FAQ’s

October 28, 2011

What Can I Do About Mild to Moderate Signs of Aging Besides Plastic Surgery?

Abraham Medical Cosmetics offers multiple solutions for wrinkle reduction for those who may not want or be ready for a more invasive cosmetic surgery procedure. Photofacial rejuvenation uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to reduce the appearance of many skin conditions that often show our age: fine lines, hyperpigmentation (sun spots), and even acne scarring.

Our ReFirme™ skin tightening system works to tighten areas of lax skin that may make us appear tired or older than we are from sagging brow skin, under-eye bags, and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. As we age our skin loses collagen, the scaffolding that keeps tissue supple and young-looking. However, treatments with ReFirme™ help to increase collagen production to rebuild the underlying structure in the skin, giving it a tighter and firmer appearance.

Light and laser treatments generally need multiple sessions for patients to see full results, though these results can last up to two years. Immediately after treatments, patients often notice a difference in the feeling of their skin and see full results after just one treatment.

We also offer facial injectables to help slow the signs of aging that work within the skin to relax the muscles that cause wrinkles or replump areas of lost volume. After years of repeated facial expressions, our skin tends to furrow or wrinkle around the eyes and forehead, hence the cause of crow’s feet, laugh lines, and furrowed brow lines. Botox® and Dysport® are both made from purified Botulinum and work by relaxing the muscles beneath the skin that are often the culprit of the fine lines that show our age.

As collagen production slows, certain areas of the face and even the hands begin to become hollowed out or lose volume. Facial fillers like Radiesse® and Restylane® fill these areas to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and rejuvenate a youthful visage. Radiesse® has an added benefit as it boosts collagen growth to continue the anti-aging process for up to a year after initial injection.

Patients who choose dermal injectables like Botox® and Dysport® will see results within 4 days of treatment, with full results visible around 10-14 days after treatment. Botox® users’ results generally last for 3-4 months, while Dysport® users can see results for up to 4-6 months. Radiesse® and Restylane® users will notice results immediately that will last 6 months to a year.

For more information on wrinkle reduction treatments or to schedule a consultation, contact us. We’re also on Twitter with regular news and updates.

August 19, 2011

What is prescription contraindication and ADR?

Many medications can have adverse effects on elderly patients. While these drugs are relatively predictable in younger populations, those 65 and older can experience different or more intense reactions and side effects. Another contributing factor to adverse drug reactions (ADR) is the number of different medications that are often prescribed in combination to the elderly.

While some drugs produce adverse drug effects on their own, some medications produce contraindication when taken with other drugs. Contraindication is a health factor that renders a specific treatment, medication, or procedure inadvisable. While contraindication on its own sounds fairly basic—people with allergic reactions to certain drugs shouldn’t take those drugs and people with certain medical conditions can’t have certain treatments that put them at risk—not many people are aware that contraindication often occurs unnoticed in the elderly until irreparable harm has been done.

Elderly individuals make up about 12% of the nation’s population, and yet they consume 32% of medications prescribed in America (National Center for Biotechnology Information). Doctors often prescribe many drugs to individuals over 65 in order to treat the ailments that come with growing older as well as any preexisting conditions. However, doctors can sometimes prescribe overlapping medications that perform the same tasks, medications that interact with each other, or medications not suited for those over 65 without knowing it. This can even be the case when individuals take over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements.

June 27, 2011

Is Zerona® the same as Laser Liposuction?

No, Zerona® is a non-invasive fat reduction method whereas laser liposuction is a type of surgical fat removal. We use Zerona® treatment at Abraham Medical Cosmetics to reduce fat and inches from patients’ hips, back, arms, and even buttocks. Zerona® applies a low-level laser to the treatment area that causes the fat within cells to emulsify and become absorbed by the lymphatic system. Most of our Snellville Zerona® patients see results after 4-6 sessions.

Conversely, laser liposuction uses the application of a laser to loosen fat and a series of incisions into which suctioning cannulas are inserted to remove the targeted fat. Most laser liposuction patients report a recovery period of 10-14 days following the surgery. Given the invasive nature of the procedure, we choose to offer non-invasive fat reduction and weight management alternatives such as LipoLite™, Curva™, and nutritional counseling.

Visit our website and continue to read our blog for regularly updated Snellville aesthetic services available at Abraham Medical Cosmetics.

June 20, 2011

Shedding Light on Photo Damage: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Sun Damage Prevention & Treatment

Sun damage is an infamous factor in the development of skin cancer and aging. Consistent with its notoriety, photo damage is a major influence in the development of aging symptoms like wrinkles, brown spots, and even lax skin. Abraham Medical’s board certified family medicine doctors and trained aesthetic technicians are here to answer your questions about sun damage prevention and treatment:

Do I still need to wear sunscreen if my skin tone is dark?

Individuals with dark skin tones have more melanin in their skin than those with fairer complexions. Even though people with darker skin are less likely to develop sunburn as quickly, they are still susceptible to photo damage with unprotected UV exposure. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that everyone regularly apply a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of at least 30 if planning to be outdoors.

What makes all of the sunscreen brands different?

There are a host of marketing variables amongst all of the sunscreen brands out there, but if your skin does not require a specialty product because of a skin condition, it’s best to look at what type of protection the product offers. Chemical sunscreens (like most sun protection products sold in drug stores) are formulated to attach with the skin’s surface and protect against UVB rays while other products that contain larger particles (like zinc or titanium oxide) provide a physical shield against more UVA rays. It’s best to use a product that provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays, typically labeled “broad spectrum” sunscreen.

I have acne prone skin; won’t sunscreen clog my pores and make me break out?

Abraham Medical Cosmetics offers three Obagi ®sunscreens (RosaClear, Obagi-C®, and Physical UV Block) specially formulated for sensitive skin types such as yours. While all of these products effectively prevent sun damage, it’s beneficial to have a skin analysis to determine which product will perform best for you.

Is there anything that I can do to erase the sun damage I already have?

We offer treatments like Photofacial IPL and chemical peels that can help erase the areas of dark hyperpigmentation and tighten the lax skin that can result from sun exposure; however, it’s important to remember that sun damage is cumulative and the damaging internal effects sun exposure can have on skin cell replication should be prevented with regular sunscreen usage.

To learn more about Abraham Medical Cosmetics’ facial rejuvenation treatments, preventative medicine, or to schedule a consultation, contact our Snellville office or visit our website.

May 17, 2011

Price vs. Experience: Find out Which Takes Priority With BOTOX® Cosmetic

When considering facial injectables, do you shop around for the right doctor or the right price? Although saving money is always alluring, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and the Physicians’ Coalition for Injectable Safety warn against “bargain botox.” Many medical providers offer discounts on facial injectables, but reputable medical providers do not offer them at “bargain” prices because they cannot buy the FDA approved, brand-name cosmetic injectables at “bargain” prices from legitimate manufacturers. Due to a rise in counterfeit injectables, patients who seek these extremely low prices risk compromising their health with potentially harmful ingredients and more under qualified providers are willing to buy the off-brand product.

Although BOTOX® Cosmetic is safe when it’s injected by an experienced, trained professional, off brand versions of botox can produce significant health risks. Besides that, an unqualified injector can produce less than satisfactory results. Have you heard about the dreaded droopy eyelid? If not, it’s not pretty and also not easy to fix. It’s best to receive injections from a qualified doctor or nurse injector to avoid complications.