Clarity Dermatology offers a full line of minimally-invasive cosmetic treatments to help restore and rejuvenate the skin. Over time, our skin is subjected to various stresses that promote visible aging. These stresses cause wrinkles and fine lines, thinning of the skin, loss of volume, and uneven skin tone.
Causes of aging skin can be categorized into two main groups: intrinsic aging and extrinsic aging.
Intrinsic aging occurs as a result of our genetic makeup. We are genetically programed to age at a certain rate, and while there are great advances in anti-aging medicine that may one day help us combat intrinsic aging, there is not much we can do at this time to modify it. Fortunately, intrinsic aging accounts for a small part of our skin’s overall aging process.
Extrinsic aging is the process that occurs through stresses on the skin from the environment around us. It accounts for the majority of our skin’s aging, and we can often control its effects through lifestyle. The main causes of extrinsic aging include ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and tanning, cigarette smoking, air pollution, poor sleep habits, expression of facial muscles (i.e., frowning, smiling, etc) and mechanical stretching or folding of the skin (i.e., from removing makeup too vigorously, side-sleeping, etc). Other factors, such as glycation (improper binding of sugars to proteins and lipids), can also accelerate the extrinsic aging process.
Of the many causes of extrinsic aging, sunlight is generally the factor with the greatest influence. This is one reason why dermatologists encourage diligent sun protection starting in childhood. Sunlight causes “photoaging,” which results in uneven skin tone, sun spots, and loss of elastin and collagen in the skin through oxidative damage and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Ultraviolet light has also been implicated in the development of skin cancer, often through oxidative damage to your DNA.
The cosmetic procedures and products offered at Clarity Dermatology are aimed at preventing, slowing, or reversing one or more of the many signs of aging.
Neuromodulators (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin)
Neuromodulators are primarily intended for the reduction of movement of muscles of facial expression. Through precise placement of these medications, Dr. Jensen can help relax certain muscles in the face, resulting in a softening of expression lines, such as frown lines between the eyes, “crow’s feet” by the eyes from squinting, “worry lines” on the forehead, and other places on the face.
Fillers (Restylane, Juvederm, Belotero, Radiesse, Sculptra, etc)
There are many filler products on the market. These products are aimed at restoring the loss of volume and bony structure that occurs as a result of intrisic aging. As we age, facial bones tend to resorb and fat pads decrease in size, resulting in sagging skin and loss of volume. Careful selection and placement of fillers can help restore that youthful “fullness” that is lost over time.
Lasers
There are many types of lasers for the skin, and dermatologists have been instrumental in developing lasers for medical and cosmetic uses over the past 40 years. A laser can target various parts of the skin, called “chromophores,” to stimulate collagen regeneration, remove unwanted brown spots (or target pigment in unwanted hair), or remove unwanted blood vessels. By selectively heating these chromophore targets, we can improve our skin’s appearance. Additionally, certain lasers can also target tattoo pigment, breaking the pigment particles up and helping the body to remove the tattoo. Lasers can also be used to rehabilitate scars that are a result of trauma or surgery.
