Skin

Skin Treatments at the West Institute

Dr. Tina West, Board-Certified Dermatologist and founder of The West Institute in Chevy Chase, MD, specializes in skin treatments custom-tailored to your aesthetic goals and needs.

Using high end, specialized laser technology, Dr. West can effectively remove damaged skin, stimulate new skin growth, and boost collagen production for radiant, youthful affect. To effectively refresh your skin from the inside out, laser resurfacing treatments create millions of tiny, microscopic columns of controlled energy that trigger your own cells to produce more collagen for fresh, healthy-looking skin.

Noticeable signs of volume loss such as skin sagging or drooping can start to appear in as early as a person’s 30s and 40s. Fortunately, Dr. West offers a variety of non-surgical skin tightening treatments including Genius™ Radiofrequency Microneedling, Ultherapy®, and AcuPulse™ fractional CO2 laser.

Redness and rosacea appear as dark, veiny spots on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin, and can be extremely difficult to get rid of or even cover up and hide. With Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL) using Lumenis® M22™ IPL, a state-of-the-art broad-spectrum light that targets the hemoglobin in the skin leaving the skin smoother and more even-toned.

The Candela™ V-Bean Pulsed Dye Laser® is the gold standard for treatment of redness, scars, and stretch marks. It delivers an intense but gentle burst of yellow light to the skin that is absorbed by the blood vessels in the dermis. The blood vessels are coagulated and then reabsorbed by the body restoring the natural tone of the skin.

Acne can feel like one of the most difficult skin ailments to get rid of when you’re a young adult— and can even follow you into your 20s and 30s. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Tina West can create a comprehensive treatment plan that includes both a historical and physical examination, effective topical or oral medications, and the appropriate in-office treatments including laser and light treatment to rid your skin of harmful acne causing bacteria and smooth away acne scars left over from past flare ups.

Whether you are struggling with acne, redness, enlarged pores, dryness, or another issue, Dr. West offers comprehensive customizable aesthetician services that are tailored specifically to treat your skin’s condition. Service may include a full skin assessment and product consultation followed by a treatment tailored to your needs— so you can take the guess work out of your skin care routine.

Years in the sun without an SPF can leave unwanted brown spots that break up the natural radiance of your skin. Or perhaps you were born with a birthmark right on your eyebrow or your cheek that becomes the center point of all your conversations. For these issues, we offer Nd: YAG Laser for pigmented birthmarks and Melange Chemical Peels for hyperpigmentation. Dr. West and her team will help determine which treatment is best for you.

Hearing that you might have skin cancer can be an uncertain and scary time for anyone, but what gives you a head start towards recovery is treating it early and effectively. Dr. West can use Fraxel® DUAL, a non-ablative fractional resurfacing laser, cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and topical prescription therapy to reduce or eliminate pre-cancer cells from your skin.

I have been going to Dr. West for about 10 years. She is extremely knowledgeable and up-to-date on the latest procedures, products, and skin care regimens. She carefully explained what to expect the first few days after having the CO2 laser treatment -- and she was right on the money. It is now 2 months since I had the treatment. I get lots of compliments on my skin -- and I don't have to wear heavy foundation.