USA Plastic Surgery

beauty procedures plastic surgery risks

2009-09-07T10:16:00.000-07:00

The most common beauty procedures on plastic surgery

Below is a list of the most common beauty procedures performed today:
Hair transplantation
Facelift
Botox
Lip enhancement
Breast Reduction
Rhinoplasty
Breast enlargement
forehead lift
Breast Lift
Penis Enlargement
Abdominoplasty
blepharoplasty
Liposuction
Ear Plastic
Chins

Most of them we will cover on separeted articles.

Dangers of beauty procedures on plastic surgery
Although a beauty procedure or a plastic surgery is generally considered a low-risk surgery, there are risks, just like any other surgery. These risks may be partly split between general risks and specific risks. The overall risks are those associated with surgery in general and the specific risks are those that come with a specific plastic surgery. We will cover them later in detail on the information page for each beauty procedure. The general risks of beauty procedure or plastic surgery include bleeding, infection, water retention, skin reactions, necrosis, nerve damage, anesthesia-related risks, and scarring. Make sure your surgeon carefully explains what risks your plastic surgery represents.

Get rid of wrinkles without surgery

2008-09-10T13:40:00.001-07:00

If you're thinking about getting a facelift, but aren't quite ready for the full surgery, there are alternatives.

The latest and greatest product is called Artefill, which is a combination of cow collagen and tiny plastic microspheres.

About a year ago, Dr. Mark Hamilton of Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery spoke with 24-Hour News 8 about the product.

"I really insist that they do the temporary filler first," said Dr. Hamilton.

Along with Dr. Hamilton, News 8 also checked with another plastic surgeon on Artefill. He was skeptical and wouldn't recommend it.

But now one year later Dr. Hamilton is pointing to the latest five year study on the wrinkle filler and he said the news is even better. The microspheres, used to puff up the wrinkles are smoother, more regular. And less prone to cause a reaction.

"This is the version used in the U.S. And you can see they are much more uniform in shape and a lack of particles," said Dr. Hamilton.

These little spheres are injected under the skin. Older versions of Artefill were more irregular and you could find tiny particles in it. There was more of a chance of a reaction.

But Dr. Hamilton said his patients haven't had any problems and have been happy with their results.

But there's always the more radical technique, a face and neck lift.

Unlike a face lift, Artefill is done in a matter of minutes and is much less invasive. And Dr. Hamilton believes it's safe.

"It's really showing a great track record, still a good safety profile, when you compare it to the temporary fillers. I think it holds up very well. And the product is still there five years later, which confirms what we expected that it's a long term if not permanent change," said Dr. Hamilton.

Artefill has been used around the world for the past 20 years. But the product is made by different companies. Dr. Hamilton said the American product is the best.

Beauty products

2008-09-07T16:12:00.001-07:00

I'm not afraid to admit I'm as susceptible to beauty mistakes as the next person — or that there have been some pretty comical ones. At school, for example, a DIY home hair-mask recipe caused me inadvertantly to scramble an egg on my head (I didn't get the importance of rinsing with lukewarm water).

A couple of vigorous washes was all it took to correct, but had I had to live for weeks instead of hours with the sulphurous smell it left behind, I would really have rued the day I experimented with my beauty routine. And that is where more durable treatments can fall down. Regular readers may remember me writing about the Daniel Hersheson permanent blow-dry treatment a couple of months back. At the time, the thought of being able to wash and (immediately) wear my usually wavy/frizzy hair without having to smooth out various sections with the hairdryer convinced me to give it a whirl. For the first couple of weeks I was glad I had. I could merrily skip out of the shower, dress and move straight onto make-up without any tiresome blow-drying. My hair didn't exactly look blow-dried in that swingy way it should, but it was definitely less unruly.

I feel it only right, however, to give an update now that it has had a chance to settle. The fact is that, while the treatment contains conditioning clays, there's no denying the fact that it is a chemical process and, hence, not especially good for the hair. The frizz is still somewhat tamed, but my hair is now also permanently lank and unable to last more than a day without feeling coated in a tacky residue. I'm not alone in my disappointment. A colleague tried it and found that the only effect it had on her hair was to exacerbate her frizz, and some hairdressers I have consulted have seen clients who have tried the procedure and been similarly disappointed.

On the plus side, I've discovered some great reconditioning products — a dose of Kérastase Forcintense (£24; 0800 316 4400) after each wash and Real Base Conditioning Haircare Mist (£17; realhair.co.uk) really help infuse moisture back in. And, as with a bad cut, it is only a matter of time before it grows out. Plus, the human guinea pig aspect of this job does require me to take the rough with the smooth — so hopefully you don't have to.

Lust of the week

YSL's new Rouge Volupté is a statement lipstick if ever there was one. The decadent gold casing gives it a jewel-like quality, and the handy mirror on the lid is proof that this is meant to be applied in public. The substance within this stylish outerwear? A luscious,glossy formula whose colours don't lose any of their clout for coming in a high-shine finish.

Aïcha Fofana wins beauty contest in Togo

2008-09-07T16:11:00.001-07:00

APA-Lomé (Togo) Aicha Pamela FOFANA was on Saturday night crowned Togo's nicest girl in 2008 during a beauty contest held at the Conference centre of Lome.

This 18-year old girl, Aisha, is in her second year of business communication studies and measures 1.71m tall and 58kg.

She emerged the prettiest among 21 competitors. The 21-year old Sena Alovor, 1.7m and 56kg, came second and 22-year old Ablavi Randolph, 1.68m and 57kg, took the third position in the contest.

"I believed in my features; but there came a time when I was discouraged. I rallied confidence when I realised that my contenders started quivering, Aicha said after dedicated her victory to here mother who died three months ago.

Before she won the Miss crown, Aisha endured like all the other competitors, various events such as the gait, the plastic beauty, the traditional parade, and this year's interview on women leadership.

As soon as she was elected, Pamela embarked on development projects, exploiting her image to mobilise the support of the population. The Miss did not however reveal her area for action.

"I will discuss with the committee to select the topic which matches with our country's current issues", Aicha said.

Initiated in 1994 by the Committee Miss Togo, the beauty contest has become a real cultural and social pageant. Togo's bronze Olympics medallist, Benjamin Boukpeti, also attended that 14th edition.

Unleash your legs with our definitive six-week guide to the perfect pins

2008-09-06T14:42:00.001-07:00

Warm weather and summer fashion make us want to bare our legs but do we dare? Anne McElvoy tests the hot new exercise machine on a quest to make hers look 10 years younger.

Really, I don't ask for much: just legs 10 years younger than I am. I divulge this fantasy to one sensible colleague and an academic friend, both of whom are apt to dismiss trivial aspirations as unworthy of educated females. "Ooh, yes," they chorus.

Women whose minds are supposed to be on higher things share secret fantasies of improved legs. also, the no-tights season now extends from May to September, even without the annual beach challenge, so something should be done.

"Power plates and some vein zapping," says a leggy adviser. "anything else will take you months." I don't have months. So it is off to Beauty Works West, the spa where lissom W11 dwellers come and go, lissomer by the day. A full leg consultation is ordered and, oh dear: are they really mine? I blame the babies.

Next door in Bodyworks West, head trainer Rebecca has her tape measure in hand and emails me a long explanation of how "vibration training" works.

"When a muscle is under tension and placed on a vibrating platform the tiny movements stimulate another proprioceptor called the Golgi tendon organ. It will react to protect the muscle by causing it to relax further, thus allowing a greater stretch." If you say so.

WEEK 1

First up is Dr Sister, blue-vein and stretch-mark zapper to anyone who is anyone. "Don't you need your veins?" asked a (male) colleague (duh). Well, no actually, not the tiny blotchy ones that arrive on your 40th birthday and multiply like little mini-maps of Balkan states. The good French doctor armed with his miracle machines shouts "Kapow" when he hits a target.

It feels like having hot needles inserted under the skin for 10 to 15 minutes. "What does 'buggeration' mean?" enquiries Dr Sister. I choose Polish Patti for the red vein treatment, which is marginally less painful.

On to the Power Plate. It judders up and down at high speed, and then I run through all those squats and lunges under Rebecca's eagle eye. I hadn't realised that abdominal strength is so important to building up better muscle tone in the legs.

I have to "zip" my abdominals tight, control my breathing and "pin your tummy button to your spine", which is about as comfortable as it sounds. After each session, my legs feel pleasantly tight but without all the panting and sweating of a treadmill session.

Power Plate: Favoured by the likes of Madonna the Plate has a vibrating platform that accelerates the effects of muscle training

WEEK 2

Results! An inspection with a female friend (men don't really care) shows a small amount of new defined muscle down the outside leg and around the knee. I am halfway to being Gwyneth - just not quite as sleek.

In the second half of each session, we do a stint on the Cardio Wave (a smoother version of the step machine) and the swish pulleys and levers of the Kinesis circuit.

An exercise ball now and then adds extra excitement. It feels like blessed relief after being jiggled on the Power Plate.

Then I lie down and Rebecca does all the work, stretching out calves and hip muscles so that they get elongated.

Have invested in proper Sweaty Betty kit and proper shoes. This is going well.

WEEK 3

Disaster. Thrice weekly sessions are killing my out-of-work life. I have to drive across London at weekends to fit in training and the novelty of standing on a shuddering machine is wearing off. And now my lower back is niggling (an existing weakness that pops up when I take to serious exercise).

Bodyworks introduces Mark, a nice antipodean physio whom I will see while training (the combination of a gym and physio is the most useful innovation in sporting london). We discuss the depilation question as I have a holiday looming.

Apparently there's a state-of-the-art laser hair removal which works wonders for dark hair. I am fair and use this as an excuse to avoid more lasers and opt for ye olde waxing. After what I've been through, a bit of mild hair-ripping feels quite pleasant.

Having a ball: Stretching supplements the hi-tech Plate workout

WEEK 4/5

Holiday. Rebecca sends texts telling me to do 50 sets of thigh-enhancing clams and squats every two days. I obey in week one and my friends make the right noises about good legs for the beach. Then I let it all go again and the slump is instant - heavy limbs and a general feeling of slovenliness.

WEEK 6

Back on the chain gang. The veins are looking better and a dark area behind the knee is gone. Now I alternate between perky Rebecca - still enjoining me to "squeeze" and "zip" up my innards - and the physio, who is becoming a regular fixture.

Muscle definition is definitely better though - specially down the outside leg and (a bonus) around the midriff and bottom. I fret that I might end up with "cyclist's calves". So we add a round of extra stretches. Apparently half an hour of this a day is optimal. Have trouble putting up with it for five minutes.

VERDICT

Mission accomplished. Rebecca enthuses that my legs are "more toned, tight and stable". The improved gluts and abdominals are a definite plus. I would use Power Plates as part of a fitness regime, but with some gentler elements thrown in for variety.

Now realise that unless you are Marlene Dietrich, you can spend most of your free time maintaining your legs. Oddly, no leading modelling agency has yet been on the phone.

Are You Developing Wrinkles Due to Stress?

2008-09-06T07:55:00.001-07:00

Stress is something that we all have to deal with, but too much of it can have dire effects on you. One way in which stress leaves its mark on us is in the form of wrinkles. They aren't only caused by getting older or the skin drying out. Stress takes a very big toll on your overall health, both physically and mentally. If you are developing wrinkles it is time to really take a close look at what you can do to reduce your stress level.

Some of us just handle daily stressors more than others. It can be simple things such as getting your work done or being stuck in traffic. Others have serious relationship concerns, financial strains, or a number of other things going on that are stressful. It is a very destructive thing that can completely destroy every aspect of your life if you let it. Your body will change too as toxins build up and your skin looks older.

As a person ages their hormones will change as well. Cortisol is a hormone that can result in weight gain as well as your skin aging. This is because the way in which your body is able to handle Cortisol changes as you get older. The hormone can remain in your body for very long periods of time when you get older. In the past it may have come and gone in very little time at all. This is also a core reason why adults get acne when they are stressed out.

While we do need to control the stress in our lives, it is virtually impossible to eliminate all of it. There are other things you can do though to stop those wrinkles from forming. Learn various breathing techniques that allow you to reach all the day down into your diaphragm and then to exhale. This will calm you down faster than you might believe. Practice such breathing techniques anywhere you go to reduce stress as it occurs.

Avoid large amounts of caffeine especially from coffee. This can cause your insulin levels to rise and more Cortisol to be produced. You should replace coffee with green tea because it is full of antioxidants that will help your skin fight the aging process. Make sure you drink plenty of water each day too. This way you can cleanse out toxins and you can stay well hydrated. Pay attention to how much sleep you get each night as well. The quality of your sleep is just as important as the amount of it though.

So there you go.

Do your very best to conquer stress and you will also keep wrinkles at bay. There are many wonderful anti-aging products out there too that you can use to help you. They will not only get rid of current wrinkles but prevent others from appearing. Take good care of your skin and it will show. You will have delightful looking skin that is healthy and vibrant at any age.

Want the best wrinkle cream products that work? Then see these latest real life reviews by Stacey Williams of the anti aging creams including the Athena 7 minute lift serum for looking years younger and that gives results, including the best rated cellulite cream and cellulite treatment that works.

Beauty rules

2008-09-06T07:54:00.003-07:00

There is a lot to take in when it comes to the world of beauty.

But there is even more coming out of your wallet.

The fountain of youth does not come cheap.

Each week there is a new product, a new 'must have', a new 'instant classic' coming on to the market and navigating the beauty counters can be a little like the Argonauts journey through the Sirens territory.

But beauty does not have to be expensive.

Everyone has products which work for them and if it ain't broke, then don't fix it, but there are times when the flesh is willing, but the wallet is weak.

And for that, you need to remember these time tested commandments to staying soft, supple and wrinkle free.

THOU SHALL NOT ALWAYS BUY DESIGNER
Sure, the snazzy packaging is seductive and there is a little bit of a rush which comes with slathering your skin in something that looks and smells so luxurious, but that doesn't always translate into giving you the best results.

People with sensitive skin should shy away from the heavily fragranced products which often populate these lines – you wouldn't spray perfume on your face, so why are you rubbing it in with your cleanser?

Cetaphil is still one of the most gentle and best cleansers around – and best of all it is under $10.

It doesn't look or smell particularly fantastic, but dermatologists have recommended it for years.

THOU SHALL NOT BE SEDUCED BY A SALES PITCH
Don't be afraid to ask for a sample. When someone has taken the time to give you a run down on the product, smear it on you and tell you how great it is going to be for you there is pressure to reward them with a sale. This is their job.

If you think you might like the product, ask for a sample and try it out over a couple of days at home before committing to a sale. It gives you a chance to make sure the product suits your skin and will do what you want it to before you hand over hard earned money for something which will just sit in your cupboard gathering dust because it gave you a rash.

THOU SHALL NOT DISCOUNT SUPERMARKET FINDS
Naomi Campbell swears by Palmer's Cocoa Butter – and you can pick it up for a tidy $6 or so.

Sorbolene cream can be used to weigh down fly-away hair, moisturise your skin or even as a cleanser in the shower – and can be bought for under $5.

Several make-up artists and beauty editors still claim that Maybelline's Great Lash mascara is the best mascara they have ever used – and it's still only around $20.

Dry hands? Slather them in Vaseline just before bed, cover them in socks and head for the land of nod. The same can be done for feet and in a pinch, Vaseline can be used under the eyes when there is nothing left in the eye cream jar.

Toothpaste can be used to dry out pimples – dab a little on before going to bed. A crushed aspirin can also work wonders on blemishes and can also help remove the redness associated with them.

Dry Shampoo is great for in-between washes and can be found for about $8 – take it to the gym for a quick fix.

THOU SHALL RAID THE PANTRY
Brown sugar mixed with olive oil can be used as a body exfoliator in the shower.

Beat a couple of egg whites, add some honey, a squirt of lemon juice and if you are feeling adventurous some oats and voila! instant face mask.

Powered milk makes a great skin softener in the bath – just pour a cup or two in and sit back and channel Cleopatra.

Vinegar can be used to dry out spots on your back – just put in a spray bottle, add a little bit of water and blast those blemishes. Not for the face though – that is a little too harsh.

Baking Soda is one of the most effective exfoliators around. Add about a teaspoon to your cleanser (or even Cetaphil) and rub.

THOU SHALL RESEARCH
Do you need a toner? Do all your beauty steps need to be from the same brand? Do you really have oily skin? Or is it combination? Or is it only oily because you are using the wrong products and your skin is trying to compensate?

It does pay to have your skin assessed by a professional. If you don't or can't afford to buy their products, they can at least point you in the right direction.

THOU SHALL REMEMBER PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN THE CURE
Drink water. As much as you can handle.

Wear sunscreen. And don't forget your neck. There is no point in having a youthful face when the thing holding it up is spotty and wrinkled. In fact anywhere your skin is exposed, cover it in sunscreen. But make sure it is broad spectrum and protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Chow down on some vitamin C – it is very good for your skin and also great at healing.

Eat well. Your skin will thank you.

If you're taking your magical pots and powders with you on a trip, keep it in its packaging to prevent breakage.

And sleep. There is no use in looking fabulous if your eyes are hanging out of your head.

Celebrity Makeup Artist Matin Reveals Backstage Beauty Secrets Used to Create the Be EcoChic(TM) Runway 'Look'

2008-09-06T07:54:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK, Sept 05, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Neutrogena(R) Cosmetics Science Expert Matin Maulawizada unveiled his first eco-inspired "look" at the global launch of Be EcoChic(TM), a star-studded event that kicked-off New York Fashion Week last night. Debuting new products such as Neutrogena(R) Cosmetics Nourishing Eye Liner, Nourishing Eye Quad and MoistureShine Lipstick and the latest Neutrogena(R) Skincare products such as Neutrogena(R) Lift & Strengthen Intensive Facial Concentrate, Matin created the "look" worn by models and celebrities, including Neutrogena(R) spokespeople Malin Akerman and Susie Castillo, during the first-ever Be EcoChic(TM) runway show. The Be EcoChic(TM) "look" is now available to the public at http://www.beecochic.com.

"For the Be EcoChic(TM) fashion show, I created a radiant 'look,' starting with healthy skin to bring out the natural beauty of the models and celebrities. Using Neutrogena(R) Cosmetics, I designed a soft, smoky eye and nude lips, accented with a soft gloss that keeps them playful and feminine," said celebrity makeup artist Matin. "My inspiration for the 'look' is the eco-minded woman who still wants to be chic, much like the premise of the Be EcoChic(TM) campaign. After all, you can be fashionable and environmentally conscious," added Matin.

"The Neutrogena(R) heritage of clean and gentle extends not only to the products we offer consumers but to our business practices as well -- from solar panel systems to a reduction in packaging materials," said Pericles Stamatiades, Company Group Chairman, Beauty, Johnson & Johnson. "Our participation in Be EcoChic(TM) is an example of our commitment to encourage smart choices that not only help preserve the world we live in but also help others learn what they can do to 'be' eco chic."

The foundation for beautiful makeup begins with beautiful skin and Neutrogena(R) has a solution for skincare worries including tired eyes, general loss of elasticity and breakouts. The Neutrogena(R) Ageless Restoratives(TM) Energy Renewal Energizing Eye Cream targets the delicate eye area to restore radiance and vibrancy. For overall noticeably-strengthened, healthier and younger-looking skin, the Neutrogena(R) Lift & Strengthen Intensive Facial Concentrate works deep within the surface to minimize visible signs of collagen loss. The Neutrogena(R) Rapid Clear(TM) Fight & Fade Gel has a unique two-in-one formulation which reduces breakouts and fades the look of post-acne marks for clearer, more even-toned skin fast.

"As an actress, my skin undergoes a tremendous amount of stress which is why it is important for me to use products that are good for my complexion," said actress Malin Akerman whose participation in the show also affirms her commitment to the environment. "By using Neutrogena(R) Cosmetics I am confident that I'm taking care of my skin while also looking my best."

To see Matin's "look," get more information on the Neutrogena(R) Cosmetics and Skincare products used at Be EcoChic(TM) and get step-by-step instructions to create your "look" at home, visit http://www.beecochic.com.

About Neutrogena(R)

A worldwide leader in premium, dermatologist-recommended skin, hair and cosmetics products, Neutrogena(R) has been providing consumers with health and beauty improvements for over 40 years. The Company manufactures and markets a line of premium priced skin and hair care products that are distributed in more than 70 countries. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Neutrogena(R) is a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, world's most comprehensive and broadly based health care products company.

About Matin:

Matin Maulawizada, a native of Afghanistan with a master's degree in Molecular Biology, was first introduced to the beauty business by a college roommate and began doing makeup part time. After working as a research scientist for a couple of years, he realized that he missed creating works of art on all types of faces. Since making the transition from scientist to makeup artist, Matin has worked with an ever-expanding list of the most beautiful faces in the entertainment industry. He has been featured in the beauty pages of leading fashion magazines such as Harper's Bazaar and Allure and his work has graced the covers of Elle, Amaan, Marie Claire and Nylon.

About Malin Akerman:

Akerman relocated to the U.S. from Canada in 2001 to pursue her love of acting. Since 2001, she has quickly been building her film career. This spring, Akerman appeared in the romantic comedy 27 DRESSES. Prior to that, she landed the lead role in THE HEARTBREAK KID directed by the Farrelly Brothers, co-starring Ben Stiller, and starred in the Screen Gems comedy THE BROTHERS SOLOMON directed by Bob Odenkirk. On the small screen, Akerman impressed critics and audiences alike with her portrayal of "Juna Millken" in the HBO series THE COMEBACK. She also had a memorable recurring role in the third season of ENTOURAGE. Akerman has just completed work as one of the title characters in WATCHMEN for 300 Director, Zack Snyder. The film co-stars Billy Cruddup, Carla Gugino and Patrick Wilson and is due out in March 2009.

Natural Collagen Q5-26 Platinum

2008-09-04T11:04:00.001-07:00

How is your epidermis doing today? Does it feel as fresh and vibrant as the rest of you? Your skin is the largest (and most delicate) of your organs, and it is just as important to keep that organ healthy and rejuvenated ...

spotlights, and also long before your heart stops beating like a frisky twenty year old.

At CollageneLife Intl, we do not believe that anyone should just accept the lines and wrinkles as a part of life. Throw a rally or a tantrum; whichever would be the best way to get the attention of the Dermatology Gods. Who says you have to look old just because you are not eighteen years old anymore? We think that you deserve to look and feel your absolute best. It is for this reason that CollageneLife developed the highly successful and sought after Natural Collagen Q5-26 Platinum gel.

Natural Collagen Q5-26 Platinum was created based on the science of how our bodies function. We at CollageneLife wanted to find a way to improve and even stop the cause of your skin's flaccid appearance, not just smooth out the affects of collagen loss and aging. Our Platinum gel does just that - it absorbs into your skin's tissue and gets to work on a deeper cellular level. The results are lasting and will leave you very satisfied.

The beauty of Natural Collagen Q5-26 Platinum is that it is not solely intended to stave off wrinkles and lines. We are very glad that our formula is so effective against the aging process, but there are many other uses for the Platinum serum. We recommend using it for normal skin irritations, melanoderma (darkening of skin), after being in the sun, to treat skin eczema, and after any deep cleansing treatments and/or facial skin peel.

And even more surprising was the discovery that Natural Collagen Q5-26 Platinum can be used in the genital region to rejuvenate and tighten skin cells. Many pre and postmenopausal women have found the Platinum gel to be most helpful for maintaining a proper balance of nourishment to the vaginal skin cells. Natural Collagen Q5-26 Platinum is a truly amazing and versatile serum to be used allover maintenance of your skin.

Amazing Changes from Wrinkle Creams

2008-09-04T11:03:00.001-07:00

It's a world full of Baby Boomers and others still older who are fighting a war against the effects of time on human flesh. Many seniors now are active, healthy people who would rather look like they feel instead of appearing worn and tired and just plain old. Because of this, the demand for anti aging skin care has never been greater.

A great many seniors these days are very active, healthy people who would love to look as good and as vital as they feel. No one wants to live an active lifestyle while looking tired and weathered and just plain old, so doing something active to improve looks and tip the balance to youthfulness is pressing. Surgery an

d invasive procedures can really help, but a nonsurgical approach is what more people would prefer

The idea of a wrinkle cream has been around for generations, but until pretty recently the effects of wrinkle creams were mostly on the wallet and not on the face. All sorts of snake oil was sold to supposedly eliminate wrinkles and make skin as new and fresh as an infant, but little of it worked and some was harmful. Some of it might actually have contained real snake oil, and many bizarre ingredients were used.

Currently we do know the effects of wrinkle creams can be real and make a nice improvement, if the right ingredients are included and if they are used correctly. To work, a wrinkle treatment has to be based on the biology and physiology of aging. As people grow older, their skin does change structurally. Sun can damage the skin and time itself means less water and weaker protein support.

Wrinkle treatments that work will protect against sun damage by screening out harmful rays, so look for that except for night creams. They will always have one or more effective moisturizing ingredients and will tell you to apply them when the skin is moist. The best will have some kind of amino acids or specific protein molecules or peptides that can soak into skin and add support.

Other effective creams and lotions will have antioxidants, certain vitamins and disguising ingredients to help with prevention, correction and repairs. Even something as simple as a reflective mineral can make wrinkles that are already there much less obvious or noticeable.

While no wrinkle treatment other than surgery, or invasive filler injections, can completely erase every facial crease and fold, good cosmetics can certainly help. The effects of wrinkle creams are real and even astonishing if you pick the right ones.

Get help with making a choice from your beauty operator. They learn about skin care in school, not just hair. You can also find a wealth of facts and myths about wrinkle products online as well as many reviews, articles and clinical reports. Check out popular fashion, style and beauty print magazines as well.

Jen Hopkins has worked in the anti-wrinkle cream industry for years. He maintains websites about anti aging skin care and wrinkle treatment. If you want to contact him, you can use the contact for at one of his sites.

Now, A Pillow That Can Wipe Out Wrinkles

2008-09-03T14:01:00.001-07:00

Forget splashing thousands on anti-wrinkle creams or Botox injections, for a group of researchers has developed a pillow that can iron out the ugly looking lines.

What's more, the 'magical' pillow can wipe out crow's feet.

Boffins have developed a copper oxide pillow case, with tests showing those who used it for four weeks had fewer lines and wrinkles than those using conventional bedding.

Clinical trials, supervised by a dermatologist, were carried out on 57 volunteers for four weeks, with the volunteers either given an anti-wrinkle pillow, which feels no different for normal fabric, or a similar conventional pillow.

By the end of the trial, those sleeping on the copper pillows were statistically more likely to have less wrinkles.

Jeffrey Gabbay, the owner of the Cupron company, which used its expertise in making copper medical dressings to develop the pillow case, said: "The surgeon doing our wound-healing trial remarked how an increase in collagen was helping to heal wounds."

"We wondered if it might work on fixing wrinkles and lines on the face. So we had some copper woven pillows made up and noticed that over a few days of lying on a cooper pillow lines on the face started to soften," Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

He added: "It has been the most fantastic discover. The fabric has an impact on all lines but is best at ironing out the finer lines."

The researchers believe moisture from the skin releases copper ions from the pillowcases, which stimulate the production of collagen below the surface of the skin.

Popular images give wrong impressions of body hair

2008-09-02T18:30:00.001-07:00

Q: My daughter has only recently started shaving her legs and now thinks she should shave all of her body hair. I find this very upsetting! Is this normal? What should I do?

A: Esthetic ideals of the right amount of body hair for both males and females vary across cultures and from generation to generation. Some religions even set standards for how body hair should be worn or maintained.

Your daughter's assumptions about hair removal are normal. Current popular culture images give the impression that females don't have body hair at all. Magazine articles teach our daughters that a bikini wax is essential beauty maintenance and endorsements for particular methods of hair removal are offered up in the guise of dishy celebrity "secrets."

Barely there

A generation ago, only leg hair or hair that peeked outside a bathing suit was trimmed, waxed or shaved. Today, some women remove all traces of pubic hair or leave a small amount. There is no hygienic reason to do so; in fact there are health risks such as cuts, blisters, rashes, and infections if appropriate hygiene standards are not met. Some forms of hair removal are painful and intrusive and there is often uncomfortable itching with regrowth.

I suggest you share your feelings on the subject with your daughter and what factors you have considered in making your own choices.

Discuss all the options for when she is an older teenager: from living au naturel to various forms of hair removal with consideration for safety, cost, upkeep, privacy, and discomfort.

You could research together how to avoid health risks. In the meantime, a pair of board shorts or a "boy short" swimsuit may offer a solution for added privacy as her body changes through puberty. Honest information and genuine solutions to her appearance related worries will help boost her self-esteem.

Lisa Naylor has worked as a counsellor and health educator with girls and women for the past 15 years in both Winnipeg and Toronto. Lisa is a co-creator of the Dove Self-Esteem Fund girls-only activities.

Where are Madonna's wrinkles?

2008-09-02T18:29:00.001-07:00

The case for Madonna as an original style leader never really bore close inspection. What she has mostly been is someone who identifies popular emerging trends and hijacks them.

So it's probably no surprise that, at 50, she's chosen the path of so many celebrities and opted for a taut little face that's almost completely devoid of wrinkles. No crows' feet to suggest that she may have laughed once or twice. No frown lines to hint that any degree of thinking, feeling or evolving has occurred behind that forehead in the past five decades. But it is disappointing, because if Madonna really were the ground-breaker of her own mythology, surely she could have been the one to transmit an interesting image of what 50 could be to a generation of women who have come to fear ageing as one of the greatest evils of our time.

No one's suggesting that she should have let herself go, or even entirely let nature take its course. Heaven forbid. I'm all for whatever scientific intervention those lovely boffins in white coats come up with, so long as it doesn't result in the tight hazelnut with its unconvincing pointy cheekbones and chin that seem to comprise the McFace that we've all come to recognise in women of a certain age.

And there's another thing about ageless ageing: it really isn't ageless. In fact, any woman whose face doesn't move is a woman well past her teenage years. Why the aspiration to look ageless anyway? Isn't that what shop dummies are?

Kalium sole distributor for Nimue

2008-09-02T14:37:00.001-07:00

Kalium Group of Companies said it will promote Nimue's revolutionary Microneedling Treatment in the Middle East as an exclusive distributor.

Kalium is one of the leading distributors of advanced medical equipment, skin care products and aesthetic devices in the Middle East.

The product, unveiled for the first time at the Gulf Beauty Exhibition 2008 in Dubai from May 18 to 20, is a new generation derma cosmeceutical skin care range with innovative and result-oriented skin treatment and delivery systems.

A specialised rejuvenation treatment, the Nimue Microneedling Treatment procedure can be used to treat a wide range of skin conditions including sun damaged skin, lines and wrinkles, uneven texture, superficial acne scarring and also to restore volume, elasticity, tightness and plumpness.

The treatment uses almost a minimally invasive 1mm microneedle roller to stimulate collagen induction and serves as a delivery device to increase penetration of active skin care ingredients.

Restoration of volume and plumpness of the skin, reduced pore size and improved skin texture, softening of lines and wrinkles and improvement in elasticity and improvement of superficial scars are some of the treatment benefits that is designed to achieve almost long-lasting skin rejuvenation.

The procedure is the brainchild of Dr A Parsons, who supervises the Nimue product development team. He serves on the Board of the International Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and ranks amongst the top Cosmetic Research Scientists in the world.

'Nimue is a company that has a proven track record for creative, innovative products that produce great results,' said Nazih Khattar, the managing director of Kalium Group of Companies.

'The response to the Nimue pavilion at Gulf Beauty Exhibition 2008, especially the unique Micro Needling Treatment, shows that they have struck a chord with the people of the region and we are very happy to be their exclusive distributors,' he added.

The Microneedling Treatment and other high quality Nimue products like cleansing gels, conditioners, exfoliating enzymes, the Nimue day and night fader and the eye serum are exclusively distributed in the Middle East by Kalium Group of Companies.

Innovative Skin Care For The Anti-Aging Rebel In You

2008-09-02T14:36:00.001-07:00

Could you imagine being a fly on Aphrodite's wall the morning she found her first gray hair and wrinkle? Hades hath no fury like a like an unhappy diva deity. Or maybe the love goddess never had to deal with the same maladies as her mortal devotees. After all, she was divine; her secret anti-aging weapon was immortality. If we could all be so lucky. The pursuit of beautiful skin and a youthful appearance has been going on before any of those fickle Greek deities set up shop on Mount Olympus.

One popular legend states that sultry Egyptian queen Cleopatra would bathe in mules' milk in order to maintain those enchanting features. Yummy. Unless she had a wagon full of Oreos next to her tub, that just sounds like a waste of some really good milk. But you have to give Cleo props for her innovative skin care ideas. Another fun anti-aging fairy tale involves a little place in China known as Shangri-La, which held the secrets and potions for eternal life and eternal youth. Before you jump on that bandwagon though, picture yourself at eighteen; would you really want to be that way forever?

History is full of men and women who seemed willing to go to every length (and then some) to find anti-aging secrets and innovative skin care treatments. Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon risked his reputation and his life to find the legendary and very mythical Fountain of Youth. He trekked through swamps galore in marshy Florida (obviously before J. Lo moved to Miami) and apparently only discovered angry Indians, malaria, and poisoned arrows. None of which was a very good combination for Ponce.

CollageneLife has been a leader in developing innovative skin care products that include a very special anti-aging formula which works to treat both the cause and the effect of wrinkles on your face and neck. Those who say that there is a science to innovative skin care and preventing signs of aging were not just attempting to sound smart; all cells have fibroblasts…think of it as the framework that holds everything in place. When these bad boys start to buckle and go down within your collagen cells, the outward manifestation are lines and wrinkles.

This very amazing anti-aging gel from the Natural Collagen innovative skin care line is all about rolling up sleeves and applying some elbow grease; Natural Collagen Q5-26 comes in three ground breaking formulas that are each specifically engineered for different types of collagen in your body. Unlike other products on the market, CollageneLife Intl. does not have a "one size fits all" mentality. You and your body all have different needs; there is a company and a product that understands that.

The cajoling between science, beauty, and medicine is not as futile as some would think; these collaborations have led to some rather exciting break-throughs in anti-aging studies that do not necessarily require surgery or swimming in donkey milk. And the world heaves a collective sigh of relief.

CollageneLife has everything you need to bring out the deeply beautiful you. Find out more about the science of Natural Collagen, as well as our other remarkable products by visiting www.collagenelife.com and taking a few minutes to read the information and testimonials for yourself.

Tanushree’s cosmetic wonder

2008-08-17T16:05:00.003-07:00

NOTHING SEEMS to be going right for former Miss India turned actress Tanushree Dutta after the entire Nana Patekar fiasco! Bad luck seems to be following her everywhere.

More recently the director of her forthcoming film Saas Bahu Aur Sensex has allegedly called Tanushree "difficult, arrogant and moody."

A source close to Shona Urvashi reveals, "Tanushree was difficult to handle and would continuously throw tantrums and misbehave with the other cast and crew. In fact, at times Shona Urvashi would get so fed up with her because she would take more than 20 retakes for a scene whereas the other actress Masumeh Makhija, Shona's sister, would do it in just one shot."

Buzz is that Tanushree completely disassociated herself after shooting for the film concluded and kept cancelling her dubbing dates for the film.

Reportedly, Shona Urvashi has got Tanushree's voice in the film dubbed and Tanushree is now worried if her director has chopped some of her scenes as well! A source close to Tanushree reveals, "Tanushree is the only popularly known face in Saas Bahu Aur Sensex. The film also has Shona's younger sister Masumeh and so naturally Shona Urvashi doesn't want Tanushree's performance to overshadow her sisters!"

When we got in touch with Tanushree the actress was extremely vocal in expressing her displeasure with Shona Urvashi. She said, "Working with her Shona was a nightmare, and I don't even want to recall that experience. I know that she has been gossiping about me and calling me names but I don't care. This is her second film and she needs a lot of publicity but this isn't the way to go about it."

Recalling her terrible experience while shooting for this film Tanushree reveals, "She would harass me without a reason. She's accusing me of giving too many takes but the truth is she'd make me repeat the same lines over and over again for hours. She wouldn't even allow me to retreat to my van in between shots. I shot continuously for 15-hours and when I'd reach my vanity van the lights and air conditioning in it would be switched off!" But Tanushree stresses, "The film has a fantastic script so I continued taking the harassment. But it was the worst experience of my career!"

However, director Shona Urvashi refuses to comment on the issue and nor does her sister Masumeh.

Controversies seem to be following Tanushree everywhere. Recently the actress appeared looking different at a promotional event for her film sparking off rumours that she had undergone some form of cosmetic surgery. An extremely well placed source in the industry reveals, "Tanushree has definitely undergone cosmetic surgery and this piece of advice was given to her by Koena! Koena is Tanushree's advisor in Bollywood, both of them are the thickest of friends and Koena has been advising Tanushree on everything from what films to sign to what outfit to wear!"

Koena admitted to having done jobs on her face and spoke of the bad job that was done on her nose. In fact people said that she looked more attractive before she had all this done. Koena even admitted she had to go into hiding just after the nose job because it looked so obvious. One can only wait and see if Tanushree's altered look can help her career or will it also go down the drain like good friend Koena's? Maybe she should work on making friends in the industry and stop upsetting filmmakers.

Said an inside source, "Tanushree is a very fine person. She just does not have tact and has many preconceived notions about certain things. So basically she is very misunderstood."

Nurses can give Botox injections

2008-08-17T16:05:00.001-07:00

Botox is booming, here and abroad.

And thanks to a ruling by the Ohio Board of Nursing, the wrinkle-smoothing toxin is likely to help some Ohio medical practices improve their own lines -- their bottom lines.

Last week, Allergan Inc., the pharmaceutical company that makes Botox, said its second-quarter profit rose 6.9 percent, well above analysts' estimates, largely because of robust sales of the facial treatment overseas. Overall, Botox sales jumped 13 percent, to $315.5 million.

A survey by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery suggests that the use of Botox and dermal fillers is up in the United States, too, in spite of -- or perhaps because of -- the sagging economy and rising unemployment. In a news release detailing the findings, the organization speculated that "baby boomers may be looking to put their best face forward on the interview circuit."

In Ohio, Botox sales could get an additional boost from the recent determination that nurses can give Botox injections, provided that they first undergo special training.

The financial advantage is obvious: By assigning the duty to nurses, medical practices that offer Botox can treat -- and bill -- more patients. And because health-insurance plans typically don't cover elective cosmetic procedures, practices can deal directly with patients and charge, for the most part, whatever the market will bear.

In 2006, the most recent year for which data are available, physicians across the country charged an average of $492 for a Botox injection, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Because Botox is a poison, some states explicitly forbid anyone other than a licensed physician to administer the drug.

Before the nursing board ruled on the matter last month, however, Ohio's nurses were operating in uncharted territory. Some were giving Botox shots -- and even determining doses. Others thought the procedure was beyond the scope of practice for nurses and therefore could be performed only by a physician.

"There was no specific prohibition," said Lisa Emrich, manager of the board's nursing practice, education and administrative unit. "It was becoming evident that physicians wanted nurses to do this, and there were no specific guidelines."

The board's decision came in response to a request by Dr. Fernando Colon, a board-certified plastic surgeon and associate medical director of the Skin Center Medical Spa in Gahanna.

Colon argued that allowing nurses to do the procedure would enable him and his colleagues to serve patients more effectively and efficiently.

"A well-trained nurse can continue to repeat this treatment, while I'm at the office doing other things," he said. "In a well-supervised environment, I think it is safe for a nurse to administer these Botox injections."

Colon's request, submitted last year, sparked months of discussion, much of it focusing on potential complications.

"What happens in a bad outcome?" board member Eric Yoon, a nurse practitioner from Springboro, asked at one hearing. "Just call 911?"

Ultimately, the board agreed with Colon but said nurses first must complete a "preceptorship," a period of practical experience and training supervised by a physician, Emrich said.

The board also determined that Botox can't be administered in homes, beauty salons or shopping malls, she said.

Still, some Ohio physicians aren't happy with the decision.

Dr. Michael Sullivan, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Columbus and former director of facial, plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Ohio State University Medical Center, had testified that Botox injections should be left to experienced plastic surgeons or dermatologists.

In unqualified hands, Sullivan said, the drug can cause a number of problems, including muscle weakness, drooping and bruising.

"We're going to hear of more and more complications and potentially deaths, because more and more physicians want to get out of insurance medicine and look at Botox and fillers and some of these quick procedures as a way to create a lucrative practice," he said.

In February, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported that Botox had been linked "to adverse reactions, including respiratory failure and death, following treatment of a variety of conditions using a wide range of doses." The most serious side effects stemmed from the "off-label" use of Botox to treat limb spasms in children with cerebral palsy, the agency said.

Last month, more than a dozen people filed a lawsuit against Allergan in California, where the company is headquartered. The plaintiffs contend that Botox injured them or killed their relatives and that Allergan failed to warn them of potential dangers.

Allergan said Botox has been used safely by millions of people.

Weight loss surgery escalates in WA

2008-08-17T16:04:00.001-07:00

A new study has revealed an explosion in weight loss surgery procedures in Western Australia over the past two decades.

The study by the University of Western Australia's School of Population Health is published in the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia.

It found there were 20 times more bariatric procedures, such as gastric banding, performed in 2004 than in 1988.

Sixty-four-year-old Pamela Vigers was an acute diabetic who weighed 116 kilograms. She lost 40kg after surgery and says it has changed her life.

"I don't take insulin or any type of diabetic medication, the diabetes is totally under control because I can exercise now," she said.

Researchers say while the study focussed on WA, the increase is indicative of a national trend.

The study's co-author Fiona Smith says much of the rise can be attributed to the worsening obesity problem.

"Certainly we found that some of the rise in the surgery can be attributed to the increasing population prevalence of obesity," she said.

"There are other likely factors though - things like increasing publicity and awareness of the surgery."

Ms Smith says the research also found the surgery is safe.

"There was relatively few complications recorded and very little difference in survival outcomes between the bariatric surgery patients and the general population," she said.

Australian Medical Association national president Rosanna Capolingua says the surgery has improved over the past two decades.

"Certainly there have been improvements in this sort of surgery over that period of time," she said.

"Laparoscopic surgery is now available. It is safer, it is a more realistic option."

But Ms Capolingua says surgery should only be used as a last resort.

"It is an appropriate treatment after other methods of weight loss have failed and in certain groups, [for example] patients with a BMI over 35."

THE FIVE-MINUTE MAKE-UP CHALLENGE

2008-08-13T17:50:00.001-07:00

Make-up guru Barbara Daly, creator of Make-up by Barbara Daly, available at Tesco:

If you are short on time, but need to freshen up your make-up before going out, cleanse your face and touch up with concealer. Blend a creamy mousse blusher over the apples of your cheeks and a little into the sockets of your eyes as well as on to your temples for an instant glow. You can smooth a little blusher over your lips too and top with gloss for a pretty, co-ordinated look. Finish off with a light dusting of face powder to set the look.

Make your eyes look more wide-awake by using lash-curlers and by painting a tiny triangle of highlighter onto the inner corners of your eyes. Try Make-up by Barbara Daly Glow-Up (£6, Tesco), a luminous, multi-reflective highlighter.

A good foundation like MAC's Studio FIx provides an ideal base from which to create a fast, flawless look

Celebrity make-up artist Cassie Lomas:

Start with a flawless base - MAC's Studio Fix (£19, www.maccosmetics.com) is an all-in-one foundation and powder base which provides good coverage and is really quick to apply, with a brush, sponge or powder puff. It creates a matte, velvety finish.

To achieve instant glamour for eyes, use a cream shadow, such as RMK'S cream shadow, and apply with the wand across the eyelids. Then apply one coat of Bourjois' Volume Clubbing mascara (£7.95), which has a double-sided brush, just one sweep of the wand gives lashes instant fullness and volume.

And for lips, try Bourjois' new Rouge Hi Tech liquid lip tints (£7.25), they are easy to apply for instant colour and I also use them as a blusher, by dabbing a little into the apples of the cheeks for a fresh look.

Use a natural colour eye shadow for th base and apply a soft brown shadow on the upper lid

Celebrated Italian make-up artist Mario de Luigi, who has his own range of products, available exclusively on QVC:

Use a natural colour eye shadow (beige or cream) for the base - apply to the whole lid. Then with a soft brown shadow, line the contour of the upper eyelid, very close to the lashes and blend into the corner, use a sponge applicator or your fingertips.

The best way to apply mascara is by putting a mirror flat on the table and look downwards. Pull your eyelid up from the centre and when your eyelashes look like a flat fan, you can get right to the roots with your mascara wand and make them stronger and fuller.

Define eyebrows using a very pointed, neutral colour pencil. You can fill in where they are sparse. Eyebrows are very important as they give your eyes a frame. This will make your eyes look more intense. It's simple, but easy and effective.

Make-up Artist Anna Thompson:

Use your lipstick as a blusher. With so many lovely pink and coral shades around at the moment, it gives a lovely, fresh, summery look. If you're in a rush, try using a primer, such as Estee Lauder's Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher (£34, www.esteelauder.co.uk) when doing your make up for a night out. It makes the skin feel perfectly smooth and makes applying foundation much quicker.

Cheap tricks: Vaseline gives a glowing shimmer to lips and cheekbones

Top hair and make-up expert Cinta Martello:

My favourite product is Vaseline (99p, Boots). It moisturises lips and enhances cheekbones - simply blend it into a peachy powder and apply to cheekbones for a fresh, glowing shimmer.

Dior AIRFLASH spray foundation (£29.50, 0207 216 0216) gives you a photographically flawless finish in under five seconds. Simply hold 10 inches away from your face and spray in a zigzag motion.

It provides full coverage that feels weightless on the skin. There is no need for blending, simply sweep over cheeks with a golden bronzer and you have the perfect base in under a minute. Invest in a multi-tasking product. Multiples, made legendary by Nars, are available from all good make-up brands. These double-up as lipstick, brow highlighter, eye gloss and cheek shimmer, so will also save space in your make-up bag. Try Nars Copacabana (£27, www.narscosmetics.co.uk).

Alan Pan, celebrity make-up artist:

Save the time and hassle by refreshing your foundation using Estee Lauder Spotlight Skin Tone Perfector (£23, www.esteelauder.co.uk).

It's a sheer highlighting lotion that puts the freshness back into your skin that a hard day's work takes away. Using a foundation brush, dab Spotlight on to cheekbones, the forehead and down the centre of the nose.

It can also be applied to your décolletage for a sexy evening look. The best way to make your lipstick last the day is to do it the old- fashioned way. Apply lip liner over the entire lip and then apply lipstick.

Blot gently with tissue, then apply a little bit of loose powder on top. Always carry a few essentials in your bag for quick top-ups throughout the evening - blotting sheets, a great concealer and your favourite lipstick will see you through the night.

Don't brood over your fat belly!

2008-08-13T17:48:00.001-07:00

Troubled with the fat accumulating in your lower belly and thighs? Well, then here's a reason to rejoice a little— the fat in these areas of your body is rich in stem cells, which hold great scientific potential.

This first of its kind study sought to examine whether fat tissues from different areas of the body vary in stem cell concentration.

The researchers found that fat removed from the lower abdomen and inner thigh through liposuction was found to be an excellent source of stem cells, with higher stem cell concentrations than other areas of the body.

"Adult stem cells, derived from our own tissues, hold strong promise for improved clinical therapies," said J. Peter Rubin, MD, a member of the ASPS Fat Grafting Task Force who is involved in pre-clinical trial work on stem cells taken from fat.

He added: "The potential for healing and repairing injury or disease through stem cells, including conditions like breast cancer and reconstruction, heart failure, spinal injuries, diabetes and Parkinson's disease are incredible. We may be able to more permanently and naturally get rid of pesky wrinkles or augment breasts with stem cell enriched fat in the future as well. Knowing more about the biology of stem cells will be of great value when we are ready for clinical trials in this country."

The study was conducted on 23 female patients having liposuction in at least four different body areas, who agreed to have their fat isolated for adult stem cells and analyzed to determine stem cell concentrations. The body areas that were liposuctioned were: lower abdomen, upper abdomen, inner knee, inner thigh, flank and hips.

The results indicated a significant difference in stem cell concentrations in different areas of the body. A major finding was that the concentration of stem cells was greatest in the lower abdomen and inner thighs. In fact, stem cell concentration in the lower abdomen was five times greater than in the upper abdomen.

"The value of stem cells harvested through fat is the ready and ample supply available. Using stem cells will some day have very practical applications to the specialty of plastic surgery. That we may be able to generate new tissue or bone that can be used in many of the reconstructive and cosmetic procedures we do every day is a tremendous," said ASPS President Richard D'Amico, MD.

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have not yet developed a specific function. Not only are they capable of self renewal, stem cells can divide and produce others that become specialized cells. Scientists and doctors theorize that stem cells will be able to repair or replace damaged or diseased cells.

Liposuction Expert On What’s New, What’s Old & What Works

2008-08-13T17:47:00.001-07:00

As a physician and surgeon, one of my main responsibilities is to honestly guide, educate, advise and protect my patients. As liposuction surgery is the only major cosmetic surgery I perform and I have done this procedure for 14 years for thousands of patients, I have a lot of opinions and insight into the nuances of consistently achieving a great result and making my patient happy. I have spent years fine tuning my approach and have a particular philosophy on what constitutes a good candidate for liposuction. It is so much more than sucking out or melting as much fat as possible. Despite what a patient may want or the mistaken goal of a surgeon, this approach will commonly lead to a poor result.

One of the most important points I want to emphasize is the importance of choosing the honesty, integrity, artistry, eyes, hands, skills and good judgment of the surgeon over the machine. The machine is only a paint brush in the artist's hands. Despite interesting technology and aggressive marketing hype, it will not guarantee a great result in a trusting patient. A concerning trend I have seen in the last few years with the introduction of some of this interesting technology is the mistaken tendency of the patient to choose or ask for the machine instead of spending time to find the right surgeon. Unfortunately, companies, the media and sometimes even doctors themselves contribute to this when there is competition for dollars. Like I say on my radio show (and you are doing so by reading this article), please do your homework and spend time educating yourself. Do not be impulsive, continue to learn and hopefully the truth will come to guide you to a great result.

Presently in the United States, liposuction is still the most common cosmetic surgery. It also has one of the highest revision rates approaching 25% in some studies. It is much more difficult than most patients and even many naïve surgeons realize to consistently get a beautiful result. There are many reasons for this as we will start to see. I feel it is extremely important to "get it right" the first time. Every aspect of this procedure from clear honest communication with the patient, to complete evaluation, to meticulous technique should be directed toward this end. If a patient is not a candidate, e.g. they are simply overweight, maybe out of shape but not disproportionate, then I may have no role in their improvement and honestly tell them they are not a candidate for liposuction.

Unfortunately, approximately 30% of my surgeries are revision liposuction where I am using techniques to improve a bad or less than optimum result by another physician or possibly non-physician. In my evaluation of this patient, I can always tell why a bad result has occurred. A bad result occurs for two reasons: either poor evaluation (including poor communication) or poor technique. The surgeon may have been too conservative, been too aggressive (too common), been uneven in his contouring, poorly blended areas, placed his incision points in strategically poor locations or thrown a patient out of balance and proper proportion. And once again, unfortunately no new technologically advanced machine can or ever will prevent any of these problems. Like a perfect haircut or a beautiful sculpture, it goes back to the skills and artistry of the person doing it.

With liposculpture surgery, as with any procedure, a great result begins with a complete honest evaluation as to who is a good candidate. Simply stated, liposuction is all about targeting areas of genetic disproportion and balancing a body. It has virtually nothing to do with being overweight, underweight or normal weight. It is about focusing on stubborn areas that can't be taken care of with diet or exercise. This is one reason why it is so important to be fully evaluated from your neck to your ankles by someone with a good eye and ability to determine where you are out of balance if at all. It is a mistake to perform liposuction on someone who is simply overweight or out of shape but not disproportionate. Once again, unfortunately this does not uncommonly occur and the result will be a person thrown out of proportion. This is why we hear of cases of people who had lipo and the fat "went" to other area. The surgeon created disproportion. In addition, make sure that the person who is evaluating you for surgery is actually the surgeon and not somebody else. I have heard of patients who met their surgeon for liposuction in the operating room for the first time. Be wary of places that seem like factories and do not truly care about comprehensive individualized care.

With regard to my own approach to liposculpture, I strongly feel that local anesthesia is the gold standard and offers many advantages over general anesthesia for liposuction specifically. This is called "tumescent" liposuction which was developed by a dermatologic surgeon. I like to call this pure tumescent liposuction to differentiate it from other types where they maybe combining it with general anesthesia. Tumescent liposuction has essentially three major benefits. To begin with, studies show it is far safer, especially if compared to liposuction done with other procedures under general anesthesia. The second benefit is easier recovery. The tumescent fluid which is infiltrated into the fat helps hydrodissect (separate with water) and allows much more pure fat removal with decreased bleeding. This results in far less bruising and generally much faster recovery with less post operative discomfort. I only trust myself to do all the local anesthesia as there certainly is an art to infiltration so that the patient feels as little as possible. However, the greatest advantage of local anesthesia is that I have a patient that can always be positioned optimally, so that I can meticulously sculpt without ever jabbing the muscle or poking the skin. This allows me to stay only in the fat layer where I only belong. Jabbing the muscle (which could never be tolerated with a conscious patient) significantly increases bleeding, bruising and postoperative pain. On the other hand, jabbing, poking or tenting the skin with the cannula at the wrong angle is one of the main causes of indentations and irregularities (as we will soon discuss).

With regard to my technique of sculpting, it begins with a good eye for the contour, balance and proper proportions for the male and especially the female body. Each body has its own differences, nuances and limitations. Good surgical technique also encompasses excellent judgment for not only where to target but also how aggressive to be. There must always be respect for skin tone as well as knowing how to deal with looser flabby tissue (flab is the term I use which is loose skin and muscle. Many people confuse flab with fat.)

Where I have learned to place my incisions in each part of the body I approach is extremely important. The goal is not only to place few incisions in places that hide well, but to strategically place them to be able to completely and evenly approach each area without jabbing the muscle or skin. My incisions are small nicks in the skin between two-three millimeters in length. I feel that not suturing the sites allows faster recovery by drainage of fluid postoperatively.

With regard to how I sculpt, this is a little more difficult to convey in words. The fat is embedded in a fairly dense connective tissue framework so it certainly is not just sucking fat out. One must tunnel very precisely in the fat and this is why liposculpture is truly a more accurate name then liposuction. I always start deep in the fat with small round cannulas to debulk the deeper layers of fat. I almost always approach an area from two or more directions and crisscross my tunnels. As I move up in the fat layer, I progressively go to even smaller cannulas and finish in the superficial fat layer with a flat tipped small cannula I had designed for myself many years ago to make sure my surface is smooth. It is how I approach this superficial fat and how aggressive I choose to be with regard to rasping the dermis from underneath that controls how much skin tightening I choose to achieve. Liposculpting is a very tactile procedure and this is one of the main reasons why I do not prefer laser assisted liposuction or ultrasonic liposuction as I lose the "feelings" or vibrations which convey to me exactly where I am and how much I am bringing an area down. Remember, the goal is not to always be aggressive and just suck all the fat out. This is a very amateur approach and bad results will commonly occur. For a more detailed description of how I approach each particular area of the body, please consult my website www.expertliposuction.com in the section entitled "area by area."

Now, with regard to alternative liposuction procedures, I will group them into internal and external modalities. With regard to the internal modalities, I will begin with mesotherapy (also known as lipozap or lipodissolve) as it will be the quickest to dismiss. One of the deceitful marketing tools is that mesotherapy many times is advertised as being better than liposuction. I find this not only inaccurate but insulting. Mesotherapy is the multiple injections of a nonstandardized solution of phosphatidylcholine into the fat. Now, I am not saying that it won't ever dissolve fat because it might. But remember when I said that the fat is embedded in a dense connective tissue framework? Well, how do you control the dispersal of the fluid and trust you are going to dissolve everything evenly? Remember how particular I was in how I sculpted each area of the body? There is so much more involved to great liposculpting then just dissolving fat. And, not that this is the most important thing, but mesotherapy is not FDA approved, is not supported by any of the major cosmetic surgery societies and furthermore, no one that I know who specializes in body sculpting has chosen to incorporate it in their practice.

Laser assisted liposuction (eg. Smart lipo, cool lipo) and ultrasonic liposuction (eg. Vaser) are newer quite popular alternatives to more traditional forms of liposuction. The argument here goes that they melt fat and tighten skin, whereas traditional liposuction either does not tighten skin or makes your skin looser. Very alluring, but it's not that simple or truly accurate. I sometimes call this liposeduction vs. liposuction. There are many surgeons that have embraced these newer machines. Personally, I do not trust simply melting fat and feel I can get as much tightening as I choose by how I deal with the area just under the skin. I prefer this because it gives me more of a feel. With regard to the laser sealing blood vessels, remember that with properly done tumescent anesthesia one gets very little bleeding due to the hydrostatic pressure and epinephrine vasoconstruction. One well done study in a major peer reviewed journal (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Sept. 2006) failed to demonstrate any clinical advantages of laser assisted lipoplasty.

However, I feel the bigger danger with many of the newer aggressively marketed machines is that they encourage the potential patient to search for the machine and forget that what is more important is the mind, hands, heart and eyes of the man (or woman) behind it. Since I do a lot of revision work to improve poorly done liposuction, I would have to say that in the past two years I have seen some of the worst disasters result from both laser assisted and ultrasonic liposuction. Once again, I don't blame the machine but the judgment and skills of the person behind it. I am also aware that the media plays a large role in hyping up whatever is new.

Finally, with regard to many of the newer machines that are targeting either cellulite or tightening of the skin, I feel this is an interesting area as long as it is not too closely compared to well done liposculpture. There are some promising results with regard to this area. Velashape was the first FDA approved machine for cellulite and the temporary reduction of circumference (yes, temporary). There are other machines also used for cellulite. While this is a very intriguing area, I have not yet chosen to incorporate it in my practice as I am not yet sure it really works long term and is worth the cost of the procedures. There are also several skin tightening machines that are used on the body such as Titan, Thermage, which uses radiofrequency, and Affirm. Recently Thermage came out with a deep penetrating tip that penetrates over 4 mm and generates an inflammatory response in the superficial fat layer to generate tissue tightening and shrinkage. I am in the process of forming my opinion as I am starting to use this deep tissue tightening tip to further tighten skin on the body. But I have to admit that it is quite expensive and at least in my hands and eyes, the verdict is still out. But I will keep you posted.

In closing, I hope the insights and opinions I have shared help to guide you in the right direction.

Lying awake for liposuction

2008-08-13T17:46:00.001-07:00

Those desiring to fine tune their bodies with liposuction but leery of being knocked out from general anesthesia have an ideal alternative - stay awake.

Claudia Estes of Jackson had no problem with the idea.

"I was more afraid of the general anesthesia," Estes said. "I've had liposuction two or three times over the last five years with no problems."

Estes decided to have the procedure to eliminate the infamous "muffin top" - the fold of fat around the mid-section that spills over the top of tight-fitting waistbands. "When the jeans became lower cut, I wanted to do something so I could keep up with the fashion trends," she said.

Very pleased with her results, Estes said, "This was pretty much instant gratification."

Traditionally, liposuction has been done with a patient asleep under general anesthesia. But now a patient can be fully awake with only a local anesthetic to numb the procedure area. Known as tumescent liposuction, this method involves injection of a large amount of saline solution, which contains additional anesthetic and epinephrine, directly into the areas where excessive fat deposits are to be removed.

"I perform liposuction from three to eight times every week," said Dr. Shelby Brantley, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with The Plastic Surgical Center of Mississippi in Flowood.

Also known as lipoplasty, liposuction is the removal of excess fat deposits to improve the contours and proportions of the body. Thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen are the most common areas for fat removal. Fat deposits also can be removed from the arms, back, chest, cheeks, chin or neck.

"We make a small incision in the skin and insert a small tube connected to a vacuum type machine to remove the fat deposits," Brantley said.

Staying awake can have major benefits. "When the patient is awake, he or she can move into different positions to help me see where exactly we need to remove fat deposits and achieve ideal results," Brantley said. "That way there is a better opportunity for symmetry."

Another benefit is cost savings. Without the use of general anesthesia, the cost of an anesthesiologist can be avoided along with the costs of post-surgical monitoring.

"Typically, the procedure will run from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the number of body parts or areas being done," Brantley said.

Plastic surgery has lost much of the stigma once associated with the practice. Guilty pleasure television programs, like the cable series Nip/Tuck and Entertainment Tonight's latest report detailing which celebrities have had work done, have broadened public thinking about plastic surgery.

Women aren't the only ones having the procedure. Brantley said he's seeing a gradual increase of men having liposuction. "Men want to look as good as they can, too," he said.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports liposuction is second only to breast augmentation in popularity among patients seeking plastic surgery. Roughly 300,000 Americans have liposuction each year.

Dorothy Baker of Indianola made a life-changing transformation last year. She lost more than 60 pounds and feels like a new woman. Diet and exercise had a lot to do with her makeover, but she also got a little extra help from her plastic surgeon.

"I'd already started to lose a lot of weight and I wanted everything to match," Baker said. In addition to a tummy tuck and breast reduction, Baker had liposuction to contour her waistline. "Within a month, I could see the transformation," she said.

Baker wasn't quite comfortable with the idea of being awake during her liposuction procedure so she went the traditional route of general anesthesia.

Baker and Estes noted similarly short recovery times with only mild discomfort and pain. "I had the procedure done on Friday and was back at work Monday morning," Baker said.

Estes drove herself home after her liposuction and was back to work the next day. She did, however, wear a compression garment for three weeks.

Dr. Stephen Davidson, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon also with The Plastic Surgical Center, noted that, while many people aren't aware liposuction can be done while awake, the technique has been around for more than a decade.

"We've been doing tumescent liposuction for years," Davidson said. "It's ideal for patients who only want one or two areas of the body done and who have smaller volumes of fat to be removed."

Davidson also noted liposuction is not a cure for obesity or the answer to major weight loss. "Liposuction takes areas that are out of proportion and puts them back in proportion with the rest of the body." Generally, patients should be within 25 to 30 pounds of their ideal weight.

There are risks whether you choose general or local anesthesia for the procedure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, uneven skin contours and rippling or loose skin may be evident after liposuction. And there is always a risk of fat or blood clots and infection with either method. Swelling and fluid retention are normal and usually subside within a few weeks.

Most importantly, Brantley and Davidson stressed the importance of seeking a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform liposuction.

"Interview the doctor. Find out how many times a week he does the procedure," Brantley said. "Ask to see before-and-after photos of his work."

Davidson said, "Talk to people who've had the procedure done. What were their results?"

Baker has referred a number of friends and colleagues for the procedure. "I'll tell anyone that if you can look this good and feel this good about yourself, go for it."

Latest Plastic Surgery Trend: Thin Shoulders Like Madonna & Keira Knightly

2008-08-13T17:45:00.001-07:00

There is truly no body part today that is spared from plastic surgery and the shoulders are the latest area that some women may be looking to enhance. Celebrities like Madonna and Keira Knightly have apparently set a new beauty standard for slender shoulders that some women are hoping to attain by going under the knife.

Some surgeons in New York are reporting a rise in women getting liposuction in their shoulders to vaccum out fat and achieve more defined shoulders. The procedure seems to be a standard liposuction, where small incisions are placed in the natural creases and shadows of the shoulder area. The surgeon then aspirates the fat out with a curved suction cannula (wand). There are some surgeons who use laser-assisted liposuction like Smartlipo or Vaser to melt the fat and then suck it out.

"Many of my patients are now requesting shoulders like Madonna and Keira Knightley," said Dr. Douglas Steinbrech to the Daily Mail. The New York-based plastic surgeon said that the procedure costs between $4,000-$10,000, is relatively pain free and patients can return to work within a few days.

"I often perform the operation on a Thursday or Friday and they recover all weekend with anti-inflammatories and painkillers and go back to work on Monday," he said.

But not everyone believes that shoulder liposuction is going to be a growing trend or that it should be, as the shoulders are not typically an area that has accumulations of fat as other body areas. If someone really has a lot of fat around the shoulders, they probably need to lose weight instead of thinking about liposuction in the area.

Beverly Hills, CA-based liposuction expert Dr. David Amron, who only performs liposuction at his practice, told Make Me Heal that he has never seen a candidate for shoulder liposuction in the thousands of evaluations.

"I do lipo on almost every area of the body and even many areas most people don't," said Dr. Amron. "But the shoulders themselves are an area I have never seen that needs to be done".

"I strongly feel that if someone has fat shoulders then it typically is a musculoskeletal issue of larger muscles and bones and maybe that they need to lose weight. Remember, lipo targets genetic disproportion of fat."

"I am not saying I wouldn't, but I have never seen a candidate for this area in thousands and thousands of evaluations."

"When I do lipo on the arms and upper back, which is quite common, the shoulders have a more defined look. But I would not be marketing this as shoulder liposuction to have the look of an actress."

It appears that liposuction on the shoulders should really a last resort solution, as a patient is best advised to lose the weight first before considering a surgical option. Moreover, if someone is going to get liposuction on the shoulders, one would think that they probably would need it in other areas as well to get a consistent toned look in the entire body. But if you have the dough, and exercise and diet alone can't help you rid of that final pesky fat pocket on your shoulder, maybe shoulder liposuction may be right for you.

'I wanted to look good in my clothes'

2008-08-13T17:06:00.001-07:00

Jamie Wishart, a 42-year-old property consultant from London, is one of a growing number of men in the UK choosing to have cosmetic surgery.

After a serious accident in his teens, Jamie's weight ballooned to over 18 stone (114kg) as he was dependent on steroids and unable to exercise.

After managing to reach 16 stone (102kg) through healthy diet and exercise, he was left with unsightly excess skin around his abdomen.

Jamie said: "I felt awful, in particular meeting clients.

"I always thought my suits didn't look right on me and it really affected my self-confidence.

"I have rolls of lose skin around my middle area and I decided to do something about it."

Research into options

Jamie carried out some research and decided that a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and liposuction would be one way to get rid of the excess skin on his stomach.

Dr Jag Chana, Consultant Plastic Surgeon on male tummy tucks

He chose Dr Jag Chana, a consultant plastic surgeon at Spire Bushey Hospital in Hertfordshire.

According to latest figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. (BAAPS) more and more men are opting to have cosmetic surgery.

In 2007 the number of men choosing to have tummy tucks, a procedure most often associated with women, rose by 61% - although the total figure, of 90, is still relatively small.

Liposuction for men also increased by 18% to 582. It is now the second most popular form of cosmetic surgery for men, after rhinoplasty (nose jobs).

After a lengthy consultation, it was decided that - with a body mass index of 30 - it was safe for Jamie to undergo the five-hour combined procedure, costing £7,000.

Many not suitable

Dr Chana said many of the patients he sees in his clinic are actually not suitable to be operated on.

He stressed the decision to have liposuction or a tummy tuck was not a weight loss option.

Many people who approach him have a beer belly, which means they must first try to lose weight through diet and exercise, as the procedure is not designed to deal with a bloated physique.

I can't contemplate ever having my old body back

Jamie Wishart

Instead, it is designed for those who have had some success reducing their weight, but as a consequence find themselves with folds of excess skin.

"This is not a lunchtime nip and tuck," said Dr Chana.

"Tummy tucks and liposuction are invasive procedures. Possible risks are scarring, loss of sensation and infection to the area, but these are rare.

"Patients can normally return to work after two weeks but exercise and lifting must be avoided for at least six weeks as an abdominal corset needs to be worn to support the area."

Experts advise finding a registered surgeon that has been recommended rather than finding consultants on the internet.

They predict that this area will continue to flourish in the coming years as more and more men begin to care about their appearance.

Dr Chana said there had been a 40% increase in the amount of men having operations at his practice last year - and with more and more enquiries and interest from men he is convinced this area will continue to boom.

Following his operation, Jamie said life at 14-and-a-half stone (92kg) is very different for him today.

"I can't contemplate ever having my old body back.

"Now I get out of bed and jump into a suit and that is important to me.

"I'm sure if most blokes were honest, we all want to look good and if you can afford to take advantage of things on the market such as cosmetic surgery, why not?

"The best thing for me - and people may laugh at this - is when I get up in the morning and do my belt up, my stomach no longer hangs over the edge. I think, 'Yes, I look good and this has all been worth it'."

More men going under the knife

2008-08-13T17:05:00.003-07:00

To friends and colleagues, Frank Lococo's furrowed brow made him appear angry and confrontational. Not exactly personality traits you want as an advertising executive.

So the 37-year-old Milwaukee man opted for cosmetic surgery, joining the growing number of men willing to go under the knife — or for some, under the needle — in an effort to make themselves look younger and, hopefully, improve their careers.

"Being in advertising and marketing, there is a lot to how you look," said Lococo, of Milwaukee. "How you dress, what you drive, it all makes an impact on the overall presentation of you."

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in Arlington Heights, Ill., 1.1 million men underwent cosmetic surgery in 2007, a 9 percent increase from 2000. Of those procedures, 884,000 were minimally invasive such as Botox, microdermabrasion and laser hair removal, while 233,000 were surgical such as rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery and liposuction. Botox treatments are the most common minimally invasive treatment for men, with 296,012 done in 2007 — a 215 percent increase from 2000.

Anecdotal interviews of physicians at local hospital systems including Milwaukee-based Columbia St. Mary's and Aurora Health Care, Wauwatosa-based Froedtert Hospital and Glendale-based Wheaton Franciscan Health Care revealed local doctors are seeing more male patients too, especially those who are interested in Botox and eyelid surgery.

Last year, Lococo had Botox injections done at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Plastic Surgery Center to soften his furrowed brow and above his eyes. The results were immediate, and he's setting up a second appointment. Lococo plans on having the same injections, and possibly a few more around his eyes.

He compares Botox to putting a toe in the water before deciding to jump in the pool. Depending on how he ages, Lococo said he would consider more complex cosmetic surgery.

One treatment of Botox costs an average of $2,000 and lasts about a year. Compared with the $8,000 to $10,000 for facelifts, Botox has become a popular and economically sound choice for many, said Dr. David Larson, chairman of plastic surgery at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Dr. Jolene Andryk, a plastic surgeon with Aurora Advanced Healthcare, said despite the increase in male patients, she doesn't market her business to them because cosmetic surgery still carries a stigma for men.

Most of Andryk's male patients have been referred by wives or girlfriends, she said.

"I'm seeing more of the business professional group coming in," she said. "I (recently) had a consult with a man in his late-50s whose coworkers kept telling him he looked tired. He was looking for a more youthful, energetic appearance. There are subtle ways for men to look refreshed and refined in the business world and they are seeking them out."

Andryk, who does reconstructive surgery in addition to cosmetic, estimates 15 percent of her cosmetic base is men, up about 5 percent from five years ago.

Fourteen percent of Botox injections, 15 percent of all liposuction and eyelid surgeries, 20 percent of laser hair removal and 24 percent of nose jobs are carried out on men, according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Los Alamitos, Calif.

More patients

Larson has seen an increase similar to Andryk's in his male patient business as invasive procedures and so-called "liquid facelifts" become more popular.

Larson estimates about 10 percent to 12 percent of his business is male patients, making up 5 percent to 8 percent of his gross income.

"As word passes from their wives to them, I'm seeing more men," Larson said. "For invasive procedures such as liposuction, nose surgery and removal of excessive eyelid skin, men see great results and those operations have really gone up."

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the top five male cosmetic surgery procedures are nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, liposuction, breast reduction and hair transplantation. The top five minimally invasive procedures are Botox, microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, chemical peel and laser skin resurfacing.

Dr. Terrence Wilkins, a plastic surgeon with Columbia St. Mary's, said when he started 20 years ago, male patients were less than 10 percent of his business. Today, about two in 10 patients are men.

"The procedures men have are a little different here, than the national statistics," Wilkins said.

Wilkins said that nationally, the most common procedure for men is liposuction, but in the Milwaukee area eyelid surgery is the top procedure, followed by rhinoplasty.

Andryk said a man's professional status, income and education level normally coincide with his interest in plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is not typically covered by insurance companies.

"It's a sign of our times," she said. "Fifty is the new 30, so nobody wants to be 50 and look like they are 70."

Latino Immigrants to Europe Use Plastic Surgery to Fit In

2008-08-13T17:05:00.001-07:00

File under self-hatred a lo Europeo. Plastic surgeons in Spain are reporting a barrage of requests from Central American and South American immigrants wanting to undergo plastic surgery to make themselves look "more European". According to doctors around 2500 immigrants submit themselves to procedures such as rhinoplasty (nose jobs) and other types of surgery to modify their faces.

"What they want is for people not to recognize them as foreigners and go unnoticed," explains plastic surgeon José María Palacín.

The surgery is said to cost around 5000 euros (around $7800) and 20 Minutos reports that the majority of immigrants that request the surgery are Ecuadorian and Colombians living in Madrid.

This is of course a terrible thing, but it also makes me stop and think: what is happening in Madrid that makes immigrants feel the need to go to these lengths to "go unnoticed"?

New Rhinoplasty Technique Preserves Ethnicity

2008-08-13T17:04:00.003-07:00

Plastic surgeon, Dr. Oleh Slupchynskyj, has revealed in a new study that African Americans can have nose jobs without changing their ethnic look. According to a study recently published in the Archives of Plastic Surgery, a three-tiered surgical procedure can produce a natural-looking nose job without loss of racial identity. This procedure, Dr. Slupchynskyj states 'improves the equilibrium of the nose and face by reducing nasal flare, increasing the dorsal height of the nose and refines the look of the tip of the nose'.

Dr. Slupchynskyj noted that the three-tiered approach was significant since "African American patients are not looking to change their ethnic features; they seek satisfaction from a nose that is in harmony with the remainder of their facial features."

The study of 75 African American rhinoplasty patients found that most of them were satisfied with the result and indicated that their self-esteem was also increased.

GORE-TEX appears to be safe alternative for rhinoplasty

2008-08-13T17:04:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For patients who undergo plastic surgery on the nose (rhinoplasty), GORE-TEX implants are a safe and inexpensive alternative to using tissue grafts taken from another part of the patient's body, according to the results of a 17-year review of more than 500 patients.

For initial and subsequent rhinoplasty procedures in patients with enough internal nasal tissue and external soft tissue coverage, "GORE-TEX should be strongly considered for major and minor corrections of the nasal wall and bridge in properly selected patients," Dr. Krzysztof Conrad and colleagues, from the University of Toronto, advise.

The review, which was conducted at a teaching hospital, community hospital, and private facial cosmetic surgery center, involved 521 patients who were followed for up to 17 years. A total of 685 GORE-TEX implants were placed, all by one surgeon.

The new findings appear in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.

The implants, which were 1 to 10 mm thick, showed "excellent stability and tissue tolerance." Complications requiring implant removal developed in only 1.9 percent of patients and included infection, swelling, and cases in which the implant moved or partially came out.

"The unlimited supply and natural feel of the GORE-TEX implant," the authors comment, and the "excellent blending" with the contour of the nose, plus the minimal operating time, "outweigh the disadvantage of occasional complications, all of which can be treated successfully as long as they are not neglected," Conrad's team concludes.

SOURCE: Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, July/August, 2008.

Allergan Smoothing Out Wrinkles

2008-08-13T17:02:00.001-07:00

Allergan, Inc. (AGN) has been expanding into new therapeutic areas through acquisitions over the past few quarters. We believe these acquisitions will provide the company with the opportunity to drive growth in its existing business and to expand into new areas of business even in the face of slowing U.S. consumer spend. The Inamed acquisition, in particular, should help strengthen Allergan's position as a specialty pharmaceutical company.

From a fundamental standpoint, we are enthusiastic about the future of Allergan. The company possesses a strong blockbuster product in Botox wrinkle treatment and a slew of innovative new products in the eye and skin care markets. We were pleased to see Allergan receive the Food and Drug Administration approval for Juvederm dermal fillers several months ahead of expectations. Both Botox and Juvederm should help the company strengthen its position in the dermatology and plastic surgery market. We were also pleased to hear about the U.S. approval of silicone breast implants.

We expect 2008 to be a strong year for Allergan and the company's impressive pipeline should help drive growth in the next decade. The stock currently trades at 19.8x our 2008 estimate of $2.59. Several issues are likely to keep a lid on the share price in the near-term. Allergan shares have been under pressure lately due to safety concerns surrounding the use of Botox. Allergan also received a subpoena from the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia, related to promotional, educational and other activities for Botox. We maintain a Hold rating on the stock with a price target of $56.

Male aging war waged on wrinkles, shrinkage

2008-08-13T17:01:00.003-07:00

Is the man in your life showing his age a bit?

Now you certainly wouldn't want to tell him so directly, but some subtle ways can help him pull up his socks in the health and appearance departments. None of the problems addressed here are likely to kill, but they sure can be annoying.

Let's start with loose skin. Anybody who has been to a pool or locker-room has probably had to look away from old guys with flaps of pendulous skin. Droopy skin is not very nice on the face, either. It's caused by a slowdown in the production of collagen and elastin, as well as a decrease in the rate of shedding of dead skin cells.

Some skin aging is inevitable, but the American Academy of Dermatology's website, www.skincarephysicians.

com/agingskinnet/basicfacts.html, has some good tips.

Of course, it starts with avoiding sun exposure and smoking. But some of the cooler ideas include changing your sleeping position, since, as the site says, "resting your face on the pillow in the same way every night for years on end also leads to wrinkles."

The website notes "people who sleep on their backs do not develop these wrinkles, since their skin does not lie crumpled against the pillow."

The academy also advises us to stop doing facial exercises to maintain a youthful-looking appearance, because "repetitive facial movements actually lead to fine lines and wrinkles."

There, you've been warned.

Other sources, such as a website by author T. O'Donnell, who calls himself TigerTom, advise using a moisturizer after every wash to keep water next to your skin.

He also urges people to avoid cosmetic surgery because, "our perceptions of human beauty rely on very subtle clues in another's face: small lines, dimples, contours, expressions."

Letting a surgeon alter your looks brings the risk of becoming, as O'Donnell says, "a type, a Hollywood social X-ray, a waxen-faced thing."

Now maybe a little collagen shot or some Botox for dad's wrinkles wouldn't be too bad. It's all a matter of taste.

Another area where collagen is an issue is, well, just under the belt buckle. The loss of collagen can be a factor in reduced penile size and ability to hold blood in the penis, which is necessary for full erection.

Shrinkage can be a particular issue for men who have had prostate surgery.

Evidence published in the Journal of Urology showed some men experienced penile shrinkage after having prostate-removal surgery.

Overall, the study found "a slight decrease in the size of their flaccid and stretched penis."

And, for 20 per cent of the survey participants, the loss in penile length was around 15 per cent.

For most aging males, however, the problem isn't that the penis is getting smaller, it's that the surrounding area is getting fatter and obscuring the member. So, it's really an optical illusion. Well, that's a good story anyway.

The ultimate size-matters worry is a rare and bizarre condition called Koro, also known as penis panic. It's defined in a journal article as "a transient state of acute anxiety characterized by the triad of a deep-seated fear of penile shrinkage, its disappearance into the abdomen and apprehension regarding inevitable impotence or even death."

Cosmetic laser surgery reduces wrinkles by half, study suggests

2008-08-13T17:01:00.001-07:00

The surgery, called carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, has previously been linked to side effects including scarring and acne.

But new research suggests that the treatment is safe and that after two years patients see an average 45 per cent reduction in the number of wrinkles and fine lines on their face.

It works by removing layers of damaged skin as well as stimulating the face to produce more collagen, the elastic material which helps give skin its shape, filling in the wrinkles.

Thousands of the procedures are carried out in the UK every year and can cost up to £4,000 to treat the full face.

The treatment is commonly used to remove fine lines and wrinkles from the whole face or can be used to target certain areas, such as crow's feet around the eyes.

It can also be used to tighten the skin, especially in the jowl area.

Researchers looked at 47 patients, with an average age of 52, who received the treatment between 1996 and 2004.

They found that while around half of the patients developed either acne or darkening of the skin as a result of the procedure most of the side effects had cleared up within two years.

At that stage the volunteers were measured according to an agreed score to determine the reduction in the number of wrinkles.

On average patients had 45 per cent fewer lines and wrinkles across all areas of their face than before the laser surgery, although some had up to 50 per cent fewer, the findings, published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery journal, show.

Dr P Daniel Ward and Dr Shan Baker, from the University of Michigan, who carried out the research, said that their results proved that carbon dioxide laser resurfacing did lead to "long term improvements" in the reduction of wrinkles.

One third of all patients developed acne or small white cysts after the treatment, while 20 per cent experienced either lightening or darkening of the skin.

After two years just one case of darkened and six cases of lightened skin remained.

Patients who undergo the treatment can often go home the same day, although they are advised to stay out of the sun for at least a few weeks as their faces are left extremely susceptible to sun damage.

David Gault, consultant plastic surgeon at the Portland Hospital in London, said: "Carbon dioxide lasers are the gold standard treatment, with fantastic results."

Although different laser treatments had been designed in recent years to reduce the number of side effects, none have been as successful at tackling wrinkles, he added.

Running from wrinkles

2008-08-13T17:00:00.001-07:00

Sitting around the coffee shop enjoying a post-long run recovery double-dose of caffeine a couple of Sundays back, the talk got around to somebody's new GPS device — and how it was so much better than the one it replaced.

"The satellite signal hardly cuts out at all when you're in the trees," Judy — the gizmo's owner said. "I think it's more accurate."

There was just one tiny issue, though. The old GPS clocked our usual down-and-back trail route at 22 K — the same distance as those old-style printed maps suggested. The new unit begged to differ. Just under 21, it claimed.

"Hmm," I said. "and does it say you look 30, too?"

Now 30 may be a bit of a memory for a lot us who invest a fair bit of time trying to distance ourselves from this mortality thing, I thought, while dodging a flying cup of hot joe. But it might not be that obvious if you looked at some of us - or anyone who exercises regularly. The signs of aging — while not absent — may be somewhat subdued.

Even so, every so often somebody will tell me they're still looking for an exercise routine that they can enjoy. "But not running, because that'll give me wrinkles and looking old before my time."

Well, it's not running — or any other form of exercise — that'll etch lines in your face. If anything, getting fit may help hold off the inevitable process of wrinkling as your skin conforms to a leaner, more muscular body.

However, yo-yo dieting may also wreak havoc with your skin as alternating between losing and gaining a lot of weight shrinks and then stretches your skin.

There are four major causes of wrinkles: age, exposure to ultraviolet light, smoking and repeated facial expressions.

The last three you can control by not basking unprotected in the sun, not smoking and not continually making the face that your mother warned you not to make when you were a kid.

There's still no cure for aging and its tendency to make your skin thinner, less elastic and more fragile. Your body produces fewer natural oils which will leave your skin drier and more wrinkled.

Sure, there are some things you can do to help lessen the effects of wrinkling. Aging boomers have spent billions on skin creams and botox injections in an attempt to turn back the clock.

But if you want to do it naturally, getting fitter is better, as long as you take the proper precautions for your skin before you head out for an hour-long bike ride or run on a sunny day.

Take a look at Paula Radcliffe, the world's fastest female marathoner. She's been running upwards of 160 kilometres a week training for the women's marathon in Beijing — eight months after giving birth to a daughter. Yes, she's got that typical rail-thin runner's body. But good luck finding a wrinkle on her.

5 ways to save face

2008-08-13T16:59:00.002-07:00

Sunscreen

The most important face-saving product is sunscreen. One of the best is Anthelios with Mexoryl made by LaRoche, said Dr. Spencer Holmes, a Park Nicollet dermatologist. It's pricey ($30), but it lasts longer and protects against UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. Still want that glow? Try spray-on tans, bronzers or self-tanners. Check out cosmetics guru Paula Begoun's top picks at www.beautypedia.com, which reviews more than 35,000 products ($25 annual fee).

Skin care regimen

A good skin-care regimen includes gentle cleansing, moisturizing, protecting and correcting, said Eagan dermatologist Dr. Charles Crutchfield. Try Cetaphil or Purpose cleanser and a fragrance-free moisturizer. For correction and protection, Retin A is still one of the best for reducing wrinkles, smoothing skin and stimulating collagen. Start with the generic Tretinoin, said Holmes, available by prescription for about 30 percent less than Retin A. Some patients experience redness, flaking and burning initially. Apply every other day or twice a week with moisturizer to reduce irritation. Begoun suggests moisturizers and exfoliants with alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxy acids and antioxidants.

Botox and fillers

Botox is the most powerful wrinkle reducer for the upper face, and fillers such as Restylan are best for the lower face, said Edina plastic surgeon Dr. Edward Szachowicz. For smoothing the forehead and crow's feet quickly, purified botulinium (Botox) reduces lines by blocking muscle contractions that cause wrinkles. It lasts about three to six months. Downside: Botox can cause bruising and swelling and persistent lumps. Cost: Doctors charge per unit, which runs about $12 to $17. A typical botox treatment is 30 units. Fillers run $500 to $1,200 per syringe.

Chemical peels

Acid solutions brushed on the face lift away upper layers of skin. The peels fade freckles, age spots and stimulate collagen. Weaker solutions of up to 12 percent can be done in salons or at home. A doctor's stronger solutions go up to 80 percent and while they are more effective, they are also more irritating to the skin, said Crutchfield, who charges $75 per peel for 12 peels over six months. The procedure can take 10 years off your face, he said. Downside: Can result in severe burns if not used properly. Results are not as immediate as a laser treatment. Cost: Some peels cost $250 or more per treatment.

Painless 'Botox' Cosmetic to Deal With Pesky Wrinkles

2008-08-13T16:59:00.001-07:00

Painful botox jabs may well be thing of the past! Certain researchers have now invented a "botox cream" which pretty much does the same vanishing trick for wrinkles but with a lot less inconvenience.

Botulinum toxin or botox is injected by cosmetic surgeons to paralyze muscles and decrease the appearance of wrinkles, reports New Scientist.

However, this method can be painful and even cause tissue damage leading to problems such as drooping eyelids.

Now, Robert Nicolosi and Jonathon Edelson from the University of Massachussetts Lowell Nanomanufacturing Center have developed a skin cream that could help you get rid of the problem.

It had been thought that botox could not pass through the skin but the researchers have found that the toxin passes through with ease if it is attached to a nanoparticle in an emulsion.

They claim that the nanoemulsion also keeps the toxin stable, giving the cream a possible shelf life of up to two years.

Hollywood's beauty secret, out at last

2008-08-13T16:58:00.001-07:00

As the fear of hard economic times infects, yes, even Hollywood, plastic surgeons and beauty consultants are pitching lower-cost alternatives to pricey face-lifts: Botox, lasers and all variety of creams, some of which reporter Shari Roan explored in one L.A. Times story on stem cell ingredients, and in another story on exotic botanicals.

Even a segment of the Daily Show once sent reporter Larry Wilmore to Beverly Hills to see how the rich and beautiful are coping, what with less wealth available to spend on beauty. He heard resident Goldy Anthony lament, "I haven't had Botox in 8 to 9 months," while Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Kotler said, "I guess you can judge the economy by how many wrinkles are out there."

Now, according to a news release from Frownies Facial Pads, a Hollywood secret, kept under wraps since the product first came out in 1889, is out of the bag. The low-cost cosmetic treatment consists of craft paper with glue backing, called Wrinkle Eradicators in the 19th century, and still available under the new name. For about $20, customers get 144 of the sticky pads. You simply moisten the pad, stick it around the forehead, frown lines or crow's feet before bedtime, and wake up with skin that is smooth and youthful.

The trouble is, there are no scientific studies backing the face-taping process, which claims to retrain skin cells to be wrinkle-free, according to a site that reviews wrinkle creams. And of 66 people who took the time to write a review of the product on a website, some swear by the pads, while others say they're a waste of money.

But, with recession in the air, they are definitely cheaper than plastic surgery.

Massachusetts Plastic Surgery Center Receives Nationally Recognized Quality Seal

2008-08-13T16:36:00.001-07:00

Last summer, board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Fechner moved his practice and surgical center into an elegant new location on Worcester's renowned Shrewsbury Street. The office-based plastic surgery center is distinguished by its superior quality and safety profile which is reflected in its recent 100% compliance with the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) standards.

"We are proud of the AAAHC's recognition of our superior quality of care and state-of-the-art cosmetic surgery facility", stated Dr. Frank Fechner, the center's medical director. Dr. Fechner stressed his continued commitment for excellence in facial plastic surgery. "Having the AAAHC's seal of approval for our office-based surgery center after close examination of facility and procedures is a confirmation of our adherence to the strictest nationally-recognized health care standards."

The AAAHC is the premiere independent and non-profit organization that evaluates core health care standards such as quality of care, rights of patients and health records. In addition, adjunct standards that apply to organization's specific facial plastic surgery services have been evaluated. AAAHC focuses on hundreds core and adjunct standards related to anesthesia, medical and surgical services and Dr. Fechner's Surgery Center passed all these principles.

Dr. Fechner explains: "In order to ensure superior care, we wanted our office-based surgical facility to meet standards comparable to larger institution. Looking forward, I expect state and federal mandates to be passed requiring adherence to these high values in health care. We are proud to be one of the leaders in outpatient plastic surgery care."

Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Frank P. Fechner is Harvard-trained and double board certified with his private practice conveniently located in Worcester, Massachusetts. As a teacher at Harvard Medical School, he is affiliated with the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary in Boston and UMassMemorial Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. A renowned facelift expert, he has been featured on ABC, NBC and other news outlets. Focusing exclusively on plastic face and neck surgery, in addition to eyelid and nasal surgery, Dr. Fechner performs hundreds facelifts a year.

Male Plastic Surgery

2008-08-13T16:35:00.003-07:00

We'd all like to look like Brad Pitt or Denzel Washington; actually most of us wouldn't mind looking like any of the muscled and chiseled movie stars who have been deified in the mainstream media. Unfortunately, not all of us are blessed with mesomorphic builds, square jaws and granite abs. So we spend hours in the gym, guzzle magical bodybuilding shakes or simply throw in the towel and give up. But fret not, for modern medicine can slice, dice and sculpt your body into nearly any shape you can imagine. Breast reduction, liposuction, Botox, and a dazzling array of shape-enhancing implants are all within reach -- if you can afford them.

If you're thinking about surgical body modifications, keep reading. The following procedures can be performed in a matter of hours by a skilled plastic surgeon. But watch out, surgery has its risks.

Breast reduction

So you have a little extra fat on your chest or maybe you have full-fledged man boobs. Either way, you'd like a flat, smooth, manly chest. Breast-reduction surgery involves vacuuming out the fat and trimming excess skin to give you a flat, masculine chest. The procedure is called gynecomastia, which is also the name for the man-boob condition, and usually takes one to two hours to complete.

Risks: There are relatively few risks that result from this procedure. As with any surgery, bacterial infections are a possibility, but they're rare. You could also experience numbness in the nipples and surrounding areas, and the lack of sensation could be permanent or fleeting.

Costs: Breast reduction can be one of the most economical procedures. Surgeons typically charge between $1,500 and $3,000, depending on the length of the surgery and whether you have any pectoral implants installed.

Implants

You've spent months at the gym, but your chest is still concave and puny. And no matter how much time you devote to your calves, your legs are as scrawny as saplings. But don't worry, pectoral, calf, abdominal, and even butt implants can give you the appearance of an iron-pumping gym rat in a matter of hours. Implants are typically made of silicone or a malleable plastic that's meant to mimic firm muscle, and are inserted into the desired area through a small incision that's about an inch long. Each implant surgery usually lasts between one and two hours per area.

Risks: Again, infection is a risk. Swelling and tightness around the implant are common and recovery times range from one to two weeks. Although implants may be permanent, they can drift and cause an asymmetrical appearance.

Costs: Implants are a bit more time-consuming than breast reduction or liposuction. As a result, expect to pay between $2,000 and $5,000 for an implant.

Going under the knife could mean a simple injection or a vacuuming event…

Is all this plastic surgery about demons within?

2008-08-13T16:35:00.001-07:00

In the 1989 movie Batman, Jack Nicholson's Joker tricks Gotham City by making its public figures look like him, with grotesque upturned mouths, bleached and oddly fattened faces.

At the time, this was a shocking practical joke and was featured in Vanity Fair as a playful, creepy teaser for the film.

The intrepid National Enquirer, abandoning beach cellulite and loose bellies for the interim, last week published a series of "PLASTIC SURGERY SHOCKERS" that gives evidence, page after page, of the Joker's future being now.

We all know too well the freaks of surgery.

There is Cher, who was on the knife vanguard decades ago, and her taut mask; Michael Jackson's pathological makeover, which has resulted in his looking as if he should be carrying a warning sign ("People with heart disorders, and pregnant ladies are advised not to gaze upon the face of horror!); and socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein, the Cat Woman who looks like a stray monster on kitty death row.

But what of the allegedly normal stars, who have taken up the many splendours cosmetic surgery has to offer?

A fan of surgery and injectables, I am still startled by stars with enough money to achieve glam perfection who wind up looking like deformed incubi and succubi. Is this kind of surgery the new expression of those "demons" that celebrities always allude to during in-depth interviews? I have never read an interview with even the mildest Hollywood transgressor who has not mentioned such devils and always wonder what gives them the audacity to evoke bleak, killing creatures who haunt civilians to murder, suicide and worse.

I blame Method Acting, a school of thought that lends credence to the idea that everyone is plagued by internal torture, torture that, when summoned, lends heft to roles in films such as Saving Private Ryan or Forrest Gump.

The fact of the matter is that while we have all experienced pain in our lives, true, nauseous agony remains the purview of the ill, people who are so damaged they could not audition for a voice-over ad for Bistro Express, let alone a major motion picture.

Authentically mad people are not capable of the high level of function involved in trying out for "Badass Cop 3" on Law & Order, yet actors have long delighted in fabricating a past and present that support their psychic otherness, usually manifest in the form of their playing a disco coke dealer, or super-angry parent, or angrier transgender hula-hoop contestant.

If the idea of injecting toxins in one's face was once shocking, so was the notion of simply being photogenically blessed and beautifully vain, dumb and smart enough to do whatever was necessary to land the part that created award buzz. In the now-distant past, stars did not credit their performances to abuse, neglect or a wicked-bad time living in pool-less hovels. These great stars also never pretended that they were losers in high school because they were so tall and pretty ("I was called Skinny-Ass! And that hurt!). In the past, many of these stars had genuinely suffered, something they took great pains to hide, as the road to fame was littered with personal disgraces, as in the infamous "casting couch," that they were desperate to leave behind like so much vulgar baggage.

It is popular now to admit to one's usually fraudulent hard times. Soul-destroyingly beautiful stars will tell you that they felt really awkward as youths; that their radiant beauty is somehow an accident of their viewer's discerning nature. Not so long ago, supermodel and actress Paulina Porizkova was on Late Night with David Letterman, openly mocking her derisive childhood friends she left behind in Czechoslovakia as "potato peelers," secure in her knowledge that she was goddess enough to transcend her past.

Now, stars embrace these dubious psychological injuries with causes as fatuous as "I had freckles!" or "I wore plaid," and much of their seeming addiction to plastic surgery confirms not only the desperation stars feel to stay young and beautiful - even Paul Newman was not immune to this and grew to detest what were, for all intents and purposes, his crumbling looks - but also their deeper-rooted desire to assert their tragic difference.

Yes, some stars have surgery for normal reasons and that is awesome: How else can a 45-year-old Demi Moore hang onto a man more suited for her daughters?

Others, however, seem to making a statement with their surgeries. For example, dead-but-for-the-burying Lara Flynn Boyle, who has long prided herself for a radical thin chic that actually worked, even if it made one wince, has made a fatso of her face as if to say: Jack Nicholson! Bring me to a Lakers game now! Madonna, in the midst of her midlife crisis, has skinned herself to a skeleton while, through a variety of injectables, making an obese mockery of her own face: One is tempted to call this more of her shape-shifting, when it feels, more genuinely, like a cry for help, and for yet another Latino sports star who loves her deep down.

Donatella Versace, on the other hand, is a muffled scream for help: Her face now resembles the bloated corpse-head of a woman left to decompose in her squalor. Similarly, and very sadly, Heather Locklear, always a trashy beauty, is a creature I like to call a "Puffalope:" all rack and bone and chubby, inflated, false-joyous head.

The Enquirer presents this macabre gallery of surgical changelings without comment, and readers are left to speculate about the region beyond vanity; that is, the subcutaneous reasons behind profound and disquieting transformation.

We must speculate, also, if these same stars are seeing through the naive eyes of The Graduate's Benjamin Braddock and observing, terribly, "I see opportunity in plastic."

*****

7 days, 5 things

1. Now it's Angelina's turn to cry

Always an answer song, Jennifer Aniston, still riding in the slipstream of her ex-husband's now-ancient betrayal and currently dating the sexually suspect John Meyer (professional hairdo and Perez Hilton kisser), is on the cover of the Star this week, beside the headline "Now It's My Turn!" For what? On the bright side, Hairdo is said to be obsessed with Aniston's first major film role in Leprechaun (1993), which he screens daily, to her consternation.

2. A novel with a key and a crowbar

In her new roman à clef, American Wife, Prep author Curtis Sittenfeld abandons her obsession with "Kissing and Kissing" rich boys and (as in Jackie Susann's Dolores, a scarcely veiled portrait of Jackie O) creates a thinly disguised portrait of Laura Bush. "You gave him power," one excerpt in the heroine's voice reads. Pretty soon, you won't have Bush to kick around any more.

3. YouTube week

Watching "Christian the Lion," set to a variety of tear-jerking songs, and reels of the late, great Bernie Mac riffing on his inherited (from his sister) satanic children are the pop highlights of the week.

4. I swear she felt like a very late swim!

Robert Wagner has completed his memoirs, Pieces of My Heart, and an excerpt about his wife Natalie Wood's extremely suspicious death by drowning in 1981 has been published. Notoriously terrified of water and having, as a guest on the yacht The Splendor, her apparent lover Chris Walken, Wood is still said to have decided to play with a dinghy in the middle of the night while her husband and sweetheart duked it out. Did she also scream, "You're tearing me apart!" as she made her last rebellious, fishy dive?

5. Michael Jackson was not credited for the same bold fashion move

In the new Vanity Fair's International Best Dressed List, in addition to such crazed admissions as Fran Lebowitz and Morley Safer, Julian Schnabel makes an appearance in the following atrocity: "Dark-purple pyjamas with white piping," sneakers and a billowing overcoat "typically cinched ... with a multicoloured scarf."L.C.

Clinical trials offer free plastic surgery

2008-08-13T16:34:00.001-07:00

Given the weakened economy, many Americans interested in cosmetic procedures have had to nip and tuck the amount of money they spend.

"I would love to look like I was 25 again," said Jodi Richfield, who has children in private school. "But your kids need to go to school and they need to eat."

The 43-year-old Joelton woman recently found a way to receive such luxury treatments free. She underwent a "facial resurfacing" procedure - it typically costs $3,500 - to remove sunspots and fine wrinkles from her face, by participating in a study at the Nashville Centre for Laser and Facial Surgery.

Richfield said the study was an opportunity to receive pampering that she couldn't otherwise afford. And she's not alone: 53 percent of plastic surgeons report business has slowed, according to a recent survey by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Government health officials urge those who enroll in studies not to have high expectations.

"People should understand that what they are participating in is research, not treatment," said Dave Banks with the FDA's Office of Special Health Issues. "In research, the goal is to generate new knowledge using patients."

Besides facial resurfacing, the Nashville Centre for Laser and Facial Surgery is conducting clinical studies in the following areas: hair removal from the upper lip, eyelid skin tightening and lessening eyelid wrinkles.

Cosmetic procedures being offered through the studies would typically range in price from $1,000 for hair removal to $3,500 for facial resurfacing.

People who enroll get the treatments free and in the case of the hair-removal study can receive up to $800.

No guarantees

While the price is right, Dr. Brian Biesman, who is conducting the clinical trials, stressed that he can't guarantee the results will be as good or better than comparable treatments already on the market.

"That's what we are trying to find out," said Biesman, who is president of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

The treatments have been deemed to be safe by an institutional review board, though. Such boards are composed of scientists, doctors and lay people who review studies to make sure that participants aren't exposed to unreasonable risks.

The Office for Human Research Protections in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advises people to ask the following questions in making their decision to participate in clinical trials: What will happen to me in the research? Will the research help me personally? What other options do I have? Can I leave the study at any time? Will it cost me anything personally? Will there be any unpleasant side effects?

Biesman said all such cosmetic procedures carry some risk of scarring, blistering and lightening or darkening of the skin. Richfield said she looked as if she had a bad sunburn for a few days and her eyes swelled up.

For her, the sunburn was worth it.

"I had a lady at the mall come up to me and say, 'You have such beautiful skin,' " Richfield said. "I have never had anyone say that to me before. I was freckly. I almost cried."

New Research on Cosmetic Surgery Facilities

2008-08-12T14:54:00.001-07:00

Massage therapists are increasingly working with cosmetic surgeons to assist patient healing post-surgery. (See MASSAGE Magazine, "A Beautiful Partnership: Plastic Surgeons Enlist Massage Therapists onto Cosmetic Surgery Teams," November 2007). Study results released July 16 show that office-based cosmetic surgery is as safe as such surgery performed in hospitals.

Nearly 11.8 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in 2007, up 59 percent since 2000, according to ASPS statistics. Fifty-nine percent of cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in an office-based facility, 21 percent in a free-standing ambulatory surgical facility, and 20 percent in a hospital.

The study published in July's Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® (PRS), the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), reviewed more than 1.1 million procedures and found the mortality rate to be significantly less than one percent or

0.002 percent.

"The study shows that plastic surgery in accredited facilities is safe and deaths are rare," said ASPS Member Surgeon Geoffrey Keyes, M.D., study co-author. "However, people should consider plastic surgery with the same seriousness as medically necessary surgery. Most importantly, patients should have their procedure performed by an ASPS Member Surgeon in an accredited facility."

The study reviewed data collected from January 2001 through June 2006 by The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), which mandates biannual reporting of all complications and fatalities. The data was obtained from facilities accredited by the AAAASF, which requires that surgeons be board-certified and have credentials at a hospital to perform any procedure being contemplated at an office-based facility. The ASPS requires all of its Member Surgeons to operate only in accredited or licensed facilities

New York Plastic Surgeon Develops Ground Breaking Face Lift Technique, Promises Instant Results and Faster Recovery

2008-08-12T14:53:00.001-07:00

The SLUPLift proves to be the most innovative face lift procedure in cosmetic surgery. Developed by Dr. Oleh Slupchynskyj for his international patients who did not want a long recovery period nor sedation, the SLUPLift is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, and can reverse the "age" clock by 10 years or more. The lift starts with a small incision of 2-3 inches in front of the earlobe and elevation of the skin just in front of the earlobe. The muscle is then threaded in a loop fashion to tighten the jowl area. This minimally invasive technique means patients can typically return to work the next day with little or no bruising or swelling.

What are the advantages of the SLUPLift and why not do a "Thread Lift" instead? "The muscle under the skin is sutured in my procedure, so it will not loosen over time," Dr. Slupchynskyj reports. "The result is much longer lasting with a more beautiful, natural appearance. Barbs used in thread lifts hold fat (which pulls the underlying skin) and dissolve in a short period of time. Threads that grasp fat, not muscle, create a short-term and unnatural result. Risks of thread lift procedures include thread migration, which may cause an imbalanced facial appearance without further treatment, threads becoming dislodged during sleep, and bunching of excess skin," states Dr. Slupchynskyj. The SLUPLift has none of those risks. Dr. Slupchynskyj asks "who wouldn't want to look 10 years younger in one hour with results lasting up to 10 years? And, you can return to work the next day."

Oleh Slupchynskyj, M.D. is the Director and Founder of The Aesthetic Facial Surgery Institute of New York and New Jersey with offices in Manhattan and West Orange and has been in private practice for over 10 years. Born and raised in Manhattan, Dr. Slupchynskyj is double board certified through the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology with training specific to the head, neck and face. He is named one of the top plastic surgeons of 2007 by the Consumers' Research Council of America and is considered a face specialist. He has also been featured on CBS2 News, NY1News, and in The New York Daily News, Vogue, Gotham, Redbook, Jane, Woman's World and Time Out NY. He is a member of the following Societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology, New York County Medical Society, American Academy of Otolaryngology Allergy, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Is Plastic Surgery Right for You?

2008-08-12T14:52:00.001-07:00

With today's cultural emphasis on health, longevity and wellness, cosmetic surgery has become a popular accepted extension of improving one's self image.

At a press conference on "Redefining Vanity", a social psychologist at Stanford University described a new world in which plastic surgery is acceptable and unstigmatized; a world in which it is "healthy" to do whatever it takes to feel better about yourself. It is a world in which "women and men are increasingly pro-choice about appearance enhancement."

Women generally do not list aging, career advancement, or attracting a mate as their primary motivation for cosmetic surgery – the top reason given by most women is to feel better about themselves. Cosmetic surgery today is not just about self as in 'selfish'. It's about self as in 'self-worth', 'self-confidence' and 'self-fulfilling'. To suggest that changing one's looks can profoundly affect the quality of one's life is extreme; however, small details of our appearance can be critical determinants of how well we do in our personal life, interactions amongst friends and our professional life.

The circumstances for each individual will be unique. While making the decision whether or not one is a good candidate for cosmetic surgery, it is important to consider the following: nasal surgery will never cure depression, a tummy tuck will not secure a job for which one is not qualified, and a breast reduction will never make your parents or boyfriend love you more.

What cosmetic surgery can provide is the combination of a self-confidence boost and the edge that good looks confer in this society. Potential patients who seem seriously depressed or looking for a quick-fix or impossible results should consider other means for addressing issues that surgical intervention could never resolve. Some patients will take heed in this advice while others will continue to look for a surgeon willing to perform the "quick-fix". However, the vast majority of people who want a breast augmentation, nasal surgery or liposuction are not emotionally unstable or selfish people. They are realistic women who think a smaller nose, slimmer thighs, or bigger breasts will make them feel good about themselves and be noticed and approved by others.

Can plastic surgery change your life? Yes. Will it? That depends on several factors, most notably: what you look like, what you think you look like, and what aspect of your life needs changing. If your answers point toward having cosmetic surgery, go for it – and focus on how wonderful the new you is going to feel.

Leg Lengthening Plastic Surgery

2008-08-09T14:31:00.003-07:00

In a world where height is greatly valued, some people are willing to undergo brutal, greatly painful and enormously expensive leg lengthening plastic surgery to gain an extra couple of inches.

Leg lengthening is often done in other countries, with regulations that are different from those in the United States. The cost is often upwards of $100,000 and typically patients gain only 2-4 inches. To cut costs, and spend only $10,000, patients travel to all kinds of foreign countries and return with more problems than just being on the small side.

On his blog, Dr. Anthony Youn describes the exceedingly painful procedure, "This is a surgery where the bones of the legs are sawed in half and then gradually allowed to spread apart as new bone grows between the two broken halves. It's called the Ilizarov technique, and has been used for healing fractures for years. It's only recently making news as a technique for making a person taller."

He also warns, "Unfortunately, bone lengthening is a tedious process which can result in a major complication like osteomyelitis (infection of the bone)."

Recovery time is significantly longer than other cosmetic procedures at 10 weeks, rather than 10 days. The surgery carries great risks, including deformity and infection. Still there are an estimated 4,000 men in the world that have elected to undergo the procedure.

Parents choose surgery to reshape baby's skull

2008-08-09T14:31:00.001-07:00

Ten fingers. Ten toes. Nine pounds, six ounces of boy -- a "Matthew" at last, after an Addie and a Gracie. A blue blanket for the Hodgson family.

Born April 28, Matthew Hodgson looked perfect in the way all young parents hope for their newborns.

But in the happy rush after the Caesarean-section delivery, Holly Hodgson noticed Matthew's head was misshapen -- wide in the front and narrow in the back. And there was a knot on the back of his skull.

Three months later, on July 24, Matthew would undergo a delicate surgery at St. John's Hospital to remove parts of his skull and reshape it, while Holly sat in the waiting room, clutching the blue flannel blanket.

Rare condition

It's called "the soft spot."

When a baby is born, the seven bone plates of his skull are not yet "fused," or grown together. That allows the newborn's brain to grow to its intended size.

But in 1.6 newborns out of 1,000 births, one or more of the spaces or "sutures" between the bone plates close prematurely.

It restricts the brain's growth, forcing it to grow in any direction the skull will expand.

The condition is called "craniosynostosis."

Matthew had the most common form -- only one suture had fused lengthwise down his skull, giving his head a boat shape.

In more rare cases where two or more sutures fuse prematurely, the pressure of the growing brain can distort the shape of the face, eye sockets and jaw.

It can also cause increased cranial pressure, vision problems, and some doctors believe it causes developmental delays and brain damage.

Others believe a child's development is more affected by the deep psychological effect of going through life with such a severe deformity.

Researchers think the condition is caused by a problem with genes that determine growth.

It's not considered inherited -- Matthew won't necessarily pass it on to his children. But the condition shows up in families, doctors say.

When tests confirmed Matthew's condition, his parents' hearts sank. They could forgo surgery and face long-term consequences, or schedule the procedure.

It would be major surgery and meant a four- to five-day hospital stay. And there would be three years of follow-up visits.

Holly and her husband, Kerry, considered the alternative.

Holly concluded, "We have to do it."

Reshaping skulls

Not all misshapen heads are from craniosynostosis, however, said St. John's pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Sami Khoshyomn.

In fact, only about 20 of the roughly 250 children that he sees for skull deformities each year require surgery.

The birth process can temporarily mold a newborn's head out of shape. Infants who are consistently placed on their backs to sleep can develop a flat skull.

Early diagnosis is important, Khoshyomn said. Surgery between 3 and 5 months old offers the best results. Infant skulls are easier to mold and heal rapidly.

Doctors who have performed the surgery over the past 34 years report that it is more difficult and the risks are higher after the child's first year.

Some families choose to travel out of town for the surgery, a cost hardship for many and far from family and friends. The Hodgsons learned a team in the health care system they use offered the procedure in Springfield.

St. John's Dr. Khoshyomn and Dr. Bharat Shah, a plastic reconstructive surgeon, and their neurosurgery team have been surgically correcting the congenital skull deformities for about two years. Neurosurgeons at Springfield Neurological & Spine Institute, aligned with CoxHealth, also do craniosynostosis surgery.

The St. John's team has done about 20 procedures in two years, the same number surgeons at a St. Louis children's hospital said they've done in the same period, Dr. Khoshyomn said.

He and Dr. Shah explained the details of the surgery for the Hodgsons, from the lengthy pre-surgery prep, expected recovery time and scarring, and the surgical risks -- bleeding and infection.

Holly also talked to another family whose 6-month-old son had the same surgery months before. He's doing great, she said.

"It was kind of a relief," she said.

Saying goodbye

After daybreak on July 24, with Matthew bundled in the blue flannel blanket, Holly and Kerry cradled him at St. John's before surgery.

Soon a nurse came in.

"She let us give him a kiss goodbye," then gave the blanket to Holly and carried him into surgery. "Carried him," she said, instead of laying him on a gurney. "That made me feel better."

Kerry and Holly settled in the waiting room, surrounded by parents, in-laws and church friends.

"I know he's not going to know or feel anything," Kerry said, "but nobody wants their child to go through that. We handed him over this morning, wishing we could take the pain for him. They're so fragile and little..."

Under the knife

In the operating room, the surgery team spent two hours preparing Matthew for the procedure. Infants require meticulous care with anesthesia and monitors for blood levels and blood pressure.

The surgeons spent 30 minutes, alone, placing Matthew's body in the precise position -- "like a sphinx," the surgeons said.

The nearly two-hour surgery began with a zig-zag incision across Matthew's scalp from ear to ear, allowing access to his skull.

Then Dr. Khoshyomn made the first cut lengthwise down the skull, mindful of the brain's largest vein just below the incision.

Any injury to that can cause serious blood loss -- the single most-worrisome complication of the surgery, Dr. Khoshyomn said.

"Not injuring that vein is the only thing that gets my heart beating," he said.

The complication occurs about once every two to three years in the United States, he said.

The surgeons keep blood reserves on hand for that reason.

Once he made the cuts, Khoshyomn removed pieces of the skull bone in a T-pattern across the top of Matthew's head.

"The instant you remove that (closed) suture, you can actually see the head widen because it's been constricted all that time," Dr. Shah said.

At that point, Dr. Shah gently remodeled Matthew's skull with his gloved hands and specialized bone-bending instruments.

The repair was secured with four plates and 24 pins made of a material that over time absorb into the skull.

Dr. Shah then closed the incisions and skin flaps with about 100 reabsorbable stitches.

"Matthew's surgery went very smoothly, and he did very well," Dr. Shah said. "The bone reshaping was exactly as planned, and the absorbable plates and ultrasonic screws worked well."

The technical science, however, was lost that morning on the anxious Hodgsons, who wrung the blue blanket and waited for word of their son.

Life after surgery

When the doctors met the family after surgery with the good news, Holly said, "I was just so relieved to see them and to know it was over."

Matthew would have some swelling and a zig-zag pattern across his scalp that would disappear under hair in time, they reassured the parents.

He would soon switch from morphine to Tylenol for several days, but he wasn't expected to have much pain.

When the Hodgsons finally saw their baby that Thursday afternoon, Holly remembers thinking the swelling didn't look so bad.

His ears stuck out -- "like a little Mickey Mouse."

By Friday morning, a nurse was feeding him a bottle.

"He opened those big eyes and gave us a great smile," Holly said.

Matthew went home that Sunday to his own crib, where he sleeps contentedly every night bundled in his blue blanket.

"He's a happy little boy, smiling all the time," Holly said.

Within weeks, Matthew will be measured for a "cranio-molding helmet," which he'll have to wear 20 hours a day for three to six months.

It will help speed the reshaping process. He isn't expected to have any residual issues or pain from the surgery.

The estimated total cost of Matthew's ordeal could fall in the range of $44,887 and $61,111, hospital officials said.

Dr. Khoshyomn doesn't want cost to discourage families from seeking help -- "We put zero barriers based on a patient's ability to pay for children," he said.

The Hodgsons hope their insurance will provide, "but it's worth it," Holly said.

"I do all kinds of surgery," Dr. Shah said, "and this definitely is the most important.

"You get big results, and you know that you've made a big change in that child's life."

Weight reduction surgery weighs on bank account

2008-08-09T14:29:00.001-07:00

NANAIMO -- Shari Lychak has about 40 pounds of excess skin hanging from her body, which when she lies down feels like a pile of blankets underneath her body.

She lost 300 pounds in less than three years after undergoing bariatric bypass surgery in 2006, transforming her stomach into a small pouch the size of a golf ball. The surgery, combined with a rigid exercise routine, saved her life, but Lychak -- and many others like her -- are left with a hefty bill because the reconstructive surgery is meagrely covered by the province's medical service plan.

Lineups for the weight-loss surgery extend to 900 people and it can take as long as four years before a patient goes under the knife. That means a large number of British Columbians suffer the unhealthy side-effects of losing so much weight, according to a group lobbying the B.C. Ministry of Health to share the cost. MSP currently does not cover the cost of the "cosmetic" surgery, but people like Lychak say the health implications from having so much skin reaches far beyond cosmetics.

The ministry recognizes the "need for plastic surgery following significant weight loss" and has "asked for a review of the criteria for coverage of this type of surgery," according to a statement, but the changes, if any, can't come fast enough for those in line for bariatric surgery.

"Even if the ministry changes the coverage, it will take too long to impact me," Lychak said. "We want this for every other person that goes through this."

The excess skin causes a range of health issues. Without supportive undergarments, the skin hangs to just above Lychak's knees and cuts off the circulation to her legs. When she wears the support, she loses circulation to her legs when she sits down. To avoid rashes or skin ulcers, she coats the flaps with underarm deodorant.

"It's a health issue. There are a range of hygiene problems that come with this," she said. "It's not like I'm looking to wear a bikini."

When she sits on the toilet, she has to pull from behind to tighten the skin just to use the muscles in her butt, "an everyday task that most people don't think about," she explained.

Lychak is a healthy 190 pounds, but unfortunately her skin has lost its elasticity after shedding so much fat. She is left with the reminder of her old self and risks further health problems if she can't afford the $20,000 for the surgery. MSP covers $295 of a panniculectomy, a procedure that removes the excess fat and skin from the abdomen, but does not pay for a full abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck.

"I don't understand why this is considered a cosmetic procedure," said Lychak. "I'm happy I had the [bariatric] surgery because I would probably be dead, but this is a difficult way to live."

She has always been a large woman; it runs in the family. Her mother was obese and so was her father. Lychak could eat healthy, eat less and exercise regularly, but she could never lose more than 100 pounds. And when she did, she eventually gained it back.

At nearly 500 pounds, she managed to continue her job at Central Drugs on Bowen Road, but staff had to get her a chair to sit in so she could do her work. Just before her surgery, she required rides to and from work because her size prevented her from walking the three blocks to her house.

Rejuvenate your skin

2008-08-04T17:17:00.001-07:00

Want to bring back your skin's lost lustre, but the thought of surgery scares you? Well, don't fret about it, for there are a whole arsenal of aesthetic procedures that work without visibly wounding the skin.

Dermatologist Arielle N B Kauvar, clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine, has revealed the latest non-surgical options in skin rejuvenation for treating photodamage and pigmentation problems, wrinkles, textural changes and loose skin.

"As we age, the majority of these skin problems are a direct result of long-term sun exposure. Also, the loss and movement of the underlying fat layer of the skin over time causes us to lose volume in our skin – creating that 'sunken in' look. Fortunately, we now have a number of minimally invasive procedures that can be used either alone or in combination to combat the telltale signs of aging," said Kauvar.

For problems ranging from pigmentation, splotchy skin, redness due to enlarged vessels or capillaries, to dry, dull skin and loss of collagen, Kauvar suggested minimally invasive lasers and light sources that target affected areas of the skin with varying wavelengths and pulse durations without injuring the top layer of skin.
Kauvar added that peeling procedures can also improve the overall radiance of the skin and also remove some of the abnormal pigmentation from sun damage. Although wrinkles are perhaps the most obvious changes that occur, enlarged pores and even acne scars often worsen as we get older, resulting from the loss of collagen.

For treating large pores, Kauvar recommended the use of non-ablative lasers to heat the layer of tissue in the superficial dermis, resulting in the production of new, thicker and smoother skin. While non-ablative lasers are designed for patients with superficial skin damage who are not expecting dramatic results, fractional non-ablative lasers can deliver better results for patients with more extensive signs of aging.

Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing May Reduce Wrinkles Over Long Term

2008-08-04T17:14:00.001-07:00

The carbon dioxide laser vaporizes water molecules inside and outside of cells, causing thermal damage to the surrounding tissue, the authors write as background information in the article. In response to this insult, the skin produces more of the protein collagen, which fills in wrinkles. "In addition to structural changes, the healing process frequently leads to pigmentary [coloring] changes," the authors write. "These changes in skin pigmentation may be desirable, such as when patients wish to remove solar evidence of aging; however, changes in pigmentation after treatment can often be a troubling adverse effect."

P. Daniel Ward, M.D., M.S., and Shan R. Baker, M.D., of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, assessed 47 patients (42 women and five men, average age 52) who underwent carbon dioxide laser resurfacing on their entire face between 1996 and 2004.

Twenty-one patients (45 percent) had no complications following the procedure; of those who did, 14 (30 percent) had milia (small, white cysts) or acne; eight (17 percent) had hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin); six (13 percent) had hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin); one (2 percent) developed an infection; and one (2 percent) developed sagging of the eyelids.

After an average of 2.3 years of follow-up, most of these complications had resolved. Patients' scores on a scale measuring facial wrinkles improved 45 percent, and were consistent over all areas of the face. "With the exception of one case of hyperpigmentation, which resolved within two years of treatment, hypopigmentation was the only long-term adverse effect," the authors write. "This complication was present in six patients (13 percent). The patients who developed hypopigmentation were more likely to have a greater response to treatment."

"The efficacy of treating facial rhytids [wrinkles] with the carbon dioxide laser is well established, and the short- and long-term utility of the carbon dioxide laser in treating solar facial aging has previously been documented," they conclude. "Our results verify those of previous studies that found that carbon dioxide laser resurfacing leads to long-term improvement in facial rhytidosis."

Commentary: Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing Still Provides Results

"In terms of results, carbon dioxide laser resurfacing remains the gold standard," writes Paul J. Carnoil, M.D., of Summit, N.J., in an accompanying commentary.

"The number of patients who undergo carbon dioxide laser resurfacing has decreased since the 1990s," Dr. Carnoil writes. "Some of the factors contributing to this decrease include the risk of delayed permanent hypopigmentation, prolonged recovery with associated erythema [redness] and the associated risks of other complications."

"Overall, approximately 26 patients (55 percent) in Ward and Baker's study had some type of complication. This relatively high complication rate means that attentive post-operative treatment by experienced physicians is important to minimize potential long-term problems. It has also led to an ongoing search for methods of treating facial aging and scarring with lower complication rates." Other treatments have been developed with shorter recovery periods and lower complication rates, but may not yield results equal to carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, Dr. Carnoil notes.

Top medical ethicist slams unprincipled plastic surgeons

2008-08-03T13:24:00.001-07:00

The head of the Israel Medical Association's ethics bureau has attacked plastic surgeons who place illegal advertisements, aggressively market needless operations and "use people" to make their fortunes.

Prof. Avinoam Reches, who is also a senior neurologist at Hadassah University Medical Center, was speaking on "The Ethics of Esthetics" at Thursday's all-day Israel Medical Convention, organized by Hadassah and two other hospitals and sponsored by a variety of groups at the Jerusalem International Convention Center.

Reches said esthetic surgery was a NIS 500 million to NIS 600m. industry in Israel, and presented dozens of advertisements from newspapers and Web sites in which plastic surgeons promised to make people "beautiful," based on exaggerated expectations, and change their lives

Some unethical practitioners offer journalists a free makeover and then expect them to write flattering copy, according to Reches. One ad shows a doctor wrapped in (false) bandages and sitting in an idiotic pose on a surgical table to promote his specialty. This, insisted Reches, was "an embarrassment to the medical profession." Such physicians "create mass psychoses and turn doctors into 'renovators' of the human body."

Some plastic surgeons offered "Botox parties" to which women were invited as a group and underwent injections for their wrinkles one after another, Reches said. Promotions for "discounted" plastic surgery appear in catalogues along with TVs and vacuum cleaners. He conceded that public hospitals, including Hadassah's for-pay Hadassah Optimal, offered esthetic surgery that was not covered by health funds, and that their standards were much higher and not aggressively marketed.

Although doctors were permitted to advertise, they could not include prices or make exaggerated claims about their skills and experience, Reches said.

Most of the advertising violations investigated by the IMA's ethics bureau involved plastic surgeons, he said. "They buy whole pages in newspapers and invent questions that they answer. They create diseases that don't exist and illegally give names of famous people who used their services. They also display parts of the body that may not be published in such ads."

Dr. Roni Moscona, an experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa and the private Ramat Aviv Medical Center, said he could defend his profession but not doctors who advertised and made exaggerated claims. "I believe that a doctor will get patients if he is a good doctor; the word spreads," Moscona said.

Although plastic and reconstructive surgeon can't claim to save lives, Moscona said, it did improve the quality of life of many patients, and satisfaction rates in the US, for example, were "between 80 percent and 90% - a figure that no other medical specialty can beat."

As no parent would hesitate to improve a child's looks with orthodontic treatment, Moscona added, there was no reason why people who were disfigured or terribly unhappy with their body should not try to change them. But he denounced surgeons who performed unnecessary surgery, as on the now-deformed Michael Jackson, and said doctors were now allowed to advertise within limits, thanks to a Supreme Court decision by then court president Aharon Barak.

Moscona criticized the Health Ministry for allowing companies to put its stamp of approval on products that falsely claimed to improve the shape of breasts "without surgery or pain," and showed an ad that said it even had kashrut approval from the Rabbinate. Ministry approval means only that something is not harmful to health - but not that it offers any benefit.

Moscona said he had hundreds of letters from patients who said he "changed their lives" by eliminating physical deformities.

Beverly Hills Dentist Offers Less-Invasive "Gummy Smile" Treatment

2008-08-02T16:10:00.001-07:00

Beverly Hills, California - "Gummy smiles" are a common problem but few people realize there is a fairly straightforward surgery that can lower the upper lip, revealing less gum tissue. Rather than performing complicated surgery to reconstruct the upper jaw, Beverly Hills periodontist Dr. Farnoosh offers a method to simply and permanently revise upper lip position and movement.

In the perfect smile, the upper lip sits just above the top of the teeth. But for people with a high lip line, too much of their upper gum is revealed, creating what's commonly referred to as a "gummy smile." The unflattering appearance of a gummy smile causes many people with a high lip line to avoid smiling or place their hand over their mouth when they smile or laugh.

"It is truly unfortunate when people are self-conscious about their smiles," says Dr. Alex Farnoosh, a Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist / periodontist with over 25 years of private practice experience. "Thankfully, I have developed a proven method to subtly lower the lip line without extensive surgery. This method has helped hundreds of my patients smile with confidence."

Gummy smiles are more than a cosmetic problem - they can also cause people to hide their happiness and true emotions. One way to improve the appearance is to undergo orthognathic surgery, which cuts and repositions the front segment of the upper jaw. In addition to being a complex surgical procedure, patients are hesitant to have this procedure because of the discomfort and extended hospital stay involved. After surgery, the jaw must be wired shut to allow for proper healing, meaning that patients must adhere to a liquid diet. Cost is yet another factor, with surgical fees that can rise as high as $40,000.

"For most people with gummy smiles, there is no need for this degree of expense and discomfort," adds Dr. Farnoosh. "I offer an alternative approach that minimizes the appearance of a high lip line by lowering and repositioning the upper lip through a minor periodontal plastic surgery procedure. The results I have been able to achieve are highly satisfying for my patients."

Dr. Farnoosh began treating people with gummy smiles in 1998 and has perfected his lip lowering technique. This treatment can be combined with crown lengthening or excess gum tissue removal to create an ideal appearance. Men and women who want to learn more about all the cosmetic dental treatments offered by Beverly Hills periodontist Dr. Farnoosh offers should visit his Web site or call 310-657-0503 to set up a consultation appointment.

The First Ever Transplantation World-Wide of Entire Arms at the "Klinikum rechts der Isar" in Munich

2008-08-02T16:09:00.001-07:00

MUNICH, August 1, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- On the 25th/26th of July the first ever transplantation of entire arms was performed at the "Klinikum rechts der Isar" of the Technical University of Munich. The responsibility for the operation lay with the Clinic for Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery. The operation, performed by a team of approx. 40 people, was headed by PD Dr. Christoph Hohnke (senior physician for Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery) and Prof. Edgar Biemer (former head of Plastic Surgery Department).

In a working accident six years ago, both of the 54-year old farmer's arms were severed at the upper arms. He contacted the Clinic for Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery at the "Klinikum rechts der Isar". The clinic's doctors are very experienced in the fields of microsurgery and replantation surgery and in the interdisciplinary preparation and planning of operations as well. Furthermore, the clinic's the Centre for Liver, Kidney and Pancreas Transplantations has intensive know-how in the field of immunosuppression.

PD Dr. Christoph Hohnke and Prof. Edgar Biemer, have been concerning themselves intensively for years both clinically and scientifically with all questions relating to transplantation and microsurgery.

A donor was found on July 25 th at around 10p.m. Christoph Hohnke began operating simultaneously with 2 teams in 2 operating theatres. One group on the left and right sides of both donor and recipient, and another team that removed a leg vein from the donor.

Both the 15-hour long operation and the first few days thereafter were ideal from the patient's point of view. His condition is excellent, considering the circumstances.

Surgeons, doctors in cosmetic face-off

2008-08-02T16:08:00.001-07:00

A pledge by health ministers to develop national standards on cosmetic surgery is likely to be derailed by the long-running turf war between plastic surgeons and self-styled cosmetic surgeons.

Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon announced last month that her department would look into toughening the laws surrounding the industry, which has come under fire following horror stories of botched operations and the deaths of two young women following liposuction.

Plastic surgeons say recent NSW legislation to clamp down on advertising, such as fake before and after shots, and a mandatory cooling-off period for people under 18, does not go far enough.

But the industry is unlikely to agree on the clarification of titles such as "cosmetic surgeon" and "specialist" to clear up the confusion among consumers, with both sides refusing to give ground in the feud that has been running since 1999.

Dr Norman Olbourne from the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons says any doctor with a basic medical degree should not be able to call him or herself a cosmetic surgeon or specialist.

He called on NSW to adopt Queensland's approach, in which the word "surgeon" can only be used by fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, who have undertaken eight years of postgraduate surgical training.

They are banned from performing cosmetic surgery on under 18s.

While rivals, including the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery, agree on the need to rid the industry of "grandiose titles [that] mean nothing more than a paid subscription fee", they dispute the college of surgeons' assertion that it is the only group qualified to perform cosmetic surgery.

"Our college provides appropriate training in cosmetic surgery whereas plastic surgeons are trained in the public system, where there [are] no cosmetic patients to give adequate training," ACCS chief executive John Flynn said.

"Cosmetic surgery is a distinct and separate speciality."

At the Australian Health Ministers' Conference last month, South Australian Health Minister John Hill urged his state and federal colleagues to consider a number of cosmetic surgery regulations.

They included a surgery ban on under 18s, that a patient's first consultation be with a medical practitioner rather than a "commission-rewarded lay adviser", a psychological assessment be done of a patient's suitability for cosmetic surgery and mandatory assessment by two doctors.

Source: The Sun-Herald