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Beauty for life

Enhancing your appearance with skin rejuvenation and resurfacing

1.8 Billion was spent on skin rejuvenation procedures in 2012

If you want to improve the appearance of your skin, skin rejuvenation or resurfacing may be right for you.
Skin rejuvenation can be achieved in a number of ways, ranging from laser, light and other energy-based treatments to chemical peels and other non-ablative methods. The result is a smoother, clearer and more youthful appearance to your skin.

What can skin rejuvenation treat?

Skin rejuvenation is a treatment to resurface your skin, or to improve the texture, clarity and overall appearance of your skin.
Conditions that can be treated include:

  • Static wrinkles: These wrinkles are visible at all times and do not change in appearance with facial movements.
  • Dynamic wrinkles: These are expression lines that may appear as folds when the skin is not moving, and deepen with facial movements or expressions.
  • Pigmentation: Freckles, sun spots, melasma, or other darkened patches of skin result mainly from sun exposure.
  • Scars: As the result of acne or injury to the skin, scars may be rolling (a wavy appearance to the skin), pitted, discolored, or have raised borders.
  • Vascular conditions: Blood vessels visible on the surface of the skin, vascular lesions that appear as tiny blood filled blisters or even a constant flush of facial redness.
  • Loss of skin tone: Weakening of the supportive skin structure (collagen and elastin fibers) that results in a loss of skin firmness, or the development of cellulite.

Is it right for me?

While not as involved as surgical cosmetic procedures, skin rejuvenation is a medical procedure. You should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.
Skin rejuvenation is an option for you if:

  • You are physically healthy
  • You don’t smoke
  • You have a positive outlook and specific, but realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance.

One of the most popular anti-aging procedures is skin resurfacing for many reasons.  Please contact the office of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa to see why. Visit us at www.MarkBisharaMD.com or call (817) 473-2120.

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The Steps to Spotless Skin


While some learn to love those tiny brown spots on the tip of the nose, cheeks and shoulders, others look for anything to fade freckled skin. Thankfully, you can lighten unwanted freckles and spots instead of just covering them up with makeup. And, obtaining brighter, smoother, spot-free skin may be easier than you think.  At the office of Dr. Mark Bishara we want to educate our patients about proper skin care and help them improve the health and appearance of their skin.
Protect and Prevent
With a medical name like ephelides, it’s no surprise that freckles get a bad rap. While “simple freckles,” the tiny brown spots on your skin you have had since birth, are harmless, lentigines, or “sunburn freckles,” need to be taken more seriously. Usually larger in size, more red in color and with an irregular border, these spots are sure signs of sun damage. No matter how old you were when you first noticed your freckles, sun exposure can only make them darker and greater in number. The easiest way to prevent freckles from forming is by using sunscreen. “I recommend applying sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30,” says New York and Miami dermatologist Fredric S. Brandt, MD. “No product will effectively lighten skin without the use of sunscreen on a daily basis.”

On the Bright Side
Over-the-counter brighteners can help to even out freckles and spots for more evenly toned skin. The SkinCeuticals line of skin care products offers 3 different product categories to: Prevent, Protect and Correct.  Many of their products help to reduce the appearance of spots, leaving the skin looking luminous and glowing. For more information on the SkinCeuticals products and to find out the right skin care regimen for your skin type and skin condition please visit their website at www.SkinCeuticals.com.  Our office offers the SkinCeuticals skin care line and can also help you choose the right product for you.
Zap Away
For serious long-term freckle fading, laser resurfacing lightens and retexturizes. Unlike chemical peels and microdermabrasion, which just exfoliate, pigment-specific lasers, like the Alma laser systems, specifically destroy pigment in the epidermis and dermis to eliminate discoloration with minimal side effects. Fractional resurfacing lasers poke tiny holes into the skin to deliver a dose of controlled heat to the deeper layers, eliminating freckles from the inside out. Not a laser, but similar in terms of results, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) uses broadband light to diminish freckles. Not all lasers are alike, so it’s important to diagnose your skin accurately prior to treatment.
Please visit our website at www.MarkBisharaMD.com or call us at (817) 473-2120 for more information.

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Different Laser Skin Rejuvenation Treatments


Cosmetic Procedures- Laser Skin Rejuvenation
Today’s lasers can diminish many signs of aging — from early wrinkles and age spots to deep lines and spider veins. A laser procedure often can be performed in less than an hour and may require little or no downtime.
Also Called
Numerous lasers and light devices are used to rejuvenate the skin. These devices are generally grouped into the following categories:

  • Non-ablative laser rejuvenation – No downtime. Best for early signs of aging.
  • Intense pulsed light (IPL) – Not a laser, this light therapy penetrates deeper into the skin than a non-ablative laser. IPL does not injure the surface of the skin, so there is usually no downtime. IPL can improve skin texture and color as well as reduce pore size.
  • Photodynamic therapy (PDT) – This is a two-step procedure. First, a solution that makes the skin more sensitive to light is applied and left on for 30 minutes or longer. Then light from the laser or other source is beamed onto the treated area. Downtime is minimal. PDT decreases redness, reduces age spots and freckles, and improves the overall texture and appearance of the skin.
  • Fractional laser rejuvenation – Offers deeper rejuvenation. Recovery time is short. Best for diminishing signs of aging such as age spots, wrinkles, and skin discoloration.
  • Ablative laser resurfacing – Heats the skin to cause a visible wound, which means some downtime for recovery. Effective for deeper wrinkles and diminishing aging caused by years of unprotected sun exposure. A type of laser called a fractional ablative laser causes no visible wounds. Fractional ablative laser resurfacing requires less downtime than ablative laser resurfacing.

Signs of Aging Treated
Lasers and other light-based devices are used to treat these concerns:

  • Age (sun) spots
  • Dark circles under the eye
  • Dry, dull skin
  • Fine lines
  • Freckles
  • Hand rejuvenation (age spots, loose skin, and lines)
  • Melasma
  • Redness and flushing
  • Scars
  • Seborrheic keratoses (flat only)
  • Skin texture (treats roughness)
  • Skin tone (treats mottled complexion and skin discoloration)
  • Spider veins
  • Stretch marks
  • Tattoos (removal)
  • Unwanted hair
  • Varicose veins
  • Wrinkles




When Do You See Results from Laser Skin Rejuvenation
Improvement is gradual. It may take several months to see the full effects. When a laser that does not require downtime is used, a series of treatments may be necessary to see the desired results. The number of treatments varies from person to person; however, between 3 and 6 treatments is the norm.
Effectiveness
Research shows that laser rejuvenation can dramatically reduce fine lines around the eyes and mouth and on the cheeks. With 1 treatment, age spots can be diminished by 50% and may be completely eliminated with follow-up treatments. Laser skin resurfacing can significantly reduce deep lines, effectively remove some shallow scars, and tighten the skin.
While lasers may sound like magic wands, they are not. It is important to have realistic expectations. Laser skin rejuvenation can be effective, but does not work for everyone.
Some skin tightening is possible, but lasers cannot produce the same degree of lifting seen after a surgical facelift or eyelid lift. Wrinkles caused by constant muscle movement such as frown lines can be hard to treat with lasers alone. Another procedure such as botulinum rejuvenation may be used along with a laser to obtain the desired results.
How Long Results Last
It is possible to permanently remove some signs of aging such as a spider vein, age spot, or scar. However, laser skin rejuvenation cannot stop the skin from continuing to age. Crow’s feet may re-appear and new age spots can develop. Because sun exposure accelerates signs of aging, protecting the skin from sun exposure will lengthen the amount of time that the results last. Protecting the skin from the sun also can prevent some signs of aging from re-appearing such as blotchy skin and dark patches.
The office of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa offers many laser skin rejuvenation procedures.  If you are considering a laser or other light-based treatments to rejuvenate your skin please contact our office and speak with one of our aestheticians to find out more information.  Please call (817) 473-2120 or visit our Website at www.MarkBisharaMD.com.
 

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Laser Skin Resurfacing and Laser Hair Removal

Your skin spends all day every day protecting your body from the elements. Over the years, the toll of being the first line of defense against the sun, wind, toxins, UV rays, and cigarette smoke, not to mention stress and poor nutrition, begins to show. The skin loses the smoothness and resilience it once had, and fine lines appear near the eyes, the mouth, the forehead, and across the cheeks. While facelift surgery is the optimal treatment for deep creases and jowls, skin rejuvenation procedures at our offices in Mansfield and Southlake corrects sun-damaged skin, unevenly pigmented skin, and age spots.

Dr. Mark Bishara’s Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa offers a variety of laser treatments for correction of skin tone and texture, acne, fine lines and wrinkles, spider veins, unwanted hair, and tattoo removal.

Skin Resurfacing

One of the most popular anti-aging procedures that improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scars and various other texture concerns. Minimal downtime is expected.
Skin resurfacing can be used to treat:

  • Wrinkles
  • Sun damage
  • Crow’s feet
  • Brown spots
  • Blotchiness
  • Precancerous growths
  • Acne
  • Chicken pox scars
  • Superficial facial scars

ClearLift- Non-Ablative Fractional Skin Remodeling

A great alternative to skin resurfacing. Offers significant improvement to fine lines, wrinkles, and scarring without downtime or discomfort.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is ideal for patients with dark hair and light skin, although nearly anyone with unwanted facial or body hair can benefit from this procedure. This procedure can be performed on the lip, chin, neck, back, arms, legs, bikini area and more.
After laser hair removal, patients may experience redness, puffiness and sunburn sensations for the first few days. You may return to work and other regular activities as soon as you feel comfortable. Three to seven days after treatment, patients may notice what appears to be a re-growth of hair, but is actually a shedding of the treated hair, which will fall out and not grow back.
Since hairs grow at different times, multiple treatments will be needed for all patients at intervals of four to six weeks. Virtually pain-free, safely and visibly reduces unwanted hair over a series of 6-9 treaments.

  • Lip
  • Face
  • Arms (Full)
  • Arms (Upper or Lower)
  • Legs (Full)
  • Legs (Upper or Lower)
  • Chest
  • Chest and Abdomen
  • Chin
  • Underarms
  • Brazilian Bikini
  • Bikini
  • Neck
  • Face and Neck
  • Back
  • Buttocks

Dr. Bishara and the Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med spa offer many more laser treatments for the face and body as well as injectables, such as Botox, Xeomin, Juvederm Ultra Plus XC and the NEW Juvederm Voluma.  Please visit our website for more information at www.MarkBisharaMD.com or call our office at (817) 473-2120.
 

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It's Winter Time, Be Kind To Your Skin


As winter is upon us, you have probably noticed that you skin is getting dryer. This is common and we see changes in our skin throughout the seasons of the year. And, your skin will require different care and treatment depending upon the season of the year. So what should you be doing differently? Glad you asked.
With the cold, you skin needs better protection. And many times this means preserving the natural oils that protect our skin, or adding to them. So, here are some tips for you.
Ease up exfoliants
Many cleansers and other skin care products we use contain chemicals such as the alpha hydroxyl acids (think glycolic acid) which will help with exfoliation or skin cell turn over. These are great for making your skin look fresher, but they also can dry out your skin. So, you may want to tone it down during the winter months. If there is a product like this that you use every day, back off to using it every other day, or once or twice a week.
You may also need to change your facial cleanser, or change other products. Since you skin’s needs are different with the seasons, you may need to change your products with the seasons as well. Consider moving from your glycolic cleanser to a gentler one, or one which also moisturizes or hydrates. Or add a hydrating product to your antioxidant products. And play around with things. If you head to Colorado to ski, know that it may be colder and more arid than you home. So, alter your skin care plan as you need to.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
You really need to moisturize, but then I may already have said this. And, everyone will tell you that it is best to apply our moisturizer while your skin is still a little damp. This applies to your face, your hands, and the rest of your body. In addition to keeping in your body’s own oils, the moisturizer will also help to protect you skin as a barrier to the cold.
The hands actually take a bigger hit with the cold than anywhere else on your body. So, keep a good hand moisturizer around and use if often, especially if you wash your hands a lot during the days. And gloves. When it’s cold outside, be nice your hands and protect them from the wind and cold.
Long hot shower are not good for you
When you’ve been outside and need to warm up, many of use hop in the shower and turn up the heat. We may even stay there until the hot water heater gives out. But, this is not good for us. The hotter the water, the more it removes you skin natural oils and barriers. And, the longer you are in the shower, the more this happens. So, go with warm water not scalding hot. And leave some hot water for everyone else in the house!
Give you skin a treat
While long hot showers are out, a soak in a warm tub can be great especially if you add something to the bath water. If you have a lot of irritation, try an oatmeal bath. Baking soda can also work. And if you are looking for some added moisture, add a couple tablespoons of olive oil. You can even use olive oil and oatmeal together (but I would leave out the balsamic vinegar…just saying).
Continue to protect
You still need your sunscreen! Even though the days are shorter and we are all looking for sun to cure our affective seasonal disorder, those beneficial rays can still burn. So continue to use your sunscreen. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use a skin care product, or makeup with sunscreen in it. And, if you heading up to the mountains to ski, or down to the Caribbean to escape the cold, get some high test sun screen, and reapply it often.
It doesn’t take too much to take care of your skin during the winter, but a little goes a long way. Just remember that your body’s natural oils are your friend, and what you do for your skin in the summer is not what your skin will need in the winter.

At Dr. Mark Bishara’s office we help educate our patients about proper skin care.  We have many laser procedures that help revitalize and rejuvenate your skin.  We also have an extensive line of SkinCeuticals products and our aestheticians can help tell you which products will prevent, protect and correct any skins damage.  Please call our office for more information at (817) 473-2120 or visit our website at www.MarkBisharaMD.com.

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