Facial aesthetic improvement would be incomplete without refining the facial skin. Most facial or body skin blemishes are results of ultraviolet radiation damage from overexposure to the sun. The damage will cause uneven distribution of pigment (facial dyschromia), appearance of abnormal blood vessels (rosecea), depletion of collagen (wrinkles), as well as coarseness of the skin pores. Other facial blemishes such as scars, moles, pigmented spots and deep lines are also common with aging.

Fluorescent Pulse Light Therapy (FLT) - Prolite

Fluorescent pulse light therapy is the most advanced form of intense pulse light photofacial treatment. It is safer than the other photofacial treatments because the temperature on impact is only about 80 degrees centigrade, making skin damage and scarring extremely unlikely. The concept of the therapy is by utilizing filter intense pulse light frequencies to reverse the changes in sun-damaged skin. This effect has been proven scientifically. This is also the only non-surgical modality that has a scientific basis in actual increase in the amount of collagen fibres histologically. The therapy will therefore improve facial dyschromia, minimize rosecea, increase skin collagen and decrease skin pore size. The most attractive feature of this treatment is that it involves no down time. Each treatment is about half an hour, after which the patient can go out with no obvious disruptions to their facial skin. Patients can continue to use make-up and return to work immediately. Sunscreen is an integral part of the treatment while the patient is under therapy. The average patient requires 3 to 5 sessions to achieve the desired result. Each session is 3 weeks apart.

Erbium YAG Laser Treatment

This is the treatment of choice for acne scars, hypertrophic scars, and removal of certain moles and pigmented spots. It is also helpful in improving fine wrinkles and certain facial dyschromia (pigmentation). This method obtains the result by removal of the damaged top layer of skin. As the skin heals, the epidermis is rejuvenated and the collagen fibers of the dermis become shorter, thicker, and more organized which, in turn, tightens the skin. The entire process of healing may take six months to a year, but fresh new skin is generally present after ten days and can be camouflaged with cosmetic.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion involves using a rotating brush to "sand" off the top layers of skin. This technique is best used in the case of acne scarring, skin surface irregularities and age spots.

With dermabrasion and laser resurfacing, there will be ten to fourteen days when the area will be very red and raw. In the first twenty-four hours there may be a yellowish fluid that flows from it. There will also be some swelling about the second day. After ten days, the area will become resurfaced with a "new, baby-like" thin, delicate pink skin that will require gentle care and sun- screen to ensure excellent results.

Chemical Peels

Various chemical peels using different concentrations of TCA (Obagi Blue Peel) and glycolic acids are available. Chemical peels remove fine wrinkles, improves acne scars and lightens the discoloration of pigmented spots on the face. Recovery after a chemical peel may take a few days. Makeup can be applied usually the day after.

Oxy-Mist Treatment

Oxy-Mist is a mixture of essential skin nutrients such as vitamins and amino acids being sprayed through the skin with a mist of oxygen. The treatment is an essential adjuvant after laser resurfacing, chemical peels or dermabrasions. This treatment will greatly assist in the recovery of the skin as well as enhancing the results of the treatment.

Botox

Facial wrinkles are caused by over-utilization of certain groups of facial muscles during facial animation over the years. The newest discovery is the Botox injection. Botox is a diluted medically modified form of the neuro-toxin of Botulism. When Botox is injected in designated concentrations by trained personnel into the desired group of muscles, it will take away the wrinkles that are formed by this group of muscles. The common areas of injection are the frown lines, crows feet, forehead wrinkles, peri-oral wrinkles and lip wrinkles. Each injection will last for about 6 months.

Injectable Fillers

Deep facial lines such as the smile lines, peri-oral wrinkles, frown lines or depressed areas such as facial scars can be improved with injectable fillers. Botox will not help smile lines or depressed areas.

Injectable fillers are divided into autogenous and non-autogenous materials. Autogenous materials such as body fat and dermal grafts are harvested from other parts of your body and injected into the desired areas. There should not be any rejections. Non-autogenous materials such as collagen, restylin, perlan, and hyaform are short acting, lasting for about six months, whereas artecolle is more long- lasting, lasting for 3 to 5 years. Although non-autogenous materials carry a small risk of rejections, their easy application, quick recovery and non-necessity of donor sites from one's body make them very popular as injectable fillers.

Skin Care

In order to maintain healthy, well toned and textured skin, continual skin care is essential. The concept of skin care is to exfoliate the top layer of dead keratinized skin so that the pores are open and clean, to increase the water content through use of a moisturizer, and to protect the skin from ultra-violet damage by use of sunscreen. The Obagi Protocol skin care system and other skin care system that contain all the components for optimal skin care and are available in Dr. Wong's clinic.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an efficient, no down time treatment to exfoliate dead keratinized facial skin and improve circulation to the face. It is an excellent adjuvant treatment with other facial treatment programs to continue to improve the condition of the skin. Microdermabrasion is usually done in conjunction with Prolite photofacial treatment and Obagi Nu-derm Skin Care System to maximize the benefits to care of facial skin.