Category: Beautiful Skin Complexion

Spring brings with it a desire to refresh and renew. You can experience the vitality of Spring through your own facial rejuvenation with injectables. Here’s a little information about each injectable option we offer at our office:

BOTOX is a well known, FDA approved, safe injection using botulinum toxin type A. It halts muscle movement that is the cause of the wrinkles by blocking nerve signal to the muscles. When the muscles aren’t constricted, the lines are relaxed and the wrinkles are prevented from going deeper. Optimal results are seen within a week or 2, lasting for several months. Some of the most popular cosmetic uses for Botox are for smoothing:

• horizontal forehead creases
• vertical lines between the eyebrows (“eleven lines”)
• crow’s feet around the eyes
• nose furrows
• smoker’s lines around the lips

JUVEDERM is a volume restoring injectable filler that smooths out lines and folds using hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is a naturally occurring substance that attracts water to the area its injected. It is a highly cross linked smooth gel that is also offered in the Juvederm XC Ultra and XC Ultra Plus formulas, which are the first FDA approved HA fillers for all skin tones and color because of no risk for hyper pigmentation. Juvederm results are instant with long lasting results for 6 months and up. It is perfect for many needs of the mid to lower face:

• fill lines on the side of your nose (nasolabial folds)
• rejuvenate creases on the sides of the mouth
• plump up lips

RADIESSE is a semi permanent filler that creates scaffolding for your own collagen to grow around, naturally rebuilding in a lasting way. This gives immediate and ongoing wrinkle reducing results that remain beyond when Radiesse breaks down and dissolves. It uses calcium based microspheres to rebuild your skin’s foundation with results that last a year or longer for rejuvenated:

• cheeks
• nasolabial folds
• smile lines

SCULPTRA is the longest lasting filler, proven to last up to 2 years or longer. This is nearly twice as long as the majority of hyaluronic fillers. It is composed of PLLA, poly L lactic acid, that stimulates the body’s own collagen renewal for incredible enduring rejuvenation that is natural looking. Sculptra is a great base for a Liquid Facelift that offers lasting volume and skin thickness. It best addresses:

• aging skin folds
• indented chin surfaces
• hollow cheeks
• sunken eyes

VOLUMA XC is a thicker hyaluronic acid filler that instantly adds volume to the cheek area to fill in lost volume that comes with aging. It is the first FDA approved injectable filler for complete cheek volume restoration. It lifts and sculpts the cheeks for a gentle, subtle Liquid Facelift that lasts up to 2 years. Also, Voluma XC is better suited to fill more difficult folds and wrinkles. The lifting and sculpting benefits rejuvenate:

• nasolabial folds
• cheek volume and definition
• chin shape and smooth lines

As expert injectors, Dr Davison, myself and our PA Nora, are ready to help you rejuvenate and refresh your face for the Spring and beyond. Please visit www.davinciplastic.com to schedule your consultation today.

Dr. Pinell

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon of the Face and Body

The beauty and aroma of spring is in the air with the cherry blossoms in full bloom. This is a great time of year to do some spring cleaning, spruce up your wardrobe and freshen up with some injectable treatments to restore that youthful volume and glow. You’ll want to put your best face forward because soon we will be celebrating some of the spring and summer holidays, such as Easter, Passover, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, family reunions, and weddings.

INJECTABLES FOR THE PERFECT SPRING TWEAKMENT…Coming out of winter, we could all use a bit of a refresh, right? Injectables are the perfect fix for those subtle adjustments that can rejuvenate and lighten up your look. Think about a frown free forehead, twinkling youthful eyes, fuller cheeks, and a pop of color on your smiling sexy lips.

SPRING FACIAL TWEAKMENT TEAM… In addition to offering the best injectable formulas, you will be in the hands of experts who know facial anatomy through study and many years of experience. It also takes having a trained and artistic eye to get the best results possible. You can rest assured in the hands of Dr Davison, myself, and our PA Nora.

Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra, and Voluma XC are effective rejuvenating tools when in the hand of a skilled professionals like ourselves. These non surgical options are great for tweakments when you don’t have time for recovery. Many offer instant results with no major discomfort. You can experience a facial rejuvenation with injectables in the time span of a lunch break. With an ice pack immediately afterwards to help with any swelling and some mineral makeup to cover any redness or bruising, you’re on your way.

This variety of injectable options empower us to tailor fit the right treatment for you. In the next blog, I’ll give an overview of what differentiates each of these injectables so that you can see what great options you have for a fresh look for spring. In our expert injector hands, you can feel confident and refreshed going into the spring and summer holiday season. To schedule your appointment today, visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Dr. Pinell

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon of the Face and Body

The mindset that surgery is a “quick fix” for your facial and body enhancing procedures isn’t complete or balanced. While surgery can get you the results not necessarily attainable through a healthy lifestyle, it is of utmost importance to take care of yourself before and after your surgery to maintain your results as long as possible. Surgery can appear to turn back decades of aging effects, but it isn’t a permanent fix for the long term effects of genetics or aging.

Fortunately it definitely helps your results to stay longer when they’re accompanied by good lifestyle choices. Here are some healthy lifestyle tips to maintain your surgery results:

Stay Active and Eat Well

Even though procedures like Liposuction permanently remove fat cells, the fat cells that are left behind can expand, taking the place of the ones removed. This results in expanding parts of the body that might appear in odd areas because the fat cells in “normal” spots have been eliminated. Also, with a Tummy Tuck, your extra skin is removed, which doesn’t leave room for expansion. If you gain weight, you’ll stretch out the skin again and negate the trim results. Don’t fear though, you can do your part to maintain your slim and trim post Lipo or Tummy Tuck figure with a healthy diet and exercise.

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

There’s a reason most surgeons require you to not smoke or drink before surgery or during your recovery time. Nicotine hinders your body’s immune system and response to inflammation. It can prolong or prevent proper healing, even leading to complications causing excessive bleeding and scarring. Consuming alcohol also increases bleeding and swelling because it dilates your blood vessels and dehydrates your body (causing it to retain water).

Skin Care Matters

It is crucial to take good care of your scars to aid them in healing and fading as much as possible. You don’t want to be too active and stretch them, and you should follow your surgeon’s cleaning ointment application protocol. Beyond the initial healing period, its important to have a good skin care routine. I highly recommend SkinMedica, which we sell in our office, as a clinically proven skin care line to help your skin stay hydrated and smooth.

Cosmetic surgery isn’t a one time investment into your body or face. In order to see the long term results you’ve worked hard for, I highly suggest you follow the simple healthy lifestyle tips outlined above. You’ll be glad you did!

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Are you enjoying your summer sun and fun? I hope so, but keep in mind that too much of both of these can take their toll on the skin. That golden glow from the sun doesn’t come without a price. Some mid summer skin rejuvenation may be in order.

Dehydration

Dehydrated skin is different than dry skin. Dry skin is due to lack of sebum, but dehydrated skin is due to lack of moisture. It appears dull because the lack of moisture prevents cellular turnover. It also can be sensitive and flaky because the topmost layer of skin is not functioning correctly, so irritants can penetrate and more moisture is lost. In addition to drinking lots of water, use skincare that focuses of restoring moisture and not oil. A good example that we sell in our office is SkinMedica Rejuvenative Moisturizer. Also, avoid soapy cleansers that can strip the skin even more, and use cream cleansers instead. Restorative serums, such as SkinMedica’s Vitamin C and E complex, which prevents and repairs UV damage are helpful.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Dehydration along with aging, lifestyle and sun damage contributes to wrinkles. Fortunately, along with making healthy changes, there are effective non invasive cosmetic procedures to help smooth things out.

Here are some areas that can really be aged by the sun and dehydration, along with some “quick summer beauty fix” suggestions for your face:

• Crow’s feet creep out from the outer corners of the eyes and extend outward towards the hairline. They are corrected with Botox or Dysport because limiting the muscle movement in the area will relax the wrinkles and prevent them from deepening due to activity.
• Forehead Lines are caused by excessive brow movement and forehead furrowing. Accentuated vertical lines between eyebrows can give an angry or scowling appearance. You can quickly lighten your look with Botox or Dysport.
• Tear Troughs or Hollows swoop below the eye from the bridge of the nose along the lower eyelid and sometimes extending downward toward the cheekbone. Their sunken appearance gives a tired appearance to the eyes, but Restylane and Juvederm are hyaluronic acid gels that safely restore volume to these areas.
• Cheeks and Temples lose fullness and hollow out due to volume loss. Facial fat loss naturally occurs with age, but is sped up by dehydration and sun damage. As fat diminishes, these areas commonly sag and appear shallow. Restylane or Juvederm help plump these shallow areas to restore youthFULness.
• Nasolabial Folds are formed due to volume loss and skin shifting downward. These lines are also called “marionette lines” and reach from the outer corner of the nostrils to the outer corners of the lips. Fillers Restylane and Juvederm help fix this issue.
• Lips lose volume over time, looking thinner and flatter. They also can become framed by smile lines, called “parenthesis lines.” We can help you restore the youthful shape and fullness with the effective lip plumper Juvederm.

 Along with avoiding sun damage, staying hydrated and using effective skincare, these injectables are great “quick summer beauty fixes” for your face. Schedule your summer beauty touch up today at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Mother’s Day is a month away and forward thinking husbands and family members are already putting their heads together about how they can honor the mothers in their lives. And rightly so. One thing for sure is that mothers work harder than most anyone I know. Their work is not only physical, but mental and emotional. They don’t get to clock out at the end of the work day or take many “vacation days,” especially in the early years of motherhood. Their job is ever evolving and lasts a lifetime. We should definitely be showing love to our mothers year round, but especially on Mother’s Day.

One thing that mother’s deserve is some pampering. For some women that means a day at the spa, a decadent brunch out with girlfriends or family, or for others they want to have lasting youthful effects from a variety of cosmetic treatments and procedures. While getting Botox injections as a gift isn’t the same kind of pampering as a day at the spa, many women prefer the enjoyment of waking up day after day to a younger looking face and demeanor. More and more women are being vocal about their desire to receive treatments like this as their gifts. This is how we at DAVinci Plastic Surgery can help.

This week we will talk about some of the quick “in and out” treatments that we offer for those mothers who would like a youth enhancing boost to last for months. Next week we will cover some options for Mommy Makeovers that involve surgeries that address moms most requested areas of help.

• Botox is known as a wrinkle eraser because it inhibits the muscle action that causes the wrinkles. This is especially useful for allowing forehead furrows to relax and smoothing out crows feet or wrinkles between the eyebrows.
• Juvederm fills in creases and wrinkles with water attracting hyaluronic acid. The cells plulp up like a sponge sucking up water so that those “parenthesis” around the mouth or nasolabial folds are filled in. It is also wonderful for plumping up lost volume to areas of the face, especially the lips.
• Radiesse immediately stimulates the body to produce collagen to replace volume for youth enhancing effects
• Sculptra may not necessarily be considered a “quick fix” because the effects build over time, but the results last twice as long as hyaluronic fillers.

Each of these treatments successfully gives the appearance of turning back the clock of time to reveal more youthful facial features. This effect is rejuvenating and confidence boosting. In combination with each other, they can have the effect called a Filler Facelift. While this doesn’t compare to the full effects of a Facelift, it’s as close as you can get without going under the knife. We will custom tailor a combination treatment to address a variety of concerns, such as to:

• Lift up sagging brows
• Brighten up the eyes by adding volume to hollowed temples and sunken eye sockets or tear troughs
• Erase forehead lines
• Lusciously fill those lips
• Lighten the lines around the mouth
• Plump the cheeks restore youthfulness and gently lift the midface
• Smooth and contour the chin

You can give these as a gift certificate to allow the mother in your life to choose what she’d like or designate the gift for a specific treatment that you know she’s mentioned that she wants. Visit www.davinciplastic.com today to pamper the mother in your life this Mother’s Day.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Absolute evidence exists that our lifestyle, stress, and what we put on and in our bodies will affect the health of our skin. Apart from sun damage, what many people may not realize is that the environment our skin is exposed to affects it, as well.

Inside

The majority of our time is spent inside at work or home. This is why it’s important to consciously craft your inside environment to support your health and skin. Here some tips to do this:

• Heating your home takes out any natural moisture in the air, which affects your skin. You can easily replace this by running a humidifier or essential oil diffuser. You may need one in each room.
• Harmful chemicals mix in the air from cleaning products, plug in fragrance, and many kinds of candles. We not only breathe this in, but they settle onto surfaces and skin. Switch to an essential oil diffuser or candles that use a cotton wick and any other wax than paraffin. Open up windows and turn on fans when using harsh cleaning products or switch to natural ones. Thoroughly wash, rinse and moisturize after using cleaning products.
• Real Plants inside will help pull toxins from the air and reduce stress. An option for those who don’t have a green thumb, is to use an air purifier to clean the air of chemicals and other irritating particles, such as pollen, dander and dust. Home updates including carpets, pressed wood and insulation should air out because they offgass volatile chemicals like formaldehyde.
• Laundry soap can deposit skin irritants into the fabric of your clothes and bed sheets. Many include fillers and chemical fragrance. Try using an unscented “free and clear” laundry detergent. If you want to infuse fragrance into your clothes, use wool dryer balls with a couple drops of essential oils rather than dryer sheets.
• Creating a good environment to rest well is important because sufficient sleep is important for healthy skin. To help your mind get into rest mode, dim the lights in the evening, shut off electronics an hour before bed, and write down any issues or “to do’s” that need to be addressed in the coming days. Nightly using moisturizers and serums for clean face on a clean pillow case, as well as a fresh pillow every few months will also help your skin during the night.

Outside

While exposure to the outside environment may not be in as much quantity as inside, its affects on the skin shouldn’t be disregarded. These factors can have a powerful influence in the health of the skin:

• Sun… everyone knows the damage and aging caused by the sun when we’re not careful. In addition to staying in the shade or indoors during peak UV hours and wearing protective clothing, precautions should include using a makeup foundation or day time moisturizer that has a SPF… even on the snowy mountains or cloudy days.
• Pollution… urban air contamination is a mix of volatile chemicals that causes skin irritation and aging.
• Extreme weather… cold, wind and dry air all steal moisture from skin to crack, irritate and age it.

Taking good care of your skin gives it the best chance to stay healthy and youthful. It also helps your cosmetic procedures to last. Schedule a consultation today at www.davinciplastic.com to discuss how we can partner in your healthy lifestyle routine to look and feel great.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Taking care of your skin is crucial for effective healing after sun exposure and after surgery success. Summer months mean that skin damage from sun exposure is at its height. As summer comes to a close, it’s time to check your skin because detecting melanoma as early as possible makes it treatable. It is the deadliest cancer, but it doesn’t have to be if it it’s caught early. Regular self checking is a key part of immediate diagnosis is to do a regular self check.

AFTER SUN

What are you looking for? You’re at higher risk for melanoma if you’ve been sunburned frequently, have fair skin or a large amount of moles, live in a tropical or have a family history of melanoma. When you’re self checking, there’s a common acronym to help us remember what to look for. This is called the ABCDEs of warning signs for melanoma. This stands for:

• Asymmetry: draw an imaginary line through the middle and it should look the same on both sides
• Border irregularity: ragged or blurred, undefined edges
• Color changes: a variety of colors within the same spot or mole
• Diameter: greater than .25 inch (6 millimeters)
• Evolving: changes over time

Where should you look? Important to look from head to toe, back and front. Using the angles from a hand mirror and a wall mirror to see the harder parts of the body from behind, literally start with the top of your scalp, especially if you haven’t worn hats to protect your head or have fine, thinning hair. Then move downward, examining the face, neck, shoulders, underarms, chest, torso, arms, hands, and nail beds. When checking the lower body, its easier to sit down, but don’t forget to check your buttocks, especially if you wear brazilian or thong bikinis. Look over your legs and feet, even the heels, soles of the feet and toenail beds.

AFTER SURGERY

What extra steps should I take? Whether your cosmetic procedure is invasive or non invasive, you should take some special care of your skin to promote healing and longevity of the effects of the procedure. Here are some simple tips to care for your skin after a cosmetic treatment:

• Follow physicians directions. Each procedure has a unique protocol for optimal healing. This may include salves and the herbal supplement or cream version of Arnica Montana to reduce bruising.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is good practice in general, but will help flush the area of toxins and empower healing. Avoiding alcohol and other dehydrating beverages so you don’t work against your natural healing processes.
• Protect yourself from the sun. The skin is more vulnerable after a procedure. UV rays darken scars and this is what you want to prevent, so stay out of the sun.
• Leave the recovery site alone. This means no picking or poking of the area. Disturbing the area could cause infection or unwanted scarring.
• Use gentle skin care products. Make the extra effort during this time to pamper your skin while it’s healing. Use only mild, no fragrance skincare.

Help me to help you have beautiful, youthful skin by taking these precautions. From beginning to end, I look forward to helping you in the rejuvenation process. To schedule your consultation, visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Many patients are coming into my office for liposuction…because they are not happy with how they look in their bikini or swimsuit!  Liposuction has proven to be a safe, effective method for getting rid of unwanted body fat…to sculpt the body.

Is liposuction right for you? Whether it’s genetics or aging, some of those stubborn fat pouches just won’t budge even with diet and rigorous exercise. If you are in healthy condition, liposuction can help sculpt and smooth them away. Liposuction is not a complete body transformation surgery, but it is safe and effective if you’re in the right hands.

What’s Involved?

After our consultation, surgery is scheduled and will be performed in our state of the art surgery outpatient center. General anesthesia is used to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. I do this using an infusion of saline solution with lidocaine before your surgery.

Liposuction requires one or more incisions to accommodate the cannula, a small tube with a suction vacuum, used to loosen the fat and safely suction the excess fat and which sculpts the area.  For small areas, such as the face, a syringe can precisely harvest fat that is purified and used for grafting other areas.

Liposuction for the large and small areas… The advances in technology, specialized tools, and my expert techniques allow me to target large or very small localized areas with more precision and less trauma than with older techniques.  Liposuction can be used to remove fat from the:

• tummy
• breasts
• thighs
• buttocks
• back
• face
• neck

Liposuction along with other procedures… Liposuction is an ideal compliment to other body contouring procedures, such as a Butt Augmentation, Thigh Lift, and Tummy Tuck. Any of these could be part of a much desired Mommy Makeover to restore your body after all the changes that take place through childbearing.

Banish those stubborn bulges with liposuction…Call now for your appointment.
Steven Davison MD

Bikini season is in full swing. This time of year everyone is conscious of how they look in a swimsuit or more revealing summer wear. But since we’re already in the midst of the summer season, it’s not an ideal time to get surgery, such as liposuction, without having to miss out on the enjoyment of the outdoor fun. This is where a fat reducing solution like Cynosure SculpSure can help.

Trim Tummy and Summer Fun with Cynosure
Even with a healthy diet and regular work out sessions… some areas of fat just resist going away. This often “dampers”  your confidence to wear those lighter or tighter summer outfits. Fortunately, Cynosure SculpSure is a non surgical solution to reduce body fat in those stubborn areas – like the abdomen and love handles.

Cynosure SculpSure requires no downtime or recovery that will keep you from enjoying the fun outdoor summer activities. With SculpSure you can have a natural looking slimmer appearance without scars or any effect to the skin’s surface. You can also return to everyday activities immediately after a treatment, so you’ll never miss out on the fun while undergoing SculpSure treatments.

How does Cynosure Sculpsure work?
This innovative body contouring treatment is clinically proven to reduce stubborn fat in problem areas. It uses light based technology that targets and destroys these fat cells cumulatively over short 25 minute session. Each 25 minute session destroys up to 24% of treated fat cells. Results can be seen as early as 6 weeks with optimal results at 12 weeks.

Schedule a consultation today to see how SculpSure can keep you enjoying summer while looking trimmer and healthier. Visit: www. http://Davinci Plastic Surgery

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Many of you have tried on your bathing suit and beach wear…and are not happy with what you see in the mirror or how the clothing fits or doesn’t fit!  This is a common problem every Spring that brings clients into my office for help with getting back into shape.  The blog that follows goes into more depth of concerns and the most commonly chosen options to deal with those challenges.   Read on…then call for your consultation!

Celebrity Body Sculpting or Body Contouring has paved the way for the general population to see, adore and emulate. With increased celebrity presence in the public eye through social media, their influence is much more far reaching. Celebrities have set the “ideal” body types and facial features that are seen as desirable in our culture. So much so, that it isn’t rare to have patients request lips like Angelina Jolie, a nose like Kate Middleton, or arms like Michelle Obama.

Social Media Influence on Younger Millennials
With 2015 seeing the celebrity rise of the younger Kardashian sisters, Kylie and Kendall, their peers took notice of their cosmetic enhancements. With the Millennial generation practically living on Instagram and Facebook, when the celebrities they follow, such as the younger Kardashians, have cosmetic procedures, this greatly contributes their desire to get these procedures as well. Also, the aging prevention mindset is much more present with Millennials who are getting injections and other non surgical procedures in their 20s. This is reflected in the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) 2015 survey, in which 64% of their members experienced an increase of procedures performed on this under 30 age group.

Other Generations Aren’t Immune
Boomers, GenXer’s and Millennials in their 30s certainly aren’t exempt from the influence of social media on their perception of an ideal body and face. They see the Body Sculpting procedures that celebrities have received and use this as a springboard to creating a younger looking, contoured version of themselves. Relative to their degree of aging, this would include both the non invasive procedures, injectables, as well as surgeries.

What Does Body Contouring Include?
These are some of the most common aspects of Body Sculpting, which can include one or over time, all, of these procedures:

• Injectables
• FaceLift
• Rhinoplasty
• Eyelid or Forehead Lift
• Breast Augmentation
• Arm Lift
• Tummy Tuck

It’s All About You
This array of Body Sculpting cosmetic procedures can help you get the body you desire when you may not have access to a personal chef, stylist, trainer and unlimited financial resources like the celebrities. I want my patients to be healthy and feel good in their own skin. Finding the right Body Contouring procedures for you can build confidence that can help in all areas of life, including the possibility of a job promotion and finding a love connection.

Let’s talk now and design your ideal Body Sculpting Plan so that you can have your best, healthiest body for the summer swimsuit season… and beyond. Visit www.davinciplastic.com to schedule a consultation.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

I wrote some blogs on breast surgery a few weeks ago and then took a break to focus on summer sun precautions.   Now I want to finish the breast series with this blog on scarring and incisions.  Scarring is always a concern when choosing a cosmetic surgery. We want to be able to focus on the beautiful results of the surgery, not the incision scars it may leave behind. Fortunately, with a Breast Lift, there are a variety of incisions, some more inconspicuous than others. However, different techniques may be required based on how much sagging you want corrected. The incision I recommend will be based on your personal goals, existing breast tissue, and the amount of excess skin to be removed. Here is an explanation of each of the possibilities.

Minimal Sagging: Crescent Incision
This incision is very small and traces around the upper half edge of the areola. While this is minimal scarring sounds ideal, it can take away only a minimum amount of skin. This makes it only an option for patients who have very little sagging to correct. For this reason, it is the least frequent incision technique and is usually only done in combination with a breast augmentation.
Mild Sagging: Peri Areolar or “Donut” Incision
The Peri Areolar incision is a circular incision tracing around the outer edge of the areola. This technique can also be used to reduce the size of the areola if that is desired. Like the Crescent incision, this “Donut” incision is commonly performed along with a Breast Augmentation and can address mild sagging.

Moderate Sagging: Vertical or “Lollipop” Incision
Two incisions are required for this technique, as it can accomplish more extensive reshaping of sagging breasts. They form the pattern of a lollipop, hence the nickname. The first incision is around the outer edge of the areola and the second runs down vertically from the bottom center of the areola to the underlying crease where the breast meets the torso, called the inframammary fold. This is a very common incision technique since it allows for the removal of a moderate amount of excess skin and reshaping of the entire breast. Fortunately, these scars are easily hidden in bras and bikini tops.

Extensive Sagging: Inverted T or “Anchor” Incision
Dramatic results for reshaping the breasts are available with the Inverted T incision. Getting its nickname as the “Anchor” lift because of the incision pattern, this technique involves 3 scars. One is around the outer edge of the areola, then another is down vertically from the bottom outer edge of the areola to the breast crease, and the last one is hidden in the horizontal crease of the inframammary fold. This technique allows for the removal of a significant amount of excess skin and sagging tissue. It is also used when the Breast Lift is combined with a Breast Reduction. This gives beautiful correction for reshaping pendulous breasts, which is when the nipple is below the edge of the crease of the inframammary fold and it is pointing downward.

In my expert hands, these incisions will be as minimal as possible, and over time, with your proper care these scars will fade. Regardless of which incision technique is required, your scars will be concealed and far from your mind when you see how lovely your lifted breasts look in your clothes and bathing suit. Contact me for a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Summer is on its way and people will get more exposure to the suns rays than any other time of year. We’ve all heard the word of caution about too much sun causing skin cancer, but specifically it’s the Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure that is overwhelmingly the most frequent cause of skin cancer.

Since May is Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month, and skin cancer affects more than 1 million people in the United States each year, I thought I’d dedicate some time to the topic.

Skin Cancer Causes

Other than frequent, unprotected sun exposure, some significant causes of skin cancer include:
– The frequent use of tanning booths, which, like the sun, expose the skin to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
– Immune system compromise, which impairs the body’s ability to fight disease. A suppressed immune system affects the ability of the body to regenerate and repair at the cellular level.

– Ways to improve the immune system are to stress less and laugh more, drink more water and less alcohol, eat antioxidant rich foods rather than empty calories and sugar, as well as take a probiotic to promote beneficial gut flora.
– Regular exposure to electromagnetic wave of high energy and very short wavelength, such as Xrays.

– And exposure to certain chemicals, such as arsenic and those in tar, oils and soot.

People with Greater Risk
Besides outside environmental factors, certain people are predisposed to skin cancer. These are characteristics of people who are at greater risk:
Fair skin that burns easily from the sun exposure and freckles easily
Blond or redheads with blue or green eyes
Depleted skin pigmentation, such as from certain genetic disorders like albinism and xeroderma pigmentosum.
Previous cancer or close family members who have had skin cancer
Birthmark or a large mole, or numerous moles and unusual moles that developed later in life
Experienced a severe sunburn in childhood

“ABCD’s” of Cancer Detection
– Asymmetry: one side not looking like the other
– Border irregularity: rough, jagged or bumpy edges
– Color: mixture of black, tan, brown, blue, red, or white
– Diameter: larger than the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 mm across) or noticeable increase in size

Kinds of Skin Cancer
The skin is the largest organ in the body and skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. There are three major kinds of skin cancer:
– Melanoma,
– Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
– Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Melanoma is actually the most frequent cancer in people age 25 to 29 years. About a third of all melanoma are diagnosed before the age of 50, although most skin cancers are diagnosed between 50 and 75 years old. Squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas, which are the vast majority of skin cancers, are more common in older people. Unlike the Melanomas, the BCCs or SCC usually do not spread to other parts of the body.

Prevention
It is important to self check using the “ABCD’s” and to regularly be checked by a dermatologist. A doctor can send away a biopsy of a questionable mole or marking to tell if it’s cancerous. Fortunately, you can reduce your risk of getting skin cancer. This is one of the main reasons why I recommend safeguarding yourself when you enjoy the beautiful weather with sunscreen, protective clothing, sunglasses and a hat.

Prevention and early detection are key with skin cancer. Enjoy the beautiful summer weather, but please do so safely. If you have any more questions, please consult your dermatologist.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon