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Home » Articles about our Treatments

May 11, 2017 By Craig Crippen

Halo Laser in Kelowna – Worth It?

sciton halo laser kelownaThe Halo laser by Sciton is a dual-wavelength laser that is used to treat many types of skin conditions.

It can be used to treat skin pigmentation, uneven skin contours, scarring, lines & wrinkles, sun damage and more.

The dual-wavelength nature of the laser means that there are two colours of light used during the treatment session.  One wavelength (Erbium:YAG) is used to vaporize skin and the other wavelength heats the skin.  This combination is believed to eliminate problem skin by vaporizing it and at the same time using the other colour of light to heat and tighten.

What happens during treatment?

Usually an anesthetic cream or injections are used to numb the skin prior to the procedures.  During the treatment the handpiece is rolled over the skin while the laser energy is deposited into the skin.  This can be uncomfortable hence numbing agents are always used.

fractional co2 laser kelowna

DEKA Fractional CO2 Laser

Is there really less downtime with this procedure?

Well, that is a good question and the simple answer is the more downtime you have afterwards, the better the results you will have.  If there is little to no downtime, you will have very little in terms of results.  Other lasers like the Fractional CO2 laser (the gold standard in skin resurfacing) can leave you will very little downtime, depending on the treatment settings, but you will also have very little results.  There is no magic laser that can give you amazing results with little to no downtime, it’s just not possible regardless of what the marketing brochures may tell you.

How many treatments are required?

As with Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing, more treatments will give you better results.  One session can be adequate for someone with mild skin issues, but for those people who need more change, more treatments may be required.  We always let our patients know that improvements after fractional CO2 laser is gradual and if you need more improvement, we need more sessions to achieve that permanent result.

Are results long-lasting?

As with Fractional CO2 resurfacing, results are permanent and do not need to be repeated at regular intervals if you are happy with the appearance of your skin.  Clearly your skin will age over time and further treatments may be desirable down the road, but once the skin looks good, these results are indeed permanent and long-lasting.

Who will perform my Halo Laser Treatment in Kelowna?

We do not have a “Halo” laser at our Kelowna clinic.  We use other devices that we feel are superior to the Halo laser in terms of results you will see afterwards.  Dr. Crippen prefers the gold standard Fractional CO2 ablative devices because they offer optimal results and have many years of research and study behind them.  We use this device all the time and our patients are exceptionally happy with their results.  Do your research before selecting the right procedure for you.

The Halo laser is simply a marketing name for an Ebium and IR laser device.  We have all these devices but choose to use them individually depending on the specific situation.  Additionally, at DermMedica, Dr. Crippen performs all fractional CO2 laser treatments.

Dr. Crippen is certified by the American Board of Laser Surgery in Cosmetic Procedures and has extensive experience with many different laser modalities and devices.  Make sure  your treatment is performed by a qualified physician who uses CO2 devices regularly to ensure the best results possible.

If you would like to read more about fractional CO2 technology and the decades of research behind them, follow this link.  Alternatively, just give us a call and we’ll give you the coles notes.

Fractional CO2 Lasers

“Fractional CO2 resurfacing represents one of the most useful devices produced by 50 years of research into laser-cutaneous interactions. Patients can expect excellent results with few complications. Additional research will further improve our ability to provide the best of care for our patients.”

Filed Under: Articles

August 12, 2016 By Craig Crippen

Back to School Acne & Acne Scar Treatments

It is that time of year again.  Time to start the Back to School planning!  For many people, particularly teenagers and young adults heading back to high school, college or university, it can be a very stressful time, especially if they have a breakout in acne and blemishes.  Therefore, NOW is the time to take preventative steps to have a glowing complexion on the first day of school.

facial acne treatment

Top 5 Treatments

Our top 5 treatments in treating acne, blemishes and acne scarring are:

  1. A Good Skincare Regime – Although the above acne treatment options are great, we highly recommend following a proper skincare regime to reduce whiteheads and blackheads, maintain a clear and more unified skin tone, and decrease the frequency and severity of acne breakouts. Using a cleanser and toner that deep cleans pores and removes surface impurities such as dirt, oil and bacteria will help prevent new acne pimples.
  2. Laser Treatments – A significant number of people who suffer from acne end up with visible acne scarring, which can be just as stressful as acne itself. Acne scars can vary from being small and barely noticeable to large and prominent.  Discolouration is also quite common, often highlighting the problem.  Laser treatments can be used to dramatically reduce the appearance of these scars.  Treatments are comfortable and can leave the skin smooth, even-toned and, of course, much improved.  Most patients will require more than one laser treatment or a combination of laser treatments for optimal results.
  3. Chemical Peels – Chemical Peels have been used for many years in medical cosmetology. They work by chemically removing the outermost layer of the skin to give a healthier appearance –  decreasing acne breakouts, reducing the appearance of acne scars and shrinking the size of pores.  Chemical Peels can be used as a stand-alone acne treatment or in combination with other procedures.
  4. Light Therapy – Blue-light acne treatment is a non-invasive procedure that uses light to kill the Propionobacterium acnes, or P-acnes bacteria, in the skin that causes acne. The procedure simply involves a patient sitting in front of a blue light lamp for 15-30 minutes weekly.  Studies have shown that blue light acne treatment appears to improve acne vulgaris with a reduction in inflammation and the number of pustules and papules. Blue-light treatments help get control of acne, but a complete acne care system helps to maintain that control.
  5. Steroid injections – Oftentimes injections are used to treat the types of acne that cause painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin (nodules and cysts). This cystic acne can take months to heal on their own.  After steroid injections, the lumps flatten, and the skin can clear up in a few days.  Steroid injections are typically used as a temporary or occasional fix for stubborn cysts and nodules.

If you have acne, it is best not to wait for the problem to disappear by itself. Early treatment may offer great results in the short term and prevent complications later on. Patients who chose to ignore their acne and let it resolve on its own regretted not dealing with it sooner.  Don’t be one of them!

Contact us today to schedule a consultation!  Call 250-868-3070 or email patientcare@dermmedica.ca

Filed Under: Articles

July 20, 2016 By Craig Crippen

Looking to Cover Up an Old Tattoo with an New One? Laser Tattoo Removal Can Help

Tattooing has been a part of human culture for centuries.  Although the art form has been around for decades, it has evolved.   Tattoos are a personal form of self-expression, and what have changed over the years are the countless colours and designs we can use to express our thoughts and feelings through this type of body art.  What has not changed is our tendency to change our minds about what we think, feel, and wish to express on the canvas that is our skin.  Our shifting opinions results in the desire to change what has been placed as a permanent reminder of a friend, spouse, or as a work of art on our bodies.

tattoo-fading-before-after

When people decide to get a tattoo, they undoubtedly put a lot of thought into what artwork they would like.  However, we all know that sometimes reality does not match what we have envisioned and the results are not always ideal.

People change their minds about their tattoos for many different reasons.  But, because the love for tattoos remains strong, even if they do not like the original design, many people would prefer to cover up an old tattoo rather than have it completely removed.  However, this can be difficult sometimes because not all tattoos can be easily covered up with a new tattoo.

Tattoo Cover-Up With Another Tattoo

One option that may help fade the original tattoo is Laser Tattoo Treatments.  Tattoo removal can be used to lighten the entire original tattoo, or to reduce the appearance of the darkest or most troublesome areas making it easier for a tattoo artist to do a cover-up.

Fading a tattoo does not require as many treatment sessions as completely removing it, and laser tattoo removal can make the new artwork look better because the tattoo artist will not have to worry about incorporating as much of the old tattoo into the new cover-up tattoo or blending the new tattoo ink colours with the old colours.  Not all colours can be changed into another colour and therefore the tattoo artist must consider the merging of the pigments from the old tattoo with the new one.

Pain-Free Laser Tattoo Removal

Many people opt for a cover-up tattoo without fading the original tattoo because they may think that the treatments can be more painful than getting a tattoo.  However, at DermMedica, we are the ONLY clinic in the BC Interior to offer completely comfortable laser tattoo removal.  You shouldn’t suffer when you don’t have to!

Contact us to book your consultation to fade the body art you dislike in order to get something you do like!  Call 250-868-3070 or email patientcare@dermmedica.ca

Filed Under: Articles

June 8, 2016 By Craig Crippen

Botox® Cosmetic – The Solution to Squinting in the Sun

 

Botox Treats Signs of Aging

With the start of the summer season, most people in the Okanagan will be heading outdoors to enjoy the beautiful summer days, whether it be taking a walk in the park, spending a day on the boat, or enjoying a wine tour.  What comes along with the summer sunshine – Squinting!

Wrinkles around the eyes, often caused by too much squinting, are one of the most common and frustrating signs of aging.  They can develop far too early in some people, and one of the causes may be too much time in the summer sun without sunglasses.

Squinting is a powerful physiological reflex to brightness that decreases the size of the opening of the eyelid in order to allow less light into the eyes.  This forceful contraction of the muscles that encircle the eyes is not gentle on the skin.  Over time, repeatedly squinting can result in a greater number and deeper wrinkles around the eyes – people will often refer to these areas as the “crow’s feet”, “smile lines”, “frown lines”, and “bunny lines.”  The extra wrinkles caused by squinting also lower the position of the eyebrow.  Squinting creates wrinkling of the skin and soft tissues around the eyes and may be responsible for looking more aged than any other factor.  

The sun also threatens the skin around your eyes in other ways.  It has been scientifically proven that harmful UV rays will quickly rob this thinner skin of its youthful elasticity.  Sunscreen helps to protect the skin from thinning, but it does not prevent us from squinting!

This is the some of the most delicate skin on your face, and as a result, it is more susceptible to being stretched and wrinkled over time.

The Botox® Solution

Protecting your eyes with sunglasses and using Botox® around the eyes can restore their youthful look, and reduce the impact of squinting.  Botox® treatments by an experienced physician involve placing small amounts of the medicine into specific muscles to purposefully weaken the muscle contractions around the eyes.  The key benefit is it will help to reverse the signs of aging.  Numerous studies have confirmed that Botox® can decrease the depth and number of wrinkles around the eyes, giving you a more youthful and rested appearance.

And, don’t forget the sunglasses.  They are important, as they not only protect the skin around your eyes, but prevent the development of cataracts, growths in the eye and possible macular degeneration.  Choose a pair that fit close the skin with wide lenses that will protect your eyes from every angle.

We would love to talk to you about all the ways our Botox® treatments can help you.  Schedule a consultation today to get ready for the summer sun in Kelowna.

Filed Under: Articles

February 24, 2016 By Craig Crippen

You may be Increasing Your Risk of Varicose Veins

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To some extent, varicose veins may not be preventable. They can easily develop because of family genetics, medical issues or simply pregnancy. If you have already developed problems with your veins, you should come by our vein clinic in Kelowna. We have many treatments that can help you reduce the size and feel of veins.

Treatment is always an option, but it isn’t your only one if you’re concerned about spider veins. While you may not be able to permanently prevent spider veins, you can reduce habits that make the development of troublesome veins more likely.

Here are some ways that you may be increasing your risk of developing varicose veins.

  1. You’re spending too much time sitting

If you’ve got a job where you spend a lot of time sitting, you may be at a greater risk for developing varicose veins. This is because constant sitting can compress the delicate valves in the veins of your legs. Over long periods of time, this can result in damage to the valves that leave you with varicose veins.

The best way to protect yourself from this problem is to make sure to take walking breaks every hour or so. Get up for 5-10 minutes and do some brisk walking to get the blood moving in your legs again.

  1. …Or standing

Of course, there’s another side to the vulnerability of those valves in your leg. If you spend all of your workday on your feet, that’s also going to stress them a lot. If you need to stand, you should make sure that you take a 10-minute break to sit down every couple hours. This will gives your legs a chance to relax.


  1. You’re not giving your legs proper exercise

It’s wise to work a leg routine into your weekly exercise. If you really care about preventing varicose veins you’re going to want to consider making it a weight regimen. Even light resistance exercises can improve blood flow in the legs, making varicose veins less likely to develop.

  1. You’re wearing clothing that’s too tight

While compression stockings are recommended to prevent varicose veins, the kind of clothing that restricts your waist and thighs (such as tight jeans) are more likely to cause problems than prevent them. If you want to lower your risk, you should let the large veins in your legs breathe. If you enjoy wearing tight clothing, you can reduce the damage by switching to more relaxed clothes when you’re at home.

  1. You’re wearing high heels

High heels put a lot of pressure on your legs, and that pressure can result in damage to the blood vessels, meaning new development of varicose veins. Simply taking a break is as effective a solution here as it is for sitting and standing. Get off your feet every couple hours to let your legs relax and recover.

There are fortunately many different treatments that can alleviate the pain and unpleasant appearance of varicose veins. A visit and consultation will help you decide which one offers you the best chance at the results you need.

Filed Under: Articles

February 8, 2016 By Craig Crippen

What’s Causing My Thin Lips? 3 Habits to Change Today!

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Thin lips are a common cosmetic condition that affects thousands of people every year. Many women have come into the DermMedica health clinic looking for effective and long-lasting solutions to this troubling problem.

Our treatments, including Juvederm for thin lips, are very effective. However, there are also many changes that you can make in your own life to reduce the threat of thin lips and the appearances that come with it. If you find that your lips are losing volume before or after treatments, it’s probably because one or more of these habits describes you.

You’re Pursing Your Lips

Yes, that is all it takes if you do it obsessively. Some people do.  Human lips are fragile, and constantly putting pressure on them can reduce the amount of elasticity in them over time. This can mean lips that appear far thinner than they did previously.

If you’re already noticing the problem, treatment is likely to have more of an advantage than simply changing this habit once the damage is already done. Keep this one in mind after you’ve restored your lips to a strong shape with our help.

You’re Catching Rays without Protection

Sunscreen, for your lips? Sure. It’s certainly not typical to apply tanning oil to the ol’ kisser, but there are ways to protect your lips when you’re out-and-about. Wear hats with long brims during the hottest parts of the day. Large-brimmed hats offer your entire face shade from the light and heat, and you’ll need that protection to keep your lips at their fullest.

You’re Not Drinking Enough Water

Not getting enough water seems to be at the center of a lot of health problems, and thin lips are no exception. In every way that your body is elastic or supple, it relies of a healthy balance of water. Constantly being short on water will cause your body to de-prioritize the water-hungry systems that regulate the youthful glow of skin.

You’re Smoking

C’mon, you really didn’t think you could visit the website of any health professional and NOT get scolded for smoking, right? You’ve probably heard most of it before, but what you may not have heard is that thin lips are just another problem associated with smoking.

It’s not just the more aged look you have overall after smoking regularly for a long time, your lips are being punished in particular. Nicotine is an irritant to the skin, and lips can begin to show signs of damage after constant exposure. The constant heat coming out of cigarettes isn’t friendly to the look of your lips, either.

Filed Under: Articles

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DermMedica Articles

Halo Laser in Kelowna – Worth It?

Halo Laser in Kelowna – Worth It?

The Halo laser by Sciton is a dual-wavelength … Read More..

Back to School Acne & Acne Scar Treatments

Back to School Acne & Acne Scar Treatments

It is that time of year again.  Time to start the … Read More..

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