Latest news with #AmericanSocietyOfPlasticSurgeons
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How New Laser Treatments Are Transforming Skin Tightening—With Less Pain and Downtime
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." You're sitting in a doctor's office with numbing cream spread on your face like buttercream icing on a cake. You're preparing to have a laser beam penetrate your skin at the same temperature that water boils. You're bracing for your face to resemble tuna tartare for at least a week. Sounds scary? For a long time, this may have been the reality for anyone seeking a laser treatment to tighten or tone skin. Today's lasers, however, are far less harsh, reducing pain and downtime for many patients—and might be even more effective for lifting and brightening. These next-gen options are also safer across skin tones. 'A lot of [older lasers] readily absorb melanin, so [people with darker complexions] can get really significant burns,' says Michelle Henry, MD, a dermatologist in New York. Now, many of the lasers she currently has in her office are safe for dark skin. Perhaps as a result, lasers are booming: There were over 3.5 million skin resurfacing procedures in 2023, a 5 percent increase over 2022, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' annual statistics report. Here are some of the best lasers that don't belong in a sequel to The Substance. According to Eunice Park, MD, a facial plastic surgeon in New York, a method called 'Pico Sculpting,' which is popular in South Korea to tighten skin, is gaining ground in the U.S. Using super-short pulses of energy at different depths, the picosecond laser can target its effects: It can plunge to deep levels, like a scuba diver, to tighten without disturbing the outermost layer. It can sweep through the middle layers, like a snorkeler, to rejuvenate. And it can skim the surface, like a surfer, to smooth texture. Though skin might be slightly red or swollen for a few days, the minimal downtime unveils results starting within a week. Ablative lasers are a great tool for resurfacing, but they can also make you look sunburned for up to a month. UltraClear is the first cold fiber ablative laser that stimulates collagen without causing excessive redness. ('Cold' doesn't refer to a temperature, but rather for the way the laser uses a unique 2,910-nanometer wavelength to treat the skin, according to Arielle Kauvar, MD, a dermatologist in New York City.) UltraClear delivers quick pulses of energy in intervals to curtail heat damage and pain. Unlike other ablative lasers, UltraClear's 3DMiracl treatment seldom requires any numbing cream beforehand and has less downtime, though there may be a bit of redness or swelling. Patients can notice skin improvements within five days. Mosaic 3D works well for hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, and wrinkles. It's a non-ablative laser (meaning it doesn't disturb the skin's surface), which Henry says makes it ideal for all skin tones. But precision is what makes this laser a secret weapon: It has a cold sapphire tip for chilling the skin; an air-cooled rolling system for even coverage; and an algorithm called 3D Controlled Chaos Technology to control the space and depth of where beams enter the skin. These features allow the laser to sweep over tricky-to-reach areas, like around the eyes and mouth. Skin may be mildly red for up to 48 hours, but downtime is only two to five Now You Might Also Like The 15 Best Organic And Clean Shampoos For Any And All Hair Types 100 Gifts That Are $50 Or Under (And Look Way More Expensive Than They Actually Are)
CBS News
08-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Botulism cases from Botox injections linked to Milton spa, health officials say
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has linked a Milton spa to a string of botulism cases from Botox injections. Ten people are suspected to have iatrogenic botulism, a rare but serious illness, after receiving a procedure at Rodrigo Beauty on Granite Avenue. Health officials advise that anyone who received Botox injections between May 1 and June 4 should contact their nearby health department or DPH. Iatrogenic botulism can happen when Botox spreads beyond where it was injected. Symptoms of iatrogenic botulism include blurred or double vision, slurred speech, breathing difficulties, drooping eyelids, and difficulty swallowing. Some more serious cases may experience progressive muscle weakness. If you experience any of these symptoms, the DPH recommends visiting the nearest emergency room. "Early recognition and treatment can significantly improve outcomes," the DPH said in a statement. The DPH asks that anyone contact them with questions or concerns at 617-983-6800. What is Botox? Cosmetic botulinum toxin, commonly referred to as Botox injections, is a "purified substance derived from bacteria," according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It blocks the nerve signal to the muscle, which prevents the muscle from moving. It is commonly used to prevent wrinkles in the face. The Massachusetts DPH emphasizes that trained professionals should inject Botox and that the technique, use of non-FDA-approved products, and improper dosing increase the risk of botulism. Massachusetts spa owner arrested A Stoughton spa owner, with locations in Easton and Randolph, was arrested in November of 2024 for allegedly using illegal counterfeit Botox and filler injections. Thirty-eight-year-old Rebecca Fadanello allegedly performed thousands of injections using imported Botox, Sculptra, and Juvederm from China and Brazil. She purchased the products from Alibaba, a Chinese company that claims to sell products in bulk. She was charged with one count of illegally importing merchandise contrary to law, one count of selling or dispensing a counterfeit drug, and one count of selling or dispensing a counterfeit device.
Medscape
26-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Plastic Surgery Career Path: Tips for Med Students
Plastic surgery covers a wide range of subspecialties, all of which focus on restoring physical function or appearance. In addition to reconstructive and cosmetic (or aesthetic) — which represent the two main types of plastic surgery — subspecialties include microsurgery (the reconnection of small blood vessels and nerves in transplant cases and other circumstances) and gender-affirming surgery, among others. The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc., reported that as of January 2025, there were approximately 7752 actively practicing plastic surgeons in the United States. The need for more surgeons to fill certain geographic gaps in patient access and meet the rising demand for a range of procedures suggests that a plastic surgery specialty may offer plenty of opportunity for individuals interested in helping people restore their self-confidence and independence. To offer more insight to medical students thinking of pursing a plastic surgery specialty, we turned to Scott Hollenbeck, MD, chair of the Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Virginia Health, Charlottesville, Virginia, and president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Q: When did you decide to specialize in plastic surgery, and what helped you choose that direction? A: I decided pretty late in my training. I was a third-year general surgery resident, and I was exposed to plastic surgery during our breast oncology rotation. There was a plastic surgeon who asked me if I wanted to help them as they did the reconstruction following a mastectomy. I did that on several occasions and found it to be very enjoyable to 'rebuild' a patient rather than deconstruct their body through surgery. One day, he said to me: 'You should be a plastic surgeon. You have the right skills and demeanor and will have a great career.' I saw how grateful his patients were and was convinced it would be a great career for me, and it really has. Q: What is a typical week's schedule for a plastic surgeon, and how is your time divided between surgery, office consultations, and other matters? A: I do a lot of different things beyond surgery and clinical care, but at least that aspect of my job is about 40 hours — or 3 days a week. I usually dedicate one day to my obligations as a department chair and the administrative work associated with that, and one day to running my research efforts. Now, in reality, it's not that defined. These different activities usually blend into each other throughout the week and sometimes into the weekend. Q: How do you balance a patient's expectations with realistic possibilities? A: That is an important point. It's all about informed consent. I never try to 'sell' a patient a surgery. Instead, I try to explain the nature of the procedure and the potential complications and describe a realistic outcome. Sometimes, I will share pictures with them and maybe even connect them with a prior patient who has expressed interest in serving as a resource for future patients. Many patients use social media to get information from other patients from around the country, and this, too, can be helpful in establishing realistic expectations. Q: How has the field of plastic surgery changed in recent years, and what is on the horizon? A: Plastic surgery is always changing. We are known as the specialty for innovation. As such, we often create a new surgical field, which, in many cases, is then adopted by another surgical field. Did you know the first kidney transplant was performed by a plastic surgeon? In fact, Dr Joseph Murray received the Nobel Prize for this achievement. The past few years have seen a lot of work in the use of biomaterials to rebuild the body after trauma or cancer, as well as the use of computers to plan surgeries and robotic machinery to assist the plastic surgeon in performing very delicate procedures. Q: What should students understand about the challenges and rewards of a plastic surgery specialty? A: It is a challenging career, both physically and emotionally, but it is exceptionally rewarding to help patients get through difficult situations. This applies to both reconstructive and aesthetic procedures. The skills we use are related to the transfer and reshaping of tissues to achieve a result that helps the patient in both their form and function.
