Laser Hair Removal for African American Skin

Q. I am African American and extremely interested in laser hair removal, but Dr. Oz said on the Oprah Winfrey Show that African Americans are not good candidates for the procedure. Is this true?

A. This is no longer true. The advanced technology used in today’s pulsed light hair removal systems allows for safe and effective treatments of all skin types, from the fairest to the darkest. This technology is safe even for tanned skin.

Are IPL Photo Facials Effective on Melasma?

Can everyone benefit from a photofacial? I have melasma from years of taking the birth control pill but have heard contradictory information about who can benefit from this procedure. 

Photofacials are widely known as the “gold standard” for treating vascular lesions and pigmented lesions associated with sun damage. However, photofacials are not the recommended treatment for melasma, which is blotchy pigmentation most often associated with pregnancy or oral contraceptive use. In fact, photofacials can often times darken this pigmentation. Fortunately, effective treatment for melasma does exist with the development of the Cosmelan depigmentation system.

Skin Care Products and Pregnancy

I am trying to get pregnant and in preparation I am beginning to eliminate foods and products considered unbeneficial or harmful during pregnancy. Can you tell me what ingredients in skin care products I should avoid?

Most of the commonly used ingredients in skin care products are completely safe for pregnant women. However, both salicylic acid (found commonly in acne products) and retinoids (popular in anti-aging products) have been shown in clinical studies to cause birth defects when taken orally during pregnancy. Therefore, although small topical doses are considered safe, it’s best to avoid these ingredients through pregnancy and lactation. Of note, alpha hydroxyl acids, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, are generally considered safe.

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>Lucky Magazine Article

Am I Too Young for Botox?

I am in my late 20′s and have very defined lines on my forehead. I have done my research and trust that  BOTOX is safe, but am I too young to be starting with injectables?  

You are not too young to be starting to use Botox Cosmetic. Ultimately, the decision to use Botox should be made only after consulting with a health care professional who can address your specific concerns, but Botox is safe for use in adults over 18. For clients in their 20s and 30s, Botox use is a wonderful way to smooth lines you can already see, as well as to prevent new wrinkles from forming. Botox does NOT build up in your muscles over time, and your muscles will not become “immune” to Botox with long-term use, so these should not be concerns when considering starting Botox use at a younger age.