It's the Most Wonderful Time.. To Get Rid of the Belly Bulge!

The holidays are almost here, it’s time to tackle the stubborn belly bulge, your love handles and well…. your tight jeans.  Now you are probably thinking, “Wouldn’t it be cool if I could actually do this while laying down, watching T.V.?” Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well, here’s the good news…  Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery can remove your stubborn fat bulges, love handles and we can even make your skinny jeans love you again. How can we do this? With CoolSculpting!

CoolSculpting is a revolutionary, non-surgical contouring device that freezes stubborn fat, which then is naturally eliminated from your body. CoolSculpting works by freezing your fat cells, which causes them to crystallize and then break down.  Once the fat cells are broken down, your body removes the fat cells and the fat cells that are left, compact, resulting in a trimmer midsection and a very happy pair of skinny jeans.

Many patients start noticing their CoolSculpting results about three weeks after their treatment and see their biggest change at about two months post treatment. CoolSculpting results can continue to improve up to four months after treatment.   Patients will come back to Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery for a follow up appointment, about two months after their CoolSculpting procedure. At this appointment after photos will be taken and the provider will assess if further treatment is needed to reach desired results. Often, patients only need one treatment per area. However, if a patient may need additional treatments, it is usually discussed prior to the initial CoolSculpting treatment.

Right now is the perfect time to treat those stubborn spots in your midsection, you will be picture perfect for the Holidays and bikini ready by spring! Treat yourself and enjoy our end-of-the-year specials! Enjoy our CoolSculpting package to treat your stomach and love handles or stomach and bra bulge for only $1650* (usually $2750). Finally, there’s a reason to freeze and your skinny jeans will thank you for it!

Check out this post for a step by step demonstration of a CoolSculpting treatment at our office. For more information on CoolSculpting or any other procedures at Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery, visit our website or call (404) 296-8000.

MYTHBUSTERS: Botox Edition

We have all heard about the big, bad rumors circulating about celebrities who get Botox or your friend’s friend’s sister who got Botox and now can never smile… again. Well it’s time to put the rumors to rest and to explain how the Big B procedure isn’t actually big or bad. In fact, Botox is quick, painless and gives a very natural appearance.

Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery has put together a list of common rumors that we hear from our patients and shed light on the actual truth about Botox:

 

Rumor #1: “I’ve heard that Botox permanently freezes your face!” 

Truth: Botox is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of the lines between the eyebrows or on the forehead. It works by blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles, reducing the muscle activity that causes moderate to severe lines to form between the brows. Therefore your face still has movement, can make normal expressions, and is not frozen. Botox results are temporary and will not permanently affect your face. Visible results have been shown to last up to 4 months and your face will gradually go back to its appearance prior to Botox (or even with the added perk of a bit less wrinkles).

Rumor #2: “The reason I’d never get Botox is because once you get treated you can’t make any expression in your face, you can’t even frown!”

Truth: Results from Botox are visible; you will look more youthful and refreshed, but treatments results will not radically change your facial appearance and you will not appear as if you’ve “had work done.” Botox works by temporarily reducing the muscle activity that causes wrinkling. Therefore, you can still frown and/or look surprised, but without the aging wrinkles and creases between your brows (seems like a pretty great deal to us).

Rumor #3: “Botox isn’t safe; you’re putting toxic material into your body.”

Truth:  Botox is safe if it is administered correctly by a licensed and trained professional. Botox is a purified protein whose effects, when is injected correctly, are very precise and predictable, making it very safe for our cosmetic patients.

Rumor #4: “I’ve heard that once you get Botox your face will never go back to being the same as it was before you got the treatment.”

Truth: Botox results are temporary and will not permanently affect your face. Visible results have been shown to last up to 4 months and your face will gradually go back to its appearance prior to treatment with Botox.

 Rumor #5: “When you get Botox you never look like yourself, everyone looks fake and plastic.”

Truth: Botox results are dependent upon individual patient needs and desired appearance.  Our providers are skilled in treating clients in a way to give them a youthful appearance without appearing as if they’ve had any treatment at all.

Rumor #6: “Botox is only for the rich and famous; I could never afford it.”

Truth: Botox is the most common cosmetic procedure; over 11 million men and women have been treated. Botox is not only for the rich and famous. A typical Botox patient is the average mom looking to help treat and prevent her aging skin. Pricing varies per office and is determined based on the amount of units needed to treat a particular area.  Schedule a consultation with Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery to learn about the best Botox treatment plan for you.  

Rumor #7: “Botox is the beginning of a downhill spiral in plastic surgery and invasive cosmetic procedures.”

Truth: Botox is a simple, non-invasive, preventative skin care treatment that can help you look as young as you feel without needing surgery or other invasive treatments. Using Botox as a preventative measure could help postpone or prevent the need for plastic surgery later in life.

 

For more information on Botox  or any of our other cosmetic procedures call us (404) 296-8000 or visit www.atlantadermatologyexperts.com


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Written by: Mackenzie Stratton, Marketing Manager at Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery

How to Pick the Right Products for your Skin Type

When was the last time you smiled and looked
this good washing your face?

It’s 8pm on a Monday night, you get comfy on the couch and enjoy a nice bowl (or two) of popcorn, and turn on "The Bachelorette". During the two hours you are subjected to probably an hour worth of commercials (or it at least seems that way), filled with new make-up products that promise  they won’t clog your pores, face washes that will eliminate blackheads, concealers that will cover up the bags under your eyes and so on. After countless hours of commercials telling you this product is recommended most by dermatologist, or this one is clinically proven to eliminate acne, it’s hard to know what to believe.  

Let's just cut straight to the facts... I have struggled with keeping my skin clear my entire life and it wasn’t until I started working for a dermatologist that I was really able to tame my face, so I thought I’d share a few products that Atlanta Dermatology & Laser Surgery's dermatology experts recommend, that might help you with your unique skin concerns.

Oily Skin: Oily skin is basically skin that appears shiny and often feels greasy to touch. People who suffer with oily skin are often oily in the T-Zone but can also be oily all over the face.  If you are looking to help maintain your oily skin, our office recommends a face wash that contains glycolic acid or benzyl peroxide.

• Our favorites include:  Atlanta Laser and Skin Care Center’s (ALSCC) GlycoX 5% Cleansing Pads and Cosmetix Purity Clean Facial Wash. We also recommend weekly oil-controlling masks to help reduce oil product (RX Systems Oil Control Mask). ALSCC's UltraLight Facial Cream is also recommended if you need any extra moisturizer.

Dry Skin: Dry skin is skin that lacks moisture, it can feel rough to touch and can often the skin is flaky. We recommend a few products to help restore moisture to the skin and improve skin appearance.

• These include: ALSCC's Firming and Restructuring Peptide Therapy, ALSCC's Green Tea Foaming or Fortified Cleansers, RX Systems Hydrating Mask, RX Systems Maximum Strength Moisturizer and/or Clayton Shagal’s Elastin Gel Plus, Hyprocel Gel and Collagen Gel Plus.

Rough Skin: Rough skin is skin that is bumpy, harsh to touch and can be dry or oily. We recommend products with moisturizers, glycolic acid and salicylic acid.

• A few of our favorite products include: Vitvite Exfoliating Facial Cleanser, ALSCC's Retinol Plus Smoothing Serum and ALSCC's Green Tea Serum.

Acne-prone Skin: Acne-prone is often oily skin, but in some circumstances can be normal skin that is easily prone to clogged pores. We recommend products without harsh chemicals and fragrances to help control acne. Products with benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid are best for patients who suffer with acne-prone skin.

• Our favorite products include: ALSCC's Clarifying Wash, ALSCC's Brighten Up Face Up Face Wash and Clayton Shagal Moisturizers. Patients with acne-prone oily skin should refer to the oily skin list, above.

Normal Skin: Normal skin can be anything from combination (oily & dry) to healthy, well-hydrated skin. This skin type needs a good daily skin care regimen to help maintain this appearance.  

• For this type of skin we recommend products including: ALSCC’s Green Tea Foaming or Fortified Cleansers, RX Systems Firming Mask or Hydrating Mask, ASLCC UltraLite Facial Cream and the Clayton Shagal daily moisturizers.

It’s important to identify your skin type, so you can properly treat and/or maintain your skin. If no improvement is noted within 4 weeks after using these products, it is recommended that you visit your dermatologist for further evaluation.

All of these products can be purchased at Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery. For more information or to purchase products call (404) 296-8000 or visit our website.

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Written by Mackenzie Stratton, Marketing Manager
with information added by Juliena Gigon, PA-C