• -Genetic predisposition
• -Hormone fluctuation (especially involving estrogen and progesterone)
• -Pregnancy
• -Birth control pills

In addition, exposure to UV rays can exacerbate any of the above causes. Women comprise 90% of all cases of melasma and pregnancy is usually the catalyst. Furthermore, it has a higher rate of occurrence in women of brown skin pigmentation.

How To Get Rid of Melasma

There are a few different treatments for this skin condition, starting with preventative measures. It is important—especially if you have a family history of melasma or you are pregnant, or both—to always wear an SPF 30+ sunscreen when exposed to the sun. Once melasma has already become apparent, forms of treatment include:

• -Hydroquinone cream: This topical medication comes in a 2% to 4% concentration and works by inhibiting the production of melanin. This is effective only for mild melasma and takes at least 3 to 4 months to show results.

• -Laser skin treatment: Monochromatic light energy breaks up the clustered melanocyte cells (melanin) into pieces that are small enough to be absorbed by the body. Many lasers may be used for this purpose, but at FineTouch Dermatology, Dr. Umar finds that the Fraxel Dual (1550nm) and the Nd:YAG Q-Switch lasers (1064nm) are both effective means for improving melasma.

• -Chin
• -Neck
• -Arms
• -Stomach
• -Thighs
• -Hips
• -Buttocks

What Happens During a Liposuction Procedure?

Prior to this cosmetic surgery, a saline solution mixed with lidocaine and epinephrine is injected into a vein at the suction site in order to reduce pain and minimize resultant bruising and bleeding. This is referred to as tumescent liposuction.

During any liposuction procedure, the doctor will suction the fat out of the body through a cannula (a straw-like device). However, this cannot be done before the fat tissue is broken up and prepared for removal from the body—and this is where methods and techniques differ. Some techniques commonly used are:

• -Water assisted liposuction, during which the fat is loosened via constant water pressure through a fan-shaped beam.
• -Thermal lipolysis, a technique in its developmental stages, uses laser energy to emulsify the fat prior to suction.
• -Ulrasound assisted liposuction uses sound waves to soften the fat for suction.
• -Power assisted liposuction aids the cannula in suctioning the fat through motorized mechanical movement.
• -Suction assisted liposuction requires that the doctor break up the fat manually by moving the cannula back and forth.

Liposuction may be performed in hospital or in an equipped clinic/doctor’s office.

Are There Dangers With Liposuction?

Of course, a board certified and licensed doctor with must perform your procedure. Finding someone with plenty of experience and a high success rate is important for minimizing risks and maximizing your desired outcome. However, there are always risks with surgery.

First of all, no more than 5 liters (10.5 pints) of fat should be removed from the body at once, otherwise there is a risk of upsetting the body’s balance of fluid. Secondly, anyone with poor skin elasticity, heart or circulation problems, diabetes, or infections is not a candidate for liposuction. These ailments can induce life-threatening complications.

For the most part, as long as you are in good general health and don’t smoke for months prior to the surgery, liposuction is a safe procedure.

Juvederm For Lip Enhancement

Juvederm is generally the more common choice for lip injections because of its ability to interlace well with the existing tissue, giving the lips a natural shape. Made from hyaluronic acid, a sugar that already exists naturally within the joints, muscles, and tendons of the body, Juverderm also has hydrating and lubricating properties. These properties aid in achieving an aesthetically pleasing result for lip augmentation.

Restylane for Lip Enhancement

Restylane is similar to Juvederm in that it is also largely made of hyaluronic acid. However, when this filler is synthesized into its gel form, it is thicker than Juvederm. This means that it doesn’t mix well with the existing tissue, but rather holds its own form. The administering doctor has to then mold the filler to the desired shape after it has been injected.

How Long Do These Fillers Last for Lip Augmentation?

Naturally, hyaluronic acid would be absorbed by the body within about 12 hours. However, once its chemical structure is manipulated to turn it into a cosmetic filler, the body takes longer to process it. The body won’t process Juvederm for 6 to 9 months, and it won’t process Restylane for about 4 months. In addition, the natural bond these products have with collagen and elastin makes for even plumper, firmer lips.

Dangers with Juvederm

Not everyone is able to use Juvederm. People who are allergic or hypersensitive to bacterial proteins would likely have adverse reactions as a result of lip enhancement using this filler. (This is not the case with Restylane, as it does not contain proteins and thus bestows little chance of setting off an allergic reaction). Aside from allergic reactions, side effects may include:

• -Pain
• -Bruising
• -Redness
• -Swelling

Juvederm and Restylane should both be injected in the proper amount and at the five designated divisions of the lip (two injections in the bottom lip and three in the top lip), to obtain a natural-looking and pleasing result.

Why Do Veins Become Bigger and More Noticeable?

There are a few reasons why veins seem to grow and become more apparent over time. They include:

• -Hormonal changes
• -Birth control
• -Pregnancy
• -Sun exposure
• -Obesity
• -Job requirements

These causes may be more or less influential depending on whether your problem is with varicose veins or spider veins. Varicose veins are the large, bulging veins that are blue in color, while spider veins are smaller and red in color. Standing too long, being overweight, and pregnancy put excessive pressure on the lower half of the body, making it difficult for the veins to fight gravity and transport blood back to the heart. This fight may cause swelling in the veins. Additionally, hormonal changes weaken the elasticity of vein walls, exacerbating the problem.

Effective Treatments for Leg Vein Removal

The whole idea is to get rid of the vein(s) that is causing the problem by either removing it or getting it to break down on its own so the body absorbs it. There are three main therapies used to achieve this. They include:

• -Surgery: For example, plebectomy. This procedure can remove varicose veins that are close to the skin’s surface. It does not work for deeper veins, which are delicately interwoven with connective tissue and muscles. Once the superficial vein is removed, these deeper veins take on the job of sending deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

• -Schlerotherapy: An injection of sodium chloride to the superficial and/or deeper veins causes the veins to cease functioning and collapse. After 4 to 6 weeks, the body breaks down and absorbs what remains of the affected veins.

• -Laser therapy: Similar to schlerotherapy, the heat of intensely focused laser light causes the veins to seal and collapse, and then be absorbed by the body. Dr. Umar offers laser leg vein removal using an Nd:YAG laser.

How Can a Laser Remove My Tattoo?

First, you must understand what a tattoo is. From a medical standpoint, tattoo ink becomes stained particles of pigment too large to be wiped out by the body’s immune system. A laser, a monochromatic light source, shoots an intense wavelength at specifically targeted tissue, breaking apart the stained particles into small enough pieces that they can then be absorbed by the body until they eventually disappear altogether. Tattoo ink is resilient, thus, this process takes time and multiple treatment sessions.

Not All Lasers Are Created Equal

When it comes to laser tattoo removal, different types of lasers (with varying wavelengths) do different things; namely, they target different colors of ink. Various lasers that work for tattoo ink removal include:

• -Nd: YAG laser 532nm
• -Nd: YAG laser 1064nm
• -Alexandrite laser
• -Ruby laser
• -Spectra laser

Some lasers are able to change wavelength, and thus treat different colors of ink with one system. At FineTouch Dermatology, Dr. Umar prefers to use the Spectra VRMIII for this reason.

Laser tattoo removal may require a varying number of session dependant upon the type of ink used, the level saturation in the skin, and the size of the tattoo. Each session typically takes approximately 5 to 15 minutes.

How Does Laser Rejuvenation Beautify My Skin?

In general, lasers function through the use of monochromatic light, which targets and destroys a specific area of tissue. There are two major categories of laser therapy: ablative and non-ablative.

Ablative treatments basically vaporize the out layers of the skin to promote the growth of new skin. This more intense laser therapy is extremely effective for the right skin type and circumstance, but is generally not safe for use on people of darker skin tones. Non-ablative treatments work by targeting deeper layers of tissue beneath the skin’s surface, to stimulate new collagen formation, thus making the skin firmer on the surface.

Laser therapy is a powerful and advanced technology and should only be entrusted to a licensed doctor with prior experience. In the hands of a novice, laser therapy may produce unfavorable outcomes, such as scarring.

Are There Different Types of Lasers?

Yes, there are many different types of lasers, all made to treat varying skin conditions. In addition to rejuvenation, laser technology can take care of acne and acne scars, unwanted tattoos, wrinkles and fine lines, sun spots, unwanted birthmarks, and other ailments.

Different types of lasers include:

• -CO2 laser
• -Pulsed dye laser
• -Erbium laser
• -Diode laser
• -Nd: YAG laser
• -Alexandrite laser
• -Ruby laser
• -Argon laser

The type of laser used generally varies from clinic to clinic and dermatologist to dermatologist. No one practitioner has every laser available, but rather works with a select few types.

Laser Rejuvenation at FineTouch Dermatology

At FineTouch Dermatology, Dr. Umar is highly skilled and experienced with the use of different lasers. He selects the laser technology and wavelength based upon each individual patient. Lasers used for laser rejuventation at FineTouch Dermatology include:

• -Fraxel Dual
• -Fraxel Repair
• -Nd: Yag
• -Spectra Peel
• -V-Beam Perfecta

Laser hair removal can be extremely effective, mainly based on the color of your hair. Based on selective photothermalysis (the functional technology of laser hair removal), the laser light is attracted to a dark target by which it can be absorbed. In the case of hair removal, melanin serves as this target. Unfortunately for blonds and redheads, their pheomelanin pigmentation is not dark enough to absorb the light, where as eumelanin, found in brunettes, absorbs the light just fine.

It is a safe process, based on a series of quick treatments, which vary in painfulness depending on the individual and the set intensity of the wavelength.

Are Results of Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

Laser hair removal is, by definition, permanent. However, this does not mean that new hairs will not grow in the treated area. Laser light can only affect existing hairs. In most cases, new hair will emerge after treatment, but will be greatly reduced in number.

What Types of Lasers are Used for Hair Removal?

Many different types of lasers can be used for excess hair removal. Some of them include:

• -Argon
• -Alexandrite
• -Ruby laser
• -Pulsed diode array
• -Nd: YAG laser

At Fine Touch Dermatology, Dr. Umar uses the Gentle YAG laser, with a 1064 nm wavelength. It is safe, fast, and effective for use on people of light and dark skin tones. It can remove thin or coarse excess hair on both large and small areas, including the face, arms, legs, bikini area, underarms, back, and neck.

Unfortunately, smile lines are nothing to smile about. While Botox is the solution for forehead wrinkles, frown lines, and crow’s feet, smile lines (also called nasolabial folds) must be treated differently. Juverderm is a popular solution to the harsh parentheses framing your mouth.

How Juvederm Works

Juverderm is an injectable gel comprised largely of hyaluronic acid. This acid, a natural sugar already found within the body, has hydrating and lubricating properties and is functional in the joints, tendons, muscles, and skin. The FDA officially certified it as safe in 2006.

Normally, the body metabolizes hyaluronic acid within approximately 12 hours. However, after researchers discovered they could turn it into a gel by slightly manipulating its chemical structure, the body won’t process Juvederm for 6 to 9 months. While it works as a filler, it’s hydrating and lubricating properties are also great for the skin, as well as its innate companionship with collagen and elastin. All of these elements combined make for firmer, healthier-looking skin.

People with hypersensitivity or allergies to bacterial proteins should not use Juvederm. Aside from adverse autoimmune reactions caused by allergy, side effects may include redness, swelling, bruising, and pain.

Other Uses for Juvederm

Juvederm is a safe and effective filler for smile lines, but also has other cosmetic functions. These include:

• -Lip augmentation
• -Filler for recesses in the skin caused by scarring, i.e. acne scars

These uses for Juvederm are also extremely popular. In any case, treatment should only be administered by a certified dermatologist, whom the patient selects with great care and consideration.

Dr. Umar selected the Fraxel Dual laser for this purpose, as it is safe and effective for use on people of darker skin tones. After only three sessions, and four months from the start of her acne scar removal, the patient’s skin has improved remarkably.

A computerized (VISIA) analysis of her skin shows the disparity between before and after treatment, with major improvements in texture, from the 63^rd to the 81^st percentile; in pore size, from the 63^rd to the 81^st percentile; in acne-causing bacterial activity, from the 40^th to the 89^th percentile; and in brown spots, from the 13^th to the 66^th percentile.

“In meeting [Dr. Umar] I was able to get results that I wasn’t able to get before,” says the patient, make-up-free. She adds that she can now live life without being self-conscious about her skin.

Juvederm and Restylane are both made of lab derived hyaluronic acid, which is a natural sugar found in our bodies.  And they are also available as options for lip augmentation  procedures.  So which filler is the best choice?

Both Juvederm and Restylane are capable of producing excellent results. This depends on what the patient wants and how well the physician is able to work with these fillers to create the best outcome.

The main difference between Juvederm and Restylane is in their consistency. Restylane is more viscous due to higher levels of cross linking among the hyaluronic acid molecules.  Also, this filler tends to stay on one place. So the doctor must be able to shape it into its desired form. Juvederm on the other hand will easily diffuse into the existing tissue.

For the best lip augmentation outcome, it is important to discuss what outcome you are interested in achieving.  Juvederm is probably best for natural and soft looking lips. Restylane will give results that are more dramatic in appearance since it is thicker. However, it is best used in the hands of a doctor who is skilled with using Restylane for lip enhancement purposes. One of its drawbacks is that it can have the tendency to clump. However, on the positive side, it can also last longer than Juvederm (9 months up to 2 years). Juvederm will last approximately 6-9 months.

This Los Angeles patient received Juvederm for her lip augmentation procedure. Here are the before and after pictures:

Los Angeles patient before and after her lip augmentation procedure with Juvederm

To avoid overdone lip enhancement results, it is best to start with a conservative amount of filler and gradually add more if this is desired. The skill level of the physician is also important. He or she must have a good eye to create volume in the lips, while maintaining proper aesthetic standards.