An exciting new plastic surgery advance has been made with the introduction of the endoscope facial rejuvenation. An endoscope is a small camera, which is inserted through a small incision in the skin. Once underneath the skin it transmits an image of the underlying tissues to a monitor. Many people are familiar with endoscopes as applied by orthopedic surgeons to treat cartilage damage in joints and by gynecologists to examine pelvic organs. This relatively old technology has led to a plastic surgery advance by increasing the area accessible through a small incision. Plastic surgeons are now able to perform brow lifts through several tiny incisions in the scalp instead of the traditional ear-to-ear incision.

This plastic surgery advance has allowed plastic surgeons to perform face-lifts using the endoscope. Patients who complain about jowls and mid-face sagging, rather than skin excess, can now have a face-lift performed through several tiny cuts in the scalp and lower eyelids. However, recovery time is somewhat longer than with traditional facelifts due to swelling that can persist for several weeks.

Just as the endoscope has created plastic surgery advances in facial rejuvenation, the tumescent technique of liposuction has changed how plastic surgeons reduce fat tissue in all areas of the body. Tumescent liposuction is where a surgeon expands the fat and tissues with local anesthesia, adrenaline, and salt water. This causes blood loss to be significantly reduced as compared to the traditional technique of liposuction. More fat can be safely removed during one session without the necessity of general anesthesia.

Along with plastic surgery advances in cosmetic surgical techniques have come improvements in plastic surgeons' abilities to communicate with their patients. One tool for aiding in such communication has been new computer hardware and software that allows a physician to take digital photographs of a patient and modify their image on the computer screen. With this technique, a surgeon can show a patient an image of a reasonable outcome of a cosmetic procedure. The patient can also show the doctor what they like and dislike about their current features or about the potential outcome of a cosmetic procedure. Communication between the patient and the physician is essential to maintaining a satisfied patient. Computer video imaging enhances the patient's understanding of plastic surgery.

Another plastic surgery advance is the availability of fruit acid peels and moisturizers that can now be purchased directly from plastic surgeons and used at home on a daily basis. Products of this type are only available through a physician and cannot be purchased in stores. Sun damaged skin, not responsive to home preparations, can be treated by an in office chemical peel, using a stronger fruit acid solution. The treatments still require minimal healing time, and allow patients to reapply makeup immediately. However, stronger chemical peels require a healing period of several weeks and require anesthesia, but can achieve a more dramatic result. The chemical peel will increase collagen and elastic formation in the skin and reduce the fine wrinkling.

Plastic surgery advances can offer quicker procedures, less downtime, and alternatives to traditional plastic surgery. An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon will be up to date with all of the newest plastic surgery advances, and can answer all of your questions and concerns.