Facelift
Some of the most visible signs of aging first appear on the face. Although the changes appear gradually, there may come a day when you look in the mirror and decide that the face you see doesn't reflect the way you feel about yourself. If you'd like to look as good as you feel, a facelift can help.
Also known as rhytidectomy, a facelift smooths the loose skin on your face and neck, tightens underlying tissues and removes excess fat. As a result, your face will appear firmer and fresher.
You may be a good candidate for a facelift if you have any of the following types of conditions:
- a deep line that runs from the corner of your nose to the corner of your mouth
- loss of a well-defined jawline
- deep wrinkles in the cheeks and sagging skin near the cheekbones
- loose skin, wrinkles or excess fatty tissue in the neck
Eyelid Rejuvenation
More than any other facial feature, your eyes reveal the most about how you feel. When your eyes are bright and alert, you appear energized, well-rested, and in control. However, if you have lower eyelid puffiness, dark circles or drooping upper lids, others may assume that you are fatigued, angry or unhappy.
If you believe that your eyes are making you look tired, sad, or older than you really feel, cosmetic eyelid surgery (also called blepharoplasty) may be the right choice for you. Eyelid surgery can remove the excess fat and drooping skin of the upper eyelids, minimize bags under the eyes and tighten the lower eyelid skin. The result is a more alert and rested appearance.
You may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery if you have any of the following conditions:
Upper eyelids:
- excess skin that hides the natural fold of the upper eyelids
- loose skin that hangs down from the upper eyelids
- puffiness in the upper eyelids that creates a tired look
Lower eyelids:
- excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelids
- puffy "bags" and, in some cases, dark circles
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, or surgery to reshape the nose, is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip.
The best candidates for rhinoplasty are people who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you're physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate. Rhinoplasty can be performed to meet aesthetic goals or for reconstructive purposes, to correct birth defects or breathing problems.
Endoscopic Browlift
With age, the tissues of the face tend to droop and sag. This creates a tired heavy look to the upper eyelids as well as "crow's feet" or wrinkles next to the eyes. Often, people will compensate for drooping eyebrows by contracting the muscles of the forehead. This creates horizontal wrinkles in the forehead, which may become quite deep. At times, people will also have hyperactive muscles between the eyebrows, which create deep creases in the lower forehead area giving a perpetual "scowl."
Browlift may correct all of these problems, often with minimally invasive surgery.
Laser Resurfacing
In laser resurfacing, sometimes called "laser peel," a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer. The procedure is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of fine lines, especially around the mouth and the eyes. However, it is also effective in treating facial scars or areas of uneven pigmentation. Laser resurfacing may be performed on the whole face or in specific regions. Often, the procedure is done in conjunction with another cosmetic operation, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery.
All resurfacing treatments work essentially the same way. First, the outer layers of damaged skin are stripped away. Then, as new cells form during the healing process, a smoother, tighter, younger-looking skin surface appears.
Fat Transfer
Fat transfer is a simple in-office procedure in which your own fat cells may be used as a filling material to help correct deep facial lines, furrows or creases or to help enhance the lips, chin or cheeks. Aging hands may also be rejuvenated by the addition of fat to create more youthful hands.
Using local anesthetic, some of your own fatty tissue is removed through a small syringe and placed into the treatment area immediately or may be saved for later use. Some swelling and bruising is normal and may be present for three to five days. Ice packs will reduce swelling and makeup may be used to camouflage bruising.
Fat transfer can be permanent, but treatments may need to be repeated from one to three times until satisfactory correction is seen.
Otoplasty
Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears.
Ears that appear to stick out or are overly large can be helped by ear surgery. For the most part, the operation is done on children between the ages of four and 14. Ears are almost fully grown by age four, and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing and ridicule the child will have to endure. Ear surgery on adults is also possible, and there are generally no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older patient.
Skin Rejuvenation
Ideal solutions to enhance your youthful and healthy appearance without surgery, recovery time, or injections.
Cutera Skin Tightening – Infrared light is used to safely heat the dermis below the skin’s surface. This heating can cause immediate collagen contraction resulting in tigher skin. New collagen growth continues after the procedure and results in further tightening with improvement in lax skin, folds and lines.
Cutera Lasers Genesis – Non-invasive laser technology that effectively treats fine lines, large pores, uneven skin texture, rosacea, and broken capillaries. You will see a healthier complexion as large pores are reduced in size and minor imperfections disappear. Help restore our skin’s youthful glow and appearance by smoothing out uneven textures caused by aging, sun damage and scars.
FotoFacial- A unique combination of radio frequency and light that treats skin imperfections caused by sun damage, age spots and uneven skin tones created by brown spots. All of these conditions can make the skin look older and less healthy. Using two energies instead of one means more effective results for you. Expect your skin to be smoother, clearer, even-toned and healthier looking.
3D Skin Rejuvenation – Introducing a three-tiered approach to rejuvenating your skin. Most lasers treat only one or two aging conditions. The 3D Skin rejuvenation from Cutera addresses all of the most common conditions of aging – age spots, sun damage, fine line, wrinkles, and lax skin. Combining Titan, Laser Genesis, and the Fotofacial, this skin rejuvenation experience results in noticeable improved skin tone, texture, and tightness.
Pearl™ Wrinkle Reduction
New “Pearl™” Wrinkle Reduction Renews Skin’s Surface with Significantly Faster Results
A Safe “Thermal Peel” to Repair Sun Damage, Uneven Texture and Fine Wrinkles
Pearl™, a new laser procedure for treating sun damage, uneven texture, brown spots, and fine lines without the downtime, risk, or repetitive treatments associated with today’s other technologies, is now available.
“There is no other laser like this…it’s like a TCA peel with controlled depth and full epidermal turnover,” “My patients say their skin feels amazingly soft, like the new skin of a baby…a textural renewal after only three to four days. With other laser technologies, patients must wait up to six months to see the full results.”
The Pearl™ procedure is ideal for patients of almost any age searching for a safe and uncomplicated way to restore the skin’s youthful look and feel in only one or two treatments. It is the answer for patients who want quicker results and less downtime than other procedure available today, which normally require 4 – 6 treatments each spaced one month apart and up to 18 days of total downtime.
How it Works
- During the fast, 15-minute procedure, pulses of light are gently delivered to the epidermis.
- The laser simultaneously sends heat to the deeper layers of skin to stimulate longer-term collagen growth.
- A natural protective layer forms on the skin, alleviating the need for wound care.
- The treated skin will look and feel slightly sunburned.
- On day three or four, the protective layer will peel away, leaving new, healthy, vibrant skin, with a “Pearl™-like” glow, underneath.
The Pearl™ Wrinkle Reduction, made by Cutera, Inc., is FDA-cleared and is the first application of the 2790 nm laser wavelength for cosmetic dermatology. This advanced technology provides the most ideal balance between cosmetic benefit and minimal downtime.
Hair Removal
Now men and women alike are making unwanted facial and body hair a thing of thee past – thanks to the Cutera CoolGlide Laser. No more painful waxing, electrolysis or razors! The CoolGlide laser delivers 21st century technology for treatment of this distressing problem. Cleared for permanent hair reduction, the CoolGlide laser can treat men and women of all skin types and tones safely and effectively. Even patients with a suntan.
The Cutera CoolGlide Difference:
The Cutera CoolGlide is the best laser hair removal system on the market for all skin types and tones, from light to dark, including tanned patients. Its unique design, longer wavelength, and innovative cooling design, allow extremely effective, safe and permanent results.
What areas can be treated with the CoolGlide?
The CoolGlide can remove hair from all parts of the body including the face, legs, arms, underarms, and back. It can also treat sensitive areas like the chest, nipples, and bikini line.
What do CoolGlide treatments feel like?
As the name implies, the CoolGlide handpiece cools and soothes as it glides along your skin. When the pulse of light is delivered, some patients experience a mild pinching or stinging sensation. No local anesthesia or pain medication is typically required; however, some patients may prefer to use a topical anesthetic when sensitive areas are treated.
How many treatments will I need?
Most areas require 3-6 treatments. However the number of CoolGlide treatments required for optimal long-term benefits depends on multiple factors – hair thickness, the area treated and your hair’s growth cycle. Interestingly, not all hairs are actively growing at the same time and actually go through three distinct phases: growth, regression, and resting. CoolGlide treatments work by disabling the hair that is principally in the active growth phase at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter this active growth phase at different times, additional treatments may be necessary to disable all of the hair follicles in a given area.
What happens after the treatment?
Immediately following your CoolGlide treatment, the area may appear a bit red and swollen. Three to seven days after treatment you may experience what seems to be regrowth of hair. Actually, most of these hairs are being shed as a result of your treatment and are not regrowing. Between treatments you should not wax or pluck your hair, but it is permissible to shave.
Are there any restrictions on my activity after treatment?
Following the treatment, you can return to your normal activities right away, but some redness may occur. The use of sunscreen is recommended on any treated areas exposed to the sun. In addition, your physician may recommend that you use a specially formulated skin care product line or prescribe a skin care regimen especially formulated for your skin type.
What are the possible side effects?
Although patients experience few side effects, the most commonly noticed are slight reddening and local swelling of the skin, similar to sunburn. These effects typically last for several hours or less. In rare instances, blistering may occur. Consult with your medical professional for complete information on the benefits and risks of treatment.
How does the CoolGlide compare with other hair removal methods?
Shaving, waxing and depilatory creams are all temporary methods which must be repeated on a frequent basis. The CoolGlide offers permanent hair reduction for lasting results.
How does the CoolGlide compare with electrolysis?
Electrolysis is a tedious, invasive, and painful process that involves inserting a needle into each individual hair follicle and delivering an electrical charge to them one at a time. Electrolysis often requires years of treatments at regular intervals. By delivering light energy to hundreds of hair follicles at a time, the CoolGlide effectively treats an area in just seconds that would take over an hour with electrolysis.
Why choose CoolGlide over other laser hair removal systems?
Using the latest technology in laster hair removal, the CoolGlide can rapidly treat large areas without the limitations of older technologies. The CoolGlide longer wavelength allows it to be used safely and effectively on patients with light or dark skin as well as tanned skin. Unlike other systems, the CoolGlide can treat the fine hair on a womans upper lip just as easily and effectively as the coarse hair on a man’s back. The cooled handpiece increases patient comfort and minimizes the adverse skin reaction commonly seen with other lasers.
Spider Vein Removal
Millions of women are bothered by spider veins - those small yet unsightly clusters of red, blue or purple veins that most commonly appear on the thighs, calves and ankles. In fact, it's estimated that at least half of the adult female population is plagued with this common cosmetic problem.
Today, many plastic surgeons are treating spider veins with scierotherapy. In this rather simple procedure, veins are injected with a sclerosing solution, which causes them to collapse and fade from view.
The procedure may also remedy the bothersome symptoms associated with spider veins, including aching, burning, swelling and night cramps.
The introduction of sclerosing agents that are mild enough to be used in small veins has made sclerotherapy predictable and relatively painless.
Botox® Injection
BOTOX® injections erase wrinkles and relax muscles in specific facial areas such as vertical forehead frown creases and crow’s-feet around the eyes. BOTOX® injections result in smoother and younger looking skin in the face and neck area without surgery.
BOTOX® is injected directly into the frown muscle or the wrinkle area. Within 24-72 hours the muscles will relax and the wrinkles and frown disappear. The frustrated, tired and angry look on the face will disappear and the patient will look younger with a smoother skin.
It takes few minutes to inject, and its effects last for few months (3-6 months). The treatment has to be repeated as the wrinkles or frown will re-appear. With repeated injection the effects tend to stay longer.
Restylane® Injection
Restylane® is a safe and natural cosmetic filler that corrects moderate to severe facial wrinkles by restoring volume and fullness. Restylane is the first and only cosmetic dermal filler made from non-animal based product. It causes no allergic reactions and can last up to twice as long as collagen.
Restylane® is injected in to the skin in tiny amounts with a very fine needle. The injected filler produces natural volume under the wrinkle, which is lifted up and smoothed out. Treating wrinkles with Restylane® is fast, safe, and leaves no scars or other traces on the face.
As you get older, your face loses its shape. Smoothing out lines and wrinkles can make an enormous difference to your appearance. Restylane gives natural volume in your skin to lift and produce new firmness, resulting in a healthy, vital appearance. Achieving the look you desire is as easy as it is quick. The results can be seen immediately.
Juvederm™ Injection
How Parentheses appear…
As you age, your skin changes. For example, it reduces production of a naturally hydrating substance called hyaluronic acid (HA). Over time, the loss of HA in your skin results in facial wrinkles and folds, like those “parentheses” lines around your mouth.
And Disappear…
Juvederm™ injectable gel replaces the HA our skin has lost, bringing back its volume and smoothing away facial wrinkles and folds. A breakthrough in HA dermal fillers, JUVERERM is the first smooth-consistency HA gel and the only HA filler that’s FDA approved to last up to a year.
Everyone will notice, but no one will know
You can experience the benefits of JUVERERM™ injectable gel in a quick, in-office procedure. Your healthcare professional eases JUVERDRM under your skin to instantly smooth out the wrinkles and folds on your face. You’ll see the difference immediately!
What makes Juvederm™ Injection different?
While other HA fillers on the market have a more granular consistency, JUVERERM™ injectable gel is the first smooth-consistency Ha GEL. This is due to an innovative manufacturing process called HYLACROSS technology. HYLACROSS gives JUVERERM™ Injection its unique smooth-gel properties as well as an optimal gel structure that holds up over time. That’s why JUVERDERM™ injectable gel is the only HA filler that’s FDA Aapproved to last up to 1 year.
High patient preference
When JUVEDERM™ Injection was tested in a clinical setting among people who didn’t know which filler they were getting, nearly 90% stated a preference for JUVEDERM™.
Are you ready to smooth out your parentheses or other facial wrinkles and folds? Ask your healthcare professional about JUVEDERM™ injectable gel.
What you can expect during and after JUVEDERM™ injectable gel treatment
Wrinkle correction with JUVEDERM™ is a quick, in-office procedure with immediate results and no downtime. Common side effects with JUVEDERM™ injectable gel usually are mild or moderate. Ask your healthcare professional how to manage them.
Perlane® Injection
The newest member of the Restylane Family: Perlane
What is Perlane?
Both are cosmetic dermal fillers that replace lost volume and restore youthful contours to the skin to smooth away moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds)
How do I choose between Restylane and Perlane?
You don’t have to. In clinical trials, Restylane and Perlane were used in the same patients. The hyaluronic acid in both products is made by the same biotechnical process. The difference is in the gel particle size. Perlane gel particles are larger and designed for deeper injection than Restylane. Your doctor will decide which product is right for you.
How does my doctor know when to use Restylane or Perlane?
Your doctor will decide which product is right for you based on an evaluation of facial wrinkles and folds.
How long do Perlane last?
Perlane lasts at least six months, in a majority of patients. The products’ patented stabilization technology helps maintain the cosmetic effect for those time periods.
Is Perlane FDA approved?
Yes. It is approved by the FDA for the treatment of moderate to sever facial wrinkles and folds, like the ones from your nost to the corner os your mouth. Ask your physician whether treatment is right for you.
What should patients do prior to treatment?
Perlane requires no pretesting, but you should take a few precautions before being treated. Avoid using aspirin, non-steroidal anit-inflammatory medications, St. John’s Wort, or high doeses of Vitamin E supplements prior to treatment, because these may increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site. Also, if you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, discuss this with your doctor, who may prescribe a medication to minimize recurrence.
Does Perlane require an allery test?
No. Perlane does not require an allergy test and can be administered immediately-no waiting is required.
How is Perlane administered?
Perlane is administered by injection to the treatment site. Before treatment talk to your doctor about pain management.
Is any of the material left in the skin after it has dissolved?
No. Over time Perlane products are broken down and eliminated by the body-unlike permanent fillers.
Does the injections hurt?
Restylane products are injected directly into the skin in small amounts by an ultrafine needle. As with all injections, some patients may experience discomfort. To increase your comfort, your doctor will assess your need for pain management and determine what technique is right for you.
How much do treatments costs?
A Perlane procedure is customized to your specific needs, so the cost will vary. In general, the cost is comparable to the cost of similar procedures. Ask your doctor to give a cost estimate based on your particular needs.
How long should I schedule an appointment?
How long the aesthetic correction lasts is very individual. Talk to your doctor about the benefits of scheduling a follow-up appointment in about six months.
What are Restylane and Perlane products made of?
Restylane was the first cosmetic dermal filler made from hyaluronic acid that has been odified slightly to last longer than the body’s hyaluronic acid. In the human body natural hyaluronic acid provides voume and fullness to the skin.
50 Commerce Drive
Wyommissing, PA 19610
PHONE: 610.320.0200
FAX: 610.320.9962
Fill out the form below to receive more information from Berks Plastic Surgery.