Adult Dermatology

Basic skin wellness regimen

This fundamental regimen is always the starting point in an anti-photo aging regimen. It consists of FDA approved prescription topical retinoids, prescription topical alpha-hydroxy acids, chemical mini-peels, practicing sun safety with sunscreens and oral antioxidants including an oral multiple vitamin and green tea (and avoidance of tanning parlors) . It is an affordable start since the cost for each visit is billed as an “office visit.” (Plus, we are not selling you products!) It helps fine lines, eradicates whiteheads and blackheads, erases early liver spots and pre-malignant keratoses. New: Hughes Dermatology is re-introducing topical conjugated estrogen creams in post-menopausal women who are not on estrogen supplements for its documented youthful effect. Studies demonstrate that topical estrogen is safe and free of any systemic effects.

The next “minimally invasive” additional steps may include management of wrinkling (crows feet, frown lines) in the upper third of the face with Botox, dermal fillers for marionette lines (Radiesse) and loss of lip fullness (Juvederm & Restylane), volumizing the lipo-atrophic face with Sculptra, cryosurgery to remove actinic keratoses and liver spots, improvement of rhytids around the mouth with Er:YAG laser resurfacing, ablation of red vessels with the pulsed dye laser, scar management, and laser rejuvenation (collagen and ground substance production with the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser).

Sidney Coleman, M.D. states, “Aesthetic surgery is moving rapidly away from excision and suspension procedures to augmentation procedures for rejuvenation in particular. The primary event of facial aging is atrophy or loss of fullness. The obvious solution for atrophy is restoration of volume or fullness.”