November 2011
Get Glowing for the Holidays!
Try Photorejuvenation for Younger Looking Skin
by Jennie Wallace,
Spa Director
Photorejuvenation is a cosmetic treatment designed to produce younger and healthier looking skin. As most of us age, we begin to see visible signs of sun damage. Time and lifestyle choices also affect the appearance in our complexion. This aged look may include freckles, rosacea, wrinkles, broken capillaries, dark spots, blotchy skin color, redness of the face and neck, enlarged pore size and uneven pigmentation.
Photorejuvenation is the only procedure that can treat vascular redness, the appearance of rosacea, pigmented brown spots, sun damage, skin texture, and collagen structure all at once. With the use of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL™) technology, dramatic improvements can now be accomplished with little or no "downtime" and with very minimal discomfort.
Photorejuvenation treatments are beneficial for the treatment of:
1. Rosacea
Photorejuvenation reduces the overall redness, flushing and tiny blood vessels associated with the condition and often improves the acne breakouts which are common.
2. Sun damage to the face (photo-aging)
Photorejuvenation reduces some fine wrinkling, freckling and irregular pigmentation and creates a more smooth appearance to the skin and even some reduction in pore appearance.
3. Sun damage to the chest and back (photo-aging)
Photorejuvenation reduces the freckling and irregular pigmentation to the chest and/or back and improves the overall appearance of the skin. Also reduces the redness on the chest associated with excessive sun exposure.
4. Sun damage to the hands and arms (photo-aging, also called “liver spots”)
Photorejuvenation reduces the freckling and irregular pigmentation to the hands and even the arms with improvement in the thin-skin appearance of sun damaged hands.
What results can I expect?
You can expect to see a gradual decrease in overall redness, flushing, and dilated capillaries. People with visible aging from the sun can expect to see their skin become smoother, with a decrease in fine wrinkles, reduction in pore size and the fading of sun spots. Many patients with rosacea see improvement in breakouts and are able to decrease or discontinue their medications. See before and after results here.
What is involved in Photorejuvenation treatments?
Each treatment takes approximately 45 - 60 minutes. Typically, there is no discomfort after a Photorejuvenation treatment. Immediately following the procedure, the skin may appear red and flushed, while brown spots will generally appear darker. Over the next several days, the brown spots continue to darken and then subsequently fade away, leaving younger and smoother skin.
When will I see results?
After your first treatment, your skin will feel smoother and will have a more even tone color. Improvement is gradual and will continue to be more visible after each treatment. Many individuals experience dramatic results after only 1-2 treatments; however, three treatments are usually performed for optimal results.
Center MedSpa is offering 20% off a series of 3 Palomar Photorejuvention treatments purchased from November 15th –December 15th.
Soothing Fibromyalgia Pain
The Benefits of Massage Therapy
by Kelly Mantovani,
Massage Therapist
Fibromyalgia affects 3-6 million Americans. "Fibro" means fibroustissue, "My" means muscles, and "Algia" means pain, so 3-6 million people are suffering from the effects of living with chronic pain in their muscles and connective tissues. Along with a history of widespread pain and tenderness of at least 11 of 18 specific points, symptoms of fibromyalgia include, but are not limited to, sleep disturbances, fatigue, morning stiffness, depression, headaches, restless legs, numbness and tingling.
Massage can help ease the severity of fibromyalgia's many symptoms. According to a study published by the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, Vol. 2, massage improved sleep patterns, decreased pain, decreased cortisol levels and lowered levels of anxiety and depression in fibro patients. Tiffany Field, PhD, a researcher at the Touch Research Institute in Miami, reported that massage worked by lowering levels of Substance P, the chemical messenger for pain.
Massage for fibromyalgia is as versatile as the symptoms that patients suffer from. Since stiffness sets in so easily, clients need to be positioned in ways that work for them. Pressure needs will be different for every client, and sometimes varies treatment to treatment. Gentle work is sometimes best for an already over-stimulated central nervous system, especially during a flare-up. This includes Swedish massage, myofascial therapy, passive stretching, and reflexology when the skin is too painful to touch. During times when symptoms have subsided, deeper work to trigger points (based on clients comfort level) can be beneficial. Active Neuromuscular re-education techniques can help to release chronically tight muscles. The goal of fibromyalgia massage is to reduce pain and stress levels. This can only be achieved through good communication and the therapists' willingness to go with the fibro flow!
Adding massage to a balanced wellness plan is great way to ease the symptoms of fibromyalgia. If you are suffering with any kind of muscle pain, please call Center MedSpa at 423.643.1980 and speak with one of our experts to see how we can help.
Book a first-time massage with Kelly and receive $10 off!