April 2020 Announcements
Posted March 25, 2020
Dr. Antimarino’s COVID-19 Message
As the Coronavirus remains at the forefront of all our lives, I would like to take a minute to share some thoughts. We will continue moving forward with our temporary office closure to elective, non-urgent visits, as well as the temporary closure of our Medi Spa and elective surgical procedures. I will remain in the office to follow up on the immediate post-operative patients, wound care and more urgent matters.
I will always be available via telephone or virtual consultation to answer any questions you may have regarding a previous surgery or possibly a new surgery during our closure. We are using a skeleton crew that is available to answer phones and send out information as needed. The staff continues to follow the CDC guidelines and instructions to help decrease the spread of infection in our office settings for those that need to come in.
With the phone lines open, we are always here to listen to any concerns or answer any questions you may have and hope to ease any anxiety we can during this difficult period. We are also using this time to review our current system so that we may continue to make your experience at Bellissimo Plastic Surgery and Medi Spa not only educational and informative but compassionate as well.
This is an uneasy time filled with uncertainty, but I believe we can come together as a community and support one another to help decrease the spread of the COVID-19 virus. I encourage you to practice social distancing, frequent hand washing, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Stay informed and be patient. My patients and staff are like family to me and I am anxious to return to normal business as soon as it is determined to be safe for us all.
Take care, be kind and stay healthy!
Dr. Jeffrey Antimarino
Resources
Check out these websites for more information on the Coronavirus or COVID-19:
If you have a message of positivity or kindness you would like to share, please let us know and we will post it on our social media. Stay positive and help those less fortunate in your neighborhoods.
Virtual Consultations
As our office remains temporarily closed at this time, we offer patients the ability to reach out via virtual consultations or through an email inquiry to develop a surgical or non-surgical treatment plan that will address their concerns.
Virtual consultation:
A virtual consultation is an opportunity to connect and communicate directly with Dr. Antimarino. Photographs may be sent via a protected portal as well as any questions you may have regarding your area of concern. Dr. Antimarino is able to view your photos and develop a potential treatment plan to help you reach your goals. You can access our virtual consultation portal here. Get started by clicking “Remedly,” creating an account, and clicking “Messages” on the left-hand side of the page. Click “Compose” and begin creating your consultation request. In a message, you can safely and securely share information and images so Dr. Antimarino can evaluate you. Submit your inquiry and we will get back to you shortly.
Email Inquiry:
An email inquiry is another available connection with Dr. Antimarino and his staff. An inquiry can be used to answer any questions or concerns you may have about a product or procedure that we offer. By going to the “Contact Us” tab running along the right-hand side of our website, a prompt will direct you to complete the contact information and the area of interest you wish to have addressed. An email exchange with staff can provide information to educate you regarding your areas of interest.
A Note From Our Medical Aesthetician, Tara
Since we are temporarily unable to provide spa treatments at this time, what can we do at home to maintain and continue a scheduled skin care program?
The most important thing is to keep your skin in good health. Listen to your skin. I have to say I love exfoliation because it is beneficial for every skin type. I feel this is the most important aspect of your home skincare routine as it helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. As we age, the dead skin cells may take longer to fall off leaving it looking dull and discolored. It can also minimize your product absorption and leave your makeup looking less than smooth.
How often should I exfoliate?
Depending upon your skin type and the current products you may be using, ideally, you should exfoliate 2-4 times a week. Sensitive skin should start with a mild exfoliant and begin by using it once or twice a week. Over exfoliating your skin can leave it red or sore with peeling or flaking. Our skin requires the natural lubricant produced by our bodies to maintain moisture and provide surface protection. Over exfoliating may leave the skin exposed and needing extra moisturizer to keep it hydrated.
How do I apply exfoliant?
Be gentle on your skin. Using your fingers in a gentle circular motion, apply the scrub for about 30 seconds. This should be followed with a warm, not hot, rinse to remove the exfoliant.
What type of exfoliant should I use? There are different strengths of exfoliants ranging from mild, such as a lactic acid, to a medium-strength like a glycolic acid. Salicylic acid is a stronger beta hydroxy acid and may require an adjustment period. Keep in mind your skin type such as oily, dry or combination skin when determining the products to be used. This is something I love to review with patients during a consultation so they can understand their skin care product choices. The most common exfoliants consist of a gritty texture that removes superficial, dull, damaged skin and absorbs oil. I like my patients to see results with their skin care and when used correctly, exfoliation can smooth rough patches and brighten your complexion. With the temporary closure of our medi spa, I would suggest looking at homemade recipes online to get you started which will bring some brightness back to your complexion. These are gentle enough to use every day and make the skin feel baby soft. I love this because it can also be used on blemished skin to remove dirt and kill bacteria.
For clogged pores, exfoliation helps to draw out congestion in the skin. It is also great to aid in pigmentation issues by breaking up the darkened cells and encouraging them to fade. If your skin is dry or dehydrated, you may find scaly, flaky areas that would benefit tremendously with this product. When you exfoliate the face and body you are increasing the blood circulation and stimulating the lymphatic system which encourages new skin cells. Afterward, the skin is left soft and ready to absorb moisture.
Hydration
Let’s not forget about hydration! This is the time to apply a good hydrating product to your skin, preferably one that contains hyaluronic acid. This will provide the moisture the skin craves and create a refreshed, bright result!
I look forward to seeing you when the spa re-opens. Schedule your complimentary cosmetic consultation so we can discuss your areas of concern and the results you would like to achieve or if you’d like to discuss now, schedule a virtual consultation with me. This is also the perfect opportunity to assess your skin type and the available products we have to help you reach your goals. Two of my favorite Bellissimo Spa products are the Clarifying Brightening Polish by Replenix and the Pure Hydration Hyaluronic acid Serum- be sure to ask me about them when you come in!
