Botox, Eyelid Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, Skin Care, Strange Plastic Surgery, Wrinkle Removal
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Just recently, I saw a news claiming that some doctors can erase signs of facial aging such as wrinkles and sagging through acupuncture, a popular alternative medicine in which the “chi” or the energy of the body is manipulated through thin needles. If it is true, can it serve as a replacement for facelift surgery?
While many studies have already proven the countless benefits of acupuncture, I am quite doubtful with its effectiveness in terms of removing the wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. First and foremost, these signs of aging are caused by many factors including sun damage, tissue laxity, and pull of gravity.
But despite some critics, one doctor who offers facial acupuncture still insists that by creating a “little scar formation, it would be possible to lift the sagging skin and address other signs of facial aging.”
Some also claim that the acupuncture needles can encourage the body to produce natural collagen, which is a type of protein responsible for making the skin youthful and plump.
The cost of acupuncture for the removal of facial aging is almost the same, if not more expensive, than most traditional non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments such as laser, soft tissue fillers, and Botox injection. Also, patients should consider that it requires monthly maintenance that costs around $150.
Meanwhile, the average cost for the first few sessions of facial acupuncture is $1,000.
Whether facial acupuncture really works—or it is just another media hype—patients should remember that facelift surgery is often the most ideal solution to the signs of aging because it provides a longer lasting effect. By contrast, non-surgical treatments (e.g., laser skin resurfacing, Botox, and soft tissue fillers) must be repeated every six months to two years in order to maintain the youthful appearance.
But regardless if facelift surgery or non-surgical treatment is used, all facial rejuvenation treatments do not stop the aging process.
Traditional facelift surgery can remove 10 to 15 years off from face, with its result lasting a decade or so. After this period, a patient may need some kind of revisions such as “isolated” facelift including brow lift, eyelid lift, etc.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ January 26, 2012
Breast Augmentation, Butt Augmentation, Liposuction, Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Blogs, Tummy Tuck
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When is really the best time to have plastic surgery? Perhaps this is one of the most common questions of patients considering having the procedure. While there is no exact answer on this matter, there are season-related factors which must be considered.
Traditionally, December is the month when most plastic surgeons are fully booked. This is not surprising as most people would like to take advantage of the long vacation, allowing them to enjoy enough rest during their recovery instead of taking a leave off work.
Also, cooler weather (December to March) requires people to wear “bulkier” clothes—this is an advantage to patients who want to conceal swelling and bruising, which are symptoms often associated with facelift, brow lift, neck lift, and liposuction. Another bonus is that sun exposure can be minimized.
It is important to note that exposing the incision site from the sun can result to hyper-pigmentation and more visible scars. For this reason, the treated area should be covered by clothing; trousers, scarves, jackets, and even wide-rimmed hats can be helpful in protecting the skin.
On the other hand, people who want to undergo plastic surgery to prepare their body for summer (hello tiny bikinis!) are often recommended to have the procedure in spring (April to June); in this way, they will have enough time to recover and wait for the swelling and bruising to subside.
Liposuction, body lift, breast augmentation, buttock enhancement, and tummy tuck are just some of the most popular pre-summer preparations among plastic surgery patients.
And just like in winter, spring (only applicable in Northern states) allows patients to wear bulkier clothing that can conceal their post-surgical swelling, bruising, and other symptoms; they will also enjoy long holidays and spring break.
By contrast, summer is not a great time to have cosmetic plastic surgery unless for those who want to use their vacation time to recuperate. But if a patient chooses this season to have her procedure, a reasonable option is to stay indoors, making sure that she stays in an air-conditioned room to enjoy a comfortable recovery.
Patients should remember to stay away from the sun and never hang out in the backyard or poolside (even under the shade) as the heat may still exacerbate the swelling and bruising, which in turn leads to longer recovery. Also, they run the risk of developing hyper-pigmentation which can darken the incision sites.
Laser resurfacing is particularly not ideal during summer because the treated area should not be exposed under the sun for at least six weeks.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ January 26, 2012
Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Blogs, Teens and Plastic Surgery
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In the US, the legal age requirement for breast implant surgery is 18—and that is if you are going to have saline implants which are filled with a sterile saline (saltwater solution). But if you want to use the silicone implants, you should be at least 22 years old.
The main reason why silicone breast implants require a higher age limit is that they pose risk in the event of rupture or leak. For this reason, you have to undergo regular MRI screening to detect any “silent leak.”
By contrast, the examination is not necessary if you will choose the saline implants because in the event of implant failure, your breasts will deflate within hours after the rupture, thus allowing you to seek revisions right away.
Generally speaking, female patients under the age of 18 cannot have breast augmentation surgery unless there is an issue of breast deformity. The problem with younger people is that their body is still maturing and they may not yet fully understand the ramifications of cosmetic plastic surgery.
It is important to note that even if you are flat-chested at the age of 15, there is still a chance that your breasts will enlarge as years pass by. And with large implants and ongoing breast development, you may end up having oversized busts that look unnatural and asymmetric to the rest of your body.
Another concern is that patients below the age of 18 are not emotionally mature. In fact, a study has suggested that teenagers see cosmetic surgery as a way to fit into their crowd. By contrast, adults seek the procedure to stand out from the rest.
As mentioned earlier, your plastic surgeon may allow you to have breast augmentation at a younger age if you are suffering from certain types of deformity including tuberous breasts in which they appear too pointy because of the unusual structure of their base.
Breast augmentation performed at a younger age may also be necessary if you develop a very large breast on one side while the other is too small or even “absent.” In general, age is not an issue in reconstructive plastic surgery.
While the US is quite strict when it comes to cosmetic breast augmentation, certain countries allow the procedure on patients as young as 16. This lower age limit is not acceptable to many American surgeons who believe that the body should be allowed to mature first before any aesthetic or elective surgery is conducted.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ January 26, 2012
Breast Lift, Dermal Fillers, General, Injectables, Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Blogs, Special Occasions
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Bridalplasty is a term coined to describe cosmetic plastic surgeries that are performed before the wedding day. While some people may think that brides having these procedures are going overboard, this is surprisingly a growing trend in the US.
Just recently, Good Morning America has reported that liposuction and breast lift are just some of the popular pre-wedding day surgeries for brides who want to look ravishing in their most special moment.
However, non-invasive procedures such as Botox injection, soft tissue fillers, and laser skin resurfacing are also popular among brides-to-be. The advantage of such treatments is that they no longer have to allot some time for their recovery, which is the tradeoff in cosmetic plastic surgery.
Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Tarick Smaili believes that bridalplasty will continue its popularity for the next coming years. Nonetheless, he said that the patient asking for such procedure should be doing this for the right reasons.
“Cosmetic surgeries, which are elective procedures, should only be given to physically and emotionally healthy patients who want to improve the way they look. By contrast, those who want to change their appearance just because someone else told them to do so are bad candidates from the very beginning,” Smaili said.
Smaili said that most brides-to-be who are asking for cosmetic plastic surgery view it as a good way to start their married life.
While there is nothing wrong with such belief, the leading cosmetic surgeon has warned people that plastic surgery is not a “quick fix to everything and every physical flaw.”
“A good example is liposuction, a procedure that can permanently remove the excess fats in your abdomen, hips, or any problem area. However, it doesn’t automatically mean that you will not gain weight. Yes, its result is permanent—unless you will manage your weight through regular exercise and of course healthy diet,” Smaili said.
Meanwhile, the plastic surgeon highlighted the importance of allotting enough time to rest during recovery. It simply means that patients have to undergo a cosmetic surgery well in advance of their wedding day to avoid the stress and other factors that may compromise their healing.
“Just to be on the safe side, a patient should ask her doctor on how long it will take before she can resume her daily activities. The rule of thumb is quite simple, never rush your recovery as it may increase the risk of complications,” he added.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ January 26, 2012
Bad Plastic Surgery, Celebrity Plastic Surgery, Face Lift, Facial Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Blogs, Plastic Surgery Gone Wrong
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Bruce Jenner is in the limelight again. Not because of his stepdaughters and their notorious escapades but because of his plastic surgery rumors. Just recently, the “Keeping up with the Kardashians” star has been accused of having another plastic surgery after he appeared in public with a noticeable scar on his cheek.
But much to the disappointment of celebrity bloggers and showbiz reporters, Jenner’s scar is not caused by facelift or any cosmetic procedure. The former Olympian had surgery to remove a cancerous growth on his face, according to a report published in Us Weekly.
The magazine cited an unnamed source although Jenner had not yet confirmed if his scar is really from a cancer surgery.
Perhaps those people who jumped into a conclusion that Jenner’s scar is from plastic surgery cannot be blamed as the reality tv star had admitted to have some nips and tucks in the past—a mini facelift when he was 35 years old and then followed by rhinoplasty or “nose job.”
Because the result of Jenner’s mini facelift was not as natural as it should be, he has been criticized for his “wind-swept” look and squinty eyes—clear manifestations of bad plastic surgery.
In an effort to “correct” the not-so-natural result of Jenner’s initial facelift, his wife and stepdaughters convinced him to get a revision plastic surgery several years ago.
Dr. Tarick Smaili, a cosmetic surgeon who did not treat Jenner, said that facelift is not only about removing the sagging skin and wrinkles.
“For me, the most important thing aside from making the face more youthful is also maintaining the natural shape of the eyes and face. No one would like to have squinty eyes or a face that looks like it was blown by a strong wind. With this in mind, I am very carefully when it comes to removing the sagging skin although I prefer going deeper into the facial muscle so the result will last 10 to 15 years,” Smaili said.
To avoid botched results, Smaili advised patients to carefully choose their plastic surgeons and make sure that they have been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Smaili added that patients considering facelift surgery should make sure that their doctors have expertise in facial rejuvenation.
“People should remember that not because their doctors provide them great breast augmentation result does not necessarily mean that they are also good in facelift. First and foremost, two procedures are very different from each other,” Smaili said.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ January 24, 2012
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