About Face

Choosing between the office and the surgery center

When it comes to the advancements made in cosmetic surgery, more and more people are having aesthetic procedures with less and less downtime. Plastic surgery is safer, more effective, and more affordable than ever before. But the fact that plastic surgery and cosmetic in-office procedures have become so accessible does not discount the fact that these are still medical procedures being performed, and that there continue to be risks and benefits that must be discussed with you prior to undergoing one of these procedures.

While many patients are accustomed to visiting their facial plastic surgeon to have Botox and fillers (such as Juvederm and Radiesse), many are also having surgery in the office. How is this possible? Is it safe? 

The Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures in 2012

Each year, around this time, the most popular plastic surgery procedures are totaled.  Usually the most popular procedures such as Botox, breast implants, or rhinoplasties, continue to stay high in demand.  However, there are some unexpected new increases in other procedures as well!  Read more to see what plastic surgery procedures have been increasing in popularity.

When Less is More for Men

Women still outnumber men in the number of cosmetic procedures they have, which is why most advertising for plastic surgery is still tailored for women.  However, the number of men receiving plastic surgery is on the rise.  In increasingly competitive work and social environments, men are caring about their appearance and aging more than ever. Given the improved health and ability (and, unfortunately, necessity) to work longer before retiring, older men find themselves competing to look youthful, energetic, and capable.   Although men are receiving more surgical and nonsurgical procedures overall, men prefer permanent surgical procedures over more temporary noninvasive ones.

Do Your Eyes Look Tired? Try Some of These Tips

One of the facial features that people find the most important or attractive is the eyes.  Besides the overall face, eyes are important because people focus the most on them.  After all, when you talk or look at someone, you usually make eye contact first.  The eyes are often believed to be more interesting than the rest of the face, and are therefore referred to as “windows to the soul.”  We often read the signs of old age, emotions, and lack of sleep by looking at the eyes. So what are the common problems that people deal with, and how do we fix them?

How to Lengthen your Lashes- Mascara

 

Although the length and volume of our eyelashes is largely determined by our DNA, there are options out there that can help those of us with little or no lashes achieve that length and full-bodied look we desire.

Mascara is perhaps the most traditional and common way to longer lashes. The way you apply the mascara is more important than having the latest and greatest brand. 

 

How to Create Double Eye-Lids

Among those of us who are Asian, at least half are born without that coveted "double eyelid." This double eyelid is created when a fold, or crease, exists in the upper eyelids, and often makes the eyes themselves appear larger and more striking. Double eyelid surgery is a safe and established way to provide this appearance. To learn more about this topic, please read Dr. Chow's entry “Asian Eyelid”

Some Asian women prefer to try nonsurgical, temporary techniques before moving on to double eyelid surgery. These generally involve tape or glue. Most are safe, and depending on the shape and internal structure of your eyelids, may be fairly effective. Today, I will focus on just how tape can be used to achieve natural appearing lids that make the eyes like bigger and more defined.

First, purchase transparent surgical tape from your local drug store, such the 3M NexCare Flixible Clear First Aid Tape. You can also purchase pre-cut eyelid tape online or from Asian beauty supply boutiques. Pre-cut tape is easier and more efficient to use, especially if you are pressed for time or a beginner; naturally, it is more costly than a simple roll of surgical tape.

If you are making your own eyelid tape, cut a piece off about the length of your thumb. Then use a pair of small scissors with straight blades to cut a thin strip in the shape of a half moon (crescent). The length of the tape should be 1-2cm shorter than the width of your eye. It should be as identical as possible in size and dimensions to pre-cut tape. Pre-cut tape usually comes in a standard shape, which can still be too long or too thick for your eyes. Trim it to fit the length and shape of your eyes.

Using a plastic fork applicator (shown above), or your finger, gently push up on your eyelid to create the desired double-eyelid look. Place the trimmed tape right on the fold. Adjust the tape to the preferred shape. If you have really thick upper eyelids, or have no double folds at all, cutting your own tape is the best choice. Depending on your eyes, the thickness of the tape may range from two to three thin pre-cut eyelid tape strips stacked on top of one another. Place the tape(s) just above your lashline to hold up the skin on your eyelid. It should create the crease you need for double eyelids.

Experiment with different positions and sizes of tape to create the best, most natural look for you. Although eyelid tape is useful if you want a temporary double eyelid, it is time consuming and constant application and removal can be irritating to your skin. It may also interfere with proper make-up application and, worst of all, can often be seen by your friends!

In general, for anyone who is sure she or he wants a permanent double eyelid, surgery is the best option. If you are just starting to think about that new, more striking appearance, then tape just might be your first step.

A Quick and Easy Way to Erase Facial Lines and Add Volume

From fuller lips to jaw contouring, a brief session with your facial plastic surgeon can achieve the cosmetic goals you want! Read here to find out the many uses of Botox and fillers injectables.             

How to Shape Your Eyebrows

A pair of well-groomed eyebrows adds definition and aesthetic structure to the face. They help to frame your eyes and shorten the forehead, preventing it from becoming the defining feature of your face.

If you have never shaped an eyebrow in your life, you may want to have a professional do it the first time. Eyebrow waxing or "tweezing" can cost anywhere from $5-15. If you want to do it yourself at home, you can invest in a good pair of tweezers, such as the Tweezerman Slant Tweezer (it even comes in multiple colors). This invaluable tweezer sets perfectly against the skin and can remove even the most stubborn hair.

Asian Eyelid Surgery

Traditional upper eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a procedure which rejuvenates the eyes by removing excess skin and fat. This provides a fresher, more youthful and energetic appearance to the eyes. Asian eyelid surgery, or Asian blepharoplasty, on the other hand, is frequently performed in young adults who desire a fold in the upper eyelid. 

 

This fold produces the "double eyelid," which makes the eyes appear larger and is considered an aesthetic ideal in many Asian cultures. For most of the twentieth century, Western surgeons falsely believed that Asians seeking these surgeries desired "Westernization" of their eyelids. This is patently untrue - nearly half of all Asians are born with eyelid folds, and the height and shape of these folds are distinct from those with Caucasian eyelids. For example, the crease in Asian eyelids is usually closer to the eyelashes and the upper eyelids are generally fuller when compared to their Western counterparts. Because of the misconception that Asians desired Caucasian eyelids, early surgeries resulted in abnormally high creases and a hollowed-out appearance.

 

Treating Those Dark Circles Under the Eyes

There are probably as many different remedies for dark circles under the eyes as there are people on earth. In my experience, when many treatments exist for the same problem, most of them are not terribly successful. Most large cosmetics companies and not a few pharmaceutical companies have been wrestling with this problem for years behind armies of scientists and physicians. With such powerful combinations of smarts and funding, why hasn't the problem been solved?

What Causes Those Dark Circles Under Your Eyes?

Have you gazed in the mirror lately only to see someone with that old, tired look? For many of us, the single facial feature that ages us most is having dark circles under our eyes. Although these dark circles most commonly appear in healthy individuals who are not suffering from illness or exhaustion, they can still make us feel old, sick, and tired. Or just plain sick and tired.