The tattoo industry has grown in recent years, which in turn has increased the demand for tattoo removal.

Tattoo removal revenue has risen about 21 percent over the past five years, market analysis firm IBISWorld reports. Analysts believe that the tattoo removal business will continue to grow over the next five years, although at a slower rate.

As tattoos have gained more social acceptability, more people have gotten them, resulting in more potential consumers who may later want to have their tattoo removed.

There are a number of reasons for tattoo regret, which the Chicago Tribune recently highlighted, such as a tattoo that commemorates a former flame. Others hope that getting rid of a tattoo will increase the chances of getting hired.

For instance, 23-year-old Mollie Linn received a tattoo-removal session for her birthday from her parents. She has a peace sign tattooed on her wrist, and they worried about what kind of first impression it makes on prospective employers.

Laser Tattoo Removal Procedure Basics

The easiest tattoos to remove are those that are:

• Fresh or very faded
• Done by amateur tattoo artists (the ink does not penetrate as deeply)
• Done in black and dark blue ink

Tattoos with multiple pigments or ink colors are harder to remove and may require different laser treatments to address each color.

The appropriate laser for removal depends on the ink color. Here are some possible lasers that may be used for various ink colors:

• Black and dark blue ink – q-switched Alexandrite or Nd:Yag lasers
• Red, orange, pink, yellow and green (which are more difficult to remove and may require more treatments) – q-switched Ruby or Nd: Yag lasers
• CO2 lasers may also be used for tattoo removal

Contact Dr. Lo to find out more about laser procedures.

A new study examined the incidence of edema, a possible side effect of dermal fillers, after hyaluronic acid injections. Published in the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, the study looked at cases of swelling for injections done to the under eye area. According to the authors, there has been an increase in the use of hyaluronic acid fillers for under eye rejuvenation during the past decade.

The study reviewed medical records of 51 patients who had received hyaluronic acid gel under the eyes between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011. Edema was defined as a clinically significant degree of swelling that lasted a month or more following the injection.

The study found that 12 patients (24%) had prolonged periorbital edema following the procedure. The average duration of the swelling was about 6 months, and Juvederm was the injectable used for the majority of patients (45 of the 51).

According to the authors, there were no signs prior to the injection that “consistently identified patients susceptible to the edema.”

The authors concluded that prolonged swelling occurred in a significant minority of patients. Because it is difficult to identify which patients might be most susceptible to periorbital edema, the authors stressed the importance of doctors discussing this potential complication with patients who are considering getting hyaluronic acid injections under the eyes.

The doctor’s injection technique also plays a role, so it is very important to find a physician who is experienced with the dermal filler.

In addition to filling under eye depressions, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers can also correct nasolabial folds, marionette lines, upper lip wrinkles (i.e., “smoker’s lines”), and deep frown lines. They may also be used for lip augmentation and acne scar correction.

During February and March, save up to $360 on Restylane. Visit www.restylaneusa.com for more information on the promotion.

Fun at the beach by macinate, on Flickr

Only one in four teens said they regularly use sunscreen, according to a new study.

The study, published in Pediatrics, tracked 360 U.S. kids’ sunscreen and tanning behaviors for three years. The participants were first surveyed in 2004 as fifth graders, and they were surveyed again in 2007 as eighth graders.

Researchers found the following about kids’ sunburn and tanning experiences:

• More than half (53 percent) had suffered at least one sunburn by the age of 11.
• Half used sunscreen at the beginning of the study, but only 25 percent still did three years later.
• The proportion of kids who admitted to “liking a tan and spending time outside to get a tan significantly increased” as they got older.
• Two out of 10 went outside just to tan when they were in fifth grade; 4 out of 10 did by eighth grade.

According to the authors, the years of “periadolescence” (ages 11 to 14) seem to be “a crucial period” when kids and teens “increase or decrease their use of sun protection, obtain sunburns, or change their tan-promoting attitudes.”

“I think especially at this age, and in general, there are a lot of forces that promote tanning,” said lead researcher Dr. Stephen Dusza, of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

Dr. Sophie Balk, a pediatrician, said the study highlights that many kids aren’t protecting their skin.

“The problem is if you sunburn in childhood, you raise your risk of developing skin cancer later on,” said Balk.

According to Dusza, the next step is to figure out how to effectively promote sun protection in pediatric offices and community settings, like beaches and sporting events.

In addition to wearing sunscreen, Balk recommends protecting your skin with sun-protective clothing, hats and sunglasses.

Here is an overview of some of the facial rejuvenation procedures available today.

Facelifts

Targeting the signs of aging in the lower part of the face, a facelift can erase imperfections through lifting and removing excess skin.

Even the facelift itself has evolved. For instance, the QuickLift, a modification on a traditional facelift, is less extensive and therefore has a shorter recovery.

Injectables

It is hard to imagine a time when dermal fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, and botulinum toxins, such as Botox and Dysport, weren’t an option for filling lines and smoothing wrinkles on the face.

The options for injectables continue to grow. Fat grafting and stem cells are the latest innovations. With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area of the patient’s body and is then used as an injectable to add volume to areas such as the lips, nasolabial folds or hollows under the eyes.

Lasers

For tightening up facial skin, lasers are now a popular option. The laser heats the collagen underneath the skin, making the skin tighten and stimulating the growth of new collagen.

Fraxel repair is a laser treatment that targets many signs of aging, including wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, irregular skin texture and sun-induced redness.

The Future of Facial Rejuvenation

Dr. Leslie Baumann, chief executive of a cosmetic institute in Miami, says there are more new facial rejuvenation procedures on the horizon in the next few years, including new injectables, lights and lasers.

Your cosmetic surgeon can help determine which facial rejuvenation procedures will give you the results you desire. For more information on facial rejuvenation, contact About Faces Cosmetic Surgery in Tucson.

Merz’s Xeomin offers patients a third choice — in addition to Botox and Dysport — for those wanting botulinum toxin injections. Xeomin works in the same way as the other two do, with a few differences.

New York dermatologist Dr. Neil Sadick explains that the major difference is in the manufacturing process. All proteins are removed from Xeomin, so potentially there could be less incidence of adverse events that could occur with this toxin, according to Dr. Sadick.

Patients are happy with Xeomin, according to Dr. Sadick, who says the results are very natural, and like other toxins, Xeomin has a very low side effect profile.

He said that about 3 million botulinum toxin treatments are performed each year in the United States.

Does Xeomin last as long as Botox?

Xeomin lasts about the same amount of time as Botox and Dysport, which is usually between 12 to 16 weeks. Dr. Sadick says that most of his patients only come in about once or twice a year for botulinum toxin treatments.

When will you see results?

Xeomin, Botox and Dysport are not like dermal fillers, such as Juvederm or Restylane, and results are not seen immediately. Botulinum toxins take about two to three days to set in. The maximum effect is seen in about five to seven days.

Xeomin is now available at About Faces Cosmetic Surgery in Tucson. For those who don’t like needles, About Faces offers some of the most trusted brands in medical grade skin care.

Winter Dry Skin Tips

Avoid hot showers. Dr. Neil Sadick, a dermatologist in New York City, says to avoid hot showers. Even though they may be comforting when it’s cold out, hot showers further dehydrate your skin, says Dr. Sadick. “Make showers as tepid as you can tolerate,” he said.

Be sure to use a moisturizer. Dr. Alicia Zalka, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale, recommends an old standby: Vaseline. She says that if you’ve already got very dry skin it can be good to use it for a few days as a sealer and a protectant. Plus, if your skin is already cracked, it doesn’t sting, she says.

Also wear sunscreen to protect skin from sun damage, even in the winter. Dr. Sadick recommends applying a broadband sunscreen once a day.

Think before you drink. Drink beverages with alcohol or caffeine in moderation, as they can be dehydrating, says dermatologist Dr. David Orentreich.

Do drink water to stay hydrated, but don’t rely on it to keep your skin healthy while it’s cold.

Use a humidifier. Dr Orentreich also recommends using a humidifier in your house, especially in your bedroom. That way “healing and repair can take place while you sleep,” he says.

In addition to your skin, also take special care of your hair and nails during the winter, as they can crack and split like the skin does, according to Dr. Zalka. Try B vitamin supplements to improve hair and nails, she says.

Dr. Sadick also suggests using a conditioner more frequently during the winter to keep hair from getting too dry.

Learn about the medical grade skin care products available from Dr. Lo.

Researchers at the Maas Clinic in San Francisco treated crow’s feet on 90 patients with Botox on one side of the face and Dysport on the other. Patients were seen two, four and six days after injections. Patients and doctors rated Dysport as more effective at reducing crow’s feet, when patients were smiling.

Researchers concluded that Dysport had a trend toward greater improvements at day two compared to Botox and “statistically significant greater improvement at days four and six.”

However, though Dysport resulted in greater improvement, both showed statistically significant changes two days after injection.

ABC News spoke with doctors about the results of the study. Physicians agreed that both Botox and Dysport have positive results, and that the skill and experience of the doctor administering the injection is more important than which botulinum toxin is used.

Botox Maker Questions Study

Allergan, maker of Botox, responded to the study by saying that is was funded by Dysport’s maker Medicis. A spokesperson for Allergan, Kellie Lao, pointed out that the study, published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, only reported data out to 30 days after the injections, so “the long-term comparative efficacy is unknown.”

Medicis spokesperson Kara Stancell wrote Cosmetic Surgery Times, “These findings resulted from an independent, physician-initiated study that was funded by a grant from Medicis, but not designed or conducted by Medicis. The study investigators are well-regarded, and the study speaks for itself.”

Dr. Corey Maas, lead author of the study, said, “It’s good for us to know that we have good, quality options out there for patients. When we have choices and there is good competition, it helps both the doctor and the patient.”

About Faces in Tucson offers both Botox and Dysport. Dr. Lo will help you determine which botulinum toxin is right for you.

Characterized by drooping upper eyelids, ptosis can interfere with vision and cause discomfort. Upper blepharoplasty and blepharoptosis repair are surgeries that can correct the problem.

The report, published in Ophthalmology journal, analyzed results from 13 studies that had looked at the outcomes of these surgeries.

“As oculoplastic surgeons, we see the visual improvement and comfort that patients obtain from the surgical correction of upper lid ptosis and dermatochalasis. This study was performed to analyze the scientific data available to substantiate this,” Kenneth V. Cahill, MD, wrote to Medscape Medical News.

Dr. Cahill said that patients are sometimes denied functional blepharoplasty and ptosis repair surgery by third party payors because of “arbitrary and/or incorrect policies regarding the functional indications for these procedures.” Eyelid surgery is often performed for cosmetic reasons, but for ptosis patients, the purpose of the surgery is functional.

“Patient-reported quality-of-life impairment caused by ptosis and dermatochalasis is highly correlated with functional improvement from ptosis surgery,” said Dr. Cahill.

Tamara R. Fountain, MD, a clinical correspondent for the American Academy of Ophthalmology who was not involved in the study, said that she is always amazed at how life-changing the surgery can be for those who suffer from ptosis.

“For my patients who have been denied coverage and then choose to pay out of pocket, they often tell me it was the best investment they’d ever made and only wish they’d done it sooner,” Dr. Fountain said.

Dr. Lo is an oculoplastic surgeon, meaning he is trained in both facial cosmetic surgery and ophthalmology. He treats ptosis patients at his Tucson practice.

For more information on the report, the abstract is available online.

Cigarro by jfjwak on Flickr

Trying to quit smoking? Here’s another reason: smoking and skin cancer have been linked in women, according to a new study.

Women who smoked for 20 years or more were twice as likely to develop squamous cell skin cancer than those who didn’t smoke. The second most common type of skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer forms on cells of the skin’s outermost layer and is less aggressive than melanoma.

While the study found an association between smoking and skin cancer, it did not prove a cause and effect.

Study Details

The study compared 383 patients with skin cancer to 315 people without it. Researchers collected information on how much participants smoked, when they started smoking and the number of years they smoked.

In total, 355 men and 343 women participated in the study; all participants were white, which is the group who is most at risk for skin cancer.

The more people smoked, the more likely they were to have skin cancer, said the study’s lead author Dana Rollison.

Skin Cancer & Smoking: Gender Differences

For male participants, those who smoked had a “modest” risk for basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer, but the results weren’t statistically significant, according to the study authors.

Rollinson said they aren’t sure why there was a difference between the men’s and women’s risk, but the female hormone estrogen may play a role, she said.

How Smoking Ages Your Skin

While not as serious as cancer, smoking can also cause damage that ages your skin. It can cause wrinkles, uneven skin tone, sagging and lines around the lips.

There are non-surgical procedures that can help correct some of the cosmetic problems caused by smoking. Laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels remove the outer layer of skin, where the damage caused by smoking is most visible.

Image of Paul Brian via drivechicago.com

Bariatric patients may need body contouring surgery after losing weight, but a smaller percentage of patients may also need facial restructuring.

Msnbc.com reported on one man’s struggle to get surgery for the removal of excess skin from his face and neck after his weight loss.

Before bariatric surgery six years ago, Paul Brian weighed 420 pounds. He lost 240 pounds and found that in addition to body contouring surgery, surgery for his face and neck seemed necessary because he had so much sagging skin as a result of the weight loss.

“You’re so overwhelmed with the joy of losing the weight, but there’s this point of realization,” said Brian, who is 60. “You look in the mirror and you say, oh, that’s not good.”

Substantial weight loss can leave some with under-eye bags, slack jaws and wrinkles.

Facial surgery, such as a facelift or neck lift, is less common after massive weight loss than body surgery because the face tends to adjust better, and often insurers won’t cover it.

Brian’s doctor says that his jowls and the flesh under his chin are so heavy that they interfere with his speech and hygiene. Because of the extra skin, the muscles pull things down and make it hard for Brian to talk without drooling, according to his doctor.

While Brian would like to have surgery to fix the problem, he can’t afford it. He has been rejected by his insurance because it considered the procedure cosmetic.

But Brian and his doctor say that it is an issue of function. Brian is a radio announcer, and therefore his job depends on him talking a lot.