Dermatologic
DERMATOLOGIC PROCEDURES:
Botox injections are used to weaken the fine muscles around the eyes and forehead that are responsible for the frown lines and deep wrinkles that occur in these areas. By selectively weakening the proper muscles, the surgeon can eliminate the wrinkles without disturbing normal function.
Treatment consists of a number of tiny injections made through a very fine needle directly into the muscle. Effects of the injections begin to appear within a few days. The results generally last around four to six months.
2. Pigment Specific Laser Treatment
Pigment Specific laser treatment removes pigmented (colored) structures from the skin. The laser wavelength is matched to that of the specific target, removing it from the skin while sparing surrounding structures.
Procedure
All pigmented lesions and tattoos contain a light-absorbing pigment. When laser light hits the skin, it may be reflected, transmitted or absorbed. Absorbed energy is most responsible for the clinical effect. It is converted to thermal energy by the absorption of heat by the intended targets, while sparing surrounding normal structures. Local, numbing spray or general anesthesia is used.
The treatment takes a few minutes to 1 hour. It may require more than 1 session and is usually outpatient unless combined with other surgical procedures that require hospitalization.
Side effects
Temporary swelling, discomfort. Lightening of treated skin. Acute sun sensitivity. Increased sensitivity to makeup. Pinkness or redness in skin that may persist for up to 6 months.
Recovery
- Back to work: 2 weeks.
- More strenuous activities: 4 to 6 weeks.
- Fading of redness: about 3 months.
- Return of pigmentation/sun exposure: 6 to 12 months
3. Vascular Specific Laser Treatment
Benign vascular lesions are overgrown enlarged blood vessels or multiple small vessels. Vascular Lesion Laser treatment can treat these vessels, safely, easily and effectively by targeting the red blood cells which in turn heat and damage the vessels.
Procedure
Treatment with the laser varies from patient to patient depending on the type of lesion, and the size of the affected area. Some lesions, like small broken vessels, will require only a few pulses, while others, like port-wine stains, will require many more. Leg veins will sometimes require more than one treatment. No anesthesia is used for this kind of procedure.The treatment takes a few minutes to 1 hour. It may require more than 1 session and is usually outpatient unless combined with other surgical procedures that require hospitalization.
Side effects
There may be temporary swelling, discomfort, lightening of treated skin, acute sun sensitivity, increased sensitivity to makeup and pinkness or redness in skin that may persist for up to 6 months.
Recovery time
- Back to work:2 weeks.
- More strenuous activities: 4 to 6 weeks.
- Fading of redness:about 3 months.
- Return of pigmentation/sun exposure:6 to 12 months
4. Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment
This treatment smoothens the face and fine wrinkles using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser device that treats layers of damaged skin. It softens lines around the eyes and mouth and minimizes facial scars and unevenly pigmented areas.
Sometimes called "laser peel," a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer. Laser resurfacing is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of fine lines, especially around the mouth and the eyes. It is also effective in treating facial scars or areas of uneven pigmentation. Often, the procedure is done in conjunction with another cosmetic operation, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery. Local, numbing spray or general anesthesia is used for this procedure.
The treatment takes a few minutes to 1 hour. It may require more than 1 session and is usually outpatient unless combined with other surgical procedures that require hospitalization.
Side effects
There may be temporary swelling, discomfort, lightening of treated skin, acute sun sensitivity, increased sensitivity to makeup and pinkness or redness in skin that may persist for up to 6 months.
Recovery
- Back to work: 2 weeks.
- More strenuous activities: 4 to 6 weeks.
- Fading of redness: about 3 months.
- Return of pigmentation/sun exposure: 6 to 12 months
A chemical peel is a treatment that chemically exfoliates the skin's top layers to reveal the softer and healthier skin below. Chemical peels are used to treat a variety of skin conditions. This can include environmentally damaged / hyperpigmented, acne prone, and even sensitive skin types. In many cases, wrinkles caused by sun damage, aging, and heredity can be reduced and even eliminated through the use of a series of chemical peels. Irregular skin pigmentation, sun-damaged skin, and even precancerous keratoses may improve as a result of chemical peels. Chemical peels can increase the skin's tolerance to external factors and control acne. The strength of the chemical peel is determined by the patient's individual skin type and the degree of damage to the skin. No anesthesia is needed for this.
Side Effects
Side effects may include throbbing, tingling, redness or erythema, swelling and sensitivity to sun exposure, all of which are temporary.
6. Filler Injections
If you would like to restore facial contours, or reduce the appearance of lines and creases, injection therapy with soft tissue fillers may be right for you. Injectable fillers can:
- Plump thin lips
- Enhance shallow contours
- Soften facial creases and wrinkles
- Improve the appearance of recessed scars
Different types of Fillers
Collagen is a natural protein that supports the skin. Injectable collagen formulas derived from human dermis include Cosmoderm® or Cosmoplast®. Zyderm® and Zyplast® are forms of bovine collagen that, unlike human derived collagen, require prior allergy testing. The results may last 2 to 4 months.
Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance found in our bodies. It is well suited to plump thin lips and fill facial creases such as nasolabial folds. It may also be appropriate for some surface wrinkles and concave scars. The results may last 6 months or longer.
Hydroxylapatite is a mineral-like compound found naturally in human bones, suspended in a gel-like formulation. It is the heaviest of facial fillers and is recommended to fill deeper creases such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines and frown lines, as well as to enhance fullness of the cheeks and other facial contours.
Human fat, harvested from your own body, can be reinjected to enhance facial fullness, fill deep creases and to build up shallow contours. Fat injection requires a more extensive procedure than other injectable fillers because it uses liposuction techniques to extract the fat prior to injection.
Treatment results last up to a year or more in some cases and are highly variable.
Procedure
A pharmaceutical filler substance or your own fat is injected below the skin surface to fill hollow areas and creases, or plump the lips and back of the hands. Fat is typically taken from the inner thigh or abdomen.
Your results
Swelling should dissipate in 2-5 days, or 1-2 weeks with fat injections. This procedure produces temporary results, lasting a few months to several years or more, based on the filler used, treatment site and individual patient factors. Some products may be permanent.
7. Non-ablative Laser Treatment
Non-ablative Laser Resurfacing utilizes light energy to stimulate collagen remodeling and remove irregular pigmentation and enlarged blood vessels from the skin surface.
Because this technique does not injure the outer layers of skin, there is no prolonged healing phase with the associated risk of complications and loss of time from normal activities.
The underlying principal of the treatment is to create a controlled injury to certain "target" structures in the dermis, while sparing the epidermis from damage. Absorbed light energy then activates fibroblasts to stimulate collagen remodeling and new collagen production.
Conditions that can be treated by Non-ablative technologies include facial wrinkles, rosacea, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, age and "liver" spots, and minor surface irregularities. Unlike traditional resurfacing techniques, Non-ablative procedures can be performed almost anywhere on the body with very little or no risk of scarring. Local anesthesia is used.
The treatments are best delivered on a monthly basis in a series of 3 to 5 visits, up to 30 minutes per session.
Side effects
Minimal skin redness that disappears within a few hours. Occasional blister, mild pinkness or swelling.
Recovery
Postoperative healing is rapid and clinical improvement of skin texture and tightening is gradual over several weeks resulting in subtle, natural skin rejuvenation.
The standard treatment for spider and varicose veins is Sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a chemical (usually salt-water, or saline) solution into the blood vessel, which then collapses and is absorbed by the body.
Procedure
Sclerotherapy may last for only about 15 to 45 minutes which is somewhat quick. The physician or the nurse injects the sclerosing agent into the affected veins while the other hand is used to stretch out the skin making it taut. To make certain the utmost accuracy of this procedure, a bright indirect light, as well as excellent magnification is utilized.
The ThermaLift Procedure is a revolutionary non-surgical technique for tightening aging skin with no incisions, no scars, and no downtime in the vast majority of cases. It has also been used to produce clearing of acne without oral medications. A new device, the ThermaCoolTM by Thermage, can tighten loose skin and wrinkles by generating a special form of radio frequency, which produces heating of the deep dermis. This may also shrink oil glands in the skin, which may account for improvement in complexion and acne. The simultaneous application of an internal cooling spray chills the surface thus preventing burns.
Because heating the tissue can be uncomfortable, patients are treated with nerve blocks similar to those administered for dental improvement. In addition, many patients request oral and intramuscular sedatives and pain relievers to produce a comfortable and pleasant experience. All patients should arrange for a ride home so they can receive relaxing medications. Complications are uncommon. There has been redness, localized swelling, and transient depressions and nodules. Superficial blisters and scars have been reported.
