Around this time of year we start thinking about turkey, unfortunately while we are gearing up for the big holiday, we might also start giving some thought to another kind of turkey, turkey neck. Maybe it’s just me, but that is not the kind of turkey that I want to be bringing to Thanksgiving dinner! So, to help you get ready for the holiday season, and the blunt honesty of relatives, I sat down with dermatologist Dr. Michael H. Gold and asked him how we can put our best foot, or neck, forward.
Thanks for taking the time to talk with me today, Dr. Gold! As the founder of the Gold Skin Care Center would you say that you set the “gold” standard for great skin?
I hope so! That’s been our motto here for about 23 years. We strive to be a one-stop-shop for skin care services.
All jokes aside, your clinic seems to offers a wide range of skin solutions, could you tell us a little about the types of procedures and treatments that you offer?
Well, I am a dermatologist by trade so we have a full service dermatology clinic. We treat everything from acne to eczema to skin cancer. In addition to medical services, over the years we have really developed our specialty in cosmetic procedures. We also have a research center so we do a lot of work with FDA research.
Wow, on top of all of that, I also hear that you are the Doctor to talk to about eliminating turkey neck! What causes this festive, but less-than-ideal, condition?
Well I actually give a lot of lectures on the topic of treating the neck. I am usually the only dermatologist on a panel of plastic surgeons. Although there is definitely a place for surgery, I truly believe in the power of lasers as treatment as well. The first thing that I do when a patient comes into my office claiming that they don’t like their neck, is to actually feel there neck. I can then feel if it’s excess fat or just loose skin. Excess fat and loose skin in the neck both have many causes ranging from genetics to weight loss to simply gravity wearing on you! For excess fat I often use laser-assisted liposuction.
For our readers that want to leave the carving for the birds, can you tell me about the non-invasive Ulthera?
Traditionally, lasers emitted a radio frequency that work to tighten the skin. We work with various different devices that are able to emit the perfect frequency needed. We also can use light frequency similarly which heats beneath your skin causing the skin to tighten.
Ulthera is a very new laser procedure which uses ultrasound waves to get under the skin causing the muscles to tighten up. This new system lets us send the waves to specific levels in the skin making little lines of ultrasound waves. These lines cause the muscles to tighten.
What makes Ulthera different from other methods?
A big difference is that in 90% of cases, only one treatment needed! Most other procedures are completed over a series of visits, with Ulthera it’s just one trip into the clinic and you will see a noticeable change by the time that you leave! The full effect of the treatment takes about 2-3 months to develop as the skin cells tighten. Another great aspect to Ulthera is that there is no lasting pain. Although the procedure is not pain-free, the pain is in short-acting “pin-pricks” that go away immediately. Finally, a huge benefit to this solution is that there are essentially no risks! It is an extremely safe procedure that utilizes a well-known technology (ultra sound waves) in a new way.
What types of results can be expected?
We usually see that “WOW” affect, that clear difference that our patients are hoping for.
How would you describe an ideal candidate for Ulthera?
Our patients that get this procedure range from younger to older, and mostly fit into one of two categories. They are either people who are just looking for a one-time fix to a “problem area,” or they have an aversion to surgery but still want serious results.
If you could say one thing to our readers that are considering Ultherapy but are still a little ‘chicken’ (Ok, I swear I’m done with the bird jokes!) what would you tell them?
First, I would make sure they aren’t wasting their money on lotions and potions that won’t give them results. Then I would tell them that this is a serious procedure that isn’t exactly cheap, it’s not like buying lipstick. But if you are looking for major results, quickly, with no risk, it is definitely worth it!
Michael H. Gold, M.D., FAAD
Dermatologic and Aesthetic Surgeon
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and servicing the Middle Tennessee community since 1990, Dr. Michael H. Gold is the founder and medical director of Gold Skin Care Center, Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa, The Laser & Rejuvenation Center, and Tennessee Clinical Research Center. Dr. Gold is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon who oversees the various facets of the Center’s operations; a combination of medical and surgical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, aesthetic services and research endeavors. Dr. Gold serves as Clinical Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in the Department of Dermatology as well as the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Dr. Gold is also honored to serve as Visiting Professor Dermatology at Huashan Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai China as well as the No 1 Hospital of China Medical University in Shenyang, China. Dr. Gold is also Visiting Professor at First People’s Hospital, Plastic Surgery Department of Foshan in Guangzhou, China. Dr. Gold serves as President of DASIL (The Dermatologic and Aesthetic Surgery International League) and TSLMS (Tennessee Society for Laser Surgery and Medicine) and Treasurer of the American Society of Photodynamic Therapy. Dr. Gold also serves on the board of the 5-Continent Congress
