The Everett Herald
“What can I do for my skin?” The answers to this question are much different than even 5 years ago, says Victoria Stocker, M.D., of Lumina Laser and Medical Skin Care in Everett. With recent medical advances, more people than ever can find convenient, long-term solutions to aesthetic skin concerns.
First, use an spf 20 or higher UVA&B sunscreen daily. Even on a cloudy day, damaging UVA rays contribute to premature aging or worse. “Much of what we used to think of as ‘aging skin’ is really sun-damaged skin,” says Dr. Stocker. For example, sun damage can play a significant role in wrinkles, facial veins, and sun spots on the face, hands & arms.
Major medical advances have brought new solutions to these and other skin conditions. And, no, you don’t have to go to Seattle. Dr. Stocker’s skin care office in Everett is home to some of the most advanced non-surgical skin solutions available. “In the right hands, laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology is now so effective, comfortable, and safe, that it has become the new gold standard,” says Dr. Stocker, who’s helped patients with skin conditions for a decade.
The laser/IPL is excellent for Rosacea, Sunspots, Spider Veins of the legs, and even permanent treatment of unwanted Facial & Body Hair. Spider veins may require just one treatment. Hair removal needs 4-5 sessions. The Palomar Starlux at Lumina has the power of a laser, while patented triple-cooling technology makes it much gentler than lasers. This brings us “a new era in effectiveness as well as patient comfort.” Patients are pleasantly surprised that numbing cream isn’t needed. The creams have rare but potentially serious side effects if overused. While treatments of the past required days-to-weeks of healing, minimal downtime is now the norm.
Photofacials are an IPL specialty at Lumina. Advanced techniques reduce fine lines, resolve redness & brown patches, and stimulate collagen to rebuild healthy, resilient skin. “Skin rejuvenation is about more than aesthetics, really,” says Dr. Stocker. “We’re not just improving the skin’s appearance. In many cases, we’re actually making the skin healthier. Imagine if shoe shopping decreased your cholesterol. It’s that good!” And when your doctor offers the range of non-surgical aesthetics, she can tailor a program to just what your skin needs.
One of the most highly sought after treatment is Botox for lines & wrinkles. It reduces frown lines, forehead lines, pucker lines, and crows feet. “Botox quiets the muscle so that we’re not folding a permanent crease into the skin,” Dr. Stocker said. Injections cause minimal discomfort in experienced hands, and mild redness resolves in minutes. Botox does not numb or “freeze” the face, is quite affordable, and is very gentle. Botox also treats hyperhydrosis (excessive underarm sweating). It is strong enough to treat severe medical hyperhydrosis, yet easy enough that brides seek treatment to protect a special wedding gown from perspiration damage.
Fillers such as Restylane and collagens can be used to fill in where our natural collagen has been lost. They are used in areas such as the deep lines from the nose to corners of the mouth, deep acne scars, and replacing lost collagen in the lips. When skillfully performed by an experienced medical professional, both Botox and filler treatments provide a wonderfully natural and refreshed look.
Another advance in technology is seen in Blu-U treatments. Blu-U is a unique light wavelength that kills acne-causing bacteria. For resistant acne or skin too sensitive for prescriptions, a series of Blu-U treatments can help. Levulan, a simple amino acid, can be applied to the skin to boost the treatments’ effectiveness. This combination, known as photodynamic therapy, is also FDA-approved to treat a one type of skin pre-cancer.
Of modern skin care, Dr. Stocker notes, “When patients finish their treatments, it really does look like we turned back the clock. But our patients more often embrace their age than worry about it. They come in saying, Ok, here’s where I am. Now, what can we do for my skin?”