Face

Face Lift

Face lifting and neck lifting have received considerable amount of attention over the years. Surgeons have scrambled to be the next one with a new catch phrase like Lifestyle lift or Quicklift to allure patients searching for the “latest” techniques. What they don’t want you to know is that most of these procedures utilize the same techniques employed by most face lifts. Remember, you get what you pay for . . . most of the time. Patients frequently look for the branded name on a TV commercial like the Lifestyle lift, Quicklift, or similar. It’s important to realize these branded names are marketing stunts to entice patients to request that branded name. Honestly, it’s brilliant from a marketing standpoint. However, patients don’t want to be victims of effective marketing. They want safe, perfect results. Plastic Surgeon Dr. Christopher Newman evaluates a patient’s desires and anatomy, then recommends the surgical options. This may include a Lifestyle lift or Quicklift or you may require more extensive surgery for the full face and neck lift. Most importantly, you will get a list of options and expectations before you make a decision.

Skin Care

Skin care encompasses so much including chemical peels, laser ablation, phototherapy, and preventative and maintenance therapies.  It also includes the use of products like Botox and dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse.  The proper skin care regimen can be recommended for the treatment of wrinkled skin, age spots, rosacea, and acne.  The decision which therapy to use is a personalized decision that your personal plastic surgeon can assist you in making.  Dr. Newman promotes physician directed skin care utilizing Obagi, Skin Medica and tretinoin.  Most patients benefit from a multidisciplinary approach in transforming their skin to restore a youthful radiance that we once had.

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, also known as nose job, is also a very popular plastic surgery procedure.  Rhinoplasty can help refine a bulbous nasal tip, prominent dorsal hump and even improve breathing when combined with a septoplasty.  A rhinoplasty can be done via an open or closed technique. S urgeons disagree on which technique is better, but most agree that surgeons should perform the technique that they are most comfortable with.  Rhinoplasty is typically an outpatient procedure performed in the ambulatory surgery setting and takes between one hour and 4 hours to complete, depending on the complexity of the procedure.

Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty can be performed to remove loose skin in the upper and lower eyelids. Usually the incision is concealed in natural eyelid folds and there is little downtime. When performed alone, blepharoplasty can occasionally be performed in the office setting saving hundreds, if not thousands of dollars for the patient.  Occasionally, a patient with laxity in the lower lid requires a canthoplasty or canthopexy to avoid ectropion. 

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer affects people of all demographics. The most common risk factor is sun exposure and is related to the exposure that occurred before 20 years of age. Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma are more common than Melanoma, but surgical excision is the treatment of choice for all skin cancers. The management of these skin cancers including reconstruction can be coordinated by your personal plastic surgeon. Don’t wait to schedule your appointment as a delay in care can result in larger less appealing scars. Many times your skin cancer can be treated in the office in less than 30 minutes. Skin cancer treatment is not cosmetic even when located on the face, so insurance typically covers the procedure.

Laser Resurfacing (Erbium, Fraxel, DOT Therapy)

Laser resurfacing is a common procedure performed to remove fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation or sun spots, and to tighten the skin to improve laxity that comes with aging. While there are many types of lasers, the development of fractionated lasers has changed our approach to laser resurfacing. Patients want no downtime or minimal downtime after having laser resurfacing. Two options exist for minimal downtime laser resurfacing. First, you can have your treatment done with the latest technology available which is the fractionated Smartxide DOT CO2 Laser. This laser uses the same technology that traditional CO2 lasers have used for the past 15 years but reduces the downtime from 3 weeks to about 10 days. Unfortunately there is a trade off. You get less dramatic results and still have pink or redness for up to 6 months. Option 2 is to have resurfacing using the Erbium based laser. Treatments can run half the cost and reduce the downtime to about 5-7 days, depending on your desired result. The only downside is that you may have less tightening of the skin compared to CO2 lasers. Erbium lasers are safer comparatively because there is less collateral damage to surrounding tissues and allow the Plastic Surgeon to air brush your treatment which underscores the artistic nature of laser resurfacing. Many complaints with regard to laser resurfacing are because physicians frequently use the “one size fits all” mentality giving all patients the same treatment when a customized treatment is really what is needed.

Injectables (Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse)

While there are many injectables used in medical aesthetics, not all injectables accomplish the same goal. Botox Cosmetic and Dysport are proteins injected into the muscle to temporarily relax it resulting in softening if not eliminating unwanted lines such as those in the crows feet area and between the eyebrows. Dermal fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane, Radiesse, and Sculptra are used to create volume which may be used to both soften static lines or camouflage settling areas of the face such as the jowl or nasolabial fold area. In the right hands, enhancement of areas of the face such as the malar area can restore the youthful proportions of malar and cheek prominences. It’s important to be treated by a clinician who understands the indications for the use of injectables and who posesses an artistic eye. Many injectors lack the surgical experience to appreciate 3 dimensional relationships of anatomy. Plastic Surgeon Dr. Christopher Newman has years of experience with both Botox Cosmetic and dermal fillers while posessing the artistic eye to accomplish these goals.

Botox

Botox injections have become the most popular nonsurgical method for facial rejuvenation. Botox, when injected correctly, can reduce or eliminate lines created during facial animation. Permanent lines in the forehead can typically be eliminated with the combination of Botox injections and use of Obagi Skin Care. Botox is a purified protein used to reduce muscle activity. Botox typically lasts between 3 and 4 months. With retreatments every 3 months, the treated muscle becomes smaller requiring less Botox in subsequent treatements. Botox can be used to treat the glabella (between the brow), forehead, crows feet, decreased eyelid opening, lip lines, and platysmal bands (muscular bands from the chin to the voice box).

Caution should be used when selecting a Botox injector because, like many other cosmetic procedures including Juvederm injection, Radiesse injection, and liposuction (VASER or Slim Lipo), everyone is doing it. This means the challenge to find a quality injector is placed on the patient. Unwanted side effects typically result from inexperienced injectors. While many fly by night med spas offer “Botox Parties” and huge discounts, these are usually performed by non Plastic Surgeons. Botox in the wrong hands can be dangerous. Ask yourself, is it more important that I save $50 bucks on my Botox, or is it better to be safe by choosing a Plastic Surgeon to inject the Botox?