Is it safe to apply Retin-A one week after CO2 Fractional laser?

I would not recommend using Retin-A at all because it will cause irritation and burn to the face.

Does a CO2 laser treatment eventually weaken the skin?

CO2 laser when properly performed without complications should result in thickening of the skin because of the new collagen tissue that gets deposited in the skin.

Can raised tattoo be removed?

The raised skin is a scar. These scars are caused by excessive tissue formation. The dermatologist who removed the tattoo should see it and suggest treatment.

How long before I can get tattoo over my lasered tattoo?

You can, you might have to wait a few weeks until the lasered area has healed. It also depends on how much of the old tattoo is completely removed from visibility in order for the tattoo artist to do a new tattoo without the old one showing up.

Why is there still bruising after Juvederm in tear troughs?

Since it targets the muscles under the facial skin, Juvederm injection affects the structure of the face. However, bruising will typically subside within 3 days to a week is proper care is administered after the injections.

How long after Juvederm should I wait before having other facial treatments?

Juvederm can be safely combined with other injectable fillers like Radiesse or Restylane. In addition, once the filler has had time to integrate into the skin, which is usually about a week after the treatment, it is OK to do other laser treatments, such as Fraxel laser treatment. They should not degrade or dissolve the filler.

Bruising and swelling after Juvederm under eyes

Typically, swelling caused by Juvederm should resolve in seven days. In rare instances especially when bruising has occurred the swelling could take 4-6 weeks to completely resolve. A small amount of puffiness or mild swelling for a day or two is normal. If the patient experience swelling at the injection site, an ice pack may be applied for a brief period. The patient should see an immediate improvement in the treatment areas. However, the filler can be dissolved with the hyaluronidase enzyme, which I would recommend for you to do.

Why am I so very swollen after Juvederm?

Typically, swelling caused by Juvederm should resolve in seven days. In rare instances especially when bruising has occurred the swelling could take 4-6 weeks to completely resolve. A small amount of puffiness or mild swelling for a day or two is normal. If the patient experience swelling at the injection site, an ice pack may be applied for a brief period. The patient should see an immediate improvement in the treatment areas.

Puffy eyes and dark circles after Juvederm

There is no definite answer as to why this happens, but it is probably due to the physics of light travelling through the colloidal medium of hyaluronic acid (HA) suspension. The light gets scattered by the HA particles in the liquid giving it a bluish look. This is called tyndall’s effect. Obviously if you have bruising that would explain it as well. However, the filler can be dissolved with the hyaluronidase enzyme, which I would recommend for you to do.

Bluish puffy eyes after Juvederm

There is no definite answer as to why this happens, but it is probably due to the physics of light travelling through the colloidal medium of hyaluronic acid (HA) suspension. The light gets scattered by the HA particles in the liquid giving it a bluish look. This is called tyndall’s effect. Obviously if you have bruising that would explain it as well. However, the filler can be dissolved with the hyaluronidase enzyme, which I would recommend for you to do.

Is it possible to remove Botox from unwanted areas?

Botox cannot be removed, but the effects will wear off anyways in 2 to 4 months after the injections.

Botox – how long before numbness and drooping wears off?

Botox has very few side effects; however, one of the most troubling to patients is when an eyelid droops. This side effect is rare and happens less than 1% of the time. The drooping eyelid syndrome is not permanent. It will most likely wear off before the Botox does. If eyelid drooping starts three to four days after the injection, it will most likely last three to six weeks. If the drooping begins four to six days after the injection, it should go away faster. In the time it takes to wear off, the doctor might prescribe a medication by way of an eye drop that may reduce the drooping.

Botox without a consent form?

Did the doctor say to you in his/her consent form or verbally that the Botox may not work? If the doctor did not tell you or the form did not tell you that there was a possibility that Botox would not work, then I believe the professional way of treating this is for the doctor to refund your money.

How long does eyelid droop after Botox last?

Botox has very few side effects; however, one of the most troubling to patients is when an eyelid droops. This side effect is rare and happens less than 1% of the time. The drooping eyelid syndrome is not permanent. It will most likely wear off before the Botox does. If eyelid drooping starts three to four days after the injection, it will most likely last three to six weeks. If the drooping begins four to six days after the injection, it should go away faster. In the time it takes to wear off, the doctor might prescribe a medication by way of an eye drop that may reduce the drooping.

Follicular unit extraction or strip surgery for hair transplant?

If you anticipate the need to keep an overall shorter hair style, then you want to avoid the linear scar that would necesarily result from Follicular Unit Strip Surgery ( FUSS ). It would make sense to do Follicular Unit Extraction ( FUE ) instead. If you already have a strip scar from prior surgery or never anticipate keeping a short hair cut, then FUSS could be considered. I am of the opinion that FUSS is perhaps too too invasive a method for procedures involving less than 500 grafts.

Is FUE hair transplant the best harvesting technique?

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) would be the technique of choice if you are very concerned about having the option of keeping a shorter hair cut. Most balding individuals recognize that they actually look better with a uniformly short hair cut. In FUE, mall punch like devices are used to individually remove follicles for transplantation in FUE leaving behind tiny wounds in its wake. These wounds heal to leave a cosmetically insignificant dot that is easily hardly detected at shorter haircuts. Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS) also called follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), if done properly and the patient’s physiology is suitable leaves a linear scar that is very thin. Nowadays, there is a new method of FUSS closure called tricophytic closure that can be employed in FUSS that could render the linear scar cosmetically insignificant. However, there is still a chance of the scar stretching.

Microdermabrasion or Dermabrasion over skin tags?

These conditions should typically not contraindicate the procedures of microdermabrasion or dermabrasion. However, they are not the recommended treatments for milia, moles or skin tags. You should have these managed separately starting with the establishment of the correct diagnosis. I would advise you consult a board certified dermatologist.

Cheek scar removal from pitbull attack

It is hard to gauge the severity of your situation from the published picture. But given your skin type I would recommend a cautious approach. Less invasive treatment options would include non ablative resurfacing lasers such as Fraxel restore. If the scar is relatively new with some redness to it, the pulse dye laser such as the V-beam could be helpful. An in person consultation is however recommended.

Does Fraxel laser treatment tighten skin?

Having used both the Fraxel re:pair (ablative) and the Fraxel re:store (non ablative) in my practice, the re:pair has better skin tightening properties than the restore. Re:pair has a more involved downtime profile when compared to re:store and should only be used on lighter toned Caucasian skin types. Its results (re:pair) are however much more significant and it is a 1 time treatment only. Re:store gives modest results, requires a series of 3-4 treatment at 2-4 weeks interval. It is however used in most skin types with minimal downtime.

Advantage of Portrait over Fraxel Repair or Active FX?

I have used both the Fraxel re:Pair and Portrait in my practice. Portrait was presented as a non ablative resurfacing treatment although the recovery course may suggest otherwise. Fraxel re:pair is an ablative laser, although being fractionated CO2 its recovery course is shorter than the traditional non fractionated CO2. Overall, I have seen a better wrinkle reduction with the Fraxel re:pair than with plasma rejuvenation using Portrait. Age spot reduction is the same for both the portrait and Fraxel re:pair in my opinion.I have used both the Fraxel re:Pair and Portrait in my practice. Portrait was presented as a non ablative resurfacing treatment although the recovery course may suggest otherwise. Fraxel re:pair is an ablative laser, although being fractionated CO2 its recovery course is shorter than the traditional non fractionated CO2. Overall, I have seen a better wrinkle reduction with the Fraxel re:pair than with plasma rejuvenation using Portrait. Age spot reduction is the same for both the portrait and Fraxel re:pair in my opinion.

What qualities make FUE far more superior than the traditional strip surgery?

Traditional hair transplantation requires the cutting of a slice of flesh from the back and side of the head. The result is a linear scar that can potentially widen overtime. The patient is forever forced into a lifelong self conscious struggle to hide the scar. FUE-SFET is linear scar free and minimally invasive. Patients without linear scars have the option of cutting their hair as short in ways never before possible with traditional strip hair transplant which is also called Follicular Unit Transplantation – FUT and follicular unti hair transplantation -FUHT or Follicular Unit Strip Surgery – FUSS. The patients are not left self conscious about a linear scar that could get exposed in windy situations or when swimming or even when the spouse runs their hands through the hair.

Is FUE or strip surgery better for hair transplantation?

If you anticipate the need to keep an overall shorter hair style, then you want to avoid the linear scar that would necessarily result from Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS). It would make sense to do Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) instead. If you already have a strip scar from prior surgery or never anticipate keeping a short hair cut, then FUSS could be considered. I am of the opinion that FUSS is perhaps too invasive a method for procedures involving less than 500 grafts.

How long does it take for the hair transplant to heal after BHT?

Dr. Umar performs hair transplantation using very tiny devices to prepare the recipient areas with slits into which the donor hair units are implanted. These tiny slits are created in the most minimally traumatic manner that makes the healing course rapid after the hair transplant. Because of the microsurgical technique used by Dr. Umar and his unique approach of hair transplantation of using body hair (BHT) extractions, the hair transplant will ensure the smallest wounding process, and healing for patients has been very remarkable. Patients are often able resume their daily lives and most normal activities the very next day. The time for which the signs of surgery are completely gone has ranged from 3 weeks to 4 months on the average.

What is the most important aspect of the whole transplantation process?

Finding the right hair surgeon to perform your hair transplantation is the most important decision for the whole process. Having your hair transplant done by an unethical or inexperienced hair surgeon can lead to more turmoil in the future then helping you improve your life. Dr. Umar believes against the sales behavior that reflects many strip surgery clinics. He believes in the integrity of the FUE procedure, and that is why Dr. Umar chooses to specialize in FUE due to its minimally invasive and scalpel free requirements. This provides the patient with less pain, more natural results, and most especially, a linear scar free donor area. Dr. Umar is a pioneer in the practice of FUE and has even taken the step to advance the procedure into one of his own, which he calls the Single Follicle Extraction and Transfer (SFET) method. SFET allows for the usage of body hair (BHT) for hair transplant, which gives hope to many patients who have a limited number or no donor hair at all to have the hair transplant that they finally desired for.

What are the characteristics of pattern baldness?

The typical characteristics of male pattern baldness begin with the receding of the hairline which eventually leads to bald spots on the top of the head. Male pattern baldness also tend to affect men who possess more testosterone in the body because testosterone that converts to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) will trigger the interaction with hair follicles that are susceptibly vulnerable to the affects of DHT, causing hair to fall out. Women can also experience hair loss due to heredity and age, but they will experience it more especially after menopause and stress. The pattern of female hair loss is different from that of men because women usually have hair loss occurring throughout their scalp while the front remains decently covered and intact.

Is it beneficial to use Propecia after a hair transplant?

Even though Propecia has no effect on transplanted hair after a hair transplant, it can assist to maintain the patient’s surrounding hair and is therefore useful as an appendage to head hair transplant surgery, and thus will enable the patient to obtain a better overall result. According to top hair transplant surgeon Dr. Umar, patients undergoing body hair transplantation should use Propecia with caution and consult before usage with an experienced hair transplantation surgeon. For patients using body hair transplantation, Dr Umar has advised that propecia and other 5AR medications may have a negative effect on their results. For more on this click: https://web.archive.org/web/20140831225235/http://www.dermhairclinic.com:80/articles-los-angeles-follicular-unit-extraction/articles-the-role-of-5-alpha-redutase-inhibitors-body-hair-transplantation/

How are eyebrow hair transplants different from typical head hair transplants?

Eyebrow transplants are different from hair transplants for a variety of reasons, with the most significant difference being that eyebrow hairs grow from the hair follicle at very acute angles. This angle is what gives eyebrows the flat appearance on the eyebrow ridge, which in contrast, scalp hair rises at a 45 or more angle from the scalp. In addition, the growth cycle of eyebrows hairs is much shorter than the growth cycle of head hair, with a phase of growth in approximately 4 months as compared to the 3 to 7 year anagen phase of head hair. Eyebrow hairs also grow dramatically in different directions in all sections of the eyebrow. The hairs also grow as individual strands only, meaning they do not grow in groups called follicular units.Using either body or head hair follicles derived by the FUE Hair Transplants, these hair follicles can be transplanted to reconstruct the eyebrows. Unlike hair transplants, where the donor hair is extracted from the scalp or body and thus grows in similarity to original head hair, the donor hair for eyebrow transplants taken from a different area of the body will be different in the aspects of growth rate and appearance. In addition, another difference with using head or body hair for eyebrow transplants is that the hair will continue to grow, which requires for the frequent trimming of the hairs in order to maintain an acceptable and physically appealing eyebrow appearance.

Why does hair loss occur?

The reason for hair loss resides in the genetic predisposition of the hair follicle itself, rather than that of the scalp. Therefore, transplanted hairs will continue growing because the hair follicle keeps its original genetic coding, and thus these are the follicles that are not affected by Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the hormone that causes male-patterned baldness. In addition, despite being moved into a formerly bald area, it still maintains its donor hair characteristics, which is to not fall out and keep regrowing hair. When DHT resistant hair from the back of the scalp is transplanted to the top, it will continue to be resistant to DHT in its new location and grow normally. Immediately after the follicular unit hair grafts are extracted and transplanted into the scalp, the surrounding tissue will begin feeding the transplanted follicle and the healing process begins. The hair shaft may also shed, but the hair follicles will stay and often go into telogen (resting) phase. It is surveyed that hair graft survival rates are nearly 100%, although about 85-90% would manifest above the skin at any given time due to cycling.

Is it a good idea to have a hair transplant at an early age?

Hair loss is a gradual process that takes most people a while to accept. There is always a period of denial stage, where the victim hopes for the reversal of hair loss and for the miraculous regrowth of their hair. If hair loss is a prevalent issue within your family, then losing hair will be inevitable for you as well. Therefore, as with any condition, the sooner hair restoration treatment is initiated, then the better the outcome in the future. However, it is important to discuss your hair loss situation with a specialized hair surgeon first before undergoing a transplant, especially if you are younger patient. Patients who have hair loss early in life should be prepared for further hair loss in the future, and thus having a hair transplant at the current moment might not be beneficial since the hair loss process has not ended yet. Because of this factor, young patients must understand that another transplant will be necessary in the future or else an odd look may result in the future as the hair loss progresses.

Why is nape hair the best type of donor hair to use to create natural looking hairlines?

Hair transplants are usually performed to mimic the characteristics of a NW 2 hairline. NW 2 means that the hairline has thinned somewhat already but still looks natural. The front of a thinning hairline should be very soft, and this softness is rarely achievable by using traditional head donor hair, which are usually thicker and less ideal for the task even if they are single hair follicles, and thus they tend to create an artificial solid line of hair which could look harsh and artificial in real life. Therefore, the soft texture of nape hair makes it the most effective form of donor hair to create the most natural looking hairline. This makes it ideal for the creation of softer looking hairlines, while avoiding the harsh artificial look that is often the result of hairline transplants done by traditional methods. Single Follicle Extraction and Transfer ( SFET ) is Dr Umar’s version of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), the process by which Dr. Umar creates natural hairlines because FUE avoids the problem of creating a linear scar, which is the main issue that results from strip surgery.

What is the advantage of Single Follicle Extraction and Transfer – SFET and Body Hair Transplantation – BHT ?

Hair transplant methods that utilize only head hair as donor resource (be it FUE or Strip surgery) entail the redistribution of permanent hair from the back and sides of the head. This limits the donor supply to 5,000-7,000 hairs. In a significantly bald individual, only one tenth of the hair that has been lost can be replaced using this source. The result of the appearance of the hair transplant is often thin and cosmetically unappealing when this limited amount of donor hair is used. With SFET, hair from the beard and body areas can be added to the donor pool in certain individuals. This vastly expanded donor pool makes it possible to restore severely balding men whose head donor supply alone would have been unable to meet their overall needs.

Is Fraxel Repair Less Effective on Male Skin?

Fraxel Repair is effective on both males and females. Male skin is thicker, allowing it to be treated more aggressively. Additionally, there is often less recovery time.

Fraxel Repair After ArteFill?

It is possible to have Fraxel Repair after an Artefill. While the Artefill is injected deep, the level of penetration by the laser can be adjusted by the physician.

How Can I Treat Hyperpigmentation After Having a Fraxel Repair Treatment?

Fading creams with hydroquinone can improve the dark spots following any fraxel treatment. Fading creams incorporating hydroquinone and tretinoin would be even more effective.

Fraxel Repair While Peeling from Retin-A?

A Fraxel Repair treatment should not be done if still peeling from Retin-A. Retin-A should be discontinued about a week before having any Fraxel treatment.

Fraxel Repair on Surgical Scars?

Fraxel Repair and Restore can both be used to improve appearance of scars
Fraxel treatments on be used on scars to improve the appearance. A series of treatments will likely be needed. Fraxel Repair and Fraxel Restore can be used. Fraxel Repair is a more intensive treatment requiring more down time and recovery time. With Fraxel repair, the result can be seen after only 1 treatment. Fraxel restore requires several treatments to improve scars. Consult with your doctor to determine which treatment is best for your particular situation.

Is it safe to have Fraxel Re:pair done by a board-certified plastic surgeon who has only done it 9 times?

Fraxel Repair requires a doctor with experience and skilled in laser treatments
Fraxel Repair requires a skilled and experienced doctor, such as dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Choosing a good doctor with experience performing laser treatments will help to ensure quality results. Asking for before and after photos can help to gauge the skill of the doctor.

I am now four weeks post fraxel re:pair and I have tiny brown pigment spots forming on my cheeks. Is this normal?

Consult your doctor to make sure this normal… avoid sunlight, self tanners, and tanning booths in the mean time
Do you mean dark spots following fraxel repair treatment? If so, Consult your doctor to make sure this normal. Avoid sunlight, self tanners, and tanning booths, which can make the spots darker. A fading cream can hasten the dissipation of the dark spots. Fraxel repair on the other hand is very effective in treating age and sun spots. The result is immediate.

I had a cheek lift a year ago and i would like to get fraxel repair,but i am afraid of the two bars under the skin having a bad reaction to fraxel. Can I get Fraxel Repair after a cheek lift?

Yes, you can have Fraxel Repair after a cheek lift. It is important to follow pre and post treatment skin care guidelines.

Is there pain Involved and Possible over Scarring with Fraxel Repair/Restore?

Pain is minimal for most patients
The pain with Fraxel Restore dual is minimal to most patients. Fraxel restore is a bit more uncomfortable, but a numbing cream is used with the treatment makes it less so. When performed properly, Fraxel restore and fraxel restore dual treatments should not result in any scarring. Fraxel Repair requires more recovery time. During that time, more discomfort may be experienced. There is a small risk of scarring, but making sure to use a qualified dermatologist or plastic surgeon will help to ensure desired results.

Is Fraxel Safe?

Fraxel is safe when done by an experience dermatologist or plastic surgeon
Fraxel is safe when the treatment is done by an experienced dermatologist or plastic surgeon. The type of Fraxel used determines the amount of down time. Fraxel Restore dual (thulium based) and Fraxel restore (erbium-based) have less down time and recovery time than Fraxel Repair. It is important to consulting with a good physician to determine the best Fraxel treatment for you, based on your needs.