- Primary CareAngioma is a small red to purple mark on your skin caused by dilated (wide) blood vessels (capillaries) near the surface of your skin. Spider angiomas are usually harmless, but if you have multiple marks on your skin, it could be a sign of liver disease and you should initially consult with your primary care MD. Fortunately, the vast majority simply appear and have no underlying causation and can be safely and effectively treated with the pulsed dye laser. The treatment is safe, all lasers carry a risk of scarring and/or change in pigmentation but these risks are very rare. Treatment requires no anesthesia. The treatment can be done by my laser nurse who is ASLSM certified, which keeps the treatment more affordable. See examples below.
- GlaucomaNevus de Ota is a condition marked by brown, blue, or gray patches, usually on the inside of the eye and on the skin near or around the eye. It may also affect the eyelid and mouth. It is caused by an increase in the number of cells called melanocytes in skin and eye tissue. Nevus of Ota is caused by the entrapment of melanocytes in the upper third of the dermis. It is found only on the face, most commonly only on one side. The white part of the eye is involved in two-thirds of cases, all patients should see an eye doctor to rule out glaucoma. They are considered benign, but all patients should initially see a dermatologist. They can be treated with the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. All lasers carry a risk of scarring and/or change in pigmentation but these risks are very rare. The treatments must be done more than once since the target tissue is in the dermis. The treatment can be done by my laser nurse who is ASLSM certified, which keeps the treatment more affordable. See the example below.
- EndoscopyDr. Freeman has authored many chapters in peer reviewed journals and books in his field. These include book chapters on blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and face lift surgery, among others. In 1996, he published one of the first articles on the use of the carbon dioxide laser in the book, Facial Plastics Surgery Clinics of North America. He was also one of the pioneers of minimal incision techniques and, also in 1996, authored one of the first papers on the subject entitled “The Role of Endoscopy in Facial Plastic Surgery.” Dr. Freeman was the associate editor and contributor to one of the first books published about this new area, entitled “Endoscopic Facial Plastic Surgery,” published by Mosby in 1997. He has authored many other publications on cosmetic lasers and minimal incision techniques. His published works include areas where he has been a true innovator in his field. In 1997, his publication entitled “Endoscopic Malar Pad Lift” in Facial Plastics Surgery Clinics of North America propelled the ability to improve the results of facelift surgery in the midface.
- Depression
- RadiologyVenous malformations are a type of type of vascular malformation that results from veins that have developed abnormally, which stretch or enlarge over time. Larger lesions require excision in the operating room and/or interventional radiology. All are blueish is color and the can be of various sizes and depths. Smaller lesions can be successfully treated with the pulsed dye laser, at times with the help of the diode laser to provide intralesional ablation. All lasers carry a risk of scarring and/or change in pigmentation but these risks are very rare. If the latter laser is needed, the surgery is done under anesthesia. For small lesions done with the pulsed dye only, no anesthesia is necessary. Usually requires more than one treatment. The pulsed dye treatments can be done by my laser nurse who is ASLSM certified, which keeps the treatment more affordable. See the examples below.
- Interventional Radiology
- Ear SurgeryOtoplasty (surgery to correct protruding ears) can be performed at almost any age. Most often, surgery is performed on children at age 5 or 6 when the ear is approaching full development. Dr. Freeman recommends that otoplasty be performed at his Charlotte, NC practice before a child starts school to avoid psychological trauma and teasing. Adults are also excellent candidates for otoplasty; generally, there are no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an adult.
- Otolaryngology“Surgical Therapy – The Orbit and Facial Paralysis”, Archives Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, submitted October 1988, M. Sean Freeman, M.D., J. Regan Thomas, M.D.
- Reconstructive Surgery“Analysis of Face Lifts Done with KTP/Nd: YAG Laser”, 1993 American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fall Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, M. Sean Freeman, M.D.
- BotoxBoth neuromodulators, Botox or Xeomin are very safe and effective. Although the treatments in general are safe, as with any medications there are rare risks that will be thoroughly reviewed with you before each treatment. Occasionally, patients may have a small bruise. Most of Dr. Freeman’s and his injection nurse’s patients come in for treatment twice a year, efficacy can vary from patient to patient.
- Brow LiftThe Segmental Endoscopic Brow Lift was invented by Dr. Freeman and was published in 2021, the article summarizes his over 15 years of experience using this approach. With this approach each patient’s degree of aging of the brow is determined before surgery and they are put in one of five different degrees of aging of the forehead. Dr Freeman will then perform one of five different Endoscopic Brow Lifts based on the degree of aging of the forehead of each patient.
- Eyelid SurgeryPatients fly in from all over the United States, and from around the world, to experience excellent eyelid surgery and other facial surgical results. Dr. Freeman is highly sought after by patients and other doctors as a leader in his field. He has lectured and taught his techniques to doctors all over the world.
- Liposuction
- RhinoplastyAlar rim surgery is the name plastic surgeons use when they are talking about changing the shape of a patient’s nostrils. Most lay people call it nostril surgery. Dr. Freeman recommends that alar rim surgery not be done at the same time as a rhinoplasty or a revision rhinoplasty. There are many reasons for this but the most important one is that when a rhinoplasty is performed to change the shape of the tip cartilage, that surgery is going to change the shape of the nostril in a non-quantifiable way. Dr. Freeman is one of America’s most experienced nose surgeons.
- Plastic SurgeryEven a small scar can detract from an otherwise beautiful face. Although Dr. Sean Freeman is skilled at the most complex forms of facial plastic surgery, he also finds that small, simple details matter just as much.
- Face LiftThe aging process can cause wrinkles and loose sagging skin on your face. This could begin in your 40s, your 50s, or even later. Although the timing can be different, it happens to everyone. Whatever your age, if these changes have caused you to look older than you feel, there’s something you can do. You can take action to improve your appearance with a facelift. Charlotte, NC, facelift specialist and facial plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Freeman has spent his career pioneering innovative face lift techniques that produce better results with less discomfort.
- Neck LiftGet neck lift surgery from Charlotte’s top facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Sean Freeman. With every neck lift he performs, Dr. Sean Freeman’s goal is to provide a rejuvenated appearance without making a patient’s skin look stretched or “operated-on.” To achieve this goal, he employs state-of-the-art techniques refined through many years of experience.
- BlepharoplastyAn Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty from Dr. Sean Freeman, in Charlotte NC, is a choice for many patients. Dr. Freeman recommends an incision that is hidden within the natural fold of the upper eyelid. It is through this incision that excess skin, muscle, and fat are removed.
- Nose SurgeryThe cartilage used for grafting may be harvested from the patient’s ear, which should not alter the appearance of the ear, or from inside the nose from the septum. Other times more cartridge is needed than can be provided by the ear/septum. In those cases, Dr. Freeman uses rib cartilage obtained from tissue doner companies. Other problems, including a nose with a twisted or asymmetrical appearance, may require other techniques depending on whether the deformity is due to misshapen cartilage or bone. For more in-depth details on this customized nose surgery, please see our Rhinoplasty Techniques page.
- OtoplastyOtoplasty can correct a defect in the ear structure that is present at birth that becomes apparent with development, or this procedure can treat misshapen ears caused by injury by shaping the ear to a more normal appearance and bringing the ear back toward the scalp to a normal location.
- Scar RevisionThough a scar cannot be removed completely, it is often possible to make it less visible with the injection or application of steroid medications. Scar modification also can be achieved by a procedure known as a scar revision. Surgical scar revision in Charlotte can change the size of scars, raise depressed scars, or lower elevated scars.
- Lip AugmentationLip augmentation can be safely accomplished using surgical implants. There are many types of implants for lips; Dr. Freeman’s years of experience have led him to recommend implantable dermis as the safest implant. The choice of using one approach or the other depends on the goals of the patient. During your consultation, Dr. Freeman will review the pros and cons of each method and help you decide which is best for you.
- Body Contouring
- Laser ResurfacingAblative CO2 Laser resurfacing can help with damaged skin and wrinkles – whether caused by age, sun exposure, heredity, lifestyle, or acne – they can all be improved with ablative CO2 laser resurfacing. Ablative CO2 laser resurfacing removes the epidermis which is then regenerated by the underlying dermis thereby revealing new, younger-looking skin.
- Cosmetic SurgeryRealSelf is a popular online cosmetic surgery forum that discusses over 250 cosmetic treatments, research treatments and contains answers from board- certified doctors. Dr. Freeman frequently answers questions posted on RealSelf.com. RealSelf has named Dr. Freeman a “Top Doctor,” based on his excellent reviews and the quality and frequency of his answers.
- Facial ImplantsFacial implants can be very helpful in defining a face. Well-defined facial features are a mark of physical beauty and are, in large measure, due to a patient’s underlying facial skeletal structures.
- Chin AugmentationA chin implant helps define your face. Depending upon the recommended procedure, an incision may be made inside your mouth or under your chin. Chin augmentation using Silicone implants is done with an incision under your chin. To make a chin smaller an incision inside your mouth is preferred. When incisions are made inside your mouth, it is important to inform Dr. Freeman if you smoke or if you have dental or gum problems.
- Dermatology
- Acne Treatment
- LesionsCafé-au-lait spots are light to dark brown pigmented birthmarks that commonly appear on a newborn’s skin. It is estimated that around 10% of newborns have a café au lait spot. Spots can change in size and number over time. More than six café-au-lait spots can be a sign of an underlying genetic condition like neurofibromatosis, patients with 6 or more spots should seek medical evaluation before considering laser intervention. Fortunately the Q-switched Nd:YAG can usually significantly improve these benign lesions with one treatment. All lasers carry a risk of scarring and/or change in pigmentation but these risks are very rare. The treatment is done without anesthesia and can be done by my laser nurse who is ASLSM certified, which keeps the treatments more affordable. See photo below.
- Skin Care
- Microdermabrasion