Dr. James Barber - Cosmetic Surgery Blog

Monday, March 31, 2008

What makes the skin look older?

Age is the primary reason skin looks older. Many of the forces acting on our skin are beyond our control; these are known as internal or intrinsic forces. Intrinsic factors can have their impact reduced by some forms of skin treatment. External forces such as sun and weather can be mitigated with a good regimen of skin care and avoidance of these factors. Dr. Barber can help you utilize both preventative and curative treatments to improve your resistance to the appearance of age.

External factors
The biggest source of external skin damage and aging comes from the sun. Ultraviolet rays penetrate deep into the dermis and can cause the skin to age more rapidly. Avoid excessive exposure to the sun's rays, and if you do spend a long time outside, make sure to use plenty of sunblock with ultra violet protection.

Smoking is another factor that ages and weathers skin before its time. Smoking decreases circulation, especially in the smaller blood vessels and capillaries that feed the skin. Fortunately, the number of people who take up smoking is diminishing.

Extreme facial expressions can cause folds and deep wrinkles to appear on your face, giving a weathered, angry, or sad countenance. These wrinkles are caused by habitual muscle contractions, the very muscle contractions that can be combated with Botox injections.

Internal factors
The biggest single internal factor affecting the appearance of your skin is heredity. Freckles, age spots, skin tone, and skin elasticity are often passed down to you from your parents.

Aging itself wreaks havoc on your skin. Beginning at about age twenty, collagen levels decrease and diminish the skin's natural elasticity and luster. Some of the effects of aging can be mitigated with a variety of skin care products. Cosmetic treatments may also help restore a more youthful appearance. Microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing, and chemical peels are frequently administered to help you freshen up.

posted by Patti at 11:05 AM 0 comments

Thursday, March 27, 2008

What is a scar?

Many people who come to the clinic for surgical procedures are worried about scarring. Unfortunately, most invasive procedures will leave a scar, as this is the natural method for the body to heal itself. Every attempt is made in all procedures to keep scar tissue to a minimum. It helps to understand exactly what a scar is and know what to expect after surgery.

Scar tissue is formed during the naturally occurring healing process of a cut or abrasion. If the dermal layer, the living layer, of skin is damaged, the body knits itself together using fibrin in blood. Over time, this fibrin is replaced by scar tissue. A scar is the end result of a wound that is completely healed.

Most surgical procedures result in some amount of scarring. Depending on the type of procedure, and the skill of the doctor, scarring can be greatly reduced. Often incisions are made in areas where scarring will be less obvious, inside natural folds of the skin for example.

If the scarring is particular bad due to an accident or injury, there are some ways to hide or minimize the appearance of the scar tissue.

  • Topical ointment such as vitamin E and cocoa butter claim to reduce scarring especially stretch marks. Often, these creams are not as effective as the manufacturer claims.
  • Laser skin resurfacing can reduce scars by removing surface and subsurface layers of the scar tissue.
  • Filler injections such as Restylane can help with scars where the underlying tissue is missing, causing a pitting scar. Acne scars are a good example of this type of scar tissue.
  • Derm- and microdermabrasion can be used to smooth the surface of the skin, and any scar tissue nearby, leaving the new skin surface more even. Dermabrasions reach deeper skin layers than microdermabrasion, which is only good for correcting superficial scarring.
  • Surgery to remove scar tissue may be used in extreme cases. Great care must be used as surgery may actually lead to more scarring.

When consulting with Dr. Barber, please address any concerns about scar tissue, and find out where incisions are made in your procedure. It is an important factor when making a decision about cosmetic surgery.

posted by Patti at 12:55 PM 0 comments

Friday, March 21, 2008

Suggested questions a patient should ask a potential surgeon

Many cosmetic surgery procedures are considered major operations where you are put under general anesthesia. In these cases you are literally putting your life in the hands of your doctor. It is imperative that you choose a qualified physician you can trust. It is only reasonable that you should be able to ask questions to find out more about the doctors credentials. Make sure the surgeon answers all your questions thoroughly, completely, and honestly.

Experience
The most important aspect of the physician is the level of experience he or she has and how many cases the doctor has performed in their career. Ask these questions of your doctor:
  • How long have you been in practice?
  • May I see before and after photos?
  • Have you ever had to do a revision on your own work?
  • Do you often get repeat patients?
  • May I talk to some of your patients?
  • How many of my procedure have you performed?

Education
  • Where did you go to school?
  • How well did you do?
  • What special lessons did you learn from your instructors about this procedure?
  • How do you keep abreast of the latest developments in the field?
  • What continuing education are you pursuing?

Types of training
  • What was your medical specialty before becoming a cosmetic surgeon?
  • Where did you conduct your residencies?
  • Who did you work with there?
  • What did you learn during your residencies?

Certifications
  • Are you board certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?
  • How long have you been certified?
  • To what professional organizations do you belong?
  • Have you received any honors from your peers or professional organizations?

Philosophy
  • Why did you become a plastic surgeon?
  • What is the most rewarding part of being a plastic surgeon?
  • What do you believe is the goal of plastic surgery?

As you visit with the doctor, you can find out more about specific procedures available to address your aesthetic goals. Information on expected recovery times and scarring should also be brought up prior to surgery. These types of conversations help reveal the doctor's underlying philosophy and ensure that he or she is someone with whom you are comfortable.

Facility
  • Is your facility accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Plastic Surgery Facilities (847-949-6058), the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (847-676-9610), or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (847-916-5600)?
  • Do you have hospital privileges?
  • Will I have an anesthetist or a doctor of anesthesiology if I have general anesthesia?
  • Who may I contact if I have post-operative concerns after hours?

Remember that cosmetic surgery is a completely elective procedure. Do not rush into a potentially life-threatening situation with a doctor you do not trust. Take time to fully evaluate your plastic surgeon.

posted by Patti at 5:27 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Liposuction targets stubborn deposits of fat

It can be extremely discouraging when, after losing a large amount of weight, you discover stubborn problem areas that seem to be exercise resistant. There are several areas of the body that seem more difficult to sculpt than others. Dr. Barber offers many treatment options for helping you finally reach your appearance goals.

Exercise resistant areas
  • Hips
  • Thighs
  • Love handles
  • Chin
  • Knees
  • Neck
  • Abdomen

Unfortunately, recent research has shown that the pattern of fat deposition in the body is genetically predetermined, so that as much as 80% of our appearance is determined by genes rather than by behaviors.

Liposuction is the most effective way to finally eliminate the fatty deposits in these areas. A small tube (cannula) is inserted into the skin through small incisions. The cannula is hooked up to a vacuum device and the fat is literally sucked out.

In addition, liposuction may not be an adequate solution for people with insufficient skin elasticity. In this case, the problem areas may need to be treated with an abdominoplasty, thigh lift, or facelift.

posted by Patti at 6:24 PM 0 comments