PCEC learns what you can do about aging skin

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(L to R) MC Les Edmonds presents the PCEC’s Certificate of Appreciation to Dr. Tongsuk and his son Jack from Pattaya Royal Beauty Clinic for their interesting and informative talk about the effects of aging skin and what can be done to remove them and make one look younger.
(L to R) MC Les Edmonds presents the PCEC’s Certificate of Appreciation to Dr. Tongsuk and his son Jack from Pattaya Royal Beauty Clinic for their interesting and informative talk about the effects of aging skin and what can be done to remove them and make one look younger.

Dr. Vajarakorn Tongsuk, M.D., with the able assistance of his son, Jack, with Pattaya Royal Beauty Clinic, spoke to the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) on Sunday, September 1. Their topic was “What happens to your skin as you age and what you can do about it”. Jack, who is well versed in his father’s practice, spoke first covering much of the topic and then turned it over to his father, Dr. Tongsuk, to complete the presentation.

Dr. Tongsuk is a plastic surgeon with over 30 years of surgical experience. In addition to the Clinic, he is also in practice at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. He received his Doctor of Medicine from Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University in 1977 and specialization from the Thai Board of General Surgery in 1987, Thai Board of Plastic Surgery in 1993, and Thai Board of Family Medicine in 2002. From 1979 to 1989 he was a general surgeon at Abhakornkiartiwong Hospital (Sattahip Naval Base) and from 1989 to 2007; he was Head of Surgery Division at Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital (Sriracha). His present positions as Plastic Surgeon with Pattaya Royal Beauty Clinic began in 2008 and with Bangkok Hospital Pattaya in 2013.

He has attended several conferences, symposiums, courses, etc., and is a member of The Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons of Thailand, The Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Thailand, and The Association of Military Surgeons of Thailand.

Jack broke the talk down into four categories, (1) the history of plastic surgery in general, (2) the definition of Botox, uses and effects, (3) general skin treatments, and (4) the effects of gravity and plastic surgery solutions.

In the 19th century, plastic surgery was mainly used to correct defects, both birth or accidental, with the goal in most cases to look 10 to 15 years younger. In the 20th century, the emphasis turned to gender changes and implants. Most recently plastic surgery has been used to make the patient more handsome or beautiful. With this last goal in mind, the remainder of the talk focused on the other 3 categories, Botox treatments, skin treatments and overcoming the effects of gravity through face lifting surgeries.

Jack pointed out that Botox is essentially an injection technique that fills out the skin to remove wrinkles and semi paralyzes the muscles to reduce those facial movements that create them. Short term Botox injection treatments for 3 to 6 months duration are safe and effective, but he cautioned that longer term fillers can be much more dangerous.

General skin treatments focus on skin blemishes which are mostly dealt with lasers and can be quite effective in improving facial looks. As with the Botox presentation, he showed several before and after pictures to illustrate the effect.

The effects of gravity are drooping eye lids, sagging cheeks, and facial tissue in general are the main focus of Dr. Tongsuk’s practice and consequently were the main points during the presentation. Three different surgeries were mentioned that can be done to offset the facial effects caused by gravity. These are eyelifts, upper and lower face lifts. Recent improvements in procedures for these operations have reduced operating times from upwards of 5 hours to around an hour or less using the mini-facelift. Along with the reduced operating time, the surgery can now be done without the need for a hospital visit and with a choice of local or general anesthesia.

Dr. Tongsuk took the stage and provided more information on how he performed these surgeries and their benefit. Further, the mini-facelift has much less overall risk. He mentioned that eyelift surgeries may run about 25,000 baht and the new shortened, less evasive ‘mini-facelift’ about 55,000 baht.

At his clinic, the Pattaya Royal Beauty, he offers free consulting and package pricing with full English support. The clinic is located on the old Town in Town road off of Pattaya Central Road and can be reached at 038-410062 or mobile 081-3449919 or on line at https://www.facebook.com/PattayaRoyalBeauty Clinic/ .

The presentation was followed by the Open Forum where audience members can ask questions or make comments about expat living in Thailand, especially Pattaya. For more information about the PCEC, visit their website at http://pattayacityexpatsclub.com/