Posts Tagged ‘blepharoplasty’

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

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.

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Top Cosmetic Trends for 2012

Which injectables are in demand? Are fewer people seeking surgery thanks to a weak economy? Will you have to battle your beau for space at the cosmetic surgeon’s office? These topics and more are creating buzz in the aesthetic treatment arena. Here’s what we’re hearing:

Injectables and fillers are hot
Here at Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, we keep you informed on the latest news on injectables and fillers, and if you’ve been reading, you know that several new options have landed in your doctor’s office or have received FDA approval for expanded use. We’re talking: The approval of the botulinum toxin injectable Xeomin, Restylane approval for lips, Radiesse for wrinkles and more. With more weapons to fight aging at your doctor’s disposal, you can bet we’ll hear more about the effects and success stories as the year progresses.

Bro-tox is in demand
More guys are getting hooked on Botox injections to smooth away their facial wrinkles, reports ABC’s Good Morning America. In fact, it was a hot gift item over the holidays. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 300,000 men got Botox in 2011, a 10 percent increase from the year before. Laser hair removal, eyelid surgery, filler injections, nose jobs and facelifts are also popular among men in recent years.

Turning up the volume on warnings
While the economy is still floundering, we’re starting to see group coupon “deals” on aesthetic treatments and other advertisements for reduced-rate procedures…even surgery. But with all of the botched procedure horror stories and questionable products, you’ll be hearing a lot more from those who are warning you to read deals carefully and research your doctor diligently. Seek out a board-certified physician who specializes in the procedure you’re interested in.

Our board-certified physicians are here to answer all of your cosmetic questions, call Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, 206.859.5777, and schedule your cosmetic consultation and kick-off your 2012 looking and feeling fabulous!

What’s News at Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Liposuction and Bizymoms.com

Check out the interview that Dr. Reichel did for bizymoms.com on liposuction treatment. Go to http://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.

Dark Circles Under My Eyes

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Hello, my dermatologist at Group Health referred me to Dr.Reichel for this but wanted to find out some information. I’m 29 years old and have dark circles and bags under my eyes. It doesn’t matter how much sleep i get, they never seem to go away. I have been trying to cover them up but that doesn’t help very much. My dad had the same thing. I was wondering if there is anything that can be done to make them go away. What are my options and how much would it cost? I have group health coverage but I’m sure since it’s cosmetic, insurance wouldn’t cover it anyways. Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

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

Thank you for the email. We do have some options for treatment for under eye “dark circles” and bags. First of all, are you using an eye-cream? Although an eye-cream will not erase the under eye circles or completely heal the bags, it is important to add extra moisture to the eye area every night before you go to bed. We carry an eye cream here called A.G.E. Eye Complex from Skinceuticals. I really like it and do think it helps to firm the skin around the eyes.

On treatments – the first step is to come in for a consultation. I can personally go over options and also do an examination to determine what will be the best treatment. Sometimes using just a touch of Botox under each eye can make a big difference in a young person. We may want to consider using filler, such as Juvederm or Restylane to fill in the “groove” or dark circle. Finally, even at a young age, sometimes the best answer is a laser treatment or a lower eyelid surgical rejuvenation procedure called “blepharoplasty”. For more information on under-eye treatment, please visit the section on our website (pacificdermcenter.com) and go to cosmetic procedures and then “under eye treatments”.

I look forward to seeing you for a consultation.

Can you help puffy, baggy eyes?

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Q: My concerns are puffy eyes and bags under the eyes. What’s a very good eye serums for my concerns? I’ve tried a lot of eye products high end to drugstore. Can you give me advice about considering a medical eye lift?

Dr. Reichel: Most of the over-the-counter eye creams and serums are able to add moisture to the skin around your eyes, however, they will do little for dark circles, puffiness, bags, or significant wrinkles. They may improve fine lines, and tighten the skin a little. What does that mean? There probably isn’t an eye serum out there that will significantly improve your concerns.

Still, I ALWAYS recommend that you use an eye cream. The extra moisture is really important for the fine skin around the eyes. I like to put it on as the last thing that I do before going to bed each night. My favorite eyecream is Skinceuticals “A.G.E.” We carrry here in our office. Having said that, you do not need to spend a lot of money on an expensive eye cream or serum if it is going to crunch your budget. A simple one from the local pharmacy will also work.

It does sound like you may be a candidate for something more “serious” – it could be as easy as Botox and Juvederm, or it may be time to think about a lower eyelid blepharoplasty.

Please come in for a cosmetic consultation. I would love to see you. Call 206-859-5777 for an appointment.