Inland Cosmetic Surgery

According to a complaint filed in California Superior Court, Los Angeles County, Obagi Medical Products is being sued by its founder and former owner Dr. Zein Obagi, alleging that Obagi Medical interfered with the distribution of a new line of anti-aging products developed by Dr. Obagi for his current company, ZO Skin Health.

Apparently, the lawsuit at least in part stems from an alleged non-compete agreement between the parties.

Competition is definitely increasing between makers of high quality skincare products, perhaps because the demand for anti-aging skin care products has increased among baby boomers over the last decade.  Between 2006 and 2008, U.S. sales alone rose 13% to 1.6 billion dollars, and the trend shows no sign of weakening.

Skin health is affected by a number of variables, including the environment (sun, wind, pollution), lifestyle (diet and exercise) and genetics. As a person ages, the process of skin-cell-rejuvenation is also slowed. Topical aesthetic and therapeutic skin health products on the market today are specifically designed to address these effects.

An NBC news affiliate in Texas reports that more men are seeking cosmetic procedures because they want to prolong their careers and remain competitive in the job market.  The reality is that women make up the vast majority of cosmetic surgery patients, but we could see a shift.  In fact, maybe we should see a shift.

With all the image-conscious men out there spending money on designer clothes, gym memberships, and other expenditures, it wouldn’t be terribly surprising to see an increase in professional cosmetic treatments.

What’s most likely to gain popularity is skin renewal treatments.  From experience I can tell you that the majority of males don’t possess a great deal of knowledge about caring for their skin and they often neglect it.

At a recent cosmetic surgery trade show, yours truly (copywriter extraordinaire), along with our human resources manager Angie, underwent a professional skin analysis using the Image Pro II Skin Analysis system, a machine very similar to the Visia Digital Skin Analysis at Inland Cosmetic Surgery.

While Angie’s skin came out clear and clean, my neglected male skin looked like a battlefield of sun damage and other imperfections. It appeared as if all those years of cheap skin care products and lack of sun protection had caught up with me.  That experience prompted an investigation of different skin care products and treatments to see how I could address the problem.

I would be very surprised if I was the only male who experienced these skin problems and concerns.

Online readers about cosmetic surgery are probably all too familiar with the “age gracefully” versus “freedom to enhance” type arguments.  The UK Observer just published an editorial that sums up each position fairly well.  British journalist Alice Hart-Davis and Grazia beauty director Annabel Jones offer contrasting opinions in response to the question “Can cosmetic surgery ever be a viable solution to aging?”

The question is inherently flawed; can anything at all be a viable solution to aging?  Unless you’re very optimistic about regenerative medicine and  stem cell research, the aging process is a fact you must accept.  So, perhaps the word “solution” is misleading; cosmetic surgery doesn’t have a solution to aging, but it does offer many options.

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California has its fair share of workaholics, so we spend plenty of time caring for patients who present stress-related skin problems.  Pimples, dry skin, and pronounced lines are all characteristic signs.

If you there were preexisting skin problems, stress will only makes the situation worse. It’s because our bodies are reacting to external challenges.  Stress creates an adrenaline surge that elevates the level of cortisol in the blood. Cortisol tells fat cells to dump sugar into the bloodstream for energy – which is great if you need to outrun a raging elephant but not so great on your body or your skin.

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The Visia Complexion Analysis System does! This high-tech photography system gives you and your doctor a closer look at your skin. Using ultraviolet and polarized light, it looks deep into the skin to show things happening underneath that can’t be seen with the naked eye or even a magnifying glass.

The machine takes two photos of a patient’s skin. The first one is a highly magnified view of the visible skin — the “Epidermis” — showing visible fine lines, wrinkles, pores, brown spots and unevenness of skin damage. The second photo is taken under ultraviolet light and goes even deeper under the skin to show the “Dermis” and what is developing underneath the outer layers. It’s great for discovering indicators of sun damage that may lead to more wrinkles and spots in the coming years.

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During the current economic slump, permanent makeup has emerged as an excellent alternative for people to enhance their looks on a budget.  

Permanent makeup artists create the illusion of bold features. They embed  colored pigment into the skin to create perfectly shaped eyebrows, enhance the eyelids with permanent eyeliner, or create the illusion of fuller, younger-looking lips by ‘filling them in’ with a shade of pink or red. 

The procedure creates a subtler look than a traditional tattoo and allows many people to enhance the vibrancy of facial features that have diminished over time.

For pure convenience, permanent makeup shortens the daily ritual of applying makeup before work or other social functions.  Patients say they especially love it in the summer months because it’s waterproof, so their eyes still look attractive and vibrant after activities like swimming or exercising.

To minimize risks, you should always choose a physician with several years of experience in permanent makeup application. Ask to see photos of other patients who received the same treatment, or talk to former patients if possible.

Permanent makeup only requires a topical anesthetic. Healing can take up to two weeks depending on the type of tattoo. For more information, see our permanent makeup web page, or call our skin care counselor Marlene at 909-987-0899.

This video is part of a recent episode of The Doctors, which features Dr. Jessica Wu showcasing the new eyelash enhancement drug, Latisse.

Dr. Wu says that Latisse starts to work in about 4 weeks, and provides “luscious” eyelashes after just 4 months. You apply Latisse to the base of the upper eyelashes once each night “just like liquid eyeliner.” According to Dr. Wu, the results should yield lashes that are 25 percent longer and 100 percent thicker!

See the video for before & after photos; they’re impressive! If you are interested in learning more about Latisse in Rancho Cucamonga, contact us.

The incredible growth and success of laser technology has taken the cosmetic surgery industry by storm, and new survey results from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery prove it. Results of their annual survey show a major popularity shift toward non-invasive laser treatments, which began around 2005.

AACS president Patrick McMenamin explains the trend: “As we learn more about the cosmetic uses for lasers, the more patients benefit from effective results and quicker recovery time.” Mcmenamin suggests that this progression drives demand even further, which makes laser procedures more affordable. It’s true – the average price of laser resurfacing has dropped almost $500 since 2002.

More survey results include some highly interesting gender statistics on laser resurfacing. The past three years witnessed a 456% increase in males choosing to undergo procedures, while females choosing them grew by 215%.

The most recent data (for 2008) revealed a sharp drop in male use, which is most likely related to the economic recession. Nonetheless, ‘the big picture’ of laser resurfacing shows that it may be the beginning of an exciting trend. As Dr. McMenamin says, “It is an exciting time for both cosmetic surgery patients and physicians.”

At Inland Cosmetic Surgery, we offer several highly-effective laser treatments. For more information, see our website or call us for a consultation.

Are spots on your forehead, cheeks, or chest becoming a problem? It might surprise you to know that in many cases skin conditions of this type can be easily treated and minimized. Age spots and skin blotches are common, and you should be happy to know that we carry the Obagi® therapeutic skin care line as a possible remedy.

Many are aware of Obagi, but not everyone knows that it is the top skin care line sold exclusively to physicians. Obagi® has gained a reputation for effectiveness with its Nu Derm® System, also known as Corrective and Enhance®, which smoothes out fine lines, fades brown spots and can correct other skin imperfections in just a few months.

During the aging process, dark spots and uneven skin tone can appear on a person’s face.

A ‘mask’ may even form over the nose and cheek area, especially after a pregnancy or use of birth control. Obagi Clear™ contains prescription strength hydroquinone to correct discoloration and equalize skin tones. Hydroquinone is the active ingredient used for its “fading” properties, which proactively corrects the early signs of damage by regulating the cell production responsible for skin pigment.

Obagi skin care products are far more effective than any over-the-counter product, so they are by prescription.  They are specially formulated to achieve a desired end and they get visibly dramatic results!  Obagi® is considered a medical grade skin care program so speaking with a physician like Dr. Haiavy is necessary before purchasing.

Why delay treatment any longer? If you want to lighten those dark spots on your face, chest and hands with Clear™ or if you’re interested in other Obagi® products, give us a call at (909) 987-0899 or request a free consultation here. You’ll look better and feel so much better about your one and only face.

If you happen to know someone who has pigmentation problems, have them get in touch with us. If this type of problem goes untreated and if sun exposure continues, these areas can darken to the point where even make up won’t cover them.  Anyone that has struggled with these problems should know this firsthand.