Cosmetic Surgery Seattle | Dermatology Seattle Cosmetic Surgery Seattle | Dermatology Seattle Jennifer Reichel, MD Laurie Jacobson, MD Kelly Stevens, PA-C Maps & Directions Andrea English, PA-C

Ask the Doctors

Obagi named “Best Skincare System” sold in Doctor’s Office

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

 

Liposuction in Seattle for thighs

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Dear Dr. Reichel

Hello, With liposuction, on the thighs, (I have issues from knees up, front and back) I’d like to know a realistic time frame to be to where you could wear a swim suit and swim (exposure to sun) without anything being noticeable. Is it 3-4 months? Also would I need to stay in Seattle for a day or two before driving back over?  I do not live in the Seattle area, so I am looking at several hours in the car. I realize you can’t give me much till we do an exam and consult but wanted to get a realistic framework. Lost 35 pounds this year (yay me) and it’s time for the next step:) Thanks in advance.

First off- thank you for the email, and also congratulations on losing 35lbs!   

On the liposuction: Yes, ideally you will need the 3 to 4 months to look good for swimwear. You don’t have to worry so much about sun exposure after liposuction. It is more the timeframe to have the bruising and swelling improve. At 3-4 months you should definitely be presentable :) .

I would like you to stay in Seattle for the night after the procedure – but you could head back to your home the following day.  As far as location – we would need to look at your legs. It isn’t appropriate to do liposuction on the front of the leg (above the knee) – it always looks bad and can cause the skin above the knee to sag over the knee. There are tightening devices (like the Thermage) that can be used in this area. Liposuction is great for the “Knee” – which is the lower middle part just above your knee. It is great for inner and outer thighs as well.  I offer free liposuction consultations and very much look forward to meeting you in person.  Please call my office at your earliest convenience to schedule your liposuction consultation, 206.859.5777, my front desk will get you scheduled as quickly as possible.

Kind regards,

Dr. Jennifer Reichel

 

Chin-Tox—Botox for Chin Dimpling

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

The aesthetic indications for which botulinum toxin is used are always expanding. A little-known indication for Botox is for the aesthetic treatment of the “golf ball” or “orange peel” chin. This is a typical condition seen in people with certain facial mimicking that causes a contracture of the muscles around the chin. This predictable and recurrent habit results in an aesthetically unwanted dimpling, or “cobblestoning,” of the tip of the chin over time.

Dimpling and puckering of the chin is very common.  Most people don’t even realize it happens to them because it usually happens during animation and talking. It is also common for people who have a recessed chin.  By placing Botox into the chin it will relax the mentalis muscle and create smoother skin on the chin. Another benefit of having this area done is if you have a deep horizontal crease in your chin, this will soften.  The physicians at Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center in Seattle can treat all of your Botox needs.  Call us today, 206.859.5777,  and schedule your consultation with treatment done the same day!

 

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Injections or Surgery: When's the Right Time?

Injections or Surgery: When’s the Right Time?

Perhaps you have been considering a procedure to address your aging skin. Do you opt for an injectable like Botox or Xeomin to stop muscle movement or a filler like Juvéderm or Radiesse to add volume? Or is it time for surgery in the form of an eyelift or blepharoplasty?

“I generally suggest that you give fillers a try if you have relatively good skin elasticity, but have lost some of the fullness in your face,” says Dr. Jennifer Reichel, Founder & Director of Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center. Fillers can plump up areas that are beginning to look a bit gaunt, but they cannot address excessively sagging skin. If wrinkles are bothering you, injectables like Botox or Xeomin may fit the bill to stop the facial movements (like squinting) that cause the lines.

If you have tried injectables or fillers and feel that you look “puffy” or “doughy,” it may be time to move on to surgery. If you have sagging skin, surgery is the procedure that will fix it.

However, since some areas of your face may need more aggressive attention than others, don’t be surprised if your doctor suggests injectables or fillers in conjunction with surgery to help you achieve the most natural, balanced look. Bottom line: Seek out a board-certified cosmetic surgeon to help determine the current condition of your skin and the best ways to improve it.  At Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, we offer cosmetic consultations for all of your cosmetic questions and needs, call 206.859.5777, to schedule an appointment today.

 

Acne Problems? Our Seattle Dermatologists Can Treat Your Acne

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Have you ever wondered why some of us only get blackheads while others get full-blown breakouts? Seattle dermatologist Jennifer Reichel, MD explains, “Genetics and the immune system definitely come into play. Everyone starts with a pimple, but the body’s inflammatory reaction varies from individual to individual. How the immune system responds determines if acne will progress to more severe cysts and nodules.”

A wide variety of oral and topical antibiotics are prescribed to treat acne, including tetracycline, erythromycin, minocycline, doxycycline and clindamycin. Many factors come into play when choosing the antibiotic, including a patient’s age, allergies and if they are pregnant or nursing. Dr. Reichel explains that minocycline is often her first choice, because “it’s an easy once-a-day dose and it’s well tolerated by most patients.”

Often considered the last resort for treating acne, Accutane is an oral medication that may be the only effective treatment for persistent nodules and cysts. According to Dr. Reichel, “Accutane is the magic bullet for acne that doesn’t respond to other treatments.”

Retinoids go by many names, including tretinoin, Retin-A, Tazorac, Differin and more, but they are all derivatives of vitamin A that affect the way the skin turns over and prevents dead cells from sticking together and clogging the pores. As if there weren’t enough retinoids to choose from, there’s also a prescription called Ziana that combines tretinoin with the antibiotic clindamycin to target bacteria as well. Dr. Reichel often starts acne treatment with Retin-A because “in addition to breaking down comedones, it’s great for older acne patients who are also concerned about aging.”

Stubborn acne needs a multifaceted treatment that covers all of the acne-causing culprits: bacteria, inflammation, oil and clogged pores. A relatively new office-based treatment called Isolaz does just that, using suction to clean out the pores while pulsed light targets oil and bacteria. “Studies show it’s safe and effective for mild to moderate acne,” says Dr. Reichel

Acne on the body isn’t much different than acne on the face, and “we generally recommend the same course of treatment.,” says Dr. Reichel.

There’s also a recently approved topical called Aczone, which features the drug dapsone. According to Dr. Reichel, “This is a fairly potent antibiotic that is often used  effectively for more severe skin disorders. When taken orally it has a lot of side effects, but the topical version doesn’t seem to have these problems. Aczone has strong anti-bacterial and anti-inflammation capacity to knock out acne.”  Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center accepts most major health insurance plans.  Our physicians and skin care specialists are here to assist you for all of your skin-related needs. 

 Call Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center today, 206.859.5777, to schedule your appointment with one of our highly trained physicians and get on the right path to clearer skin.

 

We have these two amazing products….Latisse for longer lashes & Lightsheer DUET for laser hair removal

Sunday, January 8th, 2012

 

I would like a consultation for liver spots

Sunday, January 8th, 2012

Dear Dr. Reichel:

I am 67 years old, and have two liver spots on my face and would like them removed. Do you have “free” consultations? Thanks J.W.

Dear J.W.

Liver spots are a common name for any sort of pigmented lesion on the skin that develops with aging. They are usually “sun freckles”, or solar lentigines. However, someone might also be referring to seborrheic keratoses when they use the words “liver spots”. I like to call seborrheic keratoses “spots of much wisdom”. Often times, we think of Liver spots as being located on the hands. However, I am sure that some folks think of Liver Spots as any brown spot on the body that has come with age, and is not a mole.

 For treatment, the easiest and fastest is still use of liquid nitrogen, or freezing. When a patient has only a few brown spots, this is often my treatment of choice. However, there are several lasers here at PDCC that we can use to remove brown spots. And, of course, I am a huge proponent of Retin-A for anti-aging.  Our cosmetic consultations are $80, however if you decide to have treatment the same day we can credit the $80 toward that treatment.  Please call our office at your earliest convenience to schedule at appointment, 206-859-05777, either Melissa or Sara can set that up for you.  I look forward to working with you.

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

 

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Dear PDCC;

I have a couple of scars around my mouth that are getting deeper as I age. I’m wondering about fat injections vs. a dermal filler, both in terms of lasting effect and cost. Can you tell me how the two compare? K.

Dear K.
Thank you for your inquiry. The most important idea is for you to come in and we can do a consultation face to face to look at your scars. However, I can give you some information vial email. When working around the mouth (with wrinkles, or with scars), I am more likely to recommend a dermal filler (such as Restylane or Juvederm) over fat injections. Fat is a wonderful “volumizer” for the face. Non of the other fillers even come close to giving the results of a fat transfer when someone has lost volume in the upper face, or has dark circles or grooves under the eyes.
However, around the mouth, fat often is too bulky, and it does not have the ability to fill in fine lines or fine scars. The hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, can be placed very superficially under the skin to really fill in finer lines, or to fill in scar lines. There are other options for scar treatments – so we don’t want to rule those out until I see you in person. 
Please call my office at your earliest convenience, 206.859.5777, either Melissa or Sara can schedule an appointment for you.
Thank you for the email. I look forward to seeing you.
Dr. Jennifer Reichel Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center in Seattle

 

Look Years Younger in Minutes with Liquid face lifts

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Look Years Younger in Minutes

In the hands of a skilled, board-certified practitioner, injectables and fillers offer a fast route to a youthful makeover with zero downtime. The “liquid lift” utilizes fillers and injectables that can take off 10 years in mere minutes.

For instance, a hyaluronic filler like Perlane is used to define the cheeks and to address shadows under the eyes. Radiesse is a semi-permanent filler and can do wonders to improve a weak chin.  An injectable like Botox can help to smooth forehead lines by stopping the muscle contractions that create wrinkles. New fillers and injectables have recently been FDA-approved, so ask your doctor about the latest options.

Using injectables to rejuvenate the face is a customized procedure and the doctor may use different combinations of injectables to address individual concerns. It’s imperative that your physician knows the nuances of each product, where to inject them and how to manage potential complications.  The skilled physicians at Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center have years of experience with the “Liquid Face Lift”, call us today to schedule your consultation, 206-859-5777, we look forward to working with you.

 

Thank you Dr. Reichel for making me feel young again!

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

I just returned from my visit with Dr. Reichel for Juvederm and Botox treatments for my under eye bags.  I wanted to leave you a comment regarding what a wonderful experience I had.  I was a little nervous going into this, courtesy of horror stories I had read online from patients who had seen other doctors.  Dr. Reichel made my procedure much easier than expected and quite pleasant.  I can’t remember a time when my eyes looked this refreshed!  Being only 24 and having people tell me I look like I’m in my 30’s because of the terrible bags and dark circles under my eyes is very disheartening.  I feel like I’ve gained back that bit of self confidence I once lost many years ago, all thanks to you Dr. Reichel.  Thank you so much, I will be back!