Breast Augmentation - One Patient's Advice,
in her own words

Many women obsess over them. They're too big, too small, one is bigger than the other, one is higher than the other, they sag, the nipples are too big, the nipples are too small. We stand in front of the mirror for hours, staring, sighing, wishing they were different.

It may not be possible to have absolutely perfect breasts. But, with breast augmentation surgery we can have our dreams come true. Women who have been "flattened" after childbearing can have fuller breasts once again, removing the emotional distress they may feel. There are many painful things in life; feeling bad about our breasts should not be one of them.

Of all the cosmetic surgery procedures, breast augmentation rates among the highest on the satisfaction list. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2006, as many as 329,396 women had breast augmentation, making it the most popular cosmetic procedure. There are rarely any serious complications. In fact, the most common complaint is that women wish they had gone bigger! more


Prepare yourself for stubble-free legs,
just in time for spring.
If, like many women, you've paid a lot less attention to body hair during winter months, you may be facing a major de-fuzzing come spring and summer.

Ever since lasers became popular for cosmetic use, laser hair removal has been at the top of the list of procedures people seek out. Why? First of all, it beats all of the other options (waxing, shaving electrolysis) by a mile. And it's both safe and reasonably painless.

Brian Vassar Heil, M.D.
Owner & Medical Director
Although it may require repeated treatments, once your treatments are finished the results can last forever, freeing you from a lifetime sentence of stubble, itching and self-consciousness.

Freedom, Less Self-Consciousness
As one of our Acqua Blu patients put it, "For the first time I can throw on a bathing suit without even thinking about checking my body for hair. It's a nice feeling of freedom."

We see a lot of men who want to get rid of unsightly hair, too. Most commonly they're concerned about hair on their shoulders and backs. After shedding their unwanted hair they report less self-consciousness on the beach and in the bedroom.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal goes right to the root of an unwanted hair problem: the hair follicle itself. Laser hair removal disables the follicle's ability to produce any more hair. Results with laser hair removal can depend on the darkness of the hair and the stage of growth of the hair follicle - these things will determine the number of sessions required to get rid of all the unwanted hair.

Hair must be in a growth stage during treatment, which is one of the reasons why laser hair removal requires several sessions: all follicles are not in the same stage at the same time. Plus, stages can last anywhere between 2 to 6 months. The three stages are growth, regression and resting.

What Does Laser Hair Removal Treat?
Laser hair removal treats unwanted hair. The speed of the treatment, combined with the long-lasting effects and large areas that you can treat at one session, definitely make it the solution of choice for thousands of people. Laser hair removal works on the face, underarms, bikini areas, back, legs, arms and chest. Dark hair is more successfully treated than light hair and hair must be in an active growth stage.

What Are Laser Hair Removal Treatments Like?
Laser hair removal is performed at Acqua Blu Medical Spa. The area to be treated is cleansed before the laser process begins. A wand or hand piece goes over the treatment area and delivers the light of the laser. Some people describe the laser treatment as feeling like a mild sting or pinching sensation, however anesthesia is not required. Most treatments last about 15 minutes with further sessions every 3 to 6 weeks; treatment duration and intervals depend on the size and location of the treatment area.

Does It Hurt?
Everybody experiences pain differently. The laser pulses for just a fraction of a second, heating the hair follicle, resulting in a stinging feeling. If you are highly sensitive to this stinging we will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the pain.

What should I expect from Laser Hair Removal Treatment?
Laser hair removal reduces unwanted hair. You will see results immediately after each session, with less and less hair growth happening during the weeks after each session. Results depend on hair color, density, and the area that is treated. Maintenance appointments are encouraged to target hair that was in a dormant stage during previous sessions.

A Process - But Worth It
Yes, it takes a bit of time and patience to get the perfectly smooth, hairless look you want in strategic areas of your body. But more and more people are deciding it's worth it.
Spring Cleaning: How to Pamper Your Skin

As our days get longer and temperatures begin to climb, off go the sweaters and boots and on go the shorts and sandals.

But while your spirit may be singing the praises of spring, it's also likely your skin is still crying out with the winter blues -- dry, scaly, rough spots as well as stressed-out, overheated, undernourished skin on your face.

The good news: Beautiful, summer-sweet skin is closer than the nearest watermelon patch! The best place to start, says Lisa Bostjancic, Certified Medical Aesthetician and Paramedical Specialist, is with an in-office treatment.

At Acqua Blu we have four fabulous treatments; Medicalia LPS Peel, Maui Peel, Microdermabrasion Facial, and Apple Wine Peel. Each treatment combines top-performing ingredients to deliver a total skin smoothing experience.

Medicalia LPS Peel offers the proven benefits of L+Lactic Acid to exfoliate dead cells and provide moisture, Pyruvic Acid to stimulate cell turnover, and Salicylic Acid for oil-controlling effects.

Experience a tropical skin-vacation with our Maui Peel. A nutritious blend of pineapple extracts, L+Lactic Acid and Enzymes to smooth, soften and nourish the skin. The wonderful aroma of pineapple is a great beginning to this tropical skin-vacation. The yam extract in this facial will benefit the skin and protect it from the aging effects of the sun.

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive solution that revitalizes your skin's appearance by removing dead and flaking skin cells and stimulating the production of fresh young skin cells and collagen. The treatment is relatively painless, quick, and does not require "downtime." You are immediately left with newer, softer skin and a more even skin texture.

Apple Wine facial is a lively, full-bodied facial promising an intoxicating firming, toning and anti-aging finish to the skin. The star ingredient of this facial is red wine vinegar taken from the juice of red grapes and fermented until it becomes wine. L-Malic Acid and L-Ascorbic Acid also provide immediate benefits for the skin.

Newer liposuction techniques offer the ability to refine body areas with more delicacy and less trauma

At Premier Plastic Surgery, we use the most advanced liposuction techniques to sculpt your ideal body. These advances have made the safest cosmetic operation even safer. Results are both immediate and exceptional.

Distinctly different
Newer body contouring techniques gently liquefy fat and remove it from surrounding tissue. Using controlled ultrasonic energy to precisely target fatty deposits in problem areas, Drs. Heil and Johns can literally sculpt your new shape. These techniques are so gentle they can be used in the most sensitive, delicate areas of the body.

Small incisions
Obviously better for aesthetic reasons, smaller incisions tend to heal faster. You can expect to be back to your routine in a few days.


Breast Augmentation - One Patient's Advice, in her own words (continued from above)

Shelly, a Premier patient who underwent breast augmentation, tells it this way:

"Before becoming a mother I was pretty satisfied with my figure. My breasts were a 34B, not too big. In a push-up bra they were "okay." In fact, they were cute when I was in my twenties.

"Now I am over forty. I have three children, and after the rigors of breastfeeding and childrearing my breasts hung down to my waist. I decided do something about it.

"Well, if you tend to be nervous about these things like I do, forget that for a moment. Prepare to be thrilled! Take that nervous energy and re-channel it into excitement. I remember looking at my 'before' photos and could not believe I waited so long.

"It has been one year since my surgery, and I can honestly say, I am glad I did it. I feel feminine once again. I look beautiful. I can finally wear dresses without a bra, and I'm proud of how I look in a bikini.

"But, my advice to you is if you are considering breast augmentation, do it for no one else but yourself. Your feelings are what counts. New breasts won't make a relationship better. New breasts will not bring you love. So never, never get breasts to please a husband, boyfriend, or significant other. Change your breast size only for yourself. Weigh the facts and make the best decision for you."

Dr. Brian Heil             Dr. Francis Johns
CHAT with Dana
Send your questions to someone who cares! If you are considering surgery or if you just have questions, Chat with Dana. This is a discreet process that will allow you to have your questions answered in the privacy of your own home. daulicino@acquablumedicalspa.com
Give loved ones and friends the gift of beauty, confidence and self-esteem.
Acqua Blu Gift Certificates
Are perfect all-occasion gifts.
Save on April
Beauty Savors


To redeem, print out the coupon page and present it at our office.

Call 724.776.2111 today to schedule your appointment.
JUST IN TIME
   Save $ 75    
Smooth, sexy, hair-free skin just in time for summer! Save $75 off Laser Hair Removal Package Prices.
A Treat for Your Skin
   10% off    
Buy any one product in our skin care boutique and receive the second product at 10% off. Offer expires April 30, 2007
Be the first to look your
best this Spring
   $50 Reward  
Rediscover a younger you! Improve skin texture, erase wrinkles, and have fuller, sexier lips with Restylane® or JUVÉDERM.
Schedule today to redeem your $50 reward! Offer expires May 31, 2007
A Perfect Mother's Day Gift
   Save 10%
Every mother would love an afternoon to escape. Treat Mom to a day of pampering with Acqua Blu's Signature Facials: Maui Peel, Apple Wine Facial or Blu's famous Cherries Jubilee Facial. Call today to purchase her gift certificate. Save 10% when you buy a package of facials or create a customized day of beauty.
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Office Locations
Cranberry, Upper St. Clair, Pittsburgh, Monroeville, Greensburg, Butler.
Creating confidence. Positively.
Facial Aesthetics
Browlift
Ear Surgery
Eyelid Surgery
Face and Neck Lifts
Rhinoplasty
Cheek & Chin Implants
Lip Augmentation
Neck Lift
Facial Autologous Fat Transfer/Augmentation
Botox Cosmetics
Restylane & Juvederm Dermal Fillers

Body Contouring
Tummy Tuck
Liposculpture
Thigh/Buttock Lift
Body Lift after massive weight loss
Upper Arm Lift

Breast Surgery
Breast Enhancement
Breast Augmentation
Breast Lift
Breast Reduction
Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)
Removal or Replacement of Breast Implants