TCA Peels (Information provided by Skinacea.com)

TCA peels, trichloroacetic acid peels, are medium strength chemical peels that rejuvenate and repair your skin. They improve skin discoloration, reduce fine lines, and even out skin texture. They also cause your skin to physically peel, so they will require around a week of downtime. However, the results are usually well worth the wait! 

This section explains what happens during the various stages of the TCA peeling process and what you can expect from a TCA peel, whether you get one professionally done or give yourself one at-home.

What do TCA peels do?

TCA peels are medium depth peels, ranging from 8% to 30% strengths. Though their concentrations might not be as high as other chemical peels, TCA peels are considered much deeper peels than lactic acid and glycolic acid peels. For instance, a 75% glycolic acid peel never made me peel, but a 12.5% TCA peel had my skin peeling for days.

TCA peels brighten and even out your skin tone by reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation (dark spots, acne marks, sun spots, freckles) and skin discoloration. They revitalize dull-looking skin, helping skin look soft and smooth. Because of their deep exfoliating effects, TCA peels can clean out congested pores to refine the surface of your skin. Unfortunately, they don't work as well for acne scars or moles, but they can minimize the appearance of skin tags. TCA peels are also great for erasing fine wrinkles and treating sun damage.

TCA peels can be used on the face, neck, or back of the hands. They can also be used all over the face or just as a spot peel. One TCA peel will give better results than one glycolic acid peel, but more than one TCA peel is still necessary for the best results. Results generally last around 6 months, but they can last even longer when supplemented with glycolic or lactic acid peels every two weeks.

What to expect from a TCA peel

TCA peels are serious peels with about 7-10 days worth of downtime. If you are considering getting one done, definitely schedule some time off of work and clear your calendar because you don’t want to get any sun exposure after the peel and you’ll probably look too red and flaky to be presentable.

So, how do you prepare your skin for a TCA peel? How much will it hurt? And how long will the peeling last? These questions and more will be answered in the following breakdown of what the 10 day course of a TCA peel (from pre-peel to recovery) are like:

• Pre-peel:

  Before you get the TCA peel, there are a few things you should do to prepare your skin for it. Some dermatologists recommend using retinoids or an AHA serum for two weeks prior to the peel to prime the skin for a more even and penetrating peel. However, this is optional. 
  
  Three days before the actual peel though, you must stop the use of all exfoliants (manual or chemical) and especially avoid using any harsh products (such as hair removal or grainy scrubs) on the day of the peel and for the duration of the peel.
  
  48 hours before you get a full peel, you must do a patch test on the area where you will get the peel. If you are getting a peel on your face, patch test your face. If you are getting a peel on your hands, patch test your hands. Spot testing the TCA peel solution is extremely important for a safe peel because it will help you understand how your skin responds to the acid and make you aware of any averse reactions before getting a full-face peel.
  
  It's also wise to get yourself some time off work. If you can't get 10 days off, try to get the days off when your skin will start to peel the most, most likely 3-4 days after the day of the peel. Have a good moisturizer, petroleum jelly (Vaseline), antibiotic cream (usually provided by the dermatologist or Bacitracin or Neosporin), and anti-itch cream (Lanacaine or Cortaid) on hand. If you plan on going out during any of the 10 days, make sure you have a good sunscreen and a big floppy hat to wear too.

Can a lift give you a lift?

As a field of medicine, aesthetic plastic surgery is unique in that patients actively seek out procedures and pay out of pocket to not only help them look better, but to feel better. That being said, having an 87% patient approval rating with 97% recommending others and 93% coming back for more is a testament to the specialty. It’s no coincidence that the cosmetic surgery procedures that have seen landmark growth are ones that give you a lift – upper arm lift,breast lift, thigh lift, lower body lift and tummy tuck. Lift procedures help dramatic weight-loss patients remove large amounts of skin and fat left behind, as well as those who have stretched out their skin from pregnancy, weight fluctuations and the loss of muscle from aging. All that excess skin can sure weigh a person down.

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The mission of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) includes medical education, public education and patient advocacy. Plastic Surgery News Briefs are summaries of current stories found through various news and magazine outlets that relate to or mention plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures. The views expressed in these news articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASAPS, but are merely published as an educational service to our members and the general public. For additional information on these subjects and other plastic surgery related topics, please go to www.surgery.org

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Body Contouring Brings Lasting Improvement in Quality of Life after Weight-Loss Surgery

Body contouring after weight-loss (bariatric) surgery produces long-term gains in several aspects of quality of life, reports the November issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

"The study indicates a sustained quality of life improvement in post-bariatric patients after body contouring surgery," concludes the study led by Dr. Eva S.J. van der Beek of University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands. "This suggests the importance of including reconstructive surgery as a component in the multidisciplinary approach in the surgical treatment of morbid obesity," Dr. van der Beek said.

Improved Quality of Life after Body Contouring Surgery
The researchers evaluated quality-of-life assessments in 33 patients who underwent body contouring after bariatric surgery. Body contouring refers to various plastic surgery procedures done to remove excess fat and skin after massive weight loss.

The most common procedures were abdominoplasty ("tummy tuck") and operations on the breasts. Through an average of seven years after body contouring, the patients repeatedly completed a standard questionnaire evaluating obesity's impact on quality of life.

The results showed "mostly moderate to large, sustained improvement" in quality of life in the years after body contouring. Scores improved in six out of seven quality-of-life domains, including physical functioning and appearance, mental well-being, social acceptance, intimacy and social network.

Some domains showed a small decrease between four and seven years' follow-up. In general, quality-of-life scores were lower for patients who regained weight after their body contouring surgery.

Overall, 55 percent of patients were very satisfied with their results. All but one patient said they would undergo body contouring again, and considered it "an inevitable step to improve daily quality of life." About one-fourth of patients had further body contouring surgery-another 30 percent said they would do so if their insurance covered it.

Bariatric surgery produces sustained weight loss in patients with severe obesity. However, more than two-thirds of patients with massive weight loss are left with loose or overhanging skin. This may lead to decreased satisfaction with the results of bariatric surgery, as well as psychological, social and physical problems.

Previous studies have shown that body contouring improves quality of life after bariatric surgery, but the long-term benefits are unclear. "There is an ongoing debate if body contouring surgery is an optional or essential step after massive weight loss in the treatment of morbid obesity," Dr. van der Beek and coauthors write.

The new study shows significant and lasting improvements in quality of life for patients who have body contouring after bariatric surgery. "This suggests the importance of including reconstructive surgery as a component in the multidisciplinary approach in the surgical treatment of morbid obesity," the researchers write. They call for further study of the long-term benefits of body contouring-including possible reasons for the decrease in quality-of-life scores a few years after surgery.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

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5 Anti-Aging Procedures Worth The Money

According to Shape Magazine the wrinkles on our skin suggest some of us have been folded a little too long. The aging process is sneaky. One day you’re a fresh-faced teenager who forgot to apply sunscreen during a long weekend at the beach and the next, you’re looking back at a reflection that reveals years of sun damage and general wear and tear. You can’t stop the clock, but, thanks to plastic surgery, you can certainly keep it at bay and look as young as you feel. If you’re interested in plastic surgery, here are five procedures that are worth the investment.

Facelift – As the face ages, elasticity and muscle tone are lost, creating sagging skin, jowls, creases from the nose to the mouth, and even the dreaded double chin. A facelift (rhytidectomy) improves these conditions by repositioning and trimming away excess skin. The underlying foundation of connective tissue is tightened as well to produce a naturally lifted look. Incisions are typically made at the temples, ear and lower scalp. Your plastic surgeon may suggest a neck lift procedure in conjunction with the facelift. This is recommended because it improves sagging skin and wrinkles at the chin and neckline.

Eyelid Surgery – They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but as the years go by, those windows are going to need a little TLC. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can be performed on the upper eyelid, lower, or both, depending upon your desired outcome.  Eyelid surgery can improve droopy upper eyelids, sagging lower eyelids, and in general, create a more well-rested and alert appearance.  

Browlift – Also called a forehead lift, this procedure aims to correct a droopy brow line and helps to smooth creases in the skin that often make a person look worried or angry. Incisions are well hidden in the frontal hairline. When complete, the browlift helps to achieve an overall smooth appearance of the face, particularly when combined with blepharoplasty of the eyelids.

Lip Augmentation – Ladies, think plump, healthy, robust lips. The lips of your youth, not the lips of a certain former soap opera star. To achieve a full, natural look, your plastic surgeon may use a safe injectable filler (popular brands like Juvederm or Restylane), or choose to use your own fat, harvested from the thighs or buttocks.

Facial Implants – Sophia Loren may have been blessed with the high cheek bones of a model well in to her retirement years, but the rest of us probably won’t be so lucky. Thankfully, chin, cheek and jaw implants can be used to create a smooth contour and improve a recessed chin or flattened cheek area.

Together, you and your surgeon will determine the type of procedures needed to achieve your desired results. As with any procedure, prices will vary and insurance does not cover the cost - so do your homework, get referrals, and always choose a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Call 954.585.3800 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Don't have time to visit us at the office? We offer Skype meetings with our Board Certified Plastic Surgeons. 

Source: www.shape.com 

Check out this Review for Dr. Christopher Low!

Dear Dr. Low,

It is so rare to find a doctor that truly cares! I can't thank you enough for all your help through my procedure and recovery! I have never had a doctor who personally called or texted to check on me. Needless to say give up a Sunday to git me in!
What more can I say. You have exceeded my expectation as a surgeon/doctor. I just wish I found you the first go around!

Thank you for Everything!

Happy New Year!

To the Best Doctor Ever! (Trust me I have had Several)

Thanks,
Michelle


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The Human Face 100,000 Years From Now

Have you ever wondered what the human face might look like 100,000 years from now? Probably not, but scientists have already started to develop images of what our faces might look like. We sure have changed since the Stone Age where our prehistoric ancestors were mirrored cavemen. We have come a long way from then and scientists predict we will come further from where we are today.

Dr. Alan Kwan, who holds a PhD in computational genomics from Washington University in St. Louis believes ‘the fate of the human face will be increasingly determined by human tastes’.  He believes our eyes will grow 'unnervingly large' as the human race colonizes the solar system and people start living in the dimmer environments of colonies further away from the sun. Our eyes aren’t the only thing predicted to change; our skin will also become more pigmented to help alleviate the damage by harmful UV radiation outside of the earth’s protective ozone.

Dr. Kwan also predicts that people will have thicker eyelids and a more pronounced superciliary arch (the smooth, frontal bone of the skull under the brow), to deal with the effects of low gravity. The truth is none of us will ever know what humans will look like then or if the human race will survive that long but it’s funny to envision ourselves looking like this.

Images are by Artist and Researcher Nickolay Lamm.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2337804/Huge-foreheads-flat-faces-saucer-like-eyes-How-human-face-look-100-000-years.html#ixzz2nrNS3Ubf

Free Dysport at Take Shape Plastic Surgery

Take Shape Plastic Surgery in Fort Lauderdale, is proud to announce that we will be offering 3 FREE Area's of Botox to anyone who purchases 2 vials of Sculptra.

This is just another way Take Shape wants to give back to our patients this Holiday Season.

Happy Holidays Everyone!