verum-cutis-dermatology

Brighten Winter Skin with Laser Therapy

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 03:37:41 GMT

Winter can be a long slog with the shorter, darker days and colder temperatures, leaving you and your skin feeling less than vibrant. Why not use this time to breathe new life into dull, tired skin with our laser skin treatments? From getting rid of age spots and scarring to resurfacing your skin for a more even and toned appearance, we can bring a little brightness to your dreary winter.

At Verum Cutis Dermatology, Dr. Megan Brelsford and our team offer clients in Ashburn, Virginia, the very latest products and services to bring out the best in their skin. From facials to chemical peels, our goal is to provide you with the tools you need to keep your skin in the pink of health. At the top of our anti-aging list is our laser skin rejuvenation with the Syneron Candela® CO2RE laser.

Here’s a look at how we can brighten winter skin with laser therapy.

The road to tired skin

With each passing year, the effects of aging and exposure begin to pile up on your skin, leaving you with wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, facial veins, and other blemishes. The road to tired skin is a long one in the making and comes on the heels of years spent exposed to the sun, on top of, well, years spent. The effects of time and exposure are a one-two punch to your skin that becomes increasingly hard to bounce back from, for two very important reasons.

First, all of that exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays comes home to roost in your later years as your skin cells are no longer able to keep up with the damage. The photoaging that takes place at the hands of this exposure leads to a premature breakdown of your skin cells, as well as melanin clusters and damaged blood vessels, all of which leave your skin looking battle weary.

The second force is simply the passage of time, which brings with it a slowing down of many of your systems. In the case of your skin, production of the structural proteins responsible for its elasticity and tone — collagen and elastin — begins to drop off, leaving your skin without the resources it needs to remain healthy and vibrant.

While there’s not much we can do to turn back time, we can hit the reset button on your skin with our laser therapy.

A light at the end of the tunnel

With our CO2RE laser, we’re able to erase some of the effects of time and give your face a fresh start. The CO2RE laser is a unique system that relies on fractional CO2 energy to create microchannels in your skin. In effect, these tiny “injuries” go deep enough to encourage a healing response in your skin, which comes in the form of collagen synthesis and coagulation.

By creating a fine meshwork of microchannels across the surface of your skin, we’re able to create a new support network without having to remove the entire surface area. As the tiny injuries heal and new collagen is created, it lifts all of your skin, leaving it smoother and more toned.

Another advantage of the CO2RE system is that we can control the depth of the laser energy, which allows us to tackle several different skin problems, along with a general resurfacing. For example, we can improve old acne scarring, break up areas of hyperpigmentation, and close off facial blood vessels. This ability not only allows us to treat targeted problems for a more even tone, we also encourage more elasticity in your skin with renewed collagen.

Now it’s your turn

While listing out all of the advantages above, we forgot to mention that our laser skin services are minimally invasive and there’s no downtime. Most of our clients tolerate the treatments very well, though you may have some redness afterward, but this typically resolves itself quickly.

After your CO2RE treatment(s), your skin will slowly shed the damaged cells and replace them with healthier ones that are boosted by renewed collagen. After 6-12 weeks, you should realize your optimal results.

If you’d like to brighten the dull days of winter with a glowing face, please give us a call or use the online scheduling tool on this website to make an appointment.

You Don’t Have to Live With Crow’s Feet: Botox Can Help

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 02:33:59 GMT

The cliché says that wrinkles are just antique smiles, but the fact is, if you don’t like them, you don’t have to live with them. There are safe and effective treatments to soften the appearance of those lines around your eyes.

Long history of successful Botox® use

Botox is a form of botulinum toxin, and is used in numerous medical applications. The most common use, though, is in injections for cosmetic use. Botox Cosmetic was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2002. Millions of injections have been performed in that time.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 7 million injections of formulations of botulinum toxins were performed in 2017, making it the most common cosmetic procedure.

Overall, Botox is considered very safe. There are some potential side effects, but they’re generally temporary and not severe.

Botox works by blocking the nerve impulses that tense the muscles that create the expressions that cause crow’s feet. In other words, it paralyzes the tiny muscles around your eyes that cause the wrinkles. You can still smile and your face will still be animated; you just won’t have wrinkles!

What to expect during treatment

Botox is injected directly into the area you want treated, so if you want to get rid of crow’s feet, it will be injected near your eyes. The needles we use at Verum Cutis Dermatology are very fine, and if you’re concerned about discomfort, we’ll use a topical anesthetic — a numbing agent — to help you stay relaxed.

One of the reasons that Botox works well for crow’s feet is that the dose can be tailored to create exactly the look you want. You don’t want your eyes to look frozen, so often a lower dose of Botox can remove the appearance of wrinkles, but still leave your smile intact.

Timeline of recovery and treatment results

You’ll probably be able to tell a difference right away, but it usually takes a few days for you to see the full result of your treatment.

There’s virtually no recovery necessary following Botox injections. You can go home, or return to your normal, daily activities within 4 hours. It’s fine to wear makeup and wash your face that day.

The only thing you need to be careful to avoid is rubbing around your eyes. If you do, you may cause the Botox to migrate — and if it’s not in precisely the right place, it won’t help with your crow’s feet.

Studies have shown that most people who get Botox injections enjoy the results for 3-4 months. After that, you’ll need maintenance injections to keep your smoother look. The good news is that, over time, it usually takes less Botox to do the same job.

If you’d like to learn more about Botox injections for crow’s feet, book an appointment at Verum Cutis Dermatology. Dr. Brelsford is happy to discuss the benefits and potential side effects with you. Scheduling is easy — simply give us a call.

Learn More About The Many Benefits of Microneedling

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 02:27:37 GMT

Sure, the mere mention of a needle can cause anxiety to rise in many, but the reality is that microneedling is a minimally invasive technique that delivers powerful results with minimal discomfort. All in less than an hour.

At Verum Cutis Dermatology, we endeavor to provide our patients in Ashburn, Virginia, with the tools they need to fight off the signs of aging. Among our many great products and services is microneedling, which helps boost collagen and skin cell production for a more even complexion that belies your years.

Here are just a few of the many benefits of microneedling.

The forces of aging

To better understand how microneedling works so well, it’s helpful to review the forces we’re up against. As you age, your skin is one of the first areas to succumb, as it’s your first line of defense against the world. In its role, your skin shields you from the elements, particularly the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. It also protects your body against invading bacteria, and unfortunately it takes a hit for the team in the process (think acne and scarring).

On top of the constant abuse that your skin endures, its resources to fight back — namely collagen and elastin — begin to dwindle with age. These two structural proteins are responsible for the elasticity and tone in your skin, and as you get older, this supply naturally begins to wane. While perfectly natural, this deficit leaves you with skin that’s less able to stand up against the forces of aging.

Bolstering your resources

One of the best ways to fight back against aging skin is to boost your resources from within, which is what microneedling accomplishes. Using a small instrument that contains 36 tiny needles, called the Collagen PIN®, we wake up these healing elements, giving your skin what it needs to rejuvenate itself.

Microneedling works by creating micro-injuries across the surface of your skin. These “injuries” aren’t large or deep enough to cause any damage, but they’re able to create a mild healing response in your body.

In general, when your body detects an injury, it responds by sending in support, namely collagen, to strengthen and rebuild the area. In a traumatic healing response from an accidental wound, the flood of collagen creates scarring. In contrast, the response we create through microneedling is a mild one, which works to gently rebuild and repair your skin on a cellular level. The end result is more even skin.

Addressing your problems

Our clients use microneedling for a number of different skin concerns, including:

Acne scars (as well as other types of scarring)
Age spots
Uneven complexion
Fine lines and wrinkles
Unusually large pores

By creating very tiny microchannels in your skin, we’re able to help your skin cover up these blemishes and lines with fresh new skin cells and collagen.

The procedure

When you come in, we first apply a topical anesthetic for your comfort. Once you’re ready, we quickly run the microneedling instrument over your problem areas. In most cases, this treatment can be done in 30-60 minutes, and you’re free to get on with your day afterward. You may feel some soreness and experience some redness, but these typically resolve themselves quickly.

Over the following weeks, your results will be gradual as your skin rebuilds. By the end of 6-12 weeks, you’ll be rewarded with fresh, vibrant skin and a more even complexion.

If you’d like to explore how microneedling can greatly improve your skin, please give us a call to set up an appointment.

Don't Let Acne Scars Undermine Your Confidence: We Have Solutions

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 02:23:52 GMT

When you think of your teenage years, you likely have a few embarrassing memories. That hairstyle. The neon and acid-washed nightmare that was your wardrobe. And of course, the acne. Fortunately, most of us have left the Aquanet and moon boots behind, but some of us still have a reminder of those days: acne scarring.

Just as unsightly as its predecessor, acne scarring forms when inflamed blemishes cause your pores to swell, breaking the follicle wall. When these breaks are really deep, the material inside the blemish, commonly referred to as “pus,” can flow into surrounding tissue, creating deeper lesions. Your skin forms new collagen fibers to help repair the lesions, but those fibers aren’t as smooth as the original skin surrounding the lesion.

There are five common types of acne scarring:

Ice Pick Acne Scars. The most common. These are narrow scars that form pits in the skin.
Boxcar Acne Scars. Similar to chickenpox, these are angular and well-defined.
Rolling Acne Scars. These are wide and shallow, creating a wave-like indentation.
Hypertrophic Acne Scars. These are raised scars, which may diminish in appearance over time.
Keloid Acne Scars. These are larger than the original blemish and may feel rubbery and sometimes itchy.

Should you have scarring, hope is not lost! Dr. Brelsford offers several solutions for treating your acne scarring.

Proper Skincare

The first step to minimizing your acne scarring is to have a proper skincare regimen. Dr. Brelsford initially discusses your skincare regimen to determine if it’s truly what’s best for your skin type. You may have oily, dry, or combination skin, and your skincare routine should reflect that. This is especially important if you are still experiencing breakouts, as new blemishes can create new scarring, which essentially voids the scar treatment process.

HydraFacial

The HydraFacial™ treatment cleases, exfoliates, extracts, hydrates, and provides antioxidant protection simulataneously. Dr. Brelsford first applies a serum to your face which removes the upper layer of your skin, exposing a healthy layer underneath. Then, another serum is applied to remove the new layer of healthy skin, which promotes healthy cell growth and removes pollutants from your pores.

This procedure is increaingly popular because it usually takes less than an hour and there is almost no pain or recovery time! Progress may be seen after just one treatment depending on your individual requirements.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are particularly effective on rolling and boxcar scars. This form of treatment gives immediate results and may be modified over the course of a few months. Before the procedure, Dr. Brelsford discusses your scarring with you, and you’ll decide which of the scars you specifically want to be treated. Dr. Brelsford then injects the filler under your skin, which fills out the scar to create an even appearance. Because the collagen in your skin breaks down over time, you may need to have periodic refills to keep the scars filled.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing removes the top layers of skin to reveal new skin underneath. The heat from the laser also promotes collagen growth in the newly exposed skin, which encourages the treatment area to heal in a smoother, more even way. This treatment method tends to take a bit longer than the others and is more intensive; however, it’s also more permanent than the others.

Each of these treatments has pros and cons. When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Brelsford reviews each and every one of them, answering any questions you may have to determine the best treatment option for you.

Acne scarring can be embarrassing, but it also isn’t the end of the world! If you have scars from previous blemishes, call Dr. Brelsford today to schedule a consultation. With the proper treatment you’ll be fresh-faced and clear-skinned in no time.

Best and Worst Foods for Preventing Eczema Flare-Ups

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 02:17:42 GMT

Have you ever wondered why, at certain times of the day, your eczema becomes particularly itchy and painful? Maybe you can’t figure out what’s triggering those flare-ups, but it could be your diet.

Eczema is a group of conditions that often cause itchy, dry skin that’s not only irritating but painful, too. Genetic factors can cause eczema for some people. Environmental factors like pet dander and soaps can also play a role. A weakened immune system resulting from a recent cold can even cause flare-ups.

But diet and certain foods present another trigger for eczema. Knowing what foods to avoid and what to eat can make a big difference in your well-being.

October is Eczema Awareness Month, so we’ve put together a list of the best and worst foods to help you prevent and ease eczema flare-ups.

Stay away from these foods:

Food-sensitive skin reactions usually occur around six to 24 hours after you eat a certain type of food that doesn’t agree with your system. To figure out what foods are causing your flare-ups, we often recommend paying attention to the common foods known to aggravate eczema.

Foods that commonly trigger an eczema reaction include:

Wheat and gluten
Citrus fruits
Soy
Grapes
Broccoli
Eggs
Dairy, including yogurt, cow’s milk, cheese, and butter
Tomatoes
Dried fruits
Avocados
Spices, such as cinnamon and vanilla
Certain kinds of nuts

Before you ditch anything from your current diet, focus on each food type listed, one at a time, and keep an eye on your skin condition for about four to six weeks to determine if you are sensitive to that type of food. Keeping a food journal helps. If your symptoms seem to worsen after you add a food to your diet, avoid it in the future.

Soothe your skin with these foods

When it comes to soothing your itchy skin during eczema flare-ups, aim to fill your refrigerator with anti-inflammatory, omega-rich, alkalizing ingredients that can help ease your eczema from the inside out.

Flaxseed oil moisturizes your skin from within. A half-teaspoon of flaxseed oil a day gives you a hefty dose of omega-3s to soothe painful and itchy skin.

Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant and is particularly important for healthy skin. Add colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet, including apricots, carrots, peppers, and butternut squash.

Watercress leaves provide both anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties to relieve inflamed patches of skin. Boil the leaves for about 10 minutes to make a refreshing drink, or add them to sandwiches and salads.

Beets help your liver eliminate toxins and are said to improve collagen, giving your skin a boost.

Vitamin D is important for your immune system, especially when it comes to creating a healthy balance of microbiota and healthy bacteria, which impacts the health of your skin. Add fortified foods like fatty fishes such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, along with mushrooms for a healthy dose of vitamin D.

Pears are low in natural chemicals and ideal for their fiber content, which can reduce the risk of flare-ups. For a tasty and highly alkalizing juice, blend pears with carrots and beets.

Oats contain vitamin E, silica, zinc, and fiber — a killer combination for strong skin and fighting flare-ups.

Eczema is a complex condition

While dietary changes may help you control those itchy flare-ups, sometimes you need a little extra help. A combination of a clearly defined and healthy diet along with specialized medical care go a long way toward managing your symptoms.

We can help. Book a consultation with Dr. Megan Brelsford at Verum Cutis Dermatology today to discuss your treatment options.

Celebrities from Jennifer Aniston to Kim Kardashian Love the Benefits of Microneedling

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 21:55:19 GMT

We all know women such as Jennifer Aniston and Kim Kardashian with seemingly flawless skin. Each time you see them, you wonder what kind of magic procedure they use to maintain their glow.

What if we told you that great skin is only a stone’s throw away? We’re not kidding. At Verum Cutis Dermatology, dermatologist Megan Brelsford, DO, specializes in microneedling along with other skin therapies to help women look their best. But what is microneedling and how can you benefit from it? Let’s delve in and explore:

Microneedling

Microneedling is also known as collagen induction therapy. It involves the actual induction of collagen production.

The process is done using an appliance with small needles that press into your skin and in so doing create hundreds of microscopic abrasions. These injuries result in the production of collagen that rejuvenates your skin to look younger. Now you know the secret to why some women look, and possibly feel, more youthful even as they age.

The other thing to note is that while microneedling is abrasive, it’s scientifically tested and found to be safe for the skin. The microneedles only cause minimal abrasions in the skin’s topmost layer, so there’s nothing to worry about. Believe it or not, this procedure is not only painless, but it’s fairly inexpensive, too.

Understanding this therapy and how it works isn’t enough. Let’s dive deeper and find out the benefits most people enjoy with microneedling.

The Benefits of Microneedling

The benefits of microneedling are numerous. The procedure:

Diminishes the appearance of stretch marks:

Stretch marks are one of those pains that few women can escape. Whether because of pregnancy, weight loss, or weight gain, millions of women all over the world suffer from frustration associated with these unsightly scars.

The good news is that through a combination of laser surgery and microneedling, stretch marks can fade into your skin, leaving an almost perfect result.

Removes scarring:

While stretch marks are considered to be scars, there are few things uglier than conspicuous scars that some women have on parts of their bodies for various reasons. Such scars can really water down a woman’s confidence.

The microneedling process breaks down old scar tissue and gives room for fresh new collagen to develop, leaving only healthy and glowing skin.

Treats acne:

Acne is every woman’s worst nightmare, with some having it worse than others. If your acne has stopped but there are still scars left behind then microneedling could be the thing for you.

Get in touch with Verum Cutis Dermatology today for more information on how you can leave your acne scars behind for good.

Treats hyperpigmentation and age spots:

Hyperpigmentation is a condition where your skin produces melanin abnormally. This results in patchy-looking skin. It can occur in women of all ages and from different walks of life. Nonetheless, hyperpigmentation is more prevalent in women of color.

Microneedling gets into the top layer of the skin and helps it to shed, and the collagen that’s produced replaces the old patchy skin for a fresh new look.

Improves the appearance of wrinkles, thinning and fine lines:

One of the main causes of wrinkles and fine lines is the skin’s loss of elasticity and collagen. It therefore makes sense that collagen induction helps restore a supple look to the skin.

Another benefit is the reversal of thinning skin. Once age catches up with you, the skin tends to become thin. This process of microneedling restores collagen and, as time goes by, your skin tightens and looks better.

Reverses signs of aging:

As a dermatologist, there’s so much to teach young women who don’t feel the need to take care of their skin until they reach a certain age, and perhaps this is a topic for another day.

Nevertheless, if premature aging still occurs possibly because of genetics, then microneedling can take care of that.

Treats rosacea:

Rosacea is a medical condition where the skin becomes abnormally red, and the production of collagen is hampered. This is a symptom for a perfect candidate for collagen induction therapy. However, certain kinds of rosacea may not require microneedling.

Final word:

Women invest a lot in skin care in the United States. Even when skin care products let you down, microneedling can help restore your skin’s youthful glow. Give Dr. Brelsford and Verum Cutis Dermatology a call today or book an appointment online and we’ll be happy to help you.