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.

Plastic Surgery Procedures Can Help After Significant Weight Loss

People who have lost significant amount of weight can easily be frustrated by the appearance of excess redundant skin. Significant weight loss is becoming much more common due to the growing number of weight loss operations that are becoming increasingly popular. Just as some women have excess abdominal skin after one or more pregnancies, many patients who undergo these wight loss operations have excess skin in the areas of weight loss. This can occur in any area that was affected, including the neck, breasts, arms, back, abdominal wall, hips, and legs. Just as excess weight gain, or breast deformities and a large bulbous nose can affect one's self esteem, self confidence and self image, the loose hanging skin left after significant weight loss can also have these same effects.

There are several plastic surgery procedures that are helpful in treating these issues. A neck or a face lift can reduce the excess folds of skin around the face or neck; a breast lift procedure can be extended to the sides and back to help eliminate excess skin in those areas; an abdominoplasty surgery procedure is frequently required as well. Techniques that were originally meant to rejuvenate the upper arms can be used to eliminate any excess skin that may occur following significant weight loss. Similarly, thigh lifts can be used to tone and improve the appearance of the legs. When one is considering plastic surgery procedures after significant weight loss, that person should always consult with a plastic surgeon and discuss your expectations of the results, and devise a custom tailored surgical plan designed specifically for you and your needs.

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.

Visible Breast Implant Rippling

Breast implants, particularly saline-filled implants, can in some patients be seen through the overlying skin and breast tissue. Especially with changes in position, such as leaning forward lying on one’s side, this may be more pronounced. This is more likely to occur under the following conditions:

1. Saline (vs. silicone gel) implants
2. Subglandular (vs. subpectoral) placement of the implant
3. Women with very small pre-operative cup sizes (A or AA)
4. When textured surface implants are used
5. When larger volume implants are used
6. In body builders who often have a low percentage of body fat

The best treatment for visible rippling is to reduce the probability of it occurring by avoiding election of any of the aforementioned options when deciding to undergo the procedure in the beginning. Once it occurs, the treatment involves replacing the implant with a more favorable prosthesis for the patient, and often revising location as well if possible. The specific treatment for any given patient will be developed and discussed by your plastic surgeon during the consultation.

What Should You Expect From A Cosmetic Surgeon In Orange County?

As with any surgery, the single most important factor in the success of cosmetic surgery is the surgeon you select. Do not take this responsibility lightly. In most states, it is legal for any physician who holds a medical license, with or without surgical training, to advertise as a plastic or cosmetic surgeon. That is why it is essential for you to understand what makes a cosmetic surgeon qualified and research the qualifications of any surgeon that you are considering.

Dr. Dan Mills, a cosmetic surgeon in Orange County California, recommends you choose a doctor who is board certified and affiliated with a reputable hospital, and is up-to-date on what is new in his/her field. Does your doctor offer a variety of techniques? With the right doctor, Breast augmentation procedures can yield marked results.

Dr. Mills has been in practice for over 15 years, with an additional 10 years experience teaching plastic surgery at Loma Linda University, and combines a sense of aesthetics, his surgical skills, and the latest techniques to achieve the results his clients want. He feels it is crucial that his patients find his practice to be a safe and comfortable environment, as well.

"It's very important that you feel comfortable with your doctor," Dr. Mills explains. "You should be able to talk to him/her openly, expressing your concerns. Communication is key in a relationship with your doctor," especially when you're talking about what you want from the surgery.