1. I never had acne as a teenager, why am I getting it now that I’m an adult?

The idea that acne is a teenage problem is a myth. Acne can occur at any time during life. Hormonal fluctuations, stress, life changes and medications can all trigger acne to occur. Rest assured that you are not alone and that Timeless Skin Solutions has many different ways to treat it.

2. After I finish my acne treatment at Timeless Skin Solutions, will my acne be cured forever?

No. There is no permanent cure for acne. Just like hypertension or any other medical condition, acne must be maintained on a continual basis. Maintanence treatments like routine silk peels, chemical peels, and topical pharmaceuticals will all help to keep your skin clear and healthy!

3. Is it true that if I avoid chocolate and oily foods, my acne will improve?

The idea that oily foods cause acne is a myth. Acne is not caused by eating greasy foods like pizza, french fries or chocolate. However, it is important to remember that the skin is the largest organ of the body and your overall health can impact they way the skin looks and feels. Remember to eat a healthy, balanced diet, exercise regularly and drink plenty of water.

4. Will stress make my acne worse?

While stress doesn’t cause acne it can make existing acne worse. Stress causes an increase in a hormone called cortisol which can throw off the bodies hormonal balance and trigger breakouts.

5. How old do patients have to be to start participating in medically based acne treatment?

There is no age requirement or age limit to start medically based acne treatment. At Timeless Skin Solutions we see every patient individually and assess their specific needs and concerns. We see patients as young as elementary school age to get them started with good habits with the appropriate skin care as well as patients in their golden years who are struggling with changes in the skin as hormonal shifts begin to occur.

1. What causes under eye aging and dark circles?

Dark circles and under-eye bags develop when the fat beneath the lower lids protrudes or gravity moves the normal under eye fat lower in the face due to the muscle becoming loose. This common hollowing effect is called a tear trough deformity. When you add excessive drinking, sun exposure, lack of sleep, and eating too much salt, it can make matters worse. The underlying blood vessels shine more visibly through the skin as a result. Other factors that add to the appearance of dark circles are the result of genetics, a medical condition, and/or allergies.

2. What can I do at home to help under eye circles?

There are many eye creams that use ingredients to help the darkness under the eyes. Generally these creams do one of two things: they either contract the blood vessels under the eye or they camoflague the darkness. Dr. Clinton’s favorite product is the Opal by Clarisonic. The Opal uses ultrasonic technology to infuse hydrating agents, glycosaminoglycans and peptides deeper into the skin tissue. The Opal should be used twice daily. When puffiness is persistent, Dr. Clinton recommends the use of Preparation-H at night, which can be infused with the ultrasonic Opal device.

3. How often do I need a treatment to keep the under eye area free of dark circles?

Since the treatment of under eye circles can include a combination of lasers, skin care and injectables such as Botox, Dysport, and hyaluronic acid, this question is harder to answer. Fillers in this area usually last up to a year. An aggressive laser treatment such as the Pearl can be done annually as a maintenance treatment. Less aggressive Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or chemical peels can also be helpful and which can be performed every few months. Botox and Dysport are usually performed every three months. Last but not least is your daily skin care with medically based skin care solutions recommended by Dr. Clinton or her staff. Treating the dark circles under the eyes is an ongoing battle. Dr. Clinton recommends an annual maintenance plan to prolong the results of all skin rejuvenation treatments at Timeless Skin Solutions.

4. What are realistic expectations for treating dark circles?

I think the highest expectation, if following a multidimensional approach to treatment - meaning all the above procedures mentioned in question 3 - should be significantly diminishing, but not completely relieving the darkness. In general you can expect to see a 75% improvement in the dark circles. A 75% reduction means you should be able to go without makeup in the area and feel comfortable. Surgery which decreases excess tissue and removes and rearranges fat can give results which are close to 100% improvement, but many people are not interested in undergoing surgery. And, even if surgery is performed, you will still need to work on the texture and tone of the skin with skin care and lasers.

1. Will laser treatment around my eyes affect my vision?

No, laser treatments are safe for the area around the eyes and will not impair your vision. We use occlusive eyewear when using the laser around the eye area to insure that the eyes are completely protected.

2. Are injections around my eyes safe?

Yes, injections around the eyes are perfectly safe. As with injections in other areas, there is a small risk of bruising and swelling whenever we use needles.

3. When can I expect my crows feet to be gone after getting injections to correct them?

Typically, crows feet are effectively treated with injections of Botox or Dysport. These treatments can take 2-10 days to completely take effect. Both Botox and Dysport are used to treat the active flexion of the muscle which results in a softening of the dynamic wrinkling in the area. The static lines, or the lines that are present when the muscle is in a resting state, will initially still be there. Over time, however, as the collagen has a chance to regenerate on top of a muscle that’s not constantly contracting, those lines will fill in completely! Both Botox and Dysport last approximately 3 months.

4. Can I get treatments around my eyes if I wear contacts?

Absolutely! Contact lenses do not prevent you from getting injectables, chemical peels or laser treatments around the eyes. For some laser treatments, such as the Pearl laser Dr. Clinton may use interoccular shields to achieve a closer treatment to the eye so contact lense wearers would have to remove lenses prior to treatment.

5. Can I wear eye make-up after my treatment?

It is perfectly safe to wear make-up around the eyes following treatment with Botox, Dysport or facial filler. With some chemical peel treatments or more aggressive laser treatments Dr. Clinton may ask that you refrain from using eye make-up for a short amount of time.

1. How bad do your wrinkles have to be before you start treating them?

At Timeless Skin Solutions we treat everything from fine lines to deep furrows and wrinkles. Not only are our lasers, lights and injectables used to treat lines and wrinkles, but they are also used to prevent them! The time to start treating and/or preventing lines and wrinkles is now!

2. Do you see men for lines and wrinkles at Timeless Skin Solutions?

Absolutely! We have many male patients of all ages who are treated in our office to soften and improve their lines and wrinkles.

3. Are you ever too old to treat lines and wrinkles?

No! At Timeless Skin Solutions we pride ourselves in helping our patients achieve healthy, beautiful skin while aging gracefully. We can help you achieve your cosmetic goals while feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin.

4. What happens if I stop doing injections for the lines and wrinkles on my face?

If the time should come that you decide to stop treating the wrinkles on your face, that is not a problem. Overtime, your lines and wrinkles will return based on muscle contraction or the natural loss of collagen that happens as we age. Some patients ask if their lines or wrinkles will be worse? The answer is no! If anything, you will be “ahead of the game” for having prevented your lines and wrinkles in the first place.

5. What’s the difference between treating lines and wrinkles with Botox vs. facial filler?

Botox or Dysport are used to treat lines and wrinkles that are a result of muscular contraction. Facial filler, such as Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Restylane or Perlane are used to restore volume to areas where there has been a loss of collagen.

1. My lipstick is just beginning to bleed and my lips are getting smaller, what can I do?

Dr. Clinton’s solution to thinning lips is a multidimensional approach with both procedures and products. Dr. Clinton would start with a small amount of facial fillers and Botox. This is not to necessarily to enlarge the lips but to restore volume back to the area. Trying to completely correct this area with filler will give a Daffy Duck look. Botox will help soften the lines. Lasers such as the Pearl or Genesis, will improve fine lines. At home, the Opal infusion system can be used for the skin around the mouth.

2. Do I have to look like Daffy Duck (or insert name of actress) in order to have more lip volume?

The lip has 15 distinct zones to inject. Each lip requires a different amount of filler in the zones to achieve the look you are wanting. No one has to, nor should they, have a lip that has obviously been filled. Every person needs a different amount of volume in their lips (1-3 syringes) depending on lip length and preexisting volume.

3. What should I expect if I decide to have my lips injected with filler?

Most patients report minimal discomfort when being treated with filler in the lips. Follow the instructions provided ahead of time by Dr. Clinton and the staff to avoid bruising. Please note that since the lip area is vascular, bruising may occur. Upon your arrival, numbing medicine and ice will be applied. Dr. Clinton will explain to you the procedure. When the filler is injected, it has additional numbing medication in it. The procedure for most people is uncomfortable but not painful. Ice is applied afterwards. Some swelling will occur. A full dental block can be done, but most people do not require complete numbness around their mouth. Ice for 20 minutes every hour for 5 hours and then upon awakening the next morning. Follow up will be in two weeks. You will feel the gel in your lips and it will become the texture of your lips in 1-2 weeks.

4. My lines around my lips are very deep and I’d like to have a softer, more natural, less aged appearance around my mouth - HELP!

Filler will help this. If you’d like a softer look, plan to have this area injected at least every six months. Around 18 months, you will have a significantly softer area around your mouth. If we combine this with Botox, skin care, and lasers - you will be close to perfection. These lines did not start overnight - an a slow approach will give you a natural look.

5. How do lip plumpers work?

Some lip plumpers work by irritating the lips causing immediate flushing and swelling. Others work by decreasing collagen destruction and increasing hyaluronic acid in the area.

6. Should I consider permanent makeup in the lip area?

Many people have ill defined lip margins. The color slowly changes from lip to skin around the lip. Permanent make up in this area is an excellent idea.

1. I love how small my pores look after my laser treatment at Timeless Skin Solutions. How do I keep them that way?

Dr. Clinton and the staff of Timeless Skin Solutions recommend regular and gentle exfoliation to remove the dead and/or dry skin cells on the surface of skin. This helps to unclog pores, encourage cellular turnover and prevent acne formation from occuring. In our office, regular chemical peels and SilkPeels are perfect skin exfoliators, while at home, using the Clarisonic brush daily will help keep acne at bay.

2. Is it possible to change your pore size?

There is no way to totally make pores go away. Certain procedures such as the Pearl laser, laser genesis, IPL/photofacial, chemical peels and SilkPeels can all help to tighten and shrink pore size. Proper skin care is also important as it helps control sebum production, encourages exfoliation and balances hydration.

3. Why are my pores getting larger as I age?

The natural process of aging can cause pore size to enlarge. Our skin loses elasticity which can effect pores and cause them to dialate. As stated in the previous question, certain procedures such as the Pearl laser, laser genesis, IPL/photofacial, chemical peels and SilkPeels can all help to tighten and shrink pore size. Proper skin care is also important as it helps control sebum production, encourages exfoliation and balances hydration.

4. What kind of skin is prone to developing large pores?

Any kind of skin has the risk of developing large pores. However, oily skin types are more prone to having large pores. Oily skin secretes excess sebum, filling up the pore and over-stretching the skin tissue around it.

5. Will sun exposure shrink my pores?

The idea that sun exposure improves the appearance of pores is a myth. While a tan can temporarily make pores look less noticeable, it is not a permanantt remedy. In fact, the drying effects from the sun can cause rebound oil production and result in worsening pore size.

1. What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a progressive vascular disorder that affects the facial skin and eyes. It usually starts out quite innocently as a mild flush across the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. During the early stages, this flush comes and goes, seeming to have a mind of its own. As the disorder progresses, facial redness becomes more intense, taking on the appearance of mild sunburn or windburn. In areas of facial redness, tiny broken blood vessels and red bumps may also become visible. In the moderate to severe stages, facial inflammation usually intensifies, resulting in permanent redness, swelling, and burning sensations. In the most advanced cases, rosacea can cause facial disfigurement and disabling burning sensations.

2. What are the major symptoms of Rosacea?

Symptoms of rosacea may include some or all of the following.

Facial Redness: Facial redness is the most common symptom of rosacea. This is caused by hundreds of tiny dilated blood vessels near the surface of the facial skin.

Facial Telangiectasia (tel-an-jek-tasia): These are tiny broken blood vessels that are permanently fixed in the dilated state. These blood vessels take on the appearance of fine red lines coursing through the surface of the facial skin.

Facial Skin Hyper-Reactivity: Facial skin hyper-reactivity is caused by sensitive, inflamed blood vessels near the surface of the skin. These blood vessels dilate very easily to topical triggers and physical insults. It is important to note that the term 'sensitive skin' is misleading to rosacea sufferers because the problem is based on sensitive blood vessels, and not sensitive skin cells.

Lumpy-Bumpy Facial Skin: Uneven skin texture, or lumpy-bumpy facial skin is caused by dilated blood vessels, localized swelling, and leakage of inflammatory cells into the superficial layers of the skin.

Facial Papules: Facial papules are small, red bumps about the size of a pinhead. These bumps are caused by vascular flushing. Over time, flushing results in leakage of inflammatory cells out of the blood vessels and into the dermal skin. These inflammatory cells then migrate towards the surface of the skin, resulting in the inflammatory papules. Facial papules are not caused by bacteria or demodex mites.

Facial Pustules: Facial pustules are small red bumps with pus. These bumps are caused by vascular flushing in areas around sebaceous glands. Over time, flushing results in leakage of inflammatory cells out of the blood vessels and into the dermal skin. These inflammatory cells then migrate towards the sebaceous gland or pore, resulting in inflammatory pustules.

Facial Burning Sensations:Facial burning sensations are caused by activation of sensory pain nerves in the facial skin. These pain fibers are primarily triggered by the heat associated with increased blood flow. These nerve endings can also be activated by inflammatory substances that leak through blood vessels. After chronic activation, pain nerve fibers may become sensitized to other triggers such as skincare products and environmental insults (i.e., sun, wind, heat, and cold). Facial burning sensations can become severe in some sufferers, causing debilitation.

Facial Swelling: Facial swelling occurs when fluid and proteins leak out of facial blood vessels at abnormal rates. Frequent facial flushing leads to increased movement of water and proteins across abnormal blood vessel walls. Over time, this "spillage" overwhelms the lymphatic system (drainage vessels), and leads to fluid build up in the facial skin.

Rhinophyma: Rhinophyma is a form of rosacea that is characterized by chronic redness, inflammation, and increased tissue growth of the nose. Rhinophyma can take on many different forms. In most forms, the nose is chronically red and inflamed. There is also evidence of swelling, and the skin often shows thickened skin with large pores, resembling the peel of an orange (peau d'orange). In some forms, sebaceous gland hypertrophy and hyperplasia (increased growth and number of sebaceous glands) can cause the nose to grow considerably, resulting in a bulbous appearance.

Ocular Rosacea: More than half the rosacea sufferers that present with facial symptoms also have ocular rosacea. Ocular rosacea is primarily vascular in origin, but secondary changes may exacerbate the condition. Symptoms include inflammation of the eye surface, inflammation of the eye lids, scales or crusting on eye lids and eye lashes, blockage of the meibomian glands (blepharitis), dry eye syndrome, excessive tearing and blood shot eyes.

3. What treatment options are available for Rosacea?

Traditional medical treatments include oral and topical antibiotics. Tetracycline derivatives such as Minocycline and Doxycycline are commonly used but do not treat the underlying vascular disorder. Furthermore, these antibiotics frequently cause side effects such as gastrointestinal upset, allergies, skin rashes and sensitivity to sunlight. Topical antibiotics such as Metronidazole – based products are often used to treat papules and pustules but can often cause redness, skin irritation and rashes. These antibiotics are not actually treating any infections, but are used to reduce inflammation. Therefore they usually do not heal the “ broken capillaries” or red bumps, but simply help prevent the inflammation associated with vascular damage and dermal inflammation. Many rosacea sufferers try to avoid the internal and external triggers that cause a “flare-up” but these are usually so numerous that it is almost impossible to avoid them all. Some of these triggers include temperature changes, alcohol, hot or spicy foods, exercise, and certain topical skin products. Other triggers are internal such as hormonal changes and emotional swings and are impossible to avoid.

New Treatments that Address the Underlying Disorder: Treatments with the Intense Pulsed Light devices are designed to eliminate the “broken blood vessels”, hyper-reactive blood vessels, the small red bumps and the smaller capillaries that cause flushing. Dr. Clinton uses “second pass” 1064 YAG laser which has dramatically increased the efficacy of the treatments by penetrating deeper into the dermis to eliminate the larger feeder blood vessels which cause flushing. Once the unsightly telangiectasia (spider veins) and small red bumps are removed, flare-ups are dramatically reduced. In addition the inflammatory process that causes scarring of the nose and cheeks is stopped. Flushing is harder to completely eliminate but can be significantly reduced. The treatment itself helps to smooth the skin and repair some of the damage caused by rosacea. Significant clearing usually takes 6 or more treatments but improvement is seen with each treatment. Occasionally, more difficult cases can take 10-15 treatments to clear if the rosacea is severe.

Concentrated Treatment Protocol: For patients who desire an intense concentrated treatment regimen Dr. Clinton has developed a concentrated treatment protocol. This consists of a rosacea treatment every two to three days for one to three weeks. By employing this protocol patients can get a significant amount of clearing in a very short time. While it was developed for patients with flushing problems it can be used to treat all symptoms of rosacea. The laser and intense pulsed light settings are designed to impart the maximum amount of energy to the target tissue without causing significant post treatment redness or swelling. Blistering and bruising are extremely rare with these techniques. Many patients can resume normal daily activities immediately after the treatment. Additional precautions to reduce the chances of redness and swelling may include the use of ice, low salt diet, upright positioning of the head and occasionally an antibiotic that reduces angiogenesis (Clarithromycin XL). This protocol allows patients to achieve dramatic reductions in their symptoms in a very short period of time.

Triple Pass Treatment Protocol: By utilizing the 1064 Yag laser and several wavelengths on the Intense Pulsed Light Device different depths can be treated in a single treatment session. This enhances the efficiency and efficacy dramatically allowing greater clearing in fewer treatment sessions. The pathologic vessels causing rosacea occur in at least three different levels in the skin and each level must be treated. It must be stressed that if the deeper feeder vessels are not treated then the true cause of flushing will never be improved Total perfection is not always attainable. Once clearing has occurred rosacea medications, such as Metrogel and tetracycline can often be discontinued. Touch up treatments may need to be performed every annually to keep the rosacea under control. Appointments are usually scheduled 2-4 weeks apart until the desired results are achieved. However for patients who travel from outside the area, two to three treatments may be administered weekly during an extended stay. Traumatically induced ( Iatrogenic ) Rosacea: This occurs when a rosacea patient has been made medically worse by certain procedures and treatment regimens . In general these procedures remove the outer layer of skin leaving the underlying layers exposed and vulnerable. These procedures include CO2 and Erbium laser resurfacing; deep chemical or acid peels; deep dermabrasion or any procedure that deeply removes the outer layers of skin. Other regimens which may cause pathologic thinning of the skin include frequent applications of high dose topical steroids (cortisone) used over many years. While the steroids may improve symptoms for the short term they may permanently thin the outer layer of skin. Severe rosacea sufferers have extremely thinned skin anyway and these regimens can induce a chronic state which is severe and disabling almost like a burn victim. These unfortunate individuals do not respond to the routine laser, IPL or medical treatments that help other rosacea sufferers. There is hope now for these patients. Noninvasive collagen stimulating lasers can thicken the dermis and epidermis; however, many treatments are usually needed (10 to 15)at the least.

4. What degree of response can be expected to Rosacea treatment protocols?

Facial Telangiectasia (tel-an-jek-tasias): The facial spider veins are very easy to treat with the latest devices. In fact they are fun because they disappear so easily. They may have to be treated more than once but in general they are the easiest aspect of rosacea to eliminate. Redness: Redness can be reduced and even eliminated given enough treatments with the Triple Pass Therapy. It is important to treat all the vascular levels with several different wavelengths. If facial redness only occurs during flushing episodes it is imperative to induce flushing prior to and during treatment. Flushing: The key to treating flushing is to induce it during the treatment and maintain it while treating each vascular level with different wavelengths. The laser/IPL devices cannot treat what they cannot see. Redness and flushing respond especially well to the concentrated treatment protocols with 2-3 treatments performed in a one week period. While it is hard to completely eliminate flushing it can almost always be significantly reduced for extended periods. Burning and Pain: Burning and pain generally occur in association with flushing. By reducing flushing the pain and burning are usually reduced. However in rare cases pain and burning are not associated with flushing and in these cases improvement is less predictable. In addition if a pain pattern has been established for some time then it may not disappear as flushing resolves. In general it is worthwhile to aggressively treat these patients early on in order to try to alleviate these symptoms. Papules and Pustules: These can be virtually eliminated given enough treatments. While more treatments are usually required for the successful treatment of pustular rosacea, long term remissions can be achieved and sustained with the occasional touchup treatment. This smoothing process occurs gradually over time and continues beyond the course of treatments. Facial Swelling: Facial swelling will gradually resolve with the resolution of other symptoms as the source of inflammation is removed; however in patients with facial lymphatic problems, facial swelling is extremely hard to treat. Rhinophyma: Markedly enlarged deformed noses cannot be improved by these techniques but can be prevented if caught in the early stages of deformity. The more severe forms require accutane and surgery.

5. Are there specific things to avoid before being treated for Rosacea?

Before your treatment: It is crucial to avoid tanning and tanning solutions before the treatment because this reduces the ability of light to penetrate the skin. It also increases the risk of side effects such as redness, swelling and blistering. If you are going to be in the sun wear a hat and 30+ SPF sunscreens. Aspirin, Ibuprofen, anti-inflammatories, many naturopathic and vitamin supplements and steroid use can increase the risks of bruising and swelling and should be avoided for one week before and after each treatment. Tylenol is OK to use. It is very helpful to induce flushing before treatment so that the device can “see” and eliminate more of the “broken capillaries”. This can be accomplished with 100 mg of Niacin, exercise, or hot beverages one hour prior to treatment. If your rosacea is at it’s worst prior to treatment then you will get the best results by eliminating the most “target tissue”. Therefore it also makes sense to discontinue topical and oral treatments 1-2 weeks prior to your scheduled appointment.

6. Will insurance pay for rosacea treatments?

While insurance may reimburse for the rosacea treatments,payments are made directly to Timeless Skin Solutions from the patients and from the insurance company to the patient.

1. Help - my face is falling! What can I do?

As we age fat pads in the face will descend and areas that were previously plump from underlying fat will lose their quantity of fat. While this happens under the skin, what we see on the outside is facial sagging. Help is on the way! A series of treatments, including facial fillers in the area of sagging and occassionally in areas of volume loss will help pull some of the areas back into position. Additionally, the Pearl laser, Titan and Ultherapy can help with this critical issue. In general, sagging around the eye is best treated with surgery, although the above treatment measures will help. Filler improvement will be seen immediately. Laser improvement can be seen within two months and continued improvement out to six months. There are many lasers on the market and it is easy to get confused by the branding from the laser companies. The most important part of being treated by a laser or light source is that it is effective for the outcome you are wanting. Many different lasers can achieve a similar outcome. Ultherapy will also show improvement within about three months with continued improvement through about six months.

2. Even though I exercise frequently, the skin on my knees and or abdomen still is sagging, what can I do?

These are two perfect areas for the Titan treatment. Titan will improve both the collagen and the elastin in the area, giving improvement to the area. Expect retreatment in three to four years above the knees as the clock of time still keeps moving forward.

3. Will you tell me when I will need a surgery or a facelift?

Depending upon your comfort with surgery or your desire to avoid it at all costs, Dr. Clinton will discuss how this will fit into your treatment plan. Expected outcomes from nonsurgical and surgical treatments can be discussed if you are considering a surgical alternative.

1. I have a scar that is new from surgery or trauma, can this be treated?

Yes, Dr. Clinton frequently treats scars as soon as two weeks after surgery. The redness will disappear more quickly and the scar will be minimized as a result. Laser genesis is the laser most frequently used for this treatment and a minimum of 5 treatments is generally recommended.

2. Can you treat my surgical or traumatic scar that is many years old?

The answer again is yes. The expectation, using lasers and possibly steroids, is that the scar’s color will become closer to the color of your skin, it will be smaller in size, and lie flush with your skin (not raised or depressed). This is true for skin of all colors.

3. Can you treat my multiple scars on my arms or legs (usually requesting treatment for more than 10 distinct scars)?

While Dr. Clinton is able to do this, the results of improving that many scars and for the cost of the procedure, become prohibitive. Multiple scars on the arms or legs that are noticable, will improve with treatment - but the cost can run over $5000.

1. Who is a candidate for procedures that improve spots on the skin?

Any man or woman who shows signs of aging and sun-damaged skin is a candidate for treatments to improve spots on the skin. Some laser and light treatments are not indicated for darker or ethnic skin tones or patients who are pregnant.

2. Why are multiple treatments of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)/Photofacial necessary to treat spots?

Several IPL treatments are required in order to reach deeper layers of the skin and provide gradual improvement with very low risk and no downtime.

3. What is the difference between hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of skin caused by an increase in melanin. Hypopigmentation is the loss of color in the skin due to the reduction in melanin.

4. What are sun spots?

Sun spots (also refferred to as age spots or liver spots) are harmless brown flat spots found on sun-exposed skin. They can occur on all skin types and usually don’t appear until middle-age when cellular turnover slows down. Sun spots are collections of pigment that have accumulated in the epidermis, staining the skin with discoloration.

5. What causes age or sun spots to occur?

Age and sun spots form with age and increased sun exposure. Patients who have fairer skin tones and freckle or burn easily are also at increased risk.

1. What is SPF?

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a rating system for sun protection. The SPF number is a measure of how much longer you can stay in the sun without burning, as compared to how long you can stay in the sun without burning while wearing no protection. An SPF of 25 allows you to stay in the sun 25 times longer before turning red from the sun verses if you were wearing no protection at all. For example, if you normally turn red after being in the sun for 10 minutes without sun protection, then you would be able to stay in the sun 250 minutes (25 x 10) before turning red while wearing SPF 25.

2. How does sun protection work?

Sun protection products can work in two basic ways. First, they can physically block and reflect the sun’s rays off your skin. Ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide do this. These minerals are bright white in color and, in a sunscreen, sit on your skin’s surface and prevent UV rays from penetrating. The second way sun protection products works is that they can chemically absorb UV rays before those rays have a chance to penetrate and damage skin.

3. What are UV rays?

There are three kinds of ultraviolet rays; UVC, UVB and UVA rays. UVC rays are the shortest and usually don’t make it through the Earth’s ozone layer to reach your skin, so UVC rays are not a concern with sun protection. UVB rays are a little longer and have the ability to reach the surface of your skin, causing a tan or burn. UVA rays are the longest UV rays. Not only do UVA rays reach your skin, they can also penetrate it, causing damage at the cellular level and increasing risk of skin cancer. The sunscreen you select should always contain UVA sun protection.

4. When should I wear sun protection?

Sun protection isn’t just for days at the beach. Your face and hands are especially vulnerable to UV rays when you’re outside, even on cloudy days. The window glass of your car blocks UVB rays, the rays that burn your skin – but glass doesn’t block UVA rays, the ones that do the deepest tissue damage. So it’s always a good idea to make sunscreen a part of your daily regimen every day. Sun protection is especially important when the sun’s rays are more direct, such as during peak UV hours, or when you are closer to the equator. In addition, you should avoid sun exposure when the rays are strongest (generally between 10AM – 3PM), and wear hats and clothing to filter out UV rays. It’s also important to remember to apply sun protection products 15 to 30 minutes BEFORE sun exposure – and to reapply them frequently, especially after swimming or sweating.

5. How do I know what treatment will work best to remove sun-damage in my skin?

Both laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapies can work wonders on sun-damaged skin. Both treatments are safe and effective and usually require little recovery time. Depending on the patient’s individual condition, lifestyle and desired outcome, one type of treatment may produce better results than another or a combination of treatments may be recommended. So it’s important that patients receive a complete assessment by an experienced health professional to ensure the most effective treatment possible.

1. Can laser hair removal treat all kinds of hair?

Laser hair removal is FDA approved for laser hair reduction, not removal. This is because laser hair removal is most effective at treating dark, coarse hair. Light brown or thin hair is also effectively treated by the laser, but may take a greater number of treatments to achieve optimal reduction. Blond or gray hair is not effectively treated because there is not pigment in the follicle for the laser to target.

2. Can laser hair removal be used on all skin types?

Yes, laser hair removal is safe for all skin types. At Timeless Skin Solutions we have several different lasers which accommodate different skin tones and are safe for patients of all ethnicities.

3. I heard you have to shave prior to laser hair removal treatments? Does this cause the hair to grow back darker?

No. The idea that shaving can cause hair to grow back darker or denser is a myth. When the hair first grows back it may feel slightly coarse because the hair has a blunt edge from cutting the hair with a razor when shaving. This sensation goes away quickly though as the hair continues to lengthen and grow.

4. Does laser hair removal hurt?

Laser hair removal is a relatively easy procedure to tolerate. Some patients feel a small pinch each time the laser pulses against the skin and describe it as the feeling of a rubber band snap or pin prink. The sensation is momentary and there is no lingering pain or discomfort.

5. I heard that laser hair removal only treats dark hair. What do I do about all the fine hair and peach fuzz on my face?

You are correct. Laser hair removal is most effective at treating dark hair types. Timeless Skin Solutions offers another treatment called Dermaplaning which removes the fine, vellus hair on the face. This procedure is a favorite of many of our patients because in addition to removing the facial “peach fuzz,” it also removes the dead skin cells sitting on the surface of the skin which results in a brighter, more luminous complexion.

1. I have multiple veins on my face, can these be treated?

Frequently facial veins are treated with a laser. It can take more than one treatment to improve significant facial vascularity (veins). Expect that your body will want to make more blood vessels and that this will be a treatment you may need every year or so, once the initial treatment is done. Immediately following treatment, your skin will be pink and some of the areas of the blood vessels will have some swelling.

2. Can you treat varicose veins?

There are physicians who specialize in varicose vein treatments and many insurance companies cover these surgical or laser treatments. They are invasive procedures best performed by a surgeon in his or her surgical suite. Dr. Clinton is happy to refer you to a surgeon if varicose veins are an issue.

3. I have multiple small broken blood vessels on my legs, some are purple in color and people ask me if I am bruised. Can these be treated?

Yes, Dr. Clinton treats these types of veins with a laser. Expect to take several days (3) off of exercising, although you can still swim following treatment. It can take up to 8 weeks to see full improvement following treatment. I recommend these treatments begin during the winter months, if you are someone who is active outdoors in the summer. Several treatments are usually required. I do treat veins during the summer, but sun restriction is essential to avoid discoloration of the area from sun exposure.

4. Does it hurt?

I recommend that you take tylenol one hour before the procedure on your legs an that you do not have a treatment done during your menstrual cycle. Pain is perceived at a lower threshhold at that time.