Archive for the 'Treatments' Category

Improved Regenerative Medicine Results

Published by carolyn on March 2, 2012 in Newsletters and Treatments. Closed

Dr. Bowen has developed and is now using two new tools to improve results of regenerative medicine procedures at The Center: HI-DEF™ (density enhanced fraction) platelet concentrate and HEAL™ (high efficiency adipose lipoaspirate). These new methods offer an improvement over earlier techniques of processing a patient’s blood to produce a platelet concentrate and of processing a patient’s fat (adipose tissue) to concentrate adult stem cells.

Both platelet concentrate (or platelet rich plasma – PRP) and adipose-derived adult stem cells are being used in cosmetic regenerative medicine applications such as autologous (your own) fat transfer from areas of excess such as the abdomen, “love handles,” hips, or thighs to areas of deficiency such as the face, hands, breasts, or buttocks. There are also orthopedic applications including treatment for arthritis and cartilage and tendon injuries. Other applications currently in the investigational stage include possible treatments for congestive heart failure, diabetes, COPD, and wound healing.

Platelets contain growth factors, which are released after an injury to initiate a healing response. This response can be amplified by using an increased concentration of the patients’ own platelets. Currently available equipment for preparing PRP increase the platelet concentration by a factor of 1.5 to 2.5 times that found in whole blood.  Dr. Bowen’s HI-DEF™ technique increases the platelet concentration by a factor of 4 to 5 and therefore increases the quantity of healing growth factors available. This improves upon previous platelet concentration methods that also allowed white and red blood cells to mix with the growth factors, thus resulting in an increase in the inflammatory response including increased bruising and swelling of the treated area.

Previous methods of harvesting, processing and using autologous fat have had unpredictable results due in part to the loss of adult stem cells during processing. At The Center, improvement of this technique was achieved by isolating adult stem cells by an enzymatic process. This, however, requires special lab equipment and expertise and is not readily available in other facilities. The HEAL™ technique concentrates the adult stem cells by using just a centrifuge, which allows a faster and therefore less expensive procedure. This procedure could be duplicated in many other facilities making this technology available to a much larger population.

Amazing Results with Photofacial

Published by carolyn on February 17, 2012 in Newsletters and Treatments. Closed

A Photofacial is a laser light treatment that uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to treat a number of problems found in aging skin.

Tens of thousands have been treated with Photofacial in the United States since its inception. The first uses for this technology were the treatment of sun damaged skin (age spots) and also the treatment of changes to blood vessels resulting in redness, flushing and the appearance of small blood vessels. To this day there is no treatment that can compete with Photofacial technology to improve these skin problems.

The Photofacial was further improved with the evolution of the BBL (broad band light) laser device by Sciton and the number of skin conditions that can be treated has expanded to include:
• Acne
• Rosacea
• Large pores
• Scars

With the added benefits of:
• Improving skin health
• Delaying skin aging
• Preventing non-melanoma skin cancer

The Photofacial has no downtime (time for recovery) and does not wound the surface of the skin. The cost for this treatment is also very reasonable, often less than the cost of a year’s worth of over-the-counter lotions, which are of little benefit.

Photofacial treatment can also be combined with other light-based treatments (for example, ProFractional Therapy, DEKA-DOT laser treatment) to treat wrinkles and with cell-based treatments (the Vampire Facelift®, cell-assisted fat transfer) to further improve not only the appearance of the skin but also its health.

Skin is much more than just packaging for our bones, joints and internal organs. It has important hormonal and immune functions, which are likely to improve with improvement in skin health.

Also, improving the appearance of the skin has a positive impact on one’s self-perception and thus can enhance vitality and longevity.

For more information or to schedule your free initial consultation contact The Center today!

Dr. Robert Bowen – At the Forefront of Regenerative Medicine

Published by carolyn on January 18, 2012 in Treatments. Closed

You might not think of it when you think of Martinsburg, but this town is at the forefront of cosmetic regenerative medicine with help from Robert E. Bowen, M.D., Medical Director and founder of The Center for Positive Aging. Dr. Bowen is a leader in cosmetic regenerative medicine, including the use of adult stem cell therapy to create amazing aesthetic results.

“We have the materials we need to make our bodies and faces look and feel younger already inside us – in our own fat cells,” states Dr. Bowen. “Your own fat is a great source of stem cells that can be used to help you in a variety of ways.”

In this regenerative medical process, fat is removed from the body using a routine tumescent liposuction procedure.  This fat is then processed to concentrate the Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSC’s). These concentrated stem cells from your fat enhance the formation of new blood vessels (called “angiogenesis”), improving the success of the fat grafting procedure. The fat is more readily accepted in its new placement, filling in wrinkled areas or areas that have otherwise lost volume, to provide a more youthful appearance.

“What this really means,” says Dr. Bowen, “is that you can use stem cells from your own body to regenerate your skin or face, and dramatically improve your appearance. Cosmetic medicine will never be the same.”

Call The Center today to schedule a free initial consultation to find out if this type of treatment may work for you.

6 Non-Surgical Ways to Diminish Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Published by carolyn on December 15, 2011 in Treatments and Uncategorized. Closed
1. Injectable Fillers
Hyaluronic-acid (HA) based injectable fillers such as Restylane®, and Perlane® can be used to plump out fine lines and folds such as the fold that runs from the corners of the nose to the corners of the mouth (called “the nasolabial fold”).
2. Dysport® and BOTOX® Cosmetic
BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® are purified proteins that soften and diminsh lines around the eyes, on the forehead, between the brows and by the mouth through their muscle-inhibiting properties.
3. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion helps to smooth and even out the skin’s appearance by removing its damaged outer layer so that a healthier new layer can come to the surface.
4. Laser Skin Rejuvenation
Sun-damaged and aging skin is characterized by: lines and wrinkles, discolorations such as excessive redness and/or brown spots, poor tone and texture and volume loss. The Center offers the most advanced laser skin treatments available to improve all these problems. We would be happy to explain the differences between the different laser treatments we offer and to answer any other questions you have about how we can improve the appearance of your skin.
5. NEOCUTIS® Skin Care
NEOCUTIS® is one of the most advanced and effective anti-aging skin care lines in aesthetic medicine.
6. Jane iredale – THE SKIN CARE MAKEUP®
The #1 makeup recommended by plastic surgeons, cosmetic dermatologists and aesthetic medicine doctors is the mineral makeup, Jane Iredale. Called “The Skin Care Makeup”, Iredale makeup reduces inflammation, covers redness, conceals and blends dark spots and dark undereye circles, and protects your skin with broadspectrum UVA/UVB natural sunscreen. And, it’s like silk to wear and adds a nice glow to all skin types!

Rosacea Treatments

Published by Bowen on August 25, 2011 in Treatments. 121 Comments

Rosacea (pronounced “roh-zay_sha”) is a disease of the skin that causes redness and pimples to appear on the cheeks, chin, forehead and nose. Outbreaks of rosacea are often assumed to be adult acne because the symptoms are similar to acne, but rosacea is not just acne. Rosacea can also result in a burning or soreness sensation to the eyes and eyelids.

People with fair skin tend to be effected by rosacea more than others, and it appears to be hereditary, but the exact cause of rosacea is not known. It is not caused by alcohol abuse, as commonly thought, but symptoms can flare with alcohol use. It also seems to flare when doing anything that causes blood vessels in the face to expand, such as exercise, contact with heat or hot water, eating spicy food, or stress.

Symptoms of Rosacea May Include:

  • Redness on the face and pimples on the cheeks, nose, mouth, chin and forehead.
  • Spider veins visible on the face.
  • Red or swollen eyelids, with dry or irritated eyes.
  • Burning or stinging of the skin on the face.
  • Sensitive facial skin.

 Treatments for Rosacea may Include:

The Center offers Neocutis®, a powerful line of skin care products. These products heal and nurish the skin, restore skin radiance, clarity and luminosity, hydrate the skin, and can improve skin texture and tone.

The Levulan® Photodynamic Therapy System is a two-part process that utilizes both the Levulan® Kerastick® topical solution and a BBL (broadband pulsed light). This combination of Levulan® and BBL smooths skin texture, reduces acne, and helps to create a more even skin tone.

Sciton BBL™ Photorejuvenation is a cosmetic treatment that treats vascular redness and the appearance of rosacea. The use of the broadband light therapy (an advanced version of IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) can improve acne breakouts common with rosacea and repair damaged skin, evening skin tone and texture. BBL is the gold-standard in treating rosacea.

The Center offers jane iredale® skin care makup®, perfect for after a laser treatment or to use as a cover-up. It is non-irritating, allergy and safety tested, and hypoallergenic.

Does it sound like you may be experiencing rosacea? You’re not alone. Rosacea is very common, and treatments are available. Please contact The Center today to learn more about rosacea treatments.

Age Spots Treatments

Published by Bowen on August 17, 2011 in Treatments. 13 Comments

Age spots, also referred to as brown spots, sun spots, and liver spots, are dark, freckle-like hyperpigmentations on the skin caused by damage from frequent sun exposure. As we age, the natural defenses of our skin tend to weaken while exposure to the sun increases, resulting in these brown spots that accumulate over time when not treated.

Fortunately, age spots are treatable with the following procedures:

Vibraderm – Microdermabrasion: Proven to safely and effectively remove layers of old, discolored skin, this treatment can reduce the visibility of sun damage at its early stages.

Sciton MicroLaserPeel™:  Using an Erbium laser, this procedure is a minimum downtime laser peel that is ideal for vaporizing undesired, sun damaged skin and improving the skin’s overall texture and tone.  The MicroLaserPeel™ is ideal for the face, neck, chest, and hands.

Sciton BBL™ Photorejuvenation: Commonly referred to as photofacial, this cosmetic treatment uses BBL therapy – an advanced version of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – and is designed to reverse the signs of aging and sun damage by treating the pigmented brown spots, skin texture, and collagen structure all at once. Photorejuvenation is an ideal way to treat age spots (as well as other forms of hyper pigmentation) with no downtime, little discomfort and optimal results using a series of treatments.

NEOCUTIS® Skin Care Products: The Center offers this medical-grade skin care line that combines Processed Skin Cell Proteins or PSPs, Human Growth Factors and other ingredients with anti-aging properties that reverse visible signs of aging.