Non-surgical treatments increased slightly last year while surgeries like abdominoplasty, liposuction or breast reduction decreased by 17 percent. Like most markets in the United States, cosmetic surgery was affected by the economic recession.
The data comes the ASAPS annual survey, in which 928 physicians from different specialties responded so industry leaders could better interpret emerging trends in cosmetic plastic surgery.
For the second year in a row, breast augmentation was the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery, with 311,957 estimated procedures nationwide. Doctors have suggested several reasons for the continued success of breast augmentation:
To reduce those unsightly lines and wrinkles on the face, some people are putting their trust in the ancient science of acupuncture, a Chinese therapy long believed to alleviate physical and emotional imbalances.
Dr. Bruce Genter, a plastic surgeon in Pennsylvania, voiced his skepticism in this ABC news segment, pointing to the lack of scientific evidence supporting acupuncture as an effective wrinkle treatment. Yet, some are saying it works for them; are they seeing real change or is wishful thinking clouding their perception?
Julia Engstrom, who says she has used Botox and laser treatments in the past, believes facial acupuncture has improved the texture of her skin and reduced the appearance of wrinkles. Nearing the end of 10 treatments, she says her improvements have come through improved sleep and relaxation. “I’ve noticed that my skin is a lot smoother, [there’s] a lot less red pigment in there and the wrinkling seems to be a lot less,” Engstrom said. “I [also] have a lot less darkening under my eyes and I’ve been getting a lot of compliments.”
Surgeons in Pittsburgh are seeking approval for a “face transplant” operation. Such a procedure could restore normal facial characteristics to a patient who has experienced devastating facial trauma.
Maybe you remember the “near-total face transplant” performed by Cleveland Clinic surgeons in 2008. The operation required 22 hours and a large, multi-skilled medical team.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, doctors and plastic surgeons at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center want to perform a similar operation in the future. The surgeons have experience with hand transplants — procedures that require advanced techniques to reconnect tissues, veins and blood vessels. A face transplant however, would have different cosmetic goals and could require donation of organs that are difficult to procure.
In Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery Lois Stern starts where some of the other books on the subject seem to stop: with the questions people really, really want to ask but seldom do; with the answers they really want to have, but can’t seem to find.
Stern did a substantial amount of work. She conducted over 100 in-depth and intimate interviews with women. She had some work done herself, so she’s got cred. She tells the truth about her own experience, pushes aside some of the same old questions, (Am I a good candidate for X? Should I tell anyone or just pretend it’s the same old me?) and moves into fresh new territory.
She explores the questions that come up over and over again – and that one of the most frequently asked by women before they have cosmetic surgery is this: “Will I be happier later?” That’s such an honest question, and Stern finds it again and again as she listens to women’s stories. We happen to think that a well-adjusted person who has cosmetic surgery can definitely be happier later.
The unique eyelash enhancement drug Latisse is getting plenty of attention on the web. Some people are interested but scared off by the possibility of side effects, while others are raving about their long, batty eyelashes. It’s obviously not right for everybody.
If you’re considering Latisse, you may want to check out these stories and resources:
If you’re a fan of Fraxel laser on Facebook like we are, maybe you saw this link to Daily Beauty: Lycopene for Fewer Lines. It’s about new research suggesting a correlation between smoother skin and lycopene, the carotenoid found in tomatoes.
The story got me thinking more about the relation between diet and healthy skin – how important is it?
Nutritionists say it’s very important. Every day, our bodies naturally exhibit evidence of our lifestyles. However, the process is much more complicated than the old adage “you are what you eat.” Research shows that a cell-level battle is raging within each of us, a battle between the natural process of aging and the natural systems that help us resist that very process.
Oxygen is everywhere – in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and in the food we eat. Oxygen has a natural tendency to combine with other processes in our skin at the cellular level to produce (evil) free radicals, the enemies of our skin tissue. Like the effects of oxygen on metal that cause oxidation and rust, in our bodies a similar process leads to inflammation, and this inflammation can take many forms. On the skin, inflammation can make pores look bigger and skin look dull, discolored, or aged.
So what can one do about these seemingly inevitable processes?
Well, consider the fact that Vitamins A, C, and E are “antioxidant rich” adversaries of the free radicals that hide in our cells and attack our skin. Consider that Selenium is a mineral that experts agree is critical to the production of glutathione, another enemy of free radicals. Consider that Thiamine is a B vitamin that helps skin cells function normally. Consider that Zinc assists epidermal cell growth, that protein is essential for skin repair, and finally, that Vitamin C helps the body naturally manufacture collagen, a protein that keeps the skin supple and tight. If you’re trying to look as young as you feel, good nutrition is obviously the place to start.
The skin care industry has always been competitive, but the battle for market share has been escalating in recent years. Now for Obagi Medical Products, that battle has found its way into the courthouse.
Dr. Zein Obagi, founder of ZO Skin Health, is now suing his former company, Obagi Medical Products (OMP), for anti-competitive practices. According to the complaint filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Obagi Medical allegedly interfered with the distribution of Dr. Obagi’s new “ZO” line of anti-aging products. According to reports, the disagreement stems from a non-compete agreement between the two parties, and whether that agreement should stop ZO Skin Health from distributing its new line directly to consumers over the internet. Obagi Medical denies any wrongful conduct in the matter, and says it will vigorously defend the suit.
The demand for anti-aging skin care products is expected to increase as baby-boomers continue to take advantage of advances in skin care science. 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 issues.
Read more about anti-aging skincare and Obagi products in Eugene, Oregon.
The latest news says everybody is looking for deals on cosmetic procedures, from scary and illegal “do-it-yourselfers” to smart people who simply want their treatments to be cost-effective and rewarding.
However, safety should always be number one priority – another lesson in the news that seems to repeat itself.
Links!
Patients are learning to prioritize their treatments, while surgeons are offering financing and even money back guarantees, says the LA Times.
Minimally invasive procedures are way up, not only because they’re priced lower, but because some of them are just plain effective. Who’s getting these low-cost cosmetic surgery procedures?
People in North Texas are doing scary things to save money on cosmetics. Some are buying generic injectables and administering them at home with instruction via youtube. DIY Plastic Surgery? No thanks.
Are you hoping to get bright, clear skin? Both microdermabrasion and a chemical peel can be good ways to get it, so how do you determine which treatment is right?
Microdermabrasion is a good choice if you have little time or when you’re anticipating an important event. The depth of exfoliation is very precise with microdermabrasion, so you’re less likely to experience side effects like redness or swelling. Typical healing time is about 3 days at the most.
Healing time for most chemical peels will require about 1 week. However, with all the choices available in chemical peels, we can design a treatment that is very gentle if needed.
Can I choose both treatments?
Sometimes an aesthetician will recommend doing both. If done carefully, a light chemical peel such as AHA or salicylic acid can work in combination with microdermabrasion. Just make sure you work with an aesthetician or surgeon that has experience combining these treatments.
During the start of the year, many of us take stock of what we’ve accomplished and focus on aspects of our life we hope to improve. If reducing lines, wrinkles and grooves on your face is near the top of your self-improvement wish list, you may want to consider Botox.
BOTOX injections may be the single most popular non-surgical procedure to reduce or eliminate facial lines, wrinkles and grooves.
Wrinkles emerge gradually
Crow’s feet, lines and even deep grooves appear on our faces over the years, the result of our natural expressiveness, lifestyle habits, and the tendency to move our facial muscles in habitual ways. For instance, you may squint a lot (when you’re concentrating, when you’re worried, when the sun is bright, or when you are trying to focus your vision.) As the years go by, this repetitive motion begins to carve lines in your face and can eventually result in a permanent expression of worry or intense concentration.
We frequently notice these facial lines and wrinkles on friends and strangers alike. At times, we also find ourselves looking at someone and wondering, “Why is she so angry?” or “Why is he so uptight and stressed?” We’re talking about that vertical line that runs down the center of the forehead: one of the most obvious facial flaws, in otherwise attractive men and women.
abdominoplasty, liposuction or breast reduction decreased by 17 percent. Like most markets in the United States, cosmetic surgery was affected by the economic recession.
web. Some people are interested but scared off by the possibility of side effects, while others are raving about their long, batty eyelashes. It’s obviously not right for everybody.
Daily Beauty: 
has been escalating in recent years. Now for Obagi Medical Products, that battle has found its way into the courthouse.
from scary and illegal “do-it-yourselfers” to smart people who simply want their treatments to be cost-effective and rewarding.
aspects of our life we hope to improve. If reducing lines, wrinkles and grooves on your face is near the top of your self-improvement wish list, you may want to consider Botox.
