Skin Resurfacing

I get this question often..."Am I a good candidate for skin resurfacing"? If you have any of the following conditions, you are a good candidate for skin resurfacing:
wrinkled or sun-damaged facial skin, vertical wrinkles around your mouth, such as those that cause lipstick "bleed", "crow's feet" lines around your eyes, acne or chicken pox scars or superficial facial scars from a past injury. There are many lasers on the market that help to resurface the skin (ablative, non-ablative and fractionated)...however there are also 'old school' methods that work great too, such as dermabrasion and medical grade chemical peels. The best option is to seek out a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to review your options. There is no reason anymore to live with skin that you are not happy with!

The Many Uses of Filler!!

There are many uses of filler other than the traditional naso labial folds (aka smile lines) and lips (think Angelina Jolie). Filler can be used to fill in acne scarring on the face, volume deficit in the hands and even stretched out earring holes. We're finding out that Hyaluronic Acid fillers (Restylane, Juvederm, Prevelle) can be used in a variety of safe and unique ways, to fill in deficits on the face and/or body. The key to having a successful outcome however is to seek out a qualified and experienced injector, who practices in a practice with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist on staff. With the plethora of safe dermal fillers on the market, perfect skin is just around the corner!

JF Aesthetics is here!

We recently launched our own customized line of skin care products called JF Aesthetics MD Formula. It's a specially blended line with ingredients that were hand selected by Dr. Few. The products are all medical grade quality, meaning the ingredient strength is higher than what you would get over the counter, with less irritation than your average prescription strength products. The line has a .05% Retinol, which addresses fine lines and wrinkles - while the Kojilac-C serum treats hyperpigmentation. The products contain very soothing ingredients, and are ideal for all skin types. Please visit our website www.tfiskinsuite.com for additional details, or better yet -- stop in to pick up your very own samples!

Have you tried Latisse?

Latisse will probably be one of the most talked about new cosmetic products of 2010. It is a newly launched FDA approved medication to grow, thicken and darken eyelashes! It is simple to use and only involves swabbing your lashes with a little solution each night at bedtime. Most patients notice a difference with their lashes within 4 weeks. I've been using Latisse off and on for the past 6 months and the results are amazing!! Our patients that have been using Latisse regularly have expressed the same sentiment and tout it as their new 'can't live without' product. Latisse is not for everyone and is only available by prescription, so make sure you check with your physician before you consider using Latisse. Here's to gorgeous lashes in 2010!!

Slim Lipo is Here!

Our practice just obtained the latest and greatest in Liposuction equipment called Life Sculpt. Life Sculpt body sculpting is a revolutionary treatment that uses a "fat-melting" laser called Slim Lipo. Via a few tiny incisions, this patented laser gently "melts" fat for easy removal from your body. Its superior minimally invasive technology helps you acheive a slimmer look with minimal downtime. The procedure can be done on most areas of the body and usually takes less than 1 hour. Patients have experienced major slimming of stubborn areas, with minimal post op bruising. We are excited to have this latest version of liposuction equipment for our patients and did I mention that we are the only practice in the city of Chicago to carry it?!?

Preventative Cosmetic Medicine

Patients always ask me what the best prevention is for facial lines and wrinkles and my reply is always the same -- Sunscreen and Botox (and now Dysport too)! Everyone knows that an SPF of 15 or higher used daily will help to prevent wrinkles as well as those nasty sun spots. Most people however don't know that Botox also helps in the prevention of lines and wrinkles because it relaxes the muscle and prevents the wrinkles from forming in the first place. When patients start Botox treatments earlier in life, think 20's and 30's, they will theoretically never develop deep lines on the face, b/c the muscle movement has been softened and in effect - has prevented the lines from developing. Botox and Dysport are amazing treatments, that really preserve the skin and soften the signs of aging. The treatment is affordable, easy and involves no downtime. As always, make sure you seek your treatments at a reputable and qualified physicians office - to ensure a safe outcome.

Are Facials Worth the Cost?

The trend in Aesthetic Medicine seems to be moving away from 'fluffy' treatments such as facials and microdermabrasion and moving towards more results oriented treatments such as medical grade Chemical Peels and Intense Pulsed Light laser treatments. Facials may make you feel relaxed and your skin may feel clean afterwards, but the jury is out as to whether these often times expensive treatments are really worthwhile? Much of a facial is cleansing, massage and possible extractions (which can lead to scarring!). Medical grade peels on the other hand gently exfoliate the top layers of dead skin and reveal fresh, new skin. They help to control excess oil production and minimize bacteria. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) laser treatments also help to brighten the skin, reduce redness from broken facial capillaries and reduce and possibly eliminate brown spots/sun damage. Chemical Peels and IPL treatments range between $125-$300 per treatment, which is comparable to a facial - but you get more bang for your buck!