Not happy about what age is doing to your face but not interested in plastic surgery? Would you like to get rid of facial, leg or underarm hair for good? Are spider veins keeping you from wearing shorts when the weather is warmer?

MetroHealth’s Cosmetic Dermatology services use the latest technologies to improve the skin’s appearance and treat a wide-range of cosmetic skin conditions.

Services include:

• Botox injections and skin fillers
• Peels
• Laser treatments
• Hair removal

Note: Following any cosmetic dermatology treatments, patients need to be particularly vigilant about staying out of the sun and using sunscreen, and should carefully follow directions provided by their dermatologist.

Botox, Other Injectibles and Skin Fillers

Botox is more commonly used on the upper areas of the face, fillers on the lower portion. Fillers are popular because as people age, they lose subcutaneous fat in their faces, and fillers help to retain shape.  However, none of these treatments are permanent. People who exercise frequently and those who smoke tend to eliminate the products faster.

Popular options include:

• Botox and Dysport. These injectibles relax facial muscles, preventing contractions that cause lines and wrinkles. These treatments last between three and six months.
• Radiesse. This filler contains tiny calcium particles in a gel matrix. After injection, the body forms tissue around the microspheres, filling in wrinkles. Results can last up to one year and, in some cases, longer.
• Restylane. This is a biodegradable hyaluronic acid. It’s used for facial wrinkles and contouring, and lasts about six months. 
• Juvederm. This is another form of hyaluronic acid. This filler lasts approximately six months.
• Sculptra. This product is particularly good for large volume filling. It can last one year or more.

Dermatologic Peels

Peels can be helpful for hyperpigmentation, freckling and sun-damaged skin. These peels penetrate the skin and stimulate cell regeneration by increasing production of collagen. The benefits of peels include:

• Reducing the appearance of fine wrinkles
• Diminishing pigmentation
• Improving texture and pore size

Laser Treatments

Lasers can be used to help smooth out the surface of damaged or wrinkled skin by stimulating increased collagen production; can eliminate or lessen hyperpigmentation; treat the redness of  rosacea; and help eliminate or lessen the appearance of scars. Vascular laser treatments can be effective for birthmarks and spider veins.

MetroHealth has a wide range of state-of-the-art lasers, including an ultrapulsed CO2 laser, which produces multiple deep, microscopic columns in skin which promote collagen production. As the remaining skin heals, it contracts, reducing fine lines and giving the skin a more youthful appearance.

Your MetroHealth dermatologist will develop a personalized laser plan to best determine the technological solution and procedure to meet your needs. Recovery time depends on the type of problem being corrected, the size of the problem area and the type of laser used.

Hair Removal

Laser treatments can also be used for hair removal. The best hair removal results are seen on the face, however, the procedure can be done elsewhere on the body. The key to hair removal is doing between three and six treatments, with each session lasting an hour or more.