Like the old adage and former Canon slogan goes, image is everything. Take a look at any celebrity magazine in the supermarket line, and you're bound to see headlines touting this star's rapid weight loss or that ingénue's recently enhanced facial features. And in our increasingly appearance-conscious society, you can't visit your favorite Web site without getting bombarded by online advertisements extolling magic products that promise to tone, tighten and improve your appearance, seemingly overnight.
But even if you don't aspire to become the next Heidi Montag, looking and feeling better about yourself is critical at any age. And as long as your wallet allows, laser and aesthetic procedures offer a long-term, significant improvement that's so far unrivaled by any over-the-counter treatment.
We sat down with Dr. Glenn DeBias, the force behind Doylestown's Institute for Laser and Aesthetic Medicine (ILAMED), to get an inside look at their rejuvenative practices.
Turning Back Time
Ponce de Leon once devoted a lifetime to finding the Fountain of Youth. Centuries later, not much has changed. At ILAMED, reversing the effects of aging is a primary focus.
In 2004, DeBias developed the ActiveFX procedure, a laser skin-resurfacing treatment that vaporizes lines, wrinkles, scars, dark spots and other irregularities one layer at a time, without the use of needles. Since then, he’s performed more than 65,000 Active FX treatments on patients ranging from teenagers to 90-somethings. Just about anyone, he says, is an ideal candidate for laser and aesthetic treatments. "Everybody wants to look their best and feel refreshed," he says.
Patients who undergo ActiveFX can look forward to dramatic results within a week, DeBias promises. And with a 95 percent satisfaction rate, it’s one of the most sought-after treatments. DeBias meets with patients to determine their individual needs, including the reduction of frown lines, crow's feet, lip lines and the removal of uneven skin pigmentations. Results typically last two years, and many patients come in every six to 12 months for a refresh. Eyelid refreshments are ILAMED’s most popular treatment.
Procedures such as skin rejuvenation and skin tightening may require two to six treatments lasting 15 to 30 minutes apiece. More complicated procedures, like LaserBodySculpting, a form of liposuction, require only one treatment, which offer visible results in as little as a week’s time.
Clearing up the Situation
Sometimes, age isn’t the enemy but rather factors often beyond a patient’s control. For acne and other blemishes, DeBias offers both an array of extra-strength skin-care products and aesthetic treatments. The FDA-approved Isolaz therapy uses a vacuum and broadband light to deep cleanse and purify pores, helping to clear acne, sun-damaged skin, brown spots and the tiny, broken capillaries associated with rosacea.
According to DeBias, the 10-minute procedure is painless, and patients can immediately resume normal activities after their treatment.
Beauty is More Than Skin Deep
While you might have solved your skin issues, there could be more lurking on or just below the surface. Laser hair removal has long been a popular choice at ILAMED, where upgraded technology makes it possible for all skin types to benefit from the process.
The treatment, described as a series of slight pinpricks or rubber band-snaps to the skin, usually lasts anywhere from 15 seconds 30 minutes, depending on the area of the treatment.
For those looking to remove spider veins, laser treatments provide a viable option. After delivering a focused laser to the problem area, the unsightly veins naturally fade and disappear.
Debias invites potential patients to visit for a free consultation and discover the secrets to what he describes as a “proverbial fountain of youth. As the most comprehensive and experienced facility in the area, employing over 45 different lasers to perform their work, the answers you find might just surprise you.
Go Online at www.ilamed.com