Category: Skin & Nails

How to Remove Cholesterol Deposits

Cholesterol deposits, also known as xanthomas, are fatty deposits that develop under the skin. Although they can occur anywhere on the body, they most commonly build up around the eyes, and they vary in size from truly minuscule to about three inches across. Typically flat and soft, cholesterol deposits have well-defined edges and inconspicuous colors (flesh-colored, yellow, pink, or slightly reddish). Xanthomas are usually not painful, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t frustrating. Wondering how to remove cholesterol deposits? We’ve got you covered!

Why Cholesterol Deposits Form

The development of xanthomas may be an indication that you have high cholesterol levels, but high cholesterol is not the only cause of cholesterol deposits. Certain types of cancer, diabetes, primary biliary cirrhosis, and metabolic disorders (like familial hypercholesterolemia) can cause cholesterol deposits as well. All of these conditions are associated with elevated blood lipid levels, which can lead to the formation of xanthomas.

Xanthomas are a very common skin ailment, especially amongst older people and people with high blood lipid levels. If you believe that you have a cholesterol deposit, ask your health care provider to examine the skin. Although xanthomas can usually be diagnosed visually, you may need to have a biopsy, which will reveal a fatty deposit. Your doctor may also recommend blood tests to check your lipid levels, to assess the function of your liver, and to determine if you have diabetes.

How to Remove Cholesterol Deposits

Although cholesterol deposits don’t pose any health risks (assuming they don’t grow in a spot that could impede other functions of the body like seeing and breathing), they may cause aesthetic distress. In addition, they may be manifestations of another medical condition that needs treatment.

To prevent the formation of xanthomas and manage your current cholesterol deposits, discuss your cholesterol levels with your doctor. In addition, you may need to control your triglyceride levels. Checking and lowering your blood lipid levels could be extremely beneficial for this and other aspects of your health.

To remove cholesterol deposits, you will need to discuss your specific situation with a qualified skin care professional. You may be able to break down the xanthomas and prevent them from reforming by using an Epionce lytic treatment. The lytic encourages skin repair and renewal, and it can correct both skin imperfections and signs of aging. Or, you could have your cholesterol deposits removed using electrocautery ellman, a technology that utilizes an electrically heated instrument to physically remove the xanthoma.

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If you would like to learn how to remove cholesterol deposits, contact DermaHealth Laser and Skin Care Clinic if you live in southwest Missouri. Using an Epionce lytic treatment, we can help break down xanthomas now and prevent them from forming in the future. We also remove deposits from the skin using electrocautery ellman, a simple treatment that can be completed quickly and without any down time. To get started, schedule a complimentary consultation by giving us a call at 417-447-7777 or clicking here to contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!

ThermiVa Event on November 11th

Are you experiencing vaginal sagging or dryness? Do you have mild bladder incontinence? Do you notice vaginal discomfort during intercourse, or do you have trouble reaching orgasm? ThermiVa can treat all of these concerns without surgery or downtime. In fact, this safe, effective, and comfortable procedure can be performed over your lunch break! We are thrilled to announce that DermaHealth is having a ThermiVa event on November 11, 2015. So if you’re interested in learning more about this amazing rejuvenation technology, please join us on Wednesday the 11th from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. RSVP to 447-7777, as lunch will be provided.

About ThermiVa

Once upon a time, vaginal rejuvenation procedures required downtime and were fairly invasive. ThermiVa, on the other hand, offers great results without surgery or downtime.

Harnessing the power of radio frequency energy, ThermiVa gently heats the vaginal area to restore and revive the tissue. The wand applicator can be applied externally (to restore the tone and function of the labia and vulvar tissues) and internally (to revive tissue). The procedure requires three sessions scheduled one month apart. These comfortable, in-office treatments require no downtime, and you can even resume sexual activity the same day. Most women notice an improvement after just one or two sessions, and the technology produces long-lasting results.

Benefits of ThermiVa

CONFIDENCE & COMFORT

Vaginal rejuvenation is about much more than sex or bladder issues. Labial and vulvovaginal issues can affect your comfort levels and self-assurance as well. To regain the confidence you had in your youth, explore the benefits of ThermiVa. In offering the benefits listed below, the procedure can improve your overall self-esteem.

REVERSE THE EFFECTS OF AGING

Have you ever wondered if you’re the only woman around experiencing vaginal sagging and dryness? Believe us, you’re not! As we age, it is normal for our vaginas to change. You might experience mild bladder incontinence, sexual discomfort, or trouble reaching orgasm in addition to vaginal sagging and dryness. Luckily, the signs of vaginal aging can be reversed with ThermiVa.

IMPROVE SEX LIFE

Are you experiencing or approaching menopause? Unfortunately, menopause comes with some unpleasant side effects, especially during intimacy. You might lose confidence, experience discomfort during intercourse, notice decreased lubrication, or feel that your love life is lacking spontaneity. Sex is a crucial element in the health and intimacy of a relationship, so don’t ignore your concerns. To inject a little va-va-voom into your sex life, consider exploring the benefits of ThermiVa. With the latest non-invasive technology, vaginal rejuvenation could help you revive the intimate feelings of your youth.

TREAT BLADDER INCONTINENCE

Loss of bladder control is no laughing matter. If you have experienced bladder incontinence, know that you’re not alone. Many post-childbirth and menopausal women find themselves experiencing issues with bladder control, but they are uncomfortable talking about it and fear that the only solution is surgery. In fact, today we are lucky to have a non-surgical option: ThermiVa. This quick and comfortable procedure could greatly improve your situation.

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Safe and effective, ThermiVa helps women reclaim, restore, and revive their bodies. To learn more about ThermiVa, please attend our educational event on November 11, 2015. We will discuss the procedure, the benefits, and so much more. Plus, we would be happy to answer any questions you have about our female rejuvenation services. If you can’t make it to the ThermiVa event, please give us a call at 417-447-7777 or contact us online to schedule a complimentary consultation.

How to Restore Volume to Your Face

As we age, our face loses volume due to a reduction in collagen, fat, muscle, and bone. The middle layer of our skin thins and becomes drier and less elastic. Although we usually would applaud the loss of fat, a youthful appearance requires well-placed facial fat. As the structures of the face fade away, the skin on the face loses structural support. Fine lines, wrinkles, and hollow spaces begin to form due to the loss of volume and structural support. We have several effective and instantaneous solutions to restore volume in the face and provide those lost structural supports.

How to Restore Volume to Your Face

Dermal fillers are the quickest way to restore volume and structure to the face. These speedy products produce instant results with the choice of a traditional filler and/or a collagen stimulator:

• Traditional fillers are soft liquids or gels that are injected into the area of concern. They fill the empty space in the dermis or subcutaneous layer of the skin and soften or diminish wrinkles, reduce the appearance of fine lines, plump or restore lips, and restore volume to hollowed cheeks, chin, or mouth regions.
• Collagen stimulators replace the skin’s lost collagen. They are also injected into the dermis or subcutaneous layer of the skin, and they fill spaces that have lost or decreased collagen. The collagen stimulator forms a structural framework, which holds hyaluronic acid (which restores moisture by attracting water molecules) and elastin (which provides elasticity).

PRODUCTS

Many different fillers are available these days, so be sure to discuss your skin type, your concerns, and your goals with a skin care technician to figure out which product is right for you. Here are some of your options:

• Radiesse® is a synthetic calcium filler that restores facial volume and structure and can reduce moderate-to-severe wrinkles by stimulating your body’s natural collagen. It is white-based, so it must be injected deep into the tissue to ensure that it can’t be seen through the skin. You can expect it to last 12-15 months.
• Belotero Balance® replaces hyaluronic acid to plump the skin and smooth wrinkles. Because it is precise, it works well for treating fine lines, and because it is clear, you will not have to worry about it showing beneath the skin.
• Juvederm® is a hyaluronic acid filler that treats lines on the sides of the nose and mouth (i.e., parentheses lines) and adds volume to lips. Like most all lip fillers, it will last about 6-12 months.
• Perlane® and Restylane® are hyaluronic acid fillers that correct moderate to severe wrinkles and folds by adding volume. They last about 6-12 months.
• Sculptra Aesthetic® is a dermal filler that is injected deep beneath the muscle in a liquid seed form. It stimulates your skin’s collagen growth, and although it works well on most areas of the face, it should not be used on the lips or any surface wrinkles. You can expect the results to last about two years.

In addition, consider asking about our eprime™ laser, which offers a more natural approach to volume restoration. The eprime laser stimulates your body’s own hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin to reform and tighten. The treatment is quick, requires minimal downtime, and works on all skin types.

If you’re interested in receiving a dermal filler or laser treatment to restore volume and structure in your face, please contact DermaHealth Laser & Skin Care Clinic, based in Springfield, Missouri. Our experienced and dedicated staff will be happy to help you soften the aging process. To get started, simply give us a call at 417-447-7777 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

How to Remove a Wart

Warts: nobody likes them, but so many people get them. A wart is a virus and, unfortunately, there are many different wart viruses. A wart isolates itself off from the body so the body does not recognize or see it, making it difficult to treat. These small, round growths are uncomfortable, irritating, and can be embarrassing. Getting rid of this problem is possible, but you have to know how to remove a wart. We’ll discuss methods you can try at home, natural remedies, and what you might expect if you see a doctor to remove your wart.

How to Remove a Wart

At-Home kits

Many people go to at-home kits for their warts first. The only caveat here is that you need to be sure you have a wart, not a callus, corn, or other skin condition (check with a doctor if you are unsure). These over-the-counter methods usually use salicylic acid, which should take six weeks to take effect. This method has a 50% rate of effectiveness. You can pick up one of these convenient, accessible, and safe treatments at any drugstore.

Natural remedies

These fixes for warts are not backed by science (and therefore may not be as effective or trustworthy), but a percentage of people have tried them and agree that they work. Some report:

• Soaking the wart and surrounding area in pineapple juice. The juice’s vitamin C and acidic properties are said to break down the wart.
• Crushing vitamin C tablets and mixing with water to form a paste, then covering the wart in the paste.
• Crushing basil leaves, putting them on the wart, and bandaging the area. Basil is said to have many antiviral properties (and warts are caused by a virus).
• Placing a piece of duct tape over the wart.

These methods hopefully cause enough irritation to the skin that the body will produce the inflammation process to the area of the wart, recognize the wart, and begin to break it down. Again, these methods may be safe, but science does not support them.

At the doctor’s office

Seeing a physician for your wart is the safest and most effective way to remove one. Different physician will have different methods for removal, such as:

• Surgical removal (cutting off the wart)
• Topical solutions (prescription-strength salicylic acid or squaric acid, for example)
• “Freezing” the warts off. Warts are in the shape of a cone and the base of the wart must be treated in order for this treatment to be effective, if not, the treatment will be unsuccessful. It is difficult to treat the base of a wart with this method and in the process of trying, the surrounding skin may be treated, which could cause a blister to occur and possibly a decrease of pigmentation, causing a scar.

Due to the risk of scars, blistering, or ineffective treatments that have been listed above, at DermaHealth we choose to use a different method. We inject the wart with Candida, an antigen for warts. This method introduces Candida (a yeast) into the body, which the body can recognize as a foreign substance. When the body begins to help heal the area of the Candida, it recognizes the wart in the area as a foreign body as well and begins to attack. This not only can help break down the wart itself but can also help to create long-term immunity to warts. The amount of injection one needs can vary from person to person.

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If you’re in need of wart removal—or treatment for any other skin problem—and you live in or around southwest Missouri, contact DermaHealth Laser & Skin Care Clinic. At our facilities, we can diagnosis your condition, remove your wart and offer any further necessary treatment, and advise you on any other skin concerns. Simply give us a call at 417-447-7777 or schedule a free consultation online. We look forward to hearing from you!

Types of Facial Wrinkles (and Treatments)

Did you know that your skin has memory? It remembers all the times you’ve smiled, frowned, laughed, squinted, or simply scrunched your nose! When you’re young, with the help of collagen, your face accepts the many expressions you make each day. However, as you age, collagen loss leads to reduced elasticity, a lack of moisture, and a lack of volume. Aging skin and many years of repeated expressions combine to form permanent lines, wrinkles that echo your face’s movements over the years. There are many types of facial wrinkles, but luckily, there are also many fillers and neurotoxins designed to reduce their appearance.

Types of Facial Wrinkles

Frown Lines: Frown lines form between the brows. When we frown, the skin between our brows folds, forming wrinkles, and these wrinkles may become permanent after many years of frowning.

Bunny Lines: Bunny lines are wrinkles that form at the bridge of the nose when someone repeatedly scrunches their nose. Despite their adorable name, many people feel that bunny lines make them look and feel older than they are.

Crow’s Feet: Also known by the kinder names smile lines and laugh lines, crow’s feet are deep wrinkles that form at the corners of the eyes. They form as we age due to repeated squinting and smiling.

Expression Wrinkles: Expression wrinkles encompass a wide range of wrinkles that form as we repeatedly make the same facial expressions over and over again.

Accordion Lines: Accordion lines form around the mouth due to repeated laughing and smiling. They are deep lines on the lower half of the face, extending out from the mouth.

Treating Facial Wrinkles

We are able to treat facial wrinkles using neurotoxins like Botox and Dysport. Injected into the muscles, relaxing and elongating them, neurotoxins help the wrinkles stretch out and form a smoother and more youthful appearance. When properly applied, they can softly erase your bunny lines, crow’s feet, and more. Although these remedies are not permanent, they will last three to four months.

Note: Neurotoxins should not be used in people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a neurodegenerative or autoimmune disease.

Fillers are another option, restoring volume loss, filling in hollows, and subtly erasing the appearance of wrinkles. Traditional fillers (soft liquids and gels) and collagen stimulators can both be injected directly into the dermis or subcutaneous layers of the skin. Traditional fillers will plump up the area, filling it out and reducing imperfections. Collagen stimulators, on the other hand, will replace lost collagen and provide a framework to hold hyaluronic acid (which attracts water molecules, restoring skin moisture) and elastin (which helps skin stretch). Some of your options include Radiesse®, Belotero Balance®, Juvederm®, Perlane®, Restylane®, and Sculptra®. To learn more about these fillers, please click here.

If you’re interested in receiving a neurotoxin or filler treatment to reduce the appearance of your facial wrinkles, please contact DermaHealth Laser & Skin Care Clinic. Based in Springfield, Missouri, our experienced and dedicated staff would be happy to help you soften the aging process. To get started, simply give us a call at 417-447-7777 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.