Interview with Dr. R. Dean Bair on New Options in Skin Care
1 August 2007, 10:00 AM MDT
Read more about Dr. R. Dean Bair
Transcript
JC:
I am 65 yrs. old. The only issue I have is that I have lines around my mouth which I think make me look bad. Am I too old for treatment?
Dr. R. Dean Bair:
JC,
You are certainly not too old! This is a common problem for many people as they age. Often the lines are caused by the way you use your muscles of expression resulting in permanent creasing of the skin. I take an individualized approach to each patient. I may recommend Botox to relax the muscles that are causing the wrinkling. I am very careful to just relax the muscles without affecting your smile. I may also use fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm to firm the lip and fill the lines. Another treatment that I use is a "cool" laser treatment that heats the skin (without burning). This encourages new collagen growth in the skin that slowly fills the line from within. Often I will use a combination of these techniques to acheive the desired results.
You are certainly not too old! This is a common problem for many people as they age. Often the lines are caused by the way you use your muscles of expression resulting in permanent creasing of the skin. I take an individualized approach to each patient. I may recommend Botox to relax the muscles that are causing the wrinkling. I am very careful to just relax the muscles without affecting your smile. I may also use fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm to firm the lip and fill the lines. Another treatment that I use is a "cool" laser treatment that heats the skin (without burning). This encourages new collagen growth in the skin that slowly fills the line from within. Often I will use a combination of these techniques to acheive the desired results.
Al:
Hey Doc, I never had issues like I've had since I moved here in 95. That year I hiked the Sandia without using sunblock and I was sunburned on my cheeks, ever since then I been fighting blotchy sunspots which are embarrassing. How can I get rid of them once and for all? I've tried Obagi skin care products which help lighten them during the winter, but in the summer I start fighting them all over again. Please help!
Dr. R. Dean Bair:
Al,
This is a troublesome problem in New Mexico. Because of the high altitude and many sunny days, our skin is exposed to more UV radiation than nearly any place in the US.
The first three things you need to do is USE SUNBLOCK, USE SUNBLOCK AND USE SUNBLOCK! The sun protection that you use should have titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide. These are true sun blocks that will reflect the light from your skin. Use should use a minimum of spf 15 every day. If you are going to be active, out in the sun, I recommend a children's spf 45-50 and re-apply every couple of hours.
To reduce the appearance of the sun damage, home skin care such as Obagi is very important. There are procedures that can also help such as Photofacial treatments and specific chemical peels.
I would recommend a consultation to evaluate your skin type, the nature of your problem and appropriate treatment options.
Dr Bair
This is a troublesome problem in New Mexico. Because of the high altitude and many sunny days, our skin is exposed to more UV radiation than nearly any place in the US.
The first three things you need to do is USE SUNBLOCK, USE SUNBLOCK AND USE SUNBLOCK! The sun protection that you use should have titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide. These are true sun blocks that will reflect the light from your skin. Use should use a minimum of spf 15 every day. If you are going to be active, out in the sun, I recommend a children's spf 45-50 and re-apply every couple of hours.
To reduce the appearance of the sun damage, home skin care such as Obagi is very important. There are procedures that can also help such as Photofacial treatments and specific chemical peels.
I would recommend a consultation to evaluate your skin type, the nature of your problem and appropriate treatment options.
Dr Bair
mia:
I have vitaligo and am wondering if anything other than bleaching cream can be used to make ny sking blend more evenly
Dr. R. Dean Bair:
Mia,
Unfortunately, vitaligo is incurable and often spreads over time. Certainly, avoiding sun exposure helps the appearance. "Bleaching creams" that contain medications such as hydroquinone will turn off the melanocytes that produce pigment. This may also help the skin look more even. Finally, Photofacial treatments in selected areas, may lighten the surrounding skin to make it blend more evenly.
I am sorry that I can not be more helpful.
Dr Bair
Unfortunately, vitaligo is incurable and often spreads over time. Certainly, avoiding sun exposure helps the appearance. "Bleaching creams" that contain medications such as hydroquinone will turn off the melanocytes that produce pigment. This may also help the skin look more even. Finally, Photofacial treatments in selected areas, may lighten the surrounding skin to make it blend more evenly.
I am sorry that I can not be more helpful.
Dr Bair
Ann:
I am currently healing from Mohs surgery and wonder about the chances of the squamous cell carcinoma returning to my nose.
Dr. R. Dean Bair:
Ann,
I am not a surgeon. However, the idea of Moh's surgery is to make a wider and wider excision until there is no abnormal tissue seen microscopically. Mohs surgery has been very beneficial in curing skin cancer while reducing disfiguring surgery.
You should speak to your surgeon concerning the chance of recurrence.
Dr Bair
I am not a surgeon. However, the idea of Moh's surgery is to make a wider and wider excision until there is no abnormal tissue seen microscopically. Mohs surgery has been very beneficial in curing skin cancer while reducing disfiguring surgery.
You should speak to your surgeon concerning the chance of recurrence.
Dr Bair
Ann:
What are the expected results of laser resurfacing for rosacea, veins.
Dr. R. Dean Bair:
Ann,
There are a multitude of lasers used in dermatology and cosmetic medicine. "Resurfacing lasers" usually refer to CO2 or Erbium "ablative" lasers that actually burn the surface of the skin. The skin heals from under this charred skin just like any burn. Ablative resurfacing lasers are typically not used for rosacea or veins (telangiectasias).
"Non-ablative" lasers that are much more precise in heating the target tissue such as the inflamation of rosacea or the dilated veins are generally the treatment of choice. These treatments can be 80-90% effective depending on skin type and severity of the condition. It is important to know that rosacea is a chronic skin disease that can be controlled but not cured. Maintenance treatments are often required.
Dr Bair
There are a multitude of lasers used in dermatology and cosmetic medicine. "Resurfacing lasers" usually refer to CO2 or Erbium "ablative" lasers that actually burn the surface of the skin. The skin heals from under this charred skin just like any burn. Ablative resurfacing lasers are typically not used for rosacea or veins (telangiectasias).
"Non-ablative" lasers that are much more precise in heating the target tissue such as the inflamation of rosacea or the dilated veins are generally the treatment of choice. These treatments can be 80-90% effective depending on skin type and severity of the condition. It is important to know that rosacea is a chronic skin disease that can be controlled but not cured. Maintenance treatments are often required.
Dr Bair
JC:
How expensive is this generally speaking I know you can't be exact without seeing me for diagnosis.
Dr. R. Dean Bair:
JC,
I can give you a range of prices. Without a consultation, I cannot be more precise.
Botox for the mouth area would usually be under $100. Botox lasts 3-6 months.
Fillers typically cost $600-1000 depending on how many syringes are needed. Filler can last up to 1 year.
The laser treatments around the mouth costs approximately $1300 and can last several years.
I hope this helps.
Dr Bair
I can give you a range of prices. Without a consultation, I cannot be more precise.
Botox for the mouth area would usually be under $100. Botox lasts 3-6 months.
Fillers typically cost $600-1000 depending on how many syringes are needed. Filler can last up to 1 year.
The laser treatments around the mouth costs approximately $1300 and can last several years.
I hope this helps.
Dr Bair
Carmela:
I've been hearing a lot about mineral makeup, is it really better for your skin?
Dr. R. Dean Bair:
Carmela,
Mineral makeup can be better for your skin. The idea is that the minerals will stay on the surface of the skin, not penetrate the skin. Many people develop sensitivities to the ingredients in makeup that are absorbed into their skin. The other advatage of mineral makeup is that it can act a sunblock and environmental protection.
However, mineral makeups are not created equally. Many companies advertise mineral makeup that is just regular makeup with some minerals thrown in. You can test this yourself. Take a little regular make up a mix it in a glass of water. You will see that the water turns colored. If the mineral makeup is not high quality, when you try the same experiment, the result will be the same. The water will turn colored. This means that your skin will absorb these ingredients.
Colorescience is one makeup line that is high quality and will give you the advantages that mineral makeups are supposed to offer. Colorescience was invented by the same woman who started the mineral makeup movement with Bare Escentuals.
I hope this answers your question.
Dr Bair
Mineral makeup can be better for your skin. The idea is that the minerals will stay on the surface of the skin, not penetrate the skin. Many people develop sensitivities to the ingredients in makeup that are absorbed into their skin. The other advatage of mineral makeup is that it can act a sunblock and environmental protection.
However, mineral makeups are not created equally. Many companies advertise mineral makeup that is just regular makeup with some minerals thrown in. You can test this yourself. Take a little regular make up a mix it in a glass of water. You will see that the water turns colored. If the mineral makeup is not high quality, when you try the same experiment, the result will be the same. The water will turn colored. This means that your skin will absorb these ingredients.
Colorescience is one makeup line that is high quality and will give you the advantages that mineral makeups are supposed to offer. Colorescience was invented by the same woman who started the mineral makeup movement with Bare Escentuals.
I hope this answers your question.
Dr Bair
JC:
I already have
Dr. R. Dean Bair:
Excellent!
Dr Bair
Dr Bair
Nancy:
Thanks for all your great answers. Where can we learn more about your services?
Dr. R. Dean Bair:
Nancy,
You can call for a consultation at Bair Medical Spa. The telephone number is 881-1532. We are located at 101 Hospital Loop NE, Suite 111, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Also, you can obtain more information by going to our website at www.bairmedicalspa.com
Thank you for your interest.
Dr Bair
You can call for a consultation at Bair Medical Spa. The telephone number is 881-1532. We are located at 101 Hospital Loop NE, Suite 111, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Also, you can obtain more information by going to our website at www.bairmedicalspa.com
Thank you for your interest.
Dr Bair