Non-Surgical and Minimally Invasive Procedures

Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers describe a number of material that can be used to fill skin wrinkles, skin depressions, or to plump lips.  Each dermal fillers is best adapted for use in a particular location.  Dr. Vartanian uses a number of dermal fillers, including: Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse/ Radiance, Scupltra and collagen.

Restylane is made of hyaluronic acid, a compound that is found naturally in skin and other areas of the body.  Hyaluronic acid content in skin decreases with age.  In comparison to collagen, Restylane is also more cost-effective.   Restylane typically lasts up to 9-months compared to collagen, which generally last 2 to 4-months.  Restylane also doesn’t require skin testing, bovine collagen does.   Restylane can be used to fill wrinkle and facial lines around the mouth.  It can also be used to plump the lips and improve lip definition.  Restylane treatments can be combined with Botox in most cases.  Juvederm is another hyaluronic acid filler that was recently FDA approved and can be used like Restylane or collagen to fill lines and plump lips.   In some cases, Dr. Vartanian also uses Scuptra and Radiance (Radiesse) for filling in depressed areas of the face.

Botox

What is Botox Cosmetic?

BOTOX COSMETIC, or Botulinum exotoxin type A, is a natural purified protein that is used to relax muscles that cause wrinkles.   Botox is a safe, effective, and proven method for treating fine lines and wrinkles. Its safety is well established, as it has been used in medicine for over 20 years for various non-cosmetic applications.  Dr. Vartanian has written extensively about Botox facial rejuvenation (see publication section) and has developed several personalized techniques designed to produce the safes and natural-appearing results.   Three-dimensional Botox is one such technique that Dr. Vartanian has demonstrated in the media and on TV.

What is 3-Dimensional Botox?

Dr. Vartanian’s “3-dimensional botox injection” is an advanced way to improve on traditional botox injections.  As a facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Vartanian uses his in-depth three-dimensional knowledge of the face to inject at different levels for maximal botox effectiveness.  Unlike older methods of injecting Botox where the entire face in the same way, this method of injecting botox ensures superior results with customized results.  Dr. Vartanian explains, “Injecting botox is not like throwing darts at predetermined location as described in some manual, rather  it is a careful process of selectively injecting specific muscles to allow for selective treatment of muscles causing wrinkles”.  Dr. Vartanian’s Botox injection techniques minimize the risk for bruising, over-treatment, and other possible complications.   Dr. Vartanian’s injection technique combined with icing techniques and optional skin numbing creams further enhance a relaxed treatment process. 

How long does Botox last?

Botox results are somewhat variable from person to person.  You can generally expect to see results in 1-5 days, although it can take as long as two weeks in some.  Some deeper wrinkles may take longer to go away. The longevity of Botox results can vary. Most people can expect to enjoy the benefits of Botox for 3-4 months.

Rosacea
A chronic acne skin condition, Rosacea can be markedly improved using new and traditional topical medications and avoidance of triggering events.  In addition to topical skin medication, we employ the latest in light-based and laser treatment to allay the annoying consequences of facial redness.  Recent advancements in laser technology have greatly altered and improved the way in which we treat this condition. Today patients can expect less flushing and a prolonged period of improvement following a series of quick laser of intense pulse light treatments. These treatments are painless and can be performed in minutes with no subsequent downtime. Although not a cure for the underlying process, laser and light-based treatments greatly enhance the treatment outcome and are a welcome breakthrough for affected patients. 

Laser Hair Removal
Hair removal technology has undergone significant improvement in the last decade.  It offers for some patients an invaluable option in improving the appearance of undesirable hair-bearing areas. Almost all parts of the body can be treated by laser removal.  Historically, darker skin types were not treated or treated with the expectations of higher complications and lowered expectations.  With the latest laser technologies, skin cooling system, and careful pre-treatment analysis by Dr. Vartanian, we can treat almost any skin type and almost any hair type.   In comparison to the discomfort of razors, waxing, and some other advertised hair removal methods, our laser hair removal provides a great value and benefit to our patients.  During your consultation, Dr. Vartanian will discuss important details about laser hair removal.

How does laser hair removal work?

The laser or light  beam is used to target the melanin pigment naturally found within hair. The dark melanin pigment is only readily available during a portion of the hair growth cycle. At any one time only a percentage of the hairs are in the vulnerable portion of the cycle. Therefore to effectively reach all the hairs in any area it will most likely take more than one treatment.   Melanin, the target of the laser beam also exists in the skin, more so in those with darker skin color or who tan actively.  In the past, tan or dark skin patients were not candidates for laser hair removal.  Fortunately, this is no longer true.  The latest lasers used in our practice are designed to safely bypass this skin melanin and to safely and effectively treat patients of all skin types.  For this reason not all “laser hair removal” services offered are the same.

Skin Rejuvenation
TCertain dark spots and spider veins can be treated with advanced lasers, light-source devices, or peels.  Such spots can be improved and made less obvious with minimal downtime and no surgery.  Skin pigmentation is highly variable and must be examined by Dr. Vartanian prior to any treatment to ensure the type of the skin lesion and the best therapy.   Dr. Vartanian can also evaluate any suspicious spots to rule out a malignancy. For many benign facial spots, like freckles, spider veins we usually recommend at least 3-6 intense pulse light treatments for improved skin appearance.

Skin Peels / Medical Dermabrasion
Premature wrinkling is more common now than ever before. Both men and women seek facial plastic surgery to reverse the effects of sun damaged skin.  Using a number of peels, we can improve the texture of your skin. The skin is composed of the epidermis and the dermis. Within the dermis are two layers, both of which are constructed of collagen, long fibers that loosen and stretch with age and sun damage. If the deepest layer, the reticular layer, is damaged, scars result, while the upper layer of the dermis, the papillary layer, heals from injuries without scarring. In a chemical peel, the surgeon applies one of several chemicals to the skin. Glycolic acid is the mildest. TCA, trichloroacetic acid, can be used in varying strengths for longer-lasting smoothness. The deepest peel is done with phenol. Dr. Vartanian’s Rejuvapeel is medium depth peel designed to safely improve fine-lines and skin texture without the risks of deeper traditional peels.  Rejuvapeel can be also used to improved acne and reduced skin oiliness.  Each skin type requires a customized approach for optimal results.  Dr. Vartanian can recommend the ideal treatment modality during your consultation.

Dermabrasion is a surgical resurfacing technique where by some deeper scars and wrinkles can be smoothed. The surgeon uses a local anesthetic and/or a freezing agent to render the skin numb. Then, using a high speed rotating brush, the surgeon removes the top layer of skin to the appropriate level for the best results. The size and depth of scars and the degree of wrinkling determine the length of the surgery.  Sometimes dermal fillers can also be used to fill in scars.