Years of wearing earrings can cause the stretching and age a woman, and earlobe repair surgery can correct the problem.

“It is no secret that more women are having what could be called a ‘lobe job’,” says Wendy Lewis, cosmetic surgery adviser and editor of a beauty news website. “Gravity takes its toll on earlobes — they droop like chins and breasts do, and can make you look older.”

Lewis says that heavy earrings can stretch the earlobe out of shape and sometimes even tear the earlobe, when the hole from a pierced ear gets so stretched that it tears the lobe open and needs to be stitched back together.

In addition to surgery, some surgeons are experimenting with other ways to rejuvenate the ears. A representative of a London-based clinic reported using radio-frequency energy to tighten the skin of the ears. She also said fillers are sometimes used to plump up the ear and make them look younger and fuller without surgery.

Earlobe Repair Surgery for Stretched Earlobes

Earlobe repair surgery is a relatively simple surgical procedure to repair a torn, stretched or split earlobe. Usually performed under local anesthesia, your cosmetic surgeon will remove the skin surrounding the split to create a clean edge, and then sutures are used to close the split earlobe.

Sutures are typically removed within two weeks of surgery, and patients can wear earnings again within six months.

If you’re interested in earlobe rejuvenation, talk to your cosmetic surgeon about the best approach.

• Port wine stains
• Broken capillaries
• Rosacea
• Fine wrinkles
• Age spots
• Uneven pigmentation

A recent study published in the journal Dermatology Surgery compared IPL treatments to non-ablative Q-switched laser treatments for skin rejuvenation in Asian patients and found that the IPL treatment was as effective as the non-ablative laser for improving several skin problems, including skin texture and pore size.

Twelve female patients received five sessions of treatments, every two weeks. IPL was applied to the left side of the face and the non-ablative laser to the right.

Significant skin rejuvenation was shown for all the assessments. Similar efficiency from both procedures was observed for skin texture, pore size and sebum secretion (a cause of acne).

IPL was more efficient than the laser for lightening the skin tone after the first treatment, but there was no further improvement after three treatments. On the other hand, the laser gradually lightened the skin tone and was ultimately more efficient than the IPL after five treatments.

According to 2009 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, IPL was performed about 429,700 times last year and laser skin resurfacing with a non-ablative laser, such as Fraxel, was performed about 323,900 times.

The study also illustrates that there are many techniques that  doctors can use to improve various skin conditions; your doctor can help you choose the best procedure(s) to meet your needs.

Skin Speaks Spa MD offers several non-surgical skin rejuvenation procedures, including IPL, Fraxel, and microdermabrasion.

A: Latisse is a bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%, originally developed and used as a glaucoma medication. In using the medication, many patients noticed that their eyelashes grew significantly, to the point that some even felt the need to trim them.  Allergan, who owned the medication, began to market it as Latisse, for topical use in patients with “inadequate eyelashes.”

Q: How long has Latisse been on the market?

A: Though Latisse has only been available for about 6 months, its related safety record as an eye drop solution spans well over 10 years. Any medication that is used in the eye must be very safe.

Q: Why do I need a prescription for Latisse?

A: Latisse can result in eyelash improvement of 105% in thickness and over 25% in length. Latisse is not an over-the-counter medication. The FDA approved Latisse as a prescription medication to treat hypotrichosis, i.e. reduced amount of eyelash growth.

Q: How does Latisse work?

A: Latisse is thought to affect the growth stage of eyelashes by increasing the duration of the growth phase while increasing the number of hairs in the growth phase.  Most people begin to see an increase in their lashes after about 3 or 4 weeks. By 16 weeks the lashes will have reached their full length and thickness. Discontinuation of Latisse will result in a return of the lashes to their previous state.

Q: How do I apply Latisse?

A: Latisse is applied to the base of the upper eyelashes nightly for 16 weeks. After 16 weeks, the application can be reduced to every 2-3 days to maintain growth. Latisse is not applied to the lower eyelashes. However, during sleep some of the medication will diffuse across to these lashes increasing them as well.

Q: Is Latisse expensive?

A: It’s not terribly expensive.  From most physicians in the Twin Cities, it will be about 100-120 dollars for a one-month supply.

Q: Are there alternatives to Latisse that work the same way?

A: There are no comparable products on the market right now. Other eyelash enhancement products that claim to increase eyelash thickness and length are usually conditioners, which don’t stimulate eyelash growth.

>>> Learn more about Latisse in Mpls/St. Paul.

Although Botox is typically used (and approved) to treat wrinkles on the face and forehead, other treatment applications (approved and non-approved) are wide-ranging.   According to current U.S. law, physicians are permitted to administer medicine for any application they deem appropriate.  They aren’t however, allowed to market medicine for any use they please.

According to Allergan representatives, the lawsuit is not intended to increase sales of Botox, but rather increase the physician’s ability to access information regarding the safety (risks, benefits, dosing, patient selection) of off-label Botox use.

Some of the most common Botox treatments aside from wrinkle reduction are for hyperhidrosis, muscle spasms around the eye, and cervical dystonia.

The most attractive aspect is the money saved.  Because Dr. Carney provides all procedures in the office using only local anesthesia, you can choose to pursue the procedure and pay only for what is really necessary – a skilled surgeon and a desirable outcome. Our surgical procedures eliminate an average of $2500 in costs for general anesthesia and surgery center fees.¬† A recent ET (Entertainment Tonight) segment discussed how this concept has grown in Hollywood, calling it the new and less invasive procedure to the stars! Less Downtime, Less Risk.  Dr. Carney has the experience of 21 years, the past 17 using only local anesthesia, so while it may be trendy in Hollywood, it is not so new to us.

Contact Skin Speaks Spa/Advancements in Dermatology to find out more.

If your skin is in need of rejuvenation, a few microdermabrasion treatments each year can make a big difference.  Microdermabrasion removes the top layer of skin to reveal a fresh, healthy layer underneath. It also stimulates collagen production, which improves skin elasticity.  It’s an easy procedure, and it can reduce the appearance fine lines, wrinkles and even some forms of skin damage.  If you use skin products (we recommend medical grade), it can increase penetration, so your daily skin care regimen is more effective.  For many patients, this combination of at-home skin care and microdermabrasion is all it takes to achieve smoother more silky looking skin.

If you exhibit age spots, zap them away with a Fraxel laser or Chemical Peel. Rejuvenate your skin while reducing or removing age spots.

Professional Facials are another great way to remove dead skin cells from the skin surface, and they feel great! If you don’t need an intensive treatment but want to freshen up your look, a facial may be the right treatment choice.

Sunscreen is important any time of year, but especially during these hot summer months. Choosing the right sunscreen for your face – one that addresses your skin type and skin conditions – is not always easy.  Use a sunscreen every day. For days spent mostly indoors, use a foundation with an SPF15 or higher. For outdoors you want at least an SPF45 that is waterproof or water-resistant. The right sunscreen can prevent sun damage, skin problems, and even skin cancer.   Harmful UV rays can damage skin cells deep within the skin surface, making your cells vulnerable to toxins (free-radicals) in the environment. We can help you select the right sunscreen for your skin.

Self conscious about unwanted facial or body hair? Laser hair removal can erase excess hair to keep your skin looking smooth and buff, reducing the need for shaving and waxing.

Let us help you maintain the health of your skin. Come visit us at Skin Speaks Spa to find out which treatment will work best for your skin type; then look forward to looking hot all summer long!

Cosmetic procedures on men dropped 2 percent last year, while the number of procedures done on women increased by 29 percent, according to statistics from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

“For the time being, males and females are beginning to separate themselves in regards to cosmetic surgery,” said AACS president Dr. Patrick McMenamin. According to Dr. McMenamin, women may be more accepting of non-invasive cosmetic procedures (like Botox and laser resurfacing), which may explain the percentage gap.

More widespread economic trends could be a more primary cause. In February, The Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that men lost 2.7 million jobs since the start of the recession – a figure that represents 82 percent of the total number of jobs lost. The New York Times opined that given this situation, “women are poised to take a greater share of the nation’s jobs.”

A recent study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery analyzed identical twins with contrasting lifestyle factors to check for visible signs of aging in the face.

Author and ASPS surgeon Bahman Guyuron MD says, “we looked at identical twins because they are genetically programmed to age exactly the same, and in doing so we essentially discovered that, when it comes to your face, it is possible to cheat your biological clock.”

Identical subjects were photographed, surveyed, and then visually inspected by members of an independent panel.

One notable observation revealed was the conclusion that subjects over 40 who were heavier than their identical counterpart actually exhibited a more youthful appearance.

Dr. Guyuron speculates that this finding provides some scientific basis to support facial rejuvenation through volume restoration – the correction of facial lipoatrophy.

Results also revealed a higher perceived age difference in divorced subjects and those who had used antidepressants.

The reorganization follows their recent purchase of California based Fraxel laser manufacturer, Reliant Technologies; a deal that was initiated last year for approximately $87.5 million.

Both brands (fraxel and Thermage) recently launched new, more user-friendly websites which represent a clear departure from their previous ‘clinical’ styles.

A new stock ticker symbol will be recognized as “SLTM” on the Nasdaq.

In a recent press release, President Stephen J. Fanning commented, “the name and ticker symbol changes are a great start to the New Year and a key milestone in the integration of the acquisition of Reliant Technologies Inc.”

Many details about the patient have been withheld for privacy reasons, but the press release states that the patient had suffered severe facial trauma. Many critical components of the patient’s face were restored.¬† Surgeons precisely integrated facial structures like the lower eyelids and nose, while also replacing different complex tissues like skin, nerves and arteries.

Dr. Maria Siemionow is the director of plastic surgery research and team leader for the operation.  She has spent a large part of her career researching and developing such a procedure. Dr. Siemionow was able to lead a group of professionals from a variety of areas, including bioethics, surgery, anesthesia, opthamology, dentistry and others.  A cooperative approach of this magnitude is the only way to succeed in such a complex surgical procedure.

“No other aspect of our anatomy is capable of even a fraction of the complexity of motion and emotion allowed by the muscles and tissues of the face” says Siemionow.

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, she describes
her motivation for such difficult work; “Patients with facial disfigurement have very difficult challenges in society. We hope that one day we may be able to help the tens of thousands of patients who are quietly suffering.”