The good news is that women and men in their 20s often have skin that is effortlessly resilient, smooth, and youthful looking. The not so great news is that this is the decade in which sun damage begins to take its toll. Even if you don’t feel like you need to devote time to a skincare regimen, now is the right time to begin one if you haven’t already. Why? Simply put, because the effort you put into your skincare now will show itself on your face and body for years to come.

Tip: Don’t Over Think Your Skincare

Most people navigating their 20s have enough to worry about without having to think about intense anti-wrinkle treatments or invasive cosmetic procedures. This is the decade for moisturizing, wearing SPF 20 sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection daily, and gentle cleansing. You’re goal is to set the stage for healthy skin in your 30s, 40s, and beyond. In other words, focus on damage prevention.

Tip: Watch for Adult Onset Acne

As annoying as it may be to find out that acne has followed you into adulthood, it is also both extremely common and easily treatable. In adults, breakouts often occur at the hairline and jawline, but some people prone to adult acne find that their breakouts and the location of those breakouts are more unpredictable than they were during the teen years. So what’s a young adult to do?  Visit a professional who can properly diagnosis the type of acne you are experiencing – at Elizabeth Roche MedSpa, we carry a full product line for treating acne and a peel called Elimine, formulated exclusively for Dr. Roche designed to treat acne-prone skin.

Tip: It’s Time to Try Retinoids

For a proactive approach to skincare in your 20s, nothing beats retinoid formulations like Retin-A or a Retinol. These vitamin A-derivative creams can prevent breakouts, undo some childhood sun damage, and up your skin’s collagen production for the most youthful skin possible. Retinoid and retinol creams should be used all over the face, including under the eyes in place of an eye cream, in the evenings.  Elizabeth Roche M.D Retinol Eye cream is a recommended favorite.

Follow these three simple tips and your skin will not only thank you, but also look vibrant and youthful well into your 30s!

With summertime comes outdoor fun, and that means being out in the sun. Hopefully, you experienced the glory of the sun’s rays with sunscreen, sunglasses, and a chic wide-brimmed hat, but did you know that even these precautions don’t mean you’re 100% protected from sun damage? In addition to the sun damage of summers gone by, even the miniscule damage caused by tiny amounts of sun from a dash from the house to the car or hauling your beach umbrella to the sand sans sunblock can add up over time. That means when autumn does finally roll around – hopefully after plenty of blissful summer relaxation – your skin may not look as fresh or as youthful as it did in the spring.

So what’s a safe sun worshipper to do when the glow is gone?

When our clients come to us for a little post-summer skin refreshment, we often recommend laser resurfacing as a great way to regain beautiful texture and youthfulness. Specifically, we suggest laser resurfacing with the Deep FX and Active FX Fractional CO2 treatment from Lumenis. This is a non-invasive procedure that uses an incrementally adjustable high-energy beam of light that penetrates deep into the skin to stimulate the formation of new collagen, giving the skin greater support and elasticity.

Deep and Active simply refer to the setting strength. We like Active FX Fractional CO2 treatments for post-summer skin care and rejuvenation because it’s a great pick me up. There isn’t a lot of downtime or aftercare to interrupt your busy fall schedule, and significant results may be seen after just one treatment. The more intensive Deep FX Fractional CO2 treatments are similar, but target the deeper collagen and help with collagen re-modeling and stimulation, allowing your skin to repair itself internally. The Deep FX treatments come with slightly more downtime, but the results are even more stunning after a summer spent in the sun.

What kind of results can you expect? After a summer of fun that was less than skin-friendly, both Deep FX and Active FX Fractional CO2 treatments can reduce and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, dark brown spots, and other skin irregularities, whether they were caused by this summer’s sun or the sun of years past. The loyal patients at our practice say they love how laser resurfacing restores a more youthful appearance to skin that’s been sunkissed.

Whether you’ve spent this summer lounging on the beach or playing on the golf course, sunning yourself pool side or even inside at work, the stronger sun of summer can and does take its toll on your skin. But sun damage doesn’t have to become a life sentence! Active FX and Deep FX Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing treatments are here to undo the damage and promote long-term rejuvenation so you can be your most beautiful you this autumn.

Women and men alike often assume they will leave the embarrassment and irritation of acne behind when they say goodbye to the tumultuous teen years, only to find out that acne has followed them into their twenties, thirties, and beyond. It’s an unpleasant reality, but one faced by many: adult acne afflicts roughly 30-50% of women and 20-25% of men between the ages of 20 and 60.

While teens with acne are almost the norm and so not judged terribly harshly by society at large, adult acne can be the bane of one’s existence. Some sufferers find that they are unable to feel totally comfortable in social situations or worry that their professional advancement is being negatively impacted by adult acne. Photographs may be a cause of stress instead of cherished keepsakes, and lasting adult acne can even become a catalyst for serious anxiety.

But if you’re coping with adult acne, the answer to the question “Is acne forever?” is “No, it doesn’t have to be.”

Adult Acne Doesn’t Have to Define You

One piece of good news is that those people coping with adult acne are certainly not alone. The statistics prove that many, many women and men will experience at least one bout of adult acne and epidemiological studies show that rates of post-adolescent acne are apparently increasing in people up to age 40. And yet, even though the sudden appearance of adult acne is common, it can still cause lasting embarrassment, shyness, worry, and depression.

A second piece of good news is that adult acne is entirely treatable. While the underlying causes of adult acne aren’t well understood, more and more treatments designed for mature skin are being developed. In my offices at Elizabeth Roche MedSpa, we carry a full product line for treating acne and a peel called Elimine designed just for acne-prone skin. Additionally, many of our products and treatments promote healthier, youthful skin that may be less prone to acne.

Because Dr. Elizabeth Roche believes that innovation and beauty go hand in hand, the Elizabeth Roche MedSpa philosophy has always included a commitment to ongoing education. As aesthetic tools and technology evolve, so does Elizabeth Roche MedSpa.

With that in mind, Dr. Roche, representing Elizabeth Roche MedSpa, recently attended the 2011 Aesthetic Show™ in Las Vegas, a multidisciplinary conference that brings the latest aesthetic procedures, products, and technologies together in an intensive and interactive educational format. There, she met keynote speaker and special guest, plastic surgeon and reconstructive surgery expert Dr. Andrew Ordon of the CBS television series The Doctors.

But as thrilled as Dr. Roche was to meet Dr. Ordon, she was equally excited to learn about the latest procedures, products, and technologies emerging in the field of aesthetic medicine. Some of the most interesting innovations Dr. Roche encountered at the Aesthetic Show™ were:

• The use of cannulas (blunt needles) to reduce bruising during dermal filler injections. The needle-less filler injection is one of the most monumental changes that has emerged in the field of dermal fillers in the past few years because cannulas have been shown to deliver better results, more safely. Overall, dermal filler injections performed with cannulas require less downtime, making this a major advancement.
• New Zerona techniques that obtain better results. Zerona uses pointed laser technology to painlessly target fatty deposits, heat them, and release the stored fat, and new methods of applying the technology are making this fat loss treatment even more effective.
• The unique benefits conveyed by a Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix (brand name Selphyl). Selphyl is a safe and quick way to smooth out wrinkles and give skin a more youthful, appearance. What is unique about this system is that the filler used is the patient’s own platelets, which may stimulate new collagen production for true, natural skin rejuvenation.

Dr. Roche is pleased to be able to bring her patients the most ground-breaking advancements in the field of aesthetic medicine, and will continue to research new procedures, products, and technologies to ensure that Elizabeth Roche MedSpa is always on the leading edge.

Active FX & Deep FX

Skin changes over time, due to the natural aging process and environmental contributors such as the sun, resulting in skin losing its youthful appearance, developing brown spots, wrinkles, and laxity.  Rejuvenating your skin with Fractional CO2, is fast becoming the gold standard in laser facial rejuvenation.

Active FX and Deep FX Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing reduces fine lines and wrinkles, causes immediate skin tightening and noticeably improves skin tone and texture. The Active Fx is a new, less invasive version of the CO2 resurfacing laser. As a CO2 laser, the Active Fx uses the same technology that is considered the gold standard for reducing wrinkles, lines and pigmentation. The critical difference is that the Active Fx is a fractionated laser, like the Fraxel.     Fractionation is a technique developed by R. Rox Anderson, M.D. that makes dermal lasers less destructive while preserving their effectiveness. Instead of emitting a solid beam of energy that destroys a large area of skin tissue, the Active Fx puts out tiny, high energy beams that target pigmentation issues, wrinkles, texture problems, and acne scars, leaving bridges of untouched skin to aid in the regeneration process. It also stimulates the growth of collagen resulting in skin that continues to improve over the next 4 to 6 months. Since this procedure involves treating only a fraction of the skin’s surface, it promotes faster healing and results in an easier recovery period. The results, however, are really fantastic.

In one 30 minute treatment, the Active Fx laser improves lines under the eyes and around the lips better than any other laser on the market today. Even multiple Fraxel laser treatments are unable to deliver good results in those areas. During the same treatment, Active Fx will shrink pores, reduce pigmentation and eliminate lines throughout the rest of the face. After three to five days of mild swelling and about a week of sunburn-like redness, the skin is dramatically improved. The treatment also stimulates collagen growth so improvements continue for several months after the procedure. The treatment can be repeated after 6 months, but most people are satisfied with the results of their first procedure.

Pre-Procedure

Continuously Adjust Healing Zone

By carefully choosing the volume of skin left untreated, Dr. Roche will tailor treatments to the indication and the patient’s tolerance of downtime. Only the UltraPulse gives you the flexibility to leave 95% to 0% of tissue intact.

Select Volume Treated

Superior treatments balance spot size and treatment depth. As the spot size is reduced, depth can be increased without increasing downtime.

Ablate, Contract and Remodel

Each pulse ablates a column of tissue, eliminating discolorations at the surface and causing volumetric skin reduction. As ablation occurs, deep heating stimulates immediate collagen contraction and long-term collagen remodeling.

Deeper wrinkles and scars have a dermal component and are most effectively treated by penetrating deep into the problem areas. Higher percentage of untreated skin enables quicker healing. Dyschromias are superficial and respond best to near complete coverage. Less untreated skin, a larger spot size and less penetration are ideal for this indication.

Pain or discomfort are minimal – less than the Fraxel. We find that topical numbing cream and a pre treatment protocol before and cold air during the procedure are almost always enough to make the procedure painless. If necessary, we do have oral medication for pain and anxiety control available.

The benefits of Active Fx last for several years, however patients with acne and scars may require 2 treatments.  As the aging process continues, many people find that they would benefit from a repeat treatment about 4 years or so after the original procedure.

Side effects are few and rare. Because the Active Fx is fractionated, we do not see the kinds of side effects that we see from ablative CO2 laser. We do not get the waxy cast to the skin or the pigmentation changes that are sometimes such an unfortunate adverse effect of the more invasive laser treatment.

Fractional CO2 Resurfacing Benefits:

•  Removes sun damage

•  For moderate wrinkles

•  Great for smokers lines

•  Effective for acne scars

•  Stimulates collagen

•  Great for face & neck

•  Minimal down time

A guide to beauty published in 1924 declared that the “falling contour of the chin is one of the first evidences of age, but it can be prevented with faithful care,” and it’s absolutely true. The neck, of course, doesn’t age any faster than the face, but it is a neglected part of many women’s beauty routines and consequently shows the passage of time more acutely.

In the past, hydration and facial exercises were the only ways to combat loose, sagging skin, wrinkles, and changes in skin tone. Then came cosmetic surgery, which produced tight results, but didn’t address the underlying skin and muscle changes that lead to aging of the neck. Today, we offer our clientele the best non-surgical neck lifts and other non-invasive methods of neck rejuvenation in NJ.

What is a non-surgical neck lift?

There are numerous non-invasive neck rejuvenation options available in NJ, but we believe that the ones we offer at Elizabeth Roche M.D. MedSpa are the best. These include:
•    Botox® injections
•    Dysport® injections
•    Infrared Skin Tyte™ treatments
•    The Selphyl® system
•    Laser resurfacing

Each type of non-surgical neck lift we offer in our NJ medspa has unique benefits, but all require minimal to no recovery time and result in younger looking, more beautiful, and even healthier skin.

Why opt for non-invasive neck rejuvenation in NJ?

Simply put, because a non-surgical neck lift will make you look younger and more attractive without the expense and invasiveness of traditional cosmetic surgery. The results you achieve with a non-surgical neck lift often last longer and look more natural than a surgical procedure, while also addressing secondary issues like your skin’s texture and tone. It’s not just about tightening – it’s about total neck rejuvenation. And while you’ll look refreshed and youthful after one of our rejuvenating procedures, no one will be able to tell you’ve had anything done.

The cures we look to today for aging skin may be very different than those women turned to in 1924, but our dedication to a regime of “faithful care” hasn’t changed a bit. Call us at 201-505-1020 to learn more about non-surgical neck lift options in NJ.

For a long time, BOTOX® was the non-surgical treatment of choice for deep frown lines and wrinkles. Then along came Dysport®.

FDA-approved and tested in multiple clinical studies, Dysport® uses the same botulinim toxin (type A) as BOTOX® to relax the facial muscles. With just one simple injection, patients are on their way to improved skin.

But which treatment is better? The answer is, it depends.

For Quick Results, Consider a NJ Dysport® Treatment

Initial clinical results suggest that a New Jersey Dysport® treatment works quicker than BOTOX®.

• Dysport® results appear within 1-2 days.
• Some Dysport® patients have reported seeing their wrinkles fade after only 24 hours.

For patients who are less concerned with getting ready for a big event, a New Jersey BOTOX® treatment is still very fast.

• BOTOX® results begin to appear within 3-5 days.

For Less Visits, Consider a NJ Dysport® Treatment

At Elizabeth Roche M.D. MedSpa, our experience has been that Dysport® treatments last longer than BOTOX® treatments.

• One Dysport® injection can last for 6 months up to one year
• One BOTOX® injection lasts approximately 3 months

For Potential Effectiveness, Consider a NJ BOTOX® Treatment

Despite the benefits, BOTOX® manufacturers have pointed out that Dysport® has one potential downside. They suggest Dysport® injections are more likely to cause your body to develop antibodies.

For Price, Consider Both Treatments

At the Elizabeth Roche M.D. MedSpa New Jersey Dysport® treatments and New Jersey BOTOX® treatments are priced similarly.

Our staff is always on-hand to answer any questions you may have about which New Jersey skin treatment is right for you.

Call us at 201-505-1020 or book an in-house NJ BOTOX® or Dysport® consultation.