It never ceases to amaze me what doctors/scientists will think of  to “study” next.  

A recent article in the European Journal of Pediatrics found that teenage boys living at LOW elevations, within a few hundred feet of sea level, are more prone to develop acne than boys living at higher altitudes.  Also living at high altitudes can delay puberty in girls and boys.  

So I guess when you have kids, and you live in Florida, you may be in for a bout of zits and early anxiety. 

Although, I must say as a plastic surgeon in Fort Myers, I haven't noticed an unusual number of outbreaks of either.

 Everyone has skin problems. As a board certified cosmetic surgeon, I am concerned with skin condition, skin being the envelope in which all cosmetic surgery takes place. Whether you never seem to break out or have any red areas, scars or freckles, collagen depletes and skin gets looser, wrinklier and dryer. Add acne or rosacea and things get more complicated. 

Color 

If rosacea, hyperpigmentation or melasma is the problem, there’s a solution to dramatically improve your condition. Depending on your skin type, this might indicate an approach combining the use of lasers, chemical peels and prescription medication.

Rosacea might require oral medication in connection with topical creams.

Hyperpigmentation, melasma and uneven skin tone might call for the use of hydroquinone

Deep chemical peels can be used to lighten hyper-pigmentation, scars and spots

Pulsed light or a pulse dye laser can be used to treat blood vessels and thickening skin caused by rosacea and redness.

Skin texture and wrinkles 

Who doesn't want smooth, flawless skin?  When you age, however, wrinkles show up and the elements affect your overall skin health. Dead skin cells can make your skin look tired and drab. It can even block absorption of skincare products meant to help.

CO2 laser resurfacing can treat moderate to deep wrinkles, fine lines and tighten loose skin.

Regular, light peels or micro-dermabrasion can keep skin looking healthy and vibrant.

Deep chemical peels can remove sun damage, medium wrinkles and help smooth skin texture

Acne 

What works for one person, may not work for another. It is best to get your skin looked at and follow a  treatment blended specifically for your skin. 

Active acne outbreaks can be treated with medication, topical treatments and regular skin maintenance that might include light chemical peels, micro-dermabrasion and facials

Isolaz and photodynamic therapy can also keep breakouts under control by using light therapy in combination with technology that reduces bacteria 

Acne scars can be treated with resurfacing lasers, light treatments and chemical peels, depending on the type and degree

Deep pitted acne scars might require surgical excision and at times, dermal fillers to fix depressions

The quickest and easiest solution for one giant zit often is a cortisone shot. This will sting a little and set you back about $150. Your zit will be swollen for a few hours, but will be gone by the time you get to the airport.

Gives new meaning to the expression, "Comfortable in your own skin."

New Trends in Skin Care

Lots of new activity about Skin Care

Photodynamic therapy is being used more and more in treatment of acne. 9% of dermatologists used it in 2004 and that figure has increased to 23% last year. We have this available NOW.

A new study using Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) showed that its use increased wound healing by as much as 59% in a study conducted in laboratory rats. The study was done at the Albert Einstein Medical School.

There are new trends in skin resurfacing. A few years ago, the aesthetic scene was excited about micro dermabrasion and before that there were “hot” glycolic acid peels. It is important to understand that, for the most part, these are limited in their depth of treatment and, hence, the conditions they can treat.

CO² lasers came on the scene and became very popular. They can produce great results but they are painful, have long downtime and can have prolonged periods of red or erythema.

The newest and most exciting lasers to come on the market recently are called fractionated lasers. They first hit the market in 2004.

The fractionated lasers leave the epidermis intact and create zones of damage under the skin in the dermis. This new laser can be very effective in treating skin surface irregularities as well as pigmentary problems. The recovery time is usually a few days and in some cases the downtime can be as little as 24 hours.

One can combine fractionated treatments with a micro laser peel to get even more improvement but with a slightly longer recovery time, depending on how deep one lasers. We now offer both of these therapies.

Many times more than one treatment is needed to get the desired result. A lot depends on the condition of the skin at the time treatment is initiated. These treatments coupled with a good skin care program can offer dramatic results.

Give us a call at 239-939-5233 to set up a free consultation.