A new you

Doctor’s innovative treatment rejuvenates skin

Ever since Isaac Newton dodged that famous apple and barely-bikinied Tropicana Girls flaunted their deep,  dark tans, women have learned that gravity mixed with skin that has endured youthful years lounging under the sun – unlike a French Bordeaux – don’t improve with age.

But in recent years, cosmetic non-surgical advances have come to the rescue. The popularity of such non-invasive treatments such as microderm abrasion and Botox injections has been fueled by efficient procedures that can be done in a lunch break at wallet-friendly prices.

With summer heating up, skin will once again be in. Minimal makeup and fresh faces rule, perfectly accented by shorts and spaghetti straps. Even in the workplace, sleeveless tops and a touch of tinted moisturizer with a splash of rosy lip gloss plays much better than longsleeves and gooey foundation that is sure to melt off by the end of a triple-digit day.

Those gearing up for the season and who wish to take a few years off their face, arms, hands and other spots have another option, thanks to a Latino physician who has brought a new procedure to the Valley.

Dr. Edgardo Zavala offers SmartXide Dot Laser Skin Resurfacing, a cutting-edge laser resurfacing technology recently approved by the Federal Drug Administration, although it has been used in Europe since 2005.

Operating out of Ciao Bella Medical Spa in Chandler, Zavala has performed more than 120 procedures since undergoing training and getting the machine in February. He is among just a handful of doctors trained to perform the procedure in the nation and, as of press time, the only one in Arizona.

About 40 percent of Zavala’s patients are Latino. Most of them request an evening out of skin tone or repairing of acne scars. He says men and women alike are coming in to smooth out any wrinkles in a quest to look a bit more baby-faced or less haggard.

Zavala says the Dot Laser procedure is popular with older patients who wish to smooth out wrinkles, sagging skin or drooping eyelids. His younger patients want to smooth over discoloration or uneven skin tone due to sun damage. Others want to repair acne scars. Zavala says the treatment can also prevent skin damage and benign cancers from becoming malignant.

“Patients just love it. Everyone has been extremely happy with their results,” Zavala says.

The procedure works by removing a customized pattern of dots and not the entire skin surface, unlike other CO2 lasers. This technology results in faster results with less pain and recovery time. Zavala says it’s a good alternative for people who want to rejuvenate their skin but are afraid of traditional laser treatments or skin peels.

Because the procedure is so new, there is not a lot of data to support any long-term effects. This may cause potential patients to pause, but Zavala said the CO2 laser, which is used in the procedure, has been around for decades and has shown positive results overall. Patients with severe acne scarring but with active acne or those who have pigmentation problems may need preparatory treatment before the procedure, Zavala says.  He also discourages anyone with unrealistic expectations from getting the procedure.

”If you are 70, and you want to look 30, that’s not going to happen,” he says.

This also is not the kind of thing that can be done over a long lunch. Swelling, particularly around the eyes, can last 24 to 48 hours, and redness could appear for a week. However, Zavala says patients love the big results that show up almost immediately, and can last for years.

Zavala offers the procedure for $2,000, a fraction of the $5,000-$6,000 price tag in other cities.

”I wanted to bring this to my community and make it affordable,” he says. “Everyone should have the opportunity to look and feel better about themselves.”     
     
For information, contact Ciao Bella Medical Spa at (480) 686-8121, or  visit  www.ciaobellamedicalspa.com.