Tag Archives: aging of face

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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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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.