Indiana Plastic Surgery Blog

When it comes to treatments that revitalize the skin, plastic surgeons and aestheticians offer a plethora of choices – so many that you’re probably confused about which one is the best.

Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are both excellent treatments for improving the skin texture and complexion, but how do you know which one to choose? First of all, if you see a good aesthetician, you’ll get expert advice about each treatment, so choosing will be much easier.

In cases where patients have little time for recovery or when they are anticipating an important social event, microdermabrasion is the best choice. The exfoliation depth is easily controlled with microdermabrasion, so you’re less likely to experience side effects like redness or swelling.  The typical healing time with microdermabrasion is also super short – usually 3 days at the most.

With most chemical peels, healing time takes longer than 3 days (often 1 week). However, the micro-peels available at Indiana Plastic Surgery are very light, so recovery time is fairly quick as well.

Sometimes an aesthetician will combine microdermabrasion and a peel. If done carefully, a light chemical peel such as AHA or salicylic acid can work in combination with your microdermabrasion treatment. Just make sure you choose an aesthetician or surgeon that has experience doing this.

• Read more about micro-chemical peels in Munster, Indiana
• Read more about microdermabrasion at Indiana Plastic Surgery

People sometimes call it “the ultimate acid test,” or more commonly, a chemical peel or facial peel.  I know what you’re thinking; remember the “Sex In The City” episode when Samantha got a chemical peel and looked like raw meat? That was scary, but chemical peels (at least what we offer) aren’t really like that.

Today’s advanced chemical peels provide aesthetic results that are outstanding. Now, peels can actually tighten the skin as they peel away layers and “brighten” even sun-damaged skin. Yes, you do need to be prepared to undergo some tingling upon application (less discomfort than waxing), outlay some money and be out of action for three days, but the results will be worth it – your skin will never look better!

Afterwards, your skin will look dewy and soft, and let’s face it people, at age 50 your skin doesn’t look dewy without doing something! So if you’re not ready for surgery this is the best place to start by trying a safe and effective treatment under medical supervision.

To prepare for the peel and get the best results, you should begin using a range of day and night medical grade skin care products. They can stimulate collagen production and cell turnover and put some elasticity back in your skin.

At Indiana Plastic Surgery, we offer Micro-Peels.  Being the lightest of all chemical peels, micro peels will smooth and soften your skin, brighten your complexion, minimize pore size, and reduce discoloration.

I love summer in Indiana!  It’s when we hit the beach, take the kids to the pool, barbeque with our friends, and enjoy the warm weather. Meanwhile, protecting your skin from the sun and choosing the right treatments can prevent premature aging to keep you healthy and looking your best. If you’re heading out for some fun in the sun, here are some skin management tips and rejuvenation methods that can keep you looking hot while you’re out in the hot sun.  

If your skin is in need of rejuvenation, a few microdermabrasion treatments each year can make a big difference.  Microdermabrasion removes the top layer of skin to reveal a fresh, healthy layer underneath. It also stimulates collagen production, which improves skin elasticity.  It’s an easy procedure that can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and even some forms of skin damage.  If you use skin care products (we carry NIA24, Prevage, and PCA), it can increase penetration to make your regimen more effective.  For many patients, this combination of at-home skin care and microdermabrasion is all it takes to achieve smoother, more silky looking skin. 

If you exhibit age spots, zap them away with a laser or Chemical Peel. Rejuvenate your skin while reducing or removing age spots

Sunscreen is important any time of year, but especially during these hot summer months. Choosing the right sunscreen for your face – one that addresses your skin type and skin conditions – is not always easy.  Use a sunscreen every day. For days spent mostly indoors, use a foundation with an SPF15 or higher. For outdoors you want at least an SPF45 that is waterproof or water-resistant. The right sunscreen can prevent sun damage, skin problems, and even skin cancer.  Harmful UV rays can damage skin cells deep within the skin’s surface, making your cells vulnerable to toxins (free-radicals) in the environment.

Let us help you maintain the health of your skin. Come visit us at Indiana Plastic Surgery to find out which treatment will work best for your skin type; then look forward to looking hot all summer long!

In the recent past, we’ve seen many drugs make their way to the market inadvertently, becoming hugely popular for uses that were never intended; such is the case with Latisse, Allergan’s new eyelash enhancement drug.

Latisse was born out of a group of popular medications called topical prostaglandins, drugs frequently used to decrease intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma patients.  What optometrists labeled a ‘complication’ or side effect of using prostaglandins was “hypertrichosis,” a condition characterized by darkening, thickening, and lengthening of the eyelashes.

Allergan offered the topical prostaglandin Lumigan in 2001, a drug that contained the active ingredient bimatoprost. Two important precursors to Latisse occurred after the FDA gave clearance for Lumigan.

Jan Marini Skin Research Inc had over $2 million worth of product seized by the Food and Drug Administration.  The product, Age Intervention Eyelash, evidently contained bimatoprost, which was unapproved for cosmetic use at the time. Allergan later filed a patent infringement suit against Jan Marini and several other companies that had tried to market bimatoprost in their eyelash enhancing drugs.

Some doctors started prescribing Lumigan off-label to enhance eyelashes.  Knowing the desirable side effects it could produce. But Lumigan wasn’t formulated for cosmetic use and many believed more research was needed to confirm the safety of topical prostaglandins for cosmetic use.

Clinical trials and further research is exactly what Allergan Inc did.  In one early study, 278 healthy adults with minimal to moderate eyelash prominence applied bimatoprost or a placebo to their lash line.  The results were favorable; researchers observed that the average patient’s eyelashes were 25 percent longer, 106 percent fuller, and 18 percent darker, while only 3.6 percent experienced itchy eyes and redness, and only 2.9 percent experienced skin hyperpigmentation.

Latisse received FDA approval late last year for the treatment of ‘inadequate’ eyelashes.  Allergan now owns the patent on use of bimatoprost for eyelash enhancement.

For more information on Latisse in Indiana, contact us.

There are 3 main concerns women express about their skin:

 - Wrinkles

 - Age Spots

 - Sagging Skin

All of these conditions indicate premature aging due to sun damage. If you don’t address sun-damaged skin quickly it may lead to undesirable skin conditions later in life – conditions like uneven skin tone, sun spots and severe wrinkles.

Fortunately, we now have decades of research available on cell rejuvenation, skin health, and the roles certain ingredients can play in  this process. It is a proven fact that products containing the three key antioxidant vitamins – A (Retin, Retinyl, Retinoic Acid or Retinol); C (Ascorbic Acid); and E (Tocopherol), as well as the nutrient Niacin, accelerate cell turnover.

Vitamin A is beneficial in multiple ways; the most important benefit is probably the stimulation of collagen growth.  Vitamin C and E are super-charged rejuvenators, and the nutrient Niacin acts as a sort of damage control.  Together these components naturally rejuvenate by ‘turning on’ the cells that make collagen and elastin. When combined in a product, they can effectively treat signs of premature aging.

The TODAY SHOW recently featured the NIA24™ product line, which contains several of these potent ingredients. 

 One of the most important factors in skin health is retaining moisture and replenishing the water in our skin. NIA24™ deeply hydrates skin while also protecting against the environment.  It also reverses pre-existing skin damage by aiding body’s natural repair mechanisms.  The ‘power ingredient’ in NIA24™ is NIACIN.

Niacin prevents melanin production from reaching the skin to reduce unwanted pigmentation.  Once you start using NIA24™ new sun spots will stop appearing and exfoliation – the next important step in the process – will begin.  You will shed brown spots and sun spots, revealing the healthy, clear skin underneath. 

For more information on NIA 24 and other skin care products at Indiana Plastic Surgery, see our homepage here.

This video is a recent episode of ‘The Doctors’ which features Dermatologist Jessica Wu showcasing Allergan’s new eyelash enhancement drug, Latisse.

Dr. Wu boasts that the ingredients in Latisse can give you “crazy long spidery lashes” in just 4 months. You apply Latisse to the base of upper eyelashes once each night, “just like liquid eyeliner.”  According to The Doctors, the results should yield lashes that are 25 percent longer and 100 percent thicker!

See the video for an impressive before & after photo. If you are interested in learning more about Latisse in Indiana, call or email our office.

Latisse is FDA approved and available here in Munster at Dr. David Robinson’s office.

What is Latisse? If you haven’t already heard, it’s the latest eyelash enhancer brought to market by Allergan, the medical giant behind Botox and Juvederm.

Applied to the base of the lashes, Latisse keeps hairs in their growth phase, producing longer, darker and thicker eyelashes. The effects of Latisse are not permanent, so you have to keep using it. The eyelashes will return to normal after the patient stops using Latisse.

Allergan accidentally discovered Latisse during a clinical trial for a known glaucoma treatment called Lumigan. When patients reported that Lumigan had a highly desired side-effect – significantly longer eyelashes – Allergan knew they were on to something.

Call us for more info and special introductory pricing for Latisse!