Sherry Achi Skin Therapy

Body waxing is a convenient and effective method to remove unwanted facial or body hair. While not a permanent fix, waxing lasts much longer than shaving or using depilatories, since during this process hair is removed from the root. Waxing is frequently used as a successful means of removing unwanted hair from the eyebrows, upper lip, chin, underarms, legs, back, and bikini area. The treated area usually remains smooth and hairless for 4 to 6 weeks. CANDIDATES FOR BODY WAXING Almost anyone with unwanted hair is a candidate for body waxing, though the individual must be prepared to experienced some discomfort or pain during the process. Individual sensitivities vary so some people tolerate waxing on certain parts of their body more easily than others. Whenever the skin is in an unusually sensitive condition, body waxing should be avoided since in such situations the skin is more prone to “lifting,” meaning that the top layer of the skin can be torn away during the waxing process. Because of this, individuals in the following categories are not good candidates for body waxing: Those taking blood thinners or corticosteroids Those who have psoriasis, eczema or rosacea Those with autoimmune diseases, like lupus Those who are sunburned, have infections or cold sores Those with severe varicose veins Those who have undergone recent AFT LIGHT treatment Those who have undergone recent chemical peels TYPES OF BODY WAXING PROCEDURES There are two basic types of body waxing procedures: strip waxing and strip-less waxing. Strip Waxing DURING STRIP WAXING, A THIN LAYER OF SOFT WAX IS SPREAD OVER THE AREA AND A CLOTH OR PAPER STRIP IS APPLIED AND PRESSED FIRMLY. THE GOAL IS TO HAVE THE STRIP ADHERE TO THE WAX AND THE WAX ADHERE TO THE SKIN SO THAT WHEN THE STRIP IS QUICKLY PULLED OFF AGAINST THE DIRECTION OF HAIR GROWTH, THE HAIR IS EFFECTIVELY REMOVED. IF THE PROCESS IS PERFORMED CAREFULLY, ALTHOUGH THERE IS BRIEF PAIN INVOLVED, SKIN TRAUMA IS MINIMIZED AND BRUISING, INGROWN HAIRS AND BROKEN CAPILLARIES ARE AVOIDED. Strip-Less Waxing DURING STRIP-LESS WAXING, A HARD WAX IS APPLIED TO THE SKIN IN A THICK LAYER AND NO CLOTH OR PAPER STRIPS ARE EMPLOYED. WHEN THE WAX COOLS AND HARDENS, IT IS EASILY REMOVED. SINCE DURING THE STRIP-LESS METHOD OF BODY WAXING THE WAX DOES NOT ADHERE AS TIGHTLY TO THE SKIN AS DURING STRIP WAXING, THIS PROCESS IF A BETTER OPTION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SENSITIVE SKIN AND FINER HAIRS. IT IS ALSO A LESS PAINFUL METHOD OF BODY WAXING. After both strip waxing and strip-less waxing, a soothing lotion is applied to the skin to minimize discomfort. Although the treated hairs are completely removed and will not regrow for many weeks, not every hair is growing at the same time. The waxing process may have to be repeated in order to remove hairs that were in a dormant state during the first treatment. BENEFITS OF BODY WAXING There are several benefits to body waxing over other methods of body hair removal. Waxing is more effective than some other hair removal treatments because: Large amounts of hair can be removed at one time Waxing lasts for a relatively long time, 4 to 8 weeks Regrowth of hair is softer than after shaving or depilatory use Pain or discomfort lessens as treatments become routine COMPLICATIONS OF BODY WAXING Probably the biggest drawback to body waxing is the pain involved, although for most individuals the end results are well worth the discomfort. While short-lived, the stinging or burning can be intense, especially if the waxing is administered to sensitive areas of the body. It is very important that an experienced, licensed technician perform the body waxing since proper technique and careful sanitation is essential to maintain health and avoid infection. Even when waxing is performed with care, it is possible for red bumps, minor bleeding or bruising. or ingrown hairs to result, although these conditions are usually easily resolved. Such complications are most likely to occur during the primary waxing, especially on areas where hair growth is thick.

Undefined eyebrows and eyelashes can fail to accentuate the natural beauty of the eyes. Many women with light colored eye brows and eye lashes may wish to add a darker accent to their faces to highlight their eyes and other features. Tinting can add depth to the entire structure of the face for those with pale or light colored skin and very blonde or light brows and lashes. By matching the tint to the individual‘s natural look, brow and lash tinting can create a new look to the face without looking artificial. Eyebrow and eyelash tinting adds the illusion of thickness and dimension by simply changing the color. The eyes will suddenly appear more vibrant and the features will have more contrast. Before tinting the eyelashes, the aesthetician applies a protective cream, such as petroleum jelly under the eyes, which prevents the skin from getting stained. A cotton pad is then placed under the eyes and over the cream. As the patient shuts her eyes, the tint is applied to lashes with a fine brush, and allowed to set for at least ten minutes. To tint the eyebrows, the aesthetician will also first apply petroleum jelly the skin surrounding the brows. This protects the skin and prevents the dye from bleeding onto it. Then the tint is painted directly onto the brow. The dye sits for ten minutes, and any residue is gently removed. The results of permanent tints can last from one to three months. To help eye brow color last longer, individuals are advised to avoid using exfoliating cleansers, which can strip the color from the hair in the brows.

Modern technology provides a variety of successful AFT LIGHT treatments for improving the condition of the skin. AFT LIGHT skin treatments employ focused beams of light energy to counteract the effects on the skin of acne, aging, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, scars, or poor nutrition. Resurfacing AFT LIGHT treatments are safe and efficient, requiring little downtime to provide effective results. Much less invasive than dermabrasion and chemical peels, AFT LIGHT treatments remove damaged skin and rejuvenate the patient‘s appearance. Most of the time, such treatments are sought for the face, but may also be performed on other parts of the body. REASONS FOR PHOTO FACIAL (AFT) To decrease or eliminate wrinkles or stretchmarks To diminish the appearance of scars To rejuvenate non-responsive skin after a facelift To remove age spots or spider veins To repair sun-damaged skin To improve skin tone due to melasma or other causes To remove warts or birthmarks To decrease the size of enlarged pores To remove tattoos

It used to be that liposuction was the only type of body contouring procedure that was available to clients. However, times have luckily changed and there’s a new non-invasive, FDA approved procedure that can help get rid of stubborn, unwanted fat: CoolSculpting HOW DOES COOLSCULPTING WORK? CoolSculpting technology works by freezing targeted fat cells and killing them. Once the fat cells have been frozen, your body will naturally eliminate them over the process of several months; leaving you with a slimmer looking physique. AM I A CANDIDATE FOR COOLSCULPTING? Typically, good candidates for CoolSculpting are of a healthy weight but just have a few extra pounds of fat that they want to get rid of. Additionally, clients who are good candidates for CoolSculpting also don’t smoke, aren’t pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, and are generally healthy. During your initial consultation, your physician will be able to determine whether or not CoolSculpting is right for you. WHAT DOES A COOLSCULPTING TREATMENT FEEL LIKE? Some clients experience a slight amount of pain or discomfort during the CoolSculpting procedure itself while other clients don’t. For the most part, clients experience a strong cooling sensation that’s followed by a vacuum feeling. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO PREPARE FOR TREATMENT? The good news about CoolSculpting is that there really isn’t much you have to do to prepare for treatment. On average, we encourage clients to quit smoking several weeks before treatment and to not take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen for at least 24 hours before the procedure. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF COOLSCULPTING? The biggest benefit of CoolSculpting is that it gives clients real results every time. And, because CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure you won’t have to worry about any sort of surgery or recovery time. Additionally, because CoolSculpting destroys the fat in the body, it permanently gets rid of it. HOW LONG IS EACH SESSION? HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED? Each session takes about 30-60 minutes depending on the area that’s being targeted. During the first treatment, only about 25-30% of the fat will be affected and so it may require multiple treatments. WHAT HAPPENS IF I GAIN WEIGHT DOWN THE ROAD? Just like with any sort of body contouring procedure, permanent results from CoolSculpting are not guaranteed. We encourage all of our clients to eat a healthy diet and exercise on a regular basis to maintain their results. If, however, you have gained weight back after CoolSculpting, we may recommend that you do it again but we can discuss everything in detail during an appointment. As you can see, there are several unique benefits of CoolSculpting. If CoolSculpting sounds like something that you want to learn more about, schedule your consultation at our office today!

Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive skin-exfoliation procedure designed to treat sun damage, scars, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. In addition to its cosmetic benefits, microdermabrasion helps to enhance circulation and lymph flow. Results are immediately visible, and there is no downtime for the patient, who can immediately resume regular activities. Performed in-office, microdermabrasion does not require anesthesia, and can be combined with other procedures such as chemical peels or AFT LIGHT treatment. Microdermabrasion is a much less invasive procedure than dermabrasion, which is used to treat more serious skin problems. Dermabrasion, in which several layers of skin are removed, is considered a surgical treatment. THE MICRODERMABRASION PROCEDURE During the microdermabrasion procedure, which is usually performed by an aesthetician, a handheld device is used to transmit tiny crystals of aluminum oxide across the targeted treatment area. The crystals and dead skin are then suctioned away with a vacuum tool, revealing fresh underlying skin. A treatment session can last from five to 60 minutes. The results of a single microdermabrasion treatment are temporary. For continued improvement, treatment should be repeated every 2 to 4 weeks. RISKS OF MICRODERMABRASION Microdermabrasion is considered safe for all skin types, and is appropriate for Asian and dark-skinned clients who may be at risk for skin discoloration with other types of treatment. There are no serious risks associated with microdermabrasion, although some clients experience mild redness and irritation, and clients older than 70 may have a slightly escalated risk of bruising and skin abrasions. Avoiding sun exposure after microdermabrasion is important because it may have removed some of the skin‘s natural protection. In clients who have a history of cold sores, undergoing microdermabrasion may reactivate the virus that causes them. In those cases, avoiding treatment around the lip area and/or taking preventative antiviral medication prior to treatment may be recommended.

It used to be that the only way to get all kinds of results for your skin was to undergo a variety of different procedures. However, the HydraFacial has changed the way that the cosmetic industry works by combining the ability to cleanse, exfoliate, extract, hydrate, and replenish the skin’s antioxidants with just one procedure. WHAT IS A HYDRAFACIAL GOOD FOR? HydraFacial’s aren’t just a nice way to schedule a day for yourself at the spa. In fact, HydraFacial’s are good at treating clients who want to have fresh glowing skin, get rid of acne, improve tone and texture, and just look good for either every day or right before a big event. WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR A HYDRAFACIAL TREATMENT? One of the best things about the HydraFacial is that it’s designed for clients with all skin types. So, if you have dry skin, oily skin, or regular skin, then the HydraFacial is good for you. WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE HYDRAFACIAL TREATMENT? Unlike chemical peels or AFT LIGHT treatments that come with a little bit of pain and discomfort, one of the unique benefits of HydraFacial’s is that they are pain free and actually quite relaxing. So, during your HydraFacial appointment, you can literally sit back and relax. The HydraFacial treatment goes as follows: Step 1.Cleansing and Exfoliation. Dead skin cells are removed to reveal healthy new skin. Step 2. The skin is infused with a glycolic solution to help purify the skin Step 3. Blackheads will be removed and pores will be cleaned with an automated extraction device that uses vortex suction. Step 4. Antioxidants and Hyaluronic Acid are infused to nourish and protect the skin. HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET A HYDRAFACIAL? Until you start seeing consistent results, you should come in to our office and get a HydraFacial every two weeks. Then, afterward, you can come in around every month. ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS OR DOWNTIME AFTER THE FACIAL? No! Unlike other treatments. there is no recovery or downtime after a HydraFacial which means that you don’t have to worry about any recovery. CAN I RECEIVE A HYDRAFACIAL IF I‘M PREGNANT? Unfortunately, because HydraFacial’s use antioxidants and hyaluronic acid to nourish the skin, they are not safe for women who are pregnant or nursing. CAN A HYDRAFACIAL BE COMBINED WITH OTHER TREATMENTS? It depends on the types of treatments that you want to combine with your HydraFacial. During your initial consultation, you and your skin care professional will create a customized skin care plan that’s designed for you and your skin type. Are you ready to learn more about the unique benefits of HydraFacial’s or are you just ready to sit back and relax while getting cleaner, healthier skin? If so, contact our office today and schedule your HydraFacial consultation at our office!

Chemical peels remove damaged outer layers of skin to make skin smoother, reduce scarring and remove blemishes. Ranging from mild to strong, there are three types of chemical peels: alphahydroxy acid (AHA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and phenol. The strength of each peel is tailored to the patient. Peels can be combined with other procedures, such as facelifts, for additional improvement to skin. Chemical peels may be covered by insurance if they are performed for medical rather than cosmetic reasons. CHEMICAL PEEL PROCEDURE During a TCA or phenol peel, the skin is cleansed and the solution is applied, which may cause a brief stinging sensation. Petroleum jelly or a waterproof adhesive tape may be put on the skin following a phenol peel. During an AHA peel, the skin is cleansed and the solution applied; there is no need for post-peel ointment or covering. SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL PEELS A phenol or TCA peel can result in tingling or throbbing, reddened skin, a crust or scab, and significant swelling that lasts, depending on the strength of the peel used, about a week. With a phenol peel, eyes may be swollen shut at first, and the patient may be put on a liquid diet and advised to keep talking to a minimum. Any tape used is removed after a day or two. AHA peels can cause temporary stinging, redness and irritation, as well as flaking or crusting. After a chemical peel, it is essential that the skin be protected from the sun.