As the holiday season comes around, many of us start thinking about what we can do to look our best.  This may mean getting some special clothes, hair styles, or cosmetic treatments.  When considering rejuvenating or enhancing cosmetic treatments, timing is crucial.  For instance, Botox lasts 3 months and doesn’t take full effect for 1 week.  So, there’s no rush to get it for a special occasion that is 3 months away, but you should give it at least a week, and possibly more if you are prone to bruising.  Other injectable treatments, such as Juvederm and Radiesse, have instant results but may have some swelling or bruising that takes a few days to resolve.  Fraxel, should be done at least 2 weeks prior to a an engagement since there may be some redness or roughness to the skin after treatment.  Laser tattoo removal requires multiple treatments, so timing is not that important.  Chemical peels are variable but at least a week should be allowed.  Other esthetician treatments, such as facials and microdermabrasion are less invasive and a day may suffice, depending on the treatment.

At TMD Medispa, we use the Fraxel Re:store.  This is the upgraded Fraxel that penetrates deeply using fractionated erbium glass laser (to 1500 nanometers) and does not require blue dye.  The original Fraxel employed blue dye and did not penetrate as deeply.  Since it is non-ablative, it can be used on a broad range of skin colors and types.  It is not the same as the Fraxel Re:pair, which uses a fractionated carbon dioxide laser.  The Re:pair is a highly aggressive laser treatment which requires more advanced anesthesia and is much higher risk than Fraxel Re:store.  It was also released more recently, so the technology is not as mature as the Fraxel Re:store.

When you choose a Fraxel Re:store treatment, you can be assured that you are signing up for an aggressive and effective yet safe treatment.  During your free consultation, your clinician will help determine if Fraxel Re:store laser resurfacing treatment is right for you.

Fraxel is a premium laser treatments for skin resurfacing and rejuvenation.  Unlike conventional laser treatments and chemical peels, Fraxel targets only a percentage of the skin during each treatment, so a deeper, more effective treatment can be delivered safely.  As with most things though, combining different modalities of treatments maximizes the unique positive effects of each one.

Botox can be combined with Fraxel by working on deeper wrinkles, while Fraxel works on skin texture and finer wrinkles.  Deep wrinkles caused by muscles of facial expression can only be improved with Botox and fillers.  Together, Botox and Fraxel are powerful tools in improving facial wrinkles.  They can even both be performed on the same day.

Fraxel and IPL Photofacials may also be combined.  Redness and sunspots are the specialty of IPL (Intense Pulsed Light).  These usually come about from aging and sun damage.  Fraxel is great for smoothing the texture and fine wrinkles in such photo-aged skin but the results are even better when combined with IPL.  These treatments do need to be performed on different days.  Also, IPL Photofacials are restricted to lighter skin tones.

Check out our monthly specials for super deals this month on combination Fraxel treatments.

We throw big Botox parties at TMD now and then.  These are fun and the patients that attend tell us that the experience is very enjoyable.  Some people may prefer to have their own “private Botox party.”  Now you can arrange a private Botox party for you and at least two others at TMD Medispa.  If you schedule at least you and 2 friends back to back to get Botox treatment, everyone receives Botox for only $9/unit.*  We will even provide refreshments!  Call to inquire on how to set this up!

*Minimum 10 units per person to qualify for special pricing.

Due to a policy change at Care Credit, TMD Medispa will continue to offer 0% Financing through Care Credit.  Care Credit allows qualified borrowers to get 0% financing and other low-interest financing for medical and cosmetic procedures.  We will continue to also offer MyMedicalLoan.com as well.  Please see our financing page for our current offering.

As of August, 31, 2009, we are switching to Mymedicalloan.com from Care Credit, to provide cosmetic and laser financing for our patients.   Mymedicalloan will provide the same level of service as CareCredit, if not better.  If you currently have a Care Credit balance, we urge you to consider using it at TMD prior to August 31.  You could buy store credit or charge up a gift card if you are not sure what you will want in the future

TMD Medispa now offers hot stone massage as an add-on to facials as well as the Hot Stone Facial.  Experience the ultimate in peace and relaxation. Smooth, heated basalt stones are strategically arranged on pressure points on the face and body, relieving stressed facial and neck muscles and creating a sense of balance throughout the body.

This relaxing facial is priced at $105, but for a limited time, we are offering it for only $95.  Call 310-312-1231 to schedule your appointment with our esthetician today!

Zerona is a new fat-dissolving non-invasive laser that is coming to TMD Medispa this month.  Zerona is a low-level laser that triggers a chemical reaction in the cell membranes of fat cells, causing them to deflate and lose their fat.  It does this without any sensation of heat or pain.  In the randomized, placebo-controlled study submitted to the FDA, Zerona has shown that test patients lost an average of 3.5 inches of circumference, while placebo patients lost only .7!

The Zerona protocol involves six 40 minute treatments roughly every other day for 2 weeks.  Results are measurable immediately at the end of the 2 week period and are sustained 2 weeks beyond that.  No rigorous diet or exercise plan is required to achieve these results.  This procedure has the potential to open a whole new world of safe, painless and gentle laser lipolysis.

Stay tuned to our website, as we will announce once we are ready to begin treatments.

You can also find out more at http://myzerona.com

Until recently, Botox, made by Allergan, was the only formulation of botulinum toxin approved for the treatment of eyebrow lines and wrinkles in the United States.  Dysport is a brand of botulinum toxin made by Ipsen in the United Kingdom.  Dysport is a different formulation of botulinum that is of a different size and different chemical properties.  The recommended amount of botulinum measured in units is different for each brand for treatment of glabellar (between the eyebrows) wrinkles.  At this time, Dysport has also been FDA-approved for this indication.
Also, Dysport is a single-use vial, but a single vial of Botox can be used for different patients.

There are some studies comparing Botox to Dysport.  In the October, 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, both botulinum toxin formulations were compared against each other in a double-blind study looking at efficacy in treatment of glabellar wrinkles.  The recommended amounts of each botulinum toxin were injected in a total of 62 patients.  Results were significantly better for Botox over Dysport at 12 and 16 weeks.  There were no significant differences in adverse effects.  Given these results, it appears that for now, Botox offers a better clinical value and better efficacy over Dysport.

At TMD Medispa, we will continue to monitor clinical research related to botulinum toxin and other cosmetic procedures so that we can provide the best possible service to our patients.

TMD Medispa is adding hot stone massage therapy to our menu of esthetician services.  The hot stone technique uses smooth basalt stones that are heated as part of facial and body massage.  This service will be added as an upgrade to the variety of esthetician services currently available at TMD as well as a stand-alone service.  We will likely begin to offer hot stone massage starting in July.