As we turn more attention to skin health and preservation, we often turn to the internet for tips and tricks to achieve an ageless appearance. Before long, we start to focus on what’s going on inside our bodies, but now, doctors are offering patients a way to personalize their skin care, and it involves taking a look at an individual’s DNA.

What sounds to be out of a cheap science fiction movie is actually pretty obtainable, where a test can be completed in as little as 30 minutes.

We love Botox, and we love Dysport. These are just facts.

In the wake of our Botox event, we found a lot of patients were asking about the difference between Dysport and Botox.

Allow us to clear some things up. 

The ZWave uses radial waves that alternate between pressure pulses and tensile waves.

It is effective for treating muscular injuries, such as sprains and strains, and can help alleviate muscle shoulder pain, back pain, sciatica, knee pain, and foot pain.

You diet. You exercise. You look amazing! But there’s one thing that exercise and dieting won’t correct: cellulite. 

We are excited to now offer a new cellulite treatment called Z-Wave at both SkinSpaMED locations that breaks up cellulite without needles or surgery.

Voluma is a game-changing filler product which is placed deep under the skin resulting in volumizing, lifting and contouring cheeks, cheekbones, and the jaw line. 

What is in Voluma?

Voluma is made of a thick hyaluronic based gel that enables us to re-fill areas that aging has caused to deflate. Voluma is the latest addition to facial fillers made by Allergan (makers of Botox and Juvederm).

The high energy radial shockwaves scientifically proved to have a large impact on collagen structure and the skin connective tissue, improving blood circulation.

So, what does all that mean for you? 

Treatment recommendations:

• Cellulite
• Stretch marks
• Combination with laser (Softlaser)
• Skin tightening (general)
• Aesthetic scar treatment
• Supporting lymphatic drainage

"My face looked my age, but my chest and cleavage appeared twenty years older," says Gigi Howard. "I was a notorious side sleeper—one of the main causes of chest wrinkles—so I tried sleeping on my back, looked for products, pillows, gadgets, anything that would help, but there was no proven solution."

With directional recent runways laying heavy emphasis on an exposed swath of décolleté, a new emphasis is being given to keeping the area as fresh as your face.

Since the problems of the neck and chest, like those of the face, are varied, we suggest layering multiple in-office treatments with at-home care.

Recommendations for the most common complaints:

A thread facelift is a safe, convenient alternative to traditional facelift surgery. Designed to be less invasive, it can reduce sagging around the cheeks, jawline, and neck more quickly and with less risk than the conventional approach.

Special threads are used during this facelift to discreetly hold repositioned skin and facial tissue in place. And while thread lifts generally produce noticeable results almost immediately and with less risk and inconvenience than more intensive procedures, thread lift costs are quite reasonable compared to traditional options.

So what is a thread facelift?

We are so excited the PRP Facial has been a new service here at SkinSpaMED for a year!

Although there are various moving parts to the entire facial, an important and significant step involves Microneedling.

But what is it?

One of our favorite treatment options available at SkinSpaMED is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), or photofacial. This procedure is a non-invasive treatment that erases skin damage without disrupting the skin's surface – hence, minimal to no downtime.

Photofacial is a term for a skin treatment that uses some kind of light-based technology, primarily for boosting collagen, treating brown spots, and diminishing broken capillaries.  Other names for photofacials are foto facials, facial rejuvenation and photo rejuvenation.

If you could rid your unwanted hair and gain a beautiful complexion just in time for summer, would you? Because so many people want that flawless beach body, they tend to get a jump start on cosmetic laser treatments in the winter. In fact, winter may be the best time to experience cosmetic laser treatments. Because clients can’t receive laser treatments when they are sunburned and tanned skin is typically resistant to ridding sun damage and unwanted hair, clients tend to flock to medical spas between December – April.

Maybe you’ve been told men’s skin is different from women’s skin (hint: it’s thicker, physically and not necessarily figuratively, and contains more oil glands). Perhaps you’ve also been advised by a friend, partner or lover that it’s time to start taking care of your skin. That’s especially true in the winter, with its harsh seasonal elements like wind and low humidity. Where to start? Below are five skin care tips from the dermatologists Paul Jarrod Frank and Harold Lancer.

What should everyone know about skin, skin care, and dermatology? originally appeared on Quora - the knowledge sharing network where compelling questions are answered by people with unique insights.

Answer by Emily Altman, board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist, specializing in general dermatology, cosmetic dermatology and dermatologic surgery, on Quora:

Laser skin procedures are becoming more and more popular as they provide excellent results while at the same time being quick and relatively painless. In addition, they have much shorter and less intense recovery periods than surgical procedures.

There is, in fact, an optimal time to have your in-office laser resurfacing, pigment and vein treatments, micro laser peel, or Madonna eye lift performed.

We rarely see patients who have not done some type of internet research about their skin concerns or their cosmetic options. The challenge, however, is that the information you see online is not always complete or accurate. As a reliable resource, we’re happy to fill in the gaps for you.

Around this time of year, we often have clients asking about laser skin treatments, saying, “I’ve heard that if you’re going to get laser treatments, it’s best to have them in the fall. Is that true?”

So, you indulged in your favorite sugary delights. You’re human. It happens. Don’t beat yourself up. Instead, get back on track with these tips. 

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays. We can’t wait to indulge in our favorite candies, perfect our costumes and makeup looks, and watch a horror movie or two. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the holiday spirit, but you can’t forget about your skin! You still need to take the time to give it the love it needs. Here are a few Halloween skin care tips to keep in mind so you can head into November and December with beautiful skin.

October 3, 2017 brought yet another milestone for Botox, the wrinkle treatment that became a favorite of celebrities in the aughts. The neurotoxin, also known as onabotulinumtoxinA, has just been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate to severe forehead lines.

Great skin is not simply a matter of DNA — your daily habits, in fact, have a big impact on what you see in the mirror. But depending on which product reviews you read or doctors you consult, there is a dizzying number of opinions on everything from how to moisturize to how to protect yourself from UV rays.

Ultimately, caring for your skin is simply personal. Here’s what you should keep in mind to sort through all the noise.