Click here to learn about various dermatological conditions, medications, and procedures
Chemical Peels
Sclerotherapy
Laser Treatments
BOTOX® Cosmetic
A treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic is a simple, non-surgical procedure that smoothes the deep, persistent frown lines between your brows that developed over time. One ten-minute treatment – a few tiny injections – relaxes the muscles that cause these frown lines between your brows to form and keeps them relaxed up to four months. BOTOX® Cosmetic has been widely tested and has been approved by the FDA. We also use Botox® to relax forehead lines and crow’s feet. A browlift can also be achieved with injections of Botox® at the outer brow.
The results are natural appearing and apparent within days. Unlike surgery, BOTOX® Cosmetic is fast, simple, and minimally invasive, with no downtime or recovery. For many, lines are virtually “erased.”
Juvederm™ Ultra/ Juvederm™ Ultra Plus
Juvederm™ is a smooth-consistency cosmetic filler used to soften wrinkles and folds. It is made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring sugar that is found throughout the body providing volume and fullness to the skin. The innovative hylacross technology (an increased amount of cross-linking between hyaluronic acid particles) gives Juvederm its unique smooth-gel quality that increases the softness of the product, making it particularly suited for those with extremely fine lines or those prone to lumping with other fillers. Juvederm™ Ultra Plus is the thicker version of Juvederm Ultra. It is used for correction of deeper folds and for areas that need larger amounts of volume replacement such as the cheeks or marionette lines (lines from the angle of the mouth to the chin.) Juvederm has been FDA approved to last up to a year.
Radiesse®
Radiesse® is a mineral based filler composed of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a natural gel that is injected into the skin to restore volume and correct moderate to severe facial folds and wrinkles. After several months, the gel carrier is naturally absorbed by the body, leaving behind a scaffold of calcium-based microspheres to support the skin and stimulate new collagen formation. Because the product stimulates your body’s own collagen production, results can last more than a year. Many patients will attain their desired result after one treatment, however, some patients may need one or more touch-up sessions to maximize results. Radiesse® is best used in areas of large volume loss such as the cheeks, nasolabial folds (from the corner of the nose the the corner of the mouth), marionette lines (from the corner of the mouth down to the chin), or the backs of the hands. It is not used for lip augmentation.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels remove the damaged outer layers of skin to smooth texture, reduce the appearance of abnormal pigmentation, and remove blemishes and pre-cancerous growths resulting in a healthy, glowing complexion. Peel formulas and strengths are tailored for each patient. Glycolic acid peels are superficial peels which accelerate the renewal process of the epidermis when performed in a series of 4 or more. This makes them a perfect option for those with mild acne, irregular pigmentation, or a dull, mottled complexion. They are done in concentrations of 10 to 70 percent, take approximately 5 minutes and should be scheduled every four to six weeks. Mild lunchtime or freshening peels can be scheduled with our nursing staff. Salicylic acid peels are another type of superficial chemical peel that results in the improvement of facial, chest and back acne, melasma, fine lines and sun damage. These peels are safe on all skin types. They are done in concentrations of 20 to 30 percent and take about 5 minutes to be performed. They may be scheduled every 4 to 6 weeks. We also offer specialized bleaching peels geared toward lightening skin affected by melasma, excess sun exposure, and other pigmentation disorders. Treatment involves an in-office peel combined with a bleaching cream or lotion to suppress overactive pigment cells (melanocytes) while simultaneously peeling off (exfoliating) existing pigmentation. Increased pigmentation (hyperpigmentation) peels can be safely performed on both light and dark skin types.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a procedure used to treat spider veins of the legs. Using a syringe with a tiny needle, our doctors inject a small amount of a hypertonic (concentrated) saline solution directly into the spider veins causing injury inside the unwanted vessels. Following the injections, patients wear compression stockings in order to compress the treated veins. The blood becomes trapped in the injected veins. The body then gradually absorbs the trapped blood, and the vein disappears over a 3 -4 week period. Often 2-3 treatment sessions are required to achieve a 90% or better clearing of the spider veins. The treatments, although mildly uncomfortable, are very safe and effective.
Laser Treatments:
Jon K. Stern, M.D. and Associates provide an array of laser treatments for a variety of skin conditions including but not limited to the treatment of hemangiomas, Port Wine marks, tattoos, lentigines (liver spots, old age spots), rosacea, warts, spider veins and rejuvenation of sun damaged skin. Our philosophy of providing state of the art care with the most up to date equipment is reinforced by our policy of renting laser equipment and not purchasing them. Through the rental of lasers, we obtain expert technical support and maintenance, the assurance that the equipment is the most up to date possible and we avoid the temptation to use out dated equipment simply because we own the equipment. These are the reasons why we never purchase lasers.
Port Wine Birthmarks
An acute source of psychological stress, these lesions are present at birth and usually occur on the face or neck. If untreated, port wine birthmarks can deepen in color and increase in size and depth with age. They can become raised, increasing their susceptibility to abrasion, ulceration, chronic infections and circulatory problems. Therefore, port wine birthmarks are best treated as early as possible.
Use of the pulsed-dye laser causes a discoloration and a bruise of the skin known as a purpura which lasts for about seven to ten days. However, it is agreed throughout the medical community that when the purpura has faded, the pulsed-dye laser offers the most effective treatment available for port wine stains.
It is important to note that lasers do not always eliminate port wine birthmarks completely. In about 25% of patients, laser therapy will completely clear the lesion, while 75% will result in a dramatic improvement. For reasons that are not well understood, a small number of patients will not respond to laser treatment.
Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas are vascular malformations which appear like raised, red birthmarks. The majority occur in infants and young children with most lesions disappearing completely by age 7. While most of these lesions are superficial, hemangiomas can spread rapidly, causing considerable mental anguish to patients and their families.
On occasion hemangiomas can be internal with life-threatening results if they interfere with the function of vital organs. Therefore, it is important that the nature of the lesion be determined early. Laser treatment should be considered at the earliest stages to arrest the progression of superficial hemangiomas.
Telangiectasia and Rosacea
Now there is new treatment for facial telangiectasia (spider veins) located on the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. These lesions have an excellent response to vascular lasers such as the Aura (Laserscope) and V Beam pulsed dye laser. Our approach employs a large laser beam spot size and significantly lower energy levels, thus it has the dual benefit of making treatment faster while greatly reducing the purpuric response or post-treatment darkening of the tissue. Most importantly, the results are superior to other types of laser or conventional treatments.
Warts
Every year, over 3.5 million people in the United States are treated for verrucae, or warts. Clinical studies have proven that laser treatment of recalcitrant (resistant) warts is successful where treatment with acids, cryogenics (freezing), chemical agents, and surgical removal have failed. In one study, over two thirds of patients treated had their warts successfully removed in as few as two treatments. Here again, patients have benefited from the laser’s treatment. Because there is no open wound and minimal pain following the procedure, patients can resume their active lifestyles immediately… even when removing warts from anatomically sensitive areas.
Treatment works by selective absorption of laser energy by the blood supply which feeds the wart. The treated area then separates from the dermis and gradually sloughs off.
Tattoos
The Neodymium Q Switched Double Frequency Yag laser and the Q Switched Alexandrite laser are used to treat virtually all tattoo colors by breaking up the pigmented area and allowing fresh new skin to replace it. There are many factors that will effect how successfully a tattoo can be removed including skin tone, location, how your skin heals, how the tattoo was applied, color of the tattoo and the length of time it has been on your skin. Most likely, several treatments will be necessary to achieve the desired result. Success rates are extremely high, frequently with little or no scarring after the tattoo is removed.
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