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!

We all know the importance of using an SPF when we hit the beach, relax by the pool or perform as a weekend warrior in the great outdoors. However, do you know what ingredients to look for in your lotions in order to get the best UV protection?

Two key ingredients to look for that will provide you with the greatest protection is zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Both of these ingredients are physical properties and act in a way in which they reflect the UVA and UVB rays off the skin.  Think of the UV rays bouncing off the skin’s surface like jumping on a trampoline.

Not only do these 2 ingredients protect, but the true beauty of zinc and titanium is that they can be used on all skin types – from acne prone to the very sensitive and compromised types. These ingredients are extremely heat tolerant and do not break down as quickly as chemicals do when the temperature rises outside. Finally, zinc and titanium will not sting your eyes when you are active and trying to get your sweat on!

Remember the days when the lifeguards at the pool had their noses covered in that heavy white cream? Thank goodness for modern technology!! Now we can all wear zinc and titanium, be protected AND look good at the same time! No more white faces!

At Pellé Medical Skincare, all of our UV protectants have zinc, titanium or a combination of both in them. Whether you are broken out or have dry, sensitive skin, we have a sunscreen for you. Come on in and check them out!

One morning it happens. You’re looking in the mirror, and you suddenly realize that the deepening wrinkles, red spots and drooping skin are signs that you are aging. That’s right, you’re getting old!

If you find yourself asking, “What can I do?” Pellé Medical Skin Care, owned and operated by two medical skin care nurses who have over 35 years combined experience in the industry, is the answer. A third skin care nurse was brought into the clinic a year and a half ago. Pellé, and not the local spa, salon or nearest department store, is the right choice for aging skin because medical grade skin care and peels work deep below the epidermis (top or first layer of skin) to hydrate, boost cell turnover, stimulate collagen growth and banish DNA-damaging free radicals.

Medical grade products do all of these wonderful things for our skin because they contain more active ingredients then over-the-counter (OTC) products do. Take for example: sunscreen versus sunblock. Unlike UVB light, UVA rays travel through windows in the office, home and car. Studies have shown that UVA is carcinogenic and induces the grayish, yellow-y tone seen in older people’s skin. Pellé sunblock contains zinc oxide, or titanium dioxide, that deflects UVA rays. Our physical block is great because it also serves as a moisturizer in the morning. There are a host of products for treating the most sensitive (rosacea type skin) to acneic, hyper-pigmented, and of course environmentally damaged skin.

Other products at Pellé are Vitamin C Serum, Retin-A, Retinols for those who cannot tolerate Retin-A, prescription hydroquinone for skin lightening and incredible cleansers, toners, moisturizers, exfoliators, masks and serums that pack a lot of anti-aging punch, and deliver both instant and long term results.

So call Pellé today for your consultation and let us show you how you can have a more gorgeous, glowing, and healthy look

Photo Credit: kightp via Compfight cc

Psoriasis is a disorder of the immune system that causes skin redness and irritation. Most people with psoriasis have thick, red skin with flakey silver-white patches called scales. It is a persistent and chronic skin disease. The patient’s skin cells are turning over at a very rapid pace, every 4-5 days, causing this build-up of skin, which manifests itself in the form of unsightly and embarrassing dermatologic splotches.

Psoriasis can begin at any age, from infancy through the golden years. About 75% develop psoriasis before they turn forty. Psoriasis is not contagious. You cannot get this disorder from touching someone or even swimming in the same pool. Psoriasis is a complex genetic skin disorder and scientists have found that everyone who inherits the gene for psoriasis gets psoriasis.

If you think you have psoriasis, please seek the help of a dermatologist. Spas and other non-medical settings are not the right places to seek effective therapy for your skin. Board-certified dermatologists have the medical training and experience needed to determine the most appropriate treatments for each patient.

There is much diversity in Asian skin tones ranging from light, pale skin to light or dark brown skin. People with Asian ancestry can encounter every skin problem and often times need a very tailored approach to their skincare regimen.

Acne, and especially inflammatory acne, is one of the most common skin conditions that affects people of Asian descent due to an increased amount of melanin, or the pigment in the skin. Unfortunately, Asian skin becomes more inflamed with deeper acne pustules and papules.

Pellé can help maintain the beauty and health of this type of skin using the following daily routine:

1) Cleanse with a medical grade product that is designed for your skin type whether it be dry, oily or sensitive.
2) Exfoliate to unclog pores and remove surface skin debris.
3) Use sunblock everyday to help prevent post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation, “PIH.”

PIH can cause discoloration or scarring after the acne has healed and is a common concern for patients.

Another option to help prevent and heal acne issues is to have Salicyclic Acid Peels for oily skin and a Lactic Acid Peel for sensitive skin. Pellé Medical Skincare highly recommends these types of peels for everyone of Asian descent.

In addition, topical retinoids can be of great benefit in fighting acne. Pellé Medical Skincare recommends Retin-A for thicker, oilier skin and Retinol for sensitive skin. Both remove the surface skin cells and improve acne and hyper-pigmentation issues. Pellé also offers several serums to calm, hydrate and combat acne flare-ups in Asian skin types.

Because all Asian skin types are susceptible to uneven skin tones and hyper-pigmentation, sunblock is an absolute essential and so is a bleaching agent. Pellé recommends “Rx Skin Lightener, containing hydroquinone, which is the gold standard for bleaching. Services such as peels and medical grade cosmeceuticals, such as White Lightening cream and serum can also be highly beneficial to maintain beautiful and healthy skin.

Pellé highly recommends using a complete sunblock daily, January through January to improve all skin conditions and keep your skin healthy and beautiful.

One common concern for African Americans is acneic (acne) problems as well as pigmentation problems, or dark spots, which occur at the site of inflammation. These dark spots are sometimes more stressful than the original pimple.

Pellé Medical Skincare has skincare programs implemented to help with acne and hyper-pigmentation for African American skin, including the following skincare regimen, which is a great starting point for anyone with dark skin.

1) Use cleansers at least once a day on your face. Cleansers are useful in removing excess oil and are essential for black skin care as it can be excessively oily in certain areas.

2) Exfoliate regularly in order to remove dead skin cells and debris that line the surface of the skin and clean the pores.

3) Treat dark skin spots, or hyper-pigmentation with a prescription hydroquinone such as Skin Lightener from Dermesse, or White Lightening from IS Clinical. Your skin care specialist will recommend what will be most effective.

4) Protect and moisturize with a complete sun block. Not only are Pellé’s sun blocks moisturizing, but they protect against UVA radiation which causes skin cancer and hyper-pigmentation. See our blog on General Skin Care.

Quick Quiz: Dark-skinned people don’t need sun block.

False! It is a common misconception that people with dark skin are not at risk for sunburn or skin cancer. Although dark skin does offer more natural protection from the sun’s harmful rays than light skin, no one is immune to the damage caused by the sun. And while darker skinned people won’t get sunburned as quickly, they will still burn and are still susceptible to sun-induced damage, such as sunspots (hyper-pigmentation), wrinkles and cancer. In fact, darker skinned people are more likely to die from skin cancer than light-skinned people due to this false sense of security.

Pellé offers a wide range of sun blocks for all skin types and color. No one should consider themselves immune to sunburns and skin cancer.

To get started on your healthier skin, schedule your appointment today!

The most frequently asked question in our office is, “What is a good regimen for the daily care of my skin?”

The skin care nurses at Pellé believe that all patients benefit from using three core products: Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), sunblock and a Retinol or Retin-A. Each product contributes greatly to one’s skin health. Here’s how:

1) Vitamin C Serum
This serum should be used every morning to protect the skin barrier from free radicals such as solar damage-UV radiation, pollutants, smoke, etc.

This potent anti-oxidant stops free radicals before they touch the cell or cause damage inside the cell. Vitamin C has been clinically proven to stimulate and increase collagen synthesis and is effective against reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

2) Sunblock
We encourage the use of sunblock everyday, January through January, and on cloudy, rainy and snowy days. Sunblock used daily protects against UVB rays; the shorter, burning rays as well as UVA rays which are the deeply penetrating, longer waves, that cause skin cancer including melanoma.

Pellé sells only sunblocks, which contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both. These are physical ingredients that are not absorbed into the skin. The ultraviolet rays are absorbed into the sunblock or reflected away from the skin, protecting you from UVB and UVA Rays. In contrast, sunscreens are made up of chemical ingredients that are absorbed into the skin which merely filter the rays rather than blocking them.

Physical blocks, because they are not absorbed into the skin, are nonirritating and hypoallergenic. Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are non-comedogenic, which means they do not produce or aggravate acne. Zinc oxide is also a wound healing substance. Pelle’s sunblocks contain vital ingredients such as anti-oxidants, vitamins, enzymes and essential moisturizers that not only hydrate but also help to retain moisture at a level far below OTC products.

3) Retinol or Retin-A
Both retinol and Retin-A are retinoids, however we prescribe one or the other depending your skin’s sensivity. They are both made from Vitamin A and promote faster skin cell turnover. Retinoids are some of the most proven, effective and powerful options for treating skin issues ranging from acne to signs of aging.

Prescription level retinoids such as Retin-A contain “tretinoin.” This active ingredient prevents the buildup of dead cells in the skin’s pores and follicles, and promotes the growth of healthy cells. The downside is dryness, redness, irritation and skin peeling. Pellé’s skin care patients are instructed how to use Retin-A effectively, so as not to incur irritating skin reactions.

Over-the-counter products, containing “retinols” are much weaker than prescription retinoids. Retinols are ideal for treating very sensitive skin, and will leave the skin feeling smoother and look healthier than if not used at all.

At Pellé, each patient completes an information form in order to tailor a skincare program that is just right for him or her. It is imperative that we know our patients in order to design a skin care program specifically for their needs and skin issues. We suggest the three core products to get each client started, but also encourage our patients to consider a full medical grade skin regimen for the healthiest and best looking results.

To get started on your healthier skin, schedule your appointment today!