A Medical Aesthetic Approach to Reducing the Appearance of Necklace Lines

Chances are, you regularly apply wrinkle-reducing products around your eyes, mouth, and jaw—but when was the last time you thought about your neck? Many dermatologists and makeup artists can decipher a woman’s age simply by looking at her neck and hands, two frequently neglected areas. With all the treatments available to soften facial lines, plump up skin, and erase age spots, shaving off a few years from your neck is now an easy option. A common concern we see among our patients is reducing the appearance of horizontal lines along the neck, commonly known as “necklace lines.”

What are Necklace Lines?

Necklace lines are horizontal lines etched into the skin. We are all born with them to some extent, but they tend to deepen and look more noticeable as we age and skin loses collagen and elasticity. Wind and sun exposure, which can both cause skin to dry out, may also increase horizontal necklines.  

Prevention and Treatment Options

At Leah Nickie ADVANCED AESTHETICS, we offer a range of medical aesthetic treatments to reduce the appearance of necklace lines. Fortunately, most are non-surgical, non-invasive, and require little to no downtime.

• Neck rejuvenation: The dermal filler Belotero can be injected into your necklace lines, softening and often eliminating them. In this gentle procedure, tiny amounts of filler are injected just below the surface of the skin, adding volume for a more youthful appearance. We often recommend pairing this with a Botox or Xeomin This combination provides a remarkably more youthful silhouette and appearance.

• Pellevé Skin Tightening: Leah Nickie ADVANCED AESTHETHICS is the only medical skin care center in Boulder to offer this non-invasive treatment that is FDA approved to tighten and firm trouble spots without surgery. Using radio frequency technology, Pellevé heats the deep layers of the skin, allowing collagen fibers to contract and tighten—all without damaging the outer layers of the skin. Along with the neck and décolleté, Pellevé can be used to tighten areas on the jaw line, laugh lines, forehead, eyelids, crow's feet, and lines around the mouth.

• IPL Photo Rejuvenation: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) uses broadband light to treat unwanted hair, pigment, and redness on the face, neck, and hands. IPL converts therapeutic broadband light to a gentle heat energy that destroys unwanted areas while protecting surrounding healthy tissue.

No matter which treatment option you choose, remember to treat your neck with the same amount of love you show your face—this means daily SPF and applying a moisturizing, antioxidant-rich cream at night.

Leah Nickie ADVANCED AESTHETICS is proud to be medically directed by Dr. Cynthia Ruggero, a Board Certified MD and a member of the International Association of Physicians for Aesthetic Medicine. We are pleased to offer an initial consultation at no charge where you will meet with Dr. Ruggero or the talented Dr. Julie Seaman to determine your skin type and discuss the appropriate treatment plan for you.Book your appointment for a consultation today!

Feature photo courtesy of Pixabay under Creative Commons 0 License

Skin Tags: What They Are and How to Treat Them

Skin tags—fleshy, raised bumps and flaps on your skin—are a common condition we treat in our office. While they are completely harmless, they can easily become irritated and inflamed when scratched or caught on something. Plus, many patients don’t like the way they look. Read on to learn more about skin tags and the different treatment options available.

What Are Skin Tags?

Skin tags, medically known as “acrochordon,” are soft, small skin growths that look like bits of flesh-colored or darkly pigmented tissue. They can crop up almost anywhere on the body, but the neck and underarms are the most common locations, followed by the eyelids, upper chest, and groin folds. Skin tags typically occur in places where skin rubs against itself or clothing. You may have just one skin tag, or a small cluster of harmless bumps—they can vary in number from one to hundreds.

Who Gets Them?

If you have skin tags, you’re not alone—they are extremely common. In fact, about one in four people will develop skin tags at some point in their lives, and although they may occur in anyone at any age, they most often arise in adulthood and become more prevalent after age 50. They’re usually genetic, and are more common in overweight people (since there is more flesh capable of rubbing against itself, which causes new tags to develop).

How to Treat Them: Skin tags do not typically require treatment, but many of our patients choose to have them removed. Treatment options include:

• Freezing (using liquid nitrogen or nitrous oxide)

• Burning (using medical electric cautery, such as Lamprobe, at the physician's office). Done in 15-minute increments, this is a safe and gentle treatment to correct ruby points, skin tags, milia, cholesterol deposits, fibromas, cherry angiomas, and broken capillaries on the face and body.

• Laser removal

Most patients receiving laser skin tag removal say they experience very minimal discomfort, even after the treatment is completed. Removal takes less than 20 minutes, and you can see the results immediately. For most clients, only one treatment is necessary to remove a skin tag.

We always advise getting a skin tag checked out by a skin care specialist, as attempting to remove one yourself can lead to infection. Small tags can usually be removed easily without anesthesia, while larger tags may require anesthesia to ease discomfort.

At Leah Nickie ADVANCED AESTHETICS, a consultation is always free. If you have skin tags, contact a member of our team today and discuss the various treatment options available with a skin care specialist. We will work with you to design a treatment plan customized for your unique skin type.

Feature photo via Christopher Campbell/Unsplash

Choosing the Right Cleanser for Your Skin Type

With all the facial cleansers on the market, it’s easy to be confused about which is right for you. We recommend to our clients that they put as much thought into their cleansers as they do their moisturizers, serums, and anti-aging products. Not all cleansers are created equally, and you should consider your skin type when selecting one. Here are some tips we give to our clients:

Dry Skin

When it comes to your face, forget what you’ve ever heard about being “squeaky clean!” If your skin feels tight, dry, or squeaky after you’re done cleansing, you’re drying your skin out and likely need a creamier cleanser. A good rule of thumb for those with dry or sensitive skin is to avoid any cleansers with harsh detergents or soap, followed by a rich moisturizer.

Cream- or milk-based cleansers, which contain higher concentrations of oils, water, and emollients, soothe and refresh skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Cream cleansers like Sensiderm Cleansing Milk, which also contains avocado, olive, and fig extract, are also ideal for dry skin because they don’t require rinsing, which can strip the skin, as well—simply wipe them off with a cotton ball.

Oily/Acne Prone Skin

If your skin still feels slick or oily after cleansing, we recommend using a mild cleansing gel that purify, soothe, and detoxify. Oxygen Puractive + Mild Cleansing Gel works well for clients with normal to oily skin that tends to get shiny, as it is naturally mattifying and formulated with plant extracts that reduce oil, increase hydration, encourage healing, and reduce inflammation.

Another remarkable product we recommend to our clients with oily skin, blackheads, or acne is GM Collin Deep Cleansing Solution. This product can be used daily or even several times a week for oily/acne prone skin. It has shown to be as effective as Benzoyl Peroxide without causing any irritation. Sage, geranium, and orange oil reduce oil and bacteria, and the healing properties of arnica, burdock, and nettle work to calm sensitive skin.

Combination Skin

The skin type we see the most frequently is a mix of dry and oily, also known as combination skin. This type of skin responds best to a gel cleanser in more humid months and a creamy cleanser in the winter when skin tends to be more sensitive.

One of our best-selling products, Oxygen PurActive Mild Cleansing Gel, is appropriate for all skin types—dry, sensitive, dehydrated, and combination. It contains essential oils that gently detoxify the skin and probiotics that prevent the spread of bacteria. It is particularly beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or dehydrated skin.

No matter your skin type, making sure to incorporate a gentle cleanser into your morning and evening skin care regimen is essential for a healthy complexion. Using the wrong cleanser can lead to unwanted results, so it’s imperative that you consult with a skin care specialist to select a cleanser that is tailored to your particular skin type.Schedule your consultation with ustoday, and let our team help you create a customized plan that will help your skin look its best.

Feature photo via Pexels

How to Choose a Facial Mask

Applying a facial mask is an excellent way to treat your skin while pampering yourself at the same time. Used one to two times a week, masks are essential for keeping skin hydrated and plump, and for healing blemished skin and controlling breakouts.

Before selecting a mask, first consider your skin type. Does your skin often look shiny and easily form blemishes like blackheads or acne, or does it feel tight, uncomfortable, and prone to irritability? At Leah Nickie ADVANCED AESTHETICS, many of our patients fall somewhere between these two ends of the spectrum, which is a type known as “combination skin.”

Facial masks typically fall into one of two categories: those formulated for normal to dry skin, and those designed for oily/acne prone skin. Masks for oily and acne prone skin often contain clay, which purifies, re-mineralizes, and heals skin in addition to absorbing excess oil. Other ingredients like salicylic acid, essential oils, allantoin, and aloe vera juice extract reduce oil production, unclog pores, calm inflammation, and encourage tissue repair.

If your skin is dry, look for a mask that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, Vitamins E, A, and F, jojoba seed oil, Gingko extract, and lavender. All of these ingredients help moisturize, soften, and repair skin. Cream-based masks are an excellent choice for normal to dry skin and will not strip the skin of its natural oils.

Here are some of our go-to masks, all available for purchase on our website and in our studio:

Oily/Acne Prone Skin:

• Oxygen PurActive Mask: Formulated with kaolin, a type of soft, white clay, and acne-fighting salicylic acid, this mask is gentle enough to use three times per week.

• Dry Skin:The extremely gentle Hydramucine Cream Mask provides a much-needed boost of hydration for those with dry, dehydrated, or sensitive skin. You’ll notice the hydrating and revitalizing effects are just one application.

All Skin Types:

• The GM Phytoaromatic Mask, made with green clay and kaolin, is one of our most popular products. It works well for those with normal, sensitive, and oily skin.

Once you’ve selected a mask, follow these steps to get the most from your purchase. First, use a gentle exfoliant to eliminate dead skin cells and allow all of the skin-healing ingredients in your face mask to be absorbed into the skin. Then, apply your facial mask. Once removed, finish by applying toner to lock in all of the benefits of the mask. Finally, moisturize.

• By adding a facial mask into your skin care routine, you’re toning and removing impurities from your skin while giving it a healthy dose of hydration. You’re sure to notice a difference in the plumpness and overall vitality of your skin. At Leah Nickie ADVANCED AESTHETICS, we proudly offer facial masks as part of many of our treatments. Contact us to schedule your free consultation!

Feature Photo via Zenspa

Why You Should Choose Products Without Parabens and Synthetic Fragrances

When you look at the packaging of beauty products, you may notice labels screaming ‘sulfate-free,’ ‘no parabens,’ ‘fragrance free,’ and ‘all-natural.’ What do these claims really mean, and how do you know what is actually important for the health of your skin? Here we will attempt to answer that question by explaining why you should consider beauty products without parabens and synthetic fragrances.

Parabens, which are preservatives that prevent bacteria from growing in products, have been widely used since the 1950s and can be found in about 85 percent of cosmetics. The most common types of parabens are butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben. Why are they cause for concern? These chemicals easily penetrate the skin and can have unintended consequences on hormone function, male reproductive functions, and more. Studies have also indicated that when applied directly to the skin, methylparaben reacts with the sun’s UVB rays and damages DNA and promotes aging. Over the last few years, many brands have begun manufacturing paraben-free moisturizers, serums, sunscreens, anti-aging products, and other skin care applications in response to consumer concerns.

Synthetic fragrances (listed as “parfum” on many ingredient lists) are another item that you should pay attention to on your skin care packaging. While these scents aren’t necessarily synthetic, it’s still a good idea to double check the source of the scent on the company’s website. Many skin care companies include “fragrance” on their ingredients lists to protect their formulas, but pledge that it is and always has been botanically derived.

Other times, synthetic fragrances can contain mixtures of various chemicals that produce a desired scent. While they may smell nice, more than 95 percent of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petrochemicals and include benzene derivatives (a known carcinogen), aldehydes, and other toxins that have been linked to cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, and allergies. Some of these chemicals are even listed on the EPA’shazardous wastelist. Yikes!

Not only can the effects of synthetic fragrances wreak havoc on your long-term health, but the chemicals are directly absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, potentially causing skin irritation, headaches, dizziness, and rashes. Even if the packaging claims a product to be “fragrance free,” read the label carefully; products can still contain fragrance ingredients to cover up other chemical smells.

When it comes to the products that you rely on to protect your skin every day, it’s important to be knowledgeable about what goes into them. Carefully inspecting the labels on all of your bottles and sprays is an excellent way to start noticing which of your go-to products contain synthetic fragrances and parabens. From there, you can decide how you would like to proceed. In any case, you can never be too informed.

We take great pride in educating our clients on optimal skin care and health. All of our cosmeceutical skin care products are paraben-free, do not contain synthetic fragrance, are cruelty-free, and are never tested on animals. Contact us to schedule a free consultation so that we can discuss your unique skin care needs in greater detail.

Feature photo via Pixabay

Understanding Laser Hair Removal

Shaving, waxing, and tweezing unwanted body hair takes a lot of time, not to mention the expense of purchasing countless razors, creams, and hot wax. Laser hair removal is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S., and is an ideal solution for anyone who wants to put an end to the year-round upkeep of hair removal. Here’s what you need to know about the treatment:

How does it work?

During a laser hair removal session, hair follicles are targeted with a concentrated beam of light. The light is absorbed by the pigment of the hair, which damages the follicle and prevents future growth.

Does it hurt?

Everyone’s threshold for pain is different, but many patients compare the lasers to a gentle pinch or the snap of a light rubber band on your skin. Sensitive spots, like the bikini area, may hurt more than others. Taking an Advil or Motrin 20 minutes prior to the session can help ease the discomfort.

How long does it take?

The length of a session depends on the size of the area you’re treating. While the upper lip could take minutes, a larger area like the legs or back could last more than an hour (American Academy of Dermatology).

How many sessions do I need for permanent hair removal?

A series of treatments are generally required to see long-term results. Most patients need between four to eight treatments, and after each one, you’ll notice that fewer and fewer hairs return. After several treatments, the unwanted hair is removed for several months. When the hair regrows, most patients notice that it is considerably less hair than before, as well as finer and lighter in color (AAD). Most patients can go four to six weeks between treatments, but your laser therapist or technician will determine the appropriate frequency for your skin.

What areas does it cover?

Laser hair removal is designed for use on most parts of the body, including:

• Back

• Legs

• Bikini area

• Chest

• Face (most often the upper lip and chin)

• Neck

• Shoulders

What is the recovery like?

Laser hair removal generally does not require any major downtime, so you can pretty much carry on with your normal activities. Immediately after the session, you may notice that the treated skin appears red and swollen. Post-session breakouts are also common because the treatment leaves hair follicles open for a few days. Use an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or antibacterial lotion to help prevent blemishes from forming.

How long does it last?

The results of this process vary widely from person to person, but lasers can remove hair for anywhere from several months to years.

Everyone's skin is different, which is why it is imperative to discuss your skin treatment options with a professional. At Leah Nickie ADVANCED AESTHETICS, your initial consultation is always free, and we will walk you through the laser hair removal process to ensure you achieve the best results possible. If you are interested in laser hair removal, schedule a consultation today to meet with one of our experts.

Feature photo via Unsplash