Spa days are like baseball. They’re a popular pastime for
many, they are a good way to relieve stress and, for some, they’re almost a
rite of passage. Spa treatments can also be an important part of your skin care
routine. The various treatments can help anyone maintain youthful, radiant skin
at any age.
When considering who to trust with your skin care
treatments, consider that not all spas are medical spas. While many spas offer
treatments like facials or chemical peels, a medical professional may not perform
the procedures. That’s the biggest difference between your average day spa and
a medi spa. At Advanced Dermatology, for example, you’ll get the full spa
treatment and trust your skin to a board-certified dermatologist.
In this blog post, I’ll address common treatments offered at
ADSCA and other medical spas, as well as questions to ask that will help you
make an informed choice when choosing the spa for you.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are topically applied formulas that
revitalize the skin’s surface by creating a controlled shedding of the
outermost layer of skin. This allows new layers to be exposed, creating a fresh
appearance and smoother texture for the skin’s surface.
Types of Chemical Peels
- Light Exfoliating Peels – These
are great for patients new to chemical peels. For maximum results, these peels
should be done every two weeks in a series of up to six treatments.
- Light peels can improve mild to
moderate cases of acne, soften the look of fine lines and improve skin texture.
There is little to no downtime after the procedure.
- Modified Jessner’s Peels – This
blend of salicylic acid, lactic acid and resorcinol is great for reducing acne,
and can help diminish the appearance of sun damage and decrease the appearance
of fine lines.
- Patients can expect about three to
five days of downtime after the procedure, with the skin showing some peeling
and flaking.
- TCA Peel – This peel offers a
deeper peeling depth and is great for improving skin texture, superficial
blemishes and pigmentation problems.
- This peel can be used on the face
and other areas of the body. Patients will experience three to seven days of
downtime afterward.
Important Things to Discuss With Your Provider
- What level of skin improvement do
you hope to achieve? This is important, as various peels may be more beneficial
for different goals.
- Is your skin sensitive? Not
everyone’s skin is cut out for chemical peels. Some people may require a
lighter peel; others may not need one at all.
- How much downtime should you
expect after you peel? Depending on the peel, your skin may appear blotchy,
flaky or very red after your treatment. This can last from a few days up to a
week. It’s also important to note that after a peel, you should avoid sun
exposure for at least a week.
- What type of care is provided or
recommended by your provider? Some peels may require some follow-up care.
Facials
Facials include any of a number of services intended to
exfoliate the skin, aid in anti-aging and eliminate dead skin cells. Generally,
facials refresh the skin with less downtime than chemical peels. The types of
facials available depend on the spa you visit, but generally focus on one area,
such as the pores.
Important Things to Discuss With Your Provider
- What are your expectations for the
facial? This will help you and your provider choose the type of facial that is
best for you.
- Have you had any exfoliating
treatments or other facials recently? You should allow your skin some recovery
time before having another similar treatment.
- What type of post-facial treatment
does your provider recommend? Many facials may require protecting your skin
from the sun for a period of time, using gentler face washes or certain
moisturizers.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a procedure that involves using a
diamond-tipped wand to remove impurities from the skin. This treatment can take
care of pollutants, ultraviolet rays and other outside factors that may cause
the skin to age prematurely. The end result is smoother, softer skin. Some
spas, including ADSCA, offer a type of microdermabrasion that infuses oxygen
with a healing serum to create immediate results.
Important Things to Discuss With Your Provider
- What are your expectations for the
treatment? Depending on your goal, you may need multiple treatments to see your
desired results.
- Do you have any existing skin
conditions or concerns? Microdermabrasion is not ideal for patients with
visible, broken capillaries or rosacea.
Dermaplaning
This exfoliation procedure uses a special surgical blade to
gently slough away the top layer of the epidermis. Removing the dead skin cells
leaves the skin looking vibrant and smooth. Dermaplaning can also be useful in
removing vellous facial hair (also called peach fuzz), which can trap excess
dirt and oil, as well as rejuvenating skin tissue and reducing acne scarring,
uneven pigmentation and fine line wrinkles.
Important Things to Discuss With Your Provider
- What are your goals? Most people
see results after just one treatment, but maintenance requires more over time.
- Is it necessary? Not everyone
needs this treatment.
Laser Skin
Rejuvenation
This treatment combats the effects of aging and sun damage
through the use of lasers. This procedure is often combined with other medi spa
treatments, such as facials or microdermabrasion.
One type of laser skin rejuvenation is Ultherapy™. The
ideal candidate for this treatment experiences:
- Laxity of the facial skin
- Sagging skin around the jaw line
(jowls)
- Loose neck skin
- Wilting brow
- Puffiness around the eyes
Before getting this treatment, it’s important that the
patient not use any aspirin or non-steroidal anti-i
nflammatory
products for a least a week prior. Patients should also not take any fish oils
or omega oils for at least a week prior to treatment. Most spas will require
the patient to arrive early for medication before treatment.
Important Things to Discuss With Your Provider
- Do you qualify for laser skin
rejuvenation? It isn’t for everyone. Pay attention to the criteria listed
above, and consider whether this treatment is necessary or if another method
will satisfy your goals.
- Is there another, easier method to
achieve your skin care goals?
- What activities should you avoid
before or after treatment?
- How much downtime should you
expect after treatment?
If you’d like to schedule an appointment or get more
information about ADSCA’s medi spa, click
here. If you have any
general questions, comment below and I’ll try to address them!
