Treatments to do in the Summer
Summer’s here, looking for the best summer treatment options? Some treatments require you to avoid the sun and/or use a high SPF diligently as they increase your photosensitivity. This can result in uneven pigmentation, more sensitive skin, and an increased chance of burning. Some treatments target pigment in skin and cannot be performed on tanned skin. Save the more aggressive treatments, with more restrictions, for the fall and winter. Choose lighter forms of exfoliation such as an enzyme, less aggressive chemical peels, and micro is another way to help keep your treatment summer friendly. Changes in weather can result in changes in the skin, be sure to customize your treatment to address these changes. Treatment masks in a facial are one way to target and address these changing concerns as well as address more than one concern of the face. Some treatments to consider to help mix up your summer time routine are med spa facials, light chemical peels, micro, and laser genesis. All these treatments can be beneficial and can be done any time of year. However, no matter the treatment being done, proper SPF use is always required for the health of your skin. As unprotected sun exposure damages and ages skin, your skin professional may still advise you restrict your sun exposure to aid in reaching your goals. -Kaitlyn
Coolsculpting
Coolsculpting has been one of the hottest services with many consults and treatments being sought by clients. Coolsculpting is for those areas with obvious bulges of about an inch of pinch-able fat. Areas can be treated all over the body, with a range of treatment applicators and placement options it allows for a truly customized treatment with no downtime. Areas that can be treated include submental (double chin), arms, axillary fold (bra bulge), upper back, flank, upper and lower abdomen, inner and outer thigh, and knees. Coolsculpting only addresses fat in the area to be treated, and reduces 20-30% of the fat in the treated area. Coolsculpting does not address cellulite, skin laxity, stretchmarks, and other skin-related conditions. The abdomen, flank, and upper back are some of the most common areas patients are inquiring about and having treated at our clinic. Most patients are opting to treat more than one area and some are choosing to do so during their consultation to reach desired goals. These patients have the option to do many or all of the treatments on the same day. Others are choosing to do a re-treatment, or have chosen a new area to treat, after seeing the results of their initial treatment. Treatments can be spaced out with more than one appointment or done collectively as it suits the client’s needs. Only in cases of re-treatment of […]
The importance of Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be a priority all year, however moving into summer there becomes a much greater focus on sun protection. With the warmer weather comes more skin exposure along with longer hours spent outside and higher UV rays. It is especially important this time of year to be properly applying sunscreen to all exposed skin. Sunscreen is typically thought of as a means of preventing sunburn. While this is one very important job it is not the only job. UV rays from the sun damage skin in other ways including visible signs of aging, such as; fine lines and wrinkles, uneven pigment, and course texture. Sun exposure and the damaging effects of UV rays are also a leading cause of cancer. Skin cancer rates have been on the rise with the age decreasing in many cases. Protect yourself daily from all forms of damage unprotected sun exposure can have on your skin. For optimal protection broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen should be worn daily on all exposed skin regardless of weather conditions as UV rays can penetrate through the clouds. Recent developments in sunscreen technology will allow protection from infrared rays as well. Sunscreen should be re-applied throughout the day. The type of sunscreen can vary the frequency upon which reapplication is necessary, and should be indicated. Typically every few hours, after sweating, or getting wet is when you should reapply. […]
Can I Get a Breast Lift Without Noticeable Scars?
In a perfect world, all aesthetic surgeries would be performed without scarring. Unfortunately, this is not a reality for surgical procedures that require incisions to be made on the surface of the skin. Breast lift surgery—also known as mastopexy—is one such procedure, as incisions are necessary to remove excess skin and correct breast drooping (ptosis). That said, board-certified plastic surgeons are trained in achieving the least visible degree of scarring possible through meticulous technique and expert positioning of incisions. There are three different scars typically associated with mastopexy. These scars may or may not be present, depending on the type of breast lift. These include: Periareolar Scar – The periareolar scar occurs from an incision made around the outer perimeter of the nipple-areolar complex, where the darker pigment of the areola meets the lighter-coloured breast skin. This scar tends to be fairly inconspicuous when nude because of the colour difference. Breast Fold Scar – The breast fold scar is produced by an incision running horizontally along the natural crease below the breast (inframammary fold). The breasts themselves generally keep this scar well concealed. Vertical Scar – The vertical scar is created by an incision that extends from the bottom of the nipple-areolar complex to the inframammary fold. In the nude, this tends to be the most visible scar of the three. Some individuals who have minimal breast ptosis may only […]
Do I Need a Breast Augmentation or Breast Lift?
When considering aesthetic surgery to rejuvenate the appearance of the breasts, it is common for women to wonder whether they would benefit more from a breast augmentation or a breast lift (mastopexy). While a number of different elements need to be considered to provide a definitive answer to this question, your unique goals for treatment and the amount of breast drooping present can often point you in the right direction. Generally speaking, a breast augmentation will typically be the most appropriate option for individuals who do not have an issue with breast drooping and are solely interested in adding/restoring volume to the breasts. Although some implants can provide a very minor “lift” in addition to increasing fullness, no implant is able to correct a moderate to significant degree of breast drooping. On the other hand, a breast lift will usually be the best choice for patients who are happy with their current breast size but are seeking to elevate the breasts to a more youthful position on the chest wall. A mastopexy alone can create some added upper pole volume, but it is not able to increase overall cup size. For women who wish to enhance/restore volume and have their breasts lifted, a combination of breast augmentation and mastopexy is often the ideal solution. Sometimes referred to as a breast lift with implants or an augmentation with a lift, this […]
Abdominoplasty and Pregnancy
Two of the most common questions I hear from women considering abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery) include: “Can I have a tummy tuck before having kids?” and “Are there any risks if I become pregnant after abdominoplasty?” While both of these questions need to be answered on a case by case basis, the following information generally applies to the majority of patients. Undergoing tummy tuck surgery prior to having children is certainly a possibility for many women seeking to address excess skin, fat buildup, and/or lax musculature in the abdominal region. That said, if the patient is planning on starting a family in the near future, most board-certified plastic surgeons would recommend that they wait until after they are done having kids before receiving treatment. (This advice also applies to women who currently have kids and are considering having more at some point in time.) The underlying reason for delaying a tummy tuck is due to the potential for negative effects a pregnancy can have on the outcome of a previous abdominoplasty. For example, the expansion of skin and stretching/thinning of abdominal muscles that typically occur during pregnancy can essentially recreate the aesthetic issues the individual initially sought to resolve. Depending on the extent of these concerns, a revisional procedure—or even a second tummy tuck—may be needed to restore the results of the original treatment. In regard to whether or not […]
Diastasis Recti Treatment After Pregnancy
Numerous women complain about significant abdominal bulging following pregnancy even after their weight has returned to pre-pregnancy levels. Diastasis recti is a cosmetic concern that numerous women encounter after pregnancy. This condition occurs as a result of stretching of the abdominal wall and a separation between the rectus (‘six-pack’) muscles. It is characterized by a prominent bulge or “pooch” in the mid to lower abdomen. The protrusion or bulge is typically immune to both diet and exercise. In some cases, this protrusion can be so apparent that new mothers often feel they still look pregnant. Fortunately, tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is an excellent treatment option for women bothered by diastasis recti following pregnancy. In addition to removing excess skin and fat from the abdominal region, tummy tuck surgery allows plastic surgeons to bring muscles of the abdominal wall back to their initial position, making the muscles tighter in the process. The end result can be a significantly flatter stomach and slimmer waistline. If you are troubled by a post-pregnancy stomach bulge that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise efforts, my advice is to seek the expertise of board-certified plastic surgeon who has considerable experience in abdominoplasty. Surgery is quite often the only solution for diastasis recti, and a plastic surgeon can determine whether a tummy tuck—or possibly a mini tummy tuck—would be an appropriate treatment option for your unique needs […]
Male vs. Female Rhinoplasty: Is There a Difference?
In general, the fundamental surgical technique used for rhinoplasty does not differ based on the gender of the individual. For instance, an open rhinoplasty for a female patient is performed the same way it is for a male patient—using incisions inside the nose as well as a very small incision made along the columella (the fleshy nasal tissue at the nasal base that separates the left and right nostrils). The same holds true for closed rhinoplasty, which is conducted using a limited number of internal incisions only. That being said, rhinoplasty for males versus females does often differ in regard to the cosmetic desires and distinguishing characteristics usually associated with each gender. In comparison to females, most males have a wider, more prominent nasal bridge. Furthermore, the tip of the nose for the majority of men tends to be less elevated, often creating an angle of approximately 90 to 95 degrees between the upper lip and nose. In contrast, the nasal bridge for many women is typically narrower and less prominent. The tip of the nose also tends to be narrower, and the angle between the nose is slightly more elevated at between 95 to 105 degrees. These traits—in combination with relatively thinner skin—generally result in nasal features that are a bit sharper and/or more delicate in nature. In the end, these are simply generalities; patient ethnicity, cultural preferences, personal […]
How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost?
For virtually anyone desiring to enhance the appearance of their nose, rhinoplasty can often be an excellent solution. This custom-tailored procedure can be performed to improve the shape and size of the nasal tip, bridge, and/or nostrils, as well as to repair a crooked septum to facilitate nasal breathing. At Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery, each rhinoplasty procedure is personalized to meet the unique desires of the patient, so an in-office consultation is first needed to provide an estimate of the cost of surgery. Once a thorough examination has been conducted by Dr. Lawrence Tong, an itemized breakdown of the total expense can be prepared for review. As a convenience to patients interested in financial aid, we offer various plastic surgery financing and payment plan options through Crelogix or Medicard, both of which are highly respected lenders. The overall cost of rhinoplasty is influenced by a number of different factors, including the specific needs and goals of the individual. For example, treatment for someone whose concerns pertain to the shape of the nostrils, removal of a dorsal hump, and reduction of the width of the nasal bridge will be a bit more expensive than it would be for someone whose concerns are limited exclusively to the contour of their nostrils. Additional elements that impact the total expense of the procedure include whether an “open” or “closed” rhinoplasty technique is performed, […]
What Changes to the Nose Are Possible with Rhinoplasty?
Commonly referred to as a “nose job,” rhinoplasty can be a great option for many women and men seeking to improve the appearance and/or function of their nose. Based on the unique needs and goals of the individual, this procedure can be customized to help: Decrease the overall dimensions of the nose Smooth out a nasal hump on the bridge Straighten a crooked nose Resize/reduce and/or improve the symmetry of the nostrils Reshape/refine the tip of the nose Reposition the nasal bones to decrease the width of the nose Reduce the projection of the nose Elevate (or lower) the nasal tip make it slightly upturned (or downturned) Repair a deviated septum If you are interested in rhinoplasty, it’s helpful to have a good idea of what you’d specifically like to improve about your nose prior to meeting with a board-certified plastic surgeon. My advice is to create a list of specific issues that bother you as well as what you wish to have changed, then schedule a consultation. Following a thorough evaluation, an individualized treatment plan can be developed based on your particular desires and your surgeon’s professional opinion. For more information about rhinoplasty, or if you would like to schedule a consultation at Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery, please feel free to contact my office today at 416-972-0999. – Dr. Lawrence Tong, Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon