Tummy tuck surgery is a hot topic in plastic surgery and one of the most popular cosmetic surgery operations performed around the globe today. There are different procedures which are used and if you are not familiar with them, it can be impossible to understand what you are hearing or reading about this area of plastic surgery.

This article explains the effects patients want from the mini tummy tuck, the general procedures surgeons use, and how this is different to the normal tummy tuck surgery. This will be a quick way to understand fundamental differences between these two popular types of plastic surgery.

A mini tummy tuck is felt to best slim the area between the navel and the pubic bone. The type of person who chooses to have it could be a mother who has had several pregnancies which have stretched the abdominal muscles, meaning it is very difficult to return to the pre-pregnancy shape by exercise and diet alone. Older patients might also choose this operation, to help aging tummy muscles return to a firmer contour, or those who find they have mild weight fluctuations. The operation in all cases aims to give a toned, taught tummy shape and involves great surgical skill for acceptable results.

The surgery generally involves an incision of around 10 to 15 centimetres length being performed horizontally on the skin above the bikini line. Then the surgeon cuts away excess skin and any unwanted adipose (fatty) tissue, perhaps also employing liposuction during the operation. Liposuction means a cannula is manipulated within the adipose tissues to loosen them before they are entirely removed by suction through the body of the cannula for disposal. Patients with damage to their abdominal muscles can have them strengthened with suturing techniques during the same operation, for example, ladies with damage through multiple childbirths. Although it still uses incisions and tissue removal, the operation is different to a full tummy tuck in many respects.

The operation takes much less time on average then the full tummy tuck. It may last an hour or so, whereas the tummy tuck tends to push more over the two hours marker. The navel is generally not repositioned, whereas this is more often needed during the full tummy tuck and accounts for some of the reason why the time on the operating table is quite different. The incisions used also tend to be smaller than those for the full tummy tuck.

Despite the name, a mini tummy tuck is still a full blown operation under full anaesthesia. Any operation, cosmetic or not, carries risks that can never be eliminated from the equation, even with the best surgical team in the world. Good patient education by the surgical team before the operation is therefore ethically essential. This article should have informed you about the mini tummy tucks effects, how it is generally performed, how it is different from the full tummy tuck and that it still carries risks despite its friendly sounding name. To obtain more precise information, of course, patients need to see their doctor and/or their surgeon.

RS Brown is one of a dedicated team writing about plastic surgery people choose in the hope they will look younger and feel better about their bodies. The team examine the mini tummy tucks against the full tucks and provide timely information for those considering a clinic abroad.

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Technorati Tags: beauty, cosemtic enhancement, cosmetic surgery, health and beauty, men's health, mens fitness, plastic surgery, slimming, weight loss, womens issues

Fractional laser skin resurfacing aficionados will be hearing more and more about the Starlux 1540, Starlux 2940, Fraxel Repair, ActiveFX, DeepFX, and Fractional Skin Rejuvenation in the future.

To grasp the significance of these new laser skin resurfacing devices some minor understanding of the technologies of cosmetic laser skin rejuvenation treatments as well as older cosmetic laser skin treatments is a good start.

Cosmetic Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing’s History

Fraxel was the first non ablative fractional laser for the cosmetic medical market. From the beginning it’s been upgraded and has been improved on by a number of other competing fractional laser skin resurfacing technologies including the DeepFX and ActiveFX from Lumenis, the Starlux 1540, and Starlux 2940 from Palomar Medical.

Fractional laser skin resurfacing is new area of medicine that intersects cosmetic dermatology and traditional plastic surgery. Rapid advancements and new breakthroughs in these types of cosmetic medical technologies are occurring frequently and are fueled by an aging population of patients. The benefit for these patients is a rapid increase in the effectiveness of fractional laser treatments and less down time and potential side effects.

Fractional laser technologies new applications are expanding into associated cosmetic areas like skin tightening where fractional treatments compete with radio frequency treatments like Thermage, and eventually into fat and cellulite treatments and removal.

What was a revolutionary advance in 1995, full face CO2 Laser Resurfacing for wrinkle removal using the Ultra pulse CO2 laser, fairs poorly when compared to new fractional laser treatments and although the wrinkle removal results were fantastic, the CO2 laser resurfacing created a very real “burn wound” that took many months of recovery and the need for general anesthesia. After a year, the skin would turn white or show hypo pigmentation. Because of the side effects, few patients today choose to have this very effective wrinkle removing procedure.

The Newest Fractional Skin Resurfacing & Rejuvenation Technologies

Now, cosmetic Fractional Skin Rejuvenation or Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing has evolved and eliminated many of the previous technologies shortcomings. The new erbium lasers are ‘fractionated’ into tiny micro-lasers, treating only a small portion of the skin (think tiny pin pricks) and leaving surrounding skin completely intact, greatly improving healing times.

The ‘fractionated’ treatment areas called micro-treatment zones, cause enough injury to the skin to trigger new collagen production and is used to replace collagen damaged by aging and sun exposure. The new collagen that is produced ‘fills in’ or ‘plumps up’ the underlying tissue and smoothes out skin wrinkles. The untreated skin between the micro treatment zones speeds the healing process to a mere 3-4 days and leaves most of the pigment cells intact, preventing hypo pigmentation.

Starlux 1540: Palomars New Fractional Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing Technology

The Fraxel and Starlux1540 are non ablative lasers (ablate means to “surgically remove) which means that the skin is not removed by the laser, rather the laser beam instantly heats the skin, causing inflammation and new collagen growth.

With these new treatments, skin laxity and wrinkle smoothing results are less dramatic than with ablative lasers, but the benefit of reduced recovery time and reduced side effects mean that non ablative laser treatments are often the first choice.

Starlux Fractional Ablative Laser Resurfacing In The Near Future

New fractional ablative lasers have recently been developed that provide the benefits of fractional treatments (less down time and reduced complications) as well as the benefits of ablative skin resurfacing (better wrinkle removal and facial rejuvenation).

These Starlux 2940 fractional ablative lasers remove tissue in the micro treatment zone instead of just heating the dermis like the old Fraxel or Starlux 1540.

The benefit of Starlux 2940 fractional ablative laser treatments is that a greater amount of wrinkled and sun damaged skin can be removed than with the older laser technologies, and with a better medical result. There is some minor increase in recovery time with redness for around 5-6 days. Still, the Starlux 2940 fractional ablative lasers require much less recovery time than the old non fractional erbium and CO2 ablative lasers.

Competing Fractional Laser Technologies

Reliant: CO2 fractional laser called Repair

Lumenis: CO2 fractional ablative lasers called ActiveFX & DeepFx

Palomar now has the Starlux 2940 Erbium fractional ablative skin resurfacing laser.

Medical Spa MD is a community of Plastic Surgeons, Cosmetic Dermatologists, and Aesthetic Physicians with more than 3,500 members. Medical Spa MD offers Medical Esthetician Training and provides information on non-surgical cosmetic medical technologies and treatments.

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Technorati Tags: acne, Cosmetic Dermatology, Cosmetic Laser Treatments, Cosmetic Lasers, Cosmetic Medicine, cosmetic surgery, Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing, Medical Spas, medicine, Non-Surgical Cosmetic Medical Technologies, plastic surgery, skin cancer, Starlux 2940, womens issues

Electrolysis was the only form of long-term hair removal available before Intense Pulse Light (IPL) and laser devices entered the market. Electrolysis is still used today even though it is painful to the patient. It can also be invasive to the skin which allows for risk of infection. During the electrolysis procedure, a fine needle is inserted into the hair follicle, delivering a galvanic current to destruct the stem cells in the follicle. Unfortunately, this painstaking process is performed one hair follicle at a time. Maintenance procedures are often needed for years after the first treatment.

With laser and pulsed light technology, hundreds of hair follicles are treated at a time and vary upon the spot size (the size of the tip of the device delivering energy). These non-invasive laser hair removal procedures only take minutes to perform instead of the hours required with electrolysis.

What is Melanin?

A patient’s skin type and hair color can be the most important consideration prior to laser hair removal treatment. Laser hair removal is based on selective photothermolysis (using light and heat for destruction of a hair follicle) with melanin being the target chromophore (chemical grouping that produces color). The difference between the absorption of laser or light energy by melanin in the hair follicle and melanin in the epidermis determines the amount of energy that can be safely used without harming the skin.

A patient with very dark skin and gray or white hair, would have little if any response, while light-skinned patients with dark hair are considered to be the ideal patients for hair removal Since melanin in the hair shaft and follicle are the target source for laser and IPL hair removal procedures, patients should be advised during their initial consultation not to tweeze, wax or use any depilatory device prior to hair removal. Hair which is protruding from the skin can singe during a laser or light treatment which causes an unpleasant smell and possible flares. The patient can shave the area to be treated or can use hair removal creams, which preserves the chromophore in the follicle

Treatment Day

Most devices technically operate the same way when performing a laser hair removal procedure. The parameters on the device (joules, milliseconds, pulse, etc.) should be set according to the skin analysis and history performed on the patient. It is important to for patients not to wear dark clothing near the area to be treated as the pigment in the clothing could potentially be absorbed by the laser or light and can result in a burn. The patient should be instructed to refrain from using any body washes, lotions, cosmetics, or any skin medications the day of treatment. Some patients may prefer to have a topical anesthetic applied prior to the procedure. If any residue of the anesthetic remains, it should be wiped clean from the skin. A spot test, or patch test, should be performed on the intended treatment area. Several treatments are required at monthly intervals for an optimal outcome and a yearly maintenance procedure is recommended.

Medical Spa MD is a medspa community of Plastic Surgeons, Cosmetic Dermatologists, and Aesthetic Physicians with more than 3,500 medical spa members world-wide. Medical Spa MD offers medical esthetician training manuals and provides information on nonsurgical cosmetic medical technologies and treatments.

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Technorati Tags: Cosmetic Dermatology, cosmetic surgery, dermatology, fitness, hair removal, hair removal treatment, laser clinic, laser hair removal, med spa, medical esthetician, medical spa, medicine, plastic surgery, womens issues

The advent of aesthetic laser treatments in cosmetic medicine has led to many advancements in cosmetic medical device industries. In the cosmetic laser arena, new and improved cosmetic lasers are entering the cosmetic medical market every few months. This development curve is leaving the classification criterion of aesthetic lasers to continually be redefined. Therefore, the following information is to be used as a guideline and is not considered to be a current and thorough description.

Lasers in use by medical practitioners typically have low outputs of energy and power, and are thus placed in ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Class 2 category. Another important organization is the LIA (Laser Institute of America). The majority of medical lasers fall into the ANSI Class 3 or 4 categories with most surgical lasers being in ANSI Class 4. Most medical and/or surgical lasers are classified by the FDA (Food and Drug administration) as Class II or Class III medical devices.

Class 1 Lasers

Class 1 lasers are not considered to pose any hazards when operated according to normal conditions and includes lasers which are completely enclosed such as CD players, fiber-optics devices, and printers. These devices cannot have emissions exceeding the maximum permitted exposure (MPE) under any conditions are considered to be class 1 systems.

Still, problems can occur if the laser is outside of the enclosure.

Warning labels are required for this class inside the unit or underneath the cover.

Class 2a

Lasers in this class do not pose a threat unless the laser is directly viewed for more than 16 minutes or so and encompasses visible light lasers with a total output power less than 1 milliwatt, but greater than a few microwatts.

Class 2

This class of lasers includes visible light lasers that are intense enough that viewing the beam into a human eye can cause the normal “aversion response”. An aversion response is when the eyelids close, or the head moves in order to avoid the light. It can occur within 0.25 seconds and includes the blink reflex time.

Class 3a

Class of lasers that includes those emitting ultraviolet or infrared light as well as visible light. All devices within the Class 1 AEL (Allowed Exposure Level) with laser output between .18μm and 1mm fall in this class. Common Laser pointers that are readily available are class 3a laser devices.

Class 3b

This class of lasers includes the same laser output spectrum as class 3a, but increases the output level to that of Class 2 AEL.

Class 4

This class of lasers includes any that exceeds the Class 2 AEL. Most every laser that produces an excess of 0.5 watts is in this class.

As an aesthetician, you are now crossing the line from treating clients to treating patients. All the components of aesthetic care play an even more important role when designing a post-procedure treatment plan for the patient who just underwent a deep chemical peel for acne scarring. Or, the Rosacea patient who just completed her first intense pulse light treatment. It’s important to remember that you are the skin care expert in your recommendations of skin care products and regimens to your clients. However, you are also a critical adjunct to the physician who has planned an aggressive therapy treatment for his patient.

Medical Spa MD is a cosmetic medical community of Plastic Surgeons & Cosmetic Dermatologists with more than 3,500 medical spa members world wide. Medical Spa MD offers medical esthetician training manuals and provides information on nonsurgical cosmetic medical technologies and treatments.

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Technorati Tags: Cosmetic Dermatology, cosmetic surgery, health, laser clinics, laser hair removal, Laser Medicine, Laser Treatments, Med Spas, Medical Spas, medicine, plastic surgery, technology, womens issues

Is click fraud costing your laser clinic? If you’re one of the tens of thousands of cosmetic medical practices, medical spas and laser clinics advertising online with Google Adwords, it’s likely that at least some of the money you’re paying every month is sucked out of your marketing fund by click fraud.

The practice of “click fraud” began in the early days of the Internet with software programs that automatically surfed Web sites to increase traffic. This led companies to develop policing technologies touted as antidotes to the problem. (Some marketing executives estimate that up to 20%t of fees in certain advertising categories continue to be based on nonexistent consumers.)

Don’t think it’s already happening to your skin clinic, med spa or laser clinic? It is. Here’s a quote from Michael Caruso, CEO of click fraud services vendor ClickFacts in an interview:

“In particularly fraud prone verticals such as finance, class action lawsuits and medical, we see click fraud rates in the 30 to 45 perecent range. These are all categories that see high keyword pricing in the auction model. That makes them particularly tasty for click fraud artists. If you can make more money from the dark side than the light side of search, there are plenty of people who will take advantage. Plus, it’s not even technically illegal yet.”

There are two ways that your medical spas and laser clinics marketing budget is losing to click fraud:

First, your skin clinics and medical spas competitors who see your ad are simply clicking on it, draining your marketing budget and costing you advertising dollars. Second, fraudsters set up ‘affiliate sites’ that run skin clinics ads where they are clicked on by bots or employees. (These sites are the most damaging since you’re paying for every click without any return at all. Click fraud around skin clinics, med spas or laser clinics can be very lucrative since dermatology or plastic surgery clinics are becoming such a competitive market and the payment per click can be as high as $4-6.)

Unfortunately, to keep your budget safe you have very few tools. Google just gave advertisers $90 million to compensate for click fraud as the result of a class action suit but you can bet they’re not that Google’s not interested in your individual account. Especially since they’re making money from click fraud when your ads are clicked on.

Start by limiting your laser clinics exposure. If your dermatology or plastic surgery clinic is still running an Adwords or Yahoo campaign, they allow you to limit the maximum amount you spend in a day. Take advantage of this feature by limiting your maximum cost to what you can afford to spend. You can also look for the tracks of click fraud by examining the reports you might have available to you. Multiple clicks coming from the same IP address are a sure sign of fraud.

(Malaysia has become such a haven for click fraud around medspas and IPL laser treatments.)

If you’re going to run search ads, try to protect your skin clinic, med spa or laser clinic. You can be sure that you’re the only one trying to.

Medical Spa MD is a physician community of Plastic Surgeons, Cosmetic Dermatologists, and Physicians with more than 4,000 physician members. Visit MedicalSpaMD.com for plastic surgeon and cosmetic dermatologist forums and provides patient and physician information on non-surgical cosmetic medical technologies and treatments.

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Technorati Tags: acne, advertising, cosmetic surgery, dermatology, health, internet marketing, marketing, medical spa, medicine, plastic surgery, skin cancer, womens issues