Once you’ve decided that Botox is the right treatment for you to achieve a more youthful, aesthetically pleasing look, you may wonder how to prepare yourself for Botox. Since treatments are relatively quick and uncomplicated, the best way to prepare for Botox is to inform yourself on what the procedure entails. Knowing what to expect is the best way to ensure your comfort and success.

Before Your Appointment: The first step in preparing for Botox treatments is finding the right medical provider. A great way to do this is to set up a consultation with a perspective Botox specialist. The consultation is a chance for you to ask any questions or address any concerns you may have.

Being Prepared for Botox Results: Although Botox is a simple, safe and quick procedure, it is important that, in preparing yourself for your Botox treatments, you have considered and prepared for all the possible results. There is a small list of potential risks and complications involved with Botox. Prepare for the possibility of temporary pain, headache or nausea by having an over the counter pain reliever on hand. Although pain is rare and typically mild and short-lived, it may help you feel more comfortable to be ready for it. Slight redness or bruising at the injection site is even less common than discomfort, but you may still want to be prepared in case you do experience either side effect. Even though preparing can help alleviate pre-Botox jitters, remember that Botox is considered one of the safest injectable treatments on the market, and for many, the benefits far outweigh the potential risks.

What to Expect from your Treatment: The day of your Botox procedure is very straightforward, and the best way to prepare is simply to know what to expect. After filling out some paperwork, you will be seated in a comfortable reclining chair. Dr. Holy will then determine where to administer your Botox injections by examining your ability to move certain muscles. The dosage amount is determined by the degree of the wrinkles and other factors. During your treatment, very low doses of the Botox product are administered via a few tiny injections into the muscles causing the wrinkles. The needles are very fine so there is virtually no pain and no anesthesia is required. The treatment is quick, usually taking only about 10 minutes and no recovery time is required. You can get on with your day right after the treatment.

To learn more about Botox in Phoenix, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology by calling 602-867-7546 or visiting mddermsolutions.com.

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions. It frequently affects teenagers but can also continue into or develop in adult life. Although common, many people do not know what acne is or what causes it.

Acne occurs when the small pores on the surface of the skin become blocked with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. Each individual pore on the skin opens to a follicle beneath the epidermis. Within these follicles lie a singular hair and a sebaceous gland. The sebaceous gland produces sebum, an oil designed to keep your skin moisturized.

When these oil glands are stimulated by hormonal changes or other factors, they become overactive and pump out excess oil. This oil combines with dead skin cells and bacteria to clog skin pores. Should these substances clump together, a plug will form. As this plug starts to press up against the surface of the skin, the body responds with an accumulation of red and white blood cells to combat any infection, and this results in inflammation and redness. Acne can occur on the face, back, neck, chest, arms and buttocks, and any other skin area with a saturation of sebaceous pores.

When topical medications do not provide satisfactory results for treating the appearance of acne, a clearer, healthy-looking complexion may be achieved with a chemical peel for acne or acne scars.

An acne chemical peel is performed by applying a chemical solution to the skin. The solution causes the skin to blister and peel over a period of several days. As the treated skin comes off, fresh new skin replaces it. This exfoliation caused by the acne skin peel eliminates or reduces the appearance of acne blemishes and scars. Acne chemical peel treatments provide benefits in addition to acne treatment by improving the skin’s pigmentation and make the skin smoother.

Most patients experience a sun burnt look with obvious peeling of the skin in the days after their first peel. This redness and peeling tends to be less pronounced with each consecutive peel. The number of treatments needed is dependent on the individual patient’s skin and the severity of their acne.

The best candidates for acne chemical peel treatments are people with superficial acne or acne scars. Individuals with severe or very active acne may not be good candidates for acne chemical peels.

It is important to speak with your dermatologist to determine whether or not a chemical peel is right for you. There are instances when a chemical peel is not recommended, such as during pregnancy or if you have cut or broken skin. It is also not advised to have a chemical peel if you have psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis or rosacea.

Contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com for more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Holy.

A chemical peel treatment is a procedure that involves the application of a chemical to the face, neck or hands. A predefined chemical solution is applied to the treatment area to diminish imperfections by peeling away the skin’s top layers. It also stimulates the production of new collagen for a smoother, more even complexion.

Chemical peels can be used to treat:

• Fine Wrinkling
• Dry Skin
• Skin Texture
• Acne
• Uneven Pigmentation
• Mild Scarring
• Sun-Damaged Skin
• Age Spots
• Freckles
• Dark Patches

There are three main types of chemical peels; light, medium and deep, categorized by the differing levels of “peeling” and utilizing varying amounts of chemicals for the desired results.

A light chemical peel is most commonly performed, and is the mildest of the peel formulas that uses Alpha hydroxy acids. You may experience a slight tingling or warming sensation of the skin. AHA may be applied weekly or at longer intervals to achieve the desired results.

A medium chemical peel is performed using a trichloroacetic acid. Medium deep peeling can sting mildly with much warmer sensations on the skin. Because of deeper penetration, it can remove larger wrinkles and precancerous skin lesions; however, this peel can also make the skin temporarily look like a sunburn.

Deep chemical peels, using Phenol acid, are rarely performed. The application is very painful and is done under a general anesthesia.

While chemical peels can help with mild to moderate wrinkles, severe wrinkles may not respond well to chemical peel treatment. They may require other kinds of procedures such as laser treatments or Botox.

Chemical peels are generally performed in our Phoenix office. Immediately after a chemical peel treatment, the surface of the skin will appear whitish, and you may experience a warm to hot sensation followed by a stinging sensation. Cool compresses can be applied to help alleviate any discomfort. In the following days, the skin will feel tight and dry. After 4 to 6 days, the tight skin will begin to peel. After about 7–10 days, the skin should appear normal again.

During a consultation at The Center for Advanced Dermatology, Dr. Holy will discuss an appropriate treatment plan with you based on your specific skin problem and desired results. Contact us at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to schedule your chemical peel treatment today.

If you’re like many patients in Phoenix, you may be self-conscious or dissatisfied with the skin and fat under your chin. A double chin can be difficult to eliminate through diet and exercise alone, but Kybella can help to get rid of excess fat in a non-surgical, non-invasive way.

How Kybella Works

Dr. Holy utilizes small, virtually painless injections of Kybella to help your body naturally remove fat. Kybella is made from deoxycholic acid, a natural product from within your body. This helps to absorb fat by destroying the fat cell’s membrane. Without a cell membrane, the fat cell ruptures and your body naturally removes it.

Kybella Results

Through a series of approximately 4-6 sessions spaced about 4 weeks apart, Dr. Holy will administer small amounts of Kybella. Each injection session takes about 15-20 minutes, and results will be evident within a few weeks. The end-result will be a loss of chin fat and a firm, youthful look that you will love.

Kybella will reduce your double chin and improve the appearance of your neck and jawline. The results gained with Kybella are permanent because the fat below your chin won’t return so you can enjoy the permanent results of Kybella as long as you maintain a healthy weight.

However, the contoured appearance of the neck may change if you gain a significant amount of weight. This could cause the fat cells that remain to get larger, and once again create some fullness in the chin.  But since there are fewer fat cells, the fat will be proportionately less than you had before. The great thing about Kybella being a product that your body naturally creates is that you can have touchup injections when needed without the fear of a reaction or any adverse effects

If you’re interested in Kybella treatments in Phoenix, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology today at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.

Injectable fillers can give you a more youthful look for a fraction of what a traditional facelift costs. Most will fill lines and wrinkles in less than 30 minutes with results that can last from 4 months to more than a year. Fillers can also be used as volumizers, plumping and lifting cheeks, jawlines and temples and filling out thin lips. If you are considering fillers, it is important to understand what to expect for aftercare.

• Temporary stinging, throbbing, burning sensation, redness, swelling, bruising and excess fullness.
• Swelling and puffiness may last several weeks.
• Redness and bruising may last about 48 hours.
• You may feel a firmness in the treatment area for a few days. This may depend on the area of treatment and the product used but over time, it will soften and feel more natural.
• Inspect daily for signs of infection.
• Stay out of the sun until redness and bruising subsides (usually 48 hours).
• Always use a strong sunblock if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
• Avoid alcohol consumption until bruising and swelling subsides.
• Acetaminophen is appropriate for pain relief. Avoid anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
• One of the advantages of these procedures is that you may return to most of your normal activities shortly after treatment.
• Avoid strenuous exercise for a day or two after treatment because this increases the heart rate and quickens blood-flow which can prolong swelling.
• Be realistic about your results. Repeated treatments may be necessary. With regular follow-up treatments, you can easily maintain your new look.

If you have any questions about fillers or the aftercare process in Phoenix, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.

Micro needling is a popular, minimally-invasive treatment that stimulates the natural production of collagen and is shown to be effective in improving various issues of the skin. The treatment can be used safely on all skin types and requires little to no recovery time.

Micro needling can help improve the following:

• Lift and tighten your skin
• Balance skin tone
• Reduce the appearance of acne or other scars
• Minimize fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduce pore size
• Improve the appearance of stretch marks

How Does Micro Needling Work?

Dr. Holy uses a micro needling tool to create microscopic pricks on the problematic area of the skin. The tiny needles on the pen make invisible perforations in the epidermis and the top layer of the dermis. These tiny pricks cause your body to recognize an “injury” which causes it to start to heal itself. Collagen and elastin are rushed to the area where they then rejuvenate the skin. This repair process begins almost immediately and results in a thicker dermis and softened wrinkles or scars.

There is no tissue destruction with microneedling. The small channels in the epidermis close very quickly and the skin begins a healing response right away.

What Will Micro Needling Feel Like?

The needle penetration occurs very quickly which means it will feel more like a sandpaper sensation than needles. Micro needling for scars requires longer needles which invade nerve space and thus, produce more sensation.

After the Treatment

Following micro needling in Phoenix, you’ll likely look as if you have a sunburn. This may last for just a few hours to up to a week depending on treatment depth. For the best results, you’ll need more than one treatment to continually build collagen and elastin.

If you’re interested in micro needling or other skin treatments, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to schedule an appointment with Dr. Holy.

Sagging skin, wrinkles and fine lines create the most obvious and visible signs of facial aging. The more of these a person has, the older their face will look. Typically, lines first appear where the skin has a natural tendency to fold or crease as a result of a person’s most dominant facial expressions. These are known as expression lines and most frequently occur in the outer corners of the eyes, along the sides of the mouth and along the central region of the forehead.

A popular treatment to combat the signs of aging on the face is the use of dermal fillers. There are several different types of dermal fillers available including:

Collagen – Collagen fillers help restore the support structure of the face, enhancing the contours of the upper layer of skin. Collagen is the most abundant natural protein found in the body and provides structural support to skin, muscle, tendons and bone. Collagen injections replenish the skin’s natural collagen. The natural beauty of your skin is enhanced as the contour of the support structure is restored.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite – These types of fillers are designed to stimulate collagen fibers as well as volumize depleted areas. Radiesse is a well-known form of calcium hydroxylapatite filler. This is a temporary but longer-lasting type of dermal filler which works wonders for facial sculpting. It is used mainly in deep nose to mouth lines, though it also works for reshaping of the nose. It is not applied to the lips.

Hyaluronic Acid – Hyaluronic acid fillers are widely used due to their high levels of safety and reliability. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance which can be found in every living organism. As a result, it is biocompatible so side-effects are very rare. Products which use hyaluronic acid include Perlane, Restylane, Belotero and Juvéderm. Hyaluronic acid fillers come in varying levels of thickness and so they are a flexible option to improve different sections of the face.

Poly-L-lactic Acid – These dermal fillers are biocompatible and biodegradable and help replace lost collagen in the treatment area. Such products include Sculptra and are long-lasting compared to other temporary dermal fillers.

The type of dermal filler chosen will ultimately depend on the results you wish to achieve. In Phoenix, Dr. Holy will determine the best type and volume of filler needed for your particular areas of concern. Contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to schedule a consultation today.

Platelets are the cells in the blood that help tissue to heal and grow new cells. Platelet rich plasma is created from your own blood, making it a safe and natural solution for improving your appearance. Platelet rich plasma is made by a small amount of blood being drawn and placed in a sterile tube that is spun in a centrifuge to separate the different components of the blood. Red and white blood cells are divided from the platelets and the plasma (the clear fluid). This plasma now contains a high concentration of platelets and is called platelet rich plasma.

When injected into the skin, platelet rich plasma can help to heal damaged tissue and encourage growth of new healthy cells. Platelet rich plasma also stimulates the production of collagen. Collagen is essential in keeping skin firm and young looking. Increased collagen can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your face.

Platelet rich plasma is a simple, effective and safe way to improve your skin and your appearance. The procedure is quick (15 minutes total), relatively painless and requires no post procedure care or time off from daily events. Because the platelet rich plasma is made from your own cells, there is no risk of allergy or rejection and you’ll get natural looking results.

Platelet rich plasma injection requires little recovery time and usually no downtime at all. On the first day after treatment there may be some redness. On the second day the redness usually subsides, the skin may swell, and the texture may become rough like sandpaper. By the third day, the swelling should be gone leaving just the sandpaper-like texture for 5 to 7 days.

Results begin to show in three to four weeks as new collagen is added to the treatment areas, and these results continue to build for months. Three treatment sessions are generally recommended, spaced 1-2 months apart, to achieve the best outcome.

Platelet rich plasma therapy can be combined with other treatments to best target a patient’s individual goals and achieve younger looking skin. During a consultation in Phoenix, Dr. Holy will personally evaluate your skin issues and describe the treatments that would be most helpful for you. To learn more about the benefits of platelet rich plasma, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology today by calling 602-867-7546 or visiting mddermsolutions.com.

The term “jowls” refers to the skin along the lower jaw, especially when fleshy or sagging. The primary cause of jowls is simply natural aging. As you age, your skin loses vital proteins called collagen and elastin, which keep the skin firm and smooth. The body produces collagen at a slower rate as you age and stops producing elastin shortly after puberty. Because of the loss of these proteins, gravity starts to affect the shape of the skin, pulling down on it and causing the sagging due to less protein keeping the skin firm. Repetitive facial expressions also play a part in creating jowls.

Fat around the jowls is extremely hard to get rid of through diet and exercise. The only way to remove fat on the face and jaw used to be through surgery – typically liposuction or through a facelift. Kybella is the first non-surgical method to decrease jawline, chin and neck fullness.

Kybella is an injection that destroys fat cells and increases collagen production, reducing fat around the jowl area. Most facial injections and dermal fillers are used to add volume back into the face, not remove it. But Kybella is made up of deoxycholic acid, a natural substance that breaks down fat cells and shrinks fat pockets. This is the same substance our body uses to break down dietary fat.

This procedure is administered through a series of injection treatments spaced four to six weeks apart. Two to three injection sessions may be needed for optimal results.

With minimal downtime, no loose skin and an increase in skin firmness, Kybella is a fantastic way to chisel the jawline and shave fat (and years!) off your face. Most patients experience some swelling the first week after their injection with low risk of other side effects.

To learn more about Kybella in Phoenix, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holy, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com today.

Are you looking for a non-surgical approach to smoothing your body contours? The Verjú laser system is a new revolutionary device designed specifically for body contouring without surgical treatment.

This clinically-proven, non-invasive treatment that painlessly reduces inches and removes stubborn body fat has revolutionized the way we approach body contouring. The Verjú method is safe and effective; requires no needles, no incisions and no recovery time.

Unlike other technologies, Verjú uses Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) to stimulate the body’s fat cells and create pores in the cells’ walls. Through these pores, the lipid material (the fat) is released, allowing the cell to collapse to a smaller size. Also unlike other technologies, the process does not kill or remove the fat cell. Surprisingly, the fat cell is not the enemy; it’s the size of the fat cell that is harmful to your health.

Verjú laser treatment is completely painless and requires no downtime. Following the treatment, you can immediately resume your regular physical activities with no discomfort. Depending on the size and complexity of your targeted areas, follow-up sessions may be recommended.

Verju is ideal for patients who:

• Would like to reduce fat in troublesome areas
• Would like to get rid of their cellulite
• Are looking for non-surgical solutions

If you are interested in body contouring with Verjú, the first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holy. During a consultation in Phoenix, Dr. Holy will examine your areas of concern and evaluate your body contouring goals to determine if Verjú is the right treatment for you. To learn more about this exciting new body contouring treatment, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.