Category Archives: Cosmetic Treatments

How Do Different Sources of Light Impact the Skin?

Cosmetic Treatments

Light and laser cosmetic treatments, such as fractional skin resurfacing, are what Albuquerque patients often use to minimize irregularities and balance or even out their skin tone and quality. Ever wondered why light is used so frequently in the cosmetic world? Exposure to light impacts our bodies in various ways, altering our circadian rhythms, hormone production, and even our mental health. In fact, not getting enough exposure to sunlight during the winter has been linked to a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It’s no surprise, therefore, that different wavelengths of light have been found to influence the appearance and health of your skin. The following are some examples of light sources that we are commonly exposed to, as well as a brief explanation of their impact:

Natural Light

The sun is our major source of natural light, although we can also technically see by other stars, volcanoes, firelight, lightning, and various astronomical objects. We have less control over the amount of energy these give off compared to artificial sources of light, so we have to do a little extra work when guarding against the negative effects of the biggest producer of all: the sun.

Small amounts of exposure to sunlight (ideally 5 to 15 minutes of unprotected exposure) have positive health benefits, including strengthening your immune system and encouraging serotonin production. However, prolonged, unprotected exposure to ultraviolet radiation increases the risk of skin cancer and accelerated skin aging. It’s best to avoid exposure by staying indoors during peak hours and wearing sunscreen whenever you go outside.

Artificial Light

When it comes to human-made, artificial light sources, we’re in full control of their intensity and duration.

  • Blue Light

Although the sun is a major source of blue light, we also get plenty of it from the screens on our TVs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, electronic devices, and fluorescent or LED light bulbs. Blue light exposure can lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation, but it is also used in therapies for some skin conditions like acne and actinic keratosis.

  • Red Light

Red light therapy (RLT) is often used as a type of photodynamic therapy to encourage the generation of new collagen, elastin, and fibroblasts. Deep red light at specific wavelengths is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce wrinkles.

Ready to improve wrinkles, blotchy pigmentation, scars, rough patches, or other skin-related irregularities? Browse our website to check out more info on fractional skin resurfacing from our Western Dermatology Consultants team. Call 505-855-9267, or submit a contact form to request a consultation if you’d like to discuss your skin goals—and learn more about what light can do.

How Can CoolSculpting® Help You Combat Your “Quarantine 15” This Season?

CoolSculpting, Cosmetic Treatments, , ,

Quarantine weight gain is something many people have been struggling with since the COVID-19 lockdowns began in the early part of the year. Our lives have been disrupted, and our day-to-day routine has changed a lot as our activities have been restricted. With easy access to food and alcohol in the nearby kitchen, along with the fact that lots of us are working from home and not moving around as much as we normally would in an office (and are too busy to fit workouts into our altered routines), it’s easy to pack on some extra weight. To top it all off, in this tension-filled time, chronic stress often leads to high levels of the “stress hormone” cortisol being produced in our bodies, which stimulates our appetite. Cortisol can also influence where your fat is stored, making it more likely to be deposited on the abdomen. As practices have re-opened around the city, state, and country, injectables and body contouring procedures like CoolSculpting® have been Albuquerque patients’ preferred treatments for addressing a little extra flab.

These aesthetic treatments, combined with healthy lifestyle habits, can help get you back on track, restore slimmer facial contours, and lose unwanted volume. Sometimes, excess fat goes to areas we’ve always struggled to slim down for most of our lives because of our body shape. These specific areas—like the stomach, flanks, below the chin, the outer thighs, and the back—may not respond well to conventional fat-reduction methods, such as exercise and reducing our calorie intake. CoolSculpting® is a fat-reduction technique that allows you to get rid of some of the extra fat in these trouble spots that you feel self-conscious about or that get in the way of your daily life. Remember, though, that it’s strictly for generating cosmetic results. Exercise and a healthy diet are still important!

With CoolSculpting®, the applicator suctions up grabbable areas of fat and lowers the temperature in the tissue. The fat cells there are chilled and killed, and the body looks leaner over time as these dead cells are flushed out. Although the treatment can cause a numbing or pinching sensation, it’s generally not painful and is well tolerated by patients. You won’t have to go through an extensive recovery process or manage severe side effects after. Typically, CoolSculpting® causes only mild swelling and bruising.

Would you like to know more about how CoolSculpting® can help you shed resistant fat? Request a consultation with us today by calling (505) 855-9267or fill out a contact form to reach out to our team at Western Dermatology Consultants.

Tips for Maintaining Facial Filler Results

Cosmetic Treatments, Dermal Fillers,

Want to make your fillers last longer? Facial fillers are highly effective for softening deep wrinkles in the middle and lower parts of the face, as well as for volumizing the cheeks and lips. However, despite being convenient, they do require ongoing maintenance due to the fact that the effects wear off after anywhere from a few months to two years—depending on where they’re injected and how quickly you metabolize them. With that in mind, there are some effective ways of increasing the longevity of Juvederm®. Albuquerque’s Western Dermatology Consultants team shares these four tips:

• Avoid Applying Pressure

After a fillers session, hold off on having deep-cleaning treatments and facial massages. It’s better not to rub, massage, or jostle the treated areas much, as this can cause the fillers to migrate, leading to uneven results. It can also cause the effects to wear off faster.

• Reverse Free Radical Damage

A good skincare routine is essential for maintaining the effects of dermal fillers. Stress, smoking, and unhealthy eating habits will cause fillers to metabolize faster. Regularly apply topical products containing antioxidants like retinols to prevent and undo the harm caused by free radicals. These help to give you clearer, brighter, skin with a smoother texture by reducing wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

• Keep Your Skin Moisturized

Although topical moisturizers won’t get rid of wrinkles, facial lines are typically less noticeable on skin that is well hydrated. To enhance the smoothing results from fillers, use products containing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to help the skin retain water.

• Limit Sun Exposure

If you’re using fillers and neuromodulators to ward off wrinkles, it makes sense to protect your skin from further damage to its collagen and elastin fibers. Though many people don’t like the feeling or smell of sunscreens, applying an extra layer of coverage can be what protects your skin from developing wrinkles and fine lines. High levels of exposure to UV radiation can have very detrimental effects on the skin, and sun damage is believed to be one of the main causes of accelerated aging.

Want to perfect your look with smoother, softer skin? Get more tips on Juvederm® from our team at Albuquerque’s Western Dermatology Consultants. Call us at 505-855-5503 or submit your info to request a consultation.

4 Cosmetic Treatments to Make Your Beauty Routine Easier

Cosmetic Treatments, Laser Hair Removal, Microdermabrasion, , , ,

Everyone has specific areas they obsess over, whether it’s their eyebrows, nose, forehead, or hair. Caring about your physical looks doesn’t make you vain or shallow—it just means you take pride in yourself! In fact, there’s evidence that working on our appearance makes us more confident, and regular self-care can even be therapeutic, keeping depression and anxiety at bay. Self-grooming can, however, take up a lot of our time that could be spent on other tasks and activities. The average women’s beauty routine is 55 minutes each day. We’re not saying that time isn’t well spent, but there are options if you want to cut down on the time you dedicate to clothes, hair, makeup, and personal grooming each day. Professional treatments, such as laser hair removal from our Albuquerque-based team at Western Dermatology Consultants, can reduce the time, energy, and costs involved in achieving your ideal look each day. Here’s a look at four schedule-saving treatments we offer:

Laser Hair Removal

Excessive body hair on areas like the face, legs, back, arms, and bikini line is a dilemma many people face. Shaving and waxing are intensely repetitive chores. Using laser energy, we can damage follicles that absorb the focused light, heat up, and lose their ability to properly grow new hairs. This is a quick, precise, and long-term hair removal method that works for up to a year, reducing the need for razors and plucking.

Permanent Makeup

Microblading creates beautifully arched, waterproof eyebrows that preserve the same shape and style for years. That means you won’t have to spend as much time getting ready each morning. Much like a tattoo, the results do not require significant maintenance. There are also similar options for eyeliner and lip liner.

Latisse®

Full, luscious lashes make eyes brighter and more beautiful. However, it can be difficult to find the right mascara, applying it flawlessly can be a challenge, and eyelash extensions aren’t for everyone. Latisse® makes your lashes grow naturally and is a less high-maintenance treatment option for anyone looking to routinely accentuate their eyes.

Microdermabrasion

Instead of coating your face with concealer to hide dull, dry skin and blemishes each morning, consider booking a microdermabrasion session with us! This treatment abrades away dead cells from the surface to deep clean pores and create a more even tone and texture.

Get more advice on laser hair removal and other aesthetic procedures available from our Western Dermatology Consultants team serving Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Call us today at 505-855-9267, or write to tell us more about your interests.

Latisse® or Eyelash Extensions: Which Should I Choose?

Cosmetic Treatments, ,

The eyes are said to be the windows of the soul, and having long, beautiful eyelashes as a frame for them can make them look more expressive, attractive, and youthful. When it comes to getting such luscious lashes, there are many different options available, from lash-enhancement tattoos to volumizing mascaras, lash lifts, eyelash extensions, and growth-simulating serums like Latisse® topical formula. For Albuquerque-area patients hoping to upgrade their natural lash length, our Western Dermatology Consultants team discusses both Latisse® and standard eyelash extensions.

The prescription medication is ideal for making your lashes longer, fuller, and darker. Latisse® has been FDA-approved since 2008 for application on the upper eyelids. If used daily, as recommended, it gradually improves several aspects of lash growth. The active ingredient works to both increase the number of hairs and extend their growth phase to address sparse, stubby lashes or make already full lashes even fuller. This effect will last as long as the cosmetic is routinely applied. If you stop applying Latisse®, your lashes will gradually return to the way they looked prior to starting the treatment.

Eyelash extensions are physical products made up of silk or similar material, applied on top of your natural lashes to create a more dramatic, intense appearance. They look more natural than mascara and can be customized for unique eye shapes. The effect can last as long as the natural lifespan of eyelashes themselves: about six to eight weeks.

Extensions can also be used in conjunction with Latisse® for patients who want an especially noticeable “wow” factor for their lashes, or who want to get a fuller look right away while waiting for the effects of Latisse® to truly kick in. Anyone interested in this dual approach should know that they must wait for 48 hours after getting extensions before applying the topical medication.

Want to achieve the long, luscious eyelashes you’ve always yearned for with Latisse®? Or try eyelash extensions for yourself? Book a tele-consult with us today by calling (505) 855-9267 or fill out a contact form to get in touch with our team at The Spa @ Western Dermatology Consultants in Albuquerque.