Total Skin Rejuvenation

Introduction

In response to numerous requests from his patients, Dr. Prasad developed a skin care division for his cosmetic practice.  As a specialist in eye and facial plastic surgery, Dr. Prasad has studied skin care, both inside and out.  After a procedure such as an eyelift, people often achieve their ideal image. At the same time, many patients feel so good about their appearance that they develop the desire to complement their new look.

"Healthy, glowing skin becomes a natural part of the overall enhancement that many patients seek." Dr Prasad states.  

Many skin care practitioners cause confusion about the best treatment for particular skin conditions. The vast array of procedures and products prompted Dr. Prasad to develop systems for his patients to clarify this information and achieve their full cosmetic goals.

Here is a list of Skin Care Procedures that are available in Dr. Amiya Prasad's office. Each procedure is followed by a brief description. For more in depth details, please click on the link at the end of each description.  

To go directly to a particular section, please click on that link.

Liposculpture
Botox
Microdermabrasion
Intense Pulsed Light
Spider Veins
Laser Hair Removal
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Collagen
Restylane
Radiesse
Facial Liposuction
Sun Damage Recovery

Liposculpture

Curvaceous at 40 ?

It can be done.

What kind of Liposculpture does Dr Prasad perform?

Dr Prasad performs a type of Liposculpture that is highly effective and requires no general anesthesia and no overnight stays in the hospital. The technique is known as the Tumescent technique which was pioneered by leading dermatologist, Dr. Jeffrey Klein.

How is Tumescent Liposculpture better than traditional Liposuction?

Theadvantages of the tumescent technique include the following:

Tumescent Technique Liposculpture		Traditional Liposuction
Local anesthesia		General Anesthesia
NO overnight stay, go home right after the procedure		Usually overnight stay in the hospital
Minimal Bleeding		Blood loss is a significant factor
Fine cannulas (fat removal instrument), with precise control and contoured results		Large bore cannulas for fat removal, sometimes leaves hollows or pits
Low risk of skin puckering or loose skin after the procedure		Risk of loose skin and skin puckering are common
Minimal pain post operatively		Pain medications for several days

More on Liposculpture

What is Botox®?

Botox® is a dilute, purified form of Botulinum toxin which is an extremely effective muscle relaxant.

How does Botox® eliminate wrinkles?

Small amounts of Botox® are injected with a tiny needle into the muscles that creates the wrinkles. Botox® relaxes the muscles producing the wrinkles, thereby causing the lines to diminish. Botox® is mainly used for improving furrows between the eyebrows, horizontal lines of the forehead, and the crow's feet area around the eyes.

How is Botox injected?

Botox is usually injected with a fine needle after application with a topical anesthetic cream. This makes the procedure a lot more comfortable.

Who is a candidate for Botox?

Botox is perfect for fine wrinkles caused by facial muscle movement from frowning. Botox is also useful for "static wrinkles" from loss of tension in the forehead. In addition, Botox is now used for sweating. It has recently been approved by the FDA for injection under the arms and in the palms and soles for people who worry about excess sweating.

More about BOTOX

Microdermabrasion

What is microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a technique that uses fine mineral crystals that look like sugar to improve the appearance of the skin. A stream of air blows the crystals across the surface of the skin. As these crystals are blown across the skin, they gently exfoliate the outer layers of skin. These crystals are vacuumed across the skin to remove dead and damaged skin cells and to stimulate the collagen beneath the surface of the skin. Healthy looking and glowing skin results from this procedure. Most people get microdermabrasion every 6-8 weeks for optimal results.

What type of results can I expect?

Microdermabrasion results in firmer, more youthful looking skin over time. This procedure is used to improve many different types of skin problems as well as to maintain a healthful appearance. The procedure essentially buffs the skin of fine lines and discoloration while refining texture and hue. This gentle technique, applied by a skilled specialist, has been described as "sandblasting with velvet" because it softly produces a remarkable difference in the skin's appearance, yet is safe, pain-free and non-invasive. After just one treatment, clients report their skin tone and texture are improved; wrinkles are less apparent; and even scarring is less noticeable.

What's the down time?

Unlike chemical peels, laser resurfacing, or plastic surgery, there is little or no down time. At worst, patients will have a flushed appearance for a day or two after treatment.

Can microdermabrasion be done for my skin type?

Yes. Microdermabrasion is safe for all skin types and colors.

What skin conditions can be treated?

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Dull and thick skin
• Blemishes, brown spots/pigmentation
• Seborrhea
• Acne
• Hypertrophic scars (small keloids, chicken pox scars)
• Reduction of stretch marks
• Permanent make up removal
• Rosacea
• Rough, uneven skin
• Telangiectasia ( broken capillaries on the surface of the skin)
• Comedones (blackheads), milias (whiteheads)

More Information on Microdermabrasion

Intense Pulsed Light/ Photofacial Treatment

What are PhotoFacial Treatments?

A PhotoFacial ™ package is a series of gentle pulsed light treatments intended to improve the appearance of sun damaged and aged skin. It also reduces redness and flushing which results in more youthful appearing skin. As many as seventy-million Americans have undesirable redness and/or sun damaged skin on their face or entire body. PhotoFacial treatments can be used safely in Rosacea. Rosacea is a chronic dermatitis of the face, especially of the nose and cheeks, characterized by a red or rosy coloration, caused by dilation of capillaries, and the appearance of acne-like pimples. Sun exposure, alcohol, medications, stress, emotional tension, time and aging of the skin are common causes of Rosacea flare-ups.

Who is a candidate for Intense Pulsed Light/ PhotoFacial Treatment?

Any individual who wants a safe and effective treatment for redness, flushing, Rosacea, broken capillaries, sun damage, age spots, freckles and uneven pigmentation should consider this treatment.

What are the advantages of PhotoFacial ™?

You can have glowing, smooth, even-toned and more youthful looking skin with NO DOWN TIME from work or play. You can usually go to work the same day or the following day. No procedure has ever been developed that can accomplish so much with such low risk and no down time.

More information on PhotoFacial

Spider Veins/Varicose Veins

Always be ready for bathing suit season!

Cosmetic surgeons have recognized that millions of women are bothered by spider veins and it is estimated that at least half of the adult female population is plagued with this common aesthetic problem.

Why do spider veins occur?

Spider veins are formed when veins become dilated and swollen with stagnant blood. These thread-like dilated blood vessels are often seen on the face and the legs. These veins are located just below the surface of the skin and due to their location, often appear darker and more prominent, being red, blue or purple in color. These blood vessels may be short, unconnected lines each about the size of a large hair or connected in a matted, "sunburst" pattern. They may also look like a spider web or a tree with branches. The tendency to form spider veins tends to be hereditary and is also often seen in people who stand for long hours. Pregnancy and hormonal variations may stimulate their appearance. During pregnancy, the enlarged uterus can cause back-up of blood flow in the legs and put pressure on the veins. Spider veins can occur after trauma, and may also be associated with obesity.

What kind of treatments are available for Spider Vein and other Varicose Vein Therapy ?

Sclerotherapy

The injection of medications into spider and varicose veins is known as sclerotherapy . Sclerotherapy has been a successful method for treating both spider veins as well as varicose veins since the 1600s. The medicines used in sclerotherapy act upon the inner lining of the vein walls to gradually cause them to seal shut and stop the flow of blood through them. This method of treatment may be employed to treat the large ropey varicose veins and the smaller spider veins as well. Today, sclerotherapy is the most popular method employed by vascular specialists worldwide. It is minimally invasive and very effective. As specialists in sclerotherapy, we use very small needles resulting in minimal discomfort. No anesthetic is required.

More about Spider Vein and Varicose Vein Therapy

Laser Hair Removal

Always SMOOTH all the time.

Due to exciting developments in the field of light technology, laser hair removal offers an additional alternative for unwanted hair and is ideally suited to treating very large areas (arms, legs, backs) as well as smaller areas.

How does light therapy work?

Laser hair removal uses pulses of red or infrared laser light, which is attracted to the melanin pigment within the hair shaft. The light is on long enough to heat the hair shaft, but not long enough for the heat to spread to the surrounding skin and cause damage.

Hair normally cycles between active growing ( anagen ) hair, and resting ( vellous ) hair. When follicles cycle to the resting phase, the follicle shortens and the visible terminal hair falls out. The terminal hair is replaced by tiny vellous hair. This cycling of hair explains the ability of the hair all over our body to continually grow, without our eyebrows or arm hair growing to lengths which would make daily life difficult.

The light "sees" only actively growing, pigmented terminal hair. Thus any hair in the resting phase when the laser therapy is administered will not be affected. This is the reason that more than one treatment is always needed in order to effectively remove unwanted hair.

How many treatments are necessary?

Since some hair follicles may enter their growth cycle after your treatment, multiple treatments may be required to deliver optimal results.

Generally, 4 to 8 treatments are required, four to six weeks apart. After a series of treatments, most people will enjoy a period where there is no hair at all. Subsequently, less hair than was initially present returns, and the hair that remains is finer and lighter. A number of treatments following the initial three will usually be necessary to maintain a completely hair-free appearance. If the goal is only a reduction in hair density and thickness, three treatments may suffice for a very long time.

Is the procedure safe for dark skinned people?

The light beam is attracted to the pigment (color) within the hair. In most patients, it is possible to selectively treat hair follicle because the hair pigment, usually brown or black, is darker than the surrounding skin. This contrast attracts the laser beam to the pigment in the unwanted hair and not to the lighter pigment in the overlying skin. This treatment results in the elimination of unwanted hair temporarily and sometimes even permanently. The latest technology in laser hair removal has become very sophisticated and allows us to perform hair removal in most skin types- even people with dark skin. In most cases, it is advisable however, that people with dark skin or tanned skin get laser hair removal from a physician or a qualified health care worker.

More about Laser Hair Removal

Laser Skin Resurfacing

What is Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing is a procedure designed to remove superficial and moderately deep lines and wrinkles on the skin. After laser vaporizes the skin cells layer by layer, there is a stimulation in the production of collagen and new skin cells thereby creating a tightening and smoothing of the skin.

What is the recovery like?

Most people are able to return to their normal activities in about 1 week. During this period, topical ointments are applied to allow the skin to heal as soon as possible. Make-up can usually be worn in 1 week.

What is the procedure like?

Click here to see Dr. Amiya Prasad perform laser resurfacing for "Channel 4 Live at 5" with Dr. Max Gomez.

More about Laser skin Resurfacing

Skin Fillers and Wrinkle Diminishers

Look younger and smoother in minutes…

All around us are images of people with beautiful mouths, sensual lips, and flawless skin - not a pore, line, wrinkle, or scar in sight. Professional makeup, flattering lighting effects, and air brushing techniques make it easy to look good in magazines, on television, and in the movies. It's harder to look good in real life... but not as hard as you think.

How do I know what is the best filler for me?

There are many choices available for removing wrinkles and fine lines. Some of them include Restylane, Radiesse, and Collagen. Botox also helps to undo wrinkles but it is generally useful in different parts of the face from the fillers.

Restylane

What is Restylane?

RESTYLANE is a crystal-clear, non-animal, biodegradable gel based on a natural substance, called hyaluronic acid. The gel is injected into the skin in tiny amounts with a very fine needle. The result is instantaneous and produces a long-lasting, natural enhancement, gentle and safe to your skin. Restylane is made of hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance that exists naturally in the body. Its most important function is to carry and bind water. Non-animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) does not contain animal protein and does not require a skin test prior to treatment.

NASHA is a unique form of hyaluronic acid, manufactured under the name of RESTYLANE.

How long does it take to work and how long does it last?

The results are immediate and can last from 6 - 12 months, depending on the patient and the area that is being treated.
Wrinkle treatment tends to last from 6 - 12 months and lip enhancement for around 6 months

More about Restylane

Radiesse

What is Radiesse?

Radiesse is the newest non-surgical facial contouring filler that delivers immediate, longer lasting results when compared to other approved dermal fillers.

What sets Radiesse apart from other dermal fillers?  

It is more durable, versatile, and long-lasting. The unique composition of Radiesse provides immediate visual improvement similar to other fillers, but it has longer-lasting results. This is because Radiesse is made of very tiny, smooth calcium hydroxyapatite ( CaHA ) microspheres . The microspheres (particles) form a scaffold on which your body's own collagen grows, and this produces the desired long-term effect. These unique advantages make Radiesse the ideal choice for facial shaping and contouring.

Collagen

The erosion of the natural collagen support layer just beneath your skin causes facial lines and wrinkles. Creams can moisturize or exfoliate the surface of your skin, but they can't diminish the lines or wrinkles that are caused by the wearing away of the underlying collagen support layer.

What is Collagen?

Skin is your body's largest, and most visible, organ. Your skin is composed of two layers: The uppermost layer of skin called the epidermis, acts as a protective barrier. The epidermis controls loss of water from cells and tissues. Without it, your body would quickly dehydrate.

Just beneath the epidermis is the second layer of skin, called the dermis. This layer is composed primarily of a protein called collagen. Collagen forms a network of fibers that provides a framework for the growth of cells and blood vessels. As the primary component of the dermis, collagen acts as the support structure for your skin.

Aren't creams containing collagen to smooth out lines enough? Why inject under the skin?

Creams (with or without collagen) may temporarily diminish facial lines or wrinkles, but they only work on the surface (the epidermis) of your skin. Creams can't penetrate the skin to remedy the underlying cause of lines or wrinkles - the depleted collagen support layer. Creams can, however, help to keep your skin supple by slowing the rate of water loss from the surface of your skin.

What can I expect with Collagen Replacement Therapy?

Collagen Replacement Therapy is a proven, non-surgical treatment which you can conveniently complete during your lunch hour. It is important to be aware of the risks and benefits of treatment, and the specific areas you want treated. Collagen Replacement Therapy may not be appropriate for certain lines and scars, or in the presence of certain medical conditions. For most people, however, Collagen Replacement Therapy is a safe and immediate way to treat lines and wrinkles and beautify your skin and lips. Just like natural collagen, injectable collagen eventually loses its form and wears down. Ongoing treatments are required to maintain the improvements achieved with Collagen Replacement Therapy.

Facial Liposuction

See your youthful face reappear.

What is Facial Liposuction?

Liposuction surgery removes unwanted localized deposits of fat cells from the body. We perform this procedure using a special tube called a microcannula which is the most advanced technology available. The microcannula is inserted through tiny incisions placed in less obvious locations on the face or neck such as behind the earlobes and under the chin. . The fat cells are carefully extracted so you have a more attractive and defined face.

Facial liposuction may also be done in combination with a facelift, browlift, or eyelift.

This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia in our office operating suite. Patients experience minimal discomfort for only a day or two before returning to work in 5-7 days. The results can be quite impressive especially for those who have tried for years to reduce the fullness of their face and neck with weight loss and exercise.

Sun Damage Recovery

When summer is over, it is time to think about getting your skin back into shape. Sunlight, saltwater, chlorinated water and wind can leave your skin uneven and discolored. We have developed a special scientifically based system to help people restore and improve their skin after summer. Depending on your skin condition, we will provide you with skin care counseling that best suits your situation.

The sun generates UV or ultraviolet light which generates oxygen-free radicals. These oxygen-free radicals destroy the structure of the skin. The results of this assault include wrinkles ( photoaging ), solar lentigines (brown spots), actinic keratosis(scaly red patches) and skin cancer. Unfortunately most sunscreens don't completely protect skin from UV rays (particularly UVA). Other causes of oxygen-free radicals are air pollution and tobacco smoke. The body tries to protect itself from these damaging free radicals by using antioxidants. These antioxidants become depleted with this assault and get even further depleted by alcohol, analgesics, antidepressants, anticoagulants and steroids.

What is the best therapy for sun-damaged skin?

The best therapy develops from a partnership between you and your doctor. During your visit, you should have an evaluation of what type of damage you have suffered, the extent of this damage and most importantly, which problems need immediate attention. Your systemized plan should address not only the damage but how to maintain your skin and prevent further damage. You should discuss the options with which you feel comfortable and develop a therapeutic regime together.

More on options for Facial liposuction and Sun-damaged Skin