It’s February and in Toronto, we can count on cold weather, snow, and low humidity. At Gidon Aesthetics & MediSpa, we are embracing February instead of complaining. Winter is the perfect time for many of our treatments since we don’t need to worry about sun exposure here. Keep your skin moisturized, use your antioxidants, sunscreen, and our medical-grade serums. Now is the time to consider some of our favourite February therapeutic treatments.
Repair with Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Fractional laser resurfacing treats tiny dots of the skin at a time. Treated skin heals like digital modification, pixel by pixel. At Gidon Aesthetics & MediSpa, we use two different methods of fractional laser resurfacing. One is ablative and the other is non-ablative. The ablative fractional laser is more aggressive since it removes channels of skin and therefore, healing is involved with one week’s downtime. Definitely, planning is a must. Non-ablative laser resurfacing is less aggressive. There is some puffiness for three to four days and pinkness for about one week. Makeup can be worn immediately afterward. We offer treatments throughout the week but some of our patients prefer “Fractional Friday”! These popular fractional laser resurfacing treatments target aging skin, sun damage, and scarring. There is an improvement in brown spots, lines, and pores. Acne and surgical scars are minimized. The skin is fresher, smoother, and more radiant. Any area can be treated and the face, neck, décolletage, arms, and hands are the most popular areas.
Tighten with Radio Frequency and Microneedling
Radio frequency treatments reduce the signs of aging skin to give a more youthful appearance. Multiple pulses are applied to the skin in an individualized pattern dependent on our patients’ concerns. The generated heat tightens existing collagen and stimulates the production of new collagen. Saggy skin becomes tighter, firmer, and lifted. There is no associated downtime. With our radio frequency microneedling, very thin needles are pulsed into the skin to form tiny channels that heal with tightening. PRP (platelet-rich plasma) using your own serum can be added to this treatment for a boosted effect. There may be pinpoint bruising for a few days and a sandpapery feel to the skin but makeup can be applied the next day so there is very little downtime.
Radio frequency treatments tighten and lift saggy skin, and also refine skin texture and pores. Any area can be treated and the most popular areas are the face, neck, décolletage, arms, and thighs.
Volumize with Dermal Fillers
With aging, the skin’s collagen and elastin gradually break down and cause loose, saggy skin. Youthful fat pads are lost and there is bone resorption causing a deflated appearance. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the skin, giving younger skin a plump, dewy look but it becomes depleted with aging. Dermal fillers made of hyaluronic acid are synthetic gels composed of sugar and water. When used in a skillful fashion by an experienced Cosmetic Dermatologist, a youthful, natural, healthy appearance can be achieved.
Dermal fillers improve wrinkles, lines, sagging and volume loss. Popular areas to treat include the cheeks, chin, jawline, temples, tear troughs, and of course, the lips. Hyaluronic acid fillers can retain moisture in the skin for a hydrated, dewy look.
Relax with neuromodulators
Frown and squint lines can give an angry, stressed, and tired look. Neuromodulator injections can relax unwanted dynamic lines caused by muscle movements. This injection procedure has been used safely for over 30 years, is the number one cosmetic treatment performed worldwide, and continues to grow in popularity. Neuromodulators soften frown and forehead lines, crow’s feet, bunny lines, lip lines, a gummy smile, a dimpled chin and neck bands.
Millennials grew up with their parents having these injections and they like to start treatments early since they know that small amounts can be used to prevent the formation of unwanted lines. When treated by an experienced Cosmetic Dermatologist, the results are beautiful and natural, with a happier and refreshed appearance.
Texturize with Exfoliating Treatments
At Gidon Aesthetics & MediSpa, we love smooth, glowing skin and offer several types of exfoliating treatments to improve skin texture, tone, pigmentation and radiance.
Our gentle laser peel stimulates collagen for a clear, smooth, and beautiful complexion. There is mild puffiness and pinkness for one to two days and a rough feel for a few days, followed by a gentle exfoliation. Makeup can be worn immediately. We have several types of chemical peels suited for various concerns. No downtime is experienced with mild peels; however, more aggressive peels may have up to one week of exfoliation. We offer several types of microdermabrasion, including dermal infusion and our Oxy 3-in-1 facial to exfoliate, infuse and rehydrate skin.
Even out Skin Pigmentation
With aging and sun exposure, spider veins, red spots, and brown discoloration develops. Sun protection is the primary preventative treatment but intense pulsed light treatments can help minimize these concerns.
IPL involves a series of bright light pulses that close spider veins, reduce redness and fade brown spots. It also stimulates collagen production, increases skin radiance, and minimizes pores. There is a potential for bruising and darkening of the brown spots for a few days and makeup can be worn immediately afterward.
Contour with Focused Ultrasound
Body contouring with focused ultrasound is a non-surgical procedure that reduces targeted fat cells that are destroyed. It is not meant for weight loss but for the removal of stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to a healthy diet and exercise. There is no downtime, no bruising, and no discomfort. Regular activities can be resumed immediately. Typically, three treatments performed two weeks apart are required.
Maintain with Medical Grade Skin Care Products
We encourage our patients to complement their treatments with skincare products at home. My medical aestheticians and I analyze our patients’ skin to determine which of our effective, medical-grade skincare products would be most beneficial. Sunscreen, antioxidant serum, retinol, and AHA are the essentials. We may then add a hyaluronic acid serum, peptides, ceramides, and other appropriate ingredients to complete the package. We create a bespoke, customized treatment plan to achieve the best possible results.
Have a fabulous February!