Laser Dermatology - Focused Light to Treat the Skin

By C. Smithson

The term laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Without getting too technical- this basically means that light source is specially focused into a very intense beam and is usually coherent, meaning it is reduced to a very particular wavelength of the light spectrum and is controlled to "vibrate" in only one plane. Some laser light is visible to the naked eye and some is in a part of the spectrum that can not be seen visually.

So, where and how does this focused light technology come into play in the field of dermatology and more specifically cosmetic dermatology? All lasers, regardless of type or wavelength, basically cause some form of localized heating to occur when applied to the skin. The trained laser dermatologist makes use of this epidermal or dermal heating effect to achieve a desired outcome. Some procedures may literally be designed to burn away a small portion of the layer of skin, while other procedures may be designed to cause some heating and slight burning of the skin layers with the intent to cause healing to take place which in turn causes new skin growth and a tightening effect. Lasers are also used to burn away undesirable growths such as tumors or moles and also to remove items such as tattoos or scars. Some of the most common dermatological lasers and their common applications are listed below. Each laser has a particular wavelength of light, a variety of beam focus and pulsing options and a variety of intensities allowing minor heating to major burning capabilities. The skill of the laser dermatologist is the key to a good laser outcome as the highly trained physician will understand how to apply the right laser in the right intensity to gain the desired outcome.

1450 nm diode Laser: This is a deeply penetrating laser that is very effective for treating acne and wrinkles. Typically, no recovery time is needed after treatment. The 1450 diode can even clear the most stubborn cystic acne on the face, back, and chest. This particular wavelength will also improve older and deeper acne scars.

CO2 High Intensity Super Pulse Laser: This is a very powerful laser generally used for skin tumors and skin cancer removal.

CO2 Silktouch Laser: A stronger resurfacing laser usually used for severe wrinkles.

Erbium 294 Yag Laser: This is a fast healing resurfacing instrument used for wrinkles, scars, and tumors. There is a new Erbium version called microerbium for fractional resurfacing with no down time recovery.

Fractionated CO2 Laser: This is a newer CO2 technology targeted for use in removing acne scars, wrinkles, surgical and trauma scars.

Long Pulse Alexandrite Laser: This version laser is most often used for hair removal on individuals with olive complexions.

Long Pulse Dye Laser W/ Cooling: This version laser is most often used for vascular lesions, stretch marks, scar revision, skin rejuvenation, acne treatments, and acne scars.

Long Pulse Ruby Laser: This instrument is most often used for hair removal on fair skinned individuals.

Long Pulse Yag Laser: This instrument is used for removal of unwanted hair on dark skinned individuals and also removal of leg veins, and general skin tightening. Also used for removal of fine hair.

Photo-Dynamic Therapy (PDT): PDT involves a chemical application that is applied to the skin prior to laser treatment for active acne and is also used to augment skin rejuvenation.

PhotoMedex XTRAC Excimer Laser: This instrument is most often used for treating psoriasis and vitiliago.

Q-Switch Ruby Laser: This is the most powerful laser for tattoo and birthmark removal and pigmented lesion treatment.

Q-Switch Yag Laser: This instrument is a common choice for tattoo removal, pigmented lesion treatments, acne scar removal, and general skin rejuvenation.

Q-Switch Yag 5 Laser: This laser is popular for skin rejuvenation, pigmented lesions, and removing tattoos that contain color.

Radio frequency Laser: This instrument is commonly used for non-surgical face lift and skin tightening. The procedure is an advanced way to tighten skin with the touch of a sophisticated computerized treatment tip to the skin. It requires no incisions and no recovery time. Excellent results can often be seen with just one treatment.

Short and Long Pulse Flashlamp Dye Laser: This instrument is most often used for vascular lesions, stretch marks, scar revision, skin rejuvenation, acne treatments, and removal of acne scars.

These are some of the more common dermatological lasers and their common applications. Some laser dermatologists will own and operate several of these instruments while some clinics may only own one or two particular lasers. It is really up the preference of the laser physician and what tools they feel they need to do the procedures that are the forte of their particular practice. Lasers have helped open up a whole new field of skin treatments and have also helped to make previously performed procedures faster and often less painful with much shorter recovery times and decreased chance of complications.

Always consult only a licensed physician or similarly licensed medical facility before undergoing any medical procedure.

For more information regarding laser dermatology and cosmetic surgery- please visit: http://www.dallascosmeticplasticsurgery.info/category/articles/

Rhinoplasty Trends For Asian Patients

By A Aaronson

Asian-Americans patients represent a growing percentage of the American plastic surgery business. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that the number of Asian-Americans undergoing cosmetic surgery grew to 767,806 in 2007, representing 7 percent of all patients, up from 6 percent in 2006. One of the most commonly requested procedures among this population segment is rhinoplasty or nose surgery. Asian noses tend to have several general features. These include a wide bridge and a flat nasal tip curve. The current Asian rhinoplasty trends involve the changing and reshaping of these characteristic features.

The Bridge

Many of those Asian-Americans looking for a nose job are specifically seeking a higher nasal bridge. This is accomplished by inserting a piece silicone above the natural bridge to create a nose bridge that projects farther from the face. Some patients complain that this technique leaves much to be desired, as the result can be a very obviously surgically altered nose. Sometimes the sharp edges of the implant are even visible under the nose skin. In some cases, silicone implants have even been known to turn the nose tissue an unsightly reddish hue. More recently, plastic surgeons have begun using cartilage grafts to build up the nasal bridge during Asian rhinoplasty. The cartilage is from the patient's own body and helps create a more natural look. A synthetic material called Gore-Tex is also becoming more popular because it does not show through like the silicone does.

The Tip

Many Asian-Americans have wide nose tips with wide, flared nostrils. The typical request is for a smaller, more defined tip and more proportional nostrils. This can be achieved through plastic surgery. If more than simple reshaping is required, implants can be use to get the desired definition. These implants can be either synthetic or from the patient's own cartilage. Cartilage can come from the septum(the blade between the nostrils), the ears, the skull, ribs, or hips.

The key to a successful Asian-American rhinoplasty is to keep the nose balanced with the rest of the face. The nose job should not make the tip too small or the bridge height too high for the rest of the face. Along these same lines, it is imperative that patients and plastic surgeons not try to create an Asian nose into a Caucasian nose or any other non-Asian type nose. The ethnicity should be preserved to make the rhinoplasty as appealing and natural looking as possible.

As with any ethnicity, recovery from a rhinoplasty takes times, usually somewhere in the range of weeks to months. The new, true shape of the nose will only be revealed as the post-surgery swelling and bruising subsides. There may be some pain and tenderness in the mean time, but painkillers can typically erase the annoyance of these side effects. And cosmetics can be very effective in covering up any bruising, redness, or blemishes during the healing process. With a little, patience, Asian rhinoplasty can be a very rewarding plastic surgery procedure.

If you're displeased with the appearance of your nose and are considering rhinoplasty, Williamsburg plastic surgeons at Plastic Surgery Center Hampton Roads offers unsurpassed skill. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit http://www.pschr.com.

Plastic Surgery Gives Sculpted Look After Massive Weight Loss

By A Aaronson

Losing a massive amount of weight is a very exciting and impressive achievement. It can dramatically improve your health and such conditions as Type II Diabetes and high blood pressure. A huge weight loss will add years to your life and will greatly enhance the quality of that life. Yet there may be some unwanted byproducts from losing a lot of weight. Particularly, many people may be left with loose hanging folds of skin. The skin was stretched out so much during the years of obesity that its elasticity is compromised and it is not able to shrink back down as the pounds melt away. This loose, lax skin can be very unsightly and partially undermine the positive feelings you have about your amazing accomplishment. Fortunately, today plastic surgery is available to correct this problem.

Body Contouring is Very Popular

Massive weight loss is a very common reason for having plastic surgery procedures performed. Patients typically tend to request body contouring operations like breast enhancement, liposuction, tummy tuck, and body lift.

Breast Enhancement

The breasts can be particularly affected by massive weight loss. The skin may hang and sag after the loss of a lot of breast tissue. Breast lifts and implants can eliminate the excess skin and provide firm, tight breasts again. There are many different sizes of breast implants to choose from to best fit your body. The recovery does involve some down time and breast tenderness, but the results may give you great satisfaction when you look in the mirror.

Liposuction

This is a procedure that allows the plastic surgeon to remove diet and exercise resistant fat pockets to help you get all the way to the figure you desire. You have done most of the work with your massive weight loss; liposuction can make up the difference. The most common areas for this cosmetic surgery are the stomach, hips, thighs, and buttocks. The plastic surgeon makes incisions in these areas and uses a small tube called a cannula to suck out unwanted fat deposits. The healing process requires resting for several days, but the results can be dramatic. They may allow you to finally look as good as you feel!

Tummy Tucks

A tummy tuck is the nickname for an abdominoplasty, a plastic surgery designed to tighten up the abs and surround skin. This is particularly helpful after losing a lot of weight because the plastic surgeon is able to excise off the loose hanging skin from your abdomen. He or she will make an incision near the pubic bone, make sutures to tighten the abdominal muscles, then pull down the stomach skin to stretch it tight, cut off the extra skin and stitch up the incision. While this operation will not give you an instant six-pack, it can significantly smooth out the appearance and feel of your tummy area.

Body Lifts

Body lifts are similar to tummy tucks except that they can take place in other regions of the body besides the abdomen. These include arm lifts where the loose, baggy skin on the upper arms is removed and smoothed. Thigh lifts and butt lifts also get rid of extra skin, firming up those regions and eliminating the tell-tale signs of your previously heavy state.

Plastic surgery is very safe in general and an effective way to remove unwanted sags and wrinkles. Body contouring, specifically is a great method of completing your new look after massive weight loss.

Renuance Cosmetic Surgery Center provides an array of plastic surgery procedures to patients in Temecula, CA. Plastic Surgeons at Renuance can offer beautiful cosmetic results. For more information, visit http://www.eichenbergmd.net/.

Why So Many People Are Turning to Plastic Surgery

By Violet Williams

There is nothing that a person gets more concerned with than their personal appearance. Women tend to be concerned with how much weight they gain, the structure of their face, and the shape of their torso. Mean tend to worry about their sexual anatomy, wrinkles, and whether they are losing their hair.

Now, people can have changed whatever they would like, thanks to the advanced medical technology involved with plastic surgery. People in the earlier history would indeed have welcomed the advent of plastic surgery, because they had many appearance problems that could have been easily rectified.

For example, diseases like smallpox left deep scars in their face - scars that the aristocratic people (both males and females) actually filled in with beeswax and then put heavy makeup over. Plus, for both men and women who were losing their hair, wigs that caused dry scalps were implemented.

Luckily, plastic surgery is available so that powdered wigs and beeswax are things of the past - as indeed they should be. Many people are seeking out various procedures because of the minimally invasive techniques, which not only produce faster, more natural results, but also require minimal recovery time.

So, if you are a person interested in getting plastic surgery, it is extremely important to make sure that you do your research as to which surgeon would be best for the job. Make sure that he or she has at least five years of medical training, and has many verifiable testimonials to his or her credit.

More information on male breast reduction and a plastic surgery doctor in your area is just a click away.

What is Cool Lipo?

By Violet Williams

Ever wonder how many different procedures are available for removing unwanted fat and loose skin from the body? Ever wonder if you are a candidate for different liposuction procedures? Are liposuction procedures even covered by medical insurance?

There are a variety of different liposuction procedures available today for people around the world. One of those procedures is called Cool Lipo. This procedure is less invasive than the majority of other liposuction procedures and is used to remove fatty tissues from various parts of the body. The areas of the body most commonly operated on with this procedure are under the chin and any other regions that standard liposuction procedures cannot treat.

Most candidates for Cool Lipo are patients that cannot have small areas of fat removed from their body by regular exercise and regular dieting. This procedure does not include general anesthesia. Even though this procedure is very popular in women it is also popular in men too, especially when male breast reduction is involved.

A laser is used during the Cool Lipo procedure by a cosmetic surgeon after a local anesthesia is applied to the area that will be worked on. After a routine waiting period, the doctor will then use the laser to release energy on the area of the body where the fat needs to be removed.

This procedure is considering a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by medical insurance, which means that the patient will need pay out of pocket for the procedure. The procedure, for one session, usually runs for a cost of $1,000 or more.

More information on Cool Lipo and a cosmetic dermatologist in your area is just a click away.

SmartLipo - Safer Than Traditional Liposuction

By Spero Theodorou

The highly advantageous SmartLipo liposuction technology introduced just last year has been welcomed with open hands. FDA approved and minimally invasive, SmartLipo doesn't just do away with fat; it enhances body contour (shape) and tightens flabby (loose) skin. New technology is the highlight of SmartLipo making it one of the most popular and successful procedures for liposuction in the area of cosmetic surgery.

The new age SmartLipo is quite similar to traditional liposuction. However, in terms of safety, it wins over what has conventionally been practiced. The reasons for this are quite obvious to both the surgeons who have made it a part of their practice and for the many patients who have benefited from it.

Local Anesthesia

The patient is put under local and not general anesthesia. The problem with general anesthesia is that it carries with it complications and risks.

Minimally Invasive

The incisions used in both traditional and SmartLipo liposuction are small but in SmartLipo, they are smaller.

Hemostatic Properties of Laser

The SmartLipo laser has hemostatic attributes which cause coagulation of underlying vessels. When compared to traditional liposuction, this means a lesser degree of bleeding, trauma, edema and bruising; and hardly any side effects. It also means that the patient can return to his daily routine within just a matter of days because healing is faster.

Prior Liposuction Experience Required To Do It

From the standpoint of the patient who wants to go in for a SmartLipo session, only the services of a surgeon who knows what he is doing and knows it well, will do. It is therefore heartening to know that the SmartLipo laser can only be purchased by doctors who have had prior liposuction experience.

SmartLipo, through its innovative technology continues to help people feel happier with themselves and with their appearance. One can't help but salute the innovative minds that have made SmartLipo a reality.

Dr. Spero Theodorou, a talented Manhattan plastic surgeon, runs Park Avenue Smart Lipo, the only New York City SmartLipo training facility. Doctor Spero Theodorou has a personal interest in Smart Lipo (Laser liposuction) and is experienced in advanced liposuction techniques.

What is Smart Lipo?

By Elisa Cruz

There are plenty of different cosmetic surgery procedures available for removing unwanted fat from a person's body including liposuction. Other procedures are available that include the use of lasers to remove the fat from one's body.

Smart Lipo is the newest method for removing unwanted fat from a person's body with the use of a laser. This technique was first discovered in Europe and has now become popular in the United States. The procedure was originally developed a little over 10 years ago. A laser is used to rapidly dissolve fat and tighten the surrounding skin almost anywhere on the body. There does not need to be any use of a general anesthetic and is such a simple procedure that it can be done in a doctor's office and not at a hospital or clinic.

Smart Lipo can be performed on almost any area of the body including the waist, the chin, the inner and outer thighs, the hips, the buttocks, the upper arms, the face (but not around the eyes), males with breasts, the back of the neck and the pubic mound.

Candidates for Smart Lipo are patients who are in good health, are not obese, have an active lifestyle and have a pocket of localized fat that they wish to remove. Anyone with diabetes, liver problems, blood disorders, kidney problems, heart problems and skin disorders should not have this procedure performed. This procedure can be used in conjunction with liposuction and anyone that has the procedure performed can return to work within 24 hours of completion.

More information on Smart Lipo and a skin care center in your area is just a click away.