Articles About Non-Surgical Procedures

When I was a medical student, Linus Pauling visited our medical school and gave a lecture. Dr. Pauling had won a Nobel Prize for a vast body of work in chemistry including the elucidation of the chemical structure of proteins. His talk, however, had nothing to do with any of the topics for which he was famous. Instead, he spoke of the benefits of massive daily intake of Vitamin C, most notably its ability to influence aging, slowing the whole process. His conclusions were without scientific merit. The talk was really nonsense, in the end. There was simply no scientific evidence [...]

LATISSE® is a topical prescription product from Allergan. The FDA has approved Latisse, the first drug to promote eyelash growth. It is produced by the company Allergan. LATISSE®, contains the active ingredient of the glaucoma Drug Lumigan, which is also made by Allergan. It is by prescription only. Eyelash Growth is a known side effect of Lumigan. But Lumigan and LATISSE® are used differently. Lumigan is an eyedrop, and Latisse gets dabbed along the lash line on the upper eyelids to promote longer, thicker, darker lashes. LATISSE® users can expect to experience longer, fuller, and darker eyelashes in as little as eight weeks, [...]

Everyone loves lasers. In the past two decades various lasers and other electromagnetic energy delivering devices (ultrasound) have been introduced into liposuction. The manufacturers claim that lasers do a better job of removing fat or improve the final result by tightening skin. The science behind this is very weak to say the least. I personally have experience with liposuction assisted by ultrasound and three different types of lasers. All of these electromagnetic energy delivering systems have a target molecule that converts their particular wavelength into heat. That is, the common currency for all of the systems is heat. Why one manufacturer’s heat is [...]

Rhinophyma is a deformity of the nose that is created by exuberant growth of the sebaceous glands.  It is a benign condition although it can, on occasion, contain basal cell carcinoma. It’s growth is insidious and afflicts individuals with fair complexions, almost exclusively males. If one finds the condition embarrassing, there is no reason to live with it.  Laser reduction is easily perfomed in less than an hour.  A general anesthetic is preferred and the convalescence is easy although the nose will look unsightly for a week or so. Recurrence is possible, but rare after thorough reduction.