PARADISE COSMETIC INN is happy to provide clients with basic information regarding popular reconstructive and non-invasive plastic surgery procedures.

NON INVASIVE PLASTIC SURGERY PROCEDURES

Butt Augmentation with fat transfer (Brazillian Lift)

Augmenting your derriere with your own body fat is very appealing - the results can look very natural and, because fat is your own body substance, there is little chance for rejection. But, for all the problems involved in losing weight, fat can be hard for surgeons to work with unless the doctor and his staff have had a lot of extra training and experience working with it, such is the case of Dr. Mendieta and his staff.

Fat has some interesting properties. If it is injected into muscles or bones, it feels like muscles or bones once it's under the skin. Likewise, if fat is injected into a more corpulent area it feels like, well, fat. The down side of transferring fat to the buttocks, face, lips or any other place in the body, is that some of it will be reabsorbed by the body. And often, surgeons can't really predict how much will be reabsorbed. What we can say is: what you have remaining after three months will be yours permanently.

How do you know if you are a candidate for butt augmentation through fat transfer? Usually, if a patient is overweight or wears an eight to 12 dress size, she is probably best suited for transfer and perhaps some liposuction. Thin patients who wear size two to four dresses are usually not good candidates for fat transfer because they do not have any fat to spare.One of the best ways I've found for making fat cells remain in new sites in the body is to place pearl-size drops in different layers of the muscles and fat - starting with the deepest -- where they will be close to a blood supply. That's what will make the transferred fat survive. The layering method will create a smooth, more rounded buttock with no irregular places showing through the skin.One note: just after the procedure, the buttocks will swell somewhat and then subside. Thus, most patients think all the transferred fat has gone away but actually, it was the swelling that went down. That's why it requires three months before we can get a final resolution on how much fat actually remains. [ top ]

Botox® Injections

The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, often referred to by its product name Botox®, is a popular non-surgical injection that temporarily reduces or eliminates frown lines, forehead creases, crow's feet near the eyes and thick bands in the neck. The toxin blocks the nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles while giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. Studies have also suggested that Botox® is effective in relieving migraine headaches, excessive sweating and muscle spasms in the neck and eyes. [ top ]

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are one of the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedures performed to rejuvenate the appearance of the skin. Over time, factors such as sun damage, heredity, diet, and repetitive muscle movement contribute the formation of lines and wrinkles in the face. Additionally, the development of pigmentation irregularities or acne scars can cause skin to lose its smooth, youthful appearance. Often performed on the face, neck, and hands, various types of chemical peels can reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, scars, and uneven pigmentation, as well as treat pre-cancerous skin legions. [ top ]

Microdermabrasion

The hand piece emits crystals onto the surface of the skin, resulting in a gentle abrasion or "polishing" process. Each treatment takes from 30 minutes to an hour. The number of treatments recommended for maximal results can range between 5 and 12, spaced from 2 to 3 weeks apart. Maintenance of results requires periodic repeat treatments after the initial regimen is completed. Microdermabrasion may be combined with a light chemical peel to increase its effect.

Benefits:

• Virtually no side effects.
• Gives the skin an overall fresh, healthy-looking glow.
• Non-surgical, safe, effective "lunch hour" procedure.
• Effective on all skin colors and types.
• No anesthetic required.
• Excellent for skin sensitive to chemical procedures.
• Normal activities can be resumed immediately.

Other Considerations:

• Requires multiple sessions and maintenance treatments.
• Patients with good skin tone will show best results.
• An individualized skin care program may be recommended to maximize results.

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Restylane®

Restylane® is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin to correct facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. Restylane® is a cosmetic dermal filler made of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that already exists in the human body. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane® is a crystal-clear gel called NASHAT or Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA is completely biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid.

Restylane® maintains its shape using the body's own moisture. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane® is hydrophilic or "water loving". As hyaluronic acid gradually degrades, each molecule binds to more water and over time, the same volume can be maintained with less hyaluronic acid. This ability of hyaluronic acid to bind to water is what helps provide lasting results.

Unlike rooster-derived hyaluronic acids and bovine collagen products, Restylane® is free from animal proteins. This limits any risk of animal-based disease transmissions or development of allergic reactions to animal proteins. [ top ]

Fraxel®

Until now, two varieties of laser treatment have been available for cosmetic enhancement-ablative and non-ablative. Traditional ablative, which literally means vaporization at a very high temperature, is very effective destroying unwanted tissue, but may have significant side-effects and requires a lengthy healing period. Non-fractional and non-ablative, on the other hand, have very few side-effects and require almost no healing time, but may involve numerous treatments over many months to achieve only modest results.

At long last, a laser with the potency of ablative treatments and the gentle safety of non-ablative lasers received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration to treat a variety of important cosmetic conditions.

Fraxel® Laser Treatment is designed to target aging and damaged skin by creating microscopic "wounds" within the targeted areas, which penetrates well beneath the skin's outermost layer. In this way, Fraxel® Laser Treatments trigger the body's own natural production of new collagen and skin cells. And because Fraxel® Laser Treatment combines the impact of ablative lasers with the gentleness of non-ablative lasers, healing occurs so quickly that there is very little downtime for patients. After several years of studies and mounting evidence of the Fraxel® Laser's safety and effectiveness, the FDA has cleared this unique new laser to treat the following conditions:

• Acne scars
• Age spots/brown spots
• Melasma (Mask of Pregnancy)
• Wrinkles around the eyes

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Thermage

Thermage is a safe, clinically proven way to tighten and contour skin, with improvements in tone, contour, and texture occurring naturally through the stimulation of your own collagen.

Thermage is completely non-invasive: no surgery, no injections. A single treatment tightens your existing collagen and stimulates new collagen growth. Improvements are both immediately visible and continue up to six months. Results can last for years depending on your skin condition and aging process.

The Thermage procedure is available only in the offices of qualified physicians who specialize in cosmetic procedures. The procedure itself is normally done as a single treatment that takes from 20 minutes to two hours depending on the treatment area. What's more, there is no downtime, so you can quickly resume your normal routine.

Unlike lasers, Thermage works on all skin types and tones. And unlike injections or fillers, Thermage works on your entire face: forehead, eyes, nasolabial folds, jaw line, jowls and the area under your chin.

If you no longer recognize the face looking back at you in the mirror, it's time to talk to a certified Thermage physician and learn how Thermage can help you look as young as you feel.

FDA cleared for the non-invasive treatment of wrinkles and rhytids. Side effects are generally mild and may include redness, swelling, blisters, bumps and rare instances of surface irregularities.

* Your results may vary depending on age and skin condition. [ top ]

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