Dermatology & Medical Aesthetics

Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dermatology Services

Dr. Miller’s goal is to work with each patient to create an individualized and comprehensive cosmetic plan. During your cosmetic consultation, Dr. Miller learns your goals and helps to tailor treatments in a thoughtful, pressure-free, cost-effective manner. As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Miller is trained in all aspects of dermatology including a broad range of cosmetic procedures and products

Dr. Miller approaches cosmetic dermatology respectfully and always aims for natural and restorative results. Dr. Miller enjoys the process of working with a patient to help them realize their aesthetic goals and finds it extremely rewarding to take part in this complex journey. 

Benefits of Medical Esthetician Treatments

At Avante Medical Center, we are excited to offer the assistance of a medical esthetician at our practice to provide skin treatments. The skin is influenced and affected by multiple factors, including nutrition, hormones, and the environment. Patients who want to achieve a healthy, youthful glow will want to work with our team to learn about the skin treatments available at our facility. Anchorage, Alaska patients seeking medical esthetician treatments can reach out to our team today!

What does a medical esthetician do?

A medical esthetician brings both skill and expertise to their skincare services in a medical setting. They can help patients learn ways to care for their skin while performing medical treatments for diseases and skin conditions that affect their health and appearance.

What is the difference between an esthetician and a medical esthetician?

The primary difference between a traditional esthetician and a medical esthetician is the medical training needed to become a medical esthetician. They have more training than a conventional esthetician who performs skin care services. Medical estheticians can provide services for patients with more severe skin problems and perform their treatments in a medical setting. At Avante Medical Center, we are excited to offer medical estheticians for our patients to consider cosmetic or medical treatments for the skin and body.

The Science and Technology behind the treatments offered…

Thermage®

Address the visible signs of aging in minutes.

Thermage FLX uses radiofrequency technology to address the decline of collagen as we age – reducing the visible signs of aging; sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles. This treatment can smooth, tighten and contour skin for an overall younger-looking appearance. It is non-invasive, has no needles or surgery, has little to no downtime and may be applied to multiple treatment areas – face, eyes and on the body.

The Thermage® system is a non-invasive radiofrequency (RF) therapy that can help smooth, tighten and contour skin for an overall younger-looking appearance.

Thermage®

Results that Make a Difference

Photos have not been retouched. Individual results may vary.

Face Treatment

Softened lines around mouth, eyes, forehead; improved definition of the jawline, and under the chin

Face Treatment – before and after images

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Body Treatment

Improved contours and appearance of crepey skin; smoother skin on the abdomen and legs.

Body Treatment – before and after images

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Eye Treatment

Reduced wrinkles and decreased “hooding” for a more awakened look.

Eye Treatments – before and after images

How Thermage® Works

As we age, the collagen that keeps our skin firm breaks down,

resulting in sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles.

Thermage FLX uses radiofrequency technology to heat the deep,

collagen rich layers of the skin, while the tip vibrates and cools

the surface to help aid in patient comfort.

The applied heat separates the water molecules from the

fibrous collagen, causing an immediate contraction,

resulting in skin tightening.

Over the next few months, the secondary healing response

continues as collagen is deposited and remodelled.

The new collagen growth tightens the skin further over time.

For smoother, tighter skin after just one treatment, with

continued improvement for up to six months.

Fraxel®

A noticeably younger look without surgery

Fraxel® treatment improves tone, texture and radiance for aging, sun-damaged or scarred skin.

Fraxel® is for people who want to look younger without dramatic changes or extended downtime.

Fraxel® laser treatments target aging and sun-damaged skin with microscopic laser columns that penetrate deep into your skin to expedite your body’s remodelling of collagen. And since the laser only treats a fraction of tissue at a time, it leaves the surrounding tissue intact, which promotes very rapid healing. Fraxel® treatment resurfaces your skin by stimulating the growth of new, healthy skin cells from the inside out.

Fraxel®

Results that Make a Difference

Photos have not been retouched. Individual results may vary.

Fraxel® treats wrinkles, age spots, sun spots, melasma, actinic keratosis, skin resurfacing and scars.

Fraxel® Treatments – before and after images

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

DEKA Dot CO2 laser

The innovative design of the DEKA DOT Fractional CO2 Laser System takes fractional CO2 resurfacing to the next level. DEKA DOT Fractional CO2 Laser optimizes traditional CO2 treatments by producing MicroAblative Columns (MACs) of injury to the tissue while preserving untreated skin between these spots. This promotes collagen remodeling while providing rapid healing and patient comfort.  This is a full skin resurfacing procedure that can make a patient look 5-10 years younger without a surgical facelift.

How DEKA Dot CO2 Works

DEKA Dot CO2 Laser – before and after images

CO2 Laser Treatments

CO2 Laser Treatments – before and after images

What is PRP?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is concentrated blood plasma that contains approximately five times the number of platelets found in normal circulating blood. In addition, it has platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF), and other bioactive proteins that aid in wound healing and possibly hair growth.

Growth factors in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been used to facilitate wound healing. Recently, studies have suggested that PRP may also serve as a safe and effective treatment option for male and female pattern hair loss.

Human blood is comprised primarily of red blood cells (RBC), as well as white blood cells (WBC), platelets, and plasma. By initiating the first step of coagulation, platelets are the key to the body’s ability to heal wounds. It is thought that by increasing the platelet count in a wounded area, the body’s healing to that area would be accelerated – explaining the use of PRP in wound healing. Its effects on promoting hair growth make it useful for the medical treatment of hair loss.

If PRP hair growth therapy is appropriate, we can begin your treatment at the time of your consultation. We will administer the next two treatments at 6-week intervals. You will be asked to return three months later. Your response will be assessed at this visit (6 months from your first treatment). If you show improvement, follow-up treatments will be given twice yearly, depending upon your progress.

The treatments take about a half-hour to 45 minutes. For some patients, the injections may be uncomfortable. For those patients, we offer local anesthesia before the injections, which helps to reduce the discomfort. Patients are monitored photographically to assess the benefits of therapy. We will modify your treatment schedule based on your individual response to therapy. Dr Miller knows when PRP for hair growth is appropriate and has the skill to inject the proper quantity of PRP at just the right depth to achieve the desired result — a skill that cannot be overstated.

PRP for Hair Growth

The Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) commonly used in hair restoration is “autologous,” meaning that it is derived from the patient’s own blood. To obtain PRP, a patient’s blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate the solid from liquid components, and platelet activators, such as thrombin, calcium chloride, and sometimes collagen, are added. The separated “solid” portion of the blood is PRP (platelet-rich plasma).

PRP is then placed into a syringe and reintroduced into the treatment site, i.e., either the surgical site or an area of hair loss. PRP can be sprayed onto a recipient area during and after a hair transplant, laid into the donor incision, or injected directly into a balding scalp. Before injecting PRP, doctors often create a ring-block of local anesthesia with 1% lidocaine.

When used to stimulate hair growth, most doctors schedule injections at intervals of 1 to 9 months. Some improvement (in reversing miniaturization) can be expected in the first 2-6 months. The treatments must be continued periodically to maintain any progress.

Mechanism of Action

For the medical treatment of hair loss, practitioners use PRP to stimulate the growth of follicles, thereby reversing the hair miniaturization seen in androgenetic alopecia (common baldness).

It is conjectured that the introduction of platelets and white blood cells through platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can amplify the body’s naturally occurring wound healing mechanism. It is also proposed that PRP can actually stimulate the stem cells (dermal papilla) of the newly transplanted hair follicles.

What are the Indications for PRP for Hair Growth?

PRP is used in many areas of medicine, including the acceleration of healing of tendon injuries, the treatment of osteoarthritis, in some aspects of dental work (i.e., jaw reconstruction), and cardiovascular medicine. The concentrated form of plasma has been shown to accelerate wound healing and tissue repair and, thus, could potentially benefit hair restoration procedures.

In the medical treatment of male and female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), PRP can be injected into the balding scalp to potentially stimulate thin (miniaturized) hair to grow into thicker (terminal) hairs. Patients with thinning, but not totally bald, areas would be the best candidates.

Hair Growth Treatments

Dr. Miller will evaluate you personally and design a treatment program specifically for your type of hair loss.

FOR WOMEN

Minoxidil (2% and 5%) is the only FDA-approved medication for women. Other treatment options for women include:

• Aldactone/spironolactone.
• Estrogen/progesterone.
• Oral contraceptives (caution in women older than 35 years).
• Ketoconazole 2% shampoo.
• Finasteride (contraindicated in women of childbearing age).
• Low-level Laser Light Therapy.
• Nonsurgical hair restoration with PRP.
• Topical hair products.
• Topical growth factors.
• Nutrafol Women’s – daily hair growth supplement is made for women 18-44 with a plant-based lifestyle who are experiencing signs of hair thinning. Physician-formulated with 100% vegan ingredients to target root causes of thinning such as stress, nutrition, and metabolism. This formula results in faster-growing, visibly thicker, stronger hair and is an effortless addition to your daily wellness routine. Targets 6 key root causes of hair health in women: Hormones, Stress, Lifestyle, Metabolism, Nutrition, Aging.
• Nutrafol Balance – daily hair growth supplement designed for women 45+ experiencing hair thinning. Nutrafol uses science-backed ingredients to target root causes of thinning, such as: hormones, aging, and metabolism. Physician-formulated, award-winning formula results in visibly thicker, fuller, stronger hair for women through and beyond menopause.

FOR MEN

Treatment options for Male Pattern Hair Loss include minoxidil 5%, finasteride, ketoconazole 2% shampoo, low-level laser light therapy, nonsurgical hair restoration with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), PRP and ACell, topical hair products (i.e., Qilib or Revivogen), and topical growth factors.

Summary

PRP for hair growth is a relatively new treatment with a limited number of scientific studies to show its efficacy. The long-term benefits of PRP treatments for hair growth are not yet known. All patients receiving PRP treatments at Miller Dermatology are followed closely to determine the effectiveness and if other therapeutic modalities may be needed.

PRP Platelet Hair Growth Treatment – before and after images

CoolSculpting®

The CoolSculpting® procedure is FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in the submental (under the chin) and submandibular (under the jawline) areas, thigh, abdomen and flank, along with bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks (also known as banana roll) and upper arm. It is also FDA-cleared to affect the appearance of lax tissue with submental area treatments. The CoolSculpting® procedure is not a treatment for weight loss.

Red Carpet Peel Facial

The Red Carpet Peel uses medical grade ingredients and potent skin brighteners, that will deliver more visible results than a traditional facial. It is a great option for someone looking for a luminous glow without the down time. A consultation with either our Dermatologist or Medical Esthetician will determine if you are suitable candidate.

Lash and Brow Dye

A low maintenance way to make brows and lashes look fuller and longer. This convenient and non-intrusive treatment lasts four to six weeks, depending on the individual. It is most valuable to those who are looking to darken their eyebrows or lashes, particularly those with blond or grey hairs. Consult with our Medical Esthetician if this sounds like a treatment you are interested in.

Preventative Skin Checks – Skin Cancer Screenings

A thorough skin exam by a board-certified dermatologist is your best line of defense in detecting cancer before it spreads or becomes more difficult to treat. During this appointment, Dr. Miller will examine your skin surface head-to-toe and discuss any abnormalities she sees. Oftentimes, when an abnormality is discovered, Dr. Miller will numb the area, remove the skin tissue, and send for a biopsy to rule out the presence of cancerous cells.

Everyone should perform regular skin self-exams to detect skin cancer early when it’s most treatable. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone learn the ABCDEs of melanoma:

Make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist if you notice new or suspicious spots on your skin, or anything changing, itching, or bleeding. You should also get regular skin checks if you have a family history of skin cancer.

Contact our advanced esthetician today!

If you reside in Anchorage, AK, and are interested in learning more about the benefits of working with a medical esthetician, call the office today to make an appointment. You can reach Avante Medical Center by calling 907 770-6700 and visiting the office at 915 W. Northern Lights Boulevard.