Pharmaceutical company sanofi-aventis announced yesterday that federal clearance had been given to use Sculptra in facial cosmetic procedures. Although (off-label) cosmetic use of Sculptra has been happening for years, the original FDA approval of Sculptra was for treating lipoatrophy, i.e. facial fat loss, in AIDS patients. Professionals in the industry are excited to get official clearance for this long-lasting dermal filler.
The updated FDA clearance now specifies the following cosmetic purposes:
Treatment of mild-severe nasolabial folds
Treating Wrinkles and contour irregularities
Regulators based their evaluation of Sculptra on a study of 233 patients that had received treatment with the filler on nasolabial folds (smile lines). According to the official press release, the aesthetic results of Sculptra “were maintained up to 25 months after the last treatment session.” No seriously adverse reactions to Sculptra occurred during the study.
National news outlets have been buzzing all morning about a possible tax being imposed on cosmetic surgery procedures as a way to finance health care reform.
According to The Speaker’s Lobby, a FOX News blog, the idea came from a treasury department official, but it sounds as if the tax proposal is “off the table” for now. Apparently, most finance committee members have not even heard of the proposal. An LA Times blog claims the tax was to be introduced as a ten percent charge that would be tacked onto elective procedures like a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, and other popular cosmetic enhancements.
There are two strong objections that those of us in the industry would level against this proposal. First and foremost, such a tax would be paid almost entirely by women. Despite the growing popularity of cosmetic procedures for men, women still make up over 90 percent of the patient demographic in the United States. Obviously, imposing a tax such as the one in question would unfairly discriminate against women. Think about it this way: would a tax be imposed on men who purchase expensive tattoos, fashionable clothing, or bodybuilding equipment? It doesn’t seem likely.
Second, a common misconception that’s probably at work here (which may have been true in the past) is that only the rich and famous pursue cosmetic surgery. Maybe you can remember the New York Times story by Natasha Singer titled “Who Is the Real Face of Plastic Surgery?” Ms. Singer discussed the fact that a large number of patients choose to finance their cosmetic procedures, just as they would a new car. Also, let’s not forget the 2004 survey conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons; it revealed that nearly “a third of people considering plastic surgery reported average household incomes below $30,000.”
Hair is sexy …when it’s on top of your head. Otherwise, it is anything but! If you desire, hair can be removed from your face, legs, back, arms and even underarms.
There are many ways to remove unwanted hair including shaving, plucking, electronic tweezers, radiofrequency tweezers, waxing, depilatories (creams), electrolysis (inserting a needle into each hair follicle one at a time followed by an electric spark to burn out the follicle). Most of these methods are temporary. The only permanent and effective treatment to remove unwanted hair is with laser hair removal.
Lasers send a low-energy beam through the skin. The dark pigment (melanin) present in the shaft of the hair follicles absorbs the laser beam. Initial hair reduction is seen immediately after treatment. Permanent results require repeated treatments because of the hair growth cycles.
There are different types of lasers that can be used to remove unwanted hair. The first lasers approved for hair reduction by FDA were the ruby, alexandrite and diode lasers. But these could only be used on select individuals and not those with tans or ethnic skin.
Using today’s technology, we benefit from lasers with longer wavelengths such as the Cutera Coolglide and Prowave lasers, which have the ability to treat darker skin types – including African-American skin, Asian skin, and those with a tan.
One of the biggest benefits is convenience; immediately following your hair removal treatment you can return to work, school or any of your regular activities.
Your eyes obviously play an important role in your facial aesthetic, so when shadows and dark circles appear beneath them it can really make a negative impact. Dark circles are a common condition, caused by a variety of factors including heredity, allergies and thinning skin under the eyes. We understand that many people become frustrated by this condition. During the summer months, people are likely to get more exposure to sunlight, which causes the skin to increase pigmentation. This same principle applies to the skin under the eyes.
You may be able to diminish the appearance of dark circles with Jane Iredale’s Eye Amazing Treatment Plus Concealer (Circle/Delete), which offers 3 different skin tone choices to pick from:
Number 1 combines Light and Medium Yellow for light shades
Number 2 offers Medium Peach shades
Number 3 offers deep yellow and deep brown shades
This top of the line concealer contains Jojoba Ester and Avocado Oil as moisturizers, it is high in vitamins A, C, D & E to nourish the under-eye area, and combines Zinc and Titanium Dioxide to protect the tender area under our eyes from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
Of course, for those of us who need more coverage, you can combine Jane Iredale’s Active Light with Circle/Delete. Or you may want to use Circle/Delete as a standalone product.
We can show you how to apply one or both products to get the best results.
Hear what patients have to say about this product:
“I can actually blend and control the dark circles under my eyes with this product. The yellow tone blends perfectly with my skin tone and disappears after applied. The consistency is just right!”
“This is the best concealer – not cakey but smooth and literally transparent when applied! It allows you to fake flawless skin and cover any dark circles and blemishes. I’ve purchased this a handful of times and stock up when I remember to order as I can’t be without it for a day!”
“You get a two color creamy concealer that you can blend and that goes on smooth. You don’t have to go around with raccoon-eyes! It doesn’t smear when I use mascara and it really does provide continuous coverage when working long hours. It is great, no complaints.”
Team 5 Investigates recently aired this story on medical spa laser treatments. The news team uncovered some questionable practices taking place at local laser centers and med-spas, and also featured local Boston dermatologists offering their professional opinion on practitioners administering laser treatment with “no medical training whatsoever.”
If you’re seeking a laser skin resurfacing procedure in Boston, there are plenty of options available, but as the story illustrates, you’re much safer with a qualified plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
A breast augmentation patient talks about her surgery and her motivation for going through the procedure. She says, “I wanted to look more feminine; I wanted to have cleavage.” And perhaps the most important discussion point: “I had fears to begin with, but my fears lessened the more information that I gathered.”
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery produced this educational video, and is devoted entirely to advancing the field of cosmetic plastic surgery through education and research. See our breast augmentation page or the ASAPS procedure page for more information on breast augmentation.
It is the ultimate “acid test” – better known as the chemical peel. I know what you’re thinking – remember the Sex In The City episode when Samantha got a chemical peel and looked like raw meat? That was really scary, but chemical peels aren’t really like that, especially now.
Today’s advances in chemical peeling have made the results outstanding. Now, peels can actually tighten the skin as they peel away layers and “brighten” even sun-damaged skin. Yes, you do need to be prepared to undergo some tingling upon application (less discomfort than waxing), outlay some money and be out of action for three days, but the results will be worth it – your skin will never look better!
Everyone will comment that you glow. Your skin will look dewy and soft, because let’s face it people, at age 50 your skin doesn’t look dewy without doing something! So if you’re not ready for surgery this is the best place to start by trying a safe and effective treatment under medical supervision.
To prepare for the peel and get the best results, you should begin using a range of day and night medical grade skin care products. They can stimulate collagen production and cell turnover and put some elasticity back in your skin.
Plan ahead and be ready to hunker down for three days (post-peel) with some wine, old movies, TIVO or DVR some of your favorite shows, catch up on some good books or magazines and have some great food in the fridge – be prepared not to answer the door unless you know who it is. By day five, you should be wearing makeup again and be resuming your normal activities.
Here are some of the best peels on the market, that we provide at Boston Plastic Surgery.
Glycolic acid peel
MicroPeel® Plus
Booster peels
Lactic acid peels
See our anti-aging peels page or contact us for more information.
National news outlets have been buzzing all morning about a possible tax being imposed on cosmetic surgery procedures as a way to finance health care reform.
Hair is sexy …when it’s on top of your head. Otherwise, it is anything but! If you desire, hair can be removed from your face, legs, back, arms and even underarms.
It is the ultimate “acid test” – better known as the chemical peel. I know what you’re thinking – remember the Sex In The City episode when Samantha got a chemical peel and looked like raw meat? That was really scary, but chemical peels aren’t really like that, especially now.