With all the gloom and doom news stories about the economy it is encouraging to see that some local businesses are not just surviving, but instead are thriving. As the Vein & Wellness Center, Red Apple Corner, 110 S. Piney Rd., Chester, presents its first anniversary Ladies Night open house on Thursday, October 6, it announces the expansion of its skin and laser cosmetic services as well as its physical space.
The Center’s skin and laser cosmetic services will be called Aesthetic Institute at the Vein & Wellness Center. The build-out is currently under construction with anticipated completion before the end of the year. Skin and laser services are available now to patients in its current office suite.
The free Ladies Night open house will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. The event will feature opportunities for participants to address questions about vein care and skin and laser services. In addition, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 5:45 p.m., followed by a VISIA™ skin analysis demonstration at 6:30 p.m. and skin rejuvenation Tips/Q&A at 7 p.m.
Event participants can also enter a free raffle for a beauty package valued at $500, which features a series of two microdermabrasion treatments, a chemical peel and complementary skin care and make up products.
Common skin treatments
Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are two of the most common skin rejuvenation processes. Chemical peels vary in products and strengths. They can be mild to just give a light exfoliation, can be more antibacterial in nature to improve acneic conditions, or more aggressive to improve aging skin by repairing fine lines, wrinkles, and textural changes.
Microdermabrasion is a process of using a machine that either has aluminum oxide crystals or a diamond tip wand. It is a controlled exfoliation that microscopically takes away a part of the Stratum Corneum (the outer most part of the epidermis also known as the dead skin cell layer) more effectively than an at home facial scrub. Doing one treatment will smooth the skin but remember, when rejuvenating, the goal is to make the skin repair itself.
How it works
By doing a treatment (microdermabrasion or chemical peel) every one to two weeks. With as little as five treatments patients will see improvements in fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, scars and superficial blemishes. Increased collagen and fibrin production will improve skin laxity as well.
“The basic principle is such that you are irritating the skin as well as thinning out the Stratum Corneum, bringing increased blood flow, which as we know is where the repair cells are. Just think how red a skin injury becomes as it begins healing. That is because the blood flow is increased bringing repair cells to heal the wound,” says Kelly Sullivan, R.N., C.P.C.P., member of the medical staff at the Vein & Wellness Center. “In stimulating the skin by doing the procedure, you are in essence irritating it, causing the ‘it will repair itself’ phenomena to take place. Lots of other treatment options are on the market and do a great job, but the basic bang for your buck remains the microdermabrasion or chemical peel. It can be the most important building block of all other aesthetic procedures as well,” she adds.
Thinning out the Stratum Cornuem to a more normalized thickness will allow laser and light treatments to penetrate better. Increasing blood flow will aid in the repair and healing processes associated with a face-lift and more aggressive laser treatments.
“The basic theory of rejuvenation is if you keep the cells turning over more efficiently it will be healthier and look great,” adds Ms. Sullivan.
Kelly Sullivan, R.N., C.P.C.P., is a member of the medical staff at the Vein & Wellness Center. Ms. Sullivan has more than two decades of extensive experience in all aspects of dermatology and medical cosmetic skin care services such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, Botox®, dermal fillers and laser treatments. In addition to her medical and dermatology expertise, she educates patients about a wide range of skin care topics.
The Vein & Wellness Center is dedicated to the comprehensive treatment of varicose veins, spider veins, venous disorders and state-of-the-art cosmetic vein care. The Center’s Aesthetic Institute provides a diverse selection of skin and laser cosmetic services and products, including Skin Therapy by Julia T. Hunter, M.D., CosMedix Peels & Facials, Botox® Cosmetic, microdermabrasion, dermal fillers, and laser treatment for facial veins and age spots. For more information, call (410) 643-1999 or visit www.veinandwellness.com.