Study Calls for Further Research on Newer Cosmetic Techniques

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Alex

Cosmetic procedures to improve the skin’s appearance and remove subcutaneous fat are a $10-billion industry in the United States, but a recent study published in Dermatologic Clinics argues that more comparable research trials are needed to verify the safety and effectiveness of these new procedures.

Devices such as lasers and ultrasound devices, which have been approved by the FDA and are in wide use, have been proven to be safe and effective in separate trials. However, according to lead author Murad Alam, MD, there is little research that evaluates the long-term effects of these devices.

The proven techniques that Dr. Alam identified in the study were:

  • Injectable neurotoxins, such as Botox, which can smooth wrinkles and has been subject to numerous studies over the past 20 years.
  • Liposuction to remove fat has been heavily researched and shown to be highly safe and effective.
  • Lasers to treat the appearance of broken blood vessels, port wine stains and rosacea, as well as to remove brown spots and hair. These target cells with darker pigments and have been proven effective.

Other techniques, which have been approved by the FDA and have been shown to be effective and safe in the short term, require further study in order to measure their effects over longer periods of time. These include:

  • Infrared lasers that shrink and tighten the skin. While it’s certain that some tightening occurs, more research is needed to determine how much tightening takes place and how long it will last.
  • Lasers that destroy fat are safe, but so new that few studies have measured their long-term effectiveness.
  • Cooling devices that destroy fat are safe and effective, but it won’t be known for several more years if the fat removal is truly permanent.

Dr. Alam advises potential cosmetic patients to consult with experienced practitioners who have access to the latest data, “rather than someone at a nearby spa who just has one laser, is minimally trained and is not able to evaluate the scientific evidence but eager to use this device for every patient complaint.” The best outcomes can be found with qualified plastic surgeons with extensive experience and multiple techniques.

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How to Choose Your Laser Therapy

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Alex

Source: Flickr, CMRF_CrumlinNew laser technologies are a quick and virtually pain-free way to ensure healthier, more beautiful skin. A variety of options are available to treat a wide variety of conditions that were once only treatable through dermabrasion, chemical peel, or injections. But which laser treatment is right for you? Here’s a short breakdown on a few laser therapies and the unique benefits that they offer:

Fractional Resurfacing

Special CO2 lasers can precisely destroy dead or damaged skin to allow for the development and appearance of healthier skin. The laser has different intensities based on the extent of the skin damage:

Active FX:

  • sun damage
  • age spots
  • discolorations

Deep FX:

  • wrinkles
  • fine lines
  • acne scars

These treatments can be combined to provide a comprehensive laser therapy known as Total FX. The first two treatments tend to require a few days of downtime, while Total FX may take from 5–10 days. Patients usually experience some redness and swelling that fades after a few days.

IPL Photofacial

Intense pulsed light treatments are ideal for treating skin damage and signs of photoaging. Common issues include:

  • sun damage
  • hyperpigmentation
  • freckles and age spots
  • skin redness
  • broken capillaries

In some cases, IPL may also be used to reduce facial and bodily hair. Unfortunately, people with darker skin aren’t suitable for this procedure, since the broad-spectrum light targets darker pigments within the skin. Unlike with laser fractional resurfacing, IPL involves no downtime, although patients should avoid sun exposure.

Nd:Yag Laser Treatments

Darker-skinned patients will be happy to learn that the Yag laser is ideal for treating dark, ethnic and tanned skin types. This device is typically used to target spider veins in the legs, but has other applications as well:

  • facial wrinkle reduction
  • vascular birthmark removal

Thanks to the longer wavelength of the laser light, the risk of complications such as burning or redness is minimized. Controlled heat damage is generated within the skin and stimulates new collagen formation, while surface wrinkles and vascular conditions are destroyed.

Targeted laser therapies are among the most effective skin treatments available. If you’re considering a laser treatment for your skin, be sure to consult with an experienced practitioner who can minimize the risks involved.

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Unqualified Plastic Surgeons Cause “Catastrophes on a Monthly Basis”

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Alex

The world of plastic surgery is in turmoil. On the one side are the legitimately qualified surgeons and practitioners who work to provide the best results for their patients. On the other side is a “Wild West of rogue practices,” according to a recent article by Agence France-Presse, which argues that Botox parties, cosmetic tourism, and the trivialization of plastic surgery have undermined the legitimacy of the field.

This crisis has its roots with the rise of Botox in the 1990s, according to Emory University psychiatry professor Sander Gilman, who argues that “there was a veil of secrecy around cosmetic procedures” before then. With the rising popularity of Botox, however, “suddenly cosmeticians were doing Botox injections, people were having Botox parties injecting each other… Botox caused a ripple effect where the next stage — having surgical procedures — became more acceptable.”

Aesthetic surgery is a complicated field that is often best left to trained and qualified specialists. However, many patients pursue cheaper procedures, risking their health and often their lives in the process. This is especially true for those who travel to Taiwan, Malaysia, and Eastern Europe, where regulations are less stringent, and botched surgeries occur frequently that could have been prevented.

Agence France-Presse points to the French breast implant scandal as a prime example of how the field of plastic surgery has been sullied by dishonesty and greed. Many are calling for more regulation to stem the flow of money into back-alley operations and dubious overseas clinics, where breast augmentations are often performed for less than the normal cost of the implants.

National and international associations of plastic surgeons have been taking action by issuing public education campaigns and calling upon patients to exercise caution. The only way that the Wild West can be tamed is through good patient choices and stronger requirements for practitioner credentials. Next time you’re considering a cosmetic procedure, be sure to consult a qualified specialist.

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Dysport Better than Botox for Crow’s Feet: New Study

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Alex

Progress in the field of botulinum toxin research continues with a new study that compares results in treating crow’s feet. The study, published last month in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, found that Dysport is more effective in treating crow’s feet than Botox.

What are Botox and Dysport?

Both of these products are derived from a special substance, botulinum toxin, which is used in tiny quantities to target particular facial muscles. When these muscles relax, other muscles are able to extend. This produces the famous rejuvenating quality of botulinum, as wrinkles dissolve and the skin is stretched. Botox and Dysport are slightly different variations of the same basic chemical, which has been widely touted as a minimally invasive alternative to a facelift.

The New Study’s Findings

UCSF otolaryngologist Dr. Kenneth C. Y. Yu and his colleagues recruited 77 women and 13 men who had moderate to severe crow’s feet. The researchers injected 10 units of Botox on one side of each patient’s face and 30 units of Dysport on the other. (This is normal, by the way, since the two products aren’t exactly the same.) Afterwards, there was a split-face, double-blind evaluation of the results, with participants and investigators ranking the results on a five point scale.

The study found that both products produced good results within two days. However, Dysport’s greater improvement began to emerge by day four. On the sixth day the results remained superior to Botox. No participants experienced any adverse effects or complications.

Yu and his colleagues concluded that Dysport had proven itself superior to Botox in addressing crow’s feet. More research will be needed to compare the products in other muscle groups. It’s also uncertain whether other researcher may disagree about the ratios of the products used.

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Breast Reconstruction Safe for Older Women with Mastectomies

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Alex

breast reconstruction older women, elderly breast reconstruction, reconstruction after mastectomy, seniors plastic surgeryFor many women, breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is an important step on the road to recovering a sense of personal well-being after surviving a bout with breast cancer. According to a new study published in The American Surgeon, reconstruction surgery is safe and effective for older women. However, relatively few women over 65 who have had mastectomies choose to have breast reconstruction surgery, despite rising rates of breast cancer among the aging American population.

“The removal of a breast has implications for the psychological, social and sexual well-being of the patient, establishing the need that reconstruction should be offered,” says study co-author Marissa Howard-McNatt, M.D., who sought to find whether reconstruction surgery presents greater risks to senior patients.

Like all surgeries, breast reconstruction has several risks, including:

  • bleeding
  • poor healing of incisions
  • complications from anesthesia
  • infection

Other risks include numbed sensations, capsular contracture, and implant rupture.

The study reviewed patient data from the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center over a 10-year period, with 89 women over age 60 who had undergone mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction proved to be safe and well-tolerated for these patients. Fortunately for older women, breast cancer tends to be less aggressive in the elderly than the young.

Of course, surgeons must always take account of co-morbidities that often come with age, such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses. These may limit patients’ options for breast reconstruction. Women considering reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy should discuss their options with an experienced and conscientious plastic surgeon.

“More patients are candidates for aggressive breast cancer therapy,” says Howard-McNatt. “The safety of reconstruction, as well as increased life expectancy and healthier lifestyles, makes breast reconstruction desirable at any age.”

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Jane Fonda Explains Her Plastic Surgery Decision

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Dana

Fitness guru, Jane Fonda, has decided to get plastic surgery to help her look how she feels.

jane fonda recently got plastic surgery

Bertrand Delanoë Jane Fonda by Olivier Pacteau on Flickr

Jane Fonda, an American icon for fitness and health, discusses fitness, plastic surgery, marriage and more in an interview with Matt Lauer on TODAY. She reveals why she changed her mind about plastic surgery and discusses her mission to help aging baby boomers.

Jane Fonda’s Stance on Plastic Surgery

According to Today.com, Jane no longer recognized herself in the mirror. “I thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s me… I feel so great and so rested, yet I look so different.” With this realization, Jane decided to “look more like how she feels.”

As we age, it takes more than just a healthy lifestyle to erase the evidence fine lines, wrinkles—and let’s be honest—sagging jowls, bags under the eyes and unwanted weight gain. It takes modern medicine.

More Than Just a Fitness Queen

Being a fitness guru, Jane knows what it takes to stay fit and healthy. And while she has never been an advocate of plastic surgery, she realized she could use a little help from technology to help her look as rejuvenated as she feels.

Jane has had work on her chin, neck and under her eyes. And the 73-year old is on a mission to help baby boomers feel like they can take-charge of their life and feel good. “It’s less about trying to look a certain way as being able to get up and down out of a chair, carry your grandkids, look over your shoulder when backing down a driveway… You want to stay as independent as you can.”

Part of feeling confident and agile is feeling more youthful and attractive. Exercise and healthy eating can only take you so far once you reach a certain age. Jane is a great advocate of finding that healthy balance.

View the video below or view it on TODAY.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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The Benefits of Chemical Peels: Sophistication Without the Wrinkles

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Dana

pretty girl symbolizing the benefits of agingWe’ve all heard that aging makes us more sophisticated. More sage in the ways of daily life and experiences. Well can’t we have the knowledge with a few less lines and wrinkles? The answer: Yes! Chemical peels are an affordable, effective technology that are even beating the latest, cutting-edge laser treatments and fillers.

Discover the benefits of chemical peels and whether they’re right for you.

Chemical Peels Compared to Fillers

According to Modern Medicine’s Dr. Ilya Petrou, fillers are great for treating specific wrinkles, but not for patients who have extensive wrinkling all over their face. It’s simply too expensive. Another benefit of chemical peels: the outcome is similar—sometimes better—than the more invasive technologies. And the best part: chemical peels tend to have a lower risk of complications than competing surgeries and treatments.

Chemical Peel Treatments – One of the Most Requested Procedures

Chemical peels are as popular as ever.  Even with all the latest cutting-edge technologies, chemical peels are still one of the most popular treatments in cosmetic medicine. Followed only by botulinum toxin and filler procedures.

Putting Your Best Face Forward

Maybe Samantha Jones on Sex and The City paved the way for chemical peels with her unforgettable unveiling (literally!) of her ‘fresh’ treatment at Carrie’s book party.

JUST REMEMBER: If you are going to get this fabulous treatment, stay indoors for a couple days. Maybe you can even cozy-up on the couch with some goodies good flicks.

Read more about chemical peels in North Carolina and schedule a consultation today!

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Effectiveness of Laser Surgery for Skin Cancer Reviewed

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Staff Writer

laser surgery for skin cancerA new study compared therapies for treating precancerous skin growths and found the effectiveness of laser surgery, according to the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.

In cases where radiation therapy or excision surgery are not possible, your plastic surgeon may be able to employ the use of a carbon dioxide laser to treat the growth. This type of laser surgery for skin cancer is best used to treat growths on the head and neck that have yet to transform into melanomas, one of the most deadly forms of skin cancer.

To test the effectiveness of laser surgery for skin cancer, researchers compared it to other treatment techniques like radiation therapy and surgical removal. The researchers compared surgery treatment cases over the course of about 20 years. Radiation therapy was the most commonly used technique and laser surgery for skin cancer, the least common with just 15 of 73 patients undergoing that option.

The recurrence rate of cancers treated with surgery and the carbon dioxide laser were relatively low, at 4.2 and 6.7% respectively. Patients who underwent radiation treatments saw the greatest recurrence at 29%.

Though many plastic surgeons may choose excision surgery when given the opportunity, given its lower recurrence rate in the study, it is not always possible. In areas where a surgical scar may be more visible, like areas around the neck and face, laser surgery for skin cancer may be advantageous.

Despite any cosmetic benefits of using laser surgery for skin cancer, it is important to follow the advice of your plastic surgeon when it comes to treatment.

To learn more about treatment for skin cancer, email Wilmington plastic surgeon Dr. Ljung.

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New Technology Successful for Detecting Melanoma

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Staff Writer

detecting melanomaA new scanner for the skin can help plastic surgeons in detecting melanoma , according to WebMD.

The device, called MelaFind, helps doctors in detecting melanoma and judging whether a biopsy may be necessary. The MelaFind works by scanning the surface of the skin and analyzing skin lesions it finds. Early findings for the MelaFind have been successful—the device only missed 2% of melanomas.

Melanoma is one of the most deadly forms of cancer. It grows quickly, but may be treated if found early enough. Doctors who use MelaFind can use the device conjunction with their own training to diagnose patients.

One of the benefits of the device is that when it is successful in detecting melanoma, it can help doctors to discern whether a biopsy is necessary. In the cases where melanomas are not found, patients can avoid unnecessary biopsies.

However, the device was found to have a high false positive rate. But after further examining the lesions, it was found that 90% of the time the lesions were not cancerous.

Despite this fact, the FDA found that the positives of the device in detecting melanomas outweighed the chance for unnecessary biopsies.

Though the MelaFind cannot replace a dermatologist’s trained eye when it comes to detecting melanoma, the makers find that it is a helpful tool for dermatologists.

To find out more about treatment for skin cancer in Wilmington, please email plastic surgeon Dr. Ljung.

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Guidelines for Safe Cosmetic Surgery Outlined by Surgeons

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Staff Writer

safe cosmetic surgeryTo avoid patient complications worldwide, many plastic surgeons are backing standards for safe cosmetic surgery, according to International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Because some patients choose to go overseas for surgeries that may be cheaper, plastic surgeons in the US and internationally are also seeing “alarming” rates of patients who experience complications. Due to lax and inconsistent safeguards and guidelines used by some international plastic surgeons, patients do not always receive the care they should when traveling for plastic surgery.

For example, patients from the UK who went abroad for plastic surgery reported a 20% complication rate, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).

As a remedy to this issue, the president of the ISAPS proposed a checklist to ensure safe cosmetic surgery. This proposed checklist covers four key factors for safe cosmetic surgery as follows:

  • The patient should be a good candidate for the requested surgery.
  • The surgeon must be properly trained and credentialed.
  • The procedure should be appropriate for the patient.
  • The surgical facility should be an accredited and proven safe venue with properly trained staff and emergency preparedness.

The World Health Organization also champions patient safety. A safe cosmetic surgery checklist it promoted in 2008, with the support of ISAPS, has shown to greatly improve patient safety when used properly, In fact, under the use of the checklist, patient complications were reduced by more than one third and patient deaths decreased by nearly 50%.

The ISAPS stresses that patients understand that just because a doctor has a medical degree does not mean they are qualified to perform any surgery. In order to undergo a safe cosmetic surgery, patients should ensure that their surgeon is trained and credentialed in the procedure/field and that surgery will be performed in an accredited, safe facility.

The ISAPS says it has seen an increase in patients contacting its offices to verify their surgeon’s credentials. This, coupled with appropriate local research, can help patients choose a plastic surgeon who is ideal for performing their safe cosmetic surgery.

To learn more about choosing safe cosmetic surgery options, please join the mailing list of Wilmington plastic surgeon Dr. Ljung.

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