Cosmetic Dermatology

Biostimulatory Fillers

All fillers work to achieve similar goals—imparting substance and shape—however, the mechanism of action and ingredients used to do so differ. The primary ingredient in HA fillers, like Juvéderm and Restylane, is, as the name implies, hyaluronic acid. While the lion’s share of fillers in your dermatologist’s armamentarium are made of HA — a safe sugar found naturally in the human body — a few are made from other materials. Radiesse contains the mineral calcium hydroxyapatite (the stuff of teeth and bones, it’s visible in X-rays and CT scans). Sculptra uses poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biodegradable man-made polymer — the same component in absorbable stitches. Unlike HA fillers, which basically serve as place holders — substitutes for depleted collagen and fat — these others are known as biostimulatory fillers: They give an immediate, short-term plumping due to the simple fact that liquid is being injected into the face but their primary purpose is to spark the growth of your own collagen for longer-lasting fullness and lift. Thanks to the uptick in collagen they yield, biostimulatory fillers can provide a long-lasting result, without the need …
read more

We are living much longer than our ancestors did, and even though our bodies may feel more energetic as we get older, they will begin to show signs of aging at some point.

Luckily, when it comes to your skin, Skin Wellness Dermatology has solutions for men and women that put you in control of your aging process.

One of the most common ways to help your skin look as vibrant as you feel is with targeted botulinum injections. Botulinum toxin is known more commonly as Botox®. Xeomin and Dysport are other brands of the same product.

If you’re curious about Botox in Birmingham and Chelsea, AL, set up an appointment with Skin Wellness Dermatology now by texting 850-920-3412 or calling 205-871-7332.

What Issues Can Botox® Treatment Help With?

These FDA–approved anti-aging treatments are ideal for the …
read more

A chemical peel is a popular cosmetic treatment that offers a variety of benefits for those looking to improve the appearance and health of their skin without cosmetic surgical procedures. To remove damaged skin cells and get the healthy glow you’re looking for, contact Skin Wellness Dermatology today! Make an appointment online or by calling 205-871-7332.

What Is A Chemical Peel? How Does A Chemical Peel Work?

Chemical peels are an underutilized and often misunderstood dermatologic treatment. A chemical peel is the application of a chemical substance directly to the skin that causes rapid skin cell turnover. This turnover is evident in the peeling and scaling that occurs for days after the procedure is performed.

Chemical peels work by removing the outer layers of dead and damaged skin cells on the surface of the treated skin, revealing fresh, new skin underneath. During your appointment, a chemical solution is applied to your skin. It will cause the outermost layers to slough off. The skin will be red, tight, sensitive, and slightly swollen for several days after …
read more

Also called fillers, soft tissue fillers, or soft tissue augmentation, dermal fillers restore our skin’s youthful fullness that is lost as we age. Dr. Corey Hartman, who is a Board Certified Dermatologist, and his team at Skin Wellness Dermatology, offer a number of different hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to reduce aging signs on the face, lips, and hands without the need for plastic surgery. With our wide selection, we can perform the following dermal filler procedures:

• Rejuvenate facial contours by restoring volume to the cheeks, hollows under the eyes, and deep folds.
• Reduce the appearance of scars.
• Eliminate fine lines such as crow’s feet and increase facial volume.
• Add fullness to the lips and restore volume.
• Lift a downturned mouth or lift the brows.
• Restore a more youthful appearance to the hands.

Restylane and Juvéderm dermal fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the human body. It is found in high concentrations in our joints and connective tissues, acting as a network to carry nutrients to our skin cells. When injected, the gel adds volume to the tissues and facial structures and draws water to the skin’s surface, …
read more

Did you know most visible signs of aging can be attributed to facial volume loss? You may notice wrinkles and sagging as your skin loses collagen and elastin. Fortunately, Juvéderm is a convenient way to restore volume, reverse these changes, and ensure you’re always looking your best.

Benefits of Juvéderm

Juvéderm soft tissue filler is a popular non-surgical treatment for patients who want to restore volume to their face and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Benefits of Juvéderm injectable filler treatment include:

• Immediate, long-lasting results
• Non-surgical
• Minimal downtime
• Add volume to cheeks and lips
• Smooth out nasolabial folds, smile lines, smokers’ lines, marionette lines, and more

What is Juvéderm Made Of?

Juvéderm is a hyaluronic acid (HA) filler. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance that is found in sugar molecules throughout the body, including in the eyes, joints, and connective tissues. In addition, Juvéderm gel contains lidocaine to reduce sensitivity to pain at the injection site.

How Do Hyaluronic Acid Fillers …
read more

Now there is a treatment for your double chin! The FDA has approved KYBELLA™(deoxycholic acid) injection, which contours and improves the appearance of moderate to severe submental fullness due to submental fat.

Submental fullness, also known as “double chin,” can affect adult women and men of all ages and weights, and is influenced by multiple factors, including aging and genetics. Submental fullness is often resistant to diet and exercise, and according to a 2014 survey conducted by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, 68 percent of people said they are bothered by their double chin.

How Does Kybella Work?

KYBELLA™ is a formulation of a naturally occurring-substance (deoxycholic acid) that targets and destroys fat cells in the area where it’s injected. Once those cells are destroyed, they can no longer store or accumulate fat. Once the aesthetic response is achieved with KYBELLA™, re-treatment is not expected to be required.

The most common side effects are typically local to the treatment area and most commonly include swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, tingling, hardness and redness. KYBELLA™ can cause serious side effects, including trouble swallowing and nerve injury in the …
read more

When Kim Kardashian made news with her “vampire facial,” the procedure actually wasn’t new. Microneedling therapy, also known as skin needling, has been around for many years but is currently enjoying a renaissance. And although microneedling devices are now available for home use, trying to undertake the procedure on your own carries significant risk.

Why use microneedling?

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that stimulates collagen growth. A mechanical pen, its head filled with tiny needles, is rolled over the skin and as it vibrates, it delivers microinjections, penetrating the skin many times over the course of a few seconds. The needles are used to create a controlled skin injury.

For decades, dermatologists have successfully used this procedure to treat facial scars and promote collagen growth. It can be used after traumatic injuries or to treat depigmentation disorders.

In addition to its effectiveness as a procedure on its own, microneedling can also be a vehicle for delivering other treatments. That’s because rolling the needles over the skin creates channels in superficial portions so that medicines or products can be delivered more effectively through the skin.

Why not try it at …
read more

Mole Removal

Moles, medically known as nevi, typically appear as small brown spots, but they can be any one of a wide range of colors. They occur when cells, called melanocytes, grow in clusters instead of spreading out. Melanocytes cells are distributed throughout the basal cell layer of the epidermis and form melanin pigment, which gives skin its color.

Moles Are Common

Moles are extremely common skin growths, most adults have from 10 to 40 moles, and they can develop on virtually any part of the body. They may be flat or raised, and nearly color brown, black, pink, red, white, purple, blue, or flesh colored. Most moles are non-cancerous (benign), and no cause for concern. However, a mole can sometimes develop into melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer.

Be Alert

Moles should be checked for the ABCDEFGs of melanoma. If a mole is Asymmetrical, has an irregular Border, is varied in Color, has a Diameter larger than a #2 pencil eraser, is Evolving in color, shape …
read more

• Reveal can show the hidden effects of sun damage on your skin. If left untreated, these could lead to serious complexion problems later.
• Reveal can pinpoint redness of the skin in problem areas associated with rosacea. Your skincare professional can treat these for a more youthful complexion.
• Spider veins start small. Reveal can help you visualize them before they become big problems.
• Reveal sees beneath the skin’s surface to identify potential problems not yet visible to the naked eye.
• Reveal’s “3D” visualization of your skin shows where facial wrinkles may be lurking in the earliest stages. Get the right treatment when and where you need it.
• Take home a full color printed report showing the results of your Reveal session, and recommended treatments.
• Reveal uses high-resolution digital imaging to photograph your complexion in amazing detail.

The Reveal imager takes clinical quality photographs of your complexion and uses multi-spectral analysis to identify the key …
read more

Have you noticed your skin needs a little extra TLC? As we age, our body’s natural collagen levels decrease, and facial fat loss can make us appear older. By age 45, you’ll have lost 25% of your collagen. Fortunately, there are safe and effective options to address these concerns.

Sculptra® is an FDA-approved dermal filler injection made with poly-L-lactic acid, a biocompatible substance that has been used by plastic surgeons and other doctors for dissolvable sutures and facial enhancement since 1999. When the gel-like treatment is injected under the skin, it is gradually and naturally absorbed by your body to rebuild lost collagen and fill out deep folds and wrinkles. This quick and simple cosmetic procedure from Skin Wellness Dermatology reduces the early signs of aging by smoothing and restoring fullness to the facial skin for a more youthful appearance.

To find out if Sculptra® injections are right for you, schedule a consultation at Skin Wellness Dermatology and discuss your goals with us!

Benefits of Sculptra®

Sculptra® can be used in areas of the face such …
read more

Like any other precious commodity, good skin care is essential to protecting your appearance. Individualized skin care products are essential to maintaining healthy skin that will last a lifetime. With so many products on the market, it can be overwhelming to navigate the aisles and web to find the perfect regimen for yourself.

Our medical professionals are on the pulse of what’s new and innovative in skin care and are committed to helping you carefully select products that will help you to achieve all of your skin care goals.

At Skin Wellness Dermatology, we carry only the best skin care lines on the market, including Isdin, SkinBetter, SkinCeuticals, SkinMedica, EltaMD, Glytone and many more. Each is individually tested rigorously to ensure maximum benefit for minimal cost. After a consult with one of our medical professionals, your regimen will be specialized to your needs and goals.

AESTHETICIAN SERVICES

Once you’ve tailored your skin care products, regular maintenance to polish the look can help you to always be prepared to present your best face. Regular facials, waxing, and extractions can provide that extra boost to ensure that you are always …
read more

Sclerotherapy, or ‘injection therapy’, is the most common vein treatment for spider and varicose veins on the legs. The treatment is performed by injecting a mild chemical solution directly into the spider veins on the legs or other area. The solution irritates the vessel walls, causing them to collapse. Over time, natural processes in the skin absorb the vein and blood is diverted to a healthy vein, maintaining proper circulation through the healthy blood vessel network in the area.

What Are Spider Veins?

Spider Veins, also known as telangiectasias, are small, nonfunctioning blood vessels that become dilated and more visible under the skin or on mucous membranes anywhere on the body. Typically, isolated spider veins generally pose no health threat to patients, but they can be an aesthetic concern for many people.

Is A Follow Up Procedure Necessary?

Typically, a touch-up sclerotherapy session is necessary to retreat some vessels and to ensure that none were missed the first time. The touch-up session usually takes place a few weeks after the first treatment. Some patients may require additional treatments, depending upon the number of veins …
read more