Patient Education And Resources

COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY

VELASHAPE® VelaShape® is a non-surgical contouring, shaping and slimming treatment whereby powerful energies reduce volume and change the appearance of fat tissues.  VelaShape® is a FDA cleared procedure providing improved results without significant discomfort nor downtime.  The combined energies VelaShape® utilize are known as elōs® (electro-optical synergy) and it targets and heats fatty tissues.  elōs® when this unique technology is applied reduces volume and the appearance of fatty tissues, vacuum and tissue manipulation then even out the skin, providing for a smoother and tighter figure.  This approach allows multiple areas to include abdomen, buttocks and thighs to be treated in less than 40 minutes.  Results will be most apparent 6-8 weeks following the final treatment.  All skin types and colors are effectively and safely treated with no reported short- or long-term health effects.  VelaShape® is designed to accommodate each patient's comfort and sensitivity level.  It has been reported that a warm sensation is experienced for a few hours post-treatment as well as reddness of the skin.  Thus the overall treatment should be well tolerated by the majority of patients.  Dr. Cook can provide consultation and medical evalution for VelaShape® treatment candidates.

THERMAGE®

The Thermage® procedure is a radiofrequency treatment.  It is a single, non-invasive procedure that requires no downtime.  Thermage® has been proven clinically safe and effective.  It can be used to treat all skin types for skin tightening, renewal of facial contours and restores healthier collagen. Dr. Cook will answer all your questions about the Thermage® procedure to determine if this is the right treatment for you.

For additional information: THERMAGE®

Tända™ Tända Light Therapy: Proven Technology For Better Looking Skin   Photorejuvenation, Photofacials, Phototherapy, Light Therapy and Blue Light Acne treatments are all used by dermatologists, plastic surgeons and medical spas to treat and prevent acne and to reduce the signs of aging. The power of Tända - LiteCare® Technology - utilizes powerful Light Emitting Diodes (LED) combined with microprocessor control and proprietary optics to deliver clinical levels of light from a home use device. Tända is an effective and safe tool for treating two skin conditions, acne and aging. The interchangeable Tända Clear and Tända Regenerate treatment heads allow for many skin treatment options that can be beneficial to different members of the family. It is compact and portable, giving you the freedom to maintain your Tända beautiful skin in the comfort and privacy of home, while traveling, at school or at work.

Dr. Cook can provide additional information for treatment of acne or skin rejuvenation.

For additional information: www.tandaskincare.com

Botox®

Botox® cosmetic is a simple, non-surgical treatment involving a few tiny injections that can temporarily smooth moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people. Boxtox® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. This protein reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those frown lines. Botox® Cosmetic should not be used if you are allergic to any ingredients in the Botox® cosmetic or are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. It should not be used if there is an infection at the injection site(s) or in patients with neurological disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome. The most common side effects include headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eyelid droop and nausea.

For additional information: Botox®  Cosmetic

Chemical Peels And Products

We offer several product lines to meet various needs.

PRESCRIBEDsolutions Customization: Skincare prescribed by your doctor. Exclusively for you. PRESCRIBEDsolutions is the only skincare line that enables physicians to use their professional knowledge to customize their patient's skincare products. PRESCRIBEDsolutions allows your physician to treat your short term concerns, such as temporary post procedure inflammation as well as longer term skincare concerns, such as a loss of firmness or elasticity, skin discolorations, or visible signs of aging by boosting your products -in a matter of seconds - with potent state of the art ingredients at the time of dispensing. Boosters - continuously providing the latest advances in skincare. As new breakthrough skincare ingredients are identified, clinically tested and published in scholarly journals, PRESCRIBEDsolutions' chemists rapidly incorporate them into additional boosters. This ensures that you are constantly being provided with state of the art skincare that use breakthrough ingredients before they become available elsewhere.     For additional information: Q-Med AB

SKIN MEDICA®

Vitalize Peel is a strong but gentle formula with a blend of alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, resorcinol and retinoic acid. In a clinical study with a series of 3 peels there was improvement in skin tone and texture, and a decrease in fine lines with little or no downtime. This is gentle enough for all skin types. Vitalize Peel is supported by a full line of SkinMedica® products such as TNS recovery complex. The only product with NouriCel-MD to rejuvenate sun damaged skin and aging skin. NouriCel-MD, the key ingredient in TNS Recovery Complex is an unparalleled physiologic combination of elements that are naturally found in healthy, young skin.

For additional information: SkinMedica®

OBAGI®

Nu-Derm System is a medically prescribed treatment using prescription-strength ingredients that work at the cellular level to restore skin health. The Nu-Derm system stimulated natural exfoliation of keratinocyctes to smooth skin texture. Nu-Derm corrects the overproduction of melanin caused by sun exposure to give skin color a more even tone. The Nu-Derm system helps skin preserve collagen and elastin. This leads to fine lines and wrinkling becoming less noticeable. Obagi® Blue Peel is designed to work with the Nu-Derm system to obtain even greater results. This peel will produce visible skin peeling and may result in some downtime.

For additional information: Obagi®  Medical Products

SkinCeuticals

Gel Peel GL

This treatment uses combined glycolic and lactic acids working together to exfoliate skin while reducing irritation and dryness. This is a light chemical peel requiring a series of 6 peels to minimize the appearance of surface lines, smooth out rough skin texture and help fade hyperpigmentation. It has been developed to be used with an at home pre-and-post treatment regime.

For additional information: Skinceuticals, Inc.

Acne is a common skin condition affecting almost everyone in the teen years and often extends into or starts in the adult years. Plugged pores, pimples and sometimes deeper nodules, which can scar, characterize it. Acne occurs on the face, chest, back and shoulders. There are many medications to treat acne as well as treatments such as chemical peels and light based acne treatments. Dr. Cook will individualize your treatment plan.

Rosacea is sometimes referred to as 'adult acne' because it often begins after the age of 30. It is a chronic but treatable condition that affects primarily the central face. It may present as flushing or redness of the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that over time becomes more persistent. Pimples often develop if not treated. People with fair skin are at the greatest risk. Treatment of rosacea depends on severity and needs to be tailored to the individual.

Actinic keratosis is considered the earliest stage in the development of skin cancer. They are often termed pre-cancers. They are caused by long-term exposure to sunlight. The skin becomes rough, scaly and may even develop small horn-like growths. If left untreated some but certainly not all will develop into squamous cell skin cancers. Treatment varies depending on the location and number of lesions as well as patient preference. Commonly they are 'frozen' with liquid nitrogen.

Everyone has moles. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin and most appear during the first 20 years of a person’s life. Sun exposure increases the number of moles. Most moles are even in color and are 6 mm (the end of a pencil eraser) in size or less. The early warning signs of malignant melanoma (a dangerous form of skin cancer) are as follows:

• A stands for ASYMMETRY, when one half of the mole looks different from the other half.

• B stands for BORDER when the edges of the mole are irregular and not even.

• C stands for COLOR when the color is not the same throughout the mole.

• D stands for DIAMETER when the size of the mole is larger than 6 mm.

To note any of these changes does not mean there is a cancerous mole, but that you should be checked by a dermatologist.

Psoriasis affects 2% of the population and is characterized by red, thickened areas with silvery scales. These are commonly located on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back.

The cause is not known but recent research point to an abnormality in the functioning of special white blood cells called T-cells, which trigger inflammation and the immune response in the skin, which you see as the red spots. There are several types of psoriasis and treatments vary according to type and amount of skin involved. Currently the disease is controlled but not cured. For mild cases usually medications put on the skin will control psoriasis. More severe cases may need treatments such as light treatments (UVB or UVA); oral medications or possibly even newer treatments called biologic agents. These agents work by blocking the over-activation of T-Cells.

Skin cancer is the most common type of all cancers. This result from over exposure to sunlight and other less common factors can include occupational exposure, family history, and repeated medical and industrial x-ray exposure.

A virus in the top layer of the skin causes warts. These viruses are called human papilloma virus (HPV). There are over 80 types of wart virus but only a few are commonly seen which include common warts, foot (plantar) warts and flat warts.

• Common warts usually grow on the fingers, hands, and knees and are sometimes referred to as 'seed' warts because the blood vessels to the wart produce black dots that look like seeds.

• Foot warts are called plantar warts because the bottom of the foot is called the plantar surface. These do not stick up above the surface of the skin because of the pressure of walking flattens them. They may also have black dots like common warts.

• Flat warts are small flesh or pink colored flat topped spots that often have 20 or more at a time. They can occur anywhere but are common on the face in children. In adults they are common in areas that are shaved such as the beard in men and on the legs in women.

• Treatment of warts depends on the location, size of the wart(s), age of the person and preference of the patient. Common treatments include over-the-counter salicylic acid, liquid nitrogen, other acid treatments that are applied to the skin, in addition to surgery, and laser removal. There are also less commonly used therapies as well. There are a variety of options because there is not a single option that will treat all warts. Multiple treatments may be needed.