What to expect from a Hydrodermabrasion treatment?

Painless and non-invasive, hydrodermabrasion is different from microdermabrasion. The handheld tool contains a saline solution and oxygen, which helps to improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles, add hydration to the skin, boost blood flow and minimize pores. Additionally, the hand held tools will heat the skin to open up the poors, exfoliate, and clear your skin. A firming serum will then be placed, and a cooling tool will help close pores.

Hydrodermabrasion procedure exfoliates and hydrates your skin. ZO® Firming Serum Accelerated is used following the procedure. It supercharges the skin’s rejuvenation process, restores hydration, and works to improve the appearance of sagging and skin laxity.

Hydrodermabrasion will remove any dead skin to rejuvenate the outer surface of your face. You’ll have to avoid applying makeup after the treatment. Protect your skin from the sun for 5-7 days since your sensitive skin can easily get damaged by the strong sun rays.

Contact Dr. Chen’s office to schedule a consultation or treatment, 858.255.1538.

Chemical Peel

Chemical peels are great for treating melasma, fine lines, aging skin, large pores, acne scars, sun damage, and dull, uneven skin. The peel exfoliates your skin, stimulates your cellular function, enhances collagen at a deep level, and reduces and repairs skin damage. Peels can be done on any area of skin: neck, arms, legs, chest and hands.

Every chemical peel is different, but most peels included ingredients such as lactic acid, TCA, salicylic acid, and retinol. 

The chemical is applied to the desired area in the office. This application usually takes about 10-15 minutes.  By day three or four, your skin will start to feel dry and deal skin will begin to slough off. After all the dead skin has fallen off, we will provide you with a moisturizer to help keep the new skin hydrated. By day seven, you should have a new, rejuvenated facial skin. Your skin will start to feel tighter, brighter and smoother after just one peel. Some patients desire a second or third treatment depending upon the severity of their problem area. 

Dr. Chen offers complimentary consultations to discuss if a chemical peel is right for you. Please contact our office at info@charliechenmd.com, or 858.255.1538.

What is a “Vampire Facial,” or PRP facial?

Authored by: Charlie Chen, M.D.

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

This treatment is a combination of microdermabrasion or microneedling followed by the application of PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma). PRP is the serum portion of the blood which contains platelets. The platelets are high in growth factors, which can help stimulate healthy skin cell activity. 

The process begins with a blood draw and then running the blood through a centrifuge to isolate the platelets. You'll then receive microneedling or microdermabrasion to prep and help improve penetration of the PRP. Once the platelets have been separated and the skin has been prepped, it is time to apply the PRP. Applying the PRP helps improve skin’s collagen and elasticity with its antioxidant and hydrating properties. 

PRP facial is great to prevent wrinkles and improve skin texture. It gives your skin an even tone and fresh appearance. It is great preventative option to keep your skin youthful, but it also can be used to help address current skin damage from the sun or gravity. 

Most people are great candidates for PRP facial, whether their goals are for preventative or restorative effects. However, if you have a history of blood disease, clotting or bleeding disorders, then PRP treatment may not be a safe option for you.

Dr. Chen is a board certified plastic surgeon who has years of experience performing PRP treatments. Please contact our office for a complimentary consultation to discuss if PRP treatments are right for you. 

How to Reduce Dark Spots

AUTHORED BY: CHARLIE CHEN, M.D.

PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

Dark spots on the skin can come in many forms: sun spots, melasma, inflammation, trauma, and/or hyperpigmented scars. Your best defense against sunspot is a good sunscreen. This involves protection against not only sunlight but also our daily digital electronics, which emit HEV blue light. ZO® Skin Care has multiple sunscreen options including sunscreen + primer, sheer broad-spectrum sunscreen, and smart tone sunscreen. ZO® sunscreen has a wider range of protection in comparison to drugstore brands, as it protects against: UVB, UVA, BLUE LIGHT (HEV), and INFRARED (IR-A) light. Protection against harmful rays is key to keeping your skin complexion healthy and supple.

If you already have dark spots, there are more options today than ever before to lighten these hyperpigmented areas. ZO® Pigment control program + Hydroquinone is designed to combat the skin cells producing discoloration. It also helps with texture damage and restoration of skin health. There are also options to address dark sports that do not contain Hydroquinone, such as ZO® Retinol Skin Brightener 1%, Daily Power Defense, Wrinkle + Texture Repair and Brightalive Skin Brightener.

You don’t have to live with dark spots anymore. Depending on the cause, there are multiple treatments to target and lighten your skin, all while improving your overall skin complexion. The first step is to schedule an appointment with a ZO physician, Dr. Charlie Chen, for a free consultation at 858.255.1538. Dr. Chen can provide you with a customized skin care program to target your specific needs. ZO® allows for flexibility and customization because they understand that not all skin problems are alike.