Friday 30 September 2016

Ocean Clinic Named ‘Best Plastic Surgeon – Marbella’

Ocean Clinic Marbella is celebrating success in the 2016 Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Awards.


It has been named ‘Best Plastic Surgeon – Marbella’ in the prestigious awards, run by Global Health and Pharma Magazine.

These awards seek to showcase the people behind the success stories, and Ocean Clinic’s founder Dr. Kai Kaye was selected following a rigorous judging process.

“We carefully scrutinise everything from a nominee's region to their performance over the past 12 months, their commitment to innovation, their methods and even their competition to ensure that only the most deserving names walk away with one of our prestigious trophies,” says Joanne Clark, Awards Editor.

Dr. Kaye features in Health & Pharma’s 2016 Winners Supplement (page 48), in which he shares details of his signature treatments that have earned him recognition amongst his peers, including the innovative PAVE-Lift facelift.

Dr. Kaye features in the 2016 Winners Supplement
Notable achievements in 2016 include Dr. Kaye’s organisation of the first plastic surgery meeting in the South of Spain, MIPSS, and a charitable mission to Kenya to operate on 100 people with deformities and disfigurements.

Says Dr. Kaye: “It’s an honour to be named in these awards. 2016 has been a fantastic year for us at Ocean Clinic and the team has worked extra specially hard, so this is well-deserved recognition for them.”

To read more about the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards click here. For more information on Ocean Clinic Marbella visit www.oceanclinic.net.



Wednesday 21 September 2016

Water-Jets - The Latest Innovation in Facelifts

The gentle power of water to rejuvenate the face was presented by Ocean Clinic’s Dr. Kaye to more than 400 surgeons at a meeting of Germany’s national association of plastic surgeons (DGPRAC).

Dr. Kaye


Speaking as part of a workshop organised by Human Med Germany, Dr. Kaye discussed the use of water-jets to separate the soft tissues during facelift surgery.
                             
Dr. Kaye has been utilising the technique, known as ‘AquaLift’, as part of his signature Peeling Assisted Volume Enhancing (PAVE) facelift.

He says: “AquaLift is a particularly gentle method to use for facelifts. The soft tissue directly beneath the facial skin is gently detached using the fine fan-shaped water-jet while surrounding vessels and nerves remain largely intact. The skin can then be lifted and smoothed.

“Thanks to the gentle separation of the tissue structures, there is considerably less bruising and postoperative swelling, as well as a better healing process.”


Water-jets can also be used to help harvest fat from other parts of the body for transfer to the face, which is a key component of Dr. Kaye’s facial rejuvenation technique.

Unlike conventional liposuction techniques that use suction force to rupture and remove fat cells, water-jet assisted liposuction gently detaches the tiniest fat particles from the tissue, ensuring the cells remain largely intact and alive.

The harvested fat is prepared without damaging centrifugation and can be immediately reintroduced to the body.


Dr. Kaye explains: “Because fat harvested via water-jet assisted liposuction contains a higher number of living fat cells, the prospect of successful growth of the injected fat is better. This means fat will live on in the face providing long-lasting youthful plumpness.”

Tuesday 20 September 2016

White Freckles – What They Are and How to Get Rid of Them

We all know that sun exposure can cause brown freckles to appear on our skin, but did you know too much sun can also cause white spots to develop?

IHG spots (before and after) treated with a chemical peel

The white spots are known medically as idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) and most commonly affect the legs, arms, upper back/shoulders and face.

What’s the difference between white and brown freckles?


The white freckles of IGH are due to a decrease in melanin (pigment) in the skin. This localised loss of pigment occurs following damage to the skin cell’s DNA, caused by cumulative exposure to ultraviolet light.

Brown freckles, on the other hand, are due to an increase in melanin. This excess of pigment leads to hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) – this is also caused by damage to the DNA of the skin cells.

Both types of freckles are benign and harmless and do not indicate an increased risk of skin cancer. IGH is not related to vitiligo in which melanin producing cells (melanocytes) die or are unable to function properly and no longer form melanin.

Who is affected by IHG?


IHG is most commonly seen in fair-skinned people, but can also be seen in older dark-skinned individuals.

It is a condition which tends to manifest in a person’s 30s or 40s (in those with pale skin) and worsen with age. This is thought to be because of the cumulative effect of sun exposure over the years, rather than just as a result of aging.

However, there is evidence of a genetic component as IHG has been known to run in families.

The small white spots of IHG are usually seen first along the anterior portion of the legs. The condition often affects women earlier than men, possibly because their legs are more exposed.

How can IHG be treated?


IHG is harmless and does not require treating, however you may find the white spots unsightly, especially if you have darker skin. Sometimes the white freckles form in clusters making them more noticeable and they will also be more visible when you have a suntan.

In the past, IHG has been treated with creams such as retinoids and steroids (and also with natural remedies such as ginger and figs), but these have limited efficacy.

In 2014 a clinical trial was run to test the effectiveness of a phenol-based chemical solution – the same as is used for facial peels. The results were very encouraging, with repigmentation noted in 64% of IGH macules (white spots).

Spot peeling was carried out on 20 patients with a total of 139 IGH macules. 88% phenol was applied with an ear bud once a month and patients were assessed both subjectively and objectively after every session and at the end of three months of therapy.

The researchers concluded that chemical peeling is a “safe, simple, cost-effective, outpatient procedure for IGH”.


Chemical peel at Ocean Clinic Marbella


A chemical peel strips away layers of old skin to stimulate the production of new cells, in a process known as ‘therapeutic wounding’.

Peeling is usually carried out on the face, because it is also effective for reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. However, we are able to treat other parts of the body, such as the hands, or apply spot peels to localised areas (i.e. to individual marks or blemishes).


Chemical peeling not only improves the appearance of IHG spots, but also brown age/liver spots, scars and other discolouration. And by ensuring use of an adequate SPF at all times and avoiding tanning beds, patients can prevent further sun damage occurring to their skin.

Unhappy with the appearance of your skin? Book an assessment with our skin specialist to see if a chemical peel could help you. Call Ocean Clinic Marbella on 951 775 518.

Thursday 15 September 2016

Plenty to Smile About at Ocean Clinic Marbella with Launch of New Dental Division

Ocean Clinic Marbella will unveil a new cosmetic dentistry division in October, headed up by internationally recognised specialist Dr. Paul Arts.

Dr. Paul Arts
Dr. Arts is returning to Spain after a period working in The Netherlands and Belgium. He previously practiced in Marbella for 20 years, and is delighted to take this opportunity to return.

He brings his extensive skill in dental veneers to Ocean Clinic, complementing the clinic’s existing expertise in oral and maxillofacial surgery for the treatment of dentofacial deformities. A fully qualified dental assistant will also be joining the team to offer teeth whitening and oral hygiene appointments.

Dr. Arts specialises in porcelain and composite veneers, and Lumineers – an ultra-thin veneer system that can be applied over existing teeth without the need to drill or file down. Lumineers can be used to cover discolouration, chips or irregular gaps, offering patients an instant smile makeover without the pain associated with traditional dental work.


Minimising pain and discomfort is a number one priority for Dr. Arts, who has developed techniques for dealing with patients who suffer with anxiety around visiting the dentist.

He says: “Thanks to modern techniques and technology it is possible to deal with most cosmetic dentistry issues with minimal discomfort for the patient. However, so many people are frightened of going to the dentist that they put up with their imperfections, preferring simply not to smile instead.


“My mission is to help those people reclaim their smiles by dealing with their anxiety, talking them through the treatment options and showing them how quickly and painlessly we can fix flaws.”

Fluent in English, German, Spanish and Dutch, Dr. Arts is able to put patients at ease by clearly explaining the treatment to them in their own language. Meanwhile, they can be completely confident in his abilities – Dr. Arts is a registered dentist in Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. 

Clinic Director and Head Surgeon Dr. Kai Kaye adds: “We’re delighted Dr. Arts is joining Ocean Clinic to head up our new dentistry division. It means we can offer a truly holistic service, covering all areas of aesthetic medicine.

“As the saying goes, ‘a smile is the prettiest thing you can wear’ so it’s the perfect complement to what we do on the surgical side.”


Dr. Paul Arts will be available for appointments two weeks per month from October until the end of the year, starting full time in January. Teeth whitening and oral hygiene appointments are available every day, beginning October. 

Call Ocean Clinic Marbella on 951 775 518. Click here for further information about the dental treatments offered. 

Friday 9 September 2016

Let Your Confidence Stick Out Not Your Ears!

If your ears stuck out further than your classmates’ as a child, you no doubt suffered some unpleasant name-calling during your school years.


This type of appearance-related bullying can result in a big knock to your confidence and can stick with you for years. In fact, you probably still try to hide your ears with hair or hats, right?

The good news is ear correction surgery (otoplasty) is more affordable, quicker and safer than ever before. It’s also far more common – people realise that seeking surgery to ‘normalise’ their ears does not make them ‘vain’; they simply want to feel confident about their appearance.

If you, too, long for the freedom to wear your hair up without worrying about your ears or want to be able to face the camera with confidence, read on to discover more about undergoing ear surgery at Ocean Clinic Marbella…

Why do ears stick out?


Many people with ears that stick out presume their ears are simply ‘too big’ for their head, but this is rarely actually the case.

There are two reasons why ears project too far from the head. The first is an excess of cartilage behind the ear that pushes the ear forward.

The second cause is when the ear is missing a fold called the anti-helical fold. This results in a flat ear that projects outwards.

Are the ears ‘pinned back’ as part of the surgery?


Otoplasty is often described colloquially as ‘having your ears pinned back’ but this is not an accurate description of the surgery.  The aim is to reduce the projection of the ears to an optimal angle of 15-20 degrees from the head.

This is achieved by making an incision behind the ear and using sutures to create an anti-helical fold in patients that did not have one before. 

In the case of excess cartilage, a portion is removed from the concha area, which allows the ear to be sutured closer to the head, in a more pleasing position.

It is also possible to remodel the size or shape of the ear lobe.

You can watch a video of Ocean Clinic’s Head Surgeon Dr. Kai Kaye carrying out an otoplasty below:



Is otoplasty considered a ‘serious’ surgery?


In most cases otoplasty is a very simple and straightforward surgery that can be carried out using local anesthesia only. The procedure takes around 90-minutes and you can go home straight away afterwards.

Because it is carried out through one single incision behind the ears it is considered minimally invasive, and downtime after surgery is short.

Is ear surgery very painful?


Pain is very mild post-surgery, although painkillers are always prescribed in case they are needed (everyone’s pain threshold is different).

Your ears will be swollen however, and you will be instructed to wear a headband type bandage for two days. 

The majority of swelling will have subsided within 72 hours and you may chose to return to work, depending on your hairstyle and work duties. There may also be some bruising.

Within two weeks most patients feel comfortable in social situations and can resume all normal activity. Typically the stitches used to seal the incisions are absorbable and will have dissolved or fallen out by this point.

Swelling should have dissipated completely after three months, revealing your permanent results.


Will I be left with scars?


Because the incisions are placed in the fold between your scalp and ears, scaring is well hidden. Even for people with short haircuts it is unusual to be able to see this scar unless you fold the ear forward.
After the immediate post-op period it should be very difficult to tell that you've had an otoplasty. What’s more, your ears will no longer be the first feature people notice about you!

Can children undergo ear surgery?


Otoplasty can safely be performed on children as young as six. Although this may seem like a young age, playground bullying can begin in infant school and get progressively worse.

Understandably, many parents want to prevent their children from suffering years of torment. Ear surgery for children is consequently regarded more as a reconstructive surgery than a cosmetic one, seeking to bring the ears into ‘normal range’, as opposed to beautify them.

If you would like to discuss ear surgery for yourself or your child, contact Ocean Clinic for a free consultation on 951 775 518.