Archive for February 2011

Experts in Laser Hair Removal.

February 23rd, 2011

Laser Hair Removal in Victoria, BC - Everyone loves smooth skin. That is why laser hair removal in Victoria, BC has become one of the top elective procedures. Most skin types and almost all body areas can be treated; whether you have unwanted hair between the eyebrows, on the upper lip or on larger areas like the back or legs, laser hair removal is the ultimate solution for permanent hair reduction. Consider the benefit of no longer needing a bikini wax or to shave your underarms – imagine the freedom to be carefree in clothing…or no clothing at all!

When researching laser hair removal in Victoria, BC, patients find a growing number of treatment providers. To select the safest facility, it is important to understand potential risks and to know what to look for. Not all laser hair removal systems are created equal – a designated laser hair removal system will employ a specific wavelength of medical-grade laser energy to selectively target the depth and pigment of hair follicles. Combination systems usually employ a small spectrum of wavelengths that reach different depths in the skin, the result being less focused treatment and therefore less effective or even temporary hair reduction. An easy queue: ask about the average number of treatments. Systems that regularly require more than 8-10 treatments are likely combination systems. The average number of treatments with medical-grade laser hair removal systems is anywhere from 4-8 treatments.

The industry gold standard in laser hair removal is the LightSheer™ DUET – unsurpassed safety, comfort and results. This incredible system has maintained its leading status over many years and continues to pioneer the industry with favourable upgrades. Currently, the LightSheer™ DUET employs two sizes of treatment heads allowing for quicker and more customized treatments. The integrated suction and cooling sapphire tip have greatly increased comfort – now, even large areas like the legs and back can be treated quickly and comfortably.

Cosmedica Laser Centre in Victoria, BC is the original provider of laser hair removal on Vancouver Island. Having qualified, highly trained and experienced nursing staff providing treatments under the guidance of Dr. Mark Lupin (Dermatology) is the secret to Cosmedica’s successful history with permanent hair reduction. As the exclusive provider of LightSheer™ DUET treatments on the Island, Cosmedica takes great pride in providing valuable service and thorough aftercare to every Victoria, BC patient. When you are considering laser hair removal, speak with the experts at Cosmedica Laser Centre.

Find more information on laser hair removal in Victoria by visiting Cosmedica’s website. For inquiries, contact them today or request a consultation online. Be sure to follow us Facebook!

All About Lips - Oak Bay News reviews corrective lip habits with Dr. Lupin in their Beautiful You supplement.

February 17th, 2011

While the eyes may be a key feature for many people, the lips are often a close second. To learn more about how lips differ from other facial areas, we chatted with Dr. Mark Lupin MD FRCPC, Dermalogy and Laser Medicine at Cosmedica Laser Centre.

Beautiful You: Do lips age in a different way to the rest of the skin on the face?

Dr. Mark Lupin: Lips age in concert with general skin aging but tend to be more prone to early lines in part because of sun exposure and in some cases, a tendency to strong pursing of the lips as part of normal facial expression. There is deflation of the lips and a loss of definition of the nice youthful borders of the lips with time. In addition, sun damage can lead to reduced redness of the lips. The corners of the mouth tend to turn down with time leading to a grumpy or unhappy look.

BY: What are the most common complaints patients have with their lips and/or mouth area?

ML: Patients often tell me that they are noticing lines appearing on their upper lip and lipstick may start to bleed into those lines. They also note that their lips have lost some fullness. They want fuller lips but are scared about having overdone lips. My emphasis is to rejuvenate the lips by restoring volume, support and definition while keeping things natural.

BY: Are some people more susceptible to these concerns than others?

ML: Sun damage and smoking appear to be the two most important environmental factors that lead to premature aging and weathering of the lips. Some people are also genetically prone to lines from a tendency to purse the lips when talking.

BY: What are some of the options to address these concerns?

ML: Dermal fillers, Botox® and resurfacing lasers are the three modalities to consider. Fillers are the mainstay as they provide the pillars of support to lift the corners of the mouth, restore lost volume and crisp up the lip borders. Principally, I use hyaluronic fillers for the best balance of safety, longevity and natural feel. Botox® is used either as a primary treatment to prevent early lines or as a secondary treatment to complement dermal fillers by extending their longevity and enhancing the benefit. Laser resurfacing such as with the Fraxel® re:pair laser remodels the skin around the lips to address those deeper, ingrained line for a softer, smoother appearance.

BY: What kind of "preventive medicine" should people practice with their lips?

ML: An antioxidant lip balm with broad spectrum sunscreen built in is the single best piece of advice to help protect the lips. And avoid smoking!

BY: Anything else you'd like to add?

ML: Lips are the easiest thing to overdo and we see plenty of examples of this in the tabloids, on TV...and even around town. With the rising number of non-specialist and non-physician providers, there appears to be a rising number of "lips gone wrong." The public should realize that there is a long learning curve to be able to provide the best results. My recommendation is therefore to research your provider: ideally they should have over a decade of experience specifically with cosmetic lip restoration - and their aesthetic sense should match your own. Get your lips right the first time - the best treatment does not look like "a treatment." The best lips are beautiful, natural-looking lips and should not look treated.

Beautiful You. February 2011

Very happy to meet you Fraxel®.

February 9th, 2011

Fraxel® in Victoria, BC - This week in television, Fraxel® laser technology will be making celebrity headlines yet again as a feature topic on the hit daytime talk shows Dr. Oz and The Doctors. As a Dermatology based centre in Victoria, BC, Cosmedica has been a longtime fan of the revolutionary technologies offered by Fraxel® - which all but invented modern day fractionated resurfacing.

Today in Victoria, BC, Cosmedica patients are thrilled with the degree of correction and minimal downtime associated with Fraxel® laser treatment. The Fraxel® re:store DUAL, offering two (dual) wavelengths (1550/1927nm) effectively targets moderate sun damage, actinic keratoses, fine lines, scarring and skin texture (including pores). Multiple treatments just weeks apart allow for a graduated approach to total skin resurfacing with just 3 days of redness and swelling post treatment. Patients can expect a quick recovery with very little time away from daily routines. Fraxel® re:pair employs the same fractionated technology but with an ablative CO2 edge – greater improvements to lines and laxity are expected with Fraxel® re:pair but with a slightly longer recovery. Patients can expect exponential recovery over a 5 day period where special caution should be given to caring for healing skin.

Our own Victoria, BC Dermatologist, Dr. Mark Lupin, was solicited in the engineering of this internationally acclaimed device and worldwide, his colleagues are just as thrilled with the result. This week on Dr. Oz, NY Dermatologist Dr. David Avram will be reviewing the benefits of Fraxel® re:store DUAL for the treatment of moderate sun damage as well precancerous lesions (actinic keratoses). And, later this week on The Doctors, Beverly Hills Dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban will be demonstrating the re:store DUAL’s effectiveness on lip lines and wrinkles.

For a complete review on the benefits of Fraxel® Laser Therapy in Victoria, BC, speak with the skin experts at Cosmedica. Find out if Fraxel® Laser Therapy is right for you. For more information, visit our website or contact us today.

Ulthera® - Victoria BC dermatologist Dr. Mark Lupin features latest technology on Global TV - BC.

February 4th, 2011

Global TV is among the many interested in Ulthera® - the latest technological breakthrough for facial skin tightening and contouring.

At our Victoria, BC clinic, Ulthera® has quickly become one of the leading procedures for liftening heavy, falling brows and eye lids and contouring the chin and jawline. Ulthera® uses a patented ultrasonic system to disrupt and stimulate deep layers of the skin for optimal collagen production. An excellent facelift alternative, Ulthera® has thrilled Victoria, BC patients who seek an effective treatment with little downtime and none of the inherent risks of anesthesia and surgery.

For inquiries or to speak with the skin experts at Cosmedica, contact us today or request a consultation online - with our compliments.

How to get great Botox® in Victoria, BC.

February 1st, 2011

In Victoria, BC, Botox® has become the most popular cosmetic procedure and with it, awareness of safety concerns has grown. This article seeks to answer the frequently asked questions about Botox in Victoria, BC and to expel the most common myths.

Botox is a purified protein. Treatments are quite comfortable - ultra fine insulin syringes are utilized and no anesthetic is necessary. Botox is eased into muscles that cause dynamic lines (wrinkles) and slowly relaxes them over the following 7-14 days. The result of a Botox treatment in Victoria will last an average of 3-4 months. Almost every healthy adult is a suitable candidate.

As with all cosmetic procedures, strongest consideration should be given to the training and experience of the physician; like all skills, a well-performed Botox treatment relates directly to the abilities and experience of the injector. Unfavourable effects may result from an inexperienced injector badly gauging dosage and placement of Botox.

For a patient seeking Botox treatment in Victoria, BC, confirm a qualified physician will be performing the treatment and that he/she has met a high level of training (basic or introductory training is not enough). Request before and after photos of treatments they have performed to ensure your expectations meet their abilities. Where safety is concerned, it is in every patient's best interest to seek out the most qualified and experienced physician for Botox treatments in Victoria. The result of a well performed treatment is a relaxed, refreshed and animated expression.