Recent posts

Do you treat Ear Keloids?

Dear Doctor:  I was wondering if you did laser scar removal, cortisone injections, or hormone injections on ear keloids?  I have a keloid scar from an ear piercing I got over 6 years ago, and would like to know how to go about curing it and even preventing it from further growth.  Thanks, TB

Dear TB:  We do treat keloids on ears.  If you have insurance, it will often times cover the cost for the treatments.  I would want to look at your ear - so the first step is to set up an appointment for evaluation.  If the keloid is small, then the injections might be the best option.  If it is large, then an excision is the best way to go.  I have had very good results with surgical removal of ear keloids.  For most patients, we have them also see a radiation oncologist because the best results combine surgical excision followed by 1-2 treatments of very low dose radiation.  We can discuss all of this further at your appointment, please call 206.859.5777 to schedule.

Thanks for your email. I look forward to seeing you, Dr. Jennifer Reichel


Can you do a virtual consultation?

Dear Doctor:  I am interested in facial fat grafting and have done plenty of research.  I know that I do not want to have it done in my town;  I was wondering if you did virtual consultations?

A: Thank you for your email.  Facial fat grafting--or fat transfer--is somewhat like a mini liposuction.  I love doing this procedure because I feel it is the most natural and best looking of all filler agents.  When the fat is harvested, it can be stored in a special freezer system for up to two years and can do anywhere from 2 to 6 treatments in that time period.  I have found that most people need at least 3 treatments to maintain the fat long term.  While I haven't done a virtual consultation yet, it would certainly be easy to do with Skype.  I would be happy to try this out with you as it's a great idea.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Dr. Jennifer Reichel, Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center in Seattle


I'm researching lasers to treat my Rhinophyma

Q:  I have Rosacea, and have been taking Oracea and using topical treatments regularly, which helps some; however, my nose is no longer my friend.  I have always had a bulbous shaped nose, and now it seems as though it's a different size every day.  I have been researching the use of the CO2 laser in early Rhinophyma, which is what I suspect is happening.  I am looking for someone with excellent skills to consult about this and have read some great reviews about you Dr. Reichel, can you help me?

A:  Thank you for your email.  I have treated many patients with rosacea and Rhinophyma (both early stage and late stage).  I agree that the CO2 laser works great for this and may be exactly what you need.  I love our CO2 (Lumenis, Total FX).  It is made by the first company to make a CO2 laser, and, in my opinion, it offers the most versatility of all fractional CO2 lasers as it allows for superficial, deep , and total treatment depending on what the patient needs.

I would be happy to see you in consultation to talk about your condition. Meanwhile - stay on the oral and topical medications. 

Dr. Jennifer Reichel


How Is Tumescent Liposuction Different?

Q:  I will be having the liposuction procedure sometime in the next 5-6 months. Please tell me what "tumescent" liposuction is? Has liposuction evolved into a procedure where it can be done without complete anesthesia? If not, why can't the doctor use the same drugs that they use when you are having a colonoscopy? I am concerned about the fact that I am not allowed to have any water after midnight. I take medications that cause severe thirst. At night I have to keep a water bottle next to the bed. I heard that when you have liposuction you can't have water the night before.
 
A:   Yes liposuction has evolved into a procedure that can be done without complete (general) anesthesia. In the mid 1980s, a dermatologist named Jeffrey Kline developed the procedure that we refer to as “tumescent” liposuction. It means using a large volume of very dilute anesthesia to numb the areas that are going to be treated. It is very safe and allows the patients to be awake during the procedure. In reality – even if the physician is going to put you under general anesthesia, they should still use tumescent liposuction as it drastically improves the outcome and the safety of the procedure.
 
I do not put my patients to sleep for liposuction. I use moderate sedation – so that you are breathing on your own and are able to communicate with me during your procedure.  Because of this, you can eat and drink normally before the procedure. We recommend that you DO drink water the evening before and the morning of your procedure. In addition, we recommend a light breakfast. We want our patients to be hydrated. Since we are not intubating you, there is no worry about food or liquid aspiration.
 
However, if you have liposuction done under “complete” anesthesia, you would need to be intubated and would have to refrain from drinking any water starting the night before.
 
As far as the medications that are used for a colonoscopy – we use similar ones, but not the exact same ones. The reason is that they usually use versed – which doesn’t last long enough to keep you sedated for the whole procedure. I use a combination of demerol and valium for most patients. It works great and patients tolerate the procedure very well.
 
My liposuction consultations are free, I would be happy to see you and answer any additional questions you have.  Please call 206-859-5777.
 
Thanks again.
 
Dr Jennifer Reichel

What's News at Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center

Liposuction and Bizymoms.com

Check out the interview that Dr. Reichel did for bizymoms.com on liposuction treatment.  Go to https://www.bizymoms.com/seattle/dermatologist/seattle-liposuction.php

As a busy mom myself, I was honored to do an interview for this fabulous site.  It can be hard to get your shape back after having babies.  As I am busy working and running around after my twin one year old daughters and my three year old son, it reminds me of how important it is to take time for you (and how hard it can be to find that time).

Just last week I did liposuction on a young woman who just couldn't get her tummy back into shape after giving birth to a 9 lb baby boy last year.  We did the procedure on a Friday morning and she'll be up and ready to go by Monday (She still needs to be careful lifting andwill be sore for a couple of weeks).  When she came back in on Monday she was so happy with how flat her stomach was - and she was only 3 days out from her liposuction procedure.  I really love being able to give women the wonderful flat tummy or hips they had before pregnancy - or, for that matter, that they never really had.  Liposuction is such a great way to remove unwanted areas of fat - Permanently.

Eye Bag Laser Treatment

Dr. Reichel is excited about a segment on the Dr. Oz show called The Fix: Plastic Surgery (aired February 9, 2011). They talked about revolutionary plastic surgery procedures including under-eye bag treatment. Dr. Reichel performs the exact same surgery for under-eye bags. She performs lower eyelid blepharoplasty and Festoon Laser treatment for these dark, unwanted under-eye bags and circles.

At the end of February, 2011, Dr. Reichel treated a patient, Lori, whom she had seen in consultation earlier in the month. Lori had unwanted under-eye circles, swollen bags, and crepe-like changes to the skin around her eyes. She also had festoons. A Festoon is a swollen mound that forms on your cheek under your lower eye bag, and like Under-Eye bags can make you look tired and unhealthy.

On the Dr. Oz show, they treated an avocado to show what happens during the Eye Bag Laser Treatment. "The laser takes off the top layer of the avocado and the color starts to change and the skin looks a bit smoother. They then went through the middle layer of the avocado's skin to get to the deeper layer which is a lime green color.  In relation to your under-eye area, this is where your skin will create new elastic collagen fibers.  From this point, a person will grow new skin all over again from the bottom layer up".

For Lori, Dr. Reichel made an incision to take out the lower level of fat (this is called a trans-conjunctival blepharoplasty). She then used the Total FX fractional CO2 laser to resurface the skin. You can actually see the skin tightening as the laser goes over the area. After just 2 weeks, Lori looked fabulous. Her skin was smooth, and best of all, the festoons were gone.

BOGO Radiesse Special A Huge Success

We would like to thank MerzAesthetics for helping us with the buy one, get one free on Radiesse wrinkle correction filler. It is great to be able to do just the right amount of filler for cheek volume, and other facial lines and wrinkles. Dr. Laurie Jacobson will feature this special again on Tuesday, March 22nd. Call today 206.859.5777 to book your appointment and receive this extra special savings.

Skin Cancer Awareness

The providers at Pacific Dermatology and Cosmetic Center are joining with the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). We will be offering FREE skin cancer screening exams the afternoons of May 3rd and 19th.  Please call our office 206.859.5777 to schedule your appointment.


Can facial redness ever go away?

Dear Doctor Reichel, I have red cheeks and get embarrassed by them.  I was told I have rosacea.  I've tried some creams but they don't seem to work very well.  My cheeks are worse right now with this cold weather and they often feel  like they're "burning".  What can I do?  Linda J.

Dear LJ,

It sounds like you may have rosacea.  If you get acne like bumps along with the redness, then an oral medication may be helpful.  For the redness, the best option is going to be a combination of vascular laser treatments.  We have 3 lasers that treat facial redness; an intense pulse light, the Aura KTP laser, and the V-Beam pulsed dye laser.  It usually takes a series of treatments-so remember that the redness doesn't usually go away after just one.

For anyone with facial redness, it is best to come in for a consulation.  If you have insurance, it should cover your initial evaluation.

For skin care products, Skin Medica now has a new redness relief cream called REDNESS RELIEF CALMPLEX.  It contains the first and only ingredient proven to affect visible redness by inhibiting release of prostaglandins (which cause vessel dilation).  You  use it twice a day as your moisturizer.  I have been using it myself, and love it!  It is dispensed out of doctors offices and is great to use as a maintenance after you have had your redness laser treatments.

Thanks for your question, Dr. Jennifer Reichel


What can I do about my Rosacea?

Hi Dr. Reichel,  I'm a 30 year old male with rosacea on my left cheek from a few sunburns and stress.  I'm interested in VBeam to treat the redness.  I'm already taking Metrogel, Finacea and Oracea and it isn't enough.  Thanks, Eric

Hi Eric,

Thanks for your question.  It sounds like you are on good treatment for the papular (acne-like) components of rosacea.  Unfortunately, the creams and oral medications don't do much for the redness or broken blood vessels.  The Vbeam or the KTP laser are the strongest lasers for facial redness.  I sometimes like to use both, and can decide depending on what we see in your personal case.  It can sometimes take more than one treatment-so be prepared for that.  Otherwise, they are pretty easy to undergo and have very little treatment on the day of your consultation. 

Answered by Dr. Jennifer Reichel of Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center in Seattle.


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