Author: Marc Bisseck

Things to avoid and what is encouraged post-peel.  Avoid:    Retinol products for 5-7 days  Excessive sweating  Sun exposure  Saunas  Swimming pools/Jacuzzis/or the ocean. Encouraged:  Moisturize & hydrate Wear SPF 30 or higher  Wash with cold water  Use gentle skin care  Listen to your peel provider.       

While introducing retinol into your beauty routine might seem intimidating, it’s actually relatively simple as long as you follow a few simple steps! Apply at Night Retinol should always be applied at night. It’s especially sensitive to light, which is why it’s kept in dark packaging or packaging that doesn’t let any light through. In order to avoid unnecessary sun damage, only ever apply retinol before you go to bed. Start Slow One of the most common mistakes people make when starting to use retinol is using it every single night. For many people, that’s far too often, especially as your skin adjusts! To acclimate your skin to the retinol, start using it twice a week (every three days) in the evenings. If you aren’t experiencing any redness or flakiness the next day, you can bump it up to every other day—and then even every day if your skin can handle it. Use Pea-Size Amount Another common mistake people make is to use way too much product. With retinol, a little goes a long way, so you really only need a pea-sized amount to cover your entire face! Mix It Up One tip to help your skin adjust to retinol is to mix your retinol with your face moisturizer and then apply it to your skin. This allows the retinol to be a little gentler on your skin, which is great if you have sensitive skin. Over time, you could transition to applying the retinol directly to your skin with no moisturizer. Another option is to first apply your moisturizer as a barrier to your face, and then apply your retinol on top of that. Monitor Dryness As you start using retinol and slowly increase how often you use it, you should monitor how dry and flaky your skin gets. That is often one of the side effects of retinol, especially in the first few weeks. As your skin acclimates to the treatment, you will notice the redness and flakiness decrease, which is a sign that you can increase the frequency of application if you so desire. Give it Time Retinol is not an overnight solution to your skin concerns. In fact, you likely won’t see any major results for 12 weeks, which is the amount of time typically recommended to consistently use the product. Retinol will give you great results over time, so don’t give up if you don’t see results in the first week!

You are at a comfortable weight. Despite a healthy diet and an exercise routine, you still have pockets or areas of stubborn fat. VASER Liposuction is a type of liposuction that breaks apart fat cells and loosens them from deeper tissues so that fat can be removed. VASER is an acronym for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. This ultrasound technology uses powerful ultrasonic waves to break apart the fat cells. VASER liposuction can target any of the following areas: abdomen, arms, chest, back, chin, hips, thighs, and buttocks. Depending on the area treated either general or local anesthesia is required. A tumescent fluid will be injected into the targeted area. Then ultrasound probes will be inserted into the skin through a tiny incision to break up the fatty tissue. The fatty tissue will start to break apart and a cannula will be inserted to vacuum out the fat cells and the fluid. VASER liposuction is a low-risk procedure. However, some common side effects include: persistent swelling, pain/aching, bruising/bleeding, asymmetry, loose skin, and infection. After VASER liposuction your body will look bruised and swollen and you will not be able to see the results right away. It takes time for your body to heal. Your body will weep fluid for a few days and you will need to wear a compression garment for several weeks to help reduce the swelling. Recovery time is different for each person, most people can expect to see the best results between 3-6 months after their procedure. Most people need several days of rest to recover. Results from VASER liposuction can be permanent, however, it is important that you continue to eat a healthy diet and exercise routine so your body does not regain unwanted fat cells. VASER liposuction is not a weight-loss tool. This procedure is for people who are trying to target stubborn fat areas. To find out if VASER liposuction is right for you please call us to book a consultation 912.681.3330.

Unfortunately, constipation is a common side effect of surgery. It can happen for a few reasons: pain medications, the anesthesia used, dehydration, food intake and lack of mobility. Symptoms of post-surgical constipation include: • A decrease in bowel movements. • Straining to pass stool. • Hard stools. • Bloating or gas. • Pain in the stomach or rectum. • Feeling of incomplete evacuation. Fortunately, there are steps to take before and after surgery that may help prevent post surgical constipation. Steps to take before surgery: • If you suffer from chronic constipation, tell both your doctor and anesthesiologist. • Drink plenty of water days leading up to the surgery. Avoid caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, and sodas as they make dehydration worse. • Eat fiber rich foods days leading up to your surgery. High fiber foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts/seeds, whole grains, and beans/lentils. Avoid dairy, processed foods, and refined grains such as white bread, white rice, and white pasta. • Purchase a stool softener before surgery so you have it available when you return home. Steps to take after surgery: • Keep the body moving. Short walks will help move food through the intestines and stimulate a bowel movement. • Drink plenty of water. Diluted fruit juices especially prune juice can help. • Eat fiber rich foods. • Eat regular meals and snacks. • Alternate pain relief. • Stool softeners. Constipation should never be ignored. If you develop constipation, don’t worry. With your medical professional’s help you can get your bowels back in order.