Catch Up on the Latest Beauty Advances with Local Beauty Expert Kelly Sutter of Skin Wellness MD
A foundation of the aesthetics practice at Skin Wellness MD is the Sciton Laser Suite. This American-made laser technology uses the world’s best research and development engineers. In fact, the most influential leaders in the industry use Sciton technology. But what is it exactly?
What can be accomplished with the Sciton laser?
Kelly: One of the best examples of the effectiveness of the Sciton laser technology is the BroadBand Light (BBL) treatment. This laser technology sets new standards in treating skin conditions associated with aging, active lifestyles and sun damage. I’ve trained with Dr. Patrick Bitter, an expert who teaches the Forever Young BBL treatment. Dr. Bitter is the creator of the BBL Photofacial and famous for a 10-year Stanford University study. The Bitter/ Stanford study followed a group of women from ages 30s to 50s. The women began with three Photofacials the first year of the study, followed by one or two per year for the next nine years. After 10 years, photographs were taken and double-blind panels of skin experts were asked to identify the beginning photographs from 10 years prior. The experts could not tell the difference between the photographs or choose the more recent photograph. All participants in the study showed that their skin had not aged in 10 y ears. When working with Dr. Bitter, his enthusiasm for the procedure and the outcomes achieved gets me so very excited, I want to make sure everyone receives this treatment.
You got our attention. Tell us more about this treatment.
Kelly: The BBL gently heats the upper layer of your skin and the heat absorbed by the targeted areas stimulate your skin cells to regenerate. This corrective process restores your skin to its natural beauty, leaving your skin clearer, smoother, more vibrant, and younger looking. The BBL handheld device, attached to the Sciton Laser machine, delivers a bright burst of light. The light penetrates through the skin and is absorbed by dilated vessels and excessive pigmentation (brown spots) without any damage to the skin. By utilizing specific light parameters, the color of the skin (skin tone) can be improved with no down time.
What does the BBL treat?
Kelly: The most commonly treated areas are those exposed to the damaging effects of sun light, such as the face, neck, back of the hands, chest, arms, and shoulders. A series of BBL treatments is highly effective for a variety of skin conditions such as sun damage or brown spots, broken capillaries, acne, small spider veins, general skin redness, and facial flushing. These treatments consistently and predictably improve the visible appearance of the skin with little or no down time.
How many treatments will a patient need?
Kelly: Excellent results can be obtained from just one treatment, however the number of treatments needed may vary from patient to patient. Your provider can personalize a plan based on your needs and will discuss all the options with you including benefits and rest during your consultation.
What should the patient expect during the procedure?
Kelly: The procedure is short, safe and comfortable. There’s no need for a topical anesthetic. Your skin will be cleansed, and your eyes will be protected with a safety shield during the treatment. Your provider then uses the handpiece that will flash the light and gently heat one spot at a time until the entire area has been treated. It may feel warm or like the sensation of a rubber band snapping. Depending on the size of the area, your procedure may take as little as 30 minutes.
What should I expect after the treatment?
Kelly: After your treatment, you may experience some redness, which should resolve within a few hours. Although it is rare, in some cases the patient may swell, which may last a few days. For some areas, the skin will darken over time, followed by fading and flaking off, which should subside within one to two weeks. Results depend on your skin type and the number of treatments.
What aftercare procedure with the patient need to follow?
Kelly: BBL is a non-invasive procedure with virtually no downtime. You should be able to return to work and resume most of your normal activities. Most importantly, you should avoid direct sun exposure and use sunscreen daily. During your consult, your provider will discuss your home care regime moving forward.
What else is new at Skin Wellness MD?
Kelly: Skin Wellness MD is happy to announce that we are currently offering the latest technology in Coolsculpting, the number one nonsurgical fat reduction treatment. It is an FDA-cleared approach that freezes away stubborn fat.
How does Coolsculpting work?
Kelly: Many of us have stubborn fat despite diet and exercise. Coolsculpting is a controlled cooling treatment that gently and effectively targets fat cells underneath the skin while leaving the skin unaffected. The fat cells are frozen and then die. Each person has a certain number of fat cells by the time they hit adolescence. When you lose weight, your fat cells shrink, but they do not go away. With Coolsculpting, the treated fat cells are completely eliminated. Your body naturally processes the fat and expels the dead cells. It is recommended to have a consultation so that your provider can customize your individual needs and goals.
What areas of the body can be treated?
Kelly: The exciting thing is that Coolsculpting treats the areas that bother us the most such as the abdomen, flanks, bra area, thighs, underneath the buttocks, arms and under the chin.
What happens during the Coolsculpting treatment?
Kelly: Prior to starting the treatment, your provider will take before and after photos and mark the areas to be treated. Before applying the applicator, a gel pad will be placed on the area to protect the skin. Your provider will then place the applicator, which uses a vacuum suction to draw out the tissue, into the applicator cup. You may feel pulling, tugging, and some mild pitching. Cooling is being delivered to the targeted fat, and you’ll begin to feel intense cold. This sensation typically subsides within seven to 10 minutes. The area will then become numb. Some patients read or even take a nap during their session.
What should a patient expect after the Coolsculpting treatment?
Kelly: After your treatment, patients are usually able to return to their normal activities. In some cases, you may have some minor swelling and bruising – this can be normal and subsides shortly thereafter.
When should a patient expect results?
Kelly: Some patients may see results as early as three weeks after the first session. However, most dramatic results are usually seen in three months. Weight gain will prevent you from appreciating your full results. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine after your Coolsculpting procedure can help prevent this.
What are other popular treatments for a more youthful appearance?
Kelly: Injectables are extremely popular, with Botox injections being the most popular cosmetic procedure worldwide. This treatment takes about 30 minutes and is a series of small injections to the upper third of the face. The goal is to relax the muscles of the forehead, between the eyes, and around the eyes to give the face a rested look. The treatment begins to work two to four days after the injections, with full results in about two weeks. Results last up to four months. A second group of injectables called dermal fillers are products that restore volume and remove wrinkles. The most popular treatment right now is Voluma, an injectable designed to treat volume loss of the cheek area. This gives nice lift to the lower face and makes the patient look younger. Lips and the fine lines surrounding the lips are popular treatment areas as well.
To schedule a consultation with Kelly Sutter, RN, CANS, or Maureen Mussomele, RN, CANS, at the Lusby or Annapolis office, call 410-231-2123 and visit skinwellnessmd.com for further information.
