Cosmetic Procedures Are Available to Help Turn Back the Clock
http://www.girlygang.net/articles/5356/1/Cosmetic-Procedures-Are-Available-to-Help-Turn-Back-the-Clock/Page1.html
Dave Stringham
Dave Stringham is the President of http://LookingYourBest.com an online resource for plastic surgery. Learn more about breast augmentation and plastic surgery Phoenix Arizona procedures. By Dave Stringham
Published on 10/17/2008
Due to the effects of both gravity and time, your face, skin, and even legs can become wrinkled, saggy, or discolored. Fortunately, procedures are available to counteract these effects and restore you to your natural beauty.
Due to the effects of both gravity and time, your face, skin, and even legs can become wrinkled, saggy, or discolored. Fortunately, procedures are available to counteract these effects and restore you to your natural beauty.
SCLEROTHERAPY
Sclerotherapy is a popular method of eliminating superficial telangectasias (Spider Veins) in which a sclerosing agent solution is injected into the veins. We use the safest sclerosing agent of all CONCENTRATED SALINE (23.4%). We prepare it in different concentrations based on skin tone and background (15% - Darker Skin; 18% Moderate Skin and 22% - Fair Skin). An inflammatory reaction will occur soon after the procedure. This is normal and desirable. After about two to three weeks, patients will notice a gradual fading of the treated vessels. More than one session will be necessary, but no more than six per area.
This is a safe and proven procedure; however, as with any procedure, there are no guarantees. About 10 percent of clients undergoing SCLEROTHERAPY report fair results (not all vessels are gone after six treatments).
The most common side effects are bruising, transient hyperpigmentation (discoloration of light brown streaks) after the procedure. It may last from four to twelve months. The area may be tender to touch and a bump at the treatment site may be noticeable. A warm compress will alleviate the symptoms.
The use of compression hosiery for up to two weeks after treatment, which may be used for at least eight hours a day, is recommended. Sclerotherapy can be done in other parts of the body including the face. The area in the face will be red and puffy, but the resolution tends to be very much faster. Some surgeons offer the option of Laser/IPL for the delicate areas of the face.
Two days before the treatment, as with any injectables, we suggest that alcohol be avoided, as well as other medications or supplements that thin blood. Occasionally, patients may experience mild burning during the treatment, but because Lidocaine 2% is part of the medication, this will soon be alleviated. A post-instruction sheet will be provided, but patients should plan on walking, avoid chlorinated pools and jaccuzzies, and avoid crossing their legs.
FACIAL FAT INJECTIONS
Natural body fat also makes excellent dermal filler. Also known as autologous fat transplantation, facial fat injections use the body's natural fat to add definition to the face and reduce lines and wrinkles. A great volumizer, fat adds permanent volume to many areas of the face that tend to lose volume as aging progresses.
Fat is generally harvested from the abdomen, waist, or thighs. The donor site is injected with a local anesthetic to ensure a painless extraction. A small cannula attached to a syringe extracts the necessary amount of fat to be injected. The fat is processed to remove excess fluids and reinjected, using a micro needle. Fat can be added to most areas of the face that will help maintain fullness as seen in youth. Patients usually require three to four treatments spread across six months for optimal results.
Facial chemical peels remove the top layers of skin to reveal the healthy, youthful skin underneath. Chemical peels can reduce the affects of sun damage, fine wrinkles, and uneven pigmentation.
Surgeons can control the intensity of a chemical peel by adjusting the amount of time the peel is applied and its strength. Many clinics utilize TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels. TCA peels are strong enough to provide noteworthy results, but require no anesthesia. Most patients have minimal discomfort and report a mild burning sensation. Skin will turn brown and peel over seven to ten days and leave a healthy more refreshed appearence.
Patients are asked, however, to avoid exposure to intense sunlight for the first few weeks following the peel.
PHOTO SKIN REJUVENATION
Some cosmetic surgeons offer Intense Pulse Light therapy or I.P.L., one of the latest advancements in the treatment of hyper-pigmentation(sun spots), broken capillaries, acne scarring, and other skin imperfections. The Palomar Rejuvelux machine consists of hand pieces which emit pulses of light into the skin. The light is absorbed by the pigment(color) in the sunspots and the blood in the visible vessels, and converted to heat. The heat destroys the cells that create the pigment and shrinks the vessels.
Intense Pulse Light differs from Laser in that the pulsed light system uses a much larger treatment window than lasers. This spreads light over a wider area of skin and allows faster coverage of the skin and quicker treatments as a result. Many patients state that Intense Pulse light is less painful, and more comfortable than most Lasers.
Prior to any treatment of Intense Pulse Light a consultation is recommended to determine the number of treatments that may be required. A therapist will complete a thorough analysis of your skin type and condition to be treated. Although most patients experience excellent results with Intense Pulse Light Therapy, it is a rare possibility that the treatment may not be effective due to certain complications including but not limited to hormonal imbalances, sun exposure, and skin resistance.
DERMABRASION
Dermabrasion is one of the most popular and effective skin resurfacing techniques for the removal of facial scarring and imperfections. Surgeons use a small, rapidly spinning wheel, much like fine sandpaper, to remove imperfections and impurities to reveal fresh, healthy skin just below the surface. Dermabrasion is proven to be effective for a number of skin imperfections, including acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles. Dermabrasion is frequently performed during facelift surgery to dramatically reduce the vertical lines around the mouth. Surgery healing takes form two to three weeks. Once complete, skin will look and feel remarkably healthy and fresh.
LASER SKIN RESURFACING
Laser skin resurfacing removes the layer of skin marked by wrinkles, acne scars, or dark pigmentation, to reveal the healthy skin just beneath the surface. Many factors, including sun exposure, smoking, heredity, and other lifestyle factors, effect how quickly skin ages. Laser skin resurfacing erases these telltale signs of aging. Consult with your surgeon to decide if laser skin resurfacing is the best skin care method for a particular skin type. Goals will be discussed, as well as what should be expected from treatment.
Laser skin resurfacing uses a carbon dioxide laser to remove the outermost layer of skin by vaporizing skin cells. This method of skin resurfacing has become popular because of its precision and dramatic results. Laser skin resurfacing is reserved for patients with light or fair skin complexion. After the procedure, skin will be red and swollen and require several weeks of healing. Sun exposure should be avoided until healing is complete.
SCLEROTHERAPY
Sclerotherapy is a popular method of eliminating superficial telangectasias (Spider Veins) in which a sclerosing agent solution is injected into the veins. We use the safest sclerosing agent of all CONCENTRATED SALINE (23.4%). We prepare it in different concentrations based on skin tone and background (15% - Darker Skin; 18% Moderate Skin and 22% - Fair Skin). An inflammatory reaction will occur soon after the procedure. This is normal and desirable. After about two to three weeks, patients will notice a gradual fading of the treated vessels. More than one session will be necessary, but no more than six per area.
This is a safe and proven procedure; however, as with any procedure, there are no guarantees. About 10 percent of clients undergoing SCLEROTHERAPY report fair results (not all vessels are gone after six treatments).
The most common side effects are bruising, transient hyperpigmentation (discoloration of light brown streaks) after the procedure. It may last from four to twelve months. The area may be tender to touch and a bump at the treatment site may be noticeable. A warm compress will alleviate the symptoms.
The use of compression hosiery for up to two weeks after treatment, which may be used for at least eight hours a day, is recommended. Sclerotherapy can be done in other parts of the body including the face. The area in the face will be red and puffy, but the resolution tends to be very much faster. Some surgeons offer the option of Laser/IPL for the delicate areas of the face.
Two days before the treatment, as with any injectables, we suggest that alcohol be avoided, as well as other medications or supplements that thin blood. Occasionally, patients may experience mild burning during the treatment, but because Lidocaine 2% is part of the medication, this will soon be alleviated. A post-instruction sheet will be provided, but patients should plan on walking, avoid chlorinated pools and jaccuzzies, and avoid crossing their legs.
FACIAL FAT INJECTIONS
Natural body fat also makes excellent dermal filler. Also known as autologous fat transplantation, facial fat injections use the body's natural fat to add definition to the face and reduce lines and wrinkles. A great volumizer, fat adds permanent volume to many areas of the face that tend to lose volume as aging progresses.
Fat is generally harvested from the abdomen, waist, or thighs. The donor site is injected with a local anesthetic to ensure a painless extraction. A small cannula attached to a syringe extracts the necessary amount of fat to be injected. The fat is processed to remove excess fluids and reinjected, using a micro needle. Fat can be added to most areas of the face that will help maintain fullness as seen in youth. Patients usually require three to four treatments spread across six months for optimal results.
Facial chemical peels remove the top layers of skin to reveal the healthy, youthful skin underneath. Chemical peels can reduce the affects of sun damage, fine wrinkles, and uneven pigmentation.
Surgeons can control the intensity of a chemical peel by adjusting the amount of time the peel is applied and its strength. Many clinics utilize TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels. TCA peels are strong enough to provide noteworthy results, but require no anesthesia. Most patients have minimal discomfort and report a mild burning sensation. Skin will turn brown and peel over seven to ten days and leave a healthy more refreshed appearence.
Patients are asked, however, to avoid exposure to intense sunlight for the first few weeks following the peel.
PHOTO SKIN REJUVENATION
Some cosmetic surgeons offer Intense Pulse Light therapy or I.P.L., one of the latest advancements in the treatment of hyper-pigmentation(sun spots), broken capillaries, acne scarring, and other skin imperfections. The Palomar Rejuvelux machine consists of hand pieces which emit pulses of light into the skin. The light is absorbed by the pigment(color) in the sunspots and the blood in the visible vessels, and converted to heat. The heat destroys the cells that create the pigment and shrinks the vessels.
Intense Pulse Light differs from Laser in that the pulsed light system uses a much larger treatment window than lasers. This spreads light over a wider area of skin and allows faster coverage of the skin and quicker treatments as a result. Many patients state that Intense Pulse light is less painful, and more comfortable than most Lasers.
Prior to any treatment of Intense Pulse Light a consultation is recommended to determine the number of treatments that may be required. A therapist will complete a thorough analysis of your skin type and condition to be treated. Although most patients experience excellent results with Intense Pulse Light Therapy, it is a rare possibility that the treatment may not be effective due to certain complications including but not limited to hormonal imbalances, sun exposure, and skin resistance.
DERMABRASION
Dermabrasion is one of the most popular and effective skin resurfacing techniques for the removal of facial scarring and imperfections. Surgeons use a small, rapidly spinning wheel, much like fine sandpaper, to remove imperfections and impurities to reveal fresh, healthy skin just below the surface. Dermabrasion is proven to be effective for a number of skin imperfections, including acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles. Dermabrasion is frequently performed during facelift surgery to dramatically reduce the vertical lines around the mouth. Surgery healing takes form two to three weeks. Once complete, skin will look and feel remarkably healthy and fresh.
LASER SKIN RESURFACING
Laser skin resurfacing removes the layer of skin marked by wrinkles, acne scars, or dark pigmentation, to reveal the healthy skin just beneath the surface. Many factors, including sun exposure, smoking, heredity, and other lifestyle factors, effect how quickly skin ages. Laser skin resurfacing erases these telltale signs of aging. Consult with your surgeon to decide if laser skin resurfacing is the best skin care method for a particular skin type. Goals will be discussed, as well as what should be expected from treatment.
Laser skin resurfacing uses a carbon dioxide laser to remove the outermost layer of skin by vaporizing skin cells. This method of skin resurfacing has become popular because of its precision and dramatic results. Laser skin resurfacing is reserved for patients with light or fair skin complexion. After the procedure, skin will be red and swollen and require several weeks of healing. Sun exposure should be avoided until healing is complete.