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Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

  • What are the different types of peels that exist?
    • Alpha-hydroxy acids derive their name from the molecular composition of the acid.  These products include the subcategories of glycolic, lactic and citric acids.  These acids dissolve easily in water and can penetrate readily into the epidermis and upper dermis. The overall effect is upper skin exfoliation.  Oily skin must be cleansed prior to application in order for these acids to be effective. 

      Beta-hydroxy acids, namely salicylic acids, are also named from the molecular composition of the acid.  These acids are unique in that they are readily absorbed by the fat properties of the skin.  Skin is composed of water and fat molecules that limit penetration from the outside. Different from alpha-hydroxy acid, this acid is unique in that it can penetrate into the pores of the skin.  This helps clear the pores and exfoliate the skin.  Beta-hydroxy acid also has anti-inflammatory properties that result in less irritation, burning and stinging.
  • What are the benefits of a chemical peel?
    • Peels take away dead skin cells and compel the generation of new skin, thus eliminating fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, blotchiness, dryness acne and a host of other mild skin conditions. 
  • How long does a treatment take?
    • A typical treatment should take no longer than 15 minutes.
  • What does a treatment feel like?
    • Upon application, patients feel a slight stinging which subsides after a few minutes.
  • What can I expect after a treatment?
    • Your skin will be given a youthful glow.  It is not uncommon for people to notice your new texture and compliment it.  Immediately following the treatment, your skin may be slightly red, but nothing drastic.  Any redness will disappear before the end of the day. 
  • Are there any risks with these peels?
    • No.  Sutera only offers hydroxy acid peels, which are the lightest of all peel chemicals.  There are more intense chemical peels on the market, but Sutera does not offer them because they require downtime.  Examples of such peels are trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and Phenol peels.  However, these also lead to swelling, scabbing and flaking of the skin.
  • How many treatments should I have?
    • A program of one peel a week for six weeks is recommended.  Sticking to such a regimen will ensure the lasting results, even though you will see an improvement after just one treatment.
  • Can I combine a peel with a microdermabrasion?
    • Absolutely.  This is by far the most effective way to improve your skin’s appearance.  A combination program of chemical peel-microdermabrasion should also be followed for six weeks for optimal results.
  • What exactly is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
    • BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It is a non-surgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily reduce moderate to severe frown lines between the brows. During treatment, very low doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the muscles that cause those stubborn lines. The treatment is usually done in about 10 minutes, and no recovery time is needed. Within days, you may see an improvement that can last up to 4 months. Results may vary.
  • How does BOTOX® Cosmetic work?
    • Those moderate to severe frown lines between your brows form over time as the result of muscle activity. BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected directly into the muscles between your brows. It works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles; this reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those persistent lines to form.
  • Is treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic painful?
    • Discomfort is usually minimal and brief. Prior to injecting, your physician may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. Many people return directly to work or normal activity following BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment.
  • Who should not use BOTOX® Cosmetic?
    • BOTOX® Cosmetic should not be used in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s) and in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation. Patients with neurological disorders such as ALS, Myasthenia Gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.
  • Will I experience any side effects?
    • The most common side effects include headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eyelid droop, and nausea. Less frequently occurring (<3%) adverse reactions include pain in the face, erythema at the injection site, and muscle weakness. These events are thought to be associated with the injection and occurred within the first week.
  • Will my facial expressions continue to look natural?
    • Although the results are visible, a treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic will not radically change your facial appearance or make you look as if you "had work done." The muscle activity that causes frown lines between the brows is simply reduced, so you can still frown or look surprised without the wrinkles and creases between your brows.
  • What is RESTYLANE?
    • RESTYLANE is a gel that is injected into the skin in order to add volume to lips and lift up wrinkles and folds. RESTYLANE consists of hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance already present in your body. Once in the skin, RESTYLANE works by creating volume. Some dermal fillers are derived from animal substances. The hyaluronic acid in RESTYLANE is non-animal.
  • What is hyaluronic acid?
    • Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that is found throughout your body. It gives volume to the skin, lubricates the joints and gives the eyes their shape. The hylaluronic acid in RESTYLANE is stabilized for long duration and is not of animal or human origin.
  • How is a treatment performed?
    • During treatment, the crystal-clear RESTYLANE gel is injected into the skin in tiny amounts with a very fine needle. The gel produces volume under the wrinkle, which is lifted up and smoothed out. When enhancing lips or facial contours, RESTYLANE adds volume and shape to the treated area.
  • How long will the treatment session take?
    • Treatment with RESTYLANE is a very quick and easy process. As no pre-test is needed, the treatment can be carried out immediately. A treatment generally takes 30 minutes. The time differs somewhat, depending on the correction you wish to have performed.
  • What can be treated?
    • RESTYLANE can be used for smoothing out folds and wrinkles, lip enhancements and shaping facial contours. The most common areas are the glabellar lines (between the eyebrows), the nasolabial folds (from the root of the nose to the angle of the mouth) and the lips, altough other sites can also be treated. Very superficial or very deep wrinkles may be difficult to correct. Please consult your physician for an assessment.
  • Does it hurt?
    • Most people find the injections relatively painless. They may prick a little. If you like, a topical anaesthetic can be applied to the area being treated prior to your procedure. When enhancing the lips, alocal anaesthetic injection is often given.
  • How soon will I see the results?
    • The results can be seen immediately. 
  • What will I look like after the treatment?
    • Immediately after the treatment, you can expect slight redness, swelling, tenderness or an itching sensation in the treated area. This is a normal result of the injection. The discomfort is temporary and generally disappears in a few days. After a lip treatment, the lips may become swollen and look somewhat uneven. This can persist for a few days (up to a week). If the discomfort continues, please contact your physician.
  • What should I bear in mind after my treatment with RESTYLANE?
    • During the first 48 hours after your treatment, do not massage or rub the treated area. If you have had a lip enhancement, avoid puckering your lips for the first two days after the treatment. Until the initial swelling and redness have resolved, do not expose the treated area to intense heat (e.g. in a solarium or by sunbathing) or extreme cold.
  • Can RESTYLANE be removed?
    • No However, RESTYLANE dissolves naturally with time. If you feel uncertain about the desired result, you can choose to have the treatment done in steps on different occasions.
  • Does RESTYLANE get stiffer in cold weather? What happens in the sun?
    • You should not expose the treated area to intense heat (e.g. in a solarium or by sunbathing) or extreme cold for the first few days after the treatment in order to avoid the risk of inflammation as the area has been disturbed. However, once RESTYLANE has integrated into the body, it will adjust to your normal body temperature.
  • How will my skin look without follow-up treatments?
    • The correction will gradually disappear until your skin looks like it did before the treatment. Follow-up injections will help you maintain your correction.
  • Is laser hair removal safe?
    • Yes. Lasers have been used safely on millions of patients of all ages worldwide. These systems treat only the targeted spots, leaving the surrounding tissue intact.

      The first studies on laser hair reduction began in the early 1980s by some of the most prestigious medical schools and hospitals in the nation.  After twenty years of study on this field, no adverse long-term effects of laser treatment have been reported.

      Lasers are highly effective because they concentrate their energy on the hair shaft and root. This is possible because lasers are "monochromatic", they produce light with only one wavelength (color). Certain wavelengths have been found that are attracted by melanin (the coloring agent in hair and skin) without affecting other tissue or organs.

      The hair shaft absorbs sufficient laser energy to disable the papilla (the bottom portion of the hair root) while other structures are unaffected. One laser manufacturer calls this process "Thermokinetic Selectivity™"; most medical journals refer to it as "Selective Photothermolysis".

      Because of this phenomenon, laser treatment has traditionally been most effective on dark hair growing in light colored skin. Light colored skin, containing very little melanin, will be unaffected by the laser while the dark hair will absorb maximum energy. The treatment of dark or tanned skin is more difficult because the melanin (coloring) in the skin will tend to attract some of the laser energy. However, during the past two years, lasers have been developed that can safely treat even the darkest skin.  Sutera utilizes a laser that is safe on both tanned skin and fair skin.
  • Does it hurt?
    • While some areas can be more sensitive than others, most individuals describe the feeling as a slight stinging or tingling sensation. The sensation stops once the lasing stops.  In addition, Sutera uses a laser with chilled air technology.  The chilled air cools the skin just milliseconds before the laser energy is pulsed onto the skin, making the treatment much more comfortable.  If needed, clients can also request a topical anesthetic to be applied prior to treatment.  Following your treatment, you may experience a sunburn-type sensation in the treated area for several hours.
  • Is it permanent?
    • Yes. Most clients see a significant reduction in hair, often times as much as 90-95%, within 4-5 treatments. Furthermore, because a significant percentage of hair is permanently disabled after each treatment, maintenance of the area between treatments becomes less cumbersome. Of course, there are variables such as age, hormones, medication, ethnicity, weight, metabolism and certain genetic factors that may affect permanent hair removal.  However, the little hair that may resurface tends to be thinner and lighter than previously.
  • Who performs the treatments?
    • Sutera employs only highly qualified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners ("Nurse Practitioners") to operate the laser.  A Nurse Practitioner receives advanced education and training which falls between that of a nurse and a physician.  In addition, Sutera’s Nurse Practitioners have been extensively trained in the use of lasers.  This is in stark contrast to most doctors' offices where they employ a lightly-trained RN or electrologist to do the treatments.
  • How long will it take?
    • Because the laser treats many hairs at a time, facial areas (lip, chin, etc.) can be treated in 5-10 minutes. Small body areas (underarms, bikini, etc.) take less than 15 minutes. Larger body areas (full back, legs, arms. etc.) usually take about 30 to 60 minutes depending on the size of the area.
  • How many treatments will I need?
    • Lasers work by disabling hairs that are in their active growth cycle at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter their growth cycles at different times, an average of 5 treatments will be necessary to disable all of the hair follicles in a given area.  Treatments are usually given 6-8 weeks apart.

      The exact number of treatments varies for each client depending upon age, area of the body, heredity, hormones, drugs and other factors. Men will usually require more treatments than women.  Clients with less contrast in color between the hair and skin, such as light brown hair on heavily tanned skin, will generally require more treatments than those with dark hair on light colored skin. The energies used for treatment of dark skin are significantly lower than for light skin. Because of this, hair removal on dark or heavily tanned skin generally takes more sessions to achieve permanent results.
  • What happens to the skin after treatment?
    • Within several minutes of the treatment, the treated area may become slightly red and puffy. This reaction subsides within a few minutes to a few hours and the area returns to normal. Depending on the area being treated, you can resume daily activities immediately. Since the laser does not burn or cut the skin in any way, no bandages are necessary. After about a week you may experience what seems to be regrowth of hair; actually, most of these hairs are being shed as a result of your treatment and are not regrowing. In between treatments you should not wax or pluck hairs but it is permissible to shave.
  • What are Microdermabrasion treatments like?
    • Microdermabrasion is one of the most requested non-invasive cosmetic procedures in the U.S. and Europe.  With the aid of micro-crystals vacuumed through a delicate hand piece, the procedure produces a skin polishing peel.  It is safe to use on all skin types and colors.  Most people say the treatment feels as if a cat were licking them.
  • What results can I expect?
    • Age spots and fine lines are reduced, pores are unclogged, acne is diminished, collagen is stimulated and a more uniform tone is evident.  Most clients report that their skin seems softer, tighter, smoother and younger-looking.
  • How soon will I see results?
    • You will notice an immediate improvement after your first treatment.  Your skin will have a fresh pink glow and smoother texture.  Improvements continue throughout your treatment program.
  • Is this the same Microdermabrasion I can get in a day-spa?
    • NO.  Microdermabrasion machines are manufactured at two different levels:  aesthetic-grade and medical-grade.  Medical-grade microdermabrasion is F.D.A.-approved for a deeper exfoliation, which translates into more impressive and lasting results for you.  Because Sutera is a medical spa, we are able to offer you medical-grade microdermabrasion.
  • How long does a treatment take?
    • Most facial treatments take 30 minutes.  Other areas may vary.
  • How many treatments will I need?
    • Although fantastic results are achieved with the first session, a minimum of six treatments is recommended for long-lasting results.  These treatments are usually given every two weeks.  After the first six sessions, you should receive treatments once a month to maintain your youthful-looking skin.
  • Who should consider Microdermabrasion?
    • Microdermabrasion is right for all skin types and for anyone interested in minimizing the appearance of: scarring, fine lines, pigmentation problems, uneven skin tones, dull, lifeless and sun-damaged skin.
  • What should I do after treatment?
    • Like all of Sutera’s non-invasive treatments, there is no downtime.  You can resume your daily activities immediately after treatment.  It is recommended you avoid sun exposure on the treated area for at least 24 hours.  Also, because your outer layer of skin has been exfoliated, the treated area will be sensitive to hot water and sweat for the first day.
  • What can photorejuvenation treat?
    • The appearance of sun spots, facial blood vessels, blotchy uneven skin tone, fine wrinkles and freckles.
  • Will I have any discomfort?
    • Some clients compare the sensation to a light pinch or the snap of a rubber band. Ice packs or a topical anesthetic cream may be used if necessary.
  • How soon will I see results?
    • After your first treatment, your skin will feel smoother and will have a more even tone.  These improvements are gradual and will be more visible after each treatment. Five treatments are performed for optimal results. Some clients will benefit from additional treatments.
  • How long does a treatment session take?
    • Each photorejuvenation treatment of the face typically takes about 20 minutes.
  • How many sessions will I need?
    • For most clients 4-6 treatment sessions spaced at 2-4 weeks apart create the best end result. Looking after your face is like maintaining your teeth or your car. A repeat
      session may be required once a year to maintain your youthful-looking skin.
  • How to prepare for treatment sessions.
    • Sutera will outline a facial skin care program for you that can be started before you
      commence your treatments and can be used as a maintenance program. The face should be clean and free of all make up. Avoid tanning before and after each session to avoid blotchiness.
  • What are the side effects?
    • The appearance immediately after treatment is similar to what you will see after a good exercise workout. The flushing and redness will last from a few minutes to several hours after treatment. If your skin is quite loose you may experience some swelling. The brown age spots and uneven pigmentation will turn slightly darker after treatment. This temporary darkness will disappear as the spots come off.  Many clients choose to schedule their sessions during their lunch breaks.
  • Who performs the treatments?
    • Sutera employs only highly qualified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners ("Nurse Practitioners") to operate the laser.  A Nurse Practitioner receives advanced education and training which falls between that of a physician and a Registered Nurse.  In addition, Sutera’s Nurse Practitioners have been extensively trained in the use of lasers and have earned the title of Certified Laser Specialist (CLS) from the country’s most prestigious laser institute located in Colorado.  This is in stark contrast to most doctors' offices where they employ a lightly-trained RN or electrologist to do the treatments.
  • What is this all about?
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  • What are spider veins?
    • Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels with a bluish or red color located close to the surface of the skin.  They are most commonly found on the legs and face, although they can appear anywhere on the body. In general they do not constitute a health hazard but they can cause a dull ache in the legs after long periods of standing.
  • Who gets them and why?
    • The exact cause of spider and varicose veins is unknown. They are caused by excessive pressure on the legs or abdomen. They are more common in women, and seem to be hereditary. Some of the more common pressure inducers are pregnancy, obesity and standing for very long periods of time. Oral contraceptives can also lead to spider veins. Where pregnancy or contraceptives are the lead factor for spider veins, they tend to disappear without treatment within 6-9 months of either giving birth or discontinuing the contraceptives. A lack of physical activity could also lead to varicose or spider veins, because unconditioned muscles offer poor blood-pumping action. The risks increase with age.
  • What is laser vein treatment?
    • Laser therapy is a proven treatment for eliminating unsightly broken and dilated vessels such as unwanted vascular lesions as rosacea, port wine stains, and other vascular birthmarks. In fact, the latest advances in laser technology have given us a method for removal that is safer, faster, and more effective than previous methods.
  • How does laser vein treatment work?
    • The treatment is performed by applying the laser on the vein to be removed. The laser light is absorbed by hemoglobin, a substance in the blood that gives it a red or purple color. Brief light pulses are delivered to the vein, causing the vessel to coagulate and subsequently be absorbed by the body. The wavelength enables the beam of light to reach the target vessels under the skin and to bypass the skin entirely.
  • What can I expect with the treatment?
    • Most people describe laser vein treatment as feeling like the snap of a rubber band against the skin.  This feeling, however, dissipates immediately.  Any discomfort can be eased with the application of cool compresses. After treatment, you can immediately return to normal activities, so long as strenuous activity is avoided for a few days.
  • How soon will I see results?
    • Because laser vein treatment works by causing the unwanted vein to break up and dissolve, resolution of the unwanted vein will take place over the course of several weeks. It may take up to two months for the vein to be carried away by the body. The most common side effect is bruising around the treated area. This will resolve within days to a couple weeks of the treatment.
  • How many treatment sessions will I need?
    • Typically 2 to 3 treatments are required and should be performed every 6 weeks. Some veins may disappear after a single treatment while others may take longer. The amount of treatments necessary will depend on your particular skin condition.
  • Are these treatments safe?
    • Yes.  Lasers and advanced light systems have been used safely on millions of patients of all ages worldwide. These systems treat only the targeted spots, leaving the surrounding tissue intact.
  • Who performs the treatments?
    • Sutera employs only highly qualified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners ("Nurse Practitioners") to operate the laser.  A Nurse Practitioner receives advanced education and training which falls between that of a nurse and a physician.  In addition, Sutera’s Nurse Practitioners have been extensively trained in the use of lasers.  This is in stark contrast to most doctors' offices where they employ a lightly-trained RN or electrologist to do the treatments.