The Doctor Is In: GlycoAla

The world of skincare is constantly making strides in new treatments and procedures so it can be difficult to keep up. Which procedures are all hype and which ones are the real deal?

Today on The Doctor Is In, we’ll be discussing GlycoAla, a cosmetic treatment and an anti-aging procedure that provides dramatic, longer-lasting improvement of the skin than chemical peels. It is a noninvasive procedure with little to no down time post-procedure. Don’t be scared of the technical terms, we’ll be breaking down the components, how they work, and why they work so well together to give you a natural, youthful look.

GlycoAla has three components: Aminolevulinic acid, Hyaluronic acid, and LED light therapy.  

GlycoAla is the world’s only photodynamic cosmetic procedure that includes two of skin care’s powerhouses: Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a nonprotein amino acid and a photosensitizer (meaning it increases sensitivity when exposed to light therapy) and Hyaluronic acid which is widely distributed in the matrix of the connective tissue and can bind to water and help to retain moisture up to 1000 times its weight enhancing absorption capabilities of the cells. 

Photodynamic therapy, the final component, is the use of light to alter the biological activity of the cell. It may seem modern and complex but it is an ancient method of treatment used since the times of the Pharaohs in Egypt. You might notice how acne, psoriasis, and other skin conditions improve in the sun and or with light therapy. Some of the benefits of phototherapy include:

• Triggering collagen production
• Promoting gel penetration
• Calming inflammation
• Increasing blood circulation
• Increasing ATP, energy produced by stimulating the mitochondria in the cell

So how does it work?

The photoactive ingredient promotes naturally occurring Protoporphyrin IX production within the cells when exposed to the light. This causes the skin cells to trigger an inflammatory cascade of reactions within the skin resulting in the benefits listed above as well as improvement in pore size, skin tone, and firmness. In addition, the Hyaluronic acid combined in the formulation helps to maintain moisture, aiding absorption of the glycospheres, and helping to prevent post-treatment dryness.

What should you expect the day of the procedure? After removing all makeup and cleansing the skin with alcohol, GlycoAla gel is applied and massaged into the skin. Next is the incubation period when the face is covered with a dark cloth to prime the product for 40 minutes. The gel is then removed and the client is positioned under an LED light for 20 minutes, and voila! All done.

After the treatment, you can expect improvement in skin tone and appearance, reduction in visible signs of sun damage and aging (fine lines and wrinkles), reduced pore size and oiliness, and improvements in skin hydration and moisture retention.

The GlycoAla optimal regimen is typically three treatments spread over a 12 week period. However, it can be delivered as a single treatment. Maintenance treatments are recommended periodically.

This treatment is suitable for all skin types with minimal to no down time. A,C&E oil is recommended to use post-procedure to help to minimize irritation and skin dryness.

If you have any questions or need to know more, please call our office at 774-608-0044 and we will be happy to help you.

Stay healthy and be beautiful.

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