FACE LIFT FACTS

To verify that your doctor is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, you can go to www.abms.org (American Board of Medical Specialties) or www.surgery.org (American Society of Aesthetics Plastic Surgery).

You will also want to find out if your doctor has hospital privileges. Even if the procedure will not be performed at the hospital (and 53% of cosmetic surgeries are not), some feel it is important to know that your doctor is qualified and has the necessary training to be accepted. The ASAPS states that, “It is important to find out if the doctor has operating privileges in an accredited hospital for the same procedure you would like to have performed. Before granting operating privileges, hospital review committees evaluate a surgeon’s training and competency for specific procedures. If the doctor does not have hospital privileges to perform your procedure, look for another surgeon.”

If you have general anesthesia, be sure your anesthesiologist is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA). You can verify certification at www.theaba.org. If your doctor uses a nurse anesthetist, check to see if they are certified by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) at www.aana.com.

Did you know that hair loss can be a possible side effect of facial plastic surgery? Some women, after a second face lift/brow lift, will lose their hair in the side burns, temple points, corners and frontal hairline. This happens when skin is pulled from a hairless spot on the face and then placed over a spot where hair naturally grows. As a result, hair often falls out or can no longer grow in that area.

(www.smartfacelifts.com)

Dallas, Tex. – (March 23, 2009)
Jennifer Linder, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs skin cancer surgeon, today presented a talk titled “Key Ingredient Combinations to Effectively Treat Hyperpigmentation” at the International Congress of Esthetics and Spa, held yesterday and today in Dallas, Texas.

Hyperpigmentation, a discoloration of the skin, is often caused by inflammation, hormonal change or heredity. Inflammation leading to hyperpigmentation can come from prolonged sun exposure, tanning beds, acne, through the use of lasers or other injuries to the skin. Hormonally-induced hyperpigmentation appears most often during pregnancy but can occur with any fluctuation in hormones, such as puberty, the use of birth control pills, menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

“I have found, through treating my own patients and in clinical research,” says Dr. Linder, who also struggled with hyperpigmentation as an adult, “that there is no single ingredient that effectively lifts existing and prevents future hyperpigmentation.”

According to Dr. Linder, physicians and licensed medical and skin care professionals wanting to treat hyperpigmentation in their patients effectively need to do their homework. First, they must develop a clear understanding of melanogenesis and its causes. Melanogenesis is the process that is instigated by inflammation or a hormonal fluctuation and results in discoloration on the surface of the skin.

Next, they will have to determine how specific topical ingredients treat hyperpigmentation. Finally, armed with this knowledge, they need to use the appropriate ingredient combinations to interrupt melanogenesis at multiple points in the process.

“The greatest benefits to using a combination of ingredients in treating hyperpigmentation,’ Dr. Linder said, “are the synergy created by those ingredients working in concert, the avoidance of potentially irritating ingredients, accelerated results while reducing the risks of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (referred to as PIH), and increased cell turnover and exfoliation.

“Of course, one thing everyone must do to help prevent new hyperpigmentation from developing and greatly reduce the risk of skin cancer is to protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays,” Dr. Linder continued. “It is critical that we all use products containing an SPF of 15 or greater daily, even if you work in an office. Look for products that offer both UVA and UVB protection. If you are going to be outside for an extended period of time, remember to reapply your sunscreen every two hours.”

It is critical that patients struggling with hyperpigmentation receive a thorough skin analysis and consultation about their condition with a physician or licensed medical or skin care professional, such as a PCA SKIN Certified Professional, to learn which combination of professional treatments and daily care products are right for them.

About Dr. Jennifer Linder
Dr. Jennifer Linder is a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs skin cancer surgeon. She is in private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Linder also serves as a clinical instructor at University of California, San Francisco in the Department of Dermatology and as Chief Scientific Officer for PCA SKIN. She is a formally-trained bioengineer and chemist.

At ALEGRA SKIN CARE & DAY SPA we are experts in treating hyperpigmentation.  Call the spa at 619-293-0252 to ask about our hyperpigmentation treatments and products.  We use PCA SKIN products in all of our treatments.

PCA SKIN is a healthcare company that is acknowledged in prominent medical textbooks as the originator of advanced blended chemical peel formulations. The company remains the trusted industry leader in the development of gentle, yet highly-effective professional treatments and daily care products that are available exclusively through physicians and licensed medical and skin care professionals.  The organization is part of Physicians Care Alliance, LLC, and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Although Alegra Skin Care & Day Spa does not sell this product, we feel that when a product comes along that is remarkable, we should share it with you.  The following is taken from the http://www.biopelle.com/products/consumers/auriderm/illume.aspx website for informational purposes only. “Auriderm® illume eye creme helps to improve the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

“Where do Dark Circles Under the Eyes come from?

“Dark Circles under the eyes are caused by fragile capillaries that leak blood close to the skin’s surface. The pool of blood oxidizes and turns a reddish-blue color, similar to a bruise. The skin under the eyes is very thin and often almost transparent and the reddish-blue tint is what you see as dark circles or bags under the eyes. This can be embarrassing and make you feel self-conscious.

“What can be done for Dark Circles Under the Eyes?

“The use of Auriderm illume eye creme can help to strengthen the capillary walls to prevent future leakage. In addition, Auriderm illume eye creme will reduce or eliminate the pooled blood [hemosiderin] underneath the skin. Auriderm’s unique patented ingredient, Vitamin K Oxide, activates the body’s natural healing process to help eliminate the unsightly reddish-blue discolorations. Auriderm illume eye creme also contains other ingredients to reduce puffiness and reflect light to reduce the appearance of under eye darkness.” It is available by prescription only, so you’ll need to see your physician in order to obtain it. We’re hearing some positive comments about this product. The above is provided for informational purposes only. No recommendations are being made, either implicit or implied.