With the latest technology, celebrated cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank tells us why it's not too late to optimize the skin you're in.
Memorial Day is upon us, and the hedges may be perfectly coifed, but are you feeling like your best beachgoing self? From removing sun damage to toning, tightening and smoothing, there’s always a way to up your game. We asked our go-to celebrity cosmetic dermatologist and notable technology guru, Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, to help us navigate what’s new, gold standards and combination treatments to optimize the skin you’re in and tell us why it’s not too late to make high-impact changes for the season.
SUMMER IS AROUND THE CORNER! WHAT ARE SOME WAYS WE CAN START THE SEASON FRESH AND REVERSE PAST SUN DAMAGE?“We are in summer prep here at PFRANKMD. While the sun is getting stronger, it’s good to start with a clean slate to prevent existing skin concerns from getting worse – you always want to clean your room before it gets too dirty, and nothing is healthier or younger-looking than clear, unmarked skin. To reverse past sun damage like hyperpigmentation and redness, the best advice is to find a safe and effective treatment with limited downtime. I recommend a singular Fraxel Thulium for the face and PFRANKMD BBL Body Glow, which is a noninvasive treatment that uses BBL Hero: fast, low-energy broadband light pulses that effectively refresh and rejuvenate sun-damaged skin. It improves skin’s appearance in as little as 1-3 treatments and safely treats all body parts. If you can wear sunscreen and avoid direct long-term exposure in the sun for only 1-2 weeks, it is still a perfect time to get a fresh start to clear skin. The spots that you see today came from sun exposure decades ago, so you will not see them all come back this summer, even with a little fun in the sun.”
ARE THERE ANY CUTTING-EDGE TREATMENTS THAT ARE SUN OR SUMMER SAFE?“Absolutely! Some of the newer skin-lifting technologies, such as Emface, are summer-safe. In fact, they have no downtime, so pre-summer event treatments are ideal with this hot new technology.”
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO TARGET CELLULITE AS WE ENTER SHORTS AND SWIMSUIT SEASON?“Dealing with stubborn cellulite can be tough since there isn’t one real cause, so I always like to target it with combination treatments. For my patients, I like first to approach cellulite using a small series of shockwave radiofrequency treatments with Emtone, topped off with my proprietary PFRANKMD Biostim injections. Emtone combines thermal radiofrequency to tighten skin and mechanical shockwave therapy to improve circulation and fat deposition, while PFRANKMD Biostim injections are a unique formulation of Radiesse and Sculptra that smooths and tightens skin anywhere on the body. This three-dimensional smoothening is like art – it’s all about adding and removing volume in all the right places. These different fillers are layered to restore texture and promote the body’s natural production of collagen and elastin, which produces long-term benefits that can last a year. This combination has very little downtime and excellent results, making you beach ready.”
WHAT TREATMENTS TONE AND TIGHTEN AREAS OF STUBBORN FAT (LIKE THE ABDOMEN, ARMS, ETC.)?“Everyone goes to the gym, but just a little bit more during the warmer months to get summer ready. To get that summer body, it’s not just about going to the gym but also coming to PFRANKMD to get Emsculpt. A revolutionary device that uses electromagnetic energy to burn fat and build muscle to help sculpt your body, this treatment is ideal for those with low BMIs, post-partum weight-loss goals or a desire to achieve more definition in the abs, butt or arms. It’s not going to completely replace going to the gym or having a healthy diet, but it will give patients that extra boost for increased muscle tone, strength, posture and it can even remove a little bit of fat and tighten the skin.”
ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO TIGHTEN THE SKIN TO REDUCE WRINKLES AND LAXITY?“The hottest new device for skin tightening and wrinkle reduction is Ellacor. This groundbreaking treatment extracts tiny cores of skin scarlessly using fractional micro-coring technology, and within the few days following treatment, the skin heals for a tighter and smoother result – all without surgery! This noninvasive treatment with a short recovery creates ‘wow’ results. PFRANKMD was on the pre-market release team for this device, and we have performed more cases than anyone in the country. Morpheus 8 or Vivace Ultra are other popular options for skin texture and fine lines. These microneedling treatments target small and large treatment areas in a short period of time, making them ideal for the face or body. While Morpheus 8 is effective on its own, it is also a great addition to minimally invasive surgical procedures for additional skin tightening, texture and laxity.”
WHEN DO YOU ADVISE THAT PATIENTS START THEIR SUMMER BODY PREP?“The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body, and we have to treat it right. I typically recommend creating a game plan about six months out; however, determining when patients should start their summer body prep depends on their unique goals and treatment options. There are a lot of new technologies, and as we age, we have to pro-age, so it’s always important to sit down with your provider to get things organized and talk about expectations and desires. No matter what your skin malady, skin type, gender or age, there’s a treatment out there for you. Anything you do to resurface and restore your skin is the best summer prep I can think of.”
Photography by: PHOTO BY NUTURE/ISTOCK
