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The Visia Complexion Analysis System does! This amazing photographic system gives you and your doctor a closer look at what’s happening with your skin. It uses ultraviolet and polarized light to look deep into the skin, showing things happening underneath can’t be seen with the naked eye, or even with a magnifying glass.

The machine takes two photos of a patient’s skin. The first one is a highly magnified view of the visible skin — the “Epidermis” — showing visible fine lines, wrinkles, pores, brown spots and unevenness of skin damage.  The second photo is taken under ultraviolet light and goes even deeper under the skin to show the “Dermis” and what is developing underneath the outer layers.  It’s great for discovering indicators of sun damage that may lead to more wrinkles and spots in the coming years.

Jackie is a 32-year-old mother of two and an avid sun worshipper who admits to wearing as little sun block as possible —SPF 15 on her nose and under her eyes, “because I want to look healthy and tan,” she says. Using the Visia Complexion Analysis System, her doctor could show her exactly the damage those years in the sun have caused. Jackie’s refusal to wear sunscreen, constant sun bathing and squinting may cause premature wrinkles, fine lines, and spots. These issues may be deep within the dermis, and may eventually come to the surface.  Before she develops dangerous skin problems like actinic keratoses, Jackie should speak to a doctor about her sun exposure.

Betsy is 55 years old and hates the brown spots that have started appearing on the sides of her face and forehead. She has asked her friends if their skin looks splotchy too and wants to know what all those dark spots are. Worried, Betsy decided to ask her doctor, who explained that Betsy’s discoloration is from her skin cells secreting a pigment called melanin. When you tan, melanin comes to the surface to alter your complexion. Age spots are basically a buildup of pigment from years of sun exposure that continue to grow. They are normally found on the surface of our skin as flat or slightly raised brown spots, but in some cases the damage can go deeper.

Using the Visia Complexion Analysis System, the doctor can tell that Betsy has been wearing sunscreen. Betsy tells the doctor that she has been using SPF 15 for years, which is encouraging, but she still exhibits some long-term sun damage.  The doctor takes the second Visia photo to look even deeper into the dermis, which reveals many more sunspots that eventually will come to the surface. Betsey will need to increase her sun protection factor (SPF) and make sure it covers both UVA and UVB rays.

For more information on Visia Complexion Analysis in Illinois and Indiana, and how you can benefit from this technology, contact us.

Experienced plastic surgeons know healthy patients – with a stable weight, who don’t smoke – have more successful surgery outcomes. That’s why they often decline to operate on a patient who engages in unhealthy habits. Such patients face greater risks and complications like delayed healing and scarring.

Those interested in cosmetic and facial plastic surgery should first go through a sort of ‘lifestyle makeover,’ modifying their habits until they have reached their goals. At Plastic Surgery Experts, we want our patients to have the best experience possible, so we ask them to focus on being healthy first. The ideal patient refrains from smoking or using illegal drugs, has a stable weight, and realistic expectations about cosmetic surgery.

Contact us for a free surgery consultation and we can provide more specific information on health and surgery outcomes.

Has your body weight or size fluctuated? Maybe you’ve noticed stretch marks around your thighs, hips, stomach, or breasts.  These could be permanent, but thanks to medical advances there are treatment options available to significantly reduce their appearance.

As the warmer weather is upon us and we wear less clothing, it’s time to reveal the skin that has been hidden under our clothes all winter and spring.  Is that a frightening thought? Don’t despair: we’re with you on this – you don’t need stretch marks to ruin your summer. 

Here are some simple solutions to get your skin in warm weather shape, so you too can be comfortable enough to enjoy all the warm weather activities.

Laser Resurfacing has become more precise in recent years and can reduce the appearance of stretch marks after a series of treatments.  The laser zaps the top layer of skin and stimulates collagen production deep within the skin’s layers. This helps remove uneven skin tone, scars and other skin problems on the skin’s surface and restores your skin to a much healthier state.

Fractional Non-ablative Laser Most doctors agree that once stretch marks are white, a fractional non-ablative laser is a very effective treatment. It feels like rubber band snaps on the skin, your doctor will either recommend prescription-strength ibuprofen, acetaminophen and/or topical anesthetic. Most patients will need 4 or 5 treatments, every six to eight weeks. You can expect to improve the texture of stretch marks by nearly 50% after completing a series of treatments. 

Microdermabrasion Treatments are another effective method for treating stretch marks. This procedure buffs away the top layer of skin and also stimulates collagen production. Most patients need between 3-6 treatments to see a noticeable difference, but it is still cost effective and the results are pretty stellar.

Prescription Retinoids are the only topical products that have been demonstrated to be effective for treating and improving stretch marks in the early stages. For red stretch marks, a retinoid cream applied daily for six months has been shown to improve the appearance by about 14%. For white stretch marks, color will not be restored but a prescription strength retinoic cream can help even out texture. As always, talk directly to your doctor about the benefits, the method of use and any risks. For example, you shouldn’t be using retinoids while either pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Other non-invasive skin treatments, such as chemical peels and/or prescription topicals used in combination with microdermabrasion treatments, can help improve the texture and tone of your skin. Consult with us further about skin care and stretch mark removal treatments, so you can get that body ready for this summer’s season.

Summer in the Midwest is lovely.  It’s when we head to the beach, take the kids to the pool, barbeque with our friends, and enjoy the warm weather. Meanwhile, protecting your skin from the sun and choosing the right treatments can prevent premature aging to keep you healthy and looking your best. If you’re heading out for some fun in the sun this summer, here are some skin management tips and rejuvenation methods that can keep you looking hot while you’re out in the hot sun.  

If your skin is in need of rejuvenation, a few microdermabrasion treatments each year can make a big difference.  Microdermabrasion removes the top layer of skin to reveal a fresh, healthy layer underneath. It also stimulates collagen production, which improves skin elasticity.  It’s an easy procedure, and it can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and even some forms of skin damage.  If you use skin products (we recommend medical grade), it can increase penetration, so your daily skin care regimen is more effective.  For many patients, this combination of at-home skin care and microdermabrasion is all it takes to achieve smoother, more silky looking skin. 

If you exhibit age spots, zap them away with the Pearl laser or Chemical Peel. Rejuvenate your skin while reducing or removing age spots. 

Professional Facials are another great way to remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, and they feel great! If you don’t need an intensive treatment but want to freshen up your look, a facial may be the right treatment choice.

Sunscreen is important any time of year, but especially during these hot summer months. Choosing the right sunscreen for your face – one that addresses your skin type and skin conditions – is not always easy.  Use a sunscreen every day. For days spent mostly indoors, use a foundation with an SPF15 or higher. For outdoors you want at least an SPF45 that is waterproof or water-resistant. The right sunscreen can prevent sun damage, skin problems, and even skin cancer.  Harmful UV rays can damage skin cells deep within the skin’s surface, making your cells vulnerable to toxins (free-radicals) in the environment. We can help you select the right sunscreen for your skin.

Self conscious about unwanted facial or body hair? Laser hair removal can erase excess hair to keep your skin looking smooth and buff, reducing the need for shaving and waxing. 

Let us help you maintain the health of your skin. Come visit us at Plastic Surgery Experts to find out which treatment will work best for your skin type; then look forward to looking hot all summer long!

Like many drugs developed in recent years, Latisse made its way to the market inadvertently.  The hot new eyelash enhancer was born out of a group of popular medications called topical prostaglandins, drugs frequently used to decrease intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

What optometrists labeled a ‘complication’ or side effect of using these topical  agents was “hypertrichosis,” a condition characterized by darkening, thickening, and lengthening of the eyelashes.   

 Allergan offered the topical prostaglandin Lumigan in 2001, a drug that contained the active ingredient bimatoprost. Two important precursors to Latisse occurred after the FDA gave clearance for Lumigan.

Jan Marini Skin Research Inc had over $2 million worth of product seized by the Food and Drug Administration.  The product, Age Intervention Eyelash, evidently contained bimatoprost, which was unapproved for cosmetic use at the time. Allergan later filed a patent infringement suit against Jan Marini and several other companies that had tried to market bimatoprost in their eyelash enhancing drugs.

Some doctors started prescribing Lumigan off-label to enhance eyelashes.  Knowing the desirable side effects it could produce. But Lumigan wasn’t formulated for cosmetic use and many believed more research was needed to confirm the safety of topical prostaglandins for cosmetic use.  

Clinical trials and further research is exactly what Alllergan Inc did.  278 healthy adults with minimal to moderate eyelash prominence applied bimatoprost or a placebo to their lash line.  The results were favorable; researchers observed that the average patient’s eyelashes were 25 percent longer, 106 percent fuller, and 18 percent darker, while only 3.6 percent experienced itchy eyes and redness, and only 2.9 percent experienced skin hyperpigmentation.  

Latisse received FDA approval late last year for the treatment of ‘inadequate’ eyelashes.  Allergan now owns the patent on use of bimatoprost for eyelash enhancement.

For more information on Latisse in Illinois or Indiana, contact Plastic Surgery Experts.

To increase her agility and possibly improve her tennis game, Simona Halep has announced plans to undergo breast reduction surgery next fall.

According to news sources in the UK, Ms. Halep complained that her large (34 DD) breasts have slowed her reaction time on the court and caused discomfort. “It’s the weight that troubles me – my ability to react quickly”, she told The Sun.

In 2008, Halep won the junior French Open.  She is now ranked 317^th in the world.  

Women pursue breast reduction surgery for a several reasons, increased mobility being just one of them.  One breast reduction patient stated, “Before I didn’t want to run anywhere, [not] even across the street. If something happened, I would not run.  It was painful and embarrassing” (Klassen 2009).  

Beside issues with physical activity, many women hope to alleviate irritation around their bra strap and underneath the breast, pain in the back and neck, and discomfort during sleeping.

The procedure can be described as a ‘normalizing’ experience for women.  Once the surgery is complete, patients often say they are less self-conscious, they fit into more ‘regular’ sized clothes, and that their bodies are more characteristic of a ‘normal’ female body.

Researchers associated with the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) recently gathered information on 687 patients who had received Botox and/or dermal filler treatment. 

While a summary of the full results can be found in this document; some of the noteworthy findings include the following:

Most respondents described themselves as healthy individuals.  95 percent of patients said they incorporated exercise into their lives, and 78 percent cited healthy eating habits.

• Nearly 70 percent of the respondents who had been treated with Botox also opted for dermal filler treatment.
• 72 percent of the respondents chose Botox to treat glabellar lines – the vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows.  
• 63 percent of the respondents chose dermal fillers to treat facial wrinkles and folds, mostly the nasolabial folds or ‘smile lines’ that travel from the nose to each side of the mouth. 
• Within the respondents, the average or ‘typical’ patient was “a married, working mother between 41-55 years of age with a household income of under $100,000.”
• 66 percent of the respondents said they received Botox treatment 2-3 times per year.
• 87 percent reported that they discussed their treatments with others, and 70 percent said they received support from the people they told.