Millions of men and women seek wrinkle reduction with the use of dermal fillers or injectables, a set of injections that can make the skin appear smoother and more youthful immediately after treatment.

Fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm and Botox can decrease lines and wrinkles while smoothing out and sculpting the face. Now, researchers are finding that when the injections are mixed with a certain amount of lidocaine, the patient experiences less swelling and pain from the procedure, and also spends less time in the office waiting for the anesthesia to take effect.

Plastic surgeons at UT Southwestern medical Center have outlined this innovative technique in the October issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, indicating that lidocaine in the fillers will instantly minimize pain and make it easier on the patient. The addition of lidocaine also means a shorter recovery time.

According to Dr. Rod Rohric, chairman of plastic surgery at UT Southwestern, the technique involves mixing 2 percent lidocaine with hyaluronic acid and other fillers to create a numbing effect while the injectable is administered into the skin. Dr. Rohric also points out that the addition of lidocaine is becoming more standard with the emergence of fillers such as Hydrelle and Prevelle which already have lidocaine in their list of ingredients.

Demand for minimally invasive procedures such as Restylane, Botox and Hydrelle continue to rise as more men and women seek alternatives to surgery in order to preserve their youthful appearance. Adding a certain concentration of lidocaine to the injectable may help the surgeon minimize the pain and swelling commonly associated with the procedure, and this may make the entire treatment more attractive to people who have refrained from undergoing the pain and discomfort associated with treatment.

More information about injectable fillers as an anti-aging treatment can be found here.

The UT Southwestern Medical Center has introduced a relatively new and rare microsurgery procedure for breast reconstruction patients. The center has developed the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap procedure for women seeking breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.

According to Dr. Michael Saint-Cyr, this procedure preserves muscles so that recovery is quicker and there is less postoperative pain. In this procedure, the surgeons can reconstruct the breast with skin and fat that is taken from the abdomen. This gives the patient a tummy tuck while getting their breast reconstruction, and the entire process is completed by reattaching blood vessels under a microscope.

According to Dr. Michel Saint-Cyr, assistant professor of plastic surgery, this microsurgery can be done immediately after a mastectomy so that patients can have their breast tissue removed in just one step. Dr. Saint-Cyr points out that the reconstructed breast is firmer, has a more youthful appearance, and looks very similar to the original breasts because of this procedure. Since a significant amount of fat is removed from the abdomen, the patient undergoes a basic tummy tuck which can help to further improve their appearance and enhance their silhouette.

Dr. Saint-Cyr also points out that “Due to the complexity of the microsurgery, only about 40 surgeons nationwide routinely perform these types of procedures so travel may be required for some women to find a surgeon with the needed experience.” This type of surgery may be most appropriate for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and must have either one or both breasts removed.

This procedure, along with other similar microsurgery procedures, will be discussed at the “What’s New in Breast Reconstruction: Optimizing Results Using a Multidisciplinary Approach” seminar hosted at UT Southwestern in early December. The event will be open to the public and will include discussions about breast conservation therapy, nipple-sparing mastectomy techniques and options in breast reconstruction.

(Source: MedicalNewsToday.com)

The wave of Botox scams continue to appear across medical spas and cosmetic surgery centers around the country.

Administering counterfeit Botox is a federal offense, and many salon owners have lost their license and are looking at jail time and fees when they choose to use artificial products on their clients. Recently, Xin He, owner of a Bellevue beauty salon, was found guilty for injecting clients with counterfeit Botox and Restylane.

Prosecutors found evidence that the salon owner had falsely claimed that she was licensed to administer injectable treatments, and had been advertising the salon in the local Vietnamese-language newspaper. According to the story in the Komon News, two women suffered severe side effects from the unlicensed treatments they received at the salon, and one left with permanent scars and large lumps under the skin.

After further investigation, prosecutors found that the salon owner had also been administering other treatments that caused severe side effects. He had also been administering counterfeit Restyalne injections, another anti-aging dermal filler designed to correct fine lines and wrinkles. Investigators found evidence of counterfeit Botox on the property and the salon owner was eventually caught by an undercover agent. Investigators also searched the salon for evidence of any other drugs, and found several vials of drugs that have not been FDA-approved.

The sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2009 and the salon owner will be facing about three years in prison and will need to pay a $10,000 fine.

In order to avoid Botox scams and counterfeit products, the American Society of Plastic Surgery urges consumers to verify the track record of salon owners and medical professionals who may be administering a treatment, and to look for evidence that the salon or center is licensed to perform certain procedures.

The average price of Botox is about $300 to $400+ per injection depending on the location, so any extreme discounts on Botox should raise a red flag.

Stem cells have already been used to help with the repair of certain organs and tissues, and the process of harvesting the cells from fat may soon be commonplace in the cosmetic surgery realm. The FDA has recently approved the stem cell breast augmentation procedure, a combination of liposuction and breast enhancement techniques that can enhance the breasts to create a fuller, more natural appearance.

“Stem cell implants” have been in the media spotlight in recent years, as they do offer a more natural look and feel than conventional implants made with silicone or saline. In this procedure, the implant is made using the body’s own cells and tissues.

Fat is extracted from the stomach and thighs before the stem cells are extracted from the fatty mass. The stem cells are then added to other fatty tissues so that they can regenerate and create real body tissues. This results in smoother, softer and more supple looking breasts, and there is no risk of rupturing or a risk of the formation of cysts.

The stem cell implant procedure can increase the size of the breasts between one to two cup sizes, and offers a natural alternative to silicone or saline implants. Several trials have been completed in Europe with great success, and now research confirms that the stem cell procedure for breast augmentation is a viable option for patients in the United States.

Professor Kefa Mokbel, a consultant breast surgeon at the London Breast Institute at the Princess Grace Hospital reported last year that “implants are a foreign body. They are associated with long-term complications and require replacement. They can also lean and cause scarring.” The stem cell technique does not have these risks and side effects, and is most suitable for  a modest increase in breast size. Ultimately, this procedure can help to restore volume and create a more balanced, attractive silhouette. (Source: TimesOnline)

The signs of aging tend to creep up on men and women at different rates, and many of the effects of aging are largely dependent on skin type, genetics and the person’s lifestyle.

A recent study now suggests that females tend to show the signs of aging around their eyes before men. According to UK facelift surgeon Norman Waterhouse, men and women age in different ways and a woman’s face tends to shift from oval to square as she gets older. Researchers at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in California agree that there are several distinct aging patterns associated with females when compared to men.

Researchers at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in California report that by the age of 30, women’s faces tend to look much like their mothers, and that daughters do tend to undergo the same aging process as their mothers. Many women show signs of aging around the eyes – everything from crinkles at the corners of the eyes (crows feet) to bags developing directly under the eyes. These signs are often more prevalent than the signs of aging in men of the same age.

Some of today’s leading corrective procedures for these effects of aging include the application of dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Hydrelle and Restylane, skin tightening treatments such as Thermage around the face, and Threadlifts that can help to tighten the loose and sagging skin around the eyes. Other popular anti-aging procedures include facelift surgery, laser skin resurfacing and blepharoplasty (eyelid rejuvenation surgery).

Women who begin to lose weight as they age are also more prone to developing loose and sagging skin around their eyes, jawline and neck area. However, a series of skin tightening treatments and facelift surgery can help to correct these effects.

(Source: PrivateHealh.co.uk)

After American Idol judge Simon Cowell made a remark about Gordon Ramsay’s chin, the tough chef decided that his future success may have something to do with his appearance – and has undergone plastic surgery to improve his looks.

According to a recent report in Sky News, Gordon Ramsay underwent a painful chin procedure to correct the lines and grooves around his chin and jawline, and also had several Botox injections to get rid of the lines and furrows on his scalp. The celebrity chef says that his mini cosmetic surgery makeover was the result of the comments from colleague Simon Cowell.

The deep grooves that were once on Ramsay’s chin may have been corrected with a modified version of a facelift or a set of dermal fillers that can help to fill out facial tissues and create a smoother, more sculpted appearance. This is a popular procedure for both men and women who are undergoing the aging process, and the use of dermal fillers offers instant results.

Smile lines, frown lines and other signs of aging can also be corrected with laser skin resurfacing procedures, a combination of dermal fillers that create a ‘liquid facelift’, and dermabrasion or microdermabrasion treatments. Almost all skin types can benefit from these types of procedures, and injectables such as Juvederm, Hydrelle and Botox present few side effects.

Gordon Ramsay isn’t the only celebrity who is outspoken about going under the knife to improve his looks. Celebrities including Joan Rivers,  Britney Spears, Jane Seymor and Lindsay Lohan have all made public statements regarding their nips and tucks, and many celebrities maintain a routine schedule of anti aging treatments to preserve their youthful looks.

Among the most sought-after procedures by celebrities are liposuction, breast augmentation, facelift surgery and facial recontouring.

More information about today’s most popular plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures can be found here.

The annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons touched upon several hot topics related to emerging technologies, techniques and surgery options for plastic and cosmetic surgery patients around the globe. A significant portion of the event was dedicated to the controversial techniques and emerging technologies used for breast augmentation, breast reconstruction and breast enhancement procedures.

The 2009 Plastic Surgery meeting touched upon several issues such as the implications of fat injections, and what the options were for women who had to have their breasts removed because of breast cancer or an accident. Dr. Robert Grant, a board-certified plastic surgeon who practices in New York City reported that there is definitely a need for more scientific research regarding the effects of fat transfer, and that this procedure does show some positive benefits for cosmetic surgery patients.

Fat transfer can be used to correct deformities of the breast, create more symmetry in the chest area and may also be used as part of a breast augmentation procedure.

Other key issues addressed at the ASPS annual meeting included stem cells that can be used for reconstructive procedures.  Stem cell research has been conducted for breast reconstruction procedures, but also for correcting scars, and for creating new tissue after an injury.

The ASPS meeting is the biggest plastic surgery meeting in the world, and gives surgeons the opportunity to network with other professionals in the industry and includes lectures, workshops and presentations.

Breast augmentation continues to be among the most sought-after procedures for women of all ages in the United States, and current techniques and procedures include more than breast implants and fat transfer procedures. Surgeons have found ways to recontour and shape the breasts without surgery, and have also been testing implant-based breast reconstruction procedures using products such as AlloDerm®.

Thousands of Asian men and women interested in achieving a more ‘westernized’ look are among the top candidates for plastic and cosmetic surgery, and a recent report shows that demand for plastic surgery is booming in places like Korea.

According to ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com, people from China, Vietnam and Hong Kong are heading to Korea for facial bone contouring and cosmetic surgery of their eyes and noses. Korea has become a prime destination for these procedures because it offers attractively-priced surgery packages, and many Korean actors and musicians have reportedly set their sights on plastic surgeons in the area for their specialized skills and great results.

Foreign patients in Korea are about 33 percent higher in 2009 than they were in 2008, and most foreigners reportedly spend about twice as much money as regular Japanese tourists when undertaking their ‘medical vacation’, says the Plastic Surgery Channel.

In some cases, patients are willing to pay as much as three times more for surgery in Korea than other Asian countries, simply because of the track record of surgeons there and the fact that many celebrities have had their procedures in Korea.

Among the most sought-after procedures by the Asian community around the world are blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), lip enhancements, breast enhancement, facial bone contouring and rhinoplasty. Other popular surgeries include surgery of the calves to correct the common ‘radish shape’ of the upper leg and the removal of fat around the eyes. Laser skin resurfacing and skin lightening treatments are also at the top of the most sought-after list for Asian patients. Last year, Time magazine reported on the increasing demand in plastic and cosmetic surgery of Korean university students.

From Seol to Surabaya, young Asians were turning to cosmetic surgery immediately after graduating college in hopes of attracting the right mate and also improving their job prospects.  (Source: Time.com)

While cosmetic and plastic surgery is often a top priority for men and women undergoing  a midlife crisis or other major life changes, industry experts are reporting an increase in demand for the plastic makeover in women over 50 years of age.

Cosmetic surgery group Mybreast based in London reports that they have seen a 20 percent increase in breast surgery patients from 50 to 65 years of age in 2009. According to Norman Waterhouse of Mybreast, “many women with large breasts have had discomfort for many years and by the time they reach 50 and over, they decide to do something about it.” (Source: Sys-Con.com)

Breast surgery typically has a high satisfaction rage among patients over 50 years of age, and is becoming more acceptable by many women in their 50s and 60s who want to improve their appearance.

Mybreast is an organization that uses specialized breast augmentation techniques to perform both surgical and non-surgical breast enhancement procedures. In addition to breast implants, the surgeons use breast reshaping techniques such as mastopexy and liposuction that help to create an attractive silhouette.

Breast augmentation continues to be one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures for women of all ages, and those who want to correct droopy or sagging breasts have several options for improving their silhouette. Mastoxepy, breast recontouring and skin tightening procedures can all help to create a more youthful appearance.

Stephen Hamilton, a consultant plastic surgeon with Mybreast, reports that there is much greater acceptance among women in the 50 to 60 year age group to undergo surgery, and there is little to no stigma attached. In addition to breast augmentation, popular anti aging procedures and surgery option for this age group include laser skin resurfacing, facelift surgery, liposuction, Endermologie and Botox injections.  More information about popular procedures can be found here.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has released a new set of guidelines for the care and management of the treatment of psoriasis with ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, also known as phototherapy.

Many people suffering from psoriasis are prescribed prescription medications and light therapy treatments, and a recent article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology outlines the basic steps and general recommendations for physicians using light therapy to treat this common skin condition.

According to dermatologist David M. Pariser, MD, FAAD, and president of the Academy of Dermatology, Over the years, phototherapy has been shown to effectively clear psoriasis, and it is a cost-effective therapy that generally does not suppress the body’s immune response like traditional and biologic systemic therapies. However, because this therapy delivers UV light to the skin (a known carcinogen), patients need to be closely monitored by their dermatologists for the potential risk of skin cancer.” (Source: MedicalNewsToday.com)

Psoriasis is easily recognized by thick, red and scaly patches that can become inflamed and even start to bleed on a regular basis. Almost 7 million men and women in the United States have to manage this skin condition, and it is a result of both genetic and environmental factors. UVB therapy is commonly used to treat psoriasis, and broadband UVB therapy has been used to treat psoriasis for over 75 years. People who undergo this type of treatment enjoy rapid clearing of the skin, fast healing and better remission rates, reports Dr. Pariser.

Photochemotherapy is another option for treating psoriasis, and makes use of photosensitizing compounds and topical or oral medication before exposure to UV light. This is an advanced treatment that has also been covered by the AAD’s recent report.

While there are some minor side effects of light therapy and the risk of burning, a skilled and experienced dermatologist will be able to deliver the treatment with minimal problems.