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When the winter months settle in and once the holiday festivities wind down, it seems a new year is upon us in the blink of an eye. What are your goals and aspirations? What’s your New Year’s Eve resolution? If you are like millions of Americans, the answer is clear: lose weight and feel better. In fact, according to a 2012 study published in the journal of Clinical Psychology, 38 percent of all New Year’s resolutions are to lose weight, and 47 percent are self-improvement related.

But how many actually keep these resolutions? The answer is stunning: Less than half of all resolutions are even kept for six months, according to the study.

Why pledge to look better and feel younger if your goals are may not come true? There is a better solution – cosmetic surgery in Pittsburgh from Premier Plastic Surgery and Dermatology.

The colder months are actually the best months to get plastic surgery for a variety of reasons. For starters, it’s the busy season for plastic surgeons. Often times there are specials available for people just like you who are contemplating trimming unwanted pounds, getting a facelift, or injection treatments to smooth out wrinkles. You might also have vacation time already scheduled so you don’t have to take additional days off to recover. If you have paid holidays, you can be, in essence, being paid to rejuvenate your body and mind.

Plus, when you get time off, it’s easy to get injection treatments such as Botox. It’s important, however, to choose the right person to perform such injections. The FDA doesn’t regulate those who administer such treatments, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. While there is no doubt these products work, we encourage you to do your homework when selecting the right medical professional to perform your procedure and other cosmetic surgery in Pittsburgh.

During winter months, routine post-operative care is also more comfortable. You may have to wear bandages, dressing, or tight compressions underneath your clothes after the surgery. With baggy sweaters or long coats in season, you won’t be expected to wear form-fitting outfits that may show off these dressings. Plus, you can dress more comfortably, catering your dress to fit the bandages underneath your clothes. The winter months also hamper many outside activities, which bode well for proper recovery. Bed rest and light activity are often prescribed for the days after cosmetic surgery. In Pittsburgh, the cold winters leave no temptation to go outside, giving you incentive to get the healing time you need.

Plastic surgery also makes a perfect gift for your special someone or family member. There is no better way to tell someone you care than by giving a gift that improves aesthetic appeal as well as self-esteem. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. In fact, the trend of giving plastic surgery as a gift is so prominent even the Boston Globe reported on it as far back as 2010.

Furthermore, such surgery is not just for the rich and famous. It’s become so commonplace that anyone can afford it. Financing options are readily available and prices aren’t as high as they once use to be.

More importantly however, is the fact that you owe it to yourself to look and feel better. It’s time to finally realize a New Year’s resolution that won’t fade six months later. Take charge of the way you look and feel.

It’s almost a new year; make it the year of the new you with cosmetic surgery in Pittsburgh.

Hair loss is a gradual process that can occur over years. Typically starting in a man’s mid twenties, it slowly thins the hair until the scalp can no longer produce strong, healthy follicles.

If you have been struggling with this condition, you probably have considered having a hair transplant. Pittsburgh men suffering from baldness should know about a new option that is delivering better results than traditional techniques. Our cosmetic surgeons are happy to offer the latest advancement in hair replacement treatment, known as NeoGraft. If you would like to see firsthand the difference this new device can make, schedule a consultation with a transplant surgeon to see some before and after pictures. You won’t believe the results. The surgeons and professional team at Premier Plastic Surgery has over ten years of experience with hair restoration.

The surgeons who have been offering the traditional strip method, or manual transplantation, are excited to offer this automated FUE method of hair transplant. Pittsburgh physicians are raving about this technique because of its accuracy. The appearance of the scalp from the donation area does not experience the scarring that is usually associated with the strip hair transplant method. As practicing professionals, they understand that the device’s accurate and gentle follicle removal and replacement is the foundation of quickened healing. It makes the hair restoration process easier on the doctors because they are able to remove the inexactness of previous methods. Best of all, the NeoGraft procedure increases the success rate of many qualified candidates.

Another key component of this procedure is that patient down time is greatly decreased. Patients don’t have to wait days to wash or brush their hair, or wait months before they can get a close haircut again. The NeoGraft device mimics the growth of the follicle and simply moves them with a similar placement by delicately moving the grafts. Now patients can begin their life anew, just one day after their procedure. Doctors are confident in the results that they have already seen and are continuing to see with new patients each day.

If you are interested in learning if you would be a good candidate for the NeoGraft procedure, schedule a consultation or give us a call today. Our helpful and friendly staff are standing by to answer your questions.

When it comes to skin care in Pittsburgh, options available to today’s patients are more varied than they have ever been before. From Botox to laser hair removal and hyaluronic acid products, cosmetic medicine offers options to fit most needs and budgets. Achieving beautiful skin can be just a phone call away.

One reason people seek cosmetic treatment is to deal with unwanted hair. Laser hair removal offers a nearly permanent solution to unwanted hair on just about any area of the body. Acqua Blu Medical Spa treats the legs, face, and back on a regular basis.

But lasers are not just used to treat unwanted hair. ST laser technology can renew the contours of the face and tighten baggy skin without surgery, making patients look more youthful. They can also remove or diminish the look of broken capillaries, spider veins, and lesions on the skin.

Wrinkles and fine lines can make a patient look years older than he or she really is. Botox/Dysport and other dermal fillers offer a long-lasting solution to deal with these problems, without the invasiveness and risks of a face lift of other cosmetic surgery. Injections of fillers, like Botox/Dysport, have less of a risk than surgery as well.

Acne scars, large pores, and very fine lines will not respond to injectable fillers. For these types of problems, microdermabrasion is one option for skin care in Pittsburgh. Acqua Blu Medical Spa offers several chemical peel options that can even out the appearance of the skin, leaving it younger looking and less damaged.

If you are considering a professional medical option for skin care in Pittsburgh, give us a call. We are ready to help you realize your dream of healthy, younger looking skin.

For people struggling with unsightly, unwanted hair in Pittsburgh, laser hair removal provides a long-term solution. While it cannot be called permanent, this treatment does eliminate many hairs by directly attacking the hair follicle, making it difficult for the hair to re-grow. With the right series of treatments, many patients find they are rid of these hairs, and if they do crop back up over time, a simple follow up treatment effectively eliminates them.

If you are interested in Pittsburgh laser hair removal, you will need to prepare your skin and hair for the procedure. Always follow the advice of your plastic surgeon carefully when opting for this procedure. Here are some general guidelines that you might be given.

First, do not do anything to your skin and hair that might disturb the hair follicle. Typically, this includes waxing, plucking, and electrolysis. This can interfere with the laser procedure. If you want to get rid of the look of your unsightly hair, shaving is typically considered ok, and some doctors think it will improve your results.

Next, stay out of the sun as much as possible, and use sunscreen when your skin is exposed. Having a tan makes the chance of side effects even greater. If you already have a tan, you will need to let it fade before you have the procedure, unless your doctor feels differently. This is the same for tans from the sun, tanning beds, or sunless tanning products. The issue is the pigmentation in your skin, not the source of the tan.

If you follow these guidelines as well as any others that your Pittsburgh laser hair removal doctor offers, you will have excellent results from your treatment.

While a tattoo can seem like a great idea at the time of its application, it’s not uncommon for those who wear ink to feel a twinge of regret later in life and possibly even seek out tattoo removal. Pittsburgh patients should consider laser removal.

One factor that many don’t take into consideration is the tendency of body ink to fade over time, leaving a blotchy and irregular design that is both unattractive and wholly dissimilar to the original version. Crisp lines can become “fuzzy” and once-vibrant colors will dim into dull, muddy versions of themselves. In this case, one’s options are to either retouch the tattoo’s colors– a process that will have to be periodically repeated over the individual’s lifespan– or have it removed altogether.

In addition to the subtle long-term deterioration of physical ink of the piece, there are also more obvious factors — such as regret — to consider. Who is the same person they were ten years ago? Some choose to have a person’s name or a special design permanently inked on them, later finding that the image that they chose is no longer attractive to them — or, worse, that the writing serves as a painful reminder of a person who is no longer in their life. Additionally, societal standards against tattoos ensure that many employers will look down on applicants with prominent ink, which can in turn severely reduce an individual’s chances of employment.

In all of these cases, tattoo removal Pittsburgh can offer an effective, safe way to eliminate the unsightly image. Although getting a tattoo is an intensely personal choice and should be considered with long-term consequences in mind, this exciting, state-of-the-art technology called Med Lite C6, offers an option for people who have considered all the factors and decided to start over with a clean slate.

At Acqua Blu Medical Spa & Plastic Surgery Center we are well-known for helping men and women remove a tattoo that seemed like such a good idea at the time but now…not so much. The MedLite C6 laser is an excellent choice for tattoo removal because its unique combination of short wavelength light and rapid, high intensity pulses maximizes the destruction of skin pigmentation and tattoo inks. The MedLite C6 also preserves surrounding skin and minimizes scarring by focusing its light energy only on the ink of the tattoo, causing it to break up and be naturally removed by your body’s cleansing process. Tattoos use a wide variety of ink colors, and MedLite C6 is able to remove practically all shades of ink, with the exception of certain shades of green and yellow, which are difficult or impossible to remove with any current laser technology. Repeat treatments over a period of several weeks are usually required to achieve the best results. Patients on average see a 90 to 95% reduction in the appearance of their tattoo. To schedule an appointment call Acqua Blu at 412.835.555

As you finish the holidays and begin the new year, you might be preparing for spring and summer, when you can shed the extra layers of clothing and greet the warm sun. Of course, to aid this transition, you may need proper skin care. Pittsburgh‘s Acqua Blu Medical Spa and Plastic Surgery Center offers a variety of treatments to help you, both cosmetically and medically.

To improve your skin’s complexion and tone, we offer many non-surgical treatments, including laser hair removal and skin care. Pittsburgh residents who are ready to prepare themselves for the warmer months will find many viable and efficient types of treatment at Acqua Blu Medical Spa and Plastic Surgery Center.

Of course, our areas of expertise in skin care extend far beyond the cosmetic, including skin cancer screening and treatment, mole evaluation, removal of benign skin lesions, treatments for adult and adolescent acne, rosacea, chronic skin conditions (psoriasis and eczema), hair and nail disorders, skin infections, and allergic and immune skin diseases. We are able to tailor your skin treatment to your precise needs, utilizing all the newest methods and technology to achieve professional results.

Our skin care staff includes Ana C. Busquets, MD, FAAD, a Harvard graduate and a member of the Cleveland Dermatological Society, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Academy of Dermatology. If you are interested in learning more about our programs for skin care, Pittsburgh‘s Acqua Blu Medical Spa and Plastic Surgery Center staff is ready to attend to your needs and schedule you for a consultation. Please call 412.835.5550.

Holidays are a great time to spend with family and friends, but this time is also notorious for the great parties and loads of food. After the holidays are over, you may be feeling a little heavier than usual, but nothing a little diet and exercise won’t whip back into shape, right? Not for everyone!

For many people, dieting and exercising are simply not enough to lose the weight they desire or need to lose in order to be healthy. Without turning to surgical options, including liposuction and tummy tucks, there are several non-surgical and effective programs available for weight loss. Pittsburgh’s Acqua Blu Medical Spa and Plastic Surgery Center offers FDA-approved appetite suppressants with meal planning, under guidance of our medical director, Pittsburgh plastic surgeon, Dr. Brian Heil.

Each individual is analyzed for their personalized needs based on age, sex, activity, muscle mass, and medical history, which allows us to produce a healthy program for your weight loss. Pittsburgh residents that are ready to embark on a healthy solution for weight problems must first schedule and consultation so that we may determine eligibility. Once accepted, there are three different phases that will program your body into burning fat.

During the first phase of the program for weight loss, Pittsburgh patients must come in for a weigh-in and body analysis, physical exam, program counseling and guides for a personalized diet plan. Energy-boosting vitamin shots and appetite-suppressing medications for those that qualify is an important part of the process.

During the next step of the program for weight loss, Pittsburgh patients who have completed the first two weeks and have lost up to 14 lbs in those two weeks, will enter into Phase 2 of the program. During this phase, patients will introduce a sensible meal of lean protein and vegetables, as well as the continuation of protein shakes, supplements and nutritional counseling.

Phase 3 is considered the maintenance phase. This phase includes patients who have reached their personal goal weight. To maintain goal weight, protein shakes as well as other protein dietary products are recommended for breakfast and before bed. In addition, a wider variety of foods can be added to the diet. If at any time a patient would like to lose more weight, the phase 1 liquid diet can be referred back to.

If you are interested in learning more about our non-surgical programs for weight loss, Pittsburgh’s Acqua Blu Medical Spa and Plastic Surgery Center staff is ready to attend to your needs and schedule you for a consultation. Please call 412.835.5550.

As you are getting ready for the holiday season, you may be looking into different options to improve your looks. If you are not ready for a full-blown cosmetic surgery procedure, you may consider injectables at our medical spa. Pittsburgh residents often come in to Acqua Blu Medical Spa and Plastic Surgery Center to inquiry about Botox, Dysport, Juvederm, Restylane and other products on the market that can improve the look of your skin.  As you consider injectables, Pittsburgh plastic surgeon, Dr. Heil and Pittsburgh dermatologist, Dr. Busquests can recommend that you be aware of the function of each of these common dermal injections.

Botox or Dysport can be used to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles on the forehead, neck, and around the eyes. The procedure tends to take less than 15 minutes, and you will be able to go back to your regular activities afterward.  Botox and Dysport actually paralyzes the facial muscles into which it is injected and the effect lasts about four months. Immediate side effects usually include bruising around the injection area, which usually goes away quickly and can be covered with makeup. These injectables are also temporary, which means that if you did not like the results, it will wear off with very little risk of permanent damage.

Juvederm, a hyaluronic acid injection, is often used to address laugh lines and any other lines that surround the mouth. Juvederm can also add fullness to the lips. Wrinkles are smoothed over by pushing previously sunken skin up and adding volume to the layer underneath. Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the body and acts like a sponge to attract and hold in water for ultimate moisture and volume. If you want to use only the most natural products on your body, Juvederm could be the best treatment for you.

Restylane also works to restore volume and eliminate wrinkles and under-eye hollows. Restylane also uses hyaluronic acid and when injected under the skin, results can last up to six months. Restylane injections intended to make lips fuller can last about 9 months. As for side effects, you can expect some redness and swelling for about two days after treatment and sometimes bruising occurs. Otherwise, the recovery period is fast, and only a topical anesthetic will be needed before applying the injection.

Many doctors can administer Botox, Dysport, Juvederm, Restylane and other soft tissue fillers, which is why the dangers of each, vary. If you do not do adequate research on your selected doctor, you might have problems no matter which filler you choose. If you are having trouble choosing which treatment is right for you, step into our Acqua Blu Medical Spa.  Pittsburgh plastic surgeon, Dr. Brian Heil, is the medical supervisor and our experienced staff can consult your options and implement the right option for you.

Tweezing, shaving, waxing and depilatory creams are traditional methods for getting rid of unwanted hair, but these options are not permanent and need to be repeated continually. With new progress in laser surgery, Pittsburgh specialists at Acqua Blu Medical Spa and Plastic Surgery Center have a better option: laser hair removal.
On smaller areas of your body, you may just consider plucking the hairs out. This method works, but often leaves the area red or swollen and has to be redone every few weeks. Shaving is another option, but this must be repeated every day or so to maintain smoothness. Depilatory cream is yet another choice, as is waxing, but both of these methods must be redone often and can cause burning and irritation.

Laser hair removal uses light to damage the follicle and stop growth. The procedure is done in multiple sessions over time in order to fully inhibit follicle growth. This takes approximately six months to achieve complete eradication. After that time, you will no longer need to shave, tweeze, wax or use any other methods to eliminate unwanted hair.

If you think hair removal is a great advancement in laser surgery, Pittsburgh professionals have several other laser treatment options to make things easier on you too. For acne treatments, numerous acne creams can be replaced with new developments like Blue Light PhotoDynamic Acne Treatment. Other unsightly skin conditions, such as spider veins from aging or pregnancy can also be treated using similar laser surgery methods. Laser options have come very far in the last few years and can offer you some great alternative options to traditional methods for skin care, hair removal and anti-aging treatments.

If you are looking for complementary or alternative treatments to your current skin care regime using laser surgery, Pittsburgh specialist are ready to consult your options at Acqua Blu Medical Spa and Plastic Surgery Center!

Though summer has ended in Pittsburgh, laser hair removal is a good way to get rid of hair – long-term – so that you can be ready to show your smooth legs, arms or bikini area this spring.

Before you decide to come in for laser hair removal, there are some things you should know. First, the procedure may not work for everyone. Laser hair removal works by using a beam of light to damage the hair follicle so that hair will not regrow in the future. However, the damage to the hair follicle may not be permanent, so it is not guaranteed that you will be hair free forever. In most cases, laser hair removal must be conducted over a series of sessions to receive the desired long-term result. Sessions are usually quick and do not require excessive time to be scheduled.

People with light skin and darker hair are the best candidates for laser hair removal. If you have darker skin, you can still undergo the procedure, but know that the process affects the skin’s melatonin and thus, can leave uneven spots on the skin. However, there are new methods of laser hair removal, specifically designed for those with darker skin. Consulting your doctor is the best way to understand what options are out there and what kind of results you can expect.

Generally, laser hair removal is safe, but there are some risks and side effects. Sometimes, the skins surface is slightly irritated and can scab. The skin may also feel extra sensitive and temporarily, be darker or lighter than usual. For these reasons, laser hair removal may be best conducted when you do not plan to be exposed to the sun.

Consulting your doctor is necessary to get a good idea of what you can expect with laser hair removal. You should discuss your medical history, including any medications you are taking, some of which could interfere with the results. Your doctor should also let you know how to prepare for your first laser hair removal session and how to heal correctly after the procedure.

Acqua Blu Medical Spa Pittsburgh laser hair removal specialists are ready to consult with you.