Jun
29
Rescuing Scars
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Skincare, plastic surgery | 3 Comments
Scars are a problem that affects everyone, and we often wish scars wouldn’t leave such an obvious mark on our skin. Sometimes it appears in places that can be conveniently hidden by clothes, but often the scars that concern us are those that are in obvious places- mainly our face, neck, limbs and shoulders.
BIOLOGY OF SCARS
Scar formation is a natural process which occurs after injury. It actually happens everywhere in your body, even in the inside of your blood vessels, organs and tissues. For this post, I’ll focus on scars on the skin.
After injury occurs to the skin, a rapid succession of events take place in that area to heal the skin. The blood vessels shrink to reduce blood loss from the area, and healing cells invade the area to clear up any bacteria, injured cells and debris. Soon after the injury settles, the healing process begins. An influx of fibrous tissue and collagen forms the scab and the scar tissue that we can see, and fills up the hole left behind by the injury. Many scars gradually fade and regain skin strength, but the process is slow and can take months to even years. The larger and deeper the injury goes, the longer you can expect the healing process to take.
Occasionally, the healing process goes into hyperdrive, and we end up with raised scars (hypertrophic scars) or scars that extend beyond the initial injury site (keloids). Hypertrophic scars can usually shrink over time, but may still leave a mark or remain hyperpigmented. Keloids are difficult to treat, and are often an angry red, itchy and can spread beyond the original injury site. Even surgical removal of the keloid can still recur. Some parts of the body are more prone to keloid formation- the earlobes, neck, shoulders and upper chest, as well as those of those of African descent.
HOME REMEDIES
The best remedy for scars is prevention! No injury=no scars. But everyone is prone to injury some time or other, and here are some simple things you can do to help healing:
- Keep out of sunlight. New scars and new skin are delicate, and will burn easily. By preventing sun exposure, you reduce the opportunity for the scar to become permanently darker than the rest of the surronding skin.
- Apply Vitamin E cream.You can get a Vitamin E gel capsule from your local health shop and apply it to your skin daily.
- Aloe vera can also be applied after the wound heals. Aloe vera is said to soften the scar, and help it to heal faster as well. Look out for the concentration of aloe vera in your product, but the sap from the plant works the best.
- Take Vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential in the formation of new skin cells, and for wound healing.
- AHA creams. AHAs function to exfoilate the superficial layers of skin and allow newer skin to surface. However, it is advisable to try out different strengths of AHA creams, especially those with sensitive skin. AHA creams can be irritating, stinging or burning.
- Lemon juice. Lemon juice contains Vitamin C and AHAs. However, use it
- Hydrocortisone cream. Regular application of minute amounts may help to decrease the scar formation. However, regular use over a long period may cause thinning, weakening and whitening of the skin, so it is best used under medical supervision.
- Get a silicone gel sheet from the pharmacy. Cut out a rectangular piece and paste it over your scar. It helps to soften and flatten scars. It has to be worn round the clock for the best effect. It is self adhesive onto the skin, and can be reused until its not sticky- probably around 3-4weeks. You can also use surgical tape (also available from the pharmacy) to keep it in place.
USING MAKEUP
Using makeup is an option to help hide or reduce the appearance of scars.
- Corrector. A yellow based corrector can correct red based scars
- Concealer. Use a concealer which is one shade darker than your natural skin tone to conceal raised scars. For depressed scars, use concealer a shade lighter. It’s useful to use a highly pigmented concealer, and to set the concealer with powder. Try Dermablend, which is a popular, effective concealer for most scars.
WHAT YOUR DOCTOR CAN DO
Despite following the above advise, sometimes scars remain raised or pigmented, especially heypertrophic scars and keloids.
If you consult a doctor, he may prescribe one of the following:
- Hydrocortisone (Steroid) injections. Especially useful for hypertrophic scars and keloids, hydrocortisone can help to reduce the inflammation (post injury reaction), reducing the size of the scar and softening the scar. However, this requires a series of injections over a period of time, depending on the size of the initial scar and its response to the steroid injections. However, steroid injections into the scar also leads to thinning of the skin in that area, and may also case depigmentation of the scar and the surrounding skin- important for those with darker skin shades.
- Dermal fillers injections- for scars that have shrunken and left a depression in the skin.
- Dermabrasion and laser treatments. for healed scars with pigmentation. However, your doctor has to assess the skin before determining whether it is suitable for laser therapy. Few scars are amenable to laser treatment.
- Surgical removal. This may include borrowing skin from other places of the body (skin grafts) to replace excised skin. Also, there is also a chance of scar recurrence after excision.
Jun
15
Ways To Banish Cellulite
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Aesthetic medicine, Beauty, Beauty Tips, Skincare, plastic surgery | 15 Comments
What do you think of STAR broadcasting celebrity cellulite? Personally I feel sorry for these covergirls, its not a way I like to make headlines. However, cellulite is a woe of many women. It affects them by giving an otherwise smooth skin the appearance of lumpiness and dimpling commonly over the thighs, hips and buttock areas. It also occurs in both men and women regardless of size of weight- yes, even slim people do get cellulite problems! Although there are some treatments that can improve the appearance of cellulite, there has been no permanent cure found so far.
WHAT CAUSES CELLULITE?
The cause of cellulite has not been fully elucidated. However, from imaging and microscopic samples, it has been discovered that there is irregular criss-crossing pattern of fat cells and fibrous connective tissue that alters the architecture of the dermis, making the surface of the skin look bumpy and lumpy. However, the fat cells are otherwise normal. Obesity is not necessary for its presence. However, increasing age, genetics, hormones and weight gain can affect the appearance of cellulite.
Cellulite come in varying grades, from having only microscopic changes without visible skin changes, to having a visible dimpled, orange peel appearance and thinned skin. In most severe forms, there are painful nodules as well.
HOME REMEDIES
- Diet. Watch your diet. You don’t want to accumulate more fat stores which will exacerbate the cellulite problem. Take foods that reduce inflammation and improve circulation like omega 3 rich foods (salmon, mackeral), nuts, legumes, whole grain bread, green leafy vegetables, colourful vegetables, and berries. Also, cut down on the amount of salt and sugar. Increase fruits and vegetables in your diet. The aim of diet is to improve health of the skin, and reduce fluid retention which makes cellulite look worse.
- Reduce oral caffine intake.
- Herbal supplements- Fennel tea, ginkgo biloba, sweet clover, grape-seed bioflavinoids, bladder wrack extract, oil of evening primrose, fish oil, and soy lecithin.
- Massage treatments. Here’s how to do an anti-cellulite massage from WikiHow.
- Exercise, exercise, exercise!
These methods are said to boost metabolism, improve circulation, protect against cell damage, and promote fat breakdown. However, these claims are anecdotal, and do not have sufficient scientific evidence.
COSMECEUTICALS
- Cellulite creams. Try Revitol, or if on a budget, Neutrogena Anti-Cellulite Retinol Active Treatment.
- Cellulite wraps. Many aestheticians offer cellulite wraps, which claim to reduce cellulite, decrease fluid retention and detoxify the body.
WHAT YOUR DOCTOR CAN DO
- Endermologie. A form of mechanical massage. It is FDA approved for temporary reduction of cellulite.
- Mesotherapy. This is a controversial method of injecting drugs (FDA approved drugs, but used for off label pruposes) into the fat cells in order to reduce fat deposits. Although seemingly safe, many physicians are still wary of this procedure.
- Laser treatments. Recently reported in the Nov/Dec 2008 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, a combination of laser energy and fat transplantation showed significant improvement for severe forms of cellulite. The Nd:YAG laser stimulates collagen formation, skin tightening and reduces fat. Fat transplant is used to fill up depressed areas. Some other laser therapies: TriActive, which combines laser therapy with suction and manipulation of the skin, and VelaSmooth, which combines laser and massage treatments.
- Liposuction. It is effective in reducing fat deposits and improves body contour. However, sometimes it can exacerbate cellulite.
- Fat Injections.
- Lower Body Lift.
However, regardless which option you choose, all treatments, be it home remedies, creams, wraps or surgical, they all have their limitations and side effects. Also, cellulite is a chronic problem which recurs as part or natural body processes, so there are no short cuts and continued, multiple treatments over time may be necessary. There are no miracle cures for cellulite just yet, but you can control its appearance by starting on the above steps!
Jun
8
Home Botox Kits
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Aesthetic medicine, Beauty, Press Release, plastic surgery | 1 Comment
Botox and injectable fillers are the top aesthetic procedures done in the USA, with over 2.5million botox injections and 1.2million dermal fillers administered last year in the doctor’s office. Recently, DIY Botox kits have been surfacing on the internet over ebay. The DIY kit was going for US$95, but has since been removed. Similarly, DIY dermal fillers can also be found on the internet!
No, these are not creams for you to smear over your face. These are real DIY kits that come in your mailbox complete with the drug, syringe and needles, a face chart and an instruction sheet in the box. And all these are bought without a prescription.
THE PROBLEM WITH DIY KITS
This is shocking news indeed. Botox and dermal fillers can be potential poisons and should be administered only under medical supervision. The many problems that could arise with this internet kits include:
- Incorrect administration- wrong injection sites, wrong doses.
- Dissemination of the drugs causing toxicity
- No 1st aid help around if a medical emergency arises- for example, if severe allergic reactions occur causing breathing problems, or affecting cardiac function
- Non purified or substituted ingredients- what could be worse than putting unkown ingredients into yourself?
CONCLUSION
Despite the lure of the cheap set and the convenience of doing it yourself at home, please keep in ming: These internet DIY kits are ILLEGAL. Only licensed medical professionals can purchase and administer the drug. The US FDA would take action against companies and individuals marketing and selling the drug illegally.
Don’t put your health and face at risk of a botched job. Consult your doctor and get a proper job done.
Jun
5
Are Your Hands Giving Your Age Away?
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Aesthetic medicine, Beauty Tips, Ingredients, Skincare, plastic surgery | Leave a Comment
As obsessed as we are about taking anti-aging measures on our face and neck, we often neglect our hands. In truth, our hands are also an important point to remember in our anti-aging regime, because our work and daily activites do take toll on our hands and make them appear older than they actually are! In fact, 68% of women claim their hands make them look at least 10 years older! Take a look at your on hands- are they giving your age away?
The skin on the hands are susceptible to the aging process. It’s thin, and there’s little fat under the dermis. So the bones, veins, wrinkles and callouses all show up pretty early in life. It doesn’t help that we use it extensively in our day to day activities. Try not using your hands for an hour, it’s tough. Not using your hands the whole day? Impossible! They are constantly moving and working. They come into contact with everything- office equipment, household items, chemicals, sun exposure… In fact, they may even look older than they actually are due to all the pressure its going through! Unfortunately, too often we concentrate on facial care and neglect our hands in the process.
Your hands are also the most viewed part of your body (after your face). Its hard to hide them, and even if you’ve done a terrific anti-aging job on your face, your hands can still give the game away. Here’s some steps to take to minimise letting the cat out of the bag:
HOME REMEDIES
- Hand Cream
- Sunscreen with a high SPF
- Weekly “mini-facials”. The skin on your hand is thinner than the skin on your face! Hand-facials are just as good for nourishment and rejevenation as well!
- Wear gloves. Especially in the bitter cold winter season. You can wear thin gloves in warm weather as well to protect from the sun, and when you’re driving your car or gardening. Another time to put on your gloves is when you’re dealing with chemicals- detergent, dishwashing, etc…
- Moisturize!!!!!
- Ingredients to look for
- Retinol- increases cell turnover, reduces appearance of fine lines and reduces pigmentation (sun spots)
- Shea butter- is a rich moisturizer
WHAT YOUR DOCTOR CAN DO
- Chemical Peels. Besides rejuvanation, this procedure can also help with decreasing pigmentation.
- Microdermabrasion
- IPL (Intense Pulse Light Therapy)
- Thermage
- Veins sclerotherapy
- Injection of fillers
- Surgery- Fat transplant. This surgery will help ‘plump’ up your hands, making it look younger!
Regardless of your age, start looking after your hands now! Make it part of your skin care routine to pamper your precious hands!
May
18
Perfect Facial Proportions: The Eyebrow
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Beauty, plastic surgery | 1 Comment
The saying goes’ the eyes are the windows to the soul’, and the eye brows are the window frames. It is important that these frames are fitted correctly and aesthetically pleasing.
MEASUREMENTS FOR A PERFECT EYEBROW
Look into a mirror when you are totally relaxed for best evaluation of your own eyebrow. Tense facial muscles will affect the position of your brows, so it’s best to close your eyes, take deep breaths for a minute or two to relax those forehead muscles, then open up your eyes again.
(illustration from the Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America)
For proportions fitting a pleasing eyebrow:
- The inner brow should start at an imaginary vertical line positioned at where the flares of the nose join the face (the alar-facial junction).
- The outside of the eyebrow should then taper and end at a point where a line extended from the alar-facial junction passing through the outer corner of the eye meets the brow. (see diagram)
- The inner and outer corners should lie in the same horizontal plane (but individuals may have their own preferences).
- The inner edge should have a club head appearance, and the outside end tapering to a point.
There are also differences between the male and female brows.
The arch in a female brow should lie at least 1cm above the upper eye socket rim, with the highest point positioned above the outermost edge of the iris (coloured portion of your eye) when looking straight ahead. In men, a lesser arch is preferred, and should be in a more horizontal plane along the upper rim of the eye socket.
Other interesting measurements for a aesthetically pleasing eyebrow include
- a distance of 2.5cm between the midpupillary line (a horizontal line passing through the centre black portion of the eye) and the lower edge of the brow,
- a distance of 5cm from the upper edge of the brow to the hairline (although this may not be possible in all individuals), and
- the distance between the two innermost edges of the brows to be the same as the distance between the alar-facial junctions on either side of the nose (also corresponding to one-fifth of the face and the size of the eye)
THE AGING BROW
In aging, the brow undergoes many changes and can end up with the problems such as eyebrow thinning, drooping of the eyebrow (sigh, the effects of gravity!), wrinkles and lines in the glabellar region (the area between both brows).
SHAPING YOUR BROW
You may realize that your eyebrows are not symmetrical, but relax, that’s normal. Here’s where shaping of your brows can help to balance both sides. It’s best to get the job done by someone professional to achieve the look and shape that fits your style best. Thereafter you can continue the maintainence yourself, with the occasional upkeep by a brow specialist. The above measurements are a guide to an aesthetically pleasing brow shape, but you may make adjustments as your face and natural brow shape just doesn’t fit into the measurements above.
A brow site I’m totally in love with is The Model Brow Blog by Elke Von Freudenberg. She does an amazing job and her blog and brow tips are succinct and easy to follow. She gives great advise too, like ‘once the arch has been tweezed too far on the outside of the eyes, it can make the eyes look cross-eyed’ and commenting that ‘problem with arching [the brow] too high is that it creates the dreaded ‘happy face’ brow’.
WHAT YOUR DOCTOR CAN DO
- Asymmetrical brows- brow lift, brow correction
- Droopy brows- brow lift, forehead lift,
- Thinning brows- eyebrow hair transplants
- Wrinkles- botox, face/partial face lifts
May
14
Botox versus Dysport
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Aesthetic medicine, Beauty, plastic surgery | 3 Comments
Here’s another piece of news which will cheer you up: there’s a new wrinkle removing drug on the market called Dysport, distributed by Medicis Pharmaceuticals and its partner Ipsen. Dysport was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in April 2009, and it became the second drug to compete in the anti-wrinkle market which till now has been dominated solely by Allergan’s Botox.
Don’t be too quick to make the change yet. Despite both drugs being botulinum toxin type A, they both behave quite differently, according to Allergan’s Chief Executive David Pyott. Both are not interchangeable because both drugs are dosed and injected differently.
COMPARISON BETWEEN THE 2 DRUGS
Similarities between both drugs:
- Both contain the same active ingredient Botulinium toxin type A, so producing the same effects, which act to temporarily paralyze facial muscles, hence reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles and frown lines. There is another similar drug, Myobloc produced by Solstice Neuroscience, which uses botulinum toxin type B. Myobloc is currently restricted to medical uses and not approved for cosmetic use.
- Both are locally injected into the problematic site.
- Both have been in use for many years. However, Botox was the sole anti-wrinkle drug in the US market, while Dysport, although not available in the US before, was used in Europe, South America and New Zealand since the 1990s.
Now the differences:
- Although the active ingredient is the same, and side effects are similar like muscle weakness or paralysis, respiratory difficulties and infections, swallowing and speech impairment, nose and throat irritation, pain and injection site skin reaction, eyelid swelling or drooping, headache, vision problems, nausea. There is a risk that Dysport appears to spread further around the injection site, which may be a good thing as a larger facial muscle area like the forehead can be targeted for antiwrinkle treatment, but may not be so good for small muscles. Along with it is a higher risk of disseminating and having effects elsewhere in the body.
- The preparation also differs- Dysport can be diluted and the concentration intended for use adjusted, unlike Botox. This may translate into more affordable anti-wrinkle treatment.
- Dysport is also supposed to show results earlier (in 2-3 days opposed to 1 week for Botox) and have a longer lasting effect as compared to Botox, and patients required just two treatments per year in contrast to four times per year for Botox.
Generally, the doses of botulinum toxin used in cosmetic medicine is in smaller doses than those used for medical purposes, and are usually safe when used as directed. The danger lies in patients who receive multiple injections in cosmetic use to treat wrinkles. Along with the announcement of the approval of Dysport, the FDA also announced the requirement of a black box label for all botulism based drugs, including Dysport and Botox, to warn users of the rare but potentially serious and life threatening complications in the event of the drug spreading from the injection site to other parts of the body. This came about in light of reports of hospitalizations and deaths attributed to botulinum toxin poisonings in adult and children receiving botulinum toxin A for treatment of abnormal muscle movement diseases, and petition by the Public Citizen (a health advocacy group).
The black box label is a safety alert, which requires
- users to be informed about the potential for the drug to spread to distant sites in the body and having undesired effects there
- warn doctors and patients about risks associated with substituting one botulism product for another. The products have different dosing units, and may lead to overdosing if not correctly administered.
- Follow a group of children and adults using Botox, Myobloc or Dysport off label to treat involuntary muscle movement and submit the safety data to the FDA.
DYSPORT RESEARCH
Clinical trials involving about 2900 people were conducted. A study showed 93-95% of participants noticed an appearance of forehead wrinkles within 7days after treatment, and multiple treatments produced effects that lasted more than 13months.
Dysport has been used and reviewed clinically. A retrospective study of 4103 treatments in 945 patients showed a favourable safety profile and effectiveness of drug usage.
Comparison of Botox against Dysport has also been done, with a mixture of resuts- some show botox being longer lasting, others point to Dysport having a longer effect. In a study comparing the two drugs for glabellar (the area between the eyebrows) lines (at dose of Botox 20U and Dysport 50U), both produced similar efficacy at weeks 8 and 12, but Botox offered a significant duration of activity at week 16. However, it was a small study with 62 patients. Another study with 26 patients (dose Botox 12U and Dysport 36U) for forehead wrinkles found Dysport to have longer lasting effects between weeks 10 to 20. The
MEDICAL USES OF BOTULINUM TOXIN
Botox is the most commonly performed aesthetic procedure in the USA, with over 2.5million injections in 2008 alone. It has a large following and a high satisfaction rate among users. Originally developed in 1968 for use in the field of ophthalmology for strabismus (crossed eyes), it is now also used for
- cervical dystonia
- muscle spasms in cerebral palsy
- eyelid spasm
- severe underarm sweating
Dysport is targeted for use not just for cosmetic purposes to treat wrinkles. It is also planned for usage for cervical dystonia. It should be available for cosmetic use in the next 2-3months, and for medical purposes in the second half of this year. Word is that the new botulinum drug will be marketed at a lower price than Botox.
There’s talk of botulinum toxin in the form of a cream- after all, if the injections have been met with such success, imagine if it can be administered as a cream! But there’s controversy over the efficacy and absorption of a cream based botulinum toxin, and more research is required. And that’s another article altogether!
May
8
Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? Possibly, but research suggests that there is a pattern to determining physical beauty.
FACIAL SYMMETRY
Facial symmetry is commonly used to determine facial beauty. A symmetrical face was deemed to have beauty, and harmony. To compare symmetry, a line is drawn down the centre of the face to bisect the face into half, and the right and left sides compared against each other. Rarely are the two sides perfectly symmetrical. Often one side of the face is larger than the other. The degree of symmetry is also affected by the bone structure and development, fat deposition, and facial muscle activity on either side.
Research has shown that symmetrical faces are more attractive to the opposite sex. Aside, it also claims that women coupled with men having symmetrical bodies experience more orgasms, and women with symmetrical breasts are more fertile! A symmetrical face is also suggested to be linked to better health.
Just why is facial symmetry so attractive?
According to Charles Darwin, who wrote about evolution and coined the phrase ‘survival of the fittest’, animals chose a mate through mate competition (usually by a bigger male size, and evolution of defensive and attack weapons such as antlers and horns), and also the evolution of traits such as colour (peacock tails, colourful bodies), and different animal calls. Similarly, humans consider more attractive secondary sexual characteristics as a gauge of better health and fertility, explaining the natural selection to be more attracted to symmetrical, and hence, more beautiful faces.
Well known celebrities with symmetrical faces include Cate Blanchett, Kate Moss, Michelle Pfieffer, Tom Cruise and Natelie Portman. If you’re curious how symmetrical the two halves of your face is, you can go to this website Symmeter, where they have free online software to create and compare your own facial symmetry.
PERFECT FACIAL PROPORTIONS
In art, there rules of facial proportions have been taught since classical Greek times, and till today still stand firm and are used in art, paintings and sculptures. It is also not surprising that many of them lay the foundation to the measurements that are used in cosmetic surgery today. To calculate perfect facial proportions, scientific and cosmetic surgery divides the face up horizontally and vertically.
Horizontal Proportions
The face is first divided into three horizontal equal parts and its components:
- Upper third- from the hairline down to the eyebrows, consisting of the forehead, glabella (area between the eyebrows) and eyebrows
- Middle third- the midface, eyes, nose
- Lower third- lower cheeks, jawline, neck
The lower third may be further broken down into an upper third, which consists of the upper lip, and the lower two-thirds, which consists the lower lip and chin.
Vertical Proportions
Vertically, the face is divided into equal fifths, each approximating the width of the eye. If we number the fifths in order from right to left in the picture,
- Outermost (1st and last)fifths- from the edge of the ear to the outer corner of the eye
- 2nd and 4th fifths- the eyes
- Middle (3rd) fifth- the nose and mouth
The neck should also fall within the lines falling vertically from the outer corners of both eyes. The lines falling from the inner corners of both eyes should also touch the outside corners of the nose.
Another line, known as the Frankfort line, which joins the uppermost point of the hole of both and the edge of the lower rim of the eye socket should be parallel to the ground. A line perpendicular to the Frankfort line dropped from the centre of the nose should touch the centre of the forehead, lips and chin. The tip of the nose should lie approximately 1-2mm above the base of the nose (where the flares of the nose join the face), and 2-4mm of the nasal columella (the column separating both nostrils) should be visible below the rim of the nostrils.
Further more, each facial feature also has ideal anatomical proportions, which I shall cover in subsequent posts. These include the eye brow, eyelid, eye, nose, mouth, jaw, ears and neck.
FACIAL DEVELOPMENT
Another factor of attractiveness for humans is the overall sexual development of the face. Males prefer females with more feminine features, while females have a preference for more masculine features. Masculine features include a larger jawbone, more prominent cheekbones, thinner cheeks, thick eyebrows. Feminine features display prominent cheekbones, relative hairlessness (compared to males), a shorter, narrower lower jaw, wide eyes, lip fullness.
Some people have asymmetric faces, yet they are still regarded as beautiful. How does this asymmetry play a role in defining beauty? According to research by Springer, asymmetries nearer the midline are significantly less attractive than asymmetries affecting the outer aspects of the face. For example, a facial mole located on the outer cheek is more attractive than a mole closer to the midline.
THE HALO EFECT
What’s the big deal regarding attractiveness in today’s society?
According to a review published in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, numerous studies have shown that facial attractiveness has the ‘halo effect’. The halo effect associates attractiveness to many positive characteristics. Attractive children and adults are deemed nicer, better, healthier, and more intelligent. People are also imclined to treat the attractive more positively, by helping or performing altruistic acts. They are also more likely to be given the benefit of the doubt. In the working world, the attractive applicant is also perceived more qualified for a job (all other qualifications being equal), and is more likely to be recommended and be hired, predicted to be more successful, and better compensated. In life in general, attractive people experience more positive outcomes. They have more occupational success, are more popular, have more self confidence and self-esteem, are more assertive, have greater dating and sexual experiences, and enjoy better mental and physical health.
Excessive skin around the eyes and face, wrinkles and lines that have come to be associated with aging can also unintentionally be interpreted as having expressions of boredom, tiredness, anger or sadness, despite these expressions not being consistent with an individual’s true feelings.
To many, beauty is more than skin deep, and often more than they care to admit. However, whatever research shows, cosmetic procedures is not necessarily the answer to a better life. It is more important to have a positive attitude, and to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.
Apr
16
ASAPS Cosmetic Procedures Statistics 2008
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Aesthetic medicine, Press Release, plastic surgery | 4 Comments
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has released its 2008 procedures statistics. It has been collecting data since 1997 to monitor trends for cosmetic plastic surgery and a portion of it includes cosmetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons. A staggering total of 10.2 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2008! This is over 1.5x the number of procedures performed since the data collection started 11 years ago!
The most common procedures performed in 2008:
NON SURGICAL (BOTH MEN AND WOMEN)
- Botox 2,464,123
- Laser hair removal 1,280,964
- Hyaluronic Acid (like Hylaform, Juvederm, Perlene/ Restylene) 1,262,848
- Chemical peels (like glycolic acid) 591,808
- Laser Skin resurfacing 570,880
SURGICAL (BOTH MEN AND WOMEN)
- Breast augmentation 355,671
- Liposuction 341,144
- Eyelid surgery 195,104
- Rhinoplasty 152,434
- Abdominoplasty 147,392
NONSURGICAL (WOMEN)
- Botox
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Laser hair removal
- Chemical peels
- Laser skin resurfacing
SURGICAL (WOMEN)
- Breast augmentation
- Liposuction
- Eyelid surgery
- Abdominoplasty
- Breast reduction
As women make up almost 92% of all procedures, I did not include figures for procedures performed in men. However, they can be found here.
The 2008 statistics does not vary much from the 2007 statistics. The most significant difference is that breast augmentation has overtaken liposuction as the top cosmetic procedure to be performed in the United States. There has also been a 12% decrease in the total number of cosmetic procedures- which the ASAPS attributes to the economic downturn. This decrease has occurred despite doctors offering more attractive packages and payment plans. It seems people have made cosmetic surgery a lower priority, and are not comfortable with spending such money. And among patients who knock on their door asking for botox an injectable fillers to look younger, a number cite job security as a factor for such procedures. But they expect the demand for cosmetic procedures to swing upwards as the economy recovers.
About ASPS
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 6,700 physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Full report at http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Media/Press_Kits/Procedural_Statistics.html
Mar
8
Beauty Insurance
Filed Under Medical, plastic surgery | 1 Comment
Majority of us rely on medical insurance for a rainy day, but usually it does not cover cosmetic surgical procedures done, nor the complications which occur due to the surgery. Cosmetic surgery is an elective procedure performed to reshape or enhance body parts a patient may find unflattering. Since cosmetic surgery regarded as an aesthetic and not medically indicated procedure, it is usually not covered by health insurance. This is the argument for insurance companies give explaining why they do not cover cosmetic surgery procedures. A person can do without cosmetic surgery, as the procedure is used for beautifying oneself instead of being a life saving surgery. Now sit up and take heart, for there’s a new scheme for medical insurance for such cosmetic and aesthetic procedures!
Beautysure Surgery Insurance was launched by Llyods of London, as the first provider of cosmetic surgery insurance in the United Kingdom for patients undergoing under the knife. It covers many popular procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tucks, nose jobs, facelifts, ear pinning, and breast reduction. It basically covers medical complications which could occur related to the surgery, but not dissatisfaction with the surgery.
The package is available to the UK public via selected cosmetic surgery providers who are members of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). Surgeons are reporting an average of 80% take-up of the insurance product since it was made available. It starts at approximately 5% of the price of a surgical procedure. Where traditionally hospital and clinic cover for complications runs out after a year, Beautysure offers a third party guarantee which can be renewed annually at a small fee, covering the patient for the cost of any corrective procedures in value up to £4,000.Douglas McGeorge, consultant plastic surgeon and former president of BAAPS, commented, “We are delighted that such an innovative option exists now for patients, which offers them ownership of the process as well as protection. Every surgical procedure carries a certain amount of risk, and Beautysure can provide financial safety and peace of mind.”
In the United States, there are limited options for covering the costs of surgery, recovery and corrective procedures. There are currently no U.S.-based insurance companies that offer a similar program as Beautysure, but some doctors may offer surgery at a reduced price or other financial payment options like payment plans and patient financing (financing options designed specifically for elective surgery help patients make monthly payments for large balances, and at better interest rates than standard credit cards or personal loans).
Hopefully insurance providers will come to light and realise that regardless of cosmetic or non-cosmetic surgery, patients need the assurance that if there are complications, they can depend on their medical insurance to cover part or full of the costs. We will look forward to medical insurance plans for patients to cover potential surgical complications from cosmetic surgery as well.
Feb
26
Working Women And Cosmetic Surgery Equals Success?
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Beauty, plastic surgery | Leave a Comment
It’s not new news that looking good will make you feel good and more confident of yourself, and according to a study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, many working females are willing to consider cosmetic surgery to get a head start in their careers.
They did telephone interviews with 756 women between the ages of 18 and 64, and many respondants revealed that cosmetic plastic surgery procedures appear to be an important rung on the success ladder
- 13 percent (more than 1 out of 10 of the 115-million working-age women) say they would consider having a cosmetic medical procedure specifically to make them more confident and more competitive in the job market.
- An astounding 3 percent (nearly 3.5-million working women) say they’ve already had a cosmetic procedure to increase their perceived value in the workplace.
- 73 percent (almost three out of four or, 84-million working women) believe, particularly in these challenging economic times, appearance and youthful looks play a part in getting hired, getting a promotion, or getting new clients.
- 80 percent (four out of five or 92-million working women) think having cosmetic medical procedures can boost a person’s confidence.
John Canady, MD, president of ASPS, says, “Consumers need to remember that while cosmetic procedures might help them in the job market, they’re still medical procedures.” Canady says women still need to proceed with caution. “Patient safety is ASPS’ number one concern. Women need to do their homework. Go to the ASPS website at www.plasticsurgery.org to find an ASPS Member Surgeon in your area.”
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