Ask the Doc



Contact Us Home Enhancement Skin Renewal Centre Services Products Ask the Doc Specials & Seminars Clinical Dermatology Associates of West Michigan Richard J. Ashack, M.D. Daniel C. Dapprich, M.D. Brian J. Gerondale, M.D. Robert J. Lamberts, M.D. John E. Miner, M.D. Karen J. Garbowitz, PA-C Kristen A. Meyer, PA-C New Patients Forms Information

			We’re always happy to answer your questions. Following are some we hear more often. For more details or answers to questions not covered, please feel free to call us at 616.575.6888. Laser Hair Removal Is laser hair removal permanent? Our lasers result in permanent hair reduction. We are covered in billions of hair follicles; each with the potential to grow hair. We cannot guarantee 100% of the hair to be gone, but you will see about an 80% - 90% permanent reduction. Any hair re-growth is significantly lighter in color and thinner. Is it painful? There are over-the-counter and prescription topical anesthetic creams that can be applied prior to treatment that will numb the skin. This may or may not be necessary depending on the area being treated and one's tolerance to this stimulus. During consultation, a test area will be treated so the patient will know what to expect. Is a consultation prior to hair removal required? Yes. During the consultation we perform a medical history and review of medication, view a short video, examine the area of unwanted hair, treat a small test patch in this area and provide an exact cost quote for treatment. What is the cost for laser hair removal? It depends on the area to be treated. Comparatively, it is has big advantages over traditional hair removal treatments such as electrolysis, pulsed light treatments, tweezing, waxing and shaving. Laser hair removal is safer, more reliable and more permanent while being less costly, time consuming and painful. What areas of the body cannot be treated by laser? None. Any area with unwanted hair can be treated. I am of ethnic descent; will this damage my skin? No. We are able to treat all skin types. back to top Mini-Lifts What is a mini-lift? A mini-lift is an innovative face lift that uses new techniques to lift the foundation supporting sagging skin. We are able to perform this progressive procedure in our office in a short amount of time, under local anesthesia. Although it is less invasive and requires less cutting, the mini-lift produces excellent results and is safer than a traditional face lift because general anesthesia is not required. How long is recovery after a mini-lift? There is very little down time, pain or bruising with the mini-lift. Some people are even able to return to their normal activities the next day, others may want to take it easy for a few days. Skin Care Products Do you advise on skin care products for my skin? Yes. Our skin care consultants are specially trained to determine the best products for your skin type and needs to obtain the most immediate, dramatic and lasting results. We have several skin care product lines that cover a wide variety of patient needs. Do I have to be a patient to purchase products? Not necessarily. We have some products that anyone can use, but most products require you to be a patient to purchase. How do I become a patient? You may treat yourself to a treatment at our center or see one of our dermatologists for treatment of skin, nail or hair conditions. Please remember that insurance does not cover cosmetic procedures and must be paid for at time of service. back to top Skin Renewal Centre Facial Treatments Will the facial treatments performed at the Skin Renewal Centre hurt or make my face red? The facial treatments are designed to progressively renew skin over time. This allows for treatments that are effective, but also comfortable and even soothing. Any redness from procedures is minor and quickly goes away. You can resume with your normal activities immediately upon leaving our office. Does a doctor perform these procedures? No, our technicians do these procedures. They are highly trained professionals who have several years of medical background. Our physicians are always available for consultation with the technicians when procedures are given. How can I get rid of red blotchy skin? We have a variety of options to treat rosacea and other factors that contribute to redness. Our Genesis laser facial is a gentle but effective treatment and our dermatologists also do more aggressive treatments with other lasers and sclerotherapy. Who is a Candidate for Procedures? Do men have procedures done? Men also take advantage of our procedures. They are especially interested in laser hair removal for various parts of the body. Many men are also using the entire spectrum of our services to regain younger skin and a full head of hair. Is there an age limit for procedures? Everyone from the high-school age person to the elderly person can benefit from many of our services. However, their reason for having the procedures done may be different. Which treatments, how many, and how frequently they have them will vary according to their goals for their skin. back to top Permanent Makeup What kind of results can I expect? Before starting the procedure, there will be a consultation where makeup will be applied to simulate the final results. Permanent makeup will give your face a fresh, enhanced look that emphasizes your features. BOTOX Does who administers BOTOX make any difference? In order to gain optimal results from your BOTOX treatment it’s important to make sure a trained physician with extensive experience performs the procedure. At Dermatology Associates, you will always have this level of expertise taking care of you. We are recognized as a national training site for BOTOX Cosmetic and actually train other physicians how to administer BOTOX. Does it hurt to have a treatment? Our physicians use very small syringes for treatments and are very experienced at this procedure. This allows for quick, precise treatment (5 – 10 minutes total) with minimal discomfort. Typically, patients say a treatment feels comparable to a mosquito sting. Will it make me expressionless? No, BOTOX that is correctly administered relaxes specific muscles that contribute to specific wrinkles. Many patients we treat for “frown lines” between the eyebrows notice people respond to them better because they no longer have a “permafrown” even when they are happy. How soon will I see results? You will start noticing a difference in about a week, but many people continue to see improvement for an additional four to six weeks. How long will it last? Most patients request a touch up every 4 – 7 months. This varies depending on the individual. back to top Wrinkle Fillers What kinds of wrinkle fillers do you use? Our options for wrinkle fillers have recently expanded to include Juvederm, Sculptra, Perlane, Radiesse, Restylane, Cosmoplast and Cosmoderm. We consult with patients to offer the most effective fillers for their specific circumstances. Fillers have different advantages such as time between touch ups and reactivity to certain skin types. Insurance Will my insurance cover a visit to your dermatologist? Dermatology Associates of West Michigan is contracted with several insurance companies, but not all. This does not mean you cannot see one of our doctors. With insurances that we are not contracted with, we require payment the time of service. You may or may not get some reimbursement from your insurance company depending on your plan and deductible agreements. Call us to find out if we are contracted with your insurance. If not, call your insurance company with coverage questions. Will my insurance cover skin enhancement treatments? No, cosmetic treatments are not covered by health insurance, the patient makes payment at the time of service. back to top Home / Enhancement / Clinical Practice / New Patients / Contact Us
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