Orlando Plastic Surgery & Botox
Orlando / Lake Mary

• Face to Face – Elizabeth – 4:01

Click on Elizabeth’s story above to learn how Dr. Gross helped this victim of Domestic Violence through the Face to Face  program.  A charitable outreach and community service from Primera and the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

“When the skin is in the process of recovering from an injury, whether the result of an accident, surgery, a burn, or acne, scarring will occur wherever multiple layers of the skin have been affected.  Once a scar forms, it is usually permanent, but it may be made less visible with laser therapy, dermabrasion, IPL, injection therapy or relocated surgically”, says Dr. Gross.  The key is to treat scars early in their formation to lessen the effect.

“Prevention of scarring is very important, as is proper wound care”, says Dr. Gross.  ”Remember that Triple Antibiotic and Neosporin Ointment should NEVER be used on the face as they are associtaed with high levels of contact dermatitis, allergic reactions, and potential for scar formation. We use only plain Vaseline on all acute surgical/ laser/ chemical peels wounds. Also, NEVER use Peroxide on any facial wound due to skin toxicity, skin damage, and possible scarring– which may be permanent,” according to Dr. Gross.

Scar &  Stretch mark therapy ~

At Primera, we have several treatment modalities to improve the appearance of scars after surgeries, small biopsies, burns, and stretch marks –which are considered internal scars that are formed when skin is stretched and collagen fibers break.

Any scar, including stretch marks at the initial stages, has a pink/purple discoloration which means that there is excess circulation within the scar.  This is the ideal time frame to improve the color and reduce the scar visibility, and generally occurs 3-6 months after injury to the skin.  At later stages, increased circulation subsides and the scar may become white and permanent.

It is always better to initiate treatment of scars/stretch marks during the initial stages as the outcome of the scar removal treatment will be better.

At Primera, a Consultation will be done by Dr. Edward Gross before initiating any scar removal therapy, to decide which treatment will suit you better.  On certain occasions, you will need a combination of treatments for best results.

With very few exceptions most people are self-conscious about scars. Some people may also experience diminished functioning of the eyes, mouth, or nose due to scarring. If you think scar therapy could improve your appearance, your self-confidence, or your level of  functioning, read more and contact our office. Dr. Gross may be able to help you.

Due to Dr. Gross’ training in Facial Reconstruction and his vast laser expertise, we receive a number of referrals for laser scar therapy. Common needs include: acne scars, chicken pox scars, stretch marks, skin cancer scars,  injury &  accident scars.  The most commonly used lasers  are the Pulse Dye Laser and the Fraxel laser, according to Dr. Gross. “The combination of Fraxel Laser with Pulsed Dye Laser has been a tremendous breakthrough in scar treatment and provides relief to many of my patients without the need for surgery”, states Dr. Gross.  Fortunately, results with laser therapy are so pleasing it is rare to require surgical therapy for scar treatment now. However, Dr. Gross has extensive training in reconstructive surgery and has the necessary talents and skills to surgically revise a scar, if needed.

Scar revision/Stretch marks treatments available:

Red Light Therapy: is a painless procedure in which red light is applied directly to the scar by our Licensed Medical  Aesthetician, this scar removal therapy will decrease redness and the discoloration of the scars, also it enhances the absorption of any products, in the case of stretch marks, a special stretch mark cream is applied to the area and then exposed to the red light. The procedure is painless, each session lasts 20 minutes. Red Light Therapy should be done in a series of treatments, alone or in a combination with other treatment modalities.

Pulse Dye Laser:  The Pulsed Dye Laser (from Candela™), or PDL, uses a concentrated beam of yellow light (595 nanometers) that targets blood vessels in the scar. The light is converted into heat, shrinking the blood vessels (and reducing the scar and it’s telltale pink color),  while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. This laser is the gold standard in treating problem scars as well as stretchmarks. Multiple sessions one month apart are required for best results.

Medical microdermabrasion: Medical Microdermabrasion: is used for the treatment of hypertrophic scars. With Microdermabrasion, we exfoliate the thick epidermis on top of the scar, sanding it to the level of the normal skin. Multiple sessions are usually needed.

Injection with corticosteroids: is used for the treatment of thicker keloid scars. A long-acting corticosteroid (Kenalog 10) is injected within the scar. This will cause atrophy of the tissue, causing the scar tissue to level off with the normal tissue.  These are repeated as needed about 1-2 months apart. Dr. Gross uses Kenalog-10, FDA approved.

Silicone Gel Sheeting:  recent research has shown the use of  surface gel sheeting materials (aka. Band-Aid Scar Therapy, mole skin, silicone gel sheets) can minimize scars and reduce scar formation. These strips, which are non medicated, are available over-the-counter at all drug stores and physicain offices and are worn on the affected area either 24/7 or during sleep. Ask Dr. Gross for more information during your visit.

Topical steroid ointments:  Use of Hydrocortisone Ointment 1% or other low potency steroids may be prescribed by Dr. Gross. These may only be used for short periods (less than 2 months) to avoid thinning the skin. Steroid ointments should NEVER be occluded or covered with Band Aids or gel sheets!

Laser peel: is performed with a Fraxel laser, (we use the re:store model 1500) which is a resurfacing laser that can target specific scar tissue. The depth of treatment and the number of treatments varies according to the scar tissue to be treated, and Dr. Gross will determine these parameters. You may have some downtime with associated pinkness, especially if the scar to be treated is located on the face. Please inquire with Dr. Gross on the specifics of your particular therapy and downtime expected.

About the AAFPRS Foundation and the Faces of Honor Program

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Gross joined  Faces of Honor , a part of the  FACE TO FACE Programs. The purpose of Faces of Honor is to offer pro bono medical and surgical expertise to veterans who were deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan and received face or neck injuries. Our motivation is simple: provide a “thank you” to the brave men and women who have served our country so well by offering what we have worked hard to achieve, our surgical expertise and skills as caring physicians. Dr. Gross has volunteered his time and services on behalf of our wounded veterans.

Although Dr. Gross is strictly a cosmetic surgeon (our practice does not accept insurance), the costs of laser scar therapy are quite reasonable and the results are very pleasing. Call Primera today for more information on scar treatments by Orlando’s recognized leader in lasers, Edward J. Gross, MD.

“Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon.” ™

Will I have scarring, and what will it look like?
Usually, facial injuries and lacerations can be improved with laser therapy and time. Certainly, there will be some signs of the injury, but these lessen as time goes by. In children, these typically show up as a bright pink line for several months following the surgical repair. This tends to fade in a 6 to 12-month period, and it is important to keep sun block on and to avoid direct sun exposure.

What can be done to improve residual scarring?
Dr. Gross frequently uses Pulse Dye Laser to improve scars. Other techniques include Dermabrasion, Microdermabrasion or scar revision using techniques such as W-plasty or Z-plasty. It is very important to follow wound care instructions given to you by Dr. Gross to achieve best results.

You are a very special person to my family, and me I could not of gone through this without you. You are God’s special angel.
Love,
Tiffany

To say that I am pleased seems so inadequate for the way I feel about the surgery, the pre-op care and consultation time , the post op-treatment and the entire experience was extremely superb. You are without a doubt, and with no exception, the very best at what you do. Thank you for saving my face.
Warmest Regards,
Leane