Albany Plastic Surgery - Saratoga Cosmetic Surgeon FAQ

» Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is a Smoothbeam laser and how does it work?
A. The Smoothbeam laser is an infra-red laser. This laser treatment is non-ablative, which does not affect the skin's surface, but rather penetrates directly to the tissue below. The Smoothbeam laser targets water & tissue in the upper dermis, causing the rearrangement of collagen and the development of new collage. Which, in turn, causes tightening and smoothing of the dermis. It improves skin texture, tone and smoothness, which aids in improving the appearance of shallow acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles.

Q. Who is a good candidate for Smoothbeam laser treatment?
A. Good candidates for Smoothbeam laser treatments include physically healthy men and women who have realistic expectations and are looking to improve the appearance of their facial skin.

Q. What areas of your face can be treated with the Smoothbeam laser?
A. All areas of the face can be treated, especially around the eyes, and upper lip.

Q. What would I expect during my cosmetic consultation for Smoothbeam laser treatments?
A. During a consultation at the Williams Rejuva Center, the Cosmetic Nurse Practitioner will perform a routine examination and discuss your medical history and your goals. Photographs may also be taken of the areas to be treated. We will also discuss the details of the procedure, the potential risks, the recovery and the costs.

Q. Where will the Smoothbeam laser treatment be preformed?
A. Smoothbeam laser treatments are performed with in the Williams Rejuva Centers by highly trained Cosmetic Nurse Specialist's.

Q. Is the Smoothbeam laser treatment painful?
A. The Smoothbeam laser treatment can be painful. It is recommended that patients take 400-600mg of ibuprofen (Advil) one hour before treatment. Ice is also applied to the immediate area right before treatment making the treatment very tolerable.

Q. How long is the Smoothbeam laser treatment take?
A. Depending upon the size of the treated area, a laser treatment can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.

Q. What is the down time/recovery from the Smoothbeam laser procedure?
A. Most people leave to office with no sign of the treatment. SPF 30 Sun block will be applied to the treated skin prior to leaving the facility and should be used for a minimum of 2 weeks. We recommend that sun block be used on the face, on a continous basis to help prevent further sun damage.

Q. How many laser treatments are needed to see the results?
A. Smoothbeam treatments require 3-5 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart for visible results. Results peak at about two months.

Q. Are Smoothbeam laser treatments covered by insurance?
A. Laser treatments are typically not covered by insurance unless your insurance company covers cosmetic procedures.

Q. Is it possible to get financing for Smoothbeam laser treatments?
A. Financing is available for many facial plastic surgery procedures.

Blog Post

He wants to have surgery but I feel he is too young.

November 19th

My 8-year-old son is constantly teased because of his large ears. He wants to have surgery but I feel he is too young, is still growing and may regret having surgery in the future. What can I say to him to deter him from wanting this?

Obviously, a decision to have surgery on a child's ears should be a well informed decision and something that both the parents and the child wish to proceed forward with. In our experience, children at the age of 5 or older are good candidates for the surgery. This is the age when they begin to experience some degree of teasing at school and become more aware of their body image. At the same time the ears themselves have grown to close to their final adult size and therefore the surgery can be done safely and effectively at this age.

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One of my ears has always been slightly larger than the other.

November 17th

One of my ears has always been slightly larger than the other. I now have the financial ability to undergo otoplasty to fix my issue. What is the usual recovery time for such a procedure so that I can give my job notification?

Typically the recovery after otoplasty is approximately one week. There still may be some residual tenderness and mild degree of swelling after the procedure however most patients are able to return to work after one week.

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