When all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail

Choosing the right treatment or technology for cosmetic improvement can be downright vexing. For patients, the Information Age was supposed to usher in the era of vast knowledge, allowing people to make their own best decisions. Access to a large volume of information can sometimes be confusing and muddle any topic considerably. Advertisements, paid media insertions, and even "doctor shows" can provide misleading, or even biased, information to the consumer.

This 59-year-old female cosmetic surgery patient desired facial skin rejuvenation. Photos shown are before and 6 months following CO2 laser skin resurfacing and facelift. Recovery is 7-10 days, but the procedure can be done with local anesthesia and light sedation.

In the world of cosmetic surgery and enhancements, energy-based technologies have transformed our practices, and overhauled the industry dramatically. They have given us more non-invasive treatment options than ever before. And the advancements are ongoing. What is a "new laser technology," or "new light therapy" today, will soon become yesterday's news. Just around the corner a more effective and efficient solution will roll out. With all of this talk about lasers, lights, ultrasounds, and more - as seen in surgical practice, rejuvenation center, and medspa advertising - consumers are increasingly confused, and understandably so.

My goal with this article is to equip you with important information to know when considering an advanced cosmetic technological treatment; and to identify for you the various kinds of treatments available, along with the best use for each.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

First: It's important to know that many aesthetic practices will invest in only a few devices, if not only one. Why is this a problem? Like the hammer and nail analogy, when you have only one tool, you have only one way to solve a complex variety of problems. Whether due to lack of expertise or overhead, these practices aim to treat as many patients as possible with a limited toolbox. If you find this to be the case, look elsewhere.

Second: The safety and efficacy of the treatment you receive is only as good as the hands delivering it. In other words, as advanced as these technologies are, when used apart from well-trained hands, you can find your results to be severely lacking, damaging and even dangerous. We are talking about energy-based equipment here, which uses heat applied to the body, and can burn you if not used properly.

Third: Not all laser, light, ultrasound, or radio frequency devices are created equal. "Facial rejuvenation" for example, is a term used loosely in our field. You have probably seen it used in a variety of advertisements. Did you know there are as many as 6-10 different devices which claim to rejuvenate facial skin? How do you know which one is best for you? Variances in skin type, prescription medications, even occupational hazards (i.e. sun exposure) can play a part in determining which device, number of treatments, and intensity level is best for you. Again, the skill and experience of the practitioner, combined with precision in the use of technology, is critical to ensuring the safest and best possible outcome.

At Southern Surgical Arts, if there is one most important point we desire to communicate consistently, it's the importance of you, as the patient, selecting a practitioner who is properly trained, and preferably, who performs treatments under onsite medical supervision. And yes, that means a doctor is actually present.

Then, should an emergency arise (rare, but it happens) you are assured access to the best possible medical care, immediately.

Bottom-line, it's your face, your body, and your health. Southern Surgical Arts is pleased to offer a full array of the most effective and broad energy-based technologies. When visiting a practice, take the initiative to ask questions and get the information you need in order to make informed decisions. And remember, if all a practice has is a hammer, then every problem you have will often look like a nail.

For more information on energy-based cosmetic technologies and to view our Before and After Gallery, visit www.southernsurgicalarts.com today. For a listing of specific laser and light devices and their associated treatment protocols, see the INFOGRAPHIC below.

Chad Deal, MD is a double board-certified cosmetic surgeon and partner at Southern Surgical Arts. He is a leading practitioner, having performed 4,000+ body contouring procedures, including large-volume fat transfer, breast augmentation, abdominoplasty and liposuction. In the area of energy-based cosmetic technologies, he and partner Dr. Carey Nease maintain the region's leading technologically-advanced cosmetic surgery center and nationally-recognized teaching facility, located at 1405 Cowart Street in Chattanooga. Dr. Deal is an ABCS Board examiner, active member of the AACS Fellowship Committee, and multiple other industry associations. His work has earned him the annual Best of the Best Patient Choice Award in Chattanooga and North Georgia since 2010.

Noteworthy:

"If there is one most important point we desire to communicate consistently, it's the importance of you, as the patient, selecting a practitioner who is properly trained, and preferably, who performs treatments under onsite medical supervision. And yes, that means a doctor is actually present."