Spilling a Surgeon’s Secrets: 5 Treatments for Cosmetic Dermatology Beginners

When you’ve been married to a cosmetic dermatologist for 16 years, you know a thing or two about skin and body treatments. And if you’re like Cindy Khorasani, wife and business partner to Dr. Khorasani, you’ve likely tried the majority of what’s out there.

Cindy Khorsani has been the enthusiastically willing test subject for Dr. Khorasani for decades. Because of her hands-on approach and experience, she’s well-versed in pretty much everything available. There isn’t much that she hasn’t tried, so she knows what works.

But for beginners, the first step into cosmetic dermatology can be scary and strange — it’s your face and body, after all. For people who are curious about dipping a toe into the wide world of cosmetic dermatology, Cindy has rounded up her list of five non-invasive, pain-free treatments with little to no downtime, which will have beginners seeing dramatic results. Here are Cindy’s top five treatments for cosmetic dermatology beginners:

Dysport

Similar to Botox, Dysport may not seem like the most cutting edge cosmetic dermatology procedure, but it's a classic for a reason, and is often a person's very first foray into cosmetic dermatology. Most people start out with Botox/Dysport in the face to reduce lines and wrinkles, but did you know that there is actually so much more that it can do?

Visit our Wrinkle & Line Reduction (BOTOX/Dysport) Gallery


Botox and Dysport are what are known as neuromodulators because of their ability to modulate the tone of facial musculature. So while they are excellent for fine lines and wrinkles, they can do a few other surprise things, as well:

Face Contouring

“Dysport can be used to shape the lower face and reshape a square, or broader jawline into a softer, oval, or heart shape. It can also enhance your smile and lift the browline. The best part? It's not painful, it's not permanent, and it doesn't break the bank, so it's a perfect option for beginners,” says Cindy.

Sweat and Odor Reduction

Cindy notes, “A dose of Dysport to the hands, feet, or armpits can help with sweat reduction.”

Neck Rejuvenation 

“Injections of Dysport in the neck can help diminish the appearance of neck bands, which can give a much more youthful look,” she adds.

Aquagold

“Another thing I like for beginners is AquaGold, which is used for facial rejuvenation. What it is, essentially, is a non-invasive, customized skin cocktail tailored to each patient.” 

If it sounds luxurious, that’s because it truly is. It’s like a facial with a little extra oomph, but it’s low-key enough for people who are just peeking into the cosmetic dermatology universe.

The Procedure

AquaGold is a novel micro-channeling device that contains 24 karat gold needles. The hollow needles are filled with the bespoke elixir, which can contain hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane Silk, neuromodulators like Botox or Dysport, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), and vitamins. The needles then apply these active ingredients directly under the skin, which allows for efficient absorption and a glowing, radiant appearance.

The Recovery

There is no downtime. Patients may notice a little bit of redness, but that subsides in a few hours.

The Results

In about a week you'll notice visibly tighter, brighter skin. It's a much more approachable version of fillers, which may be too much for beginners. AquaGold is a baby step into facial rejuvenation, and it’s completely customized to your needs.

Clear & Brilliant

Clear & Brilliant is a very natural first step into laser skin resurfacing. First of all, it's the most gentle laser that Dr. Khorasani offers, and can be used for all different skin types and colors. It’s especially effective for helping to reduce dark spots. 

Clear & Brilliant uses 1927nm light  to create millions of microscopic treatment zones on the outermost layer of skin. The gentle energy selectively heats columns of skin and leaves behind a sheath of brand-new, untouched tissue. 

"It doesn't hurt, and the result leaves you looking so refreshed. You glow for weeks," said Cindy.

Visit our Laser Skin Resurfacing Gallery


The Procedure

The entire experience takes about 45 minutes. There are 20 minutes needed to apply and sit with a topical numbing agent, and then a 20 to 25-minute procedure.

The Recovery

You will notice a bit of swelling and redness, but not much and it quickly subsides (within 24 hours). For beginners, Cindy recommends a lighter treatment because it requires less downtime, and you’ll see results quickly.

The Results

After seven to eight days, you can expect to see vibrant, refreshed skin with a glow and radiance to die for. 

Vascular Lasers for Redness & Veins

As we age, our skin tends to lose that even, balanced complexion. We start to notice red patches, broken blood vessels, and maybe even a few prominent veins. Vascular lasers are an easy, relatively pain-free, and effective way to help balance out skin tone. Plus, there's very little downtime, which makes it great for beginners.

Vascular lasers, like Vbeam and Aerolase Neo, can be used to treat a variety of redness conditions, including:

  • Telangiectasis: tiny, thread-like streaks of redness caused by dilated blood vessels.
  • Scars: redness localized to surgical, acne, or traumatic scars.
  • Cherry angiomas: bright, palpable spots of the face and body that increase with age.
  • Capillary malformations: also known as birthmarks, these red lesions are present from birth.
  • Rosacea: diffuse, blotchy redness of the forehead, eyes, and cheeks.

The Procedure

There are two different lasers Dr. Khorasani uses to treat redness. The first is Vbeam, which delivers pulses of light energy that eliminate red or blue-purple pigment without harming the skin. The majority of patients will need three to five sessions, spaced three to six weeks apart.

Aerolase Neo emits beams of energy 1,000-times faster than traditional lasers. The brief delivery period allows for gentle, but targeted treatment during which unwanted pigment is reduced. Aerolase is a great option for patients with darker skin tones. Dr. Khorasani often couples Vbeam and Aerolase together in one treatment session.

The Recovery

There is minimal downtime for Vbeam. No numbing cream is needed. Patients will experience a little bit of swelling, but it subsides in a few days. There is no numbing or downtime for Aerolase Neo. We recommend taking 50mg of Benadryl the night before the procedure and 10mg of Zyrtec the day of the procedure in order to reduce swelling after the procedure. 

The Results

Both Vbeam and Aerolase Neo produce diminished redness and a more even complexion. 

Cosmetic Mole Removal- Laser Ablation

Moles may be part of your iconic looks, but if you've got a few that are bothersome, they are easy to remove. Cosmetic mole removal with laser ablation is pain-free, with minimal downtime, and is a great option for beginners.

"What’s great about cosmetic mole removal with laser ablation is that there is no blade and no sutures, and the wound care is minimal. You can go about your daily life after your procedure," says Cindy. 

Visit our Cosmetic Mole Removal Gallery

The Procedure

Dr. Khorasani offers a few ways to remove moles, one of which is using an ablative CO2 laser. Dr. Khorasani sets the depth of the laser beam to only go past the top part of the second layer of skin. The process takes less than five minutes. Patients are given an injection of lidocaine prior to treatment, to ensure that the entire experience is pain-free.

The Recovery

Patients will notice a depression in the treated area, as well as redness, for at least two to six weeks after treatment, depending on one’s complexion. After the redness fades, the areas may be whiter than usual because of the brand-new skin. Keep the treated areas covered with Duoderm and apply Aquaphor twice daily for the first two weeks. And, of course, don't forget your sunscreen.

For patients of color, note that some pigment might not come back, depending on how dark your skin is. For very dark skin types, Dr. Khorasani may recommend an excision instead, in order to protect your pigment and provide the best outcome.

The Results

When the redness fades and normal pigmentation returns, patients will see fresh, new skin with minimal evidence that a mole was ever there.

Visit our Brown Spot and Discoloration Removal Gallery


Want to read more about cosmetic mole removal? Visit our dedicated blog article here.

Request A Consultation

Dr. Khorasani and his highly-specialized team look forward to working with you to transform your medical or aesthetic goals into reality. To expedite a request for a consultation, message us securely or call our Manhattan office at: 212-230-3378 for more information.

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