Nonsurgical cosmetic services are provided to Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Institute clients who desire improvements in their appearance but who do not wish to go under anesthesia or have prolonged recovery periods. Clients who wish to avoid general anesthesia are from two population subgroups. The first subgroup include patients who may have medical conditions that forbid them from being administered anesthesia for elective reasons such as patients with heart conditions or patients with pulmonary disease. Although general anesthesia is safe, there are medical conditions that make general anesthesia contraindicated. Another group of patients that do not wish to have general anesthesia are clients that are older in age. The advent of nonsurgical cosmetic services has definitely expanded the patient population, especially the elderly, seeking cosmetic surgery. Finally, nonsurgical cosmetic services which provide short recovery periods are attractive to working clients who do not have the luxury of taking off from work. The advancement of nonsurgical cosmetic services has proven valuable as the fastest growing segment in the cosmetic arena. The advantage of avoiding prolonged recovery periods has definitely made plastic surgery more attractive to both working women and men. Both clients desiring to avoid general anesthesia as well as those not able to withstand prlonged recovery, will benefit from our nonsurgical cosmetic services. Avoiding general anesthesia allows clients the luxury of preventing anesthesia related side effects. Avoiding prolonged recovery periods allows patients to return to work in an expedited fashion. Nonsurgical cosmetic services provided at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Institute include:
1) Improvement in forehead, eyebrow, and eyelid wrinkles with Botox
Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections are used in cosmetic surgery to efface facial wrinkles. Botox relaxes the muscle by preventing the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) at the neuromuscular junction located at the posterior muscle surface causing local muscle paralysis. The physician administering the Botox injections should be skilled, experienced, and have the anatomic knowledge of muscle belly depths of the frontalis, corrugator supercilii, procerus, and orbicularis oculi muscles. The anatomic knowledge of the muscle depths will improve the efficacy of the Botox treatment of glabellar, forehead, and lateral eyelid wrinkles. Botox works by temporarily paralyzing muscles, most commonly those of the forehead, eyebrow, and eyelids. When Botox is administered by an experienced medical professional, this nonsurgical service will significantly improve forehead, eyebrow (called the 11's), and eyelid wrinkles (crow’s feet).
2) Effacement of peri-oral(around the mouth), peri-ocular(around the mouth), forehead, and central cheek wrinkles with ablative skin resurfacing
Ablative skin resurfacing technology smoothens peri-oral, peri-ocular, forehead, and central cheek wrinkles and undesirable texture changes. Ablative skin resurfacing results in the literal removal of the outermost layers of the skin inorder to efface the wrinkles undesirable skin changes on the face. Using a laser such as a carbon dioxide (CO2) or Erbium technology or using more recent technology with a helium activated radiofrequency (called Renuvion technology) the outermost layers of the skin can literally be removed. Removal of the outermost layers will result in healing of the skin from the remaining skin cells from the underlying layers. These new cells will heal with a smooth and youthful sheen of the skin and effacement of the wrinkles and elimination of thick textured skin. Ablative lasers and Renuvion technology are excellent treatments for treating fine to moderate wrinkles. The improvements will last typically 3 to 5 years. Repeated treatments may be necessary as effacement of the peri-oral, peri-ocular, and central wrinkles with ablative skin resurfacing is not permanent.
3) Elimination of sun blemishes with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Modern technology can diminish sun blemishes or signs of aging on the skin with the Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) modality. Age and chronic sun exposure can lead to the melanocytes (pigment cells under the skin) producing pigment which leads to an uneven skin tone. When intense pulsed light wavelengths are delivered to the skin, the melanin pigment in the melanocyte cells is broken up. This results in dramatic lightening of the sun damaged skin spots as well as aging spots on the face, it is important to note that the observed improvements are temporary and will typically return within one year as the melanocytes begin producing more melanin pigment molecules. If patients desire results to last longer, they are encouraged to avoid sunbathing and to wear sunscreen when outdoors. Our Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Institute patients will typically undergo IPL treatments annually or biannually depending on their lifestyle and sun exposure.
4) Tightening of neck skin with Renuvion subdermal coagulation technology
Renuvion technology can be used to tighten neck skin by applying heat to the deepest skin layer. Renuvion technology utilizes cold helium plasma activated radiofrequency, to heat collagen molecules that make up the dermis layer of the skin. Precise heating of the dermis results in collagen molecules to shorten in length which then tightens the skin like shrink wrap. Despite shrinking collagen molecules of the skin with high precision, Renuvion refrains from projecting thermal damage to the surrounding tissue thus avoiding skin compromise and/or scarring. The process of tightening the underlying skin using Renuvion technology has been called subdermal coagulation and it is applied through a thin rod that is inserted through small skin stab incisions, i.e. port sites. Port sites are used to undermine the skin prior to administering subdermal coagulation. In summary, Renuvion subdermal coagulation technology provides the capacity to tighten the neck skin using minimally invasive cosmetic services.
5) Tighten loose skin over the abdomen and around the eyes with Viora Radiofrequency
Viora Radiofrequency (RF) is an effective skin tightening modality used for areas such as the abdomen as well as around the eyes. Viora administers RF energy topically to tighten loose skin over the abdomen and around the eyes without the need for any incisions of port sites. Nonsurgical eyelid rejuvenation describes the topical application of RF to improve fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. The Viora RF treatment offers an alternative to the Renuvion technology above; although it is not as aggressive in tightening of the skin it does allow for even quicker recovery. Viora RF similarly heats the collagen in the skin without disrupting and damaging the surrounding skin. However, Viora RF uses an external hand piece with three poles of the radiofrequency energies, targeting three separate layers of the skin using topical application only. Targeting of various layers is dependent on the desired effect, i.e. deeper layers will effect shrinkage of fat volume and superficial layers will result in shrinkage and tightening of the skin. Tissue shrinkage of the abdomen and around the eyes results in firmer, tighter skin that is more youthful in appearance. Since it is less invasive and less aggressive than Renuvion technology, significant results are appreciated after multiple treatments.
If you are curious about any of the above nonsurgical cosmetic services, please make a consultation at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Institute to meet Our Surgical Team and educate yourself about their potential benefit for you.