RESOLUTION:
I will recapture my youthful glow.
 
SOLUTION:
Chemical Peels
 
What it does: Removes dead, discolored skin cells and reduces fine lines.
 
Three basic types:
Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) is the least stringent but could require multiple treatments. Use it to smooth rough skin, clear up mild acne and reduce fine lines around the eyes and mouth.
Procedure time:  10-15 minutes.
Recovery: Expect minor redness and peeling.
Precautions: Wear sunblock after procedure.
 
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) usually stings a bit more but can be successful in a single treatment. Use it to treat acne, remove blemishes and even out skin pigmentation.
Procedure time: 15 minutes
Recovery: Expect some swelling and redness.
Precautions: Wear sunblock after procedure.
 






Phenol is an intense but effective treatment for sun damage, hormonal discoloration from birth control pills and aging. It also can help in the removal of precancerous growth. 
Procedure time: One hour or more.
Recovery: Up to two weeks of pain, swelling and no makeup. Schedule a ride home and help around the house for a few days.
Side affects: Eyes may temporarily swell. Can cause permanent discoloration.
Precautions: Sun protection must always be used in the future.
 
Anesthesia? Not needed.
Average cost: $65 and up.

SOLUTION:
Laser Resurfacing
 
What it does: Unlike chemicals and abrasion, lasers target a precise layer of skin, enabling treatment in the most delicate spots, including eye areas. This process helps eliminate acne or chicken pox scars, fine to moderate wrinkles and lines, liver spots and uneven skin tone.
 
Two basic types:
Non-ablative (non-wounding) lasers have recently been discovered to leave the outer layer intact and affect only the collagen-producing level.
Recovery: Negligible, although
multiple treatments may be required.
 
Ablative (traditional) lasers require a bandage over the treated area for several days to retain moisture and prevent infection.
Recovery: Several days, with light sensitivity for up to a year.
 
Anesthesia? Not needed.
Who shouldn’t do it: Those with fibrosis, blood or immune disorders, and patients who are taking acne medication.
Average cost: Varies greatly due to size and depth of area. Consult your doctor or medical esthetician.
 
SOLUTION:
Microdermabrasion
 
What it does: A mechanical device scrubs off the outermost layer of the skin using small crystals, which it then vacuums up along with dead skin cells. This
process unclogs pores, stimulates cell growth and reveals a new layer of skin that’s more receptive to moisturizers.
Procedure time: One hour or less.
Recovery: Mild swelling and redness should go away in a matter of hours.
Anesthesia? Not needed.
Who shouldn’t do it: Those with active rosacea, fragile capillaries, vascular lesions, widespread acne or psoriasis.
Average cost: $50-$100 per
treatment.
 
RESOLUTION: 
 I will get ready for swimsuit season.
 
SOLUTION:
Laser Hair Reduction
 
What it does: A hand tool emits a laser, which causes structural damage to the hair follicle and prevents re-growth in targeted areas. It finds the follicle by targeting dark-colored material (melanin).
Procedure time: Fifteen minutes to
several hours, depending on size of area.
Anesthesia? Not needed.
Number of treatments:  Eight or more visits, several weeks apart.
Who should do it: “You really need a person with darker hair for it to work best,” said Ricky Roberts, laser technician at Savannah Day Spa.
Side effects: Minor changes in skin texture, blistering or stinging.
Average cost: $75-$500 per treatment, depending on area.

SOLUTION:
Vein Therapy
 
What it does: Although there are laser therapies available, the current standard
practice is sclerotherapy, the injection of a solution into spider veins, causing them to collapse and eventually disappear. (Varicose veins, which are much larger, require surgical removal.) Multiple treatments deliver
optimal results.
Anesthesia? Not needed.
Side effects: Minimal, although veins will look worse before they look better.
Precautions: Avoid prolonged standing or sitting and hard, pounding workouts following the procedure.
Average cost: Varies depending on
condition.

RESOLUTION:
I will take years off my face.

SOLUTION: Botox
 
What it does: Small amounts of an FDA-approved serum derived from the botulism toxin are injected into areas of the face, temporarily paralyzing the muscles. This may reduce the appearance of some wrinkles, particularly around the eyes and on the forehead, as well as prevent the formation of new wrinkles.
Procedure time: 10 minutes.
Anesthesia?  Not needed.
Recovery: None.
Results last: Up to four months.
Side effects: Extremely rare cases of nausea, droopy eyelids and indigestion. 
Average cost: $200-$400 per treatment, depending on area.
 
SOLUTION: Dermal Filler
 
What it does: Small amounts of a cushioning substance are injected into the skin under a wrinkle or fold, pulling it taut for a smooth, youthful appearance.
Procedure time: 10 minutes to one hour.
Anesthesia?  Not needed.
Recovery:  “You can go right back to work afterward,” said Norma Jean Kelly, head nurse at Savannah Plastic Surgery.
 
Three main types:
Restylane is a formula based on the naturally-occurring hyaluronic acid usually found in human connective tissue. Since it doesn’t contain any animal products, Restylane’s manufacturers suggest it limits the chances for infection and allergic reactions. 
Juvaderm is also based on hyarulonic acid, but it takes the form of a gel, as opposed to Restylane’s granular base. In fact, all other fillers currently on the market use granular bases. Juvaderm has an FDA approval rating of one year. 
Collagen is the most common protein in the human body. It has great tensile strength and is the main component of cartilage, ligaments, bone, hair and nails. An animal-derived version of this substance is usually used to enhance the contours of the face, rather than repair lines and wrinkles. It requires an allergy test.
Average cost:  $550 and up per syringe.
 
RESOLUTION:
I will reclaim my high school figure.
 
SOLUTION:
Liposuction
 
What it does:  Only exercise can begin to approximate the svelte look you had back in the day, but this minor surgery can go the extra inch to remove stubborn fat deposits under anesthesia. Small incisions are made around the area, and a tool is used to loosen the fat from the muscle. The fat is then vacuumed out of the body and replaced with a sterile saline solution to minimize trauma and swelling.
Procedure time: Four to six hours.
Anesthesia? Yes.
Recovery: Due to effects from the anesthesia, plan on getting a ride home and some help around the house for the first day or so.
Who should do it:  Otherwise healthy and active individuals who have trouble losing weight in specific areas due to family history.
Results last: Permanently, when coupled with a healthy lifestyle.
Average cost: $4,500 and up.
 
SOLUTION:
Lipolysis
 
What it does: Free of incisions or anesthesia, this less invasive procedure involves injecting a phosphatidylcholine solution into affected areas to break down fat and cholesterol, which are then flushed out of the body.
Procedure time: One hour.
Anesthesia?  Not needed.
Recovery: Neglible.
Treatments required: Two to four visits. 
Results last: Permanently, when coupled with a healthy lifestyle.
Average cost:  Varies. Consult your
doctor or medical esthetician.
 
RESOLUTION:
I will smile more.
 
SOLUTION:
Chemical Whitening
 
What it does: Custom-fitted trays are filled with a whitening solution and worn over the surface of teeth, cleaning microscopic particles out of pores in the enamel. While many local dentists send the trays home for treatment, Dr. Brad Durham completes the procedure in his office using a special light to speed the process.
Procedure time: One hour plus prep and cleanup in the office, or one hour per day at home for roughly a week.
Anesthesia? Not needed.
Side affects: Minor, temporary temperature sensitivity.
Average cost: $300-$1,200.
 
SOLUTION:
Veneers
 
What they do: These thin strips of
porcelain are carefully contoured and affixed to the teeth, evening out the appearance of the mouth without surgery. “We can alter shape, shade, color and spacing,” said
Dr. Richard Thomas of Dental Designs
of Savannah.
Procedure time: Two visits required for correct fitting.
Anesthesia?  Not needed.
Results last: 10-15 years.
Average cost: $900-$1,600 per tooth.
 
See for Yourself
 
This article is intended as a starting point for your research into medical beauty, but it’s important to do your own homework. Go in for a consultation, ask lots of questions and take your time in making a decision. Prices and procedures may vary according to the body type and overall health of each patient.
The following local professionals can help you make your “new look” resolutions:
 
Brad Durham, DMD
234-8282
www.braddurhamdmd.com
 
Coastal Empire Plastic Surgery
920-2090
www.coastalempireplasticsugery.com
 
Finger and Associates
(866) 848-6606
www.fingerandassociates.com
 
Flawless Medical Spa
354-5150
www.flawlessboutique.com
 
Georgia Institute for Plastic Surgery
355-8800
www.mycosmeticsurgeon.md
 
Glow Med Spa
303-9611
www.glowsavannah.com
Richard Thomas, DMD
234-2944
www.dentaldesignsavannah.com
 
Russell D. Clemmons, DDS
355-2050
 
Savannah Day Spa
234-9100
www.savannahdayspa.com
 
Savannah Plastic Surgery
351-5050
www.savannahplasticsurgery.com
 
Scott Cohen, DDS
353-9533
www.scottcohendds.com
 
Choose a medical professional who makes you feel comfortable and remember that although these treatments can make a visible difference, there’s no substitute for a strong, healthy sense of self. n