If you’re bothered by fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes (and who doesn’t have a few?) then you may want to check out this medical grade skincare product from Obagi. The ELASTIderm eye treatment is designed to restore elasticity in your skin and reduce those persistent lines near the eyes.
What’s Inside?
Obagi’s trademarked Penetrating Therapeutics deliver ingredients like zinc, copper, malonic acid and blueberry extract.
How do I use it?
ELASTIderm eye cream should be applied to the skin of both corners around the eyes as well as the eyelids. After cleansing, toning and application of prescription skincare products, apply the eye cream and then follow with moisturizer and sun protection. Ask your aesthetician for more information on applying the eye cream and incorporating it into your skincare routine.
The latest global plastic surgery statistics were recently released by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, after the organization received responses to surveys sent to more than 30,000 plastic surgeons in 25 countries.
Survey responses suggest that consumer demand for plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons remained high in 2009, despite widespread economic troubles.
Last year, plastic surgeons in the U.S., Brazil and China performed more than 1 million procedures each, accounting for nearly half of the world’s plastic surgery procedures. Several hundred thousand procedures were also performed by plastic surgeons in India, Japan and Mexico, however they made up a much smaller percentage of the total plastic surgery procedures performed worldwide in 2009.
Since the majority of the world’s plastic surgery procedures are performed by plastic surgeons that are most densely located in the U.S., China and Brazil, it should come as no surprise that the most frequently performed procedures in 2009 were favorites in these three countries.
Survey results also confirmed the persistence of a gender bias that has existed in plastic surgery seemingly since its advent in finding that internationally, women choose to undergo procedures with plastic surgeons nearly six times as often as men.
Xeomin, a new wrinkle-relaxing injectable developed by German pharmaceutical company Merz, was recently FDA-approved and is expected to hit doctors’ offices in the U.S. by late September 2010.
Like Dysport and Botox, Xeomin is a botulinum type A neurotoxin designed to temporarily paralyze muscles that cause facial expressions and neuromuscular conditions, such as cervical dystonia and blepharospasm.
However, unlike Botox and Dysport, Xeomin is not yet approved for cosmetic use in the U.S., although it has been used for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes in Europe since 2008.
It is anticipated that Xeomin will be used off-label for reduction of expression lines between the eyebrows and on the forehead, especially if the product’s price point is lower than the standard cost of Botox and Dysport, putting the new injectable in the running to claim a share of the aesthetic medicine market.
A lower Xeomin price point is unlikely, however, if the April 2009 launch of Dysport, Botox’s first-ever U.S. competitor, offers any indication of market behavior. It was assumed when Dysport was released that the competition between the two products would drive wrinkle-relaxing injection prices down, but this has not yet occurred.
Physicians anticipate that because the Xeomin is free of complexing proteins, it may have an edge over Botox and Dysport in treating neuromuscular conditions, since the higher doses necessary can be given without resulting in antibody formation.
This slight possible advantage will extend only to therapeutic uses of Xeomin, as the doses needed for cosmetic injection will be so small by comparison that the lack of complexing proteins will be irrelevant.
Some physicians believe that Xeomin might be at a disadvantage when used for cosmetic purposes, given the product’s tendency to migrate or spread beyond the injection site, which may result in unwanted muscle relaxation that causes facial features to droop temporarily if extreme care is not used in administering the injections.
Xeomin will be distributed in 50- and 100-unit vials and will not require refrigeration prior to reconstitution, as Dysport and Botox do. The effects of Xeomin purportedly resemble the effects of Botox, and the per-unit ratio of the two products is about equal, however, the each product is composed of different botulinum type A toxin formulation.
A recent article in the Orange County Register offers prospective breast augmentation patients some interesting insights into botched boob job stories, suggesting that highly publicized incidences of “plastic surgery gone wrong” serve as cautionary tales for would-be breast augmentation patients and offer valuable tips for avoiding breast surgery nightmares.
Tip #1 – Buyer beware of deep discounts, unqualified surgeons
Enticed by the promise of deep discounts, mother of four Kenyatta Brown went to an Atlanta eye doctor for breast augmentation and nearly bled to death on the operating table during this relatively routine procedure.
Brown’s near-fatal experience serves as a reminder that when it comes to cosmetic surgery, you typically get what you pay for, so breast augmentation cost should be the last consideration when you are choosing a surgeon.
Additionally, it is important to note that state medical boards do not limit a licensed physician’s scope of practice based on training or credentials, so physicians with little or no experience performing breast augmentation are legally allowed to take up the practice at will to make a quick buck in the lucrative, cash-only cosmetic surgery business.
To avoid placing yourself in an unqualified surgeon’s hands, seek a Boston plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery with extensive training and experience performing breast augmentation.
Tip #2 – Set realistic goals and trust your surgeon
After U.S. regulations prevented 28-year-old Sheyla Hershey from undergoing surgery to further increase her already considerable 34FFF bust, she traveled to Brazil for breast enhancement and returned with a 38KKK bustline and a Brazilian award for having the world’s largest breast implants.
Texas plastic surgeons warned Hershey that the procedure was extremely high-risk and advised against it, and so it was unsurprising when Hershey developed a near-fatal staph infection that forced doctors to remove the gigantic implants.
Hershey’s story highlights the importance of setting realistic cosmetic goals, choosing a breast implant size that fits your frame and trusting the advice of ethical plastic surgeons who adhere to U.S. medical safety regulations.
Tip #3 – Consider complications in your breast augmentation budget
Nicola Stratton flew from the UK to Los Angeles to undergo 30 hours of cosmetic surgery for the British Extreme Makeover TV show with no idea that agreeing to free plastic surgery, especially so far from home, could prove costly for her.
However, when Stratton began experiencing complications with her saline breast implants, including capsular contracture and implant deflation, she quickly realized that it would be difficult for her to receive the follow up care and breast revision surgery she needed without the means to travel back to her surgeon in LA and pay additional hospital fees.
Stratton’s predicament illustrates that in addition to considering your breast augmentation surgeon’s training, credentials, experience and ethical standards, it is also important to consider proximity so that you are able to see your surgeon for follow up appointments and revision surgery should the need arise. Additionally, budgeting additional funds should the need for additional surgery arise is often necessary and always wise.
The Orange County Register recently reported the death of 22-year-old Mayra Lissette Contreras who died after receiving silicone injections for buttock enhancement from a pair of unlicensed practitioners operating out of their San Fernando Valley home.
Like so many others, Contreras fell prey to unqualified back-alley practitioners promising cosmetic enhancement for prices that proved too good to be true.
It is probable that Contreras was so focused on the “great deal” she was offered for the procedure that she did not realize the women who administered her buttock enhancement injections were non-medical personnel with no valid medical licensure or training.
Unfortunately, cosmetic medicine is a lucrative, cash-only industry that attracts a number of untrained, unscrupulous practitioners hoping to make a few quick bucks at the expense of unwary consumers.
In Contreras’s case, sisters Guadalupe Viveros, 53, and Alejandra Viveros, 50, proved to be two such practitioners and have fled to Mexico to escape arrest for their alleged involvement in Contreras’s death.
It is important to research both your medical practitioner before seeking body contouring, facial plastic surgery or any other cosmetic procedure to ensure that you are in good hands and help you avoid a plastic surgery nightmare.
Confirm your doctor’s state medical license is active and unrestricted
Verify your doctor’s medical specialty certification with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
View before and after photos and speak to a few of your doctor’s past patients
Find a variety of online resources to read about your desired cosmetic treatment(s)
Ask your doctor how much experience he or she has performing your desired procedure
Ensure your doctor answers all questions to your satisfaction during consultation
Dr. Fouad Samaha is a highly experienced, board certified Boston plastic surgeon with nearly two decades of experience performing cosmetic surgery and skin care procedures.
Cosmetic surgery and other procedures performed by plastic surgeons of considerable skill and training will generally cost more than it would performed by non-medical personnel practicing illegal or a licensed doctor practicing outside his or her specialty.
However, remember that when it comes to cosmetic medicine, you typically get what you pay for and making decisions about your health and safety based solely on price is not only dangerous but may cost you more in the long run.
Several injectable fillers and wrinkle-relaxing toxins already being used in Europe are poised for introduction to the U.S. marketplace within the next year, promising consumers more options, improved product technology, better results and lower prices.
Although the products are in varying stages of readiness to make the crossover from Europe, Belotero, a hyaluronic acid filler similar to Juvederm and made by Merz, has already been filed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and may be available later this year.
PurTox, a botulinum type A wrinkle relaxer similar to Botox and Dysport and made by Mentor, has also completed clinical trials and may be nearing FDA approval.
Other hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable fillers and botulinum type A products that are anticipated contenders for the U.S. marketplace include:
SubQ & Voluma (Medicis & Allergan) – Thicker, heavier HA fillers for contouring larger areas
Restylane Vital & Juvederm Hydrate (Medicis & Allergan) – Thinner, lighter HA fillers for areas that have been historically difficult to correct
Derma Veil (Medinter) – A pure collagen stimulator similar to Sculptra Aesthetic
Novabel (Merz) – Filler formulation derived from brown sea algae
Xeomin (Merz) – “Naked” botulinum type A neurotoxin not bound to other, inactive proteins
Innovative new wrinkle treatments
SubQ and Voluma large volume injectables are used throughout Europe for facial contouring, such as chin and cheek augmentation, but SubQ is also reportedly used for body contouring, including buttock and breast augmentation.
Restylane Vital and Juvederm Hydrate, the thinner HA fillers made by Medicis and Allergan, respectively, are purported to offer wrinkle prevention by boosting skin hydration and elasticity, as well as treat areas that have been historically difficult to correct with fillers, such as the back of hands, décolleté and neck.
Restylane Vital also offers a specialized automatic injection pen that regulates product injection volume and speed for more precise results.
Novabel is another new, innovative injectable filler composed of spherical, flexible structures called Geleons, which are formed from marine algae extract. This patented Geleon technology reportedly makes injection virtually pain-free and also improves skin elasticity.
In addition, the composition of Novabel is said to make injection easier and reduce swelling, making it ideal for adding volume to facial areas with thin skin, such as the eyelids and tear troughs.
New botulinum type A formulas PurTox and Xeomin are also poised to bring some competition to the world of wrinkle relaxation currently dominated in the U.S. by only two products—Botox and Dysport.
PurTox and Xeomin are different from Botox and Dysport in that their active protein structures are not complexed to other, inactive proteins, which may decrease the possibility of allergic reaction and development of blocking antibodies in patients.
Xeomin and PurTox may also work faster and last longer than Botox and Dysport, however these benefits are purely theoretical.
This video features Dr. John Grossman discussing VASER Liposelection. He even performs a demonstration, not with an actual patient but using Crisco to show how VASER emulsifies fat prior to removal.
VASER is an advanced form of liposuction that uses ultrasound technology to provide superior results in body-contouring and fat reduction. It’s different than both traditional tumescent liposuction and laser liposuction. Using mechanical and acoustic forces, body fat is emulsified in the targeted area – without destroying fat cells or significantly damaging surrounding tissues.
How VASER Works
Just like the tumescent technique, fluid saturates the targeted areas before fat is removed. This fluid contains small gas bubbles that become dispersed throughout the tissue. Your surgeon then applies ultrasound pressure waves using the VASER system, which causes the bubbles to rapidly expand. The expanding gas bubbles force the fat cells to become dislodged from the surrounding tissue matrix. The fat cells are then emulsified and removed with the tumescent fluid.
Why VASER is Superior
The main advantage of the ultrasound-assisted technique with VASER is its “selectivity.” Because the small gas bubbles are not interspersed between other tissues (blood vessels, nerves, etc), they do not act upon them during the procedure. Trauma to surrounding tissues is thereby reduced, meaning you get precise results with a shorter recovery time.
The Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recently published what study authors report is the first statistical analysis of long-term satisfaction rates among facelift patients.
The study concluded that 10-15 years after undergoing surgery, the majority of facelift patients felt they looked 10 years younger. Additionally, more than 68 percent of facelift patients rated their results as “very good or beyond expectations” 10-15 years post-op.
Study authors Drs. Michael Friel, Matthew Trovato, Richard Shaw and John Owsley also reported that only 31 percent of participants indicated they were disappointed by some aspect of their long-term face lift outcome, which suggests that a majority of face lift patients experience a high degree of satisfaction with face lift results many years after surgery.
Dr. Owsley collected survey data from 89 of his patients who underwent a superficial musculoaponeurotic system–platysma facelift, or SMAS facelift, between January 1, 1994 and January 1, 1999. The participants were initially surveyed one year after surgery, at which time more than 97 percent of facelift patients said their facelift results were “very good or beyond expectations,” and then the same patients were surveyed again 10-15 years after their SMAS facelift procedure.
The SMAS facelift differs from a conventional skin-only facelift in that deeper tissue layers are manipulated during surgery to provide more natural and longer-lasting results.
A SMAS facelift typically corrects sagging skin and jowls, as the sheet of muscle and connective tissue on the cheek that contributes to facial expression known as the SMAS is tightened and repositioned. An extended SMAS facelift offers the same benefits as a SMAS facelift, in addition to correcting nose to mouth creases, or nasolabial folds.
If you’re considering a facial rejuvenation and skin tightening, don’t focus on brand names, marketing jargon and trying to make sense of complex surgical terminology. Instead, trust your face to a highly experienced Boston face lift surgeon whose skill and artistry will help you achieve your unique facial rejuvenation goals.
A guidance issued by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) advises an estimated 50,000 British women with recalled Poly Implant Prostheses (PIP) breast implants to have their implants checked for rupture within the next six months.
If rupture is discovered in even one breast implant, the BAAPS advises having both breast implants removed, as the French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons discovered the PIP breast implants contain an illegal, untested silicone gel substance that makes the implants abnormally susceptible to rupture.
Unlike women with the faulty PIP breast implants, women who undergo breast enlargement with the safe, FDA-approved silicone breast implants used in the U.S. have a choice about when and how to address implant malfunction in the unlikely event of a rupture.
Most women opt for breast augmentation revision to exchange their ruptured implant for a new one, while others choose breast explant surgery, or breast implant removal, and do not have their ruptured implant replaced.
When breast implants are removed and are not replaced, a breast lift to remove the extra skin stretched by the breast implants may be recommended. A breast lift with augmentation revision may also be recommended if the breasts have begun to sag since the initial breast augmentation surgery.
Occasionally, women may even choose to forego corrective breast surgery if their ruptured breast implants do not cause breast deformity or other unwanted effects.
Ruptures are easy to detect in saline breast implants, as the implants deflate and noticeably lose volume. Ruptures in silicone breast implants, on the other hand, do not have such an obvious affect and cannot be conclusively detected without an MRI.
If you experience a breast implant rupture, remain calm, as there is no immediate health risk with FDA-approved implants. Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing breast repair surgery. Once you know more about your options, you and your surgeon can decide whether breast augmentation revision, breast implant removal or breast lift surgery is right for you.
“I think I have more of a petite face and my nose was kind of overbearing,” says Allison, a teenager from Staten Island. Allison explains her desire to undergo rhinoplasty, how she found a board-certified plastic surgeon, and how the surgery changed her life.
She’s featured in this video on Project Beauty, a new consumer advice website launched by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty can be translated into “nose-shaping.” Many surgical techniques exist to alter the shape of your nose. If your nose appears disproportional or unbalanced, rhinoplasty can help. If your nose is short, long, wide, narrow, crooked, or just large, there are ways to reshape it while maintaining a natural appearance.
Two Methods
Plastic surgeons are performing this procedure with two basic techniques: the closed technique and open technique. In the closed technique (for most patients), all incisions are made inside your nose and the skin is not lifted away from the bone and cartilage. In the open technique, the plastic surgeon lifts the skin to obtain a clear view of the underlying nasal structure.
Is there an ideal or perfect nose shape?
Because each person’s face has a different size and shape, each person’s ideal nose will differ as well. You also have to take ethnic considerations into account, as many patients do not wish to completely erase these characteristics.
Aside from these relative aspects of rhinoplasty, there are general aesthetic qualities that almost everyone will find appealing. Most agree that the nasal dorsum should be straight, the tip should be somewhat narrow, and a small dip should be present between the nasal dorsum and the tip. Ask your plastic surgeon to show you photos of these qualities during your consultation.
A Possible Alternative
In some cases, the nose actually exhibits a normal shape and proportion, but it appears unbalanced because of a weak chin. A facial implant or chin augmentation procedure can often solve this problem by increasing the projection of your chin.
If you’re bothered by fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes (and who doesn’t have a few?) then you may want to check out this medical grade skincare product from Obagi. The ELASTIderm eye treatment is designed to restore elasticity in your skin and reduce those persistent lines near the eyes.
