Activate Your 2024 Skin Journey

Introduction

Most resolutions are a flash in the pan, made with good intentions but no real success plan. This year, the team at Bryn Mawr Dermatology wants to be part of your successful skincare journey. No matter why – an anniversary, a wedding, a tropical vacation, a reunion, a big birthday, or just because – we want you looking and feeling your best. The hard truth is that significant changes come with big commitments. In 2023, the board-certified dermatologists and licensed aestheticians at BMD will be committed to helping you identify and reach your skincare goals. If you’ve been putting off self-care because you’re worried about the investment of either time and finances, you don’t know where to begin, or simply because you always put everyone else first, now is the time to sit down with the experts and customize your action plan.

While this article spells out some important information about Skin Journeys, we highly recommend you read the full article, here are the key points we will focus on:

Table of Contents

Skin Journey

What Are Common Aesthetic Goals BMD Can Help Make A Reality?

1. Rejuvenate Tired Eyes

Tired eyes, often characterized by puffiness, dark circles, and a sleepy appearance, can result from various factors such as lack of sleep, weight loss or gain, genetics, or age-related changes. Bryn Mawr Dermatology has some helpful procedures to bring them back to life. We can use Dermal Fillers, which add volume to hollows, and implement Dr. Stanko’s 1-2 Punch, which can help tighten crepey skin.

2. Eliminate Stubborn Fat Bulges

Stubborn fat bulges, typically resistant to diet and exercise, can be effectively eliminated through CoolSculpting ELITE. This non-invasive therapy can yield outstanding results for many patients, especially those who wish to target particular trouble spots on their bodies. There are so many areas we can treat including the flanks, tummy, arms, and double chin.

3. Define and Plump Lackluster Lips

If you didn’t get big, full, pouting lips from the genepool, or if your lips appear thin, flat, or lacking in volume and definition due to time and use, the experts at BMD can revive them. Dermal Fillers, often hyaluronic acid-based fillers, can enhance lip volume, shape, and definition, providing a natural and youthful appearance.

4. Smooth Out Irregular Skin Texture

A dermatologist can help smooth out irregular skin texture by first diagnosing the underlying cause, which could be related to conditions such as acne scars, rough patches due to skin irritation, or uneven pigmentation. Once the cause is determined, they can recommend and administer various treatments, such as microneedling with SkinPen, chemical peels, morpheus8, CO2 treatment, or clinical skincare products tailored to the individual’s skin type and concerns.

5. Eradicate Wrinkles

A dermatologist can help smooth out wrinkles by offering a range of treatments that target the signs of aging. They may recommend procedures such as Botox or Dysport injections to relax facial muscles and reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles. Additionally, dermatologists can suggest dermal fillers like hyaluronic acid or collagen stimulators to fill fine lines and wrinkles, providing a smoother and more youthful complexion. In some cases, they may also recommend laser therapy or chemical peels to improve overall skin texture and diminish the appearance of wrinkles.

6. Obliterate Dark Spots

A dermatologist can help obliterate dark spots by employing treatments designed to target hyperpigmentation. They may recommend topical treatments containing hydroquinone, retinoids, or alpha hydroxy acids to lighten dark spots and skin tone. In addition, dermatologists can perform procedures such as Medical Grade Peels, IPL laser, or light therapy to exfoliate the skin’s surface, reduce pigmentation, and promote the growth of healthier, evenly-pigmented skin cells.

7. Erase Spider Veins

A dermatologist can provide treatments to eliminate spider veins: thin, visible blood vessels close to the skin’s surface. One standard method is sclerotherapy, where a solution is injected into the affected veins, causing them to collapse and gradually disappear. Alternatively, laser therapy may target and reduce the appearance of spider veins by delivering concentrated light energy to the affected area.

8. Tighten Loose Skin

Loose skin can result from factors such as aging, weight loss, or a decrease in collagen and elastin production. Dermatologists can help tighten loose skin by offering radiofrequency and laser therapy, stimulating collagen production, and improving skin elasticity. They may also recommend topical products with ingredients like retinoids and peptides to enhance skin firmness, or perform Sofwave, a non-invasive option for skin tightening.

Why Now is the Time to Start Your Skincare Journey?

When considering various skincare procedures, knowing the potential downtime associated with each treatment is important. Different procedures come with varying degrees of side effects. For instance, CoolSculpting typically involves minimal downtime, with some tenderness and mild swelling lasting about 1-2 weeks. In contrast, CO2 treatments have a more intense recovery period of 7-10 days, similar to a severe sunburn with crusting and peeling. Other lasers, including IPL, may require 3-5 days for skin healing and may temporarily worsen the appearance of your concerns before improvement can be visualized. Botox and Sofwave procedures generally have no downtime, while fillers may result in 1-2 weeks of possible bruising and swelling, usually easily concealable. Sclerotherapy, used to treat undesirable veins, involves vessel darkening before absorption, necessitating 8 weeks of no sun exposure. Morpheus8 can lead to tender, swollen skin resembling a sunburn for 5-7 days. Medical Grade Peels and microneedling with SkinPen may cause 1-5 days of varying responses, from pink skin to dryness, pinpoint bleeding, and significant peeling.

Many procedures require multiple treatments for optimal results, primarily for safety reasons. The conservative approach helps prevent harm to healthy skin and reduces the potential for scarring or rashes. Treatments are often spaced one month apart. CoolSculpting typically requires 1-3 sessions, while most lasers require three or more sessions for desired outcomes. Sclerotherapy may involve 2-3 sessions, Sofwave 1-2 sessions, and SkinPen 3 sessions. 

Achieving amazing results usually takes time, as the body needs approximately 4-12 weeks to recover, heal, and develop new collagen, elastin, skin cells, and more. Combining procedures, products, and time is often the magic recipe to address various concerns comprehensively. Looking younger, more rested, or regaining a more youthful appearance typically requires a combination of treatments to achieve a natural and rejuvenated result because it requires that we address pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin tautness.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid on Your Skin Journey?

  • Unrealistic Expectations – We’re as close as it gets to miracle workers, but we come up just short of magic.  Look at a handful of before and after pictures, find the client with issues similar to yours, then see what actual results can look like. Take a good look at your starting point and goals you have, and then get a consultation to make sure that what you are trying to accomplish is within the realm of reality.
  • Don’t cut your journey too short (see section above). It’s essential to plan, especially if you have a date of importance as a deadline.
  • Don’t jump on the trend train. Invest in tried-and-true modalities. Social media and online outlets often lead consumers down a path of hype → frustration. Aesthetic goals are best managed by those who understand the science behind healthy skin.
  • Don’t assume what works for your friend, sibling, neighbor, etc will work for you. Your skin, bone structure, genetics, and lifestyle are unique, and your remedies should also be.

How to Get Started on Your Skin Journey?

To begin your skin journey, schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist, dermatology PA-C, or a Licensed Aesthetician who works under a medical doctor. During your initial consultation, discuss your specific skin concerns and goals, whether addressing acne, signs of aging, pigmentation, or any other skin-related issues. The dermatologist will assess your skin’s condition and recommend a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan may include skincare products, in-office procedures, or lifestyle recommendations to help you achieve and maintain radiant skin. Regular follow-up appointments and a commitment to a consistent skincare routine will be vital in ensuring the success of your skin journey.

Why Choose Bryn Mawr Dermatology for Your Skin Journey?

The experienced dermatologists at Bryn Mawr Dermatology are ready and excited to assist you. With offices in Collegeville, Villanova, and Chesterbrook, we have one close to you in Pennsylvania. With a commitment to personalized care, we tailor treatment plans to meet your unique skin goals, whether it’s addressing skin conditions, achieving a more youthful appearance, or enhancing overall skin health. Whether you’re embarking on a new skincare regimen or seeking advanced treatments, Bryn Mawr Dermatology provides the expertise and resources to help you achieve the best possible results for your skin in the year ahead.

Related Content

Bryn Mawr Dermatology

Content Review Committee at Bryn Mawr Dermatology

Led by Board Certified Dermatologist, Christine Stanko, MD, FAAD, Bryn Mawr Dermatology incorporates a patient-focused outlook in every decision since we first opened our doors on the Main Line in 2005.

By: Bryn Mawr Dermatology, Published: Jan 18, 2024
Medically Reviewed By: Christine Stanko, MD, FAAD – Jan 18, 2024

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