Second time’s the charm!

Last year saw an increase in facial procedures, with more people than ever are seeking out face rejuvenating treatments, ranging from Botox, injectable treatments, and face lifts. Face lifts offer more long-lasting results than its non-surgical kin, but one study suggests more people are opting for seconds when it comes to rhytidectomy.

A face lift is certainly going to last much longer than a dose of Botulinum when it comes to giving your visage a more youthful appearance, but the results can’t last forever. Eventually, you’re going to age further, genetics and gravity will take their toll, and you’ll start to see fine lines returning to that face you see in the mirror looking back at you. But according to a study by Dr. Rod J. Rohrich and colleagues at the University of Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, people who get a second facelift later in life can expect to enjoy similarly lasting results, with a low risk of complications.

The study followed 60 of Dr. Rohrich’s 800 facelift patients, those who received a second facelift, between 1990 and 2010. These patients enjoyed an average of nine years after their first facelift before returning for a second one. Of those 60 patients, ten returned for a third facelift, an average of seven and a half years between their second and third facelifts. These results suggest that patients who undergo a second facelift can realistically expect similarly-lasting results to that of their first facelift.

There was also no increased risk of complications following a secondary surgery compared to the complication rate of those who undergo their first facelift. There was likewise no notable risk of facial nerve injury following a secondary facelift, contrary to the findings of some reports.

The study concludes that secondary and even tertiary facelifts have been on the rise along with the rise of the Baby Boomer market. “With an ever-growing middle-aged population and an overall interest in facial rejuvenation at an earlier age, there has been a substantial increase in patients undergoing secondary rhytidectomy,” according to Dr. Rohrich and colleagues.

Remember – it doesn’t matter if it’s your first facelift, second, or even tenth! If you’re interested in a facelift, or any surgical procedure, your first step every time is to contact your cosmetic surgeon’s office for a consultation.

The “gummy bear” silicone gel breast implants are now cleared for use.

If you keep yourself up-to-date in the world of cosmetic surgery, the term “gummy bear” should hold two meanings for you: the sugary candies, and what are known as “gummy bear breast implants,” the nickname for a type of silicone gel implant that’s been the subject of discussion and interest in the cosmetic surgery community.

Well, it’s now official – the “gummy bear,” or as it’s known officially, the Natrelle 410, has been given the green light by the Food and Drug Administration. Implanted under or over the pectoral muscles, these gel implants offer a firmer feel, due to their enhanced cross-linking silicone bonds.

Allergan, the creator of the Natrelle 410 (as well as patient-favourite Botox), performed clinical studies on 941 women, accruing seven years of data, before the FDA gave them the go-ahead to release the product commercially. Complications included re-operation, asymmetrical appearance, implant removal, and “gel fracture,” a problem unique to Natrelle 410, but overall, the product has passed the FDA’s standards as being reasonably safe and effective.

“It’s important to remember that breast implants are not lifetime devices. Women should fully understand the risks associated with breast implants before considering augmentation or reconstruction surgery, and they should recognize that long-term monitoring is essential,” said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

The FDA’s approval comes contingent on Allergan conducting follow-up post-approval studies for ten years, but for now, the much-talked-about “gummy bear implants” are finally out and ready for patient consumption. If you’re curious about these or any other implants, be sure to contact your cosmetic surgeon and seek a consultation on the matter.

• • Photo Credit: in love by .faramarz, on Flickr

Some simple things you can do to get the most out of your weight loss regimen

Weight loss is a common New Year’s resolution, but around this time, a lot of people who vowed to get slimmer will give up due to frustration that their efforts are not producing the results they’re after. Try not to get discouraged, though – there are small factors that can have a big impact on your attempt to lose weight, and knowing what they are can go a long way to overcoming them.

Fad Diets

Every so often, some hip new diet will rise up and gain popularity. Everyone you know will start telling you that cutting out carbs is the way to go, or to eat a lot of grapefruit, or even espouse home made baby food. But the simple fact is, these diets, at best, aren’t for everyone. An Atkins diet or a South Beach diet may work for some, but relying on a fad diet is likely to end in disappointment. The truth is low calorie, low fat & carbs, and plenty of greens really is the best way to go. But diet alone won’t do it all…

Diet AND Exercise

When it comes to weight loss, you really can’t have one without the other. Diet without exercise won’t burn off those extra calories that you’re trying to lose, and exercise will just cancel out your calorie intake without a proper diet. But combined, these two lifestyle choices can really give your waistline a one-two punch!

Eat!

Speaking of dieting, don’t take that to mean “eating less,” or “not eating altogether.” Dieting is about making sensible choices when it comes to what you eat, not how often you eat. Furthermore, it’s counterintuitive – if you’re not eating enough to keep your body going, it will actually store fat instead of burning it! So make sure you eat a normal amount of meals, and even feel free to snack! Just make sure what you’re snacking on is good for you.

If all else fails, and you’re still dealing with problem pockets of fat in localized areas, you might be a candidate for Liposuction. Contact your cosmetic surgeon’s office for a consultation to find out if liposuction is right for you.

• Photo Credit: How Much is That in American Money? by puuikibeach, on Flickr

Enter our Hot Lips Contest! It’s almost Valentine’s Day and we at Inland Cosmetic want to make things fun!Enter by coming in to try our Glo Mineral Lipstick then leave your Hot Lips Print. We then choose the hottest lip print and you can be a winner!

Winner gets a FREE Glo Makeover by Marlene, a FREE VISIA Skin Analysis, and FREE Glo Mineral products in a package! ALSO, the first 25 participants get a free mini Glo Lip Gloss.

Call us for more details 909-987-0899. We will choose the winner by Valentine’s Day!

A new smart phone application released by the Scottish government shows how alcohol abuse can change your appearance.

While the “Drinking Mirror” may not address the more severe long-term health concerns of alcohol abuse, it does reveal a consequence that heavy drinkers might overlook.

The app is very simple to use. You download it on your Android or iPhone device, upload a photo (or choose one from your gallery) and then position the face and eyes in a template. Choose the number of drinks you consume per week and then sit back and watch the transformation.

The results are startling. On a recent episode of TODAY, women at a Houston area tavern tested the Drinking Mirror app on camera. While they weren’t happy with their “after” photos, the group was skeptical of the app’s methodology, arguing that too many other variables, like genetics, fitness, and diet, were left out.

Nonetheless, the app could be valuable for spreading awareness about some of the subtle yet undesirable effects of drinking. “Binge drinking leads to problems with your body and your brain and self harming behaviors that can lead to addictive behavior,” said intervention specialist Brad Lamm on TODAY.

Although the Drinking Mirror app comes from Scotland, the problem is not unique to that locale. 1 in 8 American women are binge drinkers who consuming at least 6 drinks at a time, according to the CDC.

Original photo by Jennifer Lord Photography on Flickr.

According a report by the AMEinfo.com, facial surgeries in Dubai were popular during 2012 and are expected to increase further in 2013.

The trend is said to represent changing cultural beliefs regarding cosmetic surgery in this part of the world.

Though long discouraged in many Middle Eastern countries, changing world views and the spread of various international cultural beliefs have had a significant impact on Dubai. Both women and men are turning to cosmetic surgeries like facelifts more and more each year.

Cultural Changes Lead to More Cosmetic Surgery

According to Dr. Afschin Ghofrani, some of the most popular procedures for the women of Dubai include face lifts, neck lifts, brow lifts and eyelid surgery. Lip enhancement is another popular treatment, with both surgical and non-surgical options.

Dr. Ghofrani, a Dubai facial cosmetic surgeon, was board-certified in Germany, a country whose international standards are used around the world. There he and his partner were in charge of departments at major German hospitals.

Surgeons in Dubai and around the world expect a surge of patients in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, particularly. There’s a strong demand for facial procedures that have relatively fast recovery times. Non-surgical procedures like Botox or wrinkle fillers have little to no recovery period, and are often used for last-minute cosmetic enhancements.

Dr. Ghofrani urges his patients to follow the medical advice they are given during a “consultation by a well-versed specialist, to get detailed, honest expert advice on whether surgery is the best form of treatment, or less invasive treatments such as fillers, Botox or cosmetology are sufficient.”

Photo of Dubai by the travel guru on Flickr

Dr. Anthony Youn recently appeared on Rachel Ray demonstrating the “ouchless needle” for Botox injection. The ouch less needle is a product made by BellaNovus, which delivers a stream of cooling vapor to the treatment area prior to injection.

After a quick spray of the coolant, Dr. Youn covers the patient’s eyes and then performs quick injections for crow’s feet. “It was ouchless; I did not feel a thing” she says.

Numbing Cream, Lidocaine, Ice and Other Alternatives

The ouchless needle is another alternative for doctors to provide comfortable Botox injections. More common methods include topical numbing cream, ice, and lidocaine, which is mixed with many of today’s popular dermal fillers. If you’ve never had a cosmetic injection, feel free to ask about the ways we improve your comfort during treatment.

Even if you’re not ready for a face lift, you can still look younger. There are numerous anti-aging treatments, as well as lifestyle changes, that can help set the clock back a few years. If you’re a 20-something, these steps can help you maintain that youthful look.

1. 1. Reduce your sun exposure. Apply sunscreen twice a day. If you’re active outside on a regular basis, cover up with a hat or long sleeve shirt.

1. 1. Don’t drink heavily, smoke, or use illicit drugs. All these habits can lead to premature signs of aging.

1. 1. Start using a quality skin care regimen every day. Visit us to find out if you’re a candidate for Retin-A.

1. 1. Get microdermabrasion or a facial every month to exfoliate.

1. 1. Maintain a healthy body weight. Avoid dieting! Instead, commit to eating fresh fruits and vegetables and getting regular exercise.

1. 1. Botox® Cosmetic and injectable fillers at a relatively young age can stop wrinkles when they first begin to appear.

1. 1. Minimally-invasive surgeries like eyelid surgery or an endoscopic brow lift can correct the signs of aging that fillers can’t.

1. 1. Laser treatments, like ICON Laser Skin Resurfacing and Excel V+ Laser Treatments, can reduce unwanted pigment and stimulate collagen, with no downtime or minimal downtime.

Non-surgical treatments are alluring due to their convenience, low risk, and low initial cost. However, beware of the infinite number of gimmicks that have been introduced. They claim to provide results comparable to a face lift, but most of them don’t even come close.

Before and After Face Lift in Rancho Cucamonga

The truth is that face lift results only come from face lift surgery. It’s important to care for your skin and maintain a healthy lifestyle, but if you’re a candidate for face lift surgery, and you want tighter and more youthful-looking skin in your lower face and neck, the best long-term plan is to simply get the face lift.

Read more about face lift alternatives in Rancho Cucamonga

One of the most common questions that I hear as a plastic surgeon is “how long will my facelift last?” I often reply that it depends – on the patient’s individual aging process, the nature of the technique, and future lifestyle factors. The appearance of aging is often very difficult to measure. That’s why I was interested to read a long-term follow-up study that found that – even five years after their facelifts – 76 percent of facelift patients still look younger than they did before.

There have been many studies that examine the long-term benefits of facelift surgery, including the development of aging factors. However, this new study in the November issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is the first to perform rigorous, standardized assessments in a long-term follow-up. It examined standardized photographs of 50 patients who had undergone facelift surgery roughly 5 years previously.

To gauge these photographs, there were three separate sets of assessments used. The first was a series of objective measurements that examined common factors, such as the angle of the chin to the neck, or jowl height. There were also two separate types of subjective assessments – localized assessments examining key areas like the nasolabial folds, and an overall assessment of the patient’s appearance.

Based on these assessments, the researchers had a complete picture of how the face it changed over five years. All three sets of assessments showed significant improvement over that time. Although there was some loss of improvement, especially around the neck, the overall picture was still better than the patient had appeared before their facelift surgeries.

The researchers concluded that more than three-quarters of patients (76 percent) still looked younger five years after their facelift. As a result, they write, there seems to be no “significant objective or subjective sign of continued aging or ‘relapse’ in any area except for the neck.”