Newsletters: Spring 2012 Newsletter
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Set your legs free with sclerotherapy
As the weather warms up, it's time to trade in the wool pants for shorts and skirts. You can improve the appearance of your legs for summer by eliminating any noticeable varicose and spider veins with sclerotherapy.
 A popular treatment in our office this time of the year is sclerotherapy, which involves injecting unsightly spider and varicose veins with sclerosants, or special solutions that scar the interior of the veins and make them collapse.
A typical sclerotherapy session takes about 15 minutes and the anesthetics in the injected solution keep it relatively painless. While a single treatment can be effective, often two to four treatments 4-6 weeks apart are required to achieve the best results. After each treatment, the patient is instructed to wear compression stockings for the next 24 hours and then during the day for two weeks, as it improves the success rate of the procedure.
With sclerotherapy, unsightly veins don't have to be a nuisance, and certainly shouldn't prevent you from showing off your legs this summer. Read more about sclerotherapy treatments on our website.
Tattoo Removal: Lasers can erase that mistake
As advancements in medical science have increased our ability to remove unwanted tattoos, the number of people who have sought out tattoo removal has soared in recent years.
 Medical lasers are the most effective way to remove the vast majority of tattoos. If you’re one of the 61 million people in the United States walking around with unwanted ink, you should consider laser tattoo removal.
In our office, for most tattoos we use Q-switched lasers, the gold standard for tattoo removal. They work by breaking the ink pigment into smaller pieces so that it can be eliminated by the body’s immune system. The number of laser sessions can vary, depending on the density and color of the ink and the age of the tattoo. Older tattoos are easier to remove than recent tattoos, and homemade tattoos are easier to remove than professional ones. Black, blue and green colors are easier to remove than reds, oranges and yellows. The duration, number of treatments and total cost also depends on the size of the tattoo as smaller tattoos are easier to remove than large ones.
Like most laser procedures, the risk of complications and the quality of the results depends on the training and expertise of the person administering the treatment. At Union Square Laser Dermatology, all laser procedures are performed by a board certified dermatologist with extensive training and expertise in laser treatments including tattoo removal. More information on the safety of laser procedures can be found on our website.
Liposonix Update
As we mentioned in our Winter 2012 newsletter, Union Square Laser Dermatology was the first medical practice in the United States to offer the 2nd generation of Liposonix outside a clinical study and Dr. Chapas introduced the device on U.S. television by demonstrating it on the Dr. Oz Show in January 2012. According to the manufacturer of the device, we have now treated more patients with the 2nd generation system than any other facility in the U.S.
Our verdict: We are excited about the 2nd generation of Liposonix because its versatility allows targeting specific areas to help eliminate unwanted body fat in the abdomen and the waistline. Our patient evaluations show meaningful results in more than 90% of our treatments and several of our patients have seen results better than the one inch/one pant size reduction reported in clinical studies. Remember that Liposonix is not a way to lose weight or treat obesity, that it takes 8 to 12 weeks to see full results, and that the treatment works best for patients that maintain healthy diet and exercise habits.
Anti-Aging Tips
Sunscreen is the best wrinkle fighter.
Daily sun exposure directly damages collagen beneath our skin surface causing a wrinkled, leathery texture to the face. Daily application of a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher protects against damage caused by the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, and helps prevent skin cancer as well as wrinkles. At Union Square Laser Dermatology we offer effective and affordable ELTA MD sunscreens for every skin type. Without fragrance and parabens, this line has been extremely well tolerated and popular with our patients.
Vitamin A doesn't have to be irritating.
Prescription Retin A has long been the gold standard to even skin color and smooth fine lines. However it is often associated with dryness and irritation, which can limit how frequently it can be used. Newer over the counter formulations of retinol such as Skin Medica’s Tri-Retinol Complex can improve appearance of sun damaged skin more gently. Nightly application is recommended.
Antioxidants can reverse skin damage from city living.
A recent study in Germany found that exposing skin to air particle pollution may increase the number of pigmented spots on the forehead and cheeks by 20%. Although the exact mechanism is not known, it is believed that pollution helps the accumulation of free radical molecules in our skin that can promote skin aging. Topical creams known as anti-oxidants neutralize these free radicals to prevent skin damage. Studies have shown that antioxidants such as Revaleskin Intense Recovery Treatment can decrease the signs of aging in as little as 8 weeks.
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