With the holidays just around the corner, and good times with friends and loved ones giving you something to look forward to, now is the absolute perfect time to give your fine lines and wrinkles a kick to the curb – with one of the fastest growing minimally invasive skin treatments, Micro-needling also known as Collagen Induction Therapy.
At Keystone Cosmetic Surgery, micro-needling involves the use of a hand held wand, known as the Eclipse Micropen® to create a multitude of controlled-depth micro punctures in your skin’s surface. The treatment stimulates your body’s natural collagen by generating a wound-healing response – your body then produces new elastin and collagen which thickens and plumps-up your skin. This softens fine lines, wrinkles and improves the skin’s texture and tone. The micro-channels also allow serums, gels and platelet rich plasma to be more effectively absorbed. Micro-needling can be used on the face and the body for stretch marks and scars.
Prior to a micro-needling treatment, a topical anesthetic is applied to minimize any discomfort. The Eclipse Micropen® is then applied to the skin, creating tiny puncture wounds. Treatment can take anywhere from 15-20 minutes depending on the area being treated, with downtime of one to two days. For enhanced treatment results, Dr. Kimmel recommends the addition of platelet rich plasma (PRP), an innovative technique that uses your own blood and provides a completely natural alternative to traditional cosmetic procedures.
Following your micro-needling treatment, your skin will be slightly pink. There may be slight tightness and swelling which will quickly subside. You should see full benefits within two to four weeks.
Time is of the essence…it’s time for a glowing, youthful holiday look!
Call for a consultation appointment with Dr. Kimmel, today.
If Fall is here can The Holidays be far behind? Nope.
Those holiday parties and glam events are in the works…and you should look your very best.
It’s time too consider an eye lift!
You can’t change your genetic make-up or do much about the march of Father Time, but coupled with daily sun exposure, they are the cause of droopy lids and aging, under-eye bags.
Men and women alike are turning to eye lift surgery (blepharoplasty) to reduce the signs of aging around their eyes. Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure which removes and tightens upper and lower eyelid skin, muscle, and fat for a more youthful, fresh appearance. Most commonly done as a cosmetic procedure, a blepharoplasty may also correct the interference droopy eyelids cause with vision.
Performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, a blepharoplasty is a safe, and easy procedure. Dr. Kimmel takes every precaution for the comfort and safety of his patients.
Small incisions are made in the natural creases of your upper eyelid. Excess skin and fat are removed and the incisions are closed. For the lower lid, incisions are made under the lashes or inside the lower lid. These tiny incisions will be completely invisible once healed.
What happens after surgery?
• Your eyes will be swollen and bruised following surgery. This is normal and will subside.
• You may experience blurry vision and some pain.
• Ice packs can soothe the pain and control inflammation.
• You should be able to return to work within two weeks.
• Easy walking is recommended in the early phase of your recovery.
• Avoid heavy lifting or any exercise that requires you to bend over, such as yoga.
• The results of your procedure should be visible within a month.
If you have puffy bags under your eyes, excess skin which covers the natural fold of your eyelids or loose skin which hangs down from your eyelids and interferes with your vision, call Dr. Kimmel for a consultation. Alert, bright, well-rested eyes are within your reach!
Ah, High School. The good old days of teenage acne, angst and adrenalin. And The Prom, complete with the huge pimple that erupted the day of the dance right in the middle of your face.
You are older and wiser and the face of acne is changing along with you – 35% of women in their 30s, 26% in their 40s and 15% age 50+ regularly battle adult acne.
If you are suffering the annoyance of adult acne and would like to learn more, call for a consultation with Dr. Kimmel. In Pottsville: (570) 622-2900; in Hazleton: (570) 455-4252.
Dealing with aging and all that goes with it can be daunting.
Just one more thing to add to the list of things that seem different than they did when you were 30 – your upper arms – they may be suddenly saggy and sadly un-firm.
Significant fluctuations in your weight, heredity and aging all play a role, but unfortunately, this is a condition that cannot be corrected through exercise.
At Keystone Surgery Center, Dr. Kimmel specializes in a surgical procedure designed to reduce saggy underarms. It’s called “arm lift” surgery or brachioplasty. Arm lift surgery can tighten the underlying supportive tissues that define the shape of your upper arms, thereby reducing excess, drooping under arm skin.
If you are of stable weight and are not significantly overweight, have loose upper arm skin, are of good health, a non-smoker and have realistic expectations – you would be a good candidate for arm lift surgery. The procedure takes about two to three hours and is performed at our outpatient surgery center.
If you are considering this procedure, it’s important to understand that there will be a significant scar from your elbow to armpit. However, in most cases, the benefit of removing excess skin outweigh this issue.
During your consultation with Dr. Kimmel, be prepared to discuss your surgical goals, current medications, alcohol and tobacco use, and any pre-existing medical conditions or drug allergies.
Dr. Kimmel will evaluate your general health, discuss your options and discuss the likely outcome of the procedure, including any risks or potential complications.
It’s natural to feel some anxiety about any surgical procedure. We would be happy to address any concerns you may have. Call us for a consultation, today!
Ganglion Cysts…definitely scary sounding…but not to fear!
Ganglion cysts are very common and are easily treatable.
What are they?
• Ganglion cysts are lumps within the hand or wrist.
• They are usually located next to a joint or a tendon.
• The most common locations are the base of the finger, the top of the end joint of the finger, the palm side of the wrist and the top of the wrist.
• Inside the cyst is a clear, thick, jelly-like material.
• The cyst may feel firm or spongy, depending on its size.
• Ganglion cysts are more common in women.
• The majority occur in people between the ages of 20-40.
The cause of ganglion cysts is a mystery but it is theorized that:
• Trauma may cause the tissue of the joint to break down forming small cysts which then join to form a larger cyst, or
• A flaw in the joint capsule or tendon covering allows the joint tissue to bulge.
It is difficult to know how to prevent ganglion cysts, however early evaluation and treatment are recommended.
• Ganglion cysts may change size or disappear completely.
• They may or may not be painful.
• Many are without symptoms except for their appearance.
• If they are painful, however, the pain is usually a nonstop aching which is made worse by movement of the joint.
• They are not cancerous and will not spread to other areas of the body.
• If the cyst is connected to a tendon, there may be a feeling of weakness in the affected finger.
What to do?
• Treatment is often non-surgical.
• The cyst can simply be observed, especially if it is painless.
• If the cyst becomes painful or limits activity, there are treatment options available:
• Anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed for pain.
• An aspiration may be performed to remove the fluid from the cyst.
• This requires placing a needle into the cyst.
• Aspiration is a simple procedure but recurrence of the cyst is common.
• Surgical alternatives are available which are generally successful.
Dr. Kimmel specializes in the treatment of ganglion cysts. Call for a consultation today!
Adolescence. Definitely a trying time – filled with insecurities, frustrations and worries about being accepted and fitting in.
Each teenager is unique…each affected differently with the challenges adolescence brings.
Fact: Along with total body changes and crazy hormonal invasions, adolescence brings facial changes.
Rhinoplasty surgery, or getting a “nose job,” is very personalized, and one of the most demanding and complex of all cosmetic surgery procedures, especially for teens. It can make a big difference in how a young person looks and subsequently, how they feel about themselves. It can be a self-esteem game changer.
A note of caution: Surgical procedures on the teenage nose before its growth has stabilized may result in un-wanted nasal changes and a disruption of facial growth. Therefore, timing is critical.
If you are a teen considering rhinoplasty surgery, it is important to discuss it with your parents. If everyone agrees that rhinoplasty is the best option, consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Kimmel, who will discuss the procedure with you, answer your questions and determine if you would be a good candidate for rhinoplasty surgery.
Call us for a consultation, today!
Ask anyone who spends the majority of their work day typing at a computer. Whether they are writing the Great American Novel or drafting intricate legal briefs, their wrists take the brunt of the workload – sometimes resulting in the debilitating pain, tingling and numbness of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Typing is not the only culprit. Knitters, artists, long-haul drivers, wood workers, anyone who works with small instruments or vibrating equipment has an increased risk for carpal tunnel syndrome – especially if there is a pre-existing pain or weakness in their wrists.
There are no proven strategies to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, but here are a few things to consider to help minimize the stress on your hands and wrists:
• Stay at a healthy weight and try to control other conditions such as arthritis and diabetes; avoid smoking.
• Think about your daily routine and evaluate it for activities that increase your risk.
• Try to arrange your activity and work space using ergonomic guidelines – set up an ergonomic, body-friendly workstation which includes the placement of your desk and computer monitor, the choice of a comfortable chair and the use of a specially designed wrist-rest near your keyboard.
• Efficient, proper body mechanics are one of the keys to preventing carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Check your posture. Sit up straight! If you don’t, your shoulders tend to roll forward causing your neck and shoulder muscles to shorten, compressing nerves in your neck. This can affect your wrists, fingers and hands.
• Relax your grip! Most of us use more force than needed to perform even everyday tasks.
• Take a break…frequently! Get up from your chair, do something else, rest, stretch, change positions, shake, bend or stretch your hands and fingers often.
• Keep your hands warm. Fingerless mitts that allow movement of the fingers while warming the hands and wrists are popular…try a pair…especially if you are unable to control the temperature of your work environment!
If you think you may have carpal tunnel syndrome, call Dr. Kimmel for a consultation.
When patients aren’t happy with their abdomen, whether it’s a pooch from childbirth or pockets of fat that won’t go away, they wonder if liposuction or a tummy tuck is the thing to correct the problem. While both procedures shape and sculpt the abdominal area, they go about it in vastly different ways.
Liposuction
As America becomes bigger, so does liposuction. Last year, it was once again the most popular cosmetic surgery in the country. Liposuction targets excess pockets of fat such as love handles, spare tires, and muffin tops. Not a weight loss procedure, the ideal candidate for liposuction should be within their ideal body weight and have tried both diet and exercise to get rid of stubborn areas of fat.
Tummy tuck
Unlike liposuction, a tummy tuck doesn’t remove abdominal fat. A tummy tuck removes loose, handing abdominal skin and tightens the underlying muscles to re-contour the abdomen.
When trying to decide between the two procedures, the good news is you don’t have to! If you have issues with both excess fat and poor skin laxity in the abdominal area, Dr. Kimmel can perform both liposuction and a tummy tuck as part of your body-contouring plan.
So, if you’re unhappy with your tummy, let’s talk about what we can do to give you the contour you want. Call Dr. Kimmel at Keystone Surgery Center in Pottsville or Hazleton today.
As we age a couple natural developments can really affect the eyes. Our skin loses some of its elasticity and tautness. And fat deposits can form. The combination leads to droopy, aged eyes that can give another person the idea that you are either mad or very tired. And because the eyes are a focal point when looking at a person’s face, droopy eyes with dark circles are the last thing you want. Fortunately, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) at Keystone Surgery Center can takes decades off your eyes and make your face look much younger
Why eyelid surgery? The skin around our eyes is the thinnest on the entire body, so when it loses its elasticity fat deposits, saggy areas, and wrinkles all begin to really show themselves. Sometimes, the upper lid can droop far enough to even impact your vision.
In a blepharoplasty procedure, the goal is to return the eyelids to the way they looked before all that sagging took hold. Patients can opt for just upper or lower eyelid surgery, but most choose to have both eyelids improved at the same time.
In the surgery, Dr. Kimmel makes incisions in inconspicuous locations that will not be visible to others. On the upper eyelid, the incision is made in the natural crease of the eyelid. On the bottom eyelid it is made either in the corner of the eye or on the inside of the lid. Any excess skin is trimmed and the underlying muscles are tightened. Also, fat is repositioned, especially on the bottom eyelid. Why is fat not removed? If there is excess fat, some will be removed, but removing too much fat can give the patient a drawn, gaunt look.
Recovery from eyelid surgery is relatively easy. Most patients can return to work after about a week, and resume all of their former activities within three to four weeks.
Maybe you should give your eyes some of the attention they deserve. Call us at 570-622-2900 and let’s discuss a blepharoplasty.
Volume loss within the skin is a very common and natural occurrence of aging. This is true for the delicate skin of the face, neck, chest and hands. The lips are also often victims of volume loss over time. As you grow older your upper lip tends to elongate and thin out. This can cause you to look angry, tired or simply less vibrant than you used to look or currently feel.
A lip lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that shortens the distance between the upper lip margin and base of the nose, allowing for more visibility of the upper teeth when the lips are in a relaxed, slightly separated position. This procedure will make the middle section of your upper lip more full and restore balance to your smile. It will also help make you look years younger.
A lip lift is a little known surgery that offers big results – without the need for fillers or implants. It is performed in our office in less than one hour and done so under local anesthesia. This means you will return home the same day and less down time will be needed for recovery.
A lip lift involves a tiny incision placed within the natural crease just beneath the base of the nose to precisely elevate and reposition the upper lip. Recovery time is rapid and the concealed incision generally heals very well. Contact us to learn more today!
Every year millions of Americans struggle with the elimination of unwanted body fat. Even those patients who stick to strict diets and work out regimes still struggle with stubborn pockets of fat. These areas can appear as your metabolism changes with age or following life altering events such as recovery from an injury or pregnancy.
If you find that you are one of those people that simple cannot lose pockets of fat around your midsection, on your chest, thighs or back – maybe it is time to consider permanent treatment. Liposonix offers a unique and safe alternative to liposuction.
Comfortably performed in our office, Liposonix is nonsurgical treatment. Rather than making incisions into your skin and jabbing your tissues with a cannula, Liposonix employs ultrasound technology to permanently destroy unwanted fat cells, leaving the overlying skin unharmed. Treatment lasts about one hour and leaves most patients an entire dress or pant size smaller.
Contact our office to learn more about Liposonix today!
Ganglion cysts are extremely common, but unfamiliar to many of our patients. They occur when fluid builds-up under the surface of the skin and are commonly found around joints such as the wrist, feet, knees and ankles.
Only your physician can accurately diagnose the presence of a ganglion cyst, however common identifying factors include a firm texture and round shape. You may also experience some mild joint pain around the cyst and even numbness. The cyst will be flesh toned and should not present as an open sore. If you are concerned about a cyst on your body you should schedule an appointment for a diagnosis today.
If it is determined that you have a ganglion cyst, it can be treated in a variety of ways. It can be drained, injected with steroids or surgically removed. Don’t live with discomfort or self-consciousness due to the presence of ganglion cysts.
Contact our office for more information and treatment options today.
An arm lift can works wonders for many patients, but the truth is that this procedure is not for everyone. If you are struggling with loose and sagging skin underneath your arms – something that is common with age or weight loss – then an arm lift is ideal. Sagging skin can also results from genetics or sun damage.
However, if your arms are large due to unwanted fat deposits then an arm lift will not correct his problem. Fat deposits can be removed with liposuction, and then paired with an arm lift to provide smooth contours and new shape to your arms. An arm lift alone will not eliminate unwanted pockets of fat, although it may reduce their circumference.
An arm lift is normally performed in our office, under local anesthesia and takes 2-3 hours to perform. Your arms will be very swollen after treatment, but with the use of compression garments for several days, your arms will quickly adapt to their new, beautiful contours.
Finally, an arm lift can leave a considerable scar. In most instances, your scar will be placed inside the arm and as discreetly as possible. However, if you are concerned about the severity, or scar easily, an arm lift may not be the ideal treatment for you.
If you’d like to learn more about arm lifts and learn if this is right for you – contact our office with your questions today.
The shape of your face can make one of the best first impressions you’ve ever imagined. Certain facial features can also make patients more confident in their appearance which always makes a great first impression.
If you are seeking to improve the shape or overall appearance of your face, contact our office to learn more today. Facial implants can be used to enhance your facial shape and to balance any asymmetries in your face. Symmetry is widely known to be one of the most attractive features of a face. Asymmetry can occur naturally or also as a result of injury or facial trauma. Dr. Kimmel is experience at correcting facial asymmetry and providing your most balanced appearance ever.
Following a careful pre-operative facial assessment including precise measurements and radiologic evaluation, appropriate implants will be selected for your facial enhancement. Implants can be precisely placed to augment a receding chin, add prominence to cheekbones or reshape a weak jawline.
In addition to cosmetic enhancement of facial features, implants can also be employed to correct certain birth defects or reconstruct facial features following traumatic injury or tumor removal. Recovery time is generally brief, with patients resuming their usual activities within 3 to 5 days.
Contact our office to learn more today!
One of the most important decisions you can make when planning for cosmetic surgery is the physician that will provide your care. It is important to choose someone that you can trust and that you are comfortable with – as well as someone with the education and training necessary to provide safe and beautiful results.
Dr. Robert Kimmel has decades of experience and offers beautiful cosmetic outcomes in a relaxing environment.
Dr. Kimmel’s educational background includes:
Dr. Kimmel is also certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?and is a Fellow of American College of Surgeons. These are very important distinctions that you should look for in any plastic surgeon.
Professional development is also important to Dr. Kimmel. He is active in the following organizations outside of his busy practice:
Contact our office to schedule your consultation with Dr. Kimmel today!