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WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP TO DISCOVERING IF A FACELIFT IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Friday, September 24th, 2021

WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP TO DISCOVERING IF A FACELIFT IS RIGHT FOR ME?

One might think the first step is to call your local facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon or cosmetic surgeon and schedule a consultation appointment. That’s not a bad option, but I recommend doing a little homework first.  By that, I am not suggesting to waste hours and hours online reading about facelift preparation, recovery etc., as much of the information out there is not correct or not cohesive with the instruction you will get with from your future surgeon.  That information is ultimately much better gotten straight from your actual surgeon.

Instead, decide how far you are willing to travel for your surgery. Consider that there will be several appointments involved over the course of this journey. Then research the Board-Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons or Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeons in that area. Look at their CV (curriculum vitae). What are their qualifications? What are their professional appointments (Example: Dr. Castillo is the Past President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery…)? What type of experience do they have? How long have they been practicing? Look online at their before and after photos.  Do their before and after photos look natural? Do their photos look the way you envision looking after surgery? Once you feel comfortable with your research, schedule one or more consultations.

CHOOSING YOUR SURGEON

Choose a Board-Certified surgeon whom you feel comfortable with and one who has decades of experience! You want a surgeon who takes the time to listen and time to explain the risks, benefits, alternative treatment options, recovery and result expectations. Evaluate the staff as well.  How did they make you feel?  Were they warm, welcoming, knowledgeable, attentive, helpful? How long as Doctor’s clinical staff worked for him? Is there a lot of staff turn-over? Staff members tend to stick around longer if they are working for a skilled, trustworthy, genuine human being.

MAKING THE DECISION

Electing to have a facelift or any cosmetic procedure is a very personal decision. In the final analysis, remember that choosing to have a facelift impacts one person alone – and that person is you. It  should only be carried out if it is what you truly desire.

After your consultation, you may need time to digest all the information you gathered.  I would encourage you choose a facility that does not apply pressure or a timeline to your decision-making process.  Having a facelift can be an amazing experience.  Choosing the right (or wrong) surgeon, can be a life-changing one.

 

Spread Love & Sunscreen

 

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

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Posted in Facelift, Facial Surgery, Neck Lift, Uncategorized | No Comments »

What Is a Facelift and How Can This Popular Procedure Actually Benefit Me?

Friday, September 10th, 2021

WHAT IS A FACELIFT AND WHAT CAN IT DO FOR ME?

Patients often consult with Dr. Castillo at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center when they begin to notice unwanted aging changes in the face and neck. Loss of collagen and elastin fibers, resulting in skin laxity, along with the loss of tissue and bone volume in the face are all normal parts of the aging process. When you combine those natural aging changes with gravity, years of cumulative sun damage, and hormonal changes, the result is often the formation of jowls, sagging facial and neck tissue, excess skin, wrinkles or skin folds, drier, thinner skin with pigmented spots and texture changes.

Funny how as a kid, you just can’t wait to “get older.”  You dream of the days when you can drive, go to bed when you want to, get up when you want to, make your own decisions, have total freedom… “BE AN ADULT.”  Well, apparently there is more to getting older than just gaining independence. Decades later, here we are “faced” with the full view of what giving up our youth really means.  Jowls. Sagging. Wrinkles.

So now what? The way I see it, there are 2 good choices:

  1. Truly accept the aging changes that are staring back at you in the mirror and live happily ever after.

OR

  1. Do something about it: Consult a Board-Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon like Dr. Castillo on the options of a facelift and live confidently and happily ever after.

 

WHAT IS A FACELIFT?

A facelift is a surgical procedure that tightens sagging tissue and skin of the lower face (cheeks, jowls, neck), resulting in a smoother, more youthful appearance.  A facelift is typically preformed under general anesthesia and will take on average 2.5 – 5 hours of surgical time.

During this procedure, excess tissue, skin, and fat are removed and muscle and skin that has been pulled downward by gravity over time is re-positioned to create a more rested, youthful appearance.

 

WHAT CAN A FACELIFT DO FOR ME?

In a nutshell, a facelift will make you look younger than you do today. It helps to repeal the forces of nature: time, stress, environmental factors, sun, gravity, hormonal changes, volume loss, decreased collagen and elastin production.

A facelift can:

  • Remove your jowls and turkey neck
  • Tighten your sagging muscle structure
  • Lift your cheeks
  • Remove any loose, sagging skin, therefore tightening the remaining skin
  • Give you a more defined jawline
  • Deliver a smoother, more youthful, more inviting version of you.

WHAT TYPE OF RESULTS CAN I EXPECT?

Going into surgery with an appropriate set of REALISTIC expectations is the key to being happy with your surgical results.  Your surgeon can help you to understand what can and cannot be accomplished with a facelift. Here is where I would strongly recommend you listen to your surgeon, rather than Dr. Google (who by the way, didn’t actually go to medical school).  The results can vary from individual to individual depending on the severity of aging you present with before surgery, your skin quality, the amount of time you have spent in the sun over the course of your life, your genetics and your anatomy or facial shape and your lifestyle habits.

While surgery cannot stop you from aging in the future, it can certainly turn back time. Most people can expect to look 7-10 years younger after a facelift. For more information on facelifts review more of our blog entries on facelifts and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

 

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Facelift, Facial Surgery, Neck Lift | No Comments »

Can a Facial Cream Make Me Look Just as Amazing as a Facelift?

Thursday, July 22nd, 2021

 

Someone once said, “inside every older person is a younger person just wondering

“what the hell happened!”

They were so right!  What happened? Well… Stressors happened. Metabolism changes happened.  Sun exposure happened. Menopause happened. Health issues happened. Prioritizing the needs of others over our own happened; not making time for self-care happened. Time happened.

 

This year, as I stared down all the candles on my birthday cake, I began to wonder what people wish for in 50+ crowd. After thinking about all the conversations I’ve had with patients and friends over years, I would imagine those wishes to include:

 

  • “I wish… I didn’t have these jowls and a turkey neck.”

 

  • “I wish… that when people tell me I look hot, they weren’t referring to my flashes!”

 

  • “I wish… for a face cream that will tighten my skin and make me look 10 years younger without having a facelift.”

 

 

 

 

Now, if you have limited your sun exposure and consistently used a broad-spectrum, UVA/UVB sunscreen throughout your lifetime then you might just sail through your 50’s, maybe even your 60’s looking pretty darn good. BUT, if you and sunscreen have not been life-long friends, you’ve notice of a few signs of aging.  You may have started to entertain the idea of doing something about it or at the very least you’ve probably stood in front of the mirror and pulled back your facial skin to mimic what you might look like after a little nip and tuck. Maybe you have even started to research a facelift or neck lift or skin resurfacing.

And truly, there are worse ways to spend money than on finding new empowerment at this new stage of life through surgical intervention …like on a facial cream marketed as a “facelift in a jar.”

 

Myth buster…  facelifts do not come in jars.

 

There is no cream that will give you facelift-like results.  Nope, nope, nope! A facelift is a highly technical procedure that requires repositioning your muscle structure to create a tighter, more youthful appearance. It involves removing excess skin and fatty tissue, and it requires years of dedicated training and experience to give you the look you desire. A cream, no matter what marketing tells you… cannot do that!  So, if you are showing enough signs of aging to warrant a facelift, then a facelift is the only thing that will give you the results you really want. An effective, at-home skincare regimen plays a vital role in maintaining the health and appearance of your skin. But, if you are expecting a cream or any other topical application to reposition, tighten and lift you back in time, then you will be disappointed.

While skincare products are not a replacement for a facelift, they are a necessary daily accompaniment. Medical-grade skincare products are known to improve the tone, texture, brightness of your skin. They can replenish the skin with antioxidants, create cell turn-over, improve barrier function, increase hydration and most importantly, they can provide protection from future sun damage.  Don’t under-estimate the damage caused by sun exposure. It’s the reason you were standing in front of the mirror wishing a facelift in a jar in the first place!

Unlike marketers, our job at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center isn’t to tell a patient what they want to hear; it is to evaluate their degree of aging then match the severity of aging signs and the patient’s goals of improvement to the proper treatment plan. For a patient is in their 20’s, an anti-aging plan often just includes daily medical-grade, broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen (which by the way, sunscreen is the closest thing you will get to a facelift in a jar, via prevention), along with a good cleanser and moisturizer and a discussion about lifestyle, unprotected sun exposure and how taking care of you skin in your 20’s will determine how you look in you 40’s and beyond.

For that 30 something patient, we might recommend adding a topical Vitamin A product, and anti-oxidants to their at home regimen along with a few micro-dermabrasion treatments or a light chemical peel and a reality check about the effects of unprotected sun exposure.

A patient in their 40’s may need to add a CO2 Micro-Fractional Laser Resurfacing treatment to reduce brown spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and rough texture or a few IPL treatments to take care of broken capillaries.

For those patient’s over 50, the signs of aging become more difficult to minimize with at-home efforts alone.  Gravity really begins to flaunt its superpower and drives everything south. There is a more substantial breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers along with bone and tissue loss.  The result is loose, sagging skin, shadows, hallows, wrinkles, drooping jowls, and a turkey neck.  Skin becomes drier and thinner. Facial redness, visible, broken capillaries / spider veins become more difficult to conceal.

With each passing decade, maintaining a youthful, fresh appearance usually calls for a new plan of attack and after a certain degree of aging, there are no quick OTC fixes, certainly no effective facelifts in a jar. But there are several effective options to help you look and feel your best!

 

Spread love & sunscreen,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

 

 

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WORRIED ABOUT PAIN? HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT POST-SURGICAL PAIN PUMPS

Friday, October 26th, 2018

A common reasons patients put off having the cosmetic surgery they have always dreams of is their concern about post-surgical pain. While pain is a valid concern, it doesn’t have to be. Today, we offer our patients a simple way to manage pain without pills (narcotics).

This technology is called a pain pump. While the majority of the surgeries we perform at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery do not results in much post-surgical pain, utilization of a pain pump can offer a more comfortable recovery period for those procedures that do or for those individuals who have a low pain threshold.

A pain pump is a simple, non-electrical device that delivers local anesthetic (numbing

medication) such as Marcaine, directly to the surgical site after your surgery, allowing you to recover from surgery without the typically discomfort.

The pain pump looks like a small ball or balloon and comes in it’s own strapped carrying case. Dr. Castillo connects the pain pump at the surgical site at the time of surgery. It will deliver medication to the surgical area slowly and continuously through tiny catheters for 3-4 days. As the patient, you do not have to do anything with the pain pump. It is automatically regulated; you just get to reap the rewards of steady relief!

The pain pump offers pain management without the side effects of traditional methods of pain control like oral pain medications. This means you can avoid the potential side effect that oral pain medications often cause such as:

      •mental fogginess             •drowsiness              •nausea             •vomiting             •dizziness            •constipation

For patients who are narcotic sensitive or allergic, this can be a first-rate alternative for pain management. Patients who elect to use pain pumps are typically moving, driving and functioning and return to normal life activities more quickly since the affects are limited to the surgical area, the rest of your body & mind remain unaffected and have normal function.

While it does add about $350.00 to the cost of your surgery, the feedback we receive from our patients is that use of the pain pump provided them with a much smoother and quicker recovery than they had originally anticipated.

 

Yours Truly,

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

 

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)



800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)    /

 

 

 

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Posted in Body Procedures, Breast, Breast Enlargement, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction, Brow Lift, Cheek Bone Surgery, Facelift, Male Breast Reduction, Mommy Makeover, Neck Lift, Patient Advocacy, Protruding Ear Surgery, Recovery: What to expect, Tummy Tuck, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Ask Our Expert: What is the best type of sunscreen?

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018

 

Q: What is the best type of sunscreen?

A: Historically, it has been shown that physical sunscreens provide the best protection against both UVA & UVB radiation and are less likely to cause skin irritation.  Dr. Castillo, cosmetic surgery and anti-aging expert  recommends medical-grade, physical sunscreens to all his patients.

There are two divisions of sunscreen ingredients; physical and chemical. Physical sunscreens reflect the UV radiation while chemical sunscreens absorb the UV radiation and break it down within the skin. Some sunscreens contain both a physical and a chemical component.

There are two types of physical sunscreens available; zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Both provide broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Today, these ingredients can be found in finely micronized, nano-sphere  form which allows for ease of daily use. Not only does zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide needed broad-spectrum coverage but they are also beneficial to those who have sensitive skin or are irritated by chemical ingredients.

You will typically find multiple active ingredients listed in chemical sunscreen.  Each chemical ingredient protects only against a specific portion of the UV spectrum. Be aware that at this time many over-the-counter sunscreens protect against UVB rays only, although there are a few chemical ingredients like Oxybenzone that do offer UVA/UVB protection. Therefore, when purchasing over the counter sunscreen, it is important to examine the label for the claim “broad-spectrum.”  Also look for a sunscreen that says “very water resistant.”  However, keep in mind that even the best water resistant sunscreens can only protect you for 80 minutes.  Then you will need to re-apply.

With inconsistent OTC product labels and the idea that active ingredients in sunscreens differ from manufacturer to manufacturer it can be difficult to decipher all of them so I have provided at chart of the more common ingredients found in sunscreens.  When in doubt whether a sunscreen will effectively protect you and your family, I recommend selecting a medical grade sunscreen from your local cosmetic surgeon, plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Our patient’s favorite sunscreens are:

•Physical Defense by Castillo MD Skin Science,  is a chemical-free, pure physical broad-spectrum medical-grade sunscreen making it perfect for even oily and acne skin types! It offers superior protection due to it’s high percentage of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.

•Sun Defense by Castillo MD Skin Science, which offers medical grade 12% Zinc Oxide, 7.5% Octinoxate broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection

•Prime Defense by Castillo MD Skin Science, which offers 10% Titanium Dioxide, 4% Zinc Oxide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with an added skin primer.

•Body Guard is a medical-grade, body mist sunscreen, making it perfect for those on the go or chasing after little ones.

Chemical & physical ingredients found in sunscreens.

Ingredient:                                            Ray Type:

Avobenzone UVA
Dioxybenzone UVA/ UVB
Homosalate UVB
Octocrylene UVB
Octyl methoxycinnamate UVB
Octisalate UVB
Oxybenzone UVA/ UVB
Padimate O UVB
Mexoryl UVA/UVB
Titanium dioxide UVA/UVB     broad spectrum
Trolamine salicylate UVB
Zinc oxide UVA/UVB     broad spectrum

WARNING: You must actually apply the sunscreen to your skin – just purchasing it will not provide sufficient protection! lol

 

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

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Posted in Ask Our Expert, Facial Surgery, Non-Surgical Treatments, Products, Skincare & Aging | 7 Comments »

Want to Know What to Expect During Your Rhinoplasty Recovery? Your Expedited Guide

Wednesday, August 15th, 2018

How will I look and feel after surgery?

Let’s get right too it shall we!

Pain: I’m being absolutely genuine when I say our patient’s don’t really experience pain with this procedure, just some mild discomfort (it is surgery after all so you must expect that). I find this quite remarkable really since the nasal bones are re-set and the nose gets a bit of a work over. The majority of our patient’s just use Extra-Strength Tylenol for the first couple day to control their discomfort.

Appearance: Well…for the first 4-5 days you might look like you just stepped out of a boxing ring. You are likely to have two black eyes and some swelling. If you are following directions and sleep elevated, the swelling will dissipate pretty quickly. You will have a cast on your nose for 6-7 days so I recommend taking a week off from social activities – just until we remove your cast. I think most people feel a bit conspicuous in public with a nasal cast and it’s best to protect your nose from crowds during this time of healing. I think in the end you will agree that is a small price to pay for the euphoric confidence boost that is coming your way!

Recovery – Days 1-7:

I hope you are a patient person because you will have to wait 6-7 days to find out what magic has occurred underneath that cast!! I have seen hundreds of Dr. Castillo’s Rhinoplasties. I can tell you, it will be worth the wait!

  • Expect to feel stuffy. Swollen tissue will make it difficult to breath out of your nose for 5-7 days. Focus on breathing out of your mouth. The majority of our patients worry about this pre-operatively, but adjust more quickly than they imagined.
  • You will need to reduce your activity level. No running, jogging, strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, bending over…until Dr. Castillo releases you to do so.
  • Please avoid pets and small children. They are notorious for bumping into newly operated noses! You should also stay away from sporting events, bars, crowds of people in general during your initial healing period to avoid any nasal injury incidences.
  • Do not get your cast wet. It will fall off (your cast, not your noseJ).
  • Gently apply Bacitracin ointment inside your nose, using a Q-tip applicator as demonstrated during your discharge by our recovery nurse. This is important for 2 reasons:
    • It allows you to gently clean and hydrate in the inside of your nose to avoid dry, crusty build up.
    • It allows secretions to drain.
  • DO NOT blow your nose for the first week after surgery. If you have to sneeze, open your mouth and sneeze out of your mouth, not your nose.

Recovery Days 7-20

Welcome to the Reveal!

Seven days after surgery, we will remove your cast. The cast removal can sometimes be a little uncomfortable so I recommend taking a shower to get your cast wet just before you come to our office. Let the water run over your cast for 5-7 minutes to loosen up the adhesive so it will come off with ease.

  • Expect your nose to look a little pinched when we take off your cast. This is because the cast has been “pinching” it for the last week. This appearance will resolve in about 24 hours.
  • You will be given Saline nasal gel spray. This is used to keep the inside of your nose hydrated and free of crusting. You will squirt and sniff simultaneously three times daily.
  • Remove any secretions or crusty build up with a Bacitracin covered Q-tip.

Recovery 3 Weeks Post Surgery:

You will return for a post-operative visit 3 weeks after surgery.

  • Swelling inside nose should be much reduced at this point, though some minimal swelling can last for several weeks.
  • It is likely that Dr. Castillo will ask you to begin massaging your nose at this point. This is an important step. Its purpose is to help the nasal skin re-drape itself in a natural looking way. It will stop the skin from abnormally adhering to the underlying tissue, which will allow it to move freely and naturally.
  • You may notice some temporary numbness or tingling. This will continue to improve over the next several weeks.
  • All exercise restrictions are typically lifted at 3 weeks.

Recovery Weeks 4 And Beyond:

Rhinoplasty is a surgery that keeps on giving! Your nose is going to change for the next 12-18 months! You will see more tip definition, more detailed structural changes and even smaller pore size!

  • You can still have some very minimal swelling that can last for a few months; others will not notice it, but it will be there and your nose will continue to change as the swelling subsides.
  • We will see you back 3 months after your surgery to access your improvements and take your after photos.

 

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Avoid Misinformation & Worry: What To Expect On The Day Of Your Rhinoplasty Surgery

Wednesday, August 1st, 2018

Emotions:

It’s common to be a little nervous when you arrive for surgery. We WILL take good care of you. Each member of our staff is devoted to providing you with the highest quality of care in a safe environment.

If you are like most of our patients, you are likely to be entirely excited too! You have good reason to be! Dr. Castillo is such a true artist when it comes to giving you the nose you should have been born with. I get so excited each time we have Rhinoplasty on the surgical schedule. It’s a little bit like Christmas, many, many times per year. 🙂   Watching Dr. Castillo perform such intricately detailed work in such a small space to such precision and perfection never gets old. Each Rhinoplasty is new and different and so natural looking. No cookie cutter business here! It’s equally as fun to watch a Rhinoplasty patient’s confidence change and soar over the first several months after surgery. It is amazing to see how such small changes can evoke such big changes!

What to wear:

On the day of surgery, you should arrive free of lotion, skincare products, make up, jewelry and perfume with your hair pulled away from your face.

It is best to wear a zip up or button up shirt. You will want to avoid wearing pull over shirts for a couple of weeks to prevent nasal injuries. Wear comfy, easy to slip on pants and shoes as you may still be a bit foggy when you get dressed to go home.

Arrival:

Dr. Castillo’s state-of-the-art outpatient surgical facility.

When you arrive at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center, you will be asked to read and sign a surgical authorization form. For applicable female patients, you will be asked to leave a urine specimen for a pregnancy test. Then you will be escorted back to pre-anesthesia room where you will be asked to change. Dr. Castillo will speak with you briefly then you will meet with our anesthetist. You will undergo general anesthesia (completely asleep) for this procedure. The anesthetist will take great care to avoid any post-surgical nausea if that is a concern for you.

For Driver / Family members:

Your driver / family members are welcome to wait in our waiting room or return when you are ready for pick up if they prefer.  It is best to have a responsible adult accompany you when we are reviewing your discharge instructions as in can be difficult to remember everything immediately post-surgery. We will notify your driver 30 minutes before they are needed to review post-op care instructions and take you home.

Recovery Room:

  • You will awaken from surgery in the most comfortable recliner ever! We use a Bair Hugger system that releases warm air under your blanket to keep you toasty warm and peaceful! You will be much more comfortable than you thought you would be.
  • Rhinoplasty is not typically a painful surgery. The average patient reports a pain scale of 0-2 out of a 0-10 pain scale after surgery. Most of our patients just use Extra-Strength Tylenol to control any mild discomfort.
  • You will have a cast on your nose and you will hear Dr. Castillo asking you to breath out of your mouth. Once the tissue inside your nose begins to swell,  it will become difficult to breath out of your nose for about 5-7 days.
  • Secretions and bloody discharge are a normal part of recovery for the first 24-48 hours. We will place a mustache bandage just below your nostrils if you have any post-surgical nasal drainage. You will likely change this bandage 10-12 times before it resolves.
  • When it is time for you to go home, you will receive a full set of detailed at home care instructions. Our recovery nurse will review with you and your caregiver at the time of discharge.

The Evening Of Surgery:

When you arrive home you will begin with some ice chips followed by your drink of choice (water, coffee, tea, juice…).  Wait a half hour then move on to some food.  Do push the fluid over the next few days. Expect to feel a bit drowsy for a few hours after you get home. It is best to rest but you can certainly get up and walk around as soon as you feel you can. It is best to sit or sleep in a reclined position to reduce swelling.  Dr. will call you the night of surgery and of course we are only a phone call away if you have questions or concerns. You can reach Dr. Castillo after office hours through our answering service. We will see you back at one week to remove your cast and reveal your new look!

 

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

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Posted in Recovery: What to expect, Rhinoplasty, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Ask Our Expert: Absolutely Everything You Need To Kow About Retin-A Skincare

Friday, July 20th, 2018

RetinA postQ:   My dermatologists gave me a prescription for Retin-A, but after a few days my skin became very red and irritated.   My Doctor explained that several weeks of skin irritation is often just par for the course when using Retin-A.  He asked me to try applying it every other night instead of every night, to be patient and that eventually the irritation would resolve itself.  I stopped using the Retin-A because the irritation was worse than my aging skin.   Is there anything else I can do?

A:  I am happy to report – YES!  Our patients have found success with a few simple adjustments to the way they apply their Retin-A, Renova, Tretinion, etc.

1.  After you cleanse your face, pat it dry and wait at least 15 minutes (to assure your skin is completely dry) before applying your Retin-A.

2. Apply a pea size amount.  This is typically all you need for the entire face. Remember that more is not better in this case. 

3. Avoid combining other exfoliating or skin regenerating products like glycolic acids, with Retin-A, at least until your skin is able to easily tolerate the Retin-A.

4. Always apply a moisturizer on top of your Retin-A.  This is a very important step in the success of your regimen so resist skipping it. (If you find that you are still experiencing dry, irritated skin after trying all of the suggestions here,  you can try mixing your moisturizer and Retin-A together as this will reduce its potency. )

5. Begin applying your Retin-A every third night.  As your skin tolerates the Retin-A, increase use to every other night, then every night.

6. Remember that Retin-A and like products will cause increased sensitivity to the sun.  Therefore Retin-A should only be applied at night only, never during the day.  Wear a medical grade broad-spectrum suncreen every day, re-apply the sunscreen when needed and avoid excessive sun exposure.

If despite all of the above suggestions, you find that you are still unable to tolerate Retin-A, you may want to consider medical microdermabrasion.  It is a pain-free, even relaxing way to keep your skin well exfoliated and looking fresh.  For more information on medical microdermabrasion visit Dr. Castillo’s website.

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Ask Our Expert, Facial Surgery, Laser, Non-Surgical Treatments, Products, Skincare & Aging, Uncategorized | No Comments »

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