You Can Improve Your Sun-Damaged Skin With Laser Treatments

Currently, there are many lasers used for facial and skin rejuvenation and to treat sun damage and photo-aging of the skin. One older laser system, the carbon dioxide laser, has been very effective for treating sun damaged skin but has fallen out of favor. This is because it routinely caused extensive rawness of the skin that typically required over 2 weeks of “hiding out” or “downtime” to recover. In addition to the time it took to heal, it frequently caused skin discoloration and occasionally scarring. Many lasers available today require very little downtime and yield some improvement of the skin but are not nearly as effective as the carbon dioxide laser. As with any procedure, anyone considering laser skin treatments should first consult with a plastic surgeon prior to under going their chosen procedure.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that helps to nourish the skin, joints, bones, and ligaments with in your body. Injectable collagen, is derived from purified bovine collagen. The purification process results in a product that is very similar to the collagen produced naturally in the human body. In the early 80's, the FDA approved collagen for cosmetic use. This purified collagen is produced in varying thicknesses to meet the needs of individual patients. Collagen is used as a filler for treat fine lines and wrinkles, though it can also be used to fill in scars on the face, neck, back and chest.
During the collagen injection procedure, a knowledgeable and experienced skin care specialist or cosmetic surgeon will perform a skin test to determine if a patient is allergic to the collagen. Once the test is complete, and the specialist or surgeon determines the subject is not allergic, the collagen is then injected under the skin using a fine needle which is inserted at several points along the edge of the treatment area. In some cases a mild local anesthetic is used. If no anesthetic is used, you may experience a mild stinging and/or burning sensation during the injection process. Collagen is partly comprised of salt water, which will be absorbed by the body within a few days of the procedure. Because of this, the specialist or surgeon will overfill the treatment area slightly.

Rhinoplasty Surgery: What Makes A Good Candidate For This Procedure?

The best candidates for rhinoplasty, more commonly known as nose surgery, have a nose that is unattractive or does not "fit" with other facial features. Deformities, breathing problems, birth defects injury, disease and noses that seem large in comparison to other facial features are all excellent indications that rhinoplasty surgery can help. Nose reshaping is intended to produce a more attractive nose shape and/or create better proportion to other facial features. Rhinoplasty surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis under sedation, and local or general anesthesia. During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will decide which rhinoplasty techniques will be used.

There are three types of nose surgery procedure techniques:

In a standard rhinoplasty procedure, the incisions are made inside the nostrils. The nasal bones, cartilage, and soft tissues are all reshaped to improve the external contour. With an open rhinoplasty procedure, which is frequently used for difficult or larger noses, a single external incision across the the part of the nose referred to as columella or the strut between the nostrils. In an open rhinoplasty procedure, the bones, cartilage, and soft tissues are reshaped under direct vision as opposed to a standard rhinoplasty procedure where the bone and soft tissues are reshaped through the small incisions inside the nostrils. Finally, a 'Tip-Plasty" technique is used when only the nasal tip is abnormal. This may be corrected with either a standard or external (open) approach to the surgery. Large nostrils can be reshaped and made smaller through tiny incisions at the outer base of the nostrils with either type of rhinoplasty surgery procedure.

Your Unique Complexion Profile Is the First Step to Complexion Health and Vitality

Through the new VISIA in-depth analysis of your unique facial characteristics, it is possible to design a facial rejuvenation and skin care program customized just for your specific complexion. The VISIA system’s multi-spectral imaging and analysis gives your plastic surgeon or skin care specialist a clear, multidimensional 'picture' of the individual aspects of your complexion which contribute to your overall appearance by identifying your skin's condition both on the surface and beneath your skin's surface. The VISIA imaging system measures features such as evenness and wrinkles to identify sun damage, and VISIA provides the most comprehensive means available for identifying all aspects of your complexion’s health.

Utilizing VISIA’s accurate imaging of your complexion, your skin care professional or plastic surgeon can design an optimal skin rejuvenation plan for your unique combination of facial characteristics and present you with options to help you realize the complexion you desire. Based on your individual complexion profile, your facial rejuvenation program will also include personalized recommendations for an ongoing skin care health plan, with VISIA imaging as an invaluable aid in monitoring your complexion’s vitality and checking effectiveness of your skin care regimen during a treatment plan.

Your skin complexion is the window through which your image is shown to the rest of the world. The VISIA Complexion Analysis system provides the information necessary to accurately individualize a facial rejuvenation and skin care regimens to match your unique complexion. A VISIA imaging session uses multi-spectral imaging and analysis to capture key 'visual' information of six key areas affecting your complexion's health and its appearance. These areas include wrinkles, spots, pores, color variation/evenness in the your skin's tone), evidence of bacteria within your skin's pores, and UV damage. In addition, the VISIA analysis sustem provides a precise and informative comparison of your complexion’s characteristics to those of others that share your same age and skin type.

Eyelid Surgery- Is it For You?

Your eyes can be the first place to show the signs of aging. This is because the skin in the eyelids is quite thin and subject to the stress and strain of the daily routine. For some, this results in always having a tired or unhappy look. Others will see fattiness or bags in the lower lids that are inherited and are visible at a young age.

With our advanced techniques, including eyelid lifts and eyelid rejuvenation or blepharoplasty, most people will not realize that you've had eyelid surgery. What people will notice is that you appear younger and more vibrant. No one procedure or technique can address all concerns. Depending on the nature of the problem, lower eyelid surgery can be done using a scarless approach, which addresses the excess fat or heaviness in the lower lid. It can also be tailored to improve eyelid support and reduce skin excess.

Remember, just as it it remains with all surgery procedures, it is important to learn all you can about your chosen procedure prior to having that surgery. Consulting with a skilled, qualified plastic surgeon and performing research are two very important steps to take when considering any plastic or cosmetic surgery procedure.

Bigger, Easier, Better - LookingYourBest.com Reaches for the Next Level

LookingYourBest.com, the nationwide reference guide to a Who's Who of America's Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeons, offers more than just a bold new look with its comprehensive re-tooling. It offers an enhanced experience.

The first aspect of the new LookingYourBest.com that will surely catch the eye is the new layout and color scheme. The old, sterile layout with its pastel colors blending out to the window's edge has been supplanted by a sharp, clean page set against a rich chocolate tone, with deep rose accents and a commanding presence. In all the site wears a more focused, sophisticated feel that visitors are sure to appreciate.

The visual changes, however, belie the underlying metamorphosis that now makes it even easier to seek out doctors and procedures by multiple criteria. A simplified menu and site structure are two of the keys to the improved ease of use, despite the addition of even more data than before. LookingYourBest has long been an excellent source for finding and comparing professionals in aesthetic medicine, both locally and nationally. Now, the search function in both the gallery and surgeon areas has been simplified and visitors are treated to informative videos and 3D procedure animations to further enhance their search.

There's an important difference in the underpinnings as well, though a casual visitor may not even notice. Nevertheless, by streamlining the site's code, the programmers at LookingYourBest have sought to improve what is often the most important aspect of a web site; browsing speed. The new LookingYourBest.com loads faster and is more intuitive than ever.

Your Skin and Vitamin C

Ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation is the major culprit in photoaging. UVA is present throughout the year. It can pass through the windows of your home, office and car, and it damages your skin by penetrating into its deeper layers. Unfortunately, UVA protection is not available in all sunscreens, and even those that contain screening agents for UVA do not offer total protection. Vitamin C to the rescue! According to an article published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, studies have suggested that vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant for UVA and ultraviolet B (UVB), making it a useful addition to your daily sunscreen.

Humans cannot synthesize vitamin C. They must ingest it, and body mechanisms limit the amount that can be absorbed and delivered to the tissues. The skin only receives about 8 percent of any vitamin C that is taken orally.

Current topical products for the skin containing specially formulated vitamin C now can provide additional protection for your skin. And, unlike most sunscreens, once vitamin C gets into the skin, it cannot be rubbed or washed away. Topical vitamin C can even be used to treat sunburn. Researchers have suggested that vitamin C can increase collagen synthesis, a reaction that is important in wound healing. It also appears to be useful in reducing fine wrinkling. It is recommended that you consult with a skin care specialist prior to starting a skin care regimen.