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Cosmetic expertise at The Institute for Advanced SkinCare Effective Solutions for your unique SkinCare Concerns
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Dr Patel is an authority in the field of Advanced Skincare. She is widely known as an innovator in the philosophy of “Inner Health and Outer Beauty” which many consider to be the new frontier of Health & Beauty.
Consider this, various skin care formulas have been available for thousands of year in one form or another. We certainly agree that scientists have worked very hard to develop new products. Personally, I believe that our top-of-the-line physician prescribed skincare line, Obagi, is second to none. And technologies such as fractionated ablation using the pixel system are tremendous for the treatment of fine lines, sun damage, brown spots etc. But short of the field of gene therapy research and the identification and elimination of the gene causing your problematic oily skin, hyperpigmentation or hairiness; no other solutions are forthcoming. That is, beyond the identification that what we eat, drink and how we treat our bodies is every bit as important (and probably more) as what we put on our skin.
We are what we eat. No where else is the effect of nutrition so apparent. No where to your eye and the eye of others, than in your bodies largest organ, the skin.
Not quite sure where to begin. We have the solution to your skincare concern. Consult the Problem/Solution Table Below:
Advanced Skin Care Program
At OptimalHealthToday, we strongly believe that no two skin types are alike. Clearly, there are multiple skin types that benefit from an individualized, selective approach to each specific skincare issue. We invite you to peruse our skin care center. Learn about your skin. Most likely, you may have a combination problem, perhaps in different areas. The important thing is that we work with you to define your goals and help you achieve the look that you desire and deserve.
"Severe teenage acne left me with a lot of scarring and discoloration. Dr Patel used the Obagi skincare system and the Pixel laser to treat my condition. It took time, but my skin looks great now and I feel so good about my appearance." See Before/After Treatment Images
CAUCASIAN SKIN
Caucasian skin is the most prone to sun damage of all skin types due to the limited pigment cells found on the skin. The fairer the skin, the more likely it is to burn, and thus increasing the risk of skin cancer and wrinkles. This group can also experience more “red skin” from rosacea, dry skin, psoriasis, or other reasons. The importance of daily sunscreen can not be overemphasized in this group. To find out why over the counter sunscreens may not offer the most optimal protection from the damaging affects of the sun, please call or inquire today. We also offer many skin care programs to help prevent sun damage and wrinkles!
Caucasian skin that is more olive in complexion has the ability to tan but this does not protect the skin against early wrinkling or skin cancer. Furthermore, this group is more likely to experience hyperpigmentation from acne, facials lesions, or hormonal changes. There are many innovative and effective treatments for reversing these changes.
ASIAN SKIN
Asian skin may vary from very fair to dark olive shades, some with yellow undertones, and varies from extremely dry to exceptionally oily. Higher concentrations of pigmentation predispose you to scarring and discoloration. Although you may be shades lighter than African Americans or Latinos, you have very active pigmentation. These factors make your skin susceptible to sun damage, scarring, and discoloration.
Compared to other ethnic skin types, you have the most transparent and soft skin. This magnifies every spot and scar on your face left from pimples, sun damage, or scratching your face. This results in scars and dark spots forming quickly on your face after breakouts, sun-exposure, or even birth-control. To find out more about the special skin care regimen recommended for the treatment of these special needs, please inquire.
AFRICAN AMERICAN SKIN
African American skin is very sensitive. It discolors quickly and scars easily because of active melanin and hyper pigmentation. Because your skin is paper-thin, minor injuries will leave deep scars and major discoloration that usually appear darker than the rest of the skin. African American skin is much more sensitive to the sun’s harmful rays than most people assume. The scarring and hyperpigmentation that results can be successfully treated with innovative treatment plan developed at Shanti Medical Spa & Wellness Center. Inquire or call to see how we can reverse the damage and begin a maintenance program that prevents recurrence.
Whether you are male or female, you may suffer from recurrent ingrown hairs. Men may notice irritating unsightly razor bumps on the face or neck. This is due to coarse, curly hair which has a difficult time breaking through the skins surface. The hairs fight their way through the skin and reflect their aggravation with painful red or whitish sore bumps that appear on the skin’s surface. This process can be easily treated and recurrence prevented.
Learn more about African American Skin...
LATINO SKIN
If you are Latino, generally speaking, you have the firmest skin of any ethnicity. Your olive pigmentation can protect you from deep scarring. The high oil production, associated with firm skin, may cause many problems for your olive complexion. The sebaceous glands bring excess oil to the skin’s surface, which may result in enlarged pores, oily t-zones, blackheads, and easy scarring. The thick skin may result in dark spots from breakouts and sun exposure.
Three skin variables associated with Latino skin including hyperpigmentation, oil, and skin thickness present unique dilemmas for treatment. Skin products with a higher potency compared to those for African Americans, Asians or Caucasian skin maybe necessary. Conversely, over-drying of thick skin may cause trapped deposits of oil beneath the skin. This may produce nightmare breakouts and spotting. This cycle can be prevented by combining the right treatments and products to prevent this domino reaction. This strategy will give your skin the greatest benefits and ensure long lasting results. Learn More About Latino Skin Care
MATURE SKIN
As we age, we begin to notice more wrinkles and fine lines. In our skin, collagen and elastin fibers that provide us with the firm, youthful look begin to weaken with time. The skin begins to lose its natural fat and that causes the skin to appear looser, more laxed, and less plump. Gravity also tends to pull the skin down further, worsening the skin sag. Skin can age more rapidly due to repeated sun exposure as well as smoking.
TYPES OF DISCOLORATION
Sun Spots: stagingr or age spots (called lentigos) are a product of cumulative sun exposure. They frequently occur on areas of the face, neck, upper chest and arms.
Post Inflammatory: A darkened area that occurs after injury to skin from acne, rashes, and/or generalized skin trauma.
Freckles: These lesions are a result of the body’s natural response to sun exposure. Freckles will often fade when the causative factor is diminished or eliminated, sunscreen protection from damaging sun.
Melasma: This darkening of the skin is often caused by the female hormone, estrogen. This can be a normal occurrence in pregnancy. This skin discoloration can also be caused by estrogen containing contraception.
IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE THERAPY
Even people with apparently flawless appearing skin will develop pimples and blemishes from time to time. Maintenance therapy is essential to the long term healthy appearance of the skin. Regardless of the season, summer or winter, we are constantly battling the damaging affects of the sun upon our fragile skin barrier. Our skin continually undergoes a repairing process as a result of the damage.
You would not go to the dentist without brushing your teeth everyday in between appointments. Skin care maintenance is the same. A good skincare regimen protects the integrity of the largest organ of the human body, the skin. Get a free, no-obligation online consultation regarding your individual skincare concerns. Let our physician create a regimen that will address your unique concerns.
MEN
In our society, first appearances can have a profound affect on social and professional success of men. At the Shanti Medical Spa & Wellness Center, we have various skin care treatments and regimens suited for each individual’s personal needs. These skin care treatments can prevent, reverse and maintain the appearance that is certain to distinguish you from the crowd.
Please take time to fill out a skin care questionnaire today so that we may create a skin treatment regimen ideal for your personal needs. Don’t forget to tell us about your particular skin problems. We’re anxious to help.
BOTOX
As we grow older, our faces start to show age in the form of lines and wrinkles. Fortunately, today there are affordable and virtually painless ways to look younger without surgery. Shanti Medspa at The Institute for Advanced Skincare and Optimal Health offers the four most popular wrinkle solutions, Botox®, Restylane® and Radiesse™ and Juvederm™. Our experienced staff will help you decide which treatment is best for you. We offer free consultations in the greater Philadelphia and Mainline areas.
Everyone’s heard of Botox® – over a million people have been treated since it was approved by the FDA in 2002. Botox® Cosmetic treatment is most effective on frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead creases. It works by relaxing facial muscles that cause the brow to furrow. Our treatments can usually be done in about an hour in our comfortable spa facilities, with minimal or no discomfort. You can return to work with no recovery time! There are virtually no side effects. The results last from four to six months (individual cases may vary). Best of all, it is one of the most affordable and effective ways to smooth wrinkles that exists today.
Botox® is also a very effective non-surgical solution for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). It blocks the excess nerve impulses that trigger the unneccesary production of sweat on the hands, face, or upper body areas. Ask us about the advantages of Botox® over surgery.
Seema Patel MD, Medical Director of ShantiMedspa at the Institute for Advanced Skincare in Ardmore, PA, Philadelphia PA discusses Botox injection. She describes the indications, technique and costs of Botox injection for wrinkles and lines of movemen; ardmore; Botox; dermatologist; Philadelphia; restylane; skin tightening; wrinkles; Dr Seema Patel discusses the indications of Botox, Restylane, Juvaderm and demonstrates injection technique on client. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1079069398http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=769758512
RESTYLANE
While the name Restylane® may not be as familiar to you, it has been used to treat over 3 million people in over 70 countries. It is a completely natural substance called hyaluronic acid, a dermal filler that actually binds with water molecules. This allows it to keep its shape for up to six months. What makes Restylane® unique is their completely non animal formula, NASHA™ or Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA™ is completely compatible with human hyaluronic acid, unlike fat injections or bovine collagen injections. The treatments are virtually pain free, usually take less than an hour and you can return to work with results that appear almost immediately.
WHAT DOES RESTYLANE THERAPY DO? Restylane is a simple, non-surgical cosmetic treatment for facial lines, wrinkles, and scars. Restylane is a connective tissue, which supports our skin. It can be placed around the cheeks, mouth, and chin. It is also used to augment lips. Thousands of Americans and people across the world have had it done to enhance their beauty and maintain a more youthful appearance.
Click here to see actual photos of how you would look after Juvederm or Restylane.
DERMAL FILLERS
The newest innovation in dermal fillers is called Radiesse™ and Juvederm™. Developed with safety and longevity in mind, Radiesse™ and Juvederm™ are new generation injectable fillers that offer superior versatility for both cosmetic and reconstructive use without surgery.
The unique composition of Radiesse™ and Juvederm™ provide immediate visual improvement common with other fillers, along with the benefit of long-lasting results. This is because Radiesse™ is made of very tiny, smooth calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres. The microspheres (particles) form a scaffold through which your body’s own collagen grows, and this produces the desired long-term effect.
Call us today and Dr Patel or one of her staff will be glad to discuss which of these treatments is best suited to your needs. Look younger NOW at The Philadelphia Institute for Advanced Skincare. Click here to ask a question or to schedule a consultation.
Dr Seema Patel, Director of The Institute for Advanced Skincare and Optimal Health specializes in Advanced Skincare and Facial rejuvenation using the latest techniques in injectable therapy, laser technology and Age Management Medicine 1.877.642.2644; Dr Seema Patel of Shanti Medspa at The Institute for Advanced Skincare and Optimal Health in Philadelphia Ardmore Bryn Mawr Devon Villanova King of Prussia specializes in nonsurgical facial rejuvenation; ardmore; bala cynwyd; Botox; Bryn Mawr; dermatologist; Devon; doctor; haverford; injectable; juvederm; paoli; Philadelphia; restylane; Villanova; Dr Seema Patel at The Institute for Advanced Skincare specializes in nonsurgical advanced skincare alternatives in Bryn Mawr, King of Prussia, Villanova, Ardmore and Philadelphia. Look for the Laser 360 protocol at The Institute -nonsurgical face lif; ardmore; bryn mawr botox; dermatologist; doctor; injectable; juvederm; Medical Spa; medspa; Monarch Medspa; Philadelphia; restylane; Dr Seema Patel, leader in nonsurgical advanced skin rejuvenation at The Philadelphia Institute for Advanced Skincare-Shanti Medspa. She describes various alternatives to surgical therapy that provides the results you desire without the downtime http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1119170463http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=769758512
The OptimalHealthToday trained staff is waiting to help you solve your personal skin care concern. Click here to contact us.
CHEMICAL PEEL
WHAT IS A CHEMICAL PEEL? Chemical peel is a technique that is used to help skin become more youthful, clearer, and healthier. The technique uses concentrated sugar cane juice that has become acidic. This is applied to your skin and helps separate the old skin layer that is damaged and helps regenerate a new layer of skin that appears healthier. This is a process that requires six treatments over several months.
WHAT CAN A CHEMICAL PEEL DO? Chemical peels can treat fine lines and wrinkles. They can improve acne as well as scarring from acne and or other brown spots that might have occurred with time and sun exposure. Chemical peels can help brighten and even out your skin as well as improve the overall tone of your skin.
LASER HAIR REMOVAL
WHAT IS LASER HAIR REMOVAL? Laser hair removal is the newest technology to provide permanent hair reduction. Specific wavelengths of laser light or intense pulsed light are used to destroy hair roots. Most authorities feel this is better than any other current technology. It is faster, and it has fewer complications than other methods. Some hair loss occurs initially, but maximum hair loss may not be seen for several weeks after each treatment. In general, multiple treatments will be needed depending on the site.
LASER SKIN REJUVENATION WHAT IS SKIN REJUVENATION? Our skin is the most visible sign of our aging. As skin ages, it becomes thinner and more laxed. Collagen and elastin, the tissues that keep the skin firm, become weaker and due to gravity the skin begins to sag. Furthermore, due to a lifetime of sun exposure, superficial blemishes may become more noticeable.
The goal of skin rejuvenation is to restore skin to a more youthful look by helping reduce the appearance of aging and sun damage.
Our Laser Skin rejuvenation system includes the Pixel ablative laser with treatment depths varying from 30-200 mcn and the Fotofacial system. The common feature is minimal or no downtime. Click here to See Pixel Success Stories.
MICRODERMABRASION
WHAT IS MICRODERMABRASION? Microdermabrasion is the latest scientific method to help mechanically exfoliate your skin to stimulate the growth of healthier skin. VOGUE and ELLE have referred to it as the lunch time peel because it requires no down time and just one half hour to better looking skin.
Register to get more information and receive 10% off your first treatment. For a limited time, get a free microdermabration.
Alma Laser's New Accent Laser For Cellulite Reduction
Accent is a non-invasive, non-ablative, radiofrequency technology for cellulite reduction. Accent now has FDA approval in the United States and is becoming available for use in the US. Accent is the only system on the market to provides two types of radio frequency technology together.
Accent RF treatments can create dramatic change in the appearance of cellulite without any downtime. Dual radio frequency technology (RF2) is unique in that it provides controlled tissue heating to two separate depths of tissue. Simultaneous cooling is applied to make treatment more comfortable and protect the skin. Click here to see post treatment photos.
Accent's BiPolar RF handpiece penetrates from 2 to 6 mm into the skin, reaching both the adipose or fatty tissue and the cellulite. Heating to these tissue depths improves circulation, initiates a breakdown of fibrous tissue, promotes the re-absorption and drainage of retained fluids and toxins.
Accent provides long lasting results in just a few quick treatments, and unlike other cellulite laser technologies, progress is immediately visible after each session.
The ACCENT has been used in Europe and in other regions outside of the United States where it has shown to not only improve cellulite and reduce fat, but has also been shown to produce actual weight loss. The ACCENT also uses RF energy for body and facial contouring and skin tightening effects.
Dermatologist Dr. David Goldberg of New York City is the lead investigator of the United States FDA multi-center study for Accent. According to Dr. Goldberg, Accent has been shown in Europe to not only improve cellulite, but actual weight loss has been seen in some women. Click here to register and learn why the Accent may be the solution for you. Register now and receive 10% off your first treatment.
Shanti Medspa at The Institute for Advanced Skincare and Optimal Health
For the second consecutive year, recognized as:
Reader's Choice Best Medical Spa on the Mainline by The Mainline Times!!
Skincare blog 
Click on a specific skin type or concern to learn more:
WHAT IS SKIN REJUVENATION? Our skin is the most visible sign of our aging. As skin ages, it becomes thinner and more laxed. Collagen and elastin, the tissues that keep the skin firm, become weaker and due to gravity the skin begins to sag. Furthermore, due to a lifetime of sun exposure, superficial blemishes may become more noticeable. 
The goal of skin rejuvenation is to restore skin to a more youthful look by helping reduce the appearance of aging and sun damage.
