BOTOX® Advances: What to Watch Out For

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Dr. Kevin M. Johnson

For many of my patients in Coeur d’Alene and Spokane, plastic surgery isn’t the option of choice when it comes to fighting the signs of aging. Many women and men come to my practice for Dysport® or BOTOX Cosmetic to decrease fine lines and wrinkles. However, recent reports about a topical botulinum toxin type A gel have some of them wondering if this new product could eliminate the need for BOTOX injections.

The topical gel could change the way patients look at wrinkle treatment and help people achieve a more youthful appearance without needles. The gel works by penetrating skin to relax muscles and smooth wrinkles and lines.

While this product may be available eventually, it has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Even if the product is approved, patients will still have to visit a doctor’s office for treatment.

Meanwhile, people who are looking for a safe and effective treatment should stick to BOTOX. Spokane, WA patients, as well as my patients from all of Washington and Idaho, typically notice a significant reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the brows after BOTOX injections, and they enjoy their results for up to 4 months.

Patients who haven’t tried BOTOX because they are uncomfortable with the use of needles should feel comfortable knowing there are few, if any, side effects to the treatment. Many patients report that the initial prick of the needle is not painful.

When considering any cosmetic treatment, it’s important to seek reliable information from experienced doctors. If this new gel is approved, will you think about trying it?

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Men and Liposuction

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Blog Admin

Working out and eating right aren’t always enough to achieve the chiseled body many men want. Male patients come to my Spokane cosmetic surgery practice for a range of procedures to help them look and feel great.

Liposuction is one of the most popular choices among men, and I often perform this procedure in conjunction with other nonsurgical rejuvenation treatments. I prefer SmartLipo™ because it minimizes bruising and swelling and creates natural looking results. Also, the laser technology stimulates collagen production, leading to tighter skin after recovery.

Some men come to my practice with concerns about having liposuction and still maintaining a masculine appearance. Fortunately, liposuction is easily personalized to a patient’s needs. I can remove the optimal amount of fat to maintain – and even improve – a masculine body contour.

Liposuction is a great choice for removing small pockets of fat from around the body. This treatment shouldn’t be used for major weight loss, but it can help fine-tune and contour the body for a smoother appearance. It can also lead to a surge in a patient’s confidence, which can positively influence overall quality of life.

For my patients in and around Spokane, SmartLipo is not the only option for body contouring. People who are looking for more subtle changes often turn to CoolSculpting®, a nonsurgical alternative to liposuction.

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Planning for Laser Hair Removal

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Dr. Kevin M. Johnson

Laser hair removal in Spokane doesn’t just eliminate hair: for many patients, it also eliminates their self-consciousness – which is why so many people choose this procedure before a major event. In the midst of an important occasion, shaving or waxing is the last thing my patients want to worry about. Laser hair removal provides them with peace of mind. With smooth, soft skin, they can focus on and enjoy the experience rather than feeling self-conscious about their appearance.

Like any procedure, laser hair removal requires preparation for best results. Here are some suggestions I typically recommend for my patients:

  • Avoid sun tanning or self-tanners 4 weeks prior to treatment.

Sun exposure or sunless tanning products may increase the chances of skin discoloration after laser hair removal. Be sure to wear a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or greater if you plan to be outdoors. If you are currently tanning or sunburned, it’s best to wait until the tan completely fades before treatment.

  • Avoid glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acids for 1 to 2 weeks before treatment.

Chemical exfoliating agents can cause an increased sensitivity to the laser’s energy and should be discontinued 1 to 2 weeks before treatment. These products should also be avoided for about 1 week after treatment.

  • Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory or blood-thinning medications.

Some medications can make the skin more prone to irritation, which is why all current prescriptions should be discussed prior to treatment. Other drugs that may interfere with laser hair removal include certain dietary supplements or some types of antibiotics.

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Too Much of a Good Thing?

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Dr. Kevin M. Johnson

More is not always better when it comes to achieving a smoother, more rested appearance with BOTOX® Cosmetic in Spokane. When performed properly, BOTOX injections should halt wrinkle formation while maintaining a natural appearance. Using too much, or receiving injections too frequently, can result in a look that appears “frozen.”

For best results, it’s important to choose a provider who possesses artistry, skill, experience, and clinical expertise. Typically, I recommend spacing BOTOX injections about 3 to 4 months apart, although individual treatment will depend on muscle mass, the depth of the wrinkle, and injection site. Areas with a significant amount of movement (such as around the mouth) may require more frequent treatments. The number of BOTOX units used depends on the patient’s skin characteristics and desired level of improvement.

Posted in BOTOX Cosmetic, Injectables | Tagged | 1 Comment

Lasers: Not Just for Liposuction

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Dr. Kevin M. Johnson

I often use lasers during liposuction in Spokane because it helps to break down fat cells and assist with fat removal, but there are many other uses for laser technology. In fact, at my practice, lasers are also frequently used for hair removal, hyperhidrosis, and skin rejuvenation.

  • Hair Removal: Laser hair removal can eliminate unwanted hair quickly and comfortably with a series of treatments. The laser is passed over the treatment area, and a highly concentrated light beam penetrates safely through the outer layers of skin to the hair follicles, where it is absorbed. The light energy transfers to heat, which effectively causes the hair in that area to stop growing back. My practice uses the Elite™ laser from Cynosure® to treat a variety of hair and skin types.

  • Hyperhidrosis: Hyperhidrosis is the clinical term for excessive sweating. Many of my patients who have not responded to antiperspirants or other topical treatments can benefit from this procedure, which uses a laser to ablate sweat glands under the skin. Most people experience a significant reduction in perspiration in the weeks following their procedure.

  • Skin Rejuvenation: Laser skin rejuvenation is a popular non-surgical procedure that can revive the skin’s youthful appearance and improve its condition. There are many different types of laser skin resurfacing treatments available to treat a wide range of conditions, including acne, rosacea, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and age-related concerns like wrinkles and skin laxity. I offer 4 sophisticated laser treatments at my practice: SmartSkin CO2®, Affirm®, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), and Laser Genesis.


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Dr. Kevin Johnson in the News

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Dr. Kevin M. Johnson

Dr. Kevin Johnson was recently featured in the Spokane Journal of Business as an “early adopter” for CoolSculpting by Zeltiq! CoolSculpting by Zeltiq is one of our favorite non-invasive body contouring treatments offered at our plastic surgery office and we were thrilled that Dr. Johnson got recognized. Read the full story by following the link here.

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Laser Hair Removal Advances

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Dr. Kevin M. Johnson

In the past, a laser hair removal treatment near Spokane could only do so much. These lasers treated a narrow range of skin and hair types, particularly those with light skin and dark hair. Today, laser technology is more advanced, and can treat an array of skin types and hair colors. While these new lasers are designed to treat a variety of skin and hair types, darker hair colors and lighter skin types typically see the best results from the treatment, as the light of the laser is attracted to the pigment in the hair. I use the Elite™ laser hair removal device at my practice for women and men looking for permanent hair reduction.

One of my favorite features of the Elite laser is that I can treat a large area at once. As opposed to older methods of laser hair removal that could only treat a very small area, the Elite laser enables me to target larger regions of skin. In addition, new laser technology allows for the ability to treat almost any body part.

What is your experience with laser hair removal? Have you noticed an improvement with the newer laser devices?

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Can Liposuction Treat Cellulite?

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Dr. Kevin M. Johnson

Many of my patients interested in liposuction near Spokane wonder if the treatment can also help with their cellulite. In some ways, liposuction can help with cellulite by eliminating fat. However, liposuction is not designed to treat cellulite. As a method of fat reduction, liposuction removes small areas of fat that remain resistant to diet and exercise. I would not recommend the treatment for someone who specifically wants to reduce cellulite.

For those who are interested in other treatments that can help to reduce the appearance of cellulite, a feasible treatment option is SmoothShapes®. Unlike liposuction, SmoothShapes is designed to non-surgically reduce the appearance of cellulite by addressing the underlying causes, which include treating enlarged fat cells and brittle or inflexible collagen fibers.

SmoothShapes combines laser treatment with a gentle massage and suction. It mobilizes the fat out of the fat cell while stimulating blood flow in the treated area. For optimal results, several treatments are usually required, depending on the severity of cellulite in the treated area.

What do you think of the current cellulite treatments available? Have you tried them? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Plastic Surgery – What Age is Best?

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Dr. Kevin M. Johnson

In the past, it was thought that plastic surgery was for older women, and sometimes men. While it is true that older women (and men) have long turned to plastic surgery to help achieve their goals, plastic surgery has become popular for younger people as well. However, it is important to remember that in general, plastic surgery should not be performed on a person who is still growing. For the most part, women and men who are over the age of 18 are turning to plastic surgery procedures near Spokane to refine or improve an aspect of their face or body.

According to the 2010 statistics gathered by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, plastic surgery procedures have increased about 9% from 2009 to 2010 alone. More specifically, people in the age range of 35-50 made up 44% of the total number of people who received a plastic surgery procedure in 2010. While this age group was a popular age range for surgical procedures, the truth is that plastic surgery spanned a variety of ages.

In short, there is no one age that a person becomes more or less “eligible” for a plastic surgery procedure. Candidacy for a procedure more depends on your goals and lifestyle, as well as your natural body shape or facial structure.

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Why Liposuction?

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Dr. Kevin M. Johnson

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wished that you could simply remove fat from certain areas of your body? Perhaps you are satisfied with your overall appearance, but would like to fine-tune specific areas in order to create a smooth and svelte shape? If this is the case, liposuction may be the treatment for you.

Liposuction is a popular surgical cosmetic treatment among both men and women. A time-tested and proven treatment for reducing fat in targeted areas of the body, liposuction is considered by many professionals to be the “Gold Standard” for fat removal.

Here are a few reasons why I believe liposuction is so popular:

  • It is a quick and straightforward procedure, with limited downtime.
  • Liposuction can be used on various areas of the body, including the face.
  • It can be used to contour specific, targeted areas.
  • It can be combined with other procedures to “fine-tune” or produce a finished appearance.

While there are certainly several benefits to an Idaho liposuction treatment, not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure. In general, candidates are within their target weight, but have pockets of excess fat that they have not been able to remove with diet and exercise alone. For those who are not candidates for the surgical procedure, they may be candidates for the non-surgical fat removal alternative: CoolSculpting® by ZELTIQ™.

CoolSculpting can provide a small to moderate improvement in fat reduction for specific areas of the body. While the results are not directly comparable to liposuction treatments, CoolSculpting can yield impressive results of about a 20 to 25% reduction of fat in the targeted areas.

The best way to find out if you are a candidate for liposuction or CoolSculpting is to talk to a specialist. Your specialist can answer any questions you may have, or provide a surgical plan that can help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

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