Beautiful. Medicine.

The New Year has traditionally been the signal for us to evaluate the past year and make plans for the next. As we reassess the disappointments of the past, the excitement of new possibilities for the future usually leads us to make our “New Years Resolutions”.

We typically vow to start our diets and loose weight. We absolutely will adhere to our exercise program and schedule. This year we will plan for the future by managing our finances with more care and we will address any career concerns. Spending quality time with our family will be a priority and of course we will enhance our spirituality.

Perhaps this year, we could embrace a more eclectic philosophy and decide to embrace our sexuality. After all, sex has long been the force that excites our bodies and touches our souls; sexual energy dramatically optimizes our body’s functions by strengthening our immune system. Sex relieves mild pain. It releases us from physical and mental tension, stress and anxiety. It helps promote good sleep. Sex elevates mood, increases self-esteem, fosters intimacy and improves relationships, it connects us mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Maybe this will be the year we will make a resolution not over look our sexual health.

Happy New Year to you all!

Dr. Rhonda Fine

While options for tattoo removal include excision, dermabrasion and CO2 laser vaporization, selective short-pulsed laser treatment is the preferred modality.

Q-switched lasers

Initially, dermatologists utilized carbon dioxide laser vaporization to remove tattoos. These ablative lasers were problematic because they removed the tattoo pigment as well as the surrounding tissue, often resulting in dyspigmentation and always causing scarring.

The introduction of quality-switched (Q-switched) lasers has revolutionized tattoo removal. Utilizing the principle of selective photothermolysis, these lasers emit nanosecond pulses of energy at wavelengths absorbed by specific pigment chromophores, with relative sparing of surrounding tissue (The energy is converted to heat within the tattoo pigment, which fragments into smaller particles that are cleared by the lymphatic system.

The goal of treatment with Q-switched lasers is immediate tissue whitening. Treatment spots are applied with no more than 10 to 20 percent overlap, and fluence is selected so there is minimal or no bleeding. The classical Q-switched lasers can effectively remove black and dark blue tattoo ink. The Q-switched ruby laser is effective at targeting blue, black and green tattoos. The alexandrite is most effective for these colors as well as purple, lighter blue and turquoise, and is considered the treatment of choice for green tattoos. The Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is the device of choice for tattoo removal in Fitzpatrick type IV–VI patients, as this wavelength is minimally absorbed by epidermal melanin.

The green light 532 nm (Nd:YAG laser can be employed for red and orange tattoos. This laser effectively targets black and blue tattoos, and it has been suggested that newer-generation devices can improve recalcitrant cases . Patients should be cautioned that paradoxical darkening of white and cream-colored tattoos can occur, as the iron oxide- or titanium dioxide-containing pigment undergoes an oxidation-reduction reaction . It is best to avoid treating these light tattoo colors. If paradoxical darkening occurs, clearing can sometimes be achieved with additional treatments utilizing Q-switched lasers of different wavelengths.

Sheep embryos, sperm, even placenta — there isn’t much patients in search of the Fountain of Youth have not tried to slather on, ingest, or inject in the fight against aging. But what if this Fountain of youth lies in your own fat and blood? That’s just what some are beginning to say. We think the technology looks extremely promising — specifically with stem cells — but be patient, you may want to hold off on any treatments for now.

Here are two high-tech procedures that may revolutionize the war on wrinkles.

Stem-Cell Rejuvenation

You’ve undoubtedly heard about the controversy surrounding stem cells. First things first: “For cosmetic usage, we are working with adult stem cells, not embryonic stem cells,” says Dr Julio F. Gallo, Medical Director and Facial Plastic surgeon at The MIAMI Institute for Age Management and Intervention who has used the new stem-cell technology to enhance his face-lift procedures. How does it work? Dr Gallo  removes adipose tissue — fat — from your body under light sedation, then processes the fat to isolate the stem cells . The concentrated cells are then mixed back with some of the fat and injected into the face. “We are seeing amazing improvements in skin texture because there is greater regeneration of skin and tissue,” Gallo notes. And although fat injections are nothing new — and adipose has always contained stem cells — it’s the extraction of stem cells from fat and “turbocharging” them that’s creating buzz. “Results are much better because the concentration of stem cells is much higher versus plain fat,” explains Gallo.

 Blood Injections

“Vampire fillers,” so called not because they’re part of the Twilight craze but because they literally involve vials of blood, are another hot topic. At The MIAMI Institute, Dr Gallo begins by taking your blood and spinning it in a centrifuge machine to extract the platelet-rich plasma, known to be high in growth factors. “By injecting PRP below the skin like we do with dermal fillers, the theory is that the growth factors in the plasma will stimulate collagen,” says Gallo. A face with boosted collagen is a face with fewer wrinkles.

Do you want to be healthier but don’t know where to begin? Are you tired of feeling depleted, drained of energy? Do you recognize that you might be losing your vitality, your health, your “spark” and want to reclaim it now that the Holiday season is over? Most people want greater health, more energy, and vitality, but are battling with hectic schedules and no real time to overhaul their lives. Then try these 3 simple steps that will get you on your way to transforming your mind, body, and soul.

Replenish Your Energy

Energy is essential in this sleep-deprived, overstretched, high-speed world. How do we recharge our batteries when there is a constant drain on our resources? Get a good nights sleep. Eliminate Energy-Sappers From Your Diet, including sugar, and add Foods that are alkaline-forming include figs, molasses, green leafy vegetables, almonds, beets, dates, celery, canteloupe, and parsley.

Care For Your Skin

Skin is the body’s mirror of our inner health and wellness, both physical and emotional. For example, prolonged stress can affect appearance and accelerate aging of the skin. Exfoliate daily. Drink 15 glasses of water a day. Water bathes cells and eliminates waste products, preventing constipation. Add fiber to your diet. For men aged 19-50 years, 38 g fiber is recommended, and for men over 50, 31 g fiber is recommended. For women aged 19 to 50 years, 25 g fiber is recommended, and for women over 50, 21 g fiber is recommended.

Revitalize Your Spirit

Many of us go through the day with so many responsibilities that we don’t have even a minute to care for ourselves. Meeting deadlines at work, taking care of the kids, responding to that demanding client–we react and respond to the needs of others. It’s time to do some kind things to honor yourself. Once a day from now on, I want you to put sincere effort into being fully present. Give your undivided attention to what you’re doing. If you have a lunch date, enjoy being with that person, rather than thinking about that client meeting you had in the morning or stressing about the pile of work sitting on your desk.

Cosmetic Dentistry today has advanced, leaps and bounds over the last decade. These CT scans are the state of the art in the field of dental radiography. The CT’s provide a non-distorted 3-D image that is unmatched. The i-CAT’s computer controlled software delivers quick and easy reconstruction of critical anatomical information typically in under 30 seconds.

In line with our colleagues in the US and UK, in which major and minor dental procedures warrant the use of an i-CAT, Dr. Barsky now utilizes this state of the art technology.  The addition of the i-CAT places us at the center of patient care by providing a full continuum of services from diagnosis to treatment.

The i-CAT, the leader in Cone Beam 3-D Dental Imaging provides high-definition, digital imaging at reduced cost with less radiation to the patient and a typical scan time of only 8.5 seconds. We use this digital technology for clear, accurate images that can be easily stored. It’s an invaluable tool in proper diagnosis and treatment. It helps Dr. Barsky understand the relationship between your teeth, jaws, and occlusion (bite, or how your top and bottom teeth fit together). Before beginning an extensive cosmetic case or a Smile Lift, an I-CAT is offered, in addition to intra- and extra-oral photos and digital X-rays. The new results offered, explains what we see and helping you make an informed decision.

Call our office today to make your next appointment with our board-certified prosthodontist, Dr. Todd B. Barsky.