Last week we touched on Melanoma since we’re coming into summer months and skin damage from sun exposure is at it’s height. It’s important to reiterate that melanoma can be deadly, but is treatable with immediate diagnosis and early treatment. Part of immediate diagnosis is to do a regular self check. See the tips below.
1) UPPER BODY…Look into the mirror & examine the areas of the upper body that are exposed to the sun; head, scalp, face, neck, chest, torso, hands, nails, elbows, arms and underarms.
2) LOWER BODY… Sit down so it’s easier to check your legs, feet, soles, heels & toenails.
3) BACKSIDE… Using a hand mirror – inspect the back of the neck, shoulders, upper arms, back, buttocks & legs.
FOUR SPECIAL SKIN CONSIDERATIONS … Your care regimen will be different for a surgical procedure involving incisions that leave raw skin to heal, such as a face lift or blepharoplasty, versus a non invasive injectable procedure that causes significantly less injury to your skin. Whether your cosmetic procedure is invasive or non invasive, here are some tips to give your skin the best chance to heal:
1. Stay out of the sun. The fastest way to darken scars is to exposes them to the sun, so you’ll want to avoid direct sunlight all together.
2. Go the extra mile with pampering your skin. Use only mild, non- fragrance skincare… use it diligently even though you may not feel like taking the extra effort.
3. Drink lots of water. Hydrating your skin from the inside will help it along. Avoid dehydrating beverages, especially alcohol.
4. No picking, poking or prying at the recovery site. You need to give your wounds the best chance to heal. Disturbing the scabs could cause infection or scarring.
CARING FOR YOUR SKIN AFTER COSMETIC SURGERY… Taking special care of your skin in the first weeks after cosmetic surgery will help your results to last and minimize further damage that’ll age your skin. Your specific care regimen will be determined by which cosmetic procedure you have, but you can rest assured that I will guide you through the whole process from consultation to post procedure care.
Post surgery care is multi faceted. It involves:
• treating your wounds – you’ll receive detailed directions with a unique protocol for your procedure, but my recommendations usually include the herbal supplement Arnica Montana to reduce bruising and discoloration
• managing swelling – regular use of ice or cold compresses and elevation
• keeping up with everyday skin care – cleaning and moisturizing your skin will keep it from infection, break outs, and drying out. Be sure to use gentle, non comedogenic products.
• resting in between
I look forward to helping you in the rejuvenation process from beginning to end. To schedule your consultation, visit www.davinciplastic.com.
Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon
