Aging changes the skin in three distinct ways. These include volume loss, textural irregularities, and laxity. Historically, facial aging has been corrected with facelift surgery. More recently, though, a number of non-surgical techniques have been developed to smooth, lift, and tighten the skin. In our Main Line plastic surgery practice, we offer patients several options for facial rejuvenation, including facelift surgery and laser skin resurfacing. Here, we discuss aspects of each to help you recognize which approach may be right for your needs.

When Laser Resurfacing is a Good Choice

Laser skin resurfacing has evolved over the years. It is rare for a person to undergo fully ablative CO2 resurfacing these days. Fractionated techniques, in which a single laser beam is broken up into tiny pinpoints of energy, are less intense and require a shorter recovery period. Fractional laser resurfacing creates tiny channels in the superficial layers of dermal tissue. This invites an infusion of collagen to occur over time, progressively improving texture, tone, and firmness.

Laser skin resurfacing may be performed to correct:

• Hyperpigmentation
• Sun damage
• Scars
• Textural irregularities such as roughness
• Tissue laxity
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Dull skin tone

When Facelift Surgery is a Good Choice

A surgical facelift does involve anesthesia and incisions. However, these are not aspects that should exclude this technique as beneficial. To accommodate a surgical facelift, incisions are made near the hairline. A short incision may be made in front of each ear. During the procedure, small instruments are inserted through incisions to reposition deep muscle and fatty tissue. After structure is secured across the cheekbones, excess skin is trimmed and incisions are closed. A patient requires a week to two weeks of recovery for swelling and bruising to subside. After this time, light activities can be resumed.

The results of a surgical facelift are more dramatic than laser resurfacing because the surgical technique addresses the deep musculature of the face, resulting in changed structure. A facelift can:

• Sharpen the jawline by lifting jowls
• Restore volume to the cheeks
• Reduce or eliminate deep creases around the nose and mouth

The best way to know your ideal approach to facial rejuvenation is to consult with a board-certified physician. During a consultation in our Bryn Mawr office, you can explore numerous options including and beyond laser resurfacing and facelift surgery. Call 610.527.4833 to schedule your visit.

Men with breasts. This sounds like a bad B-budget horror film. For the man who lives every day with noticeably large breasts, life can feel like its own House of Horrors. Men who are troubled by enlarged breast tissue often resort to wearing overly baggy clothes or even bras made specifically for male breasts; bras that compress the chest to reduce the obviousness of female-like breasts. This is not a way to live. While certain strategies can reduce the physical appearance of male breasts, they do nothing to improve a man’s overall sense of self. What can help is appropriate gynecomastia treatment, which we are proud to offer in our Philadelphia area office.

Gynecomastia Recovery Timeline

Male breast reduction is a procedure that we tailor to the individual. Some men may achieve the desired outcome with liposuction alone, but it is important to consider the potential for recurrence if breast glands are left intact. Additionally, some men require more extensive gynecomastia surgery to tighten significantly loose skin. Recovery is a process that follows a general timeline of:

• Follow-up the day after surgery to remove the initial surgical dressing. A compression garment is applied at this time. Extended incision surgery may require a longer-term bandage that is removed approximately 10 days after surgery.
• Drain removal may be scheduled approximately 6 days after surgery if drains are placed.
• Arm movements remain limited for two to three weeks; no overhead lifting.
• Lower body workouts may slowly resume starting one to two weeks post-op.
• Upper body workouts may resume sometime after 5 weeks post-op, depending on the extensiveness of incisions and tissue removal.

Side Effects after Gynecomastia Surgery

Male breast reduction is often performed under general anesthesia. Initial side effects after surgery may include nausea and grogginess related to sedation. These sensations usually resolve within 24 hours. After this time, oral pain medication is taken as directed to control comfort. The pain that is related to gynecomastia surgery is typically a general sensation of soreness in the chest area. Tightness may also be felt. These side effects may increase along with arm movements that resume gradually throughout recovery. Patients should expect swelling and bruising in the chest, but these side effects are all but hidden beneath the compression garment worn for the first several weeks post-op. The physical toll of surgery combined with prescription pain medications may also make the patient feel less energetic than usual. Rest is an important aspect of surgical recovery and should not be met with a “suck it up” attitude. Rest equals recovery.

Learn more about Gynecomastia Surgery

Male breasts do not have to be a part of your life. Learn more about the treatment options available at Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery. Call 610.527.4833.

At Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery, our primary objective in each situation is to understand a patient’s concerns and desired outcome from prospective treatment. The approach that is taken to rejuvenate the face or body (or both) always caters to the individual, which means we personalize techniques based on preferences, needs, and the condition of the tissue we are revising. By tailoring treatment, we are much more capable of achieving the best possible results from any given technique.

Often, facial rejuvenation is observed as a singular subject and the face as a solitary feature. This is far from the truth of it. There are multiple areas on the face that are affected by aging. Moreover, every area of the face may react differently to aging. For example, the lower face may become loose and marked by jowls and a double chin while the eyes remain bright and friendly. Facial rejuvenation also needs to consider the role that the neck plays in overall appearance. The neck and the face are two physical features that work together. For this reason, many patients who are interested in a facelift are also good candidates for a neck lift. Men’s facelifts are also available at Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery.

The Benefits of Combined Treatment

The lower face and the neck often incur the brunt of aging. In general, the face and neck tissue suffer years of UV exposure, which results in sun damage both on and below the skin. With the natural decrease in collagen and elastin that occurs with time, these two features age alongside one another, one drooping downward and the other becoming crepe-paper thin.

A facelift repositions tissue from the cheeks down to the jawline through small incisions in the area of the ears. Through these small openings, tissue is carefully manipulated upward and outward. This sharpens the jawline and smooths away creases that have formed around the nose and mouth. The facelift may also somewhat reinstate the contours of the cheeks by narrowing the shape of the lower face.

A neck lift picks up where the facelift leaves off. During this aspect of a combo lift process, sagging neck tissue is repositioned through the same incisions made around the ear or, in some cases, a separate incision just under the chin. This technique can tighten up the contour of the upper neck and chin and smooth horizontal bands that occur with age.

Combining a facelift with a neck lift means that your refreshed face is framed by skin that looks equally youthful. Benefits beyond the beauty component include a reduced recovery time compared to two separate procedures and lower surgical fees.

We enjoy serving patients throughout the Philadelphia area. To learn more about facial rejuvenation, facelift and neck lift surgery, call 610.527.4833.

Aging affects the face in a number of ways. First, we may notice a few lines around our eyes when we laugh. Over time, creases may develop around the mouth and small pockets of skin may droop from the jawline. Even with excellent skin care, the internal biological changes that occur in the body eventually lead to tissue laxity. This doesn’t just happen in the uppermost layer of the skin. Laxity happens in the muscle structure far beneath the surface. This is why some type of lift may become a necessity.

Historically, facial rejuvenation has involved surgical lifting. A surgical facelift can be advantageous when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon with a conservative hand. However, there is no way to avoid the downtime that surgery incurs. More recently, adults of all ages are turning toward minimally-invasive nonsurgical approaches to correct the signs of aging. In our Bryn Mawr office, this may be achieved with a Silhouette InstaLift.

What is Silhouette InstaLift?

Some may refer to the Silhouette InstaLift as a thread lift. When this term is used, it is important to understand how technique affects outcome. The Silhouette InstaLift is a nonsurgical procedure in which degradable filaments are inserted in specific locations on the face. Treatment is tailored to the individual to address concerns including:

• Downturned mouth corners
• Flat, sagging cheeks
• Jowls
• Nasolabial folds and Marionette lines

How the InstaLift Differs from Outdated Thread Lift Techniques

What is different about Silhouette InstaLift is that this procedure involves the insertion of varying lengths of sutures that contain tiny cones. These cones are smoother and less prominent than the barbs that may have been on threads used years ago. Placed into the fatty layer of tissue beneath the skin, the cones on the Silhouette sutures lock deeper tissue into place, securing a lifted appearance that looks completely natural. No tracks or overly tight skin. The sutures used in a Silhouette InstaLift are made of sugar molecules that naturally dissolve over time. While the sutures are in place, the body responds to them by producing more collagen around them, further improving the appearance of the skin over time.

A natural-looking lift can provide you with immediately satisfying results. Learn more about Silhouette InstaLift treatment by scheduling your visit with us at 610.527.4833.

Historically, women have had a reputation for being more mindful about how they take care of their skin. The efforts that have been made through centuries of time are well-known, including Cleopatra’s beloved rose-water skin treatments. Today, skin care has gone much more high-tech. It is also a concept that more men are incorporating into their lives. It isn’t as though our male ancestors didn’t care about their skin, they just may not have taken the same opportunity as women to care for their skin. Here’s why the modern man should and how he can.

Male aging affects the face in various ways, and all can be concerning. While society tends to be more lenient about a man with frown lines or worry lines on his forehead, men themselves express a desire to look as young as they feel. What men may miss is the way in which their skin becomes dull over time. This is a simple issue of cellular buildup. From lines and wrinkles to sagging neck skin and a double-chin, the team in our Philadelphia area office can help men feel their best with non-surgical rejuvenation.

Treatments to Rejuvenation the Modern Man

Cosmetic surgery and non-surgical treatments have become more popular among men in recent years. Treatments that do not require much, if any, downtime include:

• Chemical peels. Men should not overlook the value of good, controlled exfoliation. Chemical peels are a gentle way of removing debris that includes dead and damaged skin cells. Treatment does not have to involve dramatic peeling and flaking to restore a more vibrant tone to the skin.
• Chin sculpting. Double-chin fat is problematic for many men and may not relate to fat at all. Many people develop a double-chin as the skin and connective tissue on the lower face lose firmness. Laxity allows the fat layer to protrude, making the neck and face appear fat when it is not. Kybella and liposuction are both popular ways for men to sculpt their jawline.
• Silhouette InstaLift. The InstaLift goes beyond injectables because this treatment doesn’t just fill lines and enhance volume, it mechanically secures muscle, fat pads, and skin in a more youthful position. Treatment typically takes less than an hour and results last up to two years.

There are so many ways to improve the aging process that one only needs to choose which they prefer. To learn more about facial and body rejuvenation for yourself or someone you love, call 610.527.4833.

If you’re like many of us, you may have somewhat of a love/hate relationship with New Year’s Resolutions. It’s been a few weeks now since millions of goals have been established, which means there are thousands of people already feeling the sting of disappointment. The thing about resolutions is that they can be incredibly hard to keep. Change, however, doesn’t have to be impossible. If you have resolved to feel better about your appearance this year, change can come quicker than you may imagine. Here, we want to point out a few ways in which we can help you look like your best self in as little as thirty minutes.

Fast Fixes for the Signs of Aging

There are several ways to address the signs of facial aging. Some of the most popular approaches include injections of some sort. In our office near Philadelphia, we focus on first identifying areas of concern. Facial aging doesn’t just include the development of lines and wrinkles. To truly rejuvenate the face, it is necessary to look at the bigger picture.

Often, what lies behind facial aging is a degree of atrophy. The fatty tissue beneath the skin starts to deteriorate at some point, and collagen fibers lose their resiliency to hold tissue in place. Everything starts to drop and droop. Fortunately, injectables can handle most of the problems that relate to the change in facial structure.

• Botox can be used around the eye to reduce small wrinkles and also to lift the brow.
• Botox can also be used around the mouth to upturn the corners of the lips.
• Dermal fillers placed at the upper cheek can reduce or completely eliminate undereye bags and dark circles.
• Dermal fillers are routinely used around the nose and mouth to diminish line and creases caused by smiling and other facial expressions.
• Dermal fillers can lift jowls by increasing the contouring in the cheek area.

Got a Little More Time?

Cosmetic surgery can achieve beautiful results when conducted by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Procedures that beautifully refresh the face without more than a week to two weeks of downtime include:

• Blepharoplasty eyelid rejuvenation can focus on upper or lower eyelids for long-lasting correction of undereye bags, hooding, and a generally fatigued appearance.
• Facelift surgery is customized to reposition tissue across bony structure for better contouring and smoother skin.
• Fat grafting is a minimally invasive technique that harvests fat cells from one area of the body to naturally restore volume in areas such as the cheeks and temples.

Your most beautiful self is within reach. All we need to do is reveal what’s already there. To schedule a consultation for facial rejuvenation, call us at 610.527.4833.

Every year at this time, hundreds of thousands of people give in to the urge to set new goals. If you’ve done this year after year and are tired of falling short of the outcome you really want, this may be a great time to rethink your overall strategy. We’re talking about getting the body you really want. Yes, it can take work to lose weight and tone muscle, but, more often than not, this seems to be nearly impossible. Here, we want to discuss a few ways in which a little help from your plastic surgeon near Philadelphia can boost you to new beauty heights.

The Standard Practice

The standard practice that most people ascribe to when trying to achieve a certain shape is to get fit. This can look different for all of us, and it should. What it shouldn’t look like is hard work. When we recognize the bigger goal as feeling good about how we look, we open the door to new possibilities. These include surgical procedures that beautifully slim and tone the body.

• SmartLipo is our liposuction technique of choice. Why? Because it achieves an excellent outcome without unnecessary disruption to tissue we wish to keep intact. SmartLipo is a laser-assisted liposuction protocol that applies controlled laser energy before fat cells are extracted. By heating these cells, we liquefy them so they separate more readily for removal.
• Abdominoplasty may be a more complex procedure, but it is one that offers undeniable benefits. Men and women who have lost a substantial amount of weight and are still carrying around remnants of their former selves in the form of saggy tissue love what a tummy tuck can do for them. Say goodbye to flab; say hello to a flat tummy. It’s also a typically a key part of a full mommy makeover—a customized set of procedures, such as breast surgery, tummy tuck, and liposuction—that can help you restore your pre-pregnancy shape this year.

Non-Surgical Body Contouring

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in all our years serving patients in the Philadelphia area, it’s that the majority of people who want a better body don’t want surgery. We are pleased to accommodate these people by offering non-surgical body contouring treatments.

Now’s your chance at a new beginning with a beautiful body. Get the full details regarding surgical and non-surgical body contouring at 610.527.4833.

More than 300.000 breast augmentation procedures were performed last year alone, with just as many expected for the current year. Understandably, this procedure is popular because it allows a woman to achieve the shape she pictures for herself. Also understandably, a woman who undergoes breast augmentation may expect that she will love her new look indefinitely. This doesn’t always happen. In certain circumstances, women choose to have breast implants removed. Some studies suggest that up to 20 percent of patients reach this decision at some point. If you are one of them, you want to know what happens after breast implant removal and how to ensure you achieve an outcome you will love as much or more than your initial augmentation.

Why Choose Breast Implant Removal?

In our office near Philadelphia, we have performed breast implant removal for numerous different reasons. For some women, the decision is a matter of no longer liking the larger size of their breasts. For some, natural changes in superficial tissue have caused breasts to sag, leading to self-consciousness and discomfort. Breast implants may also be removed for functional reasons.

• Saline implants can create a rippled appearance beneath the skin, especially when used to fill out breasts with insufficient natural fatty tissue.
• Scar tissue formation around a breast implant, known as capsular contracture, may become severe enough to alter the shape and feel of the breast. In some cases, capsular contracture causes physical discomfort.

Options for Breast Implant Removal

The idea that once you have breast implants you must always have breast implants is incorrect. While many women who remove initial breast implants do replace them with another size or shape, there are more women choosing to remove implants altogether. How does this look in real life? After having larger breasts for years, can breast tissue look natural without implants? Yes, it can.

Breast implant removal can be performed for any reason. Depending on the condition of the skin and the expectation of natural retraction after implants are removed, a woman may choose to simply have her implants taken out and nothing more. More often than not, though, a surgeon will recommend that a breast lift be performed in conjunction with implant removal. This is because muscle, connective tissue, and skin have all stretched to accommodate implants. When structure is removed, there is a higher likelihood that the breasts will droop unattractively. Breast lift alongside breast implant removal allows the surgeon to refine the shape of the breasts to appear naturally perky in their smaller state.

Patients of Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery can expect compassionate care from an experienced surgical team. To learn more about breast implant removal, contact us at 610.527.4833.

Many adults would like to regain their youthful vibe by correcting signs of aging on the face. Historically, the way to do this has been with a surgical facelift. As scientific advances have taken place, a number of non-surgical modalities have been developed to turn back the clock without forcing downtime or exposure to risks. One way in which we help our patients look as young is with the Silhouette InstaLift. If you would like to feel more like your best self in the new year, we invite you to learn more about this minimally invasive facial lifting treatment.

What is Silhouette InstaLift?

Silhouette InstaLift is a type of thread-lift technique – one that goes above and beyond in terms of safety and efficacy. This procedure is performed in the office with great care taken to ensure comfort (local anesthetic) and optimal results (a seated position that shows the effects of gravity). An InstaLift works by securing dermal tissue in an upward position. This is achieved by inserting a dissolvable suture that has bi-directional cones along its length from a lower point on the face to a higher point. The doctor determines the positioning of the suture based on the natural aging of the face. As the thread is moved through the tissue, the bi-directional cones catch and lift for beautiful, natural results.

Why an InstaLift could be Exactly What You Need

There are several reasons why more patients of all ages are undergoing the Silhouette InstaLift, including:

•    Immediate results. As soon as the cones on the dissolvable thread catch superficial tissue, they lift upward, allowing the doctor to contour the face appropriately so the jawline looks more angular and the cheeks look higher and more rounded.

•    Ongoing improvement. Beyond the immediate restructuring of the skin’s foundation, an InstaLift provokes an increase in collagen production that, over time, naturally remodels the matrix of structure within the dermis. Months after treatment, when the suture has dissolved, the face continues to appear firm and contoured thanks to the influx of collagen.

•    No downtime. Arranging for a surgical recovery can be overwhelming, regardless of the anticipated outcome. With the Silhouette InstaLift, patients can resume normal activities right away. It is even possible to undergo additional cosmetic treatments the same day of an InstaLift to maximize the rejuvenating benefits achieved.

We enjoy helping our patients feel like their best selves. To learn how a Silhouette InstaLift can benefit you, contact our Bryn Mawr office at 610.527.4833.

Surgeons have been performing facelift procedures for over a century now. Even in light of advances in non-surgical treatment for cosmetic rejuvenation, facelift surgery continues to be one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures. Why? Because there comes a time when some people just want their results to last longer. A surgical lift can accomplish this.

On the one side, we can see the benefits of facelift surgery. Most people we consult with love the idea of looking ten years younger! On the other side, there are risks. This can be the point of contention that stops many people in their tracks. Here, we discuss the most common risks associated with facelift surgery and how they can be reduced.

1. Typically, bleeding is most concerning within the first 24 hours after surgery. This is why some patients choose to spend one night in a post-operative center if possible. Bleeding is not uncommon, but it can lead to pooled blood, called a hematoma. For this reason, medical personnel are available by phone at all times during patients’ initial recovery period.
2. Anytime the skin is broken, there is a risk of infection. That means a person could contract an infection from dermal fillers or other injectables as easily as they could from facelift surgery. Fortunately, infection is a very small risk in this instance because the face typically has a healthy blood supply.
3. Circulation is also an integral aspect of scarring. The blood supply received by the face acts to heal incisions, usually with minimal scarring that is virtually unnoticeable. Furthermore, incisions are placed in discreet locations, such as around the ears, to reduce visible scarring.
4. There are numerous nerves in the face, head, and neck. Incisions will likely cause changes in sensation, such as numbness. However, this is usually a temporary side effect that improves over time as severed nerves heal.
5. Unsatisfactory results. One of the strongest recommendations surgeons make before facelift surgery is to have realistic expectations. A facelift only tightens and smooths the skin. It will not eliminate bags or dark circles around the eyes. It will not change the shape of the chin or the nose. Clear expectations and goals need to be thoroughly discussed before surgery so your surgeon can help you achieve your desired outcome.

What You Can Do

Enhance your surgical experience by

• Not smoking. If you smoke, stop as soon as you decide to have surgery. Smoking inhibits oxygen uptake in tissue and therefore decreases the body’s ability to heal well. This means an increased risk of scarring, infection, and overall poor results.
• Be clear, open, and honest during your consultation. Ask all of your questions. Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you are taking, and cover all aspects of your medical history.
• Take your time. Facelift surgery is not something you price-shop. This intricate procedure must be performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon within an accredited surgical facility.

Contact our Bryn Mawr office today at 610.527.4833. to learn more about facelift surgery, men’s facelifts and other facial rejuvenation options.