Chris Gagnes

Fall In Love With Exfoliation

After we enjoy the summer sun, we need to restore our skin from the damage it causes and free radical harm. Our skin needs a bit of extra help to recover its glow as we enter the Fall season. The fall and winter months are an exceptional time to kick up your exfoliating therapies due to minimal heat and sun exposure which can cause skin issues such as:

Hyperpigmentation
Irritation
Dryness
Breakdown of the skin
Sunburn

Microneedling & Glow Combination

Microneedling: Designed to stimulate your skin’s natural ability to produce new collagen by creating “micro-channels” by vertically piercing the skin with tiny needles. This medical grade treatment can restore skin’s thickness with collagen production as well as improve fine lines and wrinkles, acne scarring, pore size, decrease hyperpigmentation and melasma. The downtime is minimal; patients can experience redness that can last 24 to 48 hours after, and dryness or flakiness (time can vary depending on the depth that is recommended for your skincare concerns). This makes it a great treatment for those that have a busy lifestyle and do not have the capacity for extended amounts of downtime. Usually, you will notice improvements in your skin tone and texture after the first treatment, more significant results will start to occur after 2 -3 treatments.

Polish & Glow Treatment: This treatment combines the manual exfoliation benefits of Dermaplaning with the chemical exfoliation benefits of our Express Glow treatment. This combination is a great way to improve the appearance of mild, dull skin and smooth out dry, rough skin. It is a great stand-alone treatment to enhance your at-home care or can be done post microneedling (SEE OUR GREAT PROMO) to continue to polish off and soften the texture, plump and hydrate and enhance the results of your microneedling treatment.

Fractional CO2

An ablative laser with fractional technology, which targets fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, melasma and improves overall texture. Most people can achieve great results after one session. The Fractional C02 laser energy removes surface tissue and heats at the level of the dermis to stimulate new collagen production and break up pigmentation. The downtime can typically last 5 to 7 days (healing time can vary per patient) for the face. This consists of mild redness and bronzing of the skin prior to sloughing. This is ideal for those who want dramatic changes in only one resurfacing treatment and have more availability for downtime. Consult with your skincare specialist today to discover the best treatment for your skin care needs!

Call us today at (949) 273 – 2736 to set up your FREE consultation as we see which exfoliation treatment is the right fit for your personal needs.

Take Back The Hands Of Time With Our Combination Treatment of Radiesse & a TCA Peel

Have you ever looked down at your hands and thought, “I’m not the age of those hands”? As one gets older, yours hands lose volume, fat and elasticity. The top “meaty” supple layer of the hand starts to disappear; your skin starts to look a little translucent and your veins tend to be more apparent. You may even notice more sun spots in your skin. This is a natural part of life and aging, but it also doesn’t have to be a part of your story or something that you tend to hide or are self-conscious about.

This month we are offering a combination treatment that not only improves sun damaged skin and sun spots, but it also improves the texture and elasticity of the skin with that youthful boost that smooths aged hands. This combination treatment is with Radiesse followed by a TCA Peel. Now let’s breakdown what both these treatments are and how they bring back your youthful appearing hands.

Radiesse is the first and only filler deemed FDA approved to correct lost volume in the hands. The unique Radiesse formula provides lift in the areas below deep wrinkles and folds, diminishing the appearance for a more refreshed look. Over time, the benefits of Radiesse continue by stimulating your body’s own natural collagen.

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Here are some key factors about Radiesse:

Helps restore a more youthful appearance to hands
Quick, in-office treatment
Reduces the appearance of tendons and veins
Deliver smooth, natural-looking results that last up to a year in most patients.

As we covered what Radiesse can do for you, let’s talk about the other element of this combination treatment: TCA Peel. A TCA Peel will treat more stubborn brown spots, more difficult skin texture issues as well as those deeper lines and wrinkles.

Be sure to take advantage of this combination treatment this month and raise those youthful hands!

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Call us today to schedule your consultation

Achieve a Liquid Lift with BOTOX® and Dermal Fillers

A Liquid Lift or Liquid Facelift is a procedure that uses injections of dermal fillers or muscle immobilizers (Botox) to erase fine lines as well as firm and tighten sagging skin. This procedure adds volume to your face, as well. It is used to treat mild conditions like crow’s feet, marionette lines, small jowls and vertical lip lines.

What Does a Liquid Lift Involve?

After consulting with the doctor to discuss the options, the patient is given a local anesthetic in the target area. The doctor will then start injecting the filler and/or Botox in the specific area(s) discussed.

Most Liquid Lifts are temporary and last anywhere from a few months to 2 years. The procedure usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. There may be some bruising at the injection for the next day or so.

What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are injections that fill a line or crease with a specific substance and make the line apparently disappear. They can also add volume to the face by filling out thin lips and making facial skin tighter.

Most dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the human body. Some studies indicate that repeated injections of hyaluronic acid may stimulate the body’s production of collagen. Depending on the type of filler used, the effects of a hyaluronic acid can last from several months to 2 years.

A few dermal fillers are made with synthetic substances, which last longer than the hyaluronic acid fillers. They are also more likely to cause side effects including redness and bruising.

What is BOTOX®?

A BOTOX® injection works by paralyzing certain muscles and blocking certain nerves. Botox smooths facial wrinkles, in which the effects can last 3 to 12 months. You are able to return to work as well as other activities after treatment. BOTOX® should not be used by women who are pregnant or breast feeding.

By working together, we can develop the best treatment plan for your Liquid Lift in order to meet your cosmetic needs. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

Facelift vs Extended Microlift for Facial Rejuvenation

There has been a gradual shift over the past two decades in the way that people look at health, youth, and beauty. Fewer people are content with growing old gracefully, as it were. People are willing to take steps to improve their appearance and maintain their youthful vigor for as long as they possibly can. As a result, more people see procedures like facelifts and extended microlifts as a normal part of their healthcare as they age.

What is an Extended Microlift?

An extended microlift is a procedure that allows patients who have moderate sagging in their neck and jawline to contour their face, giving them a more youthful appearance. An extended microlift does not address all of the problems that a complete facelift would. It is designed for patients who need minimal treatment around their jaw and neck in order to regain their youthful appearance.

The results achieved by an extended microlift are similar to those achieved with a facelift. The difference is that with an extended microlift, the patient needs less work to meet their aesthetic goals. The incisions used during the procedure as well as the recovery time are shorter than with a traditional facelift.

During the extended microlift procedure, subtle incisions are made that allow the surgeon to gain access to the layer of muscle underneath the skin for repositioning.

Prior to this procedure, a patient will receive general or sedation anesthesia. Once the procedure has been completed, a patient will have minimal discomfort as well as bruising and swelling that will clear up in 7 to 10 days. On average, sutures are removed one week following the procedure. And within two weeks, most patients feel comfortable enough to get back to a normal routine.

A Traditional Facelift

During the procedure, a surgeon will make incisions around the temple. From there, the surgeon will begin to reshape the muscles. Once the procedure has been completed, the skin is closed using sutures. Recovery time may vary.

A facelift procedure can be accompanied by eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or other cosmetic surgeries. Speak with a surgeon regarding other procedures that may be beneficial alongside a facelift.

Schedule a Consultation

Both an extended microlift and a traditional facelift can address problems that accompany aging. It is best to consult a surgeon when determining which procedure is right for you. Contact Facial Aesthetic Concepts today to schedule your consultation.

Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Consider ThermiVa!

You knew that changes would happen to your body eventually. You knew that as we get older, we see a few wrinkles and fine lines. Your body has changed as well, adding a few more curves where they didn’t used to be. You can accept that this is a part of life, but you never expected vaginal problems such as dryness and irritation. Maybe you have tried different creams and asked your doctor for answers. Maybe you’ve been told that it’s hormonal, but you have not found relief. ThermiVa could be the answer you have been looking for all along.

What’s Going On Down Below?

As you approach menopause, your body is in for some serious changes. Your reproductive system is getting ready to shut down which means your reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone are going to drop. These hormones are responsible for more than your sexual health, they have an impact on you in many ways. When your hormones drop, they can lead to a thinning of the vaginal tissues. As this thinning occurs in this delicate area, dryness is typical. This dryness can cause irritation that even your urethra is affected, causing female incontinence.

It can be so frustrating. Add the changes that occurred in the birth canal after having children and you could be in for some serious discomfort. Medication and lotions aren’t enough. You need something that will promote the development of healthy tissue in your vagina. That’s where ThermiVa comes into play.

Understanding ThermiVa

ThermiVa is a non-invasive treatment that is designed to tighten your vaginal tissues and produce healthy cells as collagen production is increased. This type of therapy is designed to rejuvenate this sensitive area so that you will have increased lubrication once again.

A slim, narrow wand uses radiofrequency energy that is applied to your vaginal tissues. The energy level is carefully controlled, causing a heating effect that will stimulate cell growth, circulation and collagen production. The only thing you will feel is a gentle warmth. As the tissues of your vagina are rejuvenated, you should find relief.

Learn More About ThermiVa

If you are like so many women, you are too embarrassed to talk about your symptoms. You have been living in discomfort for too long. Vaginal dryness can have a major impact on your well-being, making you feel miserable. It is time to do something about your discomfort.

Make an appointment at FAC to discuss ThermiVa with our team. Find out more about how effective this treatment option is. Not only will it benefit you, but it will make your intimate moments more enjoyable with your partner. You owe it to yourself to learn more about the ThermiVa difference.

Facial Aesthetic Concepts has locations in San Clemente, Aliso Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita. Contact us today to schedule a consultation for ThermiVa.

Wave Your Crow’s Feet Goodbye With BOTOX

BOTOX generates buzz throughout the cosmetic industry given its remarkable efficacy in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. These treatments are so fast and convenient that they can even be performed on a person’s lunch break, as they take less than 20 minutes. If you’ve recently noticed crow’s feet or other fine lines developing around your eyes, BOTOX injections may be the perfect solution for you.

What Crow’s Feet Are and How They Develop

Crow’s feet develop around the eyes and radiate outwards towards the temples. They are a form of dynamic wrinkles which are a result of built-up tension within the expressive muscles. Each time you use your expressive muscles to show emotion, the resulting expansion and contraction invariably creates tension. Over time, built-up tension in these underlying muscles can have a wrinkling effect at the surface of the skin. Smiling and laughing are two actions that cause the greatest amount of movement in the expressive muscles around the eyes and thus, crow’s feet can be seen as signifying a life well-lived. Despite their somewhat positive connotation, crow’s feet can make a person look significantly older than he or she really is.

How BOTOX Eliminates Crow’s Feet

BOTOX is a purified solution that has an instant and powerful impact on nerve activity. When strategically injected into the expressive muscles near the eyes, this solution can temporarily block nerve signals. These injections cause the expressive muscles to relax. As a result, built-up tension is released and the appearance of crow’s feet is greatly minimized. The effects of BOTOX last from 3 to 6 months. After this time, normal nerve and muscle activity will resume and the BOTOX injections will need to be repeated.

BOTOX can create immediate improvements in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and eyes. Patients, however, are advised to wait several days to allow the full effects of BOTOX to manifest.

Learn More About BOTOX

BOTOX is a safe and convenient method for treating crow’s feet. To learn more, visit Facial Aesthetic Concepts at one of our offices (San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, or Rancho Santa Margarita). Contact us today to schedule your appointment and eliminate your crow’s feet.

Reduce Facial Wrinkles with Juvederm

The most unwelcome cosmetic change associated with aging is the development of wrinkles. Since the face is the most prominent part of the body, facial wrinkles are particularly noticeable to both the observer and the person with the wrinkles.

Most people attribute their wrinkles to old age and simply accept this development as inevitable. Others fight the good fight, looking for treatment options to minimize fine lines and wrinkles on their face.

It seems that many people mistakenly believe that a facelift is the only option when it comes to treating wrinkles. Actually there are a number of choices available for the treating fine lines and wrinkles without surgery.

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are a treatment option that does not involve the need for surgery, incisions or significant downtime. Millions of people have taken advantage of this minimally-invasive technique for minimizing facial wrinkles. This treatment is safe, effective, and long-lasting.

This procedure involves the injection of various substances into the face to treat fine lines and wrinkles, loss of facial volume, and dry skin. After a treatment with dermal fillers, you can expect to see smoother skin that is more radiant and moist.

Juvederm

Juvederm treatment has been exploding in popularity as a safe alternative to cosmetic surgery.

The product consists of a gel containing hyaluronic acid, a substance your own body makes to promote moist skin. As you age, less hyaluronic acid is produced, leading to skin that loses volume and becomes thinner and dryer.

This filler corrects this deficiency and is a fast, effective method for the treatment of facial wrinkles, as well as thinning, dry skin. It involves little to no downtime and is a very simple and fast treatment.

Are there any side effects from Juvederm treatment?

Side effects after a Juvederm treatment are quite rare and are almost always minor in nature and duration. Some patients experience minor redness, tenderness, or swelling at the injections sites. These can be expected to resolve on their own without the requirement for further treatment.

Can I have multiple treatments?

Yes. You will actually need them, as the Juvederm gel will be gradually metabolized by your body. Follow ups will ensure that you will continue to be pleased with your results for many months to come. For more information, contact Facial Aesthetic Concepts. We will be happy to speak with you and help you decide if this treatment would help you with your skincare needs. We have offices in San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, and Rancho Santa Margarita. We look forward to speaking with you.

7 Benefits of Thermage

Thermage uses radiofrequency energy to produce thermal reactions within your skin, and if you’d like to have tighter skin, it’s a treatment worth considering.

During the procedure, a small device is gently pressed against your skin and radiofrequency energy is produced by the device. Since the treatment uses RF energy, it doesn’t require recovery time or incisions. This treatment can also be very effective for treating aging skin.

This treatment generates heat within the target area while using an advanced cooling system to protect the surface layer of your skin. The heat generated during the procedure causes two important processes to occur. First, the heat breaks down hydrogen bonds and causes your skin to tighten. The second major effect of the treatment is increased metabolism within the fatty layer of your skin. Here are 7 benefits we’d love to share with you about Thermage:

Great for Multiple Areas

Thermage is a popular choice because it can effectively treat multiple areas of your body in a single visit. Traditional surgery offers similar results, but it can only treat a few different areas of your body.

No Surgery Involved

Since it doesn’t require any incisions or general anesthesia, Thermage is great for patients who want to avoid invasive surgery.

No Downtime

Another benefit of Thermage is the lack of downtime, you can immediately return home and get back to your daily life. You don’t have to spend any time recovering in a hospital nor is your daily lifestyle put on hold.

Minimal to No Discomfort

Thermage is a popular option because it is considered to be a comfortable treatment.

Excellent Safety Record

Before undergoing any procedure, it’s important to investigate its safety record in which Thermage is regarded as a very safe procedure.

Improve the Appearance of Your Skin

This treatment improves skin laxity, fine lines and wrinkles. It’s especially good at softening the wrinkles around your forehead, and by stimulating collagen production, it can tighten skin and significantly improve your overall appearance.

Enjoy a Youthful Appearance

Thermage can deliver great results for men and women, and it’s viewed as a great alternative to a surgical facelift. If you want to improve the overall texture of your skin and obtain a youthful appearance, Thermage can help.

Talk to the team at Facial Aesthetic Concepts about how this treatment can benefit you specifically. We have locations in Rancho Santa Margarita, Aliso Viejo and San Clemente. Contact us to schedule a consultation!

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