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How Do Surgical and Nonsurgical Lifts Compare?

A neck or facelift has the potential to seriously improve the appearance of the area surrounding one’s neck and lower jaw. Many patients have found it to be the solution for their concerns in this part of the body. So how do surgical and nonsurgical lifts compare?

Many aren’t aware that there are several different kinds of lifts that are possible to receive. Learning the differences between the types can give you a leg up in terms of finding the solution to your issues.

If you have questions regarding the different types of neck lifts, take a look at this guide, which can give you more information on the subject. It may help you decide that a nonsurgical neck lift is right for you.

Surgical vs Nonsurgical Lifts

The two primary methods of providing lift to an area of the body that might be needing such treatment are either surgical or nonsurgical. Surgical lifts utilize invasive surgical tools that cut into the body to manipulate the area below. Nonsurgical lifts do not utilize invasive surgical instruments to perform the task at hand; rather, they use tools like injectable fillers and massage to make changes to one’s appearance.

How Do Surgical and Nonsurgical Lifts Compare?

Surgical and nonsurgical facelifts may appeal to different groups of people for different reasons. For example, nonsurgical facelifts may not be appropriate for individuals who suffer from certain types of skin condtions, like some of the following listed below:

  • Eczema
  • Core sores
  • Acne
  • Moles
  • Psoriasis

These types of conditions may become aggravated due to the abrasive nature of some nonsurgical lift techniques. On the other hand, nonsurgical techniques may be appealing to others because they do not generally require a patient to be cleared for treatment with invasive instruments and general anesthesia.

The factors above can be somewhat prohibitive for those who wish to receive work done but have medical conditions that prevent them from receiving treatment. Nonsurgical methods have the potential to give these patients results that are just as good as the ones they were looking for in the first place.

What Occurs During a Nonsurgical Lift?

There are several different varieties of nonsurgical facelift methods. Which one you use will be highly dependent on some of the specificities of your case and the exact type of work you’re looking for. Some of the primary subtypes of nonsurgical lift methods include:

Chemical Peels:

Chemical peels remove the top layers of your skin by applying light amounts of abrasive chemicals. Multiple peels can be applied in order to achieve the desired results.

Dermal Fillers:

Dermal fillers utilize the injection of substances to provide a sense of added volume to areas of the face that may have become sunken or hollow. Dermal fillers have the potential to last for a long time, with many lasting anywhere from six months to several years.

Botox Injections:

Botox can relax tense muscles, which leads to the development of wrinkles. Many people receive these injections in between their eyebrows or in the corners of their eyes. Results can last for several months.

Fat Grafting:

Fat grafting involves harvesting fat from one area of the body where it is plentiful to another where there is a sense of flatness or hollowness. This type of grafting can provide a patient with much-desired “natural” looking results.

Laser Skin Resurfacing:

In this type of treatment, beams of light can target areas of the skin and face with pinpoint precision to remove the older outer layers of the skin and stimulate collagen growth.

Microneedling:

During a microneedling procedure, thin and tiny needles make a series of tiny incisions across the face. This type of procedure stimulate the growth of collagen on the face. It has the potential to diminish the presence of wrinkles, large pores, and sun damage.

Microdermabrasion:

This is a minimally invasive procedure that gently sands away the top layers of the skin with a slightly rough pad. This exfoliates the skin and helps to reduce the presence of fine lines, scars, and other abberations of the skin.

As one can see, there are a variety of nonsurgical methods that can give a patient an advantage in terms of rejuvenating their skin using nonsurgical means. You can discuss with your physician which one they think might serve you the most.

The Best Neck Surgeon in Beverly Hills

Epione Beverly Hills is one of the best resources available for those who are looking to improve the appearance of their neck through a necklift. If you’re interested in discussing your options with a trained professional, contact our office today to hold a discussion at our cosmetic dermatology center in Beverly Hills.

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Can Tattoos Be Fully Removed?

Can tattoos be fully removed? Tattoos can be a wonderful accessory and a great fashion statement, as well as a very personal expression of spirituality and custom. When you have the right tattoo, it can speak volumes about your past and future.

However, just as much as a successful tattoo can bring joy and happiness into someone’s life, an unsuccessful tattoo has the potential to impact them in a negative sense. Fortunately, there are several methods available for tattoo removal for those who are interested.

If you have a tattoo that you aren’t proud of and have been considering trying to get it removed via cosmetic skin procedures, take a look at this overview of the subject to help you decide what the right path forward is.

What Is Tattoo Removal?

Laser tattoo removal refers to a set of practices and techniques designed to diminish and remove the presence of tattoos on the skin. Several different methods can be employed for these purposes.

Types of Tattoo Removal

As mentioned above, there are a variety of tattoo removal methods that can be employed to clear the skin of unwanted ink. Which method your physician decides to employ will have something to do with the specifics of your health and of the extent of the tattoo you want removed. The most common methods of tattoo removal include:

  • Dermabrasion: During a dermabrasion treatment, a physician uses a dermabrasion wand to remove the layers of skin where the tattoo was present.
  • Chemical Peels: Chemical peels use light amounts of abrasive chemicals to remove the layer of skin where the tattoo is present. These chemicals cause these layers of skin to peel away.
  • Laser Tattoo Removal: Laser tattoo removal is perhaps the most common and popular method of tattoo removal. During this type of treatment, a high-powered laser is utilized to break down the ink particles on the skin into smaller parts. The procedure is relatively painless and does not leave a scar.
  • Surgical Excision: This is a surgical procedure that involves a physician cutting out the problematic tattoo using surgical precision. This type of procedure is highly effective for small tattoos but loses efficacy with large tattoos.

Risks and Benefits of Tattoo Removal

Removing a tattoo that is no longer wanted carries with it a number of emotional health benefits. In addition, some of the following benefits have been noted after successful procedures:

  • Improved sense of self-esteem and confidence
  • Quick recovery time and process
  • Small amounts of pain and discomfort
  • Tattoo removal is considered a relatively safe procedure

That being said, there are some risks that one takes on should they decide to go through with this procedure. The following risk factors should be taken into account:

  • Light pain
  • Infections
  • Scarring following the tattoo removal
  • Skin rashes and general irritation

In addition, you should stay wary of tattoo parlors or spas that claim that they can offer professional tattoo removal. These institutions do not typically have the training, expertise, equipment, and license to perform professional tattoo removals at the level of a skilled dermatologist.

Can Tattoos Be Full Removed?

The challenging answer to this question is that it is almost impossible to fully remove a tattoo. Even a surgical excision of a tattoo will leave a scar, so a patient will need to determine whether it is ultimately worth it to pursue treatment.

That being said, tattoo removal has progressed to the point that most of the visible aspects of a tattoo can be removed with very little irritation to the surrounding areas of skin. Depending on the size of the tattoo, multiple sessions will likely be required to remove the visible presence of the tattoo fully.

The color of your tattoo can also impact how effective the treatment is. For example, blue and black ink tend to disappear more easily than inks of other colors, as they are prone to absorbing light the easiest.

Much of what determines how your tattoo removal process will go has to do with the amount of ink that you’re looking to remove. This will be discussed with your physician during your consultation prior to treatment.

The Best Skin Clinic in Beverly Hills

Epione Beverly Hills is one of the premier destinations for laser tattoo removal in Beverly Hills. If you have a tattoo that has been bothering you and would like to discuss with a professional whether or not you can get it removed, contact our office today to set up an appointment.

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How Ultrasound Technology Tightens Skin

In the constant quest for ageless beauty, scientific advancements, and technological innovations have seen great improvements over the years and now offer a variety of both invasive and non-invasive solutions to men and women alike. One such innovation is ultrasound technology.  Popular for its role in diagnostics, ultrasound technology now has a big role to play in aesthetics. Has your skin started to sag?  That is no problem. All you need to do is call a reputable cosmetic dermatology specialist and ask them about their ultrasound skin tightening treatment or their non-surgical arm lift (if that is what you need). If you are wondering how ultrasound technology tightens skin, continue reading.

How Ultrasound Technology Tightens Skin

Unlike invasive procedures that involve incisions and the use of anesthesia, ultrasound offers patients a non-invasive option that has no downtime and will not leave them with surgical scars. 

Collagen is a protein that the body naturally produces. Working with another protein, elastin, it keeps young skin supple, firm, and elastic. 

The production of collagen naturally decreases as people age, and the collagen in the body loses its strength. As the body gives in to gravity, the skin begins to sag and is pulled downwards as time passes.  

Ultrasound penetrates 5 millimeters deep into the layers of the skin. It can reach the second layer of muscles under the facial muscles, where collagen production takes place. The ultrasound stimulates the dermis layer, causing new collagen to be produced.

Advantages of Ultrasound Treatment

  • Smoothes fine lines and wrinkles
  • Improves skin elasticity
  • 80% improvement in face and neck skin
  • Firms up and reduces jowls
  • Lifts up drooping eyelids
  • Tightens neckline and cleavage area
  • Stimulates collagen production
  • Firms up arms
  • Continuous skin improvement long after having the treatment
  • Non-invasive
  • Does not leave scars
  • Minimal to no downtime
  • No risk of side effects from anesthesia
  • The device used is more helpful than lasers

Side Effects

Ultrasound skin tightening treatments, although relatively safe, may come with some recorded side effects.

  • marks on the skin
  • redness that may last for more than a day
  • skin tenderness for a month or more
  • swelling
  • skin bleeding under the dermis

These treatments need to be done by a trained and qualified practitioner. That is the only way you can ensure that the treatment is as safe as possible. 

Other Considerations

Adverse reactions are likely

While rare, the potential for adverse reactions is still likely. Some of these are temporary blistering and burns. Although they are usually mild, they emphasize why it is crucial to undergo the treatment with a qualified professional.

Results are variable

Ultrasound treatment results depend on different factors, such as the patient’s skin type, age, and skin condition. Many patients may observe noticeable improvements, while some patients may get less dramatic transformations. There may also be a need to undergo the treatment more than once. The good thing is that improvements will continue as weeks go by, and those with less dramatic effects may be able to appreciate more in the future months. Your specialist will be able to better explain to you what results you can expect based on the given variables.  

Cost Considerations

Ultrasound treatments may be costly, especially if a patient has to undergo more than one treatment. The expense may be justifiable for some but may turn other patients off. 

Patients should look into the factors that affect the cost. Location, extent of treatment, extent of treatment, and the expertise of the specialist.  If the budget is tight, you may ask your specialist about payment options.

Candidates for Ultrasound Skin Tightening

This treatment is good for patients who are:

  • In their 30s or older who have noticed sagging skin or surgical patients who want to keep their results for longer
  • Generally healthy
  • Have enough skin elasticity
  • Concerned with mild or moderate signs of skin aging
  • Have realistic expectations

How to Prepare for Ultrasound Tightening Treatment

Have an initial consultation with your specialist.

Make sure that you consult with your specialist so you can talk about your concerns, and confirm that this is the best treatment for you.

Avoid direct sunlight

It is important to avoid direct sunlight for at least five days before your treatment. If you suffer a sunburn, your specialist will not let you undergo the treatment.

Protect your skin from UV rays by wearing sunscreen with the maximum amount of protection.

Eat good food

Fill your stomach with good nutritious foods. Tropical fruits and dark green leafy vegetables are good for preparing your skin.

Drink a lot of water

Ensure that you drink a lot of water for at least five days before your treatment. Your body needs water to produce collagen.

Avoid some skin care products.

Ask your specialist beforehand which skin care products you have to avoid temporarily. 

Transform Your Skin Today

If you have been struggling with loose or sagging skin, do not let your age or your concern with invasive procedures deter you from achieving firmer, younger-looking skin. Visit our clinic today and begin your journey towards beautiful skin transformation.

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Benefits of Having a Strong Jaw

The facial features one has are perhaps one of the most impactful elements in terms of how an individual is perceived and treated in society. On top of that, these features are some of the most important in terms of one’s overall attractiveness. Below, we cover the benefits of having a strong jaw.

For both men and women, one of the most important elements in terms of facial features is having a strong and well-defined jawline. Achieving this definition has the potential to take years off of one’s appearance.

Benefits of Having a Strong Jaw

If you’re interested in non-surgical jawline contouring, then take a look at this guide that describes some of the benefits.

Enhance Your Confidence

A strong jaw can make an individual appear more confident and assertive. Most people perceive an individual with a strong jawline to be more aesthetically appealing, which can contribute to someone feeling more confident in their day-to-day activities. Many aspects of the body can have subtle psychological effects on the people you interact with. A strong jawline is one of the elements that can subtly influence people into perceiving that you are a source of strength and power.

Convey the Right Message

A strong jawline can imbue an individual with coveted cultural attributes. Qualities like dominance, determination, assertiveness, and success are conveyed by the presence of a strong jaw. On the other hand, an under-defined jawline is associated with weakness and a lack of self-control.

Appear More Attractive

For the most part, a strong jawline is seen as a sign of attractiveness and desirability for members of the opposite sex. Women are often drawn to men that are masculine and strong, which can contribute to an individual’s overall sexual attractiveness. Although the type of definition is usually softer in women, the presence of a strong definition is also seen as desirable in women.

Appear of Good Health

A strongly defined jaw can speak quite a bit in terms of one’s overall health. A strong and well-defined jaw can indicate that an individual is of good health and vital. A chiseled jawline can indicate a healthy body fat index, while a double chin or sagging jawline can indicate obesity and aging.

Good for Both Men and Women

Although having a strong jawline is more commonly associated with men, it is also a desirable quality for women. In men, a strong jawline is seen as an indicator of high testosterone. In women, this type of definition is an indicator of feminine appeal, as well as strength and confidence.

Showcase Your Smile

A healthy smile is also seen as an indicator of social success. In addition, smiling frequently can also improve the quality of one’s general mood. A powerful jawline can help to accentuate the qualities of one’s smile and bring out the appealing features of the face. Overall, the presence of a strong jaw and healthy smile make the perfect pair.

Invites Success

Many of the people who find the most success in this life, in both the political and business spheres, are those who have strong and well-defined jaw features. Some studies have shown that those with dominant facial features are more likely to be hired for leadership positions, which contributes to them making more money over the course of their life.

Improve Your Oral Health

Having a healthy jaw that can handle whatever food you choose to eat is paramount for chewing and digesting food properly. If food isn’t properly chewed and digested, then the body has more problems breaking down and digesting it – this can lead to malnutrition and other health problems over time.

On top of this, a strong jaw helps to keep teeth in alignment. This can prevent oral health problems such as cavities, gum disease and tooth decay. A strong jaw can be considered to be part of having an overall satisfactory oral health profile.

Stay on Top of Your Speech

Having a healthy jaw is considered essential for maintaining healthy speech patterns. Everything we say is dictated by the physiological systems of the jaw and mouth. Therefore, having a healthy jawline can be considered an essential part of one’s ability to communicate in the modern world.

Beverly Hills Best Site for Jaw Contouring

Epione Beverly Hills is one of the best resources available for those who are looking to improve the appearance of their jaw and the rest of their face. If you’re interested in receiving this type of treatment from a licensed professional, schedule a consultation with us and find out why we’re a leader in cosmetic dermatology.

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Can Hormones Cause Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks aren’t a medical concern, but they are something that most people find to be aesthetically unpleasant. Following this, many individuals choose to remove these marks surgically in order to restore their appearance to something that they’re happy with. So can hormones cause stretch marks?

There are many different plausible causes for stretch marks, and determining the source of your own might help you to treat your own. One of the more common sources for the formation of stretch marks is the production of the stress hormone cortisol.

Can Hormones Cause Stretch Marks?

If you’re suffering from stretch marks, take a look at this guide that describes some of the elements surrounding this procedure in cosmetic dermatology. 

What Are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks, or striae, are indented streaks that appear on the abdomen, breasts, and other areas of the body. There is the potential for these marks to appear almost anywhere on the body, and they are oftentimes the result of the skin being stretched past its point of comfort, which creates an abnormal appearance.

Overall, stretch marks aren’t painful or medically concerning but appear in a way that most people don’t like. Fortunately, many stretch marks don’t require treatment and will fade over time. On the other hand, many will never disappear completely without some type of treatment.

Severe stretch marks can impact one’s self-esteem and emotional health, so if you’re suffering from these side effects, it doesn’t hurt to investigate your treatment options so that you can restore your appearance and stop worrying about these elements. It likely will end up saving you a large amount of stress in the long run.

Symptoms of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks can appear in many different ways. They often depend on the contributing factors that have led to the development of the marks. Some of the more common appearances that stretch marks can take include the following:

· Bright streaks that fade away

· Streaks that cover large sections of the body

· Streaks of the following colors: pink, red, discolored, blue, black or purple

· Indented streaks or lines on the abdomen, hips, breasts, buttocks, or many other places on the body

The symptoms of stretch marks can vary wildly from patient to patient. In rare cases, stretch marks can cover wide parts of the body, mostly as a reaction to corticosteroid medications and rare conditions such as Cushing syndrome.

Although stretch marks aren’t medically concerning, you should look into medically treating your stretch marks if they cause you sufficient mental or emotional distress. Consulting with your physician should be able to help you create a treatment plan and identify your best path forward.

Causes of Stretch Marks

At its root, the primary cause of stretch marks is the stretching of the skin. How severe they are depends on several different factors, including your genetics, the degree of stress on your body and skin, as well as the presence of various hormones such as cortisol.

Cortisol is a stress hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands in situations of stress or heightened activity. This stress hormone has the potential to negatively impact many elements of the skin, including its elasticity.

Fortunately, many stretch marks will naturally fade over time, meaning that many individuals won’t have to resort to more serious treatments to deal with their own problems. However, there are many different treatment options available for those who wish to deal with their own medicine.

Risk Factors for Stretch Marks

Stretch marks can develop on anyone’s skin, but there are certain risk factors that can make their appearance more likely. Some of the more common risk factors that lead to the development of stretch marks include:

· The use of corticosteroids

· Exercise and the use of anabolic steroids

· Genetic disorders such as Cushing syndrome or Marfan syndrome

· Receiving breast enlargement surgery

· Rapidly weight gain or loss

· Rapid growth in adolescence or childhood

· Pregnancy, with special levels of risk occurring during the third trimester.

· Being prone to developing stretch marks in your personal or family history

You can discuss with your physician which risk factors might have a part to play in the development of your own stretch marks. This can help the two of you develop a plan to treat your own effectively.

Your Trusted Resource for Cosmetic Dermatology

Epione Beverly Hills is one of the best resources you have for your various needs for cosmetic surgery. If you have visible stretch marks that you would like to have removed, take a look at our website and contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss your non-surgical stretch mark removal. 

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Why Do Hands Age So Quickly?

Hands are one of the most visible and exposed parts of the body. Given their vast set of utilitarian purposes, it shouldn’t surprise that these appendages are some of the most vulnerable parts of the body to the affects of aging. Why do hands age so quickly?

Why Do Hands Age So Quickly?

Many people would implement higher levels of hand care if they knew the best way to approach this type of care. If you’re concerned about trying to keep the effects of aging away from your hands, then take a look at this overview of the subject with relation to cosmetic dermatology.  

Differences in the Skin

The skin of the hands is much more delicate than the skin on our faces. However, the hands receive almost as much sun exposure as our faces, and we feel the effects of this exposure much more severely than the latter body part.

Age spots, fine lines and wrinkles can all start to appear on the skin of one’s hands much more quickly than on other parts of the body. For this reason, the hands can oftentimes appear older than the rest of an individual.

Sun Damage

The hands are a part of the body that is prone to sun damage. This is partially because individuals have a tendency to neglect to protect this part of the body from solar rays with sunblock and the like. Over time, the sun wil definitely impact the appearance and health of the skin of your hands.

Vigorous application of SPF sunblock is one way to protect your hands against the harmful rays of the sun. Reapplying sunblock to your hands after they get wet will help to apply continual protection to them.

Weathering the Elements

Constant exposure to the elements can make the skin of one’s hands appearance – well, weathered after some time. The hands are one of the parts of the body most exposed to this type of problem.

Cold temperatures, strong winds, ice, and snow, as well as artificial weather-producing conditions such as air conditioning and central heating, can all impact the health of the skin of the hands. Small steps such as wearing gloves when outside can make a difference, as can applying moisturizer frequently.

Excessive Movement

On the face, expressions such as frowning and smiling can eventually produce fine lines and wrinkles on one’s appearance over time. The hands are also prone to such sensitivities, though from a much different range of motions.

Typing, gripping, lifting and shaking are tend to impact the hands more and more as time goes on. These types of aging indications tend to increase as time goes on, and one age in another way. This is partially due to the fact that the skin loses much of its elasticity and ability to recuperate from this type of gradual wear and tear.

Day to Day Wear and Tear

Even outside of the stresses taken on by the hands by day-to-day movements, these appendages are prone to other types of stressors as time goes on. The skin of the hands is exposed to large amounts of chemical and substantive materials over the course of the day. This includes things like handwashes, sanitizers, and other materials that are applied to the skin.

Even regular application of soap can dry the skin of the hands and make things like fine lines and the like appear more prominent. Being diligent about applying moisturizer and other skincare products while performing household chores can help you stay on top of these types of subtle changes in your appearance.

Insufficient Skincare

The skin needs to be cared for, otherwise it will inevitably suffer in some form or fashion. Usually, the skin of our faces is given the most attention, with copious amounts of beauty products being directed at preserving the vivacity of this part of the body.

There are plenty of beauty products for the hands, but due to the excessive wear and tear that can be applied to the hands, as well as the amount of washing that is applied to them over the course of the day, means that these can often be washed away accidentally. For this reason, it’s important to stay mindful of where and how you’re giving your hands the care they need.

The Best Plastic Surgeon in Beverly Hills

Epione Plastic Surgeon is one of the best resources for plastic surgery for discerning clients in LA. If you’re interested in receiving a consultation to see how you can improve the appearance of the skin of your hands with non-surgical hand rejuvenation, contact us today in order to schedule a consultation.