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Paul S. Howard, M.D., FACS
- Suite 211
3401 Independence Drive
Birmingham, AL 35209 - Tel: Click for phone number
- Fax: 205-879-3873
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- www.paulhowardmd.com
Answered Questions
Q:
Accent Laser for Skin Tightening
I have read that the Accent Laser is good for skin tightening. I have a small but noticeable amount of excess skin on my upper arms and inner thighs. Would I be a good candidate for this? Are the results permanent? What is usually the cost per treatment and on average how many treatments does one need to tighten skin? I have read different forums and it seems half are happy with results and half say don't waste your money. Any information would be helpful. I don't ever wear shorts that are very much higher than my knees and definitely never wear anything sleeveless. I would love to have my skin tightened, and without surgery would be a dream come true. I just want my old body back.
A:
There are several devices on the market that classify themselves in the "laser" category. These devices all claim a degree of skin tightening, but deliver minimal and short-term results. The particular device, Accent, is not a laser, but a radio frequency device that heats the skin and sub-cutaneous tissue. It is supposed to increase the collagen and thicken the dermis.
The results are not permanent, but some improvement can be seen shortly after each treatment. Usually 6 - 12 treatments a week or two apart are recommended, and return treatments to maintain the result are required monthly. Once the treatments are stopped, the skin returns to its former loose state.
Upper arms and inner thighs are notoriously hard to treat even with advanced laser and plastic surgical intervention. I would strongly recommend you consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery to help you develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
Q:
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I'm 5-feet 4-inches tall and only 107 pounds, but have extremely loose skin at my knees. Can the excess skin be removed with liposuction and, if so, how?
A:
Generally speaking, lipoplasty (liposuction) does not tighten loose skin. It is difficult to design skin-tightening procedures around the knees because the necessary scars are difficult to hide; however, there are procedures that can achieve improvement in this area. A combination of lipoplasty with some type of skin tightening procedure could be the answer, but this would have to be evaluated in a personal consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon.