Is There an Alternative to Surgery, to Help Eliminate the Bags Under My Eyes?

Dermal Fillers such as Juvederm are an excellent non-surgical treatment for “tear trough” deformities, commonly known as sunken eyes. Juvederm is made of Hyaluronic Acid, which is a naturally occurring sugar found in the human body. The role of hyaluronic acid in the skin is to deliver nutrients, hydrate the skin by holding in water, and to act as a cushioning agent. Therefore it is excellent when used to smooth wrinkles and folds under the eyes, and around the nose and mouth. Juvederm restores facial volume by replacing the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid depleted during the aging process. The results may last up to 12 months with only one injection.

More info on Juvederm

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What Are the Treatment Options for Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)?

Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS) is somewhat of a misnomer in that it is not a cancer, but a “pre-malignant” condition in which there are abnormal cells present in the glands (lobules) of the breast. Patients who have been diagnosed with LCIS do not have cancer, but are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than the general population. For this reason they require closer observation and shorter intervals between screening mammograms. In patients with a strong family history of breast cancer, or those at very high risk, hormonal therapy with Tamoxifen may be used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer. Surgery is generally not performed for LCIS alone.

Interestingly, patients with LCIS who develop invasive cancer usually develop invasive ductal cancer of the breast. Also, 40% of patients with LCIS who develop invasive cancer may develop cancer in both breasts. For this reason a prophylactic mastectomy of the normal breast is often performed at the time of mastectomy for the diseased breast in patients with LCIS who have developed invasive cancer.

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Why Do Healing Wounds Itch?

Whenever tissue is subject to trauma, such as incisions made during surgery, the body initiates an inflammatory response as part of the healing process. Several different types of cells are released into the bloodstream and make their way to the wound where they act as mediators and initiate the various stages of wound healing. Among the cells involved in this process are mast cells which release histamine. It is the histamine which causes the wound to itch. So itching of the wound is a good sign. If you find the itching is unbearable, you can take an antihistamine such as benadryl for relief.