Dermapen – The Beauty of an Ink-less Tattoo!

Many things in medicine are discovered accidentally and become common. Many people here in Salt Lake City had scars they didn’t like decided to cover them with a tattoo. Obviously the scar became less visible, but also the scars softened dramatically. The quality of the skin improved with tattooing.

This led to research by cosmetic and plastic surgeons on the effects of piercing the skin with needles. I will refer to this as needling. What did the research discover? Exactly what many people already knew: The quality of the skin improves, scars became less visible, and coloration evens out remarkably from needling the skin.

Multiple devices have come to the market to take advantage of these benefits. Most were in the form of a roller. Recently a new design was developed right here in Utah, with a tip that oscillates up and down. This device has many advantages especially ease of use, better precision and less pain.

The procedure is done by applying topical antiseptic to the face then removing the numbing cream in sections while treating those areas.

Now the big “so what”. Well what does it do? The results are fabulous even coloration to the skin as well as reduction of fine lines and wrinkles (and wow does it work for acne scars). And in three days, no one will know what you have done.

Come see what an ink-less tattoo can do for you!! We look forward to seeing you at Envision Cosmetic Surgery.

Winter is here – What to do? Surgery Perhaps!!!

As I left my home this morning in Cottonwood Heights (suburb of Salt Lake City), I discovered my plans to run were going to be altered. The rain was pouring so I switched into shorts and hit the Rec. Center treadmills. I am beginning to mourn for the end of fall as it has turned distinctly cold. If you are having the same feelings of woe as out-door training becomes more difficult, perhaps it’s time to take care of yourself in a different way.

Cosmetic surgery actually picks up in November and December. Why is that? Here are a few reasons. Fall sports are over. Hence the kids won’t need a full time taxi service on Saturday. When multiple kids are involved in sports, often parents have to split up to get everyone where they need to be. Hard to be laid up in bed during weekend sport craziness. Also there are holidays these months. When people already have time off, they don’t need as much time off work for recovery.

Sounds unbelievable I know, but many patients have their surgeries so they can recover during Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays. For most surgeries such as liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lifts, face lifts or nose surgeries, I recommend a week off work. Some even go back sooner. For more involved surgeries such as a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or buttock / thigh lift, I recommend two weeks off.

For those who hate to stop exercising to have surgery, relax. For all but major surgeries you can exercise like normal in two weeks.

Thus, if you want to take care of yourself in a different way (not through exercise but with a nip, tuck or augmentation) and think the holidays are the perfect time to recover, act fast. Those days get filled up quickly. I hope to see you soon.

Dr Dunkley

Breasts – Sisters not Twins

Most breasts are not exactly the same from side to side. I take measurements of the breasts on every patient I see for a breast consult whether they want a lift, augmentation, combination of both or reduction. Often patients are aware their breasts are not the same size. However, the majority of patients are surprised to learn the breasts are not exactly the same from one side to the other.

A recent study released in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal confirmed what most plastic surgeons already know. Virtually all patients have differences in their breasts from side to side. The study titled “Incidence of Breast and Chest Wall Asymmetries: 4D Photography” looked at 125 consecutive patients. This is what they did and what they found.

The patient’s breasts were photographed, loaded onto a computer and three dimensional images were made. The images were then sliced like a bread loaf to get a 4th dimensional (4D) view. Each individual slice was then flipped around a vertical axis and laid on-top of itself. The result? You may have guessed it: “Overall, 100% of the women had some degree of asymmetry (soft tissue and/or chest wall) confirmed by 4D photography.”

So the next time you look at your breasts in the mirror, remember, differences from side to side is the norm. After all, as the title says, the breasts are sisters not twins.

The Joy of Fat?

One thing in the cosmetic surgery industry that we have a love/hate relationship with is FAT! The aging process is so unfair. We gain fat where we don’t want it and lose it where its needed. Why do our lips thin out or our breasts deflate while the thighs grow and never let go.

Fat is an ideal filler. We use many synthetic fillers to reduce wrinkles or enhance lips. However, fillers such as Radiesse, Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane and collagen products all go away within 6 months to 2 years. And should you try breast enhancement with a synthetic filler, the cost would be outrageous. Did I mention concerns about reactions.

Fat is ideal. It is plentiful (usually), it lasts, and you never react to your own fat. Additionally, studies have shown stem cells are plentiful in fat. That’s a good thing as stem cells have regenerative effects wherever placed. Thus as a filler fat is awesome. Fats only drawback is when moved, 30-70% is absorbed by the body before re-establishing a blood supply.

The aging process has specific effects on the face, the number one problem being volume loss. Bones recede, cheeks shrink, fat everywhere (except the jowls) withers. With fat, we can reverse these effects and put back what was once there. Another benefit is there’s plenty of it meaning breasts and bottoms can be enhanced. Already have implants? Fat can conceal rippling or give a little extra fullness.

Oh the woes & joys of our friend fat. If you are having a love/hate relationship with your fat, come in and see me. Lets figure out how to help you love your fat.

Dr Dunkley

The Perfect Vagina?

Cosmetic surgery of the vagina is more and more common. Not long ago, a discussion regarding the appearance of the vagina would have been taboo. Now television programs highlight many different cosmetic surgeries including surgery of the female genitalia. Whether familiarity, greater personal awareness or advances in medical knowledge are the reason, cosmetic surgery of the female genitalia is increasingly common.

Cosmetic vaginal surgery encompasses a variety of surgeries and expectations. Not all expectations or claims are accurate. G-spot amplification, improved sexual function and increased sensation may be overstated. However, improved appearance and comfort are a reality; therefore, requests for cosmetic vaginal surgery continue to grow.

Cosmetic vaginal surgery usually involves treatment of three areas; the mons pubis (pelvic fat pad), the labia minora (inner lips) and the labia majora (outer lips).

Vaginal tightening procedures move beyond the realm of appearance to functionality. Based on a gynecologic surgery called colporrhaphy, mild vaginal laxity can be addressed by bringing together the posterior portion of the vagina.

Most surgeries may be performed with sedation and numbing medication. This means that you are breathing on your own, but you will not remember anything. Healing from vaginal cosmetic surgery requires nothing be placed in the vagina and complete abstinence from sex, for a number of weeks. When healing is complete, the genitalia show little signs of surgery.

Many women, unhappy with the appearance of their vagina, suffer in silence because they are unaware of the options available to them. As cosmetic surgery becomes increasingly common, cosmetic vaginal surgery will also become increasingly common. Several options exist to enhance the appearance of the female genitalia and despite controversy the popularity of these surgeries continue to grow.  Having repaired a number of unsuccessful surgeries, please be sure your surgeon is practiced in this area of cosmetic surgery before hand.

Plastic Surgery: A Seasonal Business?

An oddity I have noticed in my practice is that every year in the late summer & fall, my practice slows down. The first year I bought my practice, I thought I would soon be closing my doors. I have since that time realized that my business cycles (spring is the busy time when everyone prepares for summer). As summer vacation ends and school begins I simply prepare now for the inevitable slow down that are the months of August and September.

I have guessed as to the cause of this cycle. I have surmised that as the school year approaches, the last of the summer vacations are taken. Then when kids go back to school, it takes a while to get back into the routine of school and more rigid schedules. These are, however, just guesses.

If you are reading this I have two things for you. First, if you can think of another reason for the very consistent cycle (i.e. the slow down every late summer/fall) I would be interested in your thoughts. Second, I am offering an unprecedented $400 off on cosmetic surgery done during the months of August and September if you mention you saw the discount on my blog.

I offer complimentary consults. Come in and take advantage of this offer.

Hoping to see you soon,

Dr Dunkley

 

The 10 Year Myth

One of the most common misconceptions I come across during consults for breast implants is what I have named the “10 year myth”. Time and time again I am asked if breast implants have to be changed every 10 years. I can emphatically answer this question with a resounding NO.

I am amazed how prevalent this thought is. I have asked patients where they came across this information and have not found a specific resource. It always seems to be something they have heard. Fortunately, implants last until they rupture (which is very uncommon) or until a patient becomes unhappy with the shape of the breast (unfortunately breasts head south with time and may not always look as good as they did right after getting implants). I am always hopping a patient will get 15 to 20 years minimum time out of their implants.

The only time 10 years is ever mentioned is where the warranty is concerned. The implant companies are very confident in their products. They offer a life-time warranty on the implants themselves. For the first 10 years a patient has the implants, the implant company will even pay part of the surgeons fees for replacement surgery. This only applies if the implant deflates or ruptures. This doesn’t cover sagging of the breasts, or capsular contracture or any dissatisfaction with size. The warranty is strictly for deflation or rupture.

Hopefully being better educated will help patients make more informed decisions. At the very least it is helpful to know you wont have to have breast surgery every 10 years. Hope to see you soon!

Dr Dunkley

Plastic Surgery in Utah

For many, cosmetic surgery is a good option to improve their personal appearance and thus their self confidence. At Envision Cosmetic Surgery, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, my staff and I offer a variety of treatments. These range from non-invasive skin and weight loss methods, to more traditional plastic surgery procedures.

For other patients, cosmetic surgery might be mentally healing. People who cannot lose weight despite changing their diet and exercise, and noting the serious health risks involved with staying overweight may choose to try the popular HCG weight loss plan. Oral drops are readily available all over Utah, but not nearly as effective as the injections. Liposuction is another weight loss option available, that can dramatically change the bodies shape. SmartLipo is a procedure that uses a laser and is much superior to traditional liposuction, leaving patients with better results. Patients who have recently experienced a dramatic weight loss may be interested to learn more about Thermacell. This new device uses radio frequency to heat and thus tighten skin, allowing patients to enjoy their thinner body with less excess skin.

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Envision Cosmetic Surgery – Utah’s Premier Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Resource

If you look in the mirror and are continually frustrated with what you see, you might consider plastic surgery. If you are eating right and working out and not seeing the results you’re looking for, you might consider plastic surgery. If you are unsatisfied with your appearance, consider plastic surgery. Envision Cosmetic Surgery, in Salt Lake City, Utah offers many surgical procedures as well as non-surgical options to fight the effects of aging. As an experienced, dual board certified plastic surgeon, I (Dr Dunkley) am pleased to offer Utah, cosmetic surgery choices. I or my staff will answer your questions promptly and accurately online or in person.

Envision Cosmetic Surgery offers some of the newest technologies in the field, including Thermacell, Smartlipo and Vaser methods of reshaping your body. Thermacell primarily focuses on tightening loose skin. Smartlipo can also be called laser assisted liposuction. It is much less painful and the recovery time is much less than traditional liposuction. Vaser is ultrasound assisted liposution and decreases post-operative pain and contour irregularities.

Multiple options, surgical and non-surgical are available to help you obtain your desired appearance. All surgeries of the face, breast and body are offered. If you need less down-time, Botox, injectable fillers such as Radiesse or Juvederm, laser hair removal or Thermacell may best suit your needs. The biggest thing I have learned with plastic surgery is the body is very pliable. Come find out what you can do.

Dr Dunkley

 

Smart Lipo Face Lift

Often in medicine when one approach to a specific problem is best, it becomes the “gold standard.” All other approaches are then compared to the one best treatment. However, when it comes to facelifts, no one technique has become the gold standard. Stated another way, no single technique notably outshines the others. Recently a new method has arisen. The Smart Lipo facelift borrows technology developed for liposuction, adding the use of the Smartlipo laser. This winning combination may finally have the ability to outshine other techniques.

The shear number and variety of facelift techniques can be overwhelming. Short-scar facelifts known as a mini-facelift, lunchtime facelift, s-lift, quick-lift and swift-lift are advocated. Full facelifts that are skin only, skin and muscle modifying, dual plane, deep plane, and combinations of those techniques have their proponents as well. Add to the mêlée that facelifts are often combined with chemical peels or laser resurfacing and may be performed under local, sedation or a general anesthesia and things really get complicated.

To help simplify the mess, a few of the basics should be reviewed. In general, the shorter the scar, the faster the recovery since there is less trauma and therefore less swelling & bruising.  Unfortunately this also means less effect and shorter duration of results. Full facelifts tend to require a longer recovery period but give more dramatic and longer lasting results. Also, though a facelift tightens the skin it does not improve the quality of the skin, hence the reason to combine a facelift with a peel or laser resurfacing.

So what is the Smart Lipo and how is it different? Traditional facelifts involve numbing the skin where the incision is to be made and placing a small amount of tumescence, a dilute numbing solution, under the skin. The incision is then made, the skin lifted & tightened and the excess trimmed. The Smart Lipo facelift adds the use of the Smartlipo laser once the tumescence has been placed. The laser delves underneath the skin before it is lifted. The laser cauterizes blood vessels, decreasing bleeding, and improves skin tightening due to the heat it generates.

As with all new techniques, only time will tell if the Smartlipo laser used in conjunction with a facelift will revolutionize the way a facelift is performed. However, in my practice I have noted a substantial improvement in my results since performing the Smart Lipo. With most full facelifts, the goal is to remove 5-10 years from the face. Thus in 5-10 years you may look much like you do now. With the Smart Lipo, I see the hands of time reversed 10-15 years.

If you look in the mirror and think, “Wow, my face doesn’t match what’s on the inside,” then come for a consult. There are many options for facial rejuvenation of which a facelift is only one possibility. Sometimes it’s wise to start with something simple. Then again sometimes it’s best to just go for it.

 

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