Tag Archives: wrinkles

Non Surgical Blepharoplasty – A Real Option For Dark Circles and Tired Eyes

Eyes that look tired have historically been difficult to treat. the reason is that the appearance of tired eyes is caused by several factors, some of which respond to treatment and some of which do not. there are usually four components that make up the appearance of puffy and tired looking eyes.

1. Dark pigmentation of the skin under the eyes. the predisposition to this is usually genetic. some people get it early in life and some later. Pigmentation is also affected by ethnicity. Indians, for example, are more prone to having noticeably dark pigmentation under their eyes.

Treatment options: not a lot that can be done about dark pigmentation. Bleaching creams with hydroquinone or kojic acid sometimes help.

2. Fine lines and wrinkles throughout the lower and upper lids – crepey skin. this comes to most people with age. Of course, there is some genetic variability as to when and how severe the wrinkles become. these fine lines are cause by the loss of elasticity and subcutaneous fat that comes with age. the other major factor that accelerates the development of these lines is sun damage.

Treatment option: currently, the only solution to this issue is laser treatment. the only type of laser that I have seen that actually makes any difference in under eye wrinkles is the fractionated CO2 laser. Examples of this kind of laser include the Active Fx and the Fraxel re:pair. the laser treatment is relatively quick and easy, but there is about 7 days of downtime. Results are dramatic.

3. Bulging of the skin under the eyes caused by fat tissue that is pooching out. again, this is a combination of age and genetic predisposition. this effect is caused by a weakening of the membrane that usually keeps orbital fat in check. the fat tissue bulges through the membrane and into the skin of the lower eyelid.

Treatment option: this is usually a surgical issue. If there is a large amount of bulging, only blepharoplasty with fat repositioning will really help. However, if there is only a small to moderate amount of bulge, the doctor can use hyaluronic acid (Juvederm or Restylane) under the bulge to camouflage the appearance. If you raise the skin under the bulge with a filler like Juvederm, filling in the valley between the cheek and the lower eyelid, the observer no longer sees the bulge.

4. Tear trough under eye area indentation – this is the situation that is most common in my practice. Age and genetic predisposition cause fat loss, leading to an indentation in the naso-jugal groove (the area underneath the lower eyelid, above the cheek), a shadow falls into the groove and the person’s eyes appear tired. this is easily corrected with injection of a hyaluronic acid filler. I prefer Juvederm because it is smooth and lasts for over 1.5 years in that area. this is a technically difficult procedure and should be done by experienced injectors only, so if you’re thinking of having this procedure done, you should certainly find out how many the doctor has performed.

Aside from filler there lasting 3 times as long as any other area, the other unique quality to the under-eye area is that it is pretty much painless. the skin doesn’t seem to have a lot of pain nerve connections.

5. Loose upper eyelid tissue that overhangs the eyelid is another element in making the eyes look tired. this is exclusively a surgical issue. a conservative surgeon should be able to take off only a small amount of skin, leaving a natural appearance. the danger in being too aggressive is that the patient will have a hollow appearance to their upper eyelid area. Future fat loss with age should be taken account of and the surgeon should err on the conservative side. a good if slightly tight result now can become a hollow, terrible result in 15 years.

Non Surgical Blepharoplasty – A Real Option For Dark Circles and Tired Eyes

In My View: There is no such thing as a healthy tan

I see the negative effects of tanning in my plastic surgery practice every day. I am therefore planning to testify before the city council in support of a tanning ban for minors.

I equate this ordinance to that of banning the sale of cigarettes to minors. I am thinking about every piece of person I cut off that is due to tanning. yes, most of my skin cancer patients are older male laborers and farmers. but a growing percentage are young women. The usual scenario is someone coming in for wrinkles and “oh, can you peek at this spot? my mom has been bugging me about it.” The fact is all of these women started their journey to becoming skin cancer patients as young girls. this law could have protected them.

Melanoma is a killer. Just as not all smokers develop lung cancer, not all tanners will develop melanoma. but if they live long enough, they will absolutely develop some other kind of skin cancer. maybe not deadly, but potentially disfiguring. I have cut off parts of ears, noses, eyelids, lips—parts of the face that are not forgiving and require plastic surgical repair. I counsel every single patient I see to use sunscreen. The only ones who listen to me are those who do not want more wrinkles. Even patients with metastatic melanoma do not consistently wear sunscreen.

I took a tiny office poll recently asking whether anyone ever went to a tanning salon. The answer was universally “yes.” I asked why, and the most common answer was that a tan looks healthier than pale skin. I asked whether more wrinkles at a younger age would have deterred them. The answer was universally “no.” what about skin cancer? “No — I didn’t know what that really meant until I started working here.” The fact is all people will do things to look better despite health risks, in part because they cannot understand the risks until after they are diagnosed with cancer.  

Parental approval is not enough protection. Most parents have no idea what harm tanning can do. The first thing I tell a facelift patient is to always wear sun protection. More often than not, the person did not know tanning was a sign of injury to the skin. “I thought it was healthy to tan!”

some adamantly continue to use a tanning bed and pay me for cosmetic services. this is how ingrained the hunger for tanned skin is in our culture. honestly, I thought the leather tan was a thing of the past, from the days of night-time soaps like “Dallas.” it is definitely still the standard of beauty. my patients who know it is unhealthy come in cowering, giving excuses if they have a tan or sunburn after vacation. Invariably, these same patients slather their children with SPF 10,000 but put nothing on themselves.

In My View: There is no such thing as a healthy tan

San Antonio Microdermabrasion

Did you know that skin is the largest organ? we are surrounded by our skin, it keeps us safe and battles the elements day in and day out, everyday of our life. Taking proper care of your skin is one of the best ways to keep yourself looking young and healthy. Dr. Levine offers a plethora of skin care treatments to keep your skin in top form. one of these procedures is Microdermabrasion.

San Antonio Microdermabrasion is a popular skin re-freshening treatment which uses tiny crystals to remove the outer layer of dead skin cells to reveal the smooth, yet unharmed, healthy skin which lies just beneath. Since Microdermabrasion is removing that dead outer layer of skin, any skin imperfection on that layer will also be removed. Skin imperfections such as uneven skin pigmentation, fine line, wrinkles and sun damage may be effectively treated with Microdermabrasion.

Consulting with a skin care specialist is the best way to determine if Microdermabrasion is the right treatment option for you. Contact our office to schedule your consultation today.

San Antonio Microdermabrasion

Neck Lift – Methods

Liposuction of the neck, tserkikoplastika, platizmoplastika

Plastic Surgery – EuroDoctor.ru – 2009

for many people, the neck – this is the first place begins to show age. The same changes occur in people who have lost weight – the fat is gone, and the skin was left in place, and it is not smoothed independently, and hanging folds. But no matter what on your neck wrinkles and folds, all this can easily be corrected with braces. if your eyes – this is the first that can give your age, then followed them about your age says your neck. and indeed it is. With age, the neck appears horizontal and vertical lines and wrinkles, double chin and hanging skin. if you have undergone a facelift, blepharoplasty, facelift forehead and eyebrows, then your face will look younger, prettier and more attractive. But below the chin will be a totally different situation, which will be especially evident, creating a contrast with your face.

Neck Lift may consist of different procedures, depending on the case. Among them are such as: Liposuction, tservikoplastika, platizmoplastika.

Typically, for any lifting neck liposuction performed to remove excess fat. When the excess skin is removed tservikoplastike, while platizmoplastike – deleted or has already tightened neck muscles. Depending on your situation, your doctor may carry out either one, or all three procedures.

In addition, often neck lift may be included in a range of cosmetic correction of face and figure, along with such procedures as skin tightening the forehead, face and eyebrows. Moreover, there is also less invasive form of the procedure – the so-called micro-neck lift.

Is your neck lift

The ideal age at which to fit neck lift, no. It can be used in young patients and the elderly. as in other cases, a neck lift is not desirable to hold people with various chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, as well as metabolic disorders (eg diabetes).

Before deciding on a neck lift, consult with a qualified plastic surgeon as to whether you fit this intervention, what the result you expect and what you can expect from the surgery.

Preparation for surgery

like any other surgery, neck lift procedure to the patient should be prepared. To do this, the doctor examines the patient to determine his condition and the possibility of surgery. Are all the necessary blood and urine tests, an electrocardiogram. if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you currently taking any medications, be sure to tell your doctor. Self-administration of drugs to stop temporarily, that you take, you can not – talk to your doctor first!

How is the operation of tightening the neck

Usually neck lift surgery can be performed as an outpatient or in a hospital, depending on the specific condition of the patient, the volume of the operation and other factors. during a neck lift can be performed as one procedure, and several, so the duration of the operation may be from one hour or more. The operation can be performed under general anesthesia or under local anesthesia combined with sedation. In any case, there is usually no need to stay overnight in hospital.

In addition, the operation of tightening the neck and can be carried out endoscopically. that is, with no long incisions in the neck, but only with a few small incisions less than 1 cm Advantages of endoscopic neck braces consist in the fact that the operation proceeds to the patient is easier, less post-operative period runs less risk of complications and faster during recovery. In addition, it can only be carried out under local anesthesia, and after it left minor scars.

Possible complications after neck lift

as with any surgery, after tightening the neck may be some complications, which, however, are rare. Usually within a few weeks after the neck lift may experience numbness of the skin, which is associated with the intersection of small nerve branches are responsible for the sensitivity. Rarely is the phenomenon may be permanent. Among other complications may be excessive scar tissue formation. In addition, always a risk of infection accession, education, hematoma in the wound, as well as complications, I related to anesthesia. In most cases, in order to reduce the risk of complications after neck lift is important to strictly follow all the instructions your doctor before surgery and after.

Liposuction of the neck

Liposuction – a method of removing fat tissue at the point where it is abundant. Usually when lifting neck liposuction is performed first. The incision for liposuction is usually carried out under the chin, where the surgeon removes excess fat tissue. The fat is removed, of course, not a scalpel, and using a fine cannula – the tube – through which is pumped out, and adipose tissue. after liposuction to the neck overlaps the special bandage to reduce swelling and discomfort.

after liposuction may experience bruising in the neck, jaw and ear, and swelling can hold up to ten days. It is recommended to sleep with two pillows, that is in the raised position, so that was soft tissue swelling.

To reduce the risk of infectious complications antibiotics. Relief of pain is carried out using conventional painkillers. if the swelling and the pain lasts longer than usual, and there were local redness and fever, you should seek medical advice. In addition, liposuction is recommended to limit physical activity. Return to previous physical activity can be in two weeks.

Bandage to the head and neck is removed, usually the next day after surgery, but to wear an elastic bandage should be within two weeks. Sutures are removed on the seventh day after surgery. if absorbable sutures, they do not even need to shoot. The final result of liposuction surgery in the neck will be seen in three – six months.

Tservikoplastiki procedure is to remove the excess skin on the neck. this is necessary when, after a liposuction on the neck is the excess skin hanging in folds form. The incision in the tservikoplastike held under the chin and behind the ears (or in one of these areas). after that, the neck skin is cut and pulled. Further cuts are sewn. Superimposed on the wound sterile dressing. Then, on the head and neck are superimposed elastic bandage.

after surgery tservikoplastiki like after liposuction, you may experience bruising and swelling, which hold about ten days. Typically, the recovery process after tservikoplastiki flows as well as liposuction.

Platizmoplastiki procedure aimed at removing the neck folds. for this is carried out excision of excess tissue of the neck muscles and lift. Incisions are made under the chin or behind the ears, or in both areas. Next, the surgeon enters the tissue thin tool to remove any excess of the neck muscles or tighten them. Tightening of the muscles is that the surgeon sews them so that they do not form folds. after that, the cuts are closed with stitches, and the wounds are applied sterile dressings. To reduce swelling after surgery, around the neck elastic bandage is applied.

after platizmoplastiki usually in the neck, jaw and ears may be bruising and swelling. for the prevention of infectious complications of antibiotics, and for relief of pain – pain relievers. if the swelling and the pain lasts longer than usual, and there were local redness and fever, you should seek medical advice. The recovery process is the same as liposuction and tservikoplastiki.

PLASTIC SURGERY in Germany – Plastic Surgery Clinic OPTIMA BEAUTY CLINIC IN MOSCOW – UNICLINIC Department of Plastic Surgery CB 6 RZD – MOSCOW PLASTIC SURGERY IN MOSCOW – Professor S. GAGARIN

Examination and treatment in GERMANY – Institute "DIAGNOSTIX"

AID IN THE TREATMENT –

Related posts:

Neck Lift – Methods

Facelift Surgery vs. Injectable Fillers

Which is better: facelift surgery or injectable fillers? if you’re considering a facial cosmetic procedure, you might wonder whether you need to commit to surgery for the results that you want, or if an injection will suffice. Both types of procedures have their pros and cons. But which one is right for you?

Dermal Fillers

PROS: These injectable products are best for people who want to target the appearance of specific wrinkles. Since they add volume beneath the skin, they can also be used to augment certain facial features, such as lips and cheeks. These fast, easy injections are ideal for people with busy schedules, since you can return to your daily routine immediately after receiving a dermal filler injection. Some popular dermal fillers include Radiesse, Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane.

CONS: Dermal fillers can only add volume to the face. This means that they are unable to address sagging skin, which is a more pervasive sign of aging. the results offered by dermal fillers are temporary, although you can maintain your results with regular treatments.

Facelift Surgery

PROS: unlike dermal fillers, facelift surgery can provide long-lasting results and overall facial rejuvenation. By tightening underlying tissues and removing excess skin, facelift surgery targets facial sagging in a way that no other procedure can match. Many patients report positive results that last 10 years or more.

CONS: There always some disadvantages when it comes to surgery. Facelift is a procedure that requires surgical incisions, so that discomfort, swelling, and bruising after the procedure will naturally occur. after your facelift, you’ll need to take some time to rest and recover. There are also certain risks that come with surgeries, which you will need to consider.

Of course, your facial rejuvenation options aren’t limited to dermal fillers and facelifts. Light-based treatments like the Fraxel laser, IPL Photorejuvenation, and Thermage can provide amazing results without the need for injections or surgery. to learn more about your surgical and nonsurgical options, be sure to consult a board-certified cosmetic surgeon. 

Facelift Surgery vs. Injectable Fillers

Dermatologist in Houston on Benefits of Ultherapy(TM) Skin Treatment

HOUSTON, TX, Aug 09, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –Plastic surgeons offer a variety of procedures designed to smoothout wrinkles and tighten facial skin, yet numerous people arehesitant to undergo treatment because many of the surgeries areinvasive. Houston dermatologist Dr. Paul Friedman and his associateDr. Jennifer Peterson now offer a non-surgical, non-invasive facialrejuvenation treatment known as Ultherapy(TM). They say the procedureis a great option for patients interested in skin tightening, as itstimulates collagen growth and ultimately improves elasticity bylifting and volumizing the skin. Dr. Friedman adds that offeringUltherapy(TM) allows the practice to further encompass patients’aesthetic desires and needs while continuing to promote the highestlevel of care available.

the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center offers a comprehensive rangeof treatments and procedures spanning from CoolSculpting(R) andBOTOX(R) Cosmetic, to LAVIV(TM) and Ultherapy(TM). Dr. Friedman andhis experienced staff are dedicated to the enhancement of patientcare through utilization of the newest, most advanced dermatologicaltechnology. In an effort to remain a leader in the skin careindustry, Dr. Friedman says he consistently strives to stayup-to-date on the latest industry techniques and technologicaldevelopments, adding that he is proud his practice is able to offerstate-of-the-art treatments like Ultherapy(TM).

Ultherapy(TM) is a non-invasive treatment that utilizes ultrasonicwaves to help facial skin by growing more collagen which results inskin-lifting, skin-tightening, and improved elasticity. the procedureis often performed to help rejuvenate areas with minimal sagging orwrinkling such as the neck and around the eyes. although someminimally-invasive treatments, like the fraxel laser, can be veryeffective for facial rejuvenation, Ultherapy(TM) does not utilizelaser technology. As a result, patients are usually able to return totheir daily routines immediately after the procedure. Dr. Friedmansays recovery time and results may vary among individuals, addingthat patients should always talk to their doctors about what toexpect post-treatment.

Dr. Peterson says patients can usually expect to see initial resultstwo to three months after the procedure, while full results can beseen at six months. she urges her patients to remain patient with theprocess and reminds them that the collagen growth under the skin willoften cause continuing improvement in the results over time. Dr.Peterson says due to the procedure’s gentle nature, many people findthe results to look more natural than other facial rejuvenationtreatments. Dr. Friedman adds that whether his patients areinterested in Ultherapy(TM), or any other procedures, they shouldalways consult with a board-certified dermatologist to ensure thesafest and most advanced techniques are being used.

about Paul M. Friedman, M.D.

After earning his medical degree from the University of TennesseeHealth Science Center, College of Medicine, Dr. Paul Friedmancompleted his dermatology training at the new York School ofMedicine. he went on to complete a one-year fellowship in Mohsmicrographic surgery and dermatologic laser surgery at the Laser &Skin Surgery Center of new York. Dr. Friedman has twice received theHusik Prize for his dermatologic surgery research, and currentlyserves as a clinical assistant professor at the University of TexasMedical School, Department of Dermatology. An author and co-author ofmultiple medical book chapters and articles, he has been invited tospeak to many prestigious groups including the American Society forDermatologic Surgery, the American Academy of Dermatology, and theAmerican Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery among others. Dr.Friedman has been innovative in the development of laser systems andtechniques used in dermatology worldwide. he is board-certified bythe American Board of Dermatology.

about Jennifer Peterson, MD

A graduate of Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Dr. JenniferPeterson is an experienced dermatologist dedicated to areas such aslaser procedures, leg vein treatment, and both surgical andnon-surgical techniques. she completed a three-year residency indermatology at Texas Tech University School of Medicine, serving aschief resident in her final year. Dr. Peterson belongs to numerousmedical organizations including American Academy of Dermatology, theAmerican Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, andthe American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery among others. she has twicereceived the Kenneth Nelner, M.D. Resident Researcher of the YearAward, and continues to stay active in the medical community. Dr.Peterson is board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology.

Dr. Friedman’s Houston practice is located at 6400 Fannin, Suite2720, Houston, TX 77030, and can be reached by phone at 713-900-3900.His new York office is located at 317 E. 34th St., new York City, NY10016, and can be reached via phone at 917-745-5029. he may also becontacted online at dermlasersurgery.com andfacebook.com/paulmfriedmanmd.

Contact: Rosemont Media Aaron Hurst Email Contact (858) 200-0044 www.rosemontmedia.com

SOURCE: Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center

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Dermatologist in Houston on Benefits of Ultherapy(TM) Skin Treatment

Has Bette Midler Had Too Much Cosmetic Surgery?

Bette Midler was recently spotted at the Jean-Paul Gaultier show, part of Paris Fashion Week. Her appearance sparked rumors about whether the 66-year-old singer and actress has had work done recently. some of her fans remarked that it looks like she’s gotten too many injections, leaving her with a ‘frozen’ or ‘waxy’ appearance.

Surgeons Comment on Midler’s Appearance

Dr. Tony Youn, a plastic surgeon who has treated many celebrities, told Radar Online that Midler may have gotten a little carried away with smoothing wrinkles. he commented “Her forehead is so smooth it appears to have the waxy sheen of supermarket fruit. This could be possibly due to overdone Botox injections. I also suspect that she’s had injections of filler into her cheeks. I must hand it to her though, she definitely doesn’t look like most 66-year-olds!”

If she has had work done, the results appear to be well-received by her fans. CelebrityPlasticSurgery.tv commented “We really have no problem with what she’s had done, it’s not a lot of work and it doesn’t look out of place or over-done in any way; in fact, she looks great. Someone like Bette Midler is a great example of how a celebrity can get some Botox injections or some light plastic surgery and not go overboard. she looks younger, more vibrant, and it works; good job Bette!”

On the other hand, says dermatologist Dr. Vincent Afsahi, “She looks pulled a little too tight. Maybe had a brow lift, demonstrating her tight smooth forehead, and a facelift. Her cheeks are accentuated a bit which may result from cheek implants. I would stop on her facial surgeries, at the risk of losing who she really looks like naturally.”

Midler hasn’t spoken publicly about whether she’s gone under the knife recently. What do you think?

Source: Orange County Register

Has Bette Midler Had Too Much Cosmetic Surgery?

Never too young for Botox

Carly Roberts’s forehead is smooth as a baby’s bottom.

The skin around her blue-green eyes is equally wrinkle free.

Sure, she’s just 25 years old. but there’s something else going on, too.

“I’m Bo-jacked,” the Vancouver sales associate said. Roberts has been unapologetically using Botox – a widely used drug, made famous by youth-seeking Hollywood stars and certain reality-show housewives, that weakens or paralyzes muscles – to fend off wrinkles and skin creases for two years now.

Along with injections between her eyes and forehead, she also regularly uses Botox under her arms to reduce sweating.

Is such devotion to a drug excessive at such a young age?

Roberts doesn’t think so. “I still have a little bit of expression left. not huge – but my face isn’t frozen or anything like that,” she said.

Roberts is part of a growing number of B.C. women in their teens and 20s who say they are turning to the procedure to pre-empt signs of aging, despite the financial cost and health concerns around its use.

“I see 20-year-old women not wanting to have wrinkles,” said Dr. Warren Roberts, Carly’s father and an oral surgeon who is licensed to administer Botox in the province.

Roberts said the majority of his patients tend to be women between the ages of 35 and 60, but estimated roughly 25 per cent of his clients are teenage girls or women under 30.

“I couldn’t give an exact amount, but it’s increasing,” he said.

Botox procedures among teenagers in the U.S. increased nearly 800 per cent between 2008 and 2010, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Among women in their 20s, injections increased by more than 11 per cent to 78,000 in 2010 alone.

Statistics for Canadian procedures are unavailable publicly. in 2008, B.C. became the first jurisdiction in Canada to permit dentists and oral surgeons to administer Botox for cosmetic purposes, allowing greater access to the popular drug for patients of all ages.

Physicians, surgeons, and even registered nurses – if a supervising doctor is on site – are also authorized to administer Botox in B.C. Professionals must complete a course, generally an hour and 15 minutes long, by an instructor approved by Allergan inc., the California-based pharmaceutical company that makes the drug.

Botox is used mainly to reduce unwanted wrinkles around the eyes and forehead, but also to relieve symptoms in patients with cerebral palsy as well as migraines and chronic sweating.

Over the last five years, Dr. Roberts said he’s seen an increasing number of teens come to his office, a sleek downtown Vancouver studio with pebbled glass panelling and white leather chairs, for upper lip injections following orthodontic treatment.

Many worry about having gummy smiles.

“They smile and they have these beautiful, straight teeth and all you can see is this big band of pink tissue on the top,” Roberts said. “With Botox, $24 of treatment would decrease the hyper-mobility of that lip and put it exactly where it’s supposed to be.”

Not everybody gets off that easy. Patients usually dish out between $300 and $1,000 per treatment, depending how much of their foreheads, eye creases, mouths and necks they care to submit to the needle’s touch.

The muscle-numbing effects last three to four months before a top-up is needed.

Botox, a trade name for bot-ulinumtoxin a, is a protein complex produced by a bacterium containing the same toxin that causes food poisoning, or botulism.

Botox users often rave about its results, but the drug is not without controversy.

A 2008 Health Canada review cited “the potential risk of serious adverse effects of muscle weakness remote to the site of injection.” These include pneumonia and difficulty speaking or breathing.

The same year the federal health agency launched a probe into the deaths of five people who had been injected with Botox, and serious reactions in another eight cases.

All the deaths involved people who were treated for such medical conditions as neck and muscle spasms. two occurred in children with cerebral palsy, including a nine-year-old boy who was given Botox for drooling – a condition for which the drug has not been approved.

Botox requires parental consent for use on under-18 patients, but has no other age restrictions.

The reactions in all cases suggest the botulinum toxin may have spread to other parts of the body beyond where it was injected, according to Health Canada.

Health Canada found that spread of the toxin and other serious side effects were very rare in cosmetic procedures, however, while the danger increased when Botox was used in larger doses to treat medical conditions involving muscle spasticity.

More common complications that arise from botched cosmetic injections include pain or bruising, headaches and eye swelling, skin rashes, muscle weakness and an irregular heart beat, according to Health Canada. Droopy eyelids and swallowing difficulties are also possible hazards.

Dr. Roberts said he’s never had any problems, but added clients should be mindful of where they get the procedure done.

“I hear from doctors from around the world through my LinkedIn account who obviously don’t know what they’re doing,” he said.

Nonetheless, Botox injections remain by far the most popular “minimally invasive procedure” in plastic surgery, beating out chemical peels and collagen injections, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

For some, plunging a Botox-filled syringe into a young woman’s skin poses more emotional risk than physical, and speaks to an insidious undercurrent of superficiality coursing through West Coast culture.

“At age 13, what is it preventive of?” asked Dr. Gayle way, a Vancouver-based psychologist. “The big fear is that, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m going to turn 30.’ Is it happening more in B.C. because we’re kind of the California of Canada? could be.”

Vancouver clinical counsellor Iona Monk said self-esteem issues and self-image concerns can be aggravated by cosmetic procedures.

“Because they don’t realize that they have an inner self that they can work on … the only way they see to feel better about themselves is to improve their appearance,” she said. “They’re desperate to look as great as they can at a ridiculously early age, even though they don’t need it.”

Monk points to celebrity culture and an accompanying obsession with appearance imprinting itself on girls.

“Celebrities are getting plastic surgery younger and younger, and young women are seeing that in magazines, on TV, in the movies, and they’re associating their glamorous lifestyles with plastic surgery,” she said.

Dr. Roberts, on the other hand, feels cosmetic treatments have the power to make patients feel better about themselves.

“Our patients that we use Botox on between the eyes and particularly in the forehead become less anxious and have less anxiety and depression,” he said. “It makes my day.”

Dr. Elizabeth Hall-Findlay, an Alberta-based plastic surgeon who happily uses Botox herself, said using the drug can help young clients keep their skin looking younger by pre-venting the formation of deep creases.

But, she said, staying out of the sun would probably do them more good. Carly Roberts has no regrets about her own cosmetic choices.

In addition to using Botox to preserve her youthful skin, she said it also relieves headaches and skin breakouts. To her, injections are as common as a pedicure or a salon visit.

And she’s not alone. a similar attitude prevails within her circle of friends.

“Let’s see, one, two, three, I’d say like 10 of my friends get it done, probably more.”

creynolds@vancouversun.com

© (c) CanWest MediaWorks Publications inc.

Never too young for Botox

Facelift Techniques That Younger Plastic Surgeons Utilize

Can you teach an old doc new tricks? Well, maybe – but you’d have to offer a pretty big bone. After so many years of practice with a particular technique, sometimes even doctors get in a rut routine. It’s human nature to resist change, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing in most circumstances. I mean, you probably dry off after a shower in the same way every day. you probably have used the same cereal to milk ratio for years.

But when it comes to plastic surgery and facelift procedures, patients would do well to search out a doctor who has experience, yes, but not too much experience, if you catch my drift. Facelift techniques are continuously changing and improving every year. Here’s a quick look at some old School and New School differences:

Old School – High and Tight

In previous years, plastic surgeons made incisions around the ear and simply pulled the skin upwards and as tight as possible before redraping it and reattaching it. This was effective at smoothing wrinkles, but the results didn’t last and patients often had the dreaded wind tunnel look.

New School – SMAS Adjustments

Today’s surgeons almost always combine skin tightening with SMAS adjustment during a cosmetic surgery facelift. the SMAS (superficial musculo-aponeurotic system) is a strong, thin layer found between the skin and the muscle. I often refer to it as the Saran Wrap of the face. During a facelift, the SMAS needs to be freed up and adjusted separately from the skin.

Skilled plastic surgeons employ several SMAS strategies to give the most natural and longest lasting results, and the best technique is determined based on the patient’s individual anatomy. the SMAS can be cut and then lifted and sewn to a stronger area such as the bone behind the ear or over the cheek. other times the SMAS is not cut but simply tightened with sutures. However it is achieved, successfully adjusting the SMAS creates much more natural facelifts that last.

Old School – Wrinkle Rejuvenation

Older facelift techniques were mainly concerned with vertical movement. Mainly, eliminate wrinkles and sagging by pulling everything North. there was little attention paid to skin firmness or volume loss, two of the biggest indicators of advancing age.

New School – Total Rejuvenation

Many older surgeons are not up to date on the newer practice of combining a facelift surgery with facial liposuction and/or fat grafting. By removing unwanted fat around the jowls and neck area with liposuction (often in combination with a neck lift), a skilled surgeon can actually sculpt the face into a more youthful profile.

In addition, using fat harvested from another part of the patient’s body to replace lost volume in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines and temples is a relatively new practice that yields outstanding results. Synthetic fillers made of hyaluronic acid, such as Juvederm, are great for patients who want a temporary, non-surgical option to replace volume. but facelift patients will achieve permanent results with a fat transfer.

Old School – Single Approach

The facelift patients of yesteryear were not given many options for facial rejuvenation either before or after surgery. This is due in large part because not many other options existed. there weren’t a wide variety of products and treatments that could be used to delay a traditional facelift, and there weren’t many options for maintaining a facelift. you basically used Oil of Olay and Ponds until your face fell to a certain point, then you got a facelift, then you went back to your simple routine of Oil of Olay and Ponds.

New School – Multifaceted Approach

Today, there are new products and treatments being brought to the market every day. If a doctor doesn’t keep up, he’ll quickly find himself way behind the multi-billion dollar behemoth industry that is cosmetic procedures. Younger plastic surgeons are familiar with and make use of everything from Botox and dermal fillers to lasers and ultrasound. By utilizing these treatments well before the need for a facelift arises, patients can ease into their 40s and 50s with youthful and vigorous faces.

If and when a patient decides to undergo plastic surgery, the full arsenal of laser resurfacing, Botox and skin care should continue to be a part of the a patient’s regimen. Choosing a plastic surgeon who can also guide you through the maze of aesthetic options to keep your new face looking its best for the longest period of time is so.modern.

Facelift Techniques That Younger Plastic Surgeons Utilize

Modern Treatments Can Make Your Life Better

It’s being said a million times already but we are so lucky that we are living in the modern age. you see, everything these days is quite different as compared to even ten years ago. a lot of things have changed, a lot of breakthroughs have been discovered and a lot of progress has been taken in almost every area of our lives. Let’s take a look at the field of medicine. We are used to thinking this term refers to healing of the sick. But not these days mind you. It’s because a lot of people are using the field of medicine for beautification. it seems like fashion and vanity have crossed the line and went to the world of surgery.

We all know that plastic surgery was entirely for reconstruction and repair. however, with the kinds of technology we now have and the modern surgical techniques that have been developed, a person can become more attractive in just one session. there are persons who don’t want to get old and so it makes them anxious if they see wrinkles popping up everywhere. Aging is presumably the enemy of most people who are obsessed with their youthfulness. when a person ages, the hormones stop their functions thus causing some major changes in the body.

We lose the tightness of our skin, even the texture of our outer layer have some changes too. this is a burden to some people. Now that everything’s modern, these problems are easily being solved. There’s what we call 3DEEP or EndyMed technology. It’s a modern technological breakthrough which helps in the tightening of the skin. in simpler terms, this will bring back your youthful appearance. The good thing is that it’s a non-invasive therapy.

What this technology does is that it stimulates new collagen production which creates visible lifting and tightening effects on your face, neck and body. a lot of patients trust this kind of therapy because it’s different from other methods. it has a lot of proven scientific evidence that proves its effects. While other products have promise results but they don’t actually deliver. By fusing the finest attributes of different radio frequency technologies 3DEEP is safe and accurate and will provide long lasting results. EndytMed technology is found in the middle of the effects of laser and RF technologies. If you enter into this kind therapy, your surgeon can manipulate its full function without any problem.

Modernity holds one thing the past doesn’t have, experience. Mistakes that have been done before cannot be done anymore that’s the reason why a new, more sophisticated, safer and effective technology is being produced. We don’t what’s waiting in the future but with the things that we see these days, we can consider it a promising one.

Modern Treatments Can Make Your Life Better