Introducing Nordlys Laser

Spending time in the sun can cause unwanted damage, sun spots, and premature aging along with reduced collagen production of the face. Or perhaps you are bothered by the pitted scarring left from previous acne, diffuse redness or telangiectasias from rosacea, or stretch marks on the skin. If you are beginning to notice these concerning skin changes, the Nordlys treatments for Photo-Rejuvenation, Photo Frax or Fractioned Laser Resurfacing may help you achieve the brighter, smoother, and more evenly toned and youthful appearing skin you desired.

Below are the available treatment options that the Nordlys laser can offer you.

Nordlys SWT Laser – (Included in Photo-Facial and Photo-Frax Treatments)

How Does it Work?
The treatment involves delivering short, safe bursts of intense pulsed light into the skin. The Nordlys utilizes a patented dual mode filtration technology called Selective Waveband Technology (SWT). It filters the light to ensure the wavelengths used are absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood vessels and melanin in the uneven pigmentation. When cells containing a lot of melanin or hemoglobin are treated, they heat up and are destroyed. This treatment is ideal to reducing poikiloderma of the neck and chest, diffuse redness of the face, sun spots, telangietasias, cherry angiomas, venous lakes, and port-wine stains.

Can I Be Treated? 
Treatments are most effective in patients with light skin who are not sun-tanned at the time of treatment. If your skin is less tan, the contrast between the pigmentation, blood vessels and the background color of your skin is greater, making the treatment easier. However, the Nordlys has pre-programmed settings for different skin types. Your provider will determine if you are a candidate and what course of action is best for your skin.

What Can I Expect During the Treatment?
Full face treatments are usually less than 20 minutes but the treatment time may be more or less depending on your specific needs. No anesthetic or numbing creams are required, and many patients describe the treatment as practically pain-free, like a flick from a rubber band followed by a sensation similar to the feeling of gentle warmth after a day on the beach.

What Can I Expect Afterwards?
Sun spots will appear darker and look similar to coffee grounds following your treatment. Those peppery pigmented spots will fall off within 5-10 days. There will be generalized flushing to the skin and mild swelling which fades over the next few days. Vascular lesions will be less apparent or appear more purple/blue and slowly disappear over time. Occasionally bruising may be noted. More than one treatment spaced one month apart is often required to obtain the desired results.

Nordlys FRAX 1550 Laser – (Included in Photo-Facial and Photo-Frax treatments)

How Does it Work?
The FRAX 1550 laser treatment works by creating very small and controlled islands of heat damage, surrounded by normal healthy skin. When the body repairs this controlled damage, collagen throughout the treated area is replaced and increased in amount, reducing the fine lines, uneven pigment and renewing the skin’s surface. Research has shown that a combination treatment using the Nordlys Selective Waveband Technology (SWT) followed by the FRAX 1550 produces an even better result. And because the surface of the skin is left intact, you recover very quickly.

Can I Be Treated?
The FRAX 1550 treatment is not ideal for removing deep “active” wrinkles (those caused by movement), but it will help reduce fine lines, improve pigment concerns, stimulate collagen and reduce pore size. The Nordlys has pre-programmed settings for different skin types to deliver the correct energy output for your complexion. Treatments aren’t limited to the face, neck, décolletage, or arms.

What Can I Expect During the Treatment?
The FRAX 1550 treatment normally involves the use of local numbing cream, which is applied 30 minutes before treatment. Typical treatments take 15-45 minutes, depending on the size of the area to be treated. It is important to avoid sun exposure and self-tanning products before and during the treatment period. It is possible to treat tanned skin, but sun exposure prior to the treatment can make it less effective and less comfortable. For better results, use a normal moisturizing cream before and after the treatment. Talk to you provider if you are prone to acne breakouts or cold sores.  The treatment may be a little uncomfortable, which is why we recommend the use of numbing cream. After the numbing wears off, you may have a few hours where your skin feels warm to hot.

What can I Expect Afterwards?
After the treatment, you should avoid sun exposure for 30 days, or use sun protection (minimum 30+ SPF) if sun exposure cannot be avoided. You may experience swelling and redness, similar to a mild-sunburn for the first day or two. Though unusual, light peeling of the skin may also occur. DO NOT pick at the skin if any crusting or flaking is noted. Typically you will be offered a course of 3-4 FRAX treatments, but if you have darker skin your provider may decide to offer a longer course of gentler treatments.

If you have any other questions regarding these Nordlys Lasers or our current specials, please feel free to call our office at 303-796-8200.

Key to Anti-Aging: Tretinoin vs. Retinol

Tretinoin (generic for Retin-A) or Retinol are key components to every anti-aging regimen; they are used in the most effective anti-aging creams available. Make these components a part of your nightly skin care regimen to achieve and maintain the youthful appearance of your skin.

How does Tretinoin and Retinol work?

Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative composed of retinoic acid. It is a prescription medication (only distributed by a physician) that has multiple effects on the skin, including normalization of skin differentiation, reduction of acne, and improvement in fine wrinkling, mottled pigmentation, and rough skin texture.

Retinol, compared to tretinoin, is also a vitamin A derivative, but is the inactive form of retinoic acid that is then activated to retinoic acid by the skin. It offers similar anti-aging effects as tretinoin and is appropriate for those who struggle with more sensitive skin and cannot tolerate the use of tretinoin.

How should the creams be used and what are possible side effects?

Use: Only a small amount applied as a thin layer to the skin is needed. The cream should only be applied at night, since the sunlight deactivates the medication. If you are using the cream for the first time, begin applying the medication once every other night and then increase to nightly as tolerated in 3-4 weeks.

Side Effects: Tretinoin and Retinol may cause increased dryness, flaking, redness, sun sensitivity and irritation. Side effects can be reduced by applying the medication as a thin layer to a dry face (at least 10 minutes after washing) and using a moisturizer afterwards. Caution should be used with sun exposure by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30+ in the morning and wearing a hat when outdoors.

Common Pigmented Skin Growths

Moles (medically known as nevi) are the most commonly known pigmented growths by the non-medical community; however, there exists other non-cancerous growths that also present with pigmentation.

Seborrheic Keratoses

Seborrheic Keratoses often draw immediate attention due to their irregular pigmentation and warty texture. Also known as “barnacles of aging”, these growths typically appear in multiples over the age of 30 and can develop anywhere on the skin. They often range in color from tan to brown to black and have either a waxy, scaly or warty texture. It is not uncommon for these growths to change in size, color, and texture. Because of this, they often draw concern by patients as meeting ABCDE criteria for melanoma. Fortunately, these growths are not derived from melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) from which melanoma skin cancer arises. Seborrheic keratoses instead are non-cancerous growths of the skin. Risks factors for their development include age and genetics. Rarely, the sudden onset of multiple seborrheic keratoses has been associated with adenocarcinoma cancer of the gastrointestinal tract.

Various cosmetic procedures can be performed if seborrheic keratoses become aesthetically bothersome. These growths are only removed in the physician’s office using a liquid nitrogen application (cryotherapy), electrodessication, curettage, or application of highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide (known as Esktata).
Solar Lentigenes

Solar Lentigenes

Solar lentigenes, also known as age spots, liver spots, or sun spots, are areas of increased pigmentation on the skin due to hyperactive pigment-producing cells. They arise on the areas of the skin that have sustained excessive sun exposure over one’s life such as the face, forearms, hands, upper body, and even lower legs. Solar lentigenes are considered as one of the first signs of sun damage and when present are viewed as a risk factor for skin cancer development. Patients should adhere to strict sun protection to minimize their appearance and prevent development of new spots.
There are multiple ways to reduce the appearance of solar lentigenes. The least aggressive approach is to use prescription-grade lightening creams that often include a combination of the following ingredients: hydroquinone, tretinoin, kojic acid, licorice root, azeleic acid or tranexamic acid. Use of topical creams for lightening requires application one to two times daily for at least 3 months, in most cases longer, to see their benefits. For patients with more extensive involvement, resistant lentigenes, or wishing to see more immediate results, cosmetic procedures such as cryotherapy, microdermabrasion, medium-depth chemical peels, and laser therapy can be performed. These therapies are offered as a series and can be paired with a lightening cream in between sessions.

All patients while undergoing any of the lightening therapies above should adhere to a strict sun protection regimen by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily with a minimum SPF 30+, re-applying sunscreen when outdoors every 2 hours, along with wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sun protective clothing. This will help preserve the lightening effects offered by the above therapies long-term.

Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra

Dermatosis papulosa nigra are non-cancerous, small, brown growths that most often appear on the face in those with darker skin. They are often hereditary and present as multiple growths. Unfortunately, there is no topical cream to prevent their development, but growths can be treated by electrodessication or laser if desired for aesthetic purposes.

How To Use DefenAge | Adult & Pediatric Dermatology

Rewind Time. Reveal Younger Skin!

1. The sun doesn’t know you’re not at the beach. Casual daily sun exposure is the most sun exposure that an adult gets and is cumulative.  Long wave ultraviolet rays go through car windows. We see more skin cancer on the left side of the body that’s the driver’s side

2. Wear daily lotion with sunscreen that has SPF of at least 30. Wearing this sunscreen lotion every day helps prevent daily inadvertent sun damage and wrinkling.

3. When you are really outside with significant exposure i.e. hiking, biking, swimming, jogging, golf-then you need to wear broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen with at least SPF of 30-50.

a. Sunscreen needs to be re-applied every 2 hours that you are outside because it is rubbed off, sweat off, and it loses its potency.

4. Even on cloudy days, sunscreen should be worn. Protection from sun exposure important all year round, not just during the summer or at the beach. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can reach you on cloudy and hazy days as well as bright and sunny days. UV rays also reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow.

5. Wear wide-brimmed hats that shade the face, neck, and scalp as well as sunglasses that screen out for 100% of UV rays. Wrap around sunglasses work best to keep out all UV rays.

6. UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rated clothing is superior to wearing sunscreen on those covered areas because this special clothing screens out 98% of the sun’s ray. Plus no need for re-application like with sunscreen! Swim Shirts (rash guard shirt)  are recommended when swimming.

a. T-shirts only have UPF of around 5-6. Wet t-shirts have even lower UPF rating.
b. Loose fitting tightly woven clothing and dark colors provide more protection than tight lighter colored clothing.
c. Brands of UPF rated clothing include: Coolibar (www.coolibar.com) and Sun Precautions (sunprecautions.com)

7. Perform monthly skin exams.

8. Seek shade! The hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m daylight saving time ( 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. standard time) are the most hazardous for UV exposure in the continental United States.

9. Patient with more skin pigmentation still need to practice safe sun practices. Remeber, even Bob Marley died of malignant melanoma.

10. We recommend Vitamin D Supplements at a dose of 600 IU/day. We do not recommend sun exposure as a source of vitamin D because sunlight is a carcinogen.

What are the secrets to radiant looking skin?

It is a great skin care regimen that both treats and minimizes the progression of photoaging.  

What’s the best way to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays (UVR), given that we need to work, travel, and sometimes play outside? Clothing is the most basic and generally the best means of sun protection. Not all clothing is equal, however, and some of it isn’t actually very good at protecting us. So, what makes a piece of clothing sun-safe?

Why Choose UPF?

To be certain of an item of clothing’s sun-protective ability, the item has to be UPF-tested. ultraviolet protection factor. Choosing a garment with a UPF of 30 or higher means that 1/30th of the UVR is reaching your skin. This is a very small amount, and will most likely be adequate protection against any sun damage. In comparison, a thin white cotton T-shirt probably has a UPF of about 5, which allows 1/5th of the sun’s UV through. Your skin could eventually burn in such ashirt, especially if it was wet. Wet fabrics pull apart, creating larger gaps in the weave for UVR to pass through.

Here are some key tips for buying and staying sun-safe with clothing:

• Buy garments that fit your lifestyle. You don’t need a heavy work shirt for the beach, but a long-sleeved, tightly woven shirt can be both cool and sun-smart.
• Look for garments with a UPF of 30 or higher so that you know you’re getting effective sun protection.
• Choose items that cover more skin. Consider a rashguard or swim shirt instead of standard swim shorts or a bikini. Swim shirts are made of lightweight, elastic materials like spandex, and cover your upper body without weighing you down. You can also have beach towels or sarongs ready for when you leave the water.

Other sun safe tips

• When outdoors, seek out shaded areas under awnings or trees and minimize your time in the direct sun. A sun umbrella not only protects but keeps you cool!
• Be aware that UV light can bounce off surfaces such as water,  and glass, hitting your skin twice and increasing the intensity of exposure.
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher every day.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, anyone can develop skin cancer regardless of age, gender or race. There were 5 million U.S. residents treated for skin cancer last year.So while it is great to spend time outdoors and enjoy the sunshine, it is important to protect your skin from the harmful rays.

Age and gravity can take a serious toll on our facial appearance, as collagen production slows down and we lose volume and fullness that lend a youthful glow. One of the most common complaints among women (and men) is the appearance of wrinkles and deep folds in the skin, especially around the nose and mouth. Fortunately, there is a range of non-permanent injectables that can restore lost volume while significantly diminishing deep lines and folds.

If you have prominent naso-labial lines (also known as “laugh lines”), there is a brand-new hyaluronic acid dermal filler that has been developed to address this specific problem: Juvederm Vollure XC.  

What is JUVÉDERM VOLLURE® XC?

JUVÉDERM VOLLURE™ XC is the newly FDA approved injectable filler designed to add volume beneath the nasolabial fold (laugh lines) to lift and contour using Vycross technology which creates a more connected gel (firm enough to fill and soft enough for natural movement), to create a more youthful appearance. Its breakthrough is that it’s more natural-looking and lasts a full year longer than other injectables on the market.

How JUVÉDERM VOLLURE® XC works

A hyaluronic acid gel injection (compatible with the human body as it’s naturally found in almost every single living thing,) acts like an inflated cushion to support facial structures and tissues that may have lost volume or elasticity due to normal aging. It also brings water to the surface of the skin to keep it looking fresh and supple.

What to expect

Before beginning treatment, we will examine the nasolabial area to determine if JUVÉDERM VOLLURE™ XC is right for you. Then we will tailor a treatment designed for your aesthetic goals. One treatment (some patients require a touch-up) is complete in 15-20 minutes. You will likely experience some tenderness, swelling, bruising, or itching for up to 2 weeks.

Possible side effects

The most common side effects include tenderness, swelling, firmness, lumps/bumps, bruising, pain, redness, discoloration, and itching. Most side effects were mild or moderate and lasted 14 days or less. One of the risks of using this product is unintentional injection into a blood vessel, and while rare, the complications can be serious and may be permanent. These complications, which have been reported for facial injections, can include vision abnormalities, blindness, stroke, temporary scabs, or permanent scarring. As with all skin-injection procedures, there is a risk of infection.

Botox, Dysport and Xeomin, “What is the difference between them” and “which is the best one”? These are two questions about facial injectables that commonly get asked.

Botox is a leading cosmetic treatment that drastically reduces the appearance of crow’s feet, lines on the forehead and frown lines.  However, two other companies have entered the market and are having great success as well, Dysport and Xeomin.

All three are effective treatments that originate from the same source bacterium, clostridium botulinum. They are synthesized as botulinum toxin type A, the paralyzing agent or neurotoxin that is administered.
Each injectable temporarily paralyzes the targeted muscle areas on the face to relax and ease out the appearance of wrinkles.

The most common targets are horizontal lines across the forehead and perpendicular frown lines between the brows but many also rely on Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin for crow’s feet, nasal squint lines, lines around the neck, eyebrow lifting, and even profuse underarm sweating and migraines.

When will I see results and how long does it last?

The initial effects of botulinum toxin appear 24-72 hours after injection with a maximum effect occurring at around 1-2 weeks. Temporary muscle paralysis lasts anywhere from 3-6 months, therefore injections must be repeated every 4-6 months to maintain results. If botulinum toxin is used for the treatment of hyperhidrosis, the effects usually last 6-9 months.

What does the treatment feel like? 

During the treatment, a very fine needle is injected into each specific muscle for a few seconds with only the minor discomfort of a tiny pinch.  For ultra-sensitive types, topical anesthetic cream or ice can be applied beforehand if necessary.

What are some possible complications?

• Bleeding and bruising, temporary redness and swelling, or infection
• Rare diffusion to other sites resulting in temporary eyelid droop (1-2% of patients and lasts 1-2 weeks), facial droop, lip droop, swallowing or breathing difficulties depending on sites of injection
• Systemic symptoms of muscle weakness all over the body, spasticity, double or blurred vision, speech difficulty, or loss of bladder control with systemic toxin spread are possible. However, there have NOT been any confirmed serious cases of toxin spread when used for cosmetic purposes.

Understanding The Uses of Fillers

The normal aging process leads to the loss of fat, collagen, and underlying support structures contributing to sagging skin, volume loss, and more prominent wrinkles. Fillers are used to soften lines, replace volume, improve contours, and augment facial features. Fillers are composed of either a naturally derived product such a hyaluronic acid or calcium-based microspheres. The appropriate filler is selected by your dermatologist based on your individual facial assessment and personal cosmetic needs. The filler is often pre-mixed with an anesthetic to provide the patient with the most comfort. It is injected directly into the area necessitating volume replacement. Results are immediate and last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years depending on the product used.

Filler have been used for the correction of the following problem areas:

• Nasolabial folds (lines extending from the nose to the mouth)
• Marionette lines (parentheses around the mouth)
• Smoker’s or lip lines
• Forehead wrinkles
• Loss of cheek volume
• Prominent tear troughs
• Thin or deflated lips
• Aged hands

There are many types of filler available, you and your dermatologist will discuss the right ones for the purpose and procedure you are interested in.

Juvederm Voluma  was developed to address concerns with significant volume loss in the cheeks. It is the first and only filler to be FDA-approved for this purpose. The filler is injected into the deeper layers of the dermis in three areas of the cheek: the apex, apple and hollow. Patients will be happy to know that the results can last up to 2 years.

Juvederm XC smooths moderate to severe parentheses lines and wrinkles to create a smoother appearance. Juvederm adds volume to help give you the natural-looking, long lasting results you want.

Juvederm Volbella is the newest product to receive FDA approval. Volbella is designed for lip augmentation and correction of perioral rhytids, wrinkles that form around the mouth. It has also been found to boost fullness in the lips and soften lines. 

Restylane can be used to add volume and fullness to the skin to correct
moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose
to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds).

Restylane Silk is designed specifically to provide natural-looking results in particular areas by using smaller, smoother particles than those used in other Restylane products.The lips and the lines around the mouth, like other areas of the face, show signs of aging as you get older. This often results in lip thinning, lost shape and an increase in vertical lines above the lip.

Radiesse is a wrinkle filler used to plump the skin. Radiesse is injected through a small needle and placed under the skin. Immediately, this filler works to add volume under the skin and over time, the benefits of Radiese continue by stimulating your body’s own natural collagen. The natural results have been shown to last a year or more in many patients, making the treatment results both immediate and long lasting. 

Acne

You take great care of your skin. You wash your face twice a day. You don’t eat chocolate or drink soda. So why do you still have acne?
Although it can be super frustrating acne during the teen years is extremely common. So common that nearly every teenager gets it at some point.

What is acne?

Acne is not just pimples, and does not just show up on the face. It can be on the back, shoulders, neck and upper arms as well. Acne can also include:

• Blackheads (open comedones)
• Whiteheads (closed comedones)
• Papules (red bumps)
• Pustules (red bumps with white centers, what many people call pimples)
• Cysts
• Nodules

What causes acne?

Having acne doesn’t mean your skin is dirty, or that you aren’t doing a good job at cleansing your skin. In fact, overzealous cleansing and vigorous scrubbing can make breakouts worse, not better.

Typically, dead skin cells are shed daily. Normal skin also naturally creates sebum, which is a critical oil that helps our skin from drying out. When sebum production is increased during life phases, the extra oil can cause dead cells to stick together, trapping them in pores. Within pores, bacteria have the ultimate environment for multiplying quickly, especially if there is excessive oil. Bacteria and oil within the pore is irritating to surrounding skin and becomes inflamed. This causes inflammatory acne which presents with papules, pustules, nodules and cysts.

How is acne treated?

Dermatologists tailor acne treatments specifically for each patient. To best treat your acne, you may need more than one treatment. This is called combination therapy and may yield the best results. Some of the most common treatments for acne include the use of:

• Topical retinoid and antibacterial creams or gels
• Oral Antibiotics
• Birth control pills and/or spironolactone for females
• Isotretinoin (previously known as Accutane)
• Microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or photodynamic therapy

How can acne scaring be treated?

Once your acne is being treated and is under control, we can begin treatment on any acne scars that you may have. Dermatologists use lasers, microdermabrasion and chemical peels along with other procedures like microneedling, fillers and subcision to lessen the appearance of acne scars.
Contact us for a consultation if you are struggling with Acne. We will discuss the correct treatment tailored to your individual needs.

Chemical Peel

Do you want healthier, younger looking skin? If so the Perfect Derma Peel might just be the peel for you. The Perfect Peel is a revolutionary peel for all skin types and requires no beforehand preparation. Can you imagine healthy, younger looking skin in six to seven days? Well with The Perfect Derma Peel you can have it along with results that last.

The application process only takes 15 minutes to administer. Some patients have reported feeling a slight stinging or tingling sensation which subsides after just a few seconds. Numbing takes place once the first pass of The Perfect Derma Peel is applied. An initial series of 4 chemical peels is performed every 4 weeks to achieve optimal results. The results are maintained with a repeat chemical peel every 3-6 months.

Immediately after the peel has been applied the skin will either appear red, like a sunburn, or darker. Following The Perfect Derma Peel, you will be given an at home treatment pack. This pack contains retinoid acid containing wipes to further the peel along with a soothing moisturizer and mineral-based sunscreen. Day three the peeling will begin. The Perfect Derma Peel home care moisturizer will hydrate the skin reducing the visibility of peeling. By day six or seven the peeling process should be finished and all that is left is the amazing results.

The effects of The Perfect Derma Peel are absolutely amazing and many of these benefits are found following the peel:

• Improve the overall tone and texture of your skin.
• Lighten and brighten your skin.
• Remove or reduce sun damage and age spots.
• Reduce pore size and soften fine lines and wrinkles.
• Reduce or eliminate Hyperpigmentation and acne scars.
• Improve acne skin conditions and Melasma.
• Stimulate the production of collagen resulting in firmer skin.
• Slow down the aging process and prevent wrinkles.

The Perfect Derma Peel blends many different types of ingredients, alone each ingredient is powerful but combined they create a powerful compound that creates amazing results. Glutathione, kojic acid, TCA, retinoic acid, salicylic acid, phenol, and a blend of minerals and vitamins, including vitamin C. Kojic acid is a powerful lightening agent and proven to increase collagen and elastin production, resulting in skin that is brighter and tighter. TCA, phenol and retinoic acid reduce wrinkles and correct pigment problems, while salicylic acid exfoliates the skin and reduces inflammation.

We are offer a special from Sept. 1 – Oct. 31
10% off of any microneedling, chemical peeling or microdermabrasion package. skincolorado.com