Rhinoplasty is the surgical procedure that reshapes the nose to fit more harmoniously on the face. The objective of a nose job is to make the nose blend in better with surrounding facial features. Sometimes, there is a need for structural modifications to enable the patient to breathe more easily. The aesthetic and functional results achieved in this procedure are the hallmarks of its success.
Rhinoplasty surgery can dramatically improve:
Rhinoplasty procedures may be performed using an open or closed technique. This should be determined based on the structure of the nose and the desired changes, not based on the idea that closed rhinoplasty offers an easier recovery. Both forms of rhinoplasty heal nicely with only short-term discomfort. Rather than focus on incision placement, patients should look at the signs of successful rhinoplasty as:
We respect the individuality of each of our patients and reflect this in our personalized approach to rhinoplasty and other procedures. To schedule a consultation, call our Pottsville or Hazleton office.
The field of aesthetic medicine has expanded so quickly that many people may misunderstand the seriousness of various procedures. The term cosmetic surgery doesn’t help. It gives the false impression that there is such a thing as a cosmetic surgeon. To be clear, cosmetic surgery such as breast augmentation or rhinoplasty is a big deal and should only be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. In less reputable circles, there may be providers who offer convenient procedures that seem to offer less downtime and risk. Lunchtime plastic surgery is not a thing, at least not if you want to avoid unnecessary trauma. Here’s why.
It has become incredibly common for people to pop into a medspa or other clinic to receive injectable treatments. Because injectables like Botox and dermal fillers are used so frequently, it is easy to assume that side effects may not occur. It is also easy to trust that an injector, A, is using the right product and, B, knows how to use that product appropriately. A general rule of thumb is that, if you are new to fillers, as for a hyaluronic acid product that can be reversed if you don’t like your results. Also, play it safe and receive injections from a reputable plastic surgeon’s office that has numerous good reviews.
It’s hard to believe that any physician would offer procedures like breast augmentation without extensive consultation and consideration for patient safety. News stories tell us otherwise. Patients put their trust in surgeons who promote their expertise and should not be misled that a surgical procedure can be conducted and recovered-from within a matter of hours. Breast surgeries, which are offered as lunchtime procedures by some doctors, require meticulous performance to ensure the proper positioning of the breast implant. Without proper insertion, the implant can pucker, wrinkle, or even protrude through the skin.
Cosmetic procedures are common, yes, but that does not mean they are standardized. All faces and bodies are different. Successful surgery, and even injectable treatment, relies on the provider’s attention to detail and understanding of individual objectives.
Get cosmetic treatment from a professional team with high standards for patient care. Call our Pottsville or Hazleton office to schedule your consultation.
We frequently express ourselves using facial movements. More than we may think, our face is sending messages even when we’re not purposefully smiling or frowning. This can be problematic when the signs of aging affect the appearance of highly-emotive facial features such as the mouth or the eyes. Patients that visit our Hazleton and Pottsville offices often express the desire not to look younger, necessarily, but to look more awake and friendly. Blepharoplasty can help. Here, we share some of the questions we hear from patients interested in refreshing their facial appearance.
Blepharoplasty is an eyelid lift. It removes skin that has become loose and heavy. The procedure also adjusts the fat pads beneath the skin of the upper or lower eyelids to reduce hooding or puffiness that is aging the eyes. After upper blepharoplasty, the natural crease should be reinstated and the skin should lie smoothly. After lower blepharoplasty, the eyes should look bright and youthful, without hollowness or bags. Because an eyelid lift corrects age-related concerns, people often wonder if they are too young for this procedure. Our objective in observing a patient is not their biological age but the age of their skin and the appearance of the eyes. Blepharoplasty is often performed on people in their forties, as well as people in their sixties and beyond.
Surgery on the eyes must leave visible scars, right? Scars, yes. Visible, not so much. Scars are a natural outcome of incisions. However, the thickness of scars relates to the thickness of the skin. The thin skin on the eyelids pays off in this matter because the resulting scars are so minor that you’d have to show someone where they are for them to notice. Meaning, they won’t notice on their own.
Blepharoplasty rejuvenates the eyes by trimming excess tissue from the eyelids. However, upper eyelid heaviness may not be caused by eyelid skin at all; it may be caused by a falling brow line. In that case, a brow or forehead lift may be performed independently or in combination with blepharoplasty to achieve the best results.
The signs of aging can bring focus on the eyes for all the wrong reasons. Make your eyes stand out for their friendliness and youthfulness. Learn more about blepharoplasty by scheduling a consultation in our Hazleton or Pottsville office.
Hundreds of patients come through our offices each month seeking to address cosmetic concerns. Often, they relate to the signs of aging, such as sagging jowls, hooded eyelids, and lines and wrinkles. When addressing these concerns, it is important that patients understand the nature of aging. Not only how it affects appearance by why. When we start at the root cause of cosmetic aging, we can better understand why no singular treatment, even surgery, can correct all problems.
Historically, the signs of aging have been topical solutions. Ancients used milk baths to promote beautiful skin. More recently, science has developed more powerful topicals such as medical-grade retinoids, hyaluronic acid, lasers, and other high-tech energies. In every one of these instances, the skin can look a little better and become a little stronger. However, long-term beauty is only possible with maintenance. This is why.
Aging does not happen on the surface of the skin. It happens in the dermis, where cells called fibroblasts live. Fibroblasts make collagen and elastin, proteins that then form the skin’s foundation. Collagen is a firming protein, whereas elastin is flexible and allows the skin to stretch and contract. These are vital characteristics that, when lost, lead to sagging, rough, deflated skin. Up until about age 30, our fibroblasts are humming right along, making all the collagen and elastin we need and then some. After that age, these cells go into relative dormancy. When they do, the body’s use of 1 to 2% of existing proteins each year sends us into depletion, where we begin to see the signs of aging.
To truly meet the skin’s needs over time, our job is to keep those fibroblasts stimulated. This means maintenance because no treatment can wake up fibroblasts for good. Each treatment that is performed can stimulate fibroblast activity that lasts up to six months. However, depending on how severe the signs of aging are when treatment begins, several sessions may be needed just to restore an optimal baseline.
If you’ve ever wondered why beauty treatments are “sold” in packages, this is the reason. Beauty isn’t once-and-done, so your treatments can’t be, either. To learn more about the services we offer, contact our Pottsville or Hazleton office.
Professional skincare treatments provide teens and adults the assistance they need to maximize the health of their skin. Today, we’ve got numerous technologies and devices that help us remove dead and damaged cells, unwanted veins, unwanted hair, and the many signs of sun damage. There is an old saying that applies to skin treatments, though. It goes, “the right thing at the wrong time becomes the wrong thing.” To make sure you get the maximum benefit from your chosen skin treatment, consider these pointers.
Generally, professionals recommend scheduling deeper treatments and those that create photosensitivity for the winter months. These include but are not limited to:
Fortunately, the list of Wintertime-only treatments is quite short. The following treatments can be obtained any time of year.
Our experienced staff is here to help you find the best treatments for your skin. Call our Hazleton or Pottsville office to schedule a consultation.
The appearance of the skin changes as we age; most people realize this. What we don’t often see is just how many factors influence the skin. Our genetics play some part in how we age, but there is much more contribution made by our lifestyle habits and how much time we spend in the sun without sunscreen. Even our facial expressions affect the elasticity and firmness of tissue. Those who know the skin needs help often look for it in the form of products. This is a good start that should be a part of a bigger plan that includes laser skin resurfacing.
Laser skin resurfacing delivers controlled energy into the skin to remove the uppermost layer of cells. These cells no longer provide value to appearance and are just stuck in place. The dead and damaged cells that sit on the epidermis dull the complexion and make it much more difficult for skincare products to achieve their intended effects. These cells need to go, and laser is a great method of removing them.
It isn’t enough to undergo a single treatment and expect the skin to age more gracefully. After you have laser skin resurfacing, we recommend that you:
Give your skin a leg up on the aging process. Call our Hazleton or Pottsville office to learn more about laser resurfacing.
For years, it has been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. What this really means is that we tend to perceive a person’s character based on the appearance of their eyes. If the eyes are heavy and hooded, the face may look tired or angry. If this is not truly how you feel, then your eyes aren’t true windows to your soul at all. To bring your truest self to light, you may have to address the age-related changes that have affected your eyes. We can do that with blepharoplasty.
Blepharoplasty is the cosmetic procedure that rejuvenates the eyes by correcting undesirable changes in the eyelids and superficial tissue. This surgery does what Botox and fillers alone cannot. It achieves permanent improvements with minimal downtime. Here are a few of the ways blepharoplasty can restore a more youthful look.
There are several reasons to consider eyelid rejuvenation surgery in comparison to injectable treatments. To learn more about the value of blepharoplasty, schedule a consultation in our Pottsville or Hazleton office.
There are so many cosmetic treatments available today that it’s not surprising we may miss the immense value of one or two of them. For example, microneedling is a minimally invasive beauty treatment that licensed professionals have been performing for years. Even celebs tout the benefits of microneedling. And yet, this is one of several skin treatments that many people never realized they needed. We’d like to discuss this.
Anything that mentions the word needle may sound unpleasant. Microneedling is anything but unpleasant. The treatment does involve the insertion of micro-fine needles up to 3.0 mm into the dermis, yes. However, the needles aren’t much denser than a strand of hair. To improve patient experience, providers apply a topical numbing cream to the skin before commencing with treatment. Finally, the ultra-fine needles are inserted in a strictly vertical pattern utilizing an automated hand-piece that moves quickly over the skin.
What could possibly be the intent of poking tiny channels into the skin with needles? This may sound somewhat absurd, right? Well, when microneedles are passed over the skin, the channels that they leave behind are only there momentarily. The body closes off the micro-injuries within an hour or two. In that time, though, the body perceives injury that requires healing. To heal the channels that have been purposefully created, the body sends new collagen into the skin. New collagen, along with its sister healing chemical elastin, plumps and softens the skin right away.
Seeing collagen as a healing protein, we can observe the extended benefits of enhanced collagen production. This protein floods wounds like scraped knees or paper cuts. Similarly, collagen can infuse the scar tissue that forms after acne. For individuals with either chronic acne or acne scarring, microneedling can be the catalyst for dermatologic change.
As a living organ, the skin is continually regenerating itself. Old, dead skin cells should naturally fall away from the epidermis. They don’t always cooperate. Microneedling stimulates cellular renewal through which these damaged, dull cells slough off. The new cells that come up to the surface are those that have received an influx of collagen and elastin. The results of this regeneration are fewer obvious lines and wrinkles, smaller pores, and a brighter complexion.
Are you ready for a quick refresher for your skin? Contact us in Hazleton or Pottsville to learn more about microneedling.
Medical terms have a way of sounding complicated. Gynecomastia is one of many examples. While doctors and other healthcare providers may find this jargon helpful, you may not. We must build a bridge between everyday language and clinical verbiage so more people can be helped. You may not know what gynecomastia is (why would you?). That is unless you’ve ever googled the words “man boobs” or “male breasts.” These are the everyday terms used to describe the enlargement of a man’s breast tissue. And they are the topic of discussion here.
Based on everyday language like “man boobs,” we see that gynecomastia is the noticeable enlargement of a man’s breasts. All men have breasts, to be honest, but most are more muscle than fat. This is what differentiates male from female physique, muscle tissue. For some men, this balance of muscle to fatty tissue doesn’t fully develop or it gets disrupted.
There are several contributing factors to gynecomastia. Genetics may play a role, as can weight and medication or drug use. It would seem that genetics are more influential because not all men who gain weight see an increase in breast size. Conversely, some men with gynecomastia are at a stable weight and may even work out frequently to correct their breast shape. From what we know at this time, the only way to correct enlarged male breasts is with plastic surgery.
Male breast reduction is a procedure that is consistently growing in popularity. This isn’t because the number of men developing enlarged breasts is increasing but that more men are learning that this effective treatment exists. Gynecomastia has to do with fat. It may be influenced by the breast gland. And it may affect the skin. Therefore, male breast reduction may address all three. Some of the techniques that are considered for gynecomastia treatment include:
Whatever we call it, the enlargement of the male breast is not a condition that a man needs to live with. If you would like to learn more about male breast reduction, schedule a consultation in our Pottsville or Hazleton office.
Do the holidays ever have you feeling a bit like Cinderella? You’ve slaved away all year to get your business off the ground or to prove yourself at work, and now is the season in which you can let your hair down a bit. We all tend to feel a little less stressed, a little more jovial, as the holidays approach. At the same time, the increase in social activity may create some self-consciousness. Those cosmetic concerns that we have not yet taken care of may be the star of the show in holiday photos. This doesn’t have to be. If you want to adore every surprise photo that is taken of you in the coming weeks, schedule a visit with us now. Here’s how your pre-holiday beauty boost can look.
The skin ages in unique ways, and it all has to do with the cells. Aging itself affects how cells behave. Environmental factors like sun exposure also affect cells, causing some to produce more melanin (pigment). Laser treatments can refresh the skin by targeting spots, blood vessels, and cells.
Injectable treatment may be the fastest and most convenient way to refresh the face before the holiday season kicks off. Although the results of injectables are not permanent, they are long-lasting. Patients appreciate that this approach to facial rejuvenation doesn’t come with any downtime. Consider how injectables like Botox and dermal fillers can help you reduce:
There are so many ways to refresh your look before the holidays, the only thing to do is get an appointment on the books. To do so, contact our Hazleton or Pottsville office.
In our last post, we discussed some of the steps you can take to prepare for your mommy makeover procedure. In addition to preparation steps, another common question that patients have is what they can expect during their recovery. Seeing that a mommy makeover involves multiple surgical techniques, it makes sense that many patients will feel slightly uneasy as their surgery approaches. We find that, when recovery is explained, there is a lot less stress and a lot more excitement surrounding surgery.
The team in our Pottsville and Hazleton offices has done this before. Many times. We’ve got you covered with assistance before and after your mommy makeover. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
It is no secret that pregnancy and motherhood change a woman in more ways than one. As a reputable plastic surgery practice, we help women address the physical aspects of their body that they want to regain. Mommy makeover treatment is popular for several reasons. One is that the series of procedures involved in the process is completely customized to each patient. The list goes on and on but it does not answer common questions patients have, like how to make the most of their treatment process. This month, we will thoroughly discuss this topic, starting with pre-operative preparations.
Research several plastic surgeons, then whittle your list down to two or three. Schedule a consultation with each and ask all of your questions. Consider the comfort you feel with each physician, their experience with mommy makeovers, and the feedback you get from other patients in the form of testimonials or direct contact.
Once you have selected your surgeon:
Mommy makeover treatment offers numerous benefits for patients who want to feel great about their body. In our next post, we will discuss more about what to expect after your mommy makeover. For more information, schedule a consultation in our Pottsville or Hazleton office.
For centuries, we humans have perceived full, defined lips as one of the hallmarks of youthful beauty. It is no secret that lip augmentation is one of the trendiest treatments at the moment. In fact, over 30,000 patients had lift lip augmentation surgery in 2018 (up by 66 percent since 2000). Each year, more than 2 million nonsurgical lip enhancing treatments are performed using dermal fillers. Because both methods of lip enhancement are popular, we find it beneficial to discuss how they compare.
Many people lean toward nonsurgical treatments, especially for facial rejuvenation. At first glance, injectable look like they offer a lot. They can, but not for every person. Soft tissue fillers work by increasing volume. The lip fillers that are commonly used are made with hyaluronic acid. This organic substance increases the plumpness of the lips by drawing water molecules into the tissue. Hyaluronic acid then traps these molecules and holds them in place for several months. To improve symmetry, fullness, and definition, lip fillers are administered into the deeper layers of the skin in a procedure that takes only about 15 minutes. From this time, results typically last up to 12 months.
A lip lift requires an incision and a few stitches. It requires a local anesthetic and may also include a mild sedative, but no general anesthesia. For this reason, the procedure is referred to as lip lift surgery. However, the treatment takes place in the office and does not involve nearly the same commitment to recovery as most surgical procedures.
The purpose of a lip lift differs from dermal fillers. Ultimately, the goal is to restore the youthful, sensual shape of the lips. However, the process through which this is achieved is different. During a lip lift, an incision is made at the base of the nose. When the incision heals, a barely perceptible scar may remain in the center column of tissue that separates the nostrils. Through this tiny incision, the superficial tissue and skin between the nose and the upper lip are carefully repositioned. The excess is trimmed and the incision is closed with one or more sutures.
Lip lift treatment may be ideal for people who have 1.5 centimeters or more of excess skin between their nose and mouth. The procedure can correct thin lips, an elongated upper lip, and may also improve the position of the corners of the mouth so they do not turn downward. After treatment, the definition and shape of the upper lift are improved, which can create the illusion of fullness.
If you know you want to improve the appearance of your lips but aren’t sure which technique is right for you, we can help. Contact our Pottsville or Hazleton office today to schedule your consultation for lip enhancement.
A recall of any kind can feel somewhat disturbing. The FDA’s recent position on a certain type of textured breast implant may be a relatively small recall. It has, however, created quite a stir. If you have breast implants, this recall may have you questioning your future decisions. We understand why; the event hits a little too close to home for many women. Here, we want to discuss what is known about the recent FDA recall on BioCell textured breast implants and what your next steps might be.
The details of the recall can be outlined momentarily. First, we answer the question on many women’s minds. This recall does not mean that your breast implants need to be removed. This recall doesn’t even mean that all women with recalled breast implants should have them removed. Here’s why.
Included in the FDA’s request for recall are Allergan’s Natrelle textured breast implants. Both saline and silicone devices are involved, as are the line’s highly-cohesive anatomically shaped silicone implants. Additionally, tissue expanders (Natrelle 133) with and without suture tabs are a part of the recall group. This selection of implants is used much less frequently than smooth breast implants. According to the FDA, instances of the complication that led to the recall are limited to about 10% of patients.
What is that complication? A higher risk of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). The FDA has analyzed data since 2011, when the first instances of BIA-ALCL were noted. The recall occurred as a result of clear numbers showing that 481 out of 573 cases of this rare lymphoma affected women with Natrelle textured breast implants.
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, called BIA-ALCL, is a type of lymphoma that originates in the capsule that forms around textured breast implants. It is not uncommon for fluid to accumulate in the breast capsule. In cases of BIA-ALCL, the problem is that some of the lymphocytes in this fluid mutate into cancerous cells.
When contained around the breast implant, surgery to remove implants from both breasts, and also to remove the capsular tissue, is highly successful in eradicating the disease. When cancerous cells migrate to nearby lymph nodes, treatment may need to expand to include chemotherapy. The FDA has stated that 93% of treated cases have been very successful, with patients maintaining a cancer-free state for three years or more.
It is recommended for women with breast implants to undergo routine mammograms and, for silicone implants, MRI screening every two years. Additionally, a full exam should be scheduled if symptoms such as swelling, pain, or changes in size or shape occur.
If you have questions about your breast implants, get the answers you need from a qualified professional. Contact our Pottsville or Hazleton office for assistance.
If we were to look at the classic figure of the Barbie doll, we would fall for the notion that all female bodies look the same. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way from the days in which women tried to achieve a specific look. Today, breast enhancement looks much different than it once did. Women are free to express their unique concerns and desires for their body. One of the trends we have seen intensify is a lean toward a completely natural appearance. There are two ways to achieve outstanding results, but each technique needs to be explored for its unique benefits.
Breast enhancement is a term that is often interchanged with breast augmentation. In fact, one doesn’t mean the other. Breast augmentation is a surgical technique intended solely for the addition of volume in the breasts. The procedure inserts silicone or saline breast implants beneath the breast or muscle tissue to fill out the area. Optimal results from breast augmentation are achieved when the skin and connective tissue that overlies the breasts are firm and elastic.
Breast lift surgery is recommended when the skin and connective tissue over the breasts have loosened. Tissue laxity in the breast area may occur as a result of aging or breastfeeding or even from breast size and weight. Inserting implants beneath tissue that has lost elasticity and firmness may enlarge the breasts but will not do much to improve the overall appearance of the body. In fact, a woman may feel more self-conscious about her breasts if they are larger but less perky.
Realizing that breast implants may place more weight on the chest muscles and skin, many women choose to fully enhance their breasts with a combination breast lift and augmentation. Together, these procedures fill out deflated breast tissue and ensure that the settled breasts sit nicely on the chest wall. Aside from the maximized outcome, a combination of breast lift and augmentation also streamlines recovery into one process.
Learn more about how breast enhancement may look for you. Schedule a consultation in our Hazleton or Pottsville office.
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