# Santa Barbara Face and Body - **Website:** https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/ - **Last updated:** 2026-09-11 - **Publisher:** Santa Barbara Face and Body - **Sitemap:** https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/wp-sitemap.xml - **Index version:** https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/llms.txt ## Locations ### Santa Barbara Face & Body ## Concerns ### Acne Scars & Skin Texture Acne often leaves lasting texture. Indented, or atrophic, scars form as depressions when the skin loses collagen while healing, and come in ice-pick, boxcar, and rolling shapes. Raised scars form when the skin makes too much collagen. Flat brown or red marks are discoloration rather than true scars. Each responds to a different treatment, and richer skin tones need care to avoid new dark marks. ## What it is Several different things get called acne scars, and they do not all respond to the same tool. - Indented (atrophic) scars. Depressions left when healing skin loses collagen. They come as narrow ice-pick pits, sharp-edged boxcar dips, and broad rolling waves. - Raised (hypertrophic) scars. Firmer bumps from too much collagen, more common on the chest and back than the face. - Marks, not scars. Flat brown or red spots where breakouts were, called post-inflammatory pigment or redness. These are discoloration and often fade or respond to gentler treatment. Telling a true pitted scar from a flat mark matters, because the mark may need only a surface treatment while the pit needs collagen rebuilt underneath it. ## What causes it Scars form during healing. When acne inflames the skin deeply enough, the repair can come up short, leaving a depression, or overshoot, leaving a raised scar. The flat brown or red marks are the skin's pigment and blood-vessel response to the inflammation, not scars, which is why they behave differently. Skin tone shapes the picture. Richer skin tones are more likely to hold onto brown marks after a breakout, called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and are more sensitive to aggressive resurfacing, which can itself darken the skin if done without care. That is why the plan is built around the skin as much as the scar. ## Which kind of texture is it This is what the consultation sorts out, because the tool has to match the scar and the skin. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsBroad, soft waves and general roughnessRolling scars and textureCollagen-building microneedlingSharp-edged dips with defined wallsBoxcar scarsA resurfacing laser, sometimes with microneedlingDeep, narrow pitsIce-pick scarsFocused resurfacing, sometimes minor scar proceduresFlat brown or red marks, not pitsPost-acne discolorationA chemical peel, and timeMarks plus richer skin toneHigher pigment riskGentler, tone-safe protocols chosen with care The value is not the list. It is that a physician distinguishes a pit from a mark and reads your skin tone before choosing, so the plan rebuilds real scars and clears real discoloration without triggering new dark spots. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Acne scars are where aggressive resurfacing can backfire, especially in richer skin tones, where the wrong device or setting trades a scar for a dark mark. Dr. Pontius chooses the tool for the scar type and the skin tone, and uses protocols meant to be safe across the full range of skin colors rather than a single one-size setting. That judgment, and a combination when scars are mixed, is what turns texture into smoother skin without a new problem. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have pitting or rough texture left from past acne - See brown or red marks where breakouts used to be - Have tried creams without enough change in the texture - Want a plan built for your skin tone, not a generic setting **Better to talk it through first if you** - Still have active, inflamed acne, which is usually calmed first - Are pregnant or breastfeeding - Have a history of raised or keloid scarring, which changes the approach ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius looks at the scars in raking light to read their depth and type, notes which marks are pigment rather than true scars, and factors in your skin tone. If acne is still active, calming it comes first. You leave knowing which of your marks are scars and which are discoloration, the tool matched to each, and whether one treatment or a staged combination fits your skin. ## What we offer for this People come in about texture and marks from old acne and leave with a plan matched to the scar type and their skin tone. Deeper scars and surface discoloration take different routes. > Acne Scars: Diagnosis and Treatment, American Academy of Dermatology (United States). Acne scars are atrophic (ice-pick, boxcar, rolling) or raised; microneedling stimulates collagen and is safe for all skin tones; laser resurfacing and chemical peels treat scars and post-acne marks; combinations are common. — [Acne Scars: Diagnosis and Treatment, American Academy of Dermatology](https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm-treat/scars/treatment) ## Smoothing Acne Scars & Skin Texture in Santa Barbara, CA Acne may fade, but the texture and scarring it leaves behind can linger for years — and you don't have to just live with it. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius treats scarring and rough texture holistically, choosing the approach that will bring out your skin's natural smoothness. If uneven texture has been wearing on your confidence, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Arm Skin Laxity Arm skin laxity is loose skin on the underside of the upper arm, from the underarm to the elbow, that develops with significant weight loss or age-related loss of skin elasticity. Exercise strengthens the underlying muscle but does not remove skin. An arm lift, or brachioplasty, excises the excess skin, often with liposuction for a fatty component; energy-based tightening can help milder laxity. The approach scales to the amount of skin. ## What it is Arm skin laxity is a specific pattern, and understanding it points to the fix. - Where it shows. The underside of the upper arm, from the underarm to the elbow, where skin hangs or waves when the arm is raised. - Skin, not tone. A thin, empty flap that hangs is stretched skin, not a lack of muscle, so building muscle firms what is underneath rather than removing the flap. - More than looks. Larger folds can chafe, trap moisture, and irritate the skin. The key insight is that a true bat wing is excess skin, which is why surgical removal is the reliable answer while devices and exercise help only at the margins. ## What causes it Two things drive it. Significant weight loss leaves the arm skin that stretched to accommodate the weight without the elasticity to shrink back, and aging steadily reduces the collagen and elastin that keep skin firm. Genetics influence how much any individual develops. The result is skin with more surface area than the arm beneath it, so it hangs. Because the issue is skin, the effective route is to remove it. An arm lift excises the excess skin along the inner arm; liposuction can refine a fatty component when skin quality is good; and energy-based tightening such as Renuvion can help milder laxity. Exercise remains valuable for the muscle and for health, and the skin removal is what changes the contour. ## How much, and what helps This is what the consultation determines, because the approach scales to the skin. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsA thin flap that hangs when arms raiseTrue excess skinAn arm lift to remove itFullness with good, firm skinMostly fatLiposuction, skin likely to conformFat plus some loosenessBothLiposuction with skin tightening or a liftA small amount high near the armpitLimited excessA short-scar arm lift hidden in the creaseMild crepiness onlyEarly laxityEnergy tightening, such as Renuvion The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon judges whether the issue is skin, fat, or both, and scales the procedure, from a short incision hidden in the armpit to a full arm lift, to match what your arm needs. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body An arm lift leaves a scar along the inner arm, so the art is in matching the incision to the skin and placing it well, taking only as much as the arm requires. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he scales the approach, a short-scar lift, a full brachioplasty, or liposuction with tightening, to your specific laxity, and places incisions to sit as discreetly as possible. Choosing the right extent, not the biggest operation, is the point. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have loose skin on the underside of your upper arms - Avoid sleeveless tops because of the way your arms look - Have skin that waves or hangs when you raise your arms - Are at or near a stable goal weight **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are still actively losing weight, since a stable weight comes first - Have mostly firm fullness, where liposuction alone may suffice - Smoke or have conditions that affect healing, worth discussing ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice examines the upper arms, gauges how much of the issue is loose skin versus fat, and checks your skin quality. He explains the approach that fits, from a short-scar lift near the armpit to a full arm lift, whether to add liposuction, and is candid about the inner-arm scar and recovery. You leave understanding the trade of a scar for a firmer arm and a plan scaled to your skin. ## What we offer for this People come in wanting to wear what they like without a second thought and leave with a plan scaled to their arms. Liposuction or skin tightening is added when it fits. > Arm Lift (Brachioplasty), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). An arm lift reshapes the underside of the upper arm from the underarm to the elbow by removing excess sagging skin and fat, often combined with liposuction; loose upper-arm skin commonly follows weight loss or age-related laxity, and exercise tones muscle but does not remove skin. — [Arm Lift](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/arm-lift) ## Addressing Arm Skin Laxity in Santa Barbara, CA Loose skin along the upper arms can be frustrating when it won't respond to exercise — and it's a common reason patients come to see us. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice will help you understand your options, from skin tightening to a lift, and which fits your goals. If it's something you've been self-conscious about, a consultation is an easy first step. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd love to meet you. ### Breast Asymmetry Breast asymmetry is a difference between the two breasts in size, shape, projection, or position, and some degree is normal. When it is significant, correction is planned per breast: an implant to enlarge or balance a smaller side, a lift to raise a lower side, a fat transfer for mild volume differences, or reducing a larger side. The realistic goal is improved balance rather than identical breasts. ## What it is Breast asymmetry takes several forms, and the correction depends on which. - Size difference. One breast is larger, corrected by adding to the smaller side or reducing the larger one. - Position or sagging difference. One breast sits lower, corrected by lifting that side to match. - Shape or projection difference. The breasts differ in contour, corrected by reshaping, fat transfer, or an implant. Some asymmetry is present from development, some appears with pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight change, or aging, and some follows injury or prior surgery. Because the causes and forms vary, correction is planned individually rather than with one standard operation. ## What causes it Asymmetry has many origins. Most is simply how the breasts developed, with one growing slightly differently from the other. Beyond that, pregnancy and breastfeeding, weight fluctuation, and aging can change the two breasts unevenly, and injury or previous breast surgery can leave a difference as well. One important note: while long-standing, stable asymmetry is common and benign, a new or sudden change in the size or shape of one breast should be evaluated by a physician to rule out a medical cause before any cosmetic planning. That distinction, stable and cosmetic versus new and to-be-checked, is part of a careful consultation. ## What kind of difference, and what helps This is what the consultation determines, because each type of asymmetry has its own fix. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsOne breast clearly largerSize differenceAn implant on the smaller side, or reducing the larger sideOne breast sits lowerPosition differenceA breast lift on the lower sideA mild volume differenceSmall imbalanceA fat transfer to the smaller sideDifference in both size and positionCombined asymmetryA combination, often different on each sideA new, one-sided changeNeeds assessment firstMedical evaluation before cosmetic planning The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon assesses each breast separately and combines procedures, often doing something different on each side, to bring the two into balance, with the honest aim of improved symmetry rather than a perfect match. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Correcting asymmetry is more demanding than a standard breast procedure, because the surgeon is planning two breasts to meet in the middle rather than treating them identically. Dr. Polynice, a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, assesses each side and tailors the plan, an implant here, a lift there, fat transfer to fine-tune, aiming for balance. He is also honest that the goal is improved symmetry, not identical breasts, which is what a realistic, satisfying result depends on. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have a difference in breast size, shape, or position that bothers you - Find that bras or clothing never fit both sides well - Want the difference improved with a natural-looking result - Want a surgeon who will plan each breast individually **Better to talk it through first if you** - Have a new or sudden change in one breast, which should be evaluated medically first - Are still developing, since asymmetry can change with time in younger patients - Expect a perfect match, since the realistic goal is improved balance ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice examines and measures both breasts, notes the differences in size, shape, and position, and asks what would make you feel balanced. If anything suggests a new or medical change, that is addressed first. He then lays out a plan tailored to each side, which may combine an implant, a lift, and fat transfer differently on each breast, and sets realistic expectations that the goal is balance rather than identical breasts. ## What we offer for this People come in about uneven breasts and leave with a plan tailored to each side. Implants, a lift, and fat transfer are combined to balance the two. > Surgical Options for Uneven Breasts, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Breast asymmetry can be corrected with breast augmentation, a breast lift on one or both breasts, fat transfer, or reduction, often in combination; the corrective plan depends on the severity of the asymmetry, the patient's health, and their goals. — [Surgical Options for Uneven Breasts, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/surgical-options-for-uneven-breasts) ## Addressing Breast Asymmetry in Santa Barbara, CA Some degree of breast asymmetry is completely normal, but when it affects how you feel, it's worth addressing. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice tailors a plan to bring balance in size, shape, or position — with results that look natural and proportional. If this is something you've wanted to correct, we'd love to talk it through. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Breast Implant Problems Breast implants can develop problems over time. The most common is capsular contracture, when scar tissue tightens around the implant and the breast feels hard or looks distorted. Others include rupture, the implant shifting position, and rippling. Some patients also report systemic symptoms, often called breast implant illness. Implants are not lifetime devices; problems are treated by revision, replacing or repositioning the implant, or by removing the implants. ## What it is Several distinct problems fall under this heading, and telling them apart is the first step. - Capsular contracture. Scar tissue that naturally forms around an implant tightens and squeezes it, so the breast feels firm, looks distorted, or sits high. It is the most common long-term issue. - Rupture or leak. The implant shell tears; silicone often stays within the surrounding scar tissue, while saline deflates noticeably. - Malposition and rippling. The implant shifts out of position, or its edges show as visible wrinkling under the skin. - Feeling unwell (breast implant illness). Some patients report systemic symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, or brain fog that they associate with their implants. Understanding which of these is happening is what determines whether the answer is revision, replacement, or removal. ## What causes it Different problems, different causes. Capsular contracture is thought to relate to the body's scar response and low-grade bacterial contamination around the implant; rupture comes from wear or trauma to the shell over time; malposition and rippling relate to implant type, size, and how tissues have changed. The common thread is time: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is clear that implants are not lifetime devices, and the longer they are in place, the more likely a problem becomes. On the systemic symptoms some patients report, the FDA has received reports of what is commonly called breast implant illness, and has not established a causal link between silicone implants and connective tissue disease, breast cancer, or reproductive problems; some patients report their symptoms improve after removal. A separate, rare condition, a lymphoma called BIA-ALCL, is primarily associated with textured-surface implants. Both are reasons to be evaluated rather than to panic. ## What is happening, and what helps This is what an evaluation sorts out, because the right response depends entirely on the problem. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsThe breast feels hard or looks distortedCapsular contractureRevision to release or remove the capsule, replace the implantA sudden change in shape or sizePossible ruptureImaging and revision or removalThe implant sits too high, low, or to the sideMalpositionRevision to reposition and support itVisible wrinkling under the skinRipplingRevision, sometimes changing implant typeFeeling unwell, unsure if implants are the causeSystemic symptoms to evaluateAn honest discussion, often implant removal The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon examines you, arranges imaging when needed, and tells you honestly whether revision, replacement, or removal fits your situation and your wishes, rather than defaulting to one answer. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Implant problems are where you most want a surgeon who is honest and unhurried, because the right answer, revise, replace, or remove, depends on your situation and on what you want, not on selling another implant. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and his practice includes revision and implant removal. He evaluates what is happening, explains the options plainly, including simply removing the implants if that is your choice, and respects your decision. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Notice your breast becoming firm, distorted, or sitting differently - Have a sudden change in the size or shape of a breast - Are past several years with your implants and want them assessed - Feel unwell and want an honest conversation about your implants **Better to talk it through first if you** - Have sudden pain, swelling, or redness, which should be evaluated promptly - Are unsure of your implant type or records, which help guide the plan - Want removal without replacement, which is a valid choice worth discussing ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice examines your breasts and implants, reviews your history and, where possible, your implant records, and arranges imaging if rupture is a question. He explains what he finds and lays out the options, revision to correct or replace, or removal with or without replacement, honestly and without pressure. If you feel unwell and want the implants out, that choice is respected and planned. You leave understanding what is happening and the path that fits you. ## What we offer for this People come in worried about their implants and leave with a clear evaluation and a plan they chose. Revision and removal are both on the table. > Risks and Complications of Breast Implants, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Describes capsular contracture (scar tissue squeezing the implant), rupture (intracapsular and extracapsular for silicone; deflation for saline), and other local complications that may require additional surgery. — [Risks and Complications of Breast Implants, U.S](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/risks-and-complications-breast-implants) > What to Know About Breast Implants, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. States that implants are not lifetime devices and complications become more likely the longer they are in place; describes reported systemic symptoms (breast implant illness) and that the FDA has not established links to connective tissue disease, breast cancer, or reproductive problems. — [What to Know About Breast Implants, U.S](https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-know-about-breast-implants) ## Addressing Breast Implant Problems in Santa Barbara, CA When implants shift, harden, or simply no longer feel right, you deserve a physician who takes your concerns seriously. Dr. Polynice is trusted here in Santa Barbara for revision and explant work — including correcting problems from surgery done elsewhere. Whatever you're experiencing, we'll help you understand your options with honesty and care. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd love to meet you. ### Double Chin & Neck Laxity A soft or heavy neckline comes from three things that often occur together. Fat can sit beneath the chin, the skin can lose elasticity and hang, and the platysma muscle that sheets the neck can slacken. Because each is a different problem, the useful first step is telling apart how much of your neckline is fat, how much is skin, and how much is muscle. ## What it is Three separate things get lumped together as a double chin. - Fat. A pad of submental fat can sit beneath the chin regardless of overall weight, softening the angle between the chin and neck. - Loose skin. As skin loses collagen and elasticity, it stops draping tightly, so the neck looks slack even when there is little fat. - A slack muscle. The platysma, a broad sheet of muscle across the front of the neck, loosens with age and can pull the neckline down or show as cords. Most necklines are a mix. That is why one popular fix rarely settles the whole thing, and why matching the tool to the dominant cause is what actually sharpens the jawline. ## What causes it A double chin is not only about weight. Genetics set where fat sits and how the jaw is shaped, so a full submental area can run in families at any size. Aging does the rest: skin loses the collagen and elastin that keep it firm, and the platysma muscle slackens, so the neckline softens over time. Posture plays a part too, and years of looking down at a screen keep the neck flexed and the skin creased. Weight change layers on top of that. Gaining adds submental fat, and losing it quickly can leave loose skin behind, because skin does not always shrink back as fast as fat leaves. ## Fat, skin, or muscle This is what the consultation sorts out, because the honest read points to different care, and getting it right is what turns a soft neck into a defined one. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsSoft, pinchable fullness under the chinMostly submental fatFat reduction, the options discussed at consultationLoose or crepey skin along the jaw and neckMostly skin laxityTightening loose skin without surgeryCords or a pulled-down look when you tenseA slack or banded platysmaRelaxing the platysma muscleHeavy fullness with loose skin and jowls togetherAdvanced laxityA surgical neck option, evaluated with the team The value is not the list. It is that a physician measures how much is fat, how much is skin, and how much is muscle before anything is done, because tightening skin over a fat pad, or dissolving fat under loose skin, leaves the real problem in place. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body The neck is where the single-tool approach shows its limits, because fat, skin, and muscle need different answers and most practices lead with whichever one they sell. Here the range runs from nonsurgical skin tightening and muscle treatment with Dr. Pontius to surgical neck contouring with Dr. Alain Polynice, and the plan starts with a read rather than a device. That range is what keeps the recommendation matched to your neck instead of to the practice's inventory. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - See fullness under the chin that does not change with weight - Notice loose or crepey skin along the jaw and neck - See cords or a pulled-down neckline when you tense - Want a sharper jaw and neck without guessing at the cause **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are still losing weight and the neck is actively changing, since timing matters - Are pregnant or breastfeeding - Are unsure whether the issue is fat, loose skin, or muscle, which is exactly what the consultation measures ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius examines the neck at rest and while you tense the platysma, in good light, and separates fat from loose skin from muscle. You leave understanding which of the three is driving your neckline, the realistic order of addressing them, and whether a nonsurgical route will get you there or a surgical one is the honest answer. ## What we offer for this People come in about a soft or heavy neckline and leave with a plan matched to what is actually causing it. Which route fits depends on how much is fat, skin, and muscle. > Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S. National Institutes of Health. Skin loses collagen and elastin with age and becomes less firm; underlying fat and muscle support change over time. — [Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care/skin-care-and-aging) > BOTOX Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) Highlights of Prescribing Information, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Platysma bands are an FDA-cleared treatment area for onabotulinumtoxinA. — [BOTOX Cosmetic](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/103000s5303lbl.pdf) ## Addressing a Double Chin & Neck Laxity in Santa Barbara, CA Fullness under the chin or a softening jawline can make you look heavier or more tired than you feel. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius will help you sort through the options — from non-surgical approaches to more definitive solutions — and find what fits you. If your profile has been bothering you, a consultation is the place to start. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074) — we'd love to help. ### Dull & Aging Skin Dull skin reflects less light because dead cells build up on the surface as renewal slows, while sun exposure and the collagen loss of aging thin the skin and unsettle its tone. Restoring radiance means speeding renewal and rebuilding support, through resurfacing and a daily routine of antioxidants and sun protection, rather than masking the dullness on the surface. ## What it is Dullness is what you see when several things happen together. - Slowed renewal. Skin sheds and replaces cells more slowly with age, so dead cells linger on the surface and scatter light instead of reflecting it. - Lost collagen. The collagen and elastin that keep skin firm and plump decline over time, so the surface looks flatter and less supple. - Sun and environment. Ultraviolet light and pollution add oxidative damage that dims tone and roughens texture. Put together, the complexion reads as tired, gray, or lifeless. The good news in that is mechanical: speed renewal, rebuild support, and protect the skin, and the glow tends to come back. ## What causes it Aging is the baseline. Cell turnover slows, collagen and elastin decline, and the skin gets thinner and less able to hold moisture, all of which flatten the way it reflects light. On top of that, sun exposure is the biggest accelerator, breaking down collagen and unsettling tone over years, which is why daily protection matters as much as any treatment. Lifestyle fills in the rest: dehydration, poor sleep, stress, and smoking all show up in the skin as a loss of brightness. None of these are diseases, which is why dull skin responds so well to renewal and care rather than to medical treatment. ## What is dimming your skin This is what the consultation sorts out, because dullness has layers and each responds to a different step. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsFlat, rough surface and buildupSlowed turnoverA brightening chemical peel, and collagen-building microneedlingUneven tone and a sallow castSun and pigment mixed inLight-based treatment to even toneDeeper texture and lax, thin skinCollagen lossResurfacing to rebuild collagen over a seriesDiscrete brown spots, not overall dullnessSun pigmentThe sun damage and uneven skin pathLittle daily upkeepMissing foundationA daily routine of renewal and sun protection The value is not the list. It is that a physician tells surface buildup from deeper collagen loss from sun tone, and layers the right steps, with settings safe for your skin tone, rather than one generic brightening treatment. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Radiance is easy to chase with a single facial and hard to build for real, because it comes from renewal, collagen, and protection working together, not one glow treatment. Dr. Pontius plans resurfacing and daily care as one, chooses settings safe across skin tones, and is honest that a bright result is maintained rather than bought once. That combination, matched to your skin, is what turns a tired complexion into a lasting glow. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - See your skin looking flat, gray, or tired despite good habits - Notice rough texture or an uneven, sallow tone - Feel your usual products no longer bring back the glow - Want a plan that combines in-office treatment with daily care **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant or breastfeeding, which limits some products and treatments - Have active irritation or a skin condition that should be calmed first - Have discrete brown spots or patches, which may point to the sun-damage or melasma paths ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius looks at your skin in good light, separating surface buildup from deeper collagen loss and sun tone, and asks about your daily routine. You leave with a plan that usually pairs an in-office step, resurfacing or light, with a simple daily routine of renewal and protection, and a realistic sense that a bright result is built and maintained rather than restored in one visit. ## What we offer for this People come in about looking tired or dull and leave with a plan that brightens the surface and rebuilds what is underneath. In-office resurfacing and daily care work together. > Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S. National Institutes of Health. With age, cell turnover slows and collagen and elastin decline, so skin thins and looks less firm; sun exposure accelerates these changes and roughens tone and texture. — [Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care/skin-care-and-aging) ## Renewing Dull & Aging Skin in Santa Barbara, CA When skin loses its glow, the goal isn't a whole new face — it's helping your own skin look rested and alive again. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Pontius takes a holistic view of skin quality, choosing treatments that restore brightness naturally. If your complexion has been looking tired, we'd love to help it feel like yours again. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Early Signs of Aging Early signs of aging show up as fine lines, expression creases that begin to linger, and a subtle loss of radiance and firmness. Because these are early, the most effective approach is prevention: daily sun protection and active skincare to protect collagen, with light, sparing treatment to soften dynamic lines before they set into the skin. ## What it is Early aging is subtle, and it tends to show in a handful of places first. - First fine lines. Faint lines around the eyes and across the forehead, at first only with expression, then lingering a little longer at rest. - A little less glow and bounce. Skin that looks slightly flatter or less firm as collagen begins its slow decline. - Expression creases. The forehead, frown, and crow's feet lines that form from repeated movement, which deepen over years if nothing changes. None of this is a problem to fix so much as a trajectory to slow, which is why the plan at this stage leans on prevention and restraint rather than correction. ## What causes it Some of it is simply time: collagen and cell turnover begin a slow decline, so skin loses a little firmness and glow. But the largest controllable driver is the sun. Ultraviolet light breaks down collagen and is the single biggest contributor to visible facial aging, which is why daily sun protection is the most effective prevention there is. Expression plays a part too. Repeated movement of the forehead, brows, and eyes presses the same creases in until, over years, they linger at rest. That is why softening those movements early, gently, can keep the lines from setting. ## Where to start This is what the consultation sets, because prevention is about the right light-touch steps, not doing everything at once. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsNo lines yet, wanting to stay aheadPure preventionSun protection and active skincare, the foundationFaint expression lines that fade at restEarly dynamic linesLight preventative treatment to soften the movementA little less glow and firmnessEarly collagen lossSkincare with retinoids and antioxidants, sometimes gentle resurfacingLines that stay at restAlready setting inThe established wrinkles and fine lines pathWanting to prevent sagging earlyStructural upkeepDiscussed case by case, conservatively The value is not the list. It is that a physician keeps the plan proportionate to young skin, starting with the foundation and adding only light, sparing treatment, so the result is looking like yourself for longer rather than looking done. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Prevention is where overtreatment does the most harm, because young skin needs restraint, not a full menu, and an overdone look at this stage is its own kind of aging. Dr. Pontius is honest about what actually prevents aging, sun protection and skincare first, and keeps any treatment light and natural. Having a physician set the pace protects you from doing too much too soon, which is the whole point of starting early. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Are noticing your first fine lines or expression creases - Want to build a prevention plan that actually works - Are unsure which products and habits are worth your time - Want to look natural and rested, not treated **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant or breastfeeding, which limits some products and treatments - Already have lines that stay at rest, which point to the wrinkles path - Are being sold a long list of treatments and want an honest second opinion ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius looks at your skin and your expressions, sorts out what is worth doing now from what can wait, and usually starts with the foundation: daily sun protection and a simple active skincare routine. If light preventative treatment fits, it is kept minimal. You leave with a proportionate plan and a clear sense of what actually prevents aging versus what is marketing. ## What we offer for this People come in wanting to stay ahead of aging and leave with a proactive plan built on protection and restraint. The foundation comes first, with light treatment added only where it helps. > Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S. National Institutes of Health. Sun exposure is a major cause of visible skin aging; protecting skin from the sun and not smoking help prevent premature wrinkles and changes, and collagen declines with age. — [Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care/skin-care-and-aging) ## Addressing Early Signs of Aging in Santa Barbara, CA The best time to care for your skin is often before changes become pronounced — small, thoughtful steps that protect how you age. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius favors a light, preventive touch, so you look like a rested version of yourself rather than 'treated.' If you're starting to notice subtle changes, we'd love to help you get ahead of them. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Excess Abdominal Skin A pannus is excess skin and fat hanging from the lower abdomen, left behind by significant weight loss, pregnancy, or aging when stretched skin cannot retract. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes the excess skin and fat and tightens the abdominal wall; a panniculectomy removes the hanging apron without muscle tightening and is sometimes done for functional reasons. Neither is a weight-loss procedure. ## What it is Excess abdominal skin is a specific, physical thing, and naming it helps. - The pannus. A flap of loose skin and fat that hangs from the lower belly, sometimes over the pubic area or thighs, left when the abdomen was stretched and could not shrink back. - Why it stays. Stretched skin loses elasticity, so once the weight or the pregnancy is behind you, the skin does not retract on its own. - More than looks. The fold can trap moisture and cause chafing, rashes, and irritation, and it can get in the way of clothing and movement. The point is that this is loose skin, not fat, so the effective answer is to remove it surgically rather than to keep dieting. ## What causes it The cause is stretched skin that has lost its elasticity. Significant weight loss, pregnancy, and aging each stretch the abdominal skin, and when the underlying volume reduces, the skin is left with more surface area than the body beneath it, so it hangs. Pregnancy adds another factor, the abdominal muscles often separate, which can leave a bulge even when skin is not the main issue. Because the problem is excess skin, the solution removes it. A tummy tuck excises the loose skin and fat and tightens the abdominal wall, while a panniculectomy removes the hanging apron alone, sometimes for functional relief. Diet and exercise support your health and a stable weight, and the skin removal is what restores the contour. ## What is going on, and what helps This is what the consultation maps, because the right procedure depends on what is driving the shape. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsA hanging apron of lower-belly skinA pannusA tummy tuck, or a panniculectomyLoose skin plus a rounded, bulging bellySkin plus muscle separationA tummy tuck with muscle repairSkin overhang causing rashes or chafingA functional problemSkin removal, sometimes panniculectomyA stubborn fat pocket, skin still firmFat, not excess skinLiposuction rather than skin removalLoose skin across several areasA whole-body patternA staged plan after weight loss The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon distinguishes loose skin from fat and from muscle separation, and matches the procedure, tummy tuck, panniculectomy, or contouring, to what your abdomen actually needs. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Abdominal skin removal is major surgery, and the result depends on precise planning of the incision, the muscle repair, and a natural contour. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, with particular experience in body contouring, and he tailors the procedure to your anatomy, removing the skin, repairing the wall where needed, and placing the incision to sit low and hidden. Careful planning is what turns skin removal into a genuinely restored midsection. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have a hanging apron of lower-belly skin that bothers you - Get rashes, chafing, or irritation where the skin folds - Are at or near a stable goal weight - Want the excess removed and the abdomen firmed **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are still actively losing weight, since a stable weight comes first - Are planning a future pregnancy, which can re-stretch the abdomen - Smoke or have conditions that affect healing, worth discussing ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice examines the abdomen, checks whether the issue is loose skin, separated muscle, fat, or a combination, and confirms your weight is stable. He explains which procedure fits, a tummy tuck with muscle repair or a panniculectomy for a hanging apron, and is candid about the incision, the resulting scar, and recovery. If any functional problems apply, he discusses those too. You leave with a plan matched to your abdomen and realistic expectations. ## What we offer for this People come in tired of a belly that will not flatten and leave with a plan to remove the excess skin and firm the midsection. Contouring is added when it helps. > Panniculectomy, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Panniculectomy removes hanging skin and fat, called a pannus or apron, from the lower abdomen to create a smoother contour; it differs from a tummy tuck in that the abdominal muscles are typically not tightened, and it is not a substitute for weight loss. — [Panniculectomy, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/panniculectomy) > Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). A tummy tuck removes excess abdominal skin and fat and repairs separated or weakened abdominal muscles, restoring a firmer, smoother abdominal contour; it is a cosmetic procedure and not a weight-loss method. — [Tummy Tuck](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/tummy-tuck) ## Addressing Excess Abdominal Skin in Santa Barbara, CA Loose skin across the abdomen — often after pregnancy or weight loss — rarely responds to diet or exercise alone. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice will help you understand your options, from a tummy tuck to a fuller body-contouring plan, with healing planned as carefully as the procedure. If you're ready to feel comfortable in your midsection again, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Excessive Sweating Hyperhidrosis is excessive, uncontrollable sweating that goes beyond the body's need to regulate temperature. Primary axillary hyperhidrosis affects the underarms and happens regardless of heat, activity, or stress. Botulinum toxin injections block the nerve signal that switches on the sweat glands, and are FDA-approved for severe underarm sweating in adults when topical antiperspirants do not work well enough. ## What it is Everyone sweats to cool down. Hyperhidrosis is when the body sweats far past that need, in a way that soaks clothing and interferes with everyday life. The most common form is **primary axillary hyperhidrosis**, focused in the underarms, with no underlying illness behind it. It tends to run in families, often starts young, and happens regardless of the weather. It is common, affecting a meaningful share of the population, and it is a recognized medical condition, not a matter of hygiene or willpower. The reason it responds so well to treatment is mechanical: the sweat glands themselves are normal, they are simply receiving too many "on" signals from the nerves. Quiet the signal and the sweating drops. ## What causes it In primary hyperhidrosis, the sweat glands are overactive because the nerves that control them fire too readily, not because anything is wrong with the glands or with the person's health. It often begins in childhood or the teens and continues, and it is usually focused in specific areas, most often the underarms, but also the palms, soles, or face. Sweating that is new, one-sided, or happens mostly at night can be a different, secondary kind tied to another condition or a medication, which is worth sorting out first. That is part of why a physician confirms the pattern before treating. ## Is it the kind that responds This is what the first visit confirms, because treatment fits some patterns and not others. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsHeavy underarm sweat regardless of temperaturePrimary axillary hyperhidrosisBotulinum toxin injections, after antiperspirantsSweating that started young and runs in the familyTypical primary patternA strong candidate for injection treatmentAntiperspirants tried without enough reliefThe point injections are made forThe FDA-approved underarm routeNew, one-sided, or mostly night sweatingPossibly a secondary causeEvaluation first, before any cosmetic treatment The value is not the list. It is that a physician confirms this is primary axillary hyperhidrosis, and that antiperspirants have been given a fair try, before treating, so the plan fits the condition rather than the request. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Sweating is treated well when the physician takes it seriously as a medical condition, confirms the pattern, and places the injections precisely across the underarm. Dr. Pontius does exactly that, using an option that is FDA-approved for severe underarm sweating, and flags anything that looks like a secondary cause for evaluation first. Because severe axillary hyperhidrosis is a recognized condition, some insurance plans help cover treatment, which is worth checking. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Sweat through clothing regardless of temperature or activity - Have tried clinical-strength antiperspirants without enough relief - Plan your day, clothing, or seating around sweating - Want a nonsurgical option that lasts months at a time **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant or breastfeeding - Have a neuromuscular condition - Have sweating that is new, one-sided, or mostly at night, which should be evaluated for another cause first ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius confirms the sweating is primary and focused, checks that antiperspirants have had a fair try, and rules out signs of a secondary cause. Treatment is a series of small injections across each underarm, mapped to where you sweat most. You leave understanding whether you are a candidate, how long relief tends to last, and how to check whether your insurance helps with a recognized medical condition. ## What we offer for this People come in tired of soaking through shirts and leave with a plan matched to the pattern of their sweating. The underarm route is the one with the most evidence behind it. > Botox for Hyperhidrosis, International Hyperhidrosis Society (United States). In 2004 the FDA approved onabotulinumtoxinA for severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis in patients for whom antiperspirants do not provide relief; hyperhidrosis is a recognized medical condition and some insurers cover treatment. — [Botox for Hyperhidrosis, International Hyperhidrosis Society](https://www.sweathelp.org/hyperhidrosis-treatments/botox.html) > BOTOX (onabotulinumtoxinA) for Severe Underarm Sweating, prescribing information summary, AbbVie (United States). Indicated for severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis in people 18 and older when topical medicines do not work well enough; it blocks the chemical signal that activates sweat glands; average duration of response about 6.7 months. — [BOTOX](https://www.botoxseveresweating.com/) ## Treating Excessive Sweating in Santa Barbara, CA Excessive sweating can be genuinely disruptive — but it's also very treatable, often with a quick, comfortable approach. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius offers solutions that can keep you dry and confident for months at a time. If sweating has been affecting your day-to-day, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Flat Buttocks A Brazilian butt lift, or gluteal fat grafting, adds shape and projection to flat buttocks using the patient's own fat. Fat is removed by liposuction from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs, purified, and injected into the buttocks, which also slims the donor areas. The procedure carries serious risks, chiefly fat embolism, that are reduced by subcutaneous-only grafting technique and a qualified, experienced surgeon. ## What it is A Brazilian butt lift is a fat-transfer procedure, and understanding it clears up a common confusion. - It uses your own fat. Liposuction harvests fat from areas like the abdomen, flanks, or thighs, which is then purified and grafted into the buttocks. - Two benefits at once. It shapes the buttocks while slimming the donor areas, which is part of its appeal. - Not a lift, not implants. Despite the name it augments shape with fat, rather than lifting sagging skin or placing an implant. Because it uses your own tissue, the results tend to look and feel natural, which is why fat grafting has largely overtaken buttock implants for shaping. ## What to understand about safety This is the part that matters most, and it deserves plain talk. A Brazilian butt lift carries a real, well-documented safety concern: injecting fat too deeply, into or beneath the gluteal muscle, can allow fat to enter large veins and cause a fat embolism, which can be fatal. Leading plastic surgery societies took the unusual step of issuing an urgent safety advisory about this. The reassuring part is that the risk is specific and technique-dependent. Modern safe practice keeps fat grafting in the subcutaneous plane, just under the skin and above the muscle, and many surgeons use ultrasound guidance to stay out of the danger zone. Performed this way by a board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited facility, the procedure is far safer than the headlines suggest. This is precisely why the choice of surgeon is not a place to compromise. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body The Brazilian butt lift is the one cosmetic procedure where surgeon choice is genuinely a safety decision, not just an aesthetic one. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he performs gluteal fat grafting with the current safety standard, subcutaneous-only placement, avoiding the deep gluteal danger zone. The practice's whole ethos, trusted expertise over flashy trends, is exactly what this procedure calls for. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have flat or under-projected buttocks you would like fuller - Want a natural result using your own fat - Have enough fat in donor areas to harvest - Want a board-certified surgeon who follows current safety guidelines **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are very lean, since there may not be enough fat to transfer - Are considering a bargain or overseas BBL, given the real safety stakes - Have loose buttock skin more than a volume concern ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice discusses the shape you want, assesses whether you have enough donor fat to harvest, and explains the procedure honestly, including the real risks and the specific technique he uses to minimize them. He covers recovery, including that you avoid sitting directly on the buttocks for a period afterward. You leave with a candid understanding of whether a BBL fits you and the confidence that, if it does, it will be done safely. ## What we offer for this People come in wanting more shape and, rightly, wanting it done safely, and leave with an honest read on whether a BBL fits and how the practice keeps it safe. > Buttock Enhancement, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Buttock augmentation improves the contour, size, and shape of the buttocks through fat grafting, implants, or a combination; augmentation using fat grafting, transferring the patient's own fat, is often referred to as a Brazilian butt lift. — [Buttock Enhancement, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/buttock-enhancement) > Seven Things You Need to Know About a Brazilian Butt Lift, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). A BBL augments the buttock using the patient's own fat harvested by liposuction; its serious risk is fat embolism when fat enters the bloodstream near the gluteal region, which is why plastic surgery societies formed a safety task force and why surgeon technique and qualification are critical. — [Seven Things You Need to Know About a Brazilian Butt Lift, American Society of Plastic Sur](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/seven-things-you-need-to-know-about-a-brazilian-butt-lift) ## Reshaping Flat or Shapeless Buttocks in Santa Barbara, CA Wanting more shape and proportion is reason enough to explore your options — and the approaches available today are better than ever. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice sculpts curves that suit your frame, often using your own fat for a soft, natural result. If you'd like more shape and balance, a consultation is the best place to start. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd love to meet you. ### Jaw Clenching & Jawline Slimming Bruxism is repeated clenching and grinding of the teeth, often during sleep. It overworks the masseter muscle, which can bring jaw pain, tension headaches, and tooth wear, and over time enlarges the muscle so the lower face looks wider and more square. Relaxing the masseter reduces the force of the clench and, as the muscle rests, softens the jawline. ## What it is Two things people notice from very different angles turn out to share a cause. - The clench. Bruxism is involuntary clenching and grinding, often at night. It shows up as a sore or tired jaw, tension headaches, earaches, and teeth that wear down or become sensitive. - The square jaw. The masseter is one of the strongest muscles in the body, and like any muscle it grows with use. Years of clenching can enlarge it, widening the lower face into a square or heavy shape. Because both come from the same overworked muscle, relaxing it can address the discomfort and the shape together, which is why the two are treated as one concern. ## What causes it Bruxism is common and its exact triggers vary. Stress and anxiety, sleep patterns, bite alignment, and daily habits all play a part, and much of it happens during sleep, so people are often unaware they do it until a dentist points out the wear. The muscle side follows from the habit: the more the masseter is used, the more it builds, the same way any muscle responds to exercise. A dental evaluation matters here, because grinding can be linked to bite and, in some cases, to sleep-related breathing, and those are worth identifying rather than only treating the muscle. ## The clench, the shape, or both This is what the consultation sorts out, because the goal changes the plan and, often, the order. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsSore jaw, headaches, worn or sensitive teethActive clenching and grindingRelaxing the masseter, alongside a dental mouthguardA widening, square lower face over the yearsAn enlarged masseterRelaxing the masseter so it rests and slimsBoth discomfort and a heavier jawThe full picture of bruxismA staged plan, muscle treatment plus dental careA jaw that looks weak or recessed insteadThe opposite problemBuilding a weak or recessed chin, a different page The value is not the list. It is that a physician judges how strong the masseter is and how much to relax it, so the clench eases and the jaw softens without weakening your bite or your chewing, and coordinates with your dentist on the parts that are dental. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Masseter treatment is easy to overdo, and the difference between a jaw that looks slimmer and a bite that feels weak is placement and dose. Dr. Pontius is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who plans and performs the injections herself, matching the amount to how strong your masseter actually is, and works with your dental care rather than around it. For any surgical lower-face question she consults with Dr. Alain Polynice. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Wake with a sore or tired jaw, or tension headaches - Have been told your teeth show grinding wear - See your lower face looking wider or more square over time - Want to ease the clench and soften the jaw together **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant or breastfeeding - Have a neuromuscular condition - Have significant bite or dental problems, which should be evaluated by a dentist alongside any muscle treatment ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius examines the masseter while you clench, gauges its strength, and asks about your headaches, your sleep, and what your dentist has seen. If grinding is the main issue, a mouthguard and dental input are part of the plan. You leave understanding how much of your concern is the clench and how much is the shape, and a plan that treats the muscle without compromising your bite. ## What we offer for this People come in about a sore jaw, worn teeth, or a squaring jawline and leave with a plan built around the muscle and the habit driving it. > Bruxism (Teeth Grinding), Colgate Oral Health (United States). Bruxism is involuntary clenching and grinding, often during sleep, associated with jaw pain, headaches, and tooth wear; a mouthguard is a common first recommendation and botulinum toxin is generally not the first treatment. — [Bruxism](https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/bruxism/botox-for-bruxism-learn-whats-right-for-you) ## Treating Jaw Clenching & Slimming the Jawline in Santa Barbara, CA Chronic clenching can cause real discomfort — and, over time, a heavier, more square jawline. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius offers treatment that eases tension while gently softening and refining the jaw. If clenching or a strong jawline has been on your mind, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Loose or Sagging Skin Skin laxity develops as the skin loses collagen and elastin through aging, sun damage, and weight fluctuation, and slackened skin cannot be re-tightened by diet or exercise. Treatment is matched to severity: minimally invasive energy-based tightening, such as Renuvion, firms mild to moderate laxity, while significant hanging skin is removed surgically with procedures like a tummy tuck. A board-certified surgeon determines which fits. ## What it is Loose skin is a question of degree, and that degree decides the treatment. - Mild to moderate laxity. Skin that has softened and lost some snap but is not hanging in large folds, often on the abdomen, arms, or thighs. - Significant excess. Skin that hangs in folds, usually after major weight loss or multiple pregnancies, which energy tightening cannot fix. - Why it stays slack. The collagen and elastin that let skin recoil are diminished, so the skin remains loose through diet and exercise. The key is honest matching: milder laxity responds well to energy-based tightening, while significant excess genuinely needs surgical removal, and a good surgeon will tell you which you have. ## What causes it Skin owes its firmness to collagen and elastin, and those proteins decline over time. Aging slows their replacement, sun exposure breaks them down, and repeated stretching from weight change or pregnancy overstretches them, so the skin loses its ability to snap back and begins to sag. Genetics and smoking play a part too. Because the underlying support is what has changed, the solutions work on that support: energy-based tightening like Renuvion heats the deeper layers to contract tissue and stimulate new collagen for mild to moderate laxity, while for skin that is truly excess, the effective route is to remove it surgically. Diet and exercise, valuable as they are for health, cannot restore lost skin elasticity. ## How much, and what helps This is what the consultation determines, because the honest answer depends on the degree of laxity. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsSkin softened, slightly crepeyMild laxityEnergy-based tightening, such as RenuvionModerate looseness, no large foldsModerate laxityRenuvion, sometimes with liposuctionLoose skin with a stubborn fat pocketLaxity plus fatLiposuction with skin tighteningHanging skin in foldsSignificant excessSurgical skin removal, such as a tummy tuckLoose skin on the neck and jawlineA facial-area concernAssessed under the neck and jawline The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon assesses how much loose skin you actually have and recommends the least-invasive option that will truly work, rather than overselling a device for skin that needs surgery, or vice versa. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body The honest, and less common, thing in skin tightening is telling a patient when a device will not do the job, and when it will. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he matches the intervention to the skin: energy-based tightening for mild to moderate laxity, and surgical removal when the skin is truly excess. That judgment, choosing the least you need for a real result, is what protects both your outcome and your recovery. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Notice skin on the body softening, sagging, or looking crepey - Have loose skin after weight loss or pregnancy - Want to know whether tightening or removal fits your case - Prefer the least-invasive option that will actually work **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are still losing weight, since a stable weight comes first - Smoke, since it affects both skin quality and healing - Are focused on facial or neck laxity, which is assessed separately ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice examines the areas that bother you, assesses how much loose skin and laxity you have and your skin quality, and is candid about whether energy-based tightening will give you a real result or whether the skin needs to be removed. He explains the option that fits, what it can and cannot do, and what recovery looks like. You leave with an honest recommendation matched to your skin rather than to a single device. ## What we offer for this People come in unsure whether anything short of major surgery can help and leave with a plan matched to how much loose skin they actually have. Tightening or removal, whichever fits. > Tightening Loose Skin: An Exploration of Renuvion, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Renuvion is a minimally invasive procedure used to tighten skin and improve appearance across many areas, working well for mild to moderate laxity and in combination with other procedures, while significant excess skin is better addressed surgically. — [Tightening Loose Skin: An Exploration of Renuvion, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/tightening-loose-skin-an-exploration-of-renuvion) ## Addressing Loose or Sagging Skin in Santa Barbara, CA When skin loses its firmness, the right approach depends on where it is and how much has changed — which is exactly what a consultation is for. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice will help you understand your options, from skin tightening to surgical solutions, and what will hold up over time. If loose skin has been bothering you, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Loose Skin After Weight Loss After significant weight loss, skin that was stretched for a long time often lacks the elasticity to conform to the smaller body, so it hangs as loose folds. Surgical body contouring, the only effective solution, removes the excess skin and improves the shape of the tissue beneath. Procedures are individualized and often combined or staged, and a stable weight is important before surgery. ## What it is Loose skin after weight loss is a mechanical result, and it helps to understand why. - Why it stays. Skin stretched over months or years loses elasticity, so when the weight comes off, it cannot contract back and hangs as folds. - Where it shows. Most commonly the abdomen, but also the arms, inner thighs, breasts, back, and buttocks. - Why it matters. Beyond appearance, loose skin can chafe, cause rashes in the folds, and get in the way of movement and exercise. The important truth is that no cream or exercise removes excess skin; only surgical removal does. That is why body contouring is considered the completing step of a weight-loss journey. ## What causes it The cause is loss of skin elasticity. Skin contains collagen and elastin that let it stretch and rebound, but when it is stretched by significant weight for a long time, those fibers are permanently overstretched, so after weight loss the skin simply cannot shrink to the new, smaller body. The more weight lost, and the longer it was carried, the more excess skin tends to remain, though this varies a great deal from person to person. Because the problem is too much skin, the solution is removing it. Diet, exercise, and skin creams cannot take away skin that is already there, which is why surgical contouring is the effective route once weight is stable. ## Which areas, which procedures This is what the consultation maps, because loose skin usually spans several areas and each has its own procedure. Where the loose skin isUsually addressed withThe route that fitsAbdomen, with a hanging apronSkin removal and muscle repairA tummy tuckAround the whole lower trunkA circumferential liftA body liftUpper armsSkin removal from armpit to elbowAn arm liftInner thighsSkin and residual fat removalA thigh liftMilder laxity, not large foldsSkin tightening without excisionRenuvion, in select casesA GLP-1 weight-loss journeyA tailored post-weight-loss planThe practice's post-GLP-1 program The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon looks at your whole body, decides which areas to treat and in what order, and combines or stages the procedures into one coordinated plan, rather than treating a single area in isolation. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Post-weight-loss contouring is demanding surgery that rewards experience and planning, because it usually means several procedures sequenced sensibly around one body and one recovery. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused primarily on breast and body surgery, with particular expertise in body contouring, and he plans the whole transformation, which areas, combined or staged, with realistic recovery, so the result honors the work you already did to lose the weight. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have lost significant weight and are bothered by loose, hanging skin - Get rashes, chafing, or irritation in the skin folds - Are at or near a stable goal weight - Want a coordinated plan across the areas that bother you **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are still actively losing weight, since a stable weight comes first - Smoke or have conditions that affect healing, worth discussing - Are hoping creams or exercise will tighten the skin, which they cannot do ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice examines the areas of loose skin, discusses how much bothers you and your weight history, and confirms your weight is stable enough to proceed. He then lays out a plan, which areas to treat, what to combine, and what to stage, with honest detail about the incisions and scars that skin removal involves and what recovery looks like. You leave with a coordinated plan and realistic expectations for completing your transformation. ## What we offer for this People come in frustrated that loose skin is hiding their hard-won results and leave with a plan to remove it and reshape the body. Procedures are combined or staged to fit you. > Body Contouring, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Surgical body contouring following major weight loss removes excess sagging skin and fat and improves the shape of the underlying tissue for a better-proportioned appearance with smoother contours. — [Body Contouring, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/body-contouring) > Body Contouring After Weight Loss, Johns Hopkins Medicine (United States). Significant weight loss often leaves loose skin that interferes with daily life; body contouring procedures for the abdomen, arms, thighs, breasts, and buttocks are individualized and often combined, and a stable goal weight is recommended first. — [Body Contouring After Weight Loss, Johns Hopkins Medicine](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/expert-qa/body-contouring) ## Addressing Loose Skin After Weight Loss in Santa Barbara, CA After the hard work of losing weight, loose skin can feel like an unfair last hurdle — and you don't have to settle for it. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice creates body-contouring plans that refine and restore your shape so your results reflect how far you've come. If you're ready to see the finish line, we'd love to help you get there. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Male Breast Tissue Gynecomastia is overdeveloped or enlarged breast tissue in men, most often caused by an imbalance of testosterone and estrogen, and can also relate to heredity, weight, puberty, and certain medications. Because true gynecomastia is glandular tissue, it does not shrink with diet and exercise. Male breast reduction combines liposuction of excess fat with surgical removal of the glandular tissue for a flatter chest. ## What it is Gynecomastia is a specific thing, and one distinction matters most. - Glandular, not just fat. True gynecomastia is an increase in the firm glandular tissue beneath the nipple, sometimes with excess fat. This is different from fat alone. - Why diet does not fix it. Because glandular tissue is not fat, losing weight will not remove it, though it may reduce a fatty component. - Common and benign. A large share of men have some palpable breast tissue, and it is usually harmless, if unwanted. Understanding that the core problem is glandular tissue is what explains why the effective treatment is surgical removal, not more time in the gym. ## What causes it Gynecomastia usually comes down to a hormonal balance. Male bodies make both testosterone and estrogen, and when the ratio shifts toward relatively more estrogen, breast tissue can grow. This shift happens naturally at puberty (where it often resolves on its own) and again with age, and it can be influenced by heredity, weight, certain medical conditions, and a range of medications, including anabolic steroids, some used in bodybuilding. Because the growth is glandular tissue driven by hormones, it behaves differently from fat and stays put through diet and exercise. That is why, for persistent adult gynecomastia, surgery is the consistently effective option. ## What it is, and what helps This is what a discreet consultation clarifies, because the right answer depends on what the tissue is. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsFirm tissue under the nippleTrue glandular gynecomastiaSurgical removal of the gland, often with liposuctionSofter fullness that shifts with weightA mostly fatty componentLiposuction, sometimes with gland removalPuffiness only around the nippleLocalized glandular tissueTargeted gland excisionSagging skin with large enlargementSkin excess tooRemoval plus skin tighteningA new, one-sided, firm, fixed lumpNeeds medical evaluation firstSee a physician before cosmetic planning The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon examines the chest, distinguishes glandular tissue from fat, rules out anything that needs medical evaluation first, and tailors the removal so the chest looks naturally flat and masculine. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body For many men this is a sensitive subject, so it matters to be treated privately, respectfully, and by a surgeon who does this well. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he approaches gynecomastia with discretion and without judgment, removing the glandular tissue and any excess fat through small, well-placed incisions for a natural, masculine contour. Doing it right, and doing it privately, is the point. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have firm tissue under the nipple that will not go with diet or exercise - Feel self-conscious about the shape of your chest - Are at a stable weight and in good health - Want a flatter chest with a discreet, natural result **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are a teenager, since puberty-related gynecomastia often resolves on its own - Use anabolic steroids or medications that can cause it, worth reviewing - Notice a new, hard, one-sided lump, which a physician should evaluate first ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice examines your chest to determine whether the fullness is glandular tissue, fat, or both, and reviews your health, weight, and any medications. If anything warrants medical evaluation first, he will say so. He then explains the approach, typically liposuction for fat plus removal of the gland through a small incision at the areola, and what recovery looks like. You leave with a clear, private plan and realistic expectations for a flatter chest. ## What we offer for this Men come in quietly frustrated by their chest and leave with a discreet plan for a flatter, firmer contour. Male breast reduction removes the tissue for a lasting result. > Gynecomastia Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Gynecomastia is overdeveloped or enlarged breasts in men from hormonal changes, heredity, obesity, or certain drugs; surgery reduces breast size by removing excess glandular tissue, usually with liposuction of fat, for a flatter, firmer chest. — [Gynecomastia Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/gynecomastia-surgery) > Enlarged Male Breast Tissue (Gynecomastia), Cleveland Clinic (United States). Gynecomastia most often results from an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone; certain medications and medical conditions can also cause it, and surgery is an option when it causes self-consciousness or other concerns. — [Enlarged Male Breast Tissue](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/16227-enlarged-male-breast-tissue-gynecomastia) ## Addressing Male Breast Tissue in Santa Barbara, CA Excess male breast tissue is common and very treatable — and addressing it can make a real difference in comfort and confidence. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice treats gynecomastia with discretion and skill, restoring a flatter, more masculine chest. If it's something you've wanted to address, a private consultation is the place to start. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd love to meet you. ### Melasma Melasma is patchy brown or gray facial pigment, usually symmetric across the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. Hormones, from pregnancy or birth control, and ultraviolet and visible light drive it. It is chronic and tends to recur, and aggressive CO2 laser resurfacing or peels can worsen it, so the foundation is sun protection and topical care, with gentle in-office treatment layered on carefully. ## What it is Melasma is a pattern, and recognizing it changes how it should be treated. - Symmetric patches. Brown or gray-brown areas that appear on both sides of the face, typically the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and bridge of the nose. - Hormone-linked. It often starts or worsens with pregnancy, the "mask of pregnancy," or with estrogen from birth control, and it is far more common in women. - Stubborn and recurrent. Even when it fades, it tends to come back, especially with sun exposure, which is why it is managed rather than cured in one go. Because some of the pigment sits deep in the skin, no treatment reliably erases it, and the realistic goal is to lighten the patches and hold them there. ## What causes it Melasma comes from pigment-making cells, melanocytes, that become overactive and deposit extra pigment. Two things drive that most: hormones and light. Pregnancy and estrogen-containing birth control are common hormonal triggers, and ultraviolet and even visible light switch the process back on, which is why sun exposure both causes and worsens it. It is more common in women and in medium to darker skin tones, and it can be genetic. The light sensitivity is also why melasma is so recurrent: a single unprotected weekend can undo months of progress, and why daily broad-spectrum protection is not optional but the base of every plan. ## How melasma is approached This is what the consultation sets, because melasma rewards patience and punishes aggression. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsNew or active patchesPigment being actively madeSun protection and topical care first, alwaysPatches that persist on a good routineSurface pigment to liftA gentle chemical peel, carefully dosedUneven tone alongside the patchesTone and textureCollagen-building microneedling to even the skinA richer skin toneHigher risk of worseningConservative, tone-safe treatment and close follow-upDiscrete brown spots, not patchesLikely sun spots insteadThe sun damage and uneven skin path The value is not the list. It is that a physician resists the aggressive laser that can make melasma flare, builds on sun protection and topicals first, and adds gentle in-office treatment only where it helps, tuned to your skin tone. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Melasma is the pigment problem most often made worse by treatment, because the strong lasers that clear sun spots can trigger melasma to rebound darker, and richer skin tones are the most vulnerable. Dr. Pontius treats it the careful way: sun protection and topical care as the foundation, gentle peels and microneedling layered on with restraint, and settings chosen to be safe across skin tones. Managing melasma well is a long game, and it is treated like one here. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have symmetric brown or gray patches on your cheeks, forehead, or upper lip - Noticed them start or worsen with pregnancy or birth control - See the pigment return every summer - Want a plan that treats melasma without making it worse **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant or breastfeeding, since some topicals are avoided and the pigment may fade after pregnancy - Have had melasma flare after a laser or peel before - Are not yet using daily sun protection, which is the foundation any treatment builds on ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius confirms the pattern is melasma rather than sun spots or other pigment, factors in your skin tone and any hormonal triggers, and starts with the foundation: daily broad-spectrum protection and topical care. Gentle in-office treatment is added only where it will help without provoking a flare. You leave understanding that melasma is managed over time, what your daily routine needs to be, and a realistic picture of lightening rather than erasing. ## What we offer for this People come in about patches that will not budge, or keep coming back, and leave with a long-term plan built on protection and gentle treatment. The foundation and the in-office steps work together. > Melasma: Diagnosis and Treatment, American Academy of Dermatology (United States). Melasma is treated with sun protection and topicals, with chemical peels, microneedling, and laser or light as adjuncts; laser and light are added to a medication and sun-protection regimen rather than used alone. — [Melasma: Diagnosis and Treatment, American Academy of Dermatology](https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/melasma-treatment) > Melasma: Treatment, Causes and Prevention, Cleveland Clinic (United States). Melasma is driven by hormones and sun, is chronic and recurrence-prone, may fade after pregnancy, and some dermal pigment cannot be fully removed; daily sun protection is essential. — [Melasma: Treatment, Causes and Prevention, Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21454-melasma) ## Treating Melasma in Santa Barbara, CA Melasma can be stubborn, but a thoughtful, gentle plan can meaningfully even your tone and keep it that way. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Pontius treats melasma with care — combining the right treatments and skin care to brighten without irritation. If uneven pigment has been frustrating you, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Menopause Skin Changes The skin is an estrogen-sensitive organ, so when estrogen falls at menopause it loses collagen, elastin, and moisture, becoming thinner, drier, and less firm, with more visible lines and laxity. Because several things change at once, the most effective approach combines volume replacement, collagen-building resurfacing, and a daily routine of retinoids, moisture, and sun protection. ## What it is Menopause affects the skin because the skin itself responds to estrogen. - Dryness. The skin holds less water as it loses the components that keep it hydrated, so it feels tighter and looks less plump. - Thinning and laxity. Collagen and elastin decline, so skin becomes thinner and less firm, and starts to sag. - Deeper lines and lost glow. With less support underneath, existing lines look deeper and the surface reads duller. The pattern is distinctive because it happens relatively fast, and because it hits volume, texture, and hydration all at once, which is why treating one piece in isolation rarely satisfies. ## What causes it The driver is declining estrogen. The skin has estrogen receptors and depends on the hormone to maintain collagen, elastin, hydration, and its protective barrier, so when estrogen falls in perimenopause and menopause, all of those decline together. The change is fastest early on: research cited by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports women can lose as much as thirty percent of their skin collagen in the first five years after menopause, then a further couple of percent a year. That speed is why menopausal skin can feel like a sudden shift rather than gradual aging, and why a plan that rebuilds collagen and replaces lost volume, rather than only moisturizing the surface, tends to make the real difference. ## What changed, and what helps This is what the consultation maps, because menopausal skin usually needs a few things addressed together. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsFace looks deflated or hollowLost volumeVolume-replacing fillers and biostimulatorsLines look deeper than beforeThinner skin over the same movementNeuromodulators, with skincare underneathRough, dull, crepey textureCollagen and surface renewalCollagen-building resurfacing and peelsPersistent dryness and tightnessBarrier and moisture lossA daily routine of retinoids, moisture, and protectionWondering about hormonesA medical questionA conversation with your physician about HRT, separate from skin The value is not the list. It is that a physician sees how these connect and sequences them, so volume, texture, and daily care work together instead of one treatment chasing a change that has several causes. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Menopausal skin is where a piecemeal approach falls short, because volume, texture, and hydration all change at once and a single treatment addresses only one. Dr. Pontius plans across the whole face, replacing lost volume, rebuilding collagen, softening lines, and setting a daily routine, as one connected plan for this life stage. She is also clear that hormone therapy is a medical decision made with your physician for overall health, not something to start for skin alone. That whole-picture judgment is the point. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Feel your skin changed quickly around perimenopause or menopause - Notice dryness, thinning, deeper lines, or loss of firmness together - Are tired of products that no longer seem to do enough - Want one plan for the whole picture rather than piecemeal fixes **Better to talk it through first if you** - Want hormone therapy specifically, which is a medical decision with your physician - Have a new or changing skin lesion, which should be evaluated - Are looking for a single quick fix, since this stage usually needs a combined plan ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius looks at your whole face, how much is lost volume, how much is texture and thinning, how much is dryness, and asks where you are in the transition. You leave with a connected plan that typically layers volume replacement, collagen-building resurfacing, and a daily routine, sequenced sensibly, plus an honest note that hormone therapy is a separate conversation for your general health rather than a skin treatment. ## What we offer for this People come in feeling their skin changed with menopause and leave with one plan for the whole picture. Volume, texture, and daily care are addressed together. > Menopause and Your Skin, Northwestern Medicine (United States). Declining estrogen reduces collagen and elastin, causing skin thinning, dryness, wrinkling, and sagging, most rapidly early in menopause; topical retinoids and professional treatments help. — [Menopause and Your Skin, Northwestern Medicine](https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/menopause-and-your-skin) > The Innovation of Estrogen-Based Medical Skincare, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Reports that women can lose up to about thirty percent of dermal collagen in the first five years after menopause, then roughly two percent per year, with estrogen supporting collagen and hydration. — [The Innovation of Estrogen-Based Medical Skincare, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/the-innovation-of-estrogen-based-medical-skincare) ## Addressing Menopause Skin Changes in Santa Barbara, CA Shifting hormones can change your skin quickly — more dryness, less firmness, a lost glow — and it can feel disheartening. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius takes a holistic approach to these changes, helping your skin feel resilient and look rested again. If your skin no longer feels like your own, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Neck Lines & Bands The neck shows two separate things. Horizontal necklace lines are creases in the skin, deepened by flexion and by the thinning and elasticity loss that come with age. Vertical bands are the edges of the platysma muscle becoming visible as its support slackens. Because one is skin and one is muscle, each responds to a different treatment. ## What it is Two different marks get called neck lines, and they are not the same. - Horizontal necklace lines. These ring the neck where the skin creases and folds. They deepen with age as the skin thins and loses elasticity, and modern posture, the constant downward tilt toward a screen, keeps the neck flexed and the creases pressed in. - Vertical bands. These are the platysma, a thin sheet of muscle across the front of the neck. As the support around it slackens, its edges show as cords, most visible when you tense or grimace. Most necks that bother people have some of each, which is why one treatment rarely settles the whole thing and why the read comes first. ## What causes it Both trace to the neck skin being thin and busy. The skin here has less collagen and fewer oil glands than the face, so it thins and loses elasticity earlier, and every time the neck bends the same creases press in until they set. That is the horizontal-line story, and screen posture has made it common in younger people too. The vertical bands are muscle. The platysma stays active through years of expression and movement, and as the surrounding support weakens its edges begin to stand out. Sun exposure speeds both along by breaking down the collagen that keeps neck skin firm. ## Lines, bands, or both This is what the consultation sorts out, because a horizontal line and a vertical band respond to completely different treatments. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsHorizontal rings across the front of the neckNecklace lines, a skin creaseResurfacing the skin to rebuild collagen, sometimes a little filler in the creaseDeep single creases that stay at restSet horizontal linesA hyaluronic acid filler placed in the crease to soften itVertical cords that appear when you tensePlatysmal bands, a muscleRelaxing the platysma muscleA pulled-down, cordy neckline overallAn active, slack platysmaMuscle relaxation, sometimes alongside jawline treatmentLoose skin or fullness under the chin as wellLaxity or fat, a different concernThe double chin and neck laxity path The value is not the list. It is that a physician tells a skin problem from a muscle problem before treating, because a neuromodulator does nothing for a horizontal skin crease, and resurfacing does nothing for a muscular band. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body The neck punishes the one-size approach, because a skin crease and a muscle band look alike to the eye and need opposite tools. Here the same physician reads which is which and performs the plan, so horizontal lines get skin treatment and vertical bands get muscle treatment rather than everyone getting whatever the practice happens to offer. Dr. Pontius treats the neck the way she treats the face, matched to what is actually there. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - See horizontal lines ringing your neck that have deepened over time - Notice vertical cords standing out when you talk or tense - Feel your neck looks older than your face - Want to treat the neck alongside facial treatments for a consistent result **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant or breastfeeding - Have a neuromuscular condition, which affects muscle treatment - Are unsure whether what bothers you is a line, a band, or loose skin, which is exactly what the consultation determines ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius examines the neck at rest and while you tense the platysma, in good light, and separates horizontal skin lines from vertical muscle bands. You leave knowing which you have, which treatment fits each, and the realistic order of doing them, whether that is a single treatment or a plan that pairs skin and muscle work. ## What we offer for this People come in about an aging neck and leave with a plan matched to what is actually marking it. Which route fits depends on whether it is skin, muscle, or both. > Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S. National Institutes of Health. Skin thins and loses collagen and elasticity with age, deepening creases; sun exposure accelerates it. — [Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care/skin-care-and-aging) > BOTOX Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) Highlights of Prescribing Information, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Platysma bands are an FDA-cleared treatment area for onabotulinumtoxinA. — [BOTOX Cosmetic](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/103000s5303lbl.pdf) ## Softening Neck Lines & Bands in Santa Barbara, CA The neck often shows age before the face — with lines and visible bands that can be softened more easily than you might think. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Pontius will help you understand the options that fit your neck and your goals, keeping results natural. If your neck has been giving you away, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Overly Large Breasts Macromastia, or overly large breasts, produces symptoms driven by weight: chronic upper back, neck, and shoulder pain, shoulder grooving from bra straps, rashes beneath the breasts, poor posture, and difficulty with activity. Reduction mammaplasty removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin and repositions the nipple, relieving the physical strain and producing a breast size that suits the body. ## What it is Overly large breasts, medically called macromastia, are defined less by a number than by their effect on the body. - Physical strain. The weight pulls on the musculoskeletal system, producing chronic neck, shoulder, and upper back pain and poor posture. - Daily friction. Bra straps dig grooves into the shoulders, and skin beneath the breasts can develop rashes or irritation from moisture and friction. - Limits on living. Exercise, sport, sleep, and finding clothes that fit can all become a struggle. This is why breast reduction is one of the highest-satisfaction procedures in plastic surgery: it addresses a mechanical problem, and the relief is often immediate. ## What causes it The driver is the weight and volume of the breast tissue itself. Larger, heavier breasts load the neck, shoulders, and spine, and over time that steady pull produces the pain, grooving, and posture changes that define symptomatic macromastia. Breast size is influenced by genetics, hormones, pregnancy, and weight, and it can develop as early as puberty. Because the cause is mechanical, the solution is mechanical too: reducing the volume and weight of the breast relieves the load on the body. That is why reduction is effective where pain medication, physical therapy, and supportive bras only partly help. ## What reduction addresses This is what the consultation covers, because reduction is planned around both symptoms and shape. What you experienceUsually meansWhat reduction doesChronic neck, shoulder, back painWeight loading the musculoskeletal systemRemoves excess tissue to lighten the loadDeep bra-strap groovesStraps bearing the weightReduces the weight the straps carryRashes or irritation underneathFriction and moisture in the foldReduces the overhang causing itTrouble exercising or sleepingSize interfering with movementBrings size into proportionSagging with the sizeWeight stretching the skinReduction reshapes and lifts as it reduces The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon reduces the volume while reshaping the breast and repositioning the nipple, so the result relieves the strain and looks balanced and natural, not merely smaller. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Breast reduction is as much about shape as size, because removing volume without reshaping leaves a poor result, and it is genuinely restorative surgery for women in daily pain. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon who focuses primarily on breast and body surgery, and he plans a reduction to relieve the physical strain and produce a natural, proportionate shape. Having that focus and experience is what turns a reduction into lasting relief rather than just a smaller size. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have chronic neck, shoulder, or back pain you attribute to breast size - Get deep grooves from bra straps or rashes underneath - Struggle to exercise, sleep, or find clothes that fit - Want both relief and a natural, proportionate shape **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, which can affect timing and results - Smoke or have conditions that affect surgical healing, worth discussing - Are seeking insurance coverage, since requirements and documentation vary ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice asks about your symptoms and how the size affects your daily life, examines the breasts, and discusses the size and shape you want. He explains what reduction involves, including nipple repositioning and the scars, and what recovery looks like. If you are pursuing insurance, he can discuss the documentation involved, while being clear that coverage requirements vary by plan and are not guaranteed. ## What we offer for this People come in worn down by the weight and leave with a plan for real relief and a shape that fits. A breast reduction is tailored to your symptoms and goals. > Breast Reduction, StatPearls, U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH). Reduction mammoplasty removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin for a size proportionate to the body and is commonly indicated for macromastia-related symptoms such as chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain, skin irritation, poor posture, and psychosocial distress. — [Breast Reduction, StatPearls, U.S](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441974/) ## Addressing Overly Large Breasts in Santa Barbara, CA Overly large breasts can bring daily discomfort along with self-consciousness — and relief is often more straightforward than patients expect. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice focuses on both comfort and a natural, proportional shape. If strain or discomfort has been part of your everyday, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Ozempic Face Ozempic face describes the facial changes that follow fast weight loss on a GLP-1 medication. Fat leaves the face along with the body, so cheeks and temples hollow, and because the loss is rapid the skin has no time to tighten, so it also sags. It is tied to the speed of weight loss, not to the medication itself. ## What it is Two different things happen to the face during fast weight loss, and telling them apart is the whole game. - Lost volume. The fat pads that round out the cheeks, temples, and area around the mouth shrink as the body sheds fat. The face flattens and hollows, and folds deepen into shadows. - Loose skin. Skin has some ability to shrink back after fat leaves, but that remodeling is slow. When the weight comes off quickly, the skin cannot keep pace, so it loosens along the jaw and neck. Most people who notice Ozempic face have some of both, in a mix that is particular to their skin, their age, and how fast they lost the weight. That mix is what decides the plan, because volume and laxity respond to different tools. ## What causes it The driver is the speed and size of the weight loss, not the drug. Cleveland Clinic describes Ozempic face as a consequence of rapid weight loss rather than a side effect of the medication itself. As the body loses fat, it loses it from the face too, and the subcutaneous fat that keeps a face looking full goes with it, which brings hollowing and, because it happens fast, sagging skin. That same process happens in slower, ordinary aging, which is why the result can read as several years added at once. The difference is the pace. Natural weight loss through diet and exercise tends to be gradual enough that the skin adapts; pharmacological weight loss is often fast enough that it does not. ## Volume, laxity, or both This is what the consultation sorts out, because the honest read points to different care, and getting it right is what keeps the result natural rather than overfilled. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsFlat, hollow cheeks and templesMostly lost volumeA hyaluronic acid filler or a collagen-building biostimulator to rebuild supportBroad thinning with a drawn, gaunt lookDiffuse volume lossCollagen-building injections over several sessionsA wish for a larger, lasting restorationA candidate for surgeryMoving your own fat into the faceLoose skin along the jaw and neckMostly skin laxitySkin-tightening or, for significant laxity, a surgical lift discussed at consultationHollowing plus sagging togetherBoth, in a mixA staged plan that restores volume first, then addresses skin The value is not the list. It is that a physician measures how much is volume and how much is skin before anything is placed, because filling a face that mainly needs tightening is how people end up looking overfilled rather than restored. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Ozempic face is where the single-tool approach shows its limits, because volume and laxity need different answers and most practices offer one. Here the full ladder sits under one roof, from a hyaluronic acid filler or a collagen-building biostimulator to surgical fat restoration, and Dr. Pontius reads the mix and sets the plan. For the surgical routes she works alongside Dr. Alain Polynice. That range is what keeps the recommendation matched to your face rather than to the practice's inventory, and the physician reading you is the one who treats you. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have lost facial fullness during or after weight loss on a GLP-1 - See hollowing in the cheeks or temples that skincare has not moved - Notice loose skin along the jaw or neck that arrived with the weight loss - Want to look rested rather than gaunt without an obvious change **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are still early in your weight loss and actively changing, since timing the plan matters - Are pregnant or breastfeeding - Are unsure how much of the change is lost volume versus loose skin, which is exactly what the consultation measures ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius looks at your face in motion and at rest, in good light, and separates lost volume from skin laxity. Timing comes up early, because restoring volume while weight is still dropping can mean chasing a moving target, so the plan is often staged. You leave understanding how much is volume and how much is skin, the realistic order of addressing each, and whether the honest answer is to wait a little first. ## What we offer for this People come in about looking gaunt or older after weight loss and leave with a plan built from a few routes. Which one fits depends on how much is lost volume and how much is loose skin. > "Ozempic Face": What It Is and How to Avoid It, Cleveland Clinic. Rapid weight loss reduces subcutaneous facial fat, causing hollowing and sagging skin, and speeds signs of aging; the change follows the weight loss rather than the medication. — ["Ozempic Face": What It Is and How to Avoid It, Cleveland Clinic](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ozempic-face) > Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S. National Institutes of Health. Subcutaneous fat and collagen decline with age; the skin becomes thinner and less elastic over time. — [Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care/skin-care-and-aging) ## Addressing Ozempic Face in Santa Barbara, CA Rapid weight loss can leave the face looking hollow and deflated — a change many patients notice before anyone else does. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Pontius restores lost volume with a light, natural touch, so your face looks rested rather than drawn. If your reflection has been surprising you lately, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Post-Pregnancy Body After pregnancy, the abdominal skin is often stretched and loose, and the abdominal muscles frequently separate down the middle, a condition called diastasis recti that leaves a rounded pooch and cannot be corrected by exercise. Breasts commonly lose volume or sag. A mommy makeover combines a tummy tuck, which removes skin and repairs the muscle, with a breast lift or augmentation, tailored to the individual and performed in a single coordinated recovery. ## What it is The post-pregnancy body usually involves a few specific changes, and naming them helps. - Separated muscles (diastasis recti). During pregnancy the abdominal muscles stretch apart and the connective tissue between them thins, leaving a rounded lower-belly bulge that persists even when you are fit. This tissue cannot be tightened by exercise. - Loose abdominal skin. Skin stretched by pregnancy often does not fully retract, leaving laxity and sometimes stretch marks. - Breast changes. Nursing and hormonal shifts can leave breasts smaller, less full, or sagging. None of this reflects a lack of effort. The muscle separation and loose skin in particular are structural, which is why a surgical plan is what actually restores the pre-pregnancy contour. ## What causes it Pregnancy stretches the body by design. The growing uterus pushes the abdominal muscles apart and stretches the fascia between them, and after delivery that connective tissue often stays stretched, so the belly looks rounded no matter how strong the muscles get. The skin, stretched for months, may lack the elasticity to shrink back, and the breasts change with the volume swings of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Because these are structural changes to muscle and skin, they do not respond to diet and exercise the way fat does. A tummy tuck repairs the separated muscle and removes the loose skin, and breast procedures restore shape, which is why the combination is so common after childbearing. ## What changed, and what helps This is what the consultation maps, because a mommy makeover is built from what pregnancy actually changed for you. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsA rounded lower belly that will not flattenSeparated muscles (diastasis recti)A tummy tuck with muscle repairLoose abdominal skin and stretch marksSkin that did not retractA tummy tuck removing the excessDeflated or sagging breastsVolume and position changesA breast lift, with an implant if wantedSeveral of these togetherCombined changesA mommy makeover in one recoveryStubborn fat with the restLocalized fatLiposuction added to the plan The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon assesses what pregnancy changed for you specifically and combines only the procedures you need into one coordinated plan and recovery, rather than a one-size package. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Restoring the post-pregnancy body is personal work, and it deserves a surgeon who listens and tailors rather than sells a standard package. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he builds each mommy makeover around the individual, repairing muscle, removing skin, and reshaping breasts only as needed, in one coordinated recovery. That personalized, judgment-led approach, and a natural result, is what mothers deserve. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have a rounded belly or loose skin that persists despite being fit - Notice your breasts have lost volume, changed shape, or begun to sag - Are finished having children, or close to it - Want a plan tailored to what pregnancy changed for you **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are planning more pregnancies, since they can undo the results - Are still losing the baby weight, since a stable weight comes first - Are within the early months postpartum or still breastfeeding ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice asks what bothers you and examines your abdomen and breasts, checking for muscle separation, skin laxity, and breast changes. He explains which procedures fit, a tummy tuck with muscle repair, a breast lift or augmentation, sometimes liposuction, and whether to combine them. You leave with a plan tailored to your body and goals, honest guidance on timing relative to future pregnancies, and a realistic picture of recovery. ## What we offer for this Mothers come in wanting to feel like themselves again and leave with a plan tailored to what pregnancy changed. Procedures are combined into one recovery. > Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). A tummy tuck removes excess abdominal skin and fat and repairs separated or weakened abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), which commonly occurs with pregnancy and cannot be corrected by exercise; it is not a weight-loss procedure. — [Tummy Tuck](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/tummy-tuck) ## Restoring Your Post-Pregnancy Body in Santa Barbara, CA Pregnancy changes the body in ways that effort alone often can't reverse — and wanting to feel like yourself again is completely valid. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice designs personalized plans, often combining procedures thoughtfully, with healing planned as carefully as the surgery. If you're ready to feel at home in your body again, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Sagging Breasts Breast ptosis is sagging that occurs when skin, ligaments, and elasticity stretch over time, so the breast and nipple sit lower. A breast lift (mastopexy) removes excess skin, reshapes the tissue, and raises the nipple, improving position and perkiness but not size. To add volume too, a lift is combined with an implant. Implants alone do not correct meaningful sagging. ## What it is Sagging, medically called ptosis, is about position, and the key is understanding what each procedure does. - A breast lift (mastopexy). Removes excess stretched skin, reshapes the tissue, and raises the nipple to a higher, more youthful position. It improves shape and position but does not increase size. - An implant. Adds volume and upper-breast fullness. It can fill loose skin in very mild cases, but on its own it does not lift a breast that has truly dropped. - A lift with an implant (augmentation-mastopexy). Combines the two, for women who want both a lift and more fullness, often after pregnancy. The single most useful thing to understand is that lifting and adding volume are different goals, which is why matching the procedure to what actually bothers you matters so much. ## What causes it Sagging is a normal result of time and life. Gravity, stretched suspensory ligaments, and reduced skin elasticity let the breast tissue migrate lower on the chest, and pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuation, and aging all accelerate it. A simple sign is when the nipple sits at or below the crease under the breast. Because the change is structural, the correction is structural too: a lift reshapes and repositions the tissue rather than just tightening the surface. The degree of sagging, from mild to significant, guides which lift technique and how much correction is needed, which is assessed individually. ## Lift, implant, or both This is what the consultation determines, because the right procedure depends on what you want to change. What you wantUsually meansThe route that fitsTo sit higher and look reshaped, same sizePosition, not volumeA breast liftTo lift and add fullnessBoth position and volumeA lift combined with an implantVery mild sagging with more volume wantedAn implant can fill loose skinAn implant alone, in select casesDeflated, lost volume after pregnancyVolume and position both changedA lift with an implant, planned togetherUnsure how much sag you haveA structured assessmentA consultation grading the ptosis The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon grades how much your breasts have dropped and separates the position problem from the volume question, so you get a lift, an implant, or both, matched to your goals rather than a one-size answer. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body The classic mistake with sagging breasts is expecting an implant to lift them, which adds weight without correcting position and can make the droop worse over time. Dr. Polynice, a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused primarily on breast and body surgery, grades the sagging precisely and plans a lift, an implant, or a combined procedure to match. That judgment, and a natural, proportionate result rather than an overdone one, is what this decision deserves. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Feel your breasts sit lower than they used to - Notice the nipple at or below the crease under the breast - Want to understand whether you need a lift, an implant, or both - Have changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are planning a pregnancy soon, which can undo a lift's results - Expect an implant alone to lift significant sagging - Want to combine procedures and need to understand the recovery involved ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice examines and grades how much your breasts have dropped, checks nipple position against the breast fold, and asks whether you want to change size as well as position. He explains whether a lift alone, or a lift with an implant, fits your goals, and which technique that involves. You leave understanding the difference between lifting and adding volume, and a plan matched to what actually bothers you, with realistic recovery expectations. ## What we offer for this People come in about sagging and leave understanding the difference between lifting and adding size, with a plan matched to their goals. A lift, an implant, or both. > Breast Augmentation vs Breast Lift: Picking the Right Procedure, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). A breast lift focuses on position and reshaping and does not increase size, while augmentation adds size but does not correct drooping; loss of volume leads to ptosis, and a lift may be combined with an implant to restore a more youthful position and fullness. — [Breast Augmentation vs Breast Lift: Picking the Right Procedure, American Society of Plast](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/breast-augmentation-vs-breast-lift-picking-the-right-procedure-for-you) ## Addressing Sagging or Deflated Breasts in Santa Barbara, CA Time, pregnancy, and weight changes all leave their mark — and wanting to feel like yourself again is reason enough to explore your options. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice restores shape and position with proportion in mind, so the result looks natural on your frame and holds up over the years. Whether a lift, implants, or a combination makes sense is exactly what a consultation is for — no pressure, just clear guidance. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd love to meet you. ### Sagging Eyelids Hooded, sagging upper eyelids usually come from dermatochalasis, excess skin that develops as the eyelid loses elasticity with age, sometimes with orbital fat pushing forward. That is different from ptosis, a low eyelid margin from a weakened lifting muscle, and from a drooping brow. Excess skin is treated with upper eyelid surgery, while a muscle problem needs a different repair, so diagnosis comes first. ## What it is Several different things get called sagging or droopy eyelids, and telling them apart changes the treatment. - Excess skin (dermatochalasis). The most common cause of hooded upper lids: loose, redundant eyelid skin from aging and lost elasticity, sometimes with fat pushing forward. Treated by removing the excess skin. - A drooping lid margin (ptosis). The eyelid edge itself sits low because the lifting muscle has weakened, which needs a muscle repair rather than skin removal. - A drooping brow. A low brow can weigh the lids down and mimic eyelid sagging, and is addressed differently again. These can overlap, and sorting out how much is each is exactly what determines whether the fix is skin, muscle, brow, or a combination. ## What causes it The common cause is aging. Over years, eyelid skin loses collagen and elasticity, and gravity does the rest, so the skin becomes loose and redundant and hoods over the lash line. The weakened tissue underneath can also let orbital fat push forward, adding to the puffiness. It is common in middle age and older, and genetics and sun exposure influence how early it shows. A drooping lid margin, by contrast, comes from the levator muscle and its attachment weakening or stretching, which is a different mechanism. Because appearance alone can be misleading, a physician measures and examines the lids to tell excess skin from a muscle problem. ## Skin, muscle, or brow This is what the consultation determines, because the cause decides the procedure. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsA hood of skin resting on the lashesExcess skin (dermatochalasis)Upper eyelid surgery to remove the excessThe eyelid edge itself sits low over the eyeA drooping lid margin (ptosis)A muscle repair, not skin removalPuffiness and bags with the hoodingFat pushing forwardEyelid surgery addressing skin and fatHeaviness that lifts when you raise your browA low brow contributingBrow-focused treatment, sometimes with the lidsLids blocking the edge of your visionA possible functional issueEvaluation, which may involve vision testing The value is not the list. It is that a plastic surgeon measures the lid, retracts the skin, and tells excess skin from muscle from brow, so the procedure matches the real cause rather than treating the wrong thing. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Eyelids are unforgiving, both functionally and cosmetically, and the classic mistake is removing skin when the real problem is the muscle or the brow, which leaves the droop uncorrected. Dr. Polynice is a board-certified plastic surgeon who diagnoses the cause precisely, excess skin, muscle, or brow, before operating, and treats coexisting problems in the same plan when they are present. That diagnostic step, and a conservative surgical hand around the eyes, is what produces a rested look rather than a surprised or still-heavy one. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have heavy, hooded upper lids that make you look tired - Notice a fold of skin resting on or near your lashes - Feel your lids are starting to affect the edge of your vision - Want to know whether it is skin, muscle, or brow **Better to talk it through first if you** - Have a sudden change in one eyelid, which should be evaluated promptly - Have a drooping lid with double vision or other symptoms, which needs medical workup - Are looking for a nonsurgical fix for significant excess skin, since that usually needs surgery ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice examines and measures your eyelids, retracts the skin to see the true lid margin, checks the brow position, and asks whether the lids affect your vision. If it is excess skin, upper eyelid surgery is the usual answer; if a drooping muscle or brow is involved, that is addressed too. You leave knowing exactly what is causing the droop and the procedure matched to it, including whether any part may be functional. ## What we offer for this People come in about heavy, hooded eyes and leave knowing the cause and the fix. Excess skin, muscle, and brow are sorted out first. > Dermatochalasis and Ptosis, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Ophthalmology (United States). Dermatochalasis is excess eyelid skin treated by blepharoplasty; ptosis is drooping of the upper eyelid treated by lifting the eyelid muscle; upper eyelid surgery may be covered when severe enough to interfere with vision. — [Dermatochalasis and Ptosis, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Ophthalmology](https://www.downstate.edu/patient-care/find-treatment/areas-of-care/ophthalmology/oculoplastics/dermatochalasis-ptosis.html) > Dermatochalasis, EyeWiki, American Academy of Ophthalmology (United States). Dermatochalasis is loose, redundant eyelid skin, a common sign of periocular aging from loss of connective tissue and elasticity plus gravity, often with orbital fat herniation, and one of the most common procedures corrected by upper eyelid blepharoplasty. — [Dermatochalasis, EyeWiki, American Academy of Ophthalmology](https://eyewiki.org/Dermatochalasis) ## Addressing Sagging Eyelids in Santa Barbara, CA Heavy, sagging eyelids can make you look tired — and sometimes even affect your vision. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice will help you understand the options for brighter, more open eyes and what will look most natural for you. If your eyes have been making you look more tired than you feel, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Small Breasts There are two established ways to add breast volume. Implants use silicone or saline devices and give the widest range of size and shape. Fat transfer uses liposuction to move your own fat into the breasts for a relatively small increase, with the bonus of contouring the donor area. The surgeon helps choose based on how much size you want and whether you prefer a softer feel or a defined shape. ## What it is Small breasts are simply a matter of proportion and preference, not a medical problem, and the aim is balance that fits you. - Implants. Silicone or saline devices placed to increase size and shape, offering the broadest range and the most control over the final look. - Fat transfer. Your own fat, harvested by liposuction and injected into the breast, for a modest increase, usually around a single cup size, with a soft, natural feel. - Sometimes both together. Fat can refine the result of an implant, or a lift can be added if the breasts also sag. Modern breast enhancement leans toward balance and refinement rather than dramatic size, and the right path depends entirely on your goals and anatomy. ## What it comes down to The choice hinges on a few honest trade-offs. Implants offer the widest range of size and shape and the most predictable volume, and they are the right tool when you want a meaningful increase or a specific shape. Fat transfer uses your own tissue and avoids an implant, but it delivers a more modest increase, some of the transferred fat is reabsorbed, and it depends on having enough donor fat. Neither is better in the abstract. The best choice is the one that matches how much size you want, whether you prefer a soft feel or a defined shape, and your body, which is exactly what the consultation is for. ## Which path fits This is what the consultation determines, because the right answer depends on your goals and anatomy. What you wantUsually points toThe route that fitsA meaningful size increase or specific shapeThe predictability of an implantBreast implantsA modest increase and no implantUsing your own tissueA transfer of your own fatSoft feel plus body contouringFat's dual benefitFat transfer, if you have enough donor fatMore fullness but your breasts also sagVolume plus positionAugmentation with a lift, discussed togetherUnsure and comparingA candid trade-off conversationA consultation weighing both The value is not the list. It is that the surgeon weighs your goals, anatomy, and donor fat, and tells you honestly which path, or combination, will actually get you the result you want. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Breast enhancement done well is about balance and refinement, not chasing a size, and it belongs in the hands of a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Polynice trained at the Mayo Clinic and focuses primarily on breast and body surgery, which is exactly the focus this decision deserves. He presents implants and fat transfer honestly, matches the approach to your frame, and aims for a result that looks like a natural version of you rather than an obvious one. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Want more volume, shape, or balance than your natural breasts give - Are weighing implants against a fat transfer and want honest guidance - Prefer a balanced, proportionate result over a dramatic one - Want a board-certified plastic surgeon to plan it **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy soon, which affects timing - Have breasts that also sag, since a lift may be part of the plan - Are set on a specific size without having discussed what suits your frame ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice examines your anatomy, discusses how much size and what shape you want, and assesses whether you have enough donor fat for a transfer. He lays out implants and fat transfer honestly, including the trade-offs, and whether a lift belongs in the plan if there is sagging. You leave understanding which path fits your goals and body, and what recovery and results are realistic, with no pressure toward a particular size. ## What we offer for this People come in wanting more shape or fullness and leave with a clear, honest choice between implants and their own fat. The plan is matched to your body and goals. > Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Fat transfer uses liposuction to move a patient's own fat into the breasts and is an option for those seeking a relatively small, natural increase in breast size. — [Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/fat-transfer-breast-augmentation) > Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammaplasty), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Breast augmentation uses silicone or saline implants to increase breast size and shape, with a range of options selected to a patient's goals and anatomy. — [Breast Augmentation](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation) ## Addressing Small or Flat Breasts in Santa Barbara, CA Wanting more fullness or balance is a personal choice, and the right result is the one that feels like it was always yours. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice focuses on proportion — whether through implants or your own fat — so the outcome looks natural on your frame. If you've been considering your options, we'd love to talk them through. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Stretch Marks Stretch marks are a type of scar caused by rapid skin stretching that disrupts collagen and elastin. New marks are red or purple (striae rubrae) and respond better; older marks fade to white (striae albae) and are more resistant. Microneedling and fractional laser rebuild collagen to soften them, with microneedling often chosen first for darker skin tones because it carries less risk of color change. ## What it is Stretch marks are essentially scars, and understanding that sets honest expectations. - How they form. When skin stretches quickly, the collagen and elastin that support it tear, leaving narrow, scar-like bands. - New versus old. Fresh marks are red or purple (striae rubrae) and respond best to treatment; over time they fade to white or silver (striae albae) and become harder to improve. - Where they appear. Commonly the abdomen, breasts, hips, thighs, and upper arms, often after pregnancy, growth, or weight change. Because they are scars, the honest goal is to fade and soften them, not to erase them, and starting while they are still red gives the best result. ## What causes it The mechanism is mechanical and quick. When the skin is stretched faster than it can grow, most often in pregnancy, adolescence, rapid weight change, or bodybuilding, the dermis tears and the supporting collagen and elastin are disrupted, leaving the scar-like bands. Genetics and hormones influence who gets them and how much. The timing matters for treatment. While the marks are still red or purple, the skin is actively remodeling and responds well to collagen-building treatment; once they turn white, the same treatments help less. That is why acting early, rather than waiting, tends to pay off. ## What kind of marks, and what helps This is what the consultation sorts out, because color, skin tone, and area all shape the plan. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsRed or purple, recent marksStriae rubrae, actively remodelingCollagen-building microneedling, sometimes laserWhite or silver, older marksStriae albae, matureMicroneedling or laser, with more modest gainsMarks on deeper skin tonesHigher pigment-change risk with laserMicroneedling, often the safer first choiceRough or crepey texture with the marksSurface and collagenFractional laser resurfacingA large area after pregnancy or weight changeExtensive striaeA staged series, with realistic goals The value is not the list. It is that a physician reads the color, your skin tone, and the area, and chooses microneedling or laser accordingly, so the treatment helps without risking discoloration, and the expectations are honest from the start. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Stretch-mark treatment is where overpromising is common and where the wrong laser setting on the wrong skin tone can leave marks worse. Dr. Pontius does the opposite: she is candid that stretch marks are scars and that treatment fades rather than erases them, and she chooses microneedling or laser based on your skin tone to avoid discoloration. That honesty, and settings matched to your skin, is what makes the improvement real and safe. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have new red or purple stretch marks and want to act while they respond best - Have older white marks you would like to soften - Want treatment chosen safely for your skin tone - Prefer an honest read on what is realistic before spending on treatment **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant or breastfeeding, since some treatments and topicals are deferred - Have very fresh marks that may still be changing on their own - Expect complete removal, since treatment fades rather than erases scars ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius looks at the color and maturity of your marks, your skin tone, and the area involved, and explains what each option can realistically do. New red marks and darker skin tones often point to microneedling first; some cases add fractional laser. You leave with a staged plan and honest expectations, understanding that stretch marks are softened over a series rather than erased in one treatment. ## What we offer for this People come in wanting stretch marks gone and leave with a realistic plan to fade them safely. Microneedling and laser are matched to the marks and your skin tone. > Stretch Marks: Diagnosis and Treatment, Mayo Clinic (United States). Light and laser therapies and microneedling can stimulate collagen; microneedling carries less risk of skin color change than laser and is often the preferred first approach for darker skin; retinoid creams are avoided in pregnancy and nursing. — [Stretch Marks: Diagnosis and Treatment, Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stretch-marks/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351144) > Stretch Marks (Striae), Cleveland Clinic (United States). Stretch marks are scar-like lines that form when skin rapidly stretches or shrinks, from pregnancy, weight change, or growth; options include laser resurfacing, microneedling, and retinoids, with newer marks responding better than older white ones. — [Stretch Marks](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10785-stretch-marks) ## Improving Stretch Marks in Santa Barbara, CA Stretch marks are incredibly common, but that doesn't make them any less frustrating when you'd rather not see them. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Pontius offers treatments that soften their appearance and improve the surrounding skin's texture and tone. If stretch marks have been on your mind, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Stubborn Fat Stubborn fat is localized, diet-resistant fat that stays in specific areas, such as the abdomen, flanks, hips, or thighs, because genetics and hormones determine where the body holds fat. Liposuction removes these deposits to refine body shape in patients who are near their goal weight with good skin elasticity. It is a contouring procedure, typically removing only a few pounds, not a weight-loss or obesity treatment. ## What it is Stubborn fat is a normal, frustrating quirk of biology, and understanding it reframes the problem. - Localized and resistant. Specific deposits, often the lower abdomen, flanks or love handles, hips, outer thighs, and arms, that do not shrink with diet and exercise the way other fat does. - Not about effort. Where you store fat, and where it resists, is largely set by genetics and hormones, not willpower. - A contouring problem, not a weight problem. For someone near their goal weight, these areas are about shape, which is exactly what liposuction addresses. The key mindset shift is that this is a contouring question, not a weight question, which is why the answer is targeted removal rather than more dieting. ## What causes it Fat distribution is largely genetic and hormonal. Your body has preferred places to store fat, and those areas can hold onto it stubbornly even when overall body fat drops, which is why a fit, healthy person can still have a pocket that will not respond to any amount of diet or exercise. The number of fat cells in an area and hormonal signals both play a part. That is why liposuction works where lifestyle stalls: it physically removes the fat cells in the targeted area, and once removed they do not come back, provided weight is maintained. It is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, and it is not weight loss; it is contouring of specific, resistant areas. ## Is it fat, and are you a candidate This is what the consultation sorts out, because liposuction fits a specific situation. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsA localized pocket, near your goal weightDiet-resistant fat, good candidateLiposuction to contour the areaFat with some loose or crepey skinFat plus mild laxityLiposuction, with skin tightening addedWanting overall weight lossA weight question, not contouringWeight management first, then contourA rounded belly after pregnancyPossibly muscle separation, not just fatAssessed for a tummy tuck instead or tooLoose skin more than fatA skin problemSkin removal, not liposuction The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon confirms the issue really is localized fat, checks your skin elasticity, and tells you honestly whether liposuction alone fits or whether skin tightening or a different procedure is the better answer. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Liposuction is easy to oversell and easy to do poorly, leaving contour irregularities, so it rewards a surgeon with judgment and precision. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he is honest about what liposuction is, precise contouring for the right candidate, not a shortcut to weight loss. He also assesses your skin, so that if there is laxity, he can tighten the skin with Renuvion rather than leave a loose result. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have specific pockets of fat that resist diet and exercise - Are at or near a stable, healthy goal weight - Have good skin elasticity in the areas that bother you - Want to refine your shape rather than lose overall weight **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are hoping liposuction will help you lose significant weight - Have more loose skin than fat, which points to a different procedure - Have a rounded belly that may be muscle separation rather than fat ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice examines the areas that bother you, pinches to confirm it is fat rather than loose skin or muscle, and checks your skin elasticity and overall health. He explains whether liposuction alone will give a smooth result or whether tightening the skin should be added, and sets realistic expectations, that this refines shape and removes only a few pounds. You leave knowing whether you are a good candidate and what the result and recovery would be. ## What we offer for this People come in frustrated by fat that will not budge and leave knowing whether liposuction fits and what it can realistically do. Skin tightening is added when needed. > Liposuction vs Weight Loss: What Are the Differences?, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Liposuction removes fat in isolated spots resistant to diet and exercise; most patients lose only two to five pounds, and surgeons prefer patients close to their ideal weight and in good health, so it is contouring rather than weight loss. — [Liposuction vs Weight Loss: What Are the Differences?, American Society of Plastic Surgeon](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/liposuction-vs-weight-loss-what-are-the-differences) > Liposuction, Cleveland Clinic (United States). Liposuction offers a lasting way to remove stubborn fat deposits that resist diet and exercise; it is not a weight-loss treatment, and maintaining a healthy weight afterward preserves the new contour. — [Liposuction, Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11009-liposuction) ## Addressing Stubborn Fat in Santa Barbara, CA Some pockets of fat simply won't budge, no matter how disciplined you are — and that's not a failure of effort. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice refines these areas with a careful, natural approach, so your own shape can come through. If there's an area that's been holding out, a consultation is a good place to begin. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd love to meet you. ### Sun Damage & Uneven Tone Sun damage shows up in two ways. Excess pigment produces brown spots and blotchy tone, and dilated or broken vessels produce redness. Both develop below the surface over years of ultraviolet exposure, which is why topical products do little and resurfacing treatments or peels do more. ## What it is Sun damage reads as two separate problems that often appear together. The **browns** are extra pigment: sun spots, age spots, and a generally uneven, blotchy tone. The **reds** are vascular: diffuse flushing, background redness, and tiny broken capillaries near the surface. Naming which one you have matters, because the light that clears a brown spot is tuned differently from the light that calms redness, and some tools do both in one pass. ## What causes it Ultraviolet light is the driver. Over years it does two things at once: it pushes pigment cells to make melanin unevenly, which leaves spots and blotches, and it breaks down the collagen and vessel walls under the skin, which leaves redness and a rougher surface. The spots people call age spots are really sun spots, tied far more to accumulated exposure than to age itself. On the Central Coast, that exposure adds up year round, not only in summer. One important lookalike: hormonal pigment called melasma can resemble sun spots but has a different cause and needs a gentler, different approach. It has its own page. ## Which kind of sun damage do you have This is what the consultation sorts out, because the answer changes the tool. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsDistinct brown spots on cheeks, hands, chestSun spots, surface pigmentA chemical peel or resurfacingDiffuse redness, flushing, tiny visible vesselsVascular sun damageMedical-grade skincare and sun protectionBlotchy tone plus rough or dull texturePigment and surface change togetherA chemical peel or a resurfacing planDeeper etched texture with the discolorationLayered damageResurfacing the skin's surfacePatchy brown that flares with heat or hormonesPossibly melasma, not sun spotsThe melasma path, treated gently The value is not the list. It is that a physician tells apart pigment from vessels from melasma before any light touches your skin, and matches the setting to your skin tone so the treatment is both effective and safe. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Sun damage is where the wrong setting on the wrong skin does harm, especially on deeper skin tones, where aggressive light can leave new marks. Here the full ladder sits under one physician, from gentle light to deeper resurfacing, and Dr. Pontius sets the plan and the parameters to your skin type rather than to a single machine. That judgment is the difference between clearing a spot and trading it for another. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have brown spots or blotchy tone that skincare has not moved - See redness or small vessels that do not settle - Want a clearer, more even complexion for the face, chest, or hands - Are proactive about aging skin on the coast **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant or breastfeeding - Have a spot that is changing in size, shape, or color, which should be checked before any cosmetic treatment - Are not sure whether patchy brown is sun damage or melasma, which the consultation distinguishes ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius examines your skin in proper light, separates pigment from vessels from melasma, and checks skin type before recommending anything. Any spot that looks atypical is flagged for evaluation first. You leave knowing which kind of sun damage you have and the safest effective way to clear it. ## What we offer for this People come in about spots and blotchiness and leave with a plan matched to what the sun actually left. Which route fits depends on the read. > Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S. National Institutes of Health. Age spots are caused by years of sun exposure; UV damage accumulates and leads to premature skin aging. — [Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care/skin-care-and-aging) > Fisher GJ et al. Pathophysiology of premature skin aging induced by ultraviolet light. New England Journal of Medicine. UV induces enzymes that degrade dermal collagen, producing photoaging. — [Fisher GJ et al](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199711133372003) ## Correcting Sun Damage & Uneven Tone in Santa Barbara, CA Years of California sun can show up as spots, dullness, and uneven tone — and much of it can be gently undone. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Pontius treats sun damage holistically, restoring clarity and glow while keeping your skin looking natural. If your complexion no longer reflects how you feel, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Thigh & Lower Body Laxity Thigh and lower body laxity is excess, sagging skin on the inner and outer thighs and around the lower trunk, developing after major weight loss or with aging when stretched skin cannot retract. A thigh lift, or thighplasty, removes excess inner-thigh skin; a lower body lift addresses the outer thighs, buttocks, and trunk circumferentially. Liposuction suits areas with good skin elasticity, and energy tightening can help mild laxity. ## What it is Thigh laxity takes a couple of forms, and telling them apart guides the fix. - Inner thigh. The most common and most challenging area, where thin, overstretched skin sags and the thighs rub together. - Outer thigh and lower body. Laxity that extends around the outer thighs, hips, buttocks, and trunk, usually after major weight loss. - More than looks. Loose thigh skin chafes, can cause rashes, and makes clothing fit poorly, affecting comfort and activity. The important point is that this is excess skin, so where skin elasticity is poor, removing it is what works, while liposuction alone suits areas where the skin can still conform. ## What causes it The driver is loss of skin elasticity. Significant weight loss, increasingly with GLP-1 medications as well as diet or bariatric surgery, leaves thigh skin that stretched to accommodate the weight without the ability to shrink back; aging reduces the collagen and elastin that keep skin firm. The inner thigh is especially prone because its skin is naturally thin and delicate. Because the underlying issue is excess skin, the effective options remove or lift it. A thigh lift excises inner-thigh skin, a lower body lift addresses the outer thighs and trunk together, and liposuction refines contour where skin elasticity is good. Exercise strengthens the muscle and supports a stable weight; the skin work is what smooths the contour. ## How much, and what helps This is what the consultation maps, because the procedure scales to the location and degree of laxity. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsSagging, folding inner-thigh skinInner-thigh excessA thigh lift, or thighplastyLaxity around outer thighs and trunkCircumferential excessA lower body liftFullness with firm, elastic skinMostly fatLiposuction, skin likely to conformMild looseness onlyEarly laxityEnergy tightening, such as RenuvionThighs plus abdomen and buttocksA full lower-body patternA staged or 360 body-lift plan The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon reads where and how much loose skin there is, and scales the plan, from an inner-thigh lift to a circumferential lower body lift, to fit your body and a safe recovery. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Thigh and lower-body lifts are among the more demanding contouring procedures, because inner-thigh skin is delicate and incisions must be planned so scars stay hidden and hold their position over time. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, with particular experience in post-weight-loss contouring, and he scales the plan from a focused thigh lift to a full lower body lift, sequencing procedures sensibly around one recovery. Planning at that level is what makes the result smooth and lasting. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Have loose, sagging skin on your inner or outer thighs - Deal with chafing, rashes, or clothing that will not fit right - Have lost significant weight and want the lower body contoured - Are at or near a stable goal weight **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are still actively losing weight, since a stable weight comes first - Have firm, elastic skin, where liposuction alone may be enough - Smoke or have conditions that affect healing, worth discussing ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Polynice examines the thighs and lower body, judges where the laxity is and how much, and checks your skin quality and weight stability. He explains the plan that fits, an inner-thigh lift, a lower body lift, or liposuction where skin will conform, and is candid about incision placement, scars, and recovery, which is more involved for circumferential procedures. You leave with a plan scaled to your body and realistic expectations. ## What we offer for this People come in frustrated that loose thigh skin undoes the results they worked for and leave with a plan scaled to their lower body. Liposuction or tightening is added when it fits. > Thigh Lift (Thighplasty), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). A thigh lift reshapes the thighs by reducing excess skin and fat for smoother, better-proportioned contours; it is not intended strictly for fat removal, and where skin elasticity is poor a thigh lift with liposuction may be recommended, while a lower body lift addresses the outer thighs and trunk. — [Thigh Lift](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/thigh-lift) ## Addressing Thigh & Lower Body Laxity in Santa Barbara, CA Loose skin across the thighs and lower body often lingers after weight loss or with time — and it rarely improves on its own. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice will help you understand your options, from skin tightening to a lift, and what will look and feel best. If this has been holding you back, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Thin Lips & Lip Definition Lips lose volume and definition either naturally or with age, as the dermis thins and collagen and elastin decline, flattening the lip and blurring its border and Cupid's bow. Hyaluronic acid filler restores volume, redefines the edge, and softens fine lines around the mouth. A conservative, gradual approach keeps the result natural rather than overfilled. ## What it is Thin or undefined lips come in a couple of forms, and the aim is the same for both: natural, not bigger. - Naturally thin lips. Lips that have always had less volume, where the goal is subtle, balanced enhancement that suits your features. - Age-related thinning. Lips that have lost volume and shape over time, with a flatter body, a less distinct border, and lines creeping in at the edges. - Lost definition. A blurred lip border, a flattened Cupid's bow, and vertical lip lines, even when volume is not the main issue. Modern lip treatment is far from the overfilled look of the past. Done well, it restores what has been lost and defines the shape, so the lips look like a rested version of your own. ## What causes it Aging is the main driver. As the dermis thins and collagen and elastin decline, the lip loses its plumpness and its crisp border, and the upper lip is often affected more than the lower. Sun exposure and smoking speed the same process, which is why vertical lip lines and a flattened Cupid's bow tend to appear together with the volume loss. Genetics matter too: some people simply have thinner lips throughout life. In both cases, the tissue responds well to restoring volume and redefining the border, which is why hyaluronic acid filler is the mainstay. ## What the lips need This is what the consultation sorts out, because lips need shaping, not just filling. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsLess fullness than beforeVolume lossHyaluronic acid filler, built graduallyA blurred or faded lip lineLost border definitionFiller placed to redefine the edge and Cupid's bowLipstick bleeding into fine linesPerioral linesFiller along the border to soften the linesWanting a subtle lift, not volumeDownturned or thin upper lipA Botox lip flip, sometimes with a little fillerVery thin or deeply lined lipsStructural changeA conservative, staged plan, discussed honestly The value is not the list. It is that a physician shapes the lips to your face, deciding where volume, border definition, or a lip flip actually helps, and builds it gradually so the result stays balanced. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Lips are where treatment most often goes wrong, tipping into an overfilled, unnatural look that reads immediately as done. Dr. Pontius works the other way: a conservative, less-is-more approach, small amounts built over sessions, and shaping the lip to your features rather than a trend. A physician placing filler with restraint is what produces lips that look fuller and defined but unmistakably your own. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Feel your lips have thinned or lost their shape with age - Have always had naturally thin lips and want subtle balance - Notice fine lines or a blurred border around your mouth - Want a subtle result and worry about looking overfilled **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant or breastfeeding - Have an active cold sore, which should clear before treatment - Want dramatic volume, since a conservative, staged approach is what keeps it subtle ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius looks at your lips in the context of your whole face, volume, border, Cupid's bow, and the lines around the mouth, and asks what you want to change. The plan usually starts conservatively, often a small amount of filler, with the option to build gradually. You leave understanding that a natural result is shaped over time rather than achieved by adding as much as possible in one visit. ## What we offer for this People come in wanting fuller or more defined lips and leave with a plan for a balanced, shaped result. Volume and definition are built gradually. > Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S. National Institutes of Health. With age the dermis thins and collagen and elastin decline, so skin, including the lips and the area around the mouth, loses volume and firmness and develops fine lines. — [Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care/skin-care-and-aging) ## Enhancing Thin Lips in Santa Barbara, CA Beautiful lip work is subtle — a little more definition and balance, never an obvious change. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius enhances lips with a light, precise hand, so the result looks like your lips on their best day. If you've wanted a touch more shape or definition, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Thinning Hair Most thinning hair is androgenetic alopecia, pattern thinning that runs in families. The hair follicles are sensitive to a hormone, dihydrotestosterone, and gradually shrink, so hairs grow finer and shorter over years. It progresses slowly and is treatable. Sudden shedding or patchy bald spots are different causes and should be evaluated before any cosmetic treatment. ## What it is Thinning hair usually means one of a few things, and telling them apart is the first step. - Pattern thinning (androgenetic alopecia). The most common cause, gradual and inherited. In women it shows as widening of the part and thinning at the crown, in men as a receding hairline and thinning at the top. - Sudden shedding. A temporary, diffuse shed months after a stressor like illness, surgery, or childbirth, which often recovers on its own. - Patchy loss. Round bald patches or scarring, which are separate conditions that need medical evaluation. This page is about the first kind, gradual pattern thinning, which is the most common and the one cosmetic treatment addresses. The other two are flagged so they get the right care instead. ## What causes it Pattern thinning is genetic and hormonal. The follicles carry an inherited sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone, a hormone derived from testosterone, and under its influence they gradually miniaturize, producing finer, shorter hairs each cycle until they stop. It runs in families, affects both men and women, and tends to progress slowly over years. Because it is driven by an ongoing hormonal process, treatment works by slowing that process and supporting the follicles, and results are maintained rather than permanent, which is part of setting honest expectations. Sudden or patchy loss, by contrast, has different causes worth identifying first. ## What kind of thinning is it This is what the first visit confirms, because the cause decides the plan. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsA gradually widening part or thinning crownPattern thinningConfirm, then treat, which can include biologic hair regeneration (PRF)A receding hairline and thinning on topMale pattern thinningMedical options plus in-office treatmentA heavy, diffuse shed after a stressorTemporary sheddingOften recovers; supportive care and timeRound bald patches or scarringA separate conditionMedical evaluation before any cosmetic treatmentThinning with other symptomsPossible medical causeWorkup first, including bloodwork if indicated The value is not the list. It is that a physician confirms this is pattern thinning, and rules out a medical cause, before treating, so the plan fits the actual diagnosis rather than assuming. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Hair loss is a field full of overpromises, so the useful thing a physician brings is honesty: confirming the cause, being clear about what each option can and cannot do, and combining treatments sensibly. Dr. Pontius evaluates the thinning first, offers biologic hair regeneration with PRF as one in-office option, and is straightforward that the medical treatments with the strongest evidence, and realistic, maintained results, are part of the conversation. A physician reading the scalp is what keeps expectations honest. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - See your part widening or your ponytail feeling thinner over time - Notice a receding hairline or thinning at the crown - Want the cause confirmed before spending on treatments - Want an honest read on what actually helps **Better to talk it through first if you** - Have sudden, heavy shedding or patchy bald spots, which need evaluation - Are pregnant or breastfeeding, since some hair medications are avoided - Have thinning alongside other symptoms, which may point to a medical cause ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius examines the pattern and density of your thinning, asks about family history, timing, and health, and orders bloodwork if a medical cause is possible. If it is pattern thinning, the plan is laid out honestly, which can include biologic hair regeneration with PRF and the medical options with the best evidence, with realistic expectations about maintained results. If it looks like a different cause, that gets the right care first. ## What we offer for this People come in worried about thinning and leave with the cause confirmed and a realistic plan. In-office hair regeneration is one part of the conversation. > Androgenetic Alopecia, StatPearls, U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH). Androgenetic alopecia is the most common, gradual, patterned hair loss, driven by genetic predisposition and follicular sensitivity to DHT causing progressive miniaturization; other patterns of loss have different causes. — [Androgenetic Alopecia, StatPearls, U.S](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430924/) ## Restoring Thinning Hair in Santa Barbara, CA Noticing more scalp or a thinner ponytail can feel unsettling — and the earlier you act, the more there is to protect. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius approaches thinning hair with regenerative care designed to restore density and safeguard hair quality over the long term. If you've been watching it change and aren't sure what's worth doing, we'll help you make sense of it. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074) — we'd love to help. ### Tired-Looking Eyes A tired look around the eyes has three common sources. A tear-trough hollow casts a shadow, thin lower-lid skin lets pigment and vessels show as darkness, and fat or loose skin creates bags. Each has a different treatment, so the first step is telling them apart. ## What it is Three different things get called dark circles, and they are not the same. - A hollow. The tear trough, the groove where the lower lid meets the cheek, deepens as midface volume drops, casting a shadow that reads as a dark circle even in good light. - Pigment. The skin under the eye is the thinnest on the body, so extra pigment or the blue of vessels shows straight through as darkness. - Puffiness or bags. Fat pushes forward or lower-lid skin loosens, creating a shadow from below and a heavy, tired look. Most tired eyes are some mix of these, which is why one treatment rarely fixes everything and why guessing wrong is common. ## What causes it The eye area shows age first because it starts thinnest and moves the most. With time the midface loses volume, so the tear trough deepens. The lower-lid skin, already the thinnest on the body, thins further and lets pigment and vessels show. The small fat pads that cushion the eye can slip forward, and the skin over them loosens. Sun and collagen loss speed all of it. ## Which one is making you look tired This is what the first visit answers, because the honest read points to very different care, and getting that read right is what makes under-eye treatment actually work. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsA shadowed groove under the eyeA tear-trough hollowA tear trough or cheek filler to restore supportDarkness even where the skin is flatPigment or visible vesselsSkin-directed care, not filler, which would not helpA puff or bag that casts its own shadowFat protrusion or lax skinLower eyelid surgery to reposition or remove itLines fanning from the cornerCrow's feet adding to the lookRelaxing the muscle around the eyeHeavy, hooded upper lidsA separate concernThe hooding of the upper lids path The value here is the read. Filler placed into a tear trough that is really a pigment problem will not help and can worsen puffiness. Dr. Pontius handles the nonsurgical side, and for bags and lax lower-lid skin works alongside Dr. Alain Polynice, so the plan matches the cause instead of defaulting to a syringe. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body The under-eye is the area where the wrong tool does the most visible harm, and where many practices reach for filler because it is what they offer. Here both a physician injector and a surgeon sit under one roof, so the question is genuinely open: restore a hollow, treat the skin, or address a bag surgically. That range is what lets the answer be the right one rather than the available one. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Look tired or shadowed under the eyes no matter how you sleep - See a groove or hollow along the lower lid - Have puffiness or bags that have grown over time - Want to look refreshed without an obvious change **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant or breastfeeding - Have had prior under-eye filler that did not settle well - Are not sure whether the issue is a hollow, pigment, or a bag, which is exactly what the consultation determines ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius examines the under-eye at rest and in expression, in good light, and separates hollow from pigment from puffiness. If the answer is surgical, you meet Dr. Polynice for the lower-lid options. You leave knowing which one is driving the tired look and the safest way to address it, which sometimes means doing less than expected. ## What we offer for this People come in about looking tired and leave with a plan built from a few routes. Which one fits depends entirely on the read. > Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S. National Institutes of Health. Age-related loss of collagen and elastin thins skin; skin becomes thinner and more fragile with age. — [Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care/skin-care-and-aging) ## Refreshing Tired-Looking Eyes in Santa Barbara, CA When the eyes look tired, the whole face can seem worn out — even when you feel great. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius reads the area around the eyes as a whole, choosing the gentlest approach that will leave you looking rested and refreshed. If people keep asking whether you're tired, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Volume Loss & Hollow Cheeks A hollow or flat face reflects loss of support underneath the skin. Fat pads shrink and slide, facial bone remodels, and collagen declines, so the surface has less to rest on. Restoring the look means replacing what was lost in the layer it was lost from. ## What it is Faces are built in layers: skin on top, then fat, then muscle and bone. The rounded look of a younger face comes mostly from the fat pads and the bone beneath them, not from the skin itself. When those deep layers thin, the skin has less to drape over, so cheeks flatten, temples sink, and the folds around the mouth deepen into shadows. This is why a good moisturizer or a skin-tightening device can only do so much. They work on the surface, and the change is one or two layers down. ## What causes it - Fat pads shrink and shift. The compartments that pad the midface lose fat and slide downward with age, which hollows the upper cheek and heavies the lower face. - Bone remodels. The facial skeleton loses projection over time, so there is less scaffold under the soft tissue. - Collagen declines. The firm, springy support in the skin and deeper tissue thins with age, and sun exposure speeds it up. A faster version can follow rapid weight loss from a GLP-1 medication, because fat leaves the face along with the body. That has its own path, covered on the Ozempic face page. ## Where the volume went, and what replaces it The useful question is not "which filler," it is "which layer." That is what a physician read answers, and it points to different tools. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsFlat upper cheek, a tired midfaceDeep fat pad and bone lossA hyaluronic acid filler or a collagen-building biostimulator, placed on the structureBroad, diffuse thinning across the faceWidespread collagen and fat lossCollagen-building injections over several sessionsA wish for a lasting, one-time restorationA candidate for surgeryMoving your own fat into the faceHollowing after fast weight lossGLP-1 related volume lossAssessed on the Ozempic face path The point is not the menu. It is that Dr. Pontius reads which layer is empty, and for surgical fat restoration works alongside Dr. Alain Polynice, so the plan follows your anatomy rather than a single product. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Most practices that treat hollowing offer one tool and fit every face to it. Here all three real routes sit under one roof: precise hyaluronic acid filler, collagen-building biostimulators for diffuse loss, and surgical fat transfer for a lasting restoration. That range is what keeps the recommendation honest, because the plan can match your face instead of the practice's inventory, and the physician reading you is the one who treats you. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - See flattening in the cheeks or hollows at the temples - Notice folds around the mouth reading as shadows, not just lines - Have lost facial fullness after weight change - Feel you look tired or drawn no matter how you rest **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant or breastfeeding - Are early in a weight loss course and still changing, since timing matters - Are unsure whether the issue is lost volume, a line, or loose skin, which the consultation sorts out ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius looks at your face in motion and at rest, in good light, and maps which areas have lost support. You leave understanding which layer is involved and the realistic order of restoring it, whether that is a single treatment or a staged plan over time. ## What we offer for this People come in about hollowing and leave with a plan built from a few routes. Which one fits depends on where the volume was lost. > Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S. National Institutes of Health. Age-related loss of collagen and elastin; sun as a major contributor to skin aging. — [Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care/skin-care-and-aging) > Fisher GJ et al. Pathophysiology of premature skin aging induced by ultraviolet light. New England Journal of Medicine. Ultraviolet light degrades dermal collagen. — [Fisher GJ et al](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199711133372003) ## Restoring Facial Volume in Santa Barbara, CA As the face loses volume, hollows and shadows can make you look tired even when you're well-rested. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius restores volume in millimeters — reading the whole face so the result looks refreshed, never overfilled. If your face has been looking drawn, we'd love to help you look like yourself again. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Weak Chin & Jawline A weak chin is a chin that projects too little for the rest of the face, often because of bone position you were born with, sometimes deepened by age or bite. Because the chin anchors the profile, too little projection softens the jawline and can make the nose look larger. Adding projection, with filler for mild to moderate cases or surgery for significant ones, restores the balance. ## What it is A weak chin is not about size alone, it is about projection: how far the chin comes forward relative to the lips and the rest of the face. When it sits back, several things follow at once. - The jawline loses its crisp edge and looks soft or undefined. - The nose can look larger, because the profile is unbalanced. - The line between the chin and neck blurs, which can make a normal neck look heavier. Because the chin is a keystone of the lower face, treating it changes the balance of the whole profile, not just one point. That is why the read is about proportion, not simply filling the chin. ## What causes it Most often it is bone. Many people are simply born with a chin that projects less, a trait set by the shape of the jaw. In some cases a recessed chin goes with a bite difference, where the lower jaw sits further back, which is worth identifying. Age and weight play smaller parts. The facial skeleton loses a little projection over time, and the soft tissue and fat around the chin change, so a chin that was borderline can look weaker later. Significant weight loss can unmask a small chin, and fullness under the chin can blur the jawline further. ## Filler, balance, or surgery This is what the consultation sorts out, because the right route depends on how far back the chin sits and why. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsA mildly soft chin and jawlineMild to moderate recessionA hyaluronic acid filler placed on the chin to add projectionA soft jawline with a strong or square upper jawAn imbalance to shapeFiller for the chin, balancing a strong or square jawA chin that sits well back on profileSignificant skeletal recessionA chin implant or surgery, evaluated with the teamA recessed chin plus fullness underneathChin plus neckProjection, plus the fullness under the chin that blurs the jawlineA recessed chin with a noticeable bite issuePossible malocclusionDental or surgical evaluation before cosmetic augmentation The value is not the list. It is that a physician judges the profile as a whole, and is honest about the line where filler stops being the right answer and a chin implant or surgery does more, rather than overfilling a chin that needs structure. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body The chin is where a good eye for proportion matters more than a syringe, because too much filler in the wrong place reads as a pointed or heavy chin rather than a balanced one. Dr. Pontius reads the whole lower face and builds projection to fit it, and because she is a surgeon as well, she can say plainly when filler is enough and when a chin implant or surgery, with Dr. Alain Polynice for the surgical side, would give a better, lasting result. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - Feel your chin looks small or set back in photos, especially in profile - Have a jawline that looks soft or undefined - Notice your nose looks larger because the chin is recessed - Want a more balanced profile without committing to surgery first **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant or breastfeeding - Have a noticeable bite difference, which may point to a dental or surgical evaluation first - Are unsure whether filler is enough or a chin implant would serve you better, which the consultation determines ## What to expect from a visit Dr. Pontius looks at your profile and your face straight on, judges how much projection the chin needs to balance the lips, nose, and jaw, and checks for a bite difference. You leave knowing whether a hyaluronic acid filler will get you there, how much, or whether a chin implant or surgery is the better route, and how the chin ties into the rest of the lower face. ## What we offer for this People come in about a soft chin or jawline and leave with a plan built around the profile as a whole. Which route fits depends on how far back the chin sits and why. > Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S. National Institutes of Health. The facial skeleton and soft tissue change with age, and support around the lower face is lost over time, which can reduce projection. — [Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care/skin-care-and-aging) ## Defining a Weak Chin & Jawline in Santa Barbara, CA A little more definition along the chin and jaw can bring the whole face into balance — often with a surprisingly light touch. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Pontius approaches the jawline with proportion in mind, enhancing structure so the result looks natural, not overdone. If your profile has been on your mind, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Wrinkles & Fine Lines Wrinkles fall into two groups. Dynamic lines appear when you frown, squint, or smile and ease when your face relaxes. Static lines stay visible at rest because the collagen and elastin under them has thinned. The distinction is what makes one plan work and another fall flat. ## What it is **Dynamic lines** are the ones you make. Frown, raise your brow, or smile and they appear, then fade when your face is still. They come from the muscle folding the skin in the same place over and over. **Static lines** stay whether you move or not. They sit in skin that has lost the collagen and elastin that once kept it springy, so the crease no longer bounces back. The reason this matters: a dynamic line and a static line in the same spot on the forehead can look identical in a photo and need completely different care. Left alone, a dynamic line also tends to deepen into a static one over the years, which is why the timing of a first treatment matters as much as the treatment. ## What causes it Three things drive facial lines, usually together. - Muscle movement. Years of the same expressions fold the skin until the fold sets in. - Collagen and elastin loss. With age the fibers that keep skin firm decline, so lines that used to spring back begin to stay. - Sun. Ultraviolet light breaks down dermal collagen faster than the body rebuilds it, which is the single largest external accelerator of visible lines, and it matters year round on the Central Coast. Hormones play a part too. The collagen loss of menopause thins the skin and can make lines appear faster in a short window. ## Which kind of line do you have This is the question the whole page turns on, because the honest answer points to different care. Bring it to a consultation rather than guessing, but here is the map Dr. Pontius works from. What you noticeUsually meansThe route that fitsA line only when you frown, squint, or raise your browA dynamic lineRelaxing the muscle that makes itA line still there when your face is completely relaxedA static lineResurfacing the skin, or rebuilding what sits under itA crease that reads as a shadow or a hollowVolume loss, not just a lineRebuild volume and stimulate collagenFine surface crepiness across an areaTexture and toneA resurfacing plan matched to your downtime The value here is not the list, which many pages have. It is that the person reading your face and choosing among these is the same physician who will perform whatever you decide. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Most places that treat lines do one thing well and route you elsewhere for the rest, or sell the treatment they happen to offer. Here the full range sits under one physician, so the plan follows your face instead of a menu. Dr. Pontius is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with more than twenty years of treating exactly these lines, and that range is what lets the recommendation stay honest, including when the honest answer is to wait or to start small. ## When it is worth a consultation **Worth coming in if you** - See lines appear with expression that used to fade and now linger - Have lines that stay when your face is at rest - Want to slow lines before they set in, not only soften ones already there - Are going through hormonal changes and noticing skin change quickly **Better to talk it through first if you** - Are pregnant or breastfeeding - Have a neuromuscular condition - Are not sure whether what bothers you is a line, lost volume, or skin texture, which is exactly what a consultation sorts out ## What to expect from a visit The first visit is a read, not a sales pitch. Dr. Pontius watches your face move, looks at it at rest, and tells you which lines are which and what each one would actually take. You leave knowing your options and the realistic order to do them in, whether that is one treatment or a plan over time. ## What we offer for this People who come in about lines are usually deciding between a few routes. These are the treatments matched to the kinds of lines above; which one fits depends on what the consultation finds. > Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S. National Institutes of Health. Loss of collagen and elastin causes wrinkles; sun exposure is a major contributor to premature skin aging; menopause thins skin. — [Skin Care and Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care/skin-care-and-aging) > Fisher GJ et al. Pathophysiology of premature skin aging induced by ultraviolet light. New England Journal of Medicine. Ultraviolet light induces enzymes that degrade dermal collagen, producing photoaging and wrinkles. — [Fisher GJ et al](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199711133372003) ## Softening Wrinkles & Fine Lines in Santa Barbara, CA Fine lines are part of your story — the goal is never to erase them, but to help you look rested and like yourself again. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius reads the whole face rather than chasing single lines, so the result is quietly refreshed, never "done." If you're starting to notice changes and aren't sure where to begin, that's exactly what a consultation is for. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074) — we'd love to help you feel at home here. ## Treatments ### Arm Lift An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes loose, redundant skin and fat from the upper arm, from the armpit toward the elbow, tightening the remaining skin to firm the arm's contour. It treats skin laxity from major weight loss or aging that exercise cannot correct, because the problem is skin rather than muscle. The incision is scaled to the laxity, from a short scar near the armpit to a full inner-arm incision, often with liposuction. ## What it does An arm lift firms the upper arm by removing what exercise cannot. - Removes hanging skin. Excises the loose, redundant skin of the upper arm that has lost its elasticity. - Refines with liposuction. Removes a fatty component of the arm at the same time when it is present. - Reshapes the contour. Tightens the remaining skin for a firmer, more toned upper-arm line. Exercise builds the muscle underneath but cannot shrink loose skin, which is why an arm lift, not the gym, is the answer for true skin laxity. ## How it works An arm lift is usually an outpatient procedure under anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision along the inner or back of the upper arm, its length scaled to how much skin must be removed, excises the excess skin and any fatty tissue, and tightens the remaining skin before closing. Liposuction is often added when fat is part of the picture. Most people return to desk work within a week or two, wear a compression garment, and avoid heavy lifting for several weeks. The trade at the center of the operation is the scar: more skin to remove means a longer incision, which is exactly what the consultation weighs. ## Which arm lift, and why it is a real choice The incision length is a genuine trade against how much correction you need. ApproachWhat it involvesBest forShort-scar (mini)A small scar near the armpitMild laxity, mostly upper armFull brachioplastyIncision from armpit toward elbowSignificant hanging skinWith liposuctionAdds fat removalLoose skin plus a fatty armLiposuction onlyNo skin excisionGood skin tone, fat only The more skin that needs removing, the longer the scar, so the honest choice is the least incision that will actually correct your laxity. A board-certified surgeon assesses your skin and fat and recommends accordingly. ## What an arm lift works with This is what the consultation assesses, because skin and fat call for different tools. What you haveWhat it meansThe planHanging skin, good tone lostTrue skin laxityAn arm lift, scar scaled to itLoose skin plus fullnessSkin and fatArm lift with liposuctionFirm skin, just fatty armsFat, not skinLiposuction aloneSkin laxity elsewhere tooPost-weight-loss patternPlan alongside other liftsMinor upper-arm loosenessLimited laxityA short-scar approach The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon distinguishes loose skin from fat and matches the operation, so you are not left with a long scar you did not need or a result that falls short. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body The arm-lift decision is really about the scar, and doing it well means removing enough skin to firm the arm while keeping the incision as short and well-placed as the laxity allows. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he scales the incision to your skin rather than defaulting to the longest one, and adds liposuction only when fat is part of the picture. A firmer arm with the least scar that achieves it is the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines your upper arms, distinguishes loose skin from fat, and gauges how much skin needs to come out. He explains the incision length your laxity calls for and where the scar will sit, whether liposuction should be added, and what recovery and the compression garment involve. He is candid that the scar is the trade for a firmer arm. You leave with a plan scaled to your arms and honest about the scar. ## What it costs An arm lift is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on how much skin is removed, the incision length, and whether liposuction is included. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Arm Lift (Brachioplasty), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). An arm lift reduces excess sagging skin and removes localized fat of the upper arm, tightening and reshaping the supporting tissue; the incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of skin to be removed, and it is commonly sought after significant weight loss. — [Arm Lift](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/arm-lift) ## Arm Lift in Santa Barbara, CA When loose skin along the upper arms won't respond to exercise, an arm lift can restore a firmer, more comfortable contour — and the confidence to wear what you like. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice plans each procedure around your frame, placing incisions thoughtfully so the result looks natural and settles well over time. If sagging skin has been holding you back, a consultation is the simplest way to understand your options. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd love to meet you. ### Biologic Hair Regeneration Hair loss is multifactorial, and treatment should be as well. Biologic hair regeneration at Santa Barbara Face & Body begins with an assessment of the pattern and potential contributors to hair loss, followed by an individualized treatment plan that may incorporate PRF injections, SkinPen® Elite scalp microneedling, PDGF-BB (Ariessence) and other regenerative approaches when appropriate. The evidence for regenerative treatments in hair loss is still developing and results vary; regenerative care is generally used alongside proven treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride and requires maintenance. The plan is designed to evolve as additional options and evidence become available. ## What it does Biologic hair regeneration supports the hair you have, drawing on your body's own regenerative biology as part of an individualized plan. - Supports the follicles. Delivers concentrated growth factors to stimulate follicles in thinning areas. - Can improve density. May help support hair density and thickness in pattern hair loss, though the evidence is still developing. - Uses your own blood. It is autologous and minimally invasive, with few significant side effects. It is important to be clear that biologic hair regeneration may support and help hair, but it does not regrow a full head of hair or reverse advanced loss, and results vary from person to person. ## How it works A small amount of your blood is drawn and processed without additives so the platelets and growth factors form a fibrin matrix (PRF). This is applied to the thinning areas of the scalp — by injection and often with SkinPen® Elite scalp microneedling, and when appropriate with PDGF-BB (Ariessence). The growth factors are thought to act on the hair follicles to encourage a healthier growth cycle. Downtime is minimal, usually some tenderness or mild swelling. Because hair cycles slowly, treatment is done as a course, commonly a few monthly sessions to start, then maintenance sessions over the year, and results build gradually. Whether PRF suits you, and how it fits with proven options, is what the consultation determines. ## Where PRF fits, and why it is a real choice PRF is one option among several, and the honest approach is to place it correctly. OptionWhat it isNoteMinoxidilTopical, FDA-approvedProven, needs ongoing useFinasterideOral, FDA-approvedProven for men, prescriptionPRF (platelet-rich fibrin)Your own growth factorsEvidence developing, results varyPRF with SkinPen Elite scalp microneedling or medicationCombinationOften used together Biologic hair regeneration with PRF is a reasonable option for suitable pattern hair loss, especially earlier loss, and is generally used alongside proven treatments rather than on its own. A physician helps you build the right plan. ## What hair regeneration works with This is what the consultation assesses, because PRF suits some situations better than others. What you haveWhat it meansThe planEarly pattern thinningGood candidacyPRF, often with medicationFemale thinning with menopauseCommon; may helpPRF as part of a planAdvanced baldnessBeyond regenerative treatmentDiscuss transplantationUndiagnosed or sudden sheddingNeeds a cause found firstEvaluation before treatmentWanting a guaranteed cureNot realisticHonest expectations The value is not the list. It is that a physician confirms your hair loss is a pattern type that regenerative treatment can help, rules out other causes, and is honest about what PRF can and cannot do. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Hair loss attracts a lot of overpromising, and the responsible approach is honesty about what the evidence supports. Dr. Pontius is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, and she offers biologic hair regeneration with PRF where it genuinely fits, is candid that the evidence is still developing and variable, and builds a real plan, often alongside proven treatments. Honest expectations and a considered plan are the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Pontius reviews your hair loss pattern and history, confirms it is the kind of pattern thinning that biologic hair regeneration may help, and checks for other causes that need addressing first. She is honest that the evidence is still developing and variable, explains the session course and maintenance, and discusses combining PRF with proven treatments like minoxidil. If PRF is not likely to help you, she will say so. You leave with realistic expectations and a plan. ## What it costs Biologic hair regeneration is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on the number of sessions and any maintenance. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. ## Hair Regeneration in Santa Barbara, CA Thinning hair is easier to protect than to replace, which is why acting early makes such a difference. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Pontius offers biologic hair regeneration with PRF, designed to support density and healthier, stronger hair over time. If you've been watching your hair change, we'd love to help you understand what's worth doing. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Body Contouring After Weight Loss Body contouring after major weight loss addresses the loose, hanging skin that remains when fat is lost but the skin cannot fully retract, common after GLP-1-assisted weight loss with semaglutide or tirzepatide. It is not one operation but a set of excisional procedures, tummy tuck, circumferential body lift, arm lift, thigh lift, and breast procedures, often combined with liposuction, and sometimes fat grafting where an area has hollowed. Surgery is planned once weight is stable. ## What it does Body contouring finishes the transformation that weight loss starts. - Removes excess skin. Excises the loose, hanging skin that diet, exercise, and time will not tighten. - Reshapes the body. Re-drapes and tightens what remains for a smoother, more proportionate contour. - Refines with liposuction. Removes stubborn residual fat and smooths transitions between areas. Liposuction alone will not do it: it removes fat but leaves the skin envelope, so when skin is the problem, excision is the tool. ## How it works Body contouring is planned as a pathway, not a single visit. Most surgeons advise waiting until your weight has been stable for several months, so the skin has settled and the results will last, and because good nutrition supports healing after the changes GLP-1 medications can bring. Then the procedures are sequenced, sometimes one area at a time, sometimes combined, under anesthesia, with recovery and a compression garment that vary by procedure. Which procedures, and in what order, depends on where your loose skin is and what matters most to you, which is exactly what the consultation maps out. ## The procedures, and how they fit together Body contouring is a menu matched to where the skin is, not a single operation. AreaThe procedureWhat it removesAbdomenTummy tuckHanging lower-abdominal skin, muscle repairTrunk, all aroundBody liftSkin around the abdomen, hips, and backUpper armsArm liftHanging "bat wing" skinInner thighsThigh liftLoose, chafing thigh skinStubborn fatLiposuctionResidual fat, to refine transitions Most people address the area that bothers them most first, then plan the rest in stages. A board-certified surgeon builds the sequence around your anatomy, your recovery capacity, and your priorities. ## What body contouring works with This is what the consultation assesses, because timing and health drive a safe result. Your situationWhat it meansThe planWeight stable several monthsReady to plan surgerySequence the proceduresStill losing on a GLP-1Skin still changingWait until stableLoose skin in several areasMulti-stage planPrioritize and sequenceSome areas hollowedVolume lost tooContouring plus fat graftingNutrition or muscle concernsHealing riskOptimize before surgery The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon confirms your weight and health are ready, then sequences the procedures so each heals well and the whole plan holds. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Post-weight-loss contouring is as much about planning and judgment as surgery, knowing what to do first, when weight and nutrition are truly ready, and how to sequence multiple procedures safely. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he builds a staged plan around your priorities and your health rather than rushing to operate. A safe, proportionate, lasting result is the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice reviews your weight-loss history and whether your weight has stabilized, examines where your skin is loose, and asks what bothers you most. He explains which procedures fit, in what order, and why timing and nutrition matter after rapid or GLP-1-assisted loss. He is candid that this is usually a staged journey rather than one surgery. You leave with a sequenced plan built around your priorities and a safe result. ## What it costs Body contouring is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on which procedures you need and how they are staged. You will have those numbers in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Liposuction, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Liposuction removes localized fat but is not a substitute for weight loss and does not remove loose skin; it works best with firm, elastic skin and is frequently combined with excisional body-contouring procedures such as a tummy tuck for patients whose skin will not redrape. — [Liposuction, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction) > Understanding the Different Types of Tummy Tucks, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Excisional abdominal contouring removes excess skin and fat and repairs separated muscles; the pattern is scaled to how much skin and laxity are present, which is greater after major weight loss. — [Understanding the Different Types of Tummy Tucks, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/understanding-the-different-types-of-tummy-tucks) ## Body Contouring After Weight Loss in Santa Barbara, CA Rapid weight loss — including from GLP-1 medications — often leaves loose skin and softened contours that no amount of effort can tighten. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice creates a personalized body-contouring plan to refine and restore your shape, so your results match how far you've come. If you're ready to see the finish line, we'd love to help you get there. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We look forward to meeting you. ### Body Fat Transfer Body fat transfer, or autologous fat grafting, removes fat by liposuction from a donor area, purifies it, and injects it into a body area that would benefit from added volume or smoothing, for example filling hip dips or refining a contour irregularity. It uses the patient's own tissue rather than an implant or filler; some grafted fat is naturally reabsorbed, so the result is subtle and touch-ups are sometimes needed. Buttock grafting is covered separately. ## What it does Body fat transfer refines shape by adding volume where it helps, using tissue from where it does not. - Fills hollows. Softens contour dips such as hip dips for a smoother line. - Refines irregularities. Evens out contour irregularities, including some left by previous liposuction. - Contours the donor area. The liposuction that harvests the fat slims the donor area at the same time. Because it uses your own tissue in modest amounts, it is a tool for subtle refinement rather than large change, and some grafted fat reabsorbs. ## How it works Body fat transfer is done under anesthesia in two stages within one procedure: liposuction harvests fat from a donor area, the fat is purified, and it is injected in fine layers into the target area to build volume where it will take. Recovery is driven mainly by the liposuction, with a compression garment and most people back to routine activity within a couple of weeks. Because some grafted fat is naturally reabsorbed, the final result settles over the following months and a touch-up is sometimes planned. How much fat can be placed depends on your donor fat and the target area's capacity to accept a graft, which the consultation assesses. ## What body fat transfer suits, and what it does not Being clear about scope keeps the result honest, so here is where it fits. Well suited toLess suited toFilling hip dips for a smoother lineLarge-volume buttock augmentationSoftening contour irregularitiesRemoving fat as the main goalRefining an earlier liposuction resultA dramatic change in shapeSubtle volume from your own fatPermanent results without any reabsorption For buttock-specific augmentation, gluteal fat grafting is its own procedure with its own safety standard; for simply removing fat, liposuction is the tool. A board-certified surgeon matches the method to your goal. ## What body fat transfer works with This is what the consultation assesses, because it depends on your fat and your goal. What you wantWhat it meansThe planSmoother hips, no dipsFill a hollowFat grafting to the hip dipsEven out an old lipo resultRefine irregularityGrafting to the depressed areaSubtle added volumeModest goalFat transfer, sized to donor fatA larger buttock changeBeyond this pageGluteal fat grafting insteadJust remove a bulgeFat removal goalLiposuction instead The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon judges whether fat transfer is the right tool for your goal, and is candid when liposuction or a buttock-specific procedure fits better. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Fat transfer rewards restraint and technique, placing fat in fine layers for a graft that takes and a result that looks entirely natural. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he uses body fat transfer for subtle refinement, filling a hollow or evening a contour, honest that the change is modest and some fat reabsorbs. A contour you would not guess was surgery is the aim. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines the area you want refined and your potential donor areas, gauges how much fat can be grafted, and asks what result you want. He explains that the change is subtle, that some fat reabsorbs so a touch-up may be needed, and how the donor area is contoured at the same time. If your goal is really buttock augmentation or fat removal, he will point you to the right procedure. You leave with a realistic, honest plan. ## What it costs Body fat transfer is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on the donor areas, the amount grafted, and whether a second session is planned. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Liposuction, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Liposuction removes localized fat through a cannula and can be combined with other procedures; harvested fat may be purified and grafted (autologous fat transfer) to add volume or refine contour elsewhere, with some grafted fat naturally reabsorbed over time. — [Liposuction, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction) > Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Autologous fat grafting harvests fat by liposuction and injects purified fat to add volume; a portion of the transferred fat is reabsorbed, so results are conservative and touch-up sessions are sometimes needed, and risks include cysts and fat necrosis. — [Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation/fat-transfer) ## Body Fat Transfer in Santa Barbara, CA Body fat transfer offers a subtle way to restore volume and shape — refining one area while enhancing another with your own tissue. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice uses fat transfer to create soft, proportional results that feel like an extension of your own body. If you'd like to understand what's possible, we're happy to walk you through it. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We look forward to meeting you. ### Brazilian Butt Lift A Brazilian butt lift (BBL), formally gluteal fat grafting, uses liposuction to harvest fat, which is purified and injected into the buttocks and hips for a fuller, balanced shape, with no implant. Because fat injected into or below the gluteal muscle can enter large veins and cause a fatal fat embolism, the current safety standard is subcutaneous-only injection above the muscle fascia, confirmed with real-time ultrasound guidance, performed by a board-certified surgeon in an accredited facility. ## What it does A BBL reshapes the lower body using your own fat, not an implant. - Adds volume. Grafts your own purified fat into the buttocks and hips for fullness and shape. - Balances the figure. Improves proportion between the waist, hips, and buttocks, refining the whole lower silhouette. - Contours the donor area. The liposuction that harvests the fat slims the waist or flanks at the same time. Because it uses your own tissue and no implant, the result can look and feel natural, when it is planned for proportion rather than an exaggerated shape. ## How it works A BBL is performed under anesthesia in two stages within one operation: liposuction harvests fat from areas like the waist, back, or flanks, the fat is purified, and it is grafted into the buttocks and hips. The critical safety point is where the fat goes: it is injected only into the subcutaneous layer above the gluteal muscle, never into or beneath the muscle where large veins can carry fat to the lungs, and current practice confirms this with real-time ultrasound during injection. Recovery involves limiting direct pressure on the buttocks early on and a compression garment. How much fat can be grafted depends on your donor fat and the safe volume the tissue will hold, which the consultation assesses. ## How safety is built in, and why it is the whole point With this procedure, technique is not a detail; it is the difference that protects you. Safety measureWhat it meansWhy it mattersSubcutaneous-only injectionFat placed above the muscle fasciaAvoids the veins that cause fat embolismReal-time ultrasoundThe cannula tip is watched during injectionConfirms the safe plane for your anatomyBoard-certified surgeonTrained to the current standardFollows the Multi-Society Task Force advisoriesAccredited facilityEmergency protocols and monitoringWhere safe surgery belongs These are the recommendations of the Multi-Society Gluteal Fat Grafting Task Force, and they exist because the historical risk of this procedure came almost entirely from fat injected into the muscle. A surgeon who follows them is the single most important choice you make. ## What a BBL works with This is what the consultation assesses, because candidacy and safety come first. What you haveWhat it meansThe planFlat or shapeless buttocksProjection and shape goalGluteal fat graftingEnough donor fatFat available to harvestStandard candidateVery little body fatLimited graft materialMay not be a candidateWant a balanced shapeBalanced goalA conservative, safe volumeHealth or clotting concernsElevated surgical riskCareful assessment first The value is not the list. It is that the surgeon confirms you are a safe candidate, has enough donor fat, and wants a balanced result, then performs it to the safety standard. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body No procedure depends on the surgeon's technique and judgment more than this one. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he performs gluteal fat grafting to the current safety standard, subcutaneous-only injection confirmed with ultrasound, and plans for a balanced shape rather than the exaggerated look the procedure is known for. Safety and a result that looks like your own body are the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice assesses your donor fat, your goals, and your overall health and clotting risk, and explains honestly how the procedure is made safe, subcutaneous-only injection, ultrasound guidance, and an accredited setting. He plans a measured volume rather than an extreme one, and covers recovery, including limiting pressure on the buttocks early on. You leave with a plan that puts safety and a natural result first, and a frank discussion of the risks. ## What it costs A BBL is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on the donor areas, the liposuction involved, and the volume grafted. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > All in the Wrist: Improving Safety for the Brazilian Butt Lift, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Gluteal fat grafting transfers the patient's own fat into the buttocks and hips; serious complications, chiefly fat embolism, were linked to fat grafting in and around the gluteal muscle, and the Task Force for Safety in Gluteal Fat Grafting developed strategies including ultrasound use during surgery. — [All in the Wrist: Improving Safety for the Brazilian Butt Lift, American Society of Plasti](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/all-in-the-wrist-improving-safety-for-the-brazilian-butt-lift) > Gluteal Fat Grafting: A Joint Safety Statement, American Society of Plastic Surgeons and partner societies (United States). Gluteal fat grafting carries significant risk compared with other aesthetic procedures; multi-society advisories call for subcutaneous-only fat placement and real-time ultrasound to monitor the cannula tip, measures the societies support to reduce mortality and morbidity. — [Gluteal Fat Grafting: A Joint Safety Statement, American Society of Plastic Surgeons and p](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/for-medical-professionals/publications/psn-extra/news/gluteal-fat-grafting-a-joint-safety-statement) ## Brazilian Butt Lift in Santa Barbara, CA A beautiful BBL is all about balance — using your own fat to add shape where you want it while refining the areas around it. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice approaches body contouring with proportion and safety at the center, sculpting curves that look natural on your frame. If you're curious whether a Brazilian butt lift is right for you, a consultation is the best place to start. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074) — we'd love to help. ### Breast Augmentation Breast augmentation enlarges and reshapes the breasts with either implants or autologous fat transfer. Implants are filled with silicone gel or saline and placed through a discreet incision, above or below the chest muscle. Fat transfer uses liposuctioned fat for a modest increase without an implant. The choice of type, size, placement, and incision is individualized to the patient's anatomy and goals. ## What it does Augmentation solves one of two things, sometimes both: too little volume, or a shape that has changed. - Adds volume. Restores or increases fullness for a naturally small chest or breasts that deflated after pregnancy or weight loss. - Improves proportion. Balances the breasts with your hips and frame, and can even out a difference between the two sides. - Shapes, within limits. Works with your existing skin and tissue, so the plan respects what your body can carry. When a breast has also dropped, augmentation is paired with a lift; added volume restores fullness, and the lift restores position. ## How it works Augmentation is an outpatient procedure under anesthesia. Through a short, well-placed incision, the surgeon creates a pocket and places the implant, or grafts purified fat harvested by liposuction, then closes and supports the breast for healing. Most people are up and moving the next day and back to routine activity within a couple of weeks, with strenuous exercise resumed later on the surgeon's guidance. The decisions that shape the result are made before surgery: implant type and size, placement above or below the muscle, and incision location. Each is chosen for your anatomy rather than from a menu. ## Implant or fat, and why it is a real choice The first real decision is implant versus fat, and then, if an implant, the type. Each is a genuine trade, not a default. OptionWhat it offersBest whenSilicone gel implantFeels closest to natural tissue, most commonYou want a fuller, reliable size increaseSaline implantSmaller incision, obvious if it deflatesYou prefer saline; noticeable if it rupturesForm-stable "gummy bear"Holds its shape, firmer gelYou want shape stabilityFat transferYour own tissue, modest, subtle, no implantYou want a small, subtle increase Round implants add upper fullness; shaped implants give a gentler slope. Placement under the muscle tends to look more natural in thin tissue and affects milk production less. The point of carrying every option is to fit the choice to you, not to sell one implant. ## What augmentation works with This is what the consultation assesses, because your anatomy sets what looks natural. What you haveWhat it meansThe planA naturally small chestVolume goalImplant or fat, sized to your frameDeflation after pregnancy or weight lossVolume, sometimes with sagAugmentation, with a lift if droppedA size difference between the two sidesAsymmetryDifferent volume on each sideThin tissue coverRippling riskSilicone, often under the muscleOnly a modest increase wantedSubtle goalFat transfer, using your own fat The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon reads your tissue, frame, and goals and builds the plan around them, so the result is proportionate and looks like it belongs to you. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Augmentation is easy to overdo, and the difference between a natural result and an obvious one is judgment. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon who focuses primarily on breast and body surgery, and he plans augmentation around proportion, fitting the option and dimensions to your frame rather than to a trend. Results that suit your body and hold up over the years are the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines your breasts and frame, asks what you want to look and feel like, and walks through the real choices, implant versus fat, type, size, placement, and incision, with honest trade-offs for each. He explains recovery and the fact that implants are monitored and may need attention over the years. You leave with a plan built around your anatomy and clear expectations, not a hard sell. ## What it costs Augmentation is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on the option you choose, implant or fat, and the specifics of your surgery. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Breast Augmentation, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Augmentation uses implants (silicone gel, saline, or form-stable) or fat transfer to increase size and improve shape; implant type, size, placement, and incision are individualized, and implants require monitoring and follow-up. — [Breast Augmentation, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation) > Breast Augmentation, Cleveland Clinic (United States). Describes implant fillings (silicone gel, structured and standard saline, form-stable), fat transfer as the second augmentation type, submuscular versus subglandular placement and its effect on breastfeeding, and recovery expectations. — [Breast Augmentation, Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11024-breast-augmentation) ## Breast Augmentation in Santa Barbara, CA Breast augmentation is a deeply personal decision, and the right result is the one that looks and feels like it was always meant to be yours. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice focuses on proportion first — choosing size, shape, and placement to suit your body rather than a trend. If you've been considering augmentation, we'd love to talk it through honestly, with no pressure either way. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Breast Fat Transfer Breast fat transfer, or autologous fat grafting, removes fat by liposuction from an area such as the abdomen, hips, or thighs, purifies it, and injects it into the breast. It produces a modest increase (often about half a cup) with no implant, using the patient's own tissue. Some of the grafted fat is reabsorbed, so touch-up sessions are sometimes needed; it also refines asymmetry and softens implant edges. ## What it does Fat transfer is an implant-free option for a specific set of goals. - Adds modest volume. A subtle increase, typically around half a cup, using your own fat rather than a device. - Refines shape. Corrects minor asymmetry and smooths contours precisely, because fat can be placed in small amounts. - Contours the donor area. The liposuction that harvests the fat slims the abdomen, hips, or thighs at the same time. The honest limit is that fat transfer delivers a modest gain and some fat is reabsorbed, so it is the right choice for subtlety, not for a large increase, where an implant fits better. ## How it works Fat transfer is done under anesthesia in two stages within one procedure: liposuction harvests fat from a donor area, the fat is purified, and it is injected into the breast in fine layers to build volume where it will take. Recovery is driven mostly by the liposuction, and most people are back to routine activity within a couple of weeks. Because some grafted fat is naturally reabsorbed, a second session is sometimes planned to reach the final result. How much fat can be placed depends on your donor fat and the breast tissue's capacity to accept a graft, which is assessed at the consultation. ## Fat or an implant, and why it is a real choice Fat transfer and implants answer different goals, so the first decision is which one fits. OptionWhat it offersBest whenFat transferModest, your own tissue, no implantYou want a subtle increase or refinementImplantA larger, controllable increaseYou want a fuller, defined sizeHybrid (fat plus implant)Implant volume, softened edgesYou want size with a natural transitionFat after explantRestores modest volume implant-freeYou have removed implants and want shape Fat transfer is precise but limited in how much it adds; an implant gives a larger, more predictable increase. A board-certified surgeon helps you match the method to the result you actually want. ## What fat transfer works with This is what the consultation assesses, because it depends on your fat and your goal. What you wantWhat it meansThe planA subtle increaseModest volume goalFat transfer, sized to your donor fatTo even out a small differenceMinor asymmetryFat placed precisely on one sideSofter edges over an implantRefinementHybrid fat plus implantShape back after removing implantsPost-explant volumeFat transfer to restore modestlyA large increaseBeyond fat's rangeAn implant instead The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon judges whether your goal is within fat transfer's range, and is candid when an implant would serve you better. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Fat transfer rewards restraint and technique, placing fat in fine layers for a graft that takes and a result that looks entirely natural. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he plans fat transfer around your donor fat and your goals, honest that it delivers a modest increase rather than a dramatic one, and clear when an implant is the better fit. A result you would not guess was surgery is the aim. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines your breasts and potential donor areas, gauges how much fat can be harvested and grafted, and asks what result you want. He explains that fat transfer gives a modest increase, that some fat reabsorbs so a touch-up may be needed, and how the donor area is contoured at the same time. If your goal is beyond fat's range, he will say so and discuss an implant. You leave with a realistic, honest plan. ## What it costs Fat transfer is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on the donor areas, the amount grafted, and whether a second session is planned. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Autologous fat grafting harvests fat by liposuction and injects it into the breast for a relatively small, natural increase; some transferred fat is reabsorbed and touch-up sessions may be needed, and risks include cysts, microcalcification, and fat necrosis. — [Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation/fat-transfer) > Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation, Cleveland Clinic (United States). Describes suctioning fat from the body and injecting purified fat cells into the breasts for a natural augmentation with fewer implant-related risks, often combined with a lift, with results dependent on how much fat survives. — [Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation, Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24033-fat-transfer-breast-augmentation) ## Breast Fat Transfer in Santa Barbara, CA For a subtle, natural enhancement without implants, breast fat transfer uses your own tissue to add shape and restore fullness. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice combines careful contouring and technique, creating results that feel entirely your own. If you're drawn to this approach, a consultation is the easiest way to learn more. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Breast Implant Removal Breast implant removal, or explantation, takes out breast implants and, when indicated, the surrounding capsule (capsulectomy). Reasons include capsular contracture, rupture, malposition, breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), systemic symptoms some patients attribute to implants, and personal preference. Capsule removal ranges from partial to total to en bloc; the surgery can be paired with a lift or fat transfer to restore shape. ## What it does Removal takes the implants out, and then addresses the space and shape they leave behind. - Removes the implants. Permanently, for a complication or simply because you want to be implant-free. - Handles the capsule. Depending on the situation, the scar capsule may be left, partly removed, or fully removed. - Restores shape. A lift can firm loose skin, and fat transfer can restore modest volume, if you want them, sometimes staged for safety. The honest part is that removal reliably takes the implants out; what it will do for symptoms some people attribute to implants is less certain, and a good surgeon says so. ## How it works Removal is performed under anesthesia, usually through the original incision. The surgeon takes out the implant and, based on the clinical situation, removes the capsule partially, totally, or en bloc (in one piece with the implant). If you want the breast reshaped, a lift or fat transfer can sometimes be done at the same time, though a lift and a full capsulectomy are occasionally staged to protect the breast's blood supply. Recovery is often straightforward, with many people back to exercise within a couple of weeks. How much capsule to remove is a medical decision, not a default. Evidence guides it, and it is discussed openly with you. ## How much capsule, and why the evidence matters The capsule question is where honest, evidence-based counsel matters most, because online advice often overstates it. ApproachWhat it removesWhen it is indicatedImplant onlyThe implant, capsule leftHealthy, thin capsule, no other issuePartial capsulectomyImplant plus part of the capsuleSome capsule involvementTotal capsulectomyImplant plus all the capsuleContracture, calcification, ruptureEn bloc capsulectomyImplant and capsule in one pieceBIA-ALCL, or a ruptured silicone implant Professional societies note that the one absolute indication for en bloc removal is a capsule malignancy (BIA-ALCL); for symptoms attributed to implants, studies show improvement can occur regardless of how much capsule is removed, so a more extensive operation is not automatically better. A board-certified surgeon matches the capsule approach to the evidence, not to a marketing promise. ## Reasons people choose removal This is what the consultation clarifies, because the reason shapes the plan and the honesty required. Your situationWhat it meansThe approachHard, distorted, painful breastCapsular contractureRemoval with total capsulectomyShape change or known leakRuptureRemoval, en bloc for a ruptured silicone implantConfirmed BIA-ALCLCapsule malignancyEn bloc removal, oncologic careSystemic symptoms you link to implantsReported symptoms, association unprovenRemoval, discussed without overpromisingSimply want them outPersonal choiceRemoval, shape restored if you wish The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon takes your reasons seriously, including symptoms that are real to you, while being straight about what the evidence does and does not show. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Implant removal is an area thick with online certainty and marketing, and what most patients need is a surgeon who will tell them the truth. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he takes reported symptoms seriously while practicing evidence-based medicine, matching the capsule approach to the clinical situation rather than to a promise, and restoring shape with a lift or fat transfer when you want it. Honesty, not a guarantee, is the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice listens to your reasons, examines the breasts, and reviews imaging when it helps. He explains the capsule approach the evidence supports for your situation, whether a lift or fat transfer would restore shape, and is candid that while removal takes the implants out reliably, symptom improvement varies and cannot be guaranteed. You leave with a plan grounded in evidence and your goals, not a sales pitch. ## What it costs Removal is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on how much capsule work is involved and whether you add a lift or fat transfer. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Patient Safety Advisory: Breast Implant Removal and Capsulectomy, The Aesthetic Society (United States). Systemic symptoms attributed to implants (more accurately described as systemic symptoms associated with breast implants) reflect a potential association, not proven causation; symptom improvement can occur regardless of the extent of capsulectomy, and the absolute indication for en bloc removal is a capsule malignancy. — [Patient Safety Advisory: Breast Implant Removal and Capsulectomy, The Aesthetic Society](https://www.theaestheticsociety.org/medical-professionals/patient-safety/patient-safety-advisory-breast-implant-removal-and-capsulectomy) > Risks and Complications of Breast Implants, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Breast implants are not lifetime devices; complications including capsular contracture, rupture, and BIA-ALCL may lead to removal, and en bloc removal is associated with BIA-ALCL management. — [Risks and Complications of Breast Implants, U.S](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/risks-and-complications-breast-implants) ## Breast Implant Removal in Santa Barbara, CA Deciding to remove or replace implants is a personal choice, and you deserve a physician who listens without judgment. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice approaches explant surgery with care — restoring a natural, comfortable shape and guiding you through every option. Whatever your reasons, we're here to help you feel like yourself again. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd love to meet you. ### Breast Implant Revision Breast implant revision, or implant exchange, removes old implants and places new ones, and addresses complications that arise over the life of implants, capsular contracture, rupture or leak, implant malposition, rippling, and tissue changes after pregnancy, weight change, or aging. Revision often reuses the original incision and may include a capsulectomy, pocket reshaping, or a concurrent lift or reduction. Implants are not lifetime devices, so revision is expected over time. ## What it does Revision does two related jobs: it updates the implant and it fixes what has changed. - Exchanges the implant. Replaces older implants with new ones, and can change the size, shape, or type at the same time. - Corrects complications. Addresses capsular contracture, rupture, malposition, or rippling that have developed since the first surgery. - Restores the match. When the breast tissue has dropped but the implant has not, or the reverse, revision realigns tissue and implant. Because implants are not lifetime devices, needing revision at some point is a normal part of having them rather than a sign something went wrong. ## How it works Revision is performed under anesthesia, usually through the original incision so no new scar is added where it can be avoided. Depending on what is needed, the surgeon removes and replaces the implant, removes or releases the scar capsule, reshapes the pocket to reposition the implant, and adds a lift if the breast has dropped. Recovery is comparable to the first surgery, with routine activity back in a couple of weeks and strenuous exercise later on the surgeon's guidance. What the revision includes is planned around your specific problem, an aging implant, a contracture, a malposition, or a size change, so the operation is scaled to what your breasts actually need. ## What revision can address, and why the plan is specific Revision is not one operation; it is a set of corrections chosen for your situation. What has happenedWhat it meansThe revision stepScar capsule tightenedCapsular contractureRelease or remove the capsule, new implantImplant ruptured or leakedDevice failureRemove and replace the implantImplant sits too high, low, or wideMalpositionReshape the pocket to repositionVisible ripples or edgesRipplingChange implant type or add coverageBreast dropped around the implantTissue and implant mismatchExchange with a concurrent lift The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon diagnoses exactly what has changed and plans the revision, capsule work, pocket work, implant choice, and a lift if needed, to correct it and look natural. ## What revision works with This is what the consultation assesses, often with imaging, because the plan depends on the cause. What you noticeLikely causeThe planFirmness, distortion, discomfortCapsular contractureCapsulectomy with a new implantA change in shape or a deflationRupture or leakExchange, imaging to confirmImplants that look or feel too bigChanged preferenceDownsize or switch typeSagging over the implantTissue dropExchange plus a liftWanting out of implants entirelyPersonal choiceRemoval instead of revision The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon reads the cause, sometimes with an ultrasound or MRI, and matches the revision to it, or is honest when removal without replacement is the better path. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Revision is often more demanding than the first augmentation, because the surgeon is working with an existing pocket, a capsule, and tissue that has changed. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he diagnoses the cause carefully and plans the revision to correct it, adding a lift or capsule work only when it is needed. He is also candid when removing the implants without replacing them is the better choice for you. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines your breasts and implants, orders imaging when it helps confirm a rupture or contracture, and identifies what has actually changed. He explains the revision that addresses it, whether that includes capsule work, a pocket adjustment, a new implant, or a lift, and gives you an honest picture, including whether removal without replacement would serve you better. You leave with a plan matched to the diagnosis. ## What it costs Revision is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends entirely on what your revision involves, a simple exchange or a more complex correction with capsule or lift work. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Breast Implant Revision, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Revision replaces old implants with new ones and may change size, shape, or type; it addresses capsular contracture, rupture or migration, and malposition, and can include pocket reshaping or a concurrent lift or reduction. — [Breast Implant Revision, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-implant-revision) > Risks and Complications of Breast Implants, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Breast implants are not considered lifetime devices; the longer implants are in place, the greater the chance of complications such as capsular contracture and rupture, and some people will need additional surgery to remove or replace them. — [Risks and Complications of Breast Implants, U.S](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/risks-and-complications-breast-implants) ## Breast Implant Revision in Santa Barbara, CA If your implants have changed over time or no longer feel right, revision surgery can restore comfort and a natural shape. Dr. Polynice is trusted here in Santa Barbara for complex cases — including revisions of work done elsewhere — and approaches each one with patience and skill. Whatever brought you here, we'll help you understand your options clearly. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Breast Lift A breast lift, or mastopexy, corrects breast ptosis, when the breasts have dropped and the nipple sits low, by removing stretched skin, tightening the tissue, and moving the nipple-areolar complex to a higher, more youthful position. It does not by itself change breast volume; it is combined with augmentation to add fullness or reduction to reduce it. The incision pattern is matched to how much the breast has sagged. ## What it does A lift addresses position and shape, the things that change even when size does not. - Raises the breast. Repositions dropped breast tissue higher on the chest for a firmer, more youthful contour. - Repositions the nipple. Moves a low or downward-pointing nipple to a natural height, and reduces a stretched areola if needed. - Reshapes. Tightens loose skin and reshapes the tissue so the breast looks perkier and rounder. A lift changes position and shape; when size also matters, it is combined with an implant to add volume or a reduction to reduce it. ## How it works A lift is usually an outpatient procedure under anesthesia. The surgeon removes excess skin, lifts and reshapes the underlying tissue, repositions the nipple and areola, and tightens the remaining skin, placing incisions where they can be concealed. Results are visible immediately and settle over the following months as the breast relaxes into its new shape. The incision pattern scales to the amount of sagging, from a lift around the areola for mild droop to a fuller pattern for significant sag. The right technique is chosen for your degree of ptosis and your goals. ## Which lift, and why it is a real choice The incision pattern is a genuine trade between how much can be corrected and how much scar it leaves, matched to your degree of sag. PatternWhat it doesBest forPeriareolar (around the areola)A small upward shift, least scarMild sag, minor repositioningVertical ("lollipop")Around the areola and down to the foldModerate sag needing reshapingInverted-T ("anchor")Adds a fold incision for full reshapingSignificant sag and excess skinLift plus implantPosition plus added upper fullnessSag with lost volumeLift plus reductionPosition plus smaller sizeSag with heaviness More correction generally means a longer incision, so the choice balances the result you want against the scar. A board-certified surgeon recommends the least pattern that will actually achieve your goal. ## What a lift works with This is what the consultation assesses, because the degree and type of sag guide the plan. What you noticeWhat it meansThe planNipple sits at or below the creaseTrue ptosisA lift, pattern scaled to the sagBreasts deflated and droppedVolume loss plus sagA lift with an implantHeavy breasts that also sagSize plus sagA lift with a reductionOne breast lower than the otherPositional asymmetryA lift on one or both sidesSag mild, some fullness wantedMinor droopAn implant alone may suffice The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon reads your ptosis and volume together and builds one plan, lift alone, or lift with volume added or reduced, that fits your body. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body A lift is where surgical judgment shows, in choosing the least incision that achieves the goal and in reading whether volume needs to be added or reduced at the same time. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he plans a lift around your degree of sag and your volume goals, so the result is a natural, restored shape rather than an over-tightened one. Proportion and a result that lasts come first. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines the position of your breasts and nipples and how much skin has stretched, and asks whether size matters to you as well as position. He explains the incision pattern your degree of sag calls for, whether to add or reduce volume, and the scars and recovery honestly. You leave with a plan scaled to your sag and clear expectations about shape, scars, and how the breast settles. ## What it costs A lift is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on the incision pattern your case needs and whether volume is added or reduced. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Breast Lift (Mastopexy), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). A breast lift raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening tissue, repositioning the nipple and areola to a more youthful height; the incision pattern is chosen for the degree of sagging, and a lift does not change breast size on its own. — [Breast Lift](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-lift) > Breast Lift (Mastopexy), Cleveland Clinic (United States). Describes lifting and reshaping tissue, repositioning and reducing the areola, correcting asymmetry, and combining a lift with augmentation or reduction, with results visible immediately and settling over months. — [Breast Lift](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23298-breast-lift) ## Breast Lift in Santa Barbara, CA A breast lift restores a higher, firmer position — helping you feel comfortable and confident in your shape again. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice plans each lift around your proportions, with careful technique that keeps scars discreet and results natural. If time or life changes have taken a toll, we'd love to talk through what's possible. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Breast Lift with Implants A breast lift with implants, or augmentation-mastopexy, is a single-stage operation that places a breast implant to restore volume while performing a mastopexy to raise the breast, remove stretched skin, and reposition the nipple-areolar complex higher. It is designed for breasts that have both sagged and lost fullness, typically after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or aging, where augmentation alone would add volume without correcting position. ## What it does The combination solves two problems that often occur together but need different fixes. - Adds volume. An implant restores the fullness a sagging, deflated breast has lost, including upper fullness. - Raises and reshapes. A lift removes excess skin, tightens the tissue, and moves the nipple to a natural height. - Does both in one recovery. One surgery and one healing period rather than two separate operations. The reason to combine them is simple: adding an implant to a sagging breast without a lift only weighs it down further, so the two are planned together. ## How it works The procedure is performed under anesthesia, usually as an outpatient surgery. The surgeon creates the implant pocket and places the implant to restore volume, then removes excess skin, reshapes the breast, and repositions the nipple and areola, with the incision pattern scaled to the degree of sag. Because two forces are being balanced, adding volume while tightening skin, it is a more intricate operation than either alone, which is why planning and judgment matter. Recovery is broadly similar to a lift or augmentation on its own, with most people back to desk work within a week or two and full activity later on the surgeon's guidance. ## One stage or two, and why it is a real choice Most patients have the combination in one surgery, but the plan is individualized, and sometimes staging is safer. ApproachWhat it involvesBest whenCombined, one stageImplant and lift in the same surgeryMost patients wanting both correctedStaged (lift, then implant)Two surgeries months apartSignificant sag, or to protect blood supplyLift aloneReshape and raise, no implantYou do not want more volumeImplant aloneVolume only, minimal sagThe breast has not truly dropped Combining is efficient and works well for most people, but a very ptotic breast or specific tissue concerns can make staging the safer route. A board-certified surgeon recommends one or two stages based on your anatomy. ## What the combination works with This is what the consultation assesses, because volume and position are judged together. What you haveWhat it meansThe planDeflated and dropped breastsVolume loss plus sagImplant plus a lift, one stageVery significant sagHigh-grade ptosisPossibly staged for safetySag with enough natural volumePosition, not volumeA lift alone may be enoughFull but dropped breastsPosition onlyA lift aloneUneven size and positionAsymmetryDifferent volume and lift per side The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon reads volume and position together and decides whether to combine or stage, so the result is balanced and safe. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body The lift-with-implants is one of the more demanding breast operations, because the surgeon is balancing two opposing forces, adding volume while tightening skin, in a single plan. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he plans the volume and the lift together for a balanced, proportionate result, and is candid when staging the two would be safer for your tissue. A natural, lasting result is the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines your breasts for both position and volume, asks what fullness and shape you want, and explains how the implant and lift work together. He walks through the incision pattern your sag calls for, whether to combine or stage the two for safety, and the scars and recovery honestly. You leave with a single plan that balances volume and position around your anatomy. ## What it costs A lift with implants is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on the implant, the incision pattern your sag needs, and whether it is done in one stage or two. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Combining a Breast Lift with Breast Implants, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Combining augmentation with a lift addresses lost volume and sagging in a single surgery and recovery; an implant increases size while the lift repositions and reshapes the breast, and adding an implant to a sagging breast without a lift does not correct the droop. — [Combining a Breast Lift with Breast Implants, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-combining-breast-augmentation-and-a-breast-lift) > Breast Lift (Mastopexy), Cleveland Clinic (United States). A breast lift does not change breast size on its own and is often combined with augmentation to increase size or reduction to decrease it; results are visible immediately and settle over the following months. — [Breast Lift](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23298-breast-lift) ## Breast Lift with Implants in Santa Barbara, CA Combining a lift with implants can restore both position and fullness in a single, thoughtfully planned procedure. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice balances shape, size, and placement to create a result that looks natural and holds up beautifully over time. If you're weighing your options, a consultation is the clearest place to start. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd love to meet you. ### Breast Reduction Breast reduction, or reduction mammaplasty, removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin, reshapes the breast, and repositions the nipple-areolar complex. It relieves the weight-driven symptoms of macromastia, chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain, bra-strap grooving, and skin rashes, while producing a size suited to the body. It is a high-satisfaction procedure and may be medically necessary, though insurance coverage varies and is not guaranteed. ## What it does Reduction is a two-in-one procedure: it relieves symptoms and it reshapes. - Relieves the load. Removing the weight of excess tissue eases the chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain, grooving, and rashes that heavy breasts cause. - Reshapes and lifts. As it reduces, it lifts and reshapes the breast and repositions the nipple, so the result is proportionate, not just smaller. - Restores activity. Many women find exercise, sleep, and clothing far easier afterward. Because it addresses a mechanical problem, relief is often immediate, which is part of why reduction is among the most satisfying procedures in plastic surgery. ## How it works Reduction is performed under anesthesia. The surgeon removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin, reshapes the remaining tissue, repositions the nipple and areola to a higher, natural position, and closes the incisions, which are placed to be concealed. Recovery takes a couple of weeks for daily activity, with exercise resumed later on the surgeon's guidance, and many patients feel relief from the weight almost immediately. The incision pattern and the amount removed are planned around your symptoms, your anatomy, and the size and shape you want, so the result relieves the strain and looks natural. ## What reduction involves, and why it is planned to you Reduction is tailored, and the plan balances how much to remove against the shape you want. ElementWhat it addressesPlanned aroundTissue and fat removedThe weight and sizeYour symptoms and goal sizeSkin removedThe looseness and droopHow much the breast has stretchedNipple repositionedA low, downward nippleA natural heightIncision patternAccess and reshapingThe amount being removedShapeBalance with your frameYour body, not a number The value is not the list. It is that the surgeon plans the reduction around both your symptoms and your shape, removing enough to relieve the strain while reshaping for a balanced result. ## When reduction is the right step This is what the consultation confirms, because reduction is symptom-driven as much as aesthetic. What you experienceWhat it points toThe planChronic neck, shoulder, back painWeight-driven strainReduction to lighten the loadDeep bra-strap grooves, rashesHeavy, overhanging tissueReduction to remove the excessTrouble exercising or sleepingSize interfering with lifeReduction to bring size into proportionOne side largerAsymmetryReducing the larger side to matchWanting relief and a natural shapeSymptom plus aesthetic goalA reduction planned for both The value is not the list. It is that the surgeon confirms the symptoms trace to breast weight and plans a reduction that relieves them while reshaping the breast well. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Reduction is restorative surgery, and doing it well means relieving the strain and delivering a natural shape, not simply a smaller size. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he plans a reduction around both your symptoms and your shape, reshaping as he reduces. He can also discuss the documentation insurance sometimes requires, while being clear that coverage is determined by your plan. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice asks about your symptoms and how breast size affects your daily life, examines the breasts, and discusses the size and shape you want. He explains what reduction involves, including nipple repositioning, the incision pattern, and the scars, and what recovery looks like. If you are pursuing insurance, he can discuss the documentation involved, while being clear that requirements vary by plan and coverage is not guaranteed. You leave with a plan built for relief and shape. ## What it costs Reduction is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on your anatomy and the specifics of your surgery. When reduction is medically necessary, insurance sometimes contributes, though requirements vary and are not guaranteed. You will have a clear picture, and any quote, in writing at your consultation. > Breast Reduction, StatPearls, U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH). Reduction mammaplasty removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin for a size proportionate to the body and is commonly indicated for macromastia-related symptoms such as chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain, skin irritation, poor posture, and psychosocial distress. — [Breast Reduction, StatPearls, U.S](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441974/) > Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin and repositions the nipple to relieve symptoms and produce a breast size in proportion with the body; it may be covered when medically necessary, though coverage requirements vary. — [Breast Reduction](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-reduction) ## Breast Reduction in Santa Barbara, CA Overly large breasts can cause real discomfort — and a breast reduction often brings relief along with a better-balanced shape. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice focuses on both comfort and aesthetics, creating a result that feels lighter and looks natural on your frame. If back, neck, or shoulder strain has been part of your daily life, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Chemical Peels ## What it does - Pigmentation and uneven tone. Helps reduce the appearance of sun-related discoloration, blotchiness and uneven pigmentation. - Melasma. May be incorporated into a broader melasma treatment plan along with appropriate home skincare and consistent sun protection. - Texture and fine lines. Controlled exfoliation helps improve roughness, superficial textural irregularities and fine lines. - Overall skin quality. By removing damaged surface cells and encouraging renewal, a peel can leave the skin looking brighter, smoother and more even. ## How it works A chemical solution is applied to the skin to create controlled exfoliation and renewal. Over the days following treatment, the treated surface layers shed, revealing smoother, more even skin beneath. Dr. Pontius primarily uses The Perfect Derma Peel and may incorporate targeted boosters depending on the patient's skin and treatment goals. Other peel formulations may be incorporated as treatment options evolve. ## Which resurfacing treatment? Chemical peels, [SkinPen® Elite microneedling](https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/treatments/microneedling/) and [fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing](https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/treatments/co2-laser/) each have a different role. Chemical peels are particularly useful for pigmentation, melasma, uneven tone and overall skin renewal with relatively limited downtime. They may also be an appropriate option for darker skin types when laser resurfacing is not preferred. SkinPen Elite microneedling is often selected when texture, pores, acne scarring and collagen remodeling are the primary goals. Fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing is generally Dr. Pontius's preferred option when more significant resurfacing is needed for wrinkles, sun damage and textural change. The right treatment depends on the skin, the concern and the degree of correction desired. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Dr. Pontius approaches skin resurfacing as part of a broader rejuvenation plan rather than treating every concern with the same procedure. She evaluates pigmentation, texture, sun damage, skin type and treatment goals before determining whether a chemical peel, microneedling, CO2 laser, physician-directed skincare or a combination approach makes the most sense. The goal is to choose the right treatment for the skin — not simply to perform a procedure. ## What to expect Dr. Pontius will evaluate your skin and treatment goals before recommending a peel. If a chemical peel is appropriate, she will discuss the formulation, whether a booster is recommended, expected peeling and downtime, and the skincare and sun protection needed afterward. If another resurfacing treatment would better address your concerns, she may recommend SkinPen® Elite microneedling or fractionated CO2 laser instead. ## What it costs The cost of a chemical peel depends on the treatment selected and whether a booster or series is recommended. Your treatment plan and cost will be reviewed before proceeding. > Chemical Peels, American Academy of Dermatology (United States). A chemical peel applies a solution that causes the skin to exfoliate and eventually peel off, revealing smoother skin that is more even in tone and texture; it can improve the appearance of sun damage, uneven pigmentation, and fine lines, and results and recovery depend on the peel and the patient's skin. — [Chemical Peels, American Academy of Dermatology](https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/scars-stretch-marks/chemical-peels) ## Chemical Peels in Santa Barbara, CA A well-chosen chemical peel can refresh your complexion — smoothing texture, brightening tone, and revealing healthier skin underneath. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius selects each peel to suit your skin and your goals, so the result is glowing rather than harsh. If you'd like a brighter, more even complexion, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### CO2 Laser Resurfacing CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser resurfacing is an ablative laser treatment that creates controlled microscopic treatment zones in the skin, removing damaged tissue and thermally stimulating new collagen and elastin. Fractionated treatment leaves areas of untreated skin between these microscopic columns, supporting healing while improving fine lines and wrinkles, acne and surgical scars, uneven texture and sun-related pigmentation. ## What it does CO2 laser resurfacing works from the surface down, removing damage and rebuilding collagen. - Smooths texture and scars. Improves acne and surgical scars and rough, uneven texture. - Softens wrinkles. Reduces fine lines and deeper facial wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth. - Clears sun damage. Addresses sun-related pigmentation and photoaging. As the skin heals, it lays down new collagen and elastin, which is what tightens and smooths the surface over the following months. ## How it works The Lumenis AcuPulse delivers precise energy that removes the outer skin and heats the dermis in a controlled way. Fractionated treatment targets microscopic columns and leaves healthy skin between them, so healing is faster and complications fewer. Visible healing takes roughly one to two weeks, and the collagen result continues to develop over three to six months, with rigorous sun protection essential throughout. Whether CO2 is the right laser for your skin at all, and the right settings for it, is what the consultation determines. ## Why fractionated, with the AcuPulse Fractionated CO2 with the Lumenis AcuPulse delivers ablative and thermal energy through microscopic treatment columns, leaving untreated skin between them to support healing and make recovery more manageable. What matters most is not the machine but the settings: depth, density, and energy are individualized to your skin type and concern, which is where a physician's judgment counts. ## What CO2 laser works with This is what the consultation assesses, because skin type drives both safety and result. What you haveWhat it meansThe planAcne scars, rough textureA core CO2 indicationFractionated CO2Deep wrinkles, heavy sun damageMay suit deeper settingsFractionated CO2, deeper settingsA deeper skin toneHigher pigment-change riskA gentler option may be saferActive acne or a skin infectionNot ready to treatTreat that firstCurrent or recent isotretinoin useRequires individual assessmentDiscuss timing with Dr. Pontius The value is not the list. It is that a facial plastic surgeon reads your skin type honestly and recommends the right resurfacing for your skin, even when that means a gentler treatment than CO2. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body CO2 is powerful, and its risks, especially pigment change in darker skin, come down to judgment and skin-type expertise. Dr. Pontius is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, and she assesses your skin type before recommending any laser, chooses the gentlest approach that will achieve your goal, and is candid when a different treatment, such as microneedling, is the safer choice for your skin. Honest, skin-type-aware resurfacing is the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Pontius examines your skin, asks about your history including any tendency to pigment or scar, and determines your skin type, because that drives both what is safe and what will work. She explains what the treatment and recovery involve, the settings she would use, and the sun protection required. If CO2 is not the safest choice for your skin, she will tell you and offer a gentler option. You leave with an honest, skin-specific plan. ## What it costs CO2 laser resurfacing is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on the mode, the area, and whether more than one session is planned. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Ablative Laser Resurfacing, StatPearls, U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH). Ablative laser resurfacing removes the epidermal and superficial dermal layers to treat photoaging, scarring, and wrinkles, prompting new collagen formation; fractional lasers reduce the severity and frequency of complications, and darker skin types carry an increased risk of dyspigmentation. — [Ablative Laser Resurfacing, StatPearls, U.S](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557474/) > Laser Skin Resurfacing, Cleveland Clinic (United States). CO2 and erbium lasers resurface the skin to treat wrinkles, scars, age spots, and sun damage; CO2 recovery takes up to about two weeks, and darker skin tones may be better suited to alternative lasers to reduce the risk of pigment changes. — [Laser Skin Resurfacing, Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11015-laser-skin-resurfacing) ## CO2 Laser Resurfacing in Santa Barbara, CA CO2 laser resurfacing renews the skin from within — smoothing texture, softening fine lines, and undoing years of sun damage. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Pontius tailors each treatment to your skin so the result looks refreshed and natural, never overdone. If you'd like clearer, smoother, more youthful-looking skin, we'd love to help you get there. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Collagen Banking Collagen naturally declines with age, and the skin that used to bounce back begins to hold its lines. Rather than waiting, collagen banking focuses on preserving and rebuilding that foundation early — a series of well-chosen treatments and consistent care that pay off over years, not weeks. Dr. Pontius will map out a plan suited to your skin and your stage. ## What it is Collagen banking is less a single treatment than a mindset: acting early to protect and build the collagen that keeps skin firm, rather than waiting to chase lines after they appear. In practice it means a thoughtful combination of regenerative treatments and daily care, timed to preserve your skin's foundation over the years. ## How it works The plan is built around treatments that stimulate your own collagen — biostimulator injections, microneedling, and laser among them — supported by medical-grade skincare that maintains the gains between visits. Rather than a one-time fix, it is a measured series chosen for your skin and spaced to keep collagen production active over time. ## What to expect Because collagen banking is preventive and cumulative, the reward is long-term: skin that stays firmer and ages more gracefully than it otherwise would. Dr. Pontius will design a realistic cadence — a few well-chosen treatments a year plus consistent home care — and adjust it as your skin changes. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Dr. Pontius takes the long view of the face, favoring subtle, well-timed care over dramatic intervention. Collagen banking reflects that philosophy: protect what you have, build gradually, and keep results looking natural for years rather than months. > Collagen is a primary structural protein of the skin, and its production declines with age; dermatologic treatments that stimulate collagen, together with sun protection and appropriate skincare, are used to support skin firmness and quality over time. — [American Academy of Dermatology](https://www.aad.org) ## Collagen Banking in Santa Barbara, CA Caring for your skin's collagen now is one of the best long-term investments you can make. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius will help you build a plan that protects how you age. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074) — we'd love to help. ### Facial Rejuvenation With Injectables Dermal fillers are injectable soft-tissue gels used within a considered plan to restore support, refine contour, and rebalance the face — not simply to add volume — in areas including the cheeks, lips, tear troughs, nasolabial folds, and jawline. Most are hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance that is biocompatible, gives immediate results, and can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if needed. Results are temporary, commonly lasting from about six months to over a year. For collagen-stimulating options such as Sculptra and Radiesse, see [regenerative facial treatments](https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/treatments/regenerative-facial-treatments/). ## What it does Assessment comes first: Dr. Pontius reads the whole face — bone, fat, skin and soft-tissue support — then uses filler only where it restores support and balance, which softening a wrinkle from the surface cannot do. - Restores support. Rebuilds structural support in the cheeks and midface for a rested, lifted look. - Refines contour. Softens the nasolabial folds and lines around the mouth by supporting them from underneath. - Rebalances proportion. Refines the lips, supports the under-eye area, and defines the jawline. Because most fillers used are hyaluronic acid, results are immediate and can be adjusted or dissolved with hyaluronidase when appropriate. ## How it works Filler is injected under the skin with a fine needle or a blunt cannula, placed at the depth and in the amount each area needs, from deep structural support in the cheeks to fine, soft placement in the lips. Most hyaluronic acid formulations include a local anesthetic for comfort, and treatment takes minutes with little downtime beyond possible swelling or bruising for a few days. How much, where, and which filler are matched to your face and goals, which is exactly what the consultation is for, and where the injector's judgment matters most. ## Which filler, and why it matters Most treatments here use hyaluronic acid, chosen and placed to fit the area and the goal. When the goal includes collagen stimulation, tissue quality or gradual structural support, Dr. Pontius may recommend a biostimulatory or regenerative approach such as Sculptra, Radiesse or PRF instead of — or in combination with — hyaluronic acid filler. These treatments are covered under [Regenerative Facial Treatments](https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/treatments/regenerative-facial-treatments/). ## What fillers work with This is what the consultation assesses, because the goal decides the tool. What you haveWhat it meansThe planFlattened cheeks, midfaceVolume lossHA in the deep midfaceThin or uneven lipsLip enhancementSoft HA, conservativelyHollow under-eyesTear-trough concernCareful HA, or cheek support firstLines from muscle movementNot a filler problemNeuromodulators insteadSignificant saggingBeyond fillerA surgical option The value is not the list. It is that a facial plastic surgeon reads what is volume loss, what is muscle, and what is sagging, and tells you honestly when filler is the answer and when it is not. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Filler is easy to get and easy to overdo, and the difference is entirely in the hand that injects it. Dr. Pontius is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who performs injections herself rather than delegating them, and she works with restraint, placing product only where it restores support and balance so the result reads as rested, not filled. Physician-injected results across every skin tone are the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Pontius looks at your face at rest and in motion, and works out what is volume loss, what is muscle, and what is skin, because filler only solves the first. She explains which filler suits each area, how much she recommends and why less is often better, and what to expect for swelling or bruising. If filler is not the right tool, she will say so. You leave looking refreshed, with a plan you understand. ## What it costs The amount and type of filler recommended varies with the treatment plan. Your consultation will include a clear discussion of the recommended treatment, amount and cost before proceeding. > Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (United States). Dermal fillers are injected to smooth wrinkles and folds and restore volume; hyaluronic acid is a common, naturally derived, absorbable material whose effects can be reversed with hyaluronidase, while other materials such as calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic acid work differently, and all carry risks such as swelling and bruising. — [Dermal Fillers](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/aesthetic-cosmetic-devices/dermal-fillers-soft-tissue-fillers) > Dermal Fillers, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Soft-tissue fillers restore lost volume and smooth lines in areas including the cheeks, lips, and folds around the mouth; results are typically immediate and temporary, with duration varying by product and area, and treatment involves minimal downtime. — [Dermal Fillers, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers) ## Dermal Fillers in Santa Barbara, CA The best filler work is the kind no one can point to — restored support and balance that simply make you look rested. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius approaches filler with precision and restraint, evaluating the whole face so the result is natural rather than 'done.' If you've been curious about fillers or want a softer result than you've had before, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Gynecomastia Surgery Gynecomastia surgery, or male breast reduction, treats enlarged male breast tissue by removing excess glandular tissue and fat and recontouring the chest. Liposuction addresses the fatty component, while firm glandular tissue is excised through a small half-moon incision at the edge of the areola; in large cases, excess skin is removed. A physical exam, sometimes with imaging, confirms gynecomastia and rules out other causes before surgery. ## What it does Male breast reduction targets the two components that enlarge the chest. - Removes glandular tissue. The firm tissue beneath the nipple that diet and exercise cannot shift is excised. - Removes excess fat. Liposuction addresses the fatty component and refines the surrounding contour. - Recontours the chest. The result is a flatter, firmer, more masculine chest shape. Because the glandular tissue does not respond to weight loss, surgery is the established treatment when the enlargement is glandular rather than simply fatty. ## How it works Surgery is usually an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, or local anesthesia with sedation. Liposuction removes the fatty tissue through tiny incisions, and firm glandular tissue is excised through a small, half-moon incision at the lower edge of the areola, where the scar is well concealed; in very large cases, excess skin is removed as well. Most men return to desk work within about a week, with exercise resumed after a couple of weeks in a compression garment. Which technique leads, liposuction, excision, or both, depends on whether your enlargement is mostly fat, mostly gland, or a mix, which the exam determines. ## Which technique, and why the exam comes first The right approach depends on the type of gynecomastia, so diagnosis drives the plan. TypeWhat it isThe techniqueMostly fattyExcess fat, little glandLiposuction aloneMostly glandularFirm tissue under the nippleExcision through the areolaMixedBoth fat and glandLiposuction plus excisionWith excess skinLarge or long-standingExcision plus skin removal A proper exam, sometimes with an ultrasound, confirms gynecomastia, distinguishes gland from fat, and rules out other causes, including the rare possibility of male breast cancer. The technique is then matched to what is actually there. ## What gynecomastia surgery works with This is what the consultation assesses, because the cause and type shape the plan. What you noticeWhat it suggestsThe planFirm tissue under the nippleGlandular gynecomastiaExcision through the areolaSoft, diffuse fullnessFatty componentLiposuctionPuffy nipple or areolaGland behind the areolaTargeted excisionLarge, sagging chestSkin excess tooExcision with skin removalRecent onset or one sideNeeds a cause checkExam, and imaging if indicated The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon confirms the diagnosis, rules out other causes, and matches the technique to your chest, for a natural, masculine result. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Gynecomastia carries real self-consciousness, and men want it handled discreetly and well. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he confirms the diagnosis first, then removes gland and fat through concealed incisions for a flat, natural chest that does not look operated on. A masculine contour and a well-hidden scar are the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines your chest to confirm gynecomastia, distinguish gland from fat, and rule out other causes, ordering imaging if anything warrants it. He explains whether liposuction, excision, or both fit your case, where the incision goes, and what recovery looks like, including the compression garment. He also discusses whether an underlying cause, such as a medication, should be addressed. You leave with a plan matched to your diagnosis. ## What it costs Gynecomastia surgery is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on whether your case needs liposuction, excision, or both, and the extent of the work. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > What Is Gynecomastia Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Standard gynecomastia surgery removes excess glandular tissue by excision through a half-moon incision at the areola, uses liposuction for excess fat, and removes skin in large cases; a physical exam, sometimes with ultrasound, confirms the diagnosis and rules out male breast cancer. — [What Is Gynecomastia Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/what-is-gynecomastia-surgery-and-is-it-right-for-you) > Gynecomastia Surgery (Male Breast Reduction), Cleveland Clinic (United States). Describes removal of excess fat, tissue, and skin using liposuction, excision, or both, as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, with recovery supported by a compression garment; the removed tissue does not regrow. — [Gynecomastia Surgery](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24022-gynecomastia-surgery) ## Gynecomastia Surgery in Santa Barbara, CA Excess male breast tissue can affect confidence at any age — and gynecomastia surgery offers a flatter, firmer chest with results that look natural. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice treats this with discretion and skill, placing incisions carefully for a masculine, well-proportioned contour. If it's something you've wanted to address, a private consultation is the place to start. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Liposuction Liposuction, also called lipoplasty or suction-assisted lipectomy, removes subcutaneous fat from targeted areas through small incisions with a cannula, permanently removing those fat cells to improve body contour. It is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for diet and exercise; it works best in patients near a stable, healthy weight with firm, elastic skin. It is often combined with procedures such as a tummy tuck. ## What it does Liposuction refines shape by removing fat where it is out of proportion. - Removes stubborn fat. Targets localized deposits that resist diet and exercise, permanently removing those fat cells. - Refines your shape. Contours the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, back, or chin so the area fits your frame. - Pairs with other surgery. Often combined with a tummy tuck or other contouring for a complete result. What it is not is a weight-loss procedure; the change shows in your shape and how clothes fit, not on the scale. ## How it works Liposuction is usually an outpatient procedure. Through tiny incisions, a thin tube called a cannula is passed under the skin to loosen fat, which is then suctioned out; power-assisted techniques vibrate the cannula to remove fat efficiently with less trauma. Most people take about a week off work, wear a compression garment to control swelling, and see the contour refine over the weeks as swelling settles. Because results depend on how well the skin redrapes over the new contour, firm, elastic skin gives the best outcome, which is part of what the consultation assesses. ## What liposuction can and cannot do Being clear about the limits is part of a good result, so here is the honest scope. Liposuction doesLiposuction does notRemove localized, diet-resistant fatServe as a weight-loss methodRefine and shape body contourTighten significantly loose skinPermanently remove treated fat cellsRemove cellulite or dimplingPair with skin-removal surgeryPrevent future weight gain When the issue is loose skin rather than fat, liposuction alone falls short and an excision procedure like a tummy tuck is the right tool; the two are often planned together. A board-certified surgeon tells you which your situation calls for. ## What liposuction works with This is what the consultation assesses, because fat, skin, and weight all matter. What you haveWhat it meansThe planA stubborn pocket, firm skinIdeal for lipoLiposuction to that areaFat plus loose skinSkin will not redrapeLipo with skin excisionNear a stable, healthy weightGood candidateContour to your frameWell above goal weightNot a lipo goalWeight management firstFat you want moved, not lostVolume elsewhereLipo plus fat transfer The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon judges your fat, skin, and weight together, and is honest about whether liposuction alone will give you the result you want. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Liposuction looks simple and is easy to overdo, leaving dents and irregularities; doing it well is a matter of restraint and an eye for proportion. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he contours to your frame rather than chasing maximum removal, and is candid when loose skin means you need more than lipo. A result that suits your frame is the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines the areas that bother you, checks your skin quality, and asks what shape you are after. He explains what liposuction can refine, whether your skin will redrape well or whether excision is also needed, and what recovery and the compression garment involve. If your goal is really weight loss, he will say so. You leave with a plan focused on contour and realistic about what lipo delivers. ## What it costs Liposuction is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on how many areas are treated and the extent of contouring. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Liposuction, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Liposuction removes excess fat from specific areas through a cannula to improve contour and proportion; it is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for diet and exercise, works best with firm elastic skin, and can be combined with procedures such as a tummy tuck. — [Liposuction, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction) > Liposuction, StatPearls, U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH). Liposuction (suction-assisted lipectomy) is primarily a body-contouring procedure that uses vacuum suction to remove subcutaneous fat from specific anatomical areas and should not be portrayed as a weight-loss procedure; techniques have evolved to include power-assisted, laser, and ultrasound methods. — [Liposuction, StatPearls, U.S](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/) ## Liposuction in Santa Barbara, CA Liposuction is at its best when it's about refinement — removing stubborn pockets so your natural shape can come through. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice contours carefully, so results look smooth and proportional rather than overdone. If there are areas that haven't budged with diet and exercise, a consultation is a good place to begin. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074) — we'd love to help. ### Lower Body Lift A lower body lift, also called a belt lipectomy or circumferential body lift, excises redundant skin and fat around the entire lower trunk, combining elements of an abdominoplasty with a buttock and outer-thigh lift through an incision that tracks around the waistline. It is designed for patients with circumferential laxity after massive weight loss, often post-bariatric or after GLP-1-assisted loss, and is frequently combined with liposuction. Recovery is longer than a tummy tuck. ## What it does A body lift addresses laxity that goes all the way around, which a single-area procedure cannot. - Removes circumferential skin. Excises loose skin and fat around the abdomen, flanks, hips, lower back, and buttocks. - Reshapes the lower body. Tightens and re-drapes what remains for a smoother, more toned lower-body contour. - Lifts the buttocks and outer thighs. The wrap-around design repositions the back and sides, not just the front. It is the right tool specifically when laxity is circumferential; when only the front abdomen is loose, a tummy tuck is the less extensive choice. ## How it works A lower body lift is a major operation under general anesthesia, taking several hours. The surgeon makes an incision that tracks around the waistline, removes the excess skin and fat, tightens and repositions the remaining tissue over the abdomen, flanks, back, and buttocks, and closes with drains in place; a compression garment supports healing. Liposuction is often added to refine contours. Recovery is phased over several weeks to a few months, longer than a tummy tuck, and some patients stay overnight. Because this is one of the larger body-contouring operations, it is planned carefully around your health and your weight stability. ## Body lift or a single-area procedure, and why it is a real choice The right operation matches where your laxity actually is, a genuine trade of coverage against scar and recovery. OptionWhat it addressesBest whenLower body liftSkin all around the lower trunkCircumferential laxity, major weight lossTummy tuckFront of the abdomen onlyLaxity limited to the bellyThigh liftInner thighs onlyIsolated inner-thigh skinBody lift plus liposuctionSkin plus stubborn fatCircumferential skin and residual fatStaged liftsOne area at a timePreferring smaller, sequential surgeries A body lift covers the most but leaves the longest scar and the longest recovery, so it is chosen when the laxity truly is circumferential. A board-certified surgeon maps where your skin is loose and recommends the least operation that addresses it. ## What a body lift works with This is what the consultation assesses, because circumference, weight, and health all matter. What you haveWhat it meansThe planLoose skin all around the waistCircumferential laxityA full lower body liftOnly the front is looseIsolated abdominal laxityA tummy tuck insteadSkin plus stubborn fatContour and skinBody lift with liposuctionWeight not yet stableResult would changeWait until stableHealth or nutrition concernsHigher surgical riskOptimize before surgery The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon confirms the laxity is circumferential and that your weight and health are ready, then plans a safe operation, rather than doing more surgery than your situation needs. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body A lower body lift is one of the most extensive body-contouring operations, with a real complication profile, so patient selection, timing, and technique matter enormously. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he confirms your weight is stable and your health optimized before planning it, places the scar where clothing hides it, and is honest about the recovery it asks of you. A safe result, planned around you, is the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines where your skin is loose around the whole lower body, confirms your weight is stable, and reviews your health and nutrition, since this is a major operation. He explains the wrap-around incision, where the scar sits, the drains and compression garment, and the phased recovery, and is candid that a body lift carries more risk than smaller procedures. You leave with a plan built around a safe result, not a rushed one. ## What it costs A lower body lift is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on the extent of skin removed, whether liposuction or other lifts are combined, and the complexity of your case. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > The Basics of the Belt Lipectomy, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). A belt lipectomy, or lower body lift, removes sagging skin and tissue around the lower body, including the stomach, hips, buttocks, and thighs, addressing a larger area than a tummy tuck, which is limited to the abdomen. — [The Basics of the Belt Lipectomy, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/the-basics-of-the-belt-lipectomy) > Belt Lipectomy, StatPearls, U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH). Belt lipectomy excises redundant skin and fat circumferentially around the abdomen, flanks, and back, combining abdominoplasty, lower body lift, and back lift elements for patients after significant weight loss; it is more extensive than a tummy tuck. — [Belt Lipectomy, StatPearls, U.S](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK604202/) ## Lower Body Lift in Santa Barbara, CA After significant weight loss, a lower body lift can address loose skin across the abdomen, hips, and thighs in a single, thoughtfully planned procedure. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice designs each body lift around your goals and your healing, with recovery guided every step of the way. If you've worked hard to get here and want to feel comfortable in your skin again, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Medical-Grade Skincare Great in-office results are easier to keep when your daily routine is working with you. Medical-grade products are more active and better studied than most over-the-counter options, and the right regimen protects your investment in every treatment. Dr. Pontius will recommend a simple, effective routine tailored to your skin rather than a shelf full of products. ## What it is Medical-grade skincare refers to physician-directed products with higher concentrations of well-studied active ingredients than most over-the-counter lines. Chosen and dispensed through a practice, they are matched to your skin and your goals — supporting and extending the results of in-office treatments. ## How it works The right routine does the quiet, daily work between visits: protecting against the sun, encouraging cell turnover, supporting the skin barrier, and maintaining the gains from your treatments. Dr. Pontius selects a small number of effective products and active ingredients rather than a crowded shelf, so the regimen is targeted, manageable and easy to follow. ## What to expect Good skincare is a long game. With a consistent, well-chosen routine, most people see steady improvements in tone, texture, and clarity over weeks and months, and their in-office results last longer. Dr. Pontius will start you with the essentials and adjust as your skin responds. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Rather than sell products for their own sake, Dr. Pontius recommends only what your skin genuinely needs, and explains why. The aim is a routine that is effective, uncomplicated, and worth your time — an extension of the same thoughtful, natural approach she brings to every treatment. > Dermatologists recommend a consistent skincare routine — including daily sun protection and evidence-based active ingredients suited to your skin — to protect skin health and support the results of in-office procedures. — [American Academy of Dermatology](https://www.aad.org) ## Medical-Grade Skincare in Santa Barbara, CA The right daily care makes every treatment work harder and last longer. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius will match a simple, effective routine to your skin. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074) — we'd love to help. ### Mommy Makeover A mommy makeover is a combination of body-contouring and breast procedures that address the physical changes of pregnancy and nursing, stretched abdominal skin, separated muscles (diastasis recti), and breasts that have deflated or dropped. It has no set components; a typical plan pairs a tummy tuck with a breast augmentation, lift, or reduction, often with liposuction, performed in a single operation so there is one recovery. ## What it does A mommy makeover restores the two areas pregnancy changes most, in one plan. - Addresses the abdomen. A tummy tuck removes stretched skin and repairs separated muscles for a flatter midsection. - Restores the breasts. A lift, implants, or a reduction brings back volume and position lost after nursing. - Refines with liposuction. Removes stubborn fat on the hips, flanks, or thighs for overall proportion. There is no fixed recipe; the combination is built around what changed for you, which is why no two mommy makeovers are quite the same. ## How it works A mommy makeover is performed under anesthesia, combining the chosen procedures in one operation so you recover once rather than several times. The surgeon sequences the components within the surgery, the abdominal work, the breast work, and any liposuction, and closes with incisions placed to be concealed. Recovery is driven by the most involved component, usually the tummy tuck, so most people plan for a couple of weeks before nonstrenuous work and a gradual return over about three months. Which procedures are combined, and whether it is safe to do them all at once, depends on your health, your changes, and total operating time, which the consultation determines. ## What goes into a mommy makeover, and why it is personal There is no standard package; the plan is assembled from the components your body needs. ComponentWhat it addressesWhen it is includedTummy tuckStretched skin, separated musclesLoose abdomen after pregnancyBreast augmentationLost volumeDeflated breastsBreast liftDropped breasts, low nippleSagging after nursingBreast reductionEnlarged, heavy breastsUncomfortable increaseLiposuctionStubborn fat pocketsHips, flanks, or thighs Most plans pair an abdominal component with a breast component, then add liposuction for contour. A board-certified surgeon builds the combination around your goals and confirms it is safe to combine. ## What a mommy makeover works with This is what the consultation assesses, because timing and health shape a safe combination. What you haveWhat it meansThe planLoose belly and deflated breastsClassic post-pregnancy patternTummy tuck plus breast workFinished having childrenGood timingPlan the combinationPlanning more pregnanciesResults could be undoneConsider waitingStubborn fat with the aboveContour refinementAdd liposuctionHealth or recovery concernsSafety of combiningStage the procedures The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon assembles the right components, confirms combining them is safe for you, and plans one recovery rather than several. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body A mommy makeover is really several operations planned as one, and doing it well means both surgical skill and the judgment to combine safely. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he tailors the combination to what pregnancy actually changed for you, confirms it is safe to do together, and plans for a natural, proportionate result rather than a dramatic one. A restored, natural look is the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines your abdomen and breasts, asks what changed and what matters most, and whether you are finished having children and at a stable weight. He explains which components fit, whether they can be combined safely or should be staged, where the scars sit, and the recovery, driven mostly by the tummy tuck. You leave with a personalized plan and honest expectations about scars, downtime, and results. ## What it costs A mommy makeover is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends entirely on which procedures you combine and their extent. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Mommy Makeover, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). A mommy makeover is a customized combination of procedures, commonly a tummy tuck and a breast procedure (augmentation, lift, or reduction) with optional liposuction, performed to address post-pregnancy changes; multiple procedures are often combined in a single operation with one recovery. — [Mommy Makeover, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/mommy-makeover) > Mommy Makeover, Cleveland Clinic (United States). Describes the mommy makeover as a series of cosmetic surgeries after childbirth that can include a tummy tuck, breast surgery (augmentation, lift, reduction, or fat transfer), and liposuction, chosen singly or combined for a comprehensive approach tailored to the patient. — [Mommy Makeover, Cleveland Clinic](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mommy-makeovers) ## Mommy Makeover in Santa Barbara, CA Pregnancy changes the body in ways that effort alone often can't undo — and a mommy makeover restores what feels like yours again. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice designs each plan around your body and your goals, combining procedures thoughtfully with healing planned as carefully as the surgery. If you're ready to feel at home in your body again, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Neuromodulators A neuromodulator is a purified botulinum toxin type A, injected in small amounts to relax the muscles that fold skin into expression lines. It treats the frown lines between the brows, horizontal forehead lines, and the crow's feet beside the eyes. ## What it does Expression lines form where a muscle folds the skin in the same place thousands of times. Relax that muscle a little and the fold eases, which is why a neuromodulator works on lines you make when you move and a filler works on volume you have lost. The two are often planned together, and you can plan them alongside filler in one visit. The result people ask for most is the one worth naming plainly: softer lines with a face that still looks like yours. Placement decides that. Enough to ease the fold, not so much that the brow goes flat or the smile changes. ## How it works 1. **Dr. Pontius maps your movement.** You frown, lift, and squint while she watches which muscles pull where. The map is yours, not a template. 2. **A few precise injections.** A fine needle places small doses into the muscles that drive the lines. Most treatments take a few minutes. 3. **It settles over about two weeks.** You feel nothing holding you back; the muscle simply eases. Smoothing starts within a few days and reaches its full effect around two weeks. ## How your treatment is individualized Several botulinum toxin type A products are FDA-approved in the United States, including Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Daxxify, Jeuveau and Letybo. They differ in formulation and dosing, and their units are not interchangeable. Dr. Pontius selects the product, dose and placement based on each patient's anatomy, movement, treatment goals and prior response. The product and dose are chosen with your history, anatomy, and goals in front of the physician, and adjusted over time based on how you respond. ## Areas we treat Neuromodulator treatment can be used throughout the face and neck, with dosing and placement individualized to facial anatomy, muscle activity and treatment goals. ### Upper face Forehead lines, glabellar/frown lines and crow's feet can be softened while maintaining natural expression and careful attention to brow position and balance. ### Lower face & neck Targeted treatment of the DAO, mentalis, jawline and platysma can help soften downward pull, improve chin dimpling, refine the lower face and address prominent platysmal bands. Treatment along the jawline and platysma is sometimes referred to as a “Nefertiti lift.” Results are generally subtle and depend on individual anatomy. ### Masseters In appropriate patients, treatment of the masseter muscles may reduce excessive muscle activity associated with jaw clenching and can also soften a widened or strongly muscular lower-face contour. ### Hyperhidrosis Botulinum toxin may also be used to reduce excessive underarm sweating. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Dr. Pontius is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with more than two decades of injection experience and has served for more than a decade as a principal investigator in FDA clinical trials evaluating next-generation dermal fillers and aesthetic treatments. Her approach favors precision and restraint, softening unwanted lines while preserving natural facial movement. ## What to expect Most patients return to normal daily activities immediately. Temporary redness, small injection-site bumps or occasional bruising can occur. Patients receive individualized post-treatment instructions before leaving the office. ## What it costs Neuromodulator treatment is priced according to the product and dose used. Because the appropriate dose varies with facial anatomy, muscle strength, treatment area and individual goals, treatment plans and cost are individualized. > BOTOX Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) Highlights of Prescribing Information, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Cleared cosmetic areas (glabellar, forehead, lateral canthal, platysma bands), onset, and approximately three to four month duration. — [BOTOX Cosmetic](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/103000s5303lbl.pdf) > Onset within 24 to 48 hours, peak near two weeks. Botox Cosmetic drug summary, Drugs.com. — [Onset within 24 to 48 hours, peak near two weeks](https://www.drugs.com/botox-cosmetic.html) ## Neuromodulators in Santa Barbara, CA Great injectable work should be invisible — softer lines, the same expressions, still unmistakably you. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius places every unit with a light, precise hand, treating the face as a whole rather than chasing single lines. Whether you're new to this or simply want a more natural result than you've had before, we'll take the time to understand what you're after first. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074) — we'd love to help you feel refreshed, never frozen. ### PRF & PRF EZ Gel Rather than adding a synthetic product, PRF uses your body's own biology to support skin, tissue and healing. It is a cornerstone of a conservative, regenerative approach to facial and scalp treatment. ## What it is Standard PRF is used to support skin quality and healing. PRF EZ Gel is a heat-processed form that firms into a moldable gel, so it can provide gentle, biostimulatory support where light volume or structure is appropriate — while your body gradually replaces it with its own tissue. ## How Dr. Pontius uses it Within an individualized plan, Dr. Pontius uses PRF and PRF EZ Gel to support skin texture and quality, under-eye tone, and scalp and hair health. It is often combined with SkinPen Elite microneedling or biologic hair regeneration, and can complement other treatments rather than replace them. ## What to expect Treatment begins with a blood draw, similar to routine lab work, followed by preparation of the PRF and placement by injection or microneedling depending on the plan. Most people return to normal activities the same or next day; mild swelling, redness or bruising can occur and usually settles within a few days. Because PRF works by stimulating your own tissue, results build gradually over weeks, and a short series is sometimes recommended. ### Regenerative Facial Treatments Regenerative and biostimulatory treatments are a distinct part of Dr. Pontius's practice, chosen to improve structure, collagen support, skin quality and facial balance over time — rather than to add volume that shows right away. The goal is a whole-face result, not more product. ## What these treatments include They are not all the same, and they are not simply “fillers.” They fall into distinct categories, chosen and often combined to fit your face: CategoryExamplesWhat it doesHyaluronic acid fillersHA gelsRestore support and contour immediately; reversible (covered under facial rejuvenation with injectables)Biostimulatory injectablesSculptra (poly-L-lactic acid), Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite)Prompt your own collagen and structural support; results build graduallyPlatelet-derived, autologousPRF, PRF EZ GelMade from your own blood; support skin quality, tissue and healing The strategy is to improve structure, collagen support, skin quality and facial balance — not simply to add volume. Dr. Pontius assesses the whole face first, then selects and combines the approaches that fit your anatomy and goals. ## How they differ from hyaluronic acid fillers Hyaluronic acid fillers restore volume and contour immediately and can be adjusted or dissolved. Biostimulatory injectables such as Sculptra and Radiesse work more slowly, prompting your own collagen for gradual, structural support, and are not reversible in the same way. Platelet-derived treatments such as PRF and PRF EZ Gel are autologous — made from your own blood — and support skin quality, tissue and healing. Dr. Pontius will explain which approach, or combination, fits your face. ## What to expect After a whole-face assessment, treatment is placed by injection in the office. Downtime is usually minimal, with possible swelling or bruising that settles within days. Because biostimulatory and regenerative treatments work by stimulating your own collagen and tissue, results develop over weeks to months, and a short series may be recommended for the fullest response. ### Renuvion Skin Tightening Renuvion (formerly J-Plasma) is a helium-plasma radiofrequency device applied under the skin to contract subcutaneous soft tissue. Its FDA clearances are for coagulation of subcutaneous tissue following liposuction for body contouring, and for improving the appearance of lax skin in the neck and submental region. It is used as an adjunct within a surgical plan — typically alongside liposuction — rather than as a standalone skin-tightening treatment, and independent review questions whether it tightens skin more than liposuction alone. ## What it does Within its cleared indications, Renuvion is used as an adjunct, not a standalone treatment. - Contracts tissue after liposuction. Cleared to coagulate subcutaneous soft tissue following liposuction for body contouring. - Addresses lax neck skin. Cleared to improve the appearance of lax skin in the neck and submental region. - Delivered under the skin. A handpiece passes radiofrequency and helium plasma subdermally, heating tissue with rapid cooling from the helium. For general wrinkles or overall skin tightening on its own, it is not the right tool, which is why the honest question is whether it fits your specific plan. ## How it works Renuvion is performed under anesthesia, usually at the same time as liposuction. After the fat is removed, a thin handpiece is passed under the skin, where radiofrequency energy combined with helium plasma heats the subcutaneous tissue to contract it, with the helium providing rapid cooling to limit heat spreading to the skin. Recovery follows the liposuction it accompanies, with a compression garment and swelling that settles over weeks. Whether it is worth adding depends on your tissue and goals, and a candid surgeon will tell you when liposuction alone is likely to give the same result. ## What Renuvion is cleared for, and where it fits Being precise here matters, because the marketing and the clearances do not always match. FDA-cleared useWhere it is not the right toolContraction of subcutaneous tissue after liposuctionGeneral skin tightening as a standaloneLax skin of the neck and submental regionDermal resurfacing for wrinklesDelivered subdermally by a surgeonFacial rejuvenation marketed broadlyAn adjunct within a surgical planA no-downtime substitute for surgery An independent systematic review found little evidence that Renuvion tightens skin beyond what liposuction achieves on its own, so a responsible surgeon uses it only as an adjunct where it genuinely adds to the result. ## What Renuvion works with This is what the consultation assesses, because the honest answer is often "it depends." Your situationWhat it meansThe honest readHaving liposuction, mild laxityThe cleared adjunct useMay be considered with lipoLax neck or under-chin skinA cleared indicationMay be an optionSignificant loose skinBeyond what energy tightensExcision is the real answerWanting a no-surgery fix for wrinklesBeyond what it doesNot appropriateHoping to avoid liposuctionIt is an adjunct, not a replacementSets expectations straight The value is not the list. It is that a surgeon tells you honestly whether Renuvion adds to your result or whether the right answer is liposuction alone, an excision procedure, or nothing at all. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Renuvion is heavily marketed, and the easiest thing a practice can do is promise more than the evidence supports. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he uses it only within its cleared indications and only when it genuinely adds to a plan, and he will tell you when liposuction alone or an excision procedure is the honest answer. Straight advice rather than a sales pitch is the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice assesses your skin, your goals, and whatever procedure you are considering, and gives you a straight answer about Renuvion: whether it is cleared for your situation, whether it is likely to add anything beyond liposuction, and what the risks are. If it does not fit, he will say so and explain what does. You leave with honest expectations rather than a marketing promise, which is the point. ## What it costs Renuvion is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it is an add-on to another procedure and depends on the areas treated. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled, and an honest answer about whether it is worth adding. > A Systematic Review of Helium Plasma Radiofrequency (Renuvion), National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health (United States). The review found no evidence that helium plasma radiofrequency tightens skin beyond what traditional or ultrasonic liposuction achieves, noted that most studies were manufacturer-funded with conflicts of interest, and documented adverse events including burns and helium-related complications. — [A Systematic Review of Helium Plasma Radiofrequency](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40768710/) ## Renuvion Skin Tightening in Santa Barbara, CA Renuvion has specific, FDA-cleared uses as an adjunct to liposuction — and real limits the marketing tends to skip. Rather than promise more than the evidence supports, Dr. Polynice will tell you plainly whether it adds anything to your plan, or whether liposuction alone, an excision procedure, or nothing at all is the honest answer. If firmness or loose skin has been on your mind, a consultation is the place to get a straight assessment. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd love to meet you. ### SkinPen® Elite Microneedling SkinPen® Elite microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive treatment that uses fine sterile needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, triggering a healing response that produces new collagen and elastin. It improves acne scars, uneven texture, enlarged pores and fine lines with little downtime and is safe across all skin tones. When appropriate, it may be combined with regenerative applications such as platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) or PDGF-BB (Ariessence). It is typically done as a short course. ## What it does Microneedling prompts the skin to rebuild its own collagen, from the inside. - Softens acne scars. Breaks up and rebuilds collagen to improve the look of atrophic acne scars. - Refines texture and pores. Smooths rough texture and reduces the appearance of enlarged pores. - Improves fine lines. Builds collagen that softens early fine lines and dullness. Because it works by stimulating your own healing rather than removing the surface, it is gentle and, importantly, safe across all skin tones. ## How it works A device with fine, sterile needles is passed over numbed skin, creating controlled micro-channels at a depth matched to your concern. The skin responds as it would to any small injury, by producing new collagen and elastin over the following weeks. When appropriate, treatment may be combined with regenerative applications such as PRF or PDGF-BB (Ariessence). Downtime is minimal, usually a day or two of redness, and results build gradually. Because collagen builds over time, microneedling is usually planned as a short course of sessions spaced weeks apart, which the consultation maps out. ## Microneedling or laser, and why it is a real choice They both rebuild collagen, but they suit different skin and different goals. MicroneedlingCO2 laserHowMicro-injury, needlesAblative laser energyDowntimeMinimal, a day or twoAbout one to two weeksStrengthGentle, gradualPowerful, dramaticSkin tonesSafe for allHigher pigment risk in darker skinSessionsUsually a short courseOften one deeper treatment Microneedling suits gradual improvement and every skin tone, while CO2 laser suits deeper resurfacing for suitable skin. A facial plastic surgeon helps you choose based on your skin and how much downtime you can take. ## What microneedling works with This is what the consultation assesses, because the goal and your skin decide the plan. What you haveWhat it meansThe planAcne scars, rough textureA core indicationA course of microneedlingA deeper skin toneTone-safe treatmentMicroneedling suits wellWant a regenerative boostCombine when appropriatePRF or PDGF-BB (Ariessence)Deep wrinkles, heavy damageBeyond microneedlingA stronger option like laserActive acne or infectionNot ready to treatTreat that first The value is not the list. It is that a facial plastic surgeon matches the treatment to your skin and goal, and is honest when microneedling is enough and when a stronger option fits better. ## On the face and the scalp On the face, SkinPen® Elite microneedling is physician-performed and may be incorporated into individualized protocols for skin remodeling and collagen induction. When appropriate, treatment may be combined with regenerative applications including platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) or PDGF-BB (Ariessence). SkinPen® Elite scalp microneedling may also be incorporated into individualized [biologic hair-regeneration](https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/treatments/hair-regeneration/) protocols, including combination treatment with PRF or PDGF-BB (Ariessence) when appropriate. As the evidence evolves, additional regenerative approaches may be incorporated when they are appropriate for you. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Microneedling is offered nearly everywhere, and the difference is depth of expertise, matching the needle depth and the plan to your skin, and knowing when it is the right tool. Dr. Pontius is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, and she uses microneedling where it genuinely helps, is candid when a stronger treatment would serve you better, and values that it is safe for every skin tone she treats. Skin-type-aware, natural results are the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Pontius examines your skin and texture, asks what bothers you most, and determines the right needle depth and plan, including whether combining regenerative applications such as PRF or PDGF-BB (Ariessence) makes sense. She explains that results build gradually over a course, what the day or two of redness involves, and the sun protection afterward. If a stronger treatment would serve you better, she will say so. You leave with a realistic, skin-specific plan. ## What it costs Microneedling is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on the area, whether regenerative applications such as PRF or PDGF-BB (Ariessence) are added, and how many sessions your plan involves. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Microneedling Can Fade Scars, Uneven Skin Tone and More, American Academy of Dermatology (United States). Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, is minimally invasive and safe for all skin tones; it stimulates the body to make collagen, which can reduce the appearance of scars and wrinkles and even out skin tone and texture, and medical microneedling that punctures the skin should be performed in a medical setting. — [Microneedling Can Fade Scars, Uneven Skin Tone and More, American Academy of Dermatology](https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/scars-stretch-marks/microneedling-fade-scars) > Microneedling, Cleveland Clinic (United States). Microneedling uses fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries that trigger collagen and elastin production to improve acne scars, texture, pores, and fine lines; it involves minimal downtime and is often done as a series of sessions. — [Microneedling, Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23113-microneedling) ## Microneedling in Santa Barbara, CA Microneedling gently prompts your skin to renew itself — improving texture, firmness, and overall quality with little downtime. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius tailors each treatment to your skin, building results that look fresh and natural rather than overdone. If you'd like smoother, healthier-looking skin, we'd love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). ### Thigh Lift A thigh lift, or thighplasty, removes redundant skin and fat from the inner thigh and tightens the remaining tissue to firm the contour, relieving the chafing and hanging skin that follows major weight loss or aging. The incision is scaled to the laxity, from a short scar hidden in the groin crease for milder cases to a longer scar running down the inner thigh for extensive skin, often combined with liposuction. Outer-thigh laxity is addressed with a lower body lift. ## What it does A thigh lift firms the inner thigh by removing what training cannot. - Removes loose skin. Excises the sagging inner-thigh skin that chafes and hangs after weight loss. - Refines with liposuction. Removes a fatty component of the thigh at the same time when present. - Smooths the contour. Tightens the remaining skin for a firmer inner-thigh line and easier movement. Exercise tones the muscle but cannot tighten stretched skin, so when loose skin is the problem, a thigh lift is the effective answer. ## How it works A thigh lift is usually an outpatient procedure under anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision whose location and length are scaled to the laxity, hidden in the groin crease for milder cases or extending down the inner thigh for extensive skin, removes the excess skin and any fat, and tightens the remaining tissue before closing. Liposuction is often added. Most people return to desk work in a week or two, wear a compression garment, and limit strenuous activity for several weeks. The trade at the center of the operation is the scar against the correction, which is what the consultation weighs against your laxity. ## Which thigh lift, and why it is a real choice The incision scales to how much skin must be removed and where, a genuine trade against the scar. ApproachWhat it involvesBest forMedial (groin-crease)Short scar in the groin foldMild inner-thigh laxityExtended inner-thighScar down the inner thighSignificant hanging skinWith liposuctionAdds fat removalLoose skin plus fatty thighsPart of a body liftCircumferential, outer thighs tooLaxity all around the lower body More skin to remove means a longer, more visible scar, so the honest choice is the least incision that will correct your laxity, with a lower body lift reserved for circumferential looseness. A board-certified surgeon matches the approach to your skin. ## What a thigh lift works with This is what the consultation assesses, because skin, fat, and location call for different tools. What you haveWhat it meansThe planInner-thigh skin that chafesTrue inner-thigh laxityA thigh lift, scar scaled to itLoose skin plus fullnessSkin and fatThigh lift with liposuctionFirm skin, just fatty thighsFat, not skinLiposuction aloneLoose skin all aroundCircumferential laxityA lower body liftMild inner-thigh loosenessLimited laxityA short groin-crease approach The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon distinguishes skin from fat and inner from circumferential, and matches the operation, so you are not left with a longer scar than you needed or a result that falls short. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body The thigh lift is a scar-sensitive operation in a delicate area, and doing it well means removing enough skin to firm the thigh while keeping the incision as short and well-hidden as the laxity allows. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he scales the incision to your skin rather than defaulting to the longest one, and adds liposuction only when fat is part of the picture. A firmer thigh with the least scar that achieves it is the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines your thighs, distinguishes loose skin from fat, and gauges how much skin needs to come out and where. He explains the incision your laxity calls for and where the scar will sit, whether liposuction should be added, whether a lower body lift fits better for circumferential looseness, and what recovery involves. He is candid that the scar is the trade for a firmer thigh. You leave with a plan scaled to your thighs. ## What it costs A thigh lift is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on how much skin is removed, the incision length, and whether liposuction is included. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Thigh Lift, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). A thigh lift reshapes the thighs by reducing excess skin and, in some cases, fat, tightening the remaining skin to produce smoother contours; the incision pattern and length depend on the amount and location of skin to be removed, and it is often sought after major weight loss and combined with liposuction. — [Thigh Lift, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/thigh-lift) ## Thigh Lift in Santa Barbara, CA When loose skin along the thighs lingers after weight loss or with time, a thigh lift can restore a smoother, firmer contour. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Polynice plans each procedure carefully, placing incisions thoughtfully so the result looks natural and settles well. If sagging skin has made you self-conscious, we'd love to talk it through. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We look forward to meeting you. ### Tummy Tuck A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes loose, excess skin and fat from the abdomen and repairs the rectus abdominis muscles when they have separated (diastasis recti), commonly after pregnancy or major weight loss. A full tummy tuck addresses the whole abdomen with muscle repair and repositions the navel; a mini tummy tuck treats only below the navel; the incision sits low, hidden by underwear. Recovery takes weeks to months. ## What it does A tummy tuck addresses skin and muscle, the two things exercise cannot fix. - Removes loose skin. Excises the stretched, hanging skin of the lower abdomen that will not retract. - Repairs the muscles. Sews separated abdominal muscles back together to flatten and firm the wall. - Restores the contour. Re-drapes the remaining skin and repositions the navel for a smooth, flat midsection. Diet and exercise strengthen muscle but cannot rejoin separated muscles or shrink stretched skin, which is why surgery is the effective option for both. ## How it works A full tummy tuck is performed under anesthesia. The surgeon makes a low horizontal incision from hip to hip, lifts the skin to reach the abdominal muscles, stitches separated muscles back together, removes the excess skin, repositions the navel, and closes the incision low where underwear or a bikini hides it. A mini tummy tuck uses a shorter incision and treats only below the navel. Most people return to nonstrenuous work in about two weeks, with full recovery over about three months. How much is done, full, mini, or extended, and whether the muscles need repair, is matched to your skin, your muscle separation, and your goals. ## Which tummy tuck, and why it is a real choice The type scales to how much skin and muscle separation you have, a genuine trade against incision length. TypeWhat it addressesBest forMiniSkin below the navel, limited muscle workMinor lower-belly laxityFull (traditional)Whole abdomen, muscle repair, navel movedDiastasis recti and excess skinExtendedAdds the flanksMajor weight loss, skin around the sidesSkin-onlyRemoves skin, no muscle repairGood muscle tone, skin laxity onlyWith liposuctionAdds contour refinementSkin, muscle, and stubborn fat More correction generally means a longer incision, so the choice balances the result against the scar. A board-certified surgeon assesses muscle separation separately from loose skin and includes only what your anatomy needs. ## What a tummy tuck works with This is what the consultation assesses, because skin, muscle, and timing all matter. What you haveWhat it meansThe planLoose skin, separated musclesClassic post-pregnancy abdomenFull tummy tuck with repairSkin only below the navelLimited laxityA mini tummy tuckSkin around the whole trunkAfter major weight lossExtended tuck or a body liftGood muscle tone, loose skinNo separationA skin-only approachStubborn fat plus loose skinContour and skinA tuck with liposuction The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon reads your skin and muscle together and scales the operation, so you get the correction you need without a bigger surgery than necessary. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body A tummy tuck is a powerful operation, and the art is in scaling it, doing the muscle repair that is needed, removing the skin that should come out, and no more. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he assesses muscle separation and skin laxity separately and plans the least operation that achieves your goal, with a low, well-hidden scar. A natural, flat, lasting result is the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines your abdomen for loose skin and checks separately for muscle separation, and asks whether you are finished having children and near a stable weight. He explains whether a full, mini, or extended tuck fits, whether muscle repair is needed, where the scar sits, and what recovery involves, including drains and activity limits. You leave with a plan scaled to your anatomy and honest about scars and downtime. ## What it costs A tummy tuck is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on whether it is full, mini, or extended, whether muscle repair and liposuction are included, and the extent of skin removed. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Understanding the Different Types of Tummy Tucks, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). A traditional tummy tuck addresses the upper and lower abdomen through a low hip-to-hip incision, removing excess skin and fat and repairing separated or weakened muscles; a mini improves only below the navel; most patients return to nonstrenuous work in about two weeks with full recovery around three months. — [Understanding the Different Types of Tummy Tucks, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/understanding-the-different-types-of-tummy-tucks) > There's More Than One Type of Tummy Tuck, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). The surgeon lifts the upper abdominal skin to reach the rectus abdominis muscles, which often separate vertically (diastasis recti), and repairs them by suturing, then removes excess skin, repositions the navel, and closes the incision low where clothing hides the scar. — [There's More Than One Type of Tummy Tuck, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/theres-more-than-one-type-of-tummy-tuck) ## Tummy Tuck in Santa Barbara, CA A flatter, firmer midsection is rarely about one procedure — it's about proportion, healing, and a plan built around your body. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice approaches every tummy tuck with that long view: elegant, well-placed scars, natural contour, and recovery guided from the first week to the last. If it's something you've been turning over, we'd love to talk it through — no pressure, just an honest conversation about what's possible. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd be glad to meet you. ### Upper Eyelid Surgery Upper eyelid surgery, or upper blepharoplasty, is a procedure to remove or reposition excess skin, muscle, and fat in the upper eyelids. It addresses hooded or heavy upper lids (dermatochalasis) through an incision hidden in the upper-lid crease. It may be cosmetic, or functional when excess upper-lid skin obstructs the visual field. Results are typically long-lasting. ## What it does Upper eyelid surgery corrects the skin and fat that make the eyes look tired, which the surface cannot fix. - Lifts heavy upper lids. Removes excess, hooding skin so the eyes open and look rested. - Restores a rested look. Re-drapes the remaining skin for a refreshed appearance. - Can improve side vision. When heavy skin obstructs the visual field, removing it can restore what the lid was blocking. When heavy upper-lid skin obstructs your side vision, the same surgery can be functional as well as cosmetic. ## How it works Upper eyelid surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, often under local anesthesia with sedation. The incision is placed in the natural upper-lid crease so the scar hides there; excess skin and, where needed, a little muscle and fat are removed or repositioned. Modern technique favors preserving tissue for a subtle result. Swelling and bruising settle over one to two weeks. How much skin to remove, and whether to reposition fat, is matched to your anatomy and goals, which the consultation determines. ## What upper eyelid surgery works with This is what the consultation assesses, because the eye area rarely acts alone. What you haveWhat it meansThe planHeavy, hooding upper lidsDermatochalasisUpper blepharoplastySkin blocking side visionA functional componentMay involve insurance, documentedA low, heavy browThe brow, not just the lidA brow procedure may fitHollows, not excessVolume lossFiller may suit better The value is not the list. It is that a plastic surgeon distinguishes lid from brow and excess from hollow, so the surgery addresses the real cause rather than only the symptom. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body The eyes are unforgiving, and eyelid surgery is a game of millimeters, where taking too much hollows the eye and ages it. Dr. Polynice is a board-certified plastic surgeon, and he works conservatively, removing what should go and preserving what supports a rested look, with the incision hidden in the eyelid's own crease. A refreshed result that still looks like you is the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines your lids at rest and when you open your eyes, checks your brow position and tear film, and asks whether vision feels affected. He explains whether upper eyelid surgery will help, whether to remove or reposition tissue, where the incision sits, and, if it is functional, what documentation insurance may require. You leave with a plan that addresses the real cause and honest expectations about recovery and results. ## What it costs Upper eyelid surgery is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on what your lids need and whether it is cosmetic or functional. Where the procedure is functional, insurance coverage varies and is never assured; the practice can explain what documentation may be needed. You will have the details in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Blepharoplasty improves the appearance of the eyelids by removing or repositioning excess skin, muscle, and fat; upper-lid incisions are placed within the natural crease so scars are concealed, and the surgery may be cosmetic or, when excess skin obstructs vision, functional. — [Eyelid Surgery](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery) ## Upper Eyelid Surgery in Santa Barbara, CA Tired, heavy eyes can make you look worn out even when you feel wonderful — and few procedures refresh the face as quietly as a well-done upper blepharoplasty. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice takes a careful, conservative approach: brighter, more open eyes that still look entirely like yours, with the scar tucked into the natural crease. If you've been wondering whether it's time, a consultation is the easiest place to start. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). We'd love to meet you. ## Physicians ### Alain Polynice, MD, FACS ## Credentials Dr. Polynice's training and focus anchor every operation he performs. - Board-certified plastic surgeon, by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. - Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). - Mayo Clinic-trained in plastic surgery, following general surgery residency training, with additional international fellowship study. - More than two decades in practice, formerly in New York, now focused primarily on breast and body surgery in Santa Barbara. ![](https://santabarbarafaceandbody.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/polynice-creds-photoroom.webp) ## His focus Dr. Polynice's practice is focused primarily on breast and body surgery, which means the operations he performs most are the operations he performs all day. His breast work spans augmentation, lifts, reduction, revision, implant removal, and reconstruction; his body work spans liposuction, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, post-weight-loss and post-GLP-1 contouring, body lift, arm and thigh lifts, and fat transfer. His face and neck offerings include blepharoplasty, submental/neck liposuction, and Renuvion. His partner, Dr. Allison Pontius, handles non-surgical facial rejuvenation, so patients have both surgical and non-surgical expertise under one roof. ## His approach Dr. Polynice is known for putting safety first and for setting honest, realistic expectations, the same plain-spoken candor that runs through his Body by Poly podcast, where he talks through what works, what does not, and what recovery actually involves. His training at the Mayo Clinic and his years of high-volume breast and body practice inform a results-focused, proportionate approach tailored to each patient. ## What he treats His practice spans breast and body surgery, plus a set of face and neck procedures. AreaProceduresBreastAugmentation, lift, reduction, revision, implant removal, fat transfer, gynecomastiaBodyLiposuction, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, body lift, arm lift, thigh lift, BBL, post-GLP-1 contouringFace & neckBlepharoplasty, submental/neck liposuction, Renuvion For non-surgical facial rejuvenation such as injectables and skin treatments, patients are cared for by Dr. Pontius. ## Why patients choose Dr. Polynice Focus and honesty are the throughlines. Because his practice is focused primarily on the breast and body, patients get a surgeon who performs these procedures constantly, and because he is candid, they get realistic expectations rather than a sales pitch. His safety-first reputation is especially valued for higher-risk procedures and for revision cases where a previous result did not go as hoped. ## Is he the right fit for you? **A good fit if you** - Are considering breast surgery of any kind - Want body contouring, a mommy makeover, or post-weight-loss surgery - Value a safety-first surgeon and honest expectations - Need a revision after a previous result **Better matched to Dr. Pontius if you** - Want non-surgical facial rejuvenation - Are interested in injectables, laser or skin treatments, or hair regeneration ## Education and training StageInstitutionMedical schoolPontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y MaestraGeneral surgery residencyHarlem Hospital Center; Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra / NorthwellPlastic surgery residencyMayo Clinic, RochesterFellowshipInternational traveling fellowshipBoard certificationAmerican Board of Plastic SurgeryFellowship statusFellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) **Q: What is Dr. Polynice board-certified in?** Dr. Polynice is a board-certified plastic surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). Board certification in plastic surgery reflects completion of accredited training and examination in the specialty, and his practice is focused primarily on breast and body surgery, with a set of face and neck procedures: blepharoplasty, submental/neck liposuction, and Renuvion. **Q: What does Dr. Polynice specialize in?** Primarily cosmetic surgery of the breast and body. His face and neck offerings are blepharoplasty, submental/neck liposuction, and Renuvion. His breast and body work includes breast augmentation, lifts, reduction, revision, and implant removal; and body procedures such as liposuction, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, post-weight-loss and post-GLP-1 contouring, body lift, and arm and thigh lifts. > American Board of Plastic Surgery (United States). Certifies physicians who have completed accredited plastic surgery training and met examination standards; certification status is verifiable through the board. — [American Board of Plastic Surgery](https://www.abplasticsurgery.org/) > American College of Surgeons (United States). Confers Fellowship (FACS) on surgeons who meet standards of education, training, and ethical conduct; Fellowship status is verifiable through the college. — [American College of Surgeons](https://www.facs.org/) ### Allison Pontius, MD Rather than treating isolated lines or features, Dr. Pontius evaluates the face as a whole: structure, balance, movement, volume, skin quality and the way each of these changes over time. Her goal is not to make patients look different, but to help them look rested, balanced and naturally refreshed. ## Education, Training & Credentials Dr. Pontius completed surgical residency training at the Mayo Clinic and UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, followed by fellowship training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery in New York. She is: - Board-Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Board-Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery - Board-Certified by the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine Her surgical training provides the anatomical foundation for a practice that is now dedicated exclusively to non-surgical facial rejuvenation. ## More Than Two Decades Focused on the Aging Face For more than 20 years, Dr. Pontius has focused on the evolving possibilities of non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Her approach has developed alongside the field itself — from the early generations of neuromodulators and injectable fillers to today’s more sophisticated understanding of facial aging, biostimulation, regenerative treatments, skin remodeling and combination therapy. This experience allows her to look beyond an individual product or procedure. Treatment begins with determining what has actually changed and which intervention — if any — is most likely to make a meaningful difference. Sometimes that means an injectable. Sometimes it means improving skin quality, stimulating collagen, restoring structural support or combining modalities. And sometimes the best recommendation is to do less. ## Clinical Research & Education Dr. Pontius has served for more than a decade as a principal investigator in FDA clinical trials evaluating next-generation dermal fillers and aesthetic treatments. She is also a national speaker and physician educator in aesthetic medicine and has trained other medical professionals in facial assessment, anatomy and advanced injection techniques. Her ongoing involvement in clinical research and physician education helps inform an approach that is both evidence-conscious and open to meaningful advances in aesthetic and regenerative medicine. ## Her Approach Dr. Pontius approaches facial rejuvenation globally, assessing balance, proportion, structure, movement and skin quality rather than treating isolated lines or features. Every treatment plan is individualized. Injectable treatments may be used to restore support, improve proportion or soften the visible effects of aging while preserving natural movement and expression. Skin and regenerative treatments are selected to improve skin quality and stimulate remodeling when appropriate. The goal is never simply more treatment. Dr. Pontius is equally comfortable recommending treatment, recommending less treatment, or explaining when a procedure is unlikely to provide enough benefit to be worthwhile. ## Areas of Focus Dr. Pontius personally directs and performs advanced non-surgical facial rejuvenation at Santa Barbara Face & Body. Her areas of focus include: - Facial Rejuvenation With InjectablesNeuromodulators, hyaluronic acid fillers and individualized whole-face treatment designed around facial anatomy, balance and proportion. - Biostimulation & Regenerative Facial TreatmentsTreatments including Sculptra, Radiesse, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), PRF EZ Gel and other regenerative approaches selected according to the patient’s needs. - Fractionated CO2 Laser ResurfacingFractionated ablative CO2 resurfacing with the Lumenis AcuPulse for appropriate patients seeking meaningful improvement in skin texture, photodamage, fine lines and other signs of skin aging. - SkinPen® Elite MicroneedlingPhysician-performed microneedling for facial skin remodeling and collagen induction. Treatment may be combined with regenerative applications such as PRF or PDGF-BB (Ariessence™) when appropriate as part of an individualized treatment protocol. - Biologic Hair RegenerationAn individualized approach to hair and scalp rejuvenation that may incorporate PRF injections, SkinPen Elite scalp microneedling and regenerative applications such as PDGF-BB (Ariessence), depending upon the patient’s pattern of hair loss and treatment plan. - Skin Health & Collagen PreservationPhysician-directed skincare, chemical peels and combination treatment strategies designed to improve skin quality and help maintain results over time. ## A Different Kind of Consultation A consultation with Dr. Pontius does not begin with choosing a treatment. It begins with understanding what has changed. From there, she evaluates the face as a whole and develops a treatment plan based on anatomy, aging pattern, skin quality, priorities and the degree of intervention the patient is comfortable with. For patients whose goals are better addressed surgically, Dr. Pontius works alongside board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alain Polynice, allowing surgical and non-surgical options to be considered within the same practice. The objective is simple: thoughtful treatment, appropriate intervention and results that still look like you. > American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (United States). Certifies physicians who have met training and examination standards in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery; certification status is verifiable through the board. — [American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery](https://www.abfprs.org/) > American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (United States). Certifies physicians in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery; certification status is verifiable through the board. — [American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery](https://www.aboto.org/) ## Articles ### Hello world! Welcome to WordPress. 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