Medicine has many different specialties, and sometimes the procedures performed by these different specialties overlap. Two such examples are the specialties of Plastic Surgery and Oculoplastic Surgery. Both perform reconstructive and cosmetic procedures on the face, but there are some definite differences worth noting. First, we will discuss Oculoplastic Surgeons. The training of Oculoplastic Surgeons begins after medical school and an internship with a residency in Ophthalmology, or eye surgery. This training involves understanding in intimate details the eye, eyelids and facial region … [Read more...] about Medical Minute: What Are the Differences Between Oculoplastic and Plastic Surgeons?
Medical Minute
Medical Minute
Medical Minute: How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
In the summertime in northern climates and all year round in southern climates, people look forward to laying by the pool and soaking in some sun. But this also involves waxing and shaving often sensitive areas of our bodies every few weeks and dealing with pain and razor bumps to look good in our swimsuits. Thankfully there are options for permanently reducing body hair through laser hair treatments. How does this work? Our hair has color because of melanin. There are two types of Pheomelanin which is in red or blond hair and Eumelanin which is in brown or black hair. The hair follicles lie … [Read more...] about Medical Minute: How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Medical Minute: What are the Keys to Natural Looking Lip Augmentation?
The lips are the central point of the face. Often with age lips lose their youthful volume and become deflated. This can cause us to look old and less vibrant. This is one of the reasons people consider using soft tissue fillers to augment their lips. One big concern lip augmentation is the irregular results that we see both in Hollywood and on the streets in our towns. There are natural ratios that belong in the face and if these ratios are respected then the results are beautiful. But when these ratios are not respected, the results can look awkward. These natural ratios harken back to the … [Read more...] about Medical Minute: What are the Keys to Natural Looking Lip Augmentation?
Medical Minute: What is Forever Young BBL
Today we're going to talk about Broadband light (BBL) treatments and ways it helps your skin stay younger for years. There are so many claims out there by laser companies about how their treatments can help people turn back time in terms of skin aging. How do doctors and their patients navigate these claims? The trouble is that most of the claims are hard to substantiate with real science. In addition, while some technologies can cause an improvement in the appearance of skin, it’s unclear whether anything deeper than just the simulation of younger skin is taking place. It’s like when a … [Read more...] about Medical Minute: What is Forever Young BBL
Medical Minute: What is Under the Radar Botox
Today we’re going to talk about ways to get the most natural results from Botox. I call it “Under the Radar” Botox. Botox is often used to help improve lines and wrinkles around the face. Many patients who’ve had Botox are concerned about irregular results that others will see, or with having a lack of motion in their faces resulting in what some refer to as a “frozen” face. This can happen with either too little or too much Botox. When we look at one another, we tend to concentrate on the eye and mouth region. When Botox is done to the forehead alone, it can result in the collapse … [Read more...] about Medical Minute: What is Under the Radar Botox
Medical Minute: Can Malar Mounds and Eyelid Festoons Be Treated?
When we see another person, our brains scan the other person’s face for nonverbal facial cues. We naturally focus on the eye and mouth region, and when we see heavy upper or lower eyelids, malar mounds or eyelid festoons, we tend to interpret what we see as meaning that the other person tired, sick or even drunk. Malar mounds and eyelid festoons have traditionally been very difficult conditions to correct, and when lower eyelid surgery is performed without correcting festoons and malar mounds, the person often looks worse afterwards. This is because we expect heavy lower lids to accompany … [Read more...] about Medical Minute: Can Malar Mounds and Eyelid Festoons Be Treated?
Medical Minute: Hybrid Laser Mole Treatment
Facial Moles. Who loves their facial moles? Not everyone. Today we’re going to talk about a great way to treat moles with the hybrid laser mole treatment. Facial moles are a common condition found in many people. They can be present at birth or they can develop over the course of a lifetime. Though they are frequently referred to as beauty marks, in many cases they are anything but beautiful. A healthy facial complexion that is clear, bright and glowing sends a message of health and vitality, but pigment spots, bumps, or moles can make us look old, less healthy and less vibrant. Moles … [Read more...] about Medical Minute: Hybrid Laser Mole Treatment
Medical Minute: Can Lasers Help Facial Rosacea?
Rosacea is a very common skin condition. It starts with a tendency to flush more easily than other individuals, and can evolve into redness on the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead. Some patients get bumps on their face associated with rosacea and it can also affect the eyelids, resulting in dry eye. The cause of rosacea is not known, but it does tend to run in families with fair skin. It often flares up when triggers such as exercise, sun exposure, hot weather, stress, spicy food, alcohol and hot baths are present. Treatment options include low dose doxycycline and certain skin creams. … [Read more...] about Medical Minute: Can Lasers Help Facial Rosacea?
Medical Minute: Resting Bitchy Face
When I first heard this condition mentioned, I had to laugh, because some of my female patients have commented about their older, “bitchy” face. What causes a face to look bitchy, and what can be done to help it? As humans, we’re hardwired to evaluate each other, and our subconscious brain immediately decodes facial expressions. This influences how we feel about the people we meet. When the corners of the mouth start to turn down, either through a genetic facial predisposition or through the aging process, it can make us appear mad, sad, or … bitchy. This isn’t necessarily fair, but … [Read more...] about Medical Minute: Resting Bitchy Face
Medical Minute: What is a Laser Eyelift?
Today we're going to talk about how we can use lasers to help improve the appearance of the eyelids. Our eyes are one of the most important focal points of our face, but with age they can become heavy and puffy, making us appear tired, sick, and less vibrant. Happily, eyelid surgery can address this problem. Eyelid surgery involves uncovering the natural contours of the upper and lower lids by sculpting or re-draping away extra skin and fat. This leaves eyelids looking refreshed and healthy. Eyelid surgery can be performed with a blade, a cutting cautery device, or a CO2 laser. My … [Read more...] about Medical Minute: What is a Laser Eyelift?
Medical Minute: Are Fillers Under the Eyes Ever A Good Idea?
Today we’re going to talk about the finer points of why and when fillers should be put under the eyes. The eyes are one of the most important parts of our face for non-verbal communications, but there are a few things that can make dark circles appear there. These dark circles can make us look tired, old or even drunk! I have written and spoken about this topic often, and I’ve mentioned that, in general, using fillers to camouflage dark circles due to puffy bags under the eyes is a mistake. Some talented practitioners can get adequate results by doing this, but more often than not this … [Read more...] about Medical Minute: Are Fillers Under the Eyes Ever A Good Idea?
Medical Minute: How Can Lasers Help Improve Acne
Today we’re going to talk about the ways that lasers and other treatments can help patients with active acne. Acne is a skin condition in which oil and dead skin cells clog up pores in the skin. It is most commonly seen in teenagers, but it sometimes occurs in adults. Symptoms can range from a few mild pimples to severe cases where patients have hundreds of deep cysts and superficial pimples on the face, neck, chest and back. Patients with cystic acne often have dilated red cysts on their faces. Though oral medications such as Doxycycline, Accutane and topical creams are often effective, … [Read more...] about Medical Minute: How Can Lasers Help Improve Acne