Recently Obagi published a blog post that really resonated with us. They addressed putting your best face forward through the many stages of your life.  Here is an excerpt from their post:

• Twenties – Time to get serious. This is an exciting time. Graduation. Your first real job. Investment clothing that suits your career. Everything about your life is more adult and maybe it’s time to take a more serious approach to skin care, too, by upgrading from everyday drugstore brands. Healthy skin starts with a plan and that plan begins with protection. Start with Obagi Professional-C Serums™. These Vitamin C serums deliver topical antioxidant benefits to help correct and protect your skin from signs of future damage and aging.
• Thirties – Make it a habit. This is a nonstop, multitasking, multi-role time of life. You may be too busy to notice the effects of time on your skin, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t starting to show. A consistent daily skin care routine can be a key contributor to healthy, beautiful skin and helping to minimize future damage. Protect and help prevent your skin from showing the early signs of aging with the Obagi-C^® Rx System.
• Forties and Fifties – Facing new challenges. You have embraced who you’ve become and are comfortable in your own skin. Your goal is to look like the fabulous person you are today. Tackle the inevitable skin concerns that come from age with the Obagi Nu-Derm^® System, the #1 physician-dispensed skin care system specially formulated to reveal healthy skin. And for those pesky crow’s feet, try the ELASTIderm^® Eye Cream to help improve resilience and increase elasticity of the skin all around your eyes!
• Sixties and beyond – Shining in your golden years. Just because you’re over 60 doesn’t mean you can’t be as beautiful and vibrant now as in your younger years. Even if you’ve been diligent with skin care on your face over the years, you may have neglected the skin on your neck and chest area, which tends to be thinner, less moisturized, and often overlooked when it comes to sun protection. The ELASTIderm® Décolletage System can help diminish the signs of aging and helps to restore healthy skin on your neck and chest. Your overall appearance now matches the grace and wisdom you’ve earned throughout your years.

Of course, no matter what your age, there are some skin care basics that are universal to help maintain healthy skin for life, such as washing your face every night and using sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. For a sheer, matte finish sunscreen, try our award-winning Nu-Derm Sun Shield SPF 50 for broad-spectrum protection.

Evolutions carries Obagi and other medical-grade skin care products that have been carefully selected by Dr. Perkins to bring you unparalleled home care. On your next visit, ask your clinician to create a customized home care regimen for you or schedule a complimentary skin care consultation by calling us at 805.687.0212.

Here is a recap of the evening’s presentation:

What is Restylane?
Restylane is a dermal filler that is made from hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance in your skin that provides fullness and elasticity.  As we age, hyaluronic acid diminishes and the skin loses volume.  Hyaluronic acid recruits water to the skin to encourage fullness. Restylane, and Perlane (another dermal filler), are made from cross-linked hyaluronic acid so that it is not metabolized as fast as the hyaluronic acid that naturally occurs in the body and this gives clients a result that can last six months or more.

What can dermal fillers – Restylane and Perlane – do for me?
Restylane and Perlane can be used to to add volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds.  Restylane can also be used for lip enhancement (for patients 21+ years). Restylane is a thinner product that is typically used for wrinkles, fine lines, and delicate areas. Perlane provides more structure and lift.  It is possible to use both products together. Which product you use is best determined by your clinician.  

Where can dermal fillers be used?
The areas treated by Restylane or Perlane are:

• laugh lines
• marionette lines
• lipstick lines
• corners of mouth
• lips (Restylane only)

How long do dermal fillers last for?
When you get a filler treatment, there is little to no downtime, and you will see results immediately.  Effects of the filler will last at least  six months. In a clinical study, 95% of patients who returned for a second treatment 4.5 to 9 months after initial treatment continued to see results for up to 18 months. For some patients, receiving a second treatment before the first treatment completely wears off is a better value because they may achieve the same results with less product. For instance, a patient who had 2 syringes done in the first treatment, may only need 1 syringe in the follow up. Of course this may vary by individual.

How safe are dermal fillers?
Restylane was approved by the FDA for cosmetic use in 2005. It is composed of non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid which means there is limited risk of animal-based disease transmission or development of allergic reactions to the proteins.  No allergy testing is required before use.  It is fully biocompatible.  Restylane is used in over 70 countries worldwide.

Are there side effects to Restylane or Perlane?
Some people may experience swelling at the injection site, redness, pain, tenderness or bruising up to about seven days after treatment.  Side effects vary depending on the individual. Some people will have no side effects. Any bruising is usually easily able to be covered by make-up.

How do I prepare for my filler treatment?
It is suggested that you stop the following medications and supplements one week prior to treatment: St. John’s Wart, high doses of Vitamin E, aspirin, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (ibuprofen) as these may increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site.

Are there people that should not have a dermal filler treatment?
Treatment is not recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18 years of age, or have a bleeding disorder. If you suffer from cold sores, discuss this with the clinician before treatment.

I’d like to discuss this further before scheduling a treatment …
At Evolutions we always offer a complimentary consultation so that you may have your questions answered and feel confident in your decision.  Schedule a consultation by calling 805.687.0212 or completing our online consultation form.

What stands in the way of luminous skin? For many of us, it is an issue of pigmentation. Pigmentation, also referred to as age spots, “liver” spots, freckles, is caused by melanin.  Melanin is produced as a protection to the skin in response to sun exposure (a sun “tan” is actually a skin injury), trauma, or inflammation. Melanin can also be influenced by hormones, birth control pills, and pregnancy. Appearance problems occur when melanocytes are over stimulated such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (from pimples) or melasma, which is a broad patch of pigmentation that can occur in the epidermal or dermal layers of the skin.

How do we get rid of pigmentation? Below are the options that Dr. Perkins outlined for us:

HOME CARE

While Evolutions offers a variety of services that are effective in the treatment of pigmentation problems, Dr. Perkins stressed that it is also important to practice diligent home care to prevent or lighten pigmentation. The #1 recommendation from Dr. Perkins is to wear your sunscreen daily! The fact is that more than half of UV exposure is “incidental” exposure such as sitting near a window, driving in your car, walking outside to chat with your neighbor, you get the picture! UVA actually goes through glass, so you aren’t protected in your car or at your window office.

Evolutions offers a variety of bleaching agents and hydroquinone (which stops the formation of pigment from being formed). Some product recommendations:

• Obagi Clear and C-Rx Night: a product with hydroquinone as an active ingredient that helps to fade unwanted pigment
• Revale Illuminating Serum: has the highest potency of antioxidants – good anti-oxidation helps skin repair
• Nia24: helps skin repair at the DNA level which normalizes pigmentation
• Retinoids (“Retin A”, “Tretinoin”): help normalize cell differentiation
• Combination Prescription Products (“Firm and Fade”): offered exclusively at Evolutions that combines Retin-A, hydroquinone, and a low potency steroid (used to calm down inflammation)

In addition to using a brightening/lightening product, you may want to add in a product that encourages cell turnover. Products that contain alpha-hydroxy acids, amino fruit acids, and retinoids are all good choices.

VIBRADERM

Vibraderm is done using abrasive aluminum paddles that provide a gentle abrasion. It is faster than microdermabrasion and does not have a vacuum component (which can cause broken capillaries).  This physical exfoliation is used to treat superficial pigment problems with no downtime. It will improve the penetration of products / peels and is great as a stand alone service or in conjunction with a peel or facial.

LIGHT-BASED TREATMENTS : FOTOFACIAL RF

This “Gold Standard” treatment of pigmentation uses Intense Pulsed Light / Radiofrequency to target pigment and “red” areas. A FotoFacial works deeper than most chemical peels and can significantly improve your skin texture by reducing redness, age spots, sun damage, spider veins, fine lines (although not a treatment for wrinkles) and large pores. We offer the FotoFacial in a series or in combination with other treatments (FotoPeel, FotoPeel Plus, and FotoFacial Genesis Packages), depending on an individual’s needs.

CHEMICAL PEELS

Chemical peels are a “controlled” injury to the skin that causes a deep, even exfoliation. At Evolutions we offer different depths of peels (from light to medium to deep).

• AFA Peels: the alpha-hydroxy peel is a “light” peel for those who want the benefits of a peels without a large amount of actual peeling. This peel can be done alone or in a series of five (recommended).
• Alpha Beta Peel: this is the most popular peel at Evolutions. It is a medium-depth physical exfoliation and works well to get rid of superficial sun damage and is a great choice for clients who want to see results in 4-5 days.
• Obagi Blue Peel: this is the deepest peel offered. It will significantly improve your complexion. You will have firmer, clearer, smoother, healthier skin.

LIGHT-BASED TREATMENTS: Q-SWITCHED LASER

This newest laser is used for our newest service - tattoo removal. It delivers laser energy so rapidly that it breaks up pigment without excessive heating of the surrounding tissue.  Currently we are testing how effectively it can treat stubborn brown pigmentation. Stay tuned at a later date for more information on the Q-Switched Laser!

SUBLATIVE REJUVENATION

This unique fractional resurfacing device uses radiofrequency energy instead of light to safely treat all skin types. Sublative Rejuvenation is used to treat wrinkles, pigment, acne scarring, skin laxity, tone and texture. There is less downtime and discomfort than older fractional laser devises (i.e. the Fraxel) and it can be combined with other light-based treatments (such as the FotoFacial RF or Total Tightening) for customizable treatment options.

CHEMABRASION

This surgical procedure done by Dr. Perkins at Cosmetic Surgery Center in Santa Barbara (near Cottage Hospital) combines a deep peel with dermabrasion (not microdermabrasion). It treats wrinkles, sun damage, and pigment. You will be very impressed with the results. For more information, contact Cosmetic Surgery Center at 805.563.0000.

CONCLUSION

The best way to treat sun damage is to prevent it by using your sunscreen daily (on your face, neck, and decolletage). When pigment issues arise, there are a number of treatment options available at Evolutions and “at home”. Pigmentation can be treated on all areas of the body.

At Evolutions we always offer a complimentary consultation. If you are interested in one of our medical spa services, or simply looking for a new home care routine, call us at 805.687.0212 to make an appointment (or book online).

Evolutions Medical Spa offers the most effective teeth whitening in Santa Barbara outside of a dental office. Our SpaWhite service can brighten your smile with little to no sensitivity. We know that the main concern with teeth whitening is the sensitivity that it causes – for some it is intense (burning gums and sensitive teeth) and for others it is a non-issue. The culprit of the sensitivity is peroxide, which is the key ingredient in virtually all teeth whitening products and services. Some tooth bleach manufacturers artificially lower the pH of their peroxide to make it more stable, and less sensitive, but this also lowers the effectiveness. This is a case when innovation really counts!

Our SpaWhite teeth whitening service uses patented foam pads that are saturated with a specially formulated neutral pH peroxide gel. Coupled with an advanced, spectrum-controlled light specifically developed for the SpaWhite process, the whitening process is accelerated and intensified. For most people, one or two SpaWhite sessions is sufficient for an initial treatment.

Don’t let your clothes outshine you this Spring! Instead, match your bold statement with a dazzling bright smile!

Evolutions always offers a complimentary consultation – call us at 805.687.0212 or book a consultation online.

Tattoo Removal 101

Find out how this new, state-of-the-art laser technology can remove tattoos of almost any color with less discomfort than older lasers.

Laser Hair Removal Basics

Are you interested in Laser Hair Removal but have questions? Don’t miss this opportunity to find out how laser hair removal works. What types of laser and light-based machines are used for laser hair removal. Why the technology used greatly affects results (hint: one size does not fit all!) and how skin color and hair type can affect your treatment. Learn how long treatments take and if they hurt.

This event will include refreshments, raffles, and exclusive specials for attendees.  Please RSVP to Evolutions at 805.687.0212 to reserve your spot today! 

Dermal fillers are used to restore volume that is lost in the face as the aging process occurs. Dermal fillers are more commonly used in the lower face – in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, the nose, lips, pre and post-jowl, and the corners of the mouth. Fillers are also used in the brows, temporal and central forehead as well as around the eyes. Dermal fillers are temporary and last between six and twelve (or more) months depending on the brand of filler used. Prevelle Silk lasts the shortest amount of time and Radiesse generally lasts the longest.

Recently we ran across an article in NewBeauty.com that speaks about why facial volume matters and what can be done to restore fullness, either temporarily or permanently, to achieve smoother, younger-looking skin. The article states that we begin to lose facial fat “as early as our 20s, and it’s a downhill slide” from there. It goes on to say that “facial fat deteriorates with age, but weight loss and hormonal changes can speed up the process” as well. When this happens, we are left with sunken cheeks, a down-turned mouth, hallow eyes and a soft jaw. Dermal fillers, such as Radiesse, Juvederm, Perlane, Restylane, or Prevelle Silk can help “fix” these problem areas by plumping the skin, creating more firmness and definition in the face.

Now is the time to try dermal fillers and see how they can change your look! Perlane and Restylane are both offering rebates on dermal filler treatments from now until March 31, 2012.

Rebate Offer: Save $40 per syringe of Restylane (2 syringe minimum) or $50 per syringe of Perlane. 

Schedule a complimentary consultation online or call Evolutions at 805.687.0212 to discuss which dermal filler would be best for your needs. Read the entire NewBeauty.com article here. 

If you are a client of Evolutions Medical Spa in Santa Barbara, you know that we invest in the best technology because we believe in offering services that yield results. This is no different for our tattoo removal service. We have the newest, most advanced, and most effective, Quanta Q-Plus C laser that has three true laser wavelengths that can effectively remove tattoos of practically any color.

Some laser tattoo removal FAQs:

How many treatments do I need to remove my tattoo?

Treatments can range from 4 to 15 treatments dependent upon skin color, tattoo color(s), tattoo location, depth of the ink, layering of multiple tattoos, and if scarring is present.

How long do tattoo removal treatments take?

Treatment depends on the size of the tattoo and the number of colors present: majority of treatments are under 5 minutes for a small to medium black tattoo to 10-15 minutes for a medium-sized multi-color tattoo.

Does the tattoo removal treatment hurt?

Most clients feel some discomfort but agree that it is much more comfortable than getting the tattoo (and takes a lot less time).

How much does tattoo removal cost?

Treatments are priced by how many square inches of ink is being treated. During the month of February 2012, Evolutions is offering an Introductory Special for Tattoo Removal: 25% off all tattoo removal treatments and services. Valid through 2/28/2012.

Visit our tattoo removal webpage for a complete list of FAQs and pricing.

Schedule a complimentary consultation for tattoo removal by calling Evolutions at 805.687.0212 or filling out our online consultation form.