Other Aesthetic Medicine Treatments

INTRODUCTION

Alopecia is a condition that causes hair loss. Although there are several types of alopecia, the most common of them remains androgenetic or hereditary. Although it is a long-term incurable condition, it has been proven that the application of certain treatments slow down, and in some cases, temporarily halt the condition.

WHAT DOES THE TECHNIQUE CONSIST OF?

It involves the injection of certain substances, with proven effectiveness, in the affected areas. There are basically two substances: platelet growth factors (obtained from the patient’s own plasma) and vitamin complexes. A local anaesthesia is administered previously to the area being treated. Using a fine gauge needle, the substance is injected forming a homogeneous grid throughout the area.

In the case of injecting platelets and growth factors, the patient is given the extraction of a small amount of blood prior to treatment. This small amount of blood is centrifuged in the laboratory and from this plasma, rich platelets and growth factors are obtained, which are later administered to the patient in the treatment. As it is the patient’s own plasma, the risks of possible reactions or allergies to some exogenous compound are eliminated.

HOW MANY SESSIONS ARE NECESARY?

For the treatment to be effective, it takes about 4 sessions, one month apart. From the second or third session, the patient will observe a decline in the course of hair loss, and even a halt in the process. In the long term, it is advisable to perform a couple of sessions every six months to serve as a reinforcement, to coincide with periods of pronounced hair loss.

IS ANY COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENT NEEDED?

An additional treatment, consisting of specific vitamin complexes contra hair loss and special care with personal hygiene products, also specific against hair loss, is always advisable.

INTRODUCCIÓN

The healing of wounds in most individuals is usually optimal, leaving, at most, a small aesthetically imperceptible mark. However, in some cases scarring does not occur normally and hypertrophic scar appears. It is in these cases that various treatments can be performed aimed at recovering a more discreet and aesthetic aspect of the scar.

WHAT TREATMENTS CAN IMPROVE MY SCARS?

The number of things we have to improve the appearance of a scar begins with applications of natural oils to perform light massages. We also use silicone based creams or occlusive patches that have the effect of exerting uniform pressure on the scar. However, once these physical procedures have proved to be ineffective, the treatment of choice is the infiltration of the keloid scar with a mild corticosteroid.

This infiltration is performed with a very small gauge needle, making several injections throughout the scar extension. Lately, other procedures such as intense pulsed light or ultrasound have been employed in order to break the keloid’s collagen framework and improve its consistency, but the results are somewhat uncertain and do not constitute a first choice in treatment.

IS THE TECHNIQUE PAINFUL?

It is not a painful technique as very few injections are made into the scar therefore no previous preparation is necessary. The treatment is done in the consultation. The session lasts a few minutes and the patient can resume their daily activity with total normality.

There are cases of highly painful keloids with minimal friction that make it necessary to perform the infiltration sessions under general anaesthesia, otherwise it would be impossible to even touch the scar with the fingers.

ARE MANY SESSIONS NEEDED?

To achieve optimum results, between 6 and 8 monthly sessions are necessary. As the treatment progresses, the patient can observe the improvement that can be achieved. The appearance of the scar will improve in the medium term and the aesthetic appearance of it becomes very satisfactory.

WHAT IF THE TECHNIQUE FAILS?

If the results obtained over time are not satisfactory enough, there is always the possibility of surgically retouching the scar as there may be a possibility that the said keloid reproduces. There are people and certain body areas that have a tendency to form keloid scars.

INTRODUCTION

The existence of small superficial varicosities or spider veins in the face or lower extremities, is a purely aesthetic problem, the treatment of which being possible by visiting a specialist in aesthetic medicine. The treatment is usually done by combining the two techniques (vascular laser and sclerosis) that over the last few years have demonstrated greater efficiency and better results in the long term.

The doctor takes a clinical history to detect possible associated risk factors, pathologies and specific vascular history. It is complemented by an Eco Doppler study to determine the state of the veins, the deep and superficial venous system, the number of vessels affected and the gauge of the same. This will determine which cases with phlebosclerosis treatment is advisable.

WHAT DOES INTEGRAL TREATMENT CONSIST OF?

Depending on each case, the specialist in aesthetic medicine will combine the two most effective techniques to achieve the optimal result. These two techniques are:

Chemical sclerosis which involves the infiltration of each of the spider veins with  sclerosing alcohol, which in the medium term will eventually convert each varicose vein into a fibrous cord that the organism will gradually reabsorb. These infiltrations are performed with a small gauge needle and after topical anaesthesia of the region to be treated, in such a way that it is not an excessively annoying technique. It is done in the same consultation and, once the treatment is finished, the patient can resume their daily activities with complete normality, although a series of recommendations should be followed after treatment.

Photoesclerosis consists of the application of a laser of a wavelength specific for vascular treatments, on the spider veins. The effect of the laser is similar to that achieved with the sclerosing alcohol, and in most cases, it is performed after the infiltration of these spider veins to bring about the sum of the effects of the two treatments. This technique is painless and is also applied in the consultation.

SHOULD I TAKE SOME POST-OPERATIVE PRECAUTIONS?

The answer to this question is yes. It is necessary to avoid local heat and sun exposure during the days immediately following the treatment. In addition, it is necessary for the patient to wear support tights that compress the treated area (in the case of the lower limbs), thereby facilitating the local action of the sclerosant and preventing it from moving. Therefore, this combination of treatments is always performed outside of the summer season, to avoid excessive heat and accidental exposure to sunlight.

ARE MANY SESSIONS NEEDED?

The number of sessions needed depends on the number of lesions that the patient presents, but in general terms, between 3 and 5 sessions are usually sufficient to obtain acceptable results. The lesions that we eliminate in each one of the sessions disappear in the short to medium term and do not reappear. Nevertheless, it is advisable to have periodic reviews every 6 to 8 months to treat new injuries that may appear.

La remodelación corporal se plantea como una combinación de técnicas no invasivas para mejorar el

Body remodelling is a combination of non-invasive techniques to improve body contour and figure, such as in postpartum recovery, localized fatty accumulations, light overweight, flaccidity and soft cellulitis, etc.

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is a very low-dose intradermal drug delivery technique, in order to obtain a loco-regional and distant therapeutic effect. It is necessary therefore, to deposit the drug at a certain depth in the dermis by infiltrations with very fine needles.

Pressotherapy

Pressure therapy is a technique for performing mechanical drainage. This therapy helps to eliminate excess of superfluous interstitial fluids, accelerates the venous and lymphatic return and promotes total relaxation of the body, for a general improvement of well-being. The duration of the treatment is about 30 minutes and the number of sessions will depend on the medical criteria.

Radio Frequency

 It consists of applying heat through the skin with the use of a specific hand piece. This controlled heat results in an increasing amount of collagen in the skin and therefore a tightening of it, eliminating wrinkles.

Radio frequency can be applied to both the face and the body.

On the face: stretches and gives firmness to the skin defining the contours of chin and jaw; smoothens fine wrinkles around the mouth and on the forehead.

On the body: it reshapes the contours and softens the cellulite, promoting a harmonization of the silhouette and a loss of volume.

Manual lymphatic drainage

Manual lymphatic drainage is a variety of massages that acts directly on the lymphatic system through a set of soft and draining manoeuvres. Its beneficial effects on the skin are very positive as it activates circulation and helps eliminate toxins and fluid retention.

LPG (endermologie)

Endermologie is a drainage technique with roller and aspiration of the subcutaneous tissue in order to achieve a pleasant and relaxing kneading effect of the subdermal tissue, which causes an intense drainage effect. It is useful for patients susceptible to fluid retention, those with soft fatty accumulations and in post-operative liposuction.

Cavitation

It is a technique based on medical sonication that causes the rupture of the membrane of the adipocyte (fat cell) so that they release the inner fatty liquid. This effect is achieved thanks to the application of power ultrasounds that generate transitory cavitation, bubbles that implode in the vicinity of the fat cells, discharging a great amount of energy to break the membrane.

It is not a question of any surgical intervention but its possibilities are very similar to a liposuction on localized areas.

What is cellulite?

Cellulite or commonly called “orange peel” is an alteration of adipose tissue and dermis resulting from a complex process in which mainly poor blood circulation can be observed in the area.

This poor circulation leads to water retention (oedema and congestion) in the interstitial space. This causes a swelling of fatty nodes trapped between fibrous septa which leads to a bulging of the skin between the anchors of these septa.  This is the classic appearance of orange peel. Dilation of skin areas between dimples or sagging by septal fibres that do not spread.

In the early stages the alteration results in soft oedema, which can be controlled with therapeutic measures such as diet and exercise. However, over time, the entire process of cellulite formation can become chronic and create more inflammation, more oedema and greater fibrosis, which will result in causing the appearance of hard or fibrous cellulite that will be irreversible and can become painful in the long run.

Treatment against cellulite in Alicante

There is no star treatment to combat cellulite. A multidisciplinary approach should normally be considered in its diagnosis and treatment.

It is necessary to carry out a detailed study of the factors that may be affecting the patient and to perform a study of body composition to know what the most notable imbalances are.

With this information, the specialist doctor can obtain good results by developing a personalized plan where one can combine treatments such as diet, physical exercise and different medico-aesthetic techniques that include mesotherapy, presoperapia, lymphatic drainage, radiofrequency, LPG, cavitation, acupuncture, massage, kinesiotherapy, etc.