Cosmetic Procedures

Scientific advances in the last 20 years have made it easier than ever for doctors to use laser therapy to treat scars. Equally important, they can now ensure that the right type of laser is used for the right type of scar. That reduces complications and prevents the issue coming back. The best scar “candidates” are hypertrophic (reddish, raised scars) and keloid (purplish, nodular scars).

How is the therapy performed? A series of laser pulses are applied to the entire surface of the scar. You'll probably feel a “snapping” sensation, as if from a rubber band.

What is the recovery from laser scar therapy like? Recovery is quite easy. A mild sunburn-like feeling is common, and an ice pack may be required after therapy for a short time.

Are there side effects with laser scar therapy? As with any medical procedure, the answer is “yes.” The most common side effect is reddish-purple spots called “purpura”. They go away in a few days, though. There may also be some swelling for the first 48 hours.

Can one treatment get rid of a scar? No, complete scar removal takes several treatments. It's extremely important to use strict sun precautions in between treatments to protect the skin.

In laser hair removal, highly concentrated light is used to penetrate hair follicles. This intense heat damages the follicles and makes it harder for hair to grow in the future. Laser hair removal works on most parts of the body.

Does laser hair removal remove hair in just one treatment? Not usually. Although laser hair removal is a very effective way to slow hair growth, it doesn't guarantee permanent hair removal. Patients may need maintenance treatments from time to time.

Does laser hair removal remove hair in just one treatment? Hair grows in cycles. It usually takes 3 or 4 treatments for laser hair removal to provide significant results.

Does laser hair removal hurt? Patients typically feel only a little mild discomfort that doesn't last long.

This treatment is used to remove wrinkles, fine lines, and skin irregularities by directing brief, concentrated beams of light at the targeted area and removing skin layer-by-layer. Two types of lasers are used: CO2 and erbium.

How long does laser skin resurfacing take? If patients are just getting parts of the face treated, the procedure should only take 30-45 minutes. A full-face treatment will take up to 2 hours. Patients may receive sedatives and anesthesia.

How long is the recovery? Recovery can last for 1-3 weeks but may change depending on your particular situation.

What are the side effects from laser resurfacing? In addition to lack of pigment, swelling and potential reactivation of cold sores, patients will notice that for the first 12-72 hours, the skin stings and/or feels itchy. In about a week, it will become dry and start to peel. It is important to use proper after-care to prevent scars from developing.

Chemical peels use chemical solutions to remove the outer layers of the skin, exposing the smoother layers beneath. They are one of the least invasive ways to improve the appearance of the skin. There are three different kinds of chemical peels, designed for different skin types and treatment goals: light, medium, and deep.

What's a light chemical peel, and how long does it take to recover? This kind of peel just removes the top layer (epidermis) of your skin, leaving you with a “healthy glow”. Treatments can be repeated. You'll probably have some stinging and redness for a short time afterward.

What's a medium chemical peel, and how long does it take to recover? To treat acne scars or deeper wrinkles, some patients opt for a medium chemical peel. This peel removed both the outer and middle layer of damaged skin, and causes redness, stinging, skin crusting, and temporary facial discoloration. It can take up to 6 weeks for your skin to look “normal.”

What's a deep chemical peel, and how long does it take to recover? A deep chemical peel might be the right choice for a patient with deep wrinkles or scarring, sun damage, or even pre-cancerous growths. The strongest chemical available will be used to penetrate to the lower layer of the skin. Patients are given an anesthetic and sedative for pain management. After the chemical peel, the patient's face is covered in a thick ointment to prevent dryness and pain. Recovery time can be up to 2 weeks, but the results of a deep chemical peel can last for as long as 10 years.

Dermal fillers are injectable soft tissue fillers used to restore fullness, plump the lips, and soften creases in the face. Often called “liquid facelifts,” these fillers can be used along with botulinum toxin in order to further enhance results. Dermal fillers can provide immediate results at a lower cost than plastic surgery. However, these results aren't permanent, so they must be repeated and maintained.

Can I use my own fat for the injections? Yes, but first you'll need to have liposuction first in order to retrieve the fat. Surgeons usually overfill the area being treated, because the body reabsorbs much of the injected fat.

What other types of fillers are there? There are many types of fillers, derived from human, animal, and synthetic sources. Several are collagen, hyaluronic acid, hydroxylapatite, and polylactic acid. Polylactic acid products don't provide immediate results, but the injections stimulate the body's own collagen production, so results appear over time.

What happens during a dermal filler injection procedure? While the injections themselves take just a few moments, there is some preparation time needed. Your goals will be assed, your skin cleaned and disinfected, the injection sites marked on your face, possibly give you a topical anesthetic injection, conduct the procedure. Afterward, the marks will be washed off, and you'll be given ice packs to relieve any discomfort you may experience.

Will I have any side effects? Although there's no down time, and you can resume normal activities right away, you'll probably have a little swelling or bruising. This should go away in a few days.

Botulinum toxin (more commonly known as Botox® or Dysport®) is a purified substance derived from a bacteria. When injected into the skin, it “paralyzes” the muscles beneath, so they can't contract. This non-surgical procedure diminishes wrinkles.

How does botulinum toxin work? A very thin needle is used to inject small amounts of botulinum toxin into specific muscles. Avoiding the surrounding muscles.

How long does the procedure take? It usually takes less than 15 minutes.

How much recovery or “down time” will I have? There's no recovery or down time, and you won't need to have any anesthesia.

How long does botulinum toxin last? The wrinkle-reducing effects of botulinum toxin usually last around 3-4 months.