Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a question for us?

We will always do our best to make sure your questions are answered!

Who needs a photofacial?

Anyone who has unwanted pigment in the skin as a result of sun damage. Solar Keratosis or sun spots are easily removed with IPL/Photofacial. Typically, one to two treatments are necessary. Darker skin types however, are at a higher risk of burns with IPL/Photofacial and may require more treatments than lighter skin types. IPL/Photofacial is NOT for treating melasma.

What is the difference between Botox®, Xeomin ®, Jeuveau®, Dysport®?

The four common neurotoxins in the US are Botulinum Toxin Type A; however there are differences!
Results for all begin to take effect in 1-3 days and final result can be seen in about 10-14 days after injection. Results typically last between 2-4 months.

Botox
The original anti-wrinkle injection – the very first on the market. It’s FDA approved to treat moderate to severe lines and wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows-"the 11's or frown lines", and around the eyes. Proteins attached to the toxin require that Botox be refrigerated at all times, and it is possible for antibodies to form against these proteins that can lead to possible treatment resistance.

Xeomin
Xeomin is FDA-approved to treat the lines between the eyebrows, though used in all the places you would use Botox. It has different proteins present in and therefore does not need to be refrigerated, and are less likely to develop resistance antibodies to it.

Dysport
Dysport is FDA-approved to treat the lines on your forehead. Like Botox, it has proteins attached to the toxin, but the toxin itself is a smaller molecule that allows it to diffuse more effectively, and produce results faster. It requires refrigeration and resistance may develop.

Jeuveau
Jeuveau is the newest option to hit the market and is structurally similar to Botox, proteins and all, so it must be refrigerated and may be subject to eventual resistance. It’s FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe frown lines. Some people have reported that they see results faster than with Botox.

Is laser hair removal permanent?

Laser hair removal can be permanent, however there are billions of hair follicles on the body and we still don't know why the majority of them are inactive. Additionally, changes in hormones, particularly estrogen/testosterone/androgens, can activate dormant hair follicles throughout your life span. The good news however is still YES, it is permanent. The laser looks for pigment to destroy the blood supply to the hair, so it works best on light skin and dark hair. The darker your skin is the more risk of burning with lasers, therefore more treatments may be indicated.

How many treatments do you need for permanent hair removal?

That will vary on your particular hair type and skin type. Most eligible candidates will require 5-8 treatments and with us, you buy 5 and your 6th one is free!

How do you treat sagging skin?

Aging gracefully is our goal for everyone but we cannot turn back the clock! That said, treating the sagging skin, that comes with aging can be addressed by stimulating the skin to create natural collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin production slow down with age. Harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays of the sun damage skin cells and break down the skin's elasticity. As collagen breaks down in the skin and is not replenished by the body as readily, skin begins to sag. This is one of the leading factors in sagging skin. Sagging skin happens over time, therefore treating it is also going to take time. Treatments offered at our clinic will all need to be done in series of 3 or more and include ScarletRF, Evoke/Evolve and our exclusive CA Regeneration Protocol and Filler Facial Protocols.

Is there something I can do for stretchmarks or acne scars?

Stretchmarks and scars are deformities of the skin structure and therefore not treated the same way as wrinkles. The skin must be remodeled to repair the damaged areas. Treatments offered here to help correct these skin deformities include medical microneedling, ScarletRF microneedling, and PDO threads. You will need a series of 6 or more of these treatments to achieve maximum results.

How can I get rid of Melasma?

Melasma is a skin condition characterized by brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots. It’s often called the “mask of pregnancy” because it is typically activated with hormonal changes. Melasma discoloration happens because of overproduction of the cells that make the color of your skin. It is common, harmless usually fades after a few months. However, in many women (and men though not as prevalent) it can be activated and only worsen over time. Unfortunately, this type of hyperpigmentation is the most difficult to treat. Photofacial/IPL treatments are contraindicated, as the pigment will improve dramatically for 2-4 weeks but will likely return even worse in 6-8 weeks. Our approach to treating Melasma is to try to address the underlying cause and provide a plan to minimize the discoloration, including topical brighteners (in office skin care and prescription), microneedling treatments with stem cell therapy and Scarlet RF.

What does microneedling do?

Because medical microneedling consists of deeply penetrating the skin with needles and applying very specific topical agents, it should only be done by experienced and credentialed nurses, nurse practitioners and medical doctors. There are do-it-yourself versions of microneedling devices, however using them without a professional recommendation can be harmful to your skin.

The idea is that pinpricks from the procedure cause slight injury to the skin and that the skin healing process creates new collagen and elastin-rich tissue. This new skin tissue is, in turn, more even in tone and texture. Collagen helps fill in and smooth out wrinkles. Most people get microneedling on the face, but it can also done on other parts of the body, such as your stomach or thighs.

What is the difference in traditional microneedling and Scarlet RF microneedling?

They both utilize "Collagen Induction Therapy", tiny needles puncturing the skin to promote collagen and elastin formation to smooth the skin's surface and firm the skin's texture. Traditional microneedling uses the needling and added topical stem cells: growth factors and cytokines. ScarletRf uses the needling and added radiofrequency energy for added heating of the tissue; therefore is more intense therapy for more dramatic results. Both require pretreatment anesthesia, have minimal downtime and require specific post treatment skincare products.

How do I choose a good sunscreen?

First we have to remember there are both UVA and UVB rays that affect our skin. Both are invisible to the naked eye and both rays can damage the DNA in your skin cells which can lead to skin cancer. It’s important to protect your skin from
both types!

UVB rays
cause sunburn and play a key role in developing skin cancer. A sunscreen’s SPF number refers mainly to the amount of UVB protection it provides.
UVA rays
cause skin damage that leads to tanning as well as skin aging and wrinkles. The shortest wavelengths of UVA rays also contribute to sunburn.

Most sunscreens keep our skin from burning (blocking UVB rays) but don't effectively block UVA rays. Therefore we are out in the sun longer without burning (which was a great signal to get out of the sun) and getting more UVA damage.

SPF
indicates how long you can stay in the sun before you burn, but does not provide information on UVA protection. The SPF number tells you how long the sun’s UV radiation would take to redden your skin when using the product exactly as directed versus the amount of time without any sunscreen. So with SPF 30, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen.

There are actually two different kinds of sunscreen:
chemical and physical sunscreens
Chemical sunscreens are made of synthetic ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate (you'll see these listed in the "active ingredients" section at the top of the label). They work by sinking into the skin, absorbing harmful UVA and UVB rays, and converting them into heat. A physical sunscreen (also referred to as mineral sunscreen), uses either titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or a combo of both to physically block the sun's radiation by forming a barrier that sits on top of your skin and the UV rays literally bounce off of this barrier, so they can't penetrate the skin and cause damage and skin cancer.
READ THE LABELS and choose a physical/mineral sunblock, regardless of the SPF for the best protection.

What exfoliating treatment do you recommend?

The difference between chemical and physical exfoliants is all in the name. Physical exfoliants use something physical, like the bristles of a brush or particles in a scrub, while chemical exfoliants use acids (such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, salicylic acid, retinoic etc.) to remove dead skin cells. As we age, the skin's normal exfoliation process becomes inefficient and we develop dull and irregularly textured skin. We recommend physical exfoliation (specifically and sonic or vibrating brush system) over chemical because it does not change the pH of the skin and less likely to cause irritation. When using a sonic/vibrating brush, do not use chemical exfoliating cleansers or scrubs; only a gentle cleanser! This will prevent excessive abrasion and irritation.

Do you accept any insurance?

No, we do not accept insurance or bill insurance. We accept cash or credit only for services rendered.

Do you accept Care Credit or offer any financing?

We currently accept Care Credit AND offer Cherry Financing which you may apply for and pay over time with no harm to your credit! Please contact us for more information! Treat yourself now and pay later with Cherry! Get preapproved before your next appointment. Applying won’t harm your credit!

https://pay.withcherry.com/caskinandbody

How long will my treatment last?

While this is the most sought after answer, there is no way to answer that question exactly. We continue to age daily and arrive to treatment in various stages of health with even more varied self-care routines; all of which profoundly affect the response and duration of treatment. Most treatments received offer 3-12 months of improved skin health and rejuvenation, depending on type and number of treatments. We are confident we can provide results; however nothing will be permanent and we cannot make lasting change with any "one-time" in office treatment.

Are Laser hair removal treatments and electrolysis painful?

Laser hair removal can feel like a rubber band snap on the skin, however it is very tolerable by the majority of clients. Electrolysis, because we are treating one hair at a time, is more painful and takes much longer to perform; therefore pretreatment anesthesia is provided with each treatment.

What is the difference between dermal filler and PDO solid filler threads?

Dermal fillers are used to restore volume in the skin by injecting a substance into the skin, primarily hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) gel microspheres. They are filling a space with product for plumper lips or fuller cheeks. PDO threads, dissolvable sutures, are inserted into an area to stimulate collagen production. There is no immediate filling of the space and the volume is restored when collagen surrounds the threads over time. PDO threads can be placed anywhere on the body, including the neck and decollete! Both can last 6-12 months.

What is your recommended skin care routine?

We recommend 4 simple steps!

  1. Night time deep cleanse with a sonic vibrating brush & gentle cleanser. In the morning, steam with a warm washcloth (no cleansing in the am).
  2. After cleansing and/or steaming your skin, application of treatment serum (which will vary to accommodate your specific skin care needs), twice daily. No toner needed.
  3. Then after your treatment serum, application of a good moisturizer (no active ingredients here either) twice daily.
  4. Then in the morning, application of sunblock.

That's it, four easy steps to great skin that do not have to break the bank!

Do you recommend a consultation?

Absolutely! It is the easiest way for us to assess your challenges and create a plan to address them. There is so much media presence, advertisements and celebrity endorsements out there these days that it is not easy to navigate through it all. You have chosen to come see us for a particular problem or concern, trust the process and let us work towards a solution. The $100 consultation fee is always applied to your first service done within 30 days. We look forward to seeing you!

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Location

CA Skin & Body Clinic

3850 Foothills Rd
Suite 13
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88011

Office Hours

Tuesday: 9am - 5pm
Wednesday & Thursday: 10am - 6pm
Friday: 8am - 4pm

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