Tag Archives: dermatologist

Pros and Cons of Mole Surgery

If you have a lot of large moles in areas of your skin that you do not want to treat yourself, you may opt for mole surgery. There are pros and cons with the various types of mole surgery, which we will cover here.

Excision – this type of mole surgery involves freezing the affected area, then cutting the mole out with a scalpel. Afterward, if required, stitches are added and you may be given some pain medication, depending on the results. this type of mole surgery can leave a scar.

Laser surgery – this is a mole surgery that is generally performed by a dermatologist. the doctor will numb the surrounding skin with a local anesthetic, and then begin the treatment. It seems that many moles recur after this type of treatment, because not all of the skin cells below the surface of the skin are reached and destroyed. It can be painful, may leave a scar, and can take a full 2 weeks to heal. In addition to those points, this type of mole surgery can be very expensive.

Cryotherapy – this involves using liquid nitrogen to remove moles. of course, you can easily purchase mole removal treatments at your local drugstore; however, cryotherapy as a mole surgery involves a much more powerful compound than you can purchase over the counter. this method of removing moles can be very painful, cause scars and should not be used for treatment of moles on the face.

As you can see, the pros to all of these varieties of surgical options is the quick treatment and removal of moles. the cons are that most of these options involve leaving scarring, which many people do not want, especially on their face. Another drawback or con is that these surgical options can be very expensive, which is simply not an option for many people. the reason that there is an expense involved is that mole removal is considered a cosmetic procedure, so most health coverage does not pay for it. the one case where it would be covered is if the mole proved to be cancerous.

Pros and Cons of Mole Surgery

Top Cosmetic Procedures for Men: Laser Hair Removal

Cosmetic enhancements aren’t reserved just for women. These days, more and more men are seeking out cosmetic procedures to improve their self-esteem and body image. but what procedures are topping the list for male consumers?

According to American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), they’re reaping the benefits of a variety of non-surgical enhancements, especially laser hair removal for men.

“Men are great fans of low-maintenance grooming,” says Dr. Vince Bertucci, a Torontoarea dermatologist. “The appeal of laser hair removal is that it can free them from shaving or waxing and give them smooth, stubble-free skin. This translates to convenience, comfort, and time saved.”

Laser hair removal for men can be used to remove unwanted hair virtually anywhere on the body. It’s ideal for men who wish to thin out or completely eliminate hair from their back, chest, stomach, arms, shoulders or genital area.

Many men choose laser hair removal because it one of the few (other than electrolysis) hair removal techniques that can thin out, rather than completely remove unwanted body hair.

During a laser hair removal session, a practitioner uses a handheld device to apply laser energy to unwanted hair. The energy safely passes through the surface layer of the skin, destroying the hair shaft and root.

Treatments generally take about 30 minutes, and up to eight treatments may be needed to achieve optimal results. The final results of your laser hair removal may be more or less permanent. however, many patients do require regular maintenance treatments (about once per year) to achieve long-lasting results.

Are you interested in learning more about laser hair removal for men? Contact us!

Sources: Healthcare Global and WebMD

Top Cosmetic Procedures for Men: Laser Hair Removal

Surgical and Natural Mole Removal Price Comparison

Many people who promote natural mole and wart remedies talk endlessly about how much you can save if you use a DIY formula to eliminate unwanted benign growths. There’s no question that if you spend a few dollars (usually about $40) on a home remedy versus paying a plastic surgeon ($150 to $400) to remove a mole you’ll save a lot of money, especially if your healthcare insurance doesn’t cover elective or cosmetic surgery. but that’s a very small part of the issue because the potential problems of making a bad choice are not limited to having a scar.

Mole removal is a serious business because moles can be malignant (cancerous) without you knowing it. The danger of a deciding to remove a mole quickly without a doctor, is that you may read about how safe, effective and affordable the cream is and go out and buy it (or order it online) without first going to your dermatologist to have the moles examined or subjected to a biopsy. Because the home remedies are cheap and easy to use, you may say to yourself, I’ve had that mole forever and I doubt it’s cancerous. but are you sure? What if it’s not benign? You must be aware that the cells of a mole that are malignant, if attempted to be removed without a specialist’s knowledge, could cause the cells to re-grow and spread needlessly. It doesn’t matter how much you save on a mole removal treatment if you unwittingly cause cancerous cells to reproduce.

Since surgical mole removal price ranges can go up as high as $400, I’m not suggesting you must have a plastic surgeon do the job. In fact cheap natural mole removal kits can be a good alternative. There’s just one condition: You absolutely must have your moles or skin tags checked by a physician first, then if they’re benign, go ahead and choose the cheaper route.

Surgical and Natural Mole Removal Price Comparison

Botoxing For 10 Years

Vancouver, B.C., ophthalmologist Jean Carruthers got the first inkling of the power of Botox in 1987, when a patient being treated for facial muscle spasms complained Carruthers had missed a spot.

“It’s just every time you treat me there, I get this beautiful, untroubled expression,” the woman said. and a bell went off in Carruthers’ head.Married to a dermatologist, Carruthers, whose specialty was oculoplastic surgery, knew “frown lines” between the eyebrows were tough to treat. what if Botox could be used on them?That simple question propelled the couple through several years of experiments and investigation, then, 10 years ago this week, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Botox for treating frown lines.

Over the course of that decade, botulinum toxin, as it is technically called, has profoundly changed the work of dermatologists and plastic surgeons, and broadly expanded the use of cosmetic procedures by the general public.“It’s really skyrocketed our practices,” says Susan Weinkle, president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. “It’s what brings many patients into the office. Once a patient is in, you have the opportunity to tell them the breadth of what else is available, which they might not otherwise know about.”$1.8 billion this year and countingWhat was a $90 million-a-year business in 1997, treating people with crossed eyes, excessive blinking and neck muscle disorders, is projected to hit $1.8 billion by the end of this year. and that may be just the beginning. Botox manufacturer Allergan Inc. of Irvine, Calif., recently received FDA approval to treat chronic migraines and urinary incontinence, and is working to get approval to treat other bladder issues. the company also is beginning to study Botox for arthritis pain in the knee, says Allergan president David E.I. Pyott.

Botox word to the wise

Getting botulinum toxin treatments “is not something I think (people) should be impulsive about,” says Malcolm Roth, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. he and others recommend that patients:

Experience matters: get the shot delivered by a doctor who has performed hundreds of such procedures.

Men vs. women: look for someone who has knowledge of facial anatomy and an understanding of facial aesthetics, several plastic surgeons and dermatologists recommended. Different people require different amounts of the drug, with men generally needing more than women.

Keep it fresh: ask the nurse or doctor to mix up the solution immediately before the injection to insure freshness. Botox is delivered in powdered form and once water is added it must remain refrigerated and stays fresh for only about a day.

Botox is technically a neurotoxin, a killer of nerve cells, but in very small doses it merely blocks muscles from receiving messages from the nervous system. This is tremendously helpful in medical cases where muscles are overactive, such as crossed eyes and certain muscle disorders. Immobilizing certain facial muscles prevents frowning and minimizes crow’s-feet at the outer corner of eyes.

Botox, injected 5.6 million times last year, now has competition from two other, similar products,

Dysport and Xeomin, but it has become the Kleenex of the field — the brand name so familiar that people think it is the generic term.

For both good and bad, Botox’s effects wear off in three to six months. That means frown lines need to be treated a few times a year — which is good for its manufacturer, and for doctors who charge a few hundred to $1,000 a treatment, depending on the work done. It also means any shots delivered to the wrong place, or muscles deadened a little too much, won’t last long.Although it is made from one of deadliest known toxins, there are no significant long-term safety risks from Botox, which has now been injected millions of times, says Mathew Avram, director of the dermatology laser and cosmetic center at Massachusetts General Hospital.“Botox truly stands out as a safe and effective treatment that has revolutionized the way we can achieve facial rejuvenation,” says Avram, who adds he receives no funding from Allergan.the Carrutherses, who also say they receive no funding from Allergan, never cashed in on their discovery because Allergan already held the patent on Botox.Beware the bad outcomesAlthough dentists, emergency room doctors, gynecologists and others offer Botox shots now, dermatologists and plastic surgeons say their specialties are best trained to deliver the shots.

Signs of bad use of Botox include visible ripples, shiny foreheads and the completely frozen look common among some celebrities.many people prefer botulinum toxin shots to plastic surgery because the shots are more affordable, nearly painless and do not require patients to miss work, says Malcolm Roth, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. and yes, people have continued to get their Botox during the economic downturn, Roth says.

Today, the Carrutherses still believe strongly in the product they first tested on Alastair Carruthers’ assistant, Cathy Bickerton Swan, whose prominent frown lines were wiped away by Botox injections. and Jean Carruthers, who is now in her 60s, says she swears by Botox herself. “I’ve gone around saying I haven’t frowned since 1987.”

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 10th, 2012 at 12:05 am and is filed under Uncategorized. you can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. you can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Botoxing For 10 Years

How to Get Rid of Moles – Why Laser Surgery Might Not Be Your Best Choice to Remove Your Moles?

After reading through the possibilities of how to get rid of moles using natural methods in the Internet, I actually found another method – the Laser Method. I never tried this method before personally because this does not suit me.

Last April, my boss came in the office with a dazzling smile, showing us his new, polished face. his BIG mole on his right cheek is gone I desperately asked him how did he do that and he told me he went for a laser. then, he gave me a name card of the dermatologist that conducted the laser surgery.

I went for a consultation last June with this dermatologist in my town (she is a specialist, the only one in town actually, that’s why she is so popular). after some diagnosis, she told me that Laser Mole Removal will not work on me because my moles are protruding moles and laser method cannot penetrate deep enough to remove it.

On the spot, I told her. Hey, doctor, I’m paying you money just to remove these tiny moles, I thought Laser is very powerful, and now you are telling me that my moles cannot be removed. are you kidding me? (I think she is jealous of me because I’m going to be extremely handsome after the moles removal) I’m very frustrated at that moment, what MOLES on earth am I having, that cannot even be removed by the powerful laser method??? Why why why, why don’t these moles grow on my boss’ face but on my face? he is ugly and fat, 2 more moles on his face will not hurt him.

BUT Wait a minute, why the moles on my boss’ face can be removed but mine can’t?

She replied, with current technology, Laser method can only remove flat moles and pin size moles. Moles that are protruding out and large moles cannot be removed completely and will leave scars. because large moles require longer time, the patients will feel very pain, and the risk of getting infection will be higher. besides, it will require more sessions to remove those moles (each session is around $50 $100), which is a waste of money (my boss is rich, not a big deal for him).

In conclusion, when it comes to how to get rid of moles, you should consider following :

i) are you rich and willing to pay $50 to remove a mole? not to say that you might need more than 1 session to remove your mole.
ii) what kind of moles you have?
iii) are you willing to take the risk of getting scars?

I think I will just stick to natural methods on how to get rid of moles, which are safer and more reliable.

How to Get Rid of Moles – Why Laser Surgery Might Not Be Your Best Choice to Remove Your Moles?

All About Cosmetic Mole Removal

Laser surgery is the best way to go about cosmetic mole removal. this method is done when a mole interferes with a person’s life. if you have a mole on your face or other prominent area that is troubling you, you can have it surgically removed with laser surgery. this is usually done in the office of a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. it is usually painless and the mole will be gone.

If you have a flat mole that is troubling you and you want to try to fade it, you can try to use a bleaching cream to lighten it up. this may work to not remove the mole, as the mole is imbedded in the skin, but it will at least fade the mole so that it is not as noticeable. For the most part, to completely get rid of the mole you are better off to see a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist.

The younger you are when you get the mole removed, the less of a scar there will be when you get older. at first, there may be a slight lightening of the skin during cosmetic mole removal, but it will fade over time. many people feel that it is better to cover up a small white discoloration than the mole, especially if the mole is very large.

Most cosmetic mole surgery is performed on children who have rather disfiguring moles that are on their face. as you can imagine, this can hamper their self esteem and make them feel as though they do not want to go out of the house. Parents may feel that their children will be teased by other kids if they have a disfiguring mole on the face. For this reason, cosmetic mole removal is often performed. the as the child gets older, the area where the mole was once located will gradually fade so that the area is hardly noticeable. as he child grows into an adult, it may not be noticeable at all. this depends on the size of the mole, how deep it was imbedded into the skin and how it was removed. in order to minimize any scarring at all, laser surgery is usually performed to for cosmetic mole removal.

Cosmetic mole removal is done purely for cosmetic purposes. in most cases, people are born with these moles that end up hampering their appearance. Moles on other parts of the body, unless they are very noticeable, are often left alone.

All About Cosmetic Mole Removal

Skincare Secrets From the Stars for 2011

When we see celebrities at award shows, on the TV and in magazines, we look at their hair, body and skin and admire or scrutinise their appearance. some celebrities consistently look flawless, whereas others make huge fashion faux-pas or make-up errors. So what are their skincare secrets for 2011?

HalleBerry admits to using fruit acid cleansers to exfoliate the skin twice a day. if you decided to do this, you would need to moisturise thoroughly to avoid drying the skin out. Shannon Elizabeth and Cheryl Cole both swear by cocoa butter and by the looks of their glowing bodies, it must be doing the trick a great tip from the Black Eyed Peas, female singer, Fergie, is when you break-out to use toothpaste on the spot over-night; she says it always works for her

Charlize Theron’s dermatologist states how important cleansing the skin is before everything else, she said: I cannot recommend good skin cleansing highly enough. Cleansing the skin is the most important daily hygiene step but also acts as a great facial exercise for revitalisation and creates a luminous canvas that will drink up the many benefits of your skin care products.

One of the simplest tips for beautiful skin at the lowest cost for 2011 is drinking plenty of water It seems like the most obvious trick in the book; however you will see the difference within days by drinking 8 glasses per day. your skin will benefit from looking brighter, replenished and will receive make-up much better. Coleen Rooney always makes sure she is properly hydrated.

Mineral make-up contains zinc and SPF to protect your face against the sun’s harmful rays, Jodie Kidd layers the mineral make-up on to create a natural look whilst protecting her skin at the same time. Making sure you get enough sleep is another tip that costs nothing for saving money in 2011, at least 8 hours at night helps reduce dark-circles and puffiness around the eyes.

If you fancy something that will make an instant difference in 2011, celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Cindy Crawford, Jennifer Anniston, Courtney Cox and Kylie Minogue, have all openly admitted to using Botox as the solution to looking their best. It is now the number one anti-ageing treatment in the world, not just for women, as men across the country are starting to see the benefits of having a Botox treatment. Botox is not a secret, but you can make it one as the procedure is quick and easy so you can continue with your usual routine after the treatment.

The results are noticeable as you will feel like an ‘A-lister’, but now you can get the treatments at non A-list prices. As Christmas is coming, now is the perfect time to solve your anti-wrinkle problems. according to dermatologist Tina Alster of Washington D. C., Botox remains the gold standard for treating crows’ lines and wrinkles. why let your favourite celebrities get one step ahead, book your free consultation today.

Skincare Secrets From the Stars for 2011

Mole Removal Surgery – Various Types That You Should Know to Remove Mole

Mole removal surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis. you normally will get this option available in the office of your dermatologist, although many people who are getting moles removed for cosmetic reasons will go to a plastic surgeon. there are various types of mole removal surgery. you can have the mole removed with a punch biopsy, which is similar to a cylinder type device that removes the mole and leaves a slight, round, white scar.

Cutting out the mole is one way for mole removal surgery. the other way to remove a mole involves lasers. If a mole has been determined to be not a threat and is interfering with someone’s life to the point where they want the mole removed, or if the mole is a typical and the dermatologist wants to remove the mole with the minimal scarring, they will remove it using laser mole removal surgery.

Mole removal surgery is not painful and if you opt for laser removal, it will leave a minimal scar. someone who has a mole that looks atypical does not necessarily have skin cancer, but the doctor may suggest removing the mole before it can turn into skin cancer. It usually takes a number of years for skin cancer to develop in a mole. If a doctor suggest mole removal surgery, you should ask about your choices.

If the mole is in an area that is not noticeable, you may choose the simple punch biopsy surgery. this is easy and relatively painless. It takes about 10 minutes and is done right in the office of the dermatologist and costs much less than laser mole removal surgery.

If the mole is on your face and is impeding your lifestyle, causing you discomfort or looks a typical, then you may choose laser mole removal surgery. this generally costs more and, in some cases, you may be referred to a plastic surgeon who will remove the mole using lasers. It leaves less of a scar. Many people who are born with large moles in areas that are noticeable will want to get these moles removed through laser mole removal surgery. In many cases, insurance will cover part of the mole removal.

Just about everyone has moles. Most of them are harmless, but as we get older, any change in these moles will be observed. the American Cancer Society suggests that we have our skin examined for suspicious moles beginning at the age of 30. Skin cancer is one of the few cancers that is on the rise and is no longer just affecting elderly people.

Mole Removal Surgery – Various Types That You Should Know to Remove Mole

Cosmetic Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon: Is There a Difference?

Cosmetic dermatology, cosmetic surgery and dermatology are three terms that are normally used interchangeably. True, most practitioners fall within a branch of medical science called general dermatology, but the difference lies in their specialization. General dermatology is four-year specialization course that doctors of medicine may study to become a dermatologist. Dermatologist may pursue further sub-specialization in cosmetic dermatology and/or cosmetic surgery to focus more on maintenance, restoration and improvement of the appearance of the skin and the physical features of the human body.

To become a dermatologist a medical degree (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) is required. a one year internship in general surgery or other broad-based clinical training and three years of dermatology residency are part of the requirements to become one. After satisfying these requirements they have to pass the written and practical skill test given by the American Board of Dermatologists for certification. the test is re-taken every 10 years to maintain the certification’s validity. Additional sub-specialization though fellowship program are available to certified dermatologist.

Cosmetic surgery is a sub-specialization of cosmetic dermatology that dermatologist can pursue. in most cases, cosmetic surgeons are dermatologists; however, cosmetic surgery is also a specialized program of plastic surgery which can be taken by doctors who are through with their three-year general surgery residency. this is the reason why cosmetic surgeons are not necessarily dermatologists.

Although most of the general surgeons specializing in plastic surgery normally focus on restorative procedures (functional surgery), there are some that also practice cosmetic surgery (aesthetic surgery). Cosmetic surgeons need to pass the National Board Exam for Plastic surgeons before they can apply for certification from their specific State.

Cosmetic dermatology on the other hand is a sub- specialization open only to dermatologist. Cosmetic dermatologists are also called dermasurgeons. They may undergo special training on laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, dermal fillers, chemical peels, tissue augmentation, facial liposuction and sclerotherapy.

The American Board of Dermatology prescribes the requirement on the time and courses that must be satisfied for them to become a specialist on a certain field. once they pass the requirements, they are eligible to become member of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, and be a full pledge dermasurgeon.

Dermatologist can go for different sub-specialization such as dermatopathology, imunodermatology, phototherapy, etc. but the most popular is cosmetic dermatology. That is why, the titles cosmetic surgeon, cosmetic dermatologist and dermatologist is sometimes difficult to differentiate. One sure way of knowing which is which, is by checking on their certifications.

Cosmetic surgery procedures such as liposuction, blepharoplasty, breast implant and removal, and so on may be done by cosmetic dermatologist and plastic surgeon for as long as they have the proper training and certification from the state board. some of the less invasive procedures on botox, filler and laser surgery can be performed by general dermatologist. These procedures are included in their training. Certifications for specific procedures are being issued by the American Board of Dermatology, and for as long as they have these certifications then you can be sure that they are experts in that particular field.

Cosmetic Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon: Is There a Difference?

The Difference Between Cosmetic, Medical, and Surgical Dermatology

In the broadest sense, dermatology is the study and treatment of skin. However, not all dermatologists specialize in the same areas, nor do patients all need to go to a general dermatologist for the best results. the three major types of dermatology are considered to be cosmetic dermatology, medical dermatology and surgical dermatology. this article will seek to define each of the three types and explain what kind of work each type of dermatologist might practice every day.

Cosmetic Dermatology: this type of dermatology deals primarily with the aesthetic side of skin. rather than delving into skin care for medical reasons like skin cancer or rashes, cosmetic dermatologists are focused on how the skin looks. Patients often go to cosmetic dermatologists to get rid of unsightly blemishes, uneven skin tone or anti aging remedies. Generally, these procedures are not covered by average health insurance policies as they are not medically necessary. However, for many people seeing a cosmetic dermatologist can greatly increase their quality of life.

Medical Dermatology: this branch of dermatology is perhaps the opposite of cosmetic dermatology. While appearance may play a small role in the field of study, the primary reasons to go to a dermatologist are because of medical conditions which manifest themselves in the skin, such as skin cancer or lupus. Medical dermatologists may also deal with patients who have rosacea, sun damage, painful rashes and more. Because this type of dermatologist treats valid medical problems, health insurance should cover the majority of costs for patients. it is often recommended for people to visit a medical dermatologist regularly even if there are no obvious problems in order to check for increased risks of skin cancer.

Surgical Dermatology: Just as the name implies, surgical dermatology refers to the treatment of skin conditions through the use of surgical methods. in some cases the surgery may be entirely for cosmetic purposes, and so it will overlap with cosmetic dermatology. this applies to surgeries like facelifts or hairline restructuring, which can be performed in some cases by dermatologists rather than plastic surgeons. it is much more common, however, for surgical dermatology to refer to the treatment of skin cancer through Mohs surgery. Mohs is a recent surgical development that can treat skin cancer with very high success rates, and requires a dermatologist to be specially trained in the technology.

Although cosmetic dermatology, medical dermatology and surgical dermatology are all distinct, different practices, they often overlap in treatment. a woman who visits her dermatologist for treatment for a painful rash, for examples, might need both medical and cosmetic help to reduce the pain and eliminate the unsightly skin condition at the same time.

The Difference Between Cosmetic, Medical, and Surgical Dermatology