I recently searched online just two words, Botox ripoffs. What I found truly amazed me. The search was inundated with accusations of doctors offices giving poor Botox treatments, diluted Botox, unwarranted Botox alternatives and worse. Physicians all take a Hippocratic oath that among other things makes undermining our patients trust a complete breach of that oath.

As a businessman, I know how hard it can be to make ends meet. Overhead costs and cash flow issues are a burden never taught in medical school. But standards must be kept, for the sake of all physicians who enjoy the variety and satisfaction that aesthetic medicine brings to their practices.

So you have noticed that your skin seems dryer and duller, and you wonder what to do about it. You probably went to the store and saw all the skin care products describing ingredients touting new breakthroughs with names you have never even heard of. Then you heard about all the treatments such as IPL and Fraxel, and laser rejuvenation. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion also probably came upon the radar. Lets explore what exactly is going on with the skin and then get back to the treatments.

Natural moisturizing factors

"Out, out damn spot! Lord Starr doth this way come!" I am often reminded of this line from Shakespeare when dealing with one of those pesky age spots, sun damaged areas on the cheeks, or unwanted freckles. The patient will ask what is the best way to treat this? I think to myself, "don't go out in the sun". But of course we live in Houston, and it is 70 degrees in January, so outdoor activity is hard to avoid. I do of course recommend sunscreen, and other cosmeceuticals that may help especially retinol, and hydroquinone (which blocks the melanocytes from making melanin). But that only helps prevent or inhibit further darkening for the most part. The options of actually getting rid of the spots are broad.

Trying to fix all skin ailments amenable to treatment with just one machine would be the dream of every physician who has entered the practice of cosmetic skin care. This rapidly changing field can be very challenging even to the most astute physicians who everyday try to keep abreast of the information available. That being said. We are very excited about the new technology added to our practice. Sciton's Profractional Laser is a truly fractional laser with results that are the best in class with regards to reduction in wrinkles, brown spots, acne scar reduction and more. It provides our Med Spa the tools needed to help those with hard to treat issues, that perhaps have been resistant to the nonablative therapies such as IPL or FRAXEL. Information on the Profractional is available at www.sciton.com. Call for a free consultation now at 281-812-7232.

Aesthetic skin care has greatly improved over the past 10 years. Each year we attend the Aesthetic Show in Las Vegas and review the newest machines from the manufacturers. While some of these are true advances in cosmetic medicine, most miss the mark. It seems that the FDA will approve anything as long as it isn't harmful and has a study with a modicum of improvement. Some procedures and machines get FDA approval for one thing, but is marketed for another. For example, one machine touted for skin tightening was FDA approved for only heating the skin. No studies were put forth to say it would tighten skin, and only a supposition that the heating would lead to collagen and elastin production. But did it heat it enough? Why no studies first before hawking such a device. Because the competition is fierce. Every major company wants to have the latest and greatest. But really, are any of them greater? Well yes and no.

Sunblock

• Sunblock is made up of physical or inorganic ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that physically reflect harmful UVA and UVB rays
• It acts as a wall between the sun and your skin by reflecting the rays right off of your skin
• It physically blocks rays 
• Works instantly

Sunscreen

• Sunscreen contains chemicals that shield your skin by absorbing and reflecting UVB rays only
• Chemically absorbs rays
• Must be applied before sun exposure to work properly because it needs time to sink into the skin and form a protective layer

Hope this was helpful to you!