Frequently Asked Questions

Photorejuvenation/BBL (Broad Band Light)

What is Broad Band Light (BBL)? BBL technology is a non-invasive procedure that improves the appearance of aging skin from the inside out.  Since it treats skin damage without disruption of the skin's surface, there is no recovery time and patients can return to regular activities right after treatment. In addition to treating the face; the neck, chest, back, arms and hands are commonly treated as well.  The overall effect is to give skin a more youthful appearance.

How does BBL work? BBL consists of a very bright, controlled light that is absorbed by various components of the skin. The colours in the light are attracted by the red and brown discolouration in the skin and by the collagen tissue. The body's healing mechanism takes over and absorbs the reds, sloughs the browns and stimulates the production of new collagen. The light is customized to your specific condition and colour to effectively improve the cosmetic appearance of your skin. It will appear smoother and younger-looking.

What is photorejuvenation? Photorejuvenation using BBL is a safe and effective treatment for men and women to reverse sun-induced skin damage. It improves the texture of the skin, stimulates your own collagen to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, clears red blotches and spider veins, and fades brown spots, including brown age spots found on the backs of hands. It can also soften shallow acne scars and reduce pore size, all with very little down-time.

How is the treatment done? Goggles are worn to protect your eyes from the bright light. A cool gel is applied to the skin to help the absorption of light and keep the skin cool. The pulse of light feels like a small sting, but it is well tolerated. The treatment takes about 30 minutes. Usually 3-6 treatments, 3 to 4 weeks apart, are required to see maximal results. Improvement is natural and gradual. You must avoid tanning while undergoing treatment.

How will I look right after treatment? If you have red, blotchy skin, you will probably have some temporary redness. If you have brown age spots or freckles, they will appear darker for the first few days and then peel off. Immediately after treatment, most patients can carry on with their normal activities and must use sun protection.

What conditions can be treated?

• sun damage
• redness, flushing and small veins
• rosacea
• red discolouration and enlarged pores caused by acne
• brown pigmentation, age spots and freckles
• a dull complexion
• fine lines and mild scarring

What improvement can I expect? Your skin will appear smoother, firmer and refreshed. Improvement in tone and texture will give a more polished look. You will have a more even skin colour, with reduced pore size, softened fine lines and improved acne scarring.

How long will the results last? The results can last for years, depending on the aging process and environmental factors such as sun exposure. A maintenance treatment every 3 to 4 months, the use of anti-aging products recommended specifically for you by Dr. van Aardt and Associates, and sun protection will give long-lasting results.

Can photorejuvenation be used in combination with other procedures? Absolutely.  This treatment complements and enhances other anti-aging treatments such as Levulan, Botox, facial fillers and microdermabrasion to keep skin healthy and attractive. During your consultation, Dr. van Aardt and Associates can customize a skin rejuvenation program for your specific concerns.

Vein Treatments / Laser Vein Removal

What are spider veins? Spider veins are red or purple thread veins that can occur on the face, neck, chest, thighs, and legs. These blood vessels are just beneath the surface of the skin and can be unsightly. Heredity may play a role in the cause of spider veins, but environmental factors, such as sun exposure, and certain diseases, such as rosacea, can cause these veins to develop.

What is a port wine stain? This red to purple birthmark is a collection of veins that may develop on the face, body or extremities. Laser treatments will help fade it, but multiple treatments  are necessary over 1 to 2 years.

How are spider veins treated? Laser or intense pulsed light source can remove these blood vessels. Depending on the size, location and depth of your veins. Dr. van Aardt will choose the appropriate  laser for your treatment to ensure the best possible result.

How does the laser remove veins? The blood cells inside the vessel absorb the laser energy. The heat coagulates the blood and the vein collapses and is eventually absorbed. the normal surrounding skin is not injured.

Is it painful? You will experience a mild sting, similar to the snap of an elastic band.

How will I look after the treatment? Depending on the veins being treated and their location, there may be no recovery time. Treatment of larger veins can result in a bruise that may last several days. Avoidance of anti-inflammatory medication and vitamin E one week before treatment can decease the chance of bruising. Rarely, a blister or crusting may occur.

How many treatments are necessary? Typically, 1 to 3 treatments are needed to fade spider veins. Facial treatments are 3 to 4 weeks apart and leg treatments are about 6 weeks apart. Some areas, such as around the nose and on the legs, may require additional treatments.

Will the veins recur? Veins around the nose and on the legs do tend to recur and new veins usually develop with time. These area can be retreated when necessary.

Can removal of my facial veins be combined with any other treatment? Absolutely. Photorejuvenation with broad band light can remove spider veins and brown discolouration, and improve the texture and tone of your skin.

Botox Cosmetic

Botox cosmetic is a procedure that can smooth frown lines on the face and neck for both men and women. It can soften lines and wrinkles that make you appear tired, upset or angry.

Botox Cosmetic can help you maintain your appearance without surgery and no down time. It is the most popular physician-administered cosmetic procedure, with over one million patients receiving treatment. It is one of the least expensive facial aesthetic procedures done. Dr. van Aardt has had extensive training and experience injecting Botox Cosmetic.

What is Botox Cosmetic? It is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium bacterium  and is used in extremely small amounts to relax dynamic wrinkles caused by contraction of muscles.

Is it safe? It has been used safely and successfully in ophthalmology for over 15 years and in wrinkle therapy for over 13 years.  The procedure was developed by two Canadian physicians.  Botox  is also used to treat migraine headaches and several neurological problems (i.e. blepharospasm of Parkinson's disease).  It is also used to treat hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating) of armpits and palms.

How does Botox Cosmetic work? Wrinkles and frown lines are the result of muscle activity. Dr. Van Aardt analyzes this activity and determines which muscles require treatment. Several tiny injections of Botox Cosmetic are administered very precisely into the muscles that cause the wrinkles. It blocks nerve impulses from reaching that area and the muscles relax. As a result, the wrinkles overlying the muscles are smoothed away.

What areas can be treated? the most common areas treated are the frown lines (glabella) between the brows, the forehead, crow's feet; the eyebrow area to lift the brow and open up the eyes, around the mouth, and the neck area to soften tight platysmal bands, smoker's lines and help shape the jaw line.

What happens after treatment? The treatment time varies depending on the procedure being done and you can resume normal activities right away. In 3 to 14 days, the wrinkles will appear softer and smoother. Dr. Taylor insists upon a follow up appointment 2 weeks after treatment to ensure optimal results.

Are there any side effects? Occasionally, a small bruise lasting a few days may occur and can be covered with make-up. A mild, temporary headache may occur in some patients. Rarely, a temporary droopy brow or eyelid that may last a few weeks may occur.  However, Dr. Van Aardt may elect to correct this problem immediately be prescribing an ophthalmic drop to the affected eye.

Will my facial expressions look natural? Treatment will not radically change your appearance. Most people will not notice that you had any treatment done since you will still be able to smile or look surprised or angry. You will just appear more relaxed and happier.

How long will the effects of Botox Cosmetic last? The effects initially last about 3-4 months. When movement of the muscles is detected, it is time for another treatment. With repeated treatment, some patients' results may last 4 to 6 months or longer. If you discontinue treatment, your wrinkles will gradually return to the way they were before treatment.

Can Botox Cosmetic treatments be combine with any other treatments? Absolutely! Botox Cosmetic treatments can be combined with many other anti-aging procedures to enhance  their effectiveness and give longer-lasting results. Intense pulsed light treatments , chemical peels, microdermabrasion, fillers and the use of anti-aging products are all complementary procedures.

Is this treatments for everyone? Men and women, from age 18 to 70, who would like a more relaxed appearance, enjoy the benefits of Botox Cosmetic. There are very few restrictions. Patients who are pregnant, nursing or have certain neurological disorders, such as ALS or myasthenia gravis, should not be treated.

How do I find out if I am a candidate for Botox Cosmetic? During your consultation, Dr. Van Aardt will assess you to determine if you might benefit from these treatments and will also address any further questions you may have.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a special treatment that uses a photosensitizing agent called Levulan (aminolevulinic acid HCL) that is applied to the skin and then activated with a light source.

The Levulan is absorbed by actively proliferating cells such as bacteria, oil glands and sun damaged cells. The light source used may be a visible blue light, intense pulsed light or laser light. It activates the levulan in the targeted cells which are then destroyed. Bacteria are destroyed, oil glands shrink and sun damaged cells peel away. Skin texture is improved, pore size is reduced and skin appears smoother, brighter and healthier.

What conditions can be treated?

• Sun damage: face neck, shoulder, back, chest, hands, arms and legs
• Acne, oily skin and enlarged pores
• Rosacea
• Keratosis pilaris (tiny bumps on cheeks and the back of arms)

How is PDT used? The skin is cleansed and Levulan is applied and left on for 30 to 60 minutes. It is then washed off & the skin is activated by a light source (BBL). Three to 5 treatments, 2 to 4 weeks apart are usually required.

Is it uncomfortable? there may be a feeling of warmth or occasionally a mild stinging, but it is well tolerated.

What happens after treatment? Patients are more sensitive to the sun for 36 hours after treatment and must avoid direct light. There may be mild swelling around the eyes for 1 day and redness and peeling for about 7 to 10 days. Mild cleanses and misturizers are used until peeling stops. Sunscreen is mandatory

What are the advantages of this treatment? Photorejuvenation for sun damage is evident within a week of treatment, with minimal discomfort. Pre-cancerous spots that are too small to be detected can be treated early. Acne can be improved without taking oral medication.

Who should not have this treatment? Patients who are pregnant or nursing or who have sensitive skin conditions such as lupus should not have this treatment.  Patients on certain photo-sensitive drugs should not undergo PDT including those on Accutane within the last year.

When is the PDT used without Levulan? Since the broad-band light destroys bacteria that aggravate acne, mild to moderate acne can be improved with just the light. Treatment is once a week for 4 weeks. It is safe and can be used together with prescribed acne medication (excluding Accutane), light chemical peels and facials.

Dermal Fillers

Filler substances are made of a non-animal hyaluronic acid gel that is usd for the correction of facial lines and wrinkles, and for lip enhancement. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the skin and other tissues.

After injection, the gel binds water and remains for many months. These products create volume in the skin, resulting in a healthy, attractive appearance.

How do these products diifer?

Juvéderm Ultra Plus, Teosyal Deep Lines, Teosyal Ultra Deep and ReDexis are injected into skin folds where more volume is desired. In addition to hyaluronic acid, ReDexis has the added benefit of stimulating collagen production with dextronomer beads.  This prolongs the clinical effect so the overall duration is approximately 18 months .  Juvédem Ultra,  Teosyal KISS and Revanesse are injected into areas where less volume is needed, as in lip enhancement.  Teosyal also has a wider selection of potential uses including the Teosyal Meso line which can be used for a "meso-lift" by injecting the product superficially into the facial skin thereby hydrating and renewing the appearance.

Are Teosyal/Juvéderm/Revanesse/ReDexis safe? Yes. Because they are not animal based, allergy testing is not required. There is not risk of animal-based disease transmission.

What areas can be treated? These products can be used to enhance lips and to fill facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds between the nose and mouth, and marionette lines, the depressed corners of the mouth.

What is a Liquid Face Lift? This procedure uses Teosyal Ultra/Deep Lines; Revanesse; ReDexis or Juvederm Ultra Deep to restore volume and reduce the signs of aging. It enhances the brow and cheekbones, firms the jaw line and fills in the hollows beneath the eyes. It gives the impression of a mini face-lift and facial without surgery.

Is it painful? The injections can sting but Dr. Van Aardt usually uses a local anaesthetic so patients are comfortable during treatment.

How will I look after the treatment? Wrinkles and folds are immediately improved but there may be some swelling for a few hours and a bruise that may last a few days. Lips usually become swollen for up to 2 days and may bruise. Avoidance of anti-inflammatory medication and vitamin E for 1 week before treatment can reduce the chance of bruising.

When will I need a touch-up treatment? These products usually last 9 to 12 months, but most patients enjoy their enhanced appearance and have touch-up treatments every 6 months or so as needed.  ReDexis is more expensive per syringe and the results may last longer - up to 18 months.

Can I combine this treatment with any other procedure? Absolutely! Botox Cosmetic can greatly enhance the effect of these injections and give a longer lasting result. Dr. Van Aardt can assess you to determine if these procedures would benefit you.

AESTHETIC SERVICES:

Light chemical peel:

Most of our light checmical peels utilize glycolic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or fruit acid that is naturally found in sugar can. It removes dead surface skin, revealing fresh, smooth skin underneath and stimulates the formation of new collagen to thicken skin.

It is a mild, superficial peel that may cause tingling for a few minutes, but does not require a long recovery time. Improvement is noticed almost immediately. We use various strengths of glycolic acid to give the very best results.

Both men and women of any skin color can be treated successfully with light chemical peels. We also have specialized peels for teenage and adult acne, as well as rosacea. For full benefit, a series of 6 peels are performed, 2 to 4 weeks apart. You may experience mild redness for a few hours and a mild flaking the next day, but most patients can apply some make-up and continue with their regular activities. We even offer lunch time peels and patients return to work right after their treatment. A Sun protection is very important. One maintenance peel every 6 weeks or so will keep skin looking fresh.

If you ar prone to facial cold sores, Dr. Van Aardt will prescribe and antiviral medication for you to take before any peels to prevent a recurrence.

What conditions benefit from light chemical peels?

• sun damaged skin
• dull, rough skin
• irregular, brown pigmentation, age spots and freckles
• fine lines and mild acne scars
• acne and rosacea

What improvements are seen?

• healthier-looking, more radiant skin
• softer texture, smoother skin
• reduction in brown pigmentation
• improved acne and rosacea
• reduction in fine lines and mild acne scars

What areas can be peeled? Almost any area can be peeled. Most commonly, we treat the face, neck, chest, back, hands and feet.

Can chemical peels be combined with any other anti-aging treatments? Yes. Chemical peels complement other anti-aging treatments such as broad band light (BBL), Levulan photodynamic therapy, microdermabrasion, Botox Cosmetic and filler substances. We carry anti-aging products to help maintain the results of your treatments. Dr. Van Aardt offers all these treatments and can customize a treatment plan for you.