Skin Care and Aging

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Skin Care and Aging
9/3/2007
LA Downtown News Online

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No one can stop aging, but with modern lasers, a good at-home skin regimen and sun protection we can "turn back the clock" safely without the need for surgery or invasive therapies.

Sunlight is a major contributor to age related skin changes, these changes include: wrinkling, looseness, dryness, blotchiness, abnormal growths and texture changes. Overtime, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light injures the fibers in the skin called elastin. The breakdown of these fibers causes the skin to lose its elasticity (its ability to snap back after stretching). In addition, as we age our natural collagen production is depleted which contributes to even more loss of strength and tone.

One of the newest and most popular procedures is the Titan non-surgical facelift. It is used to treat sagging skin, wrinkles and other signs of aging, including facial jowls, "turkey neck" and droopy eyebrows. Patients can be treated on many areas of the body including, the face, stomach, upper arms, legs and hands.

Titan works by sending a safe infrared light into the deeper layers of the skin causing heating and immediate tightening of the collagen architecture. Collagen production is stimulated from this deep heating. The skin's surface is protected through continuous cooling from the Titan's hand piece. New collagen growth continues for three to six months after the procedure and results in further tightening and development of a more youthful complexion and tone.

The advantage of the Titan system over therma-lifting techniques (i.e. Thermage) is that the skin and underlying fat are heated uniformly, eliminating the risk of dimpling or injury to the layer of fat under the skin.

During the treatment, Titan delivers an intense but brief pulse of light repeated over the entire treatment area. The sensation is that of heat which increases over a few seconds and then dissipates before it has a chance to feel painful. Most patients find the procedure quite tolerable and no anesthesia is required. Immediately following the Titan procedure, most patients report a feeling of warmth for about 30 minutes to the treated areas. There may be some mild swelling and redness in the treated area, which usually dissipates within an hour. There is no downtime and all patients are able to return to normal activity the same day.

Many patients experience excellent results with just one treatment. However, optimal results are typically achieved with two to three treatments spaced three to six weeks apart. The length of the Titan procedure depends on the area being treated. For example, a typical treatment to the entire face takes about one hour.

Patients commonly ask how long the Titan results will last. Since the skins' natural aging process continues, as well as the ongoing attack form environmental effects (such as UV light) it is difficult to state precisely how long the results will last. However, it is known that the procedure does stimulate collagen production that can persist for years. Sun protection and meticulous skin care are necessary to maintain optimal results.

While Titan's non-invasive results are more subtle than a surgical facelift, there are no surgical scars, pain or prolonged recovery period. As the normal aging process continues, Titan can safely be repeated without the hassle (or expense) of a major surgery. An average Titan procedure costs less than $1,000.

Remember, sun protection is very important for your skin's health and to help delay the cumulative effects of years of past sun exposure. There are also several studies that have documented a decrease in the incidence of skin cancer and precursor lesions with the use of sunscreen. The best way to keep skin healthy is to avoid sun exposure beginning early in life.

Here are some other tips:

Use a sun block that offers broad-spectrum protection, has an SPF of at least 30 and contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (which provide a physical block against UVA and UVB rays). Put on your sun block before going out and remember to reapply as needed.

Don't sunbathe or visit tanning parlors and try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you are in the sun between those hours be sure to wear a hat and sunglasses in addition to the sun block.

Check your skin often for signs of skin cancer. If there are changes in the appearance of a mole or a new lesion appears, see your doctor.

For more information about the Titan procedure or to schedule a free consultation, please call LA Skin Works at (213) 745-2226.

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