Ancillary Services

There are 2 types of services provided by plastic surgeons. Those involving surgery, and those not involving surgery. Although some of the non surgical procedures do involve tiny incisions and /or injections, they can be done under local or topical anesthesia. There are many procedures that do not fit the categories created in this web site that are performed by Dr. Friedlander or her staff. These procedures are frequently called ancillary services or skin care services, and are offered to enhance and maintain a more youthful appearance. They include everything listed below, and then some. If there is a procedure you are interested in but do not see on the web site, please feel free to inquire about it.

Botox Microdermabrasion Collagen Sclerotherapy

Glycolic, TCA Peels Fat injections Lip Enhancement Laser Skin Resurfacing

Facial Surgery Body Sculpting Breast Surgery

Botox

Botox is now FDA approved for the treatment of facial wrinkles. Botox can be used to smooth out facial wrinkles, lines, and furrows partially around the eyes and forehead. It will soften that tired, angry look around the eyes, as well as improve forehead wrinkles, if desired. It can also be used to treat "crow's feet" around the corners of the eye. Botox (botulinum toxin A) will temporarily weaken certain facial muscles. It is often a first step for people considering cosmetic surgery, as it may give them a better idea of what to expect.

The procedure takes only a few minutes and consists of a series of tiny injections around the muscle causing the wrinkles. You return to work the same day. It takes 1-4 days to see the effects of the Botox, which can last between 3 and 6 months. Botox can be repeated at that time. Side effects are rare. An occasional temporary droop of the eyelid has been reported.

Botox has other uses as well. It can be used to treat a condition called "hyperhidrosis" or excess sweating under the arms or palms.

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Fat Injections

Many times, early signs of the inevitable process of aging can be treated by simple office procedures. These procedures can temporize and delay larger surgical procedures for quite some time. They are often done in conjunction with other procedures. They can restore a more youthful appearance to areas such as the nasolabial fold (the crease the cheek makes with the lip) and the corner of the mouth, as well as fill in the wrinkles, furrows, and scars, in certain areas. Fat is a natural filler and, therefore, does not carry the risks of allergy, infection, or extrusion of synthetic material. Fat can be harvested from an area of excess on the body and transferred to the face to provide facial enhancement. The effects can last from months to years, when done properly.

The procedure is done in the office under local anesthesia. You may return to work the day after the procedure and apply makeup to cover bruising or swelling, if it occurs.

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Lip Enhancement

Lip Enhancement is a means of creating fuller lips. Various methods are available, including fat injections, collagen treatments, synthetic graphs and others.  Each of these procedures is associated with swelling of the lips that lasts several days. Some procedures such as fat or collagen or newer fillers will need to be repeated.

Collagen

Collagen is a protein found in the skin of all mammals. While collagen is a component of your skin, it is not a substance that can be harvested easily from your own body. Zyderm(r) and Zyplast(r) Collagens are derived from purified bovine (cow) collagen.

Collagen is injected under the dermis layer to add fullness to areas of the face such as the lips, cheeks and forehead. Collagen injections are designed to smooth out facial lines on the surface of the face. It is used to replace the collagen a patient loses naturally over time. The effect is smoother facial scars and wrinkles.

Microdermabrasion

At puberty, our skin begins to show the signs of aging. We develop areas which are prone to acne breakouts, sometimes leaving scars, which may persist into adulthood. We may have large pores, or even color variations associated with pregnancy. As time progresses, we develop subtle irregularities and unevenness in our skin. Microdermabrasion is a relatively new technique aimed at addressing all of these. It should be incorporated with a program designed to ensure good skin health, such as sunscreens and proper cleansers, as well as products used to ensure soft, smooth skin. Our skin sometimes needs a boost, despite our best intentions. Microdermabrasion removes dry dead skin, allowing softer, healthier skin to come to the surface. A fine jet of natural mineral crystals is sprayed on the face at high speed to loosen the surface irregularities, and then they are suctioned up. There may be some redness after the procedure, but it usually disappears quickly. The skin feels velvety soft. You will need to apply moisturizers for a few days after the procedure. It is usually not possible to remove all unhealthy skin with one session, and several sessions are recommended for maximal improvement.

Skin Care

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Also known as "laser peel," laser skin resurfacing usually takes less than 1½ hours (sometimes just a few minutes) depending on the size of the area being treated.  The procedure uses a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser beam which vaporizes the upper layers of damaged skin at controlled levels of penetration.  

The procedure removes areas of damaged or wrinkled skin often caused by prolonged sun exposure.  Laser resurfacing can minimize the appearance of fine lines around the mouth and the eyes and is also effective in treating facial scars and skin areas with uneven pigmentation.

The resurfaced areas take an average of seven to ten days to heal. The skin will remain pink for several weeks, to months, after the procedure. Makeup can be applied during this time.