Non-Invasive Procedures

Minimally and non-invasive plastic surgery procedures are becoming increasingly popular as patients look for more subtle effects and minor, discrete visual interventions that enhance their appearance.

There are many additional reasons to choose a less invasive procedure, including quick or immediate recovery, lower cost and the ability to tweak the aging process without undergoing a full-blown procedure.

At Somerset Center for Plastic Surgery we offer a full range of minimally invasive options that will have you looking and feeling your best with very little downtime.

Give us a call for individual solutions that address your needs!

Our New Lutronic eCO2 Plus™ laser is a non-invasive procedure performed to reduce facial lines and wrinkles and smooth your skin. It has a wide range of applications, from minimizing the visibility of scars to reducing skin blotches, discoloration, and sun damage.  Fractional laser treatments have seen 2 decades of popularity with doctors and consumers alike, and the cutting-edge eCO2 Plus laser is designed with the finest operating features on the market to ensure your safety and satisfaction. CO2 laser resurfacing treatments benefit those with skin in need of deeper repair.

After eCO2 Plus Treatment

Shortly after eCO2 Plus treatment, some swelling, redness and occasionally weeping will appear; this resolves in 3 to 5 days. While the swelling and redness is resolving, with the exception of the first few days after treatment, make up may be applied. In most cases, normal activity can be resumed within 3 to 5 days.

eCO2 Plus laser treatment reduces imperfections in the skin and promotes the regeneration of collagen to provide you with long-term wrinkle reduction.

The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, often referred to by its product name Botox®, is a popular non-surgical injection that temporarily reduces or eliminates frown lines, forehead creases, crows feet near the eyes and thick bands in the neck. The toxin blocks the nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles. Studies have also suggested that Botox® is effective in relieving migraine headaches, excessive sweating and muscle spasms in the neck and eyes.

Botox® injections take only a few minutes and no anesthesia is required. Botox® is injected with a fine needle into specific muscles with only minor discomfort. It is best to avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications one to two weeks before treatment in order to reduce the chance of bruising. It generally takes three to seven days for Botox® injections to take full effect, and will last three to four months.

As muscle action gradually returns, the lines and wrinkles begin to re-appear and wrinkles need to be re-treated. The lines and wrinkles often appear less severe with time as muscles are trained to relax. This simple procedure can be accomplished in our office here at Somerset Center for Plastic Surgery.

After Botox® Injections
Temporary bruising is a common side effect. Headaches can occur, but this is rare and they usually resolve within 24-48 hours. A small percentage of patients may develop eyelid drooping, which usually resolves within three weeks. Eyelid drooping is usually caused by migration of Botox®. For this reason, you shouldn’t rub the treated area for 12 hours or lay down for three to four hours after the injections.

Wrinkles aren’t your style and the “frozen look” isn’t either. For adults who want a natural look, there’s Dysport, a prescription injection proven to help smooth the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows without changing the look or movement of the rest of your face. Untreated muscles still work normally, so you can continue to express feelings naturally. It’s the lines that are minimized, not your expressions.
The majority of users see improvement in just 2–3 days after treatment. Dysport may help improve the look of your frown lines between the eyebrows for up to 4 months. Results of repeat treatments may be comparable to your first use. Another plus? There is minimal downtime after your treatment, which means you can get back to your day faster.

Lip Enhancement

Lip augmentation makes your lips fuller and more attractive by increasing their size. Whether you have thin lips or want to add a youthful fullness to your lips by reducing fine lines and wrinkles, a lip augmentation may be the solution you’re looking for.

Most lip augmentations take between a half hour to two hours, depending on the procedure. There many different types of lip augmentation procedures, each having specific pros and cons. Dr. Stein will discuss options with you to help you choose the best course of action for your desired results.

After Lip Augmentation

Lips may swell and hurt immediately after augmentation, but the swelling can be controlled with cold compresses. Talking and chewing should be avoided as much as possible in the first 48 hours after augmentation. Oral pain medications may be taken to control any discomfort, but most people report little discomfort in the days following the procedure. Lip augmentations provide temporary results that last between nine months and one year. The procedure can be repeated.

After an injection procedure, most people return to normal, public activities within a few days, though bruising and swelling can last as long as a week. If you are experimenting with a new look, you may want to begin with a temporary method. 

Facial Fillers, Juvederm, Volbella, Voluma, Vollure, Radiesse

The effects of gravity, sun exposure and years of facial muscle movement (smiling, chewing, squinting, etc.) begin to show their effects as we age, leaving laugh lines, smile lines, crow’s feet and facial creases. Injectable fillers can fill in these lines and wrinkles, and plump up creased and sunken areas of the face to restore a smoother, more youthful looking appearance.

Recently, non-collagen fillers that offer longer-lasting results have entered the field of cosmetic surgery. Dr. Stein uses Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane, Sculptra, Voluma and Volbella in his practice. The choice of filler Dr. Stein uses is dependent upon which area of the face your procedure targets and your desired results. Fillers may be used alone or in conjunction with a resurfacing procedure, such as microdermabrasion, or a re-contouring procedure, such as a facelift.

In your initial consultation, Dr. Stein will evaluate your face—the skin, the muscles and the underlying bone—and discuss your goals for the procedure. Fillers are usually administered in the office. If, however, you’re combining the filler procedure with another procedure (for example a mini-S, facelift or brow lift) your injections may be administered in the hospital in conjunction with the other procedure.

After a Filler Procedure

Immediately following treatment, you may notice some minor discomfort, stinging or throbbing in the injected area. Any redness that appears in the injected site usually disappears within 24 hours. However, in some individuals, particularly fair-skinned patients, this redness may persist for a week or more. Tiny scabs may also form over the needle-stick areas, but these generally heal quickly. No bandaging is needed and you are free to eat, drink, and wear makeup with sunblock protection shortly thereafter.

Injectable fillers are temporary, and you may want to repeat the procedure in nine months to one year. Non-collagen, injectable fillers are a new, exciting way of restoring a youthful appearance and are constantly being improved for longer-lasting, safe results.

JUVÉDERM®️ Collection of Fillers adds volume to a different area of the face—without surgery. Different formulations either volumize cheeks, smooth parentheses lines, smooth vertical lip lines, or plump the lips. The results are subtle and long-lasting. JUVÉDERM VOLLURE™️ XC is injected into the areas of facial tissue where moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds occur, including the “parentheses lines” around the nose and mouth. JUVÉDERM VOLLURE™️ XC is designed to temporarily correct facial wrinkles for a smoother appearance to the face. JUVÉDERM VOLLURE™️ XC lasts up to 18 months, with optimal treatment.
JUVÉDERM VOLUMA®️ XC As you age, the cheeks may flatten and the skin may begin to sag. This is caused by natural loss of volume in the cheek area, or what the experts call age-related midface volume loss. JUVÉDERM VOLUMA®️ XC is designed to add volume beneath the skin’s surface, which provides lift and contour to the cheek area. JUVÉDERM VOLUMA®️ XC provides natural-looking and long-lasting results that last up to 2 years with optimal treatment. JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA®️ XC injectable gel is for injection into the lips for lip augmentation and for correction of perioral lines, often called “lipstick lines” JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA®️ XC lasts up to 1 year, with optimal treatment.
Radiesse is an injectable cosmetic treatment used to fill deep facial wrinkles or folds. It works by improving the structure of the skin from the inside, where it stimulates your body’s natural production of collagen. Collagen—a key structural element of the skin—provides volume, strength and flexibility. Collagen is lost as part of the natural aging process, which causes the skin to sag into lines and wrinkles. Radiesse can be used to smooth these facial lines, from deep wrinkles around the mouth and nose to frown or worry lines on the forehead.
It can also be used to reduce the appearance of indented scars and skin depressions, and can be used to define the jawline and volumize jowls. Radiesse contains tiny spheres of calcium hydroxylapatite, which is naturally found in the bones and teeth. Once injected, collagen forms around the spheres and increases volume at the targeted area. Radiesse improves your skin’s strength and structure, and makes it smoother and more supple.

If you’re bothered by a double chin, you may want to consider Kybella™. Kybella™ is a non-surgical injectable that reduces moderate to severe fat on the upper neck area. The injection contains the naturally occurring molecule deoxycholic acid, which aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into the fat beneath your chin, Kybella eliminates the fat cells, removing the “storage space” for fat!

The Procedure

Based on your desired chin profile, Dr. Stein will customize your treatment with you, including addressing how many sessions are required to attain your goal. Your sessions will be spaced a month apart. During each session, the doctor will give you a series of injections and up to six treatments may be administered.

After The Procedure

Visible contouring of you chin profile may be noticeable in two to four treatments. Kybella™ is a permanent solution to a double chin, and retreatment is not expected to be required.

Kybella™ has been the focus of a global clinical development program involving over 20 clinical studies with more than 2,600 patients worldwide, of which over 1,600 have been treated with Kybella™. The FDA approved Kybella™ April 15, 2015.It’s the latest advancement in submental fullness that has shown great results!

HydraFacial uses a unique, patented Vortex-Fusion delivery system to exfoliate, extract and hydrate skin, and, the spiral design delivers painless extractions. HydraFacials can be performed on all skin types, including very sensitive skin. What is unique about this treatment is that it is highly customizable. HydraFacial super serums are made with nourishing ingredients that create an instantly gratifying glow in just 3 steps:
STEP ONE: CLEANSE + PEEL: Uncover a new layer of skin with gentle exfoliation and relaxing resurfacing. STEP TWO: EXTRACT + HYDRATE: Remove debris from pores with painless suction. Nourish with intense moisturizers that quench skin. STEP THREE: FUSE + PROTECT: Saturate the skin’s surface with antioxidants and peptides to maximize your glow.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a technique that helps repair facial skin that has taken damage from the sun and is displaying signs of aging.

This quick, non-invasive procedure is sometimes called a “lunchtime peel” because of how simple it is and usually only lasts about 15 to 30 minutes.

Dr. Stein uses a method called DIAMONDTOME that mixes a gentle abrasion with suction to remove the dead, outer layer of skin. Microdermabrasion exfoliates and resurfaces the skin, promoting the formation of new smoother, clearer skin. It is usually performed on the face and neck, but it can also be performed on any part of the body (such as the backs of the hands).

As with other skin rejuvenation techniques, more than one treatment may be needed to reduce or remove fine wrinkles and unwanted pigmentation. For best results, we advise a follow up with Clear +Brilliant, a gentle laser procedure.

After Microdermabrasion

Skin will turn pink immediately afterward, but this color will fade within a few hours. Makeup can be applied immediately and you can return to normal activities. This treatment offers subtle improvements in texture and the appearance of refreshed skin. The procedure may be repeated to achieve more dramatic results, and create smoother, younger-looking skin.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

As you age, sun damage and environmental pollutants damage your skin, creating lines and wrinkles on your face. Laser resurfacing can help minimize fine lines as they begin to occur, particularly those that form around the mouth and eyes.

Laser resurfacing uses a laser to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin layer by layer. Usually used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, facial resurfacing is also an effective treatment for facial scars and uneven pigmentation. Laser resurfacing can be done on the entire face or on targeted areas.

There are several different types of lasers for resurfacing the skin that range from one treatment to several, depending on the size of the area being treated and the severity of the skin condition.

After Laser Skin Resurfacing

You may experience some swelling and discomfort. Cold packs are usually recommended to reduce swelling. If a bandage was applied after surgery, it may be changed in a few days and then completely removed after about one week. Scabs may form and last for up to 10 days. If you experience pain, over the counter pain medication may be taken.

Recovery time depends on the depth of resurfacing and your capacity to heal. Redness may persist for several weeks or longer, but will gradually lighten to pink and then to a more natural color. Makeup can be applied about two weeks after the procedure to cover up redness, if you prefer.

Laser resurfacing generally removes most of the fine wrinkles and imperfections in the treated areas, but natural facial movements and expressions can cause some lines to reappear. Like most other methods of skin resurfacing, laser treatments may be repeated to maintain the desired results.

A Thermage FLX procedure is a non-invasive alternative to alleviate wrinkles and sagging skin that occur naturally over time. Results are immediate and can last for years. Thermage FLX is also an excellent companion to any liposuction procedure – especially for older patients, where sagging skin may be more pronounced.

Normally, the complete procedure can be performed in just one session. A session lasts anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours, depending on the treatment area. General anesthesia is not required, but Dr. Stein may offer light pain medications prior to treatment. During the treatment, you’ll feel a brief, heating sensation each time Thermage FLX delivers radio-frequency energy to the under layer of your skin. This indicates that your collagen is being stimulated and tightened.

After Thermage FLX Treatment
After treatment, your skin may be slightly red for a day or two. Most people resume regular activities immediately after treatment, with no downtime or special follow-up care. Side effects are generally mild and may include redness, swelling, blisters, and bumps, which usually disappear within a few days.

You should feel and see your skin becoming smoother, firmer, and tighter immediately after your procedure. You may also notice some contouring effects that will begin enhancing the shape of your face.

After the procedure, you should continue to see improvements to your skin as a result of the production of new and increased collagen, as well as some additional contouring effects due to continued tightening over time. These effects will continue for up to six months and you should see lasting results.

Venus Freeze – Lift Fx™ and Sculpt Fx™

The natural passage of time and long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight causes skin to become lax, lose elasticity and sag, which is one of the most visible signs of aging. A decrease in the number of the cells that produce collagen fibers, known as fibroblasts, and reduced dermal circulation, caused by fewer capillary loops, all play a role in the loss of elasticity by causing a diminished nutrient supply to the skin.
Venus Freeze Lift Fx™ and Sculpt Fx™ is an effective, non-invasive treatment that promotes the production of collagen and elastic fibers and improves blood flow, leading to healthier, more flexible and attractive skin. Improvement can be seen after the first treatment.

The Process

Venus Freeze Sculpt Fx™ and Lift Fx™ is a non-invasive, innovative treatment with proven clinical results. The treatment uses a combination of bi-polar radio frequency (RF) along with magnetic pulses that work in synergy to reverse the effects of skin aging.

The magnetic pulse component of (MP)2 induces the release of growth factors required for the sprouting new blood vessels, as well as proliferation of dermal fibroblast. Simultaneously, the RF component induces collagen and elastin synthesis by causing controlled thermal damage in the dermis, which triggers the self-repair mechanism of skin tissue.

The result is a marked improvement in skin tightness, elasticity and overall skin condition.

The procedure is pain-free and does not require any cooling agents or numbing cream. It’s also faster than other comparable treatments. Treatments can be done during lunchtime and can be faster than waiting in the grocery store check out line after work!