Treatments generally last 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the size of the area) and are relatively painless. Basically, the area being treated will be cleansed, after which a thin layer of topical cooling gel will be applied which will help eliminate any discomfort on the patient’s behalf (unless the patient’s uncomfortable with cooling gel). From there, a laser will emit intense pulses of light that will penetrate the skin, in turn causing collagen and blood vessels to constrict. Most people will notice a redness or tenderness to the area directly after treatment, though that will die down within 24 hours.

A Fotofacial is ideal because it combines optical energy with radio frequency energy. Therefore, the visible light energy is absorbed by the pigment in the skin’s surface, helping eliminate discoloration, while the radio frequency energy stimulates the production of new collagen, helping skin look naturally tighter. That being said, results are progressive, meaning over time, ideal results will be reached. Ideally, four to five treatments (about once a month) should be given to truly reach long-lasting, optimum results.

Who needs it?

Ideal candidates for a Fotofacial will either have problems resulting from pigmentation discoloration or slight wrinkling or scarring. Therefore, a Fotofacial can treat an of conditions including fine lines (around the eyes and mouth especially), rosacea, broken capillaries, flushing, sun damage, pore size, hyperpigmentation, melasma, spider veins, acne scars, and even freckles. Furthermore, the procedure is known to reduce the appearance of dark circles below the eyes, as well as chronic facial redness. Lastly, it should be noted that younger patients with milder cases of skin damage or signs of early aging will generally see greater results than older patients.

Benefits

The biggest benefit to the Fotofacial is that there is virtually no downtime and discomfort is minimal at best. The procedure is also fairly quick, does not require the use of anesthesia, and is outpatient, meaning you can resume your daily schedule immediately following treatment. The Fotofacial is impressive because it combines the work of two different procedures, such as a chemical peel and an anti-winkle filler, therefore eliminating two problems (discoloration and wrinkling) at the same time, but in quicker and non-invasive fashion.

Risks

The procedure is low risk. However, practice proper sunscreen on the areas that have been treated for the 24 hours following the procedure, as those areas will be particularly sensitive to sunlight.

Otherwise, you should know that the Fotofacial is not a substitute for a standard facelift, and will therefore not be effective against deep-set wrinkles, especially if they are located on the forehead or between the brows. This goes for deep scarring, as well. Simply put, the procedure improves the general texture and refinement of the skin. Lastly, be aware that several treatments are necessary in order to receive ideal results and that improvements will not necessarily be noticeable immediately, especially the tightening of the skin (as new collagen can take several months to fully develop).

Therefore, the multiple treatments, as well as any maintenance your physician finds necessary (such as specially formulated skin care products) may end up costing you more than you’d like.

The Bottom Line

The Fotofacial is one of many new laser-assisted cosmetic treatments. What it has going for it is that it not only tackles skin laxity but other undesirable skin defects such as rosacea and hyperpigmentation. Unfortunately, it requires multiple treatments. Because of the bevy of laser skin treatments available today, the Fotofacial may or may not be the best choice for you depending on your needs.

Organ Puncture

Liposuction is done by inserting a small metal tube (cannula) into the patient’s tissue through incisions in the skin. The tube then is moved around inside the area of the body targeted for the procedure. If the physician doing the procedure is careful, then the cannula normally does not puncture any surrounding tissue or organs. Sometimes, however, the cannula does do damage (Liposuction.com, 2009). This is more common in abdominal liposuction, especially if previous abdominal surgeries or conditions (e.g., a cesarean section, hernia) may have shifted the positioning of the other organs/tissues.

Numbness

According to Liposuction.com (2009), traditional liposuction is done via a vacuum extraction method—fat literally is sucked out of the tissue through the cannula. As the fat is removed, the vacuum also pulls on surrounding tissue and nerves. The motion of the cannula itself also can affect nerves as it is moved throughout the tissue. Lastly, swelling occurs as a result of the procedure, which can put pressure on nerves. All of these factors can result in numbness in the area of the body on which the surgeon concentrated, as well as other areas of the body connected to the damaged/pinched nerves. Most of the time, if numbness is due to swelling, it will go away as the patient heals. Sometimes, however, the nerve damage from the vacuum and cannula is permanent.

Embolism

Embolism is a rare but potentially fatal risk associated with liposuction. Embolisms, which are blockages in blood vessels, are life threatening when they occur because they stop blood flow, which can result in heart attack, stroke, or hemorrhage. According to Liposuction-Procedure.org (n.d.), an embolism can occur if fat cells form clots after entering the blood stream through damaged blood vessels. Blood clots also can occur.

Infection

One of the most common problems with liposuction is infection. Although the procedure is done routinely, it still is surgery, which means that it requires incisions into the body. Bacteria and viruses can get into the incisions if they are not kept very clean and disinfected. Bacteria and viruses also can enter the body during the procedure on the cannula itself, although a good liposuction surgeon will have taken precautions against this. The most common symptoms of mild infection are redness and pain, but some more serious infections also may result in pus coming from the incision site. Infections need to be treated immediately, as they can travel to surrounding tissue or even throughout the entire body.

Allergic Reaction

Depending on the type of liposuction being performed, a liposuction surgeon will choose to use either a local or general anesthetic. There is a risk of developing an allergic reaction to these medications during the procedure (ygoy.com, 2009). People who know they are allergic to a certain type of anesthetic can discuss this with their doctor before the procedure to avoid a reaction, but some people who never have had surgery before may have no way of knowing whether or not they will react to the type of anesthetic selected.

Increased Body Dissatisfaction

In some cases, liposuction can cause asymmetry of the body, sagging skin, or scarring at the incision sites. These complications, although certainly not life-threatening dangers, can make a patient feel as though their body is less attractive. This can lead to increased body dissatisfaction that can lead to depression or even additional cosmetic procedures such as tummy tucks and lifts. This can be emotionally and physically exhausting to the individual.

Considerations

In most cases, in the hands of a skilled surgeon, liposuction is an effective way to shape the body and to lose excess body fat. Not everyone who undergoes the procedure will experience complications, and overall physical health and attitude greatly impacts outcome. Consult with a physician to see if liposuction still can be right for you.

References:

Liposuction.com. (2009). Liposuction Information. Available from   http://www.liposuction.com/lipoinfo/intro.php

Liposuction-Procedure.org. (2009). What Are the Dangers of Liposuction? Available from http://www.liposuction-procedure.org/dangers-of-liposuction.html

ygoy.com. (2009). Dangers of Liposuction. Available from   http://obesity.ygoy.com/2009/02/21/dangers-of-liposuction/

Melasma is a tan or dark skin discoloration usually found in irregularly shaped patches on the upper cheek, nose, lips, upper lip, and forehead. Melasma usually develops gradually, and is sometimes called “Chloasma faciei” or the “mask of pregnancy” when it occurs to pregnant women. Melasma may be epidermal or dermal, depending on how deep the discoloration goes into the layers of skin.

Who Needs Melasma Treatment?

Anyone who has been diagnosed with melasma may seek treatment. Melasma may affect anyone, but it is most common in women, especially those who are pregnant or taking hormone replacement therapy or  patch or oral contraceptives. Melasma also is more likely to occur in women and men who are of Native American, Jewish, German, or Russian descent. Women with a light brown complexion who live in extremely sunny climates are also more susceptible to melasma.

What causes Melasma?

Besides heredity, the use of oral/patch contraceptives, and the use of hormone replacement therapy, other conditions are also known to increase the risk of melasma.

Extreme sun exposure is a risk factor for melasma in women, because one cause for melasma is thought to be the stimulation of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) by the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone to produce more melanin pigments when the skin is exposed to sun.

Thyroid disorders may increase the risk of developing melasma because it can cause hormone imbalance that will produce more pigment-making cells when the body is under stress.

In rare cases, allergic reactions to medications and cosmetics have caused outbreaks of melasma.

What Kinds of Melasma Treatments are Available?

In cases where the melasma is caused by the use of hormone replacement therapy or oral or patch contraceptives, the symptoms of melasma often disappear completely a few weeks after one stops taking the hormone replacement therapy or oral/ patch contraceptives. When the melasma is caused by pregnancy, the symptoms often disappear a few weeks after giving birth.

Hydroquinone is a topical depigmenting agent used in treating melasma. It works by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, which is key in the production of melanin. Hydroquinone does not destroy previously synthesized melanin and therefore does not bleach skin. However, it may take weeks to see results.

Facial peels with alpha hydroxyacids, or chemical peels with glycolic acid, are helpful in exfoliating the skin to rid of dead melasma-afftected cells. If you are using hydroquinone, however, it is best to avoid these peels, as the skin may become irritated with the use of both.

Tretinoin is an acid that increases skin cell turnover, and can therefore help reveal the underlayers of skin that have not been affected by melasma. This melasma treatment should not be used during pregnancy.

Azaleic acid is a topical treatment thought to reduce the activity of pigment-producing cells called melanocytes.

Cosmetic cover-ups, like specialized concealer, are used to diminish the appearance for discolored spots on the skin.

Laser treatment may be used in certain cases of melasma, although this treatment is expensive and is not effective in treating all varieties of melasma.

All melasma treatments options require the strict avoidance of sunlight, as any exposure to sun could counter treatment.

Potential Risks of Melasma Treatment

Those who are pregnant or may become pregnant may have to avoid certain treatments for melasma; speak to your doctor before starting melasma treatment if you are pregnant.

Dermal melasma is often unresponsive to treatment and certain treatments may worsen this condition.

The Bottom Line:

If you suffer from long-term melasma, several treatments out there ensure you can get rid of (or at least cover up) unsightly spots and discolorations. If you are pregnant however, or taking oral/patch contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, your best bet may just be to wait it out and let the symptoms disappear on their own.