Dr. Larry Nichter, regarded as one of the top plastic surgeons in Southern California, talks about why he decided to specialize in the field of plastic surgery and about his humanitarian efforts made possible through his Plasticos Foundation. To learn more about Plastics or to donate, please visit: http://www.theplasticosfoundation.org/
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Restore Volume to the Face with Fillers or Fat
Volume loss to the face is a natural part of the aging process or can happen when an individual experiences significant weight loss. The two options for treating volume loss are injectable fillers and fat transfer. Filler can be done in the office as a “walk-in, walk-out” treatment with no downtime and immediate results. Fat transfer is a surgical procedure that involves removing fat from one are of the body, usually the abdomen, hips or thighs, and placing it in the face where volume is needed. There is a recovery period of a few days to one week. Fat transfer is a permanent long term solution, where fillers are temporary.
SkinTyte® with Sciton Broadband Laser
The SkinTyte® laser treatment is being used by Dr. Nichter to treat sun exposed areas such as the face, chest, neck, upper arms, hands, and breasts. He is also using it to improve scars and stretch marks.
The Sciton SkinTyte® uses broadband light with infrared technology to thicken the dermis and compacting the collagen while tricking the cells into acting more youthful, which ultimately results in vibrant, healthy more radiant skin.
Top Three Characteristics of Facial Aging
Three Ways the Face Ages –
Loss of elasticity and gravity over time
Volume redistribution – loss of volume in some areas, fat pockets in other areas
Surface characteristics – sun exposure, acne, etc.
All three of these issues are evaluated by Dr. Nichter during the consultation and recommendations are made as to which procedure or combination of procedures will provide the best outcome. Treatment may include any one or more of the following: facelift, neck lift, fat transfer or fillers, liposuction, laser resurfacing, laser tightening, chemical peel, skin care regimen.
Look More Youthful with Fat Transfer or Fillers
As the characteristics of the face and skin change throughout the aging process, there becomes the desire to restore ones appearance to a more youthful look. In areas of the face such as the temples, eyes, and cheeks there can be noticeable volume loss resulting in a hollow skeletal appearance. Using fat from your own body or injectable fillers is the optimal solution for addressing this issue.
Who is a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
Any woman or man who has a lot of redundant skin, stretch marks, loss of abdominal tone due to pregnancy or significant weight gain/loss. A tummy tuck frees the redundant skin and removes it, tightens the underlying muscles, and liposuction contours add additional contouring to the abdomen and waistline.
Top 5 Characteristics of a Neck Lift
Dr. Nichter discusses the Top 5 characteristics of the neck that he evaluates for potential improvement.
- Amount of fat beneath your chin – younger patients may just need liposuction.
- Platysma bands – Located in the front of the neck. Muscles that separate and present themselves as 2 bands (a.k.a Number 11 bands).
- Amount of redundant skin – The amount of loose skin will determine if a surgical or non-surgical procedure is needed.
- Skin quality – Skin texture, acne, age spots or sun spots, broken capillaries, volume or lack of volume, fine lines and wrinkles are all taken into consideration when assessing what treatment or procedure is necessary.
- Misc. features – A prominent mandibular gland or recessed chin
Who is a Candidate for a Neck Lift Procedure?
Dr. Nichter talks about the people who may be a candidate for a neck lift in the video above. He states that candidates can range in age from their 20’s or 30’s up to their 80’s. Younger patients seeking neck improvement often times complain of fullness beneath their chin, which is an excess of fat, which can be removed with liposuction. If the skin doesn’t tighten from the liposuction procedure, Dr. Nichter may recommend using the Sciton® SkinTyte laser for additional neck contouring improvement. Patients who are older who are seeing the effects of aging in their neck, will often times require a combination of procedures to achieve optimal results. The procedures could be any one or more of the following: liposuction, platysmaplasty, neck lift,facelift, or laser tightening.
Who is a Candidate for Injectable Fillers?
Patients experiencing volume loss in their face are typically good candidates for injectable fillers. In some cases, a patient may have such significant hollowing that fat transfer may be a better option due to the amount of volume needed. Voluma® by Allergan is the first FDA-approved filler for volume replacement, while other fillers such as Radiesse, Restylane, etc. are used to minimize fine lines and wrinkles. Injectable fillers are not permanent, so an ongoing commitment is needed to maintain optimal results.
How Does the Sciton® Broadband Laser Work?
The Sciton® Broadband Laser is a skin rejuvenating treatment, which essentially tricks the skin cells into reproducing collagen and elasticity resulting in healthier more vibrant skin. In the above video, Dr. Nichter explains the science behind this innovation and how it is being used in his practice to treat a variety of skin issues such as fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, rosacea, ace, etc.
