As you get older, the skin on your face and neck may start showing its age more than you’d like, especially if you’ve spent a lot of time outdoors. But there are many safe and effective treatments to restore its vitality, according to cosmetic surgeon Dr. Frank Simo of SLUCare Otolaryngology & Facial Plastic Surgery in Creve Coeur. And most can be done with little downtime or inconvenience.
Simo says his practice offers innovative procedures and technologies to improve skin’s appearance, texture and tone, and different medical spa services often can be combined for optimal results. There are a number of effective therapies to correct face, neck and décolletage issues like uneven skin texture, wrinkles, sun damage, acne and pigmentation problems. He and his staff work closely with each patient to design a customized skin care plan to achieve the best possible results.
According to Simo, it’s best to receive treatment in a medically supervised environment with knowledgeable practitioners. He works with two licensed clinical estheticians who are just as committed to high-quality patient care. “I’ve had a skin care practice since the ’90s, and we have the resources of SLUCare behind us,” he notes. “Everyone’s skin is different, but we know which procedures and products work well, and those are what we provide.” He directly supervises the staff and works closely with patients to answer their questions and address their needs.
One of the most commonly requested services is microneedling, which uses a special device to create tiny punctures in the skin to inject platelet growth factor for increasing collagen and improving texture. Simo says procedures like this are effective because they produce minor trauma that spurs the tissue to repair itself. “You don’t get increased collagen production unless there’s a healing response in the skin,” he explains. “Combining the platelet growth factor with that reaction produces the rejuvenating benefit. And downtime is minimal; women who have the procedure usually go back to wearing makeup the next day.”
The practice also offers laser treatments to restore collagen and even out skin tone, helping correct the effects of age, pregnancy, hormone imbalances and sun damage. Broadband light therapy reduces lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging, and chemical peels can be tailored to different skin issues like acne or discoloration. Hair removal treatments also can help patients look their best. No referral is needed for medical spa services; you can simply call the office to make an appointment.
Simo says patients also trust the practice for facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. “We often work with people who need reconstruction after removal of skin cancer from the face,” he says. “Many of them become medical spa clients as well. Whatever patients’ needs happen to be, they can be assured we will work as a team to provide the best solutions. The high level of training my staff has received makes a real difference. The goal is healthy skin and a fresh, natural look for patients.”
SLUCare Otolaryngology & Facial Plastic Surgery-West County provides complete skin rejuvenation and cosmetic surgery services at 555 N. New Ballas Road in Creve Coeur. Pictured on the cover: Licensed clinical esthetician Page Gardner performs laser treatments, chemical peels and microdermabrasion under the medical guidance of Dr. Frank Simo. For more information, call 314.977.5900 or visit slucare.edu/cosmetic.
Cover design by Julie Streiler | Cover photo courtesy of SLUCare Physician Group
Pictured at top: Dr. Frank Simo works with a patient.
Photo courtesy of SLUCare Physician Group
