Being ready to give yourself a real rejuvenation is one thing, but knowing how to start and what’s right for you is something else altogether. We spoke with Studio City, CA dermatologist Gene Rubinstein, MD to learn exactly what his favorite treatments are to turn back the clock and prevent signs of aging, and how he tailors a regimen for his patients.
Starting Point: IPL Photofacials
A rejuvenation regimen must start somewhere, and Dr. Rubinstein’s favorite for the majority of his patients is the IPL Photofacial. Well, after urging them to use sunscreen, that is.
“I would say that the first step to looking younger and rejuvenation is always sunscreen, for every dermatologist,” Dr. Rubinstein says. “But in terms of procedures and treatments, my favorite is the IPL Photofacial, because it addresses multiple skin aging ailments at the same time.”
The Intense Pulse Light Photofacial is a light energy therapy that uses multiple wavelengths of pulsating light to address discoloration, fine lines, redness and scars. It’s also easily combined with other treatments, including fillers, neuromodulators like Botox and the Vbeam laser to produce even better results.
“I think it’s suitable for many types of skin,” Dr. Rubinstein explains. “That’s including skin that’s prone to redness, that has brown spots and sun damage, and for those who are beginning to see new signs of aging, because it prompts collagen production.”
Moving Deeper: Morpheus8
Different treatments address different layers of the skin, tackling the very surface all the way down to the SMAS muscle layer of the face. IPL Photofacials are working on the epidermis, the outermost layer of our skin, but addressing deeper structures require other modalities.
“In my practice, we like to start with the IPL and then move on to deeper procedures after that,” Dr. Rubinstein says. “Morpheus8, which is a technology that combines microneedling with radiofrequency and works by thickening the dermis, the layer beneath the epidermis.”
Morpheus8 uses microneedles to penetrate the skin and send radiofrequency deep into the skin promoting collagen remodeling, skin tightening and rejuvenation.
“One of the reasons why people see sagging in their skin as they age is that their skin is getting thinner,” Dr. Rubinstein explains. “Skin doesn’t drape as well as it grows thinner, so it droops. So, if we can thicken the dermis, then it will drape better, and that’s exactly what Morpheus8 does.”
Muscle-Deep: Ultherapy
Other procedures go deeper, still.
“Other procedures like Ultherapy go even deeper than the dermis,” Dr. Rubinstein says. “The focused ultrasound goes to the SMAS layer that is the muscular layer below the dermis that plastic surgeons address during a face lift. The ultrasound can cause that SMAS layer to shrink and therefore lift without surgery.”
“Of course, this isn’t a surgical procedure, and it isn’t a replacement for a facelift, so we have to moderate expectations. But in a good candidate, you can see really good results.” Ultherapy has been a favorite non-invasive skin tightening procedure for anyone looking for skin tightening without downtime.
Mature Skin: Fractional CO2
If you have more mature skin, you may be recommended additional treatments to address more advanced solar elastosis, which is the accumulation of elastic tissue due to chronic sun damage and aging.
“We offer treatments like CO2 laser resurfacing for mature skin that has advanced solar elastosis,” Dr. Rubinstein explains. “Fractional CO2 lasers are very useful because they do resurface the skin but there is very little downtime, compared to the older lasers which were not fractional. We can also use that laser around the eyes, to reduce the fine lines around the eyes and eyelids.”
“Laser and light treatments are great for those who have begun to see the signs of aging, such as drooping and laxity, those are great candidates,” Dr. Rubinstein says, “Someone who already has really loose skin and hasn’t done a lot for their skin over time and is older, they often need to be referred to a plastic surgeon.” According to Dr. Rubinstein, patients will have the best results when they understand how these procedures work compared to surgical options.
Building a Personalized Regimen
“It’s important to note that we now have a toolkit of lasers and every person will have an individual set of needs.” A consultation with a reputable provider in a facility that offers multiple modalities is best to help design a personalized treatment plan. Dr. Rubinstein recommends a comprehensive approach to skin aging, utilizing lasers, fillers, biostimulants, neuromodulators, skin peels and medical grade skin care products, ”Especially now that we can take treatments off the face as well, treating the neck, chest, hands and bodies are important to help match the excellent results we have been able to achieve on the face.”
