New Orleans native Dr. Stacy Chimento graduated at the top of her class at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed her dermatology residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital where she served as Chief Resident. Dr. Chimento is highly trained in general medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology with an interest in aesthetic treatments. Dr. Chimento, who currently practices in Bay Harbor Island, FL, sat down with Haute Beauty to discuss the best treatment for dark spots and how to achieve a youthful appearance.

I believe dark spot treatments are best treated with a two prong approach. I love to combine a good skin care regime with an energy or light based treatment or chemical peels. Some of my favorite procedures are Intense Pulsed Light (Limelight) which is a light based device that targets brown and red discolorations in the skin. Fractionated and non-fractionated lasers as well as the newest technology, picosecond lasers, are great for improving dark spots including melasma (mask of pregnancy). One of my latest favorites are Picoway, Picoresolve which allows a patient to improve discoloration, pore size, tone, texture, fine lines and wrinkles without the downtown that most of us can not afford. Chemical peels are also excellent treatment for brown spots but do require some social down time as the skin will flake/peel. Consistent usage of a good physical blocker sunscreen is the golden standard treatment to prevent progressive discoloration of the skin and to maintain any treatments done. Usage of hydroquinone creams, topicals with kogic acid, arbutin, glycolic acid, and retinols/retinoids are excellent adjunctives to improve discoloration.

It is important to seek treatments from board certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons as laser can have unfavorable outcomes without someone that is highly trained and experienced in the technology and their usage. I often tell my patients with sensitive skin to discuss this in length with their provider to find the best light, laser or energy device for them. It is always best to err on the side of safety and start off slow with lower energies and to titrate as tolerated over the series of treatments. Strict avoidance of irritating skin products should be done as well as avoidance of sun exposure.

I love fractionated and non fractionated lasers for aging skin as they will give you the best bang for your buck as far as results. They can be used to soften fine line and wrinkles, tighten the skin by stimulating collagen and is great for removing dark spots, The con is that these lasers often have 5-10 days of social downtime which can make this difficult for scheduling.

Usage of retinoids and hyalrunoic acid, antioxidants, peptides and growth factors a re pertinent to stimulating collagen.

Procedures such as Ultherapy and Profound are very powerful stimulators of collagen which help to improve the appearance of sagging jowls, double chins, and neck wrinkles. Ultherapy uses ultrasound to improve collagen (has no downtime), while Profound (has 5-7 days of social downtime) uses micro needling technology with radiofrequency and is the only procedure on the market that stimulates collagen, elasticity and hyaluronic acid. Results are up to 38% of a facelift!