Over time, your skin loses elasticity. This process, influenced by genetics and environmental factors such as sun exposure, can lead to the development of lines and folds. One of the areas where fine lines are most annoying to many women is above the lip. Clients often tell me that they would like to get rid of the fine lines above their lip, but they do not want a filler that will make this area look too full. They do not want the “duck-look”.
Traditional fillers are volumizers. They reduce the lines by immediately restoring volume to the subdermis like Juvaderm®️, and some by stimulating the body to produce its own natural collagen like Radiesse®️. These fillers are excellent for restoring volume to the cheeks which lifts the lower face and reduces wrinkles. They can also be used to soften nasolabial folds and jowls by restoring lost collagen and can even be used in the temples to fill out the forehead. If, however, the wrinkle is fine and very superficial, a more natural solution is a filler that can be placed directly into the dermis to literally FILL THE LINE without creating fullness or an unnatural look.
Belotero Balance®️ is a hyaluronic acid filler that was created for this purpose, and blends into the dermis for a natural look. It has a unique Dynamic Cross-Linking Technology (DCLT) to create a smooth, cohesive gel that integrates easily to fill etched-in lines without adding volume. Because of its unique DCLT, it is able to retain its strength and integrity and allows the skin around the mouth to move naturally with speech and expression without added fullness.
Belotero Balance®️ is made from hyaluronic acid, a natural product found in the body and is safe. Most patients see results lasting from 12 to 18 months or longer. Potential complications include swelling, bruising, redness, pain, hardness and itching. More serious complications are uncommon.
Come in for a free consultation. See if Belotero®️ is the solution you have been looking for to erase those fine lines while still allowing you to look like you!
-Dr. Tara Wegryn
Now that the Stay-At-Home Order has been lifted, we are all so happy to be enjoying the beaches, the Strand, and the beautiful outdoors! That cool breeze and warm sun feel so good on our faces. But, it’s important to make sure we’re not “playing now” only to “pay later”. We need to revisit the best sunscreen options available to protect our skin from the sun’s damaging effects which include premature lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.
So, which sunscreen provides the best protection for your skin? One that you will use! Sunscreens that sit on your shelf or in your glove compartment are of NO value. You need to find one that you like and that you and your family will use.
There are two types of sunscreen, each with its own unique features. Sunscreens are either chemical-based or mineral-based.
Chemical-based sunscreens absorb into the skin and then absorb UV rays which are converted to heat and released from the body. The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens include avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone. Most drug store sunscreens fall into this category.
Mineral-based sunscreens are physical sunblocks that sit on top of the skin and reflect the sun’s rays. Because they are not absorbed, they are less irritating and better for sensitive skin and are more moisturizing than chemical-based sunscreens. They provide superior protection from damaging UVA and UVB rays, but the downside in the past was always their chalky white color. Remember when you were a kid and the lifeguard had a thick mat of white sunscreen on his/her nose? That was a mineral-based sunscreen, zinc oxide.
Thankfully, Colorescience, ZO Skin Health, and other advanced skincare lines have created broad-spectrum, mineral-based sunscreens without the white tint that provide superior protection from UV rays, Blue Light (phone and computer screens) and Infrared radiation. They use a combination of minerals including iron, zinc, and titanium to formulate sunscreens with a natural finish. Originally created to minimize downtime after aesthetic procedures, Colorescience now offers an entire line of mineral-based, broad-spectrum products that combine skin protection and SPFs of 35-50. By combining mineral-based sun-protection with other skincare and aesthetic properties, Colorescience has created a unique skincare line that doubles as a cosmetic line.
Their most popular and award-winning product is the Sungorgettable Brush-on sunscreen which is a 50 SPF self-contained powder and brush that is both easy to use and easy to carry. This makes reapplication hassle-free, as sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours. Additionally, the Sunforgettable Brush-on Sunscreen and its companion, a liquid Sunforgettable SPF 50 Face and Body Shield, are both kid-friendly!
Protecting your skin from the damaging effects of the sun has never been easier or more convenient, with so many aesthetic and application options. Find the one that works best for you and your lifestyle. Remember, most sun exposure is inadvertent. Even if you avoid direct sunlight, you still need to protect your face, neck, and hands!
Your skin will thank you!
Have a great day and I hope you continue to “Look Fresh and Feel Confident”
-Dr. Tara Wegryn
Collagen Stimulator for your Hands!
Do your hands give your age away?
Always exposed to the elements and to the sun, your hands, as much as your face and décolleté, probably show signs of aging. The average American driver spends 280 hours behind the wheel a year. In other words, your unprotected hands were exposed to almost 300 hours of direct UV rays from the time you spent driving in just one year! Signs of aging and sun exposure may include wrinkles, dryness, scaling and brown spots, all of which can be addressed with moisturizers, anti-wrinkle creams, skin lighteners and exfoliators, but what can be done about the prominent veins and tendons which seem to become more noticeable over the years?
With age, collagen in the hands is produced at a slower rate and is made less efficiently. This causes the veins and tendons on the back of the hand to appear more visible. Radiesse is an FDA-approved injectable cosmetic skin treatment for hands. Upon injection, the filler component immediately makes the hands appear more youthful, by filling in the sunken areas where the skin has become thin and the collagen, lacking. Over the ensuing months, Radiesse provides a structural scaffolding for production of your own type 1 (structural) collagen which further strengthens the skin and fills in the hollow areas. 86% of individuals show sustained improvement over a 12 month period.
The procedure can be safely performed in the office in less than 30 minutes. Complications are uncommon but may include bruising, redness, swelling and pain. Post-procedure restrictions are minimal and include no aggressive scrubbing or rubbing, no tanning or excessive UV exposure and no sleeping on your hands for two weeks.
More youthful, fuller-looking hands are possible with FDA approved Radiesse, a volume expander and collagen stimulator. Radiesse is a safe and effective way to make your hands look as young as your face.
-Dr. Tara Wegryn
Want to look 5-10 years younger without surgery? eMatrix Radio Frequency therapy may be the answer for you.
What is eMatrix RF?
eMatrix skin resurfacing is an effective way to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, helping you look years younger. It is performed in the office in less than 30 minutes. You have minimal down-time and the procedure is safe for all skin types.
How Does eMatrix work?
RF energy is precisely directed into the skin via a grid. Healthy skin around the grid accelerates the healing process and produces smooth, brighter skin. eMatrix RF works by heating tissue to a depth of 2.5cm which causes collagen to denature. Perceived as an injury by the body, new collagen and elastin is deposited and remodeled. This causes the dermis to contract and skin to tighten giving you a fresher, more youthful look. RF continues to cause skin tightening for up to 6 weeks after a single treatment, although a series of 3-5 is usually recommended. These can be performed as frequently as every 3-6 weeks depending on the area treated.
What does eMatrix treat?
eMartrix RF can be safely used on the face to improve texture and reduce pore size, under the chin to tighten loose skin and on the neck to eliminate crepeyness. Around the eyes, it can reduce lines and puffiness and can tighten lax skin over the eyelids. eMatrix RF is also an effective treatment for scars by promoting skin resurfacing and scar revision and is effective in smoothing acne scars and reducing the appearance of stretch marks.
What is the recovery time after eMatrix?
You can expect redness over the treated area for 1-2 days, although many clients tell me they went out the very same day, or the next! The “grid” pattern may be visible for 3-4 days but is easily covered with Colorescience®️ or make-up. eMatrix RF continues to work for weeks, energizing your own body to make new collagen and elastin leading to improvement in skin texture and tightness.
Clients often tell me that they do not want to look fake or like they are trying to be something they are not. With eMatrix RF skin resurfacing, you can look your personal best with less fine lines and wrinkles while still looking like you!
Have a great day, and I hope you continue to “Look Fresh and Feel Confident”.
-Dr. Tara Wegryn
I get asked by patients all the time why I decided to open a medispa. It’s a fair question. There are not many neurologists who transition to aesthetic medicine, particularly those who have spent their career in an operating room, monitoring brain and complex spine surgeries. I chose to pursue aesthetic medicine for three reasons:
Doctors are needed. The safety of my clients will always come first. I visited a number of medispas in Houston and Dallas before opening Refresh Medispa and was surprised to see no doctor on-site. Make no mistake, a real medispa should be physician-run. If a medispa claims that it has a physician supervising, then the physician should really BE supervising which means being on-site, directing or performing all procedures, and not just signing off on the charts every few weeks. At Refresh Medispa, I personally consult with every patient and administer every treatment.
Advances in aesthetic medicine. As a physician who went to medical school before the era of Botox and the birth of non-surgical aesthetic medicine, I have found many of the advances in the field to be compelling and convincing. For example, when I first heard about PRP hair restoration, I was skeptical. After seeing the results, I am no longer a skeptic. PRP for hair restoration has become one of our most effective treatments, thickening and regrowing hair in men and women alike. Unlike other doctors who provide aesthetic treatments as a side business, I am fully dedicated to studying and administering aesthetic treatments which means I offer the most up-to-date techniques and equipment.
No medispas in Galveston. I chose to open Refresh Medispa in Galveston because Galveston did not have a dedicated medispa. If a Galveston resident was looking for a relaxing, spa-like atmosphere, they would have to take a trip off the island to Houston or the surrounding areas to find a medispa. Unfortunately, clients rarely receive the hands-on expertise of a physician in those environments. Alternatively, a Galveston resident could visit a physician’s office or urgent care center to get a higher level of professional expertise, but the atmosphere is likely to be a that of a medical waiting room, shared with patients seeking medical attention for an array of medical problems, many of which are not aesthetic. At Refresh Medispa, you get the best of both worlds; hands-on expertise of a physician provided in a peaceful, spa-like environment.
Every person is unique, so no two treatment plans should be the same. I provide a personal consultation and will work with YOU, YOUR schedule, YOUR priorities, and YOUR budget. Together, we will come up with a treatment plan that will help you reach your aesthetic goals. I’ve always enjoyed medicine because it’s all about helping people. Refresh Medispa gives me the opportunity to help Galveston’s residents and visitors look fresh and feel confident.
– Dr. Tara Wegryn
Yes! The earlobes, just like the face, can show the effects of sun exposure and aging. They can become thin and wrinkled over time as collagen content decreases, and can lose their shape and firmness making it difficult to wear earrings well.
Hyaluronic fillers can be safely and comfortably injected into the earlobes to restore volume and shape, remove wrinkles and allow for a more attractive, less stretched out look. Small aliquots are injected in the thinned areas only leading to a fuller, but not overly plump, look.
Usually one syringe of a hyaluronic filler is enough to create an aesthetically attractive result for both ears. When injected around a piercing, filler can make the ear more able to hold the earring properly. Results are generally quite good and subtle, lasting up to one or one and a half years, depending on which filler is used.
