Collagen is a protein which gives the skin its firmness and volume.

Sculptra

Sculptra is a dermal filler that is made out of ingredients which are safe for the human body. One of the key ingredients is poly-L-lactic acid. This ingredient is used for other purposes. Surgical stitches are made from poly-L-acid, which is considered safe and has been used for many years. The FDA approved poly-L-acid for cosmetic use in 2009.

How Does Treatment Work?
This product reduces signs of aging. It can lessen the appearance of folds, wrinkles, smile lines, horizontal lines on the forehead, and nasolabial lines. This filler can also lift up and firm areas of sunken skin caused by scars.

This makes the scars less visible. This treatment can help rejuvenate the corners of the mouth but it is not intended for use as a lip enhancer. This product is not for people who have sensitive skin or skin infections.

This product stimulates the skin to product collagen. Collagen is a protein which gives the skin its firmness and volume. Spending a lot of time out in the sun and age inhibit collagen. This causes wrinkles and folds in the skin.
the treatment helps bring back the collagen causing the skin to take on a more firm and youthful appearance.

The results from this treatment can vary. Some people will get their desired results after the first treatment. Others will need a few more treatments. It’s best to wait at least four weeks before getting another treatment.

Treatment 
Patients will receive a topical anesthetic before the treatment begins. The treatment is a powder that is combined with sterile water. It is injected deep into sunken cheeks, skin folds and other treatment areas. It takes about one hour to do the procedure.

Recovery 
Patients may notice a little swelling, bruising, redness, and itching after the procedure. Massaging the treatment site helps reduce the chances of developing lumps or small nodules beneath the skin. It’s worth the time to do this because it may take months for these lumps to go away.
Results 
Patients will notice that their skin looks different immediately after the procedure. The skin will have more volume. This is caused by the water in the treatment solution and is only temporary.

The actual changes will occur once the ingredients from the treatment cause the formation of new collagen. It takes weeks for this to happen. The final results from Sculptra last for up to two years. That’s about how long it takes for the body to absorb the key ingredients from the treatment. 

Individuals interested in Fat Grafting or any other services at Spalding Drive Plastic Surgery can contact the center directly and schedule appointments at 818-385-0066 or online at www.spaldingplasticsurgery.com

More women are using fat grafting to augment their breasts

Fat Grafting

Fat grafting, also known as fat transfer, allows patients to contour their bodies using their own tissue. This procedure involves removing fat from one area of the body and putting it somewhere else. The fat is usually gathered from a region which has excess fat.

A surgeon will extract the fat using a syringe which is attached to a harvesting cannula. The fat is usually harvested from the stomach, hips, inner knee, and outer thigh. Blood and other fluids in the fat are cleared to minimize pain. The fat is then injected into the recipient site of the patient.

Some medical experts believe that fat transfer has many advantages over other cosmetic procedures. One benefit is that the procedure uses the patient’s own tissue so the body won’t reject it. Fat grafts are injected into many different layers of the skin so the fat cells are more likely to find a nearby blood supply.

Fat Grafts to the Hand
Some people develop deep groves or sun spots on their hands. Fat injections can enhance the appearance of the hands. Fat injections are becoming a popular way for people to rejuvenate their hands. Some dermatologists use dermal fillers but these fillers only offer temporary results. Fat transfers offer results which last for years.

Facial Fat Grafts
Fat injections can also rejuvenate the face. Fat is harvested and prepared using liposuction. The fat is then injected into the desired areas of the face. The most common uses are to fill forehead lines, sunken areas below the eyes, and smile lines. It is also used to augment the cheeks.

Practitioners sometimes use a micro injection technique for this procedure. It involves placing very small parcels of fat into several layers of the face. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia with a light oral sedation.

Breast Augmentation
More women are using fat grafting to augment their breasts. Research suggests that fat transfers to the breast can produce lasting results. Also, it will not interfere with the detection of breast cancer. This procedure can reshape the breasts of women who have had mastectomies, or faulty breast implants.

Buttocks Augmentation
Fat grafting in the buttocks is also growing in popularity. This procedure, known as a gluteoplasty or Brazilian butt lift, can give a person a curvier bottom. Small incisions are made in the patient’s gluteal cheeks. The surgeon then puts fat cells at several levels throughout the patient’s buttocks.

Individuals interested in Fat Grafting or any other services at Spalding Drive Plastic Surgery can contact the center directly and schedule appointments at 818-385-0066 or online at www.spaldingplasticsurgery.com

Facelift Surgery Basics

Facelift surgery is cosmetic procedure also known as rhytidectomy. It is used to make the patient look younger and to remove problems caused by aging. With this surgery, it is possible to remove sagging from the face, wrinkles, loose skin and issues associated with facial muscle tone. During a facelift, it's possible to do also perform a brow lift or surgery on the eyelids. It’s important to know that there are limits to what facelift surgery can do and it won’t stop you from aging in the future.

Before surgery, you must go through lab testing, stop smoking and avoid taking certain medications. You must also ask someone to pick you up after the surgery, since you won’t be able to drive for a few hours after having anesthesia.

The procedure starts with anesthesia. For traditional facelift surgery, an incision is made on the hairline, circling around the ears and reaching the lower scalp. Then, fat is redistributed or sculpted and deeper layers of skin as well as muscles are lifted. Excessive skin is then removed. To work on the neck area, another incision is made under the chin. After facelift surgery, the lines from the incisions are hidden under the hairline or in the contours of the face. 

The final results of the facelift can be seen after bruising and swelling go down.

After the surgery, you will get instructions on how to care for your skin as well as medications to help during recovery. You will be required to go for a followup appointment with your surgeon. It can take up to six months until you fully recover and all the swelling is gone. Results are long lasting and you won't need another surgery for years to come. Avoiding direct sunlight and living a healthy lifestyle can keep your skin youthful for longer, too.

Like with any surgery, there are certain risks involved, including scarring, bleeding, anesthesia risks and infection. Whenever something like this occurs, a doctor should be consulted immediately. Generally, though, patients don’t experience these side effects.

For more information about facelift surgery, visit SpaldingPlasticSurgery.com

Liposuction FAQ

Liposuction is the removal of extra fat from the body. When fat forms into stubborn bulges, it is not always possible to remove it by exercising alone. Many people who are considering liposuction have multiple questions they need answered before moving forward.

What is the basic body requirement for liposuction?

The best candidate for Spalding Drive Plastic Surgery will have an average body weight. However, liposuction patients can be slightly above their average suggested body weight and still qualify for the surgery. Skin should be firm and elastic. Overall, the health of the patient should be in good standing. Most importantly, the pockets of fat to be surgically removed should be ones that do not respond well to diet and exercise.

Do I still have to diet and exercise after liposuction?

It is very important to maintain your body and stay at a healthy weight following liposuction, which means that you should stay active and eat a healthy, nutritious diet moving forward.

What is the recovery period after liposuction surgery?

The recovery period depends on the method that was used for liposuction and also on the patient’s body. Typically, though, a normal recovery period is between two days and two weeks.

Does liposuction remove cellulite, too?

Liposuction doesn’t necessarily remove cellulite, which is responsible for that puckering you see underneath your skin. It will, however, improve the overall silhouette of your body and possibly reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Is liposuction a permanent method? 

As long as the patient continues to care for their body and doesn’t gain weight following surgery, their new silhouette will stay intact. The fat cells that are removed from the body through liposuction don’t eventually grow back. Also, if a patient is to gain weight following surgery, they won't notice as much of a gain in the places where they’ve had liposuction.

Contact one of Spalding Plastic Surgery’s expert doctors for a personal consultation today.

For more information please visit: - SpaldingPlasticSurgery.com