Procedures:non-surgical

Facial Rejuvenation:
Fotofacial RF / Cooltouch3

Becker Plastic Surgery is on the cutting edge of non-ablative facial rejuvenation. Non-ablative rejuvenation means that the procedures do not cause wounds that need to heal. The Fotofacial RF employs both intense pulsed light (IPL) and radio frequency (RF) to give the pleasing results we desire. IPL improves or eliminates hyperpigmentation, spider veins, and sun damage while the RF tightens the collagen and accentuates the effectiveness of the IPL. There are several other devices available that do "Photofacials", but without the radio frequency, they cannot deliver the same results as the Aurora "Fotofacial RF". Fotofacial RF is also done on the back of the hands and the upper chest. The CoolTouch3 is a 1320 Nd:YAG laser. Its primary effect is to heat and tighten the collagen in the upper dermis. This effect is seen in the improvement of fine wrinkles. The Aurora and CoolTouch3 can be used together to maximize results.

Acne, Rosacea, and Skin Care

The Acne and Skin Care Clinic is held every Tuesday. It began January of 2004 due to an ongoing need for greater availability of these cares in our community. Patients are now able to be seen within days or weeks, rather than months. Treatment may include improved skin care regimen, topical medications, oral medications, microdermabrasion, Photodynamic Therapy, and treatments with the Aurora and CoolTouch3. These new treatments are very encouraging, and offer a nice alternative to Accutane. They are also very helpful for difficult adult-onset acne. Additionally, the Aurora provides wonderful improvement of rosacea. The CoolTouch3 also improves acne scarring.

Hair Removal

The Syneron Aurora with hair removal light filter is a wonderful hair removal device that combines two technologies. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is the workhorse of the device. Radiofrequency (RF) makes the IPL much more effective. Typical hair removal devices include Diode laser, Alexandrite or Ruby laser, and IPL. In my opinion the Diode has worked best, followed by the Alexandrite, and then the IPL. I have found that when RF is added to IPL it becomes at least as effective as the Diode laser for dark hair. Additionally, the RF component makes the Aurora entirely more effective than any of the other devices for removal of light hair. It may take 2-6 treatments to reach your goal. Treatments are approximately 6 weeks apart.

BOTOX® Injections

BOTOX® Injections are performed to temporarily reduce or eliminate wrinkles. The areas treated include the long horizontal creases of the forehead, the furrows between the eyebrows, and the area of the crows feet. The injection causes a relaxing effect on the underlying muscles which are the cause for many of these wrinkles. Each series of injections is expected to last three to six months. BOTOX® Injections may be used to reduce deep wrinkles, but also may be used in a preventative fashion to stop mild wrinkles from becoming worse.
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Dermal Fillers:
Collagen, Restylane®, Radiesse™, and Adipose Injections

Dermal fillers are substances which are placed within or under the skin to fill out deep lines, wrinkles, and depressions. The most common is collagen. Collagen is placed within the skin layers with a tiny needle. Depending on your choices you may need a test dose 4 weeks before the actual injection. Zyderm®, Zyplast, Cosmoderm, and Cosmoplast are types of injectable collagen available at Becker Plastic Surgery. The injected collagen is temporary with repeat injections needed every 3-4 months. Adipose tissue is actually fat tissue taken from under the chin or tummy and placed with a large needle into deep folds or depressions of the face. Some of the fat is absorbed by the body, while some may be permanent. A second or third injection may be required. Restylane® is an injectable substance very similar to collagen called hyaluronate. It was approved by the FDA in December, 2003. It differs from collagen in one significant aspect in that it lasts much longer than 12 months. Dr. Becker is primarily using Restylane® as his filler of choice. Radiesse™ is also an excellent filler for deeper folds and lasts 1-2 years.
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Leg Veins
Sclerotherapy and the 1320 Nd:YAG Laser

Treatment of small red or purple veins (spider veins, telangiectasias) of the legs is usually done with sclerotherapy. This is the injection of a solution into the veins which causes them to collapse and stay closed. Veins that are collapsed are not visible. Numerous injections with a tiny needle are required. It will most often require more than one treatment. Larger ropey veins of the legs have traditionally been treated by surgical removal (stripping). A new, minimally invasive method is now available. Through a series of tiny incisions a fiber is placed into the vein and up the leg. Laser energy is then passed through the fiber which causes the vein to collapse, eliminating the variscen vein.
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Microdermabrasion Treatments

Microdermabrasion is a procedure that is performed to exfoliate and renew the top layers of skin. It is able to do this by the high volume flow of aluminum oxide crystals across the surface of the skin. This procedure is done over the course of 20 to 60 minutes. No anesthesia is involved and a patient is able to have the procedure done during a lunch break, reapply makeup, and be back to work immediately after. Dr. Becker was the first to bring microdermabrasion to Western North Dakota. All microdermabrasion is now performed at Spa D'Athena.
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