Plastic Surgery Blog

Ever heard of StriVectin-SD? Probably not if you’ve never had to deal with stretch marks—a problem the cream is traditionally used to treat. Nowadays, women and men alike are applying this product to their faces to diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet. But is it better than Botox?

Don’t count on it. Even though StriVectin-SD is being promoted as a kind of miracle anti-wrinkle breakthrough (fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi is even pitching for it), Botox is still the preferred treatment for moderate to severe wrinkles around the brow and eye areas.

If you’re tempted to try it, and it does sound enticing, it’s probably wise to consult with a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon beforehand. It may work best when used in conjunction with some other treatment, that is if it works at all.

Technorati Tags: botox, cosmetic surgeon, Strivectin

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Almost all beauty magazines feature “quick fix� sections—those sections where the writers/editors recommend certain products guaranteed to give you that lift, boost, tan, or whatever it is you may need…quickly. I’ve always wondered about the products featured in these sections. Wrinkle erasers. Collagen boosters. Self-tanners. Hip slimmers. You name it, it’s out there. But do quick fixes really work?

The reason I ask is because I recently came across a section touting tummy tightening quick fixes. Who couldn’t use a bit of tummy tightening, right? The section featured a glorified girdle and firming body wash among several other items. One of the featured slimming secrets cost $85, which may seem reasonable to some people but not to me.

Even though not all quick fixes come with a high price tag, I’m still skeptical as to whether or not they work. Sometimes it’s just difficult to distinguish between good marketing and a good product.

Do people out there try these products, and if so, do they really work? If I were to spend $85 dollars on a skin firming cream, I would want some sort of guarantee. Otherwise, I may as well fork over a few extra dollars and hit the cosmetic surgeon’s office where I’m guaranteed to see results.

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There are always new and exciting things going on in the field of plastic surgery. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen stories on topics ranging from belly button reconstruction and fat grafting to consumer safety and the rise of minimally invasive procedures. Below are just a few of the top plastic surgery headlines to appear in the news recently…

Plastic Surgery Societies Issue Caution on Fat Grafting for Breast Augmentation

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) have announced that fat grafting for breast augmentation is not recommended at this time based on the lack of safety and efficacy data, and amid concerns that the procedure may interfere with accurate detection of cancer.

Drug Store vs. Boutique: How to Choose the Best Skin Care Products

Looking for a quick fix to erase wrinkles, tighten skin, reduce the signs of aging or treat acne could be as easy as a trip down to the local drug store. However, with so many over-the-counter products available, the beauty aisle can be overwhelming.

New Survey Reveals Dramatic Rise in Non-Invasive Procedures In Facial Plastic Surgery

Board certified facial plastic surgeons are meeting Americans’ demands for quicker results and less recovery time, according to a new survey by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS).

Do Your Homework Before Nip/Tuck

Most patients who go under the knife to enhance their assets or turn back the clock are pleased with the results, but many wish they had done more research before the procedure.

Technorati Tags: nip tuck, plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, skin care products, fat grafting breast augmentation

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Plastic surgery has become an undeniable, and some might even say integral, part of American culture. Everybody’s doing it, right? Well, maybe not everybody, but almost. In 2005, more than 11 million cosmetic procedures were performed in America, putting us at the top of the list of beauty-obsessed cultures. But we’re not the only ones who want to look 10 years younger, 5 pounds lighter, and 2 cup sizes bigger.

The International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery recently ranked countries across the globe according to the number of cosmetic procedures performed. You may be surprised to see which countries made the top ten:

1. United States
2. Mexico
3. Argentina
4. Spain
5. France
6. Germany
7. Brazil
8. South Africa
9. Turkey
10. Japan

According to ISAPS statistics, Botox, lipo, and breast augmentation were among the most sought after cosmetic procedures in the world—which just goes to show that we in America are far from alone in our aesthetic aspirations.

Technorati Tags: international plastic surgery, botox, liposuction, breast augmentation

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As plastic surgery gains wider acceptance in our society, more and more people are opting to go under the knife. But, like so many other things in our culture, plastic surgery can be addictive. The relevant question nowadays is not whether one should get plastic surgery but when should one stop getting it?

Michael Jackson, socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein (aka Cat Woman), and Liza Minelli’s infamous ex David Gest all look a little too plastic—the unfortunate result of one too many cosmetic procedures. It’s hard to believe that they wanted to look the way they do now, so why didn’t they stop while they were ahead?

This phenomenon, sadly, isn’t reserved to the realm of the rich and famous. How many of us don’t want to look better? Most of us, in fact, do, and some of us are willing to turn to plastic surgery for a little help. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. The problem arises when people don’t know how/when to stop turning to plastic surgery.

Some people spend tens, even hundreds, of thousands of dollars getting one plastic surgery procedure after another, racking up dozens of cosmetic procedures in the process. Is this really a healthy form of self-improvement?

Addiction to cosmetic procedures is often the symptom of a larger problem—the most common of which is body dysmorphic disorder. Plastic surgeons are trained to identify red flags associated with cosmetic surgery addiction, and most will not operate on a patient who they think may have a problem.

The bottom line: Plastic surgery can be a good thing, but too much of a good thing isn’t always a good thing…

Technorati Tags: bad plastic surgery, plastic surgery

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