Archive for the ‘Skin Care’ Category

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Key Ways to Reduce Neck Wrinkles Caused by Cell Phone Use

Monday, July 25th, 2011 by Staff Writer

reduce neck wrinklesLines and creases may develop if you spend an excessive amount of time texting and checking your email on your smartphone, according to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

The constant downward gaze caused by smartphone use may be causing some individuals to experience more lines and creases on their neck than would appear naturally. Even if your face maintains its youthful volume, signs of aging on the neck can give you away.

Unfortunately, there’s not an app for that, but facial and neck treatments may help curb the effects of too much texting. One aesthetician in Manhattan developed the “Blackberry facial,” which included cleansing, peels, hydration treatments and additional light, oxygen and lymphatic components to reduce neck wrinkles.

While you may not need to undergo such an intense, multi-step facial to correct signs of aging in your neck, whether from texting or age, many non-surgical options are available.

As a one step process, chemical peels can be applied to the face and neck to reduce neck wrinkles. These treatments work to remove dull, aged surface skin cells, allowing fresh, clean skin to be revealed. Chemical peels can also clear up uneven skin tone and other superficial skin issues.

Laser skin resurfacing treatments work in a way similar to chemical peels in that they allow new skin cells to surface. This light-based treatment removes surface skin cells, layer by layer, revealing smoother, more beautiful skin below. This can reduce neck wrinkles and smooth the appearance of your lower face.

For continued benefits of your non-surgical treatment for aging on the neck, a reliable at-home skin care regimen is important. Your plastic surgeon offers professional-grade skin care options, which work not only to repair skin damage and keep your skin looking supple, but can also protect your skin daily.

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Fat Transfer Procedure Achieves “Less Is More” Result

Monday, July 18th, 2011 by Staff Writer

fat transfer procedureAs patients usually desire a natural appearance when they undergo a procedure, plastic surgeons tend to employ a “less is more” tactic when performing a surgery or treatment.

Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Neal Reisman wrote in Culture Map that when it comes to plastic surgery, the “goal is not to appear different than we did when we were younger, but look as we did at an earlier time.” What causes these changes to the face is the loss of volume experienced over time and as an effect of sun exposure.

To remedy this looseness in the skin that results in lines and wrinkles, Dr. Reisman often recommends fat transfer procedures. By using the patient’s own excess tissue from a donor site (like the abdomen or thighs), your plastic surgeon is able to restore lost facial volume.

As an added plus to this fat transfer procedure, “stem cells and other nutrient cells combined with such transfers actually improve the circulation to local tissue.” While this will not replace a good skin care routine, it may help your skin maintain its healthy appearance for a longer period of time.

But what of those patients who lack sufficient fatty stores to undergo fat transfer procedures? Long-lasting facial fillers like Restylane are FDA-approved and can restore lost volume and vibrancy to the face. Dr. Reisman urges patients to be aware that while these treatments can have long-lasting effects, they are not permanent. Any filler that is not FDA-approved should be avoided to ensure your safety and an aesthetically-pleasing result.

For patients whose skin laxity is too poor to be corrected by a non-surgical treatments like an injection, the “less is more” rule still applies. For sagging jowls or the like, a full facelift may not always be necessary to achieve the desired result, Dr. Reisman says. A smaller operation, like a targeted “mini-lift” can leave the patient with beautiful results for seven to 10 years. These types of procedures can be completed with minimal anesthesia and recovery times.

We encourage you to contact us to learn more about diminishing the effects of aging with a cosmetic surgery or non-surgical treatment that focuses on your individual needs and aesthetic goals.

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Plastic Surgery: Debbie Harry Says Research Is Key

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011 by Staff Writer

debbie harry plastic surgeryFor lead singer of 80s band Blondie, Debbie Harry, plastic surgery in the 90s in the form of a facelift, has yielded many benefits, she told Showbiz Spy.

Plastic Surgery: Debbie Harry Speaks About the Importance of Research

While Harry says some people might rush into a decision to have plastic surgery and go to a plastic surgeon without doing some “homework,” she knows its importance.

When considering plastic surgery, you want to make sure you choose a board certified plastic surgeon. This plastic surgeon will show you examples of their patient work and walk you through the procedure, making sure you feel comfortable.

Your plastic surgeon will also discuss your options with you during your consultation. Your board certified plastic surgeon has the aesthetic eye and experience to suggest appropriate procedures and treatments to help you reach your aesthetic goals.

Harry says she met with several plastic surgeons even after doing research. This careful process helped her choose a plastic surgeon who was right for her individual needs.

Debbie Harry: Plastic Surgery Considerations “Important”

Harry says that as a woman, she feels its important to think about the aging process and what she can do to stop it. Harry adds that women have a more “rigorous time physically than men.”

Even if she wasn’t a well-known person, Harry says she would have still had the facelift, which she feels helped bring her out of a depression. Even nearly two decades after her facelift, Harry says it has held up well.

While a facelift surgery like Harry underwent can remove sagging skin and jowls on the lower face, it is important to maintain a skin care regimen, as well, especially as your skin continues to age.

When you visit board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Smith for a consultation regarding a facelift or other facial rejuvenation procedure, make sure to ask about skin care products to protect and repair your skin to maintain its youthful glow.

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Products by Obagi for Dark Skin Can Target Pigmentation Issues

Friday, June 17th, 2011 by Staff Writer

obagi dark skinA poll released by leading skincare maker Obagi, shows that women with darker skin tones struggle with finding an ideal skin care routine.

The poll, which was completed by 1,000 women of varying ethnicities, from African American to Middle Eastern, Asian and Hispanic, found that nearly half of the women shared one concern: pigmentation. This may include issues with hyperpigmentation, dark spots or a generally uneven skin tone.

More startling yet, is the finding that nearly a majority of the women polled said they have difficulty finding skincare products that meet their expectations. Almost half of the women polled said their current skin care routine does not fill their needs.

In some cases, that issue may be linked to finding matching colors for makeup items like foundation or cover-up. Nude, a common color found in the drugstore aisle, will often match the skin tone of women with a more fair complexion. This issue of what constitutes a “nude” shade is a hot topic for the fashion industry, as well, as discussed by the Associated Press.

One clear positive coming out of the poll was the fact that most women asked said they wore a daily sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, which may be component in products made by Obagi for dark skin. This is good news for the women as it will help ward off sun damage and early signs of aging.

Obagi for Dark Skin and Other Treatments

If you already struggle with photodamaged skin, however, all hope is not lost. In fact, on top of products by Obagi for dark skin, treatments in your plastic surgeon’s office can reverse these issues and an improved skin care regimen can protect it from further damage.

A common way to reduce pigmentation issues is with non-surgical treatments. A chemical peel comes in varying strengths and removes the damaged surface skin cells, smoothing out your skin’s appearance. Dermabrasion or microdermabrasion work in a similar way and may be done with a course of treatments.

Laser skin resurfacing or IPL treatments specifically target the pigment issues in your skin. When the laser’s beam is focused on the treatment site, the pigment is ablated and the issue is cleared.

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Moderate Botox Users Experience Fewer Psychological Side Effects, Study Finds

Monday, May 2nd, 2011 by Staff Writer

minneapolis botox restylanePatients who receive excessive amounts of Botox or Dysport to minimize wrinkles may have more difficulty reading others emotions, found a  study in Social Psychological and Personality Science, according to WebMD.

Dr. David R. Neal, a psychology professor at the University of Southern California said that, “If you have a poker face because your facial muscles are paralyzed, you can’t read others emotions as well.”

Oftentimes, Neal said, we read the emotions of others by mimicking their facial expressions using a sort of “sixth sense.” Under the effect of too much botulinum toxin, the main component in Botox and Dysport, we lose that sense, he said.

Despite the decreased ability of some Botox users to read the facial expressions of others, Neal maintains that the effect is subtle and says patients need to weigh the aesthetic benefits with the possible psychological effects the treatments may have.

Conversely, the study found that patients who received treatments of the dermal filler Restylane did not experience a change in their ability to read facial expressions.

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Eyelid Surgery, Among Other Procedures, Highly Popular in China

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 by Staff Writer

minneapolis botox eyelid surgery rhinoplasty nose surgerySince the industry began to grow exponentially a decade ago, more and more Chinese are choosing to spend extra income on plastic surgery, according to The New York Times. Only houses, cars and travel are ranked above plastic surgery as ways those in China choose to spend discretionary income.

The number of operations performed in China doubles every year and in 2009, China was ranked third in the number of procedures performed with more than two million. Ranked numbers one and two were the US and Brazil, respectively.

While plastic surgeries may often be thought of as an age-fighting measure, in China, the most popular procedure is actually eyelid surgery to increase the apparent size of the patient’s eyes. This surgery involves adding a crease in the eyelid to create what is called a double eyelid.

One such patient, 25-year-old Chen Xiaomeng, pictured, underwent the procedure and was pleased with the result and is now considering nose surgery. It may have been easier for her to undergo plastic surgery than it may have been in generations past since, “Cosmetic surgery is now accepted in practically every household,” Xiaomeng said.

Other popular procedures in China include rhinoplasty to build up the bridge of the nose, jaw surgery to lengthen and narrow its appearance, as well as facelifts and non-surgical wrinkle treatments like Botox.

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Plastic Surgery Favored Among More Americans

Monday, April 11th, 2011 by Staff Writer

edina minneapolis botox breast augmentationA new study published by the ASAPS shows that now, more than ever, Americans approve of cosmetic plastic surgery. The study, which was released this month, found that 51% of Americans regardless of income hold a favorable view of plastic surgery.

While the approval numbers vary somewhat between income levels—56% with an income above $75,000 approve while just 45% with an income between $50,000 to $75,000 approve—there is an overall 3% increase in approval from 2009.

ASAPS President Felmont F. Eaves III, MD credits society’s growing dedication to maintaining a good physical appearance and adds that, “As both traditional surgical procedures have been improved and refined, and new nonsurgical options have become available, aesthetic plastic surgeons have more to offer our patients.”

These popular surgical procedures include breast augmentations for women, eyelid surgery to reduce wrinkles around the eyes and rhinoplasty. Non-surgical treatments like Botox, injectable fillers and chemical peels, which all work to reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the face, are also highly sought after.

The survey also found that 67% of Americans would not be embarrassed if their friends learned they had undergone a cosmetic surgery, while men and women 18 to 24 were the most likely to consider a cosmetic procedure for themselves.

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Research Investigates Freezing Away Wrinkles

Monday, April 4th, 2011 by Staff Writer

botox edina minneapolisEarly clinical trials are showing success in producing the same wrinkle-reducing effect as Botox and Dysport, without employing the use of the botulinum toxin, according to U.S. News.

Though both Botox and Dysport are hugely popular non-surgical options for diminishing many facial lines and wrinkles, new alternatives are often being researched. This treatment, which is called cryoneuromodulation, “appears to have the same clinical efficacy and safety comparable to the existing techniques,” according to Francis Palmer, director of facial plastic surgery at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles, who co-authored the study.

Rather than paralyzing the underlying muscle to smooth out the wrinkle as Botox and Dysport do, this new method freezes specific nerves in the forehead using small needles. This stops the nerve from communicating with the muscle, which causes it to relax. The smoothing effect is almost immediate and lasts about as long as botulinum toxin-based methods—three to four months.

The procedure takes about 15 minutes to complete while the patient is under a local anesthetic. Patients said the level of discomfort was similar to that experienced with Botox.

Though you may want to jump at the chance to try this new wrinkle-fighting treatment, it is still in the early stages of trails and has only been tested on forehead wrinkles. In the meantime, Botox is known to beautifully treat forehead lines, frown lines and crow’s feet.

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Plastic Surgeon Explores Varying Beauty Ideals

Monday, March 28th, 2011 by Staff Writer

minneapolis facelift tummy tuckWhile the old adage is “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” a New York plastic surgeon suggests it is rather the perception of beauty that matters. In an article for The Huffington Post, Dr. Robert Tornambe points out that each of us consider varying aspects of the human form to be beautiful. In a similar manner, plastic surgery procedures are customized with aesthetic sensitivity in mind, as no two people’s faces or bodies are exactly alike.

Take, for example, a facelift. This procedure, which tones sagginess in the lower parts of the face, could not successfully be performed in an identical manner on a man and a woman. For the man, the ideal result might be a strong, toned jaw line and the woman may desire a softer look, if applying conventional beauty standards.

It is with these conventions that Dr. Tornambe also takes issue. Rather than use a checklist for what is beautiful, he suggests that each woman has a Beauty Quotient. This is made up of three components: Physical Health, Psychological Health and Personal Appearance. He asserts that the combination of these three elements, which can be improved greatly with even minor tweaks or changes, make up a woman’s individual beauty.

When you go in for a cosmetic appointment, like a facelift, rhinoplasty or even a body procedure, such as a tummy tuck to tone hanging midsection skin, your plastic surgeon will keep this aesthetic sensitivity at the forefront of their mind. The goal of any good plastic surgeon is not to mold you into someone else’s idea of beauty, but rather to highlight your own beautiful features.

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Tax Refunds Turned into Cosmetic Improvements

Monday, March 14th, 2011 by Staff Writer

liposuction breast augmentation botox minneapolisAs tax season ramps up, refund checks are being sent out and, if the money isn’t going into savings, it’s likely to be used for an indulgence. For many, this means finally going in for a long put-off cosmetic surgery, according to abc15.com.

Plastic surgeons in the Phoenix area say they are seeing a dramatic uptick in the number of individuals who are coming in during tax season, using their tax refund check to cover all or part of a procedure.

Kristy Harris in Phoenix chose to use her tax refund to pay for part of her breast lift surgery and used some savings to cover the rest of the $8,400 procedure (cost based on patient-reported averages on RealSelf.com). The mother of two said that raising children took a toll on her body and she wanted to do something to help herself achieve a “different look.”

Another popular procedure for the breasts is breast augmentation, which costs approximately $6,600. This surgery can improve shapeliness and body proportion.

Liposuction remains one of the most sought-after body procedures and costs about $5,600. Liposuction is often performed to remove stubborn fat deposits nearly anywhere on the body.

Even if your tax refund check is a bit smaller than you would hope, non-surgical treatments are available at a fraction of the cost of surgery. The ever-popular Botox, is used to reduce lines and wrinkles on the face. Chemical peels are also non-invasive and remain one of the key facial rejuvenation treatments and work to reduce many skin imperfections like a dry, dull complexion, blemishes and pigmentation issues. Botox and chemical peels cost about $472 and $610 for full treatments, respectively.

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