Clinical Care

Overview

A chemical peel is a very popular, noninvasive cosmetic procedure that stimulates the growth of new and healthy skin cells and improves skin clarity, with minimal to no downtime.

It can also allow skin care products to penetrate the lower layers of your skin for greater effectiveness and remove:

• Blemishes
• Sun damage
• Other flaws

During the Procedure

During a chemical peel procedure, which takes 30 minutes to an hour to complete, our aesthetician will cleanse the skin, apply the peeling agent, and then moisturize the face. Some deeper peels may require a physician to administer the peeling agent.

Different peeling agents are good for different skin types, and the aesthetician or physician will discuss this with you prior to the peel.

Short-term Recovery

• You may feel as if you have a mild sunburn.
• Your skin will become dry and peel, usually 3-4 days later.
• Peeling may occur as flakes, and rarely as sheets of skin (as if peeling from a sunburn.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.
• Normal activities, including return to work, can be resumed immediately.
• Multiple treatments over the course of several months is suggested for maximum results.

Risks

Risks can include:

• Temporary sensitivity to the sun
• Temporary redness and flaking of the skin
• Color imbalances
• Infection

Not every person is a candidate for this procedure, and your risks may be greater or different than those of other patients. Your plastic surgeon will review all potential risks and complications with you prior to the procedure.

Overview

Botulinium toxin, commonly known as BOTOX or DYSPORT, is a relaxing agent that is injected into facial muscles to temporarily block function of the muscle. These injections change the muscle’s impact on the skin and stop its ability to wrinkle, giving the face a more relaxing appearance.

BOTOX typically is used to treat:

• Frown lines between the eyes
• Forehead wrinkles
• Laugh lines around the eyes (crow’s feet)
• aAs well as other areas

Plastic surgeons can use it to reshape the face to a minor degree: for example, it can be used to slightly lift the corner of the eyebrow to enhance the eyes’ appearance.

BOTOX is also used to treat excessive sweating in the:

• Armpits
• Palms of the hands
• Soles of the feet

The injections take only 10 or 15 minutes in the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center. The effect can be seen in three to four days and, on average, lasts for three to four months. In most cases, patients have minimal pain.

Who is a Candidate?

Patients can range in age from 20 to 80, and the injections can be performed during the initial visit after the physician has explained the procedure in greater detail.

Before the Procedure

Your plastic surgeon will perform a detailed analysis of your face and discuss your expectations. Over-the-counter blood thinners (including aspirin and vitamin E) should be stopped for a period of time before and after the procedure to limit the amount of bruising and swelling to your face. All prescription blood thinners should be managed by your prescribing physician.

Procedure Details

In the office, the facial area(s) to be treated are numbed through the use of topical agents or ice.

Where Will the Procedure be Performed?

The procedure is performed in a doctor’s office.

Type of Anesthesia

Your plastic surgeon may use ice, a topical anesthesia, or a nerve-blocking agent to numb specific parts of your face before the injection.

Immediate Postoperative Recovery

You can resume normal activities immediately after the procedure. In most cases, there is little or no bruising, especially if regular use of aspirin or blood thinners is avoided. You should avoid massaging the face the night of the injections to prevent unwanted spread of the relaxing agent.

Risks

The risks associated with BOTOX injections typically are minimal. There may be some bruising and mild facial asymmetry. These complications are very unusual, however, and will stop as the medication’s effects lessen. Not every person is a candidate for this procedure, and your risks may be greater or different than those of other patients. Your plastic surgeon will review all potential risks and complications with you prior to the procedure.

Anticipated Results

While every patient’s experience is different, BOTOX/DYSPORT is an effective way to reduce wrinkles in certain parts of the face, and to make a refreshing change to facial expression. By altering the fine balance of facial muscles, it can produce a subtle and attractive reshaping which can enhance your overall appearance.

BOTOX is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.

DYSPORT is a registered trademark of Medicis.

Overview

The injection of a “filler material” into the skin is an office-based procedure that treats various types of aging facial features.

Fillers are used to:

• Soften and sometimes eliminate creases
• Enhance contours
• Fill in unattractive lines

Common areas of treatment include:

• Nasolabial folds
• Lips
• Marionette lines
• Frown lines
• Smoker’s lines
• Around the jowls
• Dark circles under the eyes

Larger amounts of fillers can be used to increase volume in the cheeks or temples.

Who is a Candidate?

Adults over the age of 20 are candidates for this form of rejuvenation. The procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes to perform and, following a detailed consultation with the physician, can be performed during the initial visit. Some patients with severe wrinkles may be better candidates for a facelift/necklift and /or fat injections.

Before the Procedure

Your plastic surgeon will perform a detailed analysis of your face and the desired area of rejuvenation. You should speak with your prescribing physician regarding the use of blood thinners. These medications can cause bruising and swelling.

Procedure Details

In the office, the part of your body that will be receiving the filler will be anesthetized or numbed with topical agents as well as the possible injection of a local anesthesia. Once the area is numbed, the various fillers will be placed into the areas of concern.

Types of Fillers

There are a variety of synthetic and natural fillers that are available for use. Your surgeon will discuss the risks and benefits of all materials and which one might be right for you. Some last longer than others, but may require multiple treatments and may be relatively expensive.

Where Will the Procedure Be Performed?

The procedure will be done in the plastic surgeon’s office.

Type of Anesthesia

Topical anesthesia can be performed or your plastic surgeon may wish to inject a nerve blocking agent to “numb” a specific area of your face.

Immediate Recovery

Most patients can go out in public that day. In most cases, bruising is minimal.

Risks

The risks of the procedure are minimal and can include:

• Bruising
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Asymmetry

Not every person is a candidate for this procedure, and your risks may be greater or different than those of other patients. Your plastic surgeon will review all potential risks and complications with you prior to the procedure.

Anticipated Results

Dermal filling agents usually result in an improvement and enhancement in the area(s) that are treated. There may be a softening or elimination of a crease, filling of a line or wrinkle, enhancement of the lips, or increasing the prominence of the cheek or chin.