Frequently Asked Questions

Dermoscopy | Microdermabrasion | Laser Hair Removal | Columbus | Westerville

What is Dermoscopy?
How does BOTOX® work?
What problems will BOTOX® treat?
Do BOTOX® injections hurt?
What do chemical peels treat?
What is microdermabrasion and what does it treat?
How does microdermabrasion work?
How long before I can see results?
How does laser hair removal work?
How many treatments are required?
Are treatments painful?

What is Dermoscopy?

Dermoscopy is a noninvasive diagnostic procedure using a hand held microscope safely and painlessly applied to the skin to view microscopic structures below the skin surface in a mole to aid in the early diagnosis of melanoma . It is more accurate than the clinical examination of a pigmented lesion in the hands of well trained, experienced physician. Westerville Dermatology is one of the first to offer dermoscopy in the state of Ohio. With our state-of-the-art Mole Max II, microscopic images of your moles can be digitally stored on a computer, allowing for future side by side comparisons of a spot over time, making it easier to pick up subtle malignant changes in a mole. Patients who have many atypical moles with or without a family history of melanoma should consider using the MoleMax II during the full body skin examination.

How does BOTOX® work?

BOTOX® is a highly purified protein that is derived from the bacteria that causes botulism. BOTOX® is injected into a muscle, where it affects the nerve by preventing the release of the chemical that tells the muscle to move. This paralyzes, or relaxes, the muscle. Since tight muscles cause certain wrinkles on the face, BOTOX® can smooth them.

What problems will BOTOX® treat?

In addition to over 180 medical uses, BOTOX® has many cosmetic uses, including treatment of frown lines, worry lines across the forehead, crow's feet lines, smile lines, lines around the mouth, downturned corners of the mouth, chin wrinkles, neck lines, "marionette" lines running down from the corners of the mouth, and excessively sweaty armpits, palms, and feet.

Do BOTOX® injections hurt?

The needles for BOTOX® are much smaller than those used for collagen and Restylane®; patients are often surprised at how little pain BOTOX® injections cause.

What do chemical peels treat?

Chemical peels remove damaged outer layers of skin on the face to smooth texture, reduce scarring, and remove blemishes and pre-cancerous growths to produce healthy, glowing skin.

What is microdermabrasion and what does it treat?

Microdermabrasion reduces the appearance of mild to moderate sun damage, scarring, wrinkles and other superficial skin problems by firing a gentle stream of tiny particles to exfoliate (abrade) the outer layer of skin and provide a fresh, glowing, younger appearance.

How does microdermabrasion work?

The particles scrape away the surface layer of aging or damaged skin, which is then brushed off with the microdermabrasion vacuum tool, with no need for anesthesia. Only a small amount of skin is removed, so damaged areas on sensitive areas such as the face, chest, neck, arms and hands can be treated.

How long before I can see results?

Results are comparable to a light chemical peel and should be immediately visible, although multiple treatments are usually required for full effect.

How does laser hair removal work?

Lasers produce highly focused, intense beams of light that are absorbed by dark pigments in the hair follicles beneath the skin's surface and converted to heat, destroying the follicles and preventing hair growth for up to two years.

How many treatments are required?

Multiple treatments are required for complete hair removal because the follicle must be "active" at the time of treatment and not all follicles are active at the same time.

Are treatments painful?

Not usually. Treatments are needle-free and anesthesia-free, with most patients feeling nothing more than a slight sting like the snap of a rubber band.

To learn more about our Cosmetic Procedures and to find out if it is right for you, please call 800-968-0418 today to schedule a consultation.