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? 

Facial Plastic Surgery Trends for Men

Traditionally, men have not been at the forefront of facial plastic surgery. Or any cosmetic surgery. But that has been changing for the past decade. Many men have focused on improving the appearance of the jawline, most often by strengthening the chin or tightening loose areas of the neck. 

In fact, in lieu of making a strong, large nose smaller through rhinoplasty, many men have opted to balance the face by augmenting the chin. This can provide a more confident, masculine appearance while also balancing the face, thereby giving the nose a more proportionate, pleasing appearance without rhinoplasty.

To learn more about chin implants, including frequently asked questions, simply follow one of our hyperlinks or contact the Chow Center for Facial Plastic Surgery by phone at 626-447-3223.

The Stem Cell Facelift

One of the hottest treatments for facial rejuvenation now involves the stem cell facelift, which is a controversial treatment. In fact, as a recent article in the New York Times explores, the new treatment is one that does not have much evidence based research backing it up. 

Many treatments simply involve fat harvest from your body, which is then re-injected into the face, a procedure that has been done for decades. More recently, physicians have begun to notice improvements in skin after fat transplantation, and much of this is theorized to be the result of stem cells living in the adipose (fat) tissue.

The major question is whether stem cells really do make your face appear more youthful again. Unfortunately, we don't yet have the absolute answer. But you can learn more about it by seeing your facial plastic surgeon for a consultation. 

Can Plastic Surgery Make You Happy?

With more than 8.5 million aesthetic surgeries performed each year, how do the people who have cosmetic procedures feel once they have them done? A new study seeks to provide answers.

Published in Clinical Psychological Science, the study looks at 550 first-time plastic surgery patients and finds that they are happier, have higher self-esteem, and enjoy life more a year after their surgeries compared to 264 who wanted plastic surgery but decided against it, and about 1,000 people who were never interested in plastic surgery. 

The researchers tested the patients (and those who chose not to have surgery) at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. For the most part, patients who had undergone surgery were satisfied with their results and stated they had achieved their aesthetic goals. In addition, receiving cosmetic surgery appeared to lead to decreased anxiety and depression while increasing life satisfaction and quality of life, among others.

While plastic surgery isn't for everyone, it seems the overwhelming majority of those who seek it appropriately are pleased with the positive changes in their lives.

Science Suggests New Signs of Aging

We all know that our faces appear older when wrinkling and sagging starts. I also frequently tell my patients that our faces lose volume as we age, eventually resulting in a more skeletal look as that "baby fat" we once had disappears. Sun exposure can lead to damaged, irregular skin with patches of hyperpigmentation. 

Cosmetic surgeons and scientists have also used terms such as "facial contrast" to describe the contrast in color between the eyes and their surrounding skin, as well as the lips and the skin surrounding them. Facial contrast has been studied before, and plays a role in making those with higher contrast appear more feminine. Makeup, which heightens these differences by accenting the lips and eyes while smoothing out the skin of the face, helps make women appear more feminine. 

And, according to a new study done and published in PLS One, your facial features lose color contrast with age...and people can tell. In younger women, the lips are darker compared to the skin around them. For older women, the color of the lips fades, while the surrounding skin becomes redder, blotchier, and provides less contrast.

Fortunately, the part of the solution is simple, and one you may already have in your purse! 

Lipstick and other cosmetics help provide this youthful contrast to the face. Simple, effective, and inexpensive.

In addition, excellent skin care to prevent or treat damaged, blotchy, or irregular skin will do what makeup alone cannot. Facials, appropriate moisturizers and facial serums, plus medical aesthetic treatments such as peels, lasers, and even dermabrasion can make all the difference. And always remember to wear sun block to minimize sun damage!

A Study Shows Combo Chin, Nose Surgery is Effective

Get the perfect nose and chin combination

A new study from Italian researchers shows that having chin augmentation with nose surgery is stable over time. Facial plastic surgeons will often recommend having a chin implant to enhance a weak chin (called microgenia). This allows for a superior cosmetic outcome with appropriate proportions to the face. 

(See before and after photos here)

At the Chow Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, you can choose between surgical and nonsurgical options to enhance the nose and chin. Some patients opt for the in-office rhinoplasty and chin enhancement as a "try-out" before choosing to proceed with surgery for the nose and chin. If you think such enhancements might be right for you, be sure to speak with a qualified facial plastic surgeon to learn more about your options.

Introducing the New Brilliant Distinctions Mall

If you get Botox, Juvederm, Latisse, or skin care products such as Vivite and SkinMedica, you should ask to be registered in the Brilliant Distinctions loyalty program. You earn points towards future savings each time you receive a qualifying treatment or product. 

Now, a good program just got better. You can earn points towards your next treatment just by shopping at your favorite retailer online! See below for more details.

 

You can select from hundreds of retailers online. Each retailer will tell you how many Brilliant Distinctions points you can earn based upon how much you spend with them. The graphic below shows just a small sample of the hundreds of top retailers involved in the program. Now, shopping online for everything you need, from clothing to home improvement to travel and leisure can literally earn you FREE money towards your next purchase of any Allergan product, including Botox, Juvederm, Latisse, and Vivite Skin Care. The more you shop, the more you earn!

The Chow Center for Facial Plastic Surgery participates in Brilliant Distinctions. Simply let us know you are a member when you join or sign up (for free!) during your visit. We can help you sign up, or you can simply click this link to sign up online. This is an offer too good to pass up!

Not All Botox is Created Equal

Almost everyone has a strong impression about the minimally invasive injectables and cosmetic procedures that are available today. Unfortunately, misconceptions about aesthetic procedures abound. Many people believe that almost all plastic surgery results in an “overdone” appearance, but the opposite is actually true. For example, over 2.6 million people received Botox last year in the United States alone, and 1.6 million received some type of facial filler.

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.

Rejuvenating the Neck

When striving to maintain a youthful appearance, many of us forget the neck. Very often we apply moisturizer to the face and hands, and then neglect the neck.  I am certainly guilty of this, as it just comes naturally to not apply product there, and many of us overlook this part of our body.  But your neck is like all of the other parts of your body: with time, the skin will lose elasticity and begin to sag (hence the saying “turkey neck”).  Without proper care, the neck can become a glaring indicator of old age.  Your face may remain youthful, but wrinkles and hyperpigmentation will blotch your neck, revealing your true age.  So what are some tips and tricks to keep your neck looking youthful like the rest of your face?   

Grow Younger With Age

Have you tried to look more refreshed and awake, only to still have people think you are tired all the time?  No matter what you do, your face still seems sunken or drawn, and those under eye bags just won't go away.  Makeup won't cover it, and skin care products just don't seem to be giving you the results you desire.  When you get to this point, you may need to start exploring other more effective options besides just trying to cake on more concealer. What are some culprits that cause you to look worn out and tired, and how can you fix it?

The Age-Old Question of…Old Age

These days, more and more celebrities seem to age gracefully. Recently, I read that Jennifer Aniston just turned forty-three! I’m sure most of us would agree that she looks great for her age (she’s more fit than I am). For the most part, genetics plays a large role in how well we age. However, without taking care of your health (including the health of your largest organ—skin!), genetics matter less, and you will look old for your age.

So how do you know if you are going to age well (or not)? Here are some ways to look into your future!

A Meditation on Medi-Spas

Medical spas, also known as “Medspas” or “Medi-Spas,” seem to offer the ideal combination of relaxing comfort with cosmetic medical procedures. When set up and maintained appropriately, under the supervision of a qualified health care professional, they certainly can provide a safe, pampered environment for aesthetic medicine. And because the combination of comfort and care seems right to anyone with common sense, medical spas have proliferated in recent years.

 

Getting Cheeky

There’s a reason fashion models all possess high cheek bones. High cheek bones can naturally sculpt the face and draw attention to the eyes. However, not everyone is blessed with the high and prominent cheekbones most of us want, but there are ways to emphasize the cheek bones we do have. Makeup is the simplest tool to help create depth and shadow there by contouring and highlighting the right areas. It can be as easy as highlighting the ‘apples of your cheeks’ to define your cheekbones. Not only does this enhance your features, it also thins your face and enhances inherent beauty. Follow these easy how-to makeup steps to create the look of high cheekbones:

It's Never Too Late to Look Younger

Women begin worrying about wrinkle prevention in their twenties and older women are trying to stop (or at least slow!) the aging process. Many ask themselves, how can I look younger? There isn’t a specific age to start taking preventative actions on the aging process, but a good defense is always the best offense. Millions of men and women use anti-aging products as a part of their everyday skin regimens to minimize fine lines and wrinkles; however, many of us don’t see the improvement we want. Some of us hesitate going under the knife for long lasting younger looking skin. With advances in skincare, there are many nonsurgical enhancements and rejuvenation options that may work better than just slathering on skincare products full of anti-aging ingredients. There are options at every price, and many of them focus on preventing unwanted skin concerns before they get worse.