Monthly Archives: June 2014

Laser Treatments for Spider veins

Laser Treatment for Spider Veins Keeps Summer Skin Spectacular

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If you’ve admired celebrities in the latest swimwear, you are likely to have noticed something they have in common — great-looking skin! Sure, at first glance, you probably checked out your favorite celebs’ super-hot bods. But celebrities share another beauty trait, namely having beautiful, even, radiant skin tone that keeps them looking amazing in the scantiest of swimwear.

Treatment for spider veins and broken blood vessels can help make your skin look clear, beautiful, evenly toned, and young.

 Laser Treatments for Spider veins

What are spider veins?

Spider veins (or capillaries) are the small, red and blue veins just beneath the surface of skin. They often are visible on the face, chest (or décolletage), legs, and feet beneath the anklebone. In most cases, spider veins only cover small areas; but when they spread, spider veins can make skin look blotchy, reddish, and bluish. In some cases, spider veins look like a permanent bruise.

Spider veins result from weak and damaged valves in blood vessels. The damaged valves allow blood to flow backward in the vessel, a process that puts extra pressure on the vessel. Over time, the extra pressure enlarges the little veins (or capillaries) and they burst. The tiny broken veins spread out just under the skin, often looking like a spider’s web.

Spider veins are very common. In fact, most people have spider veins somewhere on the body by the time they are in their 30s. People of all skin types can have spider veins.

Spider veins can result from:

  • Age
  • Being overweight and obese
  • Crossing or bending the legs for long periods
  • Genetic predisposition for varicose veins
  • Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause
  • Medications, including birth control pills that cause hormonal changes
  • Sitting or standing too long
  • Sun exposure, especially on the face

Treating Spider Veins

The latest laser therapy techniques allow plastic surgeons to direct laser light through the skin and target spider veins. The laser-light treatment heats vein tissue and makes it swell similar to the way skin swells from a sunburn. The swollen vein walls then stick together and close off, stopping the flow of blood through the vein. Without bloodflow to keep the tissue alive, the vein dies, turns to scar tissue, and begins to fade away.

Laser spider vein treatment is typically relatively quick — 15 to 20 minutes. It can be administered in the office. Many people have 2 to 5 treatments to completely remove spider veins in the legs.

Not all skin types are appropriate for laser spider vein treatment; but a Surgeon Network expert can tell you which therapy is best for treating your spider veins.

Sclerotherapy is another treatment that also can help eliminate spider veins. Sclerotherapy involves injecting spider veins with a chemical. Just like with laser therapy, the chemical causes the tissue of the vein to swell. The walls of the vein then stick together, sealing the vein shut so that blood cannot flow through it. Without blood, the vein soon turns into scar tissue and fades away.

After Spider Vein Treatment 


If you have sclerotherapy to treat your spider veins, you might experience mild stinging, redness, raised patches of skin, or bruises. Each of these symptoms are temporary and usually resolve within only days. Some people also get spots or brown lines in the treated area, but the spots or lines also will disappear relatively quickly. Once you have completely healed from your laser spider vein treatment, your skin tone will appear even and clear and you can enjoy a more youthful appearance to the skin on your face, chest, legs, and feet.

Surgeon Network physicians are adept at laser treatment for spider veins.

Talk with a Surgeon Network expert today and find out how spider vein treatment
can give you clear, radiant, young-looking skin.

Injectable Treatments

Botox Cosmetic: A Safe, Proven Way to Smooth Wrinkles

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In recent entertainment news, actress Nicole Kidman says she would choose love over her career. But while admirers of her beauty and talent might understand her position on affairs of the heart, we’d miss her presence in the spotlight. Among other things, celebrity watchers would miss being inspired by Ms. Kidman’s fashion choices as well as the way she keeps herself looking beautiful and young despite her 46 years.

How does Nicole Kidman keep herself looking so good? It’s likely she’s exercising, eating right, and getting the sleep she needs. But odds are she’s doing a few cosmetic tweaks, including using Botox Cosmetic®, to preserve her beauty.

You might have heard about Botox Cosmetic. But do you know its many benefits?

Injectable Treatments

What is Botox Cosmetic?

Botox is a safe, well-researched, FDA-approved, and often-used substance that can be injected into the skin to target wrinkles. It has been used since 1989 to treat certain medical conditions such as migraines and chronic muscle spasms. As a cosmetic beauty treatment, Botox has been used since 2002 to eliminate, minimize, and prevent lines on the forehead, around the eyes, and around the mouth.

Botox was the number one nonsurgical cosmetic procedure for women and men in the United States in 2013.

Because Botox involves only minimally invasive techniques, it is the perfect alternative to more involved cosmetic procedures that require recovery time. In addition, Botox has few side effects compared with invasive procedures to smooth the skin.

You need no down time with Botox. After Botox injections, you can leave your doctor’s office and immediately return to your normal activities. You might experience temporary minor redness, bruising, swelling, and pain at the injection site, but most people suggest their Botox treatment has no noticeable side effects.

You will begin seeing improvements in your skin within a few days of Botox treatment. But the full, beautiful results of your treatment take about 10 to 14 days.

Botox Cosmetic is a safe, effective way to eliminate, minimize, prevent, and smooth:

  • Frown lines and wrinkles (the number 11) between the eyebrows that can make you look tired and grumpy
  • Horizontal frown lines on the forehead
  • Wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet)
  • Lines at the side of the mouth (marionette lines)
  • Vertical lines around the lips (smoker’s lines)

How Does Botox Work?

When muscles under the skin on your face contract, the skin folds together. Over time and after many muscle contractions, the folds become permanent (wrinkles). Botox blocks the nerve impulses that cause your muscles to contract. By keeping the muscles still, wrinkles stop forming and eventually skin in the treated area begins to smooth out. The less severe or deep the wrinkle, the more likely it is your skin will smooth completely. That’s why it’s good to start getting Botox before areas on your face develop deep wrinkles. To prevent time from leaving its mark on the face, some people as young as age 30 begin having Botox.

 Who Can Have Botox Cosmetic Treatment?

If you are age 30 years or more, in good health, would like to improve your appearance, and you are realistic about expectations of your results, you could be ideal for Botox treatment!

Ask a Surgeon Network physician experienced in Botox treatment how it can help you look and feel your best!

Results  with Botox can last from 3 to 4 months. To maintain outstanding results with Botox, you will need ongoing treatments. But some people find that after a year or more of Botox treatment, they need fewer treatments to maintain the effect they desire.

Find out about board-certified Surgeon Network physicians who offer treatment with Botox Cosmetic.

Women who would like to become pregnant or are pregnant or nursing, people who have serious medical problems, and those taking blood-thinning medication such as aspirin should not have Botox. Although there are no studies that show Botox is unsafe in this group of people, it’s always best to wait until after pregnancy and nursing to have Botox treatment. If you take blood-thinning medication such as aspirin and you are otherwise healthy and a good candidate for Botox, you should stop taking aspirin 1 week before your Botox injection.

Rhinoplasty: Nose Reshaping

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According to online celebrity news, Ashlee Simpson will soon be tying the knot with Evan Ross in a ceremony that is sure to be unlike any other. Clearly a young star who’s accustomed to thinking for herself, Ms. Simpson had nose reshaping surgery (rhinoplasty) to improve her appearance in 2006. The result? A gorgeous, refined, feminine nose that fits her beautiful face and enhances her overall look.

A beautiful nose can transform your face from ordinary to extraordinary.

A beautiful nose can transform your face from ordinary to extraordinary.

Nose reshaping surgery or rhinoplasty is among the most common cosmetic procedures to sculpt and refine the nose, including:

  • Reshaping the tip or bridge
  • Narrowing the the nose
  • Shorting the nose
  • Reducing the size of the nostrils
  • Reducing or eliminating a bump on the bridge of the nose
  • Enlarging a nose to balance it with facial features
  • Changing the angle between the nose and upper lip
  • Correcting birth defects or injuries that affect the appearance and function of the nose
  • Correcting a deviated septum to improve breathing

Rhinoplasty can be combined with other facial procedures, including chin implant, brow lift, and / or face lift to create a balanced, even, and beautiful face.

The extent of nose reshaping surgery depends on your desires as well as the complexity of the procedure. For example, some people want to minimize the bump on the bridge of their nose, whereas others might want to reduce the overall size of the nose, reshape it, and correct problems that affect breathing.

Rhinoplasty results can be dramatic or subtle. But skilled plastic surgeons are adept at creating a nose that is balanced with all the facial features. To achieve this goal, they consider the structure of nasal bones and cartilage as well as the shape of the face, skin type, and age when developing a nose-reshaping plan. After examining the nose, chin, and face, the plastic surgeon will take pictures of from many angles. He or she will then show computer images of the face and new nose.

Just as no two faces are alike, no two noses are the same! Rhinoplasty is a highly individual procedure, that requires the expertise of a highly skilled plastic surgeon.

How Long Does Nose Reshaping Take?

Most nose reshaping surgeries take 1 to 2 hours, and patients go home the same day they have the surgery. In most cases, incisions for rhinoplasty are very small and can be hidden inside the nose.

After Nose Surgery

Most patients suggest they experience some discomfort for a day or two after their rhinoplasty. Oral over-the-counter or prescription medications usually help relieve discomfort. Bruising usually lasts about a week. Although most noticeable swelling begins resolving after a week to 10 days, some swelling can last several months. Other people are unlikely to notice the swelling after a couple of weeks, but the final, beautiful results of your rhinoplasty will show after all the swelling has gone away.

About 10 days after your nose surgery, you should be able to return to normal activities such as work or school. Your surgeon will encourage you to avoid strenuous activities for approximately 4 or more weeks to help protect your nose while it is healing.

Once your nose has healed completely, you will enjoy the permanent effects of beautifully sculpted nose that is balanced with your face for an overall polished, sophisticated look.

Although most people have outstanding results with one surgery to reshape the nose, some people with more complex nasal concerns might need a second surgery to achieve a desired outcome.

If your nose surgery corrects breathing problems, insurance may cover the procedure.

Mommy Makeover

Mommy Makeover: You Can Be a Hot Mamma

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Entertainment headlines highlighted Jessica Simpson as “one hot mama!” After giving birth to her baby boy, Jessica looked as slim and sexy as ever in only a few months! What’s the secret of her and other celebrities’ amazing after-baby figures? A healthy diet and exercise is surely part of their success; but more than ever before celebrities and other new moms are enjoying the benefits of the mommy makeover to restore and maintain a youthful, hot body.

Being a Mom doesn’t mean giving up on your youthful appearance!

Although diet and exercise can help improve some damage from pregnancy and breast-feeding, few women enjoy the smooth, youthful shape they had before pregnancy. For these reasons, stay-at-home moms as well as many mothers who continue their careers seek cosmetic options to regain a vibrant, youthful, pre-pregnancy shape.

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Moms today are savvy, active, and hard-wired for success whether it’s at home, in the boardroom, in the community, in their personal lives, or a combination of some or all of their endeavors. They want to look every bit as fit, fabulous, and forward thinking as they feel and aspire to be. Having a fresh, smooth, svelte and young-looking chest, tummy, upper legs, and butt are among the physical features that help keep moms in whatever game interests them,  whatever game they choose.

But achieving physical goals for family, social, and business success often takes more than self-discipline with diet and exercise. Moms over 30 understand better than anyone that hitting the gym and saying no to extra calories isn’t a full-proof solution to some of the realities of aging and post-baby body changes.

Mommy Makeover Magic

What is a mommy makeover?  A mommy makeover is one of the most dramatic ways that women can help get their bodies back after childbirth. It’s a common cosmetic procedure to help tighten loose skin on the abdomen and breasts as well as restore other areas that have been stretched and permanently changed as a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

If you’ve had a baby, you know how pregnancy can stretch the skin on your breasts, stomach, and thighs, causing it to sag once you regain your pre-pregnancy weight. As happy as you might have been about being pregnant and as thrilled as you might be with your bouncing baby, you, like many women, can find the permanent changes in your body after pregnancy very disappointing. Some women suggest the post-pregnancy changes in their bodies make them feel older and leave them feeling less confident and less attractive.

A mommy makeover can include:

  • Breast augmentation to enlarge the breasts and restore tissue volume lost after pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Breast lift with or without implants to restore the breasts to the size, shape and position on the chest before pregnancy and gravity took their toll. A successful breast lift can leave your sagging breasts looking perky and younger
  • Breast reduction to resize, reshape, lift, and tighten overly large, sagging breasts for a firmer, more balanced look
  • Buttock surgery to lift and plump the buttocks for a youthful, firm appearance
  • Liposuction to remove unwanted fat from specific areas an beautify the contours of your abdomen, buttocks, hips, and thighs
  • Tummy tuck to remove extra fat and skin on the stomach and tighten the underlying muscle to restore its youthful appearance
  • Thigh lift and sculpting to remove excess fat from outside the thighs (saddle bags) and inside the thighs to trim and reshape the legs for a youthful appearance
  • Vaginal surgery to reduce the labia, correct outward irregularities of the vagina, and tighten and enhance the sensitivity of the vagina

Some women suggest their mommy makeover leaves them with a better body than ever before.

Top qualified plastic surgeons understand the importance of appearance for improving and maintaining self-esteem. They offer the latest Mommy Makeover techniques to restore an attractive body that can help you be your best. Each surgery is customized to meet the unique needs of your body.

Most mommy makeovers include two or more procedures to achieve an overall youthful, polished, and balanced appearance. Whether you choose one or several procedures to achieve your goals, a mommy makeover can mean the difference between being mom and one hot mamma!

Thigh Lift

Want Lovely Legs? Think Thigh Lift!

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Celebrity news suggests that Gravity star Sandra Bullock “is killing it on the red carpet this year.” Showing off her long, smooth, shapely legs at the British Film Institute Festival in London, the 50-year-old beauty proved that age and gravity aren’t detracting from her gorgeous gams. In fact, Ms. Bullock’s legs could arguably be the envy of many women much younger than she!

What elements make beautiful legs?

Today’s standard of beauty for legs includes muscular, strong-looking legs that suggest an active, healthy lifestyle. In addition, evenly balanced thighs and calves, having no varicose or spider veins, having even skin tone and texture, and having taut skin free of the signs of aging such as sagging and dimpling are key to beautiful, healthy-looking, and young-looking legs.

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Aging and gravity as well as gaining and losing weight can cause the skin of the inner and outer thighs to lose tone, dimple, and sag. Especially in women, fat tends to collect in the thighs with age. Even the most avid middle-aged and older exercisers know that weight loss and exercise don’t help tighten skin on the thighs. And many fit, slim, otherwise attractive people age 40+ have some sagging and dimpling, especially on the back and sides of the upper legs as well as the inner thighs.

Although liposuction can help improve the contour of the thighs, only a thigh lift (or thighplasty) can tighten your skin and leave you with beautiful, smooth, slender, younger-looking legs.

Thigh lift can restore your legs to an overall more slender and youthful appearance!

What is thigh lift?

Often combined with liposuction, thigh lift reshapes contours of the thighs by removing excess skin and fat on the upper legs for well-proportioned legs that are balanced with your overall physique. Thigh lift also is used to smooth, tighten, and firm skin tone on the upper legs.

Thigh lift surgery usually takes about 2 hours. It is performed under general anesthesia.

The length and location of incisions is based on the amount of tissue that must be removed, lifted, and tightened. A good plastic surgeon will minimize scars whenever possible for the most natural-looking results. Some incisions, for example, are made in the crease of the legs so that the scar is hidden.

Are you a candidate for thigh lift?

If you are in good health and relatively good shape but diet and exercise have not achieved your goals for great-looking legs, you are likely to be a good candidate for thigh lift!

Thigh lift is well-suited for men and women who have loose skin and/or excess fat in the inner and outer thighs. The best candidates for thigh lift have skin that still has good elasticity and can naturally conform to the new contours of the thighs. If your skin has lost much of its elasticity, your surgeon might recommend a combination of liposuction and thigh lift techniques to help you reach your goals.

If you are working to lose weight (10 or more pounds), however, you should wait to have thigh lift surgery after you are at a healthy weight for your height.

Thigh lift results

Immediately after thigh lift, you will have smoother, tighter contours on your upper legs. But it usually takes 6 or more weeks for all swelling and bruising to resolve and for your legs to take their final shape.

By maintaining a stable weight and exercising regularly, you can enjoy the outstanding and long-lasting results of thigh lift surgery. Natural effects of aging and gravity will eventually begin to loosen the skin on your thighs somewhat, but your thighs will always look better than they did before your thigh lift procedure!

Recovering from thigh lift surgery

Most people who have thigh lift go home 4 to 6 hours after their surgery. You will have some bruising, swelling, and soreness for up to a week after your thigh lift. Oral over-the-counter or prescription medications can help minimize your discomfort if you need them.

Your surgeon will ask you to avoid many activities, especially those that put pressure on and pull at your incisions, namely climbing stairs and squatting. During your follow-up visits, your surgeon will tell you when you can return to all your activities. People with jobs that require little activity often return to work within a week after having thigh lift surgery; but if your job requires you to stand, walk, and/or lift heavy objects, you should wait 3 to 6 weeks before returning to work. You should not engage in vigorous activities or aerobic exercises for at least 6 weeks.

If you would like beautiful, firm, younger-looking legs that are balanced with the rest of your physique, a surgical thigh lift may be right for you!