Juvederm for Marionette Lines

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Dr. Jacob Haiavy

Just what are marionette lines, anyway?

When it comes to signs of aging, the lines that form around the mouth and nose are among the most dreaded. There are actually many types of facial wrinkles, all with different names and causes. One such variety is called marionette lines.

Marionette lines are the creases that form at the corners of your lips and extend down to the chin, which make the mouth appear droopy and gives the face an overall more grim or scornful appearance. Marionette Lines occur with the gradual loss of collagen and the decrease of fatty deposits in the mouth region. Some people never develop them, but others are genetically predisposed to them. Environmental conditions such as sun over exposure, poor diet, and smoking can also have an impact.

Since one of the causes of marionette lines is depleted fat deposits, one of the better ways of treating them is filling that space up, with a dermal filler like Juvederm. By filling that empty space under the skin, the appearance of marionette lines and other facial wrinkles can be minimized, if not outright erased.

If you’re worried about the onset of marionette lines, steps you can take ahead of time to avoid them include proper sunlight protection, getting lots of vitamins, exercise, and smoke avoidance. If, however, your smile falls victim to the onset of time, and marionette lines still occur, contact your cosmetic surgeon and book a consultation to see if Juvederm or another dermal filler is the right treatment for you.

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Go With a Nose & Chin Combo for Best Results

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Dr. Jacob Haiavy

Italian study says the two procedures go hand-in-hand.

Sometimes, a patient’s desired results from cosmetic surgery can’t be achieved with a single procedure.

It’s not uncommon for cosmetic surgeons to recommend undergoing two procedures simultaneously, and not just to pad the bill. In fact, combining procedures can save you money as well as time in recovery, and most importantly, can pay dividends when it comes to the aesthetic results of your time in the OR.

A study from the University of Verona in Italy has demonstrated the efficacy of combining rhinoplasty (a nose job) with genioplasty (chin augmentation). Researchers followed 90 patients who had both surgeries simultaneously between 2002 and 2004, and followed up with each of them over the next three years. The results showed that 45.6 per cent of those who had chin reduction surgery had no subsequent changes in the new chin, and 52 per cent of those with chin implants showed a stable profile in the following years.

The reason researchers believe these two surgeries go well together is because the proportions of the nose, chin, and neck are all tied together; if you correct your nose, but don’t adjust your other features in conjunction, your face may look out of proportion.

Furthermore, while rhinoplasty is a more delicate surgery, chin augmentation is relatively simple, especially if we’re talking about chin implants. So in order to maximize the desired aesthetic results, and minimize the number of surgeries and the number of days in recovery, it’s beneficial to get both procedures done at once.

If you’re curious about a nose/chin combo, or a combination of any other cosmetic procedures, be sure to ask your surgeon about it during your next consultation.

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The Stem-Cell Facelift Debate

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Dr. Jacob Haiavy

Is there anything to it? Or is it just a marketing gimmick?

Where you find stem cells, controversy is bound to follow. While you’re probably familiar with the debate surrounding embryonic stem cell research, you might be surprised to learn that even the cosmetic surgery industry is not immune to scrutiny surrounding the use of stem cells.

Embryos aren’t the only only source of stem cells; there’s some inside you right now, and one of the best places to find them is among adipose, or fat cells. Being ‘blank’ cells that can form into specialized cells around them, stem cells could be extremely useful in cosmetic procedures, encouraging growth of collagen, muscles, or other tissue wherever such tissue is needed.

This is the philosophy behind the so-called “Stem-Cell Facelift,” a procedure touted by some as having that extra special ingredient, which is supposed to enhance the appearance of the skin by promoting new tissue growth.

Although, the procedure’s not really a “facelift.” Facelifts are a surgical procedure, whereas Stem-Cell Facelifts are typically nonsurgical, and work instead by injecting liposuctioned fat into the facial features, filling them out. Critics of the procedure doubt there’s much difference between this procedure and fat grafting.

The problem with Stem-Cell Facelifts is a lack of clinical study to confirm the results of the procedure, or even the amount of stem cells, if any, the procedure involves. “We need studies that look at exactly how the skin tissue responds and whether more volume is retained if you use more stem cells,” said Dr. Karol Gutowski, a surgeon in Northbrook, Ill, in an interview with The New York Times. “We’re not seeing that research yet.”

That’s not to say Stem-Cell Facelifts or some similar procedure won’t be viable someday, but until further studies are conducted, it’s best to treat such procedures with a healthy dose of consumer skepticism. In the meantime, if you’re in the market for younger-looking facial features, consider some tried-and-true methods, such as facelifts (the surgical variety), Botox, or another injectable filler. To find out what the best option is for you, book a consultation with your cosmetic surgeon.

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The Trouble With Belly Fat

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Dr. Jacob Haiavy

Some factors that cause fat to accumulate in the waist

One of the hardest spots on the body to burn excess flab off of, and one of the easiest to put extra flab onto, is the abdominal area. Unfortunately, the abdomen is one of the last places anyone wants to find carrying a spare tire. Well, as they said in that cartoon from the 80s, “knowing is half the battle,” so here’s a few reasons behind why fat seems to gravitate towards the gut.

Besides the obvious things like exercising, and avoiding excess carbs and fat in your diet, something you may not have considered is the amount of alcohol you consume. We’re not just talking problem drinkers, here – even a semi-regular glass of wine a few times a week can pack some extra pounds onto your paunch. Dubbed a “Wine Waist” by fitness guru and trainer James Duigan, alcohol is pure sugar that keeps you from burning off excess fat until the booze has been processed. The occasional drink won’t do any lasting damage, but if you want to keep your belly flat, it’d be best to keep it strictly occasional.

Stress is another thing you may want to cut back on in your life. Easier said than done, for sure, but stress can have adverse effects on your midsection. Stress equals cortisol, and when your body produces it, it encourages the body to hold onto extra fat, especially around the stomach. Try to get a good night’s sleep, look into relaxation methods like deep-breathing and meditation, and cut back on caffeine if you feel stress might be the culprit.

But no matter what you do, or what you eat, age itself will be a factor in stomach weight. The older we get, the more muscles we lose (especially if we don’t exercise regularly), and thus, the body burns fewer calories. Basically, if you’re taking in the same calorie intake at 60 that you did at 30, you’re going to gain extra weight faster than you would have when you were younger.

If all else fails, consider liposuction by a skilled practitioner of cosmetic surgery, as liposuction is designed specifically to combat localized trouble zones of fat, such as the tummy. Contact your cosmetic surgeon to learn more about the procedure.

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