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How Can I Protect Myself From Melanoma?

Thursday, April 29th, 2021

If we have learned anything over the past year, living life “unprotected” can have serious consequences.  Since the pandemic has decreased our social options, many of us are spending more time than usual outside; this means more opportunity for sun exposure.  With the potential for removing masks in the very near future, I expect the time outside to continue to increase as we are able to loosen the social reins. It’s important to think ahead about protecting our skin from UV rays.  Skipping this simple step will not only cause pre-mature skin aging but can also lead to a devastating diagnoses of Melanoma.

Use multiple tools to help decrease sun exposure like applying and re-applying broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen every 2 hours, seeking shade, wearing a wide-brim UV protected sun hat and sunglasses, and limiting high-sun exposure time because it’s easy to over-look your next sunscreen application and end up with unintended sun exposure, especially when you are working outside or  having a great time with friends.  Did you know, according to the CDC, the occurrence of melanoma has doubled within the past three decades in the United States? One person now dies of melanoma every hour of every day.

May is Melanoma Awareness Month. Melanoma Month was put into place to encourage efforts to increase awareness about melanoma, the dangers of UV exposure, how to identify suspicious skin changes, and how to protect yourself and your family. UV exposure cannot only cause pre-mature aging such as wrinkles, lines, rough, uneven texture, brown spots and spider veins, but it primarily responsible for all forms of skin cancer.

What is Melanoma?

Melanoma is the most-deadly form of skin cancer.  It develops in pigment producing cells called melanocytes. While basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are more common forms of skin cancer, melanoma takes more lives because it can quickly spread to other organ if it is not diagnosed and treated in the early stages.

 

What does melanoma look like? What should I look for?

  1. A spot, lesion, bump or mole that becomes painful, tender, itchy, or bleeds and doesn’t heal.
  2. Visual changes on the skin such as shape, color, size, flaking or bleeding of a new or existing spot.
  3. A spot, lesion, bump or mole that looks shiny, waxy or pale in color.
  4. Red bumps that become crusty and / or bleed.
  5. Red, flat spot that has a rough texture, is dry or scaly.
  6. One half of a mole or a pigmented spot that is an uneven shape (asymmetrical) or has irregular or ill-defined borders.

***This is just a list of SOME of the signs of melanoma, but it could appear differently on a case to case basis. See your doctor with any suspicious signs.

Which factors can put me at a higher risk for melanoma?

  1. Sun / UV exposure – Skin cancers are mostly the result of UV exposure, that includes both sun exposure and UV exposure from tanning beds and other tanning devices.
  2. Family history – If you have a family history of skin cancer, visit your dermatologist for frequent skin checks. 
  3. Skin type – while skin cancers are diagnosed much more frequently in lighter skin types, it often proves more deadly in darker skin types as the signs of skin cancer often do not appear on dark skin types until the later metastatic stages.

How can I protect myself from melanoma?

  1. Make UV protection a priority! Apply a broad-spectrum, UVA/UVB physical sunscreen generously every day of the year. Re-apply every two hours as needed when exposed. If you are swimming or sweating, re-apply every 80 minutes. Be generous with your sunscreen applications.  It takes one shot glass of sunscreen to cover the average body appropriately.
  2. LIMIT your sun exposure time. Applying sunscreen is not meant to be a free ticket to all day exposure.
  3. Wear GOOD UV protective sunglasses! UV exposure has also been linked to cataracts and other eye conditions.
  4. Wear a wide-brimmed, UV protected sun hat and seek shade.
  5. Wear UV protective clothing.
  6. Avoid sun exposure between 11am-3pm.
  7. Do frequent self-checks and visit your dermatologist with any suspicious changes.

Help us improve community knowledge about the dangers of UV radiation and decrease the number of lives effected or lost to melanoma by sharing this post on your social media platforms and sharing this knowledge with your friends and family.

 

Roxanne,

Skincare & Laser Specialist for

G.D. Castillo, MD, FACS

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center

https://www.facebook.com/DrCastilloCosmeticPlasticSurgery

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Posted in Non-Surgical Treatments, Patient Advocacy, Skincare & Aging, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Look At Traditional CO2 Laser Resurfacing For Exciting & Brilliant Results

Friday, August 5th, 2016

I once read that “wrinkles are the road map of one’s life,” but who wants a road map when you can have a GPS! In the field of cosmetic surgery, we would consider traditional CO2 Laser Resurfacing the “GPS” of wrinkle solutions, providing a sleek, modern alternative to a wrinkly road map.

While Dr. Castillo offers 3 different levels of CO2 Laser Resurfacing, Level III Traditional CO2 Laser Resurfacing definitely offers the most dramatic anti-aging results available. This procedure is considered to be a surgical procedure and is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Castillo has performed thousands of these very effective procedures in his outpatient surgical facility. If you are looking for the best results possible for moderate to severe skin damage, you may want to learn more about this magnificent treatment option.4920

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LEVEL III TRADITIONAL LASER RESURFACING?

Ideal candidates for this procedure are men and women with advanced symptoms of aging,
skin damage or acne scarring. I am referring to moderate to severe lines, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, rough texture, brown spots, facial redness, spider veins, enlarged pores, skin laxity, loss of collagen, and acne scars. Their schedule will need to allow for week of down time before returning to work or social events.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

This is a one-time laser procedure. Of course, sadly, it cannot keep you from getting sun damage in the future. That part is up to you. But that being said, we are always here to guide you and educate you on ways to slow the signs of aging and protect your new, flawless skin from the sun.

 

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Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

 

 

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Posted in Facial Surgery, Laser | No Comments »

Captivated by Collagen Stimulators, Lasers & Other Exciting At-Home Devices?

Thursday, March 19th, 2015

While flipping through the pages of a well-known magazine, I was indeed surprised to find an at-home device advertised as “an alternative to pricey anti-wrinkle treatments” with an at-home “laser” to stimulate collagen production. I was surprised because as a plastic surgeon and CEO of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center in Champaign, Illinois, I have been restoring and stimulating collagen for more 30 years.

While aesthetics medicine has advanced from the days of phenol peels to modern, art-of-the-art, dedicated laser technologies in a positive and substantial way, it is by no means as easy or uncomplicated to re-grow new collagen as the ad made it seem. Stimulating new collagen growth requires wounding of the deep dermis to force the body to say “hey, part of my dermis has just been injured, I need to make some new collagen.”   It requires sophisticated, expensive equipment along with expensive, preventative maintenance to stimulate collagen growth. In fact, not all medical lasers are even effective enough to reach the deep dermis. There is a huge difference between FDA-approved medical devices or lasers and gadgets sold directly to the consumer, which do not require FDA approval.

The FDA requires that medical devices are “proven-safe and effective” in order to approve them for use. Then the FDA puts these lasers ONLY in the hands of individuals who are properly trained and experienced to use such equipment. For example, every time I purchase a new laser for my cosmetic plastic surgery practice, both myself and the laser specialist working in my office must become certified to operate that specific laser. No matter how many certifications we hold to operate other lasers and how many years experience we have operating lasers, we still must go through proper training for that specific device. Lasers in improperly trained hands can and have resulted in irreversible skin damage.

The advertised anti-wrinkle device is what we refer to as a “gadget.” It is no more effective than the pantheon of in-effective gadgets that proceed it. Do you really want to take an irreversible risk on your skin? Don’t be fooled by a major department store’s unconscionable advertising.

Why are medically approved lasers effective?

Because they target deep dermis with energy capable of penetrating to the depths needed to wound cells and is done so in a controlled and infinitely adjustable protocol that puts emphasis on safety and efficacy.

Medical lasers are expensive to purchase and expensive to maintain They require maintenance contracts to properly calibrate, test and repair to assure your safety at all times unlike the gadget advertised as “an alternative to pricey wrinkle treatments” where as you can just pick it up and use it… no training, no calibration, no maintenance, no real results.

It’s 2015. Guard your money wisely.

 

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery 9/11/12

 

 

 

 

 

G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

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Posted in Facelift, Facial Surgery, Patient Advocacy, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Ask Our Expert – Will My Nose Get Smaller?

Tuesday, June 17th, 2014

Question:  I had Rhinoplasty two weeks ago.  Will my nose get smaller over time?

Answer: Dear reader, I would first encourage you to speak with your plastic surgeon regarding your concerns as he will be able to best answer your questions as your surgeon.  However, in general, two weeks is definitely too short of a time period to make any kind of decisions as to what the final outcome will be from your nose surgery.  Six to Eight weeks after surgery, you will be better able to evaluate the nasal dorsum. Ittakes time for swelling to settle down and for the nose to take its shape.

Rest assured that your nose will continue to change for up to one year post-surgery.

 

 

 

 

 

G.D. Castillo, M.D., FACS

COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY CENTER

Become a Facebook Fan of CPS @  http://www.facebook.com/pages/CosmeticPlasticSurgery
https://www.cosmeticplasticsurgery.com
800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

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Posted in Rhinoplasty | 1 Comment »

Ask Our Expert – Advantages of an Outpatient Surgical Facility Verse a Hospital

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

 

Question: Why do you prefer to perform surgery in an outpatient facility rather than the hospital?

Dr. Castillo’s state-of-the-art outpatient surgical facility.

Answer : Dr. Castillo: Actually, about 90 percent of cosmetic plastic surgical procedures are now done in outpatient surgical facilities for the following reasons:

 

•    Safety

The surgical procedures done in an outpatient surgical facility are done by a staff which is dedicated to doing only outpatient surgical procedures, so they are better focused, the staff is better experienced and dedicated to a single task.  This increases safety and provides the patient with knowledgeable people that are experienced in state-of-the-art outpatient surgical procedures.

*    Infection

The rate of infections in hospitals varies anywhere between 2 to 12 percent.  The rate of infection in outpatient surgical facilities is much smaller.  In fact, in our outpatient surgical facility, infection is a nearly non-existent problem and we say that because it only presents itself every few years.  That is, the rate is so small that it is difficult to quantify.  You may ask yourself, why?  The reasons are multiple but for the most part it has to do with carrying out procedures that are done in patients who are healthy and not suffering from disease and/or infection.  Also remember that in our facility, we do not do what is referred to as a “dirty case,” that is, procedures that involve entering the intestine, colon or areas that typically have bacteria.

*     Cost

The cost of care in a hospital facility is often unknown and extremely high.  The reasons have to do with hospitals having fees that are much higher than the real expenses to be able to cover the uninsured and establish artificially high rates that can then be applied to different insurances.  The reason why this is possible is that generally insurance have no choice but to pay a fee while in our facility, the choice is yours.  That is, you are the patient and you elect whether to pay or not pay the cost you know beforehand to be – that is, you approve of that cost.  What this results in is a great competitiveness and a much reduced cost for the surgical procedure.

*      Scale

When you go to a hospital, you immediately become part of literally hundreds or even thousands of people who may be at the hospital for one reason or another.  That makes you one of many and the services are going to be diluted, meaning you are not likely to have individual care.  In comparison, an outpatient surgical facility like ours has staff that is dedicated to only you and no other business to take care of during the time that you are at the facility.  Consequently, you have a staff member that remains with you throughout your surgical procedure.  There are no delays and this results in expedient care and a much reduced level of anxiety.

*     Comparative Services

Are the outpatient surgical facilities like ours able to take care of you in an emergency?  The answer is yes.  Our facility is equipped to respond to an emergency in the same manner as a hospital would be.  The level of response, equipment, drugs and supplies is par with a hospital.  What the outpatient surgery facility has that the hospital does not, is the experience to deal with the type of surgical procedure, that is, cosmetic surgery, which you are going to have.  This is an area, like in most areas, where expertise is not only important but is often the determinant for the degree of satisfaction and success that the procedure has.

So regarding the question, are you better off having your surgical procedure in a dedicated outpatient surgical facility doing cosmetic surgery only?  The answer is a qualified yes for the above reasons.

 


G. D. Castillo, M.D. FACS
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM   
800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

 

 

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Posted in Ask Our Expert, Body Procedures, Breast, Facial Surgery, Patient Advocacy, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

A Little Wrinkled Or Not, Here I Come! Gain Confidence At Any Age!

Friday, April 19th, 2013

 

Wrinkled was never  what I dreamed of becoming when I grew up; a zoo keeper, a talk show host or entrepreneur,  sure, but I checked carefully and “wrinkled” definitely did not appeared on my list… not even once!

We had some new staff photos taken recently at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center.  When we got them back I was startled to see a slightly older version of me in the photos.  I was forced to acknowledge that I too am slowly creeping up on a time in life when minor changes in my facial structure are beginning to occur.  When I look closely in the mirror, I can now see a hint of my mom looking back at me.  I know there will come a time when decisions will have to be made.  Will I decide to age gracefully or choose to defy it with a facelift? Let’s see.  I better check my list one more time just to be sure.  Nope, still the word “wrinkled” does not appear.  Defy it is then.

How does one do that you ask?  Well it is easier if you have stayed out of sun, but for most of us that is not the case.  So that leaves protect and repair.  Both my parents were diagnoses with skin cancer while I was in my mid to late twenties, so really just a few years ago. ; -)  Hey… there is no judgment here ok.  This is my blog. Besides, like I always say “if age is just a number then I would prefer to keep mine unlisted.”

Watching the anguish my mother endured when the tip of her nose had to be removed, leaving it disfigured and later when my dad who had a large cancerous lesion in the center of his forehead, I realized the true dangers of the sun. Protection is a must when abstinence isn’t possible.  (from the sun!).

At that point, I began a daily regimen of sunscreen and swore off tanning.  That alone has bought me some time.  I am faithful to my medical-grade skincare regimen.  I don’t jump around trying the latest and greatest infomercial skincare products.  That’s a tough one for most of us – advertising can be so convincing., isn’t it? I stick with medical-grade skincare products only, and for-go over-the-counter skincare products.  That’s not to say that there aren’t good OTC products out there, it is just that I value my time and money more than that and refuse to spend time and money hunting for something that “might” do the trick when I can go straight to medical grade skincare and feel confident that my investment will pay off.

I was recently telling a girlfriend that I am considering having full face CO2 Micro-Fractional Laser Resurfacing in the fall.  She responded “For what?  You don’t have a wrinkle on your face,”  which of course isn’t quite accurate and to which I responded “yes, and I’d like to keep it that way.”  I explained to her that I am a firm believer in preventative (early) maintenance for multiple reasons.  First, addressing aging earlier rather than later gives me the opportunity to enjoy my results for as long as possible.  Why wait until “I am bad enough or old enough, or wrinkly enough to justify making improvements.” The only thing that will accomplish is that my self-esteem will take a hit.  I have always believed in taking care of myself with exercise, healthy food choices, and a clean lifestyle.  I want to enjoy the rewards of my efforts.  What if you just found out your home had a few termites, would you wait until the foundation was ready to collapse before something about it? Of course not, so why should our bodies be any different?

I believe early maintenance is beneficial because I think it provides more privacy.  The more there is to repair, the more dramatic the change can be.  Friends and family are less likely to suspect cosmetic surgery and more likely to assume that I am more well rested or that my new hair cut just took 10 years off my appearance.   Well… unless you write a cosmetic surgery and skin rejuvenation blog and tell the whole world about your anti-aging game plan… that does tend to cause some suspicion.

So will I have a facelift? Well if the little things I do along the way; medical grade skincare, exfoliation treatments, Botox Cosmetic, laser resurfacing aren’t enough to keep the peace within myself, then, yes, I would consider a facelift when the time is right.

Yours Truly,

Roxanne Hammond

Anti-Aging With Grace

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

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Posted in Facelift, Facial Surgery, Laser, Neck Lift, Skincare & Aging | 1 Comment »

Spot Reduction by Liposuction

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

G.D. Castillo, M.D.  has been sculpting bodies into a more proportionate form in his Cosmetic Plastic Surgery practice since 1983, through liposuction or liposculpture.  While maintaining a good diet and a realistic exercise routine is vital to looking good and maintaining a healthy body, there is no such thing as “spot reduction” thru diet or exercise.  This fact often causes an otherwise reasonable active individual to struggle with their body image and their inability to self-correct those problem areas.  Often patient’s maintain abnormally low weight in attempt to reduce their body bulges.  When that doesn’t work, it is often interpreted as a failure and many find it difficult to remain dedicated to their exercise routine and healthy eating habits.

Liposculpture or Liposuction is used to reduce volume and re-contour specific areas of the body by suctioning out the fat that over-collects in certain areas, disrupting the inherent, sensuous flow of the human body.   Through the use of Liposculpture, Dr. Castillo is able create a feminine contour from the hips to the buttock that would boost any women’s confidence. He is able to create a smooth, naturally flowing contour of the body that restores self-pride for both our male and female our patients.

After liposuction, patient’s often become re-invested in making healthy food choices and staying consistent in their exercise program because liposuction has given them the encouragement they needed to continue on a path of healthy living.  After reducing the problem areas, patients can finally see that their hard work truly is paying off every time they look in the mirror.

While liposuction is often used for volume reduction, the best candidates for liposuction are those who are reasonable fit but have some problem areas though it can also be used for volume reduction.  Liposuction can be used to “spot reduce” nearly any area of the body.  It can also be used in conjunction with other cosmetic plastic surgery procedures to enhance the results.  For instance, it can be used during a facelift for a patient who carries extra weight in his or her face, or to reduce a double chin or jowls during a mini-facelift.  In some cases liposuction is used in combination with an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. It can be used to reduce arm fat during a Brachioplasty or arm lift.

Imagine being a woman who feels compelled to wear long skirts or pants in the heat of summer because she is too embarrassed to expose her thighs. Imagine the frustration that comes with realizing that no matter how thin and fit you are your thighs or hips will always be larger or disproportionate to the rest of your body.  Consider how frustrating it must be for a male who eats consciously and exercises but cannot decrease the bulk of his breasts or his love handles through those means. For patients like these, Liposuction or Liposculpture can make a tremendous improvement in their quality of life.

Dr. Castillo is compassionate toward the struggles that individuals go through, and he is passionate about helping them reach their goals. As the Past-President of The American Society of Liposuction Surgery and the Past-President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Castillo continues to be an influential leader in liposuction surgery.   If you would like more information on Liposuction or Liposculpture, call Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Clinic in Savoy (Champaign – Urbana area) at 217-359-7508 or to schedule your consultation with G.D. Castillo, M.D., FACS.

DSC_0574Roxanne Hammond, RMA
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
Become a Facebook Fan of CPS @  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cosmetic-Plastic-Surgery/65943304419
https://www.cosmeticplasticsurgery.com
800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

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Posted in Liposuction | 67 Comments »

Teenage Acne

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

TEENAGE ACNE

Acne is far from a simple skin condition.  It possesses the power to produce both physical and emotional scars that can last a lifetime. Acne does not discriminate against race, gender or age.  It elects to play a prominent role in them all. Though acne can begin at almost any stage in life, this blog entry will focus primarily on teenage acne.

I think we can all agree that teenagers face enough pressure without the added stress that acne can cause.  It is important to take this condition seriously. It is particularly important for those teens that are embarrassed or ashamed to get the treatment they need.  Many of the adult patients who come to see us in our Champaign, Illinois offices report that their parents thought that acne was just a part of adolescence; that nothing could be or should be done to control it. And now as adults, they are still dealing with the poor self-image they developed during that time.

Too often, at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center, we see adult patients whose emotional scars far out-weigh their physical ones.  After Dr. Castillo has removed their acne scars with CO 2 full face laser resurfacing and dermabrasion, they are excited and proud of their new smooth, beautiful skin.  However, some patients still find it difficult to over-come the deep seeded emotional scars that acne leaves behind.

Acne can have a devastating effect on a teen’s self-esteem and body image. Has your teen become withdrawn, refused to go to school or a social event because of their acne?  Acne can abruptly turn a self-assured, social butterfly into a self-conscious recluse.  This type of emotional distress can be prevented or at least minimized with immediate treatment for their acne.

The treatment for acne can be as complex as the condition itself because acne comes in different forms with many treatment options. To make it as simple as possible, if your teen has mild acne (black heads and white head without pustules) over-the-counter topical solutions like Benzoyl Peroxide or salicylic acid may be all it takes to put a smile back on their face. In some instances, they may need a medical-grade strength at-home skincare regimen such as Castillo MD Skin Science along with the addition of chemical peels, laser light treatments, Acne facials or microdermabrasion may also be effective. If your child has moderate to severe acne, don’t wait, seek medical treatment.  Your doctor can help control the out-breaks with education, oral and/or topical prescription medications. If your child is experiencing deep pustules, red, inflamed skin, cystic acne, or is beginning to scar, a more aggressive treatment such as Accutane (isotretinoin) may be required.

It is important to acknowledge the psychological effects that some teens develop when suffering from acne.  If you notice that your teen is avoiding friends and social situations, the support of a mental health professional may also be needed to assure they have the coping tools to maintain a healthy self-image during this stressful time.

Talk with your teen about the idea that acne treatments are preventative in nature.  This means that the treatment is not meant to clear the present acne but is used to prevent future acne break-outs and inflammation. Most treatments will take a few months to become effective. Encourage your teen continue faithfully with their treatment regimen even though they feel like it is not working.  They are likely to become frustrated at times until they see the results of their dedication has finally paid off.

Roxanne Hammond, RMA
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
Become a Facebook Fan of CPS @  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cosmetic-Plastic-Surgery/65943304419
https://www.cosmeticplasticsurgery.com
800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

Roxanne Hammond

Skin Care & Laser Specialist for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

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Posted in Non-Surgical Treatments, Skincare & Aging | 106 Comments »

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