Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a non-invasive and non-ablative treatment that uses high intensity pulses of visible light to improve the appearance of skin problems such as:

• Vascular lesions including spider veins, port wine stains, broken facial veins, rosy cheeks, rosacea and red thread veins of the legs
• Hair removal
• Sun spots and sun damage
• Freckles and age marks
• Facial lines and wrinkles
• IPL may also be helpful for mild to moderate acne and stretch marks

IPL therapy works by delivering precise pulses of light to specific areas of the skin. The light energy is converted to heat energy which causes damage to the specific target area. Intense pulsed light therapy is different from lasers in that it delivers many wavelengths in each pulse of light instead of just one.

Intense pulsed light therapy is considered a non-ablative resurfacing technique – which means that it targets the lower layers of skin (dermis) without affecting the top layers of skin (epidermis). The results are not as dramatic as ablative resurfacing where both the dermis and epidermis are injured to produce a much more noticeable overall outcome.

A considerable benefit to intense pulsed light therapy is that it combines dramatic improvement with virtually no down time. Treatment sessions usually last about 20 minutes and patients can return to their regular activities immediately following this treatment. To achieve desired results, repeat sessions every 3-6 weeks may be needed.

IPL treatments are relatively painless compared to other facial rejuvenation techniques. The sensation has been likened to a light pinch or the snap of a rubber band.

Side effects of intense pulsed light therapy are minor and include:

• Mild pain during treatment
• Skin turning pink and a little sore immediately after the procedure
• Sensation of a mild sunburn (redness, peeling, swelling) that may last a few days after treatment
• Rarely, skin pigment may absorb too much light energy and blistering can occur
• Sometimes the pigment cells (melanocytes) can be damaged leaving darker or paler patches of skin
• Hair loss may occur
• Bruising affects up to 10% of patients

Intense pulsed light therapy offers a gentle, long-lasting solution for visible signs of skin damage that affect the way you look. To learn more or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holy in Phoenix, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.

Microdermabrasion is one of the easiest, safest and most effective anti-aging treatments you can get. The treatment exfoliates dead skin cells and leaves fresh skin in its place. As microdermabrasion is gaining in popularity and accessibility, it is important to understand the side effects that can happen with this type of skin rejuvenation treatment. Microdermabrasion is considered very safe with only the rarest cases causing anything besides brief, mild side effects. Of course, it’s always best to be prepared for the potential consequences of a treatment, no matter how small. So here’s a closer look at the most common microdermabrasion side effects.

Pigmentation Issues: One possible side effect of microdermabrasion is discoloration of the skin, particularly for people who have a darker complexion. Following the treatment, it is possible to see slight unevenness in the pigmentation.

Redness: Some people who have had microdermabrasion notice redness of the skin following treatment. This condition isn’t permanent and usually resolves itself in just a few days.

Dryness: Microdermabrasion may cause dry or flaking skin. In most cases, this dry skin condition goes away after just a few days.

Itching: Itchy skin is another temporary side effect of microdermabrasion.

Purging: Purging is a side effect of acne microdermabrasion. The exfoliation of the treatment opens the pores, exposing the bacteria. This exposure brings on an acne surge, but it is a temporary reaction to the treatment and will go away in a few days.

Although microdermabrasion is a very safe procedure, you do need to be aware of potential side effects. It’s important to choose a doctor who is experienced with the treatment, ensuring that the right safety steps will be taken. Microdermabrasion in Phoenix with Dr. Holy will leave you with great looking skin with minimal, if any, side effects.

To learn more about microdermabrasion or to schedule an appointment, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.

Dry Skin: Dry skin does not retain moisture or oils easily, often leading to the appearance of bumpy or flaky areas. Many individuals with dry skin say their skin feels tight and they often experience discoloration issues.

People with dry skin can benefit from focusing on staying properly hydrated, using an intensive moisturizer and skipping any products containing harsh ingredients like Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) or Benzoyl Peroxide.

Sensitive Skin: People with sensitive skin types regularly experience issues related to inflammation, redness or rashes. Their skin may become irritated from changes in the weather and they often burn easily from sun exposure. Sensitive skin types are more prone to skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis compared to other skin types.

People with sensitive skin should be careful about which products they use, especially since most cleansers and moisturizers contain ingredients that can cause adverse reactions. Make sure to only use products designated for sensitive skin. It is recommended to test new products on a small area of the skin before adding them to your regimen.

Combination Skin: People with combination skin types have various regions of the skin that exhibit the traits of different skin types. For example, their cheeks may have all the traits of dry skin while their forehead is oily. This often occurs when one area of the skin overproduces natural oils while other areas under-produce.

People with combination skin types may need to treat each region differently depending on their needs.

Knowing your skin type is necessary to make the best decision about which proper skin care or treatment is suitable for your particular skin needs. To learn more about how to care for your skin type or what products you should be using, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.

It is vital to understand the basic traits and needs of your skin in order to properly care for it. Depending on your genetic characteristics, you may fall within these 5 common skin types: Normal, Oily, Dry, Sensitive or Combination.

Many of today’s skin care products are developed for and classified by skin type. As you can imagine, using products that are not formulated for your skin type is not ideal because the products might be ineffective or even harm your skin.

At The Center for Advanced Dermatology, we understand that your skin is unique. To help you identify your skin type, here is a general overview of the five common types:

Normal Skin: Skin that is considered normal is soft, smooth and has an even tone. This skin is radiant, has good circulation, and does not have any traces of excess sebum (natural oils). Additionally, normal skin types have small to medium sized pores, retain a normal level of moisture and rarely experience blemishes or breakouts.

Most individuals with a normal skin type can follow a basic skincare regimen.

Oily Skin: An oily skin type is usually easy to identify; the skin often appears moist and shiny (especially at midday, when oil is at its peak). These traits stem from an overproduction of sebum oils from the skin’s sebaceous glands. Individuals with oily skin tend to have clogged and relatively large pores. Oily skin is prone to both noninflammatory acne (blackheads and whiteheads) and inflammatory acne (pimples and cystic zits).

It is vital for people with oily skin type to cleanse their skin regularly and use products that are not oil-based. Toners, exfoliators and spot treatments are also great products for those with oily skin.

Knowing Your Skin Part Two to be continued.

Sun spots, also called age spots or solar lentigines, are dark spots on the skin caused by direct, prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays or from artificial sources of ultraviolet rays, like from a tanning bed.

As people age, sun spots most commonly appear on the backs of the hands, the forearms, neck, chest and face – areas that receive the most sun exposure.

Sun spots develop due to the reaction of melanin-producing cells: melanocytes. Their function includes protecting your body from harmful UV rays. When your body is over-exposed to ultraviolet rays, melanocytes consider it a threat and increase melanin production to put up defenses against the UV rays’ effect. Normally, this results in tanned skin – evenly spread skin darkening. However, sometimes extra pigment gathers in just one area. This is how you get sun spots.

Sun spots are more common in people who freckle and who burn easily, typically those with lighter colored skin. It is important to know that if you’ve had enough sun to develop age spots, you have a higher risk of developing skin cancer.

Sun spots are flat and vary in size from a small pea to a dime. They usually are somewhat round and have irregular borders. They are tan, brown or deep brown in color.

The best treatment for sun spots is prevention. The key to preventing sun spots is avoiding the sun and proper sun protection such as daily sunscreen use. For many patients, it may be too late for prevention, however there are a number of treatment options available.

The top treatment options for sun spots are:

• Chemical Peels
• Laser Resurfacing
• Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

Dr. Holy at The Center for Advanced Dermatology in Phoenix offers several successful sun spot treatments. Call 602-867-7546 or visit mddermsolutions.com to learn more about sun spots or to schedule a consultation.

Wrinkles are creases, folds or ridges that form on the surface of the skin most commonly occuring with age. As we get older, inevitable results of the natural aging process cause noticeable changes to our face and bodies. Skin gets thinner and drier and loses elasticity that was once beneficial for maintaining a youthful appearance.

While wrinkles are a common development from aging and the genetic makeup of your skin’s features and structure, they can affect younger people as well. Factors such as too much sun exposure and lifestyle habits, like smoking or not using protective sunscreen, increase the early development of wrinkles.

Fortunately, there are preventative skin routines that can decrease deeper wrinkle development and an array of treatments for enhancing a wrinkle-free appearance.

Laser resurfacing is one of the most advanced skin rejuvenation treatments available and is known to be an effective treatment for stubborn conditions such as acne scarring and deep lines and wrinkles.

Laser wrinkle treatments use a specially crafted beam of thermal energy that works deep into the layers of your skin. Unlike peels or abrasive skin exfoliation, these laser beams of heat precisely target and vaporize damaged skin. By creating injury to the old skin, the body works to create new, tighter skin that has smaller pores and fewer wrinkles and blemishes. Laser wrinkle treatment time depends on the extent of the wrinkles and the size of the area being treated.

At The Center for Advanced Dermatology, we offer a variety of laser wrinkle treatments and other skin care remedies for specific skin tones and needs. Because everyone’s skin is different, treatment is tailored to each patient’s individual goals and needs.

Contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holy in Phoenix. During this visit, you and Dr. Holy can discuss a laser wrinkle treatment plan just for you.

Laser hair removal is a very common aesthetic procedure in Phoenix. If you’re not happy with shaving, tweezing or waxing to remove unwanted hair, laser hair removal may be an option worth considering.

During laser hair removal, pulsating beams of light target the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The intense heat from the laser damages the follicles, inhibiting future hair growth. Since this procedure works by targeting melanin, it is most effective for people with light skin and dark hair, although advanced technology has made laser hair removal an option for individuals with dark skin as well. Common areas of the body that are treated include legs, underarms, upper lip, chin and bikini line; however, laser hair removal can be used on nearly any part of the body.

Immediately before the treatment, the hair will be trimmed. The laser equipment will be carefully adjusted according to your hair and skin specifications. A cold gel or special cooling device will be applied on the skin to protect the outer layers as well as to help the laser penetrate the skin. The hand-held laser instrument will be held against the skin as the treatment is performed. Small areas such as the upper lip may only take a few minutes while larger areas, such as the back, may take several hours.

Common side effects include skin irritation, temporary redness, swelling and pain. Laser hair removal may cause the treated skin to become lighter or darker, but this is usually temporary.

Laser hair removal is proven to effectively slow hair growth, but does not guarantee permanent hair removal. Results vary greatly and are dependent on which area of the body is being treated. Multiple treatments are typically required to provide long term hair removal. Some people will require periodic maintenance treatments to maintain results. A consultation with Dr. Holy will help determine what results you can expect based on your needs, skin and hair types. Contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology today at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to schedule your laser hair removal appointment.

As we grow older, certain signs of aging can begin to reveal that age is more than just a number. Characteristics like wrinkles, age spots and sagging skin develop over time. Skin rejuvenation provided by Dr. Holy in Phoenix can help you look more natural, younger and more beautiful than ever.

Skin rejuvenation procedures seek to achieve one or more of the following:

• Reduce or remove wrinkles
• Remove or lighten sun spots
• Tighten loose skin
• Improve skin tone and color
• Eliminate damaged, visible blood vessels

The variety of procedures available today provides you with choices when it comes to your treatment. Many treatments take only a few minutes to perform and require little to no recovery time. Other options may be slightly more invasive, but can deliver results that you can enjoy for months to years post-treatment.

The particular treatment you will need depends on a variety of factors, including your age, skin condition, desired recovery time and the concerns you wish to address. In some cases, a combination of treatments may be recommended to provide optimal results. This ability to customize an ideal treatment plan is another benefit of skin rejuvenation.

There are many ways in which skin rejuvenation treatments can put years back on your face. The Center for Advanced Dermatology offers skin rejuvenation treatments to help you look and feel your best. Our skin rejuvenation therapy is great for combatting common signs of aging to restore a more youthful appearance.

Wrinkles: Many treatments target wrinkles. They take away the dead skin cells that crowd around the wrinkles on your skin. In addition, many of the treatments will put more collagen into your skin. Collagen is something we lose when we get older, but it is essential for plump, soft and younger looking skin.

Sun spots and age spots: Sun spots and age spots are just a part of life, but they can disappear with a quick skin resurfacing procedure. These spots are a buildup of discolored skin, but many treatments can break up these discolorations and reveal the beautiful, even-toned skin beneath.

Scars from acne and other incidents: If you have scars on your face or other areas of your skin, these can also be removed or diminished with some great skin rejuvenation treatments.

There are many reasons why our skin tends to look worse as we get older. You cannot avoid the wrinkles that come along with age, but you can make your skin look and feel much better with skin rejuvenation treatments. Contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology to learn more about our amazing skin procedures. Call 602-867-7546 or visit mddermsolutions.com to schedule your appointment.

Toenail fungus is a chronic and potentially contagious problem that affects millions of people. Those who suffer from toenail fungus may experience a significant impact on their social life, particularly if the fungus spreads to their fingernails – a frequent occurrence.

There are several types of toenail fungus and as such, the symptoms can vary slightly depending upon the precise ailment that’s infecting the nail bed. The most common toenail fungus is called onychomycosis. Toenail fungus – onychomycosis – is an infection that is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. Though toenail fungus can affect anyone, it is more commonly found to affect older adults.

Toenail fungus often begins as a small spot of white, yellow or green that appears under the nail, typically near the edge. This is often paired with an array of other symptoms that worsen as the infection spreads deeper below the nail. Ultimately, the fungus can affect the entire nail, including the nail bed – the area where the new nail grows from; this causes all new nail growth to be infected as well.

Toenail fungus symptoms include:

• A white, yellow or green patch of discoloration under the nail, typically near the edge
• Painful or sore nails
• Thickened nails
• Discoloration, often yellow, green or black
• Crumbling at the edges
• Rough, abnormal nail surface texture
• Foul odor
• Fluid discharge from the affected area
• Distorted nail shape
• Scaly skin around the nail
• Inflammation, redness and swelling under and around the nail
• The nail may separate or lift from the nail bed

Toenail fungus can be very difficult to treat, especially infections which are in an advanced stage that are more stubborn and respond very slowly to any type of medication.

Toenail fungus may eventually cause your nail to fall off and there may be a subsequent growth of a deformed nail which may also cause a separate infection.

If you have toenail fungus symptoms, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to schedule an appointment with Dr. Holy so that you receive proper treatment.

Acne is usually a temporary problem, but acne scars can be permanent. However, unwelcome they may be, scars are part of the skin’s normal healing process after it has been damaged by a wound or injury. Most superficial wounds heal without scarring. It’s when the dermis is damaged that scars form on the skin.

Acne scars are most often the product of an inflamed lesion. Inflamed blemishes occur when the follicle which grows out of a pore becomes engorged with excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. The pore swells, causing a break in the follicle wall.

The body perceives acne inflammation as a skin injury. To repair the damage done to the dermis layer of skin, it forms new collagen fibers. Collagen is the fibrous protein that gives the skin its strength and flexibility. Unfortunately, the repaired skin (scar) never looks as smooth and flawless as the original skin.

Laser skin resurfacing is one of the most common and most effective treatments used to treat acne scars today. Intensely focused, monochromatic light energy targets precise layers in the skin and treats them by stimulating collagen production to reconstruct the scar tissue. Various laser systems can be used to accomplish this.

Shallow scars may be diminished with one treatment, while deeper scars may require additional treatments to completely reduce to the best size.

For someone who has suffered from severe acne, dealing with the resulting scars can often take a toll on a person’s confidence, self-esteem and quality of life. Skin resurfacing for acne scars has the capability to correct your blemishes once and for all.

To find out more about skin resurfacing for acne scars or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Holy, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.