Plastic Surgery Skin and Hair Treatments

Information About Hair and Skin Cosmetic Surgery Treatments

Patients who struggle with hair loss or poor skin often feel embarrassed or self-conscious about their appearance. As a response to patients' needs, cosmetic surgeons are now offering a variety of skin and hair plastic surgery procedures in addition to traditional procedures, like facelift, rhinoplasty, liposuction, tummy tuck and breast augmentation. Depending upon the practitioner and the procedure, patients can undergo their hair or skin treatment on an outpatient basis within the plastic surgeon's facility or any other medical office.

Hair Loss and Hair Transplants

As men and women age, many of them struggle with persistent hair loss. In fact, a recent statistic found that more than half of the men over fifty in the United States have complained of thinning hair. Women, too, often struggle with this embarrassing condition. Hair transplantation is a surgical solution to balding areas. With this procedure, a doctor attaches hair grafts to the patient's scalp. It is very important for the doctor to find the perfect match for the hair graft to the patient, so the graft can oxidize successfully with the existing tissues. Patients typically need to receive several hair transplants before they achieve the beautiful, luscious head of hair they desire.

Patients who have too much facial and body hair also seek cosmetic surgeons to treat their needs. Laser hair removal is the latest technology for removing unwanted body hair. It offers longer-lasting results than tweezing, shaving or waxing, as well as is less painful and tedious than electrolysis. During the procedure, a practitioner applies a numbing lotion and presses a concentrated laser light to the treated area. The light removes hair follicles over a large area, preventing the hair to grow back. Patients may need several treatments before they achieve their desired look.

Cosmetic Surgery Skin Treatments

Plastic surgeons and dermatologists also provide a variety of skin treatments. Laser skin resurfacing is a popular procedure used to treat the deep layers of damaged skin. With advanced laser technologies, cosmetic surgeons can lessen the prominence of fine lines, wrinkles, scars and hyperpigmentation.

Another widely requested cosmetic procedure for the skin is microdermabrasion treatment. Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical treatment that exfoliates facial skin to eliminate dull, dead skin cells. It is used to treat early signs of aging, as well as mild acne scars, fine lines or clogged pores. During the procedure, a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist sprays a crystal mixture onto the patient's skin. There is another variation of microdermabrasion in which the practitioner does not use a crystal mixture, but a strong exfoliating cream and a vacuum-type device. Both versions slough off the superficial layer of skin to reveal radiant, beautiful skin.

Cosmetic surgeons also use laser technologies for laser tattoo removal. Patients who regret receiving their tattoos often choose this method as opposed to other tattoo removal techniques because it is less invasive and painful. With laser tattoo removal, the practitioner applies short pulses of concentrated laser light energy to the tattoo. After several treatments, the tattoo is erased.