The skin loses its youthful appearance and develops blemishes, large pores, and wrinkles due to natural aging, repeated exposure to sun, and certain unhealthy habits, such as smoking or drinking. The sun's ultraviolet rays can damage the skin's elastin fibers and create pigmentary changes. This damage occurs in the cellular level, and sometimes, these cellular changes can degenerate into cancer-producing cells. Taking care of your skin is not only something that will make you look healthier and more youthful, but it will also help you fight the damaging effects of sunlight that may eventually cause skin cancer.
There are several products on the market today that help rejuvenate and protect the skin. Many of these products are combined with Retin-A to produce the desired result. The choice of product will depend on the severity of your skin problem and your lifestyle. If you have minimal signs of aging and sun damage, you may not need a full regimen of skin care products. On the other hand, if your skin is badly damaged and prematurely aged, you may need to use the full spectrum of creams and lotions to help you revitalize your skin. Dr. Marefat can help you decide which line of products to choose and to what extent you need to use it.
Acne-prone skin can be a difficult and frustrating problem for many individuals. The treatment of acne-prone skin may not only require skin care products but also oral medications to suppress the growth of new lesions. Individualized care plans are often needed to treat these patients.
Although there is some initial discomfort and peeling with the use of medical-grade skin care products, the ultimate result is well worth it. Many patients who start on these products are not compliant with the regimen and soon give up because of the peeling. This initial peeling is a necessary evil, and you cannot get the skin to become healthy unless you peel the dead skin cells. After the peeling stops, the new healthy skin will be smoother with smaller pores and fewer wrinkles and blemishes. There is no recovery time involved in using these products. If you need a light chemical peel in addition to the products, you may want to take off from work for 3-4 days. In this period of time, your skin will shed most of the top layer of dead skin cells. When you use skin products combined with Retin-A, you must protect your skin from direct sunlight.
Skin care is a branch of plastic surgery that deals with the medical treatment of skin problems, such as blemishes, photoaging, wrinkles, and acne.
As plastic surgeons, we see many patients who come to us to look better and healthier. Treatment of the skin is part and parcel of many rejuvenating procedures. With the use of medically tested skin care products, we can help your skin retrieve its natural and healthy look. Many of these products are combined with medications such as Retin-A or hydroquinone, which help treat sun-damaged skin. With the appropriate skin care product and the right combination of medications, you may be able to slow down the aging process and help your skin look healthier, smoother, and less unevenly pigmented.
In the first consultation, you will have a chance to discuss your concerns with our patient care coordinators and Dr. Marefat. We will explain what you need to know about your procedure and help to determine what is best for you. You will receive information booklets, review before and after photographs, and receive pricing on the procedures.
In Virginia, skin care products should be used on a regular basis. The regimen will depend on the extent of sun damage and photoaging present. If your problems are not severe, you may need to use the products less aggressively. However, the beneficial effects of many of these products are dependent on consistent and regular usage. In other words, if you use them sporadically, you will not see a positive change in your skin.
There is no significant tissue reaction with the use of skin care products. However, you should expect to see some initial irritation and redness in your skin. You will also have considerable peeling or shedding of the dead skin in the first several weeks that you start on your skin care regimen. You do not need to take time off of work with these products. You must be able to tolerate this initial peeling if you want to get a positive result. Retin-A does create new vessel growth in the skin and gives a blush to the face. This blush eventually subsides. However, you will have a healthy glow to your skin as long as you use Retin-A with your skin care products. You will also remain very sensitive to sunlight, and, therefore, we recommend using sunblock to protect the skin from direct sunlight.
We like to see our patients frequently after treatment. You are seen by the doctor or nurse within 2-3 days of treatment. Then, the normal routine is 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after you start your skin care program. Of course, if there is a need, you are seen as many times as necessary. We encourage our patients to come in for routine follow-up visits every 3-5 years.
You will not experience any bruising with skin care products. However, we do not recommend putting makeup on your face to cover the redness that is present in the first several weeks after you start your program.
The ideal candidates for skin products are those who have minor skin lines and wrinkles, irregular pigmentation of the skin, and photodamaged skin. In addition, people who suffer from acne are good candidates for using skin care products. There is no definite age category when the regimen should be started. We have used skin care products on both young and old patients. You must have realistic expectations regarding the improvement that can be achieved with skin care products.
If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, you should not use Retin-A products. If you have any allergies to the products, you will not be a candidate for this treatment.
You can pay for the products by certified check, credit card, or cash. Payments are expected when you receive the products.
No.
No. You may experience irritation and stinging from the Retin-A in the early phases of your treatment.
Yes. In all cosmetic and reconstructive cases, medical photos are taken. Photographs are mandatory. This is the only way for us to compare your status before the procedure to your results. Photographs in plastic surgery serve much the same role that x-rays serve for orthopedic surgery.
Dr. Marefat and the staff at Metropolitan Plastic Surgery would be happy to help you set up a private consultation to discuss skin care treatments in Virginia. Schedule an appointment online or call one of our locations at 703-516-7600 (Arlington area) or at 703-560-9583 (Woodbridge).
Dr. Marefat offers a number of financial assistance programs and payment programs to cover the cost of skin care treatments in Virginia. Please visit the patient financing section of our website for more details or ask the staff at Metropolitan Plastic Surgery about these options so that you can get started with skin care treatments in Virginia today.
