COVID-19 Protocol at Pellé

Covid-19 No Comments
At Pellé Medical Skincare, proper hygiene, sanitation and maintaining a healthy environment for our clients and staff is and always has been a top priority. Due to COVID-19 we are taking extra measures to go above and beyond our normal protocol to ensure the health and safety of our clients and staff, as we continue with business as usual. We will be wearing masks and using the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times. To adapt to this new normal, we have changed our usual protocols and want to share these changes with you.

• Please arrive no sooner than your scheduled appointment time as it will help us observe social distancing.

• Since the number of clients that can be seen each day will be limited, punctuality is now a necessity. If you are 10 minutes late for your appointment, we will not be able to accommodate you.

• If you need to replenish products, please come to your appointment with a list of items you wish to purchase so that we can prepare your order during your service.

• To ensure compliance, wear your own mask prior to entering the office. We will take your temperature upon arrival.

• Please do not come to our office if you have a fever, feel ill, or have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19 or potential exposure to COVID-19.

• We will ask you to sign a consent for treatment. Please click here to review.

• Clients are to come alone to their appointment.

• If you need product in between appointments, please call the office. We will take payment over the phone and assign you a safe time to pick it up. 

Please be patient with us as we will do our very best to provide you with the same excellence in skincare services under these unparalleled circumstances. If you have any questions prior to your scheduled appointment, please don’t hesitate to call the office at 513-272-0064.

Microneedling: Everything You Need to Know

acne, Aging, Micro-Needling, Pigmentation, Wendy Ashley, wrinkles No Comments

(Photo: Shutterstock)

I get asked all the time about microneedling. When someone finds out this is something I have performed as part of my practice, questions are sure to follow. Just this past week, my cousin who lives out of state called me to specifically ask what microneedling was, do I perform it and what kinds of results do I see.

I want to start by saying, microneedling is my FAVORITE service to perform and my personal favorite for my skin. I find the recovery and results to be consistent and predictable. Downtime is minimal and comfortable.

So, I thought it was time to share 6 of my most commonly asked questions and maybe help shed some light on this awesome treatment.

What is microneedling exactly?

Microneedling is a treatment performed with a small, medical grade appliance, typically resembling a fat marker or highlighter. Each treatment is performed with a new, clean, sterile needle head. That needle head, or cartridge, contains 12, 33 gage (very small) needles, clustered together, that pulse up and down, in a vertical and oscillating motion, at varying depths and speeds, controlled by the practitioner. This process creates micro channels, as we make passes along the skin. This purposeful wounding, in turn, encourages the body’s reparative system to step up and produce collagen and elastin.

What will microneedling do for my skin?

As we age, we experience volume loss that results in lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. This volume loss is the result of a decrease in collagen production. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in our bodies and the primary component of our connective tissue. We need collagen to give our skin structure. Microneedling is a collagen inducing therapy, thereby, directly encouraging new collagen production. Our patients experience a change in texture, firmness, discoloration and overall health and appearance of their skin. Think of this amazing “pen” style appliance as erasing evidence of how time and the environment have effected your skin.

Can’t I just buy one of those face rollers and use it as home?

I get this one a lot. Especially as the home rollers popularity has increased in the last 3 or 4 years due to a popular sell from home skin care line. Even as a trained professional, I cannot imagine picking up one of those use at home “weapons” and taking it to my face. The first difference I point out is how painful that must feel. When we microneedle a patient, we apply a topical numbing cream. Here at Pelle Medical Skincare, this cream is specially formulated for our microneedling treatments and makes the experience so much more comfortable. We all have heard the old saying, beauty is pain. But, at least in this case, it doesn’t have to be.

Second, there is a huge difference in the process of microneedling versus a roller. A roller performs as such, in a rolling motion, with metal spikes, thru your tissue. This causes additional, unnecessary tissue damage. With that rolling motion, there is a dragging, tugging even tearing that occurs that does nothing to aid in what you are trying to accomplish with this type of treatment. And actually, creates unnecessary inflammation that lasts days longer than the treatment performed with the straight up and down, controlled motion of the microneedling appliance.

What will I look like after the treatment?

Another popular question. Especially with celebrities like Kim Kardashian posting pictures of her after pictures of her microneedling, people are freaked out about what they will look like when we are finished. Immediately after we are finished with your treatment, you will be red and flushed, as if you have had too much sun. Some experience small red dots for a few hours or a day. But for the majority, by the end of 24 hours, you will look like yourself and you are welcome to wear make-up. The minimal amount of downtime, is one of the many reasons I love microneedling for my clients and even myself.

Is microneedling only good for anti-aging?

No. While microneedling is a great tool for patients looking to address their aging concerns, it is also very useful in treating acne and scars left behind by acne. It’s great for treating pigmentation, whether hormonal, post acne or sun damage. A little-known fact is that we can even treat aging and pigmentation concerns on the BACK OF YOUR HANDS!

Is one treatment enough to see the difference I want to see in my skin?

In most cases, you are going to see the best results after 6 consistent treatments. By consistent I mean every 6 weeks. We are treating and correcting your concerns on a deep, cellular level. It takes times to see the optimal results. But trust me, you are going to see results. Of course, there are patients that have needed more than 6, but the majority are very happy after six treatments. We always recommend having maintenance microneedling sessions once or twice a year.

Fortunately, microneedling pairs nicely with the other treatments you are already doing for your skin, such as dermaplaning and peels. You can continue your already established regimen and add microneedling in every 6 weeks. Our amazing ladies here at Pelle will work closely with you to customize the best regimen and home care to optimize your results.

My guess is, these 6 questions have probably brought up more questions for you. I would love to hear from you and get you all the information you need. Feel free to email Pellé or call and schedule a consultation at 513.272.0064.

— Article by Wendy Ashley, LMA

 

What is Sclerotherapy?

Julie Driscoll, Sclerotherapy, Veins No Comments

Do you find yourself hiding your legs under long skirts and pants because you’re embarrassed about those unsightly spider veins all over your legs? Sclerotherapy could be the solution for you!

Sclerotherapy is a simple procedure used to improve the appearance of spider veins on the legs. The veins are injected with a solution called a sclerosing agent, more commonly known as saline. This solution irritates the inner lining of the vein causing it to close and eventually reabsorb into the body.

Most people who have sclerotherapy performed see good improvement. Only 10% have poor to fair results meaning the veins have not totally disappeared after six treatments. Almost everyone needs more than one treatment, the average being three to four and the most being six.

There is very little downtime associated with Sclerotherapy. You will need to wear support hose for a few days after the procedure. Walking is encouraged and regular exercise and activities can be resumed after three days.

If you have any questions regarding Sclerotherapy, or would like to schedule an appointment, please call our office at 272-0064.

 

What Is All The Buzz Around Micro-needling?

acne, Chris Klueh, Micro-Needling, Pigmentation, wrinkles No Comments

Whether you call it skin needling, micro-needling or collagen induction therapy, it’s all the same thing…. a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation procedure. Pellé Medical Skincare has it, and we are calling it Micro-needling. The areas of the body that can be treated include the face, neck, décolleté and hands.


The micro-needling procedure starts with applying a topical anesthetic for patient comfort, as an electronic device, holding a sterile cartridge of 12 fine gage needles, moves across the skin at an extremely high rate of speed. As the needles move, they vertically puncture the skin, and tiny holes or micro-channels are created. This process of creating micro-channels, also known as a controlled wound, stimulates the skin to create collagen and elastin formation into the channels themselves. As a result, there is improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, acne scaring, pore size, firmness and pigmentation just to mention a few. Because there is no tissue destruction, the healing process begins right away. Depending on the depth of correction, a patient may look as if they have a sunburn following treatment that lasts from 1 – 3 or 4 days, up to a week. Specific instructions will be given at the time of treatment, and make-up can be used the following day.

 

This is not a one and done procedure. It requires anywhere rom 4, 6 or 8 treatments four to six weeks apart depending on the correction needed. Initial results are seen after one treatment, however lasting and more significant results will occur after 4-6 treatments and will continue to improve over the next 6-12 months. Micro-needling is safe, chemical free and can be used on all skin colors and types. It is sometimes the preferred treatment over laser since there is no risk of burning.

Finally, beware of dermal rollers that are being sold for home use. These rollers do not create precise vertical micro-channels, and can actually tear the skin due to the rolling nature of the device. They also cannot be properly sterilized at home. These two things together can cause inconsistent and traumatic results to the skin, as well as infection.

If you have any questions regarding micro-needling, or would like to schedule a package, please call the Pellé office at 513-272-0064 and we will be happy to assist you!

Look at some of these amazing results – see what micro-needling can do for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buyer Beware: What You See, Isn’t Always What You Get

Heather Duda, pharmaceutical grade No Comments

Recently, I have been getting the question “Is the skincare that is being sold via Facebook any good?”.

I constantly remind my patients that there are big differences in pharmaceutical grade skin care products and over-the-counter (OTC) skincare.

OTC skincare is defined as anything that can be sold without a prescription, online or purchased from a store. Pharmaceutical grade products must be sold under the discretion of a licensed physician and are NOT available for purchase on-line.

The skin is composed of 2 layers — the epidermis and the dermis layer. The epidermis layer is the outermost layer of the skin and consists of dead skin. It’s main function is to act as a barrier. The dermis layer is the living layer full of live cells and contains collagen and elastic fibers. These two components, collagen and elastin, in speaking about skin care are vitally important because they hold the key in creating more healthy, youthful looking skin. If a product doesn’t have the ability to reach the dermis layer of the skin, then the product doesn’t have the capability to dramatically change the health of the skin. OTC products do NOT have this ability.

There are two main reasons why OTC skincare products don’t have the ability to penetrate through the epidermis layer into the dermis layer.

  1. The pH balance of products must be acidic to reach the dermis layer because our skin pH is slightly acidic. Therefore, for a product to be able to penetrate through the epidermis layer, it must be acidic. All of the products sold OTC are alkaline based. This is because these products are sold to the masses. On the other hand, Pharmaceutical grade products are acidic and have the ability to reach the dermis layer.
  2. Pharmaceutical grade products also contain higher levels of active ingredients so that they have the ability to reach the dermis layer of skin where the live cells are housed. OTC products might contain some of the same ingredients but it’s important to remember that the quantities of these ingredients are not high enough to reach the dermis layer of skin.

The reason why OTC products don’t contain high levels of active ingredients and are alkaline based is because if a patient were to use OTC skincare products improperly, a patient could suffer minor skin burns or irritation. With pharmaceutical grade skincare, a medical professional is instructing a patient on the products proper use of the product and maintaining records of this instruction for liability reasons.

Another thing to look for when purchasing some of the skincare kits offered on-line are the ingredients that their products contain. For example, one of the popular skin care lines sold on Facebook, uses a chemical called Avobenzone as their active ingredient for protecting our skin from UVA rays. Avobenzone is a chemical that has been listed as dangerous because it degrades in the sun, resulting in the release of free radicals which increase our risk of developing cancer. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the sun’s rays and dispersing them. The problem is that the warming up of the skin cells can still cause premature aging. All Pharmaceutical grade products contain physical blocks, not chemicals. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the only physical blocks available. These blocks work by deflecting the rays off our skin.

So what did we learn? Get educated about the products you are investing in because OTC products are often just as expensive as pharmaceutical grade products but don’t live up to the claims they make about drastically improving the skin. Pharmaceutical grade products also have clinical backing to support their claims, unlike OTC brands. So be smart and invest wisely.

Got questions? Ask one of our Skincare Nurse Specialists — we are happy to discuss your options!

9 Guidelines for Skin Cancer Prevention

skin cancer, Skin Cancer Awareness Month No Comments

1. Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.

2. Do not burn.

3. Avoid tanning and never use UV tanning beds.

4. Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

5. Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB)sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

6. Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

7. Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.

8. Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.

9. See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

 

Source: skincancer.org

Identifying Different Types of Skin Cancer

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What is Basal Cell Skin Cancer?
The most frequently occurring form of skin cancer is Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC). BCCs are abnormal, uncontrolled growths or lesions that arise in the skin’s basal cells, which line the deepest layer of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin). BCCs often look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, or scars and are usually caused by a combination of cumulative and intense, occasional sun exposure.

BCC almost never spreads (metastasizes) beyond the original tumor site. Only in exceedingly rare cases can it spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening. It shouldn’t be taken lightly, though: it can be disfiguring if not treated promptly.

In 2010, an estimated 2.8 million cases of BCC were diagnosed in the U.S., and the figures have continued to climb. In fact, BCC is the most frequently occurring form of all cancers. More than one out of every three new cancers is a skin cancer, and the vast majority are BCC

What is Squammous Cell Skin Cancer?
The second most common form of skin cancer, Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells arising in the squamous cells, which compose most of the skin’s upper layers (the epidermis). SCCs often look like scaly red patches, open sores, elevated growths with a central depression, or warts; they may crust or bleed. They can become disfiguring and sometimes deadly if allowed to grow. An estimated 700,000 cases of SCC are diagnosed each year in the US, and between 3,900 and 8,800 people died from the disease in the US in 2012. Incidence of the disease has increased up to 200 percent in the past three decades in the US.

SCC is mainly caused by cumulative ultraviolet (UV) exposure over the course of a lifetime; daily year-round exposure to the sun’s UV light, intense exposure in the summer months, and the UV produced by tanning beds all add to the damage that can lead to SCC.

SCCs may occur on all areas of the body including the mucous membranes and genitals, but are most common in areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the rim of the ear, lower lip, face, balding scalp, neck, hands, arms and legs. Often the skin in these areas reveals telltale signs of sun damage, including wrinkles, pigment changes, freckles, “age spots,” loss of elasticity, and broken blood vessels.

What is Melanoma?
The most dangerous form of skin cancer, these cancerous growths develop when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations (genetic defects) that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. These tumors originate in the pigment-producing melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis. Melanomas often resemble moles; some develop from moles. The majority of melanomas are black or brown, but they can also be skin-colored, pink, red, purple, blue or white. Melanoma is caused mainly by intense, occasional UV exposure (frequently leading to sunburn), especially in those who are genetically predisposed to the disease. Melanoma kills an estimated 9,940 people in the US annually.

If melanoma is recognized and treated early, it is almost always curable, but if it is not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal. While it is not the most common of the skin cancers, it causes the most deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that at present, more than 135,000 new cases of melanoma in the US are diagnosed in a year. In 2015, an estimated 73,870 of these will be invasive melanomas, with about 42,670 in males and 31,200 in women.

The ABCDE’s of Melanoma

Skin cancer can develop anywhere on the skin. Ask someone for help when checking your skin, especially in hard to see places. If you notice a mole that is different from others, or that changes, itches or bleeds (even if it is small), you should see a dermatologist.

A: Asymmetry – the two halves of the lesion are not mirror images.
B: Border Irregularity: The edges are blurred, jagged or notched.
C: Color Variation: The pigment is not uniform. The lesion has shades of tan, brown, or black.
D: Diameter: Lesions are bigger than a pencil eraser.
E: Evolution or Change: Lesions show growth.

ABCD

(chart source: AAD.org)

(content source: skincancer.org)

Vitamin C in Skin Care

Delaney Lambert, skincare, Sunblock, Vitamin C Comments Off
Vitamin C is a powerful serum antioxidant that is applied topically to the skin once a day, and aids in the correction of the premature aging process. It does this by creating a barrier in the deeper part of the skin where the living skin cells exist and protects them from free radical damage – also known as oxidative stress. Because of this created barrier, Vitamin C helps the skin function at a more optimal level improving the health of the skin, which in turn, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improves the texture of the skin and enhances cellular hydration. All very positive side effects of using this topical powerhouse.

What are free radicals?
Free radicals are unstable molecules that have the ability to cause significant cellular damage. This cellular damage is known as oxidative stress. The free radicals cause wrinkles in the skin by breaking down collagen and elastin that lie in the deeper layers. These nasty molecules are produced through normal bodily processes, as well as being released from external sources such as the sun, air pollution, and tobacco smoke. Free radicals also attack DNA and RNA on the cell nucleus, causing cellular damage and death. What does that mean to you? Rough, dull, crepe thin skin.

Why is a topical antioxidant needed?
Antioxidants that are taken in orally through our food sources and supplements are grate for protecting our internal body, keeping our body healthy and fighting off many disease processes. But because our skin’s blood supply is spread out over such a large area (the skin the the largest organ of the human body), the higher concentration of our oral antioxidants is lost. Therefore, a topical application of Vitamin C is necessary to obtain optimal antioxidant protection.

This product should be applied once daily in the morning on clean dry skin followed by a sunscreen containing zinc, titanium or a combination of both. Once Vitamin C is applied, it can not be removed. It gets down into the deeper part of the skin, so sweating, showering and swimming can not take it off. It is a primary component to any medical skin care regimen; an absolute ”can’t live without” product!

If you have any more questions about Vitamin C, please contact the Skincare Nurse Specialists at Pellé.

The Jessner’s Peel: What It Is and What to Expect

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Source: ©HBO

Are you having visions of Samantha from Sex and The City right now?! The bright red swollen face, hiding out for a week? No worries! That is definitely NOT what a Jessner’s Peel is. This peel is a moderate chemical treatment that can be administered as a single treatment, or as a series of 3 treatments over an 8 week period. The series builds on the effect of each prior chemical application. Whether you choose to do a single treatment or partake in the slightly more aggressive series, both will produce improvement in the texture, brightness and luminosity of your skin.

The actual treatment itself consists of up to 3 applications of the Jessner’s solution, followed by a single application of Retinoic acid. At this time, your skin may feel warm with some prickliness. This feeling will subside within a few minutes, as the solution moves through the skin. Once the chemical movement in the skin stops, your skin will immediately feel firmer, smoother and tighter. A heavy moisturizer and UV protectant will be applied before you leave the office and go about your day. The most important post treatment activity a patient can do, is to keep the skin heavily moisturized and protected with a UV protectant. Your skin care nurse can make the appropriate recommendations for both.

Within 24-48 hours of the chemical application, actual peeling will begin. Oh, not the scary peeling that Samantha had! Absolutely not! This type of peeling is more like a sunburn peel, and the entire peeling process will take approximately 3-5 days. No hiding out or wearing disguises! At day 7, you come back into the office for dermaplaning. Dermaplaning is a manual, light scraping of the skin that helps with getting the last little bit of residual dead skin off. It is included in the cost of the peel and once complete, bright, new healthy skin will be revealed!

Have any other questions? Please stop in or give us a call.

Skincare & Chemotherapy

Breast Cancer Awareness, Chemotherapy, Heather Duda, Heather Woods, iS Clinical, skincare Comments Off

For patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, the most common complaint with their skin is dryness and irritation. If the skin becomes severely dry it can be more susceptible to infection which is a scary place to be for a patient whose immunity is already compromised.

Here are some tips to help prevent problems with dry skin during chemotherapy:

• avoid hot showers and baths

• use fragrance free soaps and laundry detergents

• use thick creams for moisturizers as opposed to lotions

• after each hand washing moisturize hands

• for dry flaky skin use ammonium lactate cream, available by prescription or over the counter

• use SPF 30, broad spectrum protection on skin to prevent sunburn as chemotherapy makes one more susceptible to sunburn

• drink plenty of fluids, 2-3 quarts of non alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids a day

• wear clothes made of cotton

Pellé Medical Skincare also carries a cancer care line by iS Clinical. The iS cancer care line provides skin care solutions for patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. These products specifically address the needs of cancer patients. The line contains extremely powerful antioxidants to protect against free-radical damage generated from the environment as a result of certain cancer treatment therapies. Medical literature gives an overwhelming support to the use of antioxidants during cancer treatment. They have been shown to improve the outcome of cancer treatments and reduce the side effects from such treatments. The cancer care line products combine ingredients that strengthen cellular health and integrity and increase micro-circulation. The line utilizes proven cancer preventative ingredients and offers the safest, most advanced form of UV protection.

Skin dryness is not the only skin issue that arises with radiation and chemotherapy. Many patients suffer from burns and hyperpigmentation as well. The iS Clinical Cancer line has products to combat against these side effects as well.

If you, or someone you know is suffering from chemotherapy or radiation-related skin problems, contact a skincare nurse specialist at Pellé at 513-272-0064.

(Sources: www.isclinical.com & www.chemocare.com)