Archive for January, 2010

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January 2010 Newsletter from Iowa Plastic Surgery

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

January 2010 Newsletter

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!

A time for resolutions, a time for reflections and a time for something new.

What’s NEW at Iowa Plastic Surgery? Our NEWLY updated website is up and running as of this past month, with more content and information for most of our procedures.

We also added a new service called the ‘Get Acquainted Session’, which is for those who are looking for more information, but are just not ready to take the next step of scheduling a consultation with Dr. Van Raalte. This no-charge meeting to find out more about a particular procedure, the practice, or the physician, can be held individually or in a group. To schedule a ‘Get Acquainted Session’, contact our patient coordinator, Christina Drumm at (563) 322-8877 or by email.

WINTER RAVISHED SKIN

Winter is here and so is the season of dry, flaky skin. Bobbi (our medical aesthetician) says you may need to make some adjustments to your skin care regimen. A more hydrating moisturizer may be needed during the day and/or night to provide that extra care. The best skin regimen would be a combination of medical microdermabrasions and/or peels with moisturizing products. Microdermabrasions and peels will help remove dry, flaky, dead skin cells.

The two products by SkinMedica® in this month’s Spotlight will rehydrate, condition and firm the skin while encouraging the skins ability to repair and hydrate itself.

Hydrating is very important for all skin types. Oily or acne-prone skin also gets dry during the winter. Keep in mind that if the skin gets dry, the body will try to compensate by producing more oils in the oil glands and that can set up a vicious cycle of dry-oily-acne skin.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT!

DERMAL REPAIR CREAM

SkinMedica® offers the solution to maintaining skin’s healthy, hydrated glow this winter with its innovative Dermal Repair Cream and Hydrating Complex. Recommended for normal/combination or dry skin.

Save 50%
on Hydrating Complex
when you purchase
the Dermal Repair at Iowa Plastic Surgery.

Dermal Repair is a vitamin enriched facial cream intensely hydrates and replenishes dry skin with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid. Dermal Repair skin cream helps to reduce the appearance of age spots as it provides skin protection against harsh environmental conditions.

Hydrating Complex is a hyaluronic acid rich serum which replenishes skins moisture reservoir and provides instant and long term hydration.

SPIDER VEIN TREATMENT
IMPROVE THOSE UNSIGHTLY AND PAINFUL SPIDER VEINS

Telangiectasias, or “spider veins” affect about half of all women in the United States. Spider vein treatment (sclerotherapy) has been used for more than 40 years. The treatment has become increasingly useful for removing unwanted veins, wich are commonly located on the thighs, ankles, and calves.

Spider veins are not the same as varicose veins. Varicose veins are larger and darker in color. Varicose veins are often painful and can be related to a more serious medical condition. Spider veins are largely caused by heredity and hormones, and rarely, by trauma. Spider veins may appear in three different forms near the skins surface including very thin spider veins, very thin tree type veins, and very thin long single veins.

Sometimes the smallest veins are too little for even the tiniest needle. Those may be treated with a laser. Since the laser is less successful, has more risks, and is more costly, sclerotherapy injections are still the gold standard.

Spider vein treatment does not require anesthesia and the discomfort is minimal. Sclerotherapy is done in our office and takes about a half hour. Prior to the procedure, the doctor will ask you to follow specific instructions such as wearing shorts on the day of treatment and no use of moisturizers, sunscreen, or oil. Dr. Van Raalte recommends a special leg compression stocking to wear for 2 to 3 weeks after the treatment is performed.

The doctor will also discuss the type of solution (a sclerosing agent) that will be injected to collapse the vein. He uses sodium tetradecyl , which seems to have less risk than hypertonic saline. Dr Van Raalte will describe the choice of solutions and recommend the appropriate solution for your condition.

Sclerotherapy is a simple technique in which the doctor injects a sclerosing agent into the vein with a very thin needle, which clots the vein. The needle is very tiny and the injection locations are in close proximity.

The veins will appear worse before they improve. There will be bruising that reduces within a month. Patients will probably not want to wear clothing that shows their legs during this time. The doctor will also instruct patients to cease weightlifting, squatting, jogging, and possibly other forms of more strenuous exercise for 2 to 3 weeks.

Complications are rare, but the risk for short-term or long-term complications does exist. The most common complication is brownish-red discoloration on the treated area that usually resolves itself within a year. Telangeictatic matting can also occur, which displays itself as red-colored blood vessels that require additional treatment to resolve. Other more rare complications include deep vein thrombosis inflammation, allergic reaction to the injected solution, or scarring. There is a small incidence of recurrence or the apperance of new veins. Carefully following your doctor’s aftercare instructions will reduce the risks of complications.

The cost of Sclerotherapy Treatment starts from about $400 for a session of six syringes. The treatment may need to be repeated to produce optimal results.

COSMETIC TAX

Thank you to all who contacted our members of Congress and/or signed the petition to oppose the cosmetic tax. Plastic surgeons and Botox® manufacturer, Allergan Inc., successfully fought a proposed 5% tax on elective cosmetic procedures in the Senate Democrats’ healthcare legislation.

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December Newsletter – Iowa Plastic Surgery

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Treatment Information on Acne

Acne is one of the most common of all skin problems.  Acne problems are commonly faced by teens but many women are suprised to see acne breakouts in their late 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and even 50’s.  There are several treatments for both active acne and acne scars.

A combination of treatments can greatly reduce the amount and severity of acne in many cases.

The first visit to Iowa Plastic Surgery Ponds Medi Spa, the patient receives a consultation with our licensed Aesthetician Bobbi and a computerized skin analysis.  The treatments for acne and acne scarring consist of microdermabrasions, glycolic peels, Cool Touch®, Gentle Waves, and a daily skin care regimen.  Based on age, severity of the acne and acne scarring, we will work together with the patient to determine the best option in controlling the acne condition and the steps to prevent future breakouts with out dryness and irritation.  We offer various acne products that have been proven to improve the skin, absorb sebum, and suppress inflammation.  In conjunction with skincare products, there are additional treatments for more severe conditions of acne, such as in-office procedures offered by Dr. Van Raalte.  He will examine your scars, skin and face to discuss with you which procedure best suits your individual needs.  Treatments for active adult acne include antibiotics, retin-A cream, birth control pills (they can be prescribed to you by your gynecologist), skin care products and treatments, and laser treatments.  Each helps in its own way.

We offer Cool Touch® laser treatments.  The laser causes heating underneath the skin, which kills the acne causing bacteria that live in the skin.  Patients undergoing a series of treatments report a decrease in acne breakouts.  The Cool Touch® is usually combined with microdermabrasion treatments and also offers no downtime.

Acne scars can be treated by a variety of modalities, each one improve the acne scars mildly to moderately.  There is no one magic wand type treatment.  The Cool Touch® laser mentioned above may also help acne scarring.  The heating process affects the collagen by causing the collagen to be reformed and may lead to reduction in scarring.  The deepest pit type scar may benefit by excision and closure.

Fillers such as Hydrelle™, Restylane®, or Juvederm® are used to elevate depressed areas of acne scarring also.

Deeper peels such as a TCA peel also will smooth the skin.  TCA peels do have a one to two week recovery.  Other treatments such as laser dermabrasion may help scars, but have a longer recovery, and a prolonged discoloration, so they are reserved for special cases.  Dermabrasion may also help selected cases of moderate scarring, but does have significant down time.

A facelift may benefit those with acne scarring and skin laxity, and the resulting tightening diminishes the appearance of the scars.

If you would like more information or help to find you a regimen that will work for you

please call 322-8877 or email Christina.

____________________________________
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT!

A new product from La Roche PosayEffaclar AI
Bid acne adieu with La Roche Posay Effaclar AI.  The lightweight treatment was designed to fight acne bacteria and break outs, all while diminishing scarring and allowing the skin to heal.  The blend of Thermal Spring Water, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Salicylic Acid promotes a clear and bright complexion.  It’s ideal for those with oily and acne prone skin who want to fight breakouts and reduce the skin’s oily levels.

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