Doctor Roger Bassin of The Bassin Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in Orlando, FL is one of few surgeons in Florida, who does water and laser assisted awake lipolysis.

Here is how he does it (the smart combo lipolysis):

1. Small incisions in targeted numbed areas (e.g. abdomen and love handles).

2. Water spray into the area (in his words: “With traditional liposuction, the stuff everyone sees on TV with the doctor literally going back and forth, what you’re doing is making mashed potatoes out of somebody”). Instead of using harsh motions to dislodge fat, the water gently breaks it up. You could call it the lipo dissolve stage.

3. Getle suction of fat: “The way I can describe it is almost like playing the violin, very gentle,” says Dr. Bassin.

4. Laser treatment to tighten skin and melt away leftover fat.
With this new procedure, there’s less bruising, swelling and trauma to the nerves, muscles and skin. It costs about $3000, which is less than standard lipo because patients don’t require general anesthesia.

“The patient’s going to drive themselves to the office, get the procedure done, drive themselves home, go back to work that day or the next day.”

This is what I can call truly smart lipo.

Happy lipo, everybody!

• More about laser lipolysis on LaserOffers.com
• Watch lipo videos

Acne rosacea, acne rosecea, acne rosasa, acne roseaca – all these terms, including common misspellings are incorrect. The appropriate term is simply Rosacea, which is a chronic skin disease that affects the middle third of the face with persistent redness over the areas of the face and nose that normally blush: mainly the forehead, the chin and the lower half of the nose. The tiny blood vessels in these areas enlarge (dilate) and become more visible through the skin, appearing like tiny red lines (called telangiectasias). Pimples can occur that look like teenage acne, and sometime rosacea and acne appear together, but these are essentially different types of skin disease. See laser treatments of acne and laser resurfacing of acne scars.

Unlike acne, rosacea is not primarily a plague of teenagers. It occurs most often in adults (ages 30 to 50), especially those with fair skin, and affects both sexes but tends to be more common in women but worse in men. Unlike acne, there are no blackheads or whiteheads in rosacea.

When rosacea first develops, it may appear, then disappear, and then reappear. However, in time the skin fails to return to its normal color and the enlarged blood vessels and pimples arrive. Rosacea rarely reverses itself. It lasts for years and, untreated, it worsens.

Untreated rosacea can cause a condition called rhinophyma (ryno-fee-ma), literally growth of the nose, characterized by a bulbous, enlarged red nose and puffy cheeks (like the old comedian W.C. Fields). There may also be thick bumps on the lower half of the nose and the nearby cheek areas. Rhinophyma occurs mainly in men.

Another complication of advanced rosacea affects the eyes. About half of all people with rosacea feel burning and grittiness of the eyes (conjunctivitis). If this is not treated, the complications of what is called rosacea keratitis may impair vision.

Rosacea can be treated but not cured. Over-the-counter medications for acne can be a hazard; they can irritate the skin in rosacea. Topical antibiotics (such as metronidazole) and oral antibiotics (such as tetracycline) are often used. Short-term topical cortisone (steroid) preparations of the right strength may also be used to reduce local inflammation.

Avoiding smoking, spicy foods, hot beverages and alcoholic drinks that cause flushing helps minimize the blood vessel enlargement. Limiting exposure to sunlight and to extreme hot and cold temperatures also helps relieve rosacea.

Rubbing the face tends to irritate the reddened skin. Some cosmetics and hair sprays may aggravate redness and swelling. Facial products such as soap, moisturizers and sunscreens should be free of alcohol or other irritating ingredients. Moisturizers should be applied very gently after any topical medication has dried. When going outdoors, sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher are needed.

Cover-up make up is used for the telangiectasias. Telangiectasias can be treated with a laser to close off the dilated blood vessels.

Rhinophymas are treated by surgery. The excess tissue is removed with a scalpel, laser or electrosurgery.

Rosacea Laser Treatments

Lasers have been proven to be the treatment of choice for mild cases of Rosacea. Laser beam heats and distroys dilated blood vessels, which are naturally removed from the skin by your immune and fluid systems. Multiple treatments are required to get a good control of rosacea. Regular (3-4 times a year) photorejuvenation sessions will help control the desease and prevent flare ups.

Cases of severe Rosacea, especially those that are border line with rhinophyma, require a complex treatment approach, which will include but be limited to lasers alone.

• BeautyTalk: Dealing with Rosacea
• More about Rosacea, rosacea treatment, rosacea pictures, and ocular rosacea on LaserOffers.com
• More about laser acne scars, laser resurfacing acne, laser facial acne, laser therapy acne on LaserOffers.com

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I have just made a comment to an article named “Looking Younger Without Surgery” published by Hudson Valley Press in Newburgh, New York. Read full text.

Dr. Ran Rubinstein, board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founding physician of Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists PC, is among the first in the tri-state region offering two new aesthetic solutions to turn back the clock on aging and sun-damaged skin.

Dr. Rubinstein has Fraxel re:store and re:pair, and provide the benefits of traditional skin resurfacing techniques without significant downtime and risks. “The results we are achieving with both the Fraxel re:store and re:pair laser systems are remarkable,” said Dr. Rubinstein. “Fraxel treatments represent new-generation laser resurfacing with predictable results. They allow me to rebuild damaged skin like digital photo modification – spot by spot.”

With the new Fraxel re:store and re:pair laser treatments, patients receive:

• Plumping of acne scars and surgical scars
• Smoother skin texture
• Reduced wrinkles and fine lines
• Improved skin tone
• Softening of deep frown lines

Fraxel restore and repair offer two levels of laser treatment according to Dr. Rubinstein. “While both reduce the appearance of acne scars, surgical scars, wrinkles, age and sun spots, I recommend re:store for anyone who wants more vibrant, younger looking skin with little to no downtime,” said Dr. Rubinstein. Three to five re:store treatment sessions are recommended at two to four week intervals.

“Fraxel re:pair is the more intensive treatment – best for more damaged skin,” explained the doctor. The fractionated laser technology in Fraxel re:pair has reduced downtime to as little as five days, in most cases. Usually only a single treatment is required. The added safety of both Fraxel technologies has made laser resurfacing safe for the face, as well as the neck, chest and hands Dr. Rubinstein added.

I wonder if Dr. Rubenstein is familiar with Nd:YAG/Erbium modalities used in a combination in one seating, sometimes referred to as Bi-Modal Facial Rejuvenation.

The Hudson Valley Press is the “first and only minority newspaper that gives coverage to Orange, Dutchess, Westchester, Rockland, and Ulster Counties. While primarily targeting the African American and Latino community, the weekly Hudson Valley Press promotes unification among all races and celebrates diversity.”

We have not seen any reputable studies on using ablative fractional lasers, so Dr. Rubenstein’s input would be very appreciated. The picture used in the article as “Wrinkles before/after Fraxel laser procedure” is showing a skin type II-III woman.

Aesthetic practitioners know that Fraxel is an expensive laser, treatments are expensive also, and they are not so well tolerated by patients with darker skin types. The first generation (non-ablative) did not live up to physicians’ expectations. The newer Fraxel (and many other fractional lasers that have been rolled out on the market by all major laser manufacturers) is ablative. Neither CO2 nor Erbium work well on skin types V-VI and require caution.

Comments, anybody?

• Fraxel and fractional laser treatments pictures
• Fraxel and fractional lasers – video

This is our most recent (constantly updated) collection of video materials demonstrating laser assisted lipolysis, laser lipo and smart lipo.

This is our most recent (constantly updated) collection of video materials demonstrating Fraxel laser skin rejuvenation, Fraxel and fractional laser skin resurfacing technology, fraxel CO2 laser acne scars, Fraxel laser skin tightening, and Fraxel laser wrinkles.

Clinical Procedures in Laser Skin Rejuvenation

As the number and variety of lasers increase, it is timely to review which lasers are best for which clinical procedures. This well illustrated text from respected authorities provides the answers for a number of commonly encountered problems. Even established laser surgeons will be interested to learn about newer laser varieties, such as fractionated lasers, and on methods to combine additional and adjunctive procedures for a better esthetic result.

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More book recommendations by LaserOffers.com

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This is our most recent (constantly updated) collection of video materials demonstrating laser treatments of pigmented skin lesions, such as liver spots, brown spots, cafe au lait spots, sunspots (lentigines) and age spots.

Expanding on Fiona’s post about pigmented spots, melasma (aka chloasma) or the “mask of pregnancy” as it is also called, is a skin condition when tan or brown spots and small areas discolor the skin. It is most commonly found among woman, especially pregnant women or those taking hormone replacement therapy medications.

Pictures of Melasma | Video of Melasma

Generally the symptoms include dark patches and spots on the cheeks, nose, temples and forehead. “Melasma upper lip” is also very common. They may develop and worsen over time. Melasma is a purely cosmetic concern, though any unusual spotting should be diagnosed by a qualified dermatologist to determine if it is skin cancer.

What Causes Melasma?

Genetics, hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, and extrinsic factors such as sun exposure are thought to be the cause of Melasma. Hormones stimulate the production of melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in our skin, as they become exposed by the sun. The increased melanin production causes the spotting we see with Melasma. Avoiding the sun is key and wearing sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection will help protect the skin and diminish the factors contributing to a worsening of melasma.

Among a Few, Lasers are the Ideal Treatment Option for Melasma.

There are a number of treatments available for melasma. Some include:

• Laser Treatment to remove the discoloration in the skin
• Azelaic Acid
• Tretinoin (not during pregnancy)
• Topical Creams like Hydroquinone
• Chemical Peels

Lasers are ideal for age spot removal. Because the melanin pigment is designed to absorb light, almost any color of laser light can be used to take away brown spots. There are a number of lasers which may be used for this. For example, the Q-switched lasers are very safe to treat the surface of the skin. Many doctors use the 532nm Nd:YAG laser, which is a green light laser, a 1064 Nd:YAG laser which is an invisible, infrared laser. You can use the 755nm Alexandrite Q-switched laser or the 694 Ruby Q-switched laser.

Laser resurfacing melasma is a relatively new but very effective treatment that can be done with ablative lasers, such as Erbium or Erbium fractionated lasers.

Your doctor will make the recommendation based on your skin type and his armamentarium.