Facial Peel

Q. One of my friends just had a deep chemical peel and while the results were good but her postoperative problems caused her to miss a great deal of work. Are there any other procedures that can be done simpler? A. Yes there are. There is the Jessner's peel and the Glycolic acid peels, for example, that can cause some improvement in the problems that you describe and are usually done a week apart. Make-up can usually be applied a few hours after the peel. These superficial peels may be helpful to you, but if the condition is such that a superficial peel would not aid you, laser surgery is an alternative.

Rosacea

Rosecea is a disease of persistent facial redness and small blood vessel formation. The vessels can vary from small red vessels to large purple vessels. Rosecea is localized to the central facial region especially the inner cheeks, forehead, and nose. Lesions can appear suddenly and are often painful, tender, and occur in patients who are predisposed to blushing. Any factors which can flush and blush the skin tend to make Rosecea worse especially strong emotional excitement, certain foods such as caffeine, and hot spicy foods, as well as alcoholic beverages are notorious. These stimulating foods should be minimized.

Krypton Laser

Recent advancements have allowed the use of Krypton lasers in office to remove both the broken blood vessels of Rosecea as well as some superficial veins on the nose and face. This differs from resurfacing of the skin which requires a CO 2 laser. Laser treatments sometimes can sting during the initial treatments, but some new anesthetic creams may be required for part of Krypton laser use. The Krypton laser helps seal these vessels and with any laser procedure scabbing, crusting, and slight scarring can occur.

Warts

A wart is a bumpy, spongy, and sometimes thickened lesion caused by a virus. The non-cancerous benign tumor that appears on the bottom of the foot is referred to as Planter Verruca. These warts will continue to multiply until treated. They can also spread to other parts of the body. Treatment of warts on the feet can be difficult since warts are pushed up into the skin from the pressure of walking. However, there are several methods of treatment available. One method involves applying chemical-acid or a mixture of chemicals directly to the wart. A series of applications may be necessary. Surgery is another treatment option - a small surgical instrument called a curette is used to scoop out the wart. A third method of treatment uses lasers to remove warts. In this case, a beam of light destroys the warts by vaporizing the moisture within them. Bleeding, pain, and scarring are less likely with this method. A fourth type of treatment is called cryosurgery. In this method, intense cold (a mixture of liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide) freezes and destroys the cells in the warts. All of these treatments can be performed in the doctor's office.

Liposuction

Q. I have heard the new tumescent liposuction is better for removing fat from the abdomen, hips, and thighs. What is it, and why is it better? A. Tumescent liposuction is a revolutionary concept and a new procedure that helps us remove fat totally with local anesthesia. Large amounts of saline containing anesthesia and a substance to control bleeding are infiltrated into the areas to be suctioned . As a result, we are able to remove more fat with minimal bleeding and a greater degree of safety than could be done with the older method. The area to be liposuctioned is marked and anesthetized with a local anesthetic. After the fat is removed, the area is dressed with a firm elastic garment. With this procedure, there is less bruising, minimal discomfort, and best of all the patient can return to work in three to four days. For further information call to schedule a consultation.

Acne

A person who has acne will have a large group of pimples on the face, neck, back, or upper arm. It's caused by oil that is trapped in hair follicles allowing bacteria to multiply and the pimple form. Adolescents and teenagers have acnes because hormones cause an overproduction of oil. The best treatment is to keep the skin clean, washing at least twice a day with unscented soap. Being outdoors may help clear up acne since the sunlight seems to be effective. Don't squeeze or pick at those pimples as this will only make the condition worse. If the acne is severe, see your doctor for a prescription such as antibiotics or ointment.

Warts and Moles

Warts are very common skin tumors caused by a viral infection. Warts are contagious, however they tend to spread on the infected person rather than others. There are a number of ways to remove warts. Your physician can advise you as the best way, depending on the location and type of wart. Every person has at least one mole. Some families have more moles than others. Although most moles are benign, some can become malignant. If you have a mole that is turning darker, is growing rapidly, or is hurting, see a dermatologist. A mole can be removed easily in a doctor's office and in most cases will be checked for malignancy.

COSMETIC AND PLASTIC SURGERY

General

There are many different types of cosmetic surgery. Some people look to cosmetic surgery as a way to change inherited traits such as the nose, ears and other facial features. Others may wish to minimize the aging process. These types of surgery include hair replacement, face lifts and chemical peels. Finally, cosmetic surgery can be used as a means of recontouring the body. These procedures include breast enlargement or reductio, liposuction and tummy tucks. If you are considering plastic surgery, be sure that your expectations re realistic. Talk to your physician and take advantage of new techniques such as computer imaging to make sure the result you desire is achievable. Find the right surgeon -- don't be afraid to ask questions and visit several. Be aware that cosmetic surgery, like most medical procedures, involves risks and you should know what they are. Finally, you should prepare yourself physically and psychologically for the surgery. Know what to expect and how to plan for a comfortable recuperation.

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty surgery which reshapes the nose is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. Two often mentioned complaints are regarding the size of the nose and the shape of the bridge. Reshaping is generally done through incisions inside the nose. The nose is reduced or built up in some situations by either removing or adding bone and cartilage. The skin then redrapes over this new framework. It is sometimes necessary to cut the base of the nose and this entails removing small wedges of skin at the base of the nostril. The resulting scars fade very well and should be barely noticeable. If there are internal deformities, irregular breathing can sometimes be effected. Adjustments to the internal workings of the nose can be made at the same time external alterations are made. Insurance carriers will often cover internal nasal surgery to correct medical defects. After surgery, some pain, swelling and bruising of the face can be expected, but they will gradually subside. Healing can be a slow process and some subtle swelling can be present for months. Patience is of necessity. Remember that your surgeon can always make one or more adjustments until mutual satisfaction is achieved.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a technique used to remove localized collections of excess fat. Body areas respond more rapidly to weight gain and may never go away completely in spite of maintaining one's normal weight. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight reduction nor a cure for obesity. To get the most from this procedure, you should be of average weight, with extra fat in specific areas. Patients with young, healthy, elastic skin make better candidates. However, older patients may be equally satisfied. A consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is the first step to take if you are interested in finding out if this surgery is for you. To obtain the names of qualified surgeons in your area, call the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons Referral Services at 1-800-635-0635.

Eye Lid Surgery

The eyes are the focal point of the face and contribute significantly to your overall facial appearance. Eyelid surgery can improve your appearance by reducing the amount of fat and extra skin you seem to have. As the skin ages, wrinkling and loss of tone can occur in the forehead area, as it does in the eyelid area, causing the eyebrows to sag. A forehead/brow lift can help correct this problem. The eyelid plasty and brow lift can be done in conjunction with one another. Because the eyelid skin is very think you should expect some swelling and black and blue discoloration after the surgery. With the brow lift, you'll also experience some temporary numbness of the scalp. The surgical scars fade within a few weeks and blend into the natural lines and folds of your face. The end results of these procedures should be a smoother forehead and eyes that are more visible, thus giving your face an overall brighter and more rested appearance.

How Can I Have Eye Lid Surgery Without Scars

New laser technology allows us to go inside of the eye lid and remove fat pads, tighten u wrinkles with laser treatment, and avoid the tell tale signs of eye lid surgery. This can often be combined with minimally invasive forehead and upper face rejuvenative surgery. People considering cosmetic surgery must always evaluate the desired results they wish to achieve, and discuss this with their physician. It is important to make sure each person is an appropriate candidate for the desired surgery.

I Am Not Happy with the Way My Lips Look. Is There Any Way to Create More Fullness and Lessen the Lines about the Mouth and Lips?

Many techniques are available including "fillers" such as collagen and fat. A new and advanced technology is the use of lip threading for reconstruction using permanent threads. Combining lip threading with a laser peel will significantly enhance the lips and reduce wrinkling around the mouth.

HAIR LOSS

What Are Causes of Hair Loss

There are many contributors to hair loss. Among them are: scalp bacteria, stress, sebaceous build-up, poor nutrition, slow cellular activity, genetic baldness, hormonal imbalance and nervous disorders -- all of which can affect both men and women. In many cases, hair loss may be caused by a combination of these factors. However, genetic pattern baldness is by far the dominant contributor, accounting for nearly 95% of all hair loss in men and also affecting millions of women. Though pattern baldness is treatable, it cannot be cured because it's genetically predetermined.

Women's Hair Loss

An unfair reality is that a woman is gauged on her appearance and is expected to maintain her luster and a youthful look. A woman's hair is often her crowning glory. So, when she starts to loose her hair, she often experiences feelings of depression and mourning. She may feel isolated socially, even though the cause of that isolation may simply be that she doesn't feel comfortable in public anymore. Women often start wearing scarves or hats to hide their thin hair. The same if often true of young men who cover their balding heads with baseball caps and refuse to go places that require them to remove their cap. Baldness may occur as a result of an illness or of heredity. It is not related to hair follicles being plugged, or a decrease in blood supply in the skin. Hair loss may result from pregnancy, certain types of cancer, uncontrolled diabetes and diseases of the thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands. This type of baldness or hair thinning is often reversed with medical help when the underlying condition is treated. Since your appearance is largely defined by the way your hair looks, an easy answer for many women is a wig, hair piece, hair extensions or weaving.

Hair Pieces and Wigs

Men's hair pieces can be interwoven and bonded to create a natural look. Customized human hair pieces can also be made. Synthetic hair looks and wears like human hair. The hair piece can be attached easily and quickly. It can be washed and worn while swimming or sleeping. The open weave base allows air circulation to reach the scalp. 0004 Hair Extensions and Weaving Hair extensions which are human hair wefts, can be woven into your existing hair to lengthen, thicken, add texture and style to your hair. Hair weaving is a good answer for filling in thinning hair. You can change the existing color of your hair with highlights form the extension. It is a quick and easy procedure that is surprisingly affordable. The hair extension will last as long as you take care of it. Usually 2 to 3 months. After 2 to 3 months, the hair weft can be restyled. Do you want to change the color and form of your hair style? It can be done using hair extensions.

Permanent Hair Units

A permanent hair unit is like a second skin and is worn 24 hours a day. When it is individually designed and styled, the look is great and appears to be natural. The hair unit can be customized, colored, formed, textured and blended to match perfectly. The procedure is done in complete privacy which makes the client comfortable. You can have yourself new head of hair and a whole new attitude. You can swim, sleep, shower or be as active as you wish while wearing it. The permanent hair unit is an affordable alternative to hair thinning or loss.

Depression and Hair Loss in Young People

Today, hair still has enormous importance in defining who we are and how we fell about ourselves. Psychologists theorize that when a man starts to lose his hair, he actually goes through a period similar to mourning or grief. Thick hair is symbolic of youth. Hair loss in a younger person can be doubly devastating. For young people, hair loss is something that is supposed to happen to older people, not them. A 21 year old college graduate just isn't ready to face what he considers a middle-aged syndrome. Furthermore, a young man's hair loss may make him look five to ten years older than his peers, further separating him from the age group he most closely identifies with. 0007 What Are My Options for Balding You have four options. Do nothing. Get a hairpiece, treat it medically or have a hair transplant. If you have already rejected the first two, Rogaine can be used to slow down or halt the recession but only grows hair in about 30% of the cases. Hair replacement surgery is the only method guaranteed to put hair into balding areas that looks natural and continues to grow. The newest technique uses grafts of 1 to 4 hairs, which eliminates the clumping effect. We can do 1000 or more grafts in a single session, after which there is no pain, bleeding or big bandages. The patient can wash his hair and to work the next day. A good hair transplant surgeon must have an aesthetic eye and plan for future hair loss and future sessions.

Improvements on Hair Replacement

A vast improvement in hair replacement technique came about 5 years ago with the use of tiny hair grafts of 1 to 4 hairs. These mini and macro-grafts eliminate the clumping, corn-row look and give a completely natural appearance. There is no bulky bandage afterward and the patient can wash his hair and style it the next day. The new hairs grow in a natural direction and the patient can have additional sessions every 4 months or longer if desired. It looks so natural that many times barbers can't even tell. There is no pain. We give a light sedative before we numb the scalp, and there is very little if any discomfort afterward. Patients remark what a pleasant experience it is. Touch ups can be done or repairs on transplants done with older larger grafts that may have been placed incorrectly or too far apart.