IVANHOE NEWSWIRE - Your grandparents or parents probably had them and you could to. We're talking about the sagging, swollen skin that spans from under the eye to the top of the cheekbone. It is a condition called "festoons", which make you look tired and older. Now a new laser treatment promises to turn back the hands of time and reveal a younger looking you.
Hair stylist Donna Mart was tired of looking tired. Eye bags and swollen, puffy skin were dragging her down.
"I would get that comment frequently: ‘Did you not rest, are you tired?' Which isn't good. You don't want your clients thinking you're working on them tired," said Donna.
Festoons are primarily caused by sun damage. Swelling in the eyelids and upper cheek can make you look years older than you are.
Doctor Adam Scheiner's perfected a laser technique that can literally wipe away unsightly bags and festoons. It worked for Donna.
"The results since and the comments from my clients and everybody have just been phenomenal," Donna said.
Now it's Mindy Walley Dietterick's turn. She invited us along for her surgery.
"I can't wait to get this done and then look in the mirror and not have these things staring back at me," said Mindy.
"So what we can do is take swollen, sun damaged skin and make it smooth, tight and younger looking," Dr. Scheiner explained.
The laser zaps away the top layer of Mindy's skin. A second pass tightens it.
"This is like a reset button on the skin, they're actually going to grow their skin all over again and they are going to get brand new skin, almost like baby skin," said Dr. Scheiner.
Results will last as long as you stay out of the sun.
Dr. Scheiner is one of the only plastic surgeons in the country doing this procedure for festoons and has patients fly in from all over the world. The laser treatment costs start at $5,000.
RESEARCH SUMMARY
WHAT IS A FESTOON? A festoon is the term used to describe mild swelling or puffiness under the eyes. (SOURCE www.mayoclinic.com)
CAUSES: Festoons are the result of fat that migrate forward below the eyes due to the weakening of tissue structures and muscles that support the eyelids. Also, it can be caused by an accumulation of fluid due to changes in weather such as hot, humid days. Hormone levels and the consumption of salty foods can also cause festoons. Festoons cause swelling, saggy or loose skin and dark circles. (SOURCE www.mayoclinic.com)
TREATMENT: Dr. Adam Scheiner from the Tampa Eye Clinic offers a laser procedure that removes festoons. The procedure is called blepharoplasty, and it is performed on the upper and lower lid. The patient undergoes local anesthesia for one hour, while a laser beam makes a small incision, sometimes from inside the eyelid. Then, the fatty deposits are removed and the incision is closed with tiny stitches. The use of a laser beam for the incision reduces bleeding, discoloration and swelling because the laser is able to seal blood vessels. Also, there is minimal pain during recovery because of the use of a laser beam. The stitches are removed seven to ten days after surgery.
This procedure does not eliminate wrinkles, crow's feet or eyelid festoons, however it can be done with facial procedures such as Minimal Incision Brow lift or laser skin resurfacing.
CONSULTATION: Before the doctor can perform the surgery, a consultation is required in order to evaluate the patient's condition and health of the eye such as vision, tear production, use of contact lenses, use of medication and personal expectations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Tampa Eye Clinic
Adam Scheiner, MD
3000 W. Dr. M. L. King, Jr.Boulevard
Tampa , Florida 33607
(813) 877-2020
