Wrinkle Zappers

Wrinkle Zappers

Thin Skin

Dermatologists offer an array of in-office procedures that give even more dramatic results---and often can be combined with one or two other treatments in a single appointment.

Fine Wrinkles

For Fine Wrinkles

Peptides

These amino-acid compounds seem to help promote the growth of collagen and elastin stimulating fibroblasts --- the skin’s support structures that keep it smooth and youthful looking,  Known for their role in wound healing and recognized for their ability to improve the appearance of photodamaged skin, most peptide products are also rich in antioxidants and topical nutrients.

Wrinkle-relaxing lotions

With all excitement surrounding injectables as wrinkle smoothers, there was bound to be creation of topical creams claiming to achieve similar results.  Extensive testing shows that a lot or products help smooth out fine lines caused by smiling, frowning and other facial movements.

Retinol and retinoids

Retinoid or Vitamin-A based cream remain as top smoothers in the anti-aging arsenal.  Now, advance formulations help prevent the red, flaky face that was the most common side effect.  However, these products can increase sun sensitivity, so make sure to wear a sunscreen daily when using them.

Microdermabrasion

You used to have to go into a doctor’s office to get the full effect of this treatment, where dead skin cells are removed with tiny silicon or aluminum-oxide crystal blown against the skin using a handheld device and then sucked up with a small vacuum.  But there’s a new generation of at-home alternatives that allows you to get similar results (smoother, more even-toned skin) with four weeks.  Some products help improve skin’s clarity and are far less expensive than in-office procedures.

Laser and non-laser lights

New lasers stimulate collagen production.  Toning with intense pulsed visible light (IPL or photorejuvenation) and radio-frequency waves can eradicate irregular pigmentation and broken capillaries as well as help tighten the skin

Deep Wrinkles

For Deeper Wrinkles

Botox

Approval of Botox for cosmetic use pushed demands for this muscle-paralyzing substance (purified botulinum toxin) to the top of doctors’ request lists.  Two other versions, Myobloc and Dysport, also claim to work by temporarily paralyzing the muscles that create certain expression lines, thus smoothing wrinkles.  However, it injected improperly, botulinum can cause paralysis of the wrong muscle, leading to drooping eyelids or other problems.  That’s why it’s important to seek out a qualified doctor to have it done.

Collagen

Bovine Collagen (Zyderm and Zyplast) has been around for years and is still effective filler, but typically requires two allergy tests, two weeks apart, before injection.  Now there’s human collagen which can be injected immediately, without an allergy test.  All forms of collagen lasts only up to six months since they can eventually absorbed by the body.  Permanent soft-tissue filler that is composed of part bovine collagen and part polymer beads, which help stimulates the body to produce its own collagen, is also considered.  For this filler, however, there is the possibility of lumps forming underneath the skin after injection.

Your own fat

Fat is effective for filling in lines and making the skin look smoother.  Using your body’s own fat as a filler avoid allergy concerns, but you have to have the fat withdrawn from your abdominal area, thighs or butt through a minimal liposuction procedure.  It’s then injected into the skin, a procedure that takes about an hour.  Self-donated fat can be stored for up to a year, so you can go back to refill sans the full procedure.

FAMI (Fat Autograft Muscle Injection)

Another fat transfer method, called FAMI (Fat Autograft Muscle Injection), involves injecting fat deeper into the skin---below the fat layer and into muscle.  The benefits include longer-lasting results (several years as compared to the six to 24 months that your own fat lasts).

Hyaluronic Acid

This component of connective tissue has been found an effective filler for deeper lines (like ones that can be form around the mouth) not suitable for botulinum toxin; it also works well to plump up the lips.  It goes by the names Restylane and Perlane have been used successfully in Europe for years and have been shown to produce longer-lasting results (up to a year, as compared with the six months that collagen lasts).

Looking Ahead

Injectable Line Filler

Noteworthy up-and-comers include a gel comprising microscopic spheres of calcium hydroxyapatite (a constituent of human bone).  Currently used in Europe and South America, it offers the promise to a longer lasting solution for deep lines particularly those around the mouth.

Gene therapy

Chicago researchers are studying DNA to identify genes that change with age.  They believe that treatment can eventually be developed to target the specific genes, helping to slow the aging process of complement existing procedures.

Wrinkles Treatment

A Patient’s Guide to Liposuction

 Guide to Liposuction

Liposuction

Among cosmetic procedures, liposuction is probably the most popular and commonly administered procedure today.  Unfortunately, myths and misconceptions flood the marker, often causing unnecessary confusion and fear among people who are interested to undergo the procedure.  In some aspects, money-making businessmen see this interest as a way to progress their business.  On the other hand, prospective patients would greatly benefit from the host of information provided by full-fledged, licensed surgeons who help manage patients’ expectations.  Feeling comfortable with the surgeon will enable patients to enter the experience of elective cosmetic surgery with confidence and enthusiasm. 

Am I a good candidate for liposuction?

A healthy person is always the best candidate for any procedure.  Ideally, he or she is not overweight, has good skin elasticity but has ”bulges” of excess fullness that refuse to disappear in spite of good diet and exercise.  Areas often affected by bulges are the inner and outer thighs, hips, abdomen, knees, arms, neck and back.  In men, the most common area is the dreaded “love handle” and back.

While being slightly overweight is not a problem, patients who intend to lose 15 pounds are advised to lose it prior to surgery.  If skin is the proposed area (s) of liposuction is loose, it will subsequently hand.  In this case, although liposuction may not be for you, you might be an excellent candidate for other body sculpting procedure such as a tummy tuck or thighplasty.

Apple Shape Body vs. Pear Shape Body

Will the irregularity or “cellulite” appearance of my skin improve with liposuction?

Like any other procedures, liposuction also has its limitations.  If you’re after eliminating stubborn cellulite, this will not be achieved through liposuction.  Liposuction is a sculpting procedure and pre-existing surface irregularities will not change.  Bulges will disappear and contours will improve, correlating to an improved appearance both in and out of clothes.  Once healing is complete, a significant change in the bodies becomes noticeable.  The appearance of cellulite can be addressed by other procedures such as Mesotherapy.

Tumescent Liposuction

What is tumescent liposuction?

The procedure involves the introduction of a special solution into areas of ore-determined liposuction prior to extracting of fatty tissue.  More to address the subject of convenience on the part of the patient, this technique allows a greater amount of fat to be extracted with minimal blood loss and reduced bruising and discomfort.

Where will my surgery be done and how will I feel afterwards?

All liposuction surgeries should be performed in an outpatient surgery center that is hospital-equipped and accredited.  The procedure is done in the presence of a board certified anesthesiologist who will be at the patient’s side for the duration of the procedure.  The anesthesiologist uses a special technique of general anesthesia designed to make the experience safe and comfortable.  While patients are normally not bedridden after the surgery, three to seven days of rest are usually recommended, depending on the amount of liposuction performed.

Initial swelling subsides in about three weeks and contours are completely determined in a few months.  For the first three weeks, patients usually wear a comfortable girdle-type garment under clothes that helps achieve final results more quickly.

As in other surgical procedures, safety is always or paramount importance, especially when considering elective cosmetic surgery.  Liposuction surgeons normally insist on having a thorough review of the patient’s past and present medical history.  It may seem laborious but it is very pertinent in preparation for surgery.

When selecting a surgeon, judgment is as important as skill.  All surgical procedures must be performed with excellent judgment.  Sometimes, there is a temptation to combine areas of liposuction simultaneously, leading to a riskier, high-volume liposuction.  Combining too many different operative procedures involves a lengthier anesthetic time, which can also increase risk.

Belly, Buttock and Thigh Region

What will I look after surgery?

Commonly asked by any patient, surgeons normally provide the answers via the use of high-technology computer imaging.  Through the magic of computer imaging, patients can visualize conservatively what they can reasonably expect in terms of an achievable outcome.  Liposuction is a sculpting procedure.  Ultimately, it is the skill of the sculptor / surgeon that will help achieve satisfaction.

The Key to a Healthier Body

While most people consider liposuction as a quick-fix to a leaner body, it is important to note that proper nutrition, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle are still one’s best bet to a better body.

Liposuction provides an interesting trend in cosmetic surgery; it’s also educational in the sense that if you’re simply considering liposuction as a body sculpting procedure, this can typically be achieved without cosmetic surgery in the first place:  regular physical exercise and a total diet makeover can subtract years from a person’s apparent age while hiding excess skin flabs. In fact, there’s nothing that makes you look better than regular fitness and following an outstanding nutritional strategy.

On the food and diet side, that means avoiding all processed foods and eating only natural, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, organic meats and whole grains.  It means giving yourself the nutritional supplements necessary to provide your body with all the vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, antioxidants and other phytochemicals necessary to keep you healthy  from the inside out.

Lifestyle also plays a crucial role in acquiring a healthy body.  Common vices such as smoking and drinking contribute to body aging.

Cosmetic surgery may be the shortcut, no doubt, but for the long haul, nothing beats diet and exercise for looking youthful, healthy and energetic.  After all, it’s not just for looks; you are youthful, healthy and energetic when you eat right and exercise regularly.