Skin Tightening by Thermage

In our youth, skin is tight, elastic and smooth. After the age of 18, however, gravity and the environment begin to take a toll on skin, leading to decreased elasticity and sagging or loose skin! Are your suffering from this common skin concern? Wondering about what your options are?

When clients come to me to discuss options for sagging and aging skin, I often refer them to Thermage, or radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening. RF energy penetrates deep into the skin and affects skin at the deep dermis and subcutaneous (fat) layers. This RF energy causes a tightening in the skin by improving the underlying tissue structure. RF energy, however, DOES NOT improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkling, texture, or tone.

So what can Thermage improve?

It can treat the hooding around the eye area or to lift the brow line. It can smooth and tighten sagging skin around the jawline or "turkey neck." It can also smooth bulges and contour loose skin around the abdomen.

So how do you know if you are a good candidate for Thermage?

Come into our office and schedule a free consultation! We can answer all of your questions about skin tightening, along with providing information on all of our skin care products and services. Call us now at 312-770-7546.

KP Part 3: Professional Do's and Don'ts

Now that you have the 411 on KP, here is a list of Do's and Don'ts in dealing with the symptoms of KP.

DO take measures to keep skin moisturized, especially in dry winter months.

DO use special lotions that contain exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids, like glycolic or lactic acid.

DO gently massage the lotions into the affected area at least twice a day.

DO use a mild scrub or loofah to gently exfoliate the area weekly.

DO book professional treatments with a medical aesthetician to increase the effectiveness of your home care regimen.

DO consult a physician if your KP bothers you, as they can sometimes prescribe medication to clear it.

DON'T scrub the skin harshly, scrape the affected area, or pick at the bumps. This WILL cause permanent scarring.

DON'T expect immediate results or a permanent cure to your KP. Treatment can manage symptoms and improve the cosmetic appearance of the skin, but regular care will be required to maintain results.

DON'T forget your spf 30+ sunscreen daily, 365 days a year. Skin that is affected by KP is at a higher risk for sun sensitivity, especially if you are treating with AHA products or topical retinoids. If your skin is over-exposed to the sun, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) can occur and permanent scarring will result.

Book a consultation today to regain control of your chicken bumps!

KP Part 2: Treatment Options

Keratosis pilaris, or KP, is a skin disorder with no universal cure. KP often fluctuates in severity depending on the season and with age. Often it is worse in children, and gets a bit better with age, although 40% of adults still see symptoms. The dry winter air often worsens the appearance of KP, and the warmer summer months seem to improve the disorder. So what should you do? If your KP bothers you, there are many professional and home care treatment options that can improve and manage the appearance of these bumps. As a medical aesthetician, I recommend beginning with less invasive treatments before moving to prescription products or more invasive medical procedures.

*** SPOILER ALERT *** Remember that there is no cure, and the following treatment options will work for some and not for others. It is best to seek a medical aesthetician or dermatologist advice, instead of trying to gain a quick fix with over-the-counter remedies.

1. Regular professional exfoliation is necessary. Scheduling monthly microdermabrasions or chemical peels with a medical aesthetician will help increase cell turnover and remove the hard plugs of keratin from the hair follicle.

2. A home care regimen that includes a cleanser and moisturizer with moderate to high (15-30%) percentages of lactic acid, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid to hydrate and exfoliate the skin. We recommend the Daily Exfoliating Cleanser and Firming Body Cream from Vivite, due to its high percentage of glycolic acid. (It works great on smoothing the skin all over the body too).

3. If hair follicles are clogged with ingrown hairs after the hard plugs of keratin have been removed, then it is recommended to do a course of laser hair removal to stop the production of hair growth in the affected areas.

4. Once your KP has cleared, sometimes scars can be left on the skin. In this instance IPL photorejuvenation can minimize the appearance of these scars.

The best way to determine what your course of treatment should be, it is best to schedule a consultation with a medical aesthetician. Remember, at Chicago Skin Solutions consultations are always free!

Keratosis pilaris Part 1: Why do I have "chicken bumps" on my arms?

Chicken bumps, gooseflesh, chicken skin, or permanent goosebumps? Well, that sure sounds attractive. Personally, I suffer from the unsightly red bumps on my upper arms too, as do more than 40% of adults. These bumps, and my inability to treat them, is part of what drove to me to become a medical aesthetician. On my first day of class, I raised my hand to ask what they were. "Keratosis pilaris" is the proper medical term used to describe the condition that so many people suffer from. In the interest of medical aesthetics, I refuse to refer to them as "Chicken bumps" or "gooseflesh" any longer. So what exactly is KP and what causes it? KP is a benign (harmless) and genetic (runs in families 80% of the time) skin condition in which protein (keratin) in the skin forms hard plugs around the hair follicles. While KP is an extremely common disorder, there is not much research dedicated to the cause or treatment of this condition. All we seem to know is that some people produce an excessive amount of the keratin protein (called hyperkeratinization) and that the symptoms seem to flare up in winter and improve in summer. Your dermatologist or medical aesthetician can usually recognize the symptoms of KP, and further tests are not necessary. While KP is benign, it is a condition that is often cosmetically bothersome. If that is the case for you, come in to see me and we can discuss a treatment plan to manage your symptoms. At Chicago Skin Solutions, CONSULTATIONS ARE ALWAYS FREE! Call 312-770-7546 to schedule one today!