Inspired by Hollywood? Think Eyelid Surgery

If you think that hard economic times have cut into the demand for plastic surgery, think again. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), cosmetic procedures rose almost nine percent last year. Perhaps surprisingly, one of the most highly requested procedures is eyelid surgery (“blepharoplasty”). According to ASAPS statistics, eyelid surgery is actually among the five most commonly requested cosmetic procedures, trailing breast augmentation, breast reduction and liposuction, and falling in the top five just before tummy tuck surgery.

Many patients are actually requesting eyelid surgery in order to gain a youthful look similar to that of a celebrity, proving the link between the popularity of blepharoplasty and Hollywood. A qualified surgeon will not try to make a person look like another person; however, he or she can help a patient achieve a more youthful appearance with the help of blepharoplasty.

Eyelid surgery involves removing excess, sagging skin around the eyes and trimming any fat that leads to unattractive eyelid puffiness; it can transition a tired, aged-looking upper face into a more refreshed appearance, “turning back the clock” by several years. Dallas eyelid surgery specialist Dr. Kevin D. Light typically performs this procedure on patients aged 40 and above, although it can be done on those who are in their early 20s or 30s if necessary.

Sometimes, other procedures may be beneficial for a more comprehensive transformation. For certain patients, Dr. Light may suggest complementing eyelid surgery results with injectables like Botox® or Restylane®; these injectables can be used in several areas of the face to minimize the visible signs of aging. Eyelid surgery is a procedure that is effective on its own as well when combined with other procedures for an overall facial rejuvenation outcome.

To discuss your personal facial rejuvenation options, contact Dr. Light at TIFM today. He will be glad to address your questions during an initial consultation.

Post-Divorce Facial Rejuvenation

Many years ago, two things that are now quite common were rarely discussed – divorce and cosmetic plastic surgery. It used to be quite taboo to hear of a couple going through a divorce publicly, as it was also taboo to talk about having plastic surgery. Now, the divorce rate has increased and so has the number of plastic surgery patients. In addition, women who are recently divorced are often undergoing some type of cosmetic enhancement as a way of “vengeance” after the break-up. Those whose marriage ended due to an affair are more likely to visit a surgeon.

Divorced women are increasingly interested in undergoing facial rejuvenation as a means to either start a new chapter in their lives or possibly as revenge for their ex-husband’s infidelity. Typically, patients undergo a facelift, eyelid lift, and/or forehead lift. Some may also combine non-surgical treatments such as chemical peels and facial injectables (Botox ®) to achieve a more dramatic improvement. However, some surgeons are also seeing an increase in recently divorced men; they also wish to look younger in order to appeal to the younger females.

Based in New York City, Steven J. Pearlman, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a facial plastic surgeon who can help you achieve a more refreshed and youthful appearance. He has the training and experience to provide patients with their desired outcome.

Plastic Surgery For Men

Plastic surgery has long been considered a way for women to enhance features or fix flaws to their bodies. However, recently, men have been adding their own body issues to the mix. As men age, keeping an appearance of youth is becoming more important. Compared to last year, there has been an eight percent increase of cosmetic procedures on men. With the clientele of these procedures being mostly the “Baby Boomer” generation, older men are looking to keep a younger, healthier, more attractive image around the workforce as they fight to maintain their positions against the next generation of recruits.

The most popular non-surgical procedure for older men is Botox ® injections, which smooth out facial wrinkles after being injected into the problem area. The most popular cosmetic procedure, attracting the 35 to 50 year old group is liposuction, which can remove fat deposits such as “love handles” or double chins. Rhinoplasty comes in a close second place; eyelid surgery is third in cosmetic surgery for men overall, but more so for men in the 51 to 64 year old group, as it corrects droopy eyelids and under-eye bags. Rounding out the list are male breast reductions, pectoral procedures, and buttock augmentation.

Kristen J. Tarbet, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a cosmetic surgeon in the Seattle area, who offers Botox injections and eyelid surgery. Her website offers more information on these procedures as well as facelift surgery and liposuction. Dr. Tarbet has the experience and training to provide optimal results for her patients.

Stem Cell Facelift – Latest in Facial Rejuvenation

First impressions are everything, which is why most people try to maintain a youthful facial appearance. However, as time passes, the facial skin often begins to sag and signs of aging surface due to various factors. In order to regain a more refreshed appearance, many individuals opt to undergo a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure. Facelift surgery, a common facial rejuvenation procedure, has greatly advanced in its techniques, most recently with the “stem-cell facelift.”

The facelift procedure is usually performed through incisions made along the hairline and behind the ears, which allows the surgeon to lift the skin and underlying muscles/tissue to a more youthful position. This also reduces the appearance of sagging in the jowl and neck areas; patients would have a downtime of up to a few weeks. Now, with the emergence of the “stem-cell facelift,” no incisions are made as this technique is intended to add volume with injected stem cells. Taken from fat cells that are suctioned from other areas of the body, the adult stem cells are used to help regenerate the facial skin. Similar to fat transfer, this method is said to provide patients with a fuller facial contour but with longer-lasting results. In addition, patients can benefit from a shorter recovery time as compared to traditional facelift surgery.

In Miami, Ary Krau, M.D., F.A.C.S. performs facial rejuvenation surgery and can help you regain a more youthful appearance. Further information regarding facelift surgery is available on his website.

Botox Restricts Emotions

As time passes, signs of aging begin to show on the facial skin, including fine lines, wrinkles, and deep creases. Many individuals often opt to undergo some type of facial rejuvenating procedure. One of the most common non-surgical treatments, Botox ® injections can help reduce the appearance of these tell-tale signs. By temporarily paralyzing the underlying muscles in the brows, forehead, and around the mouth and eyes, lines and wrinkles can be smoothed out for approximately four to six months.

However, due to the lack of muscle movement, it is now being reported that certain emotional triggers that are linked with physical traits are being affected. Typically, when the face shows signs of happiness, sadness, or anger, the brain makes the connection and allows the person to properly express that emotion. Examples from studies have shown that when there is no physical trigger, patients may slightly pause when expressing happiness as compared to expressing sadness or anger. Although there is no major impairment with emotions as a result of Botox injections, others may misinterpret a person’s feelings based on a lack of expression.

If you would like further information regarding Botox treatments, Chicago cosmetic plastic surgeon Jennifer M. Hein, M.D., F.A.C.S. can help you meet your goals. She is also an experienced facelift surgery specialist who provides natural-looking results.

Facelift Surgery May Relieve Migraines

While most patients seeking facelift surgery are hoping to turn back the clock on facial aging, patients like MaryAnn Niesse seek relief from the crippling pain caused by frequent migraines.  In a recent report from KGO-TV in San Francisco, MaryAnn explained how for years she had gone to neurologists in hopes of curing her constant migraines, but in the end none of their efforts seemed to help.  Ultimately, MaryAnn turned to a Bay Area plastic surgeon in hopes of relieving her pain.

“It was so bad I was vomiting, I had to go home and the light hurt my eyes,” she said.

To test the effects of the surgery, doctors first freeze trigger points  around the eyes and temple using Botox.  If the patients gain temporary relief from these injections they are able to determine what areas are causing the migraines and better understand how to carry out surgery.  The procedure, which is very similar to an endoscopic browlift does not alter the look of the patient, but instead helps to relieve muscle pressure on nerves, which cause headaches.,/p>

While many patients and doctors are still skeptical of the success of these surgeries a recent study published in the “Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,”  found that eight out of 10 patients in a trial reported relief from the procedure.

Patients in the Bay Area considering a facelift or Botox can learn more about the procedures from San Francisco facelift surgeon Dr. Kimberly Henry, an acclaimed plastic surgeon in the San Francisco Bay Area with 3 locations to serve her patients.

A Facelift Alternative Using Patients' Own Stem Cells

People who see aging as an ugly inconvenience usually turn to options like plastic surgery to nip and tuck their troubles away. Little do they know the answer for reversing the aging process might be found as close as in their own stomachs. Yes, Adult Stem Cell research has brought prospective plastic surgery patients a new option for fighting the signs of aging! No longer is surgery required for anti-aging treatment because Adult Stem Cells are now being used as an alternative to a facelift- with no surgery required!

The stem cells being used are taken from the patient’s own body fat- so they are whats known as autologous adult stem cells. And, because its the patient’s own stem cells there are no rejection issues.

In conjunction with the Beijing Tian Tan Puhua Hospital, which offers stem cell therapies to terminal Parkinson’s and spinal cord injury patients, the RNL Puhua Plastic and Cosmetic Medical Center, also in Bejing, offers stem cell therapy for the face that may reverse the aging process using the patient’s own stomach fat cells. The Puhua Center now offers several non-invasive beauty treatment alongside traditional plastic surgery mainstays like liposuction, breast enhancement and eyelid lifts.

The process for harvesting and using the stem cells works like this:

• Patients have fat cells removed from their stomach using a needle and local anesthetic.
• Stem Cells are extracted from the fat cells and multiplied.
• Two weeks later, the patient returns to hospital.
• Doctors inject the stem cells into the face in a series of shots that plumps out skin, erases wrinkles and gives the patient a youthful appearance.

Unfortunately, the United States always seems to be the last ones on the bus for these adult stem cell treatments. Currently, China is taking the lead in the Stem Cell Facelift race. For a paltry ¥28,000 (about $282, USD), patients can have this procedure done, but only oveseas. Included in the price is a stem-cell “top-off” six months later. Patients can also have their stem cells stored at the clinic for ¥1,500 (approximately $15, USD) per year. Stem cells typically have a shelf life of about 15 years. The clinic is currently the only place in the world offering the therapy, according to Ingela Palomäki, a former Beijing Tian Tan Puhua Hospital marketing representative and current director of Fortune Cookie, a stem cell product import/export firm.

The procedure is booming in China. South Koreans are flocking to the facility, after an aging celebrity Kyung-gyu Lee had the procedure done, with exceptionally positive results at the clinic’s inauguration less than half a year ago.

“Koreans are flocking here by the busloads for the treatment,” Palomäki says. “It’s buying time.”

With the plastic surgery industry in the United States in the billions of dollars annually, it seems all of the medical world are looking closely at the near future of this industry. Right now, this face lift alternative to surgery costs about $4,000 (including surgeons’ and recovery fees) + the cost of a trip to China. While the U.S. and other countries weigh the benefits of stem cell therapies, many patients from abroad are already coming to Beijing for therapies they hope might make them forever young.

Face Transplants are Real

The first thing you think of when you hear face transplant, is Face Off. But for a few people who have been disfigured by tumors and bear attacks, it’s reality. One chinese man who was disfigured by a bear attack in 2004 received a face transplant and within a year was working full time. He says he feels fully integrated back into society. After one year, the patient was able to feel his face and move it.

“Facial transplantation could be successful in the short term, but the procedure is not without complications… This case suggests facial transplantation might be an option for restoring a severely disfigured face and could enable patients to readily integrate themselves back into society,” said Shuzhong Guo, of the Institute of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital and Fourth Military Medical University in Xi’an, Forbes reported.

Madonna Gets a Face Lift

Did Madonna get a face lift?

A source close to Madonna’s plastic surgeon has said she got a mid face lift this past spring.

Although it could also be that her cheeks look more prominent (as mid face lifts are designed to do) because of losing weight from stress.

Mid face lifts are used by plastic and cosmetic surgeons to make the cheeks more prominent and tighten the skin around the face.

It is also possible that she received facial fillers instead of a facelift, using a product such as Juvéderm.