Pittsburgh Cosmetic Surgery - Articles on Estheticians, Sun Damage & Wrinkle Removal

Our Estheticians - Your Skin's Bodyguards

Dangers to your skin lurk around almost every corner, just waiting to ruin your complexion and make you look older than you really are. Wouldn't it be nice if you had someone to watch your back and fend off those environmental pollutants, UV rays, and other causes of skin damage?

Well, you're in luck, because that's exactly what our estheticians are all about. They specialize in providing advanced skin care services, including facials, medical microdermabrasion, chemical peels, waxing, and other treatments for the body and face. We have estheticians on staff at our Upper St. Clair location from Monday through Saturday and in Cranberry from Wednesday through Friday.

What makes our estheticians highly qualified to handle your skin needs? For starters, they have extensive experience with cosmetic treatments for women and men of all ages, including treatments for active acne, wrinkles, scars, and a variety of other skin blemishes. Plus, they are constantly evaluating new products to be able to offer you the most advanced treatments for your unique complexion.

Our estheticians appreciate that a significant part of your spa experience should focus on comfort and relaxation, and they understand the balance between indulgence and obtaining effective results. Warm, friendly, and supremely attentive to your needs, our estheticians can provide you guidance about home health care and even spot skin problems that may require treatment from one of physician assistants or plastic surgeon.

Booking regular appointments with an esthetician is a key component of any effective skin health plan. We encourage monthly appointments and offer cost-saving packages, coupons and a "refer a friend" program for frequent visitors. Plus, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that all of our estheticians are backed by and under the supervision of a board-certified plastic surgeon.

So where do you find these skin bodyguards? Only at two of the most luxurious spas in Western Pennsylvania! Whether you choose the classic European elegance of Acqua Blu's Cranberry location or the contemporary urban feel of our new location in Upper St. Clair, you'll have access to treatments only offered from some of the most luxurious spasworldwide. Plus, you can browse a selection of premier skincare lines during your visit, including skin solutions from SkinCeuticals, La Roche Posay, Hylunia, Hymed, SkinMedica, Sundari, Revisions, Mario Badesci, Zents, and many more.

Treatments and products vary by location, so if you are interested in a particular one of our services, contact us online or call 724.776.2111 today for more information and to schedule your visit.

Fun in the Sun - A Sin for Your Skin?

Let's face it: that tanned look can be ultrasexy. But those afternoons by the pool can also leave some unwelcome reminders in the form of wrinkles, spots, freckles and other sun damage. So what's the next step if your skin needs some help after soaking up the sun?

At Acqua Blu, we offer advanced laser technology that makes it easier than ever to remove the signs of sun damage.

• BBL PhotoRejuvenation: Broadband light (BBL) is an innovative treatment that targets pigmented areas beneath the outer layer of the skin and draws them to the surface. Now is the time to say "so long" to those sun spots that are making your skin look old! BBL PhotoRejuvenation also encourages skin renewal, making it a good treatment for wrinkle reduction.
• ProFractional™: From Sciton, a world leader in cosmetic laser technology, ProFractional is designed to dramatically repair fine lines, wrinkles and skin texture without the downtime associated with older laser technologies. The key innovation with ProFractional is the use of thousands of microscopic laser light columns that create a "dot pattern" of treated and untreated skin. Your body's response is to heal itself from within, revealing younger, healthier-looking skin.
• MicroLaser Peels: Ideal for the treatment of wrinkles, pigment problems and sun damage, MicroLaser Peels reach deep into the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin) to treat the blemishes microdermabrasion or light chemical peels can't touch. It's an ideal weekend treatment - have a MicroLaser Peel on a Friday and you can be ready to show off your beautiful skin by the start of the workweek.

Of course, we can combine these and other treatments to help you achieve your most dramatic skin rejuvenation. The key to maintaining your cleaner, healthier skin appearance is to purchase a high quality sunscreen and make it your new best friend. Daily use of an SPF 30 UVA/UVB sunblock will help your skin look great at any age. If you just have to have that bronzed look, talk with our cosmetic specialists about self-tanners and other options for your skin to radiate a healthy, sexy glow.

We hope you enjoy your time in the sun this summer and are happy to help you protect or revitalize your skin's appearance. Contact us for more information on laser therapies for sun damage.

Get Your Skin Movie-Star Smooth

Wrinkles. Like the villains in those summer blockbusters, they just always seem to show up at the wrong time and ruin all the fun. They may try to hold your looks hostage, but now they've met their match! BOTOX® Cosmetic, Restylane®, and other injectables give you the tools to get even, saving the day for your smooth complexion.

The skin health professionals at Acqua Blu are equipped with today's latest injectable treatments to come to the rescue when those inevitable wrinkles and lines start to form on your skin. Confused about your options? Don't worry - we'll take the time to explain how each treatment works and recommend a personal solution to address your unique skin needs.

• BOTOX Cosmetic: The superhero of injectables, BOTOX is perfect for the "dynamic wrinkles" that often form by the eyes, between the brow, or on the forehead. The go-to treatment for smoother skin.
• Restylane / Perlane®: This wrinkle-fighting duo offers two different strengths so you can knock out even the most stubborn facial lines and folds. Perfect for lines on your cheeks and around your mouth.
• Juvéderm™: This filler can put your wrinkles behind bars for up to a year. And be sure to ask us about the sequel, Juvéderm Ultra Plus, which can help volumize and correct deeper wrinkles.
• Prevelle Silk: This newest injectable might seem a bit gentle thanks to its special formulation that includes lidocaine, but it's a powerful treatment and it won't take "old" for an answer when it comes to lines and wrinkles.

We may be having a little fun, but keep in mind that injectables are serious medical treatments. Like any medical procedure, be sure to trust your injectable treatment to a true professional. We believe that only a person who is knowledgeable about the structures of the face can properly place injectable treatments in a safe way that creates a naturally-smooth look. That's why Dr. Brian Heil, a board-certified plastic surgeon and Medical Director of Acqua Blu, personally performs all dermal filler injections. He also administers BOTOX Cosmetic injections, as does Bonnie Russo, our skilled physician's assistant. The fact is that no other plastic surgeon in the area regularly performs injectable treatments for their patients.

Dr. Heil is a national trainer for several injectable treatments, and Premier Plastic Surgery participates in a number of rewards programs that make your repeat treatments more affordable. Through Restylane Rewards you can save $50 or more on your touch-up treatments, and as a platinum-level BOTOX Cosmetic provider, we are able to enroll you in an exclusive benefits program that saves you $25 on subsequent visits.

Injectables are a great way to get your skin ready for your close-up. Contact us to set up an appointment at one of our convenient locations.

Product Spotlight

How Hollywood gets that glow!

Body Bling™ is a moisturizing bronze tinted body lotion that wears all day and gives a suntan glisten all night. Body Bling™ is best used on exposed skin and easily washes off. With Body Bling™ legs look longer, arms have definition and torso becomes 3D.

The lotion feels luxuriously moisturizing and skin softening. This is a fun body makeup for people who want to show off their gorgeous bare skin. The difference is a noticeable radiance. We recommend that you only use this product on the parts of your body that you want to highlight. A slight transfer of glimmer may occur. There's no commitment, unlike a self tanner you rinse Body Bling™ off and pass on the sun damage. Who doesn't want to flaunt bronzed skin? Or look like they just vacationed? Bling it on! This is Scott Barnes favorite product for the pure and simple sex appeal. Your skin will look amazing.

Have the look of sun tanned skin instantly with glistening golden highlights.

Body Bling $48 and for even more "bling" add Scott Barnes St. Tropez Bronzer $33