To some degree or another appearance plays a role in everyone’s lives. From the time we wake up to the time we go to bed at night we spend some amount of time tending to our appearance. Styling our hair, brushing our teeth, and applying make-up all consume time during our day. For some, the reflection in the mirror is not as pleasurable as they would like. Whether it is a birth defect, scars from trauma, or the natural or premature aging of the face, some people want a change.

Dr. Carroll has been trained in Medicine and Surgery of the Head and Neck which includes Otolaryngology as well as Facial Plastic Surgery. Physicians in this field perform the majority of Facial Plastic Surgery in the United States.

We carry a full line of cosmetic products in our office. Our Gly Derm products compliment our glycolic acid peels performed in the office. We also offer Kinerase as a moisturizing anti-wrinkle product. These products along with the fruit acid peels can restore that fresh, young look that makes us feel so good. You may browse through our skin care products and/or purchase them on-line at our product center, or call the office for a consultation.


What is Kinerase?
Kinerase is not an acid. It will not burn or irritate your skin. The active ingredient in Kinerase is a chemical from plants. Furfuryladenine is a natural plant growth factor that retards the aging process in plants. In humans this has provided not only antiwrinkle properties but also moisturizing qualities allowing the skin to retain a softer, smoother feel and appearance. Kinerase can be used alone or in conjunction with the Gly Derm home care products.

Gly Derm Skin Care Products

Gly Derm offers a complete line of products for all your skin care needs. Gly Derm uses a unique form of Glycolic acid that actually enhances the beautifying benefits of Glycolic acid and decreases the irritation. Glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane and has more beautifying effects on the skin than any other fruit acid. Normally, Glycolic acid is a little too irritating to be used daily, but Gly Derm has solved that problem. Gly Derm glycolics help the skin retain more moisture making skin smoother, healthier, and younger-looking. Many Glycolic acid products simply can't do what they promise. And most over-the-counter brands have been neutralized or buffered. If you want the most effective Glycolic acid formulations available, rely on the power of physician-strength Gly Derm.

All Gly Derm products have been clinically tested by board certified dermatologists and found to be hypo-allergenic and free of harmful agents. In fact, they're the preferred Glycolic formulations of many leading university Dermatology and Plastic Surgery centers. So take the next step. discover that you can actually spend less time trying to make your skin look better and more time enjoying your better-looking skin. That's the real beauty of Gly Derm.

For a complete list of products or to purchase products go to our product center or call Dr. Carroll for an appointment.

Chemical Peels

What are alpha hydroxy acids?
This group of naturally occurring acids is found in certain plants and fruits, including apples, grapes, citrus and sugar cane. Sugar cane is used in our esterified Gly Derm products. Alpha hydroxy acid products have been used for hundreds of years as moisturizers and freshening agents, and over the last ten years the use of these agents has expanded to include the treatment of acne, weathered sun damaged skin, pigmentation and fine wrinkles.

How do alpha hydroxy acids improve the appearance of the skin?
In all people, a thick layer of dead skin cells covers the surface of the skin and gives the complexion a rough, dull appearance. AHA's (alpha hydroxy acids), when used regularly, act as exfoliants which lift away these dead skin cells and give the skin a healthier, rejuvenated appearance. Continued use of alpha hydroxy acids appears to stimulate new cell growth, which over time can make the skin appear more youthful and can encourage tightening of the skin, which becomes lax with age.

Can alpha hydroxy acids only be applied in physician's offices?
There are many products which contain alpha hydroxy acids that are marketed for home use, including cleansers, astringents, creams, lotions, gels and sunscreens. These products can be used as a regular part of a home hygiene routine. Alpha hydroxy acid peels are a more concentrated solution that can only be applied in the physician's office by specially trained staff. The solution is applied to the skin and left in place for a specified period of time depending on your skin type, and then neutralized, or washed off. This causes the upper layers of the skin in the treated areas to peel away over a period of several days. These peels are usually very light and do not require patients to miss any time from regular activities. However, because they are very light peels, several treatments may be required to achieve the desired results.

Can anyone use alpha hydroxy acids?
Because they are a naturally occurring product, alpha hydroxy acids have been determined to be safe for use by most people. As with the use of any product, you should consult with your plastic surgeon to insure that these products are safe for you to use.

Gly Derm Alpha Hydroxy Acid Treatment Program

Glycolic acid is a type of Alpha Hydroxy Acid which is derived from natural fruits and sugar cane. Research has shown that repeated applications of alpha hydroxy acids to the skin of the face can help reduce many of the effects of sun induced aging such as fine lines, pigment spots and rougher scaly blemishes. Furthermore, with continued use, there is an improvement in the overall texture and smoothness of the skin.

There are minimal side effects. The treatments are safe and reliable with very predictable results. They do not cause dryness and sun sensitivity and may also be used in conjunction with Kinerase and prescription skin lightening creams.

The glycolic acid treatment program consists of two parts: the first phase is a skin care regimen which entails the twice daily use of a glycolic acid cleanser followed by a moisturizing cream or lotion which also contains esterified glycolic acid. It is the esterified formulation which makes these products especially effective and the reason they are only dispensed through physicians. The glycolic acid cleansers and creams can be used for several weeks before starting the second phase of treatment, the glycolic acid facial.

Six glycolic acid treatment facials are generally provided over a period of 6 - 12 weeks. These treatments employ the use of higher concentrations of glycolic acid which are applied here in the office. You will receive personal attention to your skin type, as Dr. Carroll will customize the strength of your facial peel program. A fruit based solution is applied to your face and left on for a few minutes. During the treatment facial, you will experience tingling or stinging but not pain. After a specified amount of time, the solution is rinsed off the face. A mild tingling may persist for an hour or so after the facial is completed. After three hours, you may resume normal skin care such as moisturizer or water based makeup.

Depending on the result of your fruit based glycolic acid facial, the concentrations and time of application are adjusted for subsequent treatments. The immediate result is mild pinkness which may last about a day, as if you had spent the day sailing or skiing. Improvements in fine lines, color and texture are cumulative and can often be appreciated after just a few treatments.

We recommend an initial series of six treatment facials followed by continued use of the cleanser, maintenance and moisturizing lotions. All patients will by then note smoothing and improved texture of their skin and they should start to notice lightening of any brown spots. Improvement is then maintained through the continued use of the Gly Derm products. Those patients looking for even greater improvements may continue the Gly Derm facials on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Ultimately it is the patient who decides when the desired cosmetic result is satisfactory.

Sometimes the best information comes directly from the people who have been through the treatment. Most of our office staff has been treated and would be happy to share their experiences. Please feel free to chat with them whenever you are in the office.

Should you have additional questions regarding our program and/or wish to schedule treatments, please call and speak to one of our office staff who is always available during regular office hours.

LINKS:
www.glyderm.com	www.kinerase.com