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Blue Light Therapy for Acne

If you have problems with acne, it’s important that you speak with a dermatologist or a skin care specialist. They will be able to determine the best route of treatment for you. As you’ll learn from them (or perhaps you know this already), there are plenty of treatments and remedies for pimples that are out there right now.

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Chemical Peel Candidates

When it comes to reversing the signs of aging, you have plenty of options out there. Sure, facial plastic surgery may be able to help, but there are plenty of non-surgical aesthetic enhancements out there as well. These treatments are non-invasive, involve no downtime, and can make you look much more vibrant and renewed. Our Englewood, NJ area skin care treatment center, we offer a number of different non-surgical solutions for anti-aging. Here at Ethos Spa, we want to ensure that you get safe, effective treatment with as little hassle as possible.

One option that many people turn to fight the signs of aging is chemical peels. Chemical peels are a great option for non-invasive facial rejuvenation that can cleanse your pores and give you a great, confident feeling. Your skin can be smoothed out and given a radiant glow after a visit with us.

You may wonder who the best candidates for Englewood, NJ chemical peels are. In general, the best candidates for chemical peels are people who have any number of basic skin problems of the face. This includes fine lines, wrinkles, sum damage, acne scars, dry skin, and other unsightly blemishes or blotches. In some cases, freckles and age spots can be dealt with using chemical peels as well.

With the above in mind, your skin tone may have an effect the chemical peel treatment. People with fair skin usually achieve the best results, though people with darker skin routinely benefit from chemical peels as well. People with darker skin may run a greater risk of uneven pigmentation and skin tone after a chemical peel, however.

It’s for the above reasons that it’s important that you visit Ethos Spa for a full consultation. We’ll determine if a chemical peel or another non-invasive option for facial rejuvenation will be best for you. Every treatment will be tailored to the needs and goals of each patient.

To schedule an appointment, contact our Summit, NJ skin care treatment center today. The entire team at Ethos Spa is eager to meet you.

How to Get the Best Results from Non-surgical Weight Loss

Losing weight and staying fit is a good way to avoid major health problems in the future. Many people who are overweight have an increased risk for developing heart disease, suffering from a stroke, and other matters. A lot of people have been turning to surgical options for weight loss in recent years, such as gastric banding surgery or gastric bypass surgery. While both of these are effective and generally safe, you don’t need surgery to lose that extra weight.

The team here at Ethos Spa (a Summit, NJ skin treatment center) would like to look at how you can get the best results from non-surgical weight loss methods. We’ll also mention what you can do about those unsightly bulges and bumps left behind once you’ve lost that excess weight.

Two major things to consider are your exercise and dietary habits. The best way to lose weight and to really keep it off is to eat healthy and be active.

When it comes to your diet, don’t look to crash diets for long-term solutions. With crash diets and most fad diets, you’ll lose some weight but you’ll likely gain it all back. Instead, try to make healthy eating choices going forward and to eat junk food and fatty foods in moderations. Incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet, and instead of having soda all the time, think about having water instead. Consult with your physician or a dietician to help craft a plan that’s right for you.

Exercise is also important to consider for lasting good health and for maintaining a healthy weight. Everybody has a different body, so certain kinds of exercise may be better for you than others. Be sure to consider strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and flexibility when figuring out an exercise plan that works for you. You may want to look at working with a personal trainer. Before starting your exercise plan, however, be sure to consult with your doctor as he or she may be able to make sound recommendations based on your medical history.

Of course, diet and exercise can’t always get rid of problem bits of fat and odd body contouring. In such cases, you should consider non-surgical body sculpting and reshaping treatments such as Summit, NJ VelaShape&™, Titan skin tightening, or ReFirme&™ ST. We’ll be happy to discuss these treatments and how they can benefit your appearance during a consultation.

For more information about how we at Ethos Spa can enhance your appearance without surgery, contact our Summit, NJ dermatology and skin care center today.

Laser Hair Removal Risks and Benefits

There’s nothing quite like a full and healthy head of hair. Conversely, there’s nothing quite like unsightly body hair in places where you don’t want it. Thankfully, there are plenty of options for hair removal that can leave you looking nice and smooth for the beach this summer. While shaving, waxing, and tweezing are certainly options, there’s also laser hair removal, which is a safe way for you to reduce the appearance of unwanted hair on the face, the shoulders, the legs, and other parts of your body. At Ethos Spa, our conveniently located Englewood, New Jersey area skin treatment center, we will be able to assess whether or not laser hair removal is the right option for you.

The laser hair removal process is quite simple. Patients will be asked to shave the treatment area the day before laser hair removal treatment in order to cut down on irritation following the treatment. A special laser light is focused on the hair follicle itself to help impede future growth of hair from that follicle. The procedure is very precise and safe, and generally low in discomfort.

There are plenty of benefits to laser hair removal as well as a few risks to consider, so let’s go over them right now. We will go over them in greater detail with you during your consultation at Ethos Spa.

One of the big benefits of laser hair removal is effectiveness. Much more effective than shaving, twwezing, and waxing since laser treatment will affect the follicle itself rather than just extracting the hair from the follicle. This means reduced hair regrowth in that treatment area over time, which means less hassle in the future. Englewood, New Jersey laser hair removal is also much quicker than tweezing, and less painful as well. In general, patients say that their hair removal treatment feels like tickling or slight pinching, which means minimal pain.

There are a few risks to keep in mind with laser hair removal. One such risk is swelling and irritation in the treatment area. This can be handled with relative ease with some soothing lotion, and usually will disappear in a few days. In poorly performed laser hair removal treatments, a patient may notice darkening of their skin pigment and even burns in the treatment area. At Ethos Spa, we work diligently to avoid any such problems down the road and perform each laser hair removal with the utmost care and attention.

For more information about laser hair removal and other treatment options, contact our Summit, New Jersey skin care center today. The entire team at Ethos Spa looks forward to meeting with you

Melasma Treatment-Fraxel New Jersey NJ

Melasma, a tan or dark skin discoloration, is a common cosmetic concerns which plagues primarily women. Melasma is often associated with pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and even thyroid disease. An important aspect of treating melasma is avoidance of sun exposure and daily use of sunscreen. While cessation of the condition or medication can improve the melasma, often times topical skin formulations, chemical peels, and even laser based therapy may be needed. Melasma which is in the superficial skin, or epidermis, is easier to treat than deeper or dermal melasma. Some people can have a mixed variety comprised of dermal and epidermal melasma. It is important to realize there is no effective cure for melasma but with proper skin care and use of sunscreen, along with laser based therapies, melasma can be improved.

The primary problem with melasma is over stimulation of the melanocytes, the cells responsible for production of melanin. Melanin is the pigment which gives color to the skin. We all have the same number of melanocytes however we produce melanin in different quantities and in response to different stimuli. Hormones, as in pregnancy as well as taking birth control pills or thyroid dysfunction can all lead to the over stimulation of the melanocytes. Sun exposure can also stimulate these cells to increase production of the melanin. Therefore strict sun avoidance and daily use of sunscreen is an absolute requirement in the treatment of melasma.

After sun avoidance, use of topical formulations is the next step in the treatment of melasma. Compounds such as retinoic acid, hydroquinone, and topical steroids can all help decrease pigmentation by increasing cell turnover as well as inhibiting the melanocytes and thereby reducing melanin production. While hydroquinone has remained a gold standard for the treatment of melasma, use is falling out of favor due to the potential side effects. Naturally derived compounds such as Vitamin C, kojic acid, azelaic acid, arbuting, licorice, bearberry, and mulberry all have effects on lightening pigment. Retinoic acid works by increasing cell turn over and topical steroids limit inflammation which can also aggravate melasma. TriLuma, a combination of hydroquinone, retinoic acid, and topical steroids, is an FDA approved medication for melasma. Pharmaceutical grade skin care, such as the Obagi Condition and Enhance system, can also be used to give brighter, more even toned skin.

Thirdly, chemical peels such as glycolic, salicylic, and retinol peels can also be used to exfoliate the top layer of the skin and bring the pigmentation to the surface, They can be combined with dermabrasion to enhance penetration and effect of the peels. Typically a series of chemical peels is needed to see results. Again it is very important to utilize sunscreen as well as limiting sun exposure when undergoing anyone of these treatments.

Finally, laser and other light based treatments, can be used to improve melasma. Photofacials use IPL, or intense pulsed light, to treat melasma. They work by using a broadband lightsource to target areas of hyperpigmentation found in melasma. The darker areas absorb more light than the surround normal skin, thereby causings it’s destruction. Typically a series of 4 to 6 photofacials are necessary for good results. There is hardly any downtime associated with the procedure except for some brown superficial crusting that may develop at the site of dark skin.

Fraxel Restore can also be used to treat melasma. It is a non ablative treatment that deposits hundreds of microchannels of heat cause new skin formation and removing skin with hyperpigmentation. Effective melasma treatment may require 4 to 6 treatments with the Fraxel laser as well. There is more downtime associated to the Fraxel procedure for melasma, however most redness and swelling typically resolves over 3 to 5 days.

Whatever treatment for melasma is chosen, it is important to realize there is no effective cure for melasma. With proper sun avoidance and use of sunscreen along with topical creams, melasma can be controlled. It may be necessary to incorporate light and laser based treatments to give you the even toned skin you desire. It is important to treat a provider who is familiar with these different treatments options as some times the treatments themselves can aggravate melasma.

Call 908-273-5400 to schedule your complimentary consultation at Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center serving Morris County and Bergen County. Come visit out location in Summit, New Jersey. Our primary goal is to educated our clients and provide different treatment options to achieve safe and effective results for melasma.

Botox® Cosmetic Injections Vs. Dermal Fillers

Plastic surgery is very popular among men and women who want to improve their appearance and look much younger and more energetic. Yet, many people want to get the benefits of plastic surgery without dealing with the recovery time or the risks that come with surgery. For that, many turn to non-surgical cosmetic techniques such as BOTOX® injections and dermal fillers. At Ethos Spa (a Summit, New Jersey skin treatment center that offers a number of non-surgical treatments), we find that these injectable cosmetics are quite popular since they can be administered during a patient’s lunch hour and require no downtime.

One thing that we sometimes notice is that people have misconceptions about BOTOX® injections, Restylane® injections, and so forth. They may have heard the names of these injectables, but they’re not sure how they accomplish what they accomplish. Let’s just take a moment right now to look at how BOTOX® injections differ from dermal filler injections.

First let’s look at dermal fillers. Dermal fillers include Restylane®, Juvéderm&™, and Radiesse®. These cosmetic injections are used to help build lush volume in area of the face. This helps eliminate deep lines and wrinkles in the injections sites and make you look much healthier and vibrant.

Now let’s look at BOTOX® injections. Summit, New Jersey BOTOX® injections are different from dermal fillers. Rather than adding volume to the injection sites, BOTOX® injections halts muscle contractions in the injection sites. By eliminating muscle contractions, wrinkles in the injections sites are less likely to appear.

So which of these options for cosmetic injections is right for you? As you probably might have guessed, the answer is not the same for everyone. Some patients will be better served by dermal filler injection while others will be helped by BOTOX® injections. The best way to find out which option will be best for you is to visit Ethos Spa for a consultation. To schedule a visit with us, contact our Summit, New Jersey skin care

Fraxel Restore-Safe and Effective Treatment for Acne Scarring, Melasma, Sun Damage, and Wrinkles

Ethos offers an array of non-surgical alternatives to facelifts. These treatments focus on removing fine lines,pigment changes from sun damage or melasma, sagging, acnescars, texture issues and uneven skin tone. Perhaps theresponse we hear most when one of our doctors recommends alaser that will restore the face to its former glory is,"But how much time will I need to recover?" We understandthis concern. Everyone is running around from onething tothe next so much it feels like we are all training for asport that doesn't exist. Not to mention, there is a fearthat the immediate result of any laser aimed at the facewill be dramatic redness and rawness. While the old adage"no pain, no gain" can be applied to most attempts atimproving our appearance, who wants to walk around lookinglike a burn victim? Not to mention missing work and socialactivities. Is a "new face" worth becoming a temporary hermit?

A Fraxel Restore laser face treatment is an amazing option toconsider because the technology is such that it requires nodowntime though mild to moderate peeling (similar to a sunburn)will occur. Does Ethos have more aggressive lasers that requirea week or so of social downtime? Yes, we do, of course, but werecognize that not everyone wishes to undergo the severity ofthose treatments that come hand-in-hand with a need to recoverat home. Which is exactly why we recently acquired a FraxelRestore laser.

The makers of this revolutionary device describe it best, "Thinkof yourskin as a digital photo that is delicately touched uponespot at a time.Fraxel treatment, likewise, affects a fractionof tissue at a time with thousands of microscopic laser columns—eachjust one-tenth the diameter of a hair follicle. Then your bodytakes care of the rest. The laser columns stimulate a naturalhealing process that works from the inside out,replacing damagedtissue with younger, smoother, healthier skin."

What exactly can you expect when you show up at Ethos for your Fraxel Restore? For starters, you will have already received a prepkit containing products such as Hydroquinone and Retina-A to be usedtwo weeks prior to your appointment. After you arrive, a topicalnumbing cream will be applied to your face to mitigate any discomfort.Light sedation via oral medication may also be provided if deemednecessary. During treatment, a Synercool machine will provide furthercomfort in the form of steady, cold air. The actual laser portion ofyour appointment only lasts 15-20 minutes during which you will feela pinching sensation.

Immediately following treatment, you can expect mild redness andswelling. An after-care kit containing emollients, balms and sunblock to speed up  recovery will be given to you to keep your facemoisturized and protected from the sun. Mild to moderate peelingwill start on day two or three post-treatment and can persist forup to one week. Make-up may be applied to conceal the peelingprocess. A follow-up visit with the doctor will be scheduled for oneweek after your appointment.

Ethos recognizes that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-allapproach which is why have built our business on customization. Ifyou are looking to revive a dull complexion, chase away signs ofdamage and stimulate collagen production without the need to laylow afterwards, thenFraxel Restore is likely the right approach foryou. And there's no better time to receive this treatment than springwhen everywhere around you, there are signs of freshness and renewal.You'll fit right in.

Isolaz-New Revolutionary Treatment for Acne

Acne. Just the abrasive sound of this word bears a negative connotation. A.c.n.e. Four little letters making one little word capable of causing so much physical and psychological distress. Creams, potions, lotions, medicated pads, oral medication, skin vacuums, the list of “solutions” goes on and on. Social anxiety, lowered self-esteem,the unjust possibility of being judged by appearance versus substance. Who knew four little letters were capable of such large scale damage? Well, < a href="http://myethosspa.com">Ethos has some good news for people being bullied by those four little letters- whether those victims are in the throes of puberty or in the midst of adulthood. We are excited to introduce Isolaz – a revolutionary laser treatment providing acne therapy never before experienced by acne sufferers. Isolaz painlessly clears existing acne while helping to prevent future breakouts. It’s that simple. And effective. During an Isolaz treatment, clients can expect no discomfort as a vacuum gently lifts the acne impurities closer to the skins surface. This helps loosen and extract dirt, blackheads, dead cells and excess oil from deep within the pores. A painless broadband light helps to destroy the acne-causing bacteria, sloughing the oils and dead cells away. The skin is left healthier, clearer and cleaner and many patients have reported their face feeling tighter and appearing radiant. Clinical studies show immediate results within 24-48 hours including reduced redness and immediate drying and flattening of blemishes. Isolaz also provides a perfect jump-start by helping the skin absorb topical medicines better. 64% of those who typically dont respond to traditional treatments like orals and topical experienced over a 75% clearance following their Isolaz treatments. Isolaz isn’t restricted to sufferers of chronic active acne- individuals who experience sporadic breakouts or clogged pores are also ideal candidates for this treatment. While on and off acne sufferers may not experience the same psychological upset- if left untreated even occasional acne can increase pore size or leave scars behind that take away from the clarity of the skin. Addressing the issue of acne is often an embarrassing experience even for the most mature adults. Teenagers need to be aware that this cutting edge technology exists as it signifies the light at the end of an awkward tunnel. Parents will receive dual satisfaction from booking their teens for Isolaz- they will see an immediate physical and psychological toll on their teen’s well-being. And once their kids experience Isolaz for themselves, odds are they will be more prone to taking good care of their skin on a daily basis. Adults who are chronic sufferers will finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief after all the years of experimentation and frustration caused by ineffective courses of treatment and will finally be free of over-stuffed medicine cabinets and expensive, time-consuming trips to the dermatologist. No matter what the age of a client who receives Isolaz treatments – the end of social stigma and the negative impact on the quality of life, school work or a career- will bring on a brand new start. Please call 908-273-5400 to schedule your complimentary consultation for Isolaz Acne Treatments at Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center

Topical Solution for Cleaning Up Acne

Ethos Medical Spa has developed an effective prescription strength topical acne treatment that has been very effective in reducing mild to moderate cases of acne. I recently wrote about the primary ingredient of our topical acne solution, retinoic acid, which works at the molecular level to ameliorate the conditions that can promote acne. But the other ingredients also play a role in the success of our anti-acne formula. One ingredients, salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxyacid found in many topical acne cleansers and gels, cuts through oil and promotes exfoliation, or the removal of dead skin on the outer layer of the epidermis, helping to clear pores where acne can form. Lactobionic acid, a polyhydroxy acid we also use in our topical acne treatment, is another exfoliating agent. This hydrating acid has the added benefit of having anti-aging properties, as it stimulates the production of collagen. The Ethos Spa formulation also includes azeliac acid, a naturally occurring substance found in wheat, rye and barley, and that is also produced by yeast. Azeliac acid is a normal component of skin flora. It has anti-bacterial properties and also has the ability to lighten abnormal skin pigmentation, which can often accompany cases of acne. Niacinimide, an anti-inflammatory agent, also enhances the effectiveness of our prescription strength treatment. Together, the ingredients in our formulation work on the different factors that can cause acne: they decrease oil production, unclog pores, limit inflammation and fight the bacteria involved in causing acne. This topical formula has achieved excellent results by itself and in combination with our laser acne treatments for our patients, who come to the Ethos Spa in Summit, from throughout northern New Jersey including the towns of Basking Ridge, Chatham, Short Hills, Livingston, Millburn, and Westfield, and Essex, Morris, and Union Counties.

Goodbye Summer; Hello Dry Skin

This is a guest post written by Dr Nilam Amin Dr Nilam Amin is a dermatologist in Chicago who provides services to treat and manage skin, hair and nail conditions. She also provides skin care tips and resources online to encourage and promote healthy skin, hair and nail care. As the summer months come to an end, some of the moisture in your skin will go right along with it. This may come as a surprise seeing as though hot burning sun may seem like more of a cause for dry skin. Ironically, humidity helps to retain the moisture in your skin. As the weather gets colder, the texture of your skin becomes dry and maybe even flaky or irritated. Indoor heating and air conditioning are both contributing factors to dry skin as well. Managing dry skin is important because the presence of dry skin is known to worsen other skin conditions that may already be present. Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) is a common skin condition that is known to flare-up in the colder months when the skin has less moisture. Chicago dermatologist Dr Nilam Amin of Nima Skin Institute has outlined some simple methods of caring for dry skin. Simple Remedies for Dry Skin Nutrition: Having a proper diet regime is always an essential way of assuring good health. The food you eat can have an effect on the condition of your skin. Vitamins and protein are essential elements of healthy skin. Hydration: Water is another important element regarding the health of your skin. Drinking lots of water keeps your body hydrated and will improve the condition of your skin. Hydrating your skin with lotions or creams is also important. Remember to avoid moisturizers containing fragrance or color. Things to Use in Moderation or Avoid Hot Water: Believe it or not, the excessive use of hot water can result in dry skin. This is because hot water strips your body of its natural oils and moisture. It is better to take warm showers or fewer showers during the day. Harsh Detergents/Soaps: Seeing as though you cant completely avoid these kinds of products, it would make good practice to purchase soaps and detergents made for sensitive or dry skin. Alcohol: Products containing alcohol often dries out the skin. Rubbing alcohol and alcohol based products like astringent can strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture. Taking care of dry skin isnt a challenging feat at all. As you can see, there are many simple ways to maintain the moisture in your skin. Be sure to contact a dermatologist if you feel that you may be affected by a skin condition.

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