How is Blepharoplasty Performed?

3 Min Read

Many men and women are interested in restoring a more youthful appearance to their eyes. 

The eyes are one of your most prominent facial features, responsible for your ability to express your emotions. Unfortunately, the eyes are also amongst the first to show the visible signs of age as the skin is thin and receives constant strain throughout the day in the way of blinking and facial expressions. 

Blepharoplasty is performed on the eyelids to reduce the visible signs of aging above and below the eyes.

The Procedure

Upper Blepharoplasty

Upper blepharoplasty addresses visible signs of aging on the upper eyelid. This can include eyelids that droop down and obstruct the range of vision (which makes everyday activities like driving or reading more difficult) as well as lines and wrinkles around the eyes. 

Upper blepharoplasty is performed either under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. To perform upper blepharoplasty, Dr. Hung will make an incision along the crease of the upper eyelid. By making the incision here, the resulting scar will be invisible when the eyes are open. Pockets of fat in the upper eyelid are either removed or repositioned so that the area will lay flatter. The excess skin that is hooding the eye is trimmed away, and the incision is closed to reveal a smoother and tauter upper eyelid. 

This incision can extend past the crease toward the temple for patients who are hoping to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Lower blepharoplasty addresses the bags and dark circles beneath the eye. The incision for lower blepharoplasty runs just below the lower lash line. Excess pockets of fat are removed to reveal a flatter and smoother eye contour, and skin is trimmed and tightened. Once the incision has healed, patients can cover the scar with makeup; all scars will lose their redness and fade with time.

Transconjunctival blepharoplasty is an alternative approach to this procedure. This technique makes an incision on the inside of the lash line (so that there will be no visible scar), and it is through this incision that the fat pockets are removed. This technique is not appropriate for everyone, however, as it can only remove fat and cannot address other cosmetic issues.

Are You A Candidate?

Candidates for blepharoplasty are healthy adults who are interested in improving the appearance of their upper eyelids, their lower eyelids, or both. There is no age limit for this procedure, and many consider it once their aging has become visible to others or sagging skin obstructs their range of vision. Candidates should be non-smokers in good health. 

What Can You Expect for Your Recovery?

After undergoing blepharoplasty, most patients experience mild to moderate soreness and tightness of the eyes. The skin around the eyes will bruise and swell, and some patients’ eyes are swollen shut for a short period. Patients should rest comfortably for the first day or two with their head upright at all times, even when sleeping. Keeping your head elevated will promote healing by stimulating blood flow and circulation. Most patients can return to normal activities after one week and more strenuous activities after two or three weeks. 

Blepharoplasty will address aesthetic concerns that are present at the time of the procedure. This surgery will not halt the progression of aging, and patients will develop additional lines and wrinkles. However, it is unlikely that the puffiness of the eyes will return, as the pockets of fat are removed. Patients can prolong their results by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen and wearing sunglasses or hats whenever they are outdoors. 

If you are interested in learning more about blepharoplasty, or to set up a consultation, contact Dr. Hung by calling (626) 432-5032 or by filling out our online contact form.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 | Posted in Eyelid Surgery.

3 Min Read

May is skin cancer awareness month. Skin cancer is the most common type, affecting more individuals each year than every other cancer combined. While the survival rate of skin cancer is extremely high, it must be treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes or other organs. If it is not, poses significant risks to your health.

Skin Cancer Facts

One in five people is likely to develop some form of skin cancer before the age of 70. Nearly 9,500 individuals are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, meaning that over three million Americans are diagnosed every year. While there are multiple forms of skin cancer, the most common are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. While melanoma is considered to be the most dangerous type, each one poses a threat and needs to be treated as early as possible.

What Causes Skin Cancer

While some skin cancers develop from the existence of moles, the majority of cases are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. UV radiation penetrates the top layers of the skin and reaches the deeper layers of the dermis, causing irreversible damage to the cells. Skin cancer develops when the damaged cells are unable to repair themselves.

What Are the Signs of Skin Cancer?

While skin cancer can be very serious, it is treatable and survivable when detected early. Your doctor will perform skin checks during your routine appointments but most skin cancers are identified by the patient. Skin cancer is easily identified when you know what to look for.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It typically develops on the areas of the body that get the most sun, such as the face, head, and neck. You should watch for:

• Raised red patches that may itch
• Flat and firm yellow areas
• Translucent, pearly bumps on the skin
• Pink growths with raised edges
• Open sores that do not heal

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinomas are similar to basal cell carcinomas in that they frequently develop on locations that see considerable amounts of sun. Common signs of squamous cell carcinoma include:

• Raised growths or lumps
• Rough or scaly red patches
• Open and oozing sores
• Wart-like growths 

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer because it is the type that has the highest risk of spreading to the lymph nodes and other organs. Melanoma is often identified by the irregular shape and color of a growth. Not to be confused with moles or birthmarks, melanomas often appear:

• Asymmetrical, with one side being larger than the other
• To have irregular, notched, or blurred borders,
• To have multiple colors, such as brown, black, pink, red, white, or blue
• Larger than a ¼ inch
• To change their shape, size, or color

How Can You Protect Yourself?

To best protect yourself from skin cancer, you should:

• Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen
• Avoid tanning beds
• Perform self-checks by examining your skin in a well-lit room
• See your doctor immediately if you notice any new spots, spots that look different from others on your body, or sores that do not heal

To learn more about the risks of skin cancer, contact Dr. Hung by calling his Pasadena office at (626) 432-5032, his Newport Beach office at (949) 574-8292, or by filling out his online contact form.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 | Posted in Skin Cancer.

3 Min Read

Each cosmetic surgery has a specific age range. Some, such as a facelift or blepharoplasty, are designed for men and women over the age of 40 or 50, breast procedures like breast augmentation or breast lift must be performed after women are over the age of 18 or 22. And while these numbers vary, the one similarity between the ages of cosmetic surgery patients is that they are all adults. This fact separates otoplasty from the rest of the pack. Otoplasty is unique in that it is successfully and safely performed on both adults and children.

What Is Otoplasty?

Otoplasty is a short outpatient procedure that repositions prominent ears so that they sit closer to the head. During this operation, an incision is made on the back surface of the ear through which a small strip of skin is removed so that ears are moved closer to the scalp or resized. Incisions are closed and a short recovery period begins. Otoplasty is also one of the few procedures that offers permanent results without the need for touch-up procedures.

Benefits of Otoplasty for Children

Our ears are almost fully grown by the time that we reach four or five years old. Otoplasty can be performed as soon as this occurs, and the benefits of performing otoplasty at this age are extensive. For starters, a child’s ear cartilage is softer and more pliable than an adult’s ear cartilage. This makes it easier to reposition and mold the ear, and it also allows the ear to heal quicker and more comfortably. 

The other reason is for emotional well-being. We all remember being children and seeing someone teased or mocked because of their ears. Maybe that person was you, perhaps it was a friend, or maybe it was a classmate; no matter who it was, we have all witnessed it. It is an unfortunate fact that many children are made fun of because of their ears, and ridicule as a child often leads to self-esteem and confidence issues down the line. By performing otoplasty at a young age, children can adjust the appearance of their ears before anyone has the chance to make fun of them.

Benefits of Otoplasty for Adults

While many individuals undergo ear pinning when they are young, otoplasty is still useful for adults. Otoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure; however, it is still surgery, and it needs to be approached the same way as other forms of surgery. One of the significant drawbacks of performing otoplasty on a child is that it is often the parent’s choice, and the child may not understand why they are being asked to undergo surgery. When otoplasty is performed on an adult, you know that the patient understands and is choosing the procedure for him or herself.

No matter the age in which you undergo the procedure, otoplasty is sure to enhance your confidence. To learn more about the procedure, or to set up a consultation, contact Dr. Hung by calling his Pasadena office at (626) 432-5032, his Newport Beach office at (949) 574-8292, or by filling out his online contact form.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 | Posted in Otoplasty.

2 Min Read

If you have jowls, you probably would not mind getting rid of them. Jowls are never ideal, and many men and women will go to any length to get rid of them, whether it is practicing facial exercises, using creams and lotions that claim they will get rid of them, or choosing surgery. While the first two options are much cheaper and far less invasive, there is no guarantee, or proof, that they will do anything for you. Fortunately, the third option provides results that are much more concrete. Facelift surgery targets the jawline and neck so that you can finally bid those pesky jowls adieu.

What Are Jowls?

Jowls are what we call the loose skin and fat that hang below the jawline. They develop over the years as a result of aging, genetics, sun damage, weight loss, poor skin care, smoking, and dehydration. These factors all contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin, causing it to sag and facial features, such as the cheeks, to fall. When there is nothing to hold the cheeks in place, gravity pulls the skin and facial fat downward until there is nowhere further to go, and the jawline is where they come to rest.

How Can Surgery Help?

Once jowls form, they often change the overall shape of the face and disrupt the youthful jawline that many people desire. Facelift surgery combined with treatment of the neck is performed to minimize or eliminate the appearance of jowls. A facelift is designed to restore the facial muscles and fat to their original positions. This includes the fat and tissues of the cheeks. Once the cheeks are lifted back to where they should be, there will no longer be anything pushing down toward the jawline. Any extra skin is remedied with a neck lift, which is often performed alongside a facelift to maintain the balance between the appearance the face and the neck.

How to Maintain Your New Jawline?

Unfortunately, it is likely that you will develop jowls sometime in your life. That is how aging and gravity works. The good news is, however, that once you undergo a facelift, you are starting with a clean slate. A facelift will not halt the natural progression of aging, but you do have the unique opportunity to improve your skincare regimen. Proper skin care, sun protection, staying hydrated, a healthy diet, and not smoking or consuming excessive amounts of alcohol will contribute to the longevity of your facelift results.

For more information about how you can get rid of jowls, contact Dr. Hung by calling his Pasadena office at (626) 432-5032, his Newport Beach office at (949) 574-8292, or by filling out our online contact form.

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 | Posted in Facelift.

The thin skin around the eyes often causes them to be at the forefront of premature facial aging. And as your eyes are responsible for expressing your emotions, visible aging affects the youthful appearance of your entire face. Aging of the eyes is the result of several factors. The constant movement of the eyelids, caused by blinking and facial expressions, sun damage, and gravity all weaken the tissues around the eyes, which creates the formation of fine lines, heavy upper eyelids, and puffy bags beneath the eyes. Blepharoplasty is performed to counteract these signs of aging by removing excess skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. It can be performed on patients as young as 40 years of age. This process restores youthfulness while tightening and smoothing the eye region. While blepharoplasty can provide noticeable and substantial results, performing this surgery at different stages of facial aging will give different benefits.

Mild Signs of Aging

Some patients choose to undergo blepharoplasty as soon as they begin to notice the effects of time and sun damage. Patients at this stage are usually in their 40s and want to stop visible aging before it sets in too deeply. Blepharoplasty for mild signs of aging tends to postpone the onset of sagging eyelids and puffy bags.

Moderate Signs of Aging

Patients with moderate signs of eyelid aging often experience skin laxity on the upper and lower eyelids that limit their ability to express their emotions. When laxity is present, patients often look tired, stressed, or angry. Blepharoplasty at this stage reduces the puffy bags and drooping skin so that patients are once again able to control the facial emotions their eyes are expressing.

Severe Signs of Aging

When patients experience severe aging on the eyelids, they also often experience a decrease in their range of vision, which can cause certain activities, such as driving, to be dangerous. For patients with severe signs of aging, excess skin is removed from the upper and lower eyelids, and underlying fat is lifted to allow for a broader range of vision.

 

For more information about blepharoplasty, or to set up a consultation with Dr. Hung, contact us today by calling (626) 432-5032 or by filling out our online contact form.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 14th, 2019 | Posted in Eyelid Surgery.

Loving the sun is easy; it is warm, inviting, and it soaks into your skin to provide you with incredible comfort, especially after you have not seen it in a while. And even though we all want to use the excuses of “I’m getting vitamin D” or “My suntan looks healthy,” the sun does far more damage to our skin than good. The sun is not only the leading cause of skin cancer, but it is also the leading cause of premature aging. Because of these realities, before you spend another weekend sunbathing at the beach, consider what you might really be doing to your skin.

Aging Skin

Unfortunately, many men and women do not understand the sun’s potential to damage skin until it is too late. People who believed it was important to become as tanned as possible during the summers of their youth may be in for a rude awakening. Sun exposure leads to the premature formation of fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, and skin discoloration (age spots, brown spots, sun spots), especially on the highly visible areas of the face, neck, chest, and arms. While some lotions and creams may help prevent these signs of sun damage, they are often not strong enough to combat the damage that has already been done.

Skin Cancer

While we all want to maintain the aesthetic quality of our skin, there is no denying that skin cancer is a far more significant concern. Skin cancer is often caused by overexposure to the sun. It can be mild, such as basal cell carcinoma, which will not spread and is easily treated; or more serious, such as melanoma, which can spread to other parts of the body. Any cancer diagnosis is a cause for concern. Luckily, skin cancer is treatable when it is detected early and is preventable in many cases with adequate sun protection.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

The sun’s rays can be catastrophic to your health if you do nothing to protect yourself. Fortunately, it is easier than you think. Truthfully, there is no way to stay out of the sun completely. There will always be times when you are going to want to spend time outdoors participating in activities, seeing friends and family, and living life to the fullest. You do not need to completely avoid going outside; instead, choosing non-peak hours (before 10:00 am and after 4:00 pm) to be out in the sun is a very good way to enjoy being outdoors while minimizing sun damage. Next, keep skin covered with pants, sleeves, sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat.  Finally, use and reapply sunscreen on exposed skin,

If you are fighting against the effects of too much sun, contact Dr. Hung by calling his Pasadena office at (626) 432-5032 or his Newport Beach office at (949) 574-8292 to set up a consultation.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 3rd, 2019 | Posted in Skin Cancer.

While skin cancer is treatable and offers an excellent prognosis, the initial diagnosis is frightening as any cancer is still cancer. Specifically, there are three types of potential skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. And there are various ways to treat these forms of cancer. One of these is a highly specialized form of surgery known as Mohs surgery.

How Does Mohs Surgery Differ From Traditional Methods?

The majority of skin cancer diagnoses require a surgical procedure to ensure that all traces of the cancer are removed. In traditional skin cancer surgery, both the tumor and the margin (the area around the skin cancer in close enough proximity for the cancer to spread) is excised with a scalpel. The wound is usually then closed in an “elliptical fashion.” The linear closure and subsequent scar is then three times the diameter of the removal to eliminate puckering or “dog ears” at the edges of the incision. In addition, it can take a week to obtain a definite pathology result. If the cancer has not been totally removed, further surgery may be necessary. By removing the tumor and the margin this way, a wider excision may be used, which can leave a longer and deeper scar.

Mohs surgery is an outpatient procedure that treats skin cancer lesions with the highest cure rates of any skin cancer treatment. During this procedure, a local anesthetic is applied. After this, the visible skin cancer is removed as well as a very thin layer of surrounding tissue. This extra thin layer of tissue is immediately examined under a microscope to determine if any additional skin cancer unnoticeable to the naked eye is present. Since this examination period can take anywhere from one to two hours to complete, we recommend that you bring an iPad, a book, or friend to occupy your waiting time.

Once the results on the surrounding tissue come back, Dr. Hung can determine if an additional layer of tissue needs to be removed. If there are no traces of cancer in the tested tissue, then you are ready to go; however, if there are traces, an additional amount of tissue will be removed; this process is repeated until no cancer remains. Dr. Hung removes the smallest amounts of tissue possible with each pass to ensure that no tissue is removed that doesn’t need to be. This process also allows for the smallest scar and most comfortable recovery period, and because the layers of tissue are examined right away, you can feel assured that no traces of skin cancer will go unnoticed. This is why Mohs surgery has the highest cure rates of any form of skin cancer treatment.

If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer on your face or neck, Mohs surgery might be an option for you. Dr. Hung is triple board certified in internal medicine, dermatology, and plastic surgery. Contact Dr. Hung by calling his Pasadena office at (626) 432-5032 or his Newport Beach office at (949) 574-8292 to set up a consultation.

 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 21st, 2018 | Posted in Mohs Surgery.

Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer found anywhere in the world. The good news is, while it is still cancer and must be addressed in a timely fashion, even the most severe forms of skin cancer are potentially curable as long as they are treated in a timely fashion. Risk factors for skin cancer range from genetic predispositions to your actions and habits. The following is an overview of what causes and puts you at risk for skin cancer.

Types of Skin Cancer

There are three general forms of skin cancer.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

• The most common form of any cancer
• Will not spread throughout the body
• Cannot become melanoma
• Usually not painful, though bleeding and crusting can be present if untreated for some time.
• Treatable with Mohs surgery

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Not as common as the basal cell but more common than melanoma
• Usually related to sun damage
• Arises from precancerous lesions known as actinic keratosis
• Most are slow growing and easily treated
• Small subsequently can grow rapidly and be extensive. This is more likely in transplant patients, immunocompromised patients.

Melanoma

• Potentially the most severe form of skin cancer
• Can resemble regular brown or black moles but can also be pink, red, purple, blue, or white
• Can spread to other parts of the body
• Early diagnosis and treatment is vital
• Treated with surgery, but generally not with Mohs surgery

What Puts You at Risk?

Sun Exposure

We’re all familiar with the fact that excessive sun exposure causes premature aging and the onset of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. Unfortunately, sun exposure doesn’t stop there. Sun exposure is the foremost cause of skin cancer, said to be responsible for 90 percent of non-melanomas and 86 percent of melanomas. The sad fact is that as much as we love the feeling and warmth of the sun, it’s damaging to the quality of our skin and health. Sun damage comes from both UVA and UVB rays, and any amount of sun to unprotected skin contributes to this damage. You can experience sun damage even if your skin doesn’t show a sunburn. While most sun damage occurs early in life, sun damage collects and compounds throughout adulthood.

Moles

We all have moles spread throughout our body. Many of these are normal moles, small brown blemishes that are not damaging or threatening to your body. Unfortunately, while there are normal moles, there are also atypical moles referred to as dysplastic nevi. This type of mole can be a precursor to developing cancer, and the more moles you have, the greater the risk.

Skin Type

Although not always the case, patients who have fairer skin with naturally lighter hair and eyes have an increased rate of developing skin cancer.

Family History

At almost any doctor’s visits, you are likely going to be asked about whether or not a family member has had melanoma. This is because genetics can play a role in melanoma.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

While skin cancer is treatable, it is still necessary to protect yourself against skin cancer. How do you do this? The easiest way is to reduce sun exposure. Don’t spend extended lengths in the sun without adequate sun protection like hats, glasses, or clothing. Sunscreen lotion should cover any bare skin and should be reapplied if you are expecting to be out in the sun longer. In addition to the sun, tanning beds should be avoided as they also expose your skin to ultraviolet rays and increase your risk of skin cancer.

All moles should be observed. If you notice any new moles or if your existing moles are changing in size, color, or shape, see your doctor immediately to be sure that it isn’t cancer. While not all forms of skin cancer are necessarily life-threatening, all must be addressed and treated as early as possible. Cancer cells will expand, invade, and destroy other tissues.

 

To learn more about the causes of skin cancer, or to see if Mohs surgery is right for you, contact Dr. Hung by calling his Pasadena office at (626) 432-5032 or his Newport Beach office at (949) 574-8292 to set up a consultation.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 25th, 2018 | Posted in Skin Cancer.