ALA Acne Treatments – A Solution for Difficult Acne
Anyone who has ever struggled with acne knows it can be difficult to treat due to its many causes. Although traditional oral and topical treatments can be helpful for most, others suffering from moderate to severe acne still struggle to keep it under control. An effective acne treatment for those with moderate to severe acne is Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA) combined with a laser light therapy, which can provide significant, long lasting results.
ALA is produced naturally in our bodies and has been found to have a photo-sensitizing effect, which makes the skin more light sensitive. In a typical treatment, ALA is applied to the skin and allowed to incubate for 15-60 minutes then followed by a laser treatment. Because the skin has been “sensitized” the laser light is significantly more effective at treating acne. Treatment not only kills bacteria within the pores, but it also produces a shrinking ability to the sebaceous glands making acne more manageable. Additional results may include improvement in acne scarring, sun damage and smaller pores. Common reactions include “sunburn”-like reaction, and a light peeling of the skin, and it is important to note that one must be prepared to avoid all sunlight for 48 hours post-treatment. A series of four treatments is recommended.
I have acne on my back! What should I do?
Unfortunately acne can affect other parts of the body, not just the face. It is very common for acne to occur on the back, neck, chest, and upper arms. There are several options at Kalologie for back acne. The first treatment available is a back facial, yes just like a facial on the face which includes a deep cleansing, extractions, and a mask. After the facial you can opt to an add-on chemical peel, to exfoliate the dull skin cells and kill bacteria. Another option is a quick and easy cortisone injection. This shot can flatten large cystic acne. Lastly, a great option for home treatment and/or maintenance is purchasing the Two-Step Alpha Beta Daily Body Peel by MD Skincare. A great way reduce breakouts and give your back a beautiful glow!!
Shedding light on Sunscreens
Determining the proper sunscreen can be a daunting task for anyone, especially when faced with a jumble of scientific and medical jargon just merely on the box. But do not fret! There are basic words and key ingredients to scout for when selecting the type of sunscreen that will best protect and maintain the health of your skin.
The main purpose of sunscreen is to protect the skin from the light rays of the sun, overall decreasing the risk of skin cancer, visible damage, and signs of aging. UVB are short waves of light that tend to primarily do damage to the outermost layers of the skin (epidermis), which produces that “sunburn”. Long waves of light or UVA rays affect the innermost layers of the skin, (dermis), which houses our collagen, thus can cause textural damage. Therefore, selecting a sunscreen that is labeled “broad-spectrum” is ideal, indicating its comprehensive fight against both UVA and UVB light waves.
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) indicates the duration of time at which you are exposed to the UVB rays protected prior to getting sunburned, as compared to unprotected sun exposure. Simply put, if you normally become red after 10 minutes of unprotected sun exposure, then by using an SPF 2, you would have about 20 minutes of protection before you begin to sunburn. Usually, SPF 15 is a good starting point, as it offers 93% percent protection. If you are quite sensitive to the sun, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using at least an SPF 30, which offers 97% protection.
Keep an eye out for sunscreens that contain the ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These elements are also beneficial, as they both work to reflect the light rays, thereby prohibiting the production of free radicals, which overall contributes to negative signs of aging.
Kalologie provides a plethora of quality sunscreens, ranging from advance formulated broad-spectrum moisturizers like Anthelios 40 to water resistant tinted powders by Colorescience; all of which superiorly shield your precious skin from the damaging rays of the sun as well as cater to your individual style and preference.
The Economics of Laser Hair Removal
It was reported in the news a few months back that Vegas crooner, Tom Jones, had insured his chest hair for $7 million with Lloyd’s of London. Apparently, he didn’t get the memo. Recent years have shown a dramatic swing toward laser hair removal. Though laser hair removal is no longer a novelty, effective laser hair removal can be elusive. But it does exist and now is a great time to start the process.
Many first-time laser hair removal clients often question whether long-lasting hair removal is too good to be true. They are concerned about efficacy and discomfort, both physically and financially. Because we want our clients to make educated choices, Kalologie offers free consultations for all our services. It is a great opportunity to gauge expectations and address concerns.
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for the treatment, but many are who had previously assumed otherwise. Our highly trained medical professionals will also review our very valuable laser hair removal guarantee. Because hair grows in cycles, and is only treatable during its “active” growth phase, multiple appointments are inherent to the process. However, if you consider the numbers on the process, the argument is a compelling one; the sooner you start, the sooner you start saving money!
How Do Thermage Treatments Tighten Skin?
When it comes to skin tightening, body contouring and cellulite improvement, diet and exercise can only do so much. Many life variables such as age and genetics can contribute to sagging skin. Whichever the circumstance, the bottom line is the same; the skin’s resilience has been compromised. But now, there is a powerful new solution: Thermage NXT.
Thermage NXT uses radio frequency to target collagen fibers in the dermis, causing the fibers to contract, and resulting in tighter, firmer skin. While Thermage offers a noticeable, immediate benefit in skin tightening, body contouring, and cellulite improvement, it also creates new collagen over time. The full result is experienced six months posttreatment with benefits lasting anywhere from one to three years. A single, non-invasive treatment can offer a lasting result with no downtime.