You may have read about the incredible Sciton Laser, an innovative tool used to refine facial imperfections and enhance complexion, in a previous blog. Now, we would like to highlight the facial treatment called SkinTyte™ Photofacial Therapy, a nonsurgical skin enhancement that uses the light energy of the Sciton Laser to improve skin laxity and refresh skin appearance.

What is SkinTyte?

SkinTyte is a non-invasive treatment that is safe to use on a wide variety of skin types. Pulsed infrared light is combined with advanced cooling technology to target damaged tissue below the skin’s surface. The underlying collagen is gently stimulated into contraction, resulting in a tightened effect. While the dermal collagen layers are warmed, outer layers are simultaneously cooled, effectively minimizing discomfort and protecting surrounding skin. Anesthesia is rarely needed; however, a mild topical cream may be used to ensure comfort.

When is SkinTyte Recommended?

SkinTyte works well for patients with sun damaged skin or premature signs of aging, and it is also a great option for minimizing facial redness. If you have acne scars, Rosacea, hyperpigmentation, or fine lines, this might be the perfect treatment for you. Generally, patients enjoy an overall younger appearance after their sessions, though it may take three to six months to realize the full results. SkinTyte is most often used on the face, but can also be applied to the neck, chest, abdomen, arms, and hands. For best results, most individuals will require two to five sessions, spaced three to four weeks apart.

Your cosmetic surgeon may recommend SkinTyte as a freestanding treatment, before or after a face or neck lift surgery, after chemical peels or BOTOX®, or in combination with microdermabrasion and other facial rejuvenation sessions.

How Can I Learn More?

Renewing your skin’s appearance is simple and affordable with the incredible SkinTyte treatment. If you would like to learn more and find out if you are a candidate for this and other noninvasive skin care options, please contact Dr. Robert Aycock today or find him on Facebook under Bay Area’s Premier Aesthetic Surgery and Laser Center. As an International Trainer for Doctors & Surgeons for Advanced Training on the use of the Sciton Laser, Dr. Aycock is a wonderful choice for your SkinTyte treatment.

If you are searching for a non-invasive way to enhance your skin condition without significant discomfort or downtime, the revolutionary Broadband Light (BBL) treatment can deliver incredible results.  This state-of-the-art treatment is also easy, affordable, and highly effective for treating many different skin imperfections.

How BBL Improves Facial Appearance

Broadband Light is an Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment that creates visible improvement using targeted laser energy. During a BBL treatment, the Sciton Laser is used to refine facial imperfections and enhance complexion, leaving skin refreshed and healthier. Light energy is delivered to the damaged skin cells in a precise, gentle treatment that requires no anesthesia. The top layers of skin are warmed, and skin cells are stimulated as they absorb heat. In minutes, irregular spots, acne, and discoloration can be minimized, creating a more attractive look and texture.

BBL patients love the fact that they don’t have to miss work or other important activities after a treatment. You can expect a slight skin darkening after your session, followed by a gradual skin lightening. The result is younger-looking, glowing skin that can lead to a more self-confident you!

Skin Problems Treated With Broadband Light

BBL may be used to treat a variety of skin issues, including age spots, freckles, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, and facial spider veins, among others. This safe procedure is most commonly used to improve facial appearance, although other body areas like the neck may be treated, as well. Your skin type and condition will determine the outcome of your BBL treatments, so it is important to come in for a confidential consultation before scheduling your first session.

Your Personalized BBL Treatment

After a thorough skin analysis, Dr. Aycock will make his personal recommendation for enhancing the tone and texture of your skin. You may need multiple BBL treatments to achieve the desired degree of skin refinement. If you like, Broadband Light can be combined with other nonsurgical facial rejuvenation treatments for an amazing, vibrant appearance enhancement.

If you live in the San Francisco Bay area, you can visit renowned facial rejuvenation specialist Dr. Robert Aycock, who offers real results and a philosophy of comfort and personal service. Contact Dr. Aycock today to learn more about Broadband Light, as well as other Sciton Laser treatments like Skin Tyte™, MicroLaser Peel™, and ProFractional™ Treatment. You can also visit him on the Web at www.aycockmd.com or find him on Facebook by searching Bay Area’s Premier Aesthetic Surgery and Laser Center.

Plump, pouty lips are a symbol of attractiveness for women and a highly desired feature in cosmetic practices across the country. Volume loss in the lips is a common sign of aging, but you can find many ways to add volume and achieve youthful lip contour with the help of an experienced plastic surgeon.

Lip augmentation is a procedure that is gaining popularity thanks to the many innovative materials and techniques that have made this treatment accessible and affordable. Choose from noninvasive injectable options, or opt for a more permanent enhancement with lip surgery. This procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia. Depending on the treatment type you choose, recovery can range from one day to one week.

Here are some of the ways you can achieve fuller lips:

Injectable Fillers

Injectable fillers use bovine or human collagen, hyaluronic acid, and synthetic substances to replace depleted collagen and create a fuller lip appearance. Injectable fillers such as Restylane®, or Juvederm®,have been shown to produce very natural-looking results, but they are temporary solutions that require regular repeat injections.

Surgical Collagen Replacement

During a surgical procedure, AlloDerm® is inserted into the upper and lower lips. AlloDerm achieves dramatic results using actual sheets of collagen that can last up to one year.

Permanent, Synthetic implants

These advanced medical materials create safe, biocompatible lip implants that can help patients get permanent plumpness. Material choices include GORE-TEX®, SoftForm®, or ePTFE (Perma Lips).

Find out which treatment can give you the full lips you desire. Dr. Robert Aycock offers a variety of lip augmentation options, along with other facial rejuvenation procedures like facelift, cheek implants, and chin implants. For more information on these and other advanced cosmetic treatments, please contact Dr. Aycock at his state-of-the-art Bay Area facility.

Fighting premature signs of aging can be a tough job, especially when sun exposure and the environment conspire to reveal your true age via wrinkles, sagging skin, and a loss of elasticity. There are many skin care products out there promising a more youthful appearance. But facial cosmetic surgery is the only option guaranteed to deliver dramatic, long-term results.

Two of the most popular choices for facial rejuvenation are the facelift and the mid facelift, both of which are intended to reveal a more youthful, firm look through wrinkle reduction. If you desire, an eyelid lift, neck lift or a brow lift can be performed at the same time to enhance the effects of either procedure. Here are a few details about these options to help you decide which one might work for you.

Facelift

This surgery works by tightening the facial skin around the hairline to produce a smooth skin surface on the lower face and upper neck. Incisions are made in the hairline and along the ear, so there is little visible scarring. Skin is tightened and excess skin and fat are removed during the procedure. If you have sagging skin around the mouth, jawline, and cheeks, this may be your ideal choice.

Mid Facelift

A mid facelift, also referred to as a “cheeklift,” focuses on the central area of the face (under the eyes and around the cheeks) and is a less invasive procedure than the full facelift. After placing small incisions in the hairline, your surgeon will gently lift sagging skin around the cheeks, remove excess fat, and reduce smile lines by tightening the skin. This may be the right cosmetic option for you if you would like a more noticeable improvement than facial fillers offer, but a more subtle change than the full facelift provides.

Choosing Your Surgeon

Keep in mind that the plastic surgeon you choose to perform your facial rejuvenation procedure can mean a world of difference in the personal service you receive as well as your surgical outcome. When you choose a highly skilled, experienced doctor like the Bay Area’s Dr. Robert Aycock, you improve your chances of having a positive experience with great results.

If you are curious about facial plastic surgery, take a look at some before and after photos from the plastic surgery office of Dr. Robert Aycock.

Learn more about your facial makeover options and set up a consultation to find out how knowledgeable cosmetic teams can help you reach your anti-aging goals. Please contact Dr. Robert Aycock today for your confidential cosmetic surgery consultation.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

Cosmetic surgery is not only a highly skilled science, it’s a delicate artform that requires an astute eye and a deep understanding of each individual’s needs. If you are considering enhancing your appearance with one or more of the incredible cosmetic procedures available today, make sure you count experience as one of your most important surgeon attributes.

No matter how skilled or artistic a surgeon may be, years of experience with a variety of different patients helps build a strong foundation of knowledge that no textbook can provide. By experiencing many real-world scenarios and leading patients from curiosity to positive change is a wonderful way for doctors to grasp the importance of their role and to deal with very diverse cosmetic needs.

If you’ve thought about plastic surgery, but aren’t sure where to start, talk to neighbors, friends, and family members to find out whom they recommend. You can also place a few phone calls to surgeons in your area to get feel for their service standards and ask questions about experience and other factors.

Remember, board certification is no guarantee of great results. Surgeon skill and experience can vary greatly depending on where you go. Finding a trusted plastic surgeon like San Francisco’s own Dr. Robert Aycock can mean a world of difference in the personal service you receive as well as your surgical outcome.

With more than 20 years of experience in all types of cosmetic procedures, including breast surgery, facial rejuvenation, and nonsurgical cosmetic treatments, Dr. Aycock has helped countless patients achieve beautiful, natural results. Have a look at some of his before and after photos to get an idea of his experience and his capabilities.

Dr. Aycock, in his specialty of plastic and reconstructive surgery, has held staff positions at many California facilities, including John Muir Medical Center, Marin General Hospital, Novato Community Hospital, Greenbrae Surgery Center, and the Breast Center of Northern California. He was also named the best plastic surgeon in the Northbay for 2008-2009.

Learn more about Dr. Aycock’s experience and set up a consultation to find out how he can help you reach your body goals. Please contact Dr. Robert Aycock today for your confidential cosmetic surgery orientation.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

BOTOX® Cosmetic has been making headlines since it’s FDA approval for cosmetic rejuvenation in 2000. Performed by a certified plastic surgeon in as little as 30 minutes, BOTOX is the popular choice for the temporary reduction of facial lines and wrinkles. Here is some basic information you need to know before moving forward with this treatment.

BOTOX Basics

The patented BOTOX serum is a safe dose of a protein found in the neurotoxin Botulism A. The paralytic effect of this protein helps muscles to relax, counteracting the wrinkling that happens as a result of certain facial expressions. As an anti-aging solution that involves no incision and no long-term commitment, BOTOX delivers noticeable results. Maintaining your more youthful skin appearance involves a few short visits per year.

BOTOX can be used to treat:

• Laugh lines
• Frown lines
• Brow furrows
• Crow’s feet
• Neck bands
• Squint lines

The Procedure

A BOTOX session is quick and convenient, and patients love the fact that they can get right back to their day with no downtime. There may be a bit of slight discomfort during the injection, but the effects are extremely mild when compared with other surgical and nonsurgical facial rejuvenation options. Over the next several days, you will see a smoothing of the treatment area. Patients can expect the results to last around 3 months.

BOTOX Risks

As with any cosmetic treatment, there are risks involved. Because BOTOX is a nonsurgical option, the risks of negative side effects are considerably less than other procedures. BOTOX patients may experience:

• Minimal bruising
• Temporary headaches
• Injection site tenderness
• Slight and temporary drooping of the eyelids or eyebrows

Your facial rejuvenation team will fill you in on all of the risks and benefits during an in-depth consultation. BOTOX is also a wonderful option for patients who want to enhance their facial plastic surgery procedures like face lift or eyelid lift.

Would you like to hear more about the multi-faceted benefits of BOTOX? Please contact Dr. Aycock today to set up your consultation and get information on patient financing.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

Over time, sun exposure, environment, and aging can combine to cause physical changes in the facial area. While some men and women age gracefully and enjoy a more dignified or wise appearance, most of us are not too happy with the differences that occur. Radiesse^® dermal filler, also nicknamed the “nonsurgical face lift,” is a wonderful option for people who wish to restore a youthful glow.

What Is Radiesse?

Radiesse is a patented gel made up of biocompatible calcium microspheres and water. Radiesse, when performed by a skilled plastic surgeon, can be highly effective at minimizing the signs of aging, without the surgical invasiveness or healing time required with the facelift procedure.

How Does Radiesse Fight Signs of Aging?

Radiesse wrinkle filler works by restoring volume that has been depleted during the aging process. The special formula actually stimulates collagen growth (called collagenesis). As the new collagen is created, tissue becomes more supple, youthful, and wrinkle-resistant. The results can last significantly longer than other wrinkle fillers — up to one year or longer!

What Are the Benefits of Radiesse?

· Radiesse can be used to enhance contours in all areas of the face.

· Radiesse is minimally invasive with no surgery needed.

· There is no risk of scarring with Radiesse.

· The body’s own collagen is produced after Radiesse treatment.

· Wrinkle correction begins immediately.

· Treatment is painless and quick, and there is no downtime.

· After injection, Radiesse continues to build volume over time.

· Radiesse is FDA-approved and has undergone numerous clinical trials.

Another Safe Anti-Aging Solution

Hydrelle™ is a new dermal filler that uses hyaluronic acid to fill in lines and wrinkles. Because the formula also includes lidocaine anesthetic, these injections involve less discomfort. Patients also enjoy a smaller dosage of filler than typical with other brands. Dr. Robert Aycock is currently the only provider in the North Bay to offer Hydrelle.

If you are searching for a nonsurgical solution to combat the signs of aging, learn more about Radiesse and Hydrelle. You may even qualify for patient financing. Please contact Dr. Aycock today for a personal anti-aging consultation.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

As the years roll on, you may notice signs of aging making their mark on your face, such as wrinkles, grooves, and sunspots. But growing older doesn’t have to mean compromising your appearance. Cosmetic surgery can help people over age 40 gracefully enhance their look with safe facial procedures tailored to individual needs.

With state-of-the-art techniques, experienced cosmetic surgeons are able to take years off your appearance. Surgical facial procedures like facelift and eyelid lift can dramatically reduce the signs of aging that tend to make men and women self-conscious or less confident.

If you’re looking to minimize premature aging or evidence of your true age, visit a San Francisco plastic surgery practice about procedures like these:

Facelift — A facelift is the most popular anti-aging facial surgery for 40+ patients. During this procedure, the facial skin is tightened around the scalp, creating a smoother, younger-looking appearance all around.

Mid Facelift — The mid facelift offers results in the central facial area with less invasiveness and downtime than the full facelift.

Neck Lift — The neck lift is perfect as a complement to the facelift or a stand-alone procedure to improve the look of sagging neck skin.

Brow Lift — A brow lift is a great choice for men and women who want to minimize forehead wrinkling, frown lines between the eyes, and eyelid sagging.

Eyelid Lift — Choose an eyelid lift to correct drooping eyelids and/or bags under the eyes.

Cheek Implants — Because aging involves a loss of volume and fullness in the cheeks, a cheek implant can be used to restore that youthful contour.

Lip Augmentation — Lip augmentation (or lip implants) combats the loss of volume in the lip area common in people over 40.

Discover the amazing transformations that are possible with cosmetic facial anti-aging procedures. From subtle to dramatic, you can choose the options that are just right for you. Take a look at a few  before and after images to explore the possibilities, and then contact Dr. Robert Aycock today for a personal facial cosmetic surgery consultation.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

The sun can be a sneaky enemy to your skin, causing damage little by little. With every exposure, your delicate facial skin can suffer gradually until signs of premature aging become hard to ignore. Thankfully, there are state-of-the-art cosmetic procedures designed to minimize the various signs of sun damage like fine lines, creases, pigmentation problems, and more. When you meet with an experienced anti-aging cosmetic surgeon, you can discuss the issues that bother you most and develop a personalized sun damage treatment plan together.

Here are a few of the options available to fight the signs of sun damage:

• Facelift — The facelift procedure is a powerful anti-aging tool, successfully erasing deep creases and wrinkles through a time-tested skin-tightening technique.

• Necklift — Choose a necklift if you have noticeable bands around the neck or loose skin that could benefit from tightening.

• Brow Lift — A brow lift is designed to rejuvenate the forehead area, minimizing wrinkles, furrows, and creases left by years of expression and worry.

• Eyelid Lift — The eyelid lift targets the area most likely to reveal aging first. By removing excess skin, eyes will look refreshed and more youthful.

• Laser Resurfacing — Laser skin resurfacing uses laser technology to remove skin’s worn top layer and reveal fresh, new skin underneath.

• Nonsurgical Facial Fillers — With procedures like BOTOX^® Cosmetic, Juvederm™ Radiesse^®, and Restylane^®, you can “fill in” wrinkles and folds, add volume to certain facial features, and rejuvenate your facial appearance.

• Chemical Peels — With chemical peels and other skin care services, you can improve skin tone, diminish acne, and get a healthy glow.

If you are interested in these incredible treatments to rejuvenate the skin, but you are concerned about cost, patient financing is available to help you get the look you desire.

Want to learn more about the many skin-saving procedures available to help combat sun damage? Set up a consultation with San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Aycock and find a solution that’s just right for your skin type. 

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

As the years pass, the telltale signs of your true age can creep in and attempt to steal youthful traits like smooth skin and a flawless complexion. Forehead wrinkling, frown lines between the eyes, brow furrows, or sagging eyebrow skin can be a shear indication that your 30s, 40s, or 50s have arrived. Whether they are caused by genetics, aging, stress, or sun exposure, these signs of aging can be corrected with help from an experienced plastic surgeon. If you want to minimize the annoying problems areas for a more youthful appearance, brow lift surgery might be the right cosmetic surgery choice for you.

How It’s Done

Performed as an outpatient procedure, the brow lift procedure can be completed in just a few hours.  Your plastic surgeon will make small incisions hidden above the hairline, and then skillfully remove excess muscles responsible for furrowing between the brows and forehead using an endoscope.  An endoscope allows the surgeon to see what he is doing through very small incisions.

The eyebrows are slightly raised in the process and the forehead area is smoothed. The incision site is closed with sutures, and your surgeon will go over the healing process with you to make sure you know what to expect. Generally, activity is limited for about a week after surgery, and strenuous activity is restricted for two weeks. The result is a refreshed facial appearance and a more youthful forehead and upper eye area.

You May Be a Good Brow Lift Candidate If…

• You have a tired or angry look when your face is relaxed
• Your eyelids have begun to droop
• You notice lines and furrows in the forehead area
• Your forehead shows signs of aging

For Dramatic Results

To complement the results of your brow lift, consider additional procedures such as a facelift, eyelid lift, or laser skin resurfacing. There are also non-surgical medspa procedures such as Botox^® Cosmetic, Juvederm™, or Restylane^® available to help you achieve just the right look.

For more information on the effective and affordable brow lift procedure, and how to finance your surgery, contact Dr. Robert Aycock in the San Francisco Bay Area region.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant