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If you’ve had a laser hair removal treatment and noticed almost immediately after that you had numerous red, raised bumps, you can take a deep breath and relax—this is totally normal! It is a phenomenon known as “follicular edema” and it’s basically swelling around the treated hair follicle. It may look worrisome, but it’s actually a good thing when you see it because it means that you got a great laser treatment!
First, it’s important to note that follicular edema is temporary. It should last a few hours to up to a day or so after your treatment. Anything lasting longer than that is something else that you need to talk about with your laser practitioner. Here’s why it happens. During the laser hair removal treatment, the laser concentrates a large amount of heat on the individual hair follicles. This energy causes changes to the follicle which can make it swell and become red. Thus, the term edema (swelling) is used because it’s exactly what is happening in each follicle.
While follicular edema is normal after laser hair removal treatment, blistering (or more severe burns) or prolonged redness or brown discoloration after treatment are not. These changes signal that either the wrong device for your skin type (color) was used or that the energy settings on the laser were too high. You can avoid these unwanted side effects by getting to know your laser practitioner and practice before you begin your treatments. Make sure you choose an experienced practitioner with the right laser for your skin type.
Let your laser practitioner know if you had follicular edema following your treatment. Many will ask as it helps guide their decision-making process when planning the safest and most effective laser settings to give you the best results.
If you’re considering laser tattoo removal to get rid of an unwanted tattoo, you might want to know what lasers work well. Laser tattoo removal can be a bit of a complicated thing; no doubt you’ve come across a lot of information and are a bit confused about what laser might be best for your tattoo.
We want to discuss with you the top three lasers that are used for laser tattoo removal. The first part of this article discusses the type of laser technology. These names are generic for the type of laser (not brand). The second list includes will name brands of each type (think Kleenex, Puffs, etc.). Putting these two lists together will help you as you shop around and research the best laser practice for your tattoo.
First, here are the generic laser types. This lasers may have different brand names, but that they all incorporate one (or more), specific wavelength(s) of light to remove specific colors of tattoo ink:
Now, onto the specific brands of these lasers:
So, remember when considering laser tattoo removal that both the type and brand of lasers matter in determining the result of your treatment.
You’ve read about threading for hair removal and have talked to your friends who absolutely love it. You’ve decided to try it and you’ve booked your first appointment. But before you head over to the salon, we’d like to caution you about a few things that may make you think twice about using threading as your go-to method to get rid of hair.
Many people don’t realize that there can be potential unwanted side effects with threading such as acne-like breakouts, infections and darkening of the skin. While threading has been around since ancient times, it may just not the best modern-day solution for you to get rid of your unwanted hair!
Threading is a technique in which unwanted hair (usually facial hair) is epilated (pulled out) by an intricate rolling and twisting of fine threads over the affected area. No doubt, threading leaves your skin completely smooth, but it also is extremely irritating! Often touted as “exfoliation”, the threads can damage the very top layer of skin, the epidermis, as they pull out the hair. This basically creates thousands of tiny pathways for infection-causing organisms to gain entry to your skin. Don’t think it can happen? A recent study reported multiple cases where patients developed warts after threading due to infection from HPV (human papilloma virus) transmitted this way.
Many practitioners who provide threading use their mouths to steady the threads during the procedure. That’s because they still practice threading today like practitioners in ancient times. And while that may have seemed like a good idea back then, we know now that the human mouth is dirtier than the average toilet seat!
If you are prone to acne (or even if you aren’t), the traumatic nature of threading can leave your hair follicles irritated, stimulating a breakout that looks like tiny, puss-filled pimples. Known as folliculitis, you can see an example in the picture of the woman on this page. The last thing you want to do is to trade your unwanted hair for a bigger problem—unwanted breakouts.
If you take a second look at this picture, you’ll also see an example of the unintended problem of hyperpigmentation or skin darkening that can occur after threading. This doesn’t happen to everyone after, but if you have darker skin, your pigment cells may respond to the irritation threading triggers by making more pigment, leaving you with unwanted dark patches on your skin. This young lady would have likely kept her hair or chosen another hair removal method if she had known that this is how she would look after threading!
By now, you’re probably wondering if you should just skip your threading appointment. At Celibre, we won’t dictate your choices, but we do want to ensure that you stay informed about the potential risks and unwanted side effects associated with any popular treatment. Sometimes, excessive hype can obscure the truth. A procedure such as threading for unwanted hair removal may not be the “panacea” that the media and your friends make it out to be!
Our practice doesn’t offer threading. We offer class IV medical laser treatment for unwanted hair. We do realize there are potential risks with laser hair removal as well, and we will always make it our priority to discuss these with you prior to starting treatment. Each device that we use is FDA-approved for laser hair removal and we have multiple, different devices that have been consistently shown to be both safe and effective to permanently remove your unwanted hair, no matter what your skin type (color).
Unlike threading, which hasn’t evolved much, Celibre offers only the latest and most up-to-date laser treatment. Our practitioners stay at the forefront of this growing field by maintaining the highest levels of continuing education and hands-on experience.
Acne is a frustrating condition that affects almost everyone. Usually, we think about acne as a temporary problem during our teenage years, but there are many adults who continue to suffer with acne in later life. While it seems that something so common should be easy to treat and get rid of, the reality is that it’s not!
The main reason that acne is difficult to treat is that it has multiple causes. Hormones, genetics, oil production, bacteria and skin care all play a role in acne. This helps to explain why there is no perfect treatment for everyone.
Several over-the-counter products offer some relief. Benzoyl peroxide, for example, kills bacteria living on the skin’s surface. Salicylic acid helps to unclog pores and gently exfoliate. But for many acne sufferers, these just aren’t enough.
Prescription medications target acne-causing bacteria. Oral antibiotics such as minocycline or Keflex work from the inside out to get rid of bacteria on the skin and control inflammation. Creams like Retin-A, Differin, or Tazorac unclog oil glands and slow oil production. Lastly, oral drugs like Accutane work by virtually shutting down oil production. While very effective, Accutane is expensive, potentially harmful during pregnancy, extremely drying, and can cause damage to your liver. Sounds like there should be something effective, but easier, right?
If you’re looking for an alternative treatment for your acne, consider Celibre Medical’s acne laser treatment program. It’s a safe, effective and long-term alternative treatment to the options mentioned above. We’ve designed a program to target the major instigators of acne: it exfoliates, shrinks your oil glands and kills acne-causing bacteria.
First, we use carefully formulated, glycolic acid skin care products to help balance your skin and gently unclog pores. Then, we may recommend our Aramis laser and/or photodynamic therapy which helps decrease oil production. Lastly, we’ll incorporate our Medlite laser, blu-light acne treatments and/or gentle, benzoyl peroxide skin care to kill acne causing bacteria on your skin.
By providing options that target these three major components of the acne equation, we have developed a program fits many patients needs. We can help you take the guesswork out of taking care of your acne and get you on the path to clearer, healthier-looking skin.
If you’re thinking about having a laser or IPL treatment, then we have no doubt that you’ve come across both these terms and asked yourself – “What’s the difference between laser and IPL?” It’s one that we hear in our office every day!
First, it’s important to explain the differences between lasers and IPLs. They are commonly lumped together, but the reality is that they are apples and oranges. If you understand their differences, it will help you better decide which is the better treatment to help you with your particular problem.
Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Lasers work by taking one, single wavelength of light and multiplying it, making it more powerful. Each laser has a unique energy source that produces a very specific wavelength of light. This essentially means that each laser is very good at treating only a specific problem.
A laser with a wavelength of 595 nm (nanometers) effectively treats conditions involving excess blood vessels as hemoglobin in red blood cells specifically absorbs this wavelength of light. However, it cannot treat pigmentation issues or rejuvenate the skin or reduce wrinkles. Lasers are highly specific and generally good at treating a single type of skin problem.
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. These devices use a range or many different wavelengths of light. Because of this, they can treat a few different, unrelated skin problems. Many people choose IPL treatment for generalized sun damage because the light generated by IPLs includes wavelengths for both blood vessels/redness and pigmentation (sun spots), making it effective for both concerns.
So, why wouldn’t you just use IPL for everything? IPL, although versatile, lacks the ability to generate sufficient energy for treating tough skin conditions like tattoos, hair removal, and red and brown birthmarks. In contrast, lasers surpass IPLs as they can be adjusted to deliver a more powerful single wavelength of light.
Another factor is that some lasers can be used to treat any and all skin types (colors). Generally, because of the array of wavelengths in IPL, it is not as safe option for medium and dark skin types as lasers. Asians, Hispanics, East Indian and African Americans can end up with skin blistering and burns after IPL treatments.
Because most laser centers have and offer both types of treatments, many people assume they are the same. Nothing is further from the truth. In fact, you should ask questions about which devices a practice uses for your skin type before you sign up for treatment. One that offers IPL for everything may not be the one that you want to choose.
At Celibre Medical, we offer more than 10 different class IV medical lasers for a variety of skin conditions. We believe that this allows us the superior ability to safely and effectively treat almost any skin condition in any skin color. While we also have and offer IPL, we only use it when it’s the safest and most effective treatment option for you.
We answer this question all the time…How is Sculptra different than other dermal fillers? Sculptra is different than other dermal fillers because the “filler” part of Sculptra is simply the body’s own collagen that is generated in response to the injection. For this reason, Sculptra is considered a “biostimulator” rather than a dermal filler. The product is made up of the dissolvable stitches used in wound care. The stitches are ground into a fine powder and placed in a saline solution and injected deep into the skin. The solution then absorbs into the body leaving behind the fine particles.
The body surrounds the particles with new collagen over the weeks and months after treatment. Typically 3 visits are required in the first 6 months and the number of vials of product required varies by the age and needs of each patient. Take a look at what Sculptra can do for your cheeks. Notice how it affects how tired the eyes look at the upper cheeks. We love Sculptra because it is excellent at adding volume to the cheeks and mid-face. It lasts a long time (up to 2 years) and is probably the most natural-looking injection filler that we use.
To schedule a free consultation about Sculptra injections, call our office today.
Have you recently had cosmetic injections of dermal fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane and are unhappy with the result? Maybe you’re happy with one side of your face, but not the other? If you’ve locked yourself away in your bedroom thinking that you’ll just have to live with your “bad filler”, think again!
Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that can be injected to dissolve fillers like Restylane, Juvederm, Lyft, Belotero, and more. It is quick, easy, and relatively painless. Best of all, hyaluronidase begins working almost immediately to dissolve the bonds between the molecules of hyaluronic acid that make up popular filler products like Restylane, Juvederm, Restylane Lyft, and Belotero. Because it only works on hyaluronic acid, hyaluronidase cannot dissolve other types of fillers like Radiesse, Sculptra, and Artefill/Bellafill.
You may need more than one injection session to completely dissolve your unwanted filler, but many people get good results after their first round of injections and many see full results within just 1 to 2 days!
Hyaluronidase goes by many different trade names: Vitrase, Wydase, Amphadase, and Hylenex are the most common. Here at Celibre Medical, we use Vitrase and find that it gives very good results for our patients. To see an example of the excellent results we’ve achieved with Vitrase, take a look at the photos on this page.
Don’t live with dermal filler that you don’t like or aren’t 100% happy with. Let us help you today get the results that you really want and will love!
You’ve probably heard of Restylane or read about it in beauty magazines, but you may not know exactly What is Restylane or what it does. We’ll give you the scoop on this amazing product and all the potential benefits of its use here.
The FDA approves Restylane, an injectable gel composed of hyaluronic acid (HA), for plumping and filling various areas of the face. It treats lips, folds on the sides of the mouth, under-eye dark circles, and cheeks, among other areas.
Restylane injections before and after photos
If you think it sounds scary to inject something into your body, consider that HA is a natural part of our bodies, to begin with. It is a sugar-like molecule that can bind to and hold approximately 1,000 times its weight in water. This gives it amazing plumping and filling power! If you’re still skeptical, think of it another way. A baby’s skin has a ton of HA compared to an adult’s. Over time, we lose the ability to make HA easily and we also lose what we have due to environmental exposure and aging. Look at your own baby picture. Wouldn’t it be nice to regain those plump, rounded cheeks and smooth-looking skin? HA fillers like Restylane can help you do just that!
The HA that’s in Restylane is non-animal-based. There is no potential for an allergic reaction and no testing required before your treatment – pretty much anyone can enjoy the benefits of this HA-based filler.
Another bonus of Restylane treatment is that while it adds back volume and replenishes your skin’s HA stores that have been lost over time, it also helps stimulate your body to make more of its own collagen and elastin.
The benefits of your treatment can last for an extended period of time and often get better with repeated treatments. This not only keeps you looking younger, but it can also even make you look better than you did years ago! Call us today to learn more about the Restylane family of products.
Although the eyes are considered the “windows to the soul”, they also are the frame of the face. As that facial frame changes, we become more aware of the aging process as it relates to the sagging and thinning of the skin under our eyes. Although Botox Cosmetic is commonly used to resolve or soften the fine lines and wrinkles under and around the eyes (crow’s feet) and to provide a natural brow lift above the eyes, Botox cannot address the hollowness and dark color under the eyes. To address the issue of bags under the eyes, dark circles under the eyes, and volume loss under the eyes we offer a procedure called “tear trough” injections with Restylane or Juvederm.
As we age, the fat pads directly under the eyes begin to descend and a hollow area, void, or groove appears in their place that separates the upper cheek from the lower eyelid. The skin may also be affected as volume is lost which results in a crepe-like appearance below the eye. Using small amounts of dermal fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm, we are able to subtly restore volume to this area, improving the appearance of eye bags and dark circles under the eyes. There is very little discomfort with the tear trough injection procedure to improve dark circles and eye bags, and the immediate outcomes are quite rewarding.
The tear trough area is quite unforgiving, so make certain to choose a Los Angeles Restylane or Juvederm practitioner that is skilled in this technique and offers before and after photos of actual patients.
Do you notice that you look unhappy, like you’re frowning, even when you think you’re not? Do others ask if you’re upset or sad when you’re having a perfectly fine day? If you’ve noticed that the corners of your mouth seem to be turned downward, then we’re going to give you some information that will make you very happy—we can correct a mouth frown with Botox (Dysport), dermal filler injections, or using both.
You may have a mouth frown due to an overactive muscle that pulls down the corners of the mouth. When this muscle becomes overactive, your mouth is set in a frown even when you don’t think about it. This can easily be reversed with Dysport injections into these muscles. Once relaxed, the corners of your mouth become more horizontal or straight, removing that appearance of a frown. Many people even feel they turn upwards a bit, giving you a hint of a smile.
Another reason you can develop a mouth frown is that the corners of the mouth lose volume as you age. This subtle loss of soft tissue along with the loss of collagen and elastin in the skin can cause the edges of your mouth to turn downward because they have less structural support. This is where dermal filler injections with products like Restylane and Radiesse come in. They replenish lost volume and support the corners of your mouth, turning them in a direction that makes you look and feel happy!
Many patients like you do very well with a combination of both Botox and dermal filler injections for the mouth frown. It’s a problem that is more common than you think, but these treatments provide both safe and effective correction that will get you smiling again in no time at all!
In aesthetic medicine, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype surrounding a new device or product. The “latest-and-greatest” bursts onto the scene in a blitz of well-funded, flashy, eye-catching marketing. As the buzz grows, patients catch onto the craze and start asking about a certain laser, procedure, or product almost on cue.
Many businesses often wonder if they don’t have a particular device or offer a specific service will it hurt them or drive potential patients away to other practices? We want to share Celibre Medical’s philosophy on this with you. We strive for one, single goal: we want happy, satisfied patients who trust us and the integrity of our practice. That’s it! We don’t care about a “flash in the pan” or a “one-hit wonder”. We simply won’t sacrifice your satisfaction, results, or trust all for the sake of cashing in on the latest craze or trend.
Celibre Medical focuses on building long-term relationships with the patients we serve, and we go to great lengths to protect our integrity and reputation. This means that we carefully research and subjectively review each device we purchase and the service we offer. In the case of non-invasive skin tightening devices/procedures such as Ulthera, Titan, and Thermage, we just haven’t found the results to be consistent or significant enough across the board for us to feel confident in offering these services to our patients.
“But, the before and after photos are amazing”, you reply. Well, look at them carefully again and consider a couple of things. First, these photos rarely show continued, long-term improvement. They are usually done within the first six months after treatment. This is just one way that we believe the longevity of these procedures is misrepresented. Secondly, note the head positioning of the treated patients in the photos. Many of the “before” photos have the patients’ heads tilting down and the “afters” tilting up. This obviously changes the appearance of the neck, jowls, and jawline and leaves us questioning the true results of treatment with these devices. In short, the photos don’t impress us much when you consider them beyond the first glance.
These devices all use the marketing terms “tighten” and “lift”. We understand this really appeals to those wanting these results from a non-surgical procedure. But for many people, the degree of “tightening” and “lifting” that’s desired can only be achieved from a surgical facelift or similar procedure. We promise to never “sell” you a result that we don’t truly believe we can deliver. Often, we can help you understand how other procedures, like Sculptra and/or Radiesse injections, may be beneficial for you in achieving your goals even if you’ve never considered them before. We use our experience, expertise, and proven history of results to offer you the most beneficial, cost-effective solutions for your aesthetic needs and goals.
One last point we think is important when considering a non-invasive skin tightening procedure is to look at the long-term performance of a particular device before jumping on the bandwagon. Thermage has introduced almost 20 years ago, and while it’s still around today, it certainly is not widely used or recommended. Compare this to the Lumenis LightSheer for laser hair removal. This device was introduced 15 years ago, and it remains the most popular, most frequently used device for permanent laser hair removal. When a device delivers solid, consistent and permanent results, it becomes and remains the “gold standard” of treatment. When technology is good, it stands the test of time. Unfortunately, we’re just not there yet with non-invasive skin tightening!
So, if you’ve got money to burn and you’re willing to accept less than stellar results as a return on your investment, then buy into the hype of the latest non-invasive skin tightening treatment. We just don’t see the value in offering these types of treatments to our patients and we’re not going to be pressured or swayed by the sensational marketing and full-court press of the TV or print marketing that these companies bank on people falling for.
Having facial scars is difficult. Hiding them can be near impossible. For some patients, they can lead to social, professional, and personal anxiety. We understand what you are going through and have options to help improve or eliminate trauma, acne, surgery, and other scars. Many practitioners and patients mistakenly believe that all scars can be treated the same. At Celibre Medical, we’ve learned that each scar is unique and must be assessed to find the specific features that will help us recommend the most appropriate treatment.
One of the most common types of scarring that we see is textured scarring. These textured scars are often depressed and indented because of fibrous bands of scar tissue that pull the skin inward. While you might be right that textured scars can sometimes respond to laser resurfacing, we’ve found that many respond better to subcision with dermal fillers.
Our approach with deeper, wider, depressed scars (not icepick acne scars) is to use a combination of subcision and dermal fillers such as Restylane to release the fibrous bands and lift the depression with Restylane creating a smoother, fuller appearance. With many patients, we repeat this combination several times over a period of years. We’ve found that this is the most effective way to help this type of scarring.
Don’t live with or suffer from unwanted scarring. We can help. Our practitioners have years of knowledge and experience to find a solution that perfectly fits your needs. We can help you not only look and feel better but live better too!
If you’ve asked yourself this question, we’re happy to answer that there is no time like the present! Many people mistakenly think that dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are only for those in their 40’s or 50’s, but the truth is that any adult (even someone in their 20’s) can benefit!
The reason isn’t the product itself, but rather the way that it’s used. A good injector who has a keen eye and proper understanding of what defines beauty can use these dermal fillers to enhance your appearance, regardless of their age. The key is taking an individualized approach to each patient, not just a “cookie-cutter-treat-everyone-the-same” one. Restylane can restore and replace age-related volume changes in the face or enhance and balance existing features, depending on your age and goals.
Finding a practice and/or injector that understands this is really critical for success no matter which dermal filler you choose. Current research has proven that regular use of hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers helps your body make more collagen. This helps your skin look smoother, firmer, and more vibrant regardless of age. When used appropriately, these dermal fillers are a great secret weapon to help you look your best from your 20’s to your 70’s.
Restylane Before and After Photos
We understand there are a lot of choices for you out there when you’re looking to have a cosmetic injection. So, before you choose your provider based on price, consider the following case. This case highlights the importance of understanding the risks of a procedure as well as the importance of understanding the experience of whomever you choose for your injections.
We see a fair number of unfortunate and unusual cases where patients come to us from other practices, but this one was particularly striking. Fortunately, we were able to help this patient, and we wanted to share it with you because it highlights the importance of educating yourself before consenting to any cosmetic treatment.
This patient came to us after she had been treated by another physician with steroid injections to remove Juvederm from her cheek area. Typically, steroids are NOT used for the removal of dermal filler products, but the patient was positive that this was the treatment she was given despite our repeated questioning.
Steroid injections can be very valuable in treating acne cysts, scars, etc., but they do have risks. They work by atrophying or “shrinking” the tissue that they are injected into. While this may be helpful if there is excess or inflamed tissue present, it can be damaging if there isn’t. That is how this patient claimed she developed this large indentation in her cheek.
As you can imagine, she was very unhappy and distressed by the appearance of her cheek and wanted to know if there was a way to help it look more natural and normal again. We discussed using Restylane Lyft in the area. Our experience with this product is that it is a thick, sturdy filler that is ideal for adding volume, especially in the cheek area. After discussing the treatment extensively with the patient, we injected her with 1cc (or one syringe) of Restylane Lyft. As you can see from her photos, she was beyond ecstatic with her results and so were we.
By choosing the correct dermal filler product, we were able to provide soft, natural-looking results. At Celibre Medical, we pledge to you that we will answer all questions that you have regarding your treatment and even tell you if treatment is potentially harmful or not beneficial for your needs and goals. We’ll take the time to listen and we want to develop a lasting relationship.
If you’re tired of looking tired under your eyes, maybe it’s time to do something about it. Surgery isn’t always the only option; in fact, for many people with under-eye hollowing or bags, treatment with injectable dermal fillers can provide dramatic and long-lasting improvement and maybe a better choice. Here’s why:
As we age, the delicate, thin skin around the eye thins even more. We lose precious collagen which triggers the changes of darkness and wrinkling. Time also causes the normal fat that surrounds the eyeball to push through the circular muscle that surrounds the eye, making the lower eyelids look swollen and puffy. Losing volume in the middle part of the face (the cheeks and cheekbones) can also cause the eyes to look aged by accentuating these changes and making the groove or tear trough beneath the eye more prominent.
Restylane is an excellent hyaluronic acid (HA) filler that can be used to correct and camouflage these unwanted changes. It stimulates the production of collagen in the skin, replaces volume for indentations, and helps smooth the transition between a bulging fat pad in the lower lid and the cheek. At Celibre Medical, Restylane is our number one product to use for under-eye bags.
To give you a better idea of what Restylane can do for the eyes, please look at our patient’s photos below. This gentleman could have also chosen under eye surgery, as he has quite a bit of excess skin beneath his eyes. He opted instead for Restylane injections because he wanted immediate results and he didn’t mind the thought of re-treatment in the future. Restylane, coupled with the right injection techniques, gave him some very nice results that he was very pleased with. As you can see, it is possible to achieve dramatic change with a non-surgical approach.
Injection Technique Matters for Under Eye Injections
While the skill and technique of your injector are important regardless of the area being treated, we feel it is important to say that proper technique is essential when using dermal filler injections beneath the eyes. It can be the difference between you looking worse and looking amazing afterward!
Injectors at Celibre are all highly trained and experienced in injection techniques that place the filler product “under the muscle” when treating the area beneath the eye. This technique ensures that your filler looks smooth and natural. When done improperly in the incorrect plane of tissue around the eye, dermal HA fillers can bruise severely and look uneven and lumpy.
Make sure to discuss the experience of your injector as well as the techniques that will be used for your under-eye filler before treatment. Before and after photos can help you gauge the skill of your injector as well as help you understand what this treatment can and can’t do for you.
