Category: Laser Treatments

3 Minute Read: 

Facelift surgery is performed to counteract the typical signs of aging and the effects of sun damage. It is the go-to procedure to address lines, wrinkles, and volume loss on the mid and lower regions of the face and neck. While this procedure is at the top of the list regarding effectiveness and longevity in its results, no anti-aging procedure will ever be permanent because no surgery can stop the continual and natural progression of aging.

If you have had a facelift and are once again noticing the frustration of aging, Spring Ridge Plastic Surgery offers several non-surgical and non-invasive options to restore and maintain your youthful facial contours.

Laser Skin Tightening

Laser skin tightening returns youthfulness to the face and neck by using laser heat to stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen is the protein found in your skin that is responsible for your skin’s structure and suppleness. These laser treatments reach deep layers of the skin so that you can achieve correction of even moderate to severe facial lines. Often, there is little or no downtime or recovery period, and you can return to normal activities immediately following treatment.

Injectables

Injectable treatments offer relief from fine lines, wrinkles, and volume loss. Injectables use a variety of ingredients and formulas to restore volume to hollowed facial features and deep lines and indentations. Although these injectables only offer temporary relief, they can be repeated as often as necessary to keep your skin looking smooth and plump. Some of the injectable treatments offered by Spring Ridge Plastic Surgery include:

• Hyaluronic acid fillers like JUVÉDERM®, Restylane®, JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC, Sculptra® Aesthetic, and RADIESSE®: These fillers bind moisture to the skin to maintain youthful fullness.
• RADIESSE®: This injectable stimulates collagen production and provides structure to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Sculptra® Aesthetic: This treatment restores volume to facial fat loss by promoting collagen growth.

Combining Treatments

While laser skin tightening and injectables are useful in touching up newly formed wrinkles and fine lines after facelift surgery, they can also be performed in combination with a facelift to address the signs of aging in the upper regions of the face. Lasers and injectable treatments can restore youthfulness to the eye and forehead area while the facelift is doing the same to the middle and lower region of the face. And dermal fillers, such as JUVÉDERM® and Restylane®, can enhance fullness and plumpness to the lips that is not possible through traditional facelift surgery.

Maintaining Your Results

No matter what procedure, or combination of procedures, you undergo, it is up to you to maintain your results. Facial aging will continue, but you can help to postpone it. Protecting yourself from the sun, following a nutritious diet, and a good skin care regimen will all help to push back the formation of fine lines and wrinkles so that you can wait a little longer before considering a touch-up procedure.

For more information about any of these procedures, contact Dr. Schlechter at Spring Ridge Plastic Surgery by calling (610) 678-9200 or by filling out our online contact form to set up a consultation.

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 10th, 2019 at 2:23 pm and is filed under Injectables, Laser Treatments, Non-Surgical Procedures. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

2 Minute Read: 

For many individuals, the upper arms can be a significant source of insecurity. Weight fluctuations and aging can lead to the development of excess fat and loose skin. When these two things are combined, you may be left with flabby, undesirable arms that seem impossible to tone without cosmetic help. And no one wants to cover up their arms every day, especially in the warm summer months. Fortunately, many treatments can slim, tone, and define the upper arms.

The Surgical Arm Lift

The surgical arm lift procedure addresses excess fat and skin laxity in the upper arms resulting from weight fluctuations and natural aging. Brachioplasty is a procedure that reduces the circumference of the arm by surgically removing the excess fat and hanging skin that contribute to the dreaded “bat wing” appearance.

During your brachioplasty procedure, Dr. Schlechter makes an incision on the inside of your arm that usually runs from your armpit to your elbow. He then removes the excess fat and skin to reveal slimmer, smoother, and shaplier arms.

The Laser Arm Lift

While surgery is the most sure-fire way to improve skin laxity and remove excess fat in the upper arms, it isn’t the only way. If you dislike the appearance of your upper arms but are not ready for cosmetic surgery, Spring Ridge Plastic Surgery offers the laser arm lift. This alternative to the traditional arm lift uses the Smartlipo® Triplex® system or Renuvion™ to tighten loose arm skin.

Dr. Schlechter performs this procedure using only a tiny incision in your upper arm. The Smartlipo® Triplex® technology administers laser energy to the upper arm through this incision, liquifying the excess fat in the arms so it is more easily removed with little trauma to the surrounding tissues. This laser energy also causes the skin to tighten, lessening its lax quality and appearance. Renuvion™ is a combination of radio frequency and helium to heat and cook the tissues at the same time, resulting in skin and tissue tightening.

Which Is for You?

While both the traditional arm lift and the laser arm lift offer unique benefits, it is essential to find the technique that is right for you. A laser arm lift is ideal for patients with a smaller amount of excess fat and hanging skin. Because the laser arm lift tightens the skin instead of removing it, it cannot correct the same level of skin laxity as arm lift surgery can.

If you have previously lost a significant amount of weight and have a more considerable amount of excess skin, the laser arm lift may not provide the appearance you want, even if you would prefer a less invasive procedure. Setting up a consultation is the only way to identify which option is best for you.

If you are tired of the appearance of your arms, contact Spring Ridge Plastic Surgery by calling 610-678-9200 to set up a consultation with Dr. Schlechter.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 3rd, 2019 at 11:18 am and is filed under Body Plastic Surgery, Laser Treatments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Gravity, sun damage, and environmental factors can wreak havoc on your neck. The skin on the neck is relatively thin in comparison to skin elsewhere on your body, and unfortunately, while you take care of the skin on your face, the skin below the chin is not quite so nurtured. This combination causes premature aging of the neck, resulting in sagging skin, vertical banding, excess fat deposits, and jowls. Aging of the neck causes you to look older and heavier than you are. Neck procedures restore youthfulness to an aging neck and rejuvenate your appearance. At Spring Ridge Plastic Surgery, Dr. Schlechter offers both non-surgical and surgical options for enhancing the neck, including the revolutionary Renuvion™ skin tightening treatment.

Meet Renuvion™

Renuvion™ offers non-surgical and minimally-invasive skin tightening for your aging neck. This treatment uses a combination of helium plasma (made from helium gas) and radiofrequency energy to gently heat the upper layer of skin. This heating causes the skin to tighten and collagen production to increase, reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and vertical banding and tightening the skin around the jowls and under the chin. Because the precise delivery of the plasma and RF energy ensures that no surrounding tissue is damaged, Renuvion™ is one of the safest treatments for skin tightening. The results this procedure achieves can rival even that of a traditional neck lift, which is why Renuvion™ is gaining the nickname of the non-surgical neck lift.

Renuvion™ is offered as a stand-alone procedure for patients who are experiencing mild to moderate skin laxity on the neck, chin, and jowls or in combination with liposuction for patients who has have excess fat deposits on the neck or under the chin that is contributing to an aged appearance. Regardless of your procedure, Renuvion™ will leave you with firmer, tighter skin and more youthful contours.

Additional Neck Rejuvenation Procedures

PrecisionTx™

The PrecisionTx™ is known as the laser neck lift. This minimally invasive procedure uses laser liposuction to destroy excess fat and tighten loose skin. Results from this procedure begin to show immediately and improve over the following months as collagen production increases.

Neck Lift

The results of a traditional neck lift speak for themselves. While it is more invasive than Renuvion™ and PrecisionTx™, a neck lift rejuvenates an aging neck by enhancing chin and jawline definition, slimming the neck, and smoothing the skin. This surgical procedure removes excess fat and skin through incisions made under the chin or behind the ears.

Whichever form of neck rejuvenation you prefer, Dr. Schlechter can help you regain a youthful neck contour. Contact Spring Ridge Plastic Surgery today by calling 610-678-9200 to set up a consultation.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 30th, 2018 at 3:39 pm and is filed under Body Plastic Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, Laser Treatments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Medical-grade skincare products can provide incredible anti-aging, non-surgical facial rejuvenation. When combined with the TCA chemical peel and laser resurfacing, patients can have even better results and younger, healthier skin. These skincare treatments can be used with medical-grade skincare products to help individuals fight signs of aging and renew their skin.

TCA Chemical Peel

A chemical peel uses a chemical solution to treat the skin. The chemicals remove the damaged outer skin layers to make way for healthy, new skin to grow. A TCA chemical peel uses trichloroacetic acid, which classifies it as a medium-depth peel suitable for most skin types. This skin treatment begins with cleansing the skin and then applying the chemical f

or several minutes. The skin may burn and feel uncomfortable during the treatment, but pain relievers, oral sedatives, fans, and/or cold compresses can be used to relieve discomfort. Afterward, the skin may be covered with a protective ointment. The skin may take up to seven to 10 days to heal and will look and feel softer, clearer, and younger.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing uses laser energy to treat the skin. After administering the appropriate anesthetic, the skincare professional uses a small, handheld device to transmit laser energy to targeted areas of the skin. This laser energy removes the outer skin layer so that newer, healthier skin grows beneath it. It also heats and shrinks the dermis by stimulating collagen so that the skin tightens and renews itself. The treatment itself may take up to one and a half hours and is followed by the application of an antibiotic ointment. The skin may require seven to 10 days to heal and will have a slight pinkish or reddish hue for up to several months. The result of this treatment is healthier, more evenly toned, and more vibrant skin.

Combining Facial Rejuvenation Treatments With Medical-Grade Skincare Products

TCA chemical peels and laser skin rejuvenation can smooth out skin texture, soften acne scars, erase age spots, and eliminate other signs of aging, sun damage, and environmental damage. These remarkable benefits can be enhanced even more by choosing from our medical-grade skincare products at the Spa at Spring Ridge. We offer products from many top brands to provide you with solutions that can be customized for your needs.

Using the proper skincare products before and after your procedure can improve your results, further minimize imperfections, and restore a healthy, youthful, clear complexion. Some of our products that may be recommended in conjunction with your anti-aging treatments include ZO® Skin Health, Avène Skin Care Products, Obagi®, Environ®, SkinCeuticals®, and Glytone. These and many other medical-grade skincare products available at the Spa at Spring Ridge may be recommended to help you maximize the results of your TCA chemical peel, laser skin resurfacing, or other anti-aging skincare treatment.

Taking care of your skin begins with the right products and treatments. Medical skincare treatments and products can help you look your best and keep your skin as youthful and healthy as possible. To learn more, contact us online or by phone at (610) 678-9200 today. We look forward to helping you achieve your facial rejuvenation goals.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 31st, 2017 at 4:01 pm and is filed under Non-Surgical Procedures, Laser Treatments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Why SculpSure® Is Better for Fat Reduction

SculpSure® is one of the best treatments for non-invasive fat reduction in the cosmetic surgery industry today. This laser fat reduction system can reduce unwanted body fat without many of the downsides of other similar procedures. Here are some of the reasons why SculpSure® is better than CoolSculpting® and why it is Dr. Schlechter’s preferred treatment for fat reduction.

The Similarities and Differences Between SculpSure® and CoolSculpting®

SculpSure® and CoolSculpting® are both non-invasive fat reduction procedures. Both are FDA approved, and both produce results that improve over time after the initial treatment. Apart from these similarities, the procedures differ in a few key ways. One major difference is the method each uses to destroy the fat cells. SculpSure® uses laser heat technology to melt fat cells, while CoolSculpting® uses cooling technology to freeze them. Additional differences are the length of a treatment session, the number of treatments necessary, the recovery period, and the length of time needed to see the results. In all of these differences, SculpSure® is more favorable.  

The Advantages of SculpSure® Over CoolSculpting®

There are several advantages in using SculpSure® for fat removal instead of CoolSculpting®.

• Shorter Treatment Time – SculpSure® has a shorter treatment session of only 25 minutes, while a CoolSculpting® treatment session lasts an entire hour.

• Fewer Treatments Needed – Fewer treatments may be necessary with SculpSure® because it can treat up to four areas at once, whereas CoolSculpting® can only treat one area of the body at a time.

• No Downtime and Quicker Recovery – SculpSure® also has no downtime or recovery period. CoolSculpting® may cause tingling or numbness and may require patients to refrain from strenuous activities for a little while.

• Skin Tightening – While CoolSculpting® only offers the benefit of fat removal, SculpSure® may also lead to some skin tightening from the laser energy. This added benefit can improve the results and create even smoother body contours.

• Quicker Results – Yet another benefit of SculpSure® is that most of the results are visible within only six to 12 weeks, whereas results from CoolSculpting® may take as long as four to six months to become noticeable.

SculpSure® is the top laser fat reduction system that modern technology has to offer. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Benjamin Schlechter can use SculpSure® to improve your body shape and contour. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Schlechter, call (610) 678-9200 today or fill out our online contact form at your earliest convenience.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 16th, 2016 at 3:52 pm and is filed under Laser Treatments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Troublesome fat on your abdomen and love handles is difficult to eliminate with crunches and other abdominal exercises. SculpSure® is a highly sought-after laser treatment that can eliminate fat from these trouble areas. With the innovative technology of SculpSure®, patients can undergo a non-invasive fat reduction procedure that can improve body contour with optimal results.

How SculpSure® Works

SculpSure® uses laser technology to destroy fat cells by disrupting adipose tissue, which is the connective tissue where fat is stored. Unlike other methods that use radiofrequency waves to break up fat cells or use freezing or heat technologies to destroy fat, SculpSure® offers controlled hyperthermic fat reduction. The applicators use a light-based laser to permanently destroy up to 24 percent of fat in the targeted area. A single in-office treatment lasts only 25 minutes, but the results from SculpSure® continue to improve throughout the following weeks. Once the fat cells have been destroyed, the body naturally absorbs and eliminates them over the next 12 weeks, at which time your optimal results will be visible.  

At least two treatment sessions are recommended to achieve optimal results with SculpSure®, and some patients may need up to four treatment sessions to achieve their desired results.

What to Expect With SculpSure®

During treatment with SculpSure®, you will feel a warming sensation while the laser applicators destroy the fat cells in your abdomen or love handles. Immediately after treatment, you will be able to return to your normal daily activities with no downtime. Over the following six to eight weeks, your body will absorb the fat cells that were destroyed during the treatment session, gradually eliminating them as waste. You will begin to see the treated area of your body slowly shrinking as the body absorbs the destroyed fat cells, and some results may be visible within only six weeks.

An overwhelming 90 percent of patients are satisfied with the improvement in their body contour provided by the elimination of excess fat with SculpSure®.

If you have troublesome body fat in your abdomen and love handles, SculpSure® may be the perfect treatment for you. To schedule your complimentary consultation, please call (610) 678-9200 or fill out our online contact form today.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 15th, 2016 at 4:57 pm and is filed under Laser Treatments, Non-Surgical Procedures. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Smartskin+™ by Cynosure® is a fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. It works by splitting the laser’s light into tiny beams that are each about one-tenth the size of a hair shaft. The light penetrates the skin to a controlled depth. The heat vaporizes the targeted cells while leaving the tiny areas around each tiny beam of light untouched. Only about 20 to 30 percent of the targeted area is actually treated, yet the entire area benefits from the process and eventually becomes rejuvenated. And because less skin is damaged by the laser, the recovery time is generally shorter than with non-fractional CO2 lasers. This treatment is not as aggressive as a full ablative treatment and may require multiple treatments to achieve optimal results.

When used as an ablative laser, Smartskin+™ removes the outermost top layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum. The heat from the laser light also reaches the dermis. In the dermal layer, it remodels the skin by stimulating the formation of new collagen, the protein that gives skin youthful, healthy-looking volume. The loss of skin volume (usually as the result of sun damage) is what causes lines and wrinkles to form. The downtime with an ablative treatment is longer than when treated in the fractional mode.

The Smartskin+™ laser is used to treat fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps to tighten the skin. It may be used at the time of a facelift to treat the upper and lower lip, perioral area or lower eyelids. It will improve the appearance of age spots and help to shrink large pores. It may also be used to treat acne scars.

If the signs of aging are starting to show on your face, the Smartskin+™ fractional CO2 laser can help reverse the hands of time. To schedule your complimentary consultation, please call (610) 678-9200 or fill out our online contact form today. We look forward to helping you look as young as you feel.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 17th, 2015 at 8:12 pm and is filed under Laser Treatments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.