Complete Approach to Facial Rejuvenation

Our society tends to favor the younger, fresher looking face. Aging, however, is inevitable and unavoidable. An aging face with accompanying loose skin, baggy eyes and wrinkles may mislead people to think you are tired, overdrawn, under stress, or even sad. You may look in the mirror and feel your reflection does not do justice to how young and vibrant you feel inside.

All of us age differently and some of us age better than others. We also carry a mental image about how we feel we should look to others. It may be disappointing to look in the mirror and see an image that looks unfamiliar and not representative of how you visualize yourself. Plastic surgery has advanced rapidly over the last several decades, enabling us to counteract undesirable visible changes. A complete total approach to facial rejuvenation may include a facelift, brow lift, eyelid surgery, chemical peel or dermabrasion, and even nose reshaping or cheek and chin implants. Which procedures and how many depend on what specific signs of aging are visible in your face, and which ones are bothering you. The key factor in selecting rejuvenation techniques is an in-depth consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Kierney can inform you and open the door toward new possibilities. But a surgeon should never push you into surgery that you do not want or need. During your consultation you may simply want to describe what features or signs of aging are bothering you most. Dr. Kierney can advise you on available alternatives and make recommendations.

The advances in plastic surgery are very effective, and in some instances can be dramatic. However, it is impossible to stop the clock---aging will continue. A healthy, active lifestyle is a great defense against the visible signs of aging. Proper diet, exercise and protection from the sun are natural ways to combat the visible signs of aging. If you decide nature needs a little help to uncover the real person you feel inside, then cosmetic plastic surgery maybe an excellent choice to help you reach your goals.

New Laser Technology

The newest in skin laser technology involves the use of an ultra pulse carbon dioxide laser, which permits very controlled treatment of skin changes or growths without damaging adjacent or underlying tissues. It has been available in our office for several years The ultra pulse skin resurfacing procedure for the correction of damaged skin and skin rejuvenation uses this latest high technology laser and combined with new innovative surgical techniques, permit an ultra pulse trained physician to quickly remove the damaged outer layers of your skin in a precise computerized way. With the use of a self-focusing laser hand piece, your surgeon can precisely remove blemishes to the correct depth while leaving the healthy skin beneath the surface uninjured. The treatment is fast and provides a dramatic improvement to the texture and tone of your skin. This new technique offers many advantages over dermabrasions and chemical peels for treatment of similar skin problems. The ultra pulse technique, which uses a high-energy beam of light to vaporize unwanted skin discoloration, uneven pigmentation, brown aging spots, crows feet, lip wrinkles, superficial facial wrinkles, and even scars. Ultra pulse skin resurfacing procedure may be performed in the office on an outpatient basis and usually takes 30 to 60 minutes depending upon the condition treated. One of the chief advantages of ultra pulse laser skin resurfacing is that this procedure is bloodless and performed as an outpatient.

What is Glycolic Acid and how does it work?

Glycolic acid is the simplest of a group of naturally occurring food acids referred to as Alpha Hydroxy Acids or AHS's. These organic food acids can be found in a variety of fruits and foods. Glycolic acid is thought to be the most effective and suitable fruit acid for cosmetic application.

Glycolic acid has the smallest molecular structure of all the alpha hydroxy acids and is believed to possess the greatest penetration potential without significant skin irritation. Studies show that glycolic acid enhances exfoliation of superficial dead skin cells. This process, which is part of the skin's natural rejuvenation process, normally slows down as we age. The skin's outer dead cell layer, when present, prohibits new cells from migrating to the surface. Glycolic acid has the ability to dissolve the cellular cement that bonds these cells together. The skin's dry outer layer is gently sloughed away permitting newer revitalized cells to surface and produce smoother, fresher skin.

Products containing glycolic acid are specially formulated to promote a healthy, youthful glow by minimizing signs of aging, smoothing complexion, balancing irregular skin tone, and softening dry skin. Glycolic acid has also been shown to be of benefit in treatment of skin which has been overexposed to the elements, oily or acne-prone skin, and in the treatment of aging spots and other skin discolorations.

Peels and other Treatments

In recent years, the use of various fruit acids to perform a light or "lunch time" peel has become very popular. Fruit acids are naturally occurring acids. Some examples include Alpha Hydroxy acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid. The acids can be used alone as a chemical peeling agents or can be combined with skin cleansing and toning agents. The patient applies these to the face at home daily. Patients generally use regular makeup, and do not feel self-conscious during this period. After they have adequately cleansed their skin they come into the doctor's office for light glycolic acid peels about every 14 days depending on their skin's reaction and personal schedule. The skin is typically slightly red for several hours after the peel but is back to normal the next day. Usually the peels are done in a series of 4 to 6 with increasing strengths of glycolic acid. After the series is complete, the skin looks fresher, feels smoother, and its color is more even. The glycolic acid peels result in a superficial or light peel and can be repeated as often as the patient desires. Microdermabrasion is a natural way to evenly and safely exfoliate the skin without chemicals or laser. Microdermabrasion utilizes corundum powders (crystals) to finely resurface superficial layers of the skin. A series of Microdermabrasion peels will improve scarring, fine lines, moderate wrinkles, pigmentation problems and uneven tones, dull and sun damaged skin. Initially you may feel a mild scratching sensation as the crystals make contact with the skin. As the treatments continue, this experience compares to a deep massage, redness will last 1 hour to 1 day along with some peeling depending on the program.

The "lunch hour" Skin Peel & Home Skin Care Program

The BioMedic Micropeel procedure is a light, alpha-hydroxy glycolic acid peel that is quick, painless, and less expensive than traditional peels. Almost every adult has some degree of sun damage that could benefit from this safe and effective treatment. Patients with hypersensitive skin, hyperpigmented skin, and acne may also be good candidates for this treatment.

The BioMedic Micropeel can be done in less than one hour, under a physician's supervision. There is no recuperative time after the procedure. You can go back to work or out to dinner. The Micropeel treats all skin types and colors. The BioMedic Micropeel targets five skin conditions and has a program designed for each specific skin type.

Micropeel is a faster, less expensive, and less intense alternative to traditional chemical peels. Available only through board certified physicians, the BioMedic Micropeel procedure removes old damaged cells and triggers the skin to renew itself. Results can include a smoother skin texture and improvement in the fine lines on the face. In combination with prescribed products, freckles, age spots and discoloration can be improved. With each treatment program, skin care formulas for home use can help maintain your new look. The BioMedic MicroPeel procedure and home treatment program can help you uncover the fresh glowing skin you never knew you had and give you a bright healthy glow that looks and feels wonderful.

Laser Hair Removal

The newest in Laser Hair removal technology involves the use of a diode laser specifically designed to quickly and effectively remove unwanted hair without damaging the skin or underlying tissues. The Light Sheer laser is approved by the FDA for permanent hair reduction. The light beam from the laser targets the pigment in the hair follicle beneath the skin surface. When the laser light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and the hair shaft, the hair growth center is damaged. This result in either complete destruction of the hair or severe restriction of re-growth. Those hair follicles in the active growth phase are the best targets for absorbing the laser light, and it is these hairs that are preferentially damaged and destroyed. Hairs that are dormant are usually not affected and thus multiple treatments may be required to rid the treatment area of all unwanted hair. It is important to note that gray and blond hairs do not respond well because of lack of pigment and that active tanning of the skin in target areas can deflect the laser light to pigmented skin and not hair.

Imagine no more painful waxing, plucking, shaving, or electrolysis. Now your unwanted hair can be removed from the face, lip, chin, neck, underarms, bikini line, back, legs and other areas quickly and effectively in the office with little or no recovery time at all.