The quest for everlasting youthfulness is nothing new. For centuries, humans have put a great deal of effort into building that proverbial fountain of youth. We’ve come close, too! There is no time like this in history to age. We say that because aging has some antidotes. From Botox to bioidentical hormones, there are more than enough choices to look and feel younger. This can be beneficial, but the plethora of anti-aging treatments can also lead to confusion.

We’ll fess up here a little bit and say that the power of injectables and other non-surgical treatments is only one reason why men and women may be shying away from facelift surgery. Another very prominent reason is that we have all seen the downside to poorly performed lifts. There’s no need to point out high-profile celebrities whose facelifts went wrong. What we do want to point out is that it isn’t the procedure that’s to blame.

There are steps that facial plastic surgeons now take to reinstate youthfulness without distracting from natural beauty. Gone are the days of obvious, over-tightened faces. Today, facelift surgery aims to recreate the structure that was present years prior. Lifting is only a small fraction of what brings about the desired result.

Facelift Surgery Results

• Lifting is less dramatic. Over time, it has become apparent that tightening tissue over the skeletal structure of the face could backfire. Yes, there is a need to reposition tissue to a higher position. The difference with today’s surgeries is that this repositioning is more conservative.
• The volume takes center stage. Tissue laxity is only one of the changes that age the face. Lifting tissues provide some benefit while adding volume to pivotal areas is the icing on top. One of the best ways to complete the facelift process is to add fat cells to the cheeks or another area of depression, such as the temples. Fat injections last much longer than dermal fillers, and ultimately look and feel the most natural – because it’s your fat!
• We see you. When people are considering facelift surgery, they are often encouraged to look at or show their surgeon a picture of themselves from about 10 years ago. The point of a surgical lift is to reinstate that appearance, not to create something new altogether.

Are you interested in the long-term results of a facelift? Learn more about how this procedure is performed and what it can do for you when you visit our Denver office or call (303) 839-1616.

Double eyelid surgery is commonly referred to as “Asian eyelid surgery” due to the fact that most people who choose to have this surgery performed are Asian. Approximately 50% of the entire Asian population has a crease and fold in the area right above their eyelashes, and Asian eyelid surgery creates a crease and fold in the eyelid for those who don’t have one or for whom it is asymmetric or indistinct.  Once it is healed, the patient will have a fold that runs parallel to the origin of the eyelashes.

Dr. Robert G. Fante at the Fante Eye & Face Centre has performed Asian eyelid surgery on hundreds of patients over the years, and he is one of the most highly respected cosmetic surgeons in the area. If you’re considering having blepharoplasty, you want to have it done by someone with Dr. Fante’s knowledge and experience. Our cosmetic surgery team is kind, compassionate and patient, so any questions you may have will be answered prior to the day of surgery. Should any questions arise after the surgery, we’ll be right here for you to help your recovery be as comfortable and short-lived as possible.

Caucasian vs. Asian Eyelids

When comparing Caucasian and Asian eyelids, the eyelid fold position is one of the main differences you’ll find. Asians who do not have the crease present above their eyes will not have a fold and will have a different appearance than Caucasians. As the crease progresses away from the nose, it becomes slightly higher until the pupil’s midpoint, and this is where the fold will run parallel to the eyelash origins.  Asians overall usually have a lower eyelid crease than Caucasians, and usually have a more prominent epicanthus, the name for the vertical fold near the nose.

Caucasian eyelids are different in size and shape, although the differences are not dramatic. Typically, the eyelid will taper closer to the eyelashes near the nose, and the fold will be flat, or even drop laterally,—hence, it is not always parallel to the eyelashes. The space for makeup will be about 20% larger than the Asian eyelid since the crease and fold are typically higher. The main goal of Asian eyelid surgery is to create a natural-looking Asian crease, and that is exactly what Dr. Fante will do should you choose to have this surgery performed.

There are a variety of surgical techniques for Asian eyelid surgery, so a thorough medical history and physical examination are the first steps necessary to plan the best course of treatment for your eyelid concerns. Dr. Fante and his team will explain the options to you, discuss the most favorable operative technique for your particular case and answer all of your questions.

To learn more about Asian eyelid surgery, stay tuned to the Fante Eye & Face Centre’s blog to find out what to expect as you recover from eyelid surgery (medically known as blepharoplasty). Please contact our office to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Fante. We’ll get you in as soon as possible, and we’ll let you know if Asian eyelid surgery would achieve the goals you have in mind.

Do you feel like your skin has become more sensitive with time? Are there certain products that cause itching and a rash when you use them? Frustrated with buying new products and not knowing if your skin will tolerate them? Well, patch testing, a procedure available at our dermatology practice in Denver, can help determine if a product may be right for your skin or not.

Common forms of skin allergic reactions to products

Dermatitis, or eczema, is a common skin condition that many patients experience – manifested by a red, scaly, sometimes itchy rash on the skin.  There are many types of eczema.  One of the more common types is irritant dermatitis – where certain products, mainly personal care products and cosmetics, cause burning or stinging with application.  There is also a form of eczema called allergic contact dermatitis – where one develops an allergic reaction to a product.  This can be to a new product or one that has been used for years.  The most common causes of these allergic reactions are preservatives, fragrances, and sunscreen agents found in products.

Are natural products the solution?

As our society becomes increasingly aware of allergic reactions and favor natural products, many more botanicals are being used in skin care products.  People often feel that because a product is natural it is good for the skin.  The problem is that many of these natural products contain botanicals, which people can become allergic to as well, leading to a rash with use.

Consider patch testing: knowledge is power

It can be frustrating for patients to ignore whether a product will cause their skin to react. Through the use of a special procedure, called patch testing, patients can learn which ingredients they are allergic to and start avoiding products that contain them.  Patch testing allows your dermatologist to recommend specific products that are right for your skin and will not cause a reaction. Knowing what to avoid is a powerful tool for allergy-prone shoppers who are trying to decide between the myriad of skin care products available on the market today.

Patch testing involves three visits to the office.  On the first visit small patches containing the most common allergens are applied to your back.  48 hours later you return to have these patches removed and a grid is drawn on the skin. The final visit is one week after the first and at this visit you will find out which ingredients you may be allergic to and are educated on how to avoid them.   A list of products that are safe for your skin will also be provided at this visit.

Tired of guessing if you will develop or not an allergic reaction to a skin care product? Wait no more. Schedule an appointment with one of SkinCare Physicians’ dermatologists in Denver to get your patch testing.

Chances are that you or someone you know has psoriasis. It is an incurable, non-contagious autoimmune skin disease that affects 3 out of every 100 Americans. Thankfully, remarkable progress in the treatment of psoriasis has recently occurred and dermatologists at SkinCare Physicians can now select from a multitude of therapies.

Living with psoriasis is often physically and emotionally disabling. Sufferers deal with intense itching, cracking, bleeding and flaking of their skin that can interfere with sleep, relationships, work and daily functioning. Unfortunately, the psoriasis condition commonly leads to feelings of despair, hopelessness and depression.

The good news is that the science of psoriasis therapies is evolving quickly. The wide variety of treatments available today enables our psoriasis specialists in Denver to personalize the care for each patient suffering from the disease, regardless of type and severity. New topical lotions, foams and sprays have replaced the messy ointments of the past. Phototherapy is more precise, and laser treatments are now a reality. However, the greatest advance is the development and approval of biologic therapies to treat those with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Medications such as Enbrel, Humira, Remicade and Stelara directly address the excessive inflammation that is core to the problem underlying psoriasis. These agents offer hope for dramatic skin improvement as shown in the photos below, and potentially a long-term solution for this chronic disease.

Even better therapies are on their way. Dermatologists at SkinCare Physicians, who have led the way with clinical research on existing biologics, are now focused on the next generation of novel psoriasis treatments including other self-injectable medications and oral pills. It is an evolving and exciting time, and our Psoriasis Treatment Center in Denver has never been more equipped to help patients manage this disease.