Skin Care in Chicago, IL
Skin care is very important for maintaining one’s youthful and healthy appearance. The skin is the body’s largest and most visible organ. For people with flawless skin, it can be a source of pride. But for many others, the appearance of the skin can be a source of distress instead. Acne, fine lines and wrinkles, melasma, scarring, and other common skin concerns can make it difficult to live the full, comfortable, and confident life we deserve.
Fortunately, men and women in Chicago, IL, have a skin care expert available to help them defend against these common skin concerns and maintain healthy, glowing skin. Dr. Anil Shah, M.D., F.A.C.S., specializes in advanced skin care treatments and products, including the treatment of acne scars, hyperpigmentation, skin redness, acne, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Common Skin Care Concerns
Acne Scar Improvement
Until somewhat recently, there were limited skin care treatments available for improving acne scars. Many past treatments posed serious risks such as permanent scarring or hyper- and hypopigmentation (uneven darkening or lightening of the skin). Today, however, the available treatment options are safer and more effective than ever.
Dr. Shah has found Medical Roll CIT to be a very successful, safe solution for improving acne scarring using collagen deposition. MRC is performed in the office setting at Dr. Shah’s Chicago office. There is approximately one week of downtime required and results can be seen as early as two weeks.
Other skin care treatments for acne scarring include CROSS (chemical reconstruction of skin scars), dermabrasion, subcision, laser resurfacing, Botox, and fillers. There is no single treatment that will work the best for every person. Dr. Shah can discuss the pros and cons of each method and recommend an individualized treatment plan to improve your acne scars.
Acne Treatment
Acne is difficult to treat and has many potential causes. Hormones can create surges in oil production, so various treatments to combat this can be helpful.
Once systemic causes such as hormones, diet, and other lifestyle factors are examined, managing the skin itself is still important. Various topical skincare products can help in reducing acne as a first-line treatment.
Targeted acne peels and acne systems can be effective in treating both acne and inflammation. Botox therapy for acne can also be helpful for some patients.
Hyperpigmentation Removal
Hyperpigmentation refers to a condition causing areas of darkened pigment in relation to the rest of the skin. Hyperpigmentation can be classified into many categories. Generally speaking, hyperpigmentation in the skin is a result of either epidermal or dermal causes.
Whether your hyperpigmentation is caused by epidermal or dermal factors will determine the method of skin care treatment. Dr. Shah often treats hyperpigmentation with a variety of topical treatments, chemical peels, and laser therapy.
Melasma Treatment
Melasma is a condition characterized by gray-brown patches on the skin, especially on the face. It is typically due to hormonal changes from pregnancy and birth control use or sun exposure. Women are more likely than men to develop this condition.
When the cause is pregnancy or birth control, melasma often fades on its own. However, when the condition is caused by sun exposure, it may not go away without treatment. Many people simply live with the skin discoloration and cover it up with a tinted moisturizer.
People who are bothered by their melasma can seek medical treatment or skin care solutions. Common treatments include hydroquinone, a topical skin lightener. A triple cream (hydroquinone, tretinoin, and corticosteroid) may also be prescribed.
Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and/or laser treatment are also good options if topical treatments and medications have proven ineffective. Dr. Shah can recommend the best course of skin care treatment for you.
Skin Care Stages: Protection, Prevention & Reversal
Treating aging skin generally involves three stages: protect, prevent, and reverse. Each patient’s individual skin characteristics will guide Dr. Shah in determining the best aging skin care treatment option for their needs.
STAGE 1: Protect
Protecting the skin involves preventing sun damage that can prematurely age the skin while avoiding any harmful additives found in many major sunscreen brands. In addition to protecting the skin from the sun, proper cleansing is crucial to protecting your skin from harmful pollutants. Dr. Shah can recommend the right skincare products for your skin type and needs.
STAGE 2: Prevent
While there is no way to hold off aging forever, early prevention steps can delay signs of aging and help keep a person looking youthful well into middle age. Preventing aging often involves combining professional skin care treatments such as with skincare products based on the latest retinols, growth factors, and restorative options.
STAGE 3: Reverse
Reversing aging skin requires the consistent, long-term use of the right skincare products, which Dr. Shah can recommend for you. It may also involve more extensive professional treatments.
For patients wishing to reverse aging skin, Dr. Shah will often recommend skincare treatments such as chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, Botox, and/or fillers. Fat grafting may be used as well to treat deep lines and sagging skin or to add fullness where it is desired.
The best aging skin treatment for you will depend on a number of different factors. Dr. Shah will guide you in finding the right skin treatments for your needs.
Skin Care Products
Dr. Shah offers the latest in skincare products at his office. He actively seeks state-of-the-art products that have been thoroughly tested and are proven to be safe and effective. In fact, all products sold in his office have been used by either Dr. Shah himself or the staff. If you have any concerns such as retinol shelf life or does tretinoin expire, Dr. Shah can always solve your doubts about skin care products.
Aesthetic Skin
Aesthetic Skin is a customized line of skin care products designed by Dr. Anil Shah. Frustrated by some of the limitations of other products on the market, Dr. Shah spent years designing his own skincare products because he saw gaps where skin care could be improved.
Aesthetic Skin relies on using pure products with limited additives and scents, giving the line both potency and freshness. Aesthetic Skin is exclusive to Dr. Anil Shah’s practice and Aesthetic Skin Medical Spa.
SkinMedica®
The SkinMedica® product line utilizes the skin’s own healing properties to increase elasticity and minimize fine lines on the skin. Recovery compounds include essential ingredients such as vitamins C and E, as well as retinol and TNS®, collagen, antioxidants, and a patented blend of growth factors.
Dr. Shah often recommends SkinMedica® products to individuals looking to treat fine lines, age spots, and discoloration or to improve skin texture and elasticity. Call us for more information on this skin care solution.
Neocutis
Neocutis skin care products are well regarded for their ability to heal wounds. The line’s newest, patented wound healing ingredient, PSP® (Processed Skin Cell Proteins) was developed by Swiss researchers exclusively for Neocutis. This blend of skin-nourishing proteins and polypeptides harness the power of human growth factors to deliver cutting-edge skin revitalization.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Care
Using a safe sunscreen consistently, properly cleansing your face, staying hydrated, and maintaining a healthy diet are some of the best and easiest ways to maintain healthy skin, apart from following a good enough skin care routine. Beyond these basics, working with a plastic surgeon to get the right products and periodic professional treatments can make a huge difference in skin health.
After properly cleansing the skin, the best way to apply your skincare products, in general, is to apply them starting with the thinnest product and ending with the thickest.
While it can sometimes go away on its own when it develops due to hormonal causes, melasma is not a curable condition. It often requires the persistent use of skin care topicals, medications, laser therapy, and/or peels to maintain the skin and to keep patchiness at bay. Regular sunscreen application is especially important for individuals with melasma.
Oily skin is less prone to wrinkles, but it is more likely to develop acne and can look shiny. If you have oily skin, it’s important not to overwash your face, as you may accidentally encourage oil production. Talk to a skincare professional about the best cleansers, moisturizers, and regimen for your skin.
The best way to learn which products and treatments are right for your unique skin type and concerns is by working with a licensed, board-certified facial plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Together, you can discuss the best approach to proper and optimal skin care.
If you live near Chicago, IL, Anil Shah Facial Plastic Surgery offers skin care among its services and is conveniently located at 200 West Superior St., Suite 200 Chicago, IL 60654
Why Choose Dr. Anil Shah
- Dr. Anil Shah, MD, FACS is considered one of the best plastic surgeons in Chicago specializing in rhinoplasty (Nose Job Surgery) facelift and eyelift.
- He has published over 50 scientific articles within the field of plastic surgery. Dr. Shah has written three landmark articles about facial anatomy revolutionizing the way plastic surgery is performed.
- He works with a large range of patients whose livelihood depends on their face including models, actresses, and the social elite.
- Surgical Internship at University of Illinois at Chicago
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Residency at Cook County Hospital (Stroger), Children’s Memorial Hospital (Northwestern), Lutheran General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Michael Reese Medical Center.
- Board Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngolgy-Head and Neck Surgery.
Schedule a Skin Care Consultation in Chicago Today
Dr. Anil Shah, M.D., F.A.C.S., is considered to be one of the best board-certified facial plastic surgeons in Chicago with vast knowledge in skin care. He takes pride in delivering exceptional results for his patients and in providing a highly personalized level of care. To work with Dr. Shah and to learn more about skin care, contact his office to schedule a consultation at 312.944.0117.