Reshape Your Face Without Surgery
May 8th, 2013 by Dr. Jean Carruthers
We often have patients visit us looking for ways to change the appearance of, or even reshape, their face. And one of their most common questions is whether or not it is possible to do reshaping without surgery. I am always excited to share with my patients that, yes, there are several non-surgical ways to revitalize and reshape your face.
With patients for whom a square jaw line is the primary concern, Botox®, Xeomin® or Dysport® is an ideal solution. Safe and effective, it can be injected into the jaw (or masseter muscle) to create a softer line and a more heart-shaped face.
On the other hand, some patients are looking for a sharper chin or more defined jaw line. Juvederm Voluma®, Radiesse® or Restylane® can add volume to this area, which lifts mild jowls and enhances the side profile, especially for those who have a weaker chin area.
Looking to fight back against jowls or sagging skin in the lower face? If so, Ultherapy® which uses ultrasound waves to deposit heat deep into the skin to produce new collagen, is an ideal way to define the jawline, to lift loose skin on the neck and under the chin, and to decrease fine lines and wrinkles in the area. In the 90 days following the treatment, your skin will feel firmer and more toned and you will notice a natural uplifting. With this treatment, in particular, our patients are always pleased with how little downtime is required. We do recommend twice yearly maintenance for optimum results.
All of these non-surgical options with minimal downtime are very safe and proven effective. And each one can help you achieve your specific goals. To find out more, please come in to see us at Carruthers & Humphrey.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Rosacea and How to Treat Them
April 24th, 2013 by Dr. Shannon Humphrey
This winter has left many red in the face with irritated skin caused by harsh winds and dry indoor conditions. For the nearly 2 million Canadians with rosacea, this redness can be painful and embarrassing.
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that is under recognized as a skin disease. It often presents itself with redness of the central face in the nose and cheeks area. Many sufferers complain of flushing and a hot burning sensation involving the cheeks. The redness is often accompanied by pustules that look like acne. This often leads sufferers to believe they have adult acne and turn to acne medications that will only further irritate the skin and make the symptoms worse. Everyone is familiar with acne, but few are familiar with rosacea. It is important that patients are aware of the signs and symptoms of rosacea and see their family doctor or dermatologist for treatment as soon as symptoms appear.
Symptoms of rosacea typically develop in individuals between the ages of 30 and 60 and tend to affect more women than men. Those with fair hair and light coloured eyes, specifically of the Celtic, British or Eastern European nationalities, are also at a higher risk of developing the condition. There is a strong genetic component to rosacea and most sufferers will have at least one family member who also has the skin disease.
Though the cause of rosacea is unclear, there are triggers that induce symptoms. These include: hot and really cold temperatures; sun exposure; spicy foods; alcohol; caffeine; stress; and smoking. Smoking is known to make skin more sensitive to the sun and patients with rosacea who also smoke might experience more flushing of the skin and increased inflammation on the cheeks. Patients who have a lot of redness with their rosacea often become even more red and flush at times of extreme emotional stress. Each patient will know their triggers. It’s important that they identify these triggers and avoid them as much as possible.
There is no cure for rosacea, but there are treatments to minimize symptoms. Early recognition and treatment of rosacea is vital as it is a progressive disease. Patients with rosacea should adopt a gentle skincare regimen, avoid sun exposure and avoid smoking. Symptoms of redness and dilated blood vessels can be treated effectively and safely with vascular laser and light based treatments.
Research has shown that rosacea is an inflammatory condition, not a bacterial infection as previously thought. This has led to the development of innovative, anti-inflammatory treatments. Apprilon is one such medication. Its unique, low-dose formulation targets the inflammatory response that causes the pimples associated with rosacea without producing the harmful antibiotic effect of some other treatments. For patients presenting redness and flushing, laser therapy can be an effective treatment option.
With the warm weather on its way and patio lunches to be enjoyed, rosacea sufferers must learn to identify their triggers, avoid them, and seek treatment as soon as possible.
Vancouver Leads the Way to Cancer Prevention
April 3rd, 2013 by Dr. Jean Carruthers
Did you know that, every year, more than 2,500 Canadian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer? Often called “the disease that whispers”, ovarian cancer has few overt symptoms but is the leading cause of death from gynaecological malignancies and the fifth most common cause of cancer death overall.
Did you also know that
Vancouver is home of OVCARE – one of the world’s leading ovarian cancer research institutes – and that work done here has transformed the way ovarian cancer is diagnosed and treated?
Discoveries made by the Ovarian Cancer Research Institute (OVCARE) team have increased our understanding of the disease and its causes, improving diagnosis and treatment for patients, and bringing us closer to the ultimate goal of prevention and early detection.
Carruthers & Humphrey will be partnering with Dr. David Huntsman and Dr. Dianne Miller, co-founders of OVCARE, to host a tour of the institute on Monday, April 15, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. If you would like to join Dr. Jean Carruthers in celebrating the work done by this incredible organization and in learning more about ovarian cancer, please contact our office for more information.
Hydrate Your Skin this Spring
March 27th, 2013 by Dr. Shannon Humphrey
We are excited to announce the arrival of a new facial moisturizer, Obagi Hydrate! Hydrate isn’t just an ordinary lotion. It is formulated to provide long-lasting hydration for all-day moisture protection. With natural ingredients such as shea butter, mango butter and avocado to help combat skin dryness without clogging your pores.
We especially like to combine Hydrate with the Obagi Nu-Derm System. The Obagi Nu-Derm System is an anti-aging therapy that penetrates below the skin’s surface to transform skin cell functions at the cellular level and correct the damage within… revealing healthy, younger-looking skin. It is perfect for those who have age spots, fine lines, and a dull complexion. Obagi Hydrate can be combined perfectly with your Nu-Derm during the transition of your skin and help you repair any dry or flaky skin. Applying Hyrdate in the morning and evening will supply 8 hour moisture protection throughout your day!
We are so happy to share this fabulous moisturizer with you that with your next Obagi Nu-Derm System purchase you will receive a complimentary bottle of Obagi Hydrate! If you’re ready to take the next step in your skincare, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at 604-714-0222 or www.carruthers.net
Mineral Cosmetics for Healthy & Beautiful Skin
February 26th, 2013 by Dr. Shannon Humphrey
We spend lots of time considering what skin care line we want to use – carefully reading labels and comparing the benefits of many products. But it’s equally important to remember that, after you’ve cleansed, toned and moisturized, you are using another layer of product that has an equal impact on your skin’s health and appearance.
Mineral makeup is a type of cosmetic – free of parabens, talc and dyes – that is both safe and healthy for your skin. We recommend two of our favourite lines because they do an incredible job of nourishing the skin while keeping you looking beautiful.
Brought to you by Jane Iredale, the founder of Bare Essentials and the inventor of powder sunscreen, Colorescience offers a unique formulation that is moisture locking, transfer resistant, water resistant, and naturally anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. Plus, this product stays on five times longer than your typical makeup! Containing no chemicals, talcs, dyes, alcohol or fragrance, Colorescience is also free of mineral oil, an ingredient that can clog pores. What you will see on the ingredient list are minerals such as:
- Mica, which uses your body’s warmth to “melt” into the skin, giving it radiant color and a creamy texture;
- Titanium;
- Zinc oxide; and
- Bismuth oxychloride, which absorbs oil out of the skin and contains light reflectors that give the skin an amazing glow.
Great for patients who are redness or acne prone because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, Osmosis is a fabulous line rich in nutrients such as goji berry, amino acids, vitamins and antioxidants. Right away, you will notice a beautifully natural, smooth finish, thanks to the makeup being triple milled. Patients also remark that colors stay true throughout the day and will not oxidize, a great benefit for those of us who are constantly on the go! Perhaps one of its most important benefits is that Osmosis contains Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide for sun protection. The makeup comes in a variety of colors, making matching very simple, and is a wonderful gift for a loved one.
Both of these lines are available only at physicians’ offices. If you would like to explore the benefits of mineral makeup, please come in and see us.
Ultrasound Technology Helps Firm Up Trouble Spots
February 5th, 2013 by Dr. Shannon Humphrey
A new way to firm and improve the look of your skin actually comes from a therapy that is over 50 years old. Ultrasound, a therapy proven to be safe, is an innovative, non-surgical way to help reinvigorate skin that is starting to feel less firm, saggy or too relaxed.
Ultherapy uses ultrasound to deliver low levels of focused energy below the skin to stimulate the growth of new collagen. Ultimately, more collagen means a reduction in the rate of your skin’s aging. Here are some of the most popular “trouble spots” to target:
- The décolleté is very prone to sun damage, also making it a common area for loose skin with fine lines and wrinkles. Ultherapy leads to collagen production, improving the texture of the skin and cause a lifting action in this chest area.
- Crepe-like skin above the elbows and knees can be targeted and improved with Ultherapy.
- The lifting action of Ultherapy makes it an ideal option for the derriere.
Because Ultherapy leads to collagen regeneration that builds over the course of two to three months, usually after one to three treatments, it is a great way to achieve gradual, natural-looking results.
If you find that your skin is feeling less firm these days and you want to find a safe and effective way to improve its appearance, please make an appointment to come in and find out more about Ultherapy.
The Non-Invasive Solution to Lift, Tighten and Tone Skin
January 9th, 2013 by Dr. Jean Carruthers
It’s been featured on national television shows such as Rachel Ray, The View and The Doctors. It’s been touted by big-name beauty editors from Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Shape and more…
It’s Ultherapy, a non-surgical treatment of the face that uses ultrasound to actually lift and tone loose skin without any downtime. And, it’s offered here in Vancouver at Carruthers & Humphrey.
Ultherapy Uses Ultrasound?
Ultherapy is the only cosmetic procedure to use ultrasound imaging, which allows us to actually see the layers of tissue we target during the treatment, to ensure that the energy is delivered precisely to where it will be most effective.
Leveraging this tried-and-true technology, we can specifically target the deep foundation below the skin – the one typically addressed in cosmetic surgery – without cutting or disrupting the surface of the skin. That means after a 30 to 60 minute non-invasive treatment, you will be able to return to your everyday life without downtime.
Ultherapy Creates Collagen Naturally
It relies on the body’s own regenerative process to stimulate the natural renewal of existing collagen and creation of new collagen. This results in an actual lift of skin overtime – and just better-fitting skin.
Many people notice an immediate effect following the treatment, but the ultimate lifting and toning takes place over 2-3 months, as tired collagen is renewed and replaced with new, stronger collagen. And, as collagen-building process continues, further improvements can even appear up to 6 months following a procedure!
Ultherapy- an Uplift not a Facelift
Ultherapy is a non-surgical option for people with mild to moderate skin laxity – those who want some lifting for skin that has lost elasticity, but are not ready for surgery, either mentally, financially or logistically. It’s also a great option for those who want to “stay ahead of the game” as well as looking to prolong the effects of cosmetic surgery.
Ultherapy may cause some discomfort while the energy is being delivered, but it is temporary and a positive signal that the collagen-building process has been initiated. Of course, we offer a number of options to help make your Ultherapy treatment as comfortable as possible. Our patients who have had Ultherapy typically leave comfortable and excited about the benefits to come!
Ask us if Ultherapy is right for you!
If you’re looking for a lift to counter the effects that gravity takes over time, it may just be the treatment you’ve been waiting for. Call us at (604) 714-0222 for more information.
Reverse the Signs of Aging
December 31st, 2012 by Dr. Shannon Humphrey
Patients looking for a procedure that delivers skin-tightening results without discomfort and with minimal required downtime have been satisfied with Thermage. Usually after one treatment, our patients see a reversal of the effects of aging – an improvement that can last one to two years.
The tightening of the skin happens as a result of deep, intense, uniform, sustained heat in the tissue underneath the surface of the skin, contracting and tightening the dermal and sub-dermal collagen. Most of our patients request this treatment on their foreheads, cheeks, jowls, chin and/or neck area. In addition, Thermage has been proven to be effective in actually shrinking the upper and lower eyelid skin, showing a tightening of about 25% after treatment – a result achieved through a safe and comfortable procedure.
During the one-to-three hour procedure, you will feel a sensation of heat in the treatment area with each machine pulse. This is followed immediately by a cooling sensation, keeping any discomfort to a minimum.
Some patients see results gradually over two to six months, while others see the skin-tightening effects immediately following the treatment. For most patients, one treatment is enough however some patients choose to do 3 treatments in a year to achieve more dramatic results.
If you are interested in finding out if Thermage is the right choice to help you reverse the signs of aging on your skin, please make an appointment to come in and see us or visit our website at www.carruthers.net.
Look Your Best This Holiday Season
November 22nd, 2012 by Dr. Jean Carruthers
Whether it is shopping for everyone on your list, or planning parties, there is a lot to get done to prepare for the upcoming holidays. To ensure you look your best throughout the season, don’t forget to include a cosmetic procedure on your holiday to-do list.
Planning ahead is key – you want to time your treatments to maximize their impact. Many of our most popular non-surgical procedures – Botox, filler, tightening therapies and facial peels – require about two to four days of recovery time. While you are free to participate in most activities during this time, our clients will try to time their treatments so that the recovery period has passed by the time they head to their first holiday engagement.
Within days of a simple, 10-minute Botox treatment, patients see a noticeable improvement in moderate to severe frown lines between the brows. This is a great way to look rested, no matter how late you stayed up wrapping! Timing your Botox for late November or early December will have you looking and feeling your best.
IPL (Instense Pulsed Light) Skin Treatments improve the appearance of photoaged skin, remove age spots (sun-induced freckles), most benign brown pigments, broken capillaries and redness, through the process of photorejuvenation. In other words, it’s a great way to brighten your appearance during the sometimes-dreary days of November and December. Because you may experience some flushing and redness immediately following the treatment, and because uneven pigmentation may turn slightly darker for about a week, we recommend coming in for IPL in mid to late November.
Our website www.carruthers.net includes information on all of our top-level non-invasive cosmetic procedures. If you have been considering a cosmetic boost to your appearance, the holidays are a great excuse to do so.
Refresh you Skin with Cutera
November 15th, 2012 by Dr. Shannon Humphrey
Cutera Offers Two Ways to Gently and Comfortably Refresh Your Skin
We are thrilled to offer Cutera Laser therapy at our clinic – a treatment that offers customizable options to ensure that you get the results that you are looking for.
Excel V
We treat a variety of vascular skin conditions – broken blood vessels, rosacea, cherry angiomas or background redness – with Cutera’s customizable Excel V 532 wavelength. The Excel V system restores the skin’s normal tone and colour by heating the abnormal vessels, causing the wall of the veins to collapse and seal shut, which also makes it an ideal treatment for aging, sun-damaged skin. A full face treatment for redness and brown discolorations can result in a clearer, more youthful appearance.
Side effects (redness, some swelling) are minimal and typically last up to three days. And after two to six weeks of treatments, patients see noticeable improvement in their skin’s appearance.
Laser Genesis
The Laser Genesis procedure uses non-invasive laser technology to safely, discreetly and effectively treat common signs of premature aging and sun damage. By producing new collagen, and by targeting excessive redness, large pores, uneven texture, and fine-line wrinkles, Laser Genesis has been proven to leave skin more vibrant and healthy-looking in both men and women.
The Laser Genesis procedure, performed without the use of topical anesthetics or gel, works by gently heating the upper dermis well below your skin’s surface to stimulate collagen regrowth, and by generating additional heat in dilated capillaries to reduce redness.
Most patients require four to six treatments to achieve optimal results. The outcome of each treatment is subtle yet consistent, and avoids unwanted side effects such as bruising or excessive skin irritation. And by the end of your series of treatments, you will be amazed by the overall effect and the dramatic improvement to your skin’s texture and youthful glow.
To find out if Cutera’s Laser Genesis or Excel V can help you meet your skin treatment goals, please come visit us to find out more!