Thomas Pane MD, Plastic Surgery

For many men and women, unwanted hair can be a nightmare. Getting rid of it can be painful. Until now the only options for removing unwanted hair were smelly hair removal creams, sharp razors, stinging wax or painful electrolysis needles. Our advanced approach to beautiful skin provides the ultimate solution. Now, Laser Hair Removal is performed by plastic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Pane in Palm Beach Florida to deliver both men and women satisfying results. How Laser Hair Removal Works Laser Hair Removal uses a low-energy laser to gently remove unwanted hair, putting an end to routine shaving and waxing. This advanced technology transcends the older, painful hair removal treatments to deliver long-lasting results. Because the laser treats more than one hair at a time, it is possible to treat larger areas such as the back, shoulders, arms, legs and face. Laser treatments leave your skin looking and feeling smoother and silkier. Best of all, Laser Hair Removal treatments are a safe, fast, gentle, and effective alternative method for hair removal. How is Laser Hair Removal different from electrolysis? Electrolysis is a much slower process. With electrolysis a needle is actually inserted into each hair follicle, one at a time. Once inserted, an electric shock burns the follicle to retard hair growth. Laser Hair Removal uses the cool light of the laser to scan the treatment area and within minutes all of the hairs in the laser’s beam are treated. Most patients who have had both procedures say that Laser Hair Removal is less painful, faster and more convenient. What is Laser Hair Removal like? Laser Hair Removal is a gentle three-step process. First, we gently cleanse the area to be treated. Next, we shave the area. Then the area is scanned with the laser. The laser energy passes through the skin and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. In a fraction of a second, all of the treated hair follicles are disabled. Treatments can last from a few minutes to a few hours depending on the size of the area being treated. What are the benefits of Laser Hair Removal? Larger areas may be treated using lasers than with electrolysis, waxing or tweezing. It combines the speed of shaving with the lasting results promised by electrolysis. Laser Hair Removal is effective on almost any area of the body where smoother, younger, hair-free skin is desired. How many Laser Hair Removal treatments will I need? The number of treatments you may require for optimal long-term benefits depends on the area you wish to have treated, the hair density and your hair’s growth cycle. Your hair grows in cycles and many factors influence it’s growth. Age, ethnicity, weight, hormones, diet, medication and metabolism all play a part in your hair’s location, thickness and resilience. The laser slows the growing capacity of follicles in the growth cycle at the time of the treatment. Since some hair follicles may enter their growth cycle after your treatment, multiple treatments may be required to deliver optimal results. Treatment results will vary from patient to patient depending on skin and hair color. Note: Removing hair does not make it grow back thicker, darker or quicker. The opposite is usually the case. The laser may cause hair to come back slower and thinner. Following Laser Hair Removal treatment After our physician performs your Laser Hair Removal treatment, the area is cleansed and you can return to your normal activities immediately. Your physician may recommend that you use a specially formulated skin care product line or prescribe a skin care regime especially formulated for your skin type after laser treatments. The use of sunscreen is recommended on any treated areas exposed to the sun.

Do you think that the reflection you see in the mirror each morning matches the way you feel? Many patients wish that there was a safe, easy and quick way to get rid of their red complexion, fine wrinkles, irregular pigmentation and large pores. Fortunately, our advanced technologies enable us to treat these skin imperfections safely, easily and effectively. IPL Photo Facial™ Rejuvenation IPL Rejuvenation is performed by plastic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Pane in Palm Beach Florida to combat the effects of aging and damaged skin in a softer, gentler way. The redness and flushing of rosacea can be reduced 80 – 90 percent. It can be used to treat the full face, neck, chest and even the hands. Using the advanced IPL system, our physician gently delivers precise amounts of light energy through your skin’s surface. Treatments are spaced at 3 week intervals. The energy is delivered at specific settings for each treatment to maximize your results. The light energy stimulates the production of collagen. As the new collagen forms, it softens the appearance of aging skin. Fine lines and wrinkles are decreased. The redness associated with rosacea can be dramatically reduced. How do IPL Photo Facial Rejuvenation treatments work? Today’s new light technology delivers precise dosages of energy to the skin. During your treatment, light energy is gently delivered through a special handpiece to the targeted area. Levels of energy specific to your treatment are used to maximize your improvement. Once delivered, the light energy is absorbed by the targeted damaged tissue. How many IPL Photo Facial Rejuvenation treatments will I need? Depending on the area treated, there will be a series of 5 – 8 treatments. Treatments usually take from 15 – 30 minutes and are administered in the doctor’s office. Does IPL Photo Facial Rejuvenation hurt? Most patients describe the sensation to be like the snap of a rubber band on the skin as the pulses of energy are delivered through the handpiece. Some patients opt to have a topical anesthesia. After treatment, the pain is minimal to nonexistent. Who are the best candidates for IPL Photo Facial Rejuvenation? The best candidates have: Red, flushed faces Sun-damaged skin Hyperpigmentation Enlarged pores Are IPL Photo Facial Rejuvenation treatments safe? Yes. Advanced light systems have been used safely for millions of treatments worldwide. These systems treat only the targeted tissues, leaving the surrounding tissue intact. However, some bruising or redness may occur. What results can I expect from IPL Photo Facial Rejuvenation? After only one treatment, your skin will have a more even tone with a smoother look and feel. Sunspots will fade. Pore sizes will shrink. Fine lines and wrinkles will gradually decrease in size. These improvements will steadily increase with each treatment. Patients with rosacea will see a progressive decrease in redness with every treatment. What will recovery from IPL Photo Facial Rejuvenation be like? After your IPL procedure post-operative discomfort is almost nonexistent. After treatment with most light systems, the treated skin may appear a little flushed and capillaries may seem to be more visible. The flushed look soon fades away, and the capillaries appear to vanish, leaving the skin looking younger. It’s that simple. Following any treatment, you should follow our doctor’s instructions, avoid any harsh skin cleansers and use sunscreen.

Botox corrects dynamic wrinkles are caused by the contractions of the delicate underlying facial muscles every time you smile, laugh or frown. These lines caused by facial muscles can give a person an angry, tired or sad appearance – even when they are not experiencing that emotion. The more emotion you show, the deeper these wrinkles and lines are likely to be. Botox Cosmetic treatments are performed by Dr. Thomas Pane for patients from Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, Boynton, Delray, Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and throughout South Florida so they can prevent the formation of dynamic wrinkles.

Look years younger without surgery Today’s patients are very proactive about their appearance and their health. They are more concerned about treating the early signs of aging than their parents. Patients today are looking for faster, less invasive procedures with little, if any, downtime that can reduce forehead lines and crow’s feet, frown lines, smoker’s lines around the lips, and sagging cheeks. Many of them want to treat aging in their neck, chest, underarms, abdomen, hands, thighs and knees, and in some cases even their breasts. There are many different technologies now available including radio frequency and light technologies. What is Tissue Tightening? Dr. Pane performs Tissue Tightening, a non-invasive procedure used to tighten or lift sagging skin, for patients from Palm Beach, and throughout South Florida. The procedure is non-surgical and uses safe, radio frequency to cause the collagen in the skin’s dermis to contract and tighten. It can be used in all areas of the body where tighter skin is desired. The deep heating of the skin causes some immediate contraction of the collagen and additional improvement over the next 3-6 months. The optimum treatment is performed with multiple passes and moderate settings. Tissue Tightening Who are the best candidates for this procedure? All patients who would like to look younger and are concerned with loose sagging skin, regardless of skin type or color, may benefit from Tissue Tightening. What kind of results can I expect? Facial skin and the skin along the neck can be tightened providing a mild, non-surgical browlift or facelift effect. This treatment is often used for sagging jowls. The tightening effect may be used to firm up loose or sagging tissue in other parts of the body such as the abdomen or legs. Most patients see results immediately. However, the results may be gradual over a three to six month period as the skin tightens and more new collagen is formed. Depending on the area treated, the skin laxity and your desired results, more than one treatment may be required. Tissue Tightening Choosing Tissue Tightening During your consultation, you will want to explain the level of skin improvement you hope to achieve to the doctor. The doctor will examine your skin and your medical history to determine if you are a good candidate for Tissue Tightening. Together you will discuss your expectations and decide on the best treatment for you. Photographs may be taken for reference to compare your results. What are the benefits of Tissue Tightening? Treats lax and sagging skin Treats many areas of the body Stimulates long-term collagen growth Is safe, comfortable and non-surgical Has NO injections and NO recovery The Procedure You may experience a heating sensation or pain during the treatment. The pain is expected to be mild and disappears in a few minutes. How many treatments will I need? Depending on your skin’s laxity, the area to be treated and the results you desire, multiple treatments may be required. During your consultation, your doctor will advise you as to the number and frequency of treatments that may be required to achieve your desired results. Keep in mind that the results from Tissue Tightening are gradual and may take from three to six months to maximize the effects of the treatment. What about recovery? After Dr. Pane performs your Tissue Tightening treatment, you may notice some mild swelling and/or redness in the treatment area. This usually disappears in a few hours. You may resume normal activities immediately.

Wrinkles, sagging skin, laxity in the jowls and neck begin to appear after years of exposure to the elements, facial expressions and the natural aging process. Not long ago, a facelift was considered by many to be reserved for movie stars and celebrities. Today, a facelift, or rhytidectomy, is not just for the rich and famous. It is one of the most well accepted and most frequently performed cosmetic procedures in the United States. Recent studies have shown that looking good has a direct correlation to higher pay. Facelifts are performed by plastic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Pane in Palm Beach Florida so that they can look younger and feel better. People from every walk of life elect to have a facelift for cosmetic as well as economic reasons. Look as young as you feel with a facelift If you have been considering a facelift to reverse the signs of aging, you should understand what a facelift can and can’t do. Although the incisions made for a facelift are hidden back in your hairline, it does nothing to correct the visible signs of aging in the upper face. A facelift provides an overall lift to the lower third of your face by tightening loose skin in the jowls, neck, and jaw line. A facelift alone will not remove forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet or bags under your eyes. These areas can, however, be treated at the same time as your facelift. During your initial consultation, your surgeon will discuss your particular condition, your expectations, and the probable outcome of your various treatment options. You will be shown several before and after photographs of patients having similar conditions, and we will explain the details of your procedure. Before and after photos may be taken of your face to document your results. The facelift procedure A facelift procedure may be performed in your doctor’s office or in an outpatient surgical facility. Premedication is generally recommended to relax the patient. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia with the patient asleep, but can be performed using a local anesthesia. Your surgeon will operate on one side of the face at a time. The incision is placed in the natural crease of the facial skin and begins inside the hairline, in the temple area above and forward of the ear. It continues inside the ear, or in front of the ear around the earlobe and behind the ear. The skin is lifted outward and the surgeon tightens and repositions the underlying muscles and tissues. Excess skin and fat may be removed. The incision is then closed with fine sutures and/or metal clips. If metal clips are used, shaving hair from the incision site may be avoided. A facelift can take between 2 – 4 hours depending on the extent of the procedure. How long will results last after my facelift? Some relaxation of facial tissues will occur during the first few weeks. After that, the aging process continues. Your lifestyle choices, bone structure, skin type, sun exposure and heredity all play a role in determining how many years can be removed and for how long. In general younger patients enjoy longer-lasting results. If you are in your forties, the effects may last up to 10 years. If you are in your sixties, your results may last 5 – 7 years. What happens after my facelift surgery? After our physician performs your facelift, there will be bruising and swelling that will persist for a few days. Pain is normally minimal and can be controlled with oral medication. We will take off your bandages in our office in 1 – 2 days after surgery. You may then go home, take a shower and wash your hair. Sutures may be removed in stages to minimize scarring. Healing is a gradual process. After about 2 weeks you will feel comfortable (with make-up) among strangers. After 3 weeks you will look and feel confident enough to go out with friends again. Your face will feel completely “normal” in about 10 – 12 weeks. Direct sun should be avoided for several weeks. Most patients are delighted with their new, more youthful and relaxed appearance.

Body image is an important part of feeling good, desirable and normal. Most women compare themselves to a cultural idea of beauty. Having a cosmetic breast procedure can greatly improve self-esteem for many women. It can make a woman feel more like the ideal and can drastically improve the way she views herself. Cosmetic breast surgery Breast enhancement or augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic procedures in the United States today. It can dramatically improve the appearance of a woman’s breasts. Breast surgery is performed by plastic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Pane in Palm Beach Florida to enlarge small breasts, underdeveloped breasts, or breasts that have decreased in size after a woman has had children. For many women, the size, shape, or contour of their breasts do not fit their self image. Our doctor also performs a remarkable procedure called a breast lift, or mastopexy, to elevate and reshape the breast providing a youthful appearance. A breast lift is often performed in conjunction with breast augmentation. For others, large, sagging or uneven breasts are the source of their dissatisfaction. Some experience pain from the sheer weight of their breasts, while others find their physical activities restricted or have difficulty finding clothes that fit properly. For these women, our doctor performs a breast reduction or reduction mammoplasty. Is breast surgery for you? During your conference with our physician, discuss your goals and expectations of the surgery. Your surgeon will assess the nature of your breasts, your expectations, and explain the probable outcome of your procedure. You will be shown several before and after treatment photographs of patients having similar breasts, and your surgeon will explain the treatment you can expect to receive. Often a mammography (X-Ray) will be required. The breast surgery procedures Breast augmentation and breast lift are performed on an outpatient basis using a general or local anesthesia. Breast reduction procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Breast augmentation usually takes about 2 hours. One of the more frequent techniques used requires an incision under the lower portion of the breast near the chest wall or under the lower portion of the areola (the darker area around your nipple). A less frequently used incision site is the armpit. After the incision is made, a pocket is created in the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle. The implant is securely positioned in the pocket, and small sutures are used to close the incision. When inflatable implants are used, your surgeon can adjust the amount of inflation. Some of the new, inflatable, saline-filled implants make it possible to insert the implant using a tiny instrument called an endoscope through a single, small incision. A breast lift may take 2 hours depending on the complexity. One of the more frequent methods utilizes three incisions: one on each side of the breast which connect to a keyhole-shaped incision above the nipple. Working through the incisions, excess skin is removed from the lower portion of the breast. The breast tissue is lifted into the higher position, and the nipple placed in the keyhole incision. Sutures are used to connect the skin on both sides of the breast and around the nipple. A breast reduction can take from 3 – 4 hours depending on its complexity. Frequently, incisions are placed on each side of the breast which connect to a keyhole-shaped incision above the nipple. Working through the incisions, excess skin, fat and tissue are removed from the breast. The breast and the nipple are relocated in the keyhole incision. Sutures are used to connect the skin on both sides of the breast and around the nipple. When breasts are extremely large, the nipple may be completely detached and relocated after excess tissue is removed. What is recovery from breast surgery like? For the first few days after our doctor performs breast surgery, you will wear surgical dressings or a special post-surgical garment. A post-surgical bra is usually worn for several weeks. Most discomfort associated with breast surgery can be controlled with oral medication prescribed by your surgeon. Antibiotics may also be prescribed. Most women experience some degree of swelling, bruising and tenderness. These symptoms should subside in a short time. All sutures are removed within 1 – 2 weeks. Your surgeon will advise you on a proper schedule for returning to your normal activities. Most patients are back to work within the first week. Recovery takes a little longer for patients undergoing breast reduction surgery. Following your cosmetic breast surgery, you will enjoy a new, more pleasing shape, with more comfortable breasts that are in better proportion to your physique.

You have dieted and exercised and there are still stubborn areas of fat that will not go away. Your reason for choosing liposuction may be as simple as just wanting to look better in your clothes. While liposuction is not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle, it can make you look and feel better. What is Liposuction? Liposuction is performed by plastic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Pane in Palm Beach Florida to actually remove unwanted localized deposits of fat cells from the body. The procedure is meant for body contouring. It is not a treatment of obesity. A suction tube is inserted through a tiny incision placed in an inconspicuous location on the skin. With a high pressure vacuum, fat cells are extracted through this tube. The result is a resculpting of bulging areas into more attractive contours. What is the Tumescent Liposuction Technique? With the Tumescent Technique, large volumes of saline solution, local anesthesia, and adrenaline are infused into the fatty area being treated to cause swelling. This enables our physician to maneuver a small instrument called a cannula, connected to a vacuum machine, superficially under the skin. The cannula is inserted into the fatty tissue through tiny incisions. Your surgeon gently moves it around under your skin and suctions away the unwanted fatty deposits to reveal more attractive contours. Who are the best candidates for Liposuction? The best candidates for body sculpting: have firm, elastic skin and are in good health. have tried to eliminate bulges through diet, exercise and weight loss. have distinct areas of localized fat that are disproportionate to the rest of their bodies. have realistic expectations and are only slightly to moderately overweight. understand that liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss. What areas can be treated by Liposuction? The most frequent areas treated by liposuction in men are the “love handles”, breasts, abdomen and neckline. In women they include: thighs, hips, buttocks, stomach, knees, lower leg, cheeks, and double chins. Some women elect to have their fat recycled through lipo-augmentation. How are the benefits of Liposuction measured? Cosmetically speaking, successful liposuction is measured in inches rather than pounds. The weight removed is not as important as the improvement in your body’s contour. Most important is our patient’s improved self-image and self acceptance. Will I need a second Liposuction procedure? Most likely, one procedure will be sufficient. However, some patients require a fine-tuning procedure at a future date. Will Liposuction get rid of cellulite? Liposuction is not a treatment for cellulite, although many patients do notice an improvement in the appearance of cellulite after the fat cells are removed. How will my skin look after Liposuction surgery? After our doctor performs liposuction, dimples, ripples and stretch marks remain unchanged. Your new figure will be similar to what you would expect if you could lose an equal amount of localized fat through diet and exercise alone. The use of smaller cannulas allows the fibrous connections between your skin and body to remain. These connections will contract over time. As a result, excessive skin folds are so rare that many patients avoid the necessity for surgical skin excision by having excellent results with liposuction alone. What will my recovery after Liposuction be like? You will go home after the procedure and rest for a few hours, after which you may gradually increase your activity as tolerated. After 2 – 5 days you may resume normal activities. You may need to wear a snug elastic dressing, girdle, or body stocking over the treated area to aid healing.

For many patients, vaginal relaxation and stress urinary incontinence can be uncomfortable and unattractive. Vaginal Laser Rejuvenation can restore patients to a life of sexual gratification free of the aggravations and discomforts associated with pelvic relaxation. Doctors William Masters and Virginia Johnson reported that sexual gratification is directly related to the amount of frictional forces generated. Women around the globe have claimed that Kegels don’t work to enhance vaginal muscle tone, strength, and control. For patients who want a solution to rejuvenate the vagina and achieve the best sexual experience possible, Vaginal Laser Rejuvenation is performed by our plastic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Pane for patients, in Palm Beach Gardens, to tone the vagina to give you the shape you desire. Both Vaginal Laser Rejuvenation and Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation, or LVR (whwere designed to modify any aspect of your vagina – from increasing or decreasing the size of your labia, or even the extra skin – to give you the shape and tone you are looking for. What is Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation? Vaginal Laser Rejuvenation, or VLR, is an outpatient surgical procedure designed to enhance the feelings of sexual gratification. VLR is a modification of a standard procedure used for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The procedure takes about one hour and is designed to enhance your vaginal muscle tone, strength, and control which will in turn enhance your sexual gratification. Our unique laser provides Dr. Pane with controlled accuracy that results in relatively gentle, bloodless surgery. Healing is rapid and your resumption of daily activities is in a short period of time. How does Vaginal Laser Rejuvenation improve my gratification? As vaginal muscles age, the muscles of the perineum become weak and poorly supported. These muscles become more relaxed with poor tone, strength, and control. This process causes the internal and external diameters to increase which results in diminished sensual and sexual gratification. VLR shrinks the internal and external vaginal diameters to build up and strengthen the perineal body to enhance sexual gratification for women. This also works well for women whose vaginal muscles have been weakend for other reasons. The best candidates for Vaginal Laser Rejuvenation are: Women that want a viable alternative solution to weakened vaginal muscles. Women who have had children and want to rejuvenate their vagina. Women that want the best sexual experience possible. For women with no children, solutions are available through design modification to accomplish their desires for rejuvenation and appearance.

Hands are one of the first parts of the body to show signs of aging because they receive so much exposure. Sunlight, the elements and the natural aging process all contribute to the development of darkened spots, unsightly veins, wrinkles and fine lines, precancerous growths and loss of fatty tissue. Hand rejuvenation is performed by plastic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Pane in Palm Beach Florida to help make their hands look younger. Combination’s of these treatments can be used to rid the hands of a skeletal look and reverse the signs of aging. Which hand rejuvenation treatment is for me? During your conference with your doctor, explain your goals and expectations of the treatment. Dr. Pane will assess the nature of your hands, your expectations, and explain the probable outcome of the procedures best suited for you. You may be shown several before and after treatment results of patients with similar hands, and your doctor will explain the procedure you can expect to receive and the results that you can anticipate. With all of these procedures at our disposal, our physician can tailor your hand rejuvenation treatment to achieve your expectations. The hand rejuvenation procedures All of the procedures discussed are on an out-patient basis and some may be performed with local anesthesia. Prescription-strength skin care like Retin-A and other creams are proven to significantly affect the aging process. Topical applications can repair sundamaged skin, cause spots to fade, improve transparent skin, and stimulate the production of collagen. Chemical peels are available in a variety of forms that can be used to produce a separation and peeling of the outer layers of the skin. The new skin beneath is smooth and practically blemish-free, with reduced fine lines, wrinkles, spots and sundamage. Sclerotherapy was developed in the 1920s. During the procedure a sclerosing solution is injected into the vein through a micro-needle. The tiny needles generally cause very little pain. The sclerosing solution causes the vein to blanch (turn white), then gradually disappear. Microdermabrasion is a superficial skin polishing that improves the appearance of aging skin and spots. The results are immediate. Maintenance treatments are required. Fractional skin resurfacing treats spots and fine lines with the delivery of microbeams of light to form new, soft, healthy skin with reduced blemishes. IPL treatments use intense pulsed light to treat spots, spider veins, and fine lines and create softer, smoother, clear skin with little, if any, pain. Thermage is a non-surgical procedure that uses a radio frequency (RF) system to gently cause the collagen in your skin to contract and tighten. The result is smoother, softer looking hands. Laser treatments give your doctor precise control as the procedure gently removes fine lines and wrinkles, unsightly veins, and age spots to reveal smooth, fresher-looking hands. Spots and lines are removed in a precise, rapid, bloodless fashion achieving excellent results. Hand rejuvenation with the laser may be performed with local anesthesia. Soft tissue augmentation is frequently performed with fat cells taken from other parts of your body and transplanted to your hands. This procedure is known as a Fat Transfer. Synthetic fillers can also be used. Natural or synthetic fillers can add body to hands to create a more youthful appearance. Utilizing the appropriate filler for you, your doctor will inject it under the treated area. Results are immediate. The duration of improvement depends on the size and location of the area treated, as well as on the material used.

Aesthetic laser treatments are performed by Dr. Thomas Pane to safely, easily, and effectively treat many benign skin lesions painlessly, on an out-patient basis. The four main types of lasers used to treat various skin conditions are: argon, pulsed-dye, neodymium: YAG and carbon dioxide. How does a laser work? The word LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Medical lasers use an intense beam of light to gently remove unwanted, damaged, or diseased cells without harming the surrounding healthy cells. The laser’s energy may be delivered as a continuous wave of light or in pulses, depending on the treatment and the type of laser used. What is a vascular lesion? Skin blemishes due to abnormal blood vessels located directly under your skin’s surface that give the skin a red color are called vascular lesions. Port Wine stains, strawberry hemangiomas and spider veins (telangiectasias) are all forms of vascular lesions. What is a pigmented lesion? Pigmented lesions are caused by a proliferation of melanocytes in the skin. Melanocytes are the cells that manufacture melanin, which is the dark pigment in skin. Most of us have some form of pigmented lesion. They include brown age spots (lentigines), freckles (ephileds), and moles (nevi). Lesions without color are called non-pigmented lesions. They include warts and skin tags. Are aesthetic laser treatments safe? Lasers have been used successfully in hundreds of thousands of treatments. Laser treatments performed properly, by a trained physician, are safe and effective. There are many benefits to laser surgery including little if any pain, no needles for most patients, less bruising and swelling and once removed, lesions do not return. Do aesthetic laser treatments for skin lesions hurt? Some patients say they feel a slight sting, like the snap of a rubber band on the skin, followed by the feeling of sunburn. Many treatments do not require anesthetics. However, some patients feel more comfortable with a local numbing agent like ice or an anesthetic cream. For others, a local anesthetic injection may be beneficial. What other skin conditions can aesthetic laser treatments treat? Other skin conditions treated with lasers include: aging and sun-damaged skin, tattoos, moles, warts, skin tags, stretch marks, acne and hypertrophic scars. How many aesthetic laser treatments are required? This depends on the size, location, depth and color of your lesion. Spider veins on the face and age spots generally do well with 1 – 2 treatments, while darker or deeper birthmarks may require additional treatments. Port Wine stains and hemangiomas usually experience satisfactory results from laser treatments, however as many as 6 – 8 treatment sessions may be required. Treatments should be placed 4 – 8 weeks apart to allow your body to remove the maximum amount of pigment cells. You will continue to see a lightening of your lesion after each treatment as your body disposes of the pigment cells. What results can you expect from aesthetic laser treatments? After Dr. Pane performs aesthetic laser treatments, most patients will see improvement in their vascular and pigmented lesions. The improvement can be quite dramatic. However, as with any surgical procedure, there is always a possibility that only minor changes will occur and in rare cases there is no response.