Category Archives: Laser Treatment

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Sciton® laser: Skin tightening with BBL SkinTyte™

Continuing on with my series of articles about Dr. Macdonald’s Sciton® laser services, available now.

As discussed he will be treating patients soon for:

Sciton® BBL SkinTyte™ laser treatment is an innovative approach to tightening aging skin that is starting to wrinkle and sag.  Of particular concern to many patients is the “turkey gobble” that often develops in the neck region, but common areas successfully treated include:

•    neck
•    lower face/jowls
•    chest
•    hands
•    tummy
•    arms
•    just above the knees

How does SkinTyte™ work?  

BBL (Broadband light) treatment utilizes pulsed light technology to deeply heat your skin while simultaneously cooling and protecting the entire treated surface, setting you on your path to more youthful skin.

Delivered in a sequence of rapid, gentle pulses that heat the dermal layer of your skin’s collagen, use of this technology promotes contraction and denaturation—modification of protein’s natural configuration.  Rebuilding themselves, the skin cells form a new foundation of collagen, leading to increased skin firmness.

How many treatments are needed?  

Although the number of treatments needed will vary based on the level of improvement desired and the starting point of your skin condition, many patients opt for 2-5 treatments to achieve maximum positive benefit.

With no anesthetic needed, this quick and effect “lunch-time” procedure will only last 30 minutes and cause you no disruption to your day.  Not only is there no downtime, there is also no skin care regimen necessary.  The collagen in your skin will, however, continue to rebuild and strengthen up to 4 months after the procedure.

Stay tuned for more details on vein treatments.

© 2012 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

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Sciton® laser: Skin pigment reduction with Contour TRL™ or BBL™

Continuing on with my series of articles about Dr. Macdonald’s Sciton® laser services, coming soon…

As discussed he will be treating patients soon for:

Skin Pigment. Unwanted skin pigment is normally referred to as hyperpigmentation. It is unwanted melanin in the skin that creates a spotty look with brown spots and is a result of too much sun exposure and also aging.

I am a candidate for one of these laser procedures, to reduce the pigment on my chest, hands (and maybe fronts of legs too). After my 5-series PCA chemical peel (physician-strength) with Dr. Macdonald, we were not able to make much progress on my chest area. I experienced a lot of itching and irritable rash on chest but no peeling on peels #4 and #5 when Dr. Macdonald used the PCA with resorcinol.

On my face, I was left with a vibrant glow after the PCA peel treatment by peel #5 though. I had wonderful, soothing results with his new private label skin care products, specifically the Power of Three by Replenix and Fortified by Glycolix.

Note: on my face, now that the brown spots have diminished, I have some rosacea that Dr. Macdonald would also like to treat with the Sciton® laser (vein treatment to be discussed later in this series of articles).

A) Contour TRL™ Laser Peel skin pigment reduction treatment. This procedure is not only a treatment for overall skin resurfacing, but specifically reduces hyperpigmentation.

Sciton® Laser Peel – Contour TRL™ safely erases skin hyperpigmentation that appears on the skin from sun damage and age. Although there are several different types of lasers on the market used to perform peels, the Contour TRL™ is widely regarded as the most effective laser available. This treatment targets the effects of sun damage and environmental pollutants which create skin tone irregularities, solar spots, and scars.

How does Contour TRL™ work? This laser safely removes a layer of skin, with computer-guided micron precision. The depth of treatment depends on your skin condition, desired outcome and expectation for down time. Treating your hyperpigmented skin with this laser will stimulate the growth of new collagen to improve the skin as healthy new skin cells regrow.

Common body parts treated:
 face, neck

B) BBL™ Broadband Light skin pigment reduction treatment.

Sciton® BBL™ is an innovative light-based technology that sets new standards for skin conditions associated with aging, active lifestyles, and sun damage. It also treats any unwanted melanin and pigment you were born with (i.e., freckles).

How does BBL™ work? This phototherapy treatment utilizes pulses of light energy to gently penetrate into the skin. The light energy will gently heat the upper layers of your skin, stimulating the skin cells to regenerate new collagen. The natural beauty of your youthful skin will be evident as this process blends the natural skin colors restoring your youthful skin’s glow before the pigment irregularities appeared.

Common body parts treated (body parts exposed to the sun): face, hands, neck, chest, shoulders

Stay tuned for more details on skin tightening treatments.

© 2012 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

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Sciton® laser: Skin resurfacing with Contour TRL™, ProFractional™, MicroLaserPeel® or BBL™

Continuing on with my series of articles about Dr. Macdonald’s Sciton® laser services, coming soon…

As discussed he will be treating patients soon for:

  • Hair removal
  • Skin resurfacing
  • Skin pigment
  • Skin tightening
  • Vein treatment

Skin Resurfacing.  In the laser treatment world, what constitutes skin resurfacing? Revamping skin that is damaged from the sun, clearing up acne scars, enhancing skin tone, minimizing or erasing hyperpigmentation in the skin, and reversing the sign of aging.  Laser resurfacing of the entire face also may delay the need for a comprehensive facelift.

A) Contour TRL™ Laser Peel.

Sciton® Laser Peel – Contour TRL™ is a safe and effective deep skin resurfacing laser treatment to promote a younger and rejuvenated appearance.  Although there are several different types of lasers on the market used to perform peels, the Contour TRL™ is widely regarded as the most effective laser available.  This treatment targets the effects of sun damage and environmental pollutants which create skin tone irregularities and create wrinkles, particularly deep wrinkles around the mouth and eyes.

How does Contour TRL™ work?  This laser safely removes a layer of skin, with computer-guided micron precision.  Treating your skin with this laser will stimulate the growth of new collagen to improve the skin’s thickness and resilience as it grows new, health skin cells.

Common body parts treated:  face, neck

B) ProFractional™ and ProFractional-XC™.

Sciton® ProFractional™ and ProFractional-XC™ laser skin resurfacing procedures offer dramatic results with minimal down time.  Enhancing the overall appearance of your skin, this laser therapy targets wrinkles, acne, skin tone and skin pigments.

How do ProFractional™ and ProFractional-XC™ work?  This treatment utilizes a tiny laser to treat thousands of pinpoint areas of your skin, while rapidly healing along side with your body’s existing stem cells, simultaneously.  The healing areas create new collagen and elastin to add firmness and resilience to the new skin.  Two spot size settings with selectable densities are available to enhance collagen remodeling where desired.

Common body parts treated: face, neck, chest, hands

C) MicroLaserPeel® Superficial Skin Resurfacing.

Sciton® MicroLaserPeel®, sometimes known as the “weekend peel”, offers great results with minimal down time.  It’s an outer to mid-epidermal peel that precisely removes a thin layer of skin to a selectable depth. In other words, it does not go too deep into skin, yet is effective for glowing skin and treats mild wrinkles, scars, sun damage, and pigment irregularities.

How does MicroLaserPeel® work?  The laser beam eliminates some of the damaged skin cells that create a noticeably tired, aged look. As the skin heals, fresh cells grow and resurface the treated area, resulting in reduced wrinkles and improved skin color evenness–a healthier, more vibrant look.

Common body parts treated: face, neck, chest, hands

D) BBL™ Broadband Light skin resurfacing treatment.  

Sciton® BBL™ is an innovative light-based technology that sets new standards for skin conditions associated with aging, active lifestyles, and sun damage.

How does BBL™ work?  Delivering photothermal energy, it utilizes pulses of light energy to gently penetrate into the skin.  The light energy will gently heat the upper layers of your skin, stimulating the skin cells to regenerate new collagen. The natural beauty of your youthful skin will be evident as this process blends the natural skin colors while making it smoother, vibrant while restoring a youthful appearance.

Common body parts treated:   face, hands, neck, chest, shoulders

Stay tuned for more details on skin pigment treatments.

© 2012 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

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Sciton® laser: Hair removal with BBL™ Broadband Light

Continuing on with my series of articles about Dr. Macdonald’s Sciton® laser services, coming soon…

As discussed he will be treating patients soon for:

  • Hair removal
  • Skin resurfacing
  • Skin pigment
  • Skin tightening
  • Vein treatment

BBL™ Broadband Light hair removal process.  

Sciton® BBL™ is an innovative light-based technology that utilizes pulses of light energy to gently penetrate into the skin, destroying unwanted hair follicles. Say goodbye to shaving, depilatory creams, or even electrolosis–which can be time-consuming and painful.

How does BBL™ work?  Delivering photothermal energy to hair follicles, your treatment can be tailored to your skin type with various selectable wavelengths.  While your hair is in its growth stage (anagen), it is most vulnerable to light therapy. BBL™ selectively heats the full length of the imbedded hair follicle cutting off its supply of nutrients, thus disabling its growth.  (Note: BBL™ treatments are not appropriate for suntanned skin.)

How many treatments are needed?  Because all hair is not always in the growth stage at one time, multiple treatments must be given over time to treat it while it is in the growth stage.  Aimed at permanent hair reduction, and varying per person as well as body part, you will most likely be advised to get a series of treatments, spaced out by 4-8 weeks.

What is the procedure and healing time like?  Although minimally invasive to destroy many hair follicles at once with photothermal light, you will wear safety shields to protect your eyes, and some patients desire anesthetic cream for sensitive skin areas during the procedure–where you may feel a warm “rubber band snap” sensation as the light is absorbed by the targeted areas. With only slight redness and sun-sensitivity after the treatment, there is virtually no down time.

Common body parts treated: face, neck, underarms, bikini line, legs, arms.

Next article:  more details on skin resurfacing.

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

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Sciton® laser: Skin resurfacing, skin tightening, skin pigment reduction, hair removal, vein treatment

The Sciton® laser sounds amazing. Dr. Macdonald has one now for his office, and is starting the treatment procedures soon to enhance his skin rejuvenation service offerings. [These details will be documented fully on his new website under laser services..coming very soon.]

From treating wrinkles, scars and sun-damaged skin to hair removal, the Sciton® innovative technology supports procedures which range from light and quick, to deeper and more inclusive… all depending on your skin’s needs.

I’ll be writing a series of articles on this laser, but first to introduce the specific areas it treats:

Hair removal.

BBL™ Broadband Light offers high speed laser hair removal and phototherapy, safe for all skin types and colors, for various body parts. The procedure is virtually pain-free with a little numbing cream. The side-effects (temporary pigment changes, redness, slight swelling) only last for 48 hours.

Skin resurfacing.

MicroLaserPeel® (the “weekend peel”), Laser Peel – Coutour TRL™, ProFractional™ and BBL™ Broadband Light are all offered for resurfacing the skin and restoring your natural youthful look. Whether it be sun damage, age or acne scars, these procedures will enhance your overall appearance.

Skin pigment.

Hyperpigmentation from sun damage and aging can make you look years older than you actually are. Laser Peel Contour TRL™ and BBL™ Broadband Light can help you clean up any areas that are exposed to the harmful rays of the sun by reducing unwanted melanin. In the process, the collagen in your skin gets regenerated.

Skin tightening.

Make a difference toward sagging, aged skin with SkinTyte™ or BBL™ Broadband Light procedures. As the infrared energy heats dermal collagen, it also cools it to protect the surface. Comfortably and with no downtime, this procedure promotes the tightening of the skin.

Vein treatment.

Veins that pop out of your legs or your face can be diminished with BBL™ Broadband Light phototherapy. Tiny and larger blood vessels are activated by heat on the upper layers of your skin, allowing the heat to absorb the targeted areas as they stimulate the skin and regenerate new collagen. Smoother, more youthful looking skin is your result.

Next article: details behind laser hair removal.

By the way, appointments are booking already for mid-January. I know I’m going to try to get on the list…

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

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Q/A by Dr. Macdonald on facelift, mid-face/cheek lift, rhinoplasty November 2011

Please join me and view this new Questions and Answers page on this blog…  All questions are posed by patients and answered here by Dr. Macdonald.   Check back any time for more additions

Here are some of his responses from November 2011…

Question: What is the risk of a facelift, revision rhinoplasty, and laser resurfacing at the same time?

I just turned 50 and am showing my age. Thinking of brow & neck lift (or full face lift), laser resurfacing, & revision rhinoplasty at the same time. Is this too much for one day? Too much risk to be under anesthesia for so long? Possible to do with local?

Answer by Dr. Macdonald:

I would always recommend addressing all of the areas that you are concerned about at the same time, if at all possible.  I think it yields the best results and the best possible overall outcome, the shortest overall recovery time, and it is often the most cost-effective.

Having a brow and face/neck lift, revision rhinoplasty, and laser resurfacing as one combined procedure is commonly done and is certainly would not be considered too much to do at one time.  In fact, it makes good sense to combine all these procedures to achieve the best overall outcome.

With regard to the laser, I prefer to avoid using full ablative laser resurfacing in the areas where a flap has been elevated–in this case, the lateral cheek and the forehead areas.  Instead, I would advise confining the laser portion of this procedure to the area around the mouth and the eyelids–areas that would not be involved in the surgery under consideration.  Laser resurfacing is often not required in the surgically treated areas referenced here.  If laser resurfacing is indicated in the cheeks and forehead areas, this can be delayed for at least 6 months following surgery.   You may be so pleased with the surgical results that you can delay much longer than this before contemplating any further laser resurfacing treatment.

(November 2011)

Question: What happens when brow lift and facelift start to sag again?

I’m considering a brow and facelift. How long will the results last. Do people look a little strange as the face starts to fall again as the years go by…I’m mean, do things fall in a weird way because of the previous surgeries?

Answer by Dr. Macdonald:

The easy answer to this question is that a brow and face lift last forever.  What this means is that you will always look better than you would have had you not had these procedures done at all.

The aging of the face and the sagging of the skin does not progress and accelerate after you’ve had surgery; however, you will continue to age and gradually you’ll notice flattening of the mid-face/cheek area, deepening of the nasolabial folds, recurrence of the jowling and recurrence of the loose skin in the neck and lower position of the eyebrows which inspired you to consider a face and/or brow lift originally.  These effects occur gradually over time–usually 10-15 years–before you will be interested in considering further surgery.

The ongoing aging of the face after surgery definitely does not occur in a “wierd” or “unnatural-appearing” way.

(November 2011)

Question: Will a temporal lift for brows and excess eyelid skin alter the hairline?

I am considering a temporal lift to elevate the side of my eyebrows and correct excess skin on upper lids. Will the placing of the incisions alter the hairline in the temple earea?

Answer by Dr. Macdonald:

 A limited incision, temporal or lateral brow lift generally involves using very small incisions above the hairline in the temporal region to elevate the lateral aspect of the eyebrows and improve the contour of the upper eyelids in this region.  I will generally place the incisions involved in this procedure above the hairline and remove some skin in addition to elevating the muscle and soft tissue beneath the skin.  Removing a  small amount of skin in this area further guarantees a long-lasting and more effective lift.

Whether or not any skin is removed, placement of the incision above the hairline will necessarily alter the hairline slightly by elevating it along with the elevation of the eyebrows.  Alternatively, if the hairline position is very important to you, the incision could be placed right at the edge of the hairline, angled in such a way that the hair follicles will grow right through the incision post-operatively in order to camouflage the incision.  In this way, the hairline location would not be altered.

However, there is a small risk that careful inspection of the hairline (i.e. when hair is pulled back) might reveal a small scar.  If the hairline position is elevated slightly, along with the elevation of the brows, this is balanced off by the benefit of a well-hidden scar, so that the choice of placing the scar above the hairline is selected by most patients.

Personally, I usually prefer to hide the scar as completely as possible, even at the expense of a slight change in position of the hairline.

(November 2011)

Question: Is it necessary for the surgeon to put in drains when completing a full facelift?

I’ve had several consultations. One doctor puts in drains, one doesn’t, and one uses glue.

Answer by Dr. Macdonald:

When performing a facelift, I will place drains at the end of the case, but only on selected patients.  However, I would much rather err on the side of caution by placing the drains, if in doubt, since the disadvantage of drains is minimal and the potential benefit often outweighs any small disadvantage.

The drains serve to provide safety and security in patients that have any significant amount of bleeding during the case and to prevent the small risk of post-operative hematoma.  The drains are well-tolerated and easily removed on the first post-operative day.  In healthy patients with minimal bleeding during the case, drains are often not required.

Tissue glue, used at the end of the case, may minimize the risk of post-operative bleeding; however, I personally do not believe that the minimal benefit gained by placing this foreign material inside the face warrants doing so unless there is a special reason to do so.

(November 2011)

Question: I’m 36 but would a mid-facelift improve my long face and nasolabial folds?

I have noticed nasolabial folds since I was 32 and it is worse on the left side of my face. Since then, I had 2 vials of juvederm ultra injected into my cheekbones and the left nasolabial fold and now, 6 months later, it is already bothering me again. Even right after the procedure, it did not see to do that much. I would like something more permanent and something that would show more improvement, but have been told to wait till I’m older by 2 surgeons. Would a cheek lift solve my problem?

Answer by Dr. Macdonald:

You are an excellent candidate for a mid-face/cheek lift.  This procedure, with its small, well-hidden incisions, is specifically designed to reposition the mid-face/cheek soft tissue to a higher position–often back to the position where it originally was before the early effects of gravity.

Not only does this recreate the youthful appearance of volumization in the cheek area, but it also corrects the deep nasolabial folds that you are concerned about.  Not only is this procedure more permanent than facial volumization through injected tissue fillers, it also is more easily tailored to your specific needs and can create a more significant and long-lasting improvement.

The incisions are completely hidden above the hairline and inside the mouth.  It is a much less extensive procedure than a facelift and designed perfectly for someone your age and to address the concerns that you have expressed here.

(November 2011)

© 2011 Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

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New spacious office space for a Dr. Macdonald chemical peel and more

For over a year now, I’ve been on the path to clearing out the hyperpigmentation on my skin. My light, sun-damaged and aged skin has been stubborn. Since my skin is also sensitive, we have had to take the slow path.

 

Last summer I did 5-series PCA peel through Dr. Macdonald’s office. My results were a better complexion, smoother skin, fine wrinkle line reduction, and less hyperpigmentation.

I wasn’t convinced at that point that I was not capable of going to the next level in hyperpigmentation reduction. To that end, I did the following:

  • Sunscreen and hat all year round (even on cloudy days)
  • Recognition of my sensitive skin and genetics as seen in my father
  • HQRA (Hydroquinone to lighten pimentation & Retinol A to reduce wrinkles)
  • Research on PhotoFacial
  • Research on 2 Sciton laser applications: skin resurfacing, IPL for sun-damage (available in January 2012 through Dr. Macdonald’s office)
  • Vi PEEL™ (12 days) last month

My goal is to make a visible difference in my brown age spots on my face and upper chest area (i.e. decolletage area) and hands so that I a) look younger and b) feel that there is a solution to most of the sun damage from my many years in the sun.

Dr. Macdonald’s new office space at 500 Sutter St, Suite 430 in San Francisco. The new office space is beautiful and is a lot more spacious than the previous office. He has stunning artwork from local artist and photographer, Simeon Schatz on order–a must see…

Dr. Macdonald and his staff are ready to take on more patients and a new Sciton laser, among other perks. [It's only a block away so the parking situation is similar.]

 

PCA Chemical Peel. Since Dr. Macdonald has been working with me on this for over a year, during my recent skin check-up he decided that he wanted to do another PCA peel on me himself (and go a little deeper to make some more progress on the darker pigmented areas, yet pay close attention to my sensitivies).

I had my 1st of 5 PCA peels to my face, neck and chest area (i.e., decolletage). Similar to my previous experiences, I had no irritation in the first 2 days. I am starting to peel today, 48 hours later.

What I like the best this time around is the PCA SKIN® post-procedure solutionwhich includes:

  1. PCA SKIN® Facial Wash (very light and absorbant)
  2. PCA SKIN® Apres Peel Soothing Balm (with 0.5% hydrocortisone)
  3. PCA SKIN® ReBalance (to help inhibit redness and inflammation)
  4. PCA SKIN® Silkcoat Balm (for nighttime moisturizing)
  5. PCA SKIN® Perfecting Protection SPF 30 (for UV protection)

The products are soothing and restorative to the skin (and have a great scent and light non-greasy after effect).

I will return in 2 weeks for PCA Peel #2 of 5.

Day 2

The skin on my face was a bit tight but I kept the PCA SKIN® products on all day. I had a healthy glow.

Day 3

The skin on my face was tighter and noticeably wrinkly. I continued with the PCA SKIN® products.

In the afternoon, which is 48 hours since the peel, my skin started to peel. It started around my mouth and continued through the day.

Day 4

My neck was itchy but the PCA SKIN® products soothed it tremendously. I had to use the products more often than previous days.

By afternoon my face was peeling in big flakes, and the skin on my chest started to peel partially in flakes, previously splotchy looking skin (as if it had peeled). There was no itching or irritation though.

Day 5

The skin on my face and chest was peeling all day. It was a little itchy. I wore a hat and long sleeves all day (even on hot sunny day).

Day 6

My face was still peeling along hairline. I noticed that the peeling on my chest had stopped yet was still splotchy (i.e., half-peeled). I made a note to have double PCA solution applied next time (hopefully) so that it will all peel off.

Day 7

I was still peeling on my face, neck and chest. I started to use an exfoliant cleanser at this point to continue the peeling (possibly). Next peel in a week.

Amazing new sunscreen by Colorscience®

Pam turned me on to this powder sunscreen by Colorscience®. It’s SPF 50 plus comes in a convenient brush applicator. It contains some skin color, so is much like powdered foundation makeup. I love the easy application and light formula. Thank you, Pam!

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.

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Silicone Gel Sheeting for Scar Healing

Time for another scar update.  This time my scar update is for my hands after the laser treatment I had done by Dr. Macdonald.

The treatment was 5 months ago and although I did a post-laser scar update last month, now I want to focus on the science behind scars, scar gels and particularly silicone sheeting.

First of all, I’m learning that there is a difference between silicone and silicon.  Silicone is an inert, synthetic compound,  typically heat-resistant and rubber-like.  Silicon is a chemical element (Si), the 8th most common element in the universe by mass, but very rarely occurs as the pure free element in nature.  Silicones, however, include the element silicon, among other chemicals such as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

I am using the silicone gel sheeting called Epi-Derm by Biodermis™.  This scar management treatment is effective in healing the keloidal and hypertropic scar tissue–thick, raised, unattractive masses of collagen.

The way this works, since it was introduced 30 years ago,  is the sheeting is tightly worn against the skin so that as the skin continually regenerates itself, it bumps up against this silicone sheet and therefore heals.  It  increases temperature, pressure, oxygen tension, hydration as the silicone itself touches the skin. The sheeting is also permeable, thus allowing more oxygen to seep into the hydrated skin and thus improve wound healing. Hydration itself is hypothesized to decrease capillary activity.  It reduces fibroblast-induced collagen deposition and scar hypertrophy.

It is recommended to wear it 12 hours per day for 8-12 weeks to see results.  They should be removed when showering, working out or swimming due to the excessive moisture.

The sheets are reusable so I only needed one little circle which I cut into 3 sections for my 3 scars.  For now the sheets stick well while I’m wearing, but I’ve heard that it’s necessary to tape them on when the stick no longer works, so I have some medical tape on hand.

They are said to work for 1-2 weeks so I will test this theory.

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.

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VariLite Post-Laser Treatment to Remove Brown Spots From Hands, Scar Healing

It’s been 4 months since my VariLite Laser Treatment by Dr. Macdonald on my hands.

Laser treatment for hands. I’m seeing first hand how different the skin on the hands is from the face.  When it comes to scarring, Dr. Macdonald indicates that the hands have a longer healing time because the skin is thinner.

4 months post-laser

He did a great job getting rid of the brown pigment.

As stated in my post directly following the treatment, the darker the pigmentation, the harder the laser has to work.

Dr. Macdonald wears special glasses that allow him to see the pigmentation in the most effective way.

Scar healing timeframe. Scars can take up to 18 months to heal.  To assist with

pre-laser

this effort, it is best to:

  • Apply scar gel daily.  Dermatix™ is a great brand to use.
  • Wear silicone sheeting taped on at night (or during the day if it doesn’t bother you).
  • Protect the scar from the sun with clothing, hats or sunscreen.
  • Let time heal :)

At my 4 month follow up appointment yesterday, Dr. Macdonald advised me that I will see significant healing in the next 6 months and to use the scar gel and silicone sheeting when I can. The more I wear it, the more it works.  [It's cool that you reuse the sheet over and over so it's not so wasteful.]

Also, I’ll do my best in the sun to cover the areas with sunscreen.  I’m going to the tropics next week so I will definitely be in the sun!  :)

At any rate, since my skin is so thin and susceptible to scarring, I was already ready for some extra healing time.

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.

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Our Eternal Quest for Beauty & Vitality…What’s New in the Cosmetic Surgery World

In this economy, people might be more hesitant to open their wallets and purses.  But based on the results of a recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), that doesn’t mean they’re not paying attention to how they look.

In fact, AACS surgeons in the U.S. reported an 8% increase in the number of cosmetic procedures they performed in patients between 2008 and 2009, according to the AACS 2009 Procedural Census.  In 2009, AACS members performed an estimated 1.7 million cosmetic surgery procedures–more than double what members reported in 2005.

TOP FIVE “INVASIVE” PROCEDURES

1:  Liposuction (also called liposculpture)

In 2009, > 92,000 fat removal/body contouring surgeries were performed.  The fact that liposuction has been the most popular procedure performed by cosmetic surgeons since 2005 comes as no surprise to Dr. Macdonald who has seen this increase reflected in his own practice, with the most commonly requested treatment areas being abs and flanks.

before inner+outer thighs lipo

after inner+outer thighs lipo

Women are more likely to request treatment of inner/outer thighs and arms, while both men and women seem to equally request treatment of the chin/neck which often starts to sag once we hit the 50s.

Select Category “Liposuction” here on the blog to follow the patient experience stories highlighted here.

2: Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift)

before upper+lower bleph surgery

after upper+lower bleph surgery

More than 60,500 men and women had an eyelid lift, a procedure aimed at removing excess fat and skin from the upper and lower lids.  If you are looking to rejuvenate a focal point on the face and are trying to keep downtime to a minimum, blepharoplasty is a great place to start, and provides a maximum impact given the importance of our eyes in both daily communication and social connection.

Dr. Macdonald has also seen the boom of this procedure in his practice as baby boomers are striving to stay looking as young and beautiful on the outside as they feel on the inside.

Select Category “Blepharoplasty” here on the blog to follow the patient experience story highlighted here.

3: Breast Augmentation – Dr. Macdonald doesn’t perform this particular procedure, but is happy to provide referrals to well-qualified surgeons.

4: Facelift

In 2009, more than 34,000 people underwent a facelift, hoping to improve the most visible signs of aging on the lower third of their face.

before face/neck lift

after face/neck lift

While facelifts are a favorite among older patients–average patient age is 54 years–Dr. Macdonald says, “I have patients in their 40s requesting a nip and tuck for their face.”

Contrary to the past approach of waiting for one major “uplift” at a later age, more patients are opting for a series of less obvious surgical adjustments over the 40-65 years range so their aging progression is subtle, almost invisible.

5:  Sclerotherapy

A treatment used to remove unsightly spider and varicose veins, sclerotherapy rounds out the top five “invasive” cosmetic procedures.

Dr. Macdonald uses the latest in laser technology, the VariLite™ laser alone or in conjunction with a direct injection of a sclerosing solution into the vessels.  Selection of the appropriate treatment modality depends on the vessel diameter.  The laser treatment is most effective in treating smaller-diameter vessels, while the sclerosing solution is better suited to the elimination of larger ones.

TOP FIVE “NON-INVASIVE” PROCEDURES

1:  BOTOX®

These wrinkle reduction injections, targeted at the upper face have increased 157% since 2005, making it the overwhelming number one “non-invasive” favorite.

See this article here on the blog where BOTOX®goes head-to-head with Dysport™, another very successful wrinkle reducer formulated from the same purified protein of botulinum toxin A.

2: Fillers

Fillers – Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse – are used to offset volume loss and other facial aging concerns.  They’re gaining popularity fast.  With longer lasting options becoming available, filler use continues to increase.

Compared to a facelift, the price tag for fillers-at least in the short term-is more attractive to many who want a quick fix without significant down-time.

3: Chemical peels

In 2009, AACS member practices reported performing 163,000 chemical peels.  At an average price of $125, peels are more affordable than any other facial rejuvenation.

Dr. Macdonald’s Medical Esthetician, Amy Crowley, performs a variety of peels to help patients achieve healthy, rejuvenated, vibrant, youthful skin with minimized texture, tone and pigmentation irregularities.

Select Category “Chemical Peel” to see a full patient experience story.

4: Laser Hair Removal – Dr. Macdonald doesn’t perform this particular procedure, but is happy to provide referrals.

5. Microdermabrasion

This lunch-hour facial rejuvenation/scar revision favorite completes the “top 5 non-invasive” list.  The MicroPeel treatment is a professional-grade exfoliation treatment that smoothes, refines, evens, and brightens dull, lackluster skin.  It’s like getting Microdermabrasion and a light chemical peel in one 30-minute treatment without the down time.

Dr. Macdonald’s Medical Esthetician, Amy Crowley, has 11 years of experience in medical aesthetics and dermatology treatments for pre-surgery preparation, post-surgery optimal healing and elongation of results, as well as her personal passion and focus on building lasting skin health regimens that keep your skin rejuvenated, fresh and vibrant your whole life through.  As such, she offers:

  • a MicroPeel treatment–currently running a special through March 31st where you can purchase a 3-pack of MicroPeels for $300 (vs. the usual single treatment price of $150).

Patients overwhelmingly agree that this treatment makes you immediately look and feel great with no down time and no big expense! If you have specific skin questions or are wondering if this treatment is appropriate for you, Amy is happy to receive your questions at amylovesskin@gmail.com.  She’ll do her best to give you the answer you seek, but be aware that for some specifics she’ll need to actually see your face.   She does offer complimentary skin assessments for new patients though, so it’s worth the trip!

For more information on any of these procedures please call 415-956-3223.

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2 1/2 Weeks: VariLite Post-Laser Treatment, Removing Brown Spots on Face + Hands

It’s now been 2 1/2 weeks since my laser treatment for my hands and face.

The lesions are almost healed but still noticeable.   I’ve been applying vaseline moisturizer every day.  Some days they itch a little but I have tried not to scratch off the scabbing, so that it comes off on its own as directed by Dr. Macdonald.

I will start using scar gel on the effected areas until the wounds completely vanish.

 

18 days post-laser

pre-laser

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Days 3-5: VariLite Post-Laser Treatment, Removing Brown Spots on Face + Hands

It’s been 5 days since my VariLite laser treatment with Dr. Macdonald.  The healing process has been as expected.

Dr. Macdonald notified me to expect the following post-laser treatment for pigmented lesions:

  • Pigmented lesions may turn gray or dark after treatment.  As the skin heals, in 7-14 days, the spot will slough off.  Do not rub or pick the lesion.  Antibacterial or moisturizing ointment may be applied to the area as desired.
  • Do not use a “loofa” sponge on these areas.  Let them “slough” off naturally.
  • For the next 3-4 weeks, avoid sun exposure to the treated area.  Use of a sunscreen containing an SPF of 15 or higher is recommended.

I had dark scabs at first, as shown in my previous post on day 2.

Day 3

The day to follow I went surfing :)   The salt water I know has a healing effect for skin.  It stung a little bit.   The scabs soaked in salt water became soft and started to come off later in the day as shown in the picture (left).

On my face, the scabs remained as you can see in the picture (right).

Since the treatment I have been applying antibiotic ointment or Aquaphor a few times a day.

Day 5

Today the scabs have fallen off on my hands but they still feel and look as if they are infected and yellowish, encircled with redness and a little painful to the touch.  Without the protective scab, I’m using even more ointment to protect them and help the healing process.

I’m looking forward to looking down at my hands and seeing those darker spots gone!

Stay tuned…

© 2010 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.

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Day 2: Laser Treatment, Removing Brown Spots on Face + Hands

Yesterday I went in for my VariLite laser treatment appointment with Dr. Macdonald.   I’m following up on the pursuit of removing the hyperpigmentation on my hands and my face.  The darker pigment is extra melanin present in the skin.

I had 3 spots on my hands treated yesterday and one on my face. [Read here for my latest article following my facial PCA chemical peel and interview with Dr. Macdonald.]

The procedure

I wore protective goggles over my eyes to protect me from the intense light of the laser.  The idea is that the laser light is absorbed by the dark pigment in the skin and decomposes from the heat of the laser, removing the unwanted skin cells and leaving healthy cells intact.

It hurt a little more than I thought it would.  It feels like a series of pricks with a hot pin.  As Dr. Macdonald moved the laser though over the spot, the burning sensation (and smoke coming off the spots as I watched the skin burn :) ) increased and turned into a feeling as if I were being burned by a match.

I had to have him give me little breaks.  Also, he turned down the intensity of the laser for me.

Apparently, the darker the pigmentation, the harder the laser has to work and so the more it stings.  Dr. Macdonald wears special glasses that allow him to see the hyperpigmentation in a different way; when I looked at the spots I simply saw a bunch of black burning skin.

Interestingly enough, when he did the spot on my face we expected that the pain would be less since the pigmentation is less.  But, this was not the case.  It stung just as much as my hands, if not more so since my skin on my face is so sensitive…

Once the torture was over, I felt better in a few minutes.

Pictures on Day 2


On Day 2, as expected, the lasered spots are black and crusty looking.  I’m allowed to wash gently and then apply antibiotic ointment to them.

As the scabbing starts to fall off, I’m supposed to let the process occur naturally and not scrape any of it off myself.

There is no pain.

I will be posting updates of the pictures as the coloring changes and the scabs come off.

There is a small chance that this treatment will not work completely. In this case, in approximately one month Dr. Macdonald will redo the laser treatment.

He charges 1/2 price for touch-ups.

For my face, however, he said he’d do a touch-up for free since he needed to turn down the intensity for me due to the pain.

© 2010 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.

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Beyond the Light PCA Chemical Peel: Remaining spots

Having gone through a 5-series PCA chemical peel, I now know that my skin is in wonderful shape. As stated in my previous post at the end of my 5 series peel, I am happy with all the benefits.

At this point, I have a new wonder.  What would the procedure be to get rid of the brown spots, for someone of my light skin genetics?

I was in Dr. Macdonald’s office recently getting some high resolution pictures to compare the results of my skin before and after the chemical peel.

May 14 pre-chem peel

Oct 12 post-chem peel

Since the peel series ended, I have been using the HQRA product every other night. I have some peeling, but not much. I have been using Ti-Silc sunscreen every day and always a hat while in the sun. My skin cannot possibly be getting any more sunspots at this point.

We still see brown spots on my face. So, despite all of the great cellular rebuilding below the skin, the smooth texture and lighter lines on the surface of the skin, the appearance of spots remains.  I am still glad to have learned all about how my skin has improved as a whole by this process, and to know that the remaining spots are a different issue.

I asked Dr. Macdonald for his advice on the brown spots.  He offered three options:

  1. TCA Peel.  It is a deeper peel than the one I did.  It is made of Trichloracetic Acid and is otherwise known as the Obagi Blue Peel.
  2. Laser Resurfacing with IPL (a.k.a., PhotoFacial).  This would be a treatment given to the entire face, done gradually in a series.
  3. VariLite laser treatment.  This would be a treatment localized to the spots only.  He would use the 532 wavelength setting for spots.  The 940 wavelength would be used for excessive red blood vessels.

In addition to the face, I couldn’t help but ask him about the dark spots on my hands. I wondered would he treat those spots in the same way as the face?

  • He would use the VariLite laser treatment on the specific spots at the 532 wavelength.
  • It would take about 5 minutes to perform the procedure.

To be continued.. I am thinking about having him zap those spots on my hands with his laser treatment.

I will report back with details on recovery. :)

© 2010 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.