Daily Habits Can Slow Skin Sagging!

Many adults are frustrated with their wrinkles. Dr. Jennifer Ashton, the medical correspondent for CBS' The Early Show, recently discussed some daily habits that could help slow the aging process - at least as far as the skin is concerned.
Ashton told the news source that wrinkling on the face can begin as early as in the 20s, particularly for people living in sunny states, such as Florida, Arizona and Utah. She added that even quick outdoor activities, like taking a coffee break or walking the dog, can result in exposure to the sun which could be harmful to the skin.
The medical expert recommends that individuals wear SPF 30 sunscreen every day, even during the winter. For maximum effect, she advises putting the lotion on 20 minutes before going outside.
"Make it part of your morning ritual," she said on the program. "When you get out of the shower and brush your teeth, put your sunscreen on every day. It's not just for the beach."
She added that using moisturizer that contains SPF can make this process easier.
Ashton also put emphasis on the importance of sleep when it comes to skin care. She cited a study that suggested that those who slept eight hours a night "were actually perceived by others to be not just more beautiful and more attractive physically, but healthier."
When a person sleeps, their whole body, including their skin, rejuvenates. Dr. Ashton explained that re-hydration takes place during sleep, which means the cells of the skin repair themselves during the night.
Finally, Ashton acknowledged that some dermatologists believe the position in which a person sleeps has an effect on his or her skin. The doctor says that sleeping on the back, if possible, is the ideal position to prevent wrinkling.
Those who are looking for a fast, effective anti-wrinkle treatment may want to consider undergoing cosmetic surgery or a cosmetic procedure. The field of plastic surgery has come a long way in recent years, and there are now many injectable facial fillers that offer affordable, quick results. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of Botox injections and facial filler injections being performed by plastic surgeons continues to rise. When considering cosmetic surgery, look for a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

Area Plastic Surgeons Start Three-Month Campaign To Alert Consumers

Most of us don't know that nearly any doctor, no matter what specialty he or she has, is allowed to perform plastic surgery.
A group of 10 board certified Spokane and North Idaho doctors, all members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, have formed a cooperative to address the need for more consumer information about their practice.
A press release on Tuesday states the group is starting a three-month series of TV, print and web ads to inform people about the risks of not using trained and certified plastic surgeons.
“We are concerned about billboards and other local advertising vehicles that promise the world to potential patients — without explaining that the world into which they were being lured is a mirage. We are trying to educate the public about the skill level of ABPS - certified plastic surgeons. These other physicians are operating out of their scope of practice. We can't just say 'we're the plastic surgeons' and expect the public to understand what that means,” according to Dr. Carol Hathaway, local ASPS member.
Board certified plastic surgeons have at least six years of surgical training, have passed rigorous testing and operate only in accredited medical facilities, the group said in a release.
The ten doctors participating are: Dr. Carol Hathaway, Dr. Lynn Derby, Dr. Alfonso Oliva, Dr. Edwin Chang, Dr. Elizabeth Peterson, Dr. Jeffrey Karp and Dr. Robert Cooper, all of Spokane; and  Dr. Mark Owsley and Dr. Patrick Mullern, of Post Falls; and  Dr. Michelle Spring of Ponderay, Idaho.

Earlobe Repair

Piercing your ears puts the earlobes at risk for stretching, tearing and keloid scarring (a benign growth on scar tissue). Because of their location, the tears are often split and are very visible. Earlobe repair surgery fixes the split and enables you to wear earrings again.

Who is a candidate for earlobe repair?

People who have:

• Torn earlobes or elongated piercing tracts may benefit from this procedure.

Intended Result

• A torn earlobe will be repaired. The scar from earlobe repair surgery is almost always imperceptible.

Procedure Description

• Earlobe repair is a relatively simple procedure. To allow the lobe of the ear to heal back together, the surgeon cuts away the healed skin on the inside of the torn earlobe.
• The fresh edges are sutured back together.

Recuperation and Healing

• Sutures are removed after five days.
• Note: Be careful not to have your ear re-pierced in the scar or just above the scar. The scar is weaker than the surrounding tissue so it will tear more easily. Have the new piercing done to the right or left of the scar.

Note

• The specific risks and the suitability of earlobe repair surgery for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.

You've Got Mail: Online Promotions May Not Be Safe Medicine

New York, NY (January 18, 2011) – Every day email inboxes get bombarded with coupons for movies tickets, restaurants, fitness memberships and spa packages. Frequently, non-surgical medical procedures are promoted on websites like Groupon, Lifebooker and Living Social, but it is important for prospective-patients to keep in mind that procedures like microdermabraison, Botox injections, chemical peels, and laser hair removal, while not surgical are still medical procedures.
“Patients must do their homework when choosing where and with whom to have any medical procedure,” says Felmont F. Eaves, MD, President of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. “Cost is always a factor, but it should never be the deciding factor in cosmetic surgery. Safety and quality are always the key issues.”
As advocates for patient safety and healthy outcomes, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) have created the following questions you should ask before purchasing any procedure or medical treatment in a spa or non-traditional facility. It is important that you do your homework as you should on anything that can affect not only your appearance but your health and safety as well. We suggest obtaining the following information:
About the facility:

• Is the Medi-spa located within a physician's office?
  While problems are infrequent, physician's offices generally have medical personnel available if a problem develops.
   
• Is the Medi-spa located outside of a doctor's office in, for example, a mall or salon?
  If so, ask the name of the physician responsible for oversight and when they are available for consultation or questions before having any injectable, deep peel or laser treatment. Also ask about the training of any other medical personnel. This is vital to protect your health and insure an optimal outcome. These are generally safe procedures with minimal recovery, but do have real risks.

About medical supervision and personnel training:

• Does your medi-spa have a physician who can help in determining your goals, provide a treatment plan and direct your care?
   
• What are the credentials of the physician supervising your treatment in the medi-spa?
  Injectables(such as Botox and tissue fillers), skin treatments (such as laser, intense pulsed light, and radiofrequency) and deep peels should be under the supervision of board-certified plastic surgeons. Ask to see these credentials. Doctors in other specialties, designating themselves as “cosmetic medicine physicians” may lack the comprehensive training that is needed for administering drugs and treatments to the deeper levels of the skin and lack the experience necessary to achieve optimal aesthetic results or to manage potential complications. Just as you wouldn't see an allergist if you were having a baby, it's in your best interest to see a physician who specializes in plastic surgery and dermatologic care when seeking cosmetic medical procedures.
   
• Who is performing the injection?
  Depending on the State you're in, injections and deep peels may be performed by a nurse, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner. However, never allow a non-medical, unlicensed person to perform a medical procedure and be sure that the procedure is supervised by a physician board-certified in plastic surgery. Your health and safety depend on it.
   

About efficacy and risk of procedures and realistic expectations:

• How effective are facial injectablesand what is the right product for me?
  Injectablesare generally very safe and effective treatments. There are a wide range of products on the market that are FDA approved and provide good outcomes. However, be sure to ask your provider the following questions:
   
• Is the product FDA approved? Is it approved for this use?
  If your provider is reluctant or does not directly answer this question, don't proceed with the treatment. Don't be afraid to ask to see the manufacturer's label for any injectable product.
   
• Can a medication, filler, or a device be used for a purpose different from which the FDA originally approved it?
  In the United States, FDA regulations do not prohibit physicians from prescribing approved medications, fillers and devices for other than their original intended indications.

Good medical practice and the best interests of the patient require that physicians use legally available drugs, biologics and devices according to their best knowledge and judgment.
If physicians use a product for an indication not in the approved labeling, they have the responsibility to be well informed about the product, to base its use on firm scientific rationale and on sound medical evidence, to fully inform the patient that it is being used “off-label” and to maintain records of the product's use and effects.

• Will injections last and prevent the need for a facelift in the future?
  In most cases injectablesare temporary solutions and will not give the long-lasting outcome of a surgical procedure.
   
• Have you been fully informed of the possible benefits and side effects of the proposed treatment and have you been apprised of possible options?
   
• Have all of your questions been answered and are you are fully aware of the risk and rewards of the procedure?
  All medical procedures, whether they are injections or surgery carry some risk. If you are not fully informed of all risks and requirements for after care, find another provider.

These procedures should never be performed in someone's home, hotel room, or at a party. This is not only unethical and legally risky for the injector but unsafe and potentially dangerous for you. 
About taking control of your own treatment options:

• What do I expect from my medical procedure?
  Discuss your expectations with your provider. If you are promised unqualified, 100 percent success it is probably best not to proceed. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
   
• Am I taking the procedure seriously?
  Surgical deep peels and injectables like soft fillers and Botox are not the same as getting facials or other superficial beauty regimens. Make sure you have done your homework on the treatment you seek and be aware that these are medical procedures.
   
• Am I basing my decision on the best treatment option and not on price?
  Medical care of any kind is not a commodity. Be sure you have based your decision on the credentials and experience of the practitioner, not on price.
   
• Have you asked to see before and after pictures?
  They can be very helpful in determining with your provider the right treatment for you.
   
• What if I'm unhappy with the result?
  A qualified practitioner can provide you with appropriate revisional or after-care. Make sure you ask this question before the injection or treatment.
   
• Have you been told who holds financial responsibility for any revisions or if complications arise?
  You don't want any surprises later!

When is enough...ENOUGH???

Cindy Jackson Has Had 52 Plastic Surgeries; Looks Shockingly Sort of Human

All hail Cindy Jackson, a 55-year-old woman who's spent more than $100,000 on 52 rounds of plastic surgeries and "artificial enhancements," and actually doesn't look like a scary mush-faced cat lady...yet. The New York Post breathlessly chronicles her journey, correction, "transformation" of a "once-drab face and lumpy body into a classically beautiful masterpiece." Not only did Jackson use her talents as an art student to prevent her surgeries from becoming garish, or so Jackson and the Post claim, she's now a Guinness Record holder for "the most cosmetic procedures."
Typical, we suppose, for plastic surgery addicts, Jackson always thought she looked out of proportion and dowdy. Always. But in her "face book" of photos, her first picture, we think, is actually rather cute, while the last four place her firmly in Real Housewives of Orange County/done-up newscaster territory.

Among Jackson's surgeries that "would make a reality star drool" (ew): cheek implants, a chin reduction, two nose jobs, five face-lifts, and a reshaping of her jaw, which apparently hurt a lot. Also, liposuction to remove inner-knee fat, which will never come off with a diet, plus Botox, chemical peels, filler in her hands....and so on.

"It looks fantastic, and it's taken 10 to 15 years off of my hands," she said. The only feature left on her face that she was born with is her dimples.

We are supposed to admire this woman for her 52 plastic surgeries that don't make her look completely freakish and awful, and for transforming her obsession into a fabulous, lucrative job as a cosmetic-surgery consultant and author. Instead we just feel...sad.
Jackson has a boyfriend, but it's not serious, because she is obviously deeply in love with plastic surgery.

Sleeping position MAY cause wrinkles

Facial wrinkles are a cause of stress for many individuals. Although there are many ways to prevent the onset of crow’s feet and lines around one's mouth, some experts believe that sleeping habits may have an impact on how many wrinkles you develop, according to CBS42.
Experts believe that sleeping on your stomach, on your side when your face is being pushed in that same position over and over again can be a problem."
Some say that it's best to sleep on your back with a pillow tucked between the knees to prevent rolling. However, the type of material covering the bed is also important.
The bedding material should be soft and pillowcases should have a high thread count. This leads to better rest, which will cause the facial skin to droop less during waking hours.
Those interested in a cosmetic procedure to help reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles have many options from which to choose. In addition to reducing wrinkles, treatments such as injectable fillers and facial rejuvenation procedures can help enhance the fullness of one's face, according to the Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety.

Fat Transfer / Grafting

Background:

Body fat makes excellent soft tissue filler material. Fat injection (also called autologous fat transplantation) transfers fat from one part of the body to another to recontour the face; diminish frown lines, crow’s feet and nasolabial folds (smile lines); and provide definition to areas like the cheeks and chin. It can also be used to fill out depressed scarred areas on any part of the body. Fat injection is not permanent, and may require an effective maintenance program.

Technique:

The donor site (for example, abdomen, buttocks or thighs) and the treatment site are injected with local anesthetic. Intravenous (IV) fluids also are injected into the donor site to facilitate fat collection. Fat cells are extracted through a small needle attached to a syringe. The fat is then processed to remove excess fluids and reinjected with another needle in multiple thin strands in the desired area. "Overfilling" is a necessary corrective due to fat absorption in the weeks after treatment. Fat also can be harvested during a lipoplasty (liposuction) procedure in one area of the body, and then reinjected in another. For longest-lasting effect, patients generally receive 3 to 4 treatments over a six-month period.

Benefits:

• Natural, non-allergenic. Outpatient procedure that generally takes under an hour.
• Injections may last from several months to permanently.
• Little or no downtime.
• Minimal discomfort, which can be controlled with medication.
• Because fat is from the patient’s own body, no pre-testing is required and the fat cannot be rejected.
• Good alternative if the patient is allergic to bovine collagen.
• Cost effective if combined with another procedure like lipoplasty (liposuction).

Other Considerations:

• Longevity of results can vary significantly from patient to patient.
• Some swelling, bruising—usually about 48 hours. Patient should avoid the sun until the condition subsides.
• Not every area is appropriate for fat injection. Injecting fat into the breast, for example, makes cancer detection via mammography more difficult and is strongly discouraged (see ASAPS’ Position Statement, "Fat Injection for Breast Enlargement).
• Lasts longest when reinjected in relatively stationary areas (such as the cheeks).