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How Can I Get Rid of Marionette Lines?

Effects of ageing, frown scowl linesFacial aging is all about the formation of various lines and creases. Some of them, like marionette lines, can make the face appear long and droopy, which is not a good look, to say the least. Marionette lines are the creases that start at the corners of the mouth and eventually extend downward to the chin. Sometimes they are called laugh lines. The cosmetic effect of these creases is no laughing matter, though. Here, we discuss what you might do to address them.

Skin Care for Marionette Lines

The aging face is in need of continual support. This comes from good sleep, hydration, and diligent sun protection. It comes from eating healthy foods and learning to manage stress. It also comes in the form of quality skincare products. When making choices for your skin, choose items with powerful ingredients such as:

  • Antioxidants. You want to eat or consume antioxidants, and you also want to apply them to your skin daily. Examples include vitamin C and vitamin E. These substances fight the oxidative stress that causes the skin to age more quickly.
  • Vitamin B3 or niacinamide. These ingredients help support optimal tissue elasticity.
  • Hyaluronic acid. A hyaluronic acid serum is highly moisturizing and also supports healthy collagen.
  • Collagen peptides can help address the natural breakdown of collagen in the skin.
  • Retinoids. You want retinoids in skincare products to help support cellular turnover.

Need an Intervention for Your Skin?

Once you start seeing marionette lines at the corners of your mouth, it's go-time. While your skincare routine can slow the process of aging, these creases may continue to worsen over time. A dermatologist can develop a personal treatment plan based on your needs and preferences. Here, marionette lines may be treated with:

Dermal Fillers

Dermal filler treatment takes less than half an hour and provides instant results. These are two of the prominent reasons that fillers are so popular. To reduce marionette lines using dermal fillers, the provider may inject the product directly beneath the creases, into the lips, and may also look at the cheek area. Lines around the nose and mouth may be worsened by deflation in the mid-face. By enhancing the contour and height of the cheekbones, dermal fillers may slightly elevate the skin that is contributing to marionette lines.

Botox or Dysport

Botox and Dysport are two of the most popular neuromodulator products used today. They are most known for smoothing dynamic wrinkles in the upper face. Rarely do we hear of their use in the lower face. Alas, marionette lines may be caused in part by the pull of the depressor muscles at the sides of the face. By relaxing these muscles, a neuromodulator can release the skin from its downward descent.

Microneedling

One of the primary reasons we experience the cosmetic side effects of aging is that our body stops producing adequate amounts of collagen. Without collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production in high gear, the skin becomes thin and loose. Microneedling is an excellent treatment option for marionette lines because it stimulates a profound amount of collagen, which can help rebuild the skin and slow the progression of lines and wrinkles.

Marionette lines can be a frustrating cosmetic concern. They don't have to be so difficult to correct. With professional help, you can discover the perfect treatment or combination of treatments to keep your face looking fresh and vibrant. To schedule treatment for marionette lines, contact us at 206-859-5777 or book an appointment here.


How to Get Your Complexion Back On Track

The signs of aging get a lot of attention. Primarily, we worry about lines and wrinkles developing on the various parts of the face. Sure, frown lines and worry lines can be frustrating and may need treatment at some point. However, one’s complexion may begin to affect appearance even before other signs of aging become apparent. Here, we discuss why our complexion may change over time and what we can do to address concerns like dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

What Causes an Uneven Complexion?

Uneven skin tone most often occurs when an area of the skin has an excess of melanin. Melanin is what gives the skin its color. It can build up as one smaller spot or as diffuse discoloration as a result of several factors, including:

  • Sun exposure. The primary cause of uneven skin complexion (and poor texture) is exposure to UV light. Sunlight is the leading source of UV light that we see over and over again. This type of harmful light is also what is used in tanning beds. 
  • Hormonal changes. Estrogen and progesterone are female hormones that are involved in the production of melanin. Women are susceptible to discoloration and melasma at certain points in life, such as pregnancy or menopause. 
  • Air pollution. We don’t often think of how the air affects our skin, other than when it is dry or humid. The air carries various pollutants, including carbon dioxide and chemicals, that all touch the skin. Microparticles of debris can seep into the pores, triggering a defensive response that includes heightened production of melanin. 
  • Inflammation. The production of melanin is part of the body’s repair process so, if the skin becomes inflamed due to rash or sunburn, for example, complexion may be affected. 

Treatments to Improve Complexion 

In our Seattle and Renton offices, patients can find several treatments that can improve the tone and texture of their skin. Examples include:

  • Chemical peels
  • Infini RF Microneedling
  • Clear + Brilliant laser treatment
  • Laser skin resurfacing
  • BBL Forever Young broadband light treatment
  • HALO hybrid fractional laser treatment

If you have begun to notice small spots, freckles, enlarged pores, melasma, or other discoloration on your face, arms, shoulders, or other areas, you could benefit from a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. We’d love to see you! Contact us at 206-859-5777 to schedule a visit. 


What Can I Do about Forehead Lines?

At some point in most people’s lives, forehead lines become something to worry about. They’re fine when raising the eyebrows but, when the face is at rest, horizontal lines do nothing but age the face. Here, we discuss how we help patients address this frustrating cosmetic problem.

What Causes Forehead Lines?

The simple answer to why we get lines and creases is that the skin changes with age. We cannot avoid this, but we can address it when we understand the mechanisms at work in the skin. Forehead lines form for two reasons. One is the decrease in collagen and elastin in the skin. As these chemicals decline, the skin gets thinner and less stretchy. The upper face is an area that moves a lot. Movement such as raising the eyebrows causes visible creases. When the eyebrows are relaxed, the creases disappear. This type of crease is referred to as a dynamic wrinkle. Over time, many dynamic wrinkles become static. They remain visible even when the face is at rest simply because they have become ingrained.

Is it Possible to Prevent Forehead Lines?

As much as we wish all lines and wrinkles could be avoided with good habits, they cannot. However, good habits can support the skin as the body ages. The key is to foster resilience for as long as possible. We can do this by:

  • Avoiding too much sun exposure. SPF 30 sunscreen is a must, even when it’s cloudy. The UV light in the sunshine breaks down collagen fibers, making the skin age more quickly.
  • Avoiding habits that age the skin. Smoking is a big skin-ager. The habit puts pollutants into the air right in front of the face. These pollutants can get absorbed by the skin where they degrade collagen more quickly. Drinking also ages the skin. This habit does so by dehydrating the body. So, if you drink alcohol or even caffeine, you must be mindful about staying hydrated.
  • Eating nutritious whole foods. Fresh leafy greens are especially beneficial for the skin thanks to their antioxidants. Healthy fats like avocado and olive oil support cell vitality, as well.

Treating Forehead Lines

You don’t have to wait to see forehead lines before you see a dermatologist for cosmetic treatments. There are ways to postpone the formation of these worrisome creases and to smooth them once they do appear. Common options include:

  • Botox, which smooths wrinkles by relaxing the muscle that causes them.
  • Dermal fillers, which plump lines by binding to water molecules in the skin.
  • Microneedling, which creates tiny injuries in the skin to provoke collagen regeneration.
  • Fractional laser resurfacing, which affects superficial layers of tissue to accelerate tissue remodeling.

Pacific Dermatology offers several services that support aging skin. To schedule a visit to our Renton or Seattle office, call 206-859-5777.


Can Beauty be a One and Done Event?

Many of the people who visit our Seattle and Renton offices ask the same question. “Will I see results after one treatment?” This can be a tricky question to answer. In some cases, yes, results are immediately visible (oh, how we love you, dermal fillers!). However, even in this case, it is necessary to repeat treatment at some point.  Here, we discuss why beauty is not a one and done event.

It is easy to say that we need to keep up with our skin because it is constantly aging. This is true. Studies suggest that our fibroblast cells become nearly dormant after age 30. We don’t see or feel this at first because the body has built up the skin-firming proteins these cells have provided since childhood. About age 40, however, we begin to see the effects of the 1 to 2% annual breakdown of collagen and elastin. Knowing this, we can see just why the skin requires ongoing support. The question is not whether or not treatments should be repeated, it is how many treatments are needed at what intervals.

Several nonsurgical treatments have been developed in recent years to target fibroblast cells; to wake them up, so to speak, so they continue producing collagen and elastin. Each time a treatment is performed, fibroblasts may activate for up to 6 months. Then they will go dormant once again. To rebuild a tissue foundation that has degraded over a few decades may take several collagen-building treatments. Generally, patients can expect to need one treatment for every decade they have lived. The average 50-year-old may need a series of 5 skin-tightening treatments to reset their baseline. After this point, one or two treatments a year may be sufficient.  Of course, this can also depend on the type of treatment that a patient chooses.

Now is a Great Time to Manage Beauty

Whether you are a 30-year-old who wants to begin addressing collagen-loss before the signs of aging develop or you are a 70-year-old who wants to correct mild to moderate tissue laxity and discoloration, we have treatment options that can help you. Come talk with us about your beauty goals and we will develop a treatment plan to achieve them. Call 206-859-5777 to schedule a visit to our Seattle or Renton office.


Cool Transformations: August Specials and Events

In this issue: cool transformations! Attend our coolevent and transform your figure, treat acne before school starts for a confidence boosting transformation, get rid of sun and age spots, long-lasting sculptra can transform your look for up to two years, and be all smiles with no frown lines.

Learn more by reading through our specials or contact us at 206-859-5777 or via our contact page.


4 Reasons we LOVE May: Events and Specials

May specials and events are here! In this issue: 4 reasons we LOVE May! Skin cancer awareness month, summer is coming (Cellfina), May 24th Evening of Beauty, Welcoming new dermatologist - Dr. Finesmith, and more.

Learn more by reading through our specials or contact us at 206-859-5777 or via our contact page.


New Year Spring Specials and Events

New Year Spring Specials and Events are here. Join us for our Spring Filler Event with bonus gifts and up to $1000 in savings on Thursday, March 15th and Monday, March 19th: preserve & fill; smooth, lift, & prevent; and restore & lift. Plus, FREE bonus fits for any package. Learn more by reading through our specials or contact us at 206-859-5777 or via our contact page.


May 2017 Specials and Events

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May 2017 Specials and Events are here to celebrate moms everywhere. Evening of beauty on Thursday, June 1st at the Northgate location, gift cards 10% off (limit up to $1,000), on May 8th purchase a vitalize peel for $150 with Sue and get $150 off Dysport with Mary, and more! Learn more by reading through our specials or contact us at 206-859-5777 or via our contact page.


3 Treatments to Try out This Year

cosmetic proceduresIt's the second month of the year! How are your resolutions coming along? Even if you didn't make any hard and fast goals for 2017, there is more than a small chance that you are riding the wave of "what's new." Most of us look forward to a new year with a bit of excitement about the unexpected. Here, we want to take a spin around some cosmetic treatments that are available in our Renton and Seattle dermatology offices. Maybe this is a great time to venture into the unknown and see how it can improve your appearance!

A Whole new way of Lifting the Face

Traditionally, the term "face lift" would mean going to a plastic surgeon and having your forehead, eyes, and lower face surgically tightened up. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this approach. Still, the large majority of patients we speak with would prefer to avoid surgery. Great! That gives us the opportunity to perform a "liquid facelift." Again, this term could lead to a misperception. For some time, the liquid facelift has been associated with the use of injectable solutions like dermal fillers and Botox. Not in our office. Our liquid facelift involves the recreation of facial contours using your fat cells. The win-win situation means losing some fat in an area like the midsection and gaining a more youthful facial aesthetic.

Skin Tightening

Not all age-related aesthetic concerns can be addressed in the same way. That's why we offer choices like Ultherapy. This treatment is a great choice for men and women who want to tone up the tissues just beneath the skin. One Ultherapy treatment leads to months of collagen production through which the skin becomes firmer, tighter, and younger-looking. It works by targeting collagen-producing cells with ultrasound energy, stimulating immediate constriction as well as progressive improvement in laxity.

Slow the Aging Process

Patients who have heard about BBL™ Forever Young are excited, and for a good reason. The use of broad-band light has demonstrated outstanding results over the long-term. Treatments are convenient and comfortable, making them an easy inclusion into your routine skin care regimen. According to research, the ongoing use of broad-band light changes the expression of genes so significantly that you can look younger over time, even as your biological clock keeps ticking.

We are pleased to offer a variety of med-spa treatments to patients from Seattle and Renton. To schedule a visit with us, call 206-859-5777.


October 2016 Events and Specials

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October 2016 Specials and Events are here. Save the Date for our Evening of Beauty on Thursday, November 3rd in Northgate and Thursday, Dec 1st in Renton. Get Botox at $10/unit, plus 15% OFF all retail products. From head to toe, get holiday ready! Read about our top 10 treatments. Learn more by reading through our specials, contact us, or RSVP for our August Events at 206-859-5777.


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Thank you for choosing Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, we look forward to providing you with the very best skin care.