Skin Treatments to Relieve Sun Damage
Research has shown that more than 90% of the visible markers of aging are related to skin damage from the sun. As little as a few minutes a day in the sun without protection can cause noticeable signs of aging on the face, such as uneven pigmentation, brown spots and wrinkles. A cosmetic skin treatment, like those offered by the trained surgeons at Aqua Plastic Surgery, can take years off of your face, for skin that is not only smoother and brighter, but healthier.
If you are seeing the unsightly signs of years of sun damage starting to surface, consider one of the following non-surgical treatments for a younger-looking, rejuvenated face.
Dermabrasion or Microdermabrasion
Depending on the amount of sun damage your skin has undergone, you may wish to consider either a dermabrasion or a microdermabrasion procedure, both of which remove the damaged upper layer of skin. The main difference between the two skin treatments is that microdermabrasion removes a thin layer from the surface of the skin, whereas dermabrasion removes a deeper layer of skin, reaching down into the skin’s collagen level.
Microdermabrasion lightly exfoliates the skin using tiny microcrystals, and patients typically see the brightening effect on their skin after one treatment. Dermabrasion involves the use of a machine-driven wire brush or rotating wheel that safely and effectively scrapes the skin to remove the dead skin cells. Both treatments are effective treatments for sun damage, wrinkles and other skin concerns, as they remove old, damaged skin cells and promote the growth of healthy, new skin cells in their place.
Laser Treatments
Laser skin resurfacing uses pulsating beams of focused laser light that are used to vaporize old, damaged skin cells in the topmost layer of the skin. The body will then respond by producing new, healthy skin cells in its place for a smoother, refreshed complexion. Among our laser treatment options, we offer Fraxel laser treatment, which uses a microscopic laser to target problem areas of the skin with even more precision and less downtime than other laser treatments. Safe for all skin colors and skin types, laser treatments produce immediate results that can last several months or more.
Chemical Peels and Skincare Products
One of the least invasive ways to improve the texture of your skin is with a chemical peel. We offer our patients the Vitalize Peel® by SkinMedica, which uses a blend of hydroxy acids, retinoic acid and other effective ingredients to remove the dead top layer of skin and promote the growth of new skin cells for a fresh glow with no downtime In fact, the Vitalize Peel is often called a “lunchtime treatment” because you can be treated on your lunch break and return to the office right afterwards!
Skincare products are also a less invasive, though effective remedy for the drying, cracking effects of sun damage on the face and body. Aqua Plastic Surgery offers Obagi® skin care products, made from natural botanical ingredients that stimulate the production of elastin and collagen in the skin.
To find out more about this product line or the in-office treatments mentioned, call our office in Jupiter, FL, at (561) 776-2830.
How to Prepare for Successful Eyelid Surgery Recovery
Eyelid surgery is a facial procedure that brightens and rejuvenates the area around the eyes. Many people decide to undergo the procedure to eliminate bags underneath the eyes and wrinkles on the upper eyelids for a more youthful appearance. Other people choose eyelid surgery for medical reasons; excess, droopy skin on the upper eyelids can be painful and interfere with vision. In any case, eyelid surgery performed by a qualified surgeon and followed by proper care can deliver beautiful results. Here, Dr. David Rankin of Aqua Plastic Surgery shares tips to ensure long-lasting results and a safe recovery.
Keep your head elevated. Immediately following surgery, you will be directed to keep your head above the level of the rest of your body to reduce swelling and promote faster healing. Once you’re home, try using two or three medium size pillows to prop up your head.
Apply a cold compress. Place a cold compress over your eyes to reduce swelling. This will help relieve any pain you may feel after the anesthesia begins to wear off.
Avoid eye strain. Following surgery, minimize your computer and television time, and do not exercise until your doctor says you can. For the first few weeks, avoid activities that may expose your eyes to sunlight, wind, sand, dust and debris. During the first few days of recovery, ask someone you trust to help you with daily activities.
Keep your eyes clean. Following your surgery, your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to clean your eyes. Follow these guidelines carefully to prevent bacteria from reaching your eyes, because it can cause infections. Avoid wearing eye makeup for the first two weeks or so following surgery.
Use eye drops. Your eyes may get dry and itchy in the days following surgery. Avoid rubbing them or tugging at the skin around the eyes. Instead, use eye drops to keep the eyes moist and comfortable. Before your surgery, be sure to ask your doctor for recommendations on eye drops.
Follow prescription medication instructions. Take all prescription medicine as directed. Do not take any over-the-counter medicine or painkillers without consulting your doctor first. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin should be avoided during your recovery period because they increase the risk of bleeding.
Get plenty of sleep. A successful recovery for any plastic surgery procedure includes plenty of rest. For eyelid surgery in particular, this includes getting a lot of shut-eye. Remember to keep your head elevated even as you sleep and keep your bed or rest area clear of items that may accidentally hurt or poke your eye while you sleep.
Don’t skip follow-up consultations. Most patients are able to return to work a week following surgery. However, our doctors may recommend more recovery time based on your healing progress. This is why it’s important to meet with your doctor as directed. Your follow-up appointments are the best times to let your doctor know of any pain or discomfort you may feel. This way, he can make suggestions or recommendations to improve your recovery.
Schedule Your Eyelid Surgery Consultation Today
To learn more about eyelid surgery or our other facial rejuvenation procedures, schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Rankin or Dr. Allyson Deziel. Please call Aqua Plastic Surgery in Jupiter at (561) 776-2830.
More People are Turning to Plastic Surgery After Massive Weight Loss, Study Says
Many people undergo major weight loss surgery believing the end result will be the shape and figure they always wanted. But in reality, weight loss surgery may only be the first step towards a desired physique. New information released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) shows an increase in the number of weight loss surgeries has sparked a rise in body contouring procedures. Dr. David Rankin of Aqua Plastic Surgery takes a closer look at these findings and the benefits of body contouring after major weight loss surgery.
Massive Weight Loss Surgery Fuels Increase in Plastic Surgery
In 2014, body contouring procedures that typically follow major weight loss increased at their fastest rate in four years, according to ASPS. Thigh lifts and upper arm lifts both rose 9%, tummy tucks increased 4%, while breast lifts rose 10%. Last year also saw a surge in the number of weight loss surgeries. The ASPS believes the rise in weight loss surgery and body contouring procedures are related.
People who undergo major weight loss surgery are often times left with excess skin, including on the arms, abdomen, and thighs. This sagging, drooping skin can be uncomfortable, unsightly and even painful for weight loss surgery patients. Body contouring procedures restore firmness and elasticity to your body by removing excess skin.
Benefits of Plastic Surgery After Major Weight Loss Surgery
Each body contouring procedure offers different benefits for weight loss patients, depending on what they are trying to achieve.
- Body lift, the procedure most commonly performed after-weight loss, eliminates loose skin and refines the contours of the lower body after massive weight loss
- Breast lift elevates saggy breasts to a higher position on the chest and eliminates excess skin
- Tummy tuck surgery eliminates excess loose skin and stubborn fat deposits on the abdomen
- Arm lift removes excess arm skin for a smoother, tighter contour
- Liposuction can get rid of excess fat and refine the contours of different areas of the body, including the back and thighs
Take the Next Step with Body Contouring
If you have recently undergone weight loss surgery, consider perfecting your new body shape with one of our body contouring procedures. Schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Rankin of Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling (561) 776-2830 today.
Enjoy a More Beautiful Buttocks with Fat Transfer
A beautiful backside has always been a priority for many people, but how they’re getting it is changing. While butt implants are still popular, more Americans are choosing fat transfer, also known as the Brazilian Butt Lift, to get a fuller buttocks, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This procedure is popular among people who want to improve the appearance of their buttocks while getting rid of unwanted fat in another part of the body.
What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?
Inspired by the beautiful women of Brazil, the Brazilian Butt Lift improves the size and shape of the buttocks by adding fat taken from another part of the body, such as the abdomen, hips or back. Dr. David Rankin of Aqua Plastic Surgery specializes in Brazilian Butt Lifts. First, he uses liposuction to remove the unwanted fat from the “donor” area. He purifies the cells and then injects them into the buttocks to help the patient achieve the curvature and shape they desire.
What Are the Benefits of a Brazilian Butt Lift?
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of a Brazilian Butt Lift is you can achieve a better backside and lose fat in unwanted areas of the body all at the same time! Other benefits to the Brazilian Butt Lift are:
- A natural look. The Brazilian Butt Lift only uses fat and tissue to boost the shape and size of your butt, meaning it’s all natural.
- Complete satisfaction: Before the procedure, Dr. Rankin will take the time to consult with you to determine how much augmentation and/or lift is best for your body.
- Higher self-esteem: Having the buttocks you have always wanted gives you the self-confidence to wear the clothing you’ve always wanted to wear, and go to the places you’ve wanted to go.
- Quick results: Achieving the perfect butt is not easy. Many people go to the gym to work on their butts, with little to no results. A Brazilian Butt Lift procedure only takes a couple of hours, and recovery time is usually one week to 10 days. This means you can enjoy your fuller buttocks in only a matter of days after the procedure.
For more information on how you can improve your physique with a Brazilian Butt Lift, schedule a consultation with Dr. David Rankin or Dr. Allyson Deziel of Aqua Plastic Surgery.
Best Procedures for a Beach-Ready Body
While summer is a great time to hit the beach, many people are less than excited to show their body in a swimsuit. If you’re not at your physical peak, you may hesitate to spend the summer outdoors. Dr. David Rankin of Aqua Plastic Surgery understands that you want to look and feel your best, which is why he offers the following procedures to help you achieve a beach-ready body.
- Breast Surgery: Many women feel that their breasts are too big, too small or too saggy. Luckily, breast procedures such as breast augmentation and breast reduction can help women achieve the breast size they desire. A breast lift can also make that bikini top look better with higher, rounder and perkier breasts.
- Male Breast Reduction Surgery: Gynecomastia, more commonly known as “man boobs,” affects up to 60 percent of men. This condition can cause a man to to rethink taking off his shirt at the beach. Male breast reduction surgery is available for men who seek a more masculine looking chest. Men can enjoy better-fitting clothing as they head outdoors, and experience less anxiety about going shirtless at the beach or pool.
- Liposuction: Many people complain that no matter how much exercise or dieting they do, they can’t seem to get rid of stubborn areas of fat in the thighs, stomach or back. Liposuction can put the finishing touches on your beach body by removing isolated pockets of fat that don’t seem to budge. Liposuction can be used to treat the abdomen, back, buttocks, legs or upper arms.
- CoolSculpting: This alternative to liposuction uses innovative fat-freezing technology to achieve a slimmer waistline. CoolSculpting is a popular procedure because it requires no surgery and is quick and painless. Targeted cooling is used to chill the treatment area and damage the fat cells. The body then eliminates the damaged fat cells during the subsequent weeks.
- Mommy Makeover: This procedure, which combines breast surgery, tummy tuck and/or liposuction, can be used to help mothers and other women get ready to enjoy the summer outdoors. If you are a mother, this popular treatment can help you get your body back to the way it was before having children, and can give you the self-esteem boost you need to flaunt your body at the beach or pool.
Start preparing for next summer by perfecting your beach body now. To learn more about these cosmetic procedures and others, schedule a consultation with Dr. David Rankin of Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling (561) 776-2830.
Tips To Avoid Overeating During Holiday Parties
Let’s face the truth: the holiday season wouldn’t be quite as exciting without the decadent meals and free-flowing cocktails. With temptation at every turn, it’s difficult to watch your waistline when holiday parties usually offer a rich buffet, sit-down meal and plenty of champagne toasts.
If you’d like to ring in 2015 looking and feeling your best, try these tips to avoid overeating during holiday parties:
Eat a Pre-Party Snack
Walking into a party on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster. Before you leave your house, have a small snack of protein and carbs (half an avocado on toast, some string cheese or a cup of Greek yogurt). This will curb the impulse to start eating as soon as you get to the party.
Alternate Your Drinks
Upon your arrival, drink a non-alcoholic beverage first to satisfy your thirst. From that point on, alternate alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic beverages (try to stick with zero-calorie options like water or club soda). This tactic will help you avoid over-imbibing, which can lower your inhibitions and increase your appetite, making it more likely that you overeat.
If you anticipate that you’ll toss back a few drinks, plan ahead and keep some healthy post-party snacks or munchies in plain view at home. Try low-calorie popcorn or some crudité with hummus.
Tell a White Lie
If a family member or coworker is pestering you to try their special (calorie-filled) dish, tell a white lie and say you enjoyed a piece already, or that you’re stuffed and will wrap up a portion for later. They don’t have to know the truth!
Wear Slim-Fitting Clothing
Wearing a body-conscious dress, slim-fitting slacks or a pair of Spanx is a good way to discourage multiple trips to the buffet table or a second helping of dessert.
Don’t Sit Down
Standing up burns calories, aids digestion and makes it more difficult to pile foods on your plate. If you do take a seat, make sure it’s not within arm’s reach of the snack bowl or bar.
Take Home Half
Modern serving sizes tend to be monstrous for just one person. If the holiday gathering is a sit-down affair at a restaurant, when the server brings your entrée, immediately halve it and have them box up one portion for a doggy bag. This removes the temptation to clean your plate.
Don’t Deprive Yourself
If you tell yourself an indulgent food or beverage is off-limits, chances are you’ll crave it more than normal. Instead, allow yourself to indulge in moderation. Try a few bites of your favorite foods — that’s usually all it takes to satisfy a craving. Just be sure to balance out your diet by eating healthfully the rest of the day.
Start the New Year Right
If you typically follow a clean diet and exercise regularly, yet still have areas of stubborn, unwanted fat, consider body contouring with Dr. David Rankin and Dr. Allyson Deziel of Aqua Plastic Surgery. Procedures such as liposuction can help you enjoy a slimmer and sexier physique. To learn more about these options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rankin or Dr. Deziel by calling (561) 776-2830 or use our easy contact form.
Plastic Surgery after Major Weight Loss
After significant weight loss, it is common to have surplus skin that obscures the body’s new curves and contours. In some cases, this troublesome skin can chafe or develop rashes or infections. Excess skin cannot be reduced with diet or exercise. In fact, plastic surgery is the only effective treatment for excess skin.
Dr. David Rankin, a plastic surgeon in Palm Beach, offers several plastic surgery procedures for patients who have recently lost a significant amount of weight, and are left with excess, loose skin. The general goal of plastic surgery after major weight loss is to tighten the skin and improve the curves and contours of the body.
After learning about a patient’s specific goals, Dr. Rankin will customize a treatment plan of one or more body contouring procedures. Treatment options include the following:
Body Lift
Body lift reshapes the mid- to lower body, including the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks and thighs. Through an incision around the back of the hips to the front of the thighs, loose skin and fatty tissue are removed. Then, the remaining tissue and skin are smoothed and tightened for a more pleasing body contour.
Arm Lift
Arm lift treats loose, flabby arms to produce a more youthful contour. Excess skin and fat deposits are removed and the remaining tissue is tightened to improve the shape of the upper arms.
Breast Lift
Breast lift elevates saggy, drooping breasts to a higher position on the chest wall by removing excess skin and tightening the remaining tissue and skin. Breast lift can be combined with breast reduction or breast augmentation for smaller or larger breasts, respectively.
Male Breast Reduction
Male breast reduction treats gynecomastia (enlarged male breasts) and restores a more classically masculine appearance to the chest. During the procedure, excess tissue and/or fat is removed from the breasts for a flatter and firmer chest contour
Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck can accomplish several objectives in a single operation. The procedure will correct a protruding or saggy abdomen by removing excess skin and fat, tightening the remaining skin and repairing weak/separated abdominal muscles. In many cases, the belly button is also repositioned higher on the abdomen, and stretch marks are reduced/removed.
Learn More about Your Options
If you have recently lost a significant amount of weight and are curious about your body contouring options, please schedule a consultation with Dr. David Rankin today or Dr. Allyson Deziel today. Call Aqua Plastic Surgery at (561) 776-2830 or send us an email.
Look Great This Holiday Season with Noninvasive Cosmetic Treatment
For many people, the holiday season is a time to get together with family and friends, some for the first time all year! It’s reasonable to assume that you want to look your best for holiday reunions and parties. Dr. David Rankin and Dr. Allyson Deziel, Palm Beach plastic surgeons, understand that although you may desire some help via cosmetic enhancement, you don’t have the time in your busy schedule to commit to surgical rejuvenation. They offer a range of nonsurgical treatment options to erase visible signs of aging and help you put your best face forward, all without significant downtime or recovery.
Depending on your specific cosmetic objectives, Dr. Rankin or Dr. Deziel will outline the best treatment options. These may include one or more of the following:
Dermal Injectables
We offer a variety of dermal injectable products, including Botox, Juvéderm and Restylane, to accomplish several goals:
- Reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles
- Fill in under-eye bags
- Plump the lips
- Add definition to the cheek or chin area
We also offer facial fat transfer, which involves taking surplus fat from another area of your body and injecting it into your face to smooth lines and folds, or to enhance the lips, cheeks and chin.
After dermal injectable treatment, your skin will be smoother, your facial features will look more defined and you will appear more rested and relaxed. Take note: results last temporarily; so schedule repeat treatments to maintain the effects throughout the New Year.
Peels, Microdermabrasion and Photofacials
If you’re worried about skin imperfections like age spots, acne scarring or areas of sun damage, microdermabrasion or chemical peel treatment will remove the damaged outer layer of skin to reveal fresh, healthy skin underneath. Photofacials use intense pulses of light to improve areas of hyperpigmentation, redness associated with acne or rosacea and fine lines. After one of these treatments, your complexion will look more even and luminous.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing (with the CO2, erbium: YAG or Pearl lasers) removes the outer layer of damaged skin to reveal fresh, new skin in its place. It is optimal for treating scars, fine lines or areas of sun damage or uneven pigmentation.
In addition to traditional laser skin resurfacing, Dr. Rankin offers Fraxel fractional laser skin resurfacing technology. The laser stimulates your body’s natural healing process to replace damaged tissue with younger, healthier skin. Fraxel’s microscopic laser columns deliver precise treatment to the damaged tissue, leaving the surrounding areas untouched.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you’re considering cosmetic treatment in time for the holiday season, schedule a consultation today to learn more about your options. Contact Aqua Plastic Surgery via email or call our Jupiter office at (561) 776-2830.
Lasers Provide Skin Rejuvenation and Other Aesthetic Benefits
When you think of the word “lasers,” do you picture red-hot beams of light that can incinerate objects within seconds? Although this association is not incorrect, there have been many recent advances in laser technology that contribute to our expanding definition of what a laser is. For instance, lasers are not necessarily always red or hot; they can also be blue or equipped with a cool application tip.
Thanks to many of the advancements in laser technology, the team at Aqua Plastic Surgery is able to provide patients with a host of cosmetic laser treatments that satisfy a variety of skin rejuvenation and other aesthetic needs. Let’s explore the aesthetic benefits that laser treatments offer.
Skin Rejuvenation
Undergoing minimally invasive cosmetic laser treatment is often an effective way to rejuvenate the look of the skin and combat visible signs of facial aging — while postponing the need for facial rejuvenation surgery.
For example, laser skin resurfacing treatment eliminates the dull, dead outer layers of the skin to reveal the fresher, healthier skin underneath. Laser skin resurfacing can improve the look of dark spots, fine lines and some wrinkles as well as even out skin tone and texture.
At Aqua Plastic Surgery, we also offer laser skin-tightening treatment, which helps to stimulate the body’s latent production of collagen, a protein that is integral in maintaining elastic, youthful-looking skin. The heat from the laser also causes collagen fibers to contract, for a firmer, tighter look.
Hair Removal
Lasers can also be used to remove unwanted hair from nearly any area of the body. Over the course of a few laser treatment sessions, the targeted hair follicles become damaged. As a result, they may be unable to re-grow hair — or, if they can, they do so at a much slower pace, and the hair is finer and sparser. Both men and women can benefit from laser hair removal treatment and will experience long-lasting results.
Tattoo Removal
Thanks to laser technology, you no longer have to be stuck with the “I love Milli Vanilli” tattoo you got when you were 18 years old. During laser tattoo removal treatment, the ink in the tattoo absorbs the laser light, fragmenting the ink into microscopic particles of pigment that the body can safely pass through its natural detoxification system. Over time, tattoos are completely eliminated or dramatically lightened.
Vein Removal
In addition, laser treatment is effective at improving the look of spider veins. The laser light can selectively target the damaged blood vessels that cause spider veins. As the blood vessels absorb the laser energy, the heat collapses the blood in the targeted vessels, in turn causing the vessels to shrink.
Learn More About Laser Treatment
To schedule an appointment and learn more about the benefits of cosmetic laser treatment, contact Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling (561) 776-2830.
Tips to Keep Your Skin Looking Youthful
At Aqua Plastic Surgery, we can relate to the desire to turn back the hands of time. Most people would like to find the fountain of youth, but since that's unlikely, you will have to settle for the following tips to help keep our skin looking as youthful as possible.
#1: Wash Your Face Before Bed
Never go to bed without first washing your face. During the day, makeup, dirt, debris and pollutants build up on your skin. If you go to bed without washing your face, the same dirt and debris may end up clogging your pores.
Note: In your 40s, hormonal changes can cause oil production to slow. When this happens, washing your face too often may cause your skin to look dry, dull and wrinkled. If washing your face twice a day seems to be having this effect, simply wash your face with foaming face wash before bed and splash your face with lukewarm water in the morning.
#2: Use Sunscreen Daily
Even when it is overcast outside, the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays are reaching earth — and you. Over time, the sun’s UV rays can cause premature signs of aging, including dark spots, wrinkles and more. To keep your skin looking as youthful as possible, you must apply sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF of 15 or higher every morning.
#3: Manage Stress
Chronic stress can age your skin in multiple ways. First, constantly frowning or grimacing as the result of stress can cause dynamic wrinkles to form, including so-called “frown lines” that appear in between the eyebrows or horizontal forehead furrows. Second, when you are under stress, your body produces more cortisol, the stress hormone. High cortisol levels lead to inflammation, which, in turn, breaks down collagen, a protein that is essential for healthy, supple and young-looking skin. Thus, managing stress by practicing yoga, meditating, taking deep breaths, going for a walk or talking to a friend is crucial for keeping your skin looking youthful.
#4: Watch What You Eat
To keep your skin looking its best, eat well-balanced, nutritious meals and limit your intake of foods that are high in sugar. This is because nutritious foods help support skin health while sugary foods hinder it. For instance, foods that are high in antioxidants help reduce inflammation, which, as we mentioned, breaks down collagen. In contrast, eating large amounts of sugary foods can cause a physiological process called “glycation.” Glycation causes the proteins in the body, including collagen proteins, to become hard and inflexible. When collagen becomes too rigid, so does the skin.
#5: Seek Help to Combat Visible Signs of Aging
Although no one can completely stop the natural aging process, Dr. David Rankin and Dr. Allyson Deziel can help combat visible signs of aging with cosmetic surgery and nonsurgical treatment options. If you are already experiencing noticeable signs of facial aging, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
To schedule a personal consultation with Palm Beach plastic surgeons Dr. Rankin or Dr. Deziel to learn more about your facial rejuvenation or skincare treatment options, contact Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling (561) 776-2830.