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Is CoolSculpting Safe?

We asked Dr. Carolyn Jacob is CoolSculpting safe, and what patients should be aware of prior to getting this FDA-cleared fat reduction treatment. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PgXOXaWV9U[/embed] What is CoolSculpting? CoolSculpting is the only FDA-cleared, non-invasive body contouring procedure that uses controlled cooling, or cryolipolysis, to target and permanently destroy fat cells. The treatment can eliminate up to 20%-25% of stubborn fat in 9 different areas of the body. This includes under the chin and jawline areas, thighs, abdomen and flanks, along with bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks, and upper arms. Are there any side effects with CoolSculpting? The FDA-cleared fat freezing treatment has an excellent safety profile, with over 8 million treatments performed to date. However, like any medical procedure, there is always the risk of potential complications; one of which is Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH). PAH is extremely rare1 and causes visibly enlarged tissue volume in the treated area. It is important for providers to be transparent and inform you of any potential risks when receiving this treatment. Being transparent about these risks is something we pride ourselves on. PAH is shown to be treatable via tumescent liposuction which can be performed in the safety, comfort and privacy of our own office. CoolSculpting Safety at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology CCSD has performed thousands of CoolSculpting treatments since 2010. Under the guidance and direction of Dr. Carolyn Jacob, our extremely knowledgeable Physician Assistants have been extensively trained, not only with the CoolSculpting device, but also on contraindications or potential side effects one may experience with this treatment. We now have CoolSculpting Elite, the newest and most advanced fat reduction technology yet! In addition to treating up to four areas at once, Elite’s c-shaped applicators cover up to 18% more skin surface than CoolSculpting Legacy, providing a more gentle and effective contouring result. Ready to learn more? Our experienced Physician Assistants can answer all of your questions and determine if you are a good candidate for CoolSculpting during your complimentary consultation. You can schedule a consult on our website or by calling 312-245-9965, and our Patient Entry staff will be happy to help start your CoolSculpting journey! Jalian HR, Avram MM, Garibyan L, Mihm MC, Anderson RR. Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia After Cryolipolysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2014;150(3):317–319. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.8071

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A Conversation with Dr. Lauren Fine

"Ask My Derm" with Dr. Lauren Fine Q: When should I schedule my cosmetic consultation? Is there a certain age I should start looking into wrinkle treatments? Dr. Fine: There is really no one or right answer to this question. Skin type, genetics, sun exposure, and other environmental factors contribute to skin changes which we think of as "aging".  I tell my patients, when you look in the mirror and see something that is starting to bother you it is the right time to talk to your Board-Certified Dermatologist about treatment options. While not every issue has an easy solution, addressing concerns such as wrinkles, fine lines, or volume loss early will most definitely lead to the best and most natural results.  Q: How do I know which wrinkle treatment is best for me? Dr. Fine: Not all wrinkles are the same! Lines that you start to see on the upper face like on the forehead, between the eyebrows and around eyes are often in areas where we see muscle movement, so neuromodulators, like botox or dysport, are very effective since they relax muscle. We refer to these wrinkles as dynamic rhytides. When the muscle is not as active, the lines will soften and this can be done very effectively without making someone look frozen or unnatural. Wrinkles on other parts of the face can also be due to loss of collagen and elasticity of skin, sun damage, as well as other factors. A combination of skin care, treatments that help restore volume and lasers that can resurface skin, can all be effective at treating wrinkles. Having an intricate understanding of the aging process on a cellular level by a skin expert is imperative in finding a treatment that is right for you. There is no "one size fits all" approach to treating wrinkles. Q: If I start preventative wrinkle treatments can I do other cosmetic treatments? Dr. Fine: For sure! There are so many benefits to addressing these concerns early. Not only will you get better, more natural results, but starting a routine of in-office treatments for wrinkles often have long-term benefits such as collagen stimulation. The aging process of skin begins in the mid 20's, meaning that collagen production decreases and the elasticity of skin begins to change at this time. Also, with neuromodulators, the longer a muscle is "relaxed", the less strong it will be over time, so dynamic wrinkles that we see on the upper face will never get as "etched in" or deep over time.  This can help yield more permanent results.    Q: Would wrinkle treatments be best for my acne scarring? Or would I look into filler or laser treatments? Dr. Fine: Acne scars are like snowflakes. No two are the same! Treatment of acne scarring first involves an accurate assessment of the type of scarring present, as well as factors such as skin tone and type and adequate control of acne flares. I like to tailor scarring treatments to the individual which often means using multiple treatment modalities and treating different parts of the face differently, depending on the type of scar involved. In general, lasers that deliver specific energy wavelengths deeper into the skin will help stimulate new collagen and will help scars improve over time. But skin tone and degree of scarring will determine what type of laser would be the best choice, and any laser treatment is usually done as a series (meaning there is often no one-and-done treatment). Other treatments I like include a procedure called cross-chemical reduction using TCA (a skin peeling agent) for deeper "ice-pick" scars, microneedling, subcision, and filler injections. I almost always combine treatments to yield desired results. Q: Why would someone get filler vs laser treatment for acne scarring? Dr. Fine: Not all types of scars respond well to fillers. It also depends on the degree of scarring involved and the number of scars looking to be treated. Q: Does my skin have to be blemish free to receive acne scarring treatments? Dr. Fine: Ideally acne should be well-controlled prior to starting a treatment regimen for scarring. Active acne that is leading to scarring often involves treatment with both oral and topical medications. To better understand what treatment is right for you, we recommend calling our office to schedule an appointment with me, Dr. Lauren Fine, or any one of our Board-Certified Dermatologists. Our phone number to call or text is 312-245-9965.

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Ask My Derm: New Cellulite Injectable Qwo With Dr. Jacob

Mark your calendars! A new, FDA-approved injectable for cellulite is coming soon! We asked Dr. Carolyn Jacob more about the exciting new cellulite injectable Qwo (pronounced “Kwoh”) and how it will differ from other cellulite treatments currently available. Q: What is Qwo? Dr. Jacob: Qwo is a revolutionary, non-surgical injectable treatment for cellulite. Three  treatments separated three weeks apart, can lead to improvement of even moderate to severe cellulite. Q: What is the difference between Qwo and other cellulite treatments? Dr. Jacob: Cellulite bands pull down on the skin, forming dimples. Qwo uses an enzyme to break down the bands that hold the skin down into a dimple position, releasing it and allowing the skin to be smoother. Other cellulite treatments like cutting the bands, can be more invasive requiring numbing medication. Other options can focus more on the thickening of skin, or utilize massaging lymphatic systems to improve the appearance of cellulite. Q: Where can Qwo be used? Dr. Jacob: Currently it is FDA approved for moderate to severe cellulite on the buttocks of adult women, however further studies are underway for the thighs. Q: How do you know that Qwo is effective? Dr. Jacob: 3-D photographs and standard photography were used during clinical trials to scientifically grade improvement in the appearance of cellulite Q: When will this new injectable be available? Dr. Jacob: Early 2021! Can't wait until early 2021 to treat your cellulite? Learn more about our currently most requested cellulite treatment, Emtone! [embed]https://youtu.be/GqI1eIk8u1Q[/embed]

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Ask My Derm: Hair Loss With Dr. Ibrahim

Ever wondered what signs you’re supposed to look for if you think you’re experiencing hair loss or what treatments are available if you are experiencing hair loss? We asked our very own hair loss expert, Omer Ibrahim, MD, FACS, to give us the scoop! Q: How would people know if they're experiencing a normal amount of hair shedding versus actual hair loss that requires treatment?Dr. Ibrahim: If you notice more hair in the shower, in the sink, on the pillow, on your clothes, on their desks, or in your food even – and have never noticed it before – this likely means you have increased shedding. Most cases of shedding will resolve within 3-4 months and return to normal. However, lots of patients can cycle into chronic shedding (greater than 3 months), and those patients should come in to seek treatment. Another subset of patients don’t even notice shedding, but notice gradual thinning of the hair overtime and see more of their scalps than they used to see years ago. These patients, if bothered by the thinning, should seek treatment sooner than later. The quicker hair loss is treated, the easier it is to prevent further shedding and response to treatment will be more robust. Q: What are the most common causes of hair loss you see in your clinic for women? For men?Dr. Ibrahim: In patients (men and women) with just generalized thinning, the most common cause is of course, genetics and hormones. A very complex interaction between the two leads to hair thinning over time. In women, this can worsen and accelerate once they reach menopause. In men, taking testosterone supplementation will accelerate hair thinning. In patients with increased acute shedding (telogen effluvium), the most common cause is an emotional or psychological stressor 3-6 months prior; these can include anything from starting a new job and moving to a new city, to the loss of a loved one. Q: At what point is it most ideal to prevent or reverse hair loss? Is it ever too late?Dr. Ibrahim: In the majority of cases, it is never too late. The sooner the better (within the first 5 years), but of course all my patients get full treatment because it never hurts to try. It is too late once the hair follicles are completely inactive, and this is seen mainly in men that have completely lost the hair follicles and have a shiny scalp. However, as mentioned, the vast majority of patients can stand to benefit from a hair loss treatment of some sort. Q: What treatments for hair loss do you perform/prescribe the most to your patients?Dr. Ibrahim: There are an array of options available:  • Some sort of vitamin supplement like Viviscal Pro or Nutrafol - for men and women (which one we choose depends on the patient, the goal, and what we are treating).  • Minoxidil – either topical or oral – one of the oldest, gold standard treatments that works time and time again  • Finasteride in men  • Spironolactone in younger women. Dutasteride in older women with other medical conditions we need to be conscious of.  • PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections – an in-office procedure where the growth factors in plasma are harvested and injected back into the scalp – in order to normalize shedding, and regrow and thicken hair. It is used in conjunction with the aforementioned at-home medical treatments. To help all of our patients battle hair loss, we are offering a FREE 1-month supply of Viviscal Professional when you buy a 3-month supply ($60 value) until 8/31/20 or while supplies last! Call or text our office (312-245-9965 option 2) to schedule your hair loss consultation and get a treatment plan customized just for you! [wpforms id="10755" title="true"]

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Client Reviews

Thank you to the friendly staff at CCSD for always making my visits pleasant and efficient! An even bigger thank you to Dr. Jacob for the phenomenal job she did all but erasing a scar on my face from skin cancer, and the amazing job she always does defying Mother Nature keeping my face looking young and alert!

— Christopher

Dr. Ibrahim is AMAZING. He has such a wonderful “bed side manner” and his experience is multifaceted. I go to him for both regular skin concerns and cosmetic reasons and he has been able to help with every issue I have! He is by far the best dermatologist I have been to and I recommend him 100%!

— Maddy

Loved results..and my daughter had microdermabrasion and beautiful results..they r so professional and very organized..appointment times right on schedule..no waiting. I would say this is the best place in Chicago..for any needs of the face. They are the experts..

— Rosalina

What a great experience! I love this office, every time I come everyone has a great smile, and the office is always bright and clean. Dr. Pritzker is awesome, she is so fast and efficient and knows exactly how to combat those pesky wrinkles.

— Valarie

4.9

1,000+ reviews

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