Patient Portal

Ezine 96 November 2010

Skin Care Tip:

Treating Skin Discoloration

Whatever your skin coloring may be, imbalances and trauma to the dermis can lead to pigmentation problems or hyperpigmentation. Uneven pigmentation caused by sun damage, hormonal irregularities, drug reactions or other skin conditions. Good professional treatments to start an effective regimen include microdermabrasions, glycolic acid peels or non-ablative lasers or IPL laser treatments to achieve an immediate reaction in surface pigment. These treatments need to be managed appropriately so they do not product inflammation which can create more hyperpigmentation, which actually compounds the problem. For the best results, professional treatments are always followed with a solid home skin care program. When selecting products for daily care be sure that they include some of the ingredients below: Azelic Acid – a good anti-oxidant and also suppress melanin, which can produce hyperpigmentation Lumiskin/diacetyl Boldine- keeps the skin color even without irritation Kojic Acid – inhibits pigment, but can cause slight sensitivity Vitamin C - destroys free radicals that cause erratic pigmentation Any protocol for hyperpigmentation must also include a way to protect skin from any more damage, especially from UV rays. You must avoid sun exposure by wearing a sunscreen with board spectrum protection. If you have extended sun exposure be sure to re-apply every hour.

Anti-Aging Tip:

Pure Maple Syrup Contains Many Beneficial Compounds!

A University of Rhode Island researcher has found more than 20 compounds in maple syrup from Canada that have been linked to human health, 13 of which are newly discovered in maple syrup. Several of these anti-oxidant compounds newly identified in maple syrup are also reported to have anti-cancer, anti-bacterial and anti-diabetic properties. The biomedical scientist heading this project said such early research is exciting because many people would not associate such a sugary product with healthy biological properties. They know that anti-oxidants are present in the leaves, bark and twigs of the maple tree, so looking at the sap make sense. Most scientists already knew that this product was full of naturally occurring minerals such as zinc, thiamine and calcium. Real maple syrup is pricier than commercial brands with maple flavoring or even those with no to very little maple syrup. Remember you pay for what you get and you get what you pay for, meaning there are consequences for what you eat. Syrup with maple flavoring has limited health value. When buying real maple syrup, look for either a grade A or B on the product label.

Plastic Surgery Tip:

What Not To Do Prior To Surgery

Taking the right precautions prior to surgery can help you to heal quickly and cause less post-operative problems or complications. Whether you are undergoing surgery for Cosmetic, Reconstructive or Medical reasons, you should take these precautions seriously. These are a few of the precautions to take and certain medications and vitamins to stop. Stop Aspirin: Aspirin can inhibit platelets, cell-like structures that help aid in blood clotting. Surgeons believe that aspirin can cause severe bleeding, which is why any surgeon or physician will ask you to stop taking aspirin 7 to 10 days prior to your surgery date. This is mostly for patients who take aspirin on a daily basis, as well as patients who take aspirin for pain or heart conditions. Stop Vitamins: When taking Vitamins and Herbal Supplements, it is imperative that you tell your Plastic Surgeon. Certain Herbal remedies may prolong the effect of anesthesia in the body, which can also increase bleeding. Other herbal remedies may interfere with antibiotics prescribed by your physician. Some herbal supplements may cause blood clots, heart attacks, strokes or even death. Most herbal remedies are not approved by the FDA and some have not been properly studied.

Stop Smoking: Many articles have proven that smoking impairs proper healing after surgery. Physicians and surgeons believe that smoking before and after surgery prevents healing of the wounds and the results will not be as good as that of non-smokers. Most surgeons do not like to operate on patients who continue to smoke and advise that you quit at least 2-3 weeks prior to surgery for best results. Following the instructions of your physician or surgeon, not only will you achieve the best results, but you will increase your chances of not having any problems during your recovery period.

To see before and after patient pictures, please click here.

During your consult with Dr. Speron, the patient will discuss their desired goals on an individual level. Then they will further discuss the course of treatment and potential complications at the appointment time. Please check out the wealth of information on our site by clicking here.

Make sure you chose a board certified plastic surgeon. A call to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or ASPS at 1-888-4-PLASTIC (ie. 1-888-475-2784) can tell you which doctors are legitimate plastic surgeons with outstanding qualifications. You can also visit the ASPS web site at www.plasticsurgery.org. The ASPS is the only one of the 24 boards approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties that certifies physicians in plastic surgery of the face and all areas of the body. When considering a cosmetic surgeon, you should also make sure your surgeon is a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). A call to ASAPS (1-888-272-7711) or visiting the ASAPS website (www.plasticsurgery.org) can help you verify your plastic surgeons membership.

To help you in making your decision, please click here to check out the 7 critical questions to ask any plastic surgeon before letting them touch you!

By far, the most important factor in the success of your procedure is the surgeon you choose. So please choose wisely...

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