The Visia Complexion Analysis System does! This amazing photographic system gives you and your doctor a closer look at what’s happening with your skin. It uses ultraviolet and polarized light to look deep into the skin, showing things happening underneath can’t be seen with the naked eye, or even with a magnifying glass.

The machine takes two photos of a patient’s skin. The first one is a highly magnified view of the visible skin — the “Epidermis” — showing visible fine lines, wrinkles, pores, brown spots and unevenness of skin damage.  The second photo is taken under ultraviolet light and goes even deeper under the skin to show the “Dermis” and what is developing underneath the outer layers.  It’s great for discovering indicators of sun damage that may lead to more wrinkles and spots in the coming years.

Jackie is a 32-year-old mother of two and an avid sun worshipper who admits to wearing as little sun block as possible —SPF 15 on her nose and under her eyes, “because I want to look healthy and tan,” she says. Using the Visia Complexion Analysis System, her doctor could show her exactly the damage those years in the sun have caused. Jackie’s refusal to wear sunscreen, constant sun bathing and squinting may cause premature wrinkles, fine lines, and spots. These issues may be deep within the dermis, and may eventually come to the surface.  Before she develops dangerous skin problems like actinic keratoses, Jackie should speak to a doctor about her sun exposure.

Betsy is 55 years old and hates the brown spots that have started appearing on the sides of her face and forehead. She has asked her friends if their skin looks splotchy too and wants to know what all those dark spots are. Worried, Betsy decided to ask her doctor, who explained that Betsy’s discoloration is from her skin cells secreting a pigment called melanin. When you tan, melanin comes to the surface to alter your complexion. Age spots are basically a buildup of pigment from years of sun exposure that continue to grow. They are normally found on the surface of our skin as flat or slightly raised brown spots, but in some cases the damage can go deeper.

Using the Visia Complexion Analysis System, the doctor can tell that Betsy has been wearing sunscreen. Betsy tells the doctor that she has been using SPF 15 for years, which is encouraging, but she still exhibits some long-term sun damage.  The doctor takes the second Visia photo to look even deeper into the dermis, which reveals many more sunspots that eventually will come to the surface. Betsey will need to increase her sun protection factor (SPF) and make sure it covers both UVA and UVB rays.

For more information on Visia Complexion Analysis in Illinois and Indiana, and how you can benefit from this technology, contact us.

Japanese physicians using Cutera Lasers have been having significant success with patients who suffer from Melasma and Keloid scarring.

Laser Genesis is a non-contact laser treatment which targets and treats multiple layers of the dermis while promoting hyperplasia of collagen. Laser Genesis is effective at reducing pore size, improving skin texture and improving elasticity. Genesis also heats and shrinks the micro-blood vessels of the papillary dermis which reduces and improves erythema.

The following are patient profiles from an expert physician in Japan.  These are cases in which the physician experienced successful treatment of melasma through use of the Laser Genesis therapy.

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The first patient was an Asian female with a long history of Melasma, which was first treated with 4 percent Hydroquinone and 0.1 percent Tretinoin.  An allergic reaction prompted a withdrawal of that treatment.  Tranexamic acid was then tried, which saw positive results, but they couldn’t be sustained – the symptoms “rebounded after therapy was suspended.”  So therapy with the Tranexamic acid was continued for 6 months, then Laser Genesis was introduced in between treatments.  Treatment with laser genesis allowed suspension of the tranexamic acid therapy and it prevented the reoccurrence of Melasma.

The second patient was also an Asian female who was receiving treatment with 0.1 percent Tretinoin, 4 percent Hydroquinone, and Laser Genesis therapy.  Over the course of 3 months, the patient saw significant improvements in her melasma symptoms – improved pigmentation, reduced redness and reduced inflammation.  The combination of topical treatment and Laser Genesis proved successful.

We offer Laser Genesis at our Frankfort office, along with the entire suite of Cutera laser treatments: Titan, LimeLight, Pearl, Laser Genesis, and XEO for laser hair removal. Contact us for more information or a consultation in either Frankfort or Munster, Indiana.

Have spots appeared on your forehead, chest or the sides of your face? Have you heard that in many cases, facial imperfections of this type can be easily treated and minimized?

Skin blotches are fairly common, and you’ll be happy to know that we carry the Obagi® therapeutic skin care line as a possible remedy. Many people are aware of Obagi® products, but not everyone knows that Obagi is the top skin care line sold exclusively to physicians.

Obagi® has gained a reputation for effectiveness with its Nu Derm® System, also known as Corrective and Enhance®, which smoothes fine lines, fades brown spots and fixes other skin imperfections in just a few months.

Throughout a person’s life, dark spots and uneven skin tone can affect skin on the face.  A ‘mask’ might even appear over the nose and cheek area, especially after a pregnancy or birth control use. Obagi Clear™ has prescription strength Hydroquinone to correct discoloration and equalize skin tones. Hydroquinone is the active ingredient used for its “fading” properties, which proactively correct the early signs of damage by regulating the cell production that is responsible for skin pigment.

Obagi skin care products are prescription strength, and far more effective than any over-the-counter product.  They are specially formulated to achieve a desired end, and they’ve become a real way to get visibly dramatic results. Obagi® is a medical grade skin care program, so speaking with a physician like Dr. Dreyfuss is necessary before purchasing.

Why put it off any longer? If you want to lighten those dark spots on your face, chest and hands with Clear™ or if you’re interested in other Obagi® products, give us a call at (815) 806-9400 or request a free consultation here. You’ll look better and then you feel so much better about your one and only face.

If you know someone who has pigmentation problems, have them get in touch with us. We now know if this type of problem goes untreated and if sun exposure continues, these areas can darken to the point where even make up won’t cover them up. Anyone that has wrestled with these problems should know this firsthand.