New laser center opens-offering swift makeovers and transformations here in Los Cabos

These days everybody wants to look beautiful.

As 78 million "baby boomers" near retirement age, years of sun, wind, smoke, alcohol, the environment and hormones are all beginning to show. But with the fast pace of today's society, an aging society now wants that fresh look without spending weeks of painful recovery.

"People want to look better, but they don't want to give up any time from their daily lives or vacation," said Dr. Marcela a board certified surgeon, of the new Spa Cielo located on the 3rd floor just above Blockbuster in San Jose del Cabo.

Spa Cielo is now open!  "It’s a service that the public is demanding, transformation without pain or downtime" said Cathy Dammann, Advanced Medical Aesthestics Practioner, of  Cielo, that offers the newest in safe, non-surgical, non-ablative, pain-free, no down-time cosmetic skin treatments.  Cielo specializes in non-surgical face lifts, non-surgical body sculpting, and light and laser treatments for spider veins, melasma, hyperpigmentation, acne, sun-damaged skin and hair removal.  It also offers two new treatments featured on “E!”, 20/20, Dr. Phil, Extra and Ophra, The Titan skin tightening treatment and the Medilift muscle stimulation and contouring system.  Cielo also provides traditional cosmetic procedures, including micropigmentation (permanent make-up) for eyebrows, eyeliner, and lips, European Facials, alpha and beta hydroxy peels, and mircrodermabrasion.

Cielo offers both face and body transformations. “Our non-surgical face lifts are accomplished, with Titan, the newest skin tighten, collagen producing laser and Medilift, muscle stimulation, which tightens all the underling muscles and tones the face. Our non-surgical body sculpting and cellulite treatments are customized based on need. We utilize endermologie, ultrasound, muscle stimulation, microcurrent, and infrared spa jet treatments to reach our body sculpting goals. We also offer Osteopathic treatments including spinal adjustments, massage, hot and cold stone massage therapy treatments, ultrasound and muscle stimulation,” states Dammann. 

Cielo’s use of the newest generation of non-surgical, non-ablative, and painless skin lasers meets that no downtime demand. Dubbed "vacation facelifts” here in the baja, these laser procedures, alone or combined with cosmetic tissue fillers, can erase wrinkles, blemishes, and acne scars, repair and tighten loose, saggy sun-damaged skin - all within minutes. 

Newer laser technology has revolutionized cosmetic surgery in the past decade. The new group of non-ablative skin lasers developed within the last five years work beneath the surface skin layer utilizing short pulses of light to reduce wrinkles and sun damage, freckles and irregular pigmentation, port wine stain birthmarks, as well as redness and dilated capillaries commonly associated with rosacea. They build new collagen while improving skin tone, texture, fine lines and scars.

The newest “laser”, which really isn’t a laser at all, is the Titan. It utilizes infrared heat instead of laser energy to heat the dermis (the inner layer of skin) while cooling and protecting the epidermis (the outer layer). Titan requires no incisions or recovery time and takes an hour or less to perform, leaving patients to resume normal activities or their vacation. Titan delivers a very uniform volume of heating under the skin to bring about collagen contraction and then regeneration for months afterwards.  And unlike painful Thermage, it’s painless and can be used on the face or any part of the body which requires skin tightening such as the abdomen, underarm, elbows, knees, or thighs.

Results can be seen immediately in some cases and more in two to six months after a single treatment session. They can last 18 months or longer depending on a patient's rate of aging, according to Cutera , which developed the technology in 2004. Titan only requires one treatment, in most cases, and prices start around $850 but vary base on the size of the area treated (about 1/3 less than State-side prices.

Lasers battle acne

Besides fighting wrinkles, the non-ablative lasers are fast becoming the hottest new acne fighting tool. Using the non-ablative laser for acne, it alters the size and function of the overactive sebaceous gland. It also uses its heat to kill bacteria, paving the way for clearer skin. Also, by being able to build collagen at the same time, it helps acne scarring.

More than 80 percent of the world's population is affected by acne at some point in their lives, said the American Academy of Dermatology. "We've been able to see good results, even with severe cases," Dammann said.

Other effective acne treatments include mid-infrared laser therapy, broadband blue light, intense pulsed light treatments and laser-assisted photodynamic therapy.  Photodynamic therapy is also used in the treatment of Actinic Keratosis (pre-cancerous solar lesions).

Other wrinkle treatments

Lasers and surgeries aren't the only method of fighting wrinkles. Micro-dermabrasion, or dermaplaning and fillers can provide more immediate visible results while waiting for the outcome of a laser treatment.

“Microdermabrasion uses gentle, abrasive crystals combined with an air stream to gently remove the upper layer of skin cells. Removal of the skin brings the under layer of skin to the surface, minimizing fine age lines and wrinkles and encouraging cell rejuvenation.  We often combine this procedure with an alpha or beta hydroxyl acid peel for more complete results,” states Dammann.

The process is entirely painless and non-invasive, usually taking less than 30 minutes for a complete facial treatment. The only side affect is a little redness caused by the abrasion process.

Last year, more than 3.6 million Americans used injectable soft tissue fillers such as Botox, Restylane, and Aquimed as well as mesotherapy to fight the signs of aging.  “We can enhance facial features and repair some cosmetic problems with tissue fillers. You often can do things that are not a full facelift or acne scar revision," said Dr. Marcela.

A few injections of Botox and Restylane or Aquamed tissue fillers, can produce dramatic improvements in frown lines, forehead furrows, crow's feet and fine lip lines. Botox also works fast, with no recovery time. Most people return directly to normal activities following treatment.  Botox can also be used to treat migraine headaches. Botox can last up to four months, but must be repeated at three- to six-month intervals for best results.

When asked about prices, Dammann replys, “prices vary based on procedure, but my clients often say, “I am so surprised, this cost me no more than a round of golf or a day of sport fishing, and I have something to show for the money I’ve spent.”  People can now enjoy their vacations and return home looking years younger!

With nothing to loose except a few wrinkles, some loose, saggy skin, sun spots, or spider veins, why not take a few minutes and transform yourself?  Consultations are only $300 pesos and they are open daily from 10am-6pm. Call for appointment 624-105-2209 or 612-127-0401.