Catch Dr. Carp, saturday morning Novermber 5th at 10:30 am, on WKYC's It's About You. He will discuss the Mommy Make-over.
Scars are visible signs that remain after a wound has healed. They are unavoidable results of injury or surgery, and their development can be unpredictable. Poor healing may contribute to scars that are obvious, unsightly or disfiguring. Even a wound that heals well can result in a scar that affects your appearance. Scars may be raised or recessed, different in color or texture from surrounding healthy tissue or particularly noticeable due to their size, shape or location.
Your treatment options may vary based on the type and degree of scarring and can include:
Simple topical treatments
Minimally invasive procedures
Surgical revision with advanced techniques in wound closure
Scar revision surgery is meant to minimize the scar so that it is more consistent with your surrounding skin tone and texture.
Although scar revision can provide a more pleasing cosmetic result or improve a scar that has healed poorly, a scar cannot be completely erased.
Is it right for me?
Scar revision is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. Scar revision can be performed on people of any age and is a good option for you if:
u are bothered by a scar anywhere on your body
You are physically healthy
You do not smoke
You have a positive outlook and realistic goals for your scar revision surgery
You do not have active acne or other skin diseases in the area to be treated
Every day emails bombard us dozens of coupons for movies tickets, fitness memberships and spa packages. Frequently, non-surgical medical procedures are promoted on websites like Groupon and Living Social. It is important to keep in mind that procedures like Botox injections, chemical peels, and laser hair removal, while not surgical are still medical procedures.
“Patients must do their homework when choosing where and with whom to have any medical procedure,” says Felmont F. Eaves, MD, President of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. “Cost is always a factor, but it should never be the deciding factor in cosmetic surgery. Safety and quality are always the key issues.”
As advocates for patient safety and healthy outcomes, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) have created the following questions you should ask before purchasing any procedure or medical treatment in a spa or non-traditional facility. It is important that you do your homework...We suggest obtaining the following information:
About the facility:
* Is the Medi-spa located within a physician's office?
While problems are infrequent, physician's offices generally have medical personnel available if a problem develops.
* Is the Medi-spa located outside of a doctor's office in, for example, a mall or salon?
If so, ask the name of the physician responsible for oversight and when they are available for consultation or questions before having any injectable, deep peel or laser treatment. Also ask about the training of any other medical personnel. This is vital to protect your health and insure an optimal outcome. These are generally safe procedures with minimal recovery, but do have real risks.
About medical supervision and personnel training:
* Does your medi-spa have a physician who can help in determining your goals, provide a treatment plan and direct your care?
* What are the credentials of the physician supervising your treatment in the medi-spa?
Injectables(such as Botox and tissue fillers), skin treatments (such as laser, intense pulsed light, and radiofrequency) and deep peels should be under the supervision of board-certified plastic surgeons. Ask to see these credentials. Doctors in other specialties, designating themselves as “cosmetic medicine physicians” may lack the comprehensive training that is needed for administering drugs and treatments to the deeper levels of the skin and lack the experience necessary to achieve optimal aesthetic results or to manage potential complications. Just as you wouldn't see an allergist if you were having a baby, it's in your best interest to see a physician who specializes in plastic surgery and dermatologic care when seeking cosmetic medical procedures.
* Who is performing the injection?
Depending on the State you're in, injections and deep peels may be performed by a nurse, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner. However, never allow a non-medical, unlicensed person to perform a medical procedure and be sure that the procedure is supervised by a physician board-certified in plastic surgery. Your health and safety depend on it.
About efficacy and risk of procedures and realistic expectations:
* How effective are facial injectables and what is the right product for me?
Injectablesare generally very safe and effective treatments. There are a wide range of products on the market that are FDA approved and provide good outcomes. However, be sure to ask your provider the following questions:
* Is the product FDA approved? Is it approved for this use?
If your provider is reluctant or does not directly answer this question, don't proceed with the treatment. Don't be afraid to ask to see the manufacturer's label for any injectable product.
* Can a medication, filler, or a device be used for a purpose different from which the FDA originally approved it?
In the United States, FDA regulations do not prohibit physicians from prescribing approved medications, fillers and devices for other than their original intended indications.
* Have you been fully informed of the possible benefits and side effects of the proposed treatment and have you been apprised of possible options?
* Have all of your questions been answered and are you are fully aware of the risk and rewards of the procedure?
All medical procedures, whether they are injections or surgery carry some risk. If you are not fully informed of all risks and requirements for after care, find another provider.
These procedures should never be performed in someone's home, hotel room, or at a party. This is not only unethical and legally risky for the injector but unsafe and potentially dangerous for you.
Do facial exercises combat the signs of aging?
There are many products on the market that aim to help those concerned about signs of aging eliminate wrinkles on their face. Facial exercises recently gained momentum with the release of several books and DVDs detailing the anti-aging method. However, many are skeptical that simply working out the muscles in one's face will make much of a difference, reports the Los Angeles Times.
There is currently no substantial evidence pointing to facial exercises as an effective method of eliminating or reducing wrinkles. Additionally, overused facial muscles are often the cause of wrinkles, such as crow's feet and frown lines, and that these workouts might even have the opposite effect.
Maintaining a healthy weight with diet, regular exercise and staying out of the sun to avoid harsh UV rays are all proven ways to keep skin looking as youthful as possible.
There are proven alternatives for wrinkle treatment, including injectable fillers, paralyzing agents, skin treatments, or surgery. While non-plastic surgeons may perform some of these treatments, only a board certified plastic surgeon can help you understand the full range of your treatment options.