Oh, the dreaded sun spot! These flat brown imperfections can be really frustrating to deal with. You may find them difficult to fully conceal with makeup, and they tend to stand out when you aren’t wearing makeup. State-of-the-art non-surgical treatments offered by Dr. Renuka Diwan can help reduce or eliminate the appearance of these brown spots.
Sun spots are a common cosmetic issue for people who want an even complexion but sometimes they may be pre-cancers or early skin cancers, or other benign brown spots. It’s best to consult Dr Renuka Diwan, a board-certified dermatologist, first to confirm that the brown spots on your skin are in fact only sun spots. Also called “liver spots,” true sun spots are harmless and won’t affect your health. There may be a few treatments that are a good match for lightening your sun damage. One of the most common for brown spots is intense pulsed light (IPL). Pulses of high-intensity light absorbed safely by the skin destroy the excess melanin causing the sun spot. The IPL treatment is non-surgical and causes little to no discomfort. A numbing cream is applied to the skin beforehand. Right after the treatment the brown spots will appear darker and may have some redness and swelling but you’ll be able to get right back to your day afterward.
Other options include:
Chemical peels (causes the surface skin cells containing pigment to peel off, and are replaced with fresh skin cells)
Microdermabrasion (an abrasive tip is used to whisk away surface skin cells)
Laser resurfacing (safely vaporizes skin cells to remove the brown spot)
Topical treatment regimens that lighten brown spots after a few weeks of consistent use.
Sun spots are caused by sun exposure, so remember to wear sunblock if you’ll be outdoors. Use an SPF-30 or higher sunscreen generously. A wide-brimmed hat is an important addition on sunny days.
Are you unhappy with the appearance of brown spots, redness or other sun damage on your face, hands, neck, chest or other sun-exposed parts of your body? If so, Dr. Renuka Diwan can help you find a treatment plan that works for your goals. To learn more, and to arrange a consultation in Westlake, Ohio, please call The Laser & Skin Surgery Center at 440-871-9832.
Brrr! The extended forecast predicts chilly, snowy weather ahead for the Westlake area. As we turn up our heaters to stay toasty warm indoors, that hot, dry air can take a toll on your skin. Dryness, flakiness and the dreaded “winter itch” are common.
At The Laser & Skin Surgery Center, Dr. Renuka Diwan offers a wide array of non-surgical and surgical facial treatments, as well as premium skin care treatments. Hydrating facial treatments are a great way to boost skin hydration and get a youthful glow. But there are also steps you can take at home to combat the drying effects of winter:
Drink water to keep your body hydrated. It will show up in the appearance of your skin. Dull, dehydrated skin looks lackluster. Avoid overdoing it on alcoholic beverages, because they will dehydrate you.
Avoid stripping natural moisturizing substances from your skin. Long, hot showers – which feel like such an obvious solution on a chilly day – tend to strip your skin of its natural moisturizing factors and lead to flaky, dry skin. Don’t max out your shower time, and keep the temperature warm to lukewarm.
Lock in moisture. Use a lotion, body oil or other moisturizer after you get out of the shower and towel off. Doing so will lock moisture into your dewy, shower-fresh skin.
Bundle up! Gloves, hat and a scarf will act as a protective barrier when you go outside in cold temperatures and wind.
Don’t forget sunscreen. It’s easy to think you can skip sunscreen in the winter. It’s cold, often cloudy, the sunshine is less intense, but it’s still important to protect your skin from UV radiation. If you plan to be outside for an extended time, apply an SPF-30 or higher sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage.
Point heating vents in your vehicle away from your face. You get in the car in the morning and what’s the first thing you do? Probably fire up the heat to get warm. Direct the vents away so they aren’t pointing at your face. The steady blast of dry, hot air can definitely lead to dry, itchy skin.
Ready for a customized hydrating skin treatment? Please contact the practice of Dr. Renuka Diwan. Call our team in Westlake at 440-871-9832.
Laser hair removal is among the most popular cosmetic treatments available today, and for good reason. Using advanced, state-of-the-art technology, laser hair removal destroys hair follicles to prevent them from growing back.
The Laser and Skin Surgery Center is closed for two weeks starting on 3/19/20, in compliance with orders from the Governor of Ohio to delay all non-essential surgeries and procedures to conserve personal protective equipment that is in short supply for those at the front lines of care in the COVID epidemic. During this time, Dr Diwan is available for virtual visits and emergencies at 216-513-9334. We will have further updates as dictated by this quickly changing environment. We regret any inconvenience this causes. We are pleased to offer any rescheduled cosmetic patients affected by the above, gift certificates for your next treatment at a 20% discount. We are also offering a 20% discount on all skin care products to patients affected by our temporary office closure.
Best, Renuka Diwan, MD
(original post 3/17/2020)
To Our Patients,
Due to the changing circumstances with the spread of the coronavirus in Ohio, we are being proactive in reducing the spread of the virus. We are following guidelines from the CDC and Ohio State Medical Board. Aggressive social distancing will have the biggest impact now. To achieve this, we have adopted new measures to limit potential exposure for our patients and staff.
Any new or established patients who do not need to be seen in person are able to schedule a virtual consultation (via Skype, Whatsapp video, or photographs along with a phone call). Please call 440-871-9832 to schedule a virtual visit. We are still seeing patients in the office as medically necessary.
Starting on March 16, 2020 we are encouraging patients, to whom any of the following applies, to postpone their in-office appointments:
Returned from a cruise within the last one month.
Traveled internationally and returned within the last month. (Please call us if you have traveled domestically).
Had contact with anyone diagnosed or suspected to have coronavirus.
Have a runny nose, sore throat, fever or shortness of breathe.
We are asking patients to wash their hands with soap and water upon being placed in an exam room. We will check a patient’s temperature on arrival and, if elevated, we will suggest the appropriate course of action.
We recommend minimizing companions for your office visit and when waiting, patients and companions who prefer not to wait in the waiting room, may wait in their car / cafeteria or first floor lobby instead.
These measures will create some inconvenience but by taking these steps we can help to change the course of the pandemic.
As guidelines issued by the CDC and Ohio State Medical Board of Ohio are updated, our procedures will be adjusted to remain in compliance with evolving recommendations. Please don’t hesitate to call our office to be aware of any new updates that may affect your visit.
We hope that everyone can stay healthy and we can return to our normal procedures soon.
The short answer is, yes. Laser skin treatments can help refresh the skin and improve many skin conditions, including age spots, veins, wrinkles, scars, sagging skin, unwanted hair and tattoos. Lasers can target different structures in the skin. Pigment in the outer layer of the skin is targeted for treating sun spots caused by sun damage. Redness and veins are improved by lasers selectively treating veins. Wrinkles and scars are enhanced by the treatment of deeper dermal tissues with lasers. Tattoos are lightened and cleared by selective absorption of laser energy that reaches the tattoo ink particles below the outer layer of the skin. Unwanted hair in various areas is also selectively targeted by lasers that impact the root of the hair deeper in the skin.
At the Laser and Skin Surgery Center, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon Dr. Renuka Diwan has more than 25 years of experience using lasers to help address her patients’ skin issues. She is committed to delivering natural-looking results that give you the confidence that comes with ridding yourself of wrinkles, unwanted veins, discoloration, tattoos, and hair.
Dr. Diwan is dedicated to helping her patients. This blog explains the benefits of laser treatments and is intended to help patients make informed decisions about the procedures they’re considering.
How Do Laser Treatments Work?
The number of lasers manufactured has multiplied. Any given skin problem can be treated by lasers made by different vendors for the same problem. Each vendor has its own brand name for the laser, which is said to be the best. This is a source of confusion for patients looking for a specific laser. It’s better to ask if the physician has a laser that treats the particular problem you want to have treated. It’s important to remember that it’s not the laser that takes care of a problem but the specialist physician who knows how to use the laser who treats the problem. What patients need to know is the specialist’s training experience and skin as demonstrated by results.
Just as there are multiple lasers that can address a given problem, there is no single laser that can treat all problems. Dr. Diwan has invested in five lasers, intense pulsed light, and other devices for treating different skin problems, giving her the right tools to address various issues.
Resurfacing lasers are used to carefully remove layers of the skin. Fractional resurfacing lasers treat a fraction of the skin surface. Fractional resurfacing lasers create microscopic injuries to a controlled depth. The microscopic columns of treated skin are eliminated (seen as peeling) and are replaced by new healthy skin with more elastin and collagen. The new collagen and elastin cause an improvement in wrinkles and scars.
Preparing for Laser Skin Treatment
Many laser treatments are performed after simply cooling the skin or after numbing the skin with an anesthetic cream. Anesthetic injections and oral medications are needed for deeper laser resurfacing. Before your treatment, these steps can help set you up for success:
Tell Dr. Diwan if you get cold sores or fever blisters around your mouth. These can be activated by laser treatments around the mouth and need to be prevented with an antiviral medication started before your laser procedure.
Stop taking any medications or supplements that affect blood clotting, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E, 10 days before a laser resurfacing procedure.
If you smoke, quit smoking at least two weeks before and at least two weeks after a deeper laser resurfacing procedure.
Avoid a tan before your treatment by using adequate sun protection. Sun protection is essential after all laser treatments to ensure the success of the procedures and prevent complications.
What to Expect from Laser Skin Treatments
Depending on the problem being treated, the treated skin may be pink and slightly swollen, have darker pigmented spots, have peeling, or crusting. The skin needs to be handled and cleansed gently and treated as recommended. After laser tattoo removal, the treated area is covered with a bandage.
To get the best results of Laser Skin Treatments
Laser skin treatments are incredibly safe and effective, in the right hands and especially with the appropriate specific precautions and post-laser care. After laser resurfacing, follow these steps to maximize your results:
Avoid picking any crusting or scratch your skin. Apply icepacks to help reduce any discomfort or swelling.
Avoid strenuous exercise during this recovery period, as well.
Cleanse your skin two to five times per day using a cleanser recommended by Dr. Diwan.
Practice sun protection methods daily including the application of a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide and a minimum SPF 30. This is important after any laser treatment.
Contact Our Westlake Dermatologist Today
Dr. Diwan strives to give her patients elegant results that give them back their self-confidence. She relies on her extensive experience and continuing education and recognizes every detail and nuance that can help give you a natural, age-appropriate look. Dr. Diwan serves Westlake, Cleveland, and nearby areas of Ohio. Call (440) 871-9832 today to schedule a consultation.
Aging is inevitable. Showing its visible signs doesn’t have to be. Many people live with unsightly issues such as crepey wrinkles and acne scars without knowing that a simple, minimally invasive treatment with no downtime is within reach. Board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Renuka Diwan is proud to offer microneedling to her northeast Ohio patients to help reduce the visible signs of aging.
Dr. Diwan has more than 25 years of experience helping her patients attain more vibrant, youthful-looking skin. Her attention to detail is immaculate, and she is dedicated to giving you elegant, nuanced results. Read on to learn about how Dr. Diwan can use microneedling to deliver the look you desire.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a minimally invasive office procedure that creates barely visible punctures in your skin, to stimulate its natural healing processes. By doing so, microneedling induces your skin to repair issues that have developed over time. Microneedling is beneficial for:
Fine crepey lines and wrinkles
Acne scars
Stretch marks
Uneven skin texture
Hyperpigmentation
Microneedling works equally well and is safe for all complexions.
How Can Microneedling Treat Crepey Wrinkles?
Crepinessimplies skin that looks like crepe paper. It’s finely wrinkled and is most common under the eyes.
Crepey wrinkles can be caused by sun damage and aging. The sun’s ultraviolet rays lead to reduced collagen and elastin, which are responsible for your skin staying firm, supple, and wrinkle-free.
Collagen and elastin production also naturally decline as you age. On average, your body produces about 1 percent less collagen and elastin starting in your mid-20s.
When Dr. Diwan or her trained nurses treat the skin with the microneedling device, its tiny needles will create tiny wounds that trigger a healing response with the production of collagen and elastin. Hence, microneedling is also referred to as “collagen induction therapy.” The new collagen and elastin will then improve the appearance of crepey wrinkles and rejuvenate your skin, making it look smoother.
How Can Microneedling Treat Acne Scars?
Inflammation which results from acne destroys healthy skin tissue and causes acne scars.
Microneedling can treat these scars by the same mechanism that improves crepey wrinkles. Tiny punctures created in your skin with the microneedling device cause your skin to produce more collagen and elastin, helping to reverse collagen loss that caused acne scars.
Schedule Your Cleveland Microneedling Consultation Today
Dr. Diwan’sskill, attention to detail, and compassion have helped her create a loyal patient base over her 25-plus years practicing cosmetic dermatology. She is confident that you’ll feel the same way when you see the results she can deliver.
Dr. Diwan serves Westlake, Strongsville, and nearby areas of Cleveland. Call (440) 871-9832 today to schedule a consultation.
If you want to reduce the visible signs of aging, BOTOX® Cosmetic and Juvederm® can deliver fast, efficient results in different ways. BOTOX® Cosmetic is a neuromodulator that relaxes muscles that cause wrinkles through repeated, daily contractions. Juvederm is a dermal filler that restores volume and replenishes naturally occurring, skin-healing compounds.
At the Laser and Skin Surgery Center, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Renuka Diwan has nearly 30 years of experience helping her Cleveland patients attain radiant, youthful-looking skin. She can help diminish the visible signs of aging that you’re unhappy with. Read on to learn about the differences between BOTOX® Cosmetic and Juvederm, as well as how Dr. Diwan can use them to help you. Continue reading BOTOX® Cosmetic vs. Juvederm®
If you are interested in reducing pockets of stubborn fat but aren’t sure if liposuction or CoolSculpting is better for you, call 440-871-9832 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Diwan at our Cleveland office. Continue reading Liposuction vs CoolSculpting
