Cosmetic Dermatology

A telltale sign of the aging face is upper eyelid skin redundancy and lower eyelid bags. These changes can contribute to a “tired” appearance. Upper and lower blepharoplasty procedures can correct these processes. By removing skin and muscle, an upper eyelid blepharoplasty can give the eye a larger appearance.

What are the advantages of cosmetic surgery over soft procedures like Botox and dermal fillers? The main advantage is that cosmetic surgery allows for a more profound and long lasting correction that's not possible with other treatment options.

We present our clinical experience along with literature findings on decorative tattoo removal and the important issues practitioners should consider in the management of tattoos.

Plasma skin regeneration technology uses energy delivered from plasma rather than light or radiofrequency. Plasma skin regeneration technology can be used at varying energies for different depths of effect, from superficial epidermal sloughing to deeper dermal heating.

The upper, mid, and lower face all age as we go through the decades. Dr. Bryce Cowan explains how symptoms of aging typically manifest over time.

Typically grafted fats are long lasting. In this video Dr. Bryce Cowan explains how long fat grafts last in typical scenarios. The longevity of the grafted cells are one of the key selling points of this procedure.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous serum containing high concentrations of platelets and growth factors. PRP continues to evolve as an important treatment modality with many applications in dermatology, particularly in the areas of hair restoration, skin rejuvenation, acne scars, dermal augmentation, and striae distensae.

The choice of facial cleanser is important for people with normal skin, as well as for those people with sensitive skin and skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and acne. Read this overview of all cleanser types for helpful recommendations.

Wound care after laser skin resurfacing is critical for achieving a successful result. The superficial thermal injury created by laser skin resurfacing heals more quickly and with a reduced risk of scarring under occlusion. Effective management techniques can help minimize expected negative effects.

Nonablative laser and light therapy is a relatively novel modality for the improvement of the visual appearance of photodamaged, scarred, and injured skin. A number of different wavelengths and devices have been purported to be efficacious for the delivery of nonablative therapy.

Can you reverse the aging process? Dr. Bryce Cowan gives us the truth about aging, cosmetic surgery, and the difference between non-invasive procedures like Botox/fillers vs cosmetic surgery.

Why is it that some people (other people!) seem to age slower? It's not fair! Plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan explains the complexities and factors that affect the timeline of aging, in the first part of the Science of Facial Aging series.

Aesthetic volume rejuvenation with dermal fillers continues to be a popular procedure that is sought by a growing number of patients who seek the rounder softer contours attributable to a more youthful appearance. This article will focus on the most popular, time tested, and innovative fillers available today.

Numerous adaptations of face-lift techniques have been devised, and each surgical approach has its own risks and benefits, as well as proponents and detractors. All of the conventionally accepted techniques achieve removal of redundant skin.

Fractional laser treatment with the 1,550nm erbium fiber laser (Fraxel® Laser, Reliant Technologies) has bridged the gap between the ablative and nonablative laser modalities used to treat the epidermal and dermal signs of skin aging.

Achieving an excellent surgical result while managing disease can be a daunting task when the basic surgical principles we were all taught have been lost to time and the perpetuation of poor surgical habits that were adopted from others. Here are strategies that can help to improve your scar outcomes.

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are naturally occurring organic carboxylic acids such as glycolic acid, a natural constituent of sugar cane juice and lactic acid, found in sour milk and tomato juice. Topical formulations incorporating these acids are now frequently used or prescribed by dermatologists.

Grafted fat is transferred as whole cells which are believed to contain stem cells that release cytokines and growth factors. This promotes a rejuvenative process in the surrounding skin.

The upper, mid, and lower face all age as we go through the decades. Dr. Bryce Cowan explains how symptoms of aging typically manifest over time.

The panelists for cosmeceuticals at Dermatology Update 2008 included 4 dermatologists: Jeffrey Dover, MD, Charles Lynde, MD, Catherine Zip, MD, and Jason Rivers, MD, who discussed cosmeceuticals and the role they play in current dermatology practice.

What is fat grafting? Plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan explains this important rejuvenating options that is used both in restorative surgery (after a trauma) and for cosmetic purposes.

What are the most common misconceptions that patients often have about procedures. As a patient, it’s important to understand the various risks, costs, the likely outcomes, and what you want from the procedure well to gain the most benefit.

The botulinum neurotoxins (BTX) are an exciting group of therapeutic agents with dramatically expanding clinical indications. The US FDA has approved BOTOX® (BTX-A, Allergan) and Myobloc™ (BTX-B, Elan Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of cervical dystonia.

What is the cost of fat grafting compared to injectable fillers? Plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan explains that it depends on the timeline, the patient’s age, and what they are looking for. Fat grafting is initially more expensive compared to fillers, but has greater longevity by a wide margin.

Ciclopirox nail lacquer 8% (Penlac, Aventis Pharma) was approved by the US FDA in December 1999, as a component of a comprehensive management program, for use in immunocompetent patients who have mild to moderate onychomycosis of the fingers and toes without lunula involvement due to Trichophyton rubrum.

The cosmeceutical industry has undergone phenomenal growth over the past decade. Acquiring a basic knowledge of the major classes of active ingredients that are found in cosmeceuticals will enable healthcare professionals to provide accurate and educational information to consumers.

Acne is among the most common dermatological disorders seen by dermatologists, affecting approximately 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 years. The use of adjunctive cleansers and moisturizers can help mitigate treatment side effects and subsequently enhance therapeutic efficacy.

The ideal candidate depends on the specific treatment, but in general terms, we are looking at a patient who is a healthy, non-smoker, does not have high blood pressure, does not require anti-coagulants, is in their late 40s or early 50s, where the impact of the surgery is highest.

Plastic surgery is a serious undertaking, and requires a lot of trust in the performing surgeon. In this video we asked plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan what patients should be looking for when choosing a plastic surgeon or a clinic.

At what age do we start losing volume in the face, and in what areas? Plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan explains the process of volume loss with age, and how it affects the overall appearance of the face, and how fat grafting can help combat these changes.

Hydroquinone has been successfully used to treat hyperpigmentation for many years. Recently, new formulations containing hydroquinone have become available, including Lustra® and Lustra-AF®. These products also contain glycolic acid 2%, an active antioxidant system, and moisturizers.

Mandibular implantation is an outpatient procedure that can be used in combination with other minimally invasive cosmetic interventions. Specifically, silastic chin implants can help create a strong chin and smooth the jawline in carefully selected patients.

Moisturizers are widely used in various dermatologic and cosmetic skin therapies. Different classes of moisturizers are based on their mechanism of action, including occlusives, humectants, emollients and protein rejuvenators.

Botulinum toxin type-A (BTX-A) is a neurotoxin which blocks presynaptic release of acetylcholine. It interferes with neuromuscular transmission, temporarily paralyzing the affected muscle. Of special interest for dermatologists is the unlabelled cosmetic applications, for conditions such as wrinkles and hyperhidrosis.

Patients need to be able to both understand and accept the risks of surgery. It's a balance between their motivation and desire to undergo surgery and their willingness to accept the risks involved with that procedure.

In this video Dr. Bryce Cowan explains what the patient should expect after a fat grafting treatment in terms of results, as well as the side-effects that patients can expect following the procedure.

DAXI's innovative biochemical composition, replacing HSA with the peptide RTP004, enhances its efficacy, safety, and duration, potentially using less core neurotoxin, positioning it as a groundbreaking botulinum toxin A (BoNTA) for dynamic facial lines treatment.

Never before have so many people sought our assistance to help get get rid of their wrinkles. Until recently, most biological materials presented shortcomings – resorption within months, allergic reaction, and on occasion, foreign body or granuloma formation at the site of injection.

We describe a method for liposuction reduction of female breasts that is safe, efficacious, and associated with high levels of patient satisfaction. Liposuction for breast reduction in women is an appropriate addition to the array of liposuction procedures available to the dermatologic surgeon.

In this video plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan explains the ideal candidate for a fat grafting procedure. Every procedure has its strengths and weaknesses, and it’s important that patients understand these factors as well as the cost and risks that they are willing to tolerate. An important video for those considering fat grafting.