Interview with Dr. Colon of The Peer Group on What'sHaute.com

After my wonderful skincare appointment with Judie at the Peer Group Center for Plastic Surgery, I met with Dr. Francisco Colon for a question and answer session. I felt so lucky to be able to ask all my burning skin care questions one-on-one to a top plastic surgeon.

To start, I asked Dr. Colon to explain the differences between medical facials, as offered at his center, and spa facials. Basically, his reply was that medical facials are results-based, scientific, and the basis for developing an ongoing skincare regimen. Clinicians that perform medical facials are much better trained to deal with skincare concerns including brown spots, wrinkles, and uneven texture, and they have the luxury of a doctor right there when needed. Dr. Colon suggested asking yourself the question ‘What do I want from a facial?’ If you are looking for purely relaxation, then perhaps a spa facial is right for you. However, if you are interested in addressing your skin care concerns and developing an ongoing skin care regimen, then medical facials are the way to go.

As a woman that loves to care for my skin, and now entering my mid-thirties, I was especially eager to learn what young women in their 20’s and 30’s can do to prevent the signs of aging. Dr. Colon said that the best thing you can do is to be healthy, protect your skin, use sun block and don’t smoke. Maintaining healthy, youthful skin can be achieved by managing and preventing acne and scarring, exfoliating and moisturizing. This is yet another benefit to medical facials. A common procedure during a medical facial is micro-dermabrasion, which removes dead cells, thereby allowing better penetration of moisturizers.

With all the buzz about the new Juvederm XC, I wanted to get more information from Dr. Colon. This filler sounds so versatile, and what I learned is that it can be used to change features. Fuller lips and cheeks are possible, as well as filling in lines related to aging. Dr. Colon explained that this HA filler offers rejuvenation without surgery, quick recovery with minimal complications and lasts on average one year.

One of my biggest skin care concerns is dark under eye circles. Dr. Colon explained to me that there is no quick fix for dark circles, and the best thing is to be evaluated by a surgeon. Depending on whether the discoloration is caused by an anatomical condition, hyper-pigmentation, or vascular issues the course of treatment would differ.

How many moms out there long for their pre-baby body back?! It is possible to regain your shape with ‘mommy makeovers’. Dr. Colon stressed that the best way to regain your pre-baby body is to be fit before pregnancy, monitor a healthy weight gain during your pregnancy, and to utilize diet and exercise for a year after your last pregnancy. If after that year, you still are unhappy with your body, you should see a surgeon to discuss your options, including anatomical repairs and restoring normal anatomy. Popular components to the mommy makeover are procedures on the breasts and stomach.

Rounding up my interview with Dr. Colon, I asked what women can do in between their medical facial appointments and he recommends sunscreen for everyone, as well as following your customized skin care regimen. Depending on what your clinician recommends, it can include exfoliating agents, Retin-A, or bleaching agents.

I can’t say enough about my wonderful experience at the Peer Group Center for Plastic Surgery in New Jersey. If you want to make an appointment for a medical facial or consultation with a surgeon, call 973-822-3000 or visit their website at http://www.peergroupnj.com/ for more information.

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