Abacoa & Alton Neighbors October November 2020

N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 0 | Abacoa &Alton N E I G H B O R S 9 EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR By Christina Hobgood Naugle, PA-C, Lickstein Plastic Surgery Medical Spa Since 2008, when asked what do you do for a living? I have had the privilege of answering: I am a Plastic Surgery Physician Assistant. Of course, after that statement, I usually can anticipate questions concerning the topic, and awkward looks evaluating the possible treatments I have had performed. Interestingly, these conversations have evolved from mostly surgical questions to “Instagram” non-surgical questions. I love to educate. Empowering patients with detailed explanations concerning facial aging makes for the best long-term relationship and having a strong surgical background has been invaluable in my understanding and ability to relay anatomy and structural changes. In consultations, I like to explain to patients the different treatments needed to yield the most natural result. My explanation begins with defining the patients’ concerns that they cannot always voice. I love to begin by explaining the Lickstein Lift, which covers skin texturing and fine lines vs. muscle movement vs. volume loss and bone loss vs. excess skin. Every patient has a component of each. Then, I like to provide a customized plan to best achieve their goals. Skin texturing and fine lines are best treated with laser, micro-needling, or peels which are all great modalities that injure the skin and stimulate collagen. Patients are then funneled into the treatment that best suites them based upon concerns (i.e. pigment or scarring or vessels), skin type (pigmentation/ heritage), and the amount of downtime. I truly feel nurturing the skin is the most natural gracious way to age. Addressing muscle movement can be done with muscle relaxers (Botox is the most common brand even though there are a couple to choose from and unique reasons to have one or the other). This is a great preventative treatment that over time reverses “static lines” and improves skin texturing. Bone and volume loss is then were fillers are discussed. This topic has nothing to do with anything patients can control. It is more of a discussion of decades of life and boney structural changes. In 2008, when I started injections, everyone was just filling lines. Now our goal is to correct the origin of the lines versus just filling the folds around the mouth. Once again, prior to adding filler it is important to treat the skin surface. My quote to patients is always “it is impossible to illuminate the face with filler without treating the skin”. Finally, the topic of excess skin is where Dr. Lickstein and Dr. Forlieter come into the discussion. Excess skin can only be corrected by removing. There are many heat modalities that attempt to help tighten skin, but in my opinion, surgery is the best treatment for addressing excess skin. As you can imagine, this treatment plan does not happen in one day. A calendar is provided for all patients to lay out a year. For financial reasons and order of treatment, we are able to review photos after a year to note improvement. My favorite “before and after” pictures of my patients are years later versus weeks later. To learn more visit: www. licksteinplasticsurgery.com. 3000 Central Gardens Circle Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 (561) 839-1855 www.Ha rborCha s e . com #AL 13037 Fall in love with HarborChase Celebrate life in a resort-style community including unparalleled hospitality, premium amenities and our life enrichment program. Schedule your tour today to receive our fall special including up to $500 off for a limited time. HARBORCHASE OF PALM BEACH GARDENS ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE RESIDENCES Natural R sults Empowering Patients for