The Barlow Building 5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1400 Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Phone: (301) 951-7905 Fax: (301) 951-7011
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Botox
Botox Cosmetic is FDA approved and entirely safe. Botox Cosmetic is a naturally occurring muscle relaxing agent used to treat certain facial wrinkles. Creases, furrows, and wrinkles between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and around the eyes ("crow's feet") are caused by the pull of the underlying muscles of facial expression. Botox cosmetic injections relax these muscles, softening and flattening the creases in the overlying skin. This treatment is temporary, lasting three to six months.
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Diolite (Spider Veins)
Laser Treatment of broken blood vessels and spider veins
Newer lasers, such as the Diolite Laser, have revolutionized the treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions. While older tunable dye laser treatments could be significantly painful and cause extensive bruising, blistering and oozing, the Diolite laser offers safe and effective, non-traumatic treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions. The gentle and precise treatment characteristics of this laser provide consistent results. When used by trained healthcare professionals, lasers are safe and effective.
Vascular lesions that respond well to Diolite Laser treatment are:
- Spider telangiectasias -- enlargement and dilation of arteriole and capillary vessels.
- Cherry angiomas - slightly raised, red lesions
- Rosacea associated with vessel dilation - red facial lesions around the nose and cheeks causing a sunburned or embarrassed look.
- Pigmented lesions responding well to Diolite Laser treatment are:
- Lentigines - flat brown spots on the skin (liver spots) in sun exposed areas
- Keratoses - slightly scaly, pigmented spots often found on sun damaged skin.
- Freckles -brownish spots, common on fair skinned individuals.
- Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra - small black keratoses seen primarily on people of Asian or African descent.
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Ear Piercing & Earlobe Repair
Our office commonly performs ear piercing under sterile conditions and using only the finest starter ear rings. In addition, earlobe repair for a torn earlobe or elongated piercing can be performed. Over time, a pierced earlobe can become stretched due to large or heavy earrings, resulting in a large opening that may even tear completely through the lobe. Often, a torn earlobe can result from trauma, such as having an earring pulled by a child or caught on clothing. Whether you have a partial tear or a complete tear, the torn earlobe can be repaired. After injecting the earlobe with a small amount of local anesthetic, Dr. O’Neill will “freshen” the edges of the torn lobe by removing a small amount of skin. Then, using fine sutures, such as those used in a facelift, the earlobe is meticulously repaired to reconstruct a normal, rounded, earlobe.
After the earlobe has healed and the scar has softened, it can be re-pierced in an area away from the scar.
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Facial Redness Correction
Facial redness is a complex problem that may stem from rosacea, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, hormonal factors, sun damage etc. It can be diffuse or consist of multiple distinct capillaries. The best therapy depends on proper recognition of its etiology and often involves choosing a combination of medical and cosmetic approaches.
The medical approach may involve the use of topical or oral medications such as in the case of rosacea. Cosmetic approach generally involves the utilization of lasers.
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Hyperpigmentation & Vitiligo Correction
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Hyperpigmentation is due to increased melanin pigment in the skin. It’s causes are numerous and include skin trauma or inflammation, sun damage, melasma/chloasma, medication-induced changes, inherited conditions etc. Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Similar patches also appear on both the mucous membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose), and the retina (inner layer of the eyeball). The hair that grows on areas affected by vitiligo sometimes turns white. The treatments for these range from topical application of bleaching agents such as hydroquinone, topical retinoids, azelaic acid, kojic acid, glabridin (licorice extract), ascorbic acid and sunscreens to receiving such in-office treatments as chemical peels, light box treatments, and help with choosing appropriate cosmetics.
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Juvéderm® is an injectable gel made from hyaluronic acid compound which naturally occurs in the skin along with collagen and elastin. Hyaluronic acid retains water and increases skin’s volume and density. The appearance of wrinkles can be reversed by adding structure and volume to the skin.
Juvéderm® injections instantly smooth out the wrinkles and folds leaving you looking natural and younger. Due to the Hyalacross® technology in production of the Juvéderm® gel, the duration of results achieved is up to 1 year. Because Juvéderm® is non-animal based and and highly biocompatible, no pretreatment testing is needed.
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Laser Hair Removal
1. What is the Candela GentleLASE laser?
Lasers have been used for many years for a variety of medical cosmetic procedures including treatment of facial and leg veins, age spots and rejuvenating the skin on the face. The GentleLASE System, a revolutionary long-pulse high energy alexandrite laser emits a gentle beam of light that passes through the skin to the hair follicle where it is absorbed. The laser energy is transformed into heat, which destroys the hair follicle leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. The skin is further protected during treatment by a Dynamic Cooling DeviceTM where cryogen is sprayed onto the skin cooling the upper layers and providing patients with increased comfort.
2. What conditions are treated with the GentleLASE?
The GentleLASE System safely removes unwanted body hair without damaging the delicate pores and structures of the skin. Facial and bikini areas are usually completed in less than ten minutes; legs, backs and larger areas can take longer.
3. How long will it take?
Because the laser treats many hairs at a time, facial areas (lip, chin, etc.) can be treated in 5-10 minutes. Small body areas (underarms, bikini, etc.) take less than 15 minutes. Larger body areas (full back, legs, arms. etc.) usually take about 30 to 60 minutes depending on the size of the area.
4. How many treatments will I need?
The laser works by disabling hairs that are in their active growth cycle at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter their growth cycles at different times, an average of 5 treatments will be necessary to disable all of the follicles in a given area.
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Choosing a proper filler for lip enhancement is only the beginning. Proper injection technique and aesthetic sense are crucial to achieving beautiful, sensual lips that not only look but feel natural. Often, due to the different characteristics of various fillers that may be desirable for accentuating the border of the lip but not for filling its body, combining two different agents accomplishes the best results. A topical or an injectable anesthetic may be required to minimize patient’s discomfort. Depending on the amount and the type of filler used, it is important to avoid the lip enhancement procedure for up to 2 weeks prior to an important business or social event in order for transient swelling, redness or bruising to resolve
- Line Filling
- Lip Augmentation
- Soft tissue augmentation of the lips requires multiple injections to distribute the filler for enhanced lip fullness and to raise or define a cupid’s bow or vermillion border.
- Nasolabial Folds
- An improved appearance is visible almost immediately, although minor swelling or bruising may appear at the injection sites.
- With some fillers, a slightly “over-filled” appearance may be initially present. These conditions will resolve within a few hours, or at most a few days. The duration may be as long as a few weeks with injection of one’s own harvested fat.
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Perlane®
Perlane® is the newest member of the hyaluronic acid fillers available
in the U.S. It is indicated for the correction of deep facial folds and
wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds.
It may also be used for shaping facial contours (e.g. cheeks and chin) and for achieving lip fullness. The
three-dimensional gel particles on Perlane® are hydrophilic molecules
attracting and binding water helping to maintain results of the
augmentation for about six months.
Perlane® has been approved
for use in the U.S. in May 2007, however it has been used safely by
dermatologists and plastic surgeons since 2000 outside the U.S.
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Radiesse (Filler)
Treatment with Radiesse can smooth out folds and wrinkles, augment specific facial areas, and contour facial features that have lost their fullness due to aging, sun exposure, illness, etc. Facial rejuvenation can be carried out with minimal complications. Radiesse is injected into the skin with a very fine needle. This product produces a natural volume under the wrinkle, which is lifted up and smoothed out. The results can often be seen immediately. Treatment with Radiesse is fast and safe and leaves no scars or other traces on the face.
What should I expect after getting the Radiesse treatment?
Patients may experience post treatment discomfort such as swelling, redness, bruising, and discoloration. Reactivation of herpes (cold sores) may also occur for patients who are susceptible to getting them.
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Restylane (Filler)
1. What is Restylane?
Restylane is a safe and natural cosmetic filler that restores volume fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as smile lines, in addition to lip enhancement.
2. Is Restylane safe?
Yes. Restylane has been used safely since 1996 worldwide. Because it is non-animal-based allergy testing is not required. The most commonly reported side effects were temporary redness and swelling at the injection site, that typically resolves within 2-3 days.
3. How long does Restylane last?
Studies have shown that the average treatment results last six months or even longer. Restylane lasts twice as long as collagen, on average results last six months or longer. Evidence shows that having a touch-up treatment before the product is fully dissipated will enhance the lasting effect.
4. What should I expect after getting the Restylane treatment?
Patients may experience redness, bruising, itching, discoloration, swelling, and/or tenderness for a few days after the procedure. These reactions generally lessen or disappear within a few days but may last for a week or longer. Reactivation of herpes (cold sores) may also occur for patients who are susceptible to getting them.
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Sclerotherapy
1. What is sclerotherapy?
The Sclerotherapy treatment was developed in the 1920's. During the procedure, a sclerosing solution is injected into the vein through a micro-needle. The tiny needle generally causes very little pain. The sclerosing solution causes the vein to blanch (turn white), and then gradually disappear. A typical treatment may last for 15 to 20 minutes and consist of multiple injections. Sclerotherapy may eliminate the need for an invasive surgical procedure.
2. Will Sclerotherapy work on my veins?
Prior to treatment, we will review your complete medical history to determine how long you have had a problem with your veins and the severity of the problem. We need to know if the problem is exacerbated by physical activity and if there has been any prior surgery or treatment on your veins.
3. How many treatments will I need?
Complete correction of the treated area is not expected on the first treatment. In most cases, about 50-70% of the treated vessels will be gone for good. However, new veins may appear and additional treatments are generally required for optimum results. These treatments may be in three-week intervals.
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Chemical peels remove damaged outer layer of the skin to smooth texture, correct hyperpigmentation, sun damage and blemishes, lessen fine lines, stimulate collagen production and create an overall healthier, more youthful appearance.
We offer a variety of chemical peels to best suit your unique skin care needs:
+ Glycolic Acid Peel Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) which include glycolic acid are derived from certain plants and fruits, including sugar cane, apples, grapes and citrus. “Fruit acids” have been used even by women of ancient Rome to improve their skin. These acids are now used to improve acne, dry skin, sun damaged skin, hyperpigmentation and fine lines. AHAs dissolve the glue that binds together the dead cells on the surface of the skin revealing smoother, softer skin and stimulating new cell growth. AHAs also dissolve the material that clogs pores in acne patients. A series of 5 or 6 peels is needed to accomplish the best results. We perform glycolic acid peels every 2 to 4 weeks and our patients usually return to work or school the next day.
+ Trichloacetic Acid Peels (TCA) TCA is commonly used for medium-depth peeling to treat fine lines, superficial blemishes and pigment problems. A version of a TCA peel is the Obagi Blue Peel.
+ Obagi Blue Peel Obagi Blue Peel can be customized to patients’ particular skin needs by the number of coats applied. A blue base with built-in safeguards helps ensure consistent results. It is indicated for many skin conditions such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, comedonal acne and more. The bluish tint to the skin after the procedure usually washes off in 12 to 24 hours. In conjunction with the Obagi Nu-Derm System, the Blue Peel is one of the most effective remedies for facial hyperpigmentation.
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TCA Chemical Peel
TCA (tricholoracetic acid) is a non-toxic chemical which has been used to perform skin peels for over 30 years. Unlike some other types of peels, TCA peels have the additional advantage of creating a fresh natural appearing complexion, while preserving the normal skin color.
TCA peels can effectively improve many conditions, including:
- Dull, weathered skin
- Freckling
- Blotchy pigmentation (including the mask of pregnancy)
- Sun damage (including some precancerous lesions)
- Fine wrinkles
- Shallow acne scars
Most people take 5-7 days to heal from an average TCA peel. During the healing process there is no pain, but the skin looks as if it has had a severe sunburn. Therefore, most patients choose to stay home during the healing process. Anyone who has had a TCA peel is more sensitive to sunlight for at least 6-8 weeks after their peel. During this time it is very important to protect the new skin with sunscreens, hats, and the avoidance of strong sunlight. TCA peels can be performed on most skin types but not everyone is a candidate as with any procedure.
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