We wear a lifetime of memories on our face. In some ways, this can feel good. We may love our memories and, at the same time, wish for our face to go back to the way it once was. There is a way to have both. Facial rejuvenation treatments range from eyelid and brow lift surgery to mini facelifts to full face and neck lifts and even include several nonsurgical modalities. Each technique offers unique benefits. Some are appealing because they carry no downtime and others are appealing because they achieve results that last many years. Whichever you choose, you want to know what comes next.
Facial rejuvenation turns the hands of time but does not stop the aging process. Therefore, what comes next focuses on slowing the effects of aging. Fortunately, studies have given us plenty of data to understand aging and how to manage it on a cellular level. We want to share a few strategies here.
Aging occurs on a chemical level in the body. At various ages, certain processes slow or stop. As it pertains to the skin and superficial tissue, it is the decrease in collagen production that is of particular interest. Collagen is a protein that heals wounds and also that firms the skin and tissue that lies beneath it. In our early twenties, the production of collagen begins to slow down. By middle age, our collagen-producing abilities may be down to a slow crawl. Some people take collagen supplements to boost this protein but some studies indicate that it is vitamin C that really does the body good. Vitamin C is a stimulating nutrient that supports ongoing collagen production when taken daily. In addition to vitamin C, experts recommend consuming plenty of water and healthy fats such as avocado oil or olive oil to support the skin’s natural elasticity.
We mentioned that vitamin C is integral to the body’s collagen-producing capabilities. You may have noticed that vitamin C is also a top ingredient in many skincare products. The reason that vitamin C is recommended for topical application is that it has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants fight free radicals, erratic cells that can cause premature aging. Along with vitamin C products, broad-spectrum sunscreen is a must-have for skin of all ages. The ultraviolet light in the sun’s rays degrades collagen fibers. Sunscreen filters those rays or reflects them so their effect on the skin is much less.
At Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center, we want each of our patients to achieve results that last as long as possible. For more information on our facial rejuvenation services, schedule a consultation with our friendly team.
Smooth, silky skin is a gift most of us wish we had all the time. The continual investment made into shaving, plucking, waxing, and trimming can go on for a lifetime if we let it. In recent years, more and more people are saying “no more!” With laser hair removal, this is entirely possible. If you want to eliminate the need to shave weekly, or daily, and still enjoy beautifully smooth skin, you may be interested in learning more about what laser hair removal can do. Here, we offer a few details.
Laser hair removal is an office treatment that can take about an hour to complete. A series of treatments is necessary to achieve lasting results, but these are scheduled about 8 weeks apart so they are completely convenient. Treatment works by vaporizing hair in the follicles at the time of treatment. The heat from the laser beam also disables hair follicles bit by bit. This is how hair growth is halted.
Treatment can be performed on a variety of areas, including the bikini area, legs, underarms, face, arms, and back, to name a few.
Many people imagine that getting hair “vaporized” right out of their hair follicles must be painful. It’s not. Here’s the trick: shave before your treatment. Laser light works by absorbing into the pigment in hair. When hair is solely within the follicle, it is destroyed so quickly that minimal sensation is felt. In this scenario, patients typically feel no more than a snap on the skin. If there is more length through which laser light must travel, there is a higher likelihood of feeling more intense sensations during treatment.
While it’s necessary to complete the recommended series of treatments to get lasting results, laser hair removal begins working immediately. After the very first treatment, the skin will be smoother and hair growth will occur at a slower rate. When hair does start to grow in due to the natural cycle of hair follicles, it is usually much lighter and thinner than before. With each subsequent treatment, the growth process is slower until it finally stops.
One of the biggest questions people have about laser hair removal is whether their results will be permanent. This can be a tricky question to answer because some people never experience regrowth after hair removal. However, a better term would probably be “semi-permanent.” In most situations, hair growth is permanently altered by laser hair removal. However, some people do notice rogue hairs growing here and there some time after their series of treatments. This can be addressed with a touch-up treatment as needed.
It’s not too late to get smooth skin before summer. Call our Pottsville or Hazleton office to schedule your laser hair removal consultation.
At Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center, we get a great deal of satisfaction from helping our patients feel like their best selves. In most instances, it doesn’t take much to achieve this. Even the treatment that has become known as a mommy makeover can be extremely simple in the greater context of bringing out the best in a person’s body. Here we offer five facts about mommy makeover treatment that you may not know.
The term mommy makeover is commonly used to describe a group of procedures that restore tone and shape to the areas that change during pregnancy, such as the breasts and stomach. However, procedures such as breast lift or augmentation, liposuction, and abdominoplasty can benefit many people, not just those who have had children.
When you want to feel better about your appearance and plastic surgery is the answer, there are numerous techniques that may be employed. Yes, breast augmentation and lifting, tummy tucks, and liposuction are common to the mommy makeover. However, patients may also choose to incorporate techniques such as a thigh or arm lift or even facial procedures into their customized treatment plan.
While surgery is beneficial for a number of reasons, patients undergoing a makeover may also choose certain nonsurgical techniques to achieve maximum effect. These include laser or light treatments to reduce hyperpigmentation on the face or other areas, Liposonix to melt away small pockets of fat, and even injectables like Botox, dermal fillers, or Kybella to refresh the face.
It is a beautiful thing to bring new life into the world. It is possible to revel in being a mother and also desire a do-over for your body. Our team works with women of all ages to customize treatment to meet their needs and goals for a body that portrays who they are on the inside. Undergoing a mommy makeover means taking a couple of weeks to focus on your own recovery, after which point you are able to fully reengage in mommy-hood with a new sense of confidence.
Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center has offices in Pottsville and Hazleton. Contact us to schedule your consultation to discuss what a mommy makeover can do for you.
There are so many terms tossed about today to describe facial rejuvenation. There is the facelift, a mid-face lift, thread lifts, neck lift surgery, the MACS lift and so much more than the array of choices could quickly cause overwhelm. The thing is, it is virtually impossible for the average person to come to an educated decision about which type of facial rejuvenation is right for them simply by looking online. The connectedness of the face and neck only makes this more difficult.
Actress and writer Nora Ephron penned, “You have to cut open a redwood tree to see how old it is, but you wouldn’t if it had a neck.” Does this speak to you? Do you, like Ephron, realize that your neck tells the truth about your age no matter how consistently you get Botox and dermal fillers? The fact is, we can’t spot treat aging any more than we can spot reduce fat.
Let’s look at the basics of a facelift, for starters. It is a common misconception that facelift surgery lifts the whole face. Not so. A facelift is limited to the lower part of the face; no eyes or forehead rejuvenation here. What does get treated with a facelift is the cheek area, the jawline and chin, and the underside of the chin. The lower face is rejuvenated by carefully pulling tissue up and back and trimming away extra tissue. If necessary, pockets of fat may be removed or repositioned to widen the mid-face and narrow the lower face.
Why would one need a neck lift when a facelift does so much? Remember, the neck reveals the lies your face is telling. Neck lift surgery improves the tightness of the muscles and skin below the jawline. This technique can reposition or remove fatty deposits so the chin and jawline follow youthful contours; no more turkey neck.
There is no way to separate the neck from the face unless you plan on wearing turtlenecks á la Diane Keaton for the rest of your life. If you plan on a facial refresher with a customized facelift, consult with a plastic surgeon who will also observe how the two areas interact.
We want you to obtain the look you want in the way that works best for you. To explore options for facial rejuvenation, call our Hazleton or Pottsville office.
Male breast enlargement is a problem every man wishes to avoid. Until fairly recently, men who were affected by gynecomastia, or excessive breast tissue, didn’t talk about the way in which their appearance affected their emotional health. Rather than talk about “man boobs,” men suffered in silence, and suffer is a very accurate term to describe what it’s like to live with female-like breasts. Trying to hide beneath clothing, exercise fat tissue away, or taking potentially damaging supplements to reduce breast size, men do themselves a much bigger favor by consulting with an experienced plastic surgeon about male breast reduction.
Why don’t more men do this? One reason we can come up with is that men are apprehensive about what it may be like to recover from breast surgery. That’s why we are devoting some space to this topic here.
It’s difficult to predict how every patient may recovery from surgery. In general, we prepare male breast reduction patients for bruising, swelling, and discomfort. The pain of gynecomastia surgery should not be intolerable in the least. Most patients describe it as soreness and are able to manage comfort with prescription pain medication. Within several days, over-the-counter medication may suffice. The extent of side effects is somewhat related to the type of gynecomastia surgery that is performed. The technique also somewhat dictates recovery. In general, the recovery process involves:
Dr. Kimmel offers male breast reduction in our Pottsville and Hazleton locations. Contact an office near you for full details regarding this beneficial surgery.
Many new mothers have a desire to breastfeed. At the same time, this rite of passage in Motherhood can alter the appearance of the breasts so significantly that a woman’s satisfaction with her body declines. The physical changes that may occur after pregnancy and breastfeeding are normal and can be seen as beautiful. However, if a woman so chooses, she can restore proportion to her breasts with appropriate surgery. When the breasts have dramatically deflated and dropped, a lift may be in order. Whether conducted on its own or with breast implants, a breast lift is something to approach with an eye for the future.
A breast lift may be referred to as mastopexy. This surgical technique addresses severe tissue laxity by removing extra skin and repositioning the nipple as needed to restore adequate projection and fullness. The nipple is not fully removed during breast lift surgery, it remains attached to surrounding tissue to preserve circulation that will help the nipple heal successfully. Through a predetermined pattern of incisions, breast tissue is repositioned to better support volume and roundness.
This is an important question for every patient to ask her surgeon. The general answer is yes. However, there are factors that a patient must consider if there is any chance of a future pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Every effort is made to leave functional structures such as nerves and milk ducts intact during breast surgeries. However, there is no way to guarantee that some degree of disruption may occur. What breast lift surgery may lead to is a decrease in lactation function, but not a full elimination of a woman’s ability to breastfeed.
It may not be common knowledge that nipple sensation plays a direct role in a woman’s ability to produce milk. Without sufficient sensation in the nipple, the neurohormonal reflex that prompts milk glands to produce is diminished. Breast surgery naturally disrupts the nerves around the nipple. It can take up to five years for full sensation to resume after any breast procedure. A woman who wishes to breastfeed will want to consider this time frame before committing to surgery.
Breast procedures can help a woman feel like herself again. To learn more about a breast lift or breast augmentation, schedule a visit to our Hazleton or Pottsville office.
As we age, we face a number of changes that we may have never expected. Facial aging may begin with a few lines and creases around the eyes and mouth, but, at some point, progresses into laxity that creates the appearance of weight at the lower face (jowls) and may dramatically alter the way in which the eyes represent us. If your aging process has led to drooping brows, you know exactly what we mean.
The eyebrows serve as a frame to the eyes. By nature, they are supposed to sit on top of the bone that encompasses the eye, called the orbital rim. When the eyebrows fall below this ridge, the eyes may begin to look sad, angry, or tired. Which appearance your eyes take on depends on the area in which the brow is being pulled downward. The good news about drooping brows is that they can be lifted. The question is how.
A surgical brow lift, or forehead lift, is a procedure in which only the tissue on the upper face is repositioned. Dr. Kimmel performs brow lifts using an endoscopic technique. This means a few short incisions versus one long incision that travels from ear to ear behind the hairline. An endoscopic brow lift uses tiny instruments to reposition the tissue on the forehead so the brow line once again sits across the orbital rim.
Botox can solve quite a few cosmetic concerns, including a drooping brow. Treatment involves injections into tensed muscle tissue at specific points on the forehead. Within a few days after injections are administered, the treated muscles relax and allow the brow to sit higher on the forehead.
Both the surgical brow lift and Botox brow lift offer specific advantages and each has disadvantages, too. To discover which approach may be best for your aging brow, schedule a visit at our Pottsville or Hazleton office.
New Year’s resolutions have a way of creating unnecessary frustration. If you’re already starting to see that your goals may be harder to achieve than you had imagined, there is no time like the present to revamp your strategy. We can help. Here, we point out a few of the treatments you may want to consider putting on your schedule sooner rather than later.
When we talk about fat, we’re usually ready to rant about the tissue in hard-to-sculpt places like the thighs or tummy. However, fat holds particular value for the face. Many of the problems that develop on the lower parts of the face – jowls, creases, even a double chin – are the result of fat depletion in the midface. The fat from the cheeks doesn’t die or go away, it migrates to the jawline. If you’re just beginning to notice jowls and other problems, you can nip them in the bud by visiting our Pottsville or Hazleton office for fat injections. Although we have to harvest fat cells from an appropriate part of the body, treatment is relatively short and is very safe.
Many of the concerns our patients express have to do with the way their eyes make them appear. We like for our eyes to be accurate “windows to the soul,” but they eventually become affected by the “curtains” around them. What many patients tell us is that they can accept the fine lines around their eyes, but they cannot feel their best because they have bags under their eyes or heavy upper eyelids that make them appear tired or unfriendly. Eyelid rejuvenation may involve surgical or nonsurgical techniques.
Bring your best self back to life by rejuvenating your face this year. From a lip lift to dermal fillers to a thread lift or a full facelift, the options for facial rejuvenation are virtually endless. Even better, the treatments we offer have been carefully selected based on safety and efficacy. Learn more by calling our Hazleton or Pottsville office.
A new year brings many of us to a place of contemplation. While some ponder who they are and what they want to do with the coming months to become a better version of themselves, it seems that the majority of people who make resolutions want something simpler: a better body. Seeing that the mind and the body have a close and lifelong relationship, we see the immense value that can come from feeling good about appearance. Here, we discuss why it pays to consult with a plastic surgeon about goals pertaining to shape and why a consultation with us can be the perfect complement to your gym membership.
If you’ve spent any amount of time trying to achieve the body you envision having, you know it can be quite the challenge. There are several factors involved in how we gain and hold weight. Both men and women may have a more difficult time managing weight as they age. This is due to natural changes in hormones that affect fat metabolism. Stress also causes us to hold weight, even when we’re working out and eating well. Finally, there are areas of the body on which we simply accumulate fat cells that are resistant to metabolism. This is why surgery may be the best solution.
At Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center, patients have multiple options to achieve the contours they want. Liposuction continues to be a popular method of fast and permanent fat elimination, but the technique that is used can be customized based on preference.
Fat-reduction and body contouring are matters best handled by a board-certified plastic surgeon. To reduce your gym time and maximize your results, call our Hazleton or Pottsville office for information on our services.
The winter months are a time when many of us want to hibernate. After the first few snowfalls, the magic of our regional climate may dwindle significantly and our longing for summer may begin to simmer within. Winter can do a number on your emotions, and also on your skin. Here, we want to offer a suggestion that can brighten your radiance from the inside out – and help you sidestep some of the most common beauty winter woes.
We’ve become so accustomed to skin renewal meaning anti-aging with injectables, lasers, and plastic surgery that we may overlook the basics. At the heart of a glowing complexion is the canvas of your skin. No matter how much you do to create beauty on that canvas, your attempts will be blunted if you haven’t properly prepared the surface.
There are several layers to the skin. Aging begins at the innermost layers. However, what lies beneath is affected by what happens on the surface. For example, sun exposure hits the epidermis, but also transfers at heat into the deeper cells in which collagen and melanin are made. As a result of those summertime tans, dermal cells will produce less collagen and more melanin, resulting in premature aging and spots on the skin. To promote a healthier renewal process, it is necessary to support cellular turnover.
Healthy cell turnover is the basis of beautiful skin. Cells are produced in the dermis and make their way to the epidermis over time. At some point, these cells die off. When they do, they should naturally fall away, but they usually don’t. Even when a facial scrub or loofa is used on the skin (which it shouldn’t be), cells can stubbornly hang on where they no longer serve a purpose. A chemical peel forces renewal by creating the perfect environment.
Chemical peel treatment is customized to affect as much or as little tissue as desired. A mild peel applies low concentrations of natural chemicals like glycolic acid to the epidermis, where the cellular matrix is disrupted enough to cause dead and damaged cells to fall away. Mild peels are so gentle that you could schedule treatment monthly throughout the winter season. Moderate peels cause minor flaking and peeling and also result in more dramatic renewal.
We are pleased to offer customized chemical peels and several other spa services in our Pottsville and Hazelton offices. Call today to schedule your skin renewing treatment.
If you’ve never had to explain your neutral facial expression, you can count yourself as one of the lucky ones. In recent years, a common term has been developed to describe certain facial characteristics: “resting bitch face.” As many jokes that have been made about the face that looks angry or unfriendly, this can be a real problem in a society that places a great deal of value on looking happy and approachable.
Numerous studies have been conducted to observe how humans perceive one another based on appearance. You may be able to look through your own life and recognize all the times you’ve based an immediate perception of another person on appearance alone. What research has suggested is that certain character traits are associated with facial characteristics. For example:
Researchers have discovered some interesting interplay between facial movements and the way a person may feel. We inherently assume that emotions show on the face; when you’re angry, you frown or purse your lips. What studies have found is that, when people routinely make certain facial expressions, such as frowning to see their computer screen, their emotions eventually follow that expression. Basically, you are less likely to feel happy emotions if your face if perpetually turned downward.
As you may know, the face takes a sharp decline with age; it will naturally start to turn downward, causing an angry, unfriendly appearance in many people. Here in our offices near Philadelphia, we have come to realize that it isn’t necessarily the desire for a younger-looking face that leads people to seek surgical or non-surgical facial rejuvenation, it is a longing to have their outward appearance match their inner emotional state.
Your face should reflect how you feel on the inside. For help turning your frown upside down, schedule a visit with our Hazleton or Pottsville team.
If you have children, you know the highs and lows of motherhood well. On the one hand, your children can bring you immense joy with nothing more than a smile. On the other hand, your body may have changed in ways you could have never predicted. A Mommy Makeover can resolve issues that linger long after delivery and breastfeeding. The procedure can restore a smoother, flatter belly and roundness to the breasts.
Most women know how their body can change after a Mommy Makeover. This is precisely why this process is so popular. Reshaping the body is one thing, but a Mommy Makeover can also reshape a woman’s life.
The Mommy Makeover process is a personalized treatment plan based on your needs and objectives. Learn more about how your Mommy Makeover can look. Call our Hazleton or Pottsville office to schedule your visit.
Women who are in the process of planning breast augmentation with a trusted surgeon usually express that they feel a nearly-overwhelming combination of excitement and worry. Obviously, it is exciting to finally see your body align with how you have envisioned it for so long. At the same time, you can’t know what breast augmentation recovery will be like until you go through it. No one can really jump into the unknown without a smidge of doubt. Here, we answer questions that frequently go unasked until breast augmentation surgery has begun.
Breast augmentation surgery disrupts tissue and the nerve endings that are located throughout it. As a result, it is common for patients to feel somewhat numb after breast augmentation. Numbness may be complete or subtle. It may localize around the nipples and areolas or extend across the breasts. Every person is different. Because the speed at which full sensation returns varies from one person to another, patients can only be patient as their body heals.
The location of the breasts after breast augmentation is often described at “under my chin.” This may sound humorous, but can be unnerving for the woman whose breasts appear very high on her chest. Not to worry, though, the term “drop and fluff” exists for a reason; it is the process of settling that breast implants undergo as tissue softens and heals.
The answer is that both bloating and weight gain are perfectly normal for breast augmentation patients. Bloating is often related to the use of IV fluids during surgery and might even have something to do with anesthesia. As contradictory as it sounds, drinking lots of fluids is the most beneficial step to decrease bloating after surgery.
Weight gain after breast augmentation may relate to temporary fluid retention. Rarely does it have much to do with the presence of breast implants. What some patients notice is that they put on a few pounds due to the time they take off from routine exercise to recover. Throughout recovery, both weight and healing can be supported with a healthy, low calorie diet.
Now is a great time to plan your breast augmentation surgery in our Pottsville or Hazleton office. Contact us today to get our journey started.
Throughout the history of breast augmentation, the technique used to enhance the female shape has commonly been referred to as a “boob job.” It used to be that one could easily spot a woman who had undergone breast augmentation. Today, this is certainly not the case. Breast surgeries have expanded in the area of technique to accommodate a wide variety of needs, including reconstruction after breast cancer treatment. At Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dr. Kimmel and our staff understand the vast differences between elective breast augmentation and reconstructive surgery. Throughout the process, we make patient wellness our priority.
Reconstructing the breasts after mastectomy or lumpectomy is not as simple as the average breast augmentation. The purpose of reconstruction is to reinstate the feminine shape of the breasts after natural tissue has been surgically removed. Mastectomy may remove varying degrees of breast tissue and skin, including the areolas and nipples. Therefore, reconstruction is often a process rather than a one-time event.
Breast reconstruction is a very healing journey for women who choose this path. In some cases, it is possible for the oncology and plastic surgery team to work together in a single series of procedures to remove natural tissue and immediately insert breast implants. Often, though, the path begins more slowly.
Multi-stage breast reconstruction may initially focus on creating space within the chest for future implants. This is accomplished by inserting tissue expanders at the time of mastectomy. A tissue expander could be likened to a balloon. It is added as an empty sac behind the pectoral muscle. A few weeks after installation, the expansion process begins. Every week or two, a small amount of saline is injected into a port in the tissue expander. This schedule may continue for a few months until the desired amount of skin and tissue stretching has been achieved. Then, we wait; we wait for the body to rest and heal a bit more before performing the second surgery in which tissue expanders are replaced with saline or silicone breast implants, maintaining focus on the patient’s well-being throughout the process.
Breast reconstruction is a complicated matter that requires expert care. Learn more about Dr. Kimmel’s training and experience in a personal consultation visit in our Hazelton or Pottsville office. Call to schedule your appointment today.
Many of the online searches that are conducted today revolve around getting a slimmer physique. If we’re not looking up the latest diet trends or workout videos, we are researching which non-surgical body contouring treatments are getting the best results. At the moment, non-surgical fat reduction is incredibly popular. We can understand the draw to treatments like CoolSculpting. At the same time, it is necessary to thoroughly consider the value of surgical technique – aka liposuction – versus fat reducing methods that are conducted in the office setting.
In recent years, several technologies have been developed for cosmetic use. As a result, we have multiple ways to eliminate unwanted fat. Patients of our Hazelton and Pottsville offices may choose the non-surgical route of Liposonix, which targets fat cells with high-intensity focused ultrasound. Another popular method of fat reduction is to freeze fat cells. You may know this method as CoolSculpting. We’re going to discuss the latter due to its overwhelming popularity.
CoolSculpting freezes fat in a localized area such as the lower abdomen or inner thighs. Fat-freezing is achieved by securing a region of tissue in between two panels. Tissue must stay between the panels for about an hour to reach the necessary effect. According to the device manufacturer, each treatment can reduce fatty tissue by up to 23 percent. This sounds advantageous. However, we must also look at the size of the treatment area. Also according to the manufacturer, it is approximately the size of a stick of butter. Not very substantial after all.
Because liposuction is referred to as a surgical procedure, there may be a connotation that the process is involved and very risky. In fact, many of the liposuction treatments that are performed today are conducted either in an office setting or an accredited outpatient surgical facility. While some liposuction procedures are performed under general anesthesia, many are completed with a local anesthetic and appropriate sedative. Patients are released to recover at home within a short time after their procedure.
Dr. Kimmel frequently chooses Tickle Lipo as the preferred method of body sculpting. This technique is versatile enough to treat just about any area of the body. Using surgical liposuction, he can also address multiple areas in a single surgery without increasing downtime. But the most significant aspect of surgical liposuction versus any non-surgical treatment is the degree of fat removal that is possible – up to 2.5 liters of fatty tissue in a single surgery.
Do you want noticeable body sculpting? Call our Hazelton or Pottsville office to learn more about Tickle Lipo.
