March 24th, 2011
Wrinkle Removal with Facial Fillers in Del Mar, San Diego
Everyone likes to see results instantly. With many surgical procedures, the healing process takes time and the results of surgery cannot be enjoyed right away. The beauty of facial fillers is that the improvements can be seen immediately right in the doctor’s office. Fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse can be injected during an office visit that takes approximately 10 minutes. The most common areas for fillers are the lips and the nasal-labial folds (smile lines). They can also be used in the small wrinkles around the mouth and in conjunction with Botox in the frown lines.
Before and after image: Radiesse injection to the naso-labial folds (smile lines).
Most facial fillers are designed to last about 6 months to a year. It is highly recommended that a professional skin care program be followed as well to maximize the benefits of any cosmetic treatments. Consult with Dr. Pollack about which fillers are best for you.
Posted in Botox, Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Fillers, Frown Lines, Home, Juvederm, Liquid Facelift, Radiesse, Restylane | No Comments »
March 13th, 2011
Facial Fillers: Cosmetic “Spackle” so you can Sparkle!
I am often asked at parties and in the office: How can I get rid of these lines on my face without surgery? The answer usually is injectable fillers. Fillers are what they sound like – they “fill in” lines, scars, and creases like spackle does for your wall!
Years ago, the main filler was collagen, but it required an allergy test, and lasted only a few weeks. The most common fillers today are hyaluronic acid, found in Juvederm and Restylane, and hydroxyapatite, found in Radiesse. These have the advantages of not needing allergy testing, lasting 6-12 months, and producing instant results. I use Juvederm and Restylane for plumping the lips and treating fine lines around the mouth and eyes. I prefer Radiesse for deeper lines like the nasolabial fold, the smile creases between your nose and the corners of the mouth. For more permanent results, I use fat injections by harvesting your own fat and injecting it where it is needed.
We have done “Liquid Facelifts” in the office by combining these fillers around the mouth, cheeks, and forehead with BOTOX in the frown lines for a quick but effective facial rejuvenation.
For a free consultation and more information about dermal fillers, call Del Mar Plastic Surgery at 858-450-9100 or link to delmarplasticsurgery.com.
Posted in Botox, Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Fat Transfer, Fillers, Frown Lines, Home, Juvederm, Liquid Facelift, Radiesse, Restylane, Skin Care | No Comments »
January 18th, 2011
Natural Skin Care in Del Mar, San Diego
As the aesthetician for Dr. Larry Pollack at Del Mar Plastic Surgery, San Diego, I have a great amount of experience treating patients in the office. For 6 years, I have been working with patients to improve their skin by administering microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and various forms of luxurious facials. At home remedies can be an inexpensive and effective way to pamper yourself.
With the cold weather, our skin feels drier. Here is a great, simple home treatment using products you already have in your kitchen that will make your skin feel amazing. I do this on my own skin once a week during the winter months:
Mix 1 C brown sugar and ¼ C olive oil in a bowl. Take the mixture with you into the shower and wrap your hair in a towel. Gently massage the mixture all over your body. The brown sugar will gently exfoliate while the olive oil will hydrate your skin. I even use a small amount on my face and lips. Rinse off with warm water, and enjoy!
Optional Boost: In the morning, add 1 tsp peppermint extract. In the evening, add 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Make sure to always use sunscreen and come see me for regular skin care treatments!
Kristi
Posted in Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Home, Skin Care | No Comments »
November 29th, 2010
Cosmetic Surgery Financing, Del Mar
In the current economic climate, most of us don’t have extra cash reserves for the extra beauty treatments we would like to get. Finding ways to pay for cosmetic procedures is becoming more challenging. Thanks to innovative companies such as Care Credit, several options are available to help pay for surgery. Similar to a credit card, you can charge any procedures performed in the office to your account. This makes it convenient when stopping in for maintenance treatments such as Botox and Juvederm. Care Credit is accepted at thousands of medical practices, so it can be used to pay for other medical services as well. Several options for payment including no interest loans are available.
Rather than putting off the breast augmentation or tummy tuck you have been wanting to have, apply at www.carecredit.com and have your surgery today!
Kate
Posted in Botox, Breast Augmentation, Breast Revision, Earlobe Repair, Eyelid Lift, Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Fat Transfer, Fillers, Financing Options, Fraxel, Home, Laser Hair Removal, Liposuction, Mommy Makeover, Skin Cancer, Tummy Tuck | No Comments »
November 29th, 2010
Del Mar Fraxel
Now that summer is gone, it’s time to repair your skin. Even incidental sun exposure in the summer can cause significant UV damage to the skin, promoting blemishes, wrinkles, and dryness. The Fraxel laser is the latest CO2 laser technology that resurfaces and tightens the skin by vaporizing small columns of skin, encouraging collagen production and wrinkle repair.
The laser works by “fractionating”, or splitting, the laser beam into many smaller beams which then penetrate the skin and remove it. Imagine a pin cushion, with the skin now having thousands of tiny holes where skin used to be. Those holes then close, resulting in tighter skin and fewer wrinkles. At the same time, the “damage” to the skin initiates a normal and healthy skin response: collagen production. As we age, the amount of collagen in our skin decreases, causing wrinkling and sagging. After the Fraxel treatment, new collagen is formed, making the skin younger, fresher, and fuller, again helping to reduce or eliminate wrinkles and sagging. Finally, the Fraxel laser also eliminates irregular pigmentation and blemishes, leading to smoother color and skin tone.
The Fraxel laser treatment is done in the office with light oral sedation and local anesthesia. It takes about one hour. For the first 24 to 48 hours after, you need to gently cleanse the skin with a dilute vinegar solution and apply Aquaphor. Most patients do not need pain medication, and are ready to wear makeup in 5 to 7 days. The results continue to improve over 3 months.
Call our Del Mar Plastic Surgery office today to find out more, schedule a consultation, and hear about promotional prices.
Posted in Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Fraxel, Home | No Comments »
October 21st, 2010
Injectable Filler Discounts San Diego
For those of you who have never experienced our annual event, make sure you don’t miss out. Each year in November, we host a two day “party” with refreshments, champagne, gifts, and door prizes. All injectable fillers including Radiesse, Juvederm, Restylane and of course, Botox, are available by appointment at huge discounts. Our aesthetician, Kristi, offers microdermabrasion treatments for only $39.
These appointments fill up fast! This year’s event is November 9 and 10. Join us for the celebration and bring a friend! For additional information, please contact our office, 858-450-9100.
Kate
Posted in Botox, Facial Rejuvenation, Fillers, Home | No Comments »
October 16th, 2010
Move your tummy and hip fat to your breasts and face – The Age of Fat Transfer!
Transferring fat from one area of the body to another has been done for many years with variable success. Over the last 5 to 10 years, newer techniques for harvesting the fat, rinsing and preparing it, and then injecting it have been developed, making the procedure much more effective, predictable, and successful.
I’ve been doing fat transfer for a couple of years, mostly on breast reconstruction patients, to smooth out deformities that occur as a result of mastectomy. Using newer syringe liposuction techniques, with less pressure and smaller cannulae, more fat survives the suctioning process. The fat then has to be cleaned and prepared for injection, and I use the Cytori Puregraft filter system, which gently separates the healthy fat cells from other tissues. This nearly pure, healthy fat is then injected under minimum pressure using small cannulae, which are similar to large but dull needles. All this is done through tiny 2-3 millimeter incisions, or other incisions already there from other procedures.
Studies have shown that there are stem cells in fatty tissue, and these are transferred with the fat. They have been shown to improve skin quality, especially in patients who have had radiation or have significant sun damage or facial aging.
While implants are still the gold standard for breast augmentation, some women want only a small enlargement and don’t want an implant. To get a 1/2 to 1 cup size increase, fat injection can be ideal if you have enough fat elsewhere. (Most women believe they do!). The procedure takes about 1 hour, and there is considerable less discomfort than with standard implant breast augmentation. Anywhere from 50% to 80% of the transferred fat survives and is permanent. Clinical studies in Europe have demonstrated safety, and there appears to be NO increased risk of breast cancer.
For facial rejuvenation, either with a facelift, or by itself, fat is an excellent filler material. Since it is permanent and your own tissue, there is no risk of rejection. I have used fat injection for lip enhancement, nasolabial folds (lines between the nose and corner of the mouth), and frown lines. It is also helpful to enhance cheeks without having to use implants. And, as mentioned, the skin over the area of the fat injection looks better and younger.
Find out if fat transfer is for you. Call our office for a free consultation.
Del Mar Plastic Surgery serves the following communities: San Diego, Del Mar, La Jolla, Encinitas, Poway, Escondido, Vista, San Marcos and North San Diego County.
Posted in Breast Augmentation, Breast Revision, Eyelid Lift, Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Fat Transfer, Home, Liposuction, Mommy Makeover | No Comments »
October 13th, 2010
San Diego Eyelid Lift
The first signs of aging show in our eyes. It seems as though one morning we wake up and we just look older. Friends may start commenting on how tired we look even when we feel just fine. There are several approaches to refreshing the eyes—both surgical and non-surgical. Having a little Botox injected around the crow’s feet area (the lines radiating from the corners) will soften the area and help to refresh your look for about 3-4 months.
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a very common procedure that removes the excess skin and fat from the upper and/or lower lids. The surgery is very short (about an hour) and can be done under local anesthesia with sedation. Recovery is quick and fairly painless. Of course there is some bruising and swelling around the eyes for a few days, but most patients are out and about within a week.
Occasionally, the procedure is combined with brow lift or facelift surgery for those who are ready for a complete rejuvenation; however, blepharoplasty can be performed alone. It should be considered by patients who are looking for a subtle, refreshing change without too much downtime.
Dr. Pollack performs blepharoplasty surgery every week at the Sharp Outpatient Pavilion. Schedule your complimentary consultation today!
Kate
Posted in Eyelid Lift, Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Home | No Comments »
August 26th, 2010
Facial Rejuvenation San Diego
Despite one’s best efforts to prevent facial aging–doing regular skin care, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding excess sun exposure–time and gravity may ultimately take it’s toll. Years ago, facelift surgery was done mostly on women over 60, but over the last 20 years, more and more women in their 40′s and 50′s are also taking advantage of new, less invasive facial surgical procedures designed to refresh and repair.
Lately, some bad celebrity facelifts have made some people nervous about having the procedure. My philosophy is that facelifts should restore YOUR youthful look, not pull everything as tight as possible!
Facelift surgery is designed to reposition tissues that have sagged as a result of aging. The facial muscles are tightened, fat is repositioned to eliminate jowls and fill in the cheeks, and excess skin is removed. Short scar, quick recovery lifts are ideal for younger patients with early facial aging. More extensive surgery is required if the signs of aging are more advanced. In either case, the scars are placed for minimal visibility and heal extremely well. Very often, facelift is combined with an eyelid lift, also called blepharoplasty, as well as a browlift to completely rejuvenate the face. The latest trend is to include fat injection into the cheek, around the eyes, and into the lips to add volume and a more youthful appearance.
Facelift surgery takes between 2 and 6 hours depending on how much is done. It is an outpatient procedure, and most patients can return to work and social functions within 7 to 10 days. Regular exercise is allowed after 3 to 4 weeks.
Call us for a consultation, and we can tailor a procedure just for you.
Posted in Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Home | No Comments »
July 26th, 2010
San Diego Cosmetic Surgery
It always strikes me as odd when a patient comes to see us who has been wanting a procedure for several years but asks, “aren’t I too old to have this done?” By all means, the answer is no. If you are still healthy and active there is no reason to put off having a cosmetic procedure. While of course there are a good number of patients who choose to have surgery in their 20’s or 30’s, there are also many who seek to look and feel better well into their 70’s.
Take for instance “Jane” (name withheld). Jane is 61 years old and had a full tummy tuck 2 weeks ago. She is vibrant, healthy, and lives an active lifestyle travelling with her husband. At her post-op visit last week, when we walked in to see her, she said “I just can’t believe this is me!”
Dr. Pollack has performed surgery on patients of all ages. So if you have been contemplating making a change for a while, and your outer self doesn’t match your inner self, then you should consider coming in for a consultation. We just might surprise you with a new outlook on life!
Kate
Posted in Breast Augmentation, Breast Revision, Facial Rejuvenation, Fillers, Home, Liposuction, Mommy Makeover, Tummy Tuck | No Comments »
