April 2008 - Newsletter
Not All Spas Are Created Equal
"Spa" is a word that gets thrown around a lot when it comes to beauty, indulgence, and relaxation. But not all spas offer the same services or seek to achieve the same goals. The differences come down to whether a spa is a "Day Spa" or "Medical Spa." Most day spas offer facial treatments, massage, and other relaxation services to help their clients refresh and rejuvenate. A day spa is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and take some time to pamper yourself. The key idea behind day spas is taking a break and refreshing your spirit.
On the other hand, medical spas like Acqua Blu are focused on achieving longer-term cosmetic results through state-of-the-art non-surgical treatments. Most medical spas are owned and operated by physicians or have a medical director on staff. At Acqua Blu, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Heil oversees the staff and operations.
Because of the physician involvement with medical spas, they can offer treatments that are not available at day spas, such as higher strength chemical peels that remove several layers of skin for a more comprehensive skin rejuvenation treatment. A doctor's medical expertise is needed to perform these treatments safely. Skin rejuvenation treatments at Acqua Blu include medical microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, gel peels and a professional enzyme and mask treatment that is customized to meet your skin care needs. In addition to injectables like BOTOX® Cosmetic and Restylane®, Acqua Blu also offers laser and light treatments such as BBL for rosacea, ProFractional® for the ultimate in skin rejuvenation, SkinTyte® laser skin tightening, photo dynamic acne treatment and laser hair and vein removal.
Medical spas are much better equipped to analyze your skin and give you a range of treatment options based on your needs. For instance, at Acqua Blu we can give you options to treat sun-damaged skin both for immediate cosmetic improvement and long-term protection.
If you're ready for a little relaxation and rejuvenation, schedule a visit to your local day spa. But when it's time for lasting cosmetic improvement, it's time to see a medical professional at Acqua Blu. Our staff can evaluate your skin and give personalized treatment recommendations to correct imperfections and protect your skin in the long-term.
Acqua Blu Staff Share Their Secrets
While there are thousands of products and services available today to help your skin look its best, you've no doubt come across at least a few that haven't quite met your expectations. Where to turn? For an insider's take on what works, consider the treatments and products our spa professionals suggest. Here are their recommendations – in their own words.
Dana – I believe maintenance is key. You've got to cheat away those wrinkles. Glycolic and fruit acids are very beneficial. I like the SkinCeutical Gel Peels because they offer no downtime and are extremely effective. There's definitely a place for medical-grade skincare products, but nothing compares to procedures like BOTOX, Restylane, and laser resurfacing – these treatments help take your natural beauty and refine it. I love the skin tightening laser because it firms and smoothes the surface of the skin and there's no downtime. One of my favorite products is SkinCeuticals Lip Repair. Just layer your favorite lip color on top of this product for smooth, full and healthy-looking lips.
Andie – My favorite treatment is microdermabrasion. It is a mild exfoliating treatment that truly makes skin look smooth and radiant. The treatment also allows for products to better penetrate the skin. By exfoliating the top layer of skin, irregular pigment and the skin's overall appearance and texture will surely improve. My favorite product right now is the Biomedic Purifying Cleanser. It is perfect for baby boomers searching for the cleanser that gives a youthful glow to aging, dehydrated skin.
Renee – I have used BOTOX between my brows and in the periorbital region around my eyes. Sun exposure and repeated movement of facial muscles are two things that age you, so wearing sunscreen and stopping the muscle movement with BOTOX is my two-pronged approach. I also like a once-a-year BBL treatment for treating brown spots and turning on cells to make collagen. My skin essentials include SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic and Daily Defense Sunscreen.
Bonnie – A procedure of choice in our spa is the ProFractional laser and we've seen phenomenal results. This treatment is great for skin flaws such as acne scars, pregnancy-related hormone fluctuations, age spots and those dreaded fine lines and wrinkles – without a lot of downtime. The best part is that a ProFractional treatment can be used to rejuvenate the skin around the eyes, lips, neck, chest and hands, too. Another treatment that gets great results is laser hair removal. It is a safe, comfortable procedure and perfect for the spring and summer months.
Want to learn more about these recommended products and treatments? Contact us or call 724.776.2111 today.
Nothing But a Number: Women in Their 60's
This month we have the third installment of our 4-part special on popular cosmetic procedures for women of all ages. In this issue, the spotlight is on women in their 60's.
Your 60's can be some of the best years of your life, and you can enjoy them to the fullest by looking refreshed and rejuvenated. If you've taken top care of your skin all these years, kudos to you. But even so, your skin will start to show the effects of sun exposure, age, dryness and gravity. Many of our clients in their 60's focus on facial surgery and skin care options to turn back the clock and feel satisfied about the face they see in the mirror. The surgeons at Premier Plastic Surgery have years of experience successfully performing facial cosmetic surgery, and the skin care professionals at AcquaBlu Medical Spa & Skin Care Center know just what your skin needs to look younger, smoother and revitalized.
Your Problem: A Sagging Jaw Line
The Premier Solution: Is there an uglier word in the English language than "jowls"? You probably don't think so if you've been noticing more and more hanging skin along your jaw. Fix that unflattering look with a facelift.
Your Problem: Tired Looking Eyes
The Premier Solution: It's easy to freshen the appearance of your eyes. Cosmetic eyelid surgery can help remove bags and lighten your upper lids for a much brighter and more youthful appearance.
Your Problem: A Wrinkled, Drooping Forehead
The Premier Solution: You may not realize it, but your forehead can make you look tired, angry or just plain worn down. You can subtly reposition your eyebrows and smooth the skin on your forehead when you choose a brow lift procedure.
Your Problem: Lines and Wrinkles
The Acqua Blu Solution: Remember discovering that first wrinkle? How long ago was it? For a fresh look with minimal downtime, consider injectable treatments such as BOTOX Cosmetic and Restylane .
Your Problem: Poor Skin Tone
The Acqua Blu Solution: Forget all those creams and serums that target only the surface of your skin and help your skin rejuvenate from within when you choose ProFractional laser treatments for deep skin revitalization.
We offer a full range of cosmetic treatments and can help you decide which options are best for your goals, your budget and your lifestyle. Contact us online or call 724.776.2111 today for more information.
Product Spotlight
San Soleil and Body Polish by SkinCeuticals
Acqua Blu offers a self-tanning lotion for the face and body to create sensuous color without the sun, and also features a new body scrub.
San Soleil is a unique self-tanning lotion that delivers an even, natural-looking tan without exposure to the sun's harmful rays. Most self-tanning products use the tanning agent DHA (dihydroxy acetone), which when used alone can cause dryness and create an uneven, orange, unnatural-looking tan. San Soleil contains erythrulose, a unique DHA enhancer. The combination of DHA and erythrulose helps ensure a more even, streak-less, longer lasting tan without increasing dryness.
Also, to compliment your self-tanning treatment, don't forget to add SkinCeuticals Body Polish. This rich, exfoliating body scrub contains Brazilian marine algae and botanical extracts to eliminate dry, dull and flaky skin – revealing a smoother, more radiant complexion below.
Both products are available at Acqua Blu. San Soleil is priced at $32, and Body Polish retails for $30.
