10 Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Predictions for 2011

1. The growth and popularity of cosmetic injectables (Botox, Dysport, Sculptra, Radiesse, Evolence, Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane etc.) will continue to increase as products continue to evolve and new products enter the market.

2. Unfortunately there’s some bad news. Consumers looking for a bargain on cosmetic procedures will unfortunately continue to lead to an increase in horror stories about “discount injectables” bought offshore and cosmetic medicine and cosmetic surgical procedures performed by untrained or poorly trained practitioners. Always always always be aware of what you are injecting into your body and who does the injection! This cannot be stressed enough!

3. The population will continue to realize the dangers and health consequences of obesity. Therefore the number of patients for plastic surgery procedures such as body contouring after dramatic weight loss will rise in 2011.

4. Since such a large part of the population has undergone breast augmentaion, this year many women with aging implants and/or breast ptosis will replace their implants and have breast lifts.

5. While liposuction will continue to be the leading method in fat reduction, there will be continued interest in experimental techniques for non-invasive fat removal (freezing, zapping, lasering, etc.) as a future alternative or adjunct to liposuction surgery.

6. The appeal of both aesthetic surgery and cosmetic medicine will continue to spread across the diverse population, as plastic surgeons continue to create treatments to meet the sometimes unique needs of that expanding population.

8. As the baby boomer generation ages, the demand for facelifts and other facial rejuvenation surgery will increase. Non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures will also see an increase, but those who have been putting off surgery for the past few years will be ready for the new advances in facial rejuvenation in 2011.

8. A shapely booty is the must have accessory for 2011! In the coming year patients will be seeking lifts as well as surgical and nonsurgical buttock augmentations to shape and augment their posterior!

9. Most patients receive their information from either the TV or the internet. This trend will continue, therefore patients want proof that the treatment is effective and safe. Plastic surgeons will continue to practice and promote evidence-based medicine and will continue to present them to the patients for them to feel confident about their experience.

Injectables & Wrinkles: The Three Types of Wrinkles

In order to treat wrinkles effectively, knowledge is power! Most people think of wrinkles as a single problem – but actually, there are three kinds of wrinkles with different solutions.

There are three types of wrinkles: dynamic wrinkles, static wrinkles, and wrinkle folds.

Dynamic wrinkles are caused by contraction of muscles that are attached to the overlying skin. Each muscle contraction causes the skin to bunch together, forming lines between the bulk of the muscle. The most common locations for dynamic wrinkles are between the eyebrows (frown), across the forehead, and crow’s feet.

Weakening these muscles will cause a reduction in the severity of the facial wrinkles, or can prevent them altogether when muscle weakening is done before wrinkles form. Some of the muscles can be weakened temporarily with an injection of Botox or Dysport into targeted muscles to temporarily decrease the muscle action for approximately 3-4 months, preventing wrinkle formation.

Static wrinkles are due to lack of elasticity of the skin caused from sun damage, smoking, genetics, poor nutrition, or from prolonged dynamic wrinkling. Static facial wrinkles are visible regardless of muscle contraction. Static wrinkles can be treated with hyaluronic acid dermal fillers like Juvederm.

The third type of wrinkles, called wrinkle folds, is often due to sagging of the underlying facial structures, most notably causing the naso-labial groove (the deep grooves between the nose and mouth). The folds can be camouflaged temporarily by plumping up the groove from beneath with hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane, Radiesse and Perlane. These materials typically last for anywhere from 3 to 9 months, depending on the material used and the location of the injection.

Most people have a combination of all three types of facial wrinkles, especially as we advance in age. In our current state of immediacy and on-the-go attitude, injections to dynamic wrinkles, static wrinkles and wrinkle folds seem to be the easiest and most effective solution to revive the face without any downtime.

Latisse is the Eyelash Boost of the Future!!!

I’ve always had a serious problem with weak eyelashes. My lashes were long black and voluminous in high school and college…but I think multiple nights of falling asleep with my makeup still on (the cardinal sin!) and scrubbing my face clean the morning after either ripped my lashes out or rubbed them down until they were gone.

I’ve been on the search to solve this problem for a very long time – years. Many mascaras claim to fatten up lashes…but they don’t extend them long enough for me. It’s always one or the other – thicker OR longer. I have tried countless mascaras to no avail…so I finally looked to another option to achieve the gorgeous lashes of my dreams.

Ok – so I know this sounds like a fantasy. Lashes that are long, thick, black and voluminous? I didn’t think it was possible myself – but a friend of mine recommended Latisse so I tried it out and I am blissfully happy with the results.

Latisse is the first and only FDA approved eyelash enhancement product. Produced by Allergen (the same company who manufactures Botox), the prescription is used to treat hypotrichosis, a technical term for having too few eyelashes.

Latisse evolved because it has bimatoprost, which is an FDA approved drug used to treat glaucoma and manage ocular pressure. One of the side effects of using this drug is hair growth, which is effectively used by Allergan in Latisse to promote eyelash growth. The inactive ingredients include benzalkonium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, dibasic, citric acid and purified water.

Latisse has to be applied every night to the base of the upper eyelashes with a sterile, disposable applicator for about eight weeks. I noticed a significant difference with my eyelashes within 2 weeks however some others will take up to 4-8 weeks to see significant results.

Latisse is not sold over the counter; you need a prescription for it. You can call any plastic surgeon’s or dermatologist’s office and ask to see if they carry it. I called a plastic surgeon’s office for Latisse and asked if they had it, and in fact…they had a 2 for 1 special on the sets. This is a great deal because each set is $150 – but there’s enough application in each set for 30 days!

The only drawback to Latisse is that once you start – it’s best to keep it up! If you stop applying the Latisse to your eyelashes nightly, your lashes will go back to the state that they were in before. In my case, that means back to weak short lashes. No thanks!

But, if you tend to be hypo-allergic to food and/or beauty products – I would tread carefully. Some have had allergic reactions to Latisse (such as redness and itching at application site or hyperpigmentation). The allergic reactions are not severe and have remedies available – but always be aware of any products that you use and your possible reaction to them.

Latisse is an extremely impressive lash amplifier that I love and recommend! It is an incredible boost to your lashes that guarantees results! Give your plastic surgeon or dermatologist a call and treat yourself to the gorgeous lashes that you’ve always wanted!

www.latisse.com

An Introduction...

The world of beauty is alive, vibrant and evolving! It’s amazing to chronicle the transformation of skincare, cosmetics, beauty enhancers and plastic surgery from the 1950’s to today! Gone are the days of trusting in traditional old wives tales promising anti-aging secrets. Now science has blazed a trail with medical products that deliver REAL results! Gone are the days of settling for undesirable face or body parts. Not only does plastic surgery cater to our desires, but now we also have the option of injectables or other beauty enhancers to give us the same effect- without having to undergo the surgical table.

It is common to see men and women that have had some form of work done, and they appear, without question, to look at bare minimum 10 years younger – if not 20 years younger. That young fresh look is due to cosmeceuticals, beauty enhancers and plastic surgery.

The abundance of cosmeceuticals, injections and plastic surgery has made science, medicine and beauty the holy trilogy and the secret to staying looking young!

Here I will share my research and reviews on the most current medically boosted skincare and beauty products, beauty enhancers and plastic surgery news as well as honest reviews of procedures. I’m a skeptic at heart…so I will give honest reviews of products and promise to endorse products and or procedures that I firmly stand behind!

Join me as we follow this exciting discovery of the Evolution of Beauty!