Finger & Associates Plastic Surgery Center Blog

The Fraxel lasers are revolutionary non-invasive lasers for rejuvenation of the skin of the face, neck, chest, arms, hands, and more. This means tighter skin with dramatic reversal of age spots, melasma, wrinkles, acne spots, loose skin and other signs of aging. People of any color can be treated, and recovery time is minimal.

The Fraxel lasers vaporize tiny micro-holes in the skin with a patented “smart headpiece” that calculates the exact number of pre-set micro-hole needed for the task. Because normal skin is left between the micro-holes, the laser can penetrate much deeper than ordinary lasers, for a more permanent result, and with less much downtime. Think of these micro-holes as tissue being removed from the face, thus tightening or “shrinking” skin of the face. Treatments usually take about 20 to 30 minutes.

The two newest Fraxel lasers are:

Re:store – a medium depth erbium Fraxel laser for reduction of fine lines, pigmentation and age spots, acne scars, and other signs of aging. The skin is tightened as well. Three to four treatments are usually required. A topical anesthetic cream is used.

Re:pair - a CO2 Fraxel laser for deeper penetration into the deep dermis. In addition, the CO2 emits more heat, tightening the elastin and collagen fibers as well as vaporizing up to 20% of the skin of the face for impressive tightening. It is also very effective for reducing wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. One treatment is usually required, and recovery is about 3 days longer than the Re:store, according to the patient’s skin damage, goals and settings on the Fraxel.

Both of these Fraxel lasers are ideal in combination with injectable “inflators” such as Sculptra or as stand-alone procedures. Both problems of aging, loss of elasticity and deflation are addressed with the combination, and the results are often as dramatic as a face-lift.

The Fraxel lasers are the most advanced lasers for rejuvenation on the market.

For many years, cosmetic surgery was a very private affair. Some people would even wear disguises when visiting their plastic surgeon. Now it is very open, and even common in the male population.

The most common procedures in the male are liposuction of the “love-handles,” followed by face and eyelid procedures. Results are uniformly satisfactory. Of course, other procedures, such as nose jobs, chin implants, liposuction of the neck and elsewhere are also common-place.

Unknown to most people is the problem of gynecomastia, or oversized male breasts. I find that men truly hate having excess breast tissue. They can’t wear T-shirts and are often embarrassed, and the treatment is unknown to most people. Typically, this problem usually begins around puberty but usually goes away in the late teens. It also develops with weight gain and during andropause, the male menopause. This is because the enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen is more abundant. This is also why body builders who take large doses of anabolic steroids, forms of testosterone, get large breasts. Excess testosterone makes more estrogen, which stimulates formation of breasts tissue.

Regardless of the cause, the treatment is to remove the breast tissue. This is usually through a small incision at the bottom end of the nipple-areola complex, where there is a skin color change. In addition, liposuction is usually performed. These procedures must be individualized according to the gland/fat ratio, as the surgical excision removes the “core” breast tissue and the liposuction removes the fat. If a patient is significantly overweight, some skin may have to be removed as well, leaving scars which must be discussed with your plastic surgeon.

Recovery usually takes a few days requiring an Ace bandage around the chest. This procedure can be performed under general or local anesthesia.

The Fraxel lasers are revolutionary non-invasive lasers for rejuvenation of the skin of the face, neck, chest, arms, hands, and more. This means tighter skin with dramatic reversal of age spots, wrinkles, acne spots and other signs of aging. People of any color can be treated, and recovery time is minimal.

The Fraxel lasers vaporize tiny micro-holes in the skin with a patented “smart headpiece” that calculates the exact number of pre-set micro-hole needed for the task. Because normal skin is left between the micro-holes, the laser can penetrate much deeper than ordinary lasers, for a more permanent result, and with less much downtime. Think of these micro-holes as tissue being removed from the face, thus tightening or “shrinking” skin of the face.

What is best, a saline or silicone implant? Saline (salt water) implants do not feel as natural as silicone implants in cases without encapsulation. All encapsulated breast simply feel and look hard. In fact, silicone implants often feel exactly like real breast. However, saline implants have a slightly lower incidence of encapsulation, but wrinkles are much more noticeable with saline implants. In someone with a “B” cup or more there is enough beast tissue to hide such wrinkles. The new silicone implants are much hardier than before, and the silicone gel is “cohesive”, meaning that if ruptured, it doesn’t leak, but is more like jello. If there were a perfect implant or technique, there would only be one. Again, this is to be discussed with your plastic surgeon.

What is best, the implant behind or in front of the muscle? Both positions have advantages and disadvantages. In front of the muscle (called pre-pectoral or sub-glandular) can be more natural in appearance in someone with adequate breast tissue, and recovery is less painful. In someone with very small breasts, wrinkles can sometimes be seen around saline implants, and the implants may more like implants than a breast. Thus behind the muscle (sub-pectoral) is better for someone with minimal breast tissue. The risk of encapsulation (implant hardening) may be slightly less behind the muscle, which is good. It is usually your plastic surgeon’s choice after assessing your needs and desires, but you should have some input as well.