Are you considering cosmetic changes beyond a terrific new outfit, hairstyle or lipstick shade? Maple Grove has an abundance of “MedSpas” able to provide the latest in medical grade cosmetic services. In just one office visit or a series of visits, these treatments can provide subtle or dramatic cosmetic enhancements. We’ve detailed a few such services for you here. In case you’re pondering whether these types of treatments might be right for you.
Improving Skin Texture
Angelic Skin Clinic is a full service skin clinic offering the latest in medical aesthetic skin treatments. Angelic Skin Clinic Manager, Lyndsey Pouliot says that their newest product is the Vitality Institute Peel which helps reverse the signs of aging. She says, “This service is safe for all skin types and begins with a consultation to determine the number of treatment visits required to attain the desired results. Each treatment begins with a gentle cleansing of the area followed by the application of the peel with some gauze. The chemical in the peel may sting for less than a minute and clients are provided a small fan to help alleviate any sensitivity. The peel is deactivated with a towelette and then clients are sent home with sunblock and two additional activating peels to complete their treatment at home. Within four hours of the initial treatment, skin is ready for sunblock and makeup.
“Surface skin will flake off on around the third day after the initial treatment. This will make wearing makeup on that day difficult. So, don’t schedule this treatment too close to any special event like family photos or a wedding. But after that third day, the final result of the VI Peel is dramatically improved pore size and a reduction in dark spots and fine lines.
Angelic Skin Clinic also offers an acne peel treatment and their Precision Plus Peel that has a booster serum to help the treatment penetrate 25 percent deeper than a regular peel.
For more dramatic results, Pouliot says that Angelic Skin Clinic’s Pearl Resurfacing Laser treatment goes deeper than a peel to further reduce fine lines and acne scars. She says, “A numbing cream is applied to the face 45 minutes before the laser is used. There is no pain with the laser treatment. But clients do experience a poking feeling and the skin feels tight afterward. The Pearl Laser Treatment requires a bit more down time than a peel. The face will be bright red the first day and will need to be kept especially clean for up to five days. The skin will peel around that fifth day. The final results are awesome.” Angelic Skin Clinic 7373 Kirkwood Ct. Suite 120; 763.497.7546; angelicskinclinic.com
An advanced skin therapy treatment offered at Renewal MD is called Triple Glow Therapy. Licensed Medical Aesthetician, Nicole Schreiber says that this treatment is a combination of two chemical peels and microdermabrasion. “It’s completely customizable,” says Schreiber. “I choose peels based on the client’s needs that can treat acne scarring, fine lines, sun spots or hyperpigmentation. It’s great for maintenance of appearance or to reverse problems.”
Schreiber describes the process as beginning with a consultation followed by a cleansing of the skin and a skin analysis. “Then we apply the first peel,” says Schreiber. “It will feel warm but comfortable. We leave that on for three minutes and then apply a neutralizing solution. For the microdermabrasion, we use a diamond-tipped wand that scrapes off and vacuums up the dead skin cells. Then we apply the second peel. The treatment is finalized with an anti-oxidant vitamin C serum that is lightweight yet concentrated. The results are immediate. You’ll walk out of here with a glow. But for optimal results, especially for acne scarring, we do recommend a series of treatments.” Renewal MD 7368 Kirkwood Ct.; 763.416.2280; renewalmd.com
Smoothing Wrinkles and Lines
Alleviating the appearance of deeper wrinkles caused by muscle use requires a bit more intervention than a surface peel. To smooth those deeper furrows, Renewal MD provides Botox injectable services. Aesthetic nurse injectors Suzanne O’Brien and Terri Hemmesch say that Botox is administered with a tiny needle placed directly under the skin, primarily on the forehead, between the eyebrows and around the corners of the eyes. “Botox works by blocking nerve signals sent to particular muscles so that those muscles won’t move,” Hemmesch says. “The treatment typically lasts about 3 months. Everyone’s pain tolerance is different, but it usually doesn't hurt. There is a small risk of bruising anytime you break the plain of the skin. But this risk is pretty minimal with Botox because the targeted muscles are so close to the skin so that injections aren’t very deep. The treatment takes only minutes and should be repeated every 3 months for optimal results. Botox is sold per unit and each area is indicated for a certain number of units, give or take, depending on your individual situation and desired outcome.”
Another popular injectable treatment available at Renewal MD is Juvederm. Unlike Botox, Juvederm is a synthetic hyaluronic acid filler that is used to replace or create volume in areas such as the lips, cheeks, under the eyes, in the smile lines that run from the nose to the mouth and those marionette lines that circumscribe the chin and cause a dour expression. Hemmesch says, “Juvederm can last up to 12 months and is sold per syringe. The risk of bruising with fillers is greater than Botox because it is injected deeper into the subcutaneous fatty layer. It hurts a little bit more because of the depth of treatment. But most fillers now include Lidocaine to help keep the patient comfortable during injection and minimize bruising. Renewal MD 7368 Kirkwood Court, 763.416.2280 renewalmd.com
If you’re looking for a more significant overall change in appearance rather than just spot treatment, The Liquid Lift at Belladerm MedSpa involves a combination of Botox and dermal filler injections. In 30-45 minutes, clients can have fuller lips, reduced smoker lines, fewer crow’s feet and smoothed furrows and forehead lines. Registered nurse, Robin Bernens recommends having these injections done in two stages to avoid the exhaustion that comes with being stuck with a needle multiple times. She says, “This treatment is for clients who are trying to bridge that gap of aging gracefully without plastic surgery.” Belladerm MedSpa 7940 Main St.; 763.494.9905; belladermmedspa.com
Robin Bernens, registered nurse at Belladerm Medspa.
Shedding Cellulite
Are you within 15-20 pounds of your ideal body weight but just can’t seem to lose that extra fat around your middle? Belladerm MedSpa has a technique called Cool Sculpting for tackling thos pesky pockets of fat that aren’t helped by working out. Bernens says the procedure works best on those who have a good workout plan and eating habits. “The treatment involves sucking the targeted area between two cooling plates. The plates freeze the fat cells so that they can be metabolized and carried out through the lymph system. It’s not painful because the skin is numb from the cold. But there is an unusually intense sucking sensation between the cooling plates for the first couple of minutes after it is applied.”
“Cool Sculpting takes about 60 minutes per area and there are no immediate results. The fat tends to shed after 9-12 weeks. Success typically comes with two treatments per area spaced four weeks apart.” Belladerm MedSpa 7940 Main St.; 763.494.9905; belladermmedspa.com
Removing Unwanted Hair
Ideal Image specializes in only laser hair removal. A registered nurse or a nurse practitioner performs all laser hair removal treatments. Lead Consultant, Lonni Mueller says that many people suffer from unwanted hair and irritation from ingrown hair or itchy skin from shaving or waxing. “The nice thing about laser hair removal,” says Mueller, “ is that the skin is left smooth with no shadow or razor burn. Permanent hair removal also means less time consuming shaving.”
All of their clients come in for nine treatments. The first five are eight weeks apart. The last four are 10 weeks apart. “Unlike waxing, there is no need to let hair grow out, says Mueller. “We use a pulsing laser on the skin. Treatment time depends on size of the area being treated. For example, underarms are done in about 5-10 minutes. It doesn’t really hurt. But feels like a rubber band snapping on the area during the treatment.
Clients see results right away. “You’ll be shaving less after your very first time,” assures Mueller. “The laser only works during a hair follicle’s active growing cycle. That’s why nine treatments are needed to be sure that we permanently eliminate all the unwanted hair. Deodorant can be applied right away. And it’s easy to pop in for a treatment over a lunch break, in the evenings or on weekends.”
Ideal Image has specific lasers designed for both light and dark skin. But Mueller points out that laser hair removal does not work on blond, white or red hair. “The worst part of my job is having to tell people that they’re not treatable,” Mueller says. She also advises clients to limit sun exposure before treatments. She says, “The laser is attracted to pigment. Tanning can confuse the laser and make the treatment less effective.”
The most popular areas for laser hair removal are the face and bikini area for women and the back and neck for men. “We won’t do the top of the head, underneath the eyebrows or inside the nose or ears,” says Mueller. “Everyplace else is fair game.” Ideal Image Laser Hair Removal 12119 Elm Creek Blvd.; 763.447.2739; idealimage.com
