GET STARTED: VISIA Complexion Analysis

At Albany Dermatology, we ask that you begin with a personal consultation and VISIA Complexion Analysis. The VISIA is a multi-spectral imaging and analysis for six areas affecting complexion health and appearance; wrinkles, spots, pores, evenness (the color variation in the skin tone); porphyrins (evidence of bacteria in pores), and UV spots (characteristic of photo damage, typically from overexposure to the sun).  This allows us to evaluate your skin for a number of skin conditions, including photoaging, rosacea and acne. We can then formulate a skin care program specifically tailored for your individual needs and track your progress. The VISIA also provides comparison information of your complexion's characteristics to other women of the same age and ethnicity.  This allows us to develop optimal treatments and regimens for each individual patient. A printed report is provided on the details of the imaging session along with recommendations for rejuvenation and skin care options.

CHEMICAL PEELS

One of the main factors influencing skin health is the speed in which our skin renews itself. As children, this process happens quickly and our skin layers rapidly regenerate. This process slows down as we age and as a result, our skin begins to appear less radiant, less vibrant over time.

Introducing a light skin peel into your skin maintenance program may help restore your skin's youthful tone and texture. With peels, solutions are applied topically to rejuvenate the skin's surface by causing the even and controlled shedding of several layers of skin cells to expose new, undamaged layers that are softer and smoother with more even skin tones. Chemical peels also stimulate the dermis to create new skin cells, collagen, and elastin that support and tighten the surface of the skin. Specific chemicals, enzymes, and solution strengths may be particularly effective for different skin conditions such as uneven pigmentation, wrinkles, acne, scarring, dry skin, or rosacea prone/sensitive skin. The type of peel depends on the strength of the solution used and the depth of penetration. Treatment takes approximately 15 minutes. Downtime is dependent on the strength and type of peel.

Albany Dermatology offers a range of peels, from light to more penetrating peeling agents. During the initial consultation, our esthetician will discuss your current skincare regime and determine if a peel should be part of your skin maintenance program.

FACIALS

Facials help erase the traces of time, stress, and environmental toxins. All our facials include cleansing with steam, exfoliation, and extraction when indicated, a skin analysis mask and moisturizer with SPF, all customized to accommodate the following skin types:

• SUN DAMAGED OR AGING SKIN: This facial uses AHA-based products to minimize fine lines and remove dead cellular build up on the skin’s surface, leaving your skin glowing and rejuvenated.
• ROSACEA PRONE OR SENSITIVE SKIN: This facial uses hypo-allergenic products to calm skin irritation and redness while providing deep cleansing and hydration.
• ACNE PRONE OR OILY SKIN: This facial uses antibacterial-based products and a sulfur mask to deep clean pores and rid the skin of acne bacteria; geared toward all acne prone skin types and for all ages.

Any of these customized facials are offered as a MINI FACIAL to accommodate the busy schedule. A TEEN FACIAL is also available specifically for teens, which includes an initial VISIA Complexion Analysis and MINI FACIAL as well as comprehensive guidance on skin care practices, including cleansing techniques, care at home, and the use of make up and sunscreens. Finally, a BACK FACIAL is available specifically for your back, which includes exfoliation, mask and light massage, designed for all skin types.

As an added option, MICRODERMABRASION and a customized FACIAL can be combined to enhance treatment outcomes. Microdermabrasion removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores, which increases the completion of extractions. The finishing facial and mask calms, soothes and leaves skin fresh, clean, bright and new! Formulated to accommodate all skin types.

MICRODERMABRASION

Microdermabrasion is the ideal procedure if you want to quickly rejuvenate your skin and bring back a youthful glow. A minimally abrasive instrument gently sands the skin to remove the outermost surface of the skin, which is thicker and uneven. This type of skin rejuvenation is used to treat superficial wrinkles, skin discoloration, photodamage and to remove or lessen light scarring. There is even microdermabrasion for stretch marks.

Microdermabrasion is most effective for people who need a gentle but thorough exfoliation. If you have minor sun damage, signs of photoaging, uneven skin texture and a dull complexion, a series of microdermabrasion treatments may be recommended. It is also useful in the treatment of acne when used on an ongoing basis.

Microdermabrasion should not be used on patients who have taken the medication Accutane (Isotretinion) in the previous 12 months.

Microdermabrasion is quick and relatively comfortable. It requires no anesthesia so you can get back to your normal routine after a brief in-office procedure.