Don’t forget high SPF at higher altitudes…
Mar 8th
Scottsdale – As if living in the desert was not enough… apparently, going to higher ground increases sun damage to your skin. Reuters news story shows higher SPF 70+ formulation was very effective in protecting skin from sunburns under extreme ultraviolet light and sporting conditions. In the study, 43 golfers playing for an average of 4.5 hours each applied the sunscreen themselves. Twenty-one golfers applied the SPF 70+ sport sunscreen over the entire face before they went out to play golf. The sunscreen was reapplied again about half way through their golf game.
Dr. Darrell Rigel from New York University Medical Center presented his findings at the 68th annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
“You have to be extra careful at protecting yourself at high altitudes,” Rigel told Reuters Health. “People don’t realize how much additional sun you get at higher altitudes. It’s anywhere from an 8 percent to a 10 percent increase for every thousand feet of elevation. In the summertime, you can get anywhere from 40 percent to 50 percent greater sun intensity than at sea level.”
Dr. Rigel reported that golfers who started out with the SPF 70+ sunscreen on their entire face and then reapplied it to half the face two hours later had no skin reddening at the end of the 4.5 hours, and none of the golfers who used the SPF 70 formulation complained of sunburn. In comparison, 7 of 22 golfers who applied SPF 15 to half the face had noticeable skin reddening on that side.
In a study published last month in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Rigel and his colleagues reported similar results with ski instructors in Vail, who applied two different sunscreens – one with an SPF of 50 and the other with an SPF of 85 – to different sides of their face. The SPF 50 sunscreen was not enough to protect them from sunburn.
“They put the sunscreen on in the morning, before they went out and skied an average of 5 hours a day and when we evaluated them the next morning, the ones who used the SPF 50 formulation were burned,” he said.
The moral of the study here is that higher SPF formulations tend to protect you better at higher elevations, lasts longer and is more effective at preventing sunburns.
Plastic Surgery 101.
Mar 7th
Scottsdale – In our continuing efforts to educate patients, we are beginning Plastic Surgery 101 on our blog. Were going to deal with terms in plastic surgery. Here are 10 important terms to learn:
Abdominoplasty: A surgical procedure performed to flatten your abdomen by removing extra skin, fat, and tightening the muscles in your abdominal wall. This procedure is commonly referred to as a tummy tuck.
Acne: A skin condition characterized by the excess production of oil from sebaceous glands which become plugged.
Acne scar: This is a skin condition in which scars occur due to severe acne. Deep pits to scars that are angular or wavelike can occur.
Age spots: These are small flat pigmented spots that are most often seen on areas of the body that have been exposed to the sun over a period of years. Age spots usually occur in the hands and face, especially after the age of 40.
Albinism: An inherited disorder in which there is no pigmentation in skin, hair or eyes. This is due to the absence of melanin, the substance that gives your skin its color.
Alopecia: The partial or complete loss of hair.
Azelaic acid: A naturally occurring substance that can be used in skin care products.
Benzoyl peroxide: An antibacterial medication used to treat the bacteria which aggravate acne.
Blepharoplasty: A plastic surgery procedure that reduces bagginess from lower eyelids and raises drooping upper eyelids. Also known as an eyelid lift, the procedure involves removal of excess skin, muscle and underlying fatty tissue.
Breast augmentation: A plastic surgery operation designed to enhance the shape and size of the breasts.
Want bigger boobs? Consider a Scottsdale breast augmentation.
Mar 6th
Want bigger boobs? Consider a Scottsdale breast augmentation.
Breast augmentation in Arizona is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures at the AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center. Breast augmentation or boob augmentation is a breast surgery designed to create beautiful breasts, a true breast enhancement. Breast augmentation is performed using saline breast implants or silicone breast implants. A “true” breast enhancement entails more than just a breast enlargement. When performing breast augmentations, we make a conscious effort to establish the most beautiful breast shape possible.
Before and after breast augmentation photos.
Actual patient, breast augmentation before and after photos
in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Actual breast implant patient testimonial in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Considering a breast augmentation or breast implants in the Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona area? Please call (480) 970-2580 or use our contact form today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Missing genes as a cause of obesity?
Mar 4th
Scottsdale – There could be a genetic cause of some people’s obesity. According to new study findings, seven in every thousand morbidly obese people are missing a part of their DNA, containing approximately 30 genes. It is possible that such genes may be important in regulating your weight.
The researchers did not find these genetic variations in any normal weight people. In the UK, there are an estimated 700,000 morbidly obese people, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 40. The researchers believe that weight problems of one in twenty morbidly obese people are due to known genetic variations, including mutations and missing DNA.
Many more similar obesity causing DNA mutations, such as the one in this study, remain to be found, says the study team. The next step in this research will be to determine the function of the missing genes.
Previous studies have suggested that some of the genes may be associated with delayed development, autism and schizophrenia. The researchers plan to investigate the possible links between these conditions and obesity. (Source: ScienceDaily.com)
Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift (Mastopexy) and Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Seminar in Scottsdale, Arizona
Mar 3rd
Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift (Mastopexy) and Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Seminar in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Dr. Guerra completed another very successful plastic surgery seminar in Scottsdale, Arizona. The seminar focused on the breast augmentation, breast lift or mastopexy, and tummy tuck or abdominoplasty cosmetic surgery in Arizona.
Dr. Guerra went into details into each plastic surgery procedure and answered some very good questions. Being a Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Guerra enjoys educating the public in plastic surgery procedures so they can make an informed decision. Dr. Guerra is a big believer in education and through the seminars, community service and this specific blog he is able to highlight and discuss plastic surgery in more detail.
Dr. Guerra discussing under the muscle and over the muscle
breast implant placement at the Scottsdale seminar on March 3, 2010.
Interested in attending a plastic surgery seminar in Scottsdale?
The next plastic surgery seminar in Scottsdale, Arizona will focus on plastic surgery after major weight loss and will be held on Wednesday March 17, 2010 at the AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center. If you are interested in learning more about the body lift, thigh lift, extended tummy tuck or arm tuck cosmetic surgery procedure please contact our office so we can place you on the RSVP list. These educational seminars are very informative and patients appreciate the group environment in discussing these popular plastic surgery procedures in our beautiful state-of-the-art center in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Dr. Guerra discussing the armpit incision for a
breast augmentation at the Scottsdale seminar on March 3, 2010.
For more information on attending one of our plastic surgery seminars in the Scottsdale please call (480) 970-2580 or use our contact form to RSVP online.
What is sun damage?
Mar 2nd
Model showing signs of sun damage.
Scottsdale – Many patients ask what is sun damage? Here’s a quick and short version of what happens.
Sun damage occurs as a result of your skin being exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays. As UV rays are absorbed, they may cause cells to enter into photo-excited states, which may lead to the formation of free radicals in some skin cells. Free radicals lead to oxidation and cellular damage to occur. UV rays can also produce changes or mutations in the DNA (your genetic information) within the skin cells. Depending on which changes occur, the cells to may malfunction and act differently than normal cells.
With repeated exposure to UV rays, the skin is continually abused, and over time it struggles to repair the signs of sun damage. As the cells begin cellular replication and keratinization, the DNA changes caused by the UV rays are copied into new cells.
Eventually, visual changes on your skin surface may appear including hyper-pigmentation, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles. More serious conditions like actinic keratosis and even skin cancer could result when your DNA is damaged.
Plastic Surgery After Major Weight Loss Seminar in Scottsdale, Arizona
Feb 25th
Plastic surgery after major weight loss seminar in Scottsdale.
Dr. Guerra starting the plastic surgery after major weight loss seminar.
Dr. Guerra completed a successful plastic surgery after major weight loss seminar in Scottsdale, Arizona. The seminar focused on body contouring after major weight loss including body lift, thigh lift, arm lift, arm tuck or brachioplasty, breast lift, extended tummy tuck, and face lift cosmetic surgery. Dr. Guerra spent time going over each plastic surgery procedure and went over some actual patient before and after photos.
Dr. Guerra and the AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center enjoy educating the public in cosmetic surgery procedures so they can make an informed decision. Dr. Guerra is a big believer in education and through the seminars, community service and this blog he is able to highlight and discuss plastic surgery in more detail.
Interested in attending a plastic surgery seminar in the Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona area? Please call (480) 970-2580 or use our contact form to schedule a complimentary consultation.
What is a reverse tummy tuck?
Feb 23rd
Scottsdale – The reverse tummy tuck is a plastic surgery operation that is rarely used compared to a traditional Scottsdale tummy tuck. This operation is performed for patients whose problem is limited to the upper tummy. It is performed with an incision under the breasts and the skin is lifted instead of being pulled down.
A reverse abdominoplasty will have little effect on loose skin that is located below the belly button. Therefore, it is best for this surgery to be usually performed some time after with a standard abdominoplasty procedure has been completed, usually years later.
Reverse tummy tuck may be combined with a breast reduction or breast lift with or without breast implants. The scars from this type of plastic surgery are usually hidden under the breasts which is appealing to many patients. The incision may be visible in the mid-portion of the abdomen around the cleavage area, making this type of incision unpopular among many patients.
The advantage of reverse tummy tuck is easier exposure without having to work under a large skin flap. In addition, this cosmetic surgery operation is typically not long, in terms of time, which can reduce the amount of fluid loss and risks. It is possible to perform a reverse tummy tuck with a Scottsdale mommy makeover, including breast implants and lipo or liposuction during the same surgery.
