs of aging and sun damage on the skin and is safe for all skin types! The Vi Peel improves the tone, texture, and clarity of your skin, reduces age spots, stimulates collagen, and can improve acne skin conditions. It is powerful enough to make a serious improvement after just one treatment and works at the cellular level instead of burning skin off. The Vi Peel Precision enhancer is available for a concentrated blend of ingredients making the peel 25% stronger. This is great for those with stubborn hyper-pigmentation.

Manly Botox & other Cosmetic Treatments for Men

Manly Botox & other Cosmetic Treatments for Men

When Botox became popular 2 decades ago along with lasers it was mainly used by women, however men are now getting bitten by the Botox bug. Statistics show that about 250000 Botox procedures were performed on men alone in the United States last year, making it the leading cosmetic treatment for men; so much so that it has gained the nicknames "Brotox" and “Boytox.”

Men have the same aging concerns as women-wrinkles, sun damage, sagging skin so why shouldn't they be able to fix them. Well now that social norms have given the wink and nod for the green light on laser skin resurfacing, fillers and Botox men are stepping our of their man caves and into medical spas. Competition in the job markets also plays a part in the influx as men want to stay looking young and healthy for that career competitive edge.

Botox is a natural and purified protein that temporarily reduces contractions of the facial muscles that cause lines, by blocking nerve transmissions, leaving the skin unwrinkled. This creates a smooth and a more youthful appearance.

Botox Cosmetic is a simple and nonsurgical procedure that is injected into the facial muscles using tiny insulin needles. It is used for forehead lines, crow’s feet around the eyes, frown lines,&brow lift (when one eyebrow is lower than the other).

Contrary to what most people think, Botox does not freeze facial expressions, but it softens them. It only takes about 10 to 15 minutes for the treatment but results take up to 2 weeks to completely set. Side effects are not long-term, with some minor bruising that disappears in a week’s time. Botox Cosmetic should be affordable but don't go with the "cheapest" as you always want pure Botox from Allergan (look for the hologram on the bottle). You can also take advantage of Allergan's free point program (Brilliant Distinctions) that will save you $25-$50 each treatment.

Doctors say that men need higher doses than women, probably because they have greater muscle mass. It has also been observed that larger and stronger men need more units per treatment area than small-boned men.

The best part about Botox is that this is equality in a new sense where men are allowed to take care of themselves in the same ways that men have for years. For more information on Botox or other treatments go to www.winterparklaser.com

Skin Rejuvenation and Regeneration with Chemical Peels

Skin Rejuvenation and Regeneration with Chemical Peels

Good Botox Treatments Vs. Bad Botox Treatments

I love this story-as we only use Botox Cosmetic from Allergan and you can check our hologram on the bottle any time to make sure that is legitimately Botox Cosmetic. Unfortunately there have been some alarming instances of companies purchasing "off-label" botox that has caused terrible results, here is an article on this issue:
Ashley Roberts CW33 News

1:43 p.m. CST, December 26, 2011
Uptown Dallas—
New Year celebrations are upon us. 2012 marks a fresh start, a time for resolutions, and for many...a chance to get that new, more youthful appearance.

“We’re seeing an explosive growth of procedures to make people look more beautiful, and Botox is definitely one of them,” says cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Adelglass, M.D., F.A.C.S.

He's always ready to make a pretty face more beautiful.

“You can see the hologram on this bottle – this is an original bottle of Botox,” says Dr. Adelglass.

He says a hologram on the bottle is one sure-fire way to know that Botox is the real deal. But Dr. Adelgass does warn consumers to proceed with caution when it comes to getting such treatments.

“There are a lot of importers and people are trying to buy it inexpensively through foreign channels and then use it on their patients,” he explains.

Just this week he received a letter in the mail with different out-of-the-country Botox options that he could potentially buy.
“Well, I think this is illegal,” says Dr. Adelglass.

Illegal or not, he says this is an increasing trend. Which is perhaps why some North Texans say "Botox" is not on their "To Do" list.

“Just because I’ve heard like the horror stories and then they don’t have like their natural expressions,” says Erika Gomez.
Others say they are not opposed to it.

“I would never use it personally, but I don’t fault people for trying to improve their appearance by any means,” says Steven Schwartz.

Dr. Adelglass says if you are looking for that New Year, New You "pick me up", it's all about doing your research first.

“And believe it or not, there is an importance to having a doctor [do this procedure] because this is a medical procedure. Botox, Deport - it can only be sold to physicians,” he says.

Dr. Adelglass also suggests using caution when it comes to purchasing cosmetic procedures via discount websites. He says this could be a red flag to potential "Botox Gone Bad" horror stories.

Copyright © 2011, KDAF-TV
http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-new-year-new-you-cosmetic-cautions-20111226,0,461177.story

Winter Park Laser offers Botox Cosmetic at our Medical Spa: 1215 W. Fairbanks Ave. Orlando FL 32804
www.winterparklaser.com (407) 601-1185