Archive for the ‘Chemical Peels’ Category
New Attitudes and Advances Driving Demand for Cosmetic Procedures
Wednesday, June 20th, 2012
Advances for Cosmetic Procedures
We recently blogged about the latest annual survey from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). For 15 years the ASAPS has been tracking trends in plastic surgery and non-invasive cosmetic procedures performed by board certified plastic surgeons. These surveys, taken together, show the changing attitudes toward cosmetic medicine – including its growing acceptance. Almost 9.2 million cosmetic surgical and non surgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2011. That’s a 197 percent increase – almost three times the number performed – since the first survey in 1997. Of course a large part of the increase is because now there are minimally invasive treatments like Botox, laser treatments, and other that make cosmetic medicine simpler, faster, and more effective than it has ever been. The efficacy of these non-surgical therapies is reflected in the fact that they account for more than four out of five cosmetic treatments (82%). Fifteen years ago, if you wanted a more youthful appearance, a plastic surgery facelift was one of the few options. Today, products like Juvederm and procedures like laser skin resurfacing can produce results rivaling cosmetic plastic surgery solutions, with much less cost and downtime. Some historical trends continue. The number of women seeking cosmetic medicine far outnumber men, accounting for more than nine out of ten (91%) of the aesthetic procedures performed in 2011.
What’s important to remember is that the ASAPS survey is of board certified plastic surgeons, surgeons certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. Cosmetic procedures may be offered by a variety of providers, but board certified plastic surgeons have the training and expertise to offer the most effective and thoroughly tested treatments. We advise anyone considering cosmetic procedures to carefully check the credentials of any provider they consider working with. We also invite anyone who wants to learn more about advanced treatment options to contact the board certified plastic surgery doctors here at the Peer Group in Florham Park, New Jersey.
The Top Ten Cosmetic Procedures of 2011
Wednesday, June 13th, 2012
Top Ten Cosmetic Procedures
My, how we love Top Ten lists: The Top Ten movies, Top Ten songs, Top Ten books and yes, the Top Ten Cosmetic Procedures. Since 1997 the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has taken an annual survey of cosmetic surgeons to find out about trends in cosmetic procedures. Among other questions, the survey asks about the number of various procedures performed by plastic surgery doctors. Now the results of the 15th annual ASAPS survey have been released, and here’s the Top Ten list of cosmetic procedures for 2011– both plastic surgery procedures like facelifts and liposuction, and non-invasive procedures like Botox injections, laser treatments, and other so-called non-surgical facelifts.
The top five surgical cosmetic surgery procedures in descending order were: liposuction (325,332 procedures); breast augmentation (316,848 procedures); abdominoplasty, or tummy tucks (149,000 procedures); eyelid surgery (147,540 procedures) and breast lift (127,054 procedures).
The top five minimally invasive aesthetic procedures of 2011 were: Botulinum Toxin Type A – that is, Botox and Dysport – injections (2,619,739 procedures); Hyaluronic acid treatments (1,206,186 procedures): laser hair removal (919,802 procedures); and IPL laser treatments (439,161 procedures).
Just like the list of the Top Ten box office hits, these results can tell us quite a bit about our shared values, changing attitudes toward cosmetic treatments, and much more. For example, the survey shows that demand for cosmetic procedures continues to grow – even as the list of the most popular procedures remains fairly constant. The results of this national survey are mirrored by the preferences we see in our clients here at the Peer Group in northern New Jersey. It’s important to note that this survey is based on the responses of plastic surgeons. Cosmetic procedures are available from a variety of providers, but we recommend seeking treatment only from a qualified cosmetic plastic surgeon. These procedures require skill and training that our experts possess. There’s more to be learned by looking behind these numbers of the Top Ten lists, and we’ll dig into them in a future blog. In the meantime, if you have questions about advanced procedures in cosmetic medicine, we invite you to contact our team of plastic surgeons at the Peer Group in Florham Park, New Jersey.
Reducing Brown Spots and Red Splotches with LimeLight Laser Therapy
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
If sunlight were more like laser light, maybe we’d all have permanently youthful, clear and smooth skin. Cosmetic lasers used in skin resurfacing procedures can reverse some of the changes in our skin that occur as we age, creating a more youthful appearance. In fact, though these cosmetic plastic surgery procedures are non-invasive, they are often called laser facelifts. A cosmetic plastic surgeon in a well-equipped facility can select from a range of lasers optimized for treating specific skin care objectives. These machines are like all-stars in their respective areas of the cosmetic laser field.
One of these light based devices offers dramatic results in removing brown pigmentation and patchy red areas caused by long-term sun exposure, and it has earned a real place in the limelight. Fittingly, that’s its name: the LimeLight Facial. It’s specially designed to remove this discoloration from the face, neck, chest, arms and hands. These anti-aging skin care treatments are also useful in removing red areas caused by broken capillaries and rosacea.
A cool gel is applied to the skin before the LimeLight Facial procedure, and the laser hand piece is also chilled, minimizing discomfort of the skin care treatments. Individual treatment sessions last one-half to one hour, and three to five laser treatments are typically needed to achieve optimal results in removing skin discoloration. There is no postoperative down time; some mild redness may occur but it fades in a few hours. Brown spots on the skin darken and fade in a week or two after treatment. Once the complexion has cleared, it’s important to utilize sun protection to prevent further sun damage to your skin. Prescription strength sun block and other skin care products can prolong the benefits of your LimeLight Facial therapy.
If you’re one of our neighbors in Randolph, Harding, Far Hills, or other community in northern New Jersey, we invite you to schedule an appointment with one of our plastic surgeons at the Peer Skin Center to learn more about what these cosmetic procedures can do for you.
Non-Surgical Facelifts
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011
Not that long ago, a plastic surgeon had little besides a scalpel to use as a tool. Nowadays skin care professionals can wield a variety of light sabers – actually lasers – that can restore a more youthful appearance and create healthier skin. This laser and other light base technologies are revolutionizing cosmetic treatments for hair removal and an array of skin conditions.
Today’s cosmetic lasers – sometimes called “facelift lasers” – feature specific frequency ranges and other technologies designed for specific applications. For example, the ProWave intense pulsed light device is designed for hair removal, and can permanently reduce hair on large areas of the body, such as the back or legs. The Cutera CoolGlide laser is also used for hair removal, and is also used to remove unsightly spider veins and capillaries in the face and body as well as eliminate blood blisters and port win stains. For patients with brown spots or pigmentation caused by sun damage on the face, neck and chest, or who suffer from rosacea, the LimeLite intense pulsed light device can alleviate skin discoloration. And for overall improvement of complexion, the Pearl Fractional Laser is a new anti-aging skin care breakthrough. Titan and Laser Genesis also target specific areas of the body to remove wrinkles and tighten skin. These procedures are almost like a non-surgical facelift – and of course there are no facelift scars.
A plastic surgeon can help you determine which of these options are best for you. Here at the Peer Laser Center, serving Millburn, Short Hills, Morristown, Essex and Union Counties and all of northern New Jersey, we offer a comprehensive range of light based skin resurfacing and skin care procedures. If you’re interested in having a more youthful appearance, we recommend calling or emailing your skin care professional today to schedule a consultation.
Chemical Peels for Wrinkles
Friday, July 15th, 2011
Some things improve with age, but our skin isn’t one of them. As we age, our skin wrinkles and may develop brown sunspots, also called “liver spots,” but chemical peels provide one of several effective treatment options. Many factors contribute to facial wrinkles that lead us to seek skin care solutions: Sun exposure, heredity, acne scars, and various lifestyle choices including nutritional habits, alcohol consumption and smoking. Pigmentary changes such as brown spots (so-called “liver spots”) and blotchiness may also occur due to repeated suntans and sunburns (which by the way can lead to the development of skin cancer), aging, pregnancy or genetic influences.
Chemical peels are among the most effective non-invasive cosmetic procedure solutions a plastic surgeon can provide. A form of skin resurfacing, chemical peels and other skin resurfacing techniques involve a controlled injury to your skin. As your skin recovers, the healing process normalizes pigmentation and restores collagen lost from years of damage and the natural affects of aging.
Facial chemical peels use differing formulas of chemicals to treat your skin. Mild treatments, like glycolic chemical peels, that use glycolic acid, create very superficial changes. The result is a no-downtime procedure that produces a fresher, healthier surface texture. More irritating chemicals, such as phenol, can cause more profound changes in your skin. A plastic surgeon or dermatologist can help you decide which form of chemical peel is best for your skin and your cosmetic goals. Before and after pictures of chemical peels can show you the results patients typically experience. If you live in Milburn, Montclair, Morristown or anywhere in northern New Jersey, we invite you to call or email the Peer Group to schedule a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. We have experience with all forms of chemical peels, as well as other treatment options that can give your skin a more youthful appearance and help you feel your best.
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