Ask the Derm: Your Top Skin Questions Answered by Dr. Andre Zahn of iHope Clinic

We sat down with Dr. Andre Zahn, Lead Dermatologist and Medical Aesthetics Director at iHope Clinic, to answer the skin questions we hear most often at New Dawn Health. Whether you're dealing with stubborn dark spots, wondering if you're "ready" for injectables, or just not sure if your at-home routine is actually working — Dr. Zahn breaks it all down.

In This Q&A

• Best treatment for dark spots and uneven skin tone
• Non-invasive options that work when you're not ready for surgery
• When your at-home skincare stops being enough

Q: What's the best treatment to get rid of dark spots and uneven skin tone?

Dr. Zahn: This is probably the question I get most often, and my answer is always: it depends on what's driving the pigmentation. Not all dark spots are the same. Some are caused by sun damage, others by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne, and some are deeper, more stubborn spots that don't respond well to topical treatments alone.

For targeted pigment removal, I often reach for the Picosure Pro. It's a picosecond laser that breaks down pigment very precisely without excessive heat to surrounding tissue — so it's effective and has a good safety profile across different skin tones. For patients with more diffuse redness, sun damage, or uneven texture alongside pigmentation, the Stellar M22 with its pulsed light technology lets us address multiple concerns in one session.

What I always tell patients is: lasers do the heavy lifting, but sun protection is what keeps the results. If you're not wearing SPF daily, you're working against yourself.

"Lasers do the heavy lifting, but sun protection is what keeps the results. If you're not wearing SPF daily, you're working against yourself."

For patients preparing for a Pico Laser session, the Pre-Treatment Preparation Guide covers the exact sun avoidance, skincare, and Tri-Luma steps Dr. Zahn references here.

Q: I'm not ready for surgery — what non-invasive options can actually help me look younger and more refreshed?

Dr. Zahn: This is where aesthetic medicine has really come a long way, and honestly, this is the most exciting part of my work. The gap between "doing nothing" and "going under the knife" is now filled with genuinely effective options — and at iHope, we have quite a range.

For skin tightening and lifting, Thermage is a standout. It uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen deep in the skin, and results continue to improve over several months. We have tips for both the face and the delicate eye area. For patients who want to address volume loss and sagging more gradually, Sculptra is one of my personal favorites — it works by stimulating your own collagen production, so results look incredibly natural over time.

On the injectable side, Botox remains one of the most reliable tools for softening dynamic wrinkles — lines that form from repeated facial movements like frowning or squinting. And for overall skin quality — hydration, elasticity, glow — I love combining Profhilo or Rejuran Skin Booster with microneedling. They work beautifully together to rejuvenate from within.

My philosophy is always to start with what gives the most natural result. I'm not trying to make patients look "done." I want them to look like a well-rested, healthy version of themselves.

"I'm not trying to make patients look 'done.' I want them to look like a well-rested, healthy version of themselves."

Q: My skincare routine feels solid — how do I know when at-home care stops being enough?

Dr. Zahn: Great question, and I love that more patients are taking their home routine seriously. Devices like the JETPLUS skin cleansing system and SmartLux light therapy are genuinely useful tools — consistent at-home care creates the foundation that makes in-clinic treatments work better and last longer.

That said, there are limits to what topical products and consumer devices can achieve on their own. If you're noticing that your skin looks dull despite a solid routine, or you're seeing texture, enlarged pores, or early signs of volume loss that products aren't touching — that's usually the signal it's time to come in.

A Hydrafacial or Premium Hydrafacial is often a great starting point for patients making that transition. It's a medical-grade deep cleanse, exfoliation, and infusion treatment that goes several steps beyond what you can do at home, with zero downtime. From there, we can assess whether adding something like Emface, microneedling, or a skin booster makes sense for your specific goals.

The way I see it, at-home care and in-clinic treatments aren't either/or — they're a team. My job is to help patients figure out the right combination for where they are right now, and build from there.

"At-home care and in-clinic treatments aren't either/or — they're a team."

Treatments Mentioned in This Q&A

Further Reading

• Pico Laser & Microneedling Pre-Treatment Guide — prep steps Dr. Zahn follows before a Picosure Pro session
• Pico Laser & Microneedling Aftercare Guide — the 7-day post-treatment protocol
• Medical Beauty Services at New Dawn Health — explore available treatments and packages