What Causes a Scar?

Scars occur when the dermis (deep layer of skin) is damaged. The body produces extra collagen to heal the injury, and this leads to a scar. Scars often have a different texture and appearance than the surrounding skin. Pitted acne scars are similar, but result when a pit develops in the space where the deep acne was present. Surgical scars, acne scars, and injury scars are all treatable by an experienced dermatologist like Dr. Matarasso.

What Are My Treatment Options for Scarring?

If you have unwanted scarring, come see Dr. Matarasso. He can help you fade your scars. He often chooses to use the Fraxel laser to treat scars, reducing their appearance, smoothing the skin, and refreshing your look. This treatment can improve many types of scarring and works on most skin types. Dr. Matarasso can help you determine if Fraxel can improve the appearance of your skin or if another treatment may be more beneficial.

The Fraxel laser is a type of fractional skin resurfacing, which means that the treatment targets only a fraction of skin, leaving the surrounding skin intact. This can speed healing and promotes the body’s healing response for better results. Damaged skin is replaced by healthy, new skin. In addition to treating scarring, the Fraxel laser can be used to fade wrinkles, rejuvenate the skin, even skin tone, and much more.

Dr. Matarasso can customize your treatment to your skin’s specific needs. Healing time will vary considerably depending on the depth and strength of your treatment. He can discuss your options with you during an appointment. We will work with you to limit downtime so treatment will work with your schedule.

Smooth your scars with Fraxel. Call today and schedule your appointment with Dr. Matarasso.

2016 is the year you’ve decided to tackle your wrinkles, but now you need to know which wrinkle treatment to choose. Fortunately, we’ve got several. Come in for your personalized recommendation for your skin and trouble areas. Dr. Matarasso can help you rediscover smooth, wrinkle-free skin. We offer wrinkle treatments for every age and every stage of life.

What Wrinkle Treatments Should I Try?

Crow’s feet and nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to the mouth) are both wrinkles, but they aren’t the same. Crow’s feet are caused by muscle movement while nasolabial folds develop due to loss of facial volume. When it comes to wrinkles, there are many different types and each one is best targeted by a different treatment. To help keep your skin at its best, Dr. Matarasso offers a variety of wrinkle treatments. Ask him for advice about which treatment (or treatments) is best for you.

• Botox- For expression wrinkles (like crow’s feet, lines between the brows, frown lines, etc.), nothing beats Botox. This treatment temporarily relaxes the muscles that cause these types of wrinkles. As the muscles relax, the skin smoothes and the wrinkles fade away. No downtime is needed. Dysport is a similar treatment option.
• Dermal Fillers- If your wrinkles are caused by a loss of facial volume (like nasolabial folds), opt for a dermal filler. These injectable fillers restore volume and fill in wrinkles. Dr. Matarasso is a highly skilled injector known for his smooth, natural-looking results. We carry a wide range of fillers (including Juvederm and Restylane) and will choose the right product for your problem areas. Dermal fillers can even be used to add volume to the lips. Dermal fillers and Botox are often used in combination, and the result is nothing short of amazing.
• IPL- Rejuvenate your skin and improve the appearance of your wrinkles with IPL (also known as intense pulsed light or photofacial). This treatment uses intense light to treat and improve damaged skin. This treatment is great for wrinkles, but that isn’t all it can do. It also treats sun damage, brown spots, enlarged pores, and spider veins. IPL requires no downtime and most patients see good results in just a few treatments.
• Microdermabrasion- By exfoliating the outermost layers of skin we can treat wrinkles and brighten dull skin. Microdermabrasion smoothes and rejuvenates skin and boosts collagen production. Downtime is not required, although you may have redness for a few days.
• Fraxel- A laser skin rejuvenation treatment, the Fraxel laser is a great choice for smoothing wrinkles and rejuvenating skin. This treatment may require a minimal recovery period. Fraxel can treat wrinkles, uneven skin tone, roughness, and a variety of other skin problems.

Which option is right for you? Dr. Matarasso can help you find the right treatment for your wrinkles. Call today and schedule your appointment.

Start the New Year looking your best. We realize you’ll be singing “Auld Lang Syne” in just a few weeks, but you’ve still got time to rejuvenate your look. These last minute tips will have you party-ready with plenty of time to celebrate.

Botox: 15 Minute Treatment + 4 Days = A Younger Looking You

If you’ve got 15 minutes and a few days to spare, Botox can help you shine at your next soiree. This injectable treatment is a great option for fading away wrinkles caused by muscle movement, such as crow’s feet, the lines between the brows, and forehead wrinkles. Results take a few days to appear, so plan for Botox several days to a week before New Year’s Eve and start the year looking more youthful. After-treatment results should last several months.

Botox is a wonderful treatment option during the busy holiday season, as it takes just a few minutes and requires no downtime. You can resume your regular activities immediately. If you experience redness or swelling, it can often be covered with makeup.

Dysport is a similar treatment option that Dr. Matarasso may recommend for some patients. Botox and Dysport are both botulinum toxin treatments with many similarities. If you’re in a rush to see results, Dysport may be a better option; many patients see changes in just a day or two.

Get Ready for Your New Year’s Eve Smooch with Juvederm

Gorgeous lips won’t guarantee you the perfect New Year’s Eve smooch, but they can’t hurt your chances. If you want to plump up your pout, Juvederm is an excellent option. This injectable dermal filler can enhance your lips with no downtime and instant results. Many patients experience a bit of swelling, so opt for the treatment as soon as possible to ensure your lips are ripe for romance.

Juvederm is an excellent for lip enhancement because it requires no pre-treatment or downtime. The actual treatment takes just a few minutes, and Dr. Matarasso is known for his stunning, natural-looking results.

Injectable Dermal Fillers- An Instant “Facelift

If you want to instantly rejuvenate your look, come in and ask about dermal fillers. We offer several different types of fillers, including Restylane, Restylane Lyft, Juvederm, and Juvederm Voluma. These fillers are injected into the skin to lift, revolumize, fill in wrinkles, reshape, etc. Treatment is quick and generally requires no downtime.

When used by a skilled injector like Dr. Matarasso, fillers and Botox can be used to create an instant “facelift”. While the results won’t be as dramatic as a surgical treatment, they can be very natural looking and eye-catching. You can look younger before 2016. Cross that resolution off your list early this year!

Call today and schedule your pre-party treatment, as the ball will drop soon enough. You still have time, but not much!

Botox

We know the holiday season can be busy, but everyone has time for Botox. Start to finish treatment takes less than 30 minutes and you can return to your regular activities immediately. Botox does take some time to start working, so schedule your appointment at least a week before the holiday parties begin. One treatment lasts 3-4 months and should take you through Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and beyond. Botox is the perfect holiday beauty secret for fewer wrinkles.

Dermal Fillers

Fine lines and wrinkles are no match for dermal fillers. Botox is ideal for lines caused by muscle activity (including crow’s feet and lines between the brows) while dermal fillers can be used on those other wrinkles. Dr. Matarasso can plump up the lips, restore lost volume, and erase wrinkles with a few quick and easy injections. We offer a wide range of fillers (including Juvederm and Restylane) to ensure that you look party perfect this holiday season.

IPL

This holiday season don’t let the only lights be the ones of the tree. IPL stands for intense pulsed light and is a revolutionary way to smooth, brighten, and rejuvenate skin. We typically use it on the face, but it can be used in other areas too. Treatment takes about 15-30 minutes.

The results from IPL can be stunning, but it will take a few days from treatment to party perfect. At first you may have some redness and irritation. This is easily covered with makeup, but give yourself a few days after treatment before an important holiday event so you can look your best.

Microdermabrasion

Enjoy smoother skin this holiday season with microdermabrasion. This treatment manually exfoliates the top layers of skin. It is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S. After treatment your skin will look and feel younger for about a month. Treatment takes about 30 minutes.

Patients often find that their skin is red and flaky for the first few days after treatment. We’ll give you tips to speed the healing process and to ease any discomfort during healing. Try to schedule microdermabrasion at least 5 days before a big holiday party.

Gorgeous holiday skin awaits. Call us today and book your pre-holiday skin treatments with Dr. Matarasso.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Rosacea Patients?

No two rosacea patients are the same, and Dr. Matarasso focuses on providing individualized care for each of his patients. He utilizes a variety of treatment options and will work with you to find the best combination of treatments for your skin type and condition. Some common treatments for rosacea include:

• Lifestyle Changes– Research suggests that lifestyle changes can have a positive impact on rosacea. Using the right skin care products, staying out of the sun, limiting alcohol and spicy foods, and reducing stress are a few of the changes you can make that may result in fewer rosacea symptoms. According to one study, 57% of those that made lifestyle changes noticed improvement in their rosacea symptoms. In addition to medications and laser therapies, Dr. Matarasso can help you pinpoint useful lifestyle changes for treating your rosacea.
• Antibiotics– Low dose antibiotics can be helpful in treating rosacea. These low dose treatments aren’t used to kill bacteria, but rather to reduce overall inflammation of the skin. They may also reduce acne or pimples, which commonly occur with rosacea. Patients with mild rosacea may benefit from a cream while patients with more advanced symptoms may benefit from an oral treatment.
• Prescription Skin Creams– Prescription skin creams can have a dramatic effect on rosacea symptoms. These creams are typically applied at home on a daily or 2x daily basis, depending on the cream.
• IPL– IPL and laser treatments can be beneficial in treating redness and broken capillaries in the face. Dr. Matarasso can recommend the right laser or light treatment for your rosacea.
• Skin Care Advice– Gentleness is key when you have rosacea. Dr. Matarasso can help you find the right skin care products for your skin and can help you learn how to take care of your skin. If you have rosacea, you need personalized skin care advice from a skilled dermatologist.

If you have rosacea, get treatment. Come see Dr. Matarasso today. Although rosacea isn’t curable, it is highly treatable. Look better and feel better with the right treatment.

What Does This Mean for You?

The stigma around cosmetic enhancement is fading and that gives men and women more options than ever to look their best. Take a good, long look at yourself in the mirror. What do you love? What do you want to enhance? Many cosmetic treatments can be performed without surgery for a subtle improvement in your looks without weeks of recovery. Let’s take a look at some great minimally invasive enhancements:

• Botox/Dysport: Crow’s feet and forehead lines are no match for Botox and Dysport, botulinum toxin treatments that halt muscle movements that cause wrinkles. When applied by a skilled hand the results can be very natural looking, not frozen or overdone. Last year, treatments like these were the most popular cosmetic treatments in the U.S. with a record-setting 6.7 million procedures performed.
• Injectable Fillers: Wrinkles that aren’t caused by muscle movement respond better to dermal fillers. These injectable fillers restore lost volume, smoothing out wrinkles for a flawless look. Treatment takes just a few minutes with results that can last for years (depending on the filler used). We offer a wide range of fillers including Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, and Juvederm Voluma. Dr. Matarasso will choose the most appropriate filler (or combination of fillers) for your face.
• Laser Skin Rejuvenation: Even out skin tone, improve the appearance of wrinkles, fade brown spots, etc. with a laser skin rejuvenation treatment. The Fraxel laser is a fractional laser that treats small area of skin for accelerated healing. In addition to the Fraxel laser, we offer other, non-laser skin rejuvenating treatments like IPL and microdermabrasion.

The vast array of minimally invasive cosmetic treatments available may in part contribute to the increasing popularity of plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancement. These treatments are often more affordable than surgical options, require less recovery time, and provide the subtle, natural looking results that patients love. The Time article reminds readers that U.S. doctors perform five times as many minimally invasive treatments as they do surgeries.

Plastic Surgery is for Everyone

The public perception of plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancement has transformed over the last decade or two. What once was only enjoyed by the rich and famous, is now available to almost everyone. The Time article says, “In 2005, more than two-thirds of cosmetic-surgery patients in the U.S. made $60,000 or less. Most people getting nonsurgical procedures probably made less.” You don’t have to be rich to enjoy looking your best.

Are you considering a little pick-me-up for your appearance? Call us today and schedule your appointment.