FYI Cosmetics

There has been much discussion over which hair removal treatments work more efficiently, intense pulsed light (IPL) or laser. IPL is often confused as a laser, however it is not. It is a non coherent light source which uses every wavelength of light in the visible spectrum and a little into the infrared spectrum, from 550nm to up to 1200nm. Laser light is coherent and uses a specific wavelength depending on the medium used (for example an Alexandrite laser has a wavelength of 755nm). The differences between IPL and Laser for hair removal are specific to the kind of light used and the size and shape of the spot.

The IPL is sometimes also called flash lamp therapy. The light emitted is filtered to settings for its indicated use, in this case hair removal. This filtered light is flashed from a rectangular hand piece onto the skin, targeting the pigment in the hair. The light is intended to cause thermal and mechanical damage to the hair follicles without affecting the surrounding tissue. The filtered light of the IPL cannot always successfully block out the wavelengths of light. Inconsistent energies emitted can cause the IPL to become confused and attracted to numerous targets at the same time. This includes pigmented lesions, skin color, and hair follicles. Deeper wavelengths within this broad spectrum are attracted to water in the skin and increase the chances of hyper pigmentation (brown or dark spots). While IPL is used for permanent hair reduction, its main function is to treat sun damage, poilkerderma, rosacea, broken capillaries, and vascular pigmented birth marks. For this reason the learning curve is very high when using an IPL, increasing the chances of untoward side effects and unhappy clients.

Laser light uses a specific wavelength of light enabling it to emit consistent reproducible energy every time. In the case of hair removal, it causes thermal and mechanical damage to the hair cells and it is attracted to the pigment. The Alexandrite lasers, often considered to be the “gold standard” for permanent hair reduction for skin types I-III use wavelength of 755nm. Darker skin types ranging in the Fitzpatrick scale of IV-V benefit from ND:Yag at 1064nm. This wavelength goes below the surface of the skin to the skin pigment and attracts to the chromospheres in the hair. The spot sizes for lasers are generally round and can be adjusted for custom treatments. Using smaller of larger spot sizes depending on the area of the body being treated.

Popularity of facial and body rejuvenation procedures is at an all time high, and one of the most common procedures undergone by both men and women is a neck lift. One of the first visible signs of aging comes in the form of loose and sagging skin. Men and women discover that areas of their face and body that were once firm and taught suddenly look older due to lax skin. When it comes to the neck area, having a ‘double chin’ or sagging skin in the chin area can make you look years older—because of this, the neck lift procedure is designed to remove excess fat and skin for a firmer, smoother appearance. After undergoing this treatment, patient’s look and feel years younger.

For those individuals who are starting to experience the natural signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin, a neck lift is a great way to obtain smoother, tighter skin that lasts. One of the first areas of the body that begin to show age is the neck, this aging often occurs even before the face in most cases. Creases, folding and banding of the skin combine together to visibly age us. A neck lift is a set of surgical procedures that are designed to remove excess fat and skin and tighten muscles in order to shape the neck. Three separate procedures, liposuction, cervicoplasty and platysmaplasty, are combined together to make up a comprehensive neck lift.

Each procedure involved in the neck lift is designed to help firm and tone the neck area. Typically liposuction is performed first and will help to remove excess fat. Once the fat is removed, the cervicoplasty is then performed; this procedure will remove excess skin through an incision under the chin and behind the ears. If needed, in conjunction with the cervicoplasty, a platysmaplasty can also be performed to surgically remove, reposition or tighten the muscles of the neck in order to decrease the banded appearance; this is done through incisions that are made under the chin, behind the ears or both. In some cases that aren’t as severe, once the first two procedures are performed, BOTOX cosmetic can be injected to relax the neck muscles (platysma muscle) instead of surgery.

Many patients who undergo a neck lift are doing so in conjunction with a facelift; this allows patients to firm and tone the facial and neck area all at once. Patients should expect to undergo local or general anesthesia for the neck lift surgery. Potential side effects can include bruising, swelling and a feeling of tightness in the area. Post operative care may be needed if a platysmaplasty is performed, patients should not undergo any strenuous work or exercise for 5-10 day and all post operative neck lift patients need to avoid bending and lifting for the first several weeks. For those men and women who are experiencing the visible signs of aging in the facial and neck area and are looking for an effective way to combat it, consider a neck lift today.

As the cosmetic revolution continues to push forward, treatments such as the mini facelift are quickly gaining popularity among those individuals who are searching for a smoother, firmer, younger appearance. It’s a well known fact that once you hit your mid 20’s, aging becomes part of your daily life—a part that you quickly come to dread. First come the gray hairs, then the fine lines, and after that, the deeper wrinkles and the loose and sagging skin. Growing older means that you push forward and experience more in life, but those visible signs of aging that many of us deal with on a daily basis are a constant reminder that life moves fast. Undergoing treatments to help reverse the signs of aging are helping many men and women look and feel years younger. A mini facelift is one of the great ways to feel great and look even better.

Many individuals are finding that a mini facelift is a fantastic skin rejuvenation alternative to more invasive surgical procedures. The mini facelift or what many refer to as the ‘weekend facelift’ is less invasive than a traditional facelift procedure and provides patients with the same rejuvenation results. Those men and women who find themselves in the early stages of aging (mostly those in their 30’s and 40’s) can undergo a mini facelift instead of waiting for a more invasive treatment. Those who are starting to experience wrinkles, fine lines and loose and sagging skin can see immediate results with minimal pain and little downtime.

A Mini Facelift focuses on specific target areas of the face that patients feel need to be freshened up. The procedure most often targets areas of the face such as the cheeks, neck and nasolabial folds (those creases from the side of the nose to the mouth). Smaller incisions in these areas mean quicker surgery and faster recovery times; mini facelifts are an attractive option for those who are not yet ready for a major surgical procedure yet are searching for a successful way to rejuvenate their skin. Generally mini facelifts are not designed to target upper facial areas such as the brows or around the eyes; these areas are usually treated with the traditional facelift procedure. The mini facelift is specifically designed to keep incisions to a minimum as opposed to traditional surgical approach with larger incisions.

No matter how many precautions we take to protect our skin, it will eventually start showing the normal signs of aging. For those men and women who are looking for a successful way to experience a smoother, younger appearance without being exposed to the risks and downtime associated with a traditional facelift, the mini facelift may be just the thing you need. Contact your physician today and talk about your different skin rejuvenation options. If you are looking to turn back the clock, but are not yet ready for a major surgical procedure, a mini facelift may be just the treatment you need to look and feel years younger.

A Breast Lift or Mastopexy is a very common cosmetic surgical procedure that more and more women are undergoing in order to change the way they look. Throughout a woman’s lifetime, there are many phases and changes that are experienced; all of which have an effect on the look and feel of the face and body. Pregnancy, nursing, weight gain, weight loss, diet, exercise, illness, gravity—all of these factors can affect the outward appearance of the body and as the years pass, women find that as their skin loses elasticity, the gravitational pull causes the breasts to lose their shape and firmness which eventually leads to sagging; this is where the breast lift can help.

A breast lift is a very common surgical procedure that many women undergo in order to lift and reshape their breasts. While this procedure has the capability to give you a natural, firm look, it is important for all prospective patients to remember that the results are not permanent. Gravity and skin laxticity will always have an effect on our bodies; therefore while a breast lift alone will provide results, those results will not be permanent. Because of this, women will oftentimes combine a breast lift with implant surgery in order to get longer lasting results.

Depending on the degree of ptosis or sagging you are experiencing, your breast lift procedure can differ slightly. The degrees of sagging are split into three different categories: mild ptosis, moderate ptosis or advanced ptosis. Mild ptosis is experienced when the nipples have dropped to the level of the breast crease; moderate ptosis is experienced when the nipples have dropped below the level of the breast crease and advanced ptosis is experienced when the nipples are pointing towards the floor. Depending on the severity of sagging the surgeon will alter the incision made during the procedure and will remove different sections and amounts of skin from the breast.

During your breast lift procedure the surgeon will make an anchor shaped incision which will extend down from the nipple and along the underside of the breast. Once the incision is made, the excess tissue and skin that is causing the breast to sag will be extracted. Once this stage is completed, the nipple will then be relocated by moving the areola to a higher position and the skin surrounding the areola will be brought down toward the incision and sutured. Once the breast lift is complete, the skin will be stitched around the areola as well as in a vertical line that extends down from the nipple to the underside of the breast. Your surgeon is specifically trained to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible, but it is important to remember that the scars will be permanent.

Pain, discomfort, bruising and swelling are all post surgery factors that will be experienced when undergoing a breast lift. The bruising will fade within a week or so, but the swelling can last for several months; many patients will not see full results of their procedure until the swelling has subsided. After a breast lift, patients will experience firmer, more natural looking breasts that can give them the look and the comfort they desire.

The body lift procedure is a fantastic way to rejuvenate your body for you younger, healthier look and feel. As we age, our hormones and body composition start to radically change, because of this, maintaining a youthful, toned look can become increasingly difficult. Gravity, combined with a reduction in the natural production of collagen (the building block that keeps skin firm and taut) eventually leads to loose, sagging skin. Many men and women, who can no longer tone and firm their body through the natural methods of diet and exercise, are now seeking other alternatives. A body lift can be a great way to remove excess skin and localized deposits of unwanted fat for a more natural look and feel.

A Circumferential Abdominoplasty (body lift), is a very common procedure that many men and women choose to undergo in order to remove excess skin and to re-contour the shape of the body.  Individuals experience loose, sagging skin and excess fat for a variety of different reasons; some of the more common are age, pregnancy, genetic skin conditions and rapid weight loss.  For those who eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly yet find that excess skin and fat is getting in the way of normal daily activities, a body lift may be just what you need.  Depending on where your excess skin and fat resides, you may undergo a particular type of body lift. This procedure is broken down into three separate treatments: a lower body lift (belt lipectomy) an upper body lift, or a total body lift.

Lower Body Lift:  The lower body lift procedure targets the stomach, thighs, buttocks and lower back. By combining a tummy tuck with a thigh lift a buttock lift and liposuction (if needed) all of these target areas can be efficiently treated.  The lower body lift is does not utilize on single incision, each separate area will require a separate incision.  Excess skin and fat will be removed from each of the targeted areas, after which the remaining skin will be pulled tight and sutured back together.  After this procedure, patients will experience a better toned and more contoured look in the lower body region.

Upper Body Lift:  The upper body lift procedure targets the breasts, chest arms and upper back. By combining an arm lift, liposuction and either a breast lift or male breast reduction, patients can rejuvenate their upper body for a younger, more natural look. Excess fat and skin will be removed in the same manner as a lower body lift. If the patient is male, this will extend into the breast area, if the patient is female, a breast lift will be performed to provide a more natural look. After this treatment, patients experience a better toned and more contoured look in the upper body region.

Total Body Lift: The total body lift simply combines both the lower body lift and the upper body lift into one single surgical treatment.

Whether you are looking to undergo a lower body lift, an upper body lift or a total body lift, feel confident that this innovative treatment can get you the results you are looking for. Be sure to thoroughly discuss all surgical options with your physician before committing to the body lift procedure in order to find the treatment that works best for you.