At AMCD, we are well aware of the effects of sun, age and the environment on your skin, and we pride ourselves on the broad range of products and services that we can provide in order to renew your skin's appearance.       



Chemical Peel
Want to turn back the clock on your skin?   The chemical peel, one of the simplest procedures we offer, can leave your skin softer, brighter and smoother than its felt in years, in as little as 15 minutes.  

What It Is: A topical treatment that uses various types of chemicals to "peel" away damaged layers of skin, and along with it, surface lines and wrinkles.

What It Does: Depending on the type of peel used, it can do anything from simply refreshing the skin (known as the "lunchtime peel") to - in the case of deeper peels - simulate collagen production to firm skin, reduce wrinkling, improve skin texture, correct pigment problems, and reduce sun damage. All lead to a younger-looking complexion.

Skin Treatment Time: The "lunchtime peel" takes about 15 minutes; a medium peel 30 minutes, and a deep peel, about one hour.

Down Time: Light peel -- no recovery or downtime; Medium peel -- four to seven day recovery; Deep peel - a two week healing time.

Lasting Effect:  A light peel usually needs to be repeated for results to last several months; the results of a medium peel last about one year; a deep peel is permanent, though new wrinkles can form over time.

Corrective Facials
Our corrective facial is a customized skin care treatment that is designed to target specific problems such as breakouts, dehydration, fine lines, wrinkles or other concerns that you may have with your skin.   

What It Is:   Each treatment includes a full skin analysis and consultation with one of our aestheticians.   We will design a customized program that may include treatments such as alpha hydroxy exfoliation, specialized acne-fighters and other more intensive treatments aimed at solving a particular problem.

What It Does:   Corrective Facials can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, add elasticity and firmness to the skin, minimize sun/age spots, help correct acne problems, and aid in correcting many other skin conditions.

Skin Treatment Time: About an hour

Down Time: None

Lasting Effect: You will be able to see and feel results after one treatment, although we recommend initially that you receive regular treatments so that you can learn more about your skin and what treatments and products work best for you.

Epidermal Leveling
Epidermal Leveling represents the latest thinking in skin rejuvenation.   The procedure will leave your skin with a new radiance and smoother texture.

What It Is: A special blade, called an "Epiblade" is applied against the skin surface in a gentle sweeping action.

What It Does:   The procedure quickly and safely removes dead skin cells from the surface of your face.   It also removes fine facial hair (the "peach fuzz" that most women have on the cheeks and chin) without the harsh effects of waxing.   Epidermal leveling is commonly used to treat sun damage, acne, rosacea, sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles and pre-cancerous cells.

Skin Treatment Time:   About 45 minutes

Down Time:   None

Lasting Effect:     Variable, however, the procedure can then be followed with a facial peel (Enzyme, Pomegranate, Benefit or Epi-Plus) for even more dramatic results.  

Botox®
Botox, the number one cosmetic procedure in U.S., is a popular choice for good reason. It's simple, quick, requires no anesthesia or downtime, and it results in a noticeable smoothing of the wrinkles in the treated area.

What It Is : Tiny amounts of botulinum A are injected directly into the muscle that lies below a wrinkle 

What It Does: The injection temporarily relaxes the muscle, allowing the wrinkle to fade.   The surface skin is smoother and younger-looking.   Botox is commonly used to soften wrinkles related to frowning and squinting, and is also used as a treatment for excessive sweating.

Skin Treatment Time: About 20 minutes with definite results in 48 hours to a week after treatment.

Downtime: None, for most people.   However, some pinpoint bruising is not unusual and occasionally a mild headache will last for 1-2 days.

Lasting Effect : About three to four months.   After 12 months of treatment, patients often find that results last even longer, due to muscle atrophy and loss of the "habit" of facial expressions.

Is it Safe?:  A consumer watchdog group recently published a report claiming that Botox has side effects much greater than what is stated on the label.   Are these recent claims reason enough to avoid Botox?  Is it really safe for me? 

It is common to ask these questions before considering such a treatment, just as you would question the side effects of any cosmetic treatment you might consider.  However, AMCD is in agreement with the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), that Botox is safe and effective and will continue to offer it to patients.

• Botox Cosmetic has been FDA-approved and in continuous use since 1989 with rare reports of adverse effects, most of which were minimal and transitory.
• In 2005, almost 575,000 Botox injections were performed by ASDS members with no reports of deaths or other major complications.
• The patient whose death was linked to Botox by Public Citizen did not have any symptoms of an adverse reaction after injection.  Her death was from infectious pneumonia, seven weeks after the injection,
• Dermatologic surgeons are aware of the potential of side effects of Botox and are trained to thoroughly inform patients of them when administering it.
• The ASDS and dermatologic surgeons are not aware of any deaths that have occurred as a direct result of the use of Botox® throughout the history of the product's cosmetic use.
• Many of the people who receive Botox for non-cosmetic reasons have underlying health issues that may also contribute to the adverse effects that were reported.
• The AERS database is intended to encourage physicians to report any drug reaction.  A report of an event does not by itself mean that the drug caused the event; just that the event occurred after the drug was administered.

What It Is :    Dermal Fillers are either collagen-based (such as Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast), Hyaluronic Acid-based (Juvéderm, Perlane, Hylaform, Restylane), Calcium-based (such as Radiesse) or synthetic poly-lactic acid (Sculptra).   

What It Does: Small injections of a dermal filler will attract and bind water within lines and wrinkles, adding volume to the skin and causing lines and wrinkles to be softened.  

Common Uses:   Dermal fillers are used to temporarily soften lines and wrinkles.   They can also be used to improve the appearance of "thumbprint" acne scars, some traumatic scars and to temporarily give patients fuller lips, resulting in a more youthful appearance.

Skin Treatment Time: About 20 to 30 minutes

Downtime:   There can be occasional swelling and bruising, depending on the filler.

Lasting Effect : Between four and 24 months, depending on the filler used.

What It Is: A method of facial rejuvenation that uses either nonablative (noncutting) laser beams or other light-based devices to deliver short bursts of energy (called intense pulsed light ) to the skin.

What It Does:  The skin that is targeted by the laser is broken down, allowing healthy cells to form in its place.   Laser or light skin rejuvenation firms and tones skin by stimulating new collagen growth; improves texture and color; minimizes fine lines; improves acne scarring; gives skin a rested and refreshed look -- all without the use of any chemicals. 

Common Uses:   Laser treatments are commonly used for the treatment of fine wrinkles, discolorations, age spots, sun damage, rough skin, and acne scars.

Skin Treatment Time :  20 to 40 minutes.

Downtime:   Skin may be slightly red for about 1-3 hours after treatment with FotoFacialRF and 1-3 days after treatment with ReFirme ST or Fraxel Laser.

Lasting Effect: A series of treatments are needed for maximum collagen production. Touch-up treatments are recommended once or twice a year to keep collagen production stimulated.

Macrodermabrasion
Speedy, gentle and natural, Macrodermabrasion may offer just what you need.   This treatment is also a great alternative for patients with sensitive skin or those who have not gotten the results they desired with facials alone.  

What It Is: In this procedure, a vacuum suction device is used in tandem with a mild chemical crystal formulation to remove the top layer of skin cells. This polishing step is followed by a relaxing ultrasound step which serves to deliver brightening, antioxidant, exfoliating and anti-inflammatory treatments deeper into the skin. This allows new, more evenly textured skin to come to the surface.

What It Does: Rejuvenates the complexion, helps topical products to penetrate more deeply, removes ultra-fine lines, and gives skin a more youthful "glow."  

Skin Treatment Time : 30 minutes per treatment, although it does take multiple treatments and several weeks before full results become apparent.

Downtime : None. Skin may appear a little red for about an hour afterward.

Lasting Effect: Several months, depending on age and condition of skin.

Laser Hair Reduction
Laser hair reduction, the second most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure for women and men, is well worth your time if you are exhausted from the losing battle against unwanted hair.

What It Is:   Energy from a laser is used to damage the hair follicle. This makes the hair fall out -- and makes it difficult for the hair to grow back again.

What It Does: Removes hair from most areas on the body.

Skin Treatment Time: As short as 10 minutes or as long as 45 minutes, depending on amount of hair to be removed. Because hair grows in cycles, between four and eight treatments are needed, usually four to eight weeks apart. Short, coarse dark hair responds best, but removal of all types of hair except extremely light colored hair is possible.

Downtime: None.

Lasting Effect:   In some people, it can be permanent. In others, hair may grow back, but it is usually lighter and easier to remove. It's important to note, however, that the hair does not come out during the treatment. Instead, it falls out gradually in the days and weeks that follow.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy and Laser Therapy
Our practice uses the Polaris LV ELOS and/or the Aurora SRA ELOS technology for leg vein treatment, offering a safe, effective non-invasive approach to elimination of unsightly leg veins.

What It Is:   Lasers are aimed at the veins and each vein is pulsed with the laser or light energy.

What It Does: The light is absorbed by the blood stream, which heats the inner vein surface and causes the vein to collapse.

Skin Treatment Time:   15 minutes to 1 hour depending on the size of the area being treated.   Multiple treatment sessions are generally required.

Down Time:     Redness and swelling may initially appear along with some bruising, however, there is no downtime from performing your normal everyday activities.

Lasting Effect :   Permanent, however, the treatment will not deter future veins from appearing.

Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a well-proven, non-surgical option to treat varicose and spider veins.   It has been used since the early 1900s and offers our patients a safe, virtually no downtime option with very little discomfort.

What It Is:    Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a sclerosing solution into the veins to treat spider and varicose veins.

What It Does:   The injection causes the inside of the veins to become irritated, collapse and fade from view.

Skin Treatment Time:   15 to 45 minutes. Usually between 4 to 6 treatments are required to achieve maximum resolution.

Down Time:   We may advise you to wear medical grade support hose for about 3 days following your treatment. Some patients experience temporary bruising or a brownish discoloration of the overlying skin.    You may be advised to limit some physical activity during healing time.

Lasting Effect:   Treatments are done on a monthly basis until the desired results are achieved.   An average of 3 to 6 treatments are usually necessary to achieve appreciable clearing of spider veins.