Urban Allure Blog - Learn More About Our Services!

Cosmetic Injections: Fast and Effective Wrinkle Treatments

Wrinkles may afflict everyone to some extent during aging. However, you may not feel comfortable with the wrinkles on your face. With our cosmetic injections, you can experience relief from these irritating wrinkles and rediscover your smooth, youthful skin without surgery. Here at Urban Allure, we are proud to offer BOTOX® Cosmetic, a purified protein solution, and JUVEDERM® XC, a dermal filler. We will be happy to help you decide which injectable option is the right one for you.

Treatments for Dynamic Lines

We begin with a complete consultation so that we can determine your aesthetic vision and intent. This will help us decide which cosmetic injections are best for you. If you are dealing mainly with expression lines, we may focus on BOTOX® Cosmetic as the most ideal solution. BOTOX® Cosmetic works by blocking nerve signals in the muscles treated. When the nerves can no longer communicate with the muscle, the muscle cannot contract. This prevents your skin from wrinkling over the muscle whenever you make facial expressions. You may need to receive these cosmetic injections about every four months to maintain the best results.

Treatments for Static Wrinkles

Static lines and wrinkles remain in your skin even when your face is at rest. In such cases, you may need to provide more volume to the area by way of a dermal filler such as JUVEDERM® XC. Dermal fillers are a smooth, crystal-clear gel used to fill in deeper wrinkles. They can also be used to make the lips appear larger, smooth out parentheses lines, and lift the cheeks. The chief ingredient in JUVEDERM® XC is hyaluronic acid, a natural substance in the body which attracts moisture. This filler can last from one to two years depending on the type and the location of the treatment.

When you visit our office for cosmetic injections, you will know that you are getting the safest treatments and the most effective options for your specific needs. We start with a thorough assessment of your skin needs as well as a complete discussion with you about your aesthetic goals. As we work together, we can help you get the smooth, youthful skin you want. For more information, reach out to make an appointment with Urban Allure! Our office is conveniently located in beautiful San Francisco. Contact us today to set up your consultation!

IPL: Your One-Stop Shop for Facial Rejuvenation

As we age, our skin begins to show the changes. Many mature individuals begin to notice telltale aging symptoms on their exposed and more delicate facial skin earlier than in other areas of the body. Sun damage is a major cause of older-looking skin. The harmful UV rays of the sun can cause a multitude of skin issues that includes the development of fine lines, wrinkles, deep creases, and undesirable pigment changes. Red and raised angiomas are common in older skin, as are age spots that can be seen on the face, arms, hands, chest and other frequently exposed to the sun areas. IPL skin treatments can help to repair these damages, restore the health of your skin, and contribute to overall facial rejuvenation.

Do Facial Rejuvenation Skin Treatments Work?

There are some innovative facial rejuvenating treatments that can halt these signs of the aging process and even reverse them in many instances. Skin experts recommend several phenomenal skin treatments like the novel IPL treatment that can dramatically improve the appearance, texture and condition of the treated skin areas fast. IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light therapy, and it is amazingly effective on more mature skin. This remarkable skin procedure is safe, non-invasive and doesn’t require downtime. Several treatment sessions are recommended to achieve the best results.

Treatment for Premature and Natural Aging Skin

This impressive treatment can reduce those bothersome fine lines, wrinkles, and increased pigmentation spots seen quite commonly on aging skin. The procedure can help repair sun-damaged skin and is helpful in lessening old acne scars and broken capillaries. The results can be truly astonishing. Individuals that get this revolutionary skin treatment are awed by how much younger their skin looks and feels following the treatment sessions. The process can soften and smooth out those problem skin areas noticeably evident on the facial skin regions that are constantly exposed to weather and other environmental conditions.

There is no need to give up on regaining gorgeous and healthy skin. Many individuals desiring more youthful skin have taken advantage of our IPL treatment for skin. This is your new one-stop shopping destination for facial rejuvenation and finer spa skincare products. For more information, get in touch with Urban Allure in San Francisco and schedule your consultation! Our highly skilled team of specialists will perform an in-depth skin analysis to formulate each patient’s best recommended home skincare routines and customized skincare luxurious products. Contact us to book your appointment today!

BOTOX Injections: How Do They Work?

BOTOX® injections are the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic treatments on earth. In 2017, more than 7 million people received BOTOX® injections in the United States alone. But what are BOTOX® injections for, and how do they work?

How Does it Work?

The treatment works in ways that are different from dermal fillers, chemical peels, or dermabrasion. When it is injected beneath the client’s skin, it disrupt the actions of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that sends messages back and forth between the nerve cells, or neurons. In this case, acetylcholine sends messages to the nerves that control muscles. When it is interrupted, the targeted muscle relaxes. The effect is that the wrinkle that’s right above it smooths out.

Before the Treatment

Good candidates are in good mental and physical health, are non-smokers and are not allergic to BOTOX®. One reason for BOTOX®’s popularity is that it’s an outpatient procedure. It is done in the practitioner’s office, and the client can leave right after a session which only lasts about 10 minutes.

The aesthetician may mark the areas they will inject before the treatment begins. During the session the aesthetician may ask the client to smile, frown, raise their eyebrows or make other facial movements. All of this helps the aesthetician find the best muscles to inject.

The client should see improvement in their wrinkles and lines as early as a week after the treatment. The improvements should last about three months, and the good news is that they can return for touch-ups.

If you are interested in learning more about this treatment, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, contact Urban Allure today! We are conveniently located in San Francisco, CA.

Some of Our Favorite Treatments

There are various skin treatments and other services available at our office that are extremely popular with clients, and if you have never visited our facility before, then you might want to consider scheduling an appointment.

Hair Removal

If you have excess hair on your body or face, then we have skilled professionals who can remove the hair with laser treatments. Laser treatments will help to destroy the hair follicles in a safe and effective way. With this service, you are less likely to have the skin irritation that is caused by shaving or plucking.

Chemical Peels

When you have aging or acne-related issues or dry skin on your face, you can undergo a professional treatment for your facial skin at our office. We can analyze your facial skin to determine what type of service is appropriate to improve the condition of the skin.

We can explain the different types of chemical peels that you can have applied to your face to eliminate acne, fine lines or wrinkles. This is a non-invasive treatment that only requires a simple visit to our office.

Dermal Filler Injections

If you have wrinkles along the corners of your mouth or next to the eyes, then you can request dermal filler injections at our office. This type of treatment involves using injections of a special substance into the wrinkles or fine lines of your face. The effects from a dermal filler procedure can help you to look more youthful for months or longer, depending on the situation.

Make an appointment at Urban Allure to learn more about all of the treatments we offer. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our office, located in San Francisco. We look forward to speaking with you!

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) FAQs

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), intense pulsed light is a non-laser, high-intensity light that is used for various medical and cosmetic practices such as hair removal, alleviation of acne, photorejuvenation, etc.

What is the the difference between IPL and laser treatments?

Intense pulsed light and laser treatments work in a similar principle and have evolved significantly in the last two decades. In both technologies, light is absorbed in high pigmented areas such as dark spots, hair follicles, etc. However, the main difference between the techniques is the type of light involved. Intense pulsed light utilizes a broader spectrum wavelength to target a wider area of elements. On the other hand, laser treatment involves a single direct wavelength of light that targets specific areas.

What to expect during and after the procedure?

Intense pulsed light is performed anywhere on the body to achieve the desired results. First, the skin care specialist will clean the targeted area and apply a gel. The light pulses will then be applied using a hand-held device.

It may take between 20 to 30 minutes depending on the part of the body involved. For maximum results, hair removal may require between 6 to 12 treatments that should be spaced to allow healing.

What Conditions Can IPL Treatments Address?

Below are some of the conditions that can be treated using intense pulsed light technologies.

Sun and age spots
Moles
Lesion
Rosacea
Hair removal
Varicose veins
Freckles

Who is eligible for IPL Treatments?

IPL treatment for skin condition is mainly preferred for individuals with light skin types. Patients with darker or tanned skin types may are advised not to procure the therapy due to too much melanin. Also, those who are on medication that is sensitive to light should also avoid IPL treatment. Consult with your specialist to ascertain whether you qualify for the procedure.

To schedule a consultation, call or visit us at Urban Allure today! We are located in San Francisco, CA.

Learn How Dermalinfusion May be Right For You

Beautiful skin is highly important if you want to look your best at all times. Unfortunately, not everyone is born with great skin. Some people just have naturally oily or dry skin. This imperfect skin will also likely lead to blemishes, wrinkles or acne forming on the skin at some point. If you are one of the people dealing with these unsightly skin conditions on a daily basis, then all of your problems can easily be fixed by undergoing the Dermalinfusion skin resurfacing treatment at Urban Allure.

How It Works

Dermalinfusion works to restore the appearance of the skin by exfoliating the outer layers of the skin while also infusing a unique serum deep into your pores. All of this is done with the special handheld treatment device. The exfoliation process will remove all of the dead cells from the top layer of your skin. The serum will enhance the skin because it is infused with essential vitamins and antioxidants. The serum is custom made for every patient to handle your exact skin issues. This make Dermalinfusion an extremely versatile procedure that can help repair several different skin issues.

One of our medical professionals will thoroughly cleanse your skin shortly after you arrive for your Dermalinfusion treatment. The handheld device is then applied directly to the skin. It will use suction to exfoliate and remove the dead skin cells on the problematic areas of your face. The treatment device then infuses the custom serum into the skin. The entire procedure should only take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete for most patients.

What Happens After the Treatment

The treated areas of your skin may be red shortly after the procedure is finished, but it will return to normal after a few hours. The skin will look smoother and healthier once the redness disappears. There are no other side effects associated with this skin resurfacing treatment. This means that you can immediately go back to your normal life after leaving the treatment facility. It is best to avoid applying makeup for one day.

While you will notice positive results immediately after undergoing one Dermalinfusion treatment, multiple treatment sessions are needed to completely transform your skin. A series of three to six treatments will be recommended for most patients. The exact number will be determined based on the overall condition of your skin. These treatment sessions must be held two to four weeks apart. Once you finish the treatment plan, you will have the beautiful skin you always wished about having.

Contact Urban Allure today to schedule your consultation! We are conveniently located in San Francisco, CA.

The Rising Popularity of Laser Hair Removal

Getting rid of unwanted body hair is a problem that all people are presented with at some point in life. You could be a woman plagued with the problem of hair growth on your upper lip or chin. You could be a man with so much back hair that you hate taking your shirt off. You could even be a man or woman who likes to get rid of armpit hair to help control the amount of body odor you produce when you sweat. Whoever you are, unwanted body hair is a problem that leads countless people to shave, wax and employ chemical-based products to eliminate it. But, try as you might, the hair always seems to come back. The more you strip this hair from your body, the more the vicious cycle of regrowth continues. For more than two decades, people like you have been turning to a process known as laser hair removal to help them mitigate this common issue that virtually everyone faces.

This procedure has been so successful in removing body hair and keeping it off that the popularity of laser hair removal has steadily increased. The following are a few reasons why this cosmetic laser procedure is one of the most commonly requested laser procedures of our modern age.

You Will Save Time

Over the course of a lifetime, removing hair the old-fashioned way will rob you of countless hours that you would rather be spending doing other things. Before laser hair removal, eliminating unwanted body hair was an inconvenience that required regular upkeep. Often this meant that you would need to get up earlier in the morning to make sure that facial hair or hairy legs, for example, did not keep you from looking presentable throughout your daily routine.

After you start getting good results with laser hair removal, you may find that you can sleep in a little longer with your hair removal needs already taken care of in advance. Since laser hair removal impairs the hair follicles in your skin with photon energy from the laser, you will find that your hair will grow back thinner as more of these hair follicles are impaired. After more laser treatments, you will start to notice that hair grows back less frequently too. For so many people who now enjoy the exciting benefits of laser hair removal treatments, the need to deal with unwanted body hair is eventually reduced to a couple maintenance laser treatments each year to keep all that unwanted body hair regrowth at bay.

Great Results

If you are a professional, then you know how embarrassing it can be to have to go to work with razor inflicted scrapes, nicks and cuts on your face or legs. Alternatively, you might be trying to get the best-looking bikini line possible without those little bumps that are so annoying. With laser hair removal, what you get is silky-smooth, hair-free, flawless skin every time. With consistent results like that, is it any wonder why people everywhere are shelving their outdated hair removal products and heading out to get laser hair removal done instead?

If you are ready to join them, contact us today at Urban Allure and schedule your consultation in San Francisco, CA.

What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)?

Light therapy is a relatively new form of treatment for skin rejuvenation. It’s a little similar to laser resurfacing, but there’s one big difference. Intense pulsed light, or IPL, doesn’t actually employ the use of a laser. The instrument used emits pulses of broadband light, and our experts calibrates the instrument to deliver just the right combination of wavelengths. This light energy doesn’t affect the epidermis. Instead, it targets darker tissues that lie beneath. The treatment is effective for improving the appearance of fine wrinkles, age spots, freckles, scarring, and other blemishes.

Because the treatment is considered minimally invasive, it has become quite popular over the past decade. The treatment is gentler than laser resurfacing, and there’s no downtime afterwards. Although several IPL treatment sessions are required in order to achieve the desired results, our clients certainly don’t complain. The results can be quite long-lasting.

How Broadband Light Affects Skin Tissue
As stated above, IPL therapy doesn’t involve removal of the epidermis. The idea is to leave the outer skin layer intact and instead focus on darker, pigmented areas of skin that show up as age spots, injury scars, and other forms of blemishes.

Most of the IPL devices in use today deliver pixilated beams of light. The beam is broken up into a multitude of thin shafts. As they leave the device, these streams of light interact with each other. The interference pattern that develops is within a specific range of the visible spectrum.

Why is this important? A certain combination of frequencies will result in a beam of energy that passes right through the epidermal layer. Only darker cells with pigment, also known as chromophores, absorb the energy. That’s exactly what the dermatologist wants, because heating up these tissues causes damage. The body will discard these damaged, darkened tissues in favor of new cell growth and development. Capillaries also absorb the light energy, and they constrict. This results in a lighter, more evenly toned skin layer.

During the Treatment
We outline the entire procedure during a consultation so that you won’t be in for any surprises. We protect the eyes from stray light beams by covering them with shades. The pulses from the IPL device are rapid in succession, and each pulse lasts for only about two milliseconds. After several pulses, we move the device to the next area of concern.

An entire region of the face can be treated in a relatively short amount of time. There’s no downtime after the first treatment, and follow-up treatments can be scheduled after consulting with our team of professionals.

Advantages and Benefits
Unlike traditional laser resurfacing, IPL doesn’t heat up and destroy any of the epidermal layer. This makes it suitable for all skin types. The instrument can be carefully calibrated to deliver light energy that passes through even the darkest of skin.

Get more information about how IPL treatments can improve your overall appearance. Contact Urban Allure, located conveniently in San Francisco, CA, to schedule your consultation today!

Why Use Medical-Grade Skin Care Products?

Medical-grade skin care products, also known as “cosmeceuticals,” contain prescription-strength ingredients. They provide countless benefits to what you’ll find over-the-counter at drug stores or even fancy department store counters. If you’re not familiar with this type of product, you may wonder if it’s worth the investment. Read below to discover why you should use medical-grade skin care products before making your decision.

FDA Approved

Any type of product that is designated as “medical grade” must pass the scrutiny of the FDA through double-bind and controlled trials. These products can’t be marketed without first being proven safe and effective. Over-the-counter products, on the other hand, are self-regulated by the cosmetics industry. There’s no consistent standard in place for their production.

Stronger Active Ingredients

The active ingredients in medical-grade products can be stronger than those sold over the counter because they are prescribed and monitored by a medical professional. These products contain higher levels of such ingredients as antioxidants, retinols, and peptides. Because of their clinical nature and strength, these skincare lines tend to provide more noticeable results than their counterparts sold in stores. Medical-grade skin care products can penetrate into the skin’s deeper layers, actually affecting the biological structure. This cannot always be said of over-the-counter brands.

Medical Recommendation

Because you must obtain these products from a medical professional, you receive customized advice regarding the regimen that’s right for you. Our professionals will examine your skin and recommend products that are suited to your skin’s type, tone and needs. This assessment is based on an in-depth knowledge of product lines. You can anticipate positive results from a product that is recommended specifically for you.

Better Value

Medical-grade products are able to better and more effectively penetrate the skin. Therefore, it usually takes less actual product to achieve the results you desire. You’ll get more uses out of a jar of medical-grade cream than one you buy over-the-counter, and that’s simply a better value. Also, you’ll save money by receiving a product that’s specifically suited to your needs, rather than experimenting with several different kinds, hoping to find one that works.

Preventive Care

By investing in professional products now, you’ll be taking much better care of your skin. In fact, you may be saving yourself further issues down the line, including expensive and time-consuming cosmetic procedures such as skin resurfacing or anti-aging treatments. Medical-grade skin care products can give you the anti-aging benefits and protection you need now to save you hassle later.

These are some of the top benefits of medical-grade skin care products. If you want to learn more about the products offered by Urban Allure, contact our office today to schedule a consultation!

Enjoying the Results of Facial Exfoliation

Facial exfoliation involves removing dead skin cells from the facial skin’s surface. Many people have included this important practice in their skin care regimen because they understand its importance. You can also enjoy exfoliating your skin regularly with professional treatments at Urban Allure in San Francisco, CA. Facial exfoliation provides the following benefits:

Prevents Breakouts

Clogged pores often trap bacteria that can be harmful to the skin. These bacteria can cause painful blemishes and other forms of skin inflammation. If you notice inflammation on your face, you should consider exfoliation. Facial exfoliation will help you eliminate oil and dirt from pores, preventing acne and breakouts.

Improves Texture

Our skin can feel rough or dry sometimes. To revive dry, dull skin, you’ll want to remove dead skin cells. Exfoliation will make your face smoother and more beautiful.

Hides Wrinkles

As you grow older, wrinkles may form on your face. Although you can hide wrinkles with makeup, you’d have to go through a lot of trouble to do so. You also must apply makeup on your face perfectly to avoid magnifying your facial wrinkles. Removing dead cells from your face will help make the wrinkles less obvious.

Resolves Pigmentation

Pigmentation refers to dark patches occurring on the skin. It’s often caused by hormonal changes, aging, and pregnancy. Getting rid of dark patches can help to enhance your appearance. Facial exfoliation breaks up pigmented cells, allowing them to fade. Moreover, it helps the skin to produce healthier cells.

Boosts the Effectiveness of Skin Care Products

Anti-aging creams, moisturizers, and spot treatments are less effective on dull, flaky skin. Facial exfoliation gets rid of debris that builds up on the surface of the skin over time, leaving a smooth, clean surface, which is more receptive to skin care products.

Getting Started with Facial Exfoliation

Whether you need facial exfoliation, infusion, and/or extraction, consider talking to the pros at Urban Allure in San Francisco, CA. Contact us today to book a consultation and learn more about your treatment options.