Study Says Females Show Signs of Aging Around the eyes Before Men

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)

Breast Augmentation a Hot Topic at ASPS Annual Meeting

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®.

More Women Over 50 Seeking Plastic Surgery

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.

Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery Can Improve Quality of Life

Cosmetic eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a popular procedure for men and women who have droopy eyelids and sagging skin around the eyes and upper facial area. This procedure involves the removal of excess fatty tissues around the eyes and a lifting of the upper lids to create a more youthful appearance.

A recent paper presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting and OTO EXPO in San Diego reported that in a survey conducted on adult patients who underwent cosmetic eyelid surgery, most participants said that they felt better about their appearance, and also noticed an improvement in self-esteem.

Blepharoplasty is performed by removing excess skin, muscle and fat around the tissues, and also lifts sagging skin in a similar ways as facelift surgery. The procedure can help to improve the overall appearance of the eyelids and eyebrows, and also restore lost elasticity from the aging process.

The results of the questionnaire showed that blepharoplasty had a positive impact on the quality of life for patients in the study, and that the patients received the same quality of life benefits they hoped to achieve with plastic surgery. The survey did not include patients who were undergoing surgery for non-cosmetic indications, or those who were having more than the cosmetic eyelid surgery procedure performed.

Cosmetic eyelid surgery offers both aesthetic and functional benefits. In addition to correcting fine lines and wrinkles developing around the eye area, the procedure can help to improve the person’s vision and restore peripheral vision that may have been lost because of the sagging skin over the eyelids. If the procedure is performed to restore vision, the surgery may be partially or fully covered by an insurance company.

More information about eyelid surgery can be found here.

“Miss Plastic Pageant” in Hungary Raises Eyebrows

Hungary recently served as the host country for the “Miss Plastic” pageant, a contest that encouraged women who had undergone plastic surgery to show off their best assets on the runway and take home prizes based on the judges’ response. This is the first pageant of its kind to encourage cosmetic surgery as a qualifying criteria for the event, and has sparked criticism and controversy around the world.

According to a recent report in Newser.com, plastic surgery has earned a bad reputation in Hungary, but this pageant may have helped some people become more accepting about procedures. The Huffington Post reports that contestants showed off their face lifts, nose jobs and breast implants in a catwalk style competition.

The primary goal of show organizers was to show how cosmetic and plastic surgery could serve as an enhancement to someone’s lifestyle, and didn’t necessarily have to be about going to an extreme. Plastic surgeon Dr. Tamas Rozsos, a well-known plastic surgeon in Europe, explains that plastic surgery is more about restoring harmony and eliminating asymmetries in the body than it is about creating an entirely new silhouette. He says that many people who have not been accepting of plastic surgery have only seen extreme procedures.

The three-part pageant focused exclusively on the women’s physical attributes – contestants were not required to deliver a speech or share a special skill or talent. The Miss Plastic Pageant was won by a 22-year old hostess Reka Urban. She won an apartment in Budapest, and the first runner up took home a new car. The plastic surgeon that performed the procedure on each winner also received an award and formal recognition for their work at the awards ceremony.

There is no indication whether the Miss Plastic Pageant will become an annual event, but the contest attracted a wide audience and helped position cosmetic and plastic surgery in a more positive light.

Rhinoplasty and Botox Most Sought-After Procedures in India

Typical Western traits such as a pointed nose, flat abs and large breasts are among the most-coveted characteristics in countries like India, and plastic surgeons overseas are finding that the demand for rhinoplasty and Botox is especially high in the urban cities of Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata. More men and women from the upper middle class group are turning to plastic surgery to improve their chances of a good marriage, increasing self-confidence and securing a steady job.

There are currently no registries or organizations that track the number of cosmetic and non-surgical procedures performed in India, and but consultants and medical professionals at the major hospitals are able to track the number of procedures performed at their clinic.

According to a recent press release from New Delhi, Dr. Rakesh Khazanchi, a senior consultant in the Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery at the Sir Gangaram Hospital has found that demand for rhinoplasty, liposuction and abdominoplasty has increased approximately 150 percent in the last 5 years in India.

In addition to the surgical procedures, Dr. Khazanchi has found that many men and women in India are also turning to non-surgical procedures such as Botox and microdermabrasion to appear younger. Botox helps to eliminate deeper wrinkles and lines on the forehead and around the eyes, while microdermabrasion helps eliminate or reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth, nose and jaw areas. Microdermabrasion also helps the skin look healthier by removing the dry, dead layer of skin cells and increasing collagen production deep under the skin’s surface.

India is among several countries in the Far East that are growing in the fields of plastic and cosmetic surgery, and many citizens are opting for procedures that give them a more ‘Westernized’ appearance. According to Dr. Rajeev B. Ahuja, Chairman of IPRAS 2009 (15^th World Congress of International Confederation for Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery), “Peer pressure and advertisements promising ‘picture perfect’ looks post –surgery, drive most men and women to undergo cosmetic surgeries.” (Source: IndiaPRWire.com)

Holly Madison Says Cosmetic Surgery Helped Boost Her Career

Holly Madison, former Playboy model and actress, recently interviewed with Life & Style Magazine about her life at the Playboy mansion and reports that much of her success can be attributed to plastic surgery.

In 2008, Ms. Madison (then 27), told US Weekly that she didn’t feel comfortable in her skin and admits that she had breast augmentation and rhinoplasty to improve her body image. In addition to her surgery, Holly says that she stays in shape with yoga workouts three times per week, weight training and hiking.

In the interview with Life & Style Magazine, Holly says that her insecurities are a thing of ht past, and that her career really took off after she had the surgery.

Reporter Liz Wolgemuth states that cosmetic surgery has become a part of life for many people who are looking for a career boost – and not just in Hollywood. Ms. Wolgemuth points to increasing research that says looks matter in the workplace, and self-confidence and self-image can help someone climb the corporate ladder with ease.

Earlier this year, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reported that about two thirds of its member surgeons noticed an increase in demand for cosmetic surgery procedures by men and women that wanted to secure their jobs or interview for a new job in this competitive economy. Both men and women across several business industries including finance, marketing and advertising, are looking for effective, permanent ways to maintain their youthful looks, or even take off a few years.

Other research results published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal as far back as 1999 also indicate that cosmetic surgery has many positive psychological benefits and can improve quality of life for some people. (Source: U.S. Library of Medicine)

(Picture credit: bollywoodmovies.us)

ASPS Vice President Reports Increase in Demand for Lasers, Botox

The slowing economy has taken its toll on plastic surgeons across the country, but many surgeons are reporting a shift in consumer behavior, as more people seek ways to either finance their procedure, or select from more affordable services.

A recent story in the Poughkeepsie Journal reports that many plastic surgeons are finding people who are under pressure to look young and feel confident at work are looking for ways to cover their costs of surgery. The trend now is towards procedures that are easy on the wallet, and require little to no downtime.

Botox and laser skin rejuvenation treatments are among the most sought-after procedures during the economic downturn, because these procedures are relatively affordable and promise little to no downtime. Botox costs about $400 per injection (though it’s typically sold by the unit), and patients can return to work or other activities immediately after the treatment. Laser skin resurfacing treatments can cost up to $800 or more, and the patient will need a few days off work to heal. Still, the results can be significant enough to warrant a ‘splurge’ expenditure when compared to facelift surgery or dermabrasion.

Minimally invasive procedures have also become more widely available, and many medical spas that once only offered treatments such as medical-grade facials, microdermabrasion and laser hair removal, are beefing up their menus of services to include a lineup of injectable fillers, cellulite reduction treatments, Fraxel laser skin resurfacing, and even skin tightening treatments. Medical spas are filling the need for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging procedures, and cosmetic surgeons that add common medical spa services to their treatment schedules are tapping into this growing market.

For many people, these procedures are less of a luxury and more of an investment during these tough economic times. For some people, the boost of self-confidence from losing a few years from their appearance may help them secure their job during these tough economic times.

Dubai Surgeon Performs 45-Minute ‘Silhouette’ Facelift

One of the most effective ways to get rid of lines and wrinkles, tighten up sagging skin and maintain your youthful appearance is to get a facelift. However, traditional facelift surgery can be expensive and typically requires a few weeks of downtime and recovery. One Dubai-based plastic surgeon is offering an alternative for people who want to get a facelift without the extensive recovery time with his Silhouette Lift, a 45-minute procedure that can be performed under local anesthetic.

According to a recent article in TradeArabia.com, the Silhouette facelift technique does not require any hospitalization and is performed by making a very small incision above the hairline. The surgeon then uses a special threading technique to lift up the tissues and inserts sutures along the hairline that secure the lifted tissue into face. TradeArabia.com reports that the Silhouette Lift can help to tighten up skin around the neck, jawline and the nasolabial area, and promises immediate recovery. Most patients can return to normal activities within 48 hours, and their face is fully reovered after just two weeks.

Dr. Luiz Toledo, the surgeon who is now offering the procedure, states: “The Silhouette sutures are the most innovative sutures to date. They are not barbed which avoids any tissue damage and thanks to small re-absorbable cones which anchor themselves in deep tissue, a tension is produced which lifts the sagging tissue. The fibrosis around the suture produces a much stronger suspension mechanism than the traditional methods I have used over the past six years”. (Source: TradeArabia.com)

Even though this procedure does not require extensive surgery, Dr. Toledo claims that it is effective enough to postpone the need for a ‘real’ facelift, and offers great results for both male and female patients. With little risk of tissue damage and almost immediate results, the Silhouette Facelift could be one the procedures of the future.

UK Surgeons Say Plastic Surgery Vacations Could Be Fatal

Medical tourism continues to be among the leading travel trends in the United States and other parts of the world, but the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and several consumer organizations have issued warnings about getting plastic surgery overseas. Recently, The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) stated that they have documented several horror stories from Britons who have headed overseas to get discounted plastic surgery, and agreed that many people underestimate the risks involved with procedures performed abroad.

Many people head to countries in South America, the Far East and India to cash in on discounted cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures including liposuction, breast augmentation and tummy tucks.

While some doctors overseas have trained in the United States and the United Kingdom, the standards of the facilities they perform operations in may not be the same as they are in Western countries. In addition, many of the complications that arise from these procedures are not covered by health insurance or services such as the NHS, which means the patient must be prepared to pay for any problems out-of-pocket.

The president of the BAAPS, Nigel Mercer, stated that “it was a common misconception [among British patients] that plastic surgery could be a quick and pain-free experience”. (Source: PressandJournal.co.uk)

The Press and Journal also reports on several cases where patients experienced several side effects and had to undergo emergency surgery in order to ‘fix’ what the foreign plastic surgeon had done. In one case, a British woman who had a facelift overseas went back to Britain but developed blood clots in her lungs, resulting in death as soon as she returned home.

All individuals considering plastic surgery abroad must do extensive research about their doctor and the facility, and be certain that they have access to healthcare and insurance coverage should complications arise. More information about the pros and cons of medical tourism can be found here .