Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need to see the Doctor?
Can I buy Latisse or Obagi without a prescription?
What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is administered by a healthcare professional as a simple, nonsurgical treatment that is injected directly into the muscles between the brows. It works by blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles. This reduces muscle activity that causes moderate to severe lines to form between the brows. Individual results may vary.
How does BOTOX® Cosmetic work?
When will I see results from a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment?
How long does BOTOX® Cosmetic last?
What are the possible side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic?
XEOMIN® FAQ
Dysport® FAQ
Fillers - How do they work?
Using dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM® and RESTYLANE® are safe and effective ways to replace the hyaluronic acid your skin has lost, bringing back its volume and smoothing away facial wrinkles and folds.
For the face Coastal Medical Aesthetics only uses HA fillers. For the hands we use Radiesse, which uses a different gel consisting of calcium hydroxylapatite to stimulate collagen. As with HA, calcium hydroxylapatite is biodegradable.
How long do the results last?
What are the possible side effects?
Juvederm® Voluma® Volbella® Vollure® FAQ's
Restylane® FAQ
Radiesse® FAQ
What is Kybella?
How does KYBELLA® work?
What are the possible side effects?
For more information on possible side effects Click >>> Kybella FAQ.
Laser Genesis FAQ
Commonly treating the face, neck and chest, this noninvasive laser treatment restores the skin’s youthful glow and appearance by gently heating the upper dermis stimulating your body’s own collagen production. Patients report extreme comfort and very minimal downtime resulting in its reputation of the “Red Carpet Laser”.
An initial series is recommended, but for optimal results, returning visits are necessary for maintenance. A comprehensive treatment proposal will be customized for your needs at your first visit.
IPL (Intense Pulse Light) FAQ
The IPL (Intense Pulse Light) is an amazing treatment that targets sun damage, age spots, and rosacea. Commonly used for the face, neck, shoulders, back and hands, the light targets red and brown spots resulting in a more even skin tone. IPL also stimulates collagen production which improves texture and fine wrinkles. Our advanced IPL technology now offers a very comfortable treatment without a need for topical anesthetic.
A series of treatments may be recommended however, one session does produce results in evening out skin tone. A complete and extensive treatment program will be created for you at your consultation.
Clear + Brilliant® FAQ
Clear + Brilliant is non-invasive ans involves no cutting or needles. One 15- to 20-minute Clear + Brilliant session* can leave your skin feeling smoother, younger-looking and give you that “radiant glow”. Clear + Brilliant treatments are quick and gentle and deliver a fresh, youthful look without downtime.
For more information on Clear + Brilliant Click >>> Clear + Brilliant.
Titan FAQ
Titan Laser utilizes a safe, FDA approved infrared light to heat the dermis well below the skin’s surface to tighten the skin and stimulate an increase in collagen production. Titan is safe for all skin types and is a non-invasive way to tighten and reverse the signs of aging. Any area can be treated, but the most common areas are the jawline, under the chin, neck, arms and the abdomen. During the procedure, the skin’s surface is protected through continuous cooling with the Titan hand piece as the infrared light heats below the surface.
Although, one treatment produces noticeable results, it is common to have multiple treatments over a few months. At your initial consultation, a treatment plan will be customized to your skin’s needs.
How does Laser Hair Removal work?
This thermal damage causes delayed re-growth of the hair, and permanent destruction of the hair follicle. The laser pulses (emits its light) for only a fraction of a second, just long enough to vaporize the pigment, thus destroying or significantly impeding the hair’s ability to re-grow, but not long enough to affect the surrounding skin. Unlike electrolysis, which kills one hair follicle at a time, the laser reaches and treats hundreds of follicles at a time.
Does Laser Hair Removal work on tanned or different skin colors?
People with dark skin can be treated, as long as their hair is darker than their skin but results are slower, more sessions are required, and greater expertise is required on the part of the laser center.
The darker one’s skin, the more difficult it is to obtain adequate results from laser hair removal. However, with our state of the art instrumentation, laser hair removal can even be successful for many African-Americans.
Dark skin requires a test patch first and will require more visits using more conservative settings. Our medical professionals will determine during your initial consultation if you are a good candidate. Light skin makes laser hair removal easier to perform. Laser hair removal is more effective on people with light skin and dark hair because dark hair absorbs the laser’s energy more efficiently and lighter skin allows more transmission of the laser light into the hair follicle and interferes less with the movement of the laser light into the hair follicle.
Will Laser Hair Removal work on blonde, white or gray hair?
Light hair is very difficult to treat on all skin types. Multiple treatment sessions are required, and results are variable. Blonde hair usually contains pheomelanin, which absorbs laser energy less avidly than the eumelanin pigment, which is present in black or brown hair.
How many treatments will I need?
Why can’t you remove all the hair in one session?
The duration of each phase is dependent upon several factors, including body location. For example, at any one time 90% of the hairs on the scalp are in the growth (antagen) phase, compared to only 70% of the hair on our arms. During the regression (catagen) phase, the surrounding skin begins to absorb the hair bulb. Finally, the hair enters the resting (telogen) phase, at the end of which the hair falls out and the follicle begins the cycle again.
How long do I wait between each session?
Are there any side effects or risks?
Pigmentary change of the skin treated can occur, including either dark and light areas. Pigmentary changes may persist for months, but are almost always temporary. They are very rare in patients with fair skin who are untanned. Blisters and burns are rare but occasionally occur, particularly in patients with dark skin.
What is truSculpt?
How long does a treatment take?
How many treatments will I need?
When will I see results?
Will it hurt?
Are there any side effects?
What is Secret™ RF?
What areas of skin can be treated?
What skin conditions does Secret™ RF treat?
Hpw many treatments are necessary?
What can I expect after the Secret™ RF treatment?
What are the possible side effects?
Side effects can include:
- Redness lasting 1-2 days
- Minor swelling lasting up to 3 days
- Minor bruising (rare)
- Skin color changes (rare and most common in dark skin patients)
- Patterning of treated skin (temporary)
- Infection (rare)
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General
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Do I need to see the Doctor?
Yes, All of the treatments offered at Coastal Medical Aesthetics are medical procedures. All patients must first see the MD, PA or NP to be evaluated and diagnosed before being treated.Can I buy Latisse or Obagi without a prescription?
No, Latisse and Obagi products (containing 4% hydroquinone) are prescription drugs. All patients must first see the MD, PA or NP to be prescribed these products. -
Botox
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What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in people 18 to 65 years of age for a short period of time (temporary).BOTOX® Cosmetic is administered by a healthcare professional as a simple, nonsurgical treatment that is injected directly into the muscles between the brows. It works by blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles. This reduces muscle activity that causes moderate to severe lines to form between the brows. Individual results may vary.
How does BOTOX® Cosmetic work?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of the “11s,” the moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines). It works by blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles. This reduces muscle activity that causes moderate to severe lines to form between the brows.When will I see results from a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment?
Botox takes several days to 10 days to onset. During that time, you may see a marked improvement in the moderate-to-severe frown lines between your brows. Lines continue to improve for up to 30 days, and results can last for up to 4 months. Individual results may vary.How long does BOTOX® Cosmetic last?
Visible results have been shown to last up to 4 months. Your own results may vary – be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about what you can expect and when to schedule your next appointment.What are the possible side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic can cause serious side effects. See “What is the most important information I should know about BOTOX® Cosmetic?” in the Click >>> Botox Medication Guide.XEOMIN® FAQ
For more information Click >>> Xeomin Aesthetic.Dysport® FAQ
For more information Click >>> Dysport USA -
Fillers
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Fillers - How do they work?
Dermal fillers are gels injected beneath the skin’s surface to smooth wrinkles and add volume and contour. Young, healthy-looking skin contains an abundance of a naturally hydrating substance called hyaluronic acid (HA). But as you age, sunlight and other factors can reduce the amount of HA in your skin. The lack of HA causes your skin to lose structure and volume, creating unwanted facial wrinkles and folds – like those parentheses lines around your nose and mouth.Using dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM® and RESTYLANE® are safe and effective ways to replace the hyaluronic acid your skin has lost, bringing back its volume and smoothing away facial wrinkles and folds.
For the face Coastal Medical Aesthetics only uses HA fillers. For the hands we use Radiesse, which uses a different gel consisting of calcium hydroxylapatite to stimulate collagen. As with HA, calcium hydroxylapatite is biodegradable.
How long do the results last?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural substance that is biodegradable. Therefore the results of using HA are long lasting but not permanent. They last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on a number of factors including the patient’s age, area treated, type of filler used, quantity of filler used, and lifestyle.What are the possible side effects?
The dermal fillers injected at Coastal Medical Aesthetics are considered very safe. The most common reactions are redness, swelling, bruising, itching, and tenderness. These are typically mild and resolve in 1-7 days for most patients. Serious side effects are very rare.Juvederm® Voluma® Volbella® Vollure® FAQ's
For more information on the Juvederm family of fillers Click >>> Juvederm.Restylane® FAQ
For more information on Restylane fillers Click >>> Restylane USA.Radiesse® FAQ
For more information on Radiesse fillers Click >>> Radiesse. -
Kybella
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What is Kybella?
KYBELLA® (deoxycholic acid) injection is the first and only FDA-approved injectable treatment that contours and improves the appearance of submental fullness, sometimes referred to as “double chin”.How does KYBELLA® work?
The active ingredient in KYBELLA® is synthetic deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into the fat beneath the chin, KYBELLA® destroys fat cells, and once destroyed, these cells can no longer store or accumulate fat. This results in a noticeable reduction in fullness under the chin, revealing an improved chin profile.What are the possible side effects?
The most common side effects are swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness and areas of hardness around the treatment area. The level of pain and swelling also depend on the number of syringes injected.For more information on possible side effects Click >>> Kybella FAQ.
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Laser Skin Care
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Laser Genesis FAQ
Laser Genesis rejuvenates your skin by treating conditions such as fine lines, extreme redness, uneven texture, large pores, sun damage, rough skin, acne and acne scarring.Commonly treating the face, neck and chest, this noninvasive laser treatment restores the skin’s youthful glow and appearance by gently heating the upper dermis stimulating your body’s own collagen production. Patients report extreme comfort and very minimal downtime resulting in its reputation of the “Red Carpet Laser”.
An initial series is recommended, but for optimal results, returning visits are necessary for maintenance. A comprehensive treatment proposal will be customized for your needs at your first visit.
IPL (Intense Pulse Light) FAQ
The IPL (Intense Pulse Light) is an amazing treatment that targets sun damage, age spots, and rosacea. Commonly used for the face, neck, shoulders, back and hands, the light targets red and brown spots resulting in a more even skin tone. IPL also stimulates collagen production which improves texture and fine wrinkles. Our advanced IPL technology now offers a very comfortable treatment without a need for topical anesthetic.
A series of treatments may be recommended however, one session does produce results in evening out skin tone. A complete and extensive treatment program will be created for you at your consultation.
Clear + Brilliant® FAQ
Clear + Brilliant is a gentle treatment that uses fractional laser technology to address and prevent the early signs of aging skin.Clear + Brilliant is non-invasive ans involves no cutting or needles. One 15- to 20-minute Clear + Brilliant session* can leave your skin feeling smoother, younger-looking and give you that “radiant glow”. Clear + Brilliant treatments are quick and gentle and deliver a fresh, youthful look without downtime.
For more information on Clear + Brilliant Click >>> Clear + Brilliant.
Titan FAQ
Titan Laser utilizes a safe, FDA approved infrared light to heat the dermis well below the skin’s surface to tighten the skin and stimulate an increase in collagen production. Titan is safe for all skin types and is a non-invasive way to tighten and reverse the signs of aging. Any area can be treated, but the most common areas are the jawline, under the chin, neck, arms and the abdomen. During the procedure, the skin’s surface is protected through continuous cooling with the Titan hand piece as the infrared light heats below the surface.
Although, one treatment produces noticeable results, it is common to have multiple treatments over a few months. At your initial consultation, a treatment plan will be customized to your skin’s needs.
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Laser Hair Removal
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How does Laser Hair Removal work?
The laser works by a principle called Selective Photothermolysis. The system emits near infrared laser light that is absorbed by the pigment located in the hair follicle; this is not UV (ultra-violet light) as from the sun. The laser is pulsed (turned on) for a millisecond emitting a beam of light on to the skin. The light energy passes harmlessly through the skin, but is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and hair shaft. By absorbing this laser energy, the hair follicles are disabled by thermal heat, impairing their ability to grow.This thermal damage causes delayed re-growth of the hair, and permanent destruction of the hair follicle. The laser pulses (emits its light) for only a fraction of a second, just long enough to vaporize the pigment, thus destroying or significantly impeding the hair’s ability to re-grow, but not long enough to affect the surrounding skin. Unlike electrolysis, which kills one hair follicle at a time, the laser reaches and treats hundreds of follicles at a time.
Does Laser Hair Removal work on tanned or different skin colors?
For best results tanned patients with dark hair should wait until their tan fades before they are treated.People with dark skin can be treated, as long as their hair is darker than their skin but results are slower, more sessions are required, and greater expertise is required on the part of the laser center.
The darker one’s skin, the more difficult it is to obtain adequate results from laser hair removal. However, with our state of the art instrumentation, laser hair removal can even be successful for many African-Americans.
Dark skin requires a test patch first and will require more visits using more conservative settings. Our medical professionals will determine during your initial consultation if you are a good candidate. Light skin makes laser hair removal easier to perform. Laser hair removal is more effective on people with light skin and dark hair because dark hair absorbs the laser’s energy more efficiently and lighter skin allows more transmission of the laser light into the hair follicle and interferes less with the movement of the laser light into the hair follicle.
Will Laser Hair Removal work on blonde, white or gray hair?
Laser hair removal will not work on white, gray, or light blonde hair follicles.Light hair is very difficult to treat on all skin types. Multiple treatment sessions are required, and results are variable. Blonde hair usually contains pheomelanin, which absorbs laser energy less avidly than the eumelanin pigment, which is present in black or brown hair.
How many treatments will I need?
We expect a 15%-20% reduction of hair after each treatment session. Based on this percentage an average patient will need 5-6 sessions to see satisfactory results. Some areas will require additional treatments for full patient satisfaction. It is not uncommon to need up to 10 treatments and periodic touch ups depending on the individual, hair type and hair thickness.Why can’t you remove all the hair in one session?
Not all hairs are actively growing at the same time. Your hair actually grows in three phases: active growth (anagen) phase, regressive (catagen) phase, and resting (telogen) phase. The laser works by targeting the melanin (pigment) in the hair follicles that are principally in the active growth phase at the time of the treatment.The duration of each phase is dependent upon several factors, including body location. For example, at any one time 90% of the hairs on the scalp are in the growth (antagen) phase, compared to only 70% of the hair on our arms. During the regression (catagen) phase, the surrounding skin begins to absorb the hair bulb. Finally, the hair enters the resting (telogen) phase, at the end of which the hair falls out and the follicle begins the cycle again.
How long do I wait between each session?
Various body areas are treated in different time frames in accordance with hair cycles. For example, a back, shoulder, bikini or leg area should be treated close to every 6-8 weeks; whereas facial areas will be closer a 4-6 week cycle. Treatments done way outside of these guidelines might result in more treatments needed.Are there any side effects or risks?
After treatment, minimal swelling and redness, similar to a sunburn usually occur as a result of the laser energy. The desired results include short term reactions such as redness and follicular edema (which is like goosebumps).Pigmentary change of the skin treated can occur, including either dark and light areas. Pigmentary changes may persist for months, but are almost always temporary. They are very rare in patients with fair skin who are untanned. Blisters and burns are rare but occasionally occur, particularly in patients with dark skin.
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truSculpt
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What is truSculpt?
truSculpt is a new, nonsurgical radio frequency device designed to sculpt and contour the body. On average, patients who’ve had this treatment have experienced an average of 24% reduction in fat thickness in a single treatment.How long does a treatment take?
The length of your procedure will depend on which areas you’re having treated. in general truSculpt is a very quick treatment. After a short setup, actual treatment lasts between 15 to 30 minutes (based on area treated).How many treatments will I need?
You should see results after one treatment, although some patients choose to have a second treatment for final tweaks or to treat additional areas.When will I see results?
Right after the treatment, your body will start to break down and flush out the remnants of the fat cells that have been treated, which begins the reduction in the treated area’s circumference. Every body is different, but most people see noticeable results 6–8 weeks after being treated.Will it hurt?
Patients tell us that the procedure feels like a hot stone massage. The temperature of the skin will rise but should remain comfortable for the duration of the treatment.Are there any side effects?
truSculpt is a noninvasive procedure and you’ll be able to resume your normal activities right after the treatment. You may feel some tenderness and redness in the treatment area right after the treatment. If tenderness continues it should be mild and should go away within several days. -
Secret RF
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What is Secret™ RF?
Secret™ RF is a radiofrequency (RF) and fractional microneedling system that delivers heat energy to specific layers of the skin. This triggers a healing response typically improving skin texture and tightening skin.What areas of skin can be treated?
Secret™ RF is most commonly used on the face and neck but may be used on all areas of the body.What skin conditions does Secret™ RF treat?
Secret™ RF treatment is ideal for improving aging skin, photodamage, fine lines and wrinkles on the face and neck, scars, acne scars, skin quality and stretch marks. Secret™ RF is safe and effective, and suitable for all skin types and ethnicities.Hpw many treatments are necessary?
You will see results after your first treatment, but to achieve optimal effect, 3 to 4 treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks are recommended.What can I expect after the Secret™ RF treatment?
Your skin will be red, warm and tingling immediately after the treatment and subside within a few hours. S ome redness and minor swelling can last up to 24-48 hours. Most patients will return to work the next day without any obvious effects. Occasionally a fine crust or scab may develop that looks like dots from the treatment. This is normal so do not pick or scrub this off and follow all post-treatment recommendations.What are the possible side effects?
Secret™ RF is very safe with only a few known side effects and little down time.Side effects can include:
- Redness lasting 1-2 days
- Minor swelling lasting up to 3 days
- Minor bruising (rare)
- Skin color changes (rare and most common in dark skin patients)
- Patterning of treated skin (temporary)
- Infection (rare)