Frequently Asked Questions on Chemical Peels

Chemical peels have been around since Egyptian times and have always been one of the most recommended treatments for anti-aging and skincare treatments by medical spas, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons.  However, even though chemical peels are a widely know named in aesthetics there are still a lot of myths, and assumptions about chemical peels that aren't always facts.  After running a medical spa-Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center in Orlnado for 9 years chemical peels are still a go to treatment that give effective results and are still the best treatment for exfoliation.
Here are some frequently asked Questions on Chemical Peels:
What is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is a combination of acids used to remove layers of dead and damage skin to reveal new, softer, fresh looking skin.
Do all chemical peels create severe downtime and peeling?
No, there are varying degrees of chemical peels including mild, medium, and strong peels.  This depends on the acid or combination of acids used, the strengths (percentages of each acid) and the length of time the peel is left on the skin.  Light peels are good for beginning peels and typically have no peeling involved.  The medium peels usually involve light flaking for 2-3 days.  Only strong peels such as TCA (trichloracetic acid) require 3-7 days of peeling.
At what age can one have a chemical peel?
Chemical peels can be performed at any age and are especially useful for teens with acne.
Do Chemical Peels thin your skin?
No, chemical peels stimulate collagen and elastyn so they actually plump the skin reducing wrinkles. They only remove layers of dead skin that need to be exfoliated.
For more information on Frequently asked questions on chemical peels go to http://www.winterparklaser.com

Laser Tattoo Removal is like a "Start Over" button

Tattoos have been around since the Egyptian time and while in many cultures they are revered in the American culture they sem to be losing clout.  Many organizations are banning tattoos that "show" for employees which is especially cumbersome in Florida when wearing a long sleeve shirt in 100 degree weather is not always fun.  Almost all federal employers such as police departments, prisons, fire departments, government facilities, and the military have banned employees & those enlisting into the military including army, navy, marines, & airforce from having tattoos on any area of the body that show in uniform.  This means anyone with a tattoo on their face, wrist, fingers, ankles, neck, or behind their ear has to remove them with laser tattoo removal in order to be hired, keep their job, or enlist in the military.  These are just a few of the reasons that laser tattoo removal has become mainstream and continues to grow in popularity.  Some of the other reasons men and women want tattoos removed can be age; for example: that cool "unicorn" tattoo on your ankle you got when you were 18 isn't as cool when you are 35 with 2 kids in a PTA meeting, or of course the old I'll be with "so & so" forever so you inked their name on your wrist or got a "wedding band" tattooed on your finger but of course "so & so" is out of the picture now but the reminder remains.

Laser Tattoo Removal is a like a "start over" button for your life.  It can give you that amazing job opportunity or promotion that you have been wanting without being held back by a simple "tattoo mistake."  It can help you erase a memory of a bad relationship, drunken spring break tattoo, or help you get rid of a regrettable tattoo before your kids notice it and want one.  Basically laser tattoo removal is an awesome way to start over for the new year.

Here are some basics on how tattoo removal works.  We used the laser we use in our Orlando Medical Spa Winter Park laser & Anti-Aging Center. The NaturalLase QS is the highest energy q-switched yag system in the world.  Take advantage of four Q-switched wavelengths in one system (1064, 532, 585 and 650 nm). 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.  Complete Numbing of the treatment area using Lidocaine injections is an available option for a painless procedure.

So use tattoo removal as your "start over" button.  For more information on laser tattoo removal in Orlando go to www.winterparklaser.com

Tips for getting the Best Botox Injections

While Botox® has become a household name and is the #1 cosmetic treatment performed in the world (both surgical and non-surgical) there are still many questions and mystery surrounding it. When deciding to get Botox injections it is important to know what to look for in a treatment provider as well as how to know you are really getting Botox® Cosmetic from Allergan and not an imitation Botulin Toxin. After performing Botox® consultations for 5 years at our Orlando Medical Spa Winter Park Laser I have come up with the best tips. Here are Tips for Getting the Best Botox® Injections #1 Ask for a referral from friends. Botox® is no longer a "taboo subject" amongst friends, it's almost as common as brushing your teeth these days and even if you think you don't no anyone who uses it, I guarantee if you bring it up at least more than a few of your friends will admit to using it and can give you a great referral. By using a referral from a friend you can see the types of results you want-the friend who looks so great but natural that you didn't even realize she used Botox®! You will therefore feel comfortable with the Treatment provider before you even begin treatment and you will have an idea of what to expect. #2 Verify that you actually getting Botox® Cosmetic from Allergan: Botox® is a brand of Botulin Toxin, and is the #1 type used however there are unfortunately imported Botulin Toxins from Canada or other brands such as Dysport or Xeomin. It is important when you schedule your appointment that you ask directly if they are using Botox® Cosmetic. You then want to ask to see the bottle and look for the Botox® Allergan hollogram on the bottle. It should also be a red flag that it may not be Botox® if it is 50% less than most place or is a groupon. #3 Bring a Picture of your "younger self" so you can express exactly the way you want to look and what you loved at that time and give to the consultant or treatment provider prior to your Botox® injection. This way the provider knows exactly what you want and there will be no miscommunication. You want to be direct and clear about what you want so that you can have reasonable expectations and know that Botox® is really what you need to correct your concerns. #4 Look at Reviews of your Botox® provider and check that they are listed on the Allergan website. This will of course give you an idea of the best and allow you to feel comfortable before you go. You will also know that they order directly from Allergan and feel more comfortable with that as well. For more information on tips for getting the best botox® injections go to http://www.winterparklaser.com

Fall Skincare Tips for Glowing Skin

While you change your wardrobe and foot wear with the seasons it is important to remember to change your skin-care routine and products with the seasons as well.  Your skin adapts with the season changes and your skin-care products should follow suit.  I am a lead consultant at an Orlando Medical Spa-Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging so part of my job is to recommend the best products and when you should you use them.
Here are my top Fall Skincare Tips for Glowing Skin
#1 Exfoliate! 
Over the summer you accumulated a lot of superficial sun damage and pigmentation therefore it is important to exfoliate your skin in order to reduce pigment as well as break down dead skin cell build up, clean out your pores, and tighten your pores.  The #1 way to exfoliate is with a chemical peel.  Chemical peels can come in light, medium, and strong peels and range between light flaking to days of peeling. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which makes it  eventually peel off revealing fresh skin. The new skin is tighter, less porous, brighter and smoother.  If you can't make it to your local medical spa for a chemical peel, then an at home scrub or product with Alpha Hydroxy Acid or Beta Hydroxy Acid will help as well.
#2 Still Wear a SPF in your Moisturizer everyday!
Even though you may not be at the beach in the Fall or it might even start snowing you are still exposed to sun.  When you walk to your car, drive your car, rake the leaves you are still accumulating sun exposure and damage.  It is important to stick to a moisturizer with a minimum spf 30 full broad spectrum UVA/UVB.
#3 Switch your moisturizer to a heavier daytime moisturizer or add a night-time moisturizer.
During the summer your skin tends to be more oily and a lighter moisturizer is necessary.  When the seasons change your skin typically becomes dryer which means to keep that sweet summer glow you need more hydration.  This is when you should switch to a thicker daytime moisturizer with SPF or add a nighttime moisturizer such as Skinmedica's Dermal Repair.
For more information on Fall Skincare Tips for glowing skin go to http://www.winterparklaser.com

Laser Hair Removal Benefits

Laser Hair Removal has been available to the public for nearly 20 years now yet so many men and women are still unaware of the benefits laser hair removal especially in comparison to other hair removal methods such as waxing, tweezing, or electrolysis. Laser hair removal has proven to be the safest and most effective treatment form of  hair removal available.
Many men and women  are uneducated about the facts and benefits of laser hair removal.  Just a few important things to know about laser hair removal are the following; it is now safe for all skin types with the appropriate lasers, blondes and red heads can be treated effectively with the correct laser for laser hair removal.  There are many benefits to laser hair removal other than just permanent hair reduction.
Laser Hair Removal benefits:
#1 It's Fast: New technology has allowed laser hair removal to become incredibly efficient. Treatments for small areas such as lip or chin can take only 5 minutes, and large areas like full legs or full back only take 30-40 minutes to complete and in less sessions-only 6-7 on average.
#2 Eliminate In-Grown Hairs (folliculitis): Laser hair removal destroys hair follicles and thins out hair so that hair follicles can no longer become clogged and cause in-grown hairs or folliculitis.
#3 More Personal Time: On average men spend a total of 35 days of their life shaving, and women spend an average of 72 days of their life shaving just their legs.  So in a nutshell laser hair removal can give you have 35-72 days of your life on average to spend doing more productive things with your time.
#4 It is the only permanent hair reduction method: Laser Hair Removal is 95% permanent which means that you might only have 5% regrowth caused by the follicle stimulating hormone and it should be as easy as a touch up once every 1--5 years on average.
#5 It Saves You Money: If you are waxing or shaving you are spending at least $50 per month on average for life for hair reduction.  Laser hair removal can be a little more of an investment in the beginning, but you only need 6-7 treatments on average and then you won't be spending money on hair removal on a monthly basis.
For more information on the benefits of laser hair removal go to http://www.winterparklaser.com

How to Get the Best & Safest Botox Cosmetic Treatments

The Medical Spa industry is still fairly new (about 20-25 years old) and continuously grows with new laws and FDA supervision of treatments. However laws still vary and their are still many medical spas, and physicians that abuse the system in order to save money. I bring this up because while the prices of cosmetic treatments have gone down due to the economy there are still those that want to save even more by looking for the "cheapest" and easiest deal. One of the biggest treatments that has become of topic lately is Botox Cosmetic. Botox Cosmetic is an amazing treatment that has become so popular because it's easy, affordable, and it works! However, Federal regulators have warned more than 350 medical practices that Botox they may have received from a Canadian supplier is unapproved and could be counterfeit or unsafe. So I wanted to give a few tips to finding a good, legitimate, and safe medical spa or physician's office to get Botox Cosmetic treatments. Here are the top 3 Red Flags for unsafe Botox Injections 1.) If the price is too good to be true-it probably is! Why: Botox generally runs $9-$13 per unit in the Central Florida area, so if you see it for $5-$8 per unit this could be a generic form of Botox-not what you want! 2.) The location is not supervised by a physician or they only do it once a month (such as your local salon or nail spa). Why: You want to go somewhere that specializes in Botox injections such as a medical spa or Doctor's office that does it on a daily basis and is Board Certified and supervised by a Doctor. 3.) If you do not see the bottle of Botox Cosmetic (by Allergan) that they are using to inject you. Why: The only FDA approved brand of Botox is Botox Cosmetic by Allergan & you can ask to see the bottle-there should be a hologram on it as well that says Allergan. General tips: Do your research-ask who performs the treatment and if they are certified & how much experience they have. If you walk in and feel uncomfortable or the nothing is explained to you prior to the treatment then leave. Read online reviews or ask your friends for referrals! For more information on Botox Cosmetic in Orlando go to www.winterparklaser.com or call (407) 601-1185.