Prensa

Whoever lives by the ´no pain, no gain´ principle can now rethink their philosophy. The French-German cosmetic surgery specialist, Dr. Albrecht, has recently pioneered new laser techniques for full facelifts, mini-lifts and neck and jaw line or mid face lifts as well as for the complete arena of plastic-aesthetic surgery. Using the laser as a scalpel, the highly trained specialist is able to perform operations virtually pain free. Because only a slight incision is made, there are minimal scars, bruising or swelling. The results are natural and extremely effective.

As an official member of the Medical Board of Doctors in Málaga, a registration guaranteeing his qualification in the field of cosmetic-plastic surgery, Dr. Albrecht has over ten years of international experience. He was the first to combine pneumatic and ultra sonic procedures for liposuction and liposculture (registered by the American Food and Drug Administration) and is and expert advisor to the Court of Justice in Marbella. He also teaches at the Faculty of Medicine Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris together with Associate Professor Marc Divaris – who he also trained with at the Pitie-Salpetriere in the service where HRH the late Princess Diana´s bodyguard, Trevor Rees Jones´face has been reconstructed, and is in the process of publishing his techniques with Salamanca University as a Doctorate in Advanced Surgery.

From publishing his works in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics, lecturing at the First Congress Of Aesthetic Medicine Association of Brazil and working in collaboration with London´s renowned Harley Street Laser Clinic, Oxford Dermatology Hospital alongside top laser surgeon Dr. Neil Walker, the passionately dedicated Dr. Albrecht possesses a wealth of expertise in his field. He is very serious about his work and has taken progressive steps towards cosmetic surgery development and professionalism.

«It is very important that the surgeon is not only honest with his patients, but is also able to persuade them to be honest with themselves. Many patients come into my surgery with something precise in mind which is not always what they need.

«I see my work as a serious art form and I tell them what can and cannot be achieved.

«For example some patients come into the surgery asking for and eye bag removal, but what they really need is a reconstruction with their own fat of the orbital rim around their eyes», Dr Albrecht comments while simultaneously showing me photos of the excellent results, an operation which consequently costs only half the price of the eye bag removal and lasts a lifetime if properly done.

«I could not perform my work conscientiously if l know that l had not given the patient the best service and advice l could».

«I have heard many people complaining about the lack of information in the cosmetic surgery and aesthetic medicine fields. I do not focus on routine procedures but on what the patient requires. For example , a woman might look in the mirror and decide that she needs lip implants without realising that it is actually her eyes that need priority. The first thing people notice are your eyes and many patients are not aware of this».

«Being attractive is not about going to extremes, it’s about making the most of what you have and restoring your self esteem.»

Dr. Albrecht comments: As a patient of his, you can be sure not to expect these unnatural oversized pumped up lips which too many people have fallen victim to.

The Doctor is equally stringent about his working hours. He does not believe in taking on extra work outside his specific timetable.

«I do not believe in maximising profits at the expense of my professionalism. I limit myself to the number of procedures I can comfortably perform a day so I can give the right amount of time and energy to each patient. To perform my work to the highest standard, I must be on top form. When I take on a patient, I operate on them as if they were part of my family. I am extremely conscious of the well being of the patient and post-operative care», Dr Albrecht says while showing me pictures of a State President which he initially turned down due to time constraints, but later relented when he was flown directly to the country by the president himself.

He is currently practising at the Plastic Aesthetic Surgery Centre Marbella Laser Clinic in Nueva Andalucía. He uses state-of-the-art equipment, including seven high quality lasers and the pneumatic and ultrasonic liposculpture device which allows him to perform more advanced techniques affording less damage to body tissue, greater comfort and faster recovery.

After searching throughout Europe and beyond for a suitable place for his practice, Dr. Albrecht has chosen to settle in Marbella . He offers all of his patients a free computerised consultation using image software. «Any person seeking services from a plastic aesthetic surgeon should insist on seeing their official registration card. It is imperative for the safety of your intended operation «.

From smaller treatments such as ageing sports, hair removal performed by the Laser Clinic to thread veins, stretch marks, face resurfacing, lip implants and to larger operations such as facelifts, aesthetic eye surgery, liposuction, breast surgery and rhinoplasty , etc, Dr. Albrecht offers a new generation of plastic cosmetic surgery in the hands of a registered expert with a bona fide track record.

Essential

The Technique.

«Laser Surgery».

FINEST: In your clinic you cover the complete area of plastic-aesthetic surgery. However, you call yourself «Laser Clinic». Is there not a certain amount of contradiction in this?

Dr. Albrecht: No. On the contrary – we work with seven different types of laser, something that is not often found in other countries. In this way we can target the various aesthetic problems. Above all we are one of the few clinics to use the distinct advantage of the laser as a scalpel.

FINEST: Before we discuss this method, could you please tell us briefly just what a laser is?

Dr. Albrecht: To put is simply, a laser is a device that clusters high-energy light rays of a specific colour.

FINEST: What significance do the different colours have from a medical-therapeutic point of view?

Dr. Albrecht: You have to remember that the laser destroys tissue or cells. This process has to be thoroughly and specifically controlled. For instance, using yellow-green light we reach red tissue . e.g. blood, green-red light reaches brown tissue like senile speckles on the skin.

FINEST: As you mentioned above, you have seven lasers at hand. Which problem areas does this allow you to treat?

Dr. Albrecht: On the one hand, we can treat the large field of vascular changes such as hemangioma, varicose veins etc. On the other hand we are able to treat pigment problems in the skin.

Like so-called senile speckling, moles, acne and burn scars and we can also remove tattoos.

FINEST: Now to the laser as a scalpel. Why do you use it and why do you prefer it to the traditional scalpel?

Dr. Albrecht: This becomes obvious when we consider the example of an operation on the eyelid. First of all a local anaesthetic is all that is required. The «cut» is much more exact that with the usual method as the laser cuts and coagulates at the same time.

FINEST: Does this mean that the pain and swelling associated with operations are a thing of the past?

Dr. Albrecht: Absolutely. And besides, the aesthetic success of the above-mentioned treatment is evident within just three days and not after tree weeks.

FINEST: How bad is scarring after the operation?

Dr. Albrecht: Without exaggeration, the scars are practically invisible this is also a distinct advantage.

FINEST: Are these general advantages?

Dr. Albrecht: Yes. The example above can be transferred into many other areas. And I believe that the advantages of laser-supported lifting are self-evident.

Finest

Surgery with laser.

«The Laser as a Scalpel».

Irrespective of age or sex, we all want to look younger. Thanks to Dr. Pierre Albrecht, the internationally acclaimed plastic surgeon, known for his artistry, his state-of-the-art techniques and quick recovery procedures, we no longer need to suffer to be beautiful. Mara Lane discusses this and more with The Chief Consultant at The Marbella Laser Clinic.

Live fast, die old may well be the mantra of some, but unless one has the bone structure of Sophia Loren, the vitality of Jane Fonda or has found the fountain of youth like George Hamilton, the ageing process can be less than flattering. For many, cosmetic surgery is the solution to looking good at any age, which is why it is such an essential part of today´s lifestyle. Choosing the right specialist who performs the latest techniques is essential. Dr. Pierre Albrecht, Chief Consultant at The Laser Clinic in Nueva Andalucía, is a highly qualified physician who specialises in all aspects of plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery as well as laser treatments.

Profesionalism Guaranteed

The first thing you notice about D. Albrecht is his honesty. He is not the kind of doctor who will convince the patient to have anything done if she-or he- does not really need it. Then one notices the number of certificates and recommendations, issued by prestigious medical authorities worldwide, that are hanging on the walls of his clinic. Documenting nine years of international experience, they pay tribute to the French-German consultant´s professionalism and his advancement in this skilled branch of medicine. «Prospective patients should always ask to see the doctor´s credentials» he says, showing me his registration card issued by the Medical Board of Doctors in Malaga (el Ilustre Colegio Oficial De Médicos de Málaga) which details his name, registration number and speciality. Dr. Albrecht is honest and open when it comes to answering questions, other than the obvious question about his high profile patients, i.e. famous models, actresses and international royalty, which he refuses to answer. «Confidentiality is respected with all patients, regardless of status», he states.

A highly trainer specialist who has worked at the world´s leading plastic and reconstructive surgery units, Dr. Albrecht studied at the PreMed section of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and Georgetown University in Washington in 1981 as auditor. Returning to France, he studied medicine, then visited for five years ,the Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Service in the Pitié-Salpetriére Hospital in Paris where he worked with the renowned plastic surgeon, Associate Professor Marc Divaris.

During this time Dr. Albrecht was also involved in scientific research on anti-ageing molecules and related products, specially those which stimulate the skin´s immune system. After publishing some of his findings in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics (one of the major scientific publications worldwide), he was invited to lecture at the First Congress Of the Aesthetic Medicine Association of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro in 1994. Sojourns in Italy during 1995, 1996 and 1997 followed, where he collaborated with leading plastic surgeons in Monza, Milan, Padova and Rome. At the same time he started specialising in laser, specially the Carbon Dioxide Laser, which resurfaces facial skin and more recently, the Erbium Laser, mostly used for lips and eyelids. In 1996 he gleaned more experience working with lasers in the UK in collaboration with Dr. Neil Walker at Wellington Hospital as Oxford Dermatology Hospital. «The advantage of a laser is that it leaves no scars, patients need no stitching and recovery time is minimal. This is particularly advantageous in procedures such as eyelid surgery, where there is no bleeding and recovery is fast.»

New Procedures Facilitate Faster Recovery

Specialising in quick recovery full facelifts, mini-lifts and temporomalar lifts, Dr. Albrecht is always developing new procedures to facilitate faster patient recovery, with less bruising, swelling and discomfort. Advances in procedures mean that Dr. Albrecht´s specialised technique are painless. Indeed, pictures of patients taken ten minutes and three days after a temporal lift show no bruising at all. Although he performs all kinds of laser treatments and plastic surgery procedures, including transconjunctival blepharoplasty, removal of fat from the lower eyelid and eyebags, with no scars, from inside the lids. Dr Albrecht admits to preferring artistic work rather than therapeutic operations. Having developed a very sophisticated procedure for liposuction and liposculpture – he was the first to combine pneumatic and ultrasonic procedures using an ultrasonic device (unique in Spain) which is registered with the FDA (American Food & Drug Administration). «This is five times softer than anything available in the market, which means less tissue damage and better healing,» he says.

When Dr. Albrecht came to Marbella in 1995, very few were performing laser treatments in Spain. After meeting Dr. A. Puente, a plastic surgeon on the coast, he carried out the first laser treatments in this country with him. In collaboration with london´s Harley Street Laser Clinic (were he was a consultant) and another partner, Dr. Albrecht then opened The Marbella Laser Clinic. Incorporating a Plastic Aesthetic Surgery Centre , it has become the biggest laser platform in Europe, offering advanced procedures for both men and women.

Latest Techniques

The clinic is elegant, spotlessly clean and friendly and staff put patients immediately at ease. State-of-the-art equipment includes seven therapeutical lasers to treat vascular lesions such as thread veins, couperosis, solar keratosis, cherry angiomas, hemangiomas, port wine stains and pigmented lesions such as solar lentigo (ageing spots), tattoo removal, face resurfacing, hair removal, etc.

Having spread his resurfacing technique throughout spain, Paris, where Dr. Albrecht started other Laser Clinics in Sevilla, Córdoba, Valencia, Huelva, La Coruña and Madrid. With these up and running, he rethought his life and decided to divide his time between Marbella and Paris, where he keeps au fait with the latest techniques, working with his friends and mentor , Professor Divaris. «The cosmopolitan aspect of Marbella, coupled with the possibility of living in a paradise that is close to the rest of Europe, means no stress and good working conditions- the ideal combination for a plastic surgeon,» he says.

Last year Dr. Pierre Albrecht was appointed an expert to the Court of Justice in Marbella. Meanwhile, Associate Professor Divaris asked if he would join his team of teachers as senior lecturer, teaching at the Faculty of Medicine Pierre and Marie Curie at the University of Paris 6, Which he continues to do on a monthly basis. «Working in an hospital is the key to developing, testing and improving new techniques, particulary essential in cases where patients have been in bad accidents.

Dr. Albrecht stresses that no matter what the cost (which at times is very high) only the finest equipement is good enough for the clinic. Seven lasers, each costing from twelve to twenty five million pesetas and Dr. Albrecht pneumatic and ultrasonic liposculpture device, worth ten million pesetas (liposuction decives cost, on average, four hundred thousand pesetas), allow him to perform more advanced techniques with five times less vacuum pressure, which means almost no damage to body tissue and a more comfortable procedure and faster recovery for patients.

Pain-Free Procedures

Talking about his philosophy, Dr. Albrecht points out that he always treats patients as he would like to be treated which means taking good care of patients, pain-free procedures, post-operative follow up care and, of course, discretion is guaranteed. Patients know that he is the surgeon who will operate on them and all are walked through each step of their chosen procedure.

«First they have a free computerised consultation using digital pictures and special American software, which shows what can be achieved. With a facelift or a necklift, I point out the different procedures, whether the face should be filled with autulogous fat (from the patient´s own body), synthetic products or resurfaced, so we establish a strategy to achieve the best results using different techniques. With regard to skin peelings, I only perform these using a laser or crystal peels. Breast implants, for example, have progressed tremendously in the last decade. Using high cohesive gel, today´s implants follow the contours of the body and are so natural , no one can ever tell the patient has had surgery. Additionally, they are totally safe as high cohesive gel cannot leak,» he says.

Patients are given information to study at home, an informative video details specific procedures and any queries are later discussed at the preoperative consultation. Post-operative care is equally as important to Dr. Albrecht. «Following surgery, patients come to the clinic each day for one week after and their progress is monitored regularly,» he says.

Four of Dr. Albrecht´s patients agreed to see me. The first, who had a facelift the previous week, had no bruising. Tiny scars behind both ears had already healed and she looked fifteen years younger than her pre-op photograph. The second patient, a grandmother in her sixties, had turned into an attractive woman after having wrinkles removed from her face. A man in his fifties, with a port wine stain on the upper section of his face (caused by a vascular lesion) looked completely normal following a series of laser treatments. The fourth woman had liposuction on her hips. In each case, the end result looked so natural, nobody would have known any of the women had surgery.

«The face ages faster than the body. If you look better, you don´t feel the age that you see in the mirror.» For Dr. Albrecht, all women look good, whatever the age. That means all women are loveable,» he says.

«All we have to do is improve a few things. It is not a question of changing your look drastically because you think it will make you more attractive, it´s all about restoring self esteem.» Dr. Albrecht will shortly publish his research on quick recovery, pain-free, aesthetic surgery procedures with Salamanca University as a Doctorate In Advanced Surgery.

Aesthetic surgery has become an accepted and welcome method for many people to correct cosmetic faults and feel better in their body. While traditional aesthetic surgery often entails swelling and longer times for convalescence, the Plastic Aesthetic Surgery Centre Laser Clinic Marbella, offers corrections in a gentle way.

FINEST talked to Dr. Pierre Albrecht, license-board certified plastic surgeon, about these techniques.

FINEST: Dr. Albrecht, how do you achieve a gentler treatment for the patient?

Dr. Albrecht: Firstly I use mostly laser, as the name of the clinic implies. If you use laser for cuts – and surgery implies cuts – you reduce bleeding which results in a shorter healing process. If you take facelifting, for example, I developed techniques needing fewer or shorter cuts. That means I try to make as few cuts as possible. That alone facilitates the treatment for the patient, of course, but it also reduces bleeding. In short one could say that the reduction of cuts makes a gentler treatment possible with the same result and shortens the time for convalescence.

FINEST: Which other kinds of gentle techniques do you use?

Dr. Albrecht: A very important point is anaesthetics. We do not even use general anaesthetics when doing a facelifting, but local anaesthetics together with a sedative. These are excellent advantages for the patient’s, most patients feel pain for two days and discomfort for eight days. These numbers speak for themselves, the times for convalescence are twice as short as usual. If healing is faster the operation was less aggressive.

FINEST: Dr. Albrecht, thank you for the

interview.

Alaga has registered me as specialist in that field. I have been also certified as a Court Expert for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and I am member of the European Society for Plastic Surgery. Regarding lasers, I have been trained in different countries of Europe for many years and I have written a scientific work about lasers with the University of Salamanca. I am also a member of the French Research Association for Aesthetic in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery.

Can you tell us what kind of procedures you perform?

All aesthetic procedures for face and body; full face lifting, midface lifting, eyelid surgery, nose and ear correction, etc…, Ultra Sonic liposuction, liposculpture, breast enlargement, reduction, lifting, abdominoplasty, etc. The laser clinic also performs all kind of laser procedures, for vascular problems, pigmented lesions, tatoo removal, hair removal, thread veins, face resurfacing, etc.

We are gratefull for this interview and appreciate your kindness with us and whish you a lot of success.

becomes the most important factor. He must feel that the surgeon is technically and/or aesthetically sound. Surgery is a discipline which requires passion. A passion for quality, for precision, for concentration, for beauty, for the equilibrium of form, for the proportions of a face or a body, both from an aesthetic and practical point of view.

We live 24 hours a day with our face and our body. It is vital to feel at one with ourselves, to appear the same on the outside as we feel inside. A person who is at one with their appearance is more content and more understanding with others. They exude happiness. This is why we should not become obsessed with images sold to us by the world of fashion, but should instead focus on the balance of our own facial composition (each feature).

Natural beauty

It is the same for eyes, breasts and cosmetic surgery in general. The aim is to bring out the best in everyone, without it being obvious. With facial rejuvenation do not forget that a young face is not naturally free from lines or too tightly stretched, as it can be following a face-lift. It is a relaxed face, with a carefree expression, reflecting the harmony between how people feel and their appearance. Youth and beauty go hand in hand. Patients should be offered the chance to wipe out the years, but more than anything else to counter the effects of exposure to the sun and of negative feelings which have been etched onto the face over the course of many years