A New Face Forward

The latest trends, treatments and procedures for a natural, younger look

By CAROLINE RUTLEDGE

With vaccinations on the rise and COVID limitations being adjusted, it is expected that the demand for cosmetic surgery and dermatological treatments will soar in 2021. While trends and technological innovations are continuing to change and influence both patient demands and treatments and services, patients’ goals consistently focus on wanting to look and feel more youthful, natural, healthy, and rejuvenated. The industry in Wilmington, NC, is no different. Staff at Glo Medspa, Wilmington Dermatology Center, and Wilmington Health Dermatology weigh in on the latest trends, treatments, procedures and technological innovations in the cosmetic and dermatology field.

Glo Medspa

Casey Exposito, RN, and her husband Andy Exposito, MD, opened Glo MedSpa in 2004. Today, after 17 years, the spa offers a large variety of anti-aging products and treatments and spa services such as injectables, semi-permanent makeup/microblading, facials, peels, microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, waxing, massage therapy, and more. Glo’s approach to skincare is based on science and focuses on both prevention
and maintenance.

Jamie Bass is a medical aesthetician at Glo and has been in the industry since 2003 and notes many changes over the years. “One of the most noticeable is the overall understanding of the negative effects of too much sun,” explains Bass. “All ages are becoming more vigilant about protecting their skin from the sun’s damaging rays, which in turn improves the appearance of the skin and is a healthy decision to minimize their risk of developing skin cancer.” Bass recommends using a Physical Sunblock containing minerals such as Titanium and Zinc Oxide, and a professionally recommended at-home skin care regimen as the number one combination in slowing down the aging process. She also notes that Glo’s client base is widening to younger people who are taking steps to keep their skin rejuvenated and sun damage free. Prevention is key!

According to Bass, “the number one requested skincare treatment at Glo is the Hydrafacial, which is a serum-infusing, exfoliating and deep cleansing treatment that will leave you glowing! “Hydration paired with exfoliation is the winning combination for youthful looking skin,” says Bass. Another popular and effective procedure in the esthetics department is micro-needling, a new way to produce collagen. This non-invasive procedure is based on the use of tiny needles to create micro channels (tiny holes) in the skin to stimulate the skin’s natural ability to heal itself and to produce collagen and elastin. “Micro-needling combined with radio frequency provided by our medical staff to stimulate collagen for skin tightening is another popular and effective treatment” says Bass. Glo also offers Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments, which can be used for skin rejuvenation, scarring, and hair restoration. “This technology has been used for various medical treatments for years but is now one of the most premium anti-aging and corrective treatments available,” says Bass. Other popular treatments include Botox, dermal fillers, and CoolSculpting.

Glo MedSpa is ranked very high in the nation as being a top provider of products from Allergan and Galderma. The Glo MedSpa prides itself on taking time to provide customized, goal-oriented treatments for clients through consultation, collaborating and treatment planning.

Glo MedSpa, 910-256-2690, glomedspa.com

Wilmington Dermatology Center

Dr. Rosalyn George started Wilmington Dermatology Center (WDC) in 2008 “with the goal of providing our patients with the highest level of quality care and results through experienced providers and innovative technology.” More than 15 years later, WDC continues to be one of the leading practices in NC due to Dr. George and her team’s knowledge and expertise, passion for skincare, and the use of innovative treatment technologies.

“At Wilmington Dermatology Center, we are focused on providing Wilmington with the latest treatment advancements, and we have recently updated a host of devices in our office that not only provide improved outcomes in a faster amount of time, but they also do so with much more comfortable treatments then in prior generations,” explains Dr. George. When it comes to facial rejuvenation, many treatments are done using light or laser-based technologies and microneedling with radio frequency (RF) to generate heat to stimulate collagen growth.  

“One of our favorite additions is the CoolPeel CO2 laser that is providing our clients with great results without the traditional pain and downtime of a C02 laser treatment,” says Dr, George. “We tend to pair the CoolPeel with the latest in RF Microneedling with the Virtue treatment to address skin laxity. Our clients rave about how this treatment is so much easier during their visit than prior generations of microneedling treatments.”

Dermal fillers are popular when it comes to facial rejuvenation, and the art of using the right dermal fillers is essential in providing clients with natural looking results. Dermal fillers allow Dr. George and her team to contour areas of the face in a natural way to help turn back the clock.  WCD is the top Botox dermatology office in the state and is ranked in the top 1% in injectable volume in the nation.

According to Dr. George, “fillers are a great option for returning the youthful contours of the face from providing jawline definition, to enhancing lips, restoring volume in the cheeks and addressing deeper dynamic wrinkles. We utilize a myriad for products such as Juvederm and Voluma from Allergan, Restylane Lyft and Silk from Galderma and we are the current exclusive provider in Wilmington of Revance’s collection of fillers.”

In addition to facial rejuvenation, body treatments are also important aspects of the work at WDC in helping clients achieve goals with comfortable treatments and alternatives to surgery, from fat reduction to muscle toning to laser hair removal and beyond. “In 2021 we were excited to be the first to launch the latest evolution of CoolSculpting called CoolSculpting Elite. CoolSculpting Elite allows us to treat more areas faster with an improved design that allows for more surface area to be addressed with the goal of improved results in a faster amount of time,” explains Dr. George. “Living in a beach town with everyone excited about getting out again we are not surprised this has become our fastest growing treatment in the office.”

Aside from facial rejuvenation and body contouring, laser hair removal and tattoo removal are in high-demand and both have seen advances in technology for pain free and faster outcomes, respectively. “In addition to other advancements such as Miradry to eliminate underarm sweat, or PRP (platelet-based plasma) treatments for hair loss, we are also excited to be the first to launch a unique solution for Cellulite; a difficult to treat condition in many women,” explains Dr. George. “This spring we will be launching Qwo a new FDA approved injection to treat unique cases of cellulite in the buttocks of adult women.”

Wilmington Dermatology Center, 910-256-4350, wilmingtondermatologycenter.com

Wilmington Health Dermatology

Wilmington Health is physician-owned primary care and multi-specialty medical practice that has provided care in Wilmington, NC, since 1971. Wilmington Health prides itself in using collaborative, evidence-based medicine to provide high quality care to patients. Wilmington Health Dermatology offers a vast array of services from treating acne and psoriasis to chemical peels and Botox, among others.

Megan Vigliano is a physician assistant at Wilmington Health Dermatology and notes, “Most patients are becoming increasingly concerned with skin care related to sun exposure and the subsequent effect on aging and risk for skin cancer.” Vigliano explains that physical sunscreens including Zinc or Titanium are becoming more prevalent and are more "cosmetically elegant." “This means, there are many more options that feel like a light lotion and don't leave a white residue,”
says Vigliano.

“We offer a convenient and effective line that is mineral based, water resistant and reef safe, called Colorescience. A few of our favorite products include Sunforgettable Brush-on Shield SPF 50, which is a one-piece sheer powder sunscreen with a brush applicator, Pep-up Collagen renewal serum, Even up (for brown spots) and All Calm (for redness),” explains Vigliano. “The convenience and value are unbeatable as most of the products do the work of several products that other lines would
sell separately.”

Another important benefit of these sunscreens is that they protect against blue light, which has become more of a concern over the past year as people have been attending more zoom meetings and working from home. “Blue light is emitted from electronic devices like computer screens, tablets and smartphones and is known to cause skin damage,” says Vigliano. With summer on the horizon and Wilmington being a beach town, there is no better time to prepare for exposure to the sun and buying effective sunscreen to protect your skin.

Wilmington Health Dermatology, 910-395-3477, wilmingtonhealth.com/service/dermatology