Study Uncovers Anti-Aging Benefits of Rhinoplasty

Posted on January 25, 2012 by editor2

benefits of rhinoplasty A new study reveals that in addition to reshaping the nose, rhinoplasty may also make you look younger.

The study found that the anti-aging benefits of rhinoplasty were statistically significant, and, on average, patients looked 1.5 years younger after the procedure, according to Ali Sepehr, MD, and researchers at the University of Toronto.

During the study, 50 people guessed the ages of 53 rhinoplasty patients in before-and-after photos. The patients ranged in age from 15 to 61, and about three-quarters were women.

Patients who had a hump reduced or removed saw the greatest anti-aging effect. Among these patients, the reduction in perceived age was 1.6 years younger after surgery, compared to 1.1 years for patients who did not have a hump prior to surgery. Those with a droopy tip also saw more of the age reduction benefit.

Whether a patient was older or younger at the time of surgery was less of a factor, the researchers reported.

“Older patients tended to enjoy a greater degree of rejuvenation,” they wrote in the study. But the differences between age reduction in older vs. younger patients was not statistically significant.

While rhinoplasty may make you look slightly younger, this benefit is not the reason people choose the procedure. Patients are usually motivated to have nose surgery in order to improve the look of their nose or to improve their breathing.

Dr. Sepehr told Reuters Health, “I wouldn’t say that in terms of the findings of this study, it adds a major reason to go forward with the procedure. It’s just a nice added benefit when somebody’s already going to get the procedure for another purpose.”

Nose surgery can reduce the size of the nose, remove bumps, improve the nasal angle and alleviate breathing problems. To learn more about nose surgery, contact Dr. Kluska at the Center for Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery.

Sources: MedPage Today, Reuters Health

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Combining Cosmetic Procedures in One Session Popular for Breasts, Buttocks

Posted on January 16, 2012 by editor2

multiple cosmetic surgeries A cosmetic surgeon touts the benefits of multiple cosmetic surgeries in one session for the breasts or buttocks in the latest Cosmetic Surgery Times.

Dr. Samir Pancholi, a Las Vegas cosmetic surgeon, says that he often performs breast augmentation and breast lift surgery in the same session and liposuction with fat grafting techniques when performing the Brazilian butt lift.

Breast Surgeries

Patients who have lost the shape and fullness of their breasts, such as massive weight loss patients and postpartum women, are often good candidates for a combination of a breast lift and breast implants.

The breast lift, also known as mastopexy, results in a more ideal positioning of the nipple and breast, but it does not adequately address the lack of fullness of the breast in those patients, Dr. Pancholi says.

“In order to achieve a more voluptuous-looking breast…I often combine a mastopexy with breast implant surgery. The breasts are not only higher up but also have a fullness to them because of the implant,” he says.

Buttock Enhancements

By combining liposuction with fat grafting techniques when performing a Brazilian butt lift, the rounded shape of the buttocks can become more enhanced.

Dr. Pancholi says he typically performs liposuction to remove fat at the waist and upper and lower back, which causes a slight hollowing of the area and results in an accentuated curve of the buttocks. Then for a more enhanced curving effect, he takes the fat harvested during liposuction and injects it into the buttocks.

Benefits of Combination Procedures

In the past, patients might have had one breast surgery and then had the other six months later, but combining them can have benefits.

“Combining the two makes much more sense in terms of having one surgery, one recovery, reduced cost and achieving the final result without a second surgery,” according to Dr. Pancholi.

There are other areas of the body where surgeons are performing multiple procedures at one time. The New York Times recently reported that a California surgeon has combined eyelid surgery and a brow lift to create an “All-in-One Eye Lid and Brow.”

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Easy Ways to Fight Dry Skin This Winter

Posted on January 9, 2012 by editor2

winter dry skin tips Ward off dry winter skin with these skin care tips that dermatologists shared with the Associated Press.

Winter Dry Skin Tips

Avoid hot showers. Dr. Neil Sadick, a dermatologist in New York City, says to avoid hot showers. Even though they may be comforting when it’s cold out, hot showers further dehydrate your skin, says Dr. Sadick. “Make showers as tepid as you can tolerate,” he said.

Be sure to use a moisturizer. Dr. Alicia Zalka, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale, recommends an old standby: Vaseline. She says that if you’ve already got very dry skin it can be good to use it for a few days as a sealer and a protectant. Plus, if your skin is already cracked, it doesn’t sting, she says.

Also wear sunscreen to protect skin from sun damage, even in the winter. Dr. Sadick recommends applying a broadband sunscreen once a day.

Think before you drink. Drink beverages with alcohol or caffeine in moderation, as they can be dehydrating, says dermatologist Dr. David Orentreich.

Do drink water to stay hydrated, but don’t rely on it to keep your skin healthy while it’s cold.

Use a humidifier. Dr Orentreich also recommends using a humidifier in your house, especially in your bedroom. That way “healing and repair can take place while you sleep,” he says.

In addition to your skin, also take special care of your hair and nails during the winter, as they can crack and split like the skin does, according to Dr. Zalka. Try B vitamin supplements to improve hair and nails, she says.

Dr. Sadick also suggests using a conditioner more frequently during the winter to keep hair from getting too dry.

Learn more about skin care and facials available at the Center for Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery in Greensburg, PA.

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Allergan Reassures Patients of Safety of Its Breast Implants

Posted on January 5, 2012 by editor2

safety of breast implants Allergan, one of the manufacturers of breast implants approved for use in the United States, released a statement on the safety of its breast implants, following an investigation into French implant maker Poly Implant Prothese (PIP).

France’s health minister recommended French women have silicone gel implants made by Poly Implant Prosthese (PIP) removed. Allergan is not part of the investigation.

PIP used cheaper industrial silicone instead of medical silicone for the implants, and they appear to have an unusually high rupture rate, according to investigators. The PIP implants were removed from the market last year and have never been used in the United States.

Estimates say that around 30,000 women in France have the PIP implants. Tens of thousands more women in Britain, Italy, Spain and other countries in Europe and South America also have had PIP implants.

Allergan’s breast implant devices, including Natrelle, were not part of the investigation. Just last year, the FDA reaffirmed the safety of silicone breast implants in the U.S.

“All Allergan implants are manufactured at our state-of-the-art facility using silicone and saline that is approved for use in medical devices and are designed to meet all relevant national and international Quality Control Standards and Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP),” stated Allergan’s press release.

Allergan also offered specifics on the manufacturing of its implants: from start to finish, it can take up to 12 days to manufacture an Allergan breast implant, which undergoes almost 100 quality control tests.

Allergan’s breast implants have been used for almost 50 years. Their gel-filled breast implants have been available in Europe since 1997 and received U.S. FDA approval in 2006.

According to Allergan, silicone gel-filled breast implants are among the most studied medical devices, with more than 3,000 studies supporting their safe use.

In addition to Allergan, Johnson & Johnson’s Mentor also makes a silicone breast implant approved by the FDA.

Patients should recognize that while breast implants are safe, they are not lifetime devices. It’s possible that at some point a patient may need to have an implant removed or replaced.

Learn more about breast augmentation in Greensburg, PA.

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Study Finds Link Between Smoking and Skin Cancer in Women

Posted on December 27, 2011 by editor2

smoking and skin cancer

Cigarro by jfjwak on Flickr

Smoking can wreak havoc on a woman’s skin. And now a new study links tobacco use to skin cancer as well.

Women who smoked for 20 years or more were twice as likely to develop squamous cell skin cancer than those who didn’t smoke. The second most common type of skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer forms on cells of the skin’s outermost layer and is less aggressive than melanoma.

While the study found an association between smoking and skin cancer, it did not prove a cause and effect.

Study Details

The study compared 383 patients with skin cancer to 315 people without it. Researchers collected information on how much participants smoked, when they started smoking and the number of years they smoked.

In total, 355 men and 343 women participated in the study; all participants were white, which is the group who is most at risk for skin cancer.

The more people smoked, the more likely they were to have skin cancer, said the study’s lead author Dana Rollison.

Skin Cancer & Smoking: Gender Differences

For male participants, those who smoked had a “modest” risk for basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer, but the results weren’t statistically significant, according to the study authors.

Rollinson said they aren’t sure why there was a difference between the men’s and women’s risk, but the female hormone estrogen may play a role, she said.

How Smoking Ages Your Skin

While not as serious as cancer, smoking can also cause damage that ages your skin. It can cause wrinkles, uneven skin tone, sagging and lines around the lips.

There are non-invasive procedures that can help correct some of the cosmetic problems caused by smoking. Laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels remove the outer layer of skin, where the damage caused by smoking is most visible.

Image: Cigarro by jfjwak on Flickr

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Americans Still Willing to Spend on Cosmetic Surgery

Posted on December 19, 2011 by editor2

Americans are still willing to spend on cosmetic surgeryWe’re cutting back our spending in many areas, but we aren’t willing to sacrifice our looks. Cosmetic surgery spending remains strong, even in the current economy, says Newsweek.

Consider this: between 2009 and 2010 Americans spent less on food, housing, clothes and entertainment, according to the article. Yet the popularity of cosmetic surgery grew during this same time, with people increasing their spending on cosmetic procedures, such as:

Why Cosmetic Surgery Is More Popular Than Ever

Why the increase in spending on cosmetic surgery? A potential career boost is one reason: some hope a nose job could lead to a real job.

For instance, one surgeon reported that recently more patients say they hope their younger look will help them stay competitive in their jobs.

Since some see it as an investment in their careers, they may use financing options that are now available to many cosmetic surgery patients. Financing options have allowed more people, who may not have been able to afford it otherwise, to undergo procedures. One surgeon in Michigan reported that about one in six of his patients will borrow money to pay for their procedures.

The cosmetic industry has also focused more on new marketing strategies in recent years. Consumers can find Groupon deals on some procedures or attend Botox parties with friends, for instance.

Finally, there’s more acceptance of cosmetic surgery in general, with 69 percent of people 18 to 24 saying they approve of cosmetic procedures. Meanwhile, cosmetic surgery is up almost 30 percent for senior citizens in the last five years.

Interested in cosmetic surgery in Greensburg, PA? Contact Dr. Kluska, and check out our current specials.

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Vaginal Reduction Surgery Patient Shares Story on The Doctors TV

Posted on December 12, 2011 by editor2

vaginal reduction surgery on The DoctorsVaginal rejuvenation procedures, such as labiaplasty, are not common cosmetic procedures, but they have been gaining popularity in recent years. The Doctors TV program even highlighted a patient who underwent vaginal reduction surgery on a recent episode.

Shannon, the 23-year-old patient, reported that she felt deformed and said she had “constant discomfort throughout the day.” A urologist suggested labia reduction surgery for Shannon, which was performed by another surgeon. Shannon said she avoided sex and wearing swimsuits before the procedure.

While Shannon said she couldn’t be more happy with the results, some in the medical community say that cosmetic surgery for the vaginal area is misguided and risky.

However, patients, like Shannon, are becoming more open to these procedures.

A 2009 report on less common cosmetic surgery procedures by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery included vaginal rejuvenation on its list of “fringe” procedures that participants were surveyed about. Over a quarter of respondents were open to trying a less common procedure, such as vaginal rejuvenation.

How is Vaginal Reduction Surgery Performed?

For women with large or irregular labia, which may be the result of genetics, hormones or inflammation, the procedure reduces irregularities of the labia.

The surgery removes excess tissue and then re-contours the skin with absorbable stitches. Patients can expect the incisions to be healed in about two to three weeks. Sexual activity can usually be resumed about six weeks after surgery.

Learn More About Labiaplasty

Watch the segment from The Doctors and learn more about vaginal reduction surgery near Pittsburgh.

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Silicone Injections Not Viable Procedure for Enhancing Buttocks

Posted on December 5, 2011 by editor2

silicone buttock injectionsThe Baltimore Sun recently reported on a dangerous trend: women getting illegal silicone buttock injections from nondoctors.

A dancer in Baltimore was admitted to the hospital in March with silicone in her lungs after the procedure, and the FDA is investigating this and other instances across the U.S.

The woman who injected the dancer, who is not a doctor or nurse, was arrested in October. Court records also showed the silicone may have come from a home improvement store.

The medical-grade liquid version of silicone is only approved for the treatment of detached retinas, according to the FDA. But in the past, doctors have used it for procedures, including breast augmentation and lip enhancement.

Doctors say injectable silicone is dangerous and is not used in procedures today, as it causes an inflammatory reaction in the tissue where it’s injected, and it can spread to other organs. The encased silicone used for breast and buttock implants is considered safe.

Safe Alternatives to Silicone Buttock Injections

There are cosmetic surgery procedures that are safe for augmenting the buttocks, such as fat transfer. The procedure, which is often used for the face, is referred to as a Brazilian butt lift when used for buttock augmentation.

During the procedure, fat is harvested from another area of the body, such as the abdomen, through liposuction. The fat is then purified and injected into the buttock tissue.

Buttock implants are another option. During the procedure, a silicone gel implant is inserted beneath the gluteus maxiumus muscle.

If you are interested in a cosmetic procedure, be sure to choose a qualified cosmetic surgeon. The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery provides guidelines for choosing a surgeon on its website.

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Can Cutting Calories Slow Down the Aging Process?

Posted on November 28, 2011 by editor2

slow down aging processYou may already be thinking about New Year’s resolutions, which might include losing weight. It turns out eating less may also have anti-aging benefits.

Consuming fewer calories can slow down the aging process, according to researchers at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg. And the sooner one cuts down on calories, the greater the effect.

”We are able to show that caloric restriction slows down aging by preventing an enzyme, peroxiredoxin, from being inactivated. This enzyme is also extremely important in counteracting damage to our genetic material,” says Mikael Molin of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology.

Other studies have shown that restricting calories can delay the onset of some age-related diseases, such as cancer and type 2 diabetes, but it was unclear why. The researchers were able to identify peroxiredoxin 1, Prx1, one of the enzymes needed for the anti-aging effects of caloric restriction to work effectively.

The study showed that Prx1 is damaged as we age, but caloric restriction counteracts this by producing more of the enzyme Srx1, which repairs Prx1.

“Impaired Prx1 function leads to various types of genetic defects and cancer. Conversely, we can now speculate whether increased repair of Prx1 during ageing can counteract, or at least delay, the development of cancer,” according to the study.

The enzyme has also been linked to disorders that affect the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The researchers plan to study if stimulation of Prx1 could delay the onset of these diseases.

The study’s results, published in Molecular Cell journal, are promising, but be sure to consult with your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet.

While cosmetic procedures can’t slow down the internal aging process, they can help you look younger. For instance, Botox and fillers can help smooth away wrinkles that appear as we age. Schedule a consultation with your cosmetic surgeon to learn more about procedures that are right for you.

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Patients Find Emotional Support on Breast Augmentation Forums

Posted on November 17, 2011 by editor2

breast augmentation forumsBreast augmentation forums on the Internet can provide emotional support to women who are considering or have undergone the procedure, according to a new study.

The study found that overall the forums are a positive experience for women. “Through electronic postings, they cared for and nursed each others’ anxiety and feelings throughout the whole process,” wrote the researchers at Oslo University Hospital.

Online forums have made it easier for patients to connect and communicate with others interested in breast augmentation. The researchers suggested that for women who are looking for information on the procedure, the Internet “is one of the most important or perhaps the most important, source of knowledge on the topic.”

The women used forums and message boards to share information and experiences on breast augmentation and to examine their reasons for choosing the procedure.

The message boards are also a place for getting support and building relationships as well. “The most profound element of the forum culture was the provision of support to other women,” the researchers wrote. “By sharing and exchanging thoughts, the women nursed each other in terms of their doubts, bitterness, pain, sadness, excitement, elation, and happiness.”

The study found the forums offered women support throughout the process. For instance, before surgery women discussed how they were making decisions with regard to implant size, profile, shape, placement and material. After surgery, discussions included their experiences with soreness, swelling, pain and postoperative self-care.

Women on the message boards also discussed relationships with their self-image and their surgeons.

The researchers located the online forum they studied using Google. Here are a few popular breast augmentation forums:

Learn more about breast augmentation near Pittsburgh.

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