How Laser Hair Removal Works

As the owner of Rejuv Skin and Hair Clinic in Eagan, Minnesota, Dr. Steven Selchow lends his expertise to the center’s operations. In addition to being board-certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery, Steven Selchow is also a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Among the many services the Rejuv Skin and Hair Clinic offers is laser hair removal.

For many individuals, laser treatment can be an effective way to remove unwanted hair. During treatments, intense light is applied to the affected area. When the light is absorbed by pigment in hair follicles, the follicles heat up. As a result, future hair growth at these sites is inhibited. The process is more effective for some individuals than for others.

The ideal candidate for laser hair removal will have light skin and dark hair. Individuals not matching this description may still be able to achieve results with this approach. But, in general, the darker or more pigmented a person’s skin, the less effective laser treatments will be, and the greater the risk of undergoing the process. Therefore, it’s best to get a consultation with a professional before beginning treatment to ensure that the experience will be both safe and effective.                            

What Is the Best Time for Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

Dr. Steven Selchow is owner of Dakota Valley Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, where he frequently treats patients for impacted wisdom teeth. Like most oral surgeons, Dr. Steven Selchow typically recommends that wisdom teeth, also called third molars, be extracted during a patient’s late teens or early 20s.

Wisdom teeth usually erupt around the age of 18. In rare cases, they emerge from the gums fully and in the correct positions. If the patient is able to clean them thoroughly and no complications arise, the dentist or oral surgeon may not recommend extraction.

However, most people do not have enough room in the jaws to house all of the third molars. As a result, these teeth may stay trapped in the jawbone or only emerge slightly from the gums. This is called an impaction. Wisdom teeth are often positioned at an angle within the bone that makes them a threat to the roots of neighboring teeth. The jaw pain, gum inflammation, and other risks to the patient’s oral health caused by impacted third molars warrant extraction.

The ideal time to extract third molars is when the patient is between the ages of 18 and 24, as this is the age range in which complications rarely occur. At this time the tooth root is about two-thirds formed, and the jawbone tissue is not as dense as it is in older patients, so the oral surgeon may have less difficulty manipulating the tooth to remove it. If the roots are allowed to grow more, the tooth becomes so solidly anchored in the bone that a more extensive surgical procedure is required, increasing the risk of complications.

Causes and Treatments of Dry Socket

Steven Selchow, DDS, MD, currently runs his own private practice, Dakota Valley Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Since opening the office in 1991, Dr. Steven Selchow has offered treatment for conditions of the teeth, mouth, jaw, and face. One such disorder is dry socket, a hazard of tooth extraction. The condition is a painful inflammation that is common among individuals who have their wisdom teeth removed.

When a tooth is removed, a blood clot forms in its place to protect the nerves and bone. If that blood clot comes loose, or disintegrates after tooth removal, dry socket can occur. The result is an extremely painful sensation that can extend from the jaw to the ear. An unpleasant odor will exude from the oral cavity as well. Both symptoms can last for several days. 

Dentists and oral surgeons typically treat dry socket with medical paste and gauze. They also prescribe antibiotics to help promote healing. Additionally, pain medication may be prescribed depending on the severity of the issue. Patients can prevent dry socket by avoiding drinking through straws, smoking, and by rinsing the mouth for 24 hours after surgery. If dry socket symptoms occur, contact a dentist or oral surgeon immediately.

Dakota Valley Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Founded by Steven Selchow, DDS, MD, in 1993, Dakota Valley Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery has three offices in Eagan, Lakeland, and Shakopee, Minnesota, the suburbs south of the Twin Cities. A fourth office is located in Owatonna, about 70 miles south of Minneapolis. The five doctors at Dakota Valley are specialists in disorders of the teeth, mouth, jaw, and facial structures. In addition to having served a minimum of four years in hospital surgical residency following dental school, all of the doctors are board certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Committed to delivering the highest quality of patient care, Dr. Selchow and his colleagues at Dakota Valley provide advanced dental surgery for children and adults for a broad range of needs. Among the most popular procedures offered are dental implants, extraction of problem teeth, jaw surgery, and biopsies for tumors occurring in or around the mouth and face. A more thorough description of the services and procedures available is available on the practice’s website, www.dakotavalley-oms.com.

In addition to his Dakota Valley practice, Dr. Steven Selchow practices cosmetic surgery at the Rejuv Skin and Laser Clinic in Eagan, which he founded in 2006. He currently serves as the clinic’s Medical Director.

Steven Selchow, DDS, MD, on Laser Mole and Lesion Removal

Though traditional surgical removal of moles and lesions requires stitching and often leaves scars, advancements in the field allow for removal without freezing, surgery, or scarring. With a CO2 laser, the skin is sealed as the laser targets the tissue, leaving a smooth surface. The procedure is quick, simple, and safe, requiring no downtime for the patient. The technique achieves optimum results on benign moles and skin irregularities such as bumps, skin tags, and warts.

Prior to the procedure, the treated area is numbed with either a topical or local anesthetic, depending on the size of the mole. No bandage is required, and although some pinkness is normal, the area should look smooth and clear after the procedure. Follow-up treatment is typically unnecessary.

About Dr. Steven Selchow:

As a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the Medical Director of Rejuv Skin and Laser Clinic in Eagan, Minnesota, Dr. Steven Selchow has performed a wide variety of facial cosmetic procedures and has been in private practice since 1991.

Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery is performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons for corrective jaw and face conditions. This sort of surgery is usually required for those who suffer from misaligned jaws, whether the misalignment is a result of skeletal irregularities, injury, or improper growth rates. When a dentist thinks that the patient is a good candidate for orthognathic surgery, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is consulted, along with an orthodontist. Often, this sort of surgery requires orthodontic treatment both before and after the procedure, making it a commitment that lasts several years. Once the jaw is corrected, however, most patients report greater comfort, easier speech, a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, and an improved bite. Although orthognathic surgery is a serious commitment for the patient, the benefits often outweigh the orthodontic and surgical discomfort. Before surgery takes place, the orthodontist repositions a patient’s teeth so that they align correctly once the jaw is properly set. During the actual surgery, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon removes, adds, or reshapes bones on the jaw in order to achieve the desired effect. If possible, all incisions are made within the mouth so that patients do not have any visible scarring from the procedure. Once the jaw is aligned, plates, screws, wires, and rubber bands are used to hold the jaw in place during the healing period. The initial setting period is about six weeks, while it takes the body up to a year to heal completely from orthognathic surgery.

Dr. Steven Selchow Discusses How the Sun Can Damage Skin

As the owner and Medical Director of Rejuv Skin & Laser Clinic, Steven Selchow, DDS, frequently treats patients with sun-damaged skin. The sun supplies valuable vitamin D to the skin in controlled amounts. However, uncontrolled sun exposure can lead to damage that includes discoloration, premature wrinkling, or skin cancer. In the following, Steven Selchow, DDS, talks about how the sun can damage skin. Dr. Selchow also offers tips on how to avoid sun damage.

As your exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation increases, the skin attempts to protect itself from dangerous rays by producing melanocytes, skin cells that produce melanin. Melanin represents the brown pigment responsible for a suntan and the darkened skin protects deeper layers from further sun damage. Increased melanin production can lead to sunspots or an uneven, mottled appearance that accumulates over time. Sunlight can also cause thinning of the epidermis and a rapid breakdown of collagen, which is responsible for the skin’s elasticity. As the collagen fibers attempt to reform, they may do so in a disorganized fashion. Over time, this results in increased wrinkles. The skin also absorbs the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, which may then influence the growth of normal skin cells. As a result, malignant growths may form instead of healthy cells, potentially leading to basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and malignant melanoma.

While cosmetic sun damage may be minimized through procedures such as photorejuvenation, the best way to protect your skin is through prevention. This includes limiting the time spent in the sun, avoiding tanning booths or lamps, and always wearing sunscreen and protective clothing. Likewise, avoid being in the sun when the rays are strongest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and remember that clouds and windows do not protect you from UV radiation. For more information about the photorejuvenation process, please visit RejuvSkinandLaser.com.

Mouth Cancer

Unlike many other forms of cancer, mouth cancer can be detected easily in its early stages, due to its telltale visual signals that anyone can catch through regular self-exams. You should perform self-exams at least once each month, and the entire process takes only a few minutes. During the exam, pay attention the inside of your lips and gums, the roof of your mouth, the insides of your cheeks, and your tongue.

Using a bright light and a mirror, look for any white patches of tissue, known as eukoplakia; red patches, known as erythroplakia; multicolored patches; sores that are taking especially long to heal; lumps or especially think tisses; and chronic sores. Be sure to note if the lymph nodes in your neck are swollen or if you have any difficulty chewing.

 If any of these symptoms arise during your self-exam, be sure to consult an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who is trained to detect signs of mouth cancer. The surgeon will be able to order a biopsy for any suspicious tissue, sending it to a pathology laboratory for microscopic inspection. Once the biopsy report is received, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon will be better prepared to diagnose the problem and forge a plan for treatment.

A number of factors contribute to the formation of mouth cancer, many of which are completely avoidable, such as the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. The heat from smoking can irritate the mouth and throat, leading to mouth cancer. Even the use of chewing tobacco, however, can raise your risk. Other common factors include poor hygiene, poor nutrition, chronic infections, and irritants, such as poorly fitted dentures.