How does the Aurora get rid of my hair?
The Aurora uses gentle light and electric energies to damage the hair follicle. This disables the follicle from growing hair, which means that gradually over several treatments, there is a permanent reduction in the amount of hair in that area.

Is treatment with the Aurora safe?
Treatment is very safe for the skin. There are many advances in the Aurora technology that make it one of the safest hair removal systems available for all skin colors. There are no long-term health hazards from light or electric energies used in the Aurora. Both have been used for decades in medicine, surgery, and aesthetics.

What kind of results can I expect from Aurora treatment?
Each Aurora treatment will result in less hair coming back, as well as hair growing progressively lighter in color, finer, and slower growing with each treatment. It takes more than 1 treatment to affect all the follicles growing in an area. Most people achieve satisfactory clearance after 4-8 treatments, but individual results vary depending on medical and genetic factors. Lighter colored hair may require more treatments than darker colored hair.

How frequently do I need treatments?
The treatments are usually performed every 6-8 weeks, but this depends on individual factors that your Aurora clinician will discuss with you during consultation.

Does the treatment hurt?
The sensation is often described as "hot pinch", or "snapping" feeling. The sensation only lasts for fraction of a second, and you may feel warmth or a tingling sensation for a short time afterward. Most people tolerate treatment without any topical anesthetic cream, which may be used to numb the skin from feeling sensation for very sensitive individuals.

What happens after each treatment?
Temporary pinkness in the skin lasts a very short time, and most people return to work or normal activities immediately after treatment. The treated area will "shed" some hairs over the next 3-4 weeks, and you may experience a period of hairlessness in the area while you wait for your next treatment.

Who should get Aurora treatment for Hair Removal?
Anyone who wants a solution to shaving, waxing, plucking, or electrolysis. There are a few medical conditions that contraindicate people from treatment, which will be discussed with your Aurora clinician during consultation.

How does the Aurora or Polaris rejuvenate my skin?
The Aurora and/or the Polaris uses gentle light and electric energies to restore skin to a more youthful state. Brown spots (pigmented imperfections) from sun damage and aging, red blotchiness from spider vessels or rosacea (vascular imperfections), and rough skin texture will improve over a treatment series.

Is treatment with the Aurora or the Polaris safe?
Treatment is very safe for the skin. There are many advances in the Aurora and Polaris technology that make it unparalleled for skin safety, without compromising effectiveness for treatment. There are no long-term health hazards from light or electric energies used in the Aurora or Polaris. Both technologies have been used for decades in medicine, surgery, and aesthetics without adversity

What kind of results can I expect from Aurora treatment?
Each Aurora treatment will result in gradual lightening and improvement of pigmented and vascular imperfections. Textural improvements are appreciated towards the end of the treatment series

How frequently do I need treatments?
Treatments are generally repeated every month for a total of 5 treatments.

Does the treatment hurt?
The sensation is often described as "hot pinch", or "snapping" feeling. The sensation only lasts for fraction of a second, and you may feel warmth or a tingling sensation for a short time afterward. Most people tolerate treatment without topical anesthetic, but individuals who are more sensitive may prefer to have the skin numbed before treatment.

What happens after each treatment?
Temporary pinkness in the skin lasts a very short time, and most people return to work or normal activities immediately after treatment. The improvement in pigmented and vascular irregularities can often be appreciated by the time you return for your next treatment a month later. Brown spots may temporarily appear darker before they lighten.

Who should get Aurora or Polaris treatments for Skin Rejuvenation?
Anyone who wants to improve the signs of sun damage and aging in the skin, such as pigmented and vascular irregularities, uneven or rough skin texture. Skin rejuvenation can be done on face, neck, chest, hands and arms. Discuss your candidacy for this treatment with your Aurora or Polaris clinician.

What are Spider and Varicose Veins?
Spider veins are formed by the dilation of a small group of blood vessels located close to the surface of the skin. Although they can appear anywhere on the body, spider veins are more commonly found on the face and legs. They usually pose no health hazard but may produce a dull aching in the legs after prolonged standing. Varicose veins are abnormally swollen or enlarged blood vessels caused by a weakening in the vein's wall.

Who Develops Spider and Varicose Veins?
The exact cause of spider and varicose veins is unknown, although heredity, pregnancy and hormonal changes are believed to be factors contributing to both conditions. More than 20 percent of women have some form of abnormal veins. Four times more women than men have varicose veins.

What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is relatively inexpensive, leaves no scars, and can be performed on an outpatient basis. A specially developed chemical solution is injected with a very small needle into the spider or varicose vein. The solution washes over the tiny cells, which line the inner wall of the blood vessel. The solution dries out the cells, causing them to shrink and leaving them unable to carry blood. Eventually, the blood vessels disappear by a natural cleaning of the body. The work of carrying the blood is shifted to other healthy blood vessels nearby, consequently improving circulation. Sclerotherapy requires multiple sessions with the sclerotherapist. One to three injections are usually required to effectively treat any vein, multiple veins may be treated in one session. The same area should not be injected for four to six weeks to allow for complete healing, although other areas may undergo treatment during this time. When spider veins are interconnected, injection into one site may fade the entire network. Otherwise, individual treatments are necessary. Post-treatment therapy includes wearing support hose for two days to two weeks following treatment. Walking and moderate exercise can also help speed recovery. The treated blood vessels disappear over a period of several weeks. Although sclerotherapy works for existing spider veins, it does not prevent new ones from developing.

Are there any side effects following treatment?
Side effects are usually minimal and generally disappear after one week to six months. Temporary reactions can include a slight swelling of the leg or foot, minor bruising, itching, redness and moderate soreness.

Acne can almost be regarded as a normal part of growing up, as it affects seven out of ten teenagers. Easily recognized, acne is made up of a number of different types of spots, which usually occur on oily skin. These are: inflamed spots (papules) some of which develop yellow heads and blackheads which occur in profusion, along with deep tender lumps, known as nodules and cysts. Acne blemishes occur at the base of the skin's hair follicles, at the pore through which the follicle leaves the skin's surface. During puberty, increased production of sebum by the oil producing glands in the skin provides an excellent growth medium for certain bacteria. As a result of the increased production of sebum, superficial dead skin cells don't brush off the skin's surface, but tend to stick together and block the skin's pores. Excess sebum is therefore blocked into the pores and unable to escape which allows the bacteria to grow, resulting in inflammation, and eventually in papules and possibly cysts.

Healthy Skin - things that help and some that don't.

An Effective Skincare Routine Helps Maintain Healthy Skin.
(i) Cleansing is an essential part of a daily skincare routine. By cleansing, we remove dirt and grime and excess oil from the surface of the skin. Cleansing allows the skin to function properly and prepares it for further skin care products.
(ii) Toning (conditioning) is vital, because it removes all traces of cleanser and also helps by tightening the skin's pores, leaving it clean and fresh ready for moisturizing.
(iii) Moisturizing, especially with a non-oily non-comedogenic moisturizer, nourishes the skin and protects it from the damaging affects of the sun and environment.
(iv) Exfoliating - The skin renews itself every 28 days. Therefore, it is necessary to exfoliate once weekly, to remove dead skin cells and in this way prevent the blockage of the skin's pores, which causes blemishes.
(v) Deep-down cleansing can be achieved by using a medicated masque once weekly. This will dislodge impurities, which dull the skin's appearance, and will improve the skin's texture.

* Blemishes should not be squeezed or picked as this can lead to inflammation and scars.
* Fresh air and exercise can have a beneficial affect on acne-prone skin since exposure to sunlight can be helpful and improved circulation from exercising helps eliminate toxins from the system.
* A healthy diet, rich in vitamins essential for healthy skin, is a positive way to improve your chances of a glowing, blemish-free complexion.
* Lots of water helps eliminate toxins from the system and helps to hydrate the skin. It is recommended that one should drink 8-10 glasses of water each day.
* Alcohol, cigarettes and too much tea and coffee should be avoided in order to improve the skin's appearance, and decrease the risk of blocked pores and tired looking skin.

Acne-Aid Products
Boise Image Enhancement Centre carries a full line of products for acne-prone skin.

Antiseptics - The single most popular antiseptic now favored by doctors, is benzoylperoxide (Panoxyl, Benoxyl). It acts as an antiseptic, killing bacteria, and it also reduces oil production and loosens blackheads so that they come away more easily.
Benzoyl peroxide may irritate and cause redness. Use sparingly to start.

For this reason, Antiseptic facial washes can be very useful in treating teenage acne. Washing is an acceptable, effective way to keep the skin clean and the added properties of an antiseptic help heal infection and prevent new spots from forming. 

Antibiotics - The main antibiotics used to treat acne are Tetracyclines and Erythromycin. They kill the specific bacteria involved, and reduce inflammation. Results may take time to appear and at least four months' treatment is needed before a significant improvement is obvious. Topical antibiotic preparations are also available and have proved a useful adjunct in the treatment of acne.

Boise Image Enhancement Centre offers an innovative Acne Treatment Process through the use of light using the ClearLight photo system by Lumenis Technologies (for more information see ClearLight in Services.) *** Antibiotic preparations are available only on prescription and on the advice of a doctor. ***

People living in the sunny environment of Idaho have a high degree of damage to the skin due to the effect of ultra violet exposure. This can cause a wide variety of change to your skin, most sinister of which is malignant skin cancer.

Skin cancer is basically of 3 types:
1.Malignant Melanoma
2.Squamous Cell Carcinoma
3.Basal Cell Carcinoma

You are advised that any skin change should be immediately reported to your dermatologist. You may have recently had your skin examined, but that does not preclude changes occurring in the examined area within a short period of time.

Melanoma
The most dangerous skin cancer is the melanoma, which in most cases can arise from a previous skin mole. In 30% of cases however there is NO pre-existing visible mole.

The earliest signs of malignant change in a mole may be itchiness, roughness, flaking and change in intensity of pigmentation. Ulceration and bleeding are late stages of Melanoma.

Remember, early detection of melanoma makes the lesion a diagnosis rather than a sentence of reduced life expectancy.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma
A sinister skin lesion that if neglected may spread. Any lesion that has a mass of keratin associated with it, particularly if there is a THICKENING of the underlying skin should be suspected as a Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Basal Cell Carcinomas
The BCC is a localized skin malignancy that may present in a variety of appearances. The BCC lesion does not spread throughout your system but may burrow locally. Generally BCC's have what is called PEARLY color edge.

Please accept responsibility for surveillance of your own skin. Should there be a change or uncertainty regarding any skin change, report this immediately to your dermatologist.. Please remember:
A non-healing ulcer or sore could be a skin cancer.
Early detection and treatment provides the best outlook.
Report any change in a mole or pigmented lesion.

The sun and its damage:
The sun is as essential to life as oxygen. However, on a long-term basis, excessive exposure to sunlight is harmful to the skin. Why?

• UVA rays penetrate the Stratum Corneum and 80% reaches the dermis. This solar radiation is responsible for the premature aging of the skin.
• UVB rays are only partly stopped by the Stratum Corneum. 10% of these rays reach the upper dermis.
• UVC rays are filtered by the ozone layer but this layer is weakening!

Recent research has shown that these UV rays induce the release of enzymes, which contribute to the destruction of collagen and elastin fibers. They also generate the production of free radicals, which attack the membranes, and lipids of the skin cells.

What are free radicals?
Free radicals are highly reactive substances produced by the body. In health their production is kept balanced thanks to various free radical scavengers (enzymes and antioxidants such as Vit C and Vit E). However, a skin's natural system of control may not be sufficient when stressed by pollution or exposure to UV rays.

Excess free radicals may damage the cells and prematurely age the skin or precipitate skin cancer. How to reduce harmful effects of the sun:

• Avoid sun exposure to the sun when it is strongest: 10 AM to 3 PM.
• When outdoors wear a hat and use sun-protecting clothing.
• As part of your daily routine wear a broad spectrum SPF 30+ Sun Screen.
• Always protect the face from sun exposure.

Remember a Tan is the skin's response to UV injury.

Personal facial aging profile:

Although no test can predict definitively how anyone will age, the questions below highlight ten risk factors for premature facial aging, to indicate how vulnerable your face may be. For each YES answer, score as directed:

1. In the past (including childhood), did you live in the sunbelt and sunbathe, or work or play outdoors year around without wearing sunblock?
(8 points ____ )

2. If you lived in a seasonal climate, did you frequently sunbathe, or work or play outdoors in the summer without wearing sunblock?
(5 points ____ )

3. Do you currently use sunscreen either sporadically or not at all when outdoors?
( 5 points ____ )

4. Do you smoke?
( 3 points ____ )

5. Is your complexion fair (do you sunburn easily)?
( 4 points ____ )

6. Did your mother and/or father appear to age faster than their peers?
( 1 point ____ )

7. Does your weight frequently fluctuate by ten or more pounds?
( 1 point ____ )

8. Is your facial structure poorly defined (slack jaw line, flat cheekbones)?
( 1 point ____ )

9. Do you have naturally dry skin?
( 1 point ____ )

10. Do you suffer from high blood pressure, or lung, kidney or liver disease?
( 1 point ____ )

Skin Risk Profile Tally your points, then use the key below to find your skin profile.

0 = LOW RISK Congratulations. You have none of the major risk factors for premature facial aging. Your face may age at a slower-than-average rate.

1-9 = AVERAGE Like most people, you have some risk factors for premature aging, which means you're likely to age at an average rate.

10-14 = HIGH Your risk of aging rapidly is higher than average. Individual factors will determine how much more quickly you may age.

15+ = VERY HIGH Your physical factors and lifestyle choices combined put you at the very high risk for looking older than you are.

If you are already unhappy with your mirror image consider these face fixers:

• Retin A, Retinol or beta-hydroxy acid to remove fine wrinkles and age spots.
• Facial resurfacing (laser / Chemical peel/Microdermabrasions / Intense Pulsed Light EpiLift RF™ / Epi-Touch™ facial polishing and Epi-Sound™ skin treatments) to reduce surface lines.
• Injectables such as dermal fillers, fat or Botox® to soften creases and furrows (frown/smile lines, crow's feet).
• Liposculpture to reduce under-chin sagging.
• Facial surgery to lessen loose skin and the overall sagging in face and neck.
• Chin or Cheek Augmentation to create more youthful contours.

Are forehead wrinkles, crow's feet, and frown lines causing you to look tired, angry and older than you feel? Botox® Cosmetic is a quick and easy treatment, helping you to look rested and more youthful. Look as if you have just come home from a much needed vacation!

What is Botox® Cosmetic?
Botox® Cosmetic is a dilute, purified form of Botulinum toxin, a protien, which is an extremely effective muscle relaxant.

How does Botox® Cosmetic eliminate facial wrinkles?
When Botox® Cosmetic is injected into the superficial muscles of the face, it relaxes these muscles and prevents the wrinkle lines caused by squinting, frowning, and raising our eyebrows. Botox® Cosmetic is ideal for improving and smoothing the skin between the eyebrows, the lines of the forehead, and the crow's feet area around the eyes.

Where is Botox® Cosmetic used?
Botox® Cosmetic is used on the face, only around the eyes and forehead so as not to affect a patient's smile. It is important to understand that Botox® Cosmetic only relaxes the overactive facial muscles that cause wrinkles. Your skin will feel the same and you will have normal sensation in all treated areas. Muscles that are not treated and related to other expressions are not affected.

How is Botox® Cosmetic used?
A small amount of Botox® Cosmetic is injected into the muscle that creates a wrinkle. By injecting the Botox® Cosmetic into a muscle, it blocks the nerve impulse from reaching that area and the muscle begins to weaken. As the muscle weakens, the treated areas begin to relax and the wrinkles in the skin soften and often disappear.

Does a Botox® Cosmetic injection hurt?
Applying a topical anesthetic cream or ice compresses for several minutes prior to the treatment will effectively numb the area. When the Botox® Cosmetic is injected, you may feel a slight stinging sensation that quickly subsides. Once the injection is complete, the discomfort disappears.

Is Botox® Cosmetic safe?
Botox® Cosmetic has an excellent safety profile. It has been used by neurologists and opthamologists for over 20 years to correct facial tics and to relax the eye muscles responsible for lazy eye. These types of procedures require many times the amount of Botox® Cosmetic that is used to treat facial wrinkles and have not resulted in any toxic effects to patients.

What are the advantages of Botox® Cosmetic?

• Botox® Cosmetic is a quick and effective way to remove wrinkles. A typical treatment takes 10 minutes. Results are seen within 4 to 14 days.
• Little discomfort.
• There is no "down-time". After the injection, you may resume normal activity or go back to work. There is no physical evidence that you had a cosmetic procedure done.
• The is no decrease in sensation or numbness of treated areas.
• The effect of Botox® Cosmetic is reversible-lasting between 3 to 9 months depending on the number of previous treatments.
• A memory response may develop with repeated Botox® Cosmetic injections if they are done every 3 months for approximately one-year. So, although the effects are not permanent, there may be a gradual lengthening of the time interval between treatments. This will mean fewer treatments to obtain the same effect!
• Botox® Cosmetic is a non-surgical approach to treat wrinkles.

Who is the best candidate for Botox® Cosmetic?
A wide range of patients benefit from Botox® Cosmetic therapy. Typically, we treat patients between the ages of 25 and 60. Younger patients and patients with fewer wrinkles have the added benefit of preventing further etching of the skin caused by repeated squinting, frowning, and creasing of the forehead. Patients who have had laser resurfacing or a face lift also benefit by preventing repeated wrinkling of newly treated skin. Patients who are pregnant or have a neurological disease should not be treated.

Botox® Cosmetic is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.

Chemical peeling is one of the oldest cosmetic procedures in the world and was performed by ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans.

Now these procedures are commonly performed by dermatologists, plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons with the intention of producing younger looking, smoother, more even skin.

The basic concept of chemical peels is really rather simple. The pH of the skin (the measurement of its acidity) is 5.5, which is slightly acid, so that anything that is applied to the skin deviating from the pH of 5.5 will tend to irritate the skin. The irritation of the skin then causes a healing process. It is in the process of healing that the benefits are obtained.

We outline four basic groups of chemicals that are used.

Alpha Hydroxy peels
Glycolic acid is a commonly used alpha hydroxy peel. These peels are performed by both aestheticians and physicians. It should be understood that these peels never eliminate deep wrinkles. It is primarily used to improve fine lines and enlarged skin pores.

The beauty of alpha hydroxy peels is that they have a very high safety profile. It has been determined that in actuality the daily exposure of the skin to glycolic acid or other alpha hydroxy acids during the skin care program at home is a much more important factor than the peels. Once the initial series of glycolic acid peels are performed, the speed of the peels's process is increased, so that there is no reason to continue the alpha hydroxy peeling.

Beta Hydroxy peels
Salicylic acid is the new generation of products for improving the appearance of aging skin. Dermatologists now agree the beta hydroxy, salicylic acid is a superior exfoliant that improves the appearance of aging, sun-damaged skin without the irritation associated with the alpha hydroxy, glycolic acid.

Salicylic acid peels are effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improving overall facial texture because it exfoliates both the skin surface and within pores, without the irritation commonly associated with the alpha hydroxy, glycolic acid.

It has been found that beta hydroxy, salicylic acid is effective with as little as one-fifth the concentration typically found in products containing glycolic acid. In a single study comparing a 1.5 percent salicylic acid product and an 8+ percent glycolic acid product the salicylic acid product was shown to he a more effective exfoliant.

Beta Hydroxy's superior exfoliation action is thought to be attributed to its lipid- or oil-solubility. It concentrates its exfoliation action in the lipid-rich outer layers of the skin, where the skin's natural rate of exfoliation reduces with aging, causing a buildup of dry, dull skin flakes.

The beauty with Alpha and Beta hydroxy acids is their incorporation into cosmetic preparations, allowing for improvement to the skin from daily applications in the comfort of you home, alleviating the necessity from having a health care provider perform a deep peel, unless extreme conditions prevail where only a professional deep peel may need to be applied.

When you examine your skin in the mirror, does it look clear and smooth? Time, sun and hormonal shifts may be leaving your skin with clogged pores, pigment changes, and acne scars. Even with an excellent skin care regime you may not be seeing the kind of vibrant, fresh complexion you're seeking. Our skin treatment program offers an alternative approach to refining the skin.

What is it?
Microdermabrasion previously available only in the finest European spas are now readily available at various facilities through out the United States. Inorganic crystals as small as powdered sugar are used to effect a superficial skin polishing, similar to an extremely thorough exfoliation. Microcrystals are gently vacuumed against the top layers of your skin through a delicate hand piece, polishing away the upper layer of dead, flaking cells. With subsequent passes, clogged pores are opened while fine lines and creases are buffed resulting in softer, smoother, fresher-looking skin. Unlike Laser or some types of chemical treatments, you can resume your regular lifestyle with no time off for healing. The most dramatic improvements are seen with six to eight treatments done ahout one or two weeks apart. Most importantly, it is safe and FDA-approved. Micordermabrasions are a proven, non-surgical way to enhance your skin regardless of your skin type or color. Even sensitive areas like the neck and décolleté area maybe treated by this method.

What are treatments like?
The skin is first gently cleansed to remove any makeup and any areas of concern are discussed with our staff. A delicate hand piece is moved against the skin in a gentle back and forth motion. The vacuum force of the microcrystals can be adjusted for the more delicate regions of the eyes and neck or focused on problem acne or scarred areas. The superficial skin polishing causes very minimal discomfort. Immediately afterward any remaining microcrystals are brushed and the skin is re-cleansed and a soothing moisturizer is applied. Each session lasts approximately 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the areas treated.

How soon are results apparent?
Immediately after your first microdermabrasion, your skin will feel soft, fresh and smooth. Over the course of six to twelve treatments the gentle buffing will unclog pores, even pigmentation, and smooth fine lines and creases. Problem or oily skin attains more clarity and acne scaring is reduced. Best of all, this gentle abrasive technique is the ideal solution for people with sensitive skin that reacts to makeup or chemicals such as Retin-A and glycolics.
The Microdermabrasion is ideal for:

• Anyone who would like a non-invasive, non-surgical skin conditioning program.
• Those who don't want to take time off for healing from certain laser treatment or chemical peels.
• Active people who don't want to suspend their outdoor activities.
• Those with sensitive skin that reacts to harsh chemicals or additives.
• Skin damaged by electrolysis, facial irradiation, or previous therapies.
• Heavily pigmented or freckled individuals who don't want "demarcation lines" caused by other treatments.
• Younger people with early skin changes around the eyes and neck.
• Men and women who want a straightforward, no-fuss skin repair program.