While the process of getting older is completely natural, most people desire to look younger as the days go by. Thankfully, there are ways you can make this goal a reality for your skin. Let’s take a look at six ways you can prevent your skin from premature aging and keep your radiant and youthful appearance.

1. Sun Protection

For most people, fine lines and wrinkles are signs of the aging process, but they can be a result of sun damage as well. The sun emits UV rays that can be damaging to the skin and its connective tissue. To protect yourself from signs of premature aging and other issues such as sun spots or skin cancer, wear sunscreen at all times. On top of that, keep items such as wide-brimmed hats, visors, and umbrellas on hand that provide shade when you’re in the sun for extended periods of time.

2. Hydration

When the skin is properly hydrated, it typically appears supple, brighter, and more youthful. Take a multi-pronged approach to your hydration efforts by developing habits that include topical and internal hydration. Start by increasing your water intake each day. This can be by drinking more water or eating more water-rich foods (or both). Use hydrating moisturizers and masks to hydrate the skin from a topical perspective.

3. Professional Treatments

With so many advancements in science and technology, there are skincare treatments that can radically improve your skin in order to reverse damage or prevent it altogether. Whether you’re looking to tighten and tone with microneedling, prevent wrinkles with fractional laser treatment, or speed up skin cell turnover with a chemical peel, incorporating professional treatments can help give you glowing, youthful skin.

4. Nutrition

It’s often stated that you are what you eat. This couldn’t be more true in the case of your skin. Sugar is detrimental to the skin in many ways. Decreasing your intake of sugar can help with a variety of skin issues. It can prevent skin damage, acne, and the visible signs of aging. Avoiding dehydrating beverages such as alcohol and caffeine can also help limit adverse effects on the skin.

5. Rest

Rest is paramount for your body’s ability to fight anti-aging efforts. When you don’t get enough rest, the impact shows through your skin. Whether you experience dark circles under the eyes or puffiness, focus on increasing the quality of your sleep to give your skin a chance to heal, repair and restore itself.

6. Products

Invest in high-quality skincare products recommended by your provider. Pay attention to ingredients that are known to help support your anti-aging efforts such as collagen, retinol, peptides, and vitamins. As you use these products on a consistent basis, you will begin to notice your skin looking more rejuvenated and radiant.

Schedule A Consultation Today

If you’re looking for professional assistance with any of your skincare goals, Dominion Women’s Health & Wellness Medspa is here to help. Our team offers a variety of services including microneedling, microdermabrasion, Botox, and chemical peels.

To learn more about our Richmond, VA practice and schedule a consultation today, call our office at 804.447.2303 or use our online scheduling form.

The bundle of joy that comes at the end of pregnancy makes all the hardships and changes to a woman’s body worthwhile. In addition to stretched-out or loose skin in the abdominal area, many women are left with stretch marks after pregnancy. Continue reading to discover why stretch marks occur and ways to get rid of stretch marks after pregnancy.

What Are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are hard to avoid during pregnancy. They are the indented lines or streaks that appear on specific areas of the body, particularly during times of weight fluctuation. Although stretch marks can show up anywhere on the body, these indentations mainly occur on the stomach or abdomen, buttocks, breasts, and hips.

Also known as striae, women will often use oils, butters, and lotions to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. They are not painful but can be unsightly, and women often complain about itching. Many women, expecting them to disappear as fast as they came during pregnancy, are often surprised that these marks can be stubborn, and turn to professionals for tips on removing the appearance of postpartum stretch marks.

Getting Rid Of Stretch Marks After Pregnancy

Although some stretch marks never completely go away, there are treatments to help smooth the skin of the affected areas, lessen the itching, and treatment to make your stretch marks a lot less noticeable.

When you seek treatment, doctors will determine what you need based on several factors such as how old your stretch marks are, your age, your skin type, your expectations, and how much you want to invest in getting rid of your postpartum stretch marks.

Contact the doctors at DWH for a consultation about your stretch marks. Some of their methods include:

Photofacial

Also known as IPL treatment used to treat pigmentation issues, photofacials are also used to treat postpartum stretch marks. This treatment is beneficial since the machinery targets the discoloration and pigmentation and pulls it up closer to the skin’s surface. By removing dead and damaged skin cells on the top layer of skin, you are left with soft, even-toned skin.

Fractional Laser Treatment

Much like laser and light therapies, fractional laser treatments are performed in a dermatologist or professional office. It is non-invasive, non-toxic, and uses light to repair damaged skin. Fractional laser treatment increases circulation, reduces inflammation, and helps speed up the healing of scarred skin. It is best to start treatment on postpartum stretch marks as soon as possible for the best results.

Microneedling

As a cosmetic procedure used for several skin issues, microneedling is popular for treating stretch marks. Microneedling is a method of pricking the skin with hundreds of tiny needles which cause small wounds on the skin. The benefit of the tiny wounds caused by the needling is that they stimulate the production more collagen and elastin, which together help skin repair faster. This can cause stretch marks to soften in appearance.

Schedule a Consultation

Are you ready to take the first step toward diminishing the look of your stretch marks? If so,  contact DWH Med Spa for a consultation today. We will be happy to assist you!

People say that our life stories are written on our faces. But if you feel like your story shows you looking older than you feel, you may be interested in facial skin rejuvenation treatments in Richmond, VA. FOr softening a deep furrow, erasing fine lines, and editing patchy spots, there are increasingly effective procedures and products to help restore your skin worn by time.

An increasing number of women are seeking out skin restoration techniques that take little time to recover and are more subtle. However, perhaps the best way to know what procedure(s) are right for you is to schedule a consultation with our skincare professionals, who can recommend a suitable treatment plan.

Most Popular Skin Procedures

Both our clients and our staff love these following techniques, whether you’re looking to get rid of scars, sagging skin, fine wrinkles, or nearly any other skin imperfection.

1. Botox

There’s a reason Botox is among the most popular requested treatments in Richmond. Able to treat dynamic wrinkles all over the face, Botox’s simple treatment provides temporary relief for wrinkles on the forehead, outer eye area, or jaw muscle to dampen muscle movements that cause wrinkles.

2. Soft Tissue Fillers

This procedure involves injections of dermal fillers under the skin to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, increase cheekbones height, restore fullness to the eyes and cheeks, restructure lips or contour the jawline. Dermal fillers utilize hyaluronic acid to add volume in treatment areas throughout the face. The body absorbs the hyaluronic acid over time, meaning this treatment is temporary, but can last up to two years.

3. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels and other facial procedures can be highly effective for treating age spots, superficial damaging, wrinkles, and discoloration. An acidic solution, usually salicylic or glycolic acid, is applied to the skin for several minutes, softening skin cells and getting rid of top layer of skin while stimulating new, healthy skin growth. Results may vary depending on the strength and type of acid solution and how deep the peel penetrates. These factors will vary according to your skin health, goals, and condition.

4. Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a great way to start fresh by physically removing dead skin cells and creating a completely even skin tone and surface. This precise exfoliating procedure restores a youthful glow to tired, worn skin and provides a ready foundation for additional treatments and products.

5. Microneedling

Microneedling is an inexpensive, risk-free, and painless technique for preventing and treating wrinkles. One of our certified aestheticians rolls a device with tiny needles over the surface your skin to cause small perforations that fuel elastin and collagen production. For increased comfort, you can have a topical anesthetic substance applied before and after needling to reduce any potential pain.

6. Laser Therapy

Laser skin treatment can improve skin texture, tightness, and tone, and remove wrinkles and fine lines in a non-invasive process. The fractional laser at Dominion MedSpa is able to target specific cell types in a skin layer and treat conditions like spider veins, acne pits, pigmented birthmarks, and port-wine stains. It is a nearly painless procedure that creates significant and long-lasting results for women in Richmond and the surrounding areas.

Find More Skin Treatments in Richmond, VA

Interested in skincare rejuvenation but aren’t sure which procedures are right for your skin concerns? Learn more in a consultation with an experienced aesthetician like Dr.Lori at Dominion Women’s Health & Wellness. Call us at 804.447.2303 or request a consultation online to get started today.

Acne scars. Age spots. Crow’s feet. Sun damage. If you’ve found that these concerns are unresponsive to over-the-counter products, you’ve still got options. Professional laser skin resurfacing is a highly effective cosmetic procedure that can address a variety of different skin concerns with the right package of treatments. Fast and convenient, laser skin resurfacing imparts glowing, younger-looking skin. Here’s what to know about it and how our skincare team can help.

What is Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure that uses different types of laser energy to address different skin concerns. It does this by damaging the skin in a controlled manner to boost your skin’s wound-healing response and generate new collagen. In turn, this process also thickens collagen fibers, creating tighter, healthier-looking skin.

What Type of Laser is Used?

At DWH Health & Wellness Med Spa, we use fractional lasers. As the name suggests, this type of laser precisely targets a specific fraction of the skin, creating micro-channels in the skin to jumpstart collagen production. The strength and depth of the treatment will be tailored to your individual goals, and we’ll create the right treatment package for you.

What Concerns Can Laser Skin Resurfacing Correct?

Laser skin resurfacing can address a wide variety of issues, including:

• Scars
• Age spots
• Fine lines
• Sagging skin
• Crow’s feet
• Uneven skin tone
• Pigmentation

How Do I Prepare for Laser Skin Resurfacing?

The best way to prepare for your laser skin resurfacing sessions is by following detailed instructions given by our skincare team. This usually includes stopping certain medications or products to make sure your treatment is successful. You should also stop taking blood thinners and avoid sun exposure, as well as stop smoking.

What Happens During Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Your laser technician will place a cover over your eyes to protect them from the laser and then use a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. Once you’re relaxed and comfortable, your technician will apply the laser energy to your treatment area. Laser skin resurfacing typically takes 30 to 45 minutes for a smaller area, but a larger area can take up to two hours. Afterward, your skin will be soothed and made ready for the recovery process.

What Happens After Laser Skin Resurfacing?

After each session, you can expect your skin to be red, itchy, and scabbed once it begins healing. These reactions are all perfectly normal. You’ll receive detailed instructions to follow which might include things like using only gentle, unscented moisturizers on the area and avoiding sun exposure. Your skin should heal within one to two weeks with some crusting along the way, but your skin will emerge looking more radiant and rejuvenated afterward. You may need multiple treatment sessions to fully address your concerns, so your technician will make sure you understand when to return for your next appointment.

Schedule a Consultation

Laser skin resurfacing is an excellent option for addressing skin concerns with minimal downtime and the latest in skin rejuvenation technologies. To learn more, we invite you to meet with our laser team at our Richmond office by calling or filling out our online form.

What is laser hair removal, and how does it work?

You may opt for laser hair removal if you do not enjoy how often you have to wax, tweeze, or shave to maintain positive results.

Laser hair removal is a long-term hair removal procedure that works by sending the light of a laser through a pigment of the hair. The light converts into heat and damages the hair follicle.

Hair grows in a cycle of resting, shedding, and growth spurts. The laser hair removal process will not affect hair that’s in the resting phase. Patients need to repeat the procedure several times within a 2 to 3 month period for optimal results. 

To what extent is laser hair removal permanent?

Laser hair removal can be permanent. You may experience that hair regrows in the areas targeted by laser treatment. Meaning, the follicles in the resting stage, which were unaffected by the laser, have now reached their growth spurt.

Moreover, it could be that the hair follicle was damaged but not destroyed, and after a while, hair regrew from these follicles.

Whatever the case, the hair that regrows, if it does, is usually lighter and less noticeable as compared to the natural hair. The extent of the regrowth may also depend on the type of hair. 

Your Dominion Women’s Health physician may recommend that you undergo several treatments to stop the regrowth permanently.

However, there are people with hair that’s light, short, or resistant to the laser treatment and therefore don’t get a permanent result from the procedure.

What are the cost implications for laser hair removal?

The cost of laser hair removal is highly individualized. It depends on the treatment area, how much hair is in the area, the thickness of hair, and many more factors. Since laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure, most insurance companies do not cover the cost. It is important to check your insurance plan before coming into the office to make sure of what your benefits are. The amount of hair and the extent to which it regrows in-between process will also affect cost. If financing is a concern, speak with our practice coordinator about payment and our financing options. We strive to make this procedure comfortable and stress-free for each patient. 

How do you choose a good technician?

Laser hair removal is a process that needs considerable experience and expertise. It is, therefore, essential to go to highly-trained and experienced. estheticians. Dominion Women’s Health is a health and wellness med spa where beauty and medicine meet. The spa has been in the industry for many decades, thus gaining expertise in laser hair removal. A free consultation is guaranteed to all customers, where our team addresses your needs and concerns. Your physician will formulate the best treatment plan to ensure you are satisfied with the results. If you are searching for experienced, efficient, and cost-effective laser hair removal technicians, look no further. For a consultation, contact our office today by phone or by filling out our online form. 

There are plenty of steps that you can take to reduce wrinkles on your face. One such step is Botox injections. For some people, this is an incredible way to get rid of unwanted lines without serious side effects. For others, it is a matter of treading cautiously and listening to the advice of others who have undergone this treatment.

Reasons To Use Botox

Botox uses botulinum toxin that temporarily prevents movement of muscles. However, the key with this usage is the composition of chemicals that makes Botox a successful compound to treat wrinkles. The injection blocks signal from nerves causing muscles to contract as a result. The muscles around eyes, lips and on the forehead relax temporarily. Other conditions for which Botox is used include but not limited to:

1) Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating where the body produces a large amount of sweat even in the cold temperature.

2) Migraine where Botox is used to treat patients suffering from chronic symptoms that last more than a month.

3) Eye twitching where individuals experience uncontrollable twitching of the eye and as a result, it is affecting their normal well-being.

Who Needs Botox?

Botox is widely used by women and men who want to get rid of their wrinkles or make modifications to their facial look, expressions, and contour. They are performed by an experienced doctor who offers relatively safe solutions to aesthetic concerns. However, there may be possible side effects and complications that one cannot neglect or should take into account when undergoing this procedure. For example, Botox may lead to mild pain, bruising or swelling at the site it is administered. It is absolutely necessary to identify the right physician who is highly specialized in this field and be informed of the treatment steps beforehand. Equally important is to inform your doctor immediately upon noticing any of the side effects that are mentioned above.

More About Botox

Another crucial thing to consider is to pay attention to your health condition before undergoing this procedure. Physicians recommend against using Botox if you are breastfeeding, pregnant or suffer from an allergic reaction to this protein. Many women take the route of informing their primary care physician or gynecologist for health advice prior to Botox treatment. This may be necessary because certain people who are on birth control or taking medications and may face serious health problems if they are careless. Experts at DWH Health & Wellness MedSpa advice their patients to inform them of Botox procedure so they can give out relevant information about how to care before, during and after the treatment. Additionally, this health organization can refer to doctors specialized in this area and are located at the same hospital so that evaluation of the patient is done quickly and affordably as possible.

When it comes to fat reduction, there are many options. Diet and exercise are, of course, the first steps to be taken to shape the body. But, when a healthy individual is still having trouble getting rid of stubborn fat, then cosmetic procedures can a great next step. However, trying to find the right type of procedure can be a challenge in today’s cosmetic advertising whirlwind. To help you weed through the mess, we’re going to analyze two of the most popular cosmetic procedure options to reduce stubborn fat.

What Is CoolSculpting?

Being an active procedure for the last decade, CoolSculpting takes advantage of the process of cryolipolysis. This process gradually freezes away fat cells– once the cells are frozen, they are then absorbed and expelled by the body. Throughout the process of natural elimination, CoolSculpting can help to get rid of targeted areas of fat. This procedure is done specifically to target the fat cells right below the surface of the skin while avoiding any damage to the surface tissues.

CoolSculpting at Dominion Women’s Health will allow you to get rid of those stubborn areas of fat that simple dieting and exercise can’t touch. It’s important to understand that this type of fat reducing procedure takes time to work. Over the course of about four months, the fat cells will naturally die off. When this happens, they are collected by the lymphatic system and processed through the liver to be excreted. Once these crystalized cells leave the body, the treated area can no longer expand with weight gain.

Pros

• Safe and reliable technology that has been used for over a decade.
• Can treat harder-to-reach areas like the chin, back rolls, inner thighs, arm fat, and bra line.
• No downtime after treatment.

Cons

• Mild discomfort from suction and massage processes.
• Not available for those who are pregnant or suffering from liver cirrhosis.
• Mild swelling and bloating can occur.
• Numbness of the area following treatment

What Is Sculpsure?

Instead of fighting the fat cells with cold, Sculpsure uses laser-focused heat. The diode laser system reaches temperatures between 107 and 116 degrees Fahrenheit. This is just hot enough to destroy the fat cells below the surface of the skin, but still cool enough to leave the surrounding tissues unharmed. Due to the use of heat to damage the fat cells, patients tend to feel a prickling sensation on the skin while the treatment is underway.

At DWH, we’ve found that patients can lose up to 24 percent of fat cells in the targeted area with just one treatment. Just as with CoolSculpting, Sculpsure’s fat reduction will take place over a few months. The laser energy will destroy the fat cells and the body will naturally eliminate them through the lymphatic system.

Pros

• Stimulates collagen production in the skin.
• Quick procedure done in 30 minutes.
• No downtime.
• Various applicators are available in different sizes to treat all different areas.

Cons

• Bruising and swelling can happen up to a few days after the treatment.
• No direct sun exposure for a week to the treated area.
• Six months wait in between treatments.

Schedule a Consultation

Whatever your goals for fat reduction, we can recommend the right treatment option for you. Your first step is a consultation with our technicians who can create a treatment package using the latest in non-surgical fat reduction. To get started, contact our office by calling or filling out our online form.

For those who need it, hormone replacement therapy can work wonders. Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment system that replaces and supplements your body’s natural hormones through various methods. This is often used in the treatment of various illnesses, but it is also often employed for women who go through menopause. As women age, they begin to produce less and less estrogen, which results in painful symptoms like hot flashes. Studies have found that hormone replacement therapy can help minimize many of these symptoms as well as improve the long-term prognosis for things like dementia and heart disease.

Does hormone replacement therapy work?

Researchers have found that there are numerous benefits that women may enjoy through hormone replacement therapy. These benefits may vary depending largely on the specific amount of hormones taken, as well as the doctor-recommended method of taking them. Overall, many patients have found that hormone replacement therapy is one of the best ways to deal with all types of troublesome menopause symptoms. Issues like night sweats and vaginal dryness were all successfully minimized with the appropriate regimen of hormone replacement therapy. Studies have even found that estrogen replacements were able to have a tremendously positive effect in preventing osteoporosis, and the risk of developing the condition increases with the woman’s age.

What are the benefits?

Though there may be an initial period of hesitation, many women have found that the benefits of working with hormone replacement therapy have far outweighed any potential risk. This is especially true for women who are otherwise healthy and only want to adjust their menopausal symptoms to make them more manageable. The biggest benefit of hormone replacement therapy is that it is extremely effective for those who wish to moderate their hot flashes. Women who have lost bone mass can also benefit from this type of treatment, as it is easier on the body for those who have a hard time tolerating other treatment options.

In addition to providing tremendous benefits for women, hormone replacement therapy can also be an extremely powerful option for older men. Men who find themselves struggling with lower libido, overall muscle loss, and a lack of energy may benefit from hormone replacement therapy. The system of treatment can also be useful in helping men overcome erectile dysfunction. The therapy works for men the way it does for women, and there are numerous ways for men to get started. Men who are particularly healthy and only want to adjust this aspect of their health to suit their lifestyles are the candidates best suited for this option as well.

How do I get started?

Individuals who are interested in learning more about how hormone replacement therapy can work for them should be sure to get in touch with our professional team. You can schedule a consultation with our experts and, after preliminary tests to rule out other issues, you can expect to begin your hormone replacement therapy relatively quickly. Depending on the type of treatment plan, you may even work with other therapy systems in conjunction with this one to optimize results.

Like many other such specialized therapies, however, it’s important to understand that hormone replacement therapy might not be a one-size-fits-all solution. There are many different ways of engaging in hormone replacement therapy, depending on your personal health and what your physician will recommend. To schedule a consultation with our experts, contact us by calling or filling out our online form.

There are many people who diet and exercise and still cannot reach their body goals. Stubborn pockets of fat tend to cling to certain areas of the body. You may have heard about non-surgical fat reduction treatments and wondered if they really work. SculpSure is a revolutionary treatment that can eliminate up to 25% of the fat in the area(s) targeted. Referred to by many as a non-surgical alternative to liposuction, this may be the ideal treatment for you.

How is SculpSure Beneficial?

Treatments are Quick and Easy

Knowing that this non-surgical procedure can eliminate up to 25% of fat in the area, you may be thinking it takes hours to complete. This is not the case, however, with many appointments taking less than an hour to complete. Many people choose to have this treatment done over their lunch break. Another benefit of this treatment is that you can choose up to four areas to treat at one time. So you are covering multiple areas of concern in little time for an effective treatment.

It Can Benefit Anyone

Some non-surgical fat reduction options require the target area to be placed between two paddles. This means you have to be able to “pinch” the fat. SculpSure is different. It can be used safely and effectively almost anywhere on the body. It is also appropriate for use on all skin types, tones, and body shapes. Common treatment areas include the thighs, belly, arms, hips, and back.

SculpSure is Safe

This treatment was actually the first laser device approved by the Food and Drug Administration for fat removal. Since it is completely non-surgical, there is very little risk of complications. You will not have to worry about the incision site becoming infected or unsightly scars being left behind. The device allows us to customize the laser to best meet your needs in a safe and effective way. There are very few potential side effects, such as redness at the treatment area or mild tenderness, but these symptoms clear up quickly.

Results are Permanent

SculpSure actually attacks and destroys fat cells in the treated area. Your body will not replace or repair these fat cells, giving you permanent results. That being said, it is important to realize that results develop over time as your body flushes out the contents of the destroyed fat cells. It typically takes 6-8 weeks to see your most dramatic improvements. One of the things that set SculpSure apart from other non-surgical options is that it actually helps your body rebuild collagen and elastin fibers, which tighten your skin.

There is No Downtime

After your treatment, you can immediately go back to your normal daily activities. This is another reason that this option is so popular on lunch breaks. Unlike surgery, which prevents you from exercising or even going to work, SculpSure does not take you away from your life. If you are a busy individual but want to see a sleeker, slimmer you, SculpSure may be the treatment you’ve been wanting.

Schedule Your Consultation

Still wondering what are the benefits of having SculpSure? Learn more about SculpSure and what it can do for you at DWH Health & Wellness MedSpa. If you are interested in potentially getting this treatment done contact us at (804) 447-2303 or click here to schedule your complimentary consultation today.

Every once in a while, your at-home skin care regimen might feel like it’s not cutting it. Getting into DWH Med Spa for a facial is always a good idea to help get your skin on track. We offer a variety of facials to address an assortment of skin issues that may be bothering you.

Soothe Inflamed Skin

If you have rosacea or just general redness and irritation, the rosacea facial might be the soothing treat your skin needs.  The rosacea facial aims to calm irritations and decrease redness accompanying rosacea. All of the products used are alcohol and fragrance-free and are super gentle to not irate sensitive skin. This facial will help protect the skin and strengthen delicate capillaries from breaking.

Tackle Texture

For uneven texture and dry patches, we offer microdermabrasion and a cleanse and dermaplane procedure. Microdermabrasion gently exfoliates away dead skin cells while also, stimulating collagen production leaving you with smooth skin. With a cleanse and dermaplane facial, you can refine your complexion by combining exfoliation and removing peach fuzz; leaving the skin glowing and prepped for makeup application.

Balance Acne Prone Skin

If you’re experiencing an acne flare-up, an acne facial is a must. We help get your skin in check by doing a deep cleanse, extractions, and LED blue light therapy. This facial combines anti-inflammatory and cleansing methods to help balance acne-prone skin. This is perfect to get rid of any extra congestion before starting a new at-home regimen.

Universally Helpful

A nice treat for almost any skin type, the DWH Signature Facial involves a thorough cleanse, exfoliation, extractions and facial massage. After this process, moisturizing masks are applied to improve moisture absorption. Other treatments can be combined for a custom facial.

The Complete Solution 

If your skin needs some major TLC, the Revitalize Facial is the most comprehensive facial offered at DWH Med Spa. This facial is 90 minutes of deep cleansing, extractions, exfoliation, facial massage paired with either microcurrent or a facial peel. This facial will leave you truly relaxed and your skin looking radiant.

Need a facial? Call our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our skin care professionals.