Bare Skin

Read an interesting Article in Scientific American, "The Naked Truth", on a flight home recently. It distills down the pressure the environment posed for the early humans to adapt to the sweltering tropical climates in Africa. We continue to evolve but the skin seems to be a constant battle. Bare skin keeps cool but I am constantly asked by patients about laser hair removal. In breast reconstruction where one breast is in the natural position, slightly drooping, I have to lift it, augment it or both. If someone is concerned with the appearance of the facial tissues. Many times unnatural appearances can be created if just the skin envelope is adjusted without any change in the position of the underlying tissues of the cheek and jowls. It is part of the process of evaluation in an office consultation to come up with a plan that will fit a given patient in terms of their expectations and the ability to reach expectations with their own tissues.