Blog

Microneedling Benefits

Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure used by dermatologists to encourage collagen production by leveraging the body’s natural healing mechanism. The procedure entails using several tiny sterilized needles to puncture the skin. This causes trauma, which prompts the skin to rebuild.

Besides rejuvenating the skin, microneedling can help address skin-related issues, including scarring, wrinkles, hair loss, stretch marks, loose skin, and skin pigmentation issues.

Dr. Renuka Diwan MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, is the right choice for the cosmetic treatment procedures you might be considering for your skin. Some of the microneedling benefits you will get by choosing to rely on Dr. Diwan are as follows.

Reduce Appearance of Wrinkles and Lines

Wrinkles and lines on your face can make you look older than you are. Luckily, microneedling treatments done at The Laser & Skin Surgery Center will reduce the appearance of such wrinkles and lines. As noted, microneedling is a safe procedure that helps boost elastin and collagen production, which fights lines and wrinkles.

Shrinks Pores

Contrary to what you might think, microneedling doesn’t enlarge pores on your skin. Instead, the procedure makes them look smaller. Once collagen is stimulated, the skin around the pores plumps, making the once large pores look smaller or even disappear.

Reduce Stretch Marks

Microneedling can also help reduce the appearance of stretch marks on your body. Therefore, this helps enhance the look of your skin.

Dr. Diwan can determine what is best for your skin and dedicates her efforts to ensuring patients get the right care they deserve. At The Laser & Skin Surgery Center, you’re sure to get personalized medical care tailored to your needs.

To know more about microneedling and its benefits, contact The Laser & Skin Surgery Center at 440-871-9832, Cleveland, Ohio, or request an appointment online by visiting www.laserandskinsurgerycenter.com. You can trust the experienced team of experts for skin care treatments, fillers, and injectables to ensure you accomplish your aesthetic goals.

Coolsculpting Benefits

Of all the various treatment options for the reduction of body fat, perhaps none is as non-invasive, easy, or longer-lasting as Coolsculpting. Using a process called cryolipolysis, Coolsculpting freezes fat cells in the targets area, causing them to die. Your body naturally takes care of the rest and the dead fat cells are eliminated from your body.

Despite the simple and easy procedure, many patients report long-lasting results from just two treatments. Dr. Diwan and the team will work with you to develop a treatment plan that best meets your goals with minimal interruption in your daily life. Along with the ease of treatment, many other benefits make Coolsculpting a great option for removal of stubborn body fat.

The treatments are short. Each Coolsculpting treatment can be completed in less than an hour during an office visit.

There are virtually no recovery restrictions. Since there are no incisions or injections, there are no activity restrictions following each treatment.

The treatments are very effective. Most patients will see up to a 25% reduction in the thickness of targeted fat layers after each treatment. This usually can be seen within a month following the procedure.

Coolsculpting is a safe and proven treatment option. Since the treatments require no anesthesia, incisions, or stitches, there is no recovery, or risks associated with those. Coolsculpting has been used successfully for many years to remove targeted fat layers in the body.

It can be combined with other treatment options. Although Coolsculpting is very effective at removing body fat, you may need to pair it with another treatment method to achieve the best results. Since Coolsculpting is completely non-invasive and does not use any medications or injections, there is little to no risk of negative interaction with other treatment methods.

If you have stubborn body fat that does not seem to go away, call the Laser and Skin Surgery Center in Westlake, OH, at 440-871-9832 or visit www.laserandskinsurgerycenter.com to schedule an appointment today. Whether you are considering Coolsculpting, or any other treatment options provided by the expert staff, Dr. Diwan and the team will create a specialized treatment plan, that will help you reach your aesthetic goals.

Mini Facelift Benefits

What is Chin Augmentation?

The chin and jawline frame the face and have a profound impact on the overall appearance and attractiveness of the face. There are many men and women who are uncomfortable or shy about the appearance of a small or receded chin. A small chin can be genetic but also becomes smaller as aging slowly reduces the underlying bony framework. This can often cause other features of the face to appear out of proportion, leading to an overall imbalance of the face. A chin that is small or tends to recede back toward the neck can be corrected with a chin augmentation procedure by Renuka Diwan MD, FAAD.

Injection of Juvederm in the chin can achieve forward projection as well as an increase in vertical height, restoring facial balance in either or both dimensions. Augmentation of the chin can also improve the appearance of the skin below the chin. The augmentation achieved can last 18-24 months. A simple quick office procedure can transform the overall appearance and attractiveness of the face, and a person’s confidence. Severe deficit of chin projection may require other treatments. A consultation with Dr. Diwan will help to analyze your face and define your needs.

7 Things You Should Know About Microneedling

It may sound like an interesting idea to use tiny needles on your face – but believe it or not, this is actually a painless and effective way to get smoother, younger-looking skin! It is called “microneedling,” and it is a very popular procedure. Dr. Renuka Diwan is proud to offer this rejuvenating, minimally invasive option to her patients. Read on for 7 things you should know about microneedling!

What is Microneedling?

Curious about microneedling? You should know:

The needles that are used are very tiny. When they are passed across the skin, “microinjuries” are created, and the body reacts to these “injuries” by stimulating the production of collagen. Collagen is important for beautiful, youthful skin, and as more of it is produced it refreshes old skin and makes smooth and firm “new” skin. The open channels created by microneedling also allow skin products to get into the deeper layers of the skin for even more impressive results.
Microneedling is safe, and patients report that microneedling doesn’t hurt – it just feels like a pricking sensation. Before the procedure, a numbing cream is applied so that any discomfort is minimized.
Microneedling can be used to treat wrinkles, acne scars, fine lines, minor scars, hyperpigmentation, and even stretch marks. It is a noninvasive, nonsurgical way to correct flaws and improve skin.
Dr. Diwan has performed numerous microneedling treatments and can typically complete the session in about 20 minutes!
There is no downtime after a microneedling procedure, although you will have some swelling and redness for a couple of days afterward (most patients report that this feels like a minor sunburn).
You may need more than one treatment, depending on what issues you would like to have corrected.
At Dr. Diwan’s practice, AQUAGOLD microneedling is used, which has 20 microscopic gold-plated needles that deliver BOTOX and/or Juvederm.

Even people who are afraid of needles have tried microneedling and have loved the results. To find out more about microneedling and what it can do for you, contact Cleveland’s Laser and Skin Surgery Center for a consultation today. Call the office in Westlake, Ohio, at 440-871-9832.

Are Dermal Fillers the Same as BOTOX?

Dermal fillers and BOTOX Cosmetic are both aesthetic treatments administered via injections, but they are not the same. Both target certain types of wrinkles and signs of aging. An experienced dermatologist like Dr. Renuka Diwan can match you to the right injectable or filler.

BOTOX Cosmetic Explained

BOTOX Cosmetic is made from botulinum toxin type A. This neurotoxic protein is FDA-approved to treat frown lines, which are the vertical lines between the eyebrows. BOTOX Cosmetic has also been used off-label for other areas of the face ever since its inception. The most common treatment areas are:

The frown lines (also called glabellar lines or 11s)
Crow’s feet
Horizontal forehead lines
Bunny lines on the nose

BOTOX Cosmetic works by softening the muscular contractions that occur in very targeted locations when you furrow your brow, squint your eyes, smile, or otherwise contract areas of your face. BOTOX Cosmetic doesn’t create a frozen or artificial look, but instead reduces the wrinkling and folding of skin that occurs with repeated facial expressions.

When You May Want Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers smooth and soften wrinkles by restoring volume below the skin. Some types of wrinkles are not formed by muscular contractions but by a loss of volume that creates a crevice in the skin.

Dermal fillers are made of different materials, but most commonly composed of hyaluronic acid. HA is also found naturally in your body, in the joints, eyes, connective tissue, and skin. HA binds with moisture molecules to keep skin looking smooth, plump, and hydrated.

Dermal fillers are most often used for:

Thin lips
Nasolabial folds around the nose
Marionette lines around the mouth
Bags below the eyes
Hollow cheeks
Hollow temples
Creases on the chin
Acne scars

BOTOX Cosmetic and dermal fillers are sometimes used together in a comprehensive treatment plan. The right injectable – or combination of injectables – will depend on your aesthetic goals and your skin.

Consult an Experienced Injector

Dr. Renuka Diwan is a board-certified dermatologist with decades of experience in the cosmetic dermatology field. She will examine your face, listen to your goals, and help you decide which approach is right for you. To learn more about BOTOX Cosmetic, dermal fillers, and your other aesthetic options at our Westlake practice, please call our team at 440-871-9832.

At What Age Should I Get BOTOX?

Three young women smiling at the camera together BOTOX Cosmetic softens fine lines and wrinkles on various areas of your face. These wrinkles are formed by facial expressions that repeatedly fold the skin If you are in your 20s or 30s, you may wonder if you’re too young for BOTOX. The answer is, not necessarily!

There are certainly reasons to consider BOTOX at that age:

Correct early wrinkles from facial expression if they have already appeared
Prevent the worsening of existing expression lines
Control negative facial expressions, such as frowning, to have a more approachable and open facial appearance
Results are temporary, so there’s no risk in seeing how you like the effect

Getting “Preventive” BOTOX before any skin creases appear won’t necessarily achieve any benefit for you in the years ahead. A one-on-one consultation with Dr. Diwan is necessary to find out.

If you are in your 20s and thinking about enhancing your facial appearance, talk to Dr. Diwan about your options. She will examine your skin and facial anatomy, and look for the presence of any fine lines. BOTOX is just one of the many treatments that may be right for you. It could also be that you will benefit simply from doubling down on a sun protection routine and skin hydration to keep your skin looking youthful, healthy, and refreshed. You may benefit from dermal fillers to enhance certain contours, or it could be a combination of treatments that are a good match for your goals. Dr. Diwan is here to help you decide!

Rejuvenate Your Facial Appearance At Any Age

Whether you’re in your 20s, your 80s, or somewhere in between, Dr. Renuka Diwan can help you find the combination of treatments that will achieve your goals. To arrange a consultation with Dr. Diwan to discuss BOTOX Cosmetic in the Cleveland region, please call the Laser and Skin Surgery Center at 440-871-9832.

What Are Dermal Fillers and How Do They Work?

A glamorous young woman wearing a low-cut off-shoulder white top with styled long brunette hair poses with a serious facial expression and her hand to her chin Dermal fillers are injectable gels that smooth wrinkles, define facial contours, plump thin lips, and restore lost volume beneath the skin. They are some of the most popular cosmetic treatments today because they are convenient and involve little to no downtime.

What Dermal Fillers Are Made Of

Dermal filling is most often the result of treatment from one of the following:

Hyaluronic acid
Poly-L-lactic acid
Calcium hydroxylapatite

Hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular and commonly used injectables. Hyaluronic acid, or HA, is also found naturally in your body, in the joints, eyes, skin, and elsewhere. HA binds with water molecules and keeps tissues supple and lubricated. Juvederm and Restylane are hyaluronic acid fillers.

Hyaluronic acid adds volume when it is administered into the skin as a dermal filler. This volume not only smooths creases and wrinkles, it can also improve depressed scars. When injected under the skin, the appearance of various hollows and shadows caused by the natural age-related loss of tissue under the skin is improved. In this way, fillers restore a refreshed, more youthful appearance.

Am I A Candidate?

You may be a great candidate for dermal fillers if you want to address any of the following:

Nasolabial crease (extending from the outer corners of the nose down to the corners of the mouth)
Marionette lines (creases reaching from the corners of your mouth down to your chin)
Vertical creases above and below the upper and lower lips
Thin lips
Hollows and shadows across the face, especially around the cheeks, temples and chin, and dark circles under the eyes.
A weak chin
Stronger jawline

Hyaluronic acid fillers are a good option if you are interested in immediate results without surgery or downtime. For most of these injections, you will be able to get right back to your day after the appointment is complete. Many people like the convenience and simplicity of injectable dermal fillers.

Even though fillers are non-surgical, it’s really important to choose an experienced, qualified provider to minimize injection risks. Dr. Renuka Diwan has an extensive understanding of facial esthetics, anatomy and aging, and how the loss of volume changes the overall appearance of your face. She tailors results to your face and your goals, and makes sure the final results look naturally beautiful, never artificial or overdone.

Schedule a Dermal Filler Appointment

If you are interested in dermal fillers and want to schedule an appointment in Westlake, please call Cleveland’s Laser and Skin Surgery Center at 440-871-9832. Dr. Renuka Diwan will listen to your goals, examine your face, and describe all of the treatment options available to you.

What is AQUAGOLD® Treatment?

A close up of glittery gold material on a black background AQUAGOLD® is a microneedling device that uses 24K gold microneedles to rejuvenate your skin. This minimally invasive treatment can be completed in about 20 minutes and has beautiful results.

You may be a good candidate for microneedling with AQUAGOLD® if you want to address:

Redness and flushing
Dark spots
Crepey wrinkles
Uneven skin texture
Enlarged pores
Oily skin

AQUAGOLD® microneedling is performed with a microneedling device that has a glass vial attached directly to hollow microneedles. The contents of the vial may include Botox, hyaluronic acid, stem cell growth factors, lightening agents or a combination of these, customized to the specific needs of your skin. As microneedling is performed, the contents of the vial are evenly infused in tiny quantities, directly into the area of skin treated, for an overall improvement of pore size, redness, oiliness, crepey lines, etc. The treatment is minimally invasive. It works by creating tiny needle pricks in the surface of the skin. The needles are about the thickness of a strand of hair, and the channels created in the skin are very fine and small. These tiny needle punctures cause the skin to produce more collagen in the weeks following treatment. As you may know, collagen is the foundation of supple, smooth, and youthful skin!

You may feel a little discomfort, but most people are able to tolerate the treatment without a problem. Dr. Diwan can usually complete the treatment in 20 minutes.

The treated areas of your face will be pink or red (like a mild sunburn) for a day or two. Skin care products or make up should be avoided for 24 hours after your treatment. You may start to see the initial results in 48 hours. The results will only get better over time as the effects of the infusions become apparent over the next two weeks, and new collagen and elastin form over the next few months.

Get Started on the Path to Refreshed Skin

If you are ready to schedule an AQUAGOLD® appointment in the Cleveland area, please call the Laser & Skin Surgery Center in Westlake at 440-871-9832. Dr. Renuka Diwan is a board-certified dermatologist with decades of experience. She is passionate about helping each of her patients achieve vibrant, beautiful skin.

When Can I Work Out After BOTOX Injections?

Many of the guests of our practice lead active, healthy lifestyles. As such, they often wonder how cosmetic treatments will impact their exercise routines, and for how long. Although BOTOX® Cosmetic is known for its minimal downtime, it is advisable to postpone certain physical activities for a little while after the injections.

Exercise may involve pressure on Botox injection sites causing the effect of Botox to spread to other muscles in the region and unintended effects. Dr Diwan recommends avoiding pressure on the eyebrows after Botox injection of muscles that create the vertical creases between the eyebrows (commonly known as “elevens”). Pressure on these muscles can lead to Botox spreading to other nearby muscles that help to raise the upper eyelid or eyebrows and create unintended effects. Such pressure can be the result of swim goggles or ski goggles that press on the eyebrows. There is no clear evidence to recommend avoiding exercise after Botox.

On the other hand, exercising the injected muscles for an hour can lead to quicker effects of Botox.

Other movements during exercise could also create unintentional stress on injection sites. Your consultation with Dr. Renuka Diwan will include a discussion of do’s and don’ts. Once Dr. Diwan knows exactly what activities you like to do, she can provide customized precautions.

Ready for Your BOTOX® Appointment?

To learn more about BOTOX® Cosmetic at our Westlake, OH, practice, please call the office of Dr. Renuka Diwan at 440-871-9832. Millions of people have used BOTOX® Cosmetic to soften the signs of aging and restore a refreshed look. The only way to know if you are a good candidate is to discuss your options with Dr. Diwan. The downtime is very minimal and you will be able to get back to your routine very quickly.