LOS ANGELES — For many, excessive tanning often leads to extensive sun damage, resulting in wrinkles, sagging, age spots, discoloration and other unsightly symptoms. While a number of treatments, including dermal fillers, chemical peels and prescription skincare, have been used to reduce the signs of sun damage, Epione Medical Corporation has developed CoolFractional Laser, a new treatment that is designed to actually work with the body to repair damaged skin and stimulate the growth of healthy new skin cells like never before.

“While many associate tanned skin with beauty, radiance and good health, tanning can actually accelerate the aging process and compromise the health of the skin,” said Dr. Simon Ourian, Epione’s medical director. “The good news is that with the help of advanced medicine and technology, we can now correct sun damaged skin and help patients achieve an appearance that truly is reflective of good health and a good skincare regimen.”

Newly Developed CoolFractional Laser Treatment Helps Patients Reverse Sun Damage and Restore the Health of Their Skin without Painful Surgery

The CoolFractional Laser Treatment is one of the latest innovations in non-surgical aesthetic treatments to be introduced by Epione Medical Corporation. The treatment targets small areas of the skin at a time and uses microscopic laser spots to create tiny wounds in the treatment area. The wounds trigger the body’s natural healing process, with the goal of accelerating the production of collagen and healthy skin cells. Over time, the treated area should become restored, resulting in healthier, younger and more radiant skin.

The CoolFractional Laser Treatment requires little to no recovery time, and most patients liken the recovery process to the post-sunburn healing process. All patients are strongly advised to be diligent in caring for and protecting the new skin after undergoing the treatment, including using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

“This summer, before you go tanning or lay out by the pool without applying sunscreen, really consider the extent of the damage you can do to your skin when you don’t take the proper precautions,” said Dr. Ourian. “Your skin is not only one of the first and foremost indicators of your age, but it’s also your body’s first defense against germs, infection and disease. Therefore, it’s critical that you’re committed to protecting and maintaining the health of your skin, regardless of your age.”

For more information about the CoolFractional Laser Treatment, or other non-surgical aesthetic treatments offered by Epione Medical Corporation, please call 310.598.2345.

Laser skin resurfacing has been a popular method of repairing and rejuvenating damaged skin for a number of years however; some patients have chosen to avoid this procedure due to the long and difficult recovery periods associated with CO₂ laser treatments. Now, thanks to new advancements in laser technology, clients may enjoy the same effective results here in Los Angeles and across the world, with little or no recovery time. Epione Medical Corporation of Beverly Hills, CA now offers CoolFractional Laser resurfacing, considered a safe and effective method for skin rejuvenation.

Traditional ablative laser resurfacing involves the use of lasers to aggressively damage the outer layer of skin. The damaged skin is essentially vaporized by a controlled laser beam. The aggressive nature of this treatment may increase the patient’s recovery time as well as risk of infection and scarring.

CoolFractional Laser resurfacing, on the other hand, takes a far less aggressive approach. The laser beam is broken up into small fractions which deliver thousands of microscopic columns of heat within the treated area. Only these targeted areas are “injured” by these columns of heat and light. The skin around these perforated areas remains totally intact. The light energy is absorbed into the “injured” areas and this stimulates collagen production. The healthy tissue surrounding the treated areas promotes a more rapid recovery with less risk of complications. The new skin grows back healthier and stronger in just a few days.

CoolFractional Laser resurfacing can be used for the treatment of acne, wrinkles, fine lines, sun damage, stretch marks, skin discolorations and melasma. Patients may not only see results in these areas; there can also be an overall improvement in the texture and elasticity of their skin. In fact, Dr. Simon Ourian, Epione’s Medical Director, often opts to combine laser resurfacing with dermal fillers or Botox for best results. CoolFractional Laser resurfacing can also be effective for the treatment of an acne scar or scar resulting from surgery or trauma.

A CoolFractional Laser procedure is quick and will usually take no longer than hour. In most instances, the treatment is performed in no more than 30 minutes. Patients report only a stinging or prickling sensation, similar to mild sunburn, when undergoing treatment. The most significant benefit to patients is the quick recovery time. They are able to return to work almost immediately. Side effects include light swelling and minimal skin redness which clear up in fairly quickly.

CoolFractional Laser treatment is a relatively gentle and effective option for skin resurfacing. This minimally invasive procedure can be used to treat all areas of the body including the chest, arms, legs and abdomen.

Plastic surgery has advanced significantly over the last 20 years and Epione’s CoolFractional Laser resurfacing, as part of this evolution, is playing a significant role in reversing the signs of aging. It is truly a revolutionary approach to improving the appearance of the skin.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Contrary to popular belief, gravity plays a much smaller role in the aging process than many people think. According to Dr. Simon Ourian, medical director at Epione Medical Corporation and other experts, the loss of volume underneath the skin, not gravity, is primarily to blame for sagging, aging skin. Therefore, treatments such as Epione’s Facial Re-Volumizing treatment, which uses injectable fillers, rather than a facelift may prove to be more effective in achieving a more youthful, refreshed appearance. “People assume that the face falls because when you pull back on the cheeks everything looks better,” says Dr. Ourian. “It’s important that when attempting to address concerns associated with aging skin that you understand the true cause of the problem in order to determine the best solution.”
Read the full story

Los Angeles skin resurfacing techniques are varied. Each of the commonly used procedures can achieve very specific results. The goal of all the techniques, though, is to try to help a person gain a smoother, softer, more youthful look to their skin. Here is some information on several of the most commonly used procedures.
Read the full story

Laser skin treatments are a relatively new regimen of treatments on the market. Yet their popularity is growing every year. There are so many uses for this type of treatment within the realm of cosmetic and facial plastic surgery. Here are some of the areas that have benefited from this form of skin treatment.
Read the full story

Many people consider themselves do-it-yourselfers. They bake their own bread, make their own wine, sew their own clothes or repair their own equipment. But one thing that should never be done is do-it-yourself (DIY) plastic surgery.

According to the British newspaper the Metro, the rise in DIY plastic surgery has been apparent since 2007. Images of celebrities are everywhere, and their perfect faces and physiques have led to a rise in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). BDD patients have a distorted view or his or her appearance, usually thinking of themselves as less attractive than they actually are.

DIY plastic surgery is not just a problem in the UK. It happens all over the world. In Korea, a beautiful young woman by the name of Hang Mioku got her first cosmetic procedure done at the tender age of 28. She developed an addiction that was so strong she was driven to find a doctor who could provide her with a syringe and silicone to do her own injections. To make matters worse, when she could no longer afford the silicone, she began using cooking oil instead. In order to fix the damage, doctors had to remove half a pound of foreign matter from her face and neck.

In the United States, we have the same problem. “Botox parties” became popular in the early millennium. Botox kits and even instructional videos can be found on the internet. What many people may not remember is that Botox is made from botulinum toxin, the same bacteria that causes food poisoning. In the hands of a professional physician, Botox can smooth out wrinkles, eliminate muscle spasms, and even ease migraine headaches by temporarily paralyzing muscles. In the wrong hands, however, improper use can lead to infection and in some cases, death.

Dr. Simon Ourian of Epione in Beverly Hills warns about the dangers of DIY surgery and Botox injections. “Many people try to cut costs by doing things themselves, but I see bad work done by even good doctors,” he says. “The new trend I am seeing now is horrible, in some cases irreversible, work by patients performed on themselves.”

Here are Dr. Ourian’s five steps to make sure you get good results:

1. Go to a reputable doctor; do your homework; ask your friends in the know and find out who is the most experienced doctor in your area.
2. Insist on seeing the packaging of the Botox or dermal filler that is injected into you and confirm that it is made in the United States.
3. Check the expiration date on the package.
4. Make sure the person who is injecting you is the licensed to do so.
5. If you are OK with an RN injecting you, make sure at the very least you meet the doctor first. (In most states doctors MUST physically examine you before they prescribe a medication…and yes, Botox and Restylane are medications.)

In the quest to save money, plastic surgery candidates will often turn to online pharmacies and other websites. But not all of these sources are what they seem. Here’s how you can identify an illegal pharmacy or website:

1. They are not licensed by any federal or state regulatory agencies or have no certification from the National Association Boards of Pharmacy’s Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site.
2. They constantly spam their customers and promote the more illegal aspects of their business via search engines.
3. They do not require a doctor’s visit for a prescription—and advertise this heavily on the site. Beware also of “free online doctor consultations.”
4. Legitimate pharmacies will have a full inventory of medications, while disreputable ones will only carry the most popular ones. Examples are weight loss medications and painkillers.
5. Last but not least, no physical address is listed. The site could be based anywhere, even if it claims to be in Canada.

If you have dry or oily skin, exfoliants may be the perfect skin care item for you. It can rejuvenate your skin by smoothing it out, as well as stimulate new collagen growth. It may also get rid of fine lines, and can help with acne.

How Does It Work?

Exfoliation removes the top layer of dead skin cells. This allows the new skin underneath to show. Babies naturally exfoliate every few days, but adults shed a great deal less. As a result, we need more help in getting rid of dead skin, which is why exfoliants are used.

Once the dead skin is removed and new skin grows, moisture can be absorbed more easily into the skin. This helps create a glow about the face and helps slow the creation of wrinkles. Gentle scrubs such as loofahs, body scrub formulas, exfoliation brushes, and facial cloths help in the exfoliation process.

Best Uses for Scrubs

For sensitive skin, downy loofah sponges are the best choice. Facial cloths work well for lighter exfoliation; they are designed to not only get rid of dead skin, but to clean as well. For skin that is less sensitive, dense loofah sponges or exfoliation brushes will work best. Exercise caution when using a brush, however; they can be very rough. There are a number of different brushes with varying bristle types. Experiment until you find the one that suits you best.

Scrub Formulas

Scrub formulas can work in concert with scrubs and brushes. Most are salt or sugar based, and they often contain mood enhancing fragrances. These include pumice stone, sand, crushed grape seed, apricot seeds, natural honey, extracts of jasmine, and many others.

The size of the particles in scrub formulas can vary. The larger the granule, the less sensitive your skin should be. Also, the size of your sebaceous oil glands can play a large role in your choice of formula. Larger sebaceous glands allow the skin to take more intense treatment. But those with acne or other skin disorders must be very careful when choosing a scrub formula. Certain types of dry skin can also become irritated.

Every ingredient works differently in a scrub formula. Be careful and pay close attention to your skin’s reaction when using a scrub and/or formula for the first time. The ingredients may be natural, but they may be too strong for your skin.

There are more than one million cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year in the United States, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. In fact, it is one of the most common kinds of skin cancer in the US. One in five people will develop it in their lifetime. The most likely place to develop skin cancer is the face, head and neck, because they are constantly exposed to sunlight. Removing lesions from skin cancer is the most common type of reconstructive surgery. Out of the 4.9 million reconstructive surgeries done, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 3.2 million of them were skin cancer removals.

Types of Skin Cancer

• Basal cell carcinoma happens in the basal cells, which are found in the base of the outer layer or skin. This is most common and usually the simplest to treat.
• Squamous cell carcinoma is the next most common type of skin cancer. When allowed to progress squamous cell carcinoma can destroy much of the tissue surrounding the tumor and can be disfiguring. Squamous cell carcinoma is curable with early detection and proper treatment.
• Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It forms in the skin cells that create pigment. Out of 10, 850 deaths from skin cancer, almost 74 percent are from melanoma. Melanoma can be sometimes be successfully treated if it is caught early and dealt with aggressively.

Risks and Prevention

Many cases of non-melanoma skin cancer might be prevented with proper protection from the sun. Excessive exposure can lead to skin cancer. Frequent sunburns or tans in childhood can more than double the risk. Lighter skinned people are more likely to develop skin cancer than darker skinned people, but that does not mean that darker skinned people are immune; it simply means that they can be exposed longer before skin damage takes place.

Regardless of skin color, everyone should protect their skin. The American Cancer Foundation suggests that people:

• Stay in the shade, in particular between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Avoid sunburns, tanning and tanning booths.
• Use a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 daily.
• Apply two tablespoons total of sunscreen to all exposed areas 30 minutes before going outside. Every two hours, be sure to reapply, and more often after swimming or sweating heavily.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, wide brimmed hats, and sunglasses. Sunglasses should block 99-100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation; check the label.
• Keep babies, especially newborns, out of the sun. Sunscreen can be used on infants over 6 months.
• Examine your skin all over every month.
• See your doctor once a year for a skin exam.

Cosmetic dermatology is wonderful at improving facial and/or bodily features, but it is not permanent. Over time, you may need further treatments due to the effects of aging. So how can maintenance and treatment regimens help keep you looking as young as possible?

The area(s) treated by cosmetic dermatology will still age right along with the rest of the skin. Because of this, it can be hard to determine exactly how long the results a treatment will last.

Skin and Its Construction

The skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis (surface), the dermis (below the skin) and the subcutaneous tissue layer (below the dermis). The epidermis is home to skin cells, amino acid chains, and pigment. The top of the dermis is made up of dead skin cells. Exfoliation gets rid of these dead cells, and improves its appearance. The dermis also has other parts to it, like oil, blood vessels, and hair follicles.

The hypodermis has a very similar construction to the dermis, except that it contains fat as well. Connective tissue in both is supported by collagen fibers, which help support the skin in turn. Since collagen decreases as we get older, so does the elasticity of our skin. This can lead to thinning and sagging of the skin.

How Treated Areas Respond to Aging

Certain types of treatments can become more visible as we age. Breast implants are an example of this. If an untreated area has less collagen than a treated area, there may be more sagging in the untreated region. Remember, the treated parts of your skin or body may look better, but it will age just like the rest.

Losing Volume and Bone Mass

Facial bones lose their density over time, which may make the bone structure shift or otherwise change shape. The loss of collagen also plays a role. As a result, treatments like facelifts can result in distorted features in some people as they get older.

Laugh Lines, Crow’s Feet and Facial Movement

Due to the fact that we constantly move our faces throughout our lifetimes, we are bound to create wrinkles and other lines. This applies even after plastic surgery. Laughing, smiling, and frowning are still part of our non verbal expression as human beings, and this will affect the results of our treatment in the long term.

Treatment Plans

There are a number of ways to treat these changes in our appearance as time passes. Non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures may require ongoing visits. For instance, Botox lasts for three to six months. Restylane may last for six months or longer, while laser treatments may last up to five years or longer.

In the best of all possible situations, plastic surgery results will last for ten years or more. Neck lifts can last for five, while eyelid surgery lasts for ten as well. Mini or micro procedures will only last five years. Implantable devices can vary; for instance, breast implants have up to a 30 percent reoperation rate due to aging of the breast or the patient’s desire for larger ones.

Things to Keep In Mind

There are a few things you will want to consider as you plan your treatments and comprehensive treatment plan. These are:

• Your doctor’s qualifications: How often has he performed this treatment?
• How you will look in the future: Will this treatment affect your facial expression and movement?

Free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage your skin, can damage your body. Antioxidants can help protect you from free radicals.

The human body has its own natural antioxidants to protect itself, but many different factors can affect its ability to do so. These may include genetics, age, sex, and lifestyle. Having an antioxidant plan in place can help you improve your looks and your health.

FREE RADICALS

These molecules are very reactive. Their purpose is to destroy tissues, protein bonds, and cells. UV radiation, alcohol, stress, and pollution can all contribute to the production of free radicals. Interestingly enough, rigorous exercise and a poor warm up or cool down can do the same. Free radicals keep reproducing until antioxidants stop them from doing so.

Free radicals also interrupt cells’ ability to reproduce. This, in turn, can inhibit muscle growth, development of the immune system, and potentially increase the risk of injury to the body. The skin’s DNA can also be damaged, which can age the skin. It can cause the complexion to be rough or dull, and increase the risk of skin cancer.

How antioxidants work is only now beginning to be understood. Studies have shown that antioxidants can avert the rapid reproduction of free radicals before damage takes place. Your body may not be able to handle this alone, unfortunately. Most people’s eating choices do not allow for nearly enough antioxidants in their diet.

RUBBING IT IN—CREAMS AND OTHER TREATMENTS

There are many types of topical antioxidant treatments that can penetrate the skin’s surface easily. Before these formulas were created, users had to resort to rubbing the serum from capsules onto their bodies. These serums were sticky, hard to absorb through the skin, and caused problems for those with sensitive skin . Manufacturers have noted that some popular vitamin based antioxidants, especially in the new, lighter forms, are most effective when combined with other ingredients. Examples include Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

These creams and serums are designed to disperse free radicals and help make the fibroblasts, which support your skin, stronger. The fibroblasts also help prevent your skin from becoming rough, aged looking, and saggy. The vitamins in the treatments may also help stimulate collagen production. Collagen breaks down as we age, and helps our skin remain healthy looking.

DIET IS IMPORTANT

Eating properly is a crucial part in creating antioxidants. Vitamins C and E are not the only substances that contain antioxidants; magnesium, copper, and zinc have antioxidants as well. There are a number of foods that contain vitamin C and E, and are full of antioxidants. Whole grains, apricots, fish oils are examples of Vitamin E, while citrus fruit, strawberries, and green peppers have Vitamin C.

THE EYES HAVE IT

Antioxidants are good for the eyes and may lessen the chance of macular degeneration, as well as cataracts.

FINDING THE RIGHT BLEND

Since each person’s situation is unique, there will be different factors that decide what the best antioxidant plan is for you. Genetics, age, race and health, among others, must be taken into account when determining this. There will be many options for your diets and creams, however, and the plan will change as you age. Discuss goals for your skin and your expectations with your skin doctor to help him or her plan the right treatment for you.