what we do to look young isn’t always pretty. And thanks to a youth-oriented society, we can become obsessed with it.
You can see the hype in any lifestyle magazine or tabloid TV show. The media is constantly distracting us from the realities of aging. Statements like "the 50s are the new 40s" and suggestions that we need an "age-defying" facial cream provoke feelings of inadequacy.
consequently, we question whether or not our looks measure up to society’s standards and expectations.
hence, that's why plastic surgeons are seen as the ideal remedy to turn back time.
that said, the profession isn’t just about "maintaining our salad days." Oftentimes, plastic surgery can be a miracle for those who suffer from severe physical and mental trauma as well as congenital disfigurement.
Just ask Dr. Cynthia Poulos, proprietor of Classique Medical Spa with offices in Northborough and Milford.
even though Poulos’ core business evolves around helping men and women prevent and treat the effects of aging, she also performs reconstructive surgery on people with severe body and facial wounds. these are usually caused by traumatic events, animal attacks or even congenital defects.
According to Poulos, every case is different.
"we do look at people individually," says Poulos. "Based upon the issue, simple problems seen by the customer may require more extensive procedures and vise versa. It's not cookie cutter by any means."
her business offers comprehensive treatments that touch practically every part of the human anatomy. Procedures include laser liposuction, peels, wrinkle relaxers and breast augmentations.
And with a wide range of services comes a wide range in prices, too.
Poulos says, "You can spend about $250 on treating an area with Botox-like injections, a filler or laser treatment or you can spend roughly $10,000 for a full facial rejuvenation or a circumferential body lift." says Poulos.
despite the fact that plastic surgery is considered elective regardless of price, consumers oftentimes discount its legitimacy.
"I am first and foremost a physician and we are first and foremost a medical practice even though we offer products that are consumer-based and not medically based," says Poulos.
this medical practice has become a must for many actors and actresses. Many are obsessed with their appearance and frequent plastic surgeons for Botox injections, breast augmentations and face-lifts all in the name of maintaining their social and professional relevance.
what we do to look young isn’t always pretty. And thanks to a youth-oriented society, we can become obsessed with it. You can see the hype in any lifestyle magazine or tabloid TV show. The media is constantly distracting us from the realities of aging. Statements like "the 50s are the new 40s" and suggestions that we need an "age-defying" facial cream provoke feelings of inadequacy. consequently, we question whether or not our looks measure up to society’s standards and expectations. hence, that's why plastic surgeons are seen as the ideal remedy to turn back time. that said, the profession isn’t just about "maintaining our salad days." Oftentimes, plastic surgery can be a miracle for those who suffer from severe physical and mental trauma as well as congenital disfigurement. Just ask Dr. Cynthia Poulos, proprietor of Classique Medical Spa with offices in Northborough and Milford. even though Poulos’ core business evolves around helping men and women prevent and treat the effects of aging, she also performs reconstructive surgery on people with severe body and facial wounds. these are usually caused by traumatic events, animal attacks or even congenital defects. According to Poulos, every case is different. "we do look at people individually," says Poulos. "Based upon the issue, simple problems seen by the customer may require more extensive procedures and vise versa. It's not cookie cutter by any means." her business offers comprehensive treatments that touch practically every part of the human anatomy. Procedures include laser liposuction, peels, wrinkle relaxers and breast augmentations. And with a wide range of services comes a wide range in prices, too. Poulos says, "You can spend about $250 on treating an area with Botox-like injections, a filler or laser treatment or you can spend roughly $10,000 for a full facial rejuvenation or a circumferential body lift." says Poulos. despite the fact that plastic surgery is considered elective regardless of price, consumers oftentimes discount its legitimacy. "I am first and foremost a physician and we are first and foremost a medical practice even though we offer products that are consumer-based and not medically based," says Poulos. this medical practice has become a must for many actors and actresses. Many are obsessed with their appearance and frequent plastic surgeons for Botox injections, breast augmentations and face-lifts all in the name of maintaining their social and professional relevance. this mentality is a markedly different mind-set from that of New Englanders. "Conservative natural results are the keys to working in New England," says Poulos. "a lot of surgeons are creatures of habit. Since we offer a comprehensive level of service, we are always looking for new technologies and new techniques." one of Poulos’s newest technologies is Cellulaze, a laser-based treatment that is applied where cellulite forms on the anatomy. "(Cellulaze) will probably move into the top-five treatments," says Poulos. "Right now, Botox and wrinkle fillers are the top two non-invasive treatments while the top two overall are breast implant surgery and liposuction." Cellulaze is a good example of how Poulos is always finding ways to hone her talent, which is indicative of how the business got its name. in Classique’s office lobby hangs a painting of classic Greek imagery. The artwork depicts an intimate moment between a man and a woman where only their perfectly proportioned heads are partially exposed. his head is leaning toward hers and it appears as if she is about to kiss his forehead just above the left eye. "it really speaks to my background and to what I do," says Poulos. "it comes down to the classic proportion of beauty." Poulos, 53, grew up in Teaneck, N.J., where she first realized just how much she enjoyed working with her hands. during her youth, Poulos often spent her days watching her father, Christopher Poulos, complete numerous home repairs. "My dad was good at fixing things," says Poulos. "if my mother wanted something fixed, he would fix it and if that meant someone was working, we were all working. he (also) said, ‘if you want to do the right job, you have to use the right tool.’" Along with helping her father, Poulos says other career influences include arts and crafts in grade school and "Ben Casey," a 1960s television show about a passionate, yet idealistic, doctor. in 1981, Poulos followed in Casey’s footsteps and began medical school at State University of New York, Stony Brook. She attributes this experience to ultimately choosing a career in plastic surgery. "I was considering general surgery, however, during this time I was exposed to plastic surgery in a concentrated fashion," says Poulos. "The doctor I was working with showed me just how many aspects there were to the field. it solidified my ultimate decision." From 1985 to 1994, Poulos completed two residency programs; one as a general surgery resident at the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven, Conn., the other, a plastic surgery residency at Worcester’s UMass Medical Center. by 1994, Poulos had finished school was ready to start her own practice. that said, rather than launch her business organically, she knew buying another business with an established client base was a better way to go. Coincidentally, that same year, she met Dr. Judith Petry who was practicing reconstructive surgery out of Marlborough and in the process of retiring. Since Petry had more than 35 years of industry experience, she had a litany of active patients. Poulos saw Petry’s practice as an ideal opportunity to stay close to her hometown, Shrewsbury, and have a sold client base to build on as well as expand her services. however, according to Poulos, Petry wasn't interested in transitioning her operation to just anybody. for Petry, she wanted to ensure that the new owner treated her patients with the same quality care as she provided. Seeing Poulos isn't the kind to cut and run, so to speak, Petry and Poulos spent six months working together so Petry could properly transition her practice, patients and referring physicians to Poulos. "it was an opportunity to grow a medical practice and (conduct) other kinds of surgery," says Poulos. "I was also buying goodwill." in 2000, not long after Petry and Poulos went their own ways, Poulos opened Classique Medical Spa, and Ella Silvestri of Berlin has been a patient since day one. Silvestri, 49, sought a doctor to fix her ears. She spent many years wearing long earrings and, consequently, they pulled right through her earlobes. while most people learn of doctors through referrals from friends and family, Silvestri used the phone book. So when she saw Poulos' photograph in Classique’s advertisement, Poulos got the call. "we have this long relationship because (Dr. Poulos) is hip, lively and up on the latest technologies," says Silvestri, "(Dr. Poulos) consults are based on her clients' needs and not her pocketbook. She takes her time, explains everything in detail and gives an honest, honest, honest opinion." Loyal patients are what allow Poulos to afford technologies such as the Peak Plasma Blade, which the spa began offering last month. The Blade is predominantly used for select surgeries such as eyelifts and breast reduction. The machine helps the physician to control the scalpel meticulously and make an exact incision. Beyond a perfect cut, the chances of blood trauma are reduced, as is any collateral damage around the local area, according to Poulos. "You have to separate the skin from the underlying tissues," says Poulos. "The temperature of a standard cautery may heat up to 200-degrees centigrade while the plasma blade’s operating temperature can go as low as 40-degrees centigrade." Poulos feels that the Blade is the kind of technology that potential patients need to know about. So she regularly holds open houses where consumers can familiarize themselves with her business. these events also give Poulos a platform to have demonstrations showing fillers and Botox injections on office staff. "it gives people a chance to meet us and see what we do," says Poulos. "It's about getting their feet wet in a casual, yet professional, atmosphere." in this day and age, health care coverage is a hot topic. thus, during open houses, the issue is raised frequently. Poulos says, "From what I understand, procedures that are medically indicated are covered by insurance. But I always tell clients it's best to call their insurance company first before committing to any procedure." Classique Medical Spa is at 17 South St., Northborough, and 14 Prospect St., Milford. Its website is www.drpoulos.com.
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By MATTHEW PENNINGTONAssociated Press