Fight Acne Before It Takes a Toll on Your Skin and Lifestyle

Posted on June 17, 2013 by lupocenter

There are many myths about acne including the ways it is caused, where it can appear on the body and who is most affected by this very common skin condition. Growing up, we always heard that acne only affects teenagers, but now as adults, we wonder why these blemishes have stuck with us through our 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond.

The fact is that anyone at any age can suffer from acne, and it can look different from one person to the next. Blemishes can appear in the form of blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules (pimples), cysts or nodules on the face, neck, back, buttocks and chest. While the precise cause of acne is still being studied, we know that puberty, hormonal changes, certain foods and family history can lead to breakouts. Many people believe that the only way to get rid of acne is to let it run its course. But with the effective treatments available today, that is not the best idea because if left untreated, acne can cause dark spots and permanent scars. While topical treatments such as over-the-counter washes and creams can control some people’s breakouts, others have to seek medical help for more stubborn or severe cases.

The Lupo Center offers a variety of acne treatments from face and body washes and topical medication to oral prescriptions. We also offer two unique laser treatments for acne patients – CoolTouch and Isolaz. Visit our website to learn more about the causes and treatment for acne or read below to learn more about CoolTouch and Isolaz.

Acne is an inflammatory, relapsing skin condition that appears when the skin’s pore becomes clogged with dead skin cells, environmental debris or certain cosmetics. The impacted pores form bacteria that thrive and become swollen and inflamed, and sometimes fill with infection. If the pore is ruptured in the process (or from picking and squeezing), discoloration and scarring can occur. Two laser treatments that help eliminate acne and acne scars are the Isolaz and CoolTouch.

Isolaz is the world’s first aesthetic technology that combines a vacuum with a broadband light to deliver an effective acne treatment. Pores are cleansed with a vacuum that helps loosen and extract dirt, blackheads and excess oil from deep within your pores. The broadband light helps destroy acne causing bacteria, as well as reduces facial redness.

Isolaz is a quick, easy and painless way to treat acne. In fact, many people have their treatments done during lunch without any downtime. Patients have found their skin feels refreshed and has a healthy, radiant glow following an Isolaz treatment. Also, Isolaz is effective on all skin types.

The CoolTouch laser energy is applied in gentle pulses over the treatment area. The energy penetrates deep enough to shrink oil glands and decrease their capacity to produce acne without affecting the oils necessary for healthy skin. The laser’s heat also gently stimulates the dermal tissue, which triggers a repair mechanism, and your body begins to rebuild and replenish your own natural collagen without injury to the skin’s surface. As new collagen is produced, acne scars begin to disappear and your skin begins to look and feel softer and smoother.

CoolTouch treatments are long lasting and safe for all skin types, included tanned and dark skinned patients. Treatments take 10-30 minutes and patients can return to normal activity immediately after.

If you or a loved one suffers from acne breakouts, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors to determine which treatment option(s) will be most effective for your condition.

Dr. Mary Lupo – Medical Issues and treatment for Darker skin

Posted on March 18, 2013 by lupocenter

Dr. Mary Lupo was recently featured on New Orleans Fox 8 Morning News where she discussed the concerns of patients with darker skin.

Dr. Mary Lupo discusses considerations and complications with Neuromodulators

Posted on November 22, 2012 by lupocenter

Atlanta, GA – November 12, 2012

Mary P. Lupo, M.D., Board Certified Dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine, presented “Practical Considerations and Complication Avoidance with Neuromodulators” at the 2012 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Annual Meeting in Atlanta in October.

With more than 28 years of practicing in the field of dermatology, Dr. Lupo discussed different uses for neuromodulators and pointers to achieve the best results with this type of injectable. Neuromodulator dosing depends on the location of the injection and the age and gender of the patient. While the most common area that is treated with neuromodulators is the upper one third of the face, she has found that neuromodulators can enhance the results of filler on the lower two-thirds of the face.

Dr. Lupo said there are several things to take into consideration when using neuromodulators to correct frown lines, forehead furrows and crow’s feet or to lift or shape brows. First, decide on the arch or flare for the female brow, then watch for the “evil” eyebrow (the stronger one that lifts when a patient is incredulous or angry) and look for natural spocking that will be emphasized with the neuromodulator. Also, avoid injecting neuromodulators in patients with redundant upper eyelid skin and tonic brows. When treating the forehead furrow, neuromodulators should not be used in patients with low forehead heights or lax upper lids.

Neuromodulator can also soften crow’s feet, and Dr. Lupo finds the best results will be achieved in patients without solar elastosis (aged sun-damage skin) or when combined with laser resurfacing. She noted that the lower crow’s feet cannot be eliminated without risking a smile drop. Instead of a neuromodulator, fillers may be considered to diminish wrinkles in this area. When injected properly, neuromodulators can also be used to open the eyes, and for best results, this type of treatment is optimal for young or ethnic patients. Dr. Lupo often uses neuromodulators to correct eyelid drooping and brow drooping.

Treating the lower two-thirds of the face can be very beneficial to patients when done properly. When a patient wants to reduce the appearance of the lines alongside the top of the nose (also called “bunny lines), Dr. Lupo injects neuromodulators around the top of the nose to prevent the skin from scrunching. She finds that treating the massiter muscle (the muscle that runs through the rear part of the cheek from the temporal bone to the lower jaw) with neuromodulators can give the face a softer, less square- shaped look. The platysma muscle (a broad sheet of muscle fibers extending from the collarbone to the angle of the jaw) can also be injected to lift the jaw line. Some patients often find that their top gums are too prominent when smiling. Injecting the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, or LLSAN (the muscle that dilates the nostril and elevates the upper lip), keeps the upper lip from over smiling and may also help with the horizontal upper lip line. This type of injection is not suited for a patient who has very thin lips or a long upper lip. Also, injecting the LLSAN may reduce prominent nasolabial folds.

The chin is another part of the lower face that Dr. Lupo sometimes injects with neuromodulators. The mentalis muscles are two small muscles in the center of the chin that can cause dimples in the chin or pull down the sides of the mouth. Relaxing these muscles with neuromodulators smoothes out the dimples and lifts the corners of the mouth. Dr. Lupo discussed that there are several complications that can occur when injecting into the chin, including injecting in wrong area, over or under injecting, diffusion caused by massaging and injecting different amounts resulting in asymmetry.

These are just some examples of neuromodulator considerations and complications based on Dr. Lupo’s personal experience and opinion. She recommends all board certified dermatologist receive the proper education and training before performing any procedures to avoid any complications with cosmetic or medical procedures. She highly recommends that all patients choose a physician trained in an accredited residency program who has then passed the certifying exam and who is practicing within the scope of care of that specialty.

IPL: The Lupo Center’s Most Popular Light Treatment Procedure. Is It Right for You?

Posted on November 12, 2012 by lupocenter

With so many medical and cosmetic treatments available today, it’s hard to believe that one device can be the solution to multiple skin conditions. In 1999, Dr. Lupo became the first physician in Louisiana to use the Intense Pulsed Light device, and since then, it has become the most popular light treatment option at the Lupo Center for Aesthetic and General dermatology

Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL, targets and dramatically improves red and brown discolorations, broken capillaries, skin texture, fine lines, facial veins, acne scarring and even unwanted hair! It is one of the most effective options to improve the redness and flushing caused by rosacea, as medications alone do not ameliorate these symptoms.

IPL refers to a non-laser, non-invasive, broad band, light treatment using energy in the visible and near-infrared light spectrum. It is best as a treatment for overall photoaging and is often called photorejuvenation or “Fotofacial.” IPL energy targets the blood vessels and generates heat to tighten and shrink them, while also stimulating new collagen.

With its no-downtime side effects, patients can receive IPL treatment during their lunch hour and return to work or attend an event on the same day. Make-up can also be worn immediately after the treatment.

Each patient’s condition is unique, and the average patient requires 3-5 IPL sessions in order to see optimal results. Improvement rate is more than 80 percent and the results last years if the discoloration is caused by sun damage. With other discolorations, such as rosacea, relapses may occur more frequently: 6 months to two years, in Dr. Lupo’s experience.

Of course, a good post IPL skin care program will prolong the benefits and prevent further damage from occurring as quickly. One product that Dr. Lupo recommends with the IPL treatment is Neocutis PERLE, a skin brightening cream formulated with Melaplex™. PERLE is a hydroquinone-free skin care cream that brightens the skin while reducing the appearance of skin discoloration and uneven skin tone. Any patient who purchases a package of three IPL treatments by November 30, 2012, will receive a complimentary bottle of PERLE (quantity limited; non-transferable). Schedule your IPL appointment today!

Have a Friend in Need of a Fresh Start? We Want to Help!

Posted on November 8, 2012 by lupocenter

Do you want to help a friend who has recently gone through some sort of personal trauma that has caused them to age quicker or look extra tried? Dr. Mary Lupo can help on their road to recovery!

Nominate your friend or relative who has recently gone through personal trauma (death of a loved one, divorce, caretaker for an ill relative, cancer survivor, etc.), and Dr. Lupo will give your friend free Botox® for a year… and you, too, for being such a great friend!

Nominations are accepted from now until December 15, 2012. The nominee cannot be a current patient of the Lupo Center. Self nominations are accepted.

For more information or nomination forms, contact Abby Lupo at abby@drmarylupo.com or 504-288-2381.

Erase Years From Your Skin with Fraxel®

Posted on October 9, 2012 by lupocenter

Most of us wish we could slow down the effects aging has on our looks – and maybe even get a few years back in the process. Fraxel® is proven laser technology that can help reverse the visible effects of aging, naturally helping you look as young as you feel. With Fraxel®, change isn’t drastic or scary – it’s you, just younger.

The Lupo Center for Aesthetic & general dermatology offers the most advanced Fraxel® Restore Dual Wavelength System to better address pigmentation, wrinkles, acne scars and surgical scars on the entire body with minimal discomfort. Dr. Lupo chooses to use the Fraxel® system because of its very high safety record and proven results for all types of skin, and because it causes minimal disturbance to the patient’s everyday life during the course of treatment.

Fraxel® is a non-invasive laser therapy for people who want to look good – and want real results – but don’t want the drastic change or extended downtime that comes with surgery. Dr. Lupo customizes the intensity of each treatment level in accordance with the patient’s needs, giving the patient a choice between superficial, moderate or deeply penetrative treatments. In most cases, the patient can expect dramatic results with smoother, brighter and younger looking skin without looking plastic and fake.

Fraxel® is effective on:

• Fine lines and wrinkles – like crow’s feet and brow lines

• Surface scarring – erasing effects of acne and other scarring

• Pigmentation – minimizing the appearance of age spots

• Sun damage – helping heal dangerous skin damage

• Actinic Keratosis (AK) – a common pre-cancerous skin condition

To learn more or to see if you are a candidate for Fraxel®, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors. Any patient who schedules a Fraxel consultation or receives a Fraxel treatment by December 31, 2012 will receive 10% off of a package of Fraxel® treatments for one area.

Please note that Fraxel is a very specific laser and some doctors rent a less expensive and less advanced fractional non-ablative laser, yet call it “fraxel” – after all, not every tissue is a Kleenex!

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Treating Active Acne & Acne Scars

Posted on September 20, 2012 by lupocenter

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions affecting people of all ages – from babies and teenagers to middle age women and men. Acne is an inflammation of the skin’s pores that can appear as pimples, blemishes, whiteheads, blackheads and in severe cases, deep, painful nodules and cysts. The most common areas that are affected are the face, neck, chest and back. Some factors that contribute to acne breakouts include family history, lifestyle factors, menstrual history or use of specific cosmetics and skin care products. It is important to never pick or squeeze blemishes as this can increase discoloration and future scarring. While there are several instigating factors to acne breakouts, today, there are many effective ways to treat active acne and acne scars.

Acne often goes untreated because many people believe that it needs to “run its course” before it can clear up. Not only is this myth, but not treating active acne can cause self-esteem issues and permanent scarring and dark spots on the skin. Because there are different forms of acne and each patient is unique, board certified and nationally acclaimed dermatologist Dr. Mary Lupo uses prescription treatments and/or non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments to help her patients. Some of the cosmetic treatments available at the Lupo Center for Aesthetic and General Dermatology to help with active acne include chemical peels, SilkPeel®, CoolTouch®, Excel V®, IPL and Isolaz®.

While some patients no longer suffer from active acne, they are reminded of their past condition because of the scars that were left behind. Luckily, there are several options to reduce the appearance of the redness or scars from acne. Dr. Lupo uses the following non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments for acne scars: Fraxel®, CoolTouch®, CO2 laser/Deep FX, IPL, Isolaz®, SilkPeel®, chemical peels and fillers, including Juvederm®, Restylane® and Radiesse®.

While each patient is unique and treatment types may vary, the Lupo Center is able to help stop or reverse the signs of acne. If you have questions or concerns, please call our office today to schedule a consultation.

Lupo Center for Aesthetic & General Dermatology

Nationally Acclaimed Non-Surgical Dermatologists

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