How to tighten and refine your face and body L By Dr. David Janssen aser technology has evolved significantly over the last decade, allowing precise removal of unwanted marks, hair and veins. In recent years, lasers have been proven effective in tightening and refining the skin, adding a new dimension to existing cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, face and neck lifts. Lasers are used daily in surgery and for in-office procedures to tighten and improve the appearance of the skin. Every situation is unique, however, and it takes technical aptitude and artistic skill to achieve the best results. A few of the most common issues addressed with advanced laser technology will be highlighted here. Using lasers to remove hair, veins and tattoos Consumers want to trim time spent on caring for their bodies, making traditional hair removal techniques (shaving, waxing and bleaching) cumbersome and ineffective. Advanced laser technology offers fast hair removal. This treatment works for men and women with hair in undesirable places, including the face, back, underarms, bikini line, legs and arms. For vein removal, lasers heat the blood vessels, causing them to break down and shrink, which leads to a reduction of the vascular lesion. Tattoos are treated by “As the general population in Wisconsin ages, treating sun damage and precancerous lesions (actinic keratosis) with lasers is growing in demand.” directing colored light beams toward ink in the skin. These laser beams break up the ink particles. Several treatments are necessary to remove the tattoo pigmentation. Skin tightening and laserassisted liposuction When skin elasticity decreases, the result is sagging skin in the face, neck, arms, legs and stomach. Some patients who have skin elasticity issues are not candidates for surgery. The answer for them is skin tightening with Skintyte™. As seen on the popular television show “The Doctors,” the use of a laser to stimulate the dermis of the skin leads to effective tightening. The heat of the laser causes soft tissues to coagulate, plumping the skin. It also encourages the formation of collagen where the laser has been used. For surgical patients, lasers are used to tighten the skin after traditional liposuction. Following facial surgery, we will use the laser to perform skin rejuvenation. Article appeared in the February, 2011 issue of Nature’s Pathways Magazine www.naturespathwaysonline.com Sun damage and pigmentation As the general population in Wisconsin ages, treating sun damage and precancerous lesions (actinic keratosis) with lasers is growing in demand. Several aspects can be addressed at one time, including freckles and uneven pigmentation, acne scars, wrinkles and fine lines. Skin lesions are treated with Levulan® Photodynamic Therapy and a bluelight laser. This process results in significant improvement in potentially superficial skin cancers and sun-damaged skin. Laser skin care services can be done as a lunchtime procedure, with little downtime. Dr. David Janssen is a board-certified plastic surgeon with Fox Valley Plastic Surgery. Janssen, with Dr. William Doubek and the team at Fox Valley Plastic Surgery and the Renaissance Center in Oshkosh, provide advanced laser center services, facial aesthetics, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, total vein care and medical weight loss. They have cared for more than 27,000 patients since 1993. For more information, or to schedule your complimentary laser skin care evaluation online, visit www.fvpsurgery.com or call toll free 800.236.6495 or 920.233.1540.