Instantly Youthful

There is no way around it. As we age, our skin changes. Over time, the natural volume of youthful skin begins to diminish as wrinkles and folds form. To combat this specific type of skin aging, the dermatology world has relied on new techniques to help patients stop the hands of time. Juvederm does just that.

Juvederm, or "filler", is the fastest growing non-surgical cosmetic procedure in the United States. Juvederm consists of a very smooth gel made of hyaluronic acid - a naturally occurring substance in your skin - that helps to add volume and hydration.

As we discussed in last week's blog, BOTOX Cosmetic is not a filler. BOTOX Cosmetic relaxes muscle activity and is used to treat moderate to severe lines caused by the dominant frown muscles between the eyebrows.

With Juvederm, I am able to ease the product under the skin and instantly restore your skin's volume, while smoothing away facial wrinkles and folds, like your "smile lines" or "parentheses" (nasolabial folds - the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth).

Juvederm provides a smooth, natural look and feel, so everyone will notice how great you look (but no one will know)! Juvederm is a convenient procedure and results are almost instantaneous.

The injection process takes about 15 minutes and normally, patients return to work, school or their usual routine, right after the procedure. Our office will provide cold compresses to help reduce swelling or bruising and make-up may be worn immediately after treatment.

Juvederm is FDA-approved for use in the United States and is the ONLY hyaluronic acid (HA) filler that will provide you with beautiful results lasting for up to 1 year. Call our office to learn more about Juvederm so you can start seeing results today! Olivia, After:
Olivia, Before:
Lisa, After:
Lisa, Before:

Clear Up Confusion - And Wrinkles

I've been intending to write about cosmetic services for some time. Of all the cosmetic procedures I perform in my office, Botox is the most popular, and in a lot of cases it is the most misunderstood. This blog post will provide some insight into the Botox procedure and hopefully clear up any confusion.

Botox was approved by the FDA for cosmetic use in 2002, and since its inception into the marketplace it has fast become a favorite procedure for A list celebrities and housewives alike.

The protein Botox is injected into the facial muscle that controls the unwanted wrinkle and prevents nerve impulses from reaching the nerve. The surrounding skin then relaxes and produces a smoother area. Botox is specifically useful to rid a face frown or worry lines, crow’s feet, lip wrinkles, uneven brows and even severe underarm sweating. The result is the end of wrinkle-free days for its millions of loyal users.

It takes a skilled dermatologist to pinpoint the exact location of injection necessary to optimize the effects of Botox without causing any adverse reactions or downtime. I have been injecting Botox for eleven years, and because of my familiarity and advanced techniques, my patients suffer no downtime and minimal to no bruising.

The effects are natural and beautiful and require absolutely no downtime (many patients come in for appointments on their lunch break). You may be asking: what should I expect during the procedure? Botox takes only a few minutes, is virtually painless, and the amazing results can last up to four months.

I know many readers and patients are concerned about the “frozen face” look we see in the media and with celebrities, but this image of Botox is extremely rare. In fact, the majority of these expressions are as a result of surgical procedures like brow and face lifts- not Botox.

I encourage any of my patients who are looking for facial rejuvenation to schedule a consultation so I can explain in detail all of the options available to help you look and feel your best. Call our office at 864-242-5872 to make your appointment. Below are several before-and-after pictures that allow you to better understand what Botox can do for you.

Before

After

Before After

Myth 6: You just have to let acne run its course

Busting Myths on Acne! Myth 6 of 6
Myth 6: You just have let acne run its course. BUSTED!
There is no cure for acne, but it is treatable, which means you shouldn’t give up. From over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products to micro dermabrasion and light therapy, there are so many ways to fight acne.

If OTC products aren’t cutting it, let’s set up an appointment and discuss a plan of attack. Every product is different, and one may work for someone else that doesn’t work for you, so we’ll keep trying until we get results you’re happy with.

Be careful not to overuse acne medication. If you use your products more than recommended on the label or by the dermatologist, you may actually cause your acne to worsen by drying out and irritating your skin.

At Greenville Dermatology, we have a wide selection of facial cleansers, topical treatments, oral medications, and cosmetic procedures to choose from. It’s time to be proactive about your acne. Start 2011 off right and call (864) 242-5872 today to make your appointment!

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays from Greenville Dermatology!


Check back in the new year when we will reveal the 6th and final myth on acne.

Busting Myths on Acne! Myth 5 of 6 Myth 5: You can’t wear makeup if you are prone to acne.

BUSTED!
While there are many cosmetics that will clog pores and make acne worse, if you know what to look for you can find makeup that not only hides blemishes but also helps clear up your skin. Now doesn’t that sound like a product you want in your arsenal?

Things to look for in cosmetics:
• Oil-free: This is a must. Your face naturally produces oil, so adding more oil will only clog your pores.
• Non-comedogenic: Means it won’t clog your pores. Always a good thing!
• Oil-free, matte, or semi-matte foundations are the best for acne prone skin.
• Mineral makeup contains no preservatives or fragrance, which often irritate sensitive skin. But be wary- if the makeup says mineral-enriched, you’re getting more than just minerals.
• Avoid oil-based cosmetics as well as creamy foundations and blush.

Also be sure to apply cosmetics with applicators rather than with your hands. This helps to limit the amount of oil on your face. And no matter how tired you are, wash your makeup off before going to sleep. You don’t go to bed in the clothes you wear all day, so don’t go to bed with the makeup you wore all day.

At Greenville Dermatology we offer glominerals cosmetics that use the power of vitamins and minerals to even complexion, hide blemishes, and improve the overall look and feel of your skin. Call (864) 242-5872 today to learn more about glominerals products.

Busting Myths on Acne! Myth 4 of 6
Myth 4: Only teenagers get acne.

BUSTED!
Thought you finally kissed bad skin goodbye along with your teen years? Contrary to popular belief, adult acne is much more common than one may think. Having skin problems as an adult can be just as embarrassing as when you’re a teen, or even more so, but you are not alone. About 25% of men and 50% of women experience some degree of acne in their adult lives. These numbers are higher for women than men because acne is hormonally related and women’s hormones tend to fluctuate with their cycles and pregnancies.

As an adult, your skin is different than it was during your teen years, so your treatment should be different as well. It may be tempting to just visit your pharmacy store and grab some over-the-counter cleanser, but what you really need is a visit to the dermatologist. There are a lot more treatment options available and as your dermatologist, I can suggest the best option for you based on your unique skin.

In addition to prescription topical or oral medications, Greenville Dermatology also offers Omnilux Therapy, an intense pulsed light designed to treat acne or rosacea. Unfortunately Omnilux is not covered by insurance companies at this time, but it is competitively priced for our clients.

Make your appointment and start treating your acne the grown-up way. Call (864) 242-5872 today!

Busting Myths on Acne: Myth 3 of 6

Myth 3: Acne is caused by uncleanliness.


BUSTED! You have been told for years that you get acne because your skin is dirty, so you scrub and you scrub multiple times a day. Acne is not caused by not washing your face enough. In fact, washing your face too often and scrubbing your face irritates your skin, which may actually worsen your acne.

You should not wash your face more than twice a day- once in the morning and once at night. When you wash your face too often, you risk drying out your skin. Dry skin will either result in redness and peeling, or it will overcompensate by producing too much oil, giving you an oily complexion. Overly dry skin irritates acne while too much oil clogs pores and causes pimples to form. Limit washing your face to twice a day and your skin will thank you!

If you can’t pronounce the ingredients in the facial cleanser, chances are your skin won’t like it. Unless you have a face wash prescribed by me, your daily facial cleanser should have simple ingredients. Many over-the-counter cleansers contain Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid to help fight acne-causing bacteria, but that is about as complex as it should be. Ingredients that aren’t natural can be quite harmful for your skin.

If your face is still very dry after limiting your cleansing to twice daily, I suggest taking it down to once daily and using an oil-free non-comedogenic moisturizer immediately after washing your face.

Lastly, don’t scrub your face! Most cleansers that advertise deep-clean scrubbing or come with their own scrubbing pad will only serve to irritate your skin. Your skin is vulnerable so wash it gently!

As a dermatologist, I have a wide selection of skincare products, including many face cleansers with key ingredients such as Benzoyl Peroxide to help kill acne-causing bacteria. Call (864) 242-5872 to make your appointment today and start cleaning your acne the right way!