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Retinoids vs Retinol: What’s The Difference?

by | Feb 9, 2022 | accent aesthetics

Curious about the difference between Retinoids vs Retinol? This is an extremely common question, especially working with Dermatologists. Clients want to know if they should see the Dermatologist for a prescription or use something OTC (over the counter).

The Simple Difference

I like to keep it simple. The way I explain it to my clients is: Retinoids=Prescription strength, Retinol=non-prescription strength. All are Vitamin A. Now there is a lot of wiggle room here as there are a lot of different brands and concentrations out there.

Retinol Example

retinoids vs retinol

Retinoid Example

retinoids vs retinol

Retinoids vs Retinol Explained

A patient would see a Dermatologist for an Rx retinoid cream such as Tretinoin or Tazorac for conditions such as  severe acne, scarring, etc. These are converted to retinoic acid rapidly in the skin and begin the cell turnover process very fast. This is good for getting results quickly.

The downside of these can be, (for some, not all), extreme irritation and dryness. Because it works so quickly and strongly, it runs the risk of degrading the skins barrier function, leading to dryness, redness and overall intolerability. The problem with this is that a lot of clients will not use them consistently, which is crucial for improvement. For example: they will apply it Sunday night and become so dry and irritated for 2-5 days, then use it again once their skin has returned to normal. While this will still give a result, It is uncomfortable and not as efficatious.

Retinol on the other hand takes a bit more time to be converted into Retinoic acid in the skin but sometimes this is a good thing. Our favorite Retinol products from Revision Skincare are time released so the skin absorbs it in a very controlled manner, decreasing downtime and irritability. It also has several antioxidants including bakuchiol which is a broad spectrum antioxidant that increases the efficacy of the retinol, and contains several other antioxidants to help sooth the skin.

All of the Revision Skincare products contain peptides that do all sorts of things like help the skin hold on to precious moisture and help prevent loss of collagen and elastin, decrease inflammation, lighten hyperpigmentation, the list goes on and on. Revision has been a pioneer in the retinol business. Their products deliver prescription strength results but feel like a nuturing, luxury line.

Vitamin A derivatives are the ONLY product clinically proven to treat fine lines and wrinkles, so regardless of which one you choose, just use it! You will thank me later…

If you are unsure of which retinol to use, come in for a consultation. We are happy to find you the perfect fit for your skincare goals!

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Platelet Rich Fibrin aka PRF: The “Natural Filler” We’re Obsessed With!

by | Jul 8, 2021 | Injectables

By now we’ve all heard about PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and its regenerative abilities. While it is still widely used in several different branches of medicine, there’s a new generation of stem cell therapy, PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin), and we’re using it in advanced aesthetics!

Your blood contains four main ingredients: red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. The platelets are largely responsible for clotting your blood and initiating the healing process any time you’re injured. Fueling the healing response are the growth factors and other proteins found in your platelets, which are released at the site of the damage in order to aid in healing, help with repairs, and reduce inflammation, all at a cellular level.

Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) vs Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP is spun down at a very high speed, seperating all of the cells from the plasma, or liquid portion, of the blood. This plasma does contain your own growth factors and some platelets, but due to the diluted concentration it dissipates quickly in the area being treated. It has come to be called “fools gold” in our industry because of its unpredictable or unsatisfying efficacy. PRP also contains additives or anticoagulants, such as heparin. This allows for the plasm portion to be used for a much longer time after being spun down so there’s less urgency to get it into the area being treated. Unfortunately, this anticoagulant doesn’t allow the platelets to stimulate the healing process to their full ability.

PRF is spun down at a much slower speed so the cells aren’t completely seperated. While this results in less volume of injectable liquid, the portion used is much more concentrated and rich in platelets and growth factors. PRF keeps the platelets enveloped in a fibrin meshwork which helps build a thicker, slower absorbing layer in the area being treated. When injected this creates a lovely “scaffolding” effect to the skin. Hence the “natural filler” term.

So now you might be thinking “what the heck is fibrin?”  Fibrin, in basic terms, is what platelets bind to as they circulate throughout your blood. When platelets bind to fibrin they release growth factors which help to start the healing process by creating new collagen, blood vessels, and skin cells in the process.

Also, PRF contains no anticoagulants or additives, making it a completely pure product, which is why we call it a “natural filler”.

The PRF product is spun at a lower speed so that the layers of the blood do not separate out as distinctly. This allows some of the white blood cells and stem cells to remain within the platelet layer that is collected for treatment. Thus, there are more healing factors within PRF than is typically seen in PRP. In addition, the lower spin speed causes less trauma to the individual cells of the blood, allowing more stem cells to remain in the final PRF product.

Book a Consultation with Accent Aesthetics today!

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Platelet Rich Fibrin

Discover Hyperdilute Radiesse 

by | Jun 2, 2021 | Hyperdilute Radiesse

Do you struggle with wrinkles, fine lines, skin laxity, thinning skin, or neck lines?  Then you may be a candidate for skin rejuvenation treatment with Hyperdilute Radiesse!

What is Radiesse?

Radiesse was approved by the FDA as a facial filler at the end of 2006 and has been used as a volumizing filler since.  Radiesse consists of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in an aqueous polysaccharide gel carrier.  Once it is injected, the gel is absorbed over time.  The body then metabolizes the CaHA microspheres, which stimulate the body to produce collagen.

In recent years, the use of Radiesse in a hyperdiluted form has increased.  In this form, it is a biostimulatory agent, rather than a volumizing filler, and it improves skin quality, texture, tone and firmness.  It can be used in the face, neck, décolletage and other areas of the body.  This technique was first used in Europe, yet it’s now being used more and more in the U.S.

What is Hyperdiluted Radiesse?

Hyperdiluted Radiesse is simply Radiesse that has been diluted / thinned out, with a mixture of sterile saline solution and lidocaine.  This makes it an easily spreadable biostimulator capable of remodeling skin over a larger area.

When this diluted mixture is injected into areas of collagen loss, it triggers the body to produce new collagen and elastin. The result is a skin rejuvenating treatment with pronounced and visible smoother, firmer, younger-looking skin.

The benefits of this treatment are skin tightening and thickening, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crepiness.  Treatment of the décolletage will also reduce the pigment from sun damage. Overall, skin tone, texture and elasticity are markedly improved.

Where can it be used?

  • Mid and lower face
  • Neck lines and/or neck in patients with mild to moderate laxity
  • Décolletage
  • Buttocks with cellulitic dimples (in patients with moderate to severe cellulite) to reduce the appearance of dimpling
  • Above knees to address the knee lines from lax skin with aging

 

Hyperdilute Radiesse

How much diluted Radiesse is needed?

Radiesse is available by the syringe, and, according to the current practice guidelines, treatment typically requires one syringe per area. The face and neck each usually require a single 1.5cc syringe per session, while the chest requires a half to a full syringe.

What is the downtime?

As with any filler injection, there can be some bruising, swelling and mild discomfort after the treatment.  Most clients tolerated this treatment well and are very satisfied with their results.

There can be a variable amount of bruising and swelling, which normally lasts up to a week.

How many treatments are needed?

One to three treatment sessions are usually required to achieve the desired aesthetic effects.  Two treatments are typical, though severe sun damage or severe skin laxity may require more.

These treatments are spaced out one month apart.  Though preliminary research shows that results with hyperdiluted Radiesse may last up to two years.  one will likely want to have one hyperdilute Radiesse treatment every 12 to 18 months for maintenance.

Combination therapy

Hyperdiluted Radiesse can be used alone.  Yet when addressing areas with harder to treat concerns, such as the neck or chest, it is best to treat in combination with other tightening and resurfacing procedures, such as Ultherapy or radiofrequency microneedling, because they work together to improve dermal collagen.

If this treatment is something you are intersted in, you can book an injectable consult with Cyndi Garcia, PA, to see if you are an ideal candidate.  Call 720-420-4090 or book online at accentaesthetics.com

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Benefits of Vitamin C: Boosting The Power of SPF

by | Jan 26, 2021 | accent aesthetics, skincare colorado, Sun & Skincare

benefits of vitamin c

By now, we all know the benefits of Vitamin C and what adding a high quality, medical-grade Vitamin C to your skincare regime can do for your skin health. It is one of the most multi-functional and beneficial correctives you can use!

Some of the benefits of Vitamin C include brightening existing brown spots or hyperpigmentation and preventing new ones, decreasing overall redness in the skin, and preventing fine lines and wrinkles.

Our bodies do not create or store Vitamin C,  which is essential for collagen production.  Adding Vitamin C topically helps to produce and maintain collagen in the skin, a HUGE anti-aging benefit!

benefits of vitamin c

Breaking Down The Benefits of Vitamin C

Lines and wrinkles can form on the skin due to oxidative stress, a disturbance caused by unstable electrons that attack healthy cells and change their structure. Oxidative stress mainly occurs when the skin is exposed to pollutants and environmental aggressors, such as the sun’s UV rays. When an anti-oxidant such as vitamin C is added to the skin, it combats the oxidative stress, slows the aging process and protects the skin.

It’s important to know that not all Vitamin C’s are created equal. As we like to say, “you get what you pay for”. Vitamin C can be highly unstable if exposed to air, heat, etc. Make sure yours is sealed off to air and has been tested extensively for temperature regulation. If not, you are most likely putting something oxidized on your skin, the opposite of what you want.

In addition to ALL of that, we are now finding that Vitamin C topically can boost the efficacy of your SPF by 80%!  Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which helps fight off free radicals. The sun’s UV rays being one of the most damaging. Vitamin C and other antioxidants, protect the skin even further from sun damage, therefore boosting the protective power of SPF.

benefits of vitamin c

A lot of Vitamin C’s have a low pH, making them irritating to the skin.  This could possibly present as red, rashy skin or the product stinging when applied. That is the opposite of what we want to achieve with this product.

A high quality Vitamin C should be more neutral in pH as not to upset the skin’s natural and delicate acid mantle which is essential for keeping the good things in (moisture) and the bad things out (bacteria, free radicals). Revision Skincare’s Vitamin C Lotion is a 30% concentration, time-released formula, and one of the most potent and effective Vitamin C products available.

Schedule a consultation with one of our providers to find out which products can help you achieve your healthiest, most beautiful skin ever!

How to Prevent Neck Aging: Age-Defying Secrets

by | Sep 16, 2020 | accent aesthetics, Microneedling, Peels

Neck aging is a common concern that many of us face as we grow older. The delicate skin on our neck is prone to the same aging effects as our faces, yet it’s an area that’s frequently overlooked in our skincare routines. In this guide, we will delve into the causes and effects of neck aging, and most importantly, explore effective strategies to prevent and combat these telltale signs, helping you maintain a youthful and graceful neck profile for years to come.

Causes of Neck Aging:

1. Constant Sun Exposure

The sun breaks down the skin’s collagen and elastin and inhibits it’s ability to produce them, so it’s the WORST factor for aging. In Colorado, we absorb much more UV Rays than at sea level so we see dramatic aging here. Most people do not understand the need for daily spf use and daily sun prevention. It is of utmost importance here and something we educate every client on before starting any treatments.

2. Tech Neck

This is a huge factor in the last decade. The constant looking down at our devices causes the skin to crease leaving lasting lines and wrinkles deep in the skin.

3. Forgotten Skincare Regimen

The neck is often forgotten morning and night when putting on anti-aging skincare products. We always tell out clients “whatever you do to your face, do to your neck and chest.”  This will keep all of the skin that is constantly exposed to sun and elements, looking and feeling young and healthy!

4. Thinner Skin

The dermal layer on the neck is thinner than that of the rest of the body, often compared to the thinness of the eyelids. It also contains less active sebacious glands. These factors make it a prime target for dryness, crepey texture, sagging and wrinkling. This is why we recommend a specific anti-aging neck product such as Revision Nectifirm. It contains ingredients specific to treating and preventing these issues.

how to prevent neck aging

How to Prevent Neck Aging:

1. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are excellent for exfoliating, brightening and, over time, smoothing and plumping up the skin. Often in-office chemical peels are quick and painless with minimal downtime such as peeling and flaking. Chemical peels are placed on the outer layer of the skin, so they take time and consistency to achieve results.  Most clients should expect 3-6 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart.

2. Microneedling

One of the best treatments for texture issues such as crepey-ness, lines,  wrinkles and scarring is microneedling! Very little downtime and thanks to numbing cream, very little discomfort. Tiny micro-channels or wounds, are stamped into the dermis stimulating the bodies wound healing process. New cells, collagen and elastin are produced to heal these wounds resulting in firmer, smoother, healthier skin. These treatments are also sold in packages and require commitment and consistency to achieve results.

3. Radio Frequency Microneedling

Radio Frequency creates bulk heating deep in the dermis creating collagen and elastin. Add that to the benefits of microneedling and you’ve got a stellar treatment for all skin issues, especially the delicate neck area!

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