Benefits of a Nose Job Extend Beyond Cosmetic Purposes

From makeup, to skincare products, to plastic surgery, patients go to great lengths to enhance their facial beauty. As the demand for cosmetic treatments continues to increase, nose jobs are consistently among the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed on the face.   

Because the nose is the centerpiece of the face, feeling uncomfortable about the size, shape, or any other minor issues can make a patient feel less confident about his or her appearance. Fortunately, a rhinoplasty procedure can correct any flaws of the nose and, in turn, boost a patient's confidence.  

During initial consultation appointments, I always mention to prospective patients that rhinoplasty produces additional benefits beyond the cosmetic ones. Nose surgery can be performed to open airways and improve breathing, which can add oxygen to the blood stream and increase energy. Opening the airways of the nasal cavity also assists in enhancing breathing while sleeping, allowing for a full night’s sleep that increases overall health and improves a patient’s mood.   

When it comes to the actual procedure, I inform my patients of the 2 main approaches: open or closed nose surgery. Open rhinoplasty approaches the base of the nose through an incision, whereas closed rhinoplasty reshapes the nose from inside. Then, we trim and reshape the cartilage inside the nose to achieve the desired shape and size.  

I feel it is also important to highlight that a rhinoplasty procedure is performed within a couple of hours, yet requires a recovery process that lasts up to 6 weeks. However, I have found the swelling reduces between 2-3 weeks, which allows my patients to see the results sooner. The additional weeks of recovery are reserved for the internal healing of the reshaped areas.   

I also advise telling patients what they can expect following the procedure. Many experience some bruising after a nose job, which can appear in the form of darkened eyes and welts in the operated area. As I mentioned before, the swelling will be present initially, but it will subside within a couple of weeks.   Regardless of whether a patient is considering rhinoplasty to correct a breathing problem or for aesthetic purposes, a nose job can significantly improve a patient’s self-esteem, and that is something one cannot put a price tag on. As healthcare professionals, it is our job to ensure every patient has the necessary education and tools to make an appropriate decision regarding rhinoplasty. 

By Robert T. Grant, MD, MSc, FACS, www.hcplive.com

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Historical plastic surgery becomes modern beauty

by Maritza Rodriguez 

Wake Forest University professor David Lubin discussed reconstructive surgery from World War I and modern-day cosmetic surgery. | Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

A distinguished visual scholar visited the University and lectured on the development of reconstructive plastic surgery during World War I and its impact on public standards and perceptions of beauty in a classroom packed with students, colleagues, and faculty members.

“The Great War was the first and last major conflict in which trench warfare played a defining role,” said Wake Forest University Charlotte C. Weber Professor of Art David M. Lubin.

While the trenches protected men’s bodies, their heads were left exposed.

“A sniper’s bullet could shear off the jaw or tear away the nose of any man who had the misfortune to raise his head at the wrong moment,” Lubin said. “Advances in battlefield medicine and transport services were vital in saving the lives of people who, in previous wars, would have died immediately or within days.”

I have seen survivors without faces, Lubin said, quoting a British WWI nurse.

It was in the aftermath of this war that reconstructive plastic surgery truly began. Military surgeons often did operations in extreme conditions, and they developed this line of surgery as a result of those men without faces, Lubin said.

Eventually, he said, the public started to see cosmetic surgery as acceptable as reconstructive plastic surgery.

“Cosmetic surgery, loftily renamed aesthetic surgery, was a subset of plastic surgery,” Lubin said. “As cosmetic surgery gained credibility, so too did the use of cosmetic makeup.”

Previously, makeup was associated with dishonesty, and women who wore makeup were called “painted women,” Lubin said.

“It was socially wrong for a woman to appear in public with makeup,” Lubin said. “After WWI, it was socially inappropriate for a woman to appear in public without makeup.”

People’s new acceptance of cosmetics was associated with their acceptance of the mask aesthetic, which permeated everyday life. When a woman applies mascara, she’s putting on a mask, Lubin said.

“That’s the Italian word for mask,” Lubin said, referring to mascara.

After WWI, the “mask aesthetic” was relevant to those disfigured men as well. The Red Cross set up a studio in Paris run by Anna Coleman Ladd, an American sculptor. She and her team made masks for disfigured soldiers; they sought to make their creations as lifelike as possible, to accomplish what surgery could not and restore their old faces.

“Previously, when these broken-faced men had gone on supervised forays into the city accompanied by their nurses, onlookers gawked at them and sometimes even fainted,” Lubin said. “The men called this the ‘Medusa effect.’ Supplied now with tin and copper masks, they could, in theory at least, walk down the Parisian boulevard without eliciting stares.”

Ladd thought these masks would help them slip back into society and find happiness.

“I can’t help but wonder if she was overly optimistic about their chances for physical reintegration,” Lubin said.

Throughout the lecture, he mentioned Greta Garbo, an actress who was considered one of the most beautiful women in world. Her face, he said, was seen as unattainable perfection, a lovely mask.

“Garbo’s exceptional beauty, it should be noted, was carefully constructed at the behest of her studio, MGM,” Lubin said. “Her appearance was manufactured; she secretly had numerous cosmetic surgeries. Garbo was brought into line with the existing ideal of beauty. In and of itself, the First World War was not the cause of the modern beauty revolution — that was already underway when it began — but the war accelerated the transformation.”

At the conclusion of the event, Lubin was loudly applauded by his audience members.

“It was really interesting,” English sophomore Kathryn Weems said. “It opened up a lot of new ideas about WWI for me.”

arts@thedailycougar.com

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Facelift Facts – eligibility criteria and procedure

Facelifts, or rhytidectomies are cosmetic procedures that allow a person to (quite literally) uplift their appearance to feel and look more youthful. If you are giving a thought to indulging yourself in a facelift, you may wish to educate yourself about the eligibility criteria and procedure involved in this surgical process.

Facelift Eligibility

Anyone can get a facelift, as long as they need one. What does that even mean? How will you know if you need one? Well, the main reason for getting a facelift is to get rid of your aging skin and replace it with younger looking skin. So patients with apparent signs of aging on their face, such as wrinkles and sagging skin, are definitely eligible for this procedure.

While examining the patient for a facelift, the doctor will look at the facial bone structure, skin type, skin density, skin texture etc. Once these elements are scrutinized for any sensitivities or faults, the doctor will recommend a plan of action. The advantage of getting a facelift is that there are many different types of procedures that work towards tightening and smoothening the skin. So there is always a procedure for a certain type of face. Of course, the patients’ eligibility will depend on finding a perfect treatment plan that corresponds well with their facial structure.

If the patient is a smoker, they will be asked to quit smoking before the surgery. They are not very many health issues that can get in the way of a facelift surgery. However, smoking could increase the post-surgical complications involved in this treatment.

Facelift Procedure

Once the doctor examines your face and decides on a treatment method, you will be administered either twilight or general anesthesia. The first step to a facelift procedure it to mark out the area to be lifted. Usually the incision in made right in front of the ear all the way to the hairline. This incision may also be extended backwards to the back of the head.

Once the skin is peeled off, the surgeon begins to remove deeper tissues so as to be able to lighten the load placed on the skin. The removal of the deeper tissue also depends on age and general health of the patient, as there may be more excess tissue present in some patients. After the tissue is removed, the skin is placed back over the face. Of course, due to the decrease in the volume of tissue beneath the skin, it may be necessary to remove some of the skin altogether. The doctor will use his or her judgment to decide how much skin needs to be removed. The rest of the skin is tightly sutured back, to bring back the youthfulness and fullness of the skin.

Sometimes a facelift may need to be complimented with liposuction and muscle tightening in the neck and jaws. This may be necessary if too much tissue is extracted from under the skin, hence finding a need to balance out the rest of the face. Of course, you must discuss any additional surgery with your surgeon beforehand to avoid any unwarranted surprises.

Reference: www.cosmeticforest.com

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98% of women agree that a Mommy Makeover is worth it

The Mommy Makeover is becoming more and more popular. These procedures usually include Breast Augmentation, Liposuction, Tummy Tuck and possibly Labiaplasty (Vaginal Rejuvenation). Let our doctors help you decide which procedures would be right for you. They will make you feel safe and comfortable, but most importantly, get you back to the body you've been missing. Please visit our website for before and after photos. www.takeshape.info. And visit this link to read real stories about women who have undergone the Mommy Makeover http://www.realself.com/Mommy-makeover/reviews.

You can get these results and more from the doctors at Take Shape Plastic Surgery.

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Lasers in Skin Disorders

How is laser used to treat skin disorders?

• Laser is a very pure and intense light source.
• When the laser light shines onto the skin, a certain target in the skin absorbs the laser light.
• Different targets in the skin will absorb laser light of different characteristics. After absorption of the laser light, the target may be physically altered or destroyed.
• Therefore, laser is used to selectively destroy unwanted targets in the skin. For example, unwanted pigments and blood vessels. Specific laser system is needed to treat specific skin condition.

What are the skin disorders that can be treated by lasers?

• Unwanted skin growths

1. Carbon dioxide laser is selectively absorbed by water content within the cells of these growths, resulting in excessive heat generation within the growths and subsequent destruction of the growth.
2. Some of the skin growths that can be treated with laser include viral warts, seborrhoeic warts, sebaceous hyperplasia and syringomas.

• Unwanted wrinkles and scars

1. Carbon dioxide laser can be used to remove the superficial layers of skin to allow re-growth of healthier, firmer and better looking skin.

• Pigmentary disorders

1. Pigment laser light is selectively absorbed by the pigment target within the skin and results in selective destruction of the pigment target.
2. Some of the pigmented disorders that can be treated with the pigment lasers include unwanted tattoos, solar lentigines (sunspots, liver spots) and black birth marks.
3. Often multiple laser treatment are required.

• Blood vessel disorders

1. Vascular laser light is selectively absorbed by red blood cells within the blood vessels, resulting in heating within the vessels and subsequent sealing up of the vessels.
2. Vascular lasers can be used to treat blood vessel birthmarks (such as hemangiomas and port-wine stains) and broken veins (such as those on the nose and legs).
3. However, it is important to note that not all skin lesions, whether they are growths, pigmentation or blood vessel disorders can be treated with lasers. Your doctors will be able to advise you on the most appropriate treatment.

What do patients have to do before the laser skin treatment?

• The pre-operative treatment will differ depending on the type of laser surgery.
• In general, patients should avoid sun exposure and have good routine skin care.
• For patients undergoing laser treatment for wrinkles and scars, pre-operative creams and medications may be prescribed by your doctor.

What is involved in laser skin surgery?

• Laser skin surgery is carried out as an outpatient procedure.
• Local anesthetic creams or injections are given before the treatment to minimise pain.
• The appropriate laser system is then used to treat the specific skin disorders.
• The procedure is generally painless, although patients may experience some discomfort.
• The procedure will last from about 5 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the type of procedure and extend of treatment.

What do patients have to do after the laser skin treatment?

• Good skin care is necessary to ensure optimal healing of the skin after laser surgery:

1. The treated area should be kept clean with skin cleanser and ointment.
2. Oral antibiotic antiviral and painkiller may be necessary after laser treatment for wrinkles and scars.

What are the risks involved in laser skin surgery?

• Laser treatment is generally safe. Some procedures, such as laser treatment for scars and wrinkles carry higher risk for side effects compared to other laser treatments. Some of the potential side effects include:

1. Redness of skin after treatment: This is usually transient and resolves within months.
2. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin): This can be minimised by sun avoidance both pre-operative and post-operatively. It can also be treated with sunscreens bleaching agents. It usually fades with time.
3. Hypopigmentation (lightening of skin): This is less common but will improve with time as well.
4. Scarring: This is extremely rare if all the necessary precautions are taken. It usually occurs secondary to wound infection during the healing phase after laser surgery. Good wound care after laser surgery can help to reduce the risk of scarring.

Contributors

Dr Christophe HSU – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland

Dr Husain Ali Mahdi Juma  (دكتورحسين علي جمعه) – dermatologist. Manama, Bahrain

National Skin Centre. Singapore

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Understanding Labiaplasty

"Women who undergo this operation typically feel improvements in
self-confidence and comfort levels, as well as more pleasurable sexual experiences"

Labiaplasties have become increasingly popular in the recent months, with the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reporting that more than 5,000 procedures were preformed in 2013. Since the procedure has seen such an impressive boom in popularity, a number of patients are seeking more information about the surgery.

Patients should treat labiaplasty surgery as they would any other procedure - trusting a board certified cosmetic surgeon and planning for adequate recovery time. And similar to sister surgeries, such as liposuction or breast augmentation, it has faced its share of criticisms.

How it works
Labiaplasty reshape a woman's labia, or the lips of the vagina. According to Smart Beauty Guide, women typically consider female rejuvenation procedures when they have lost a significant amount of weight, experience discomfort in their genitals or after they've given birth. Women who undergo this operation typically feel improvements in self-confidence and comfort levels, as well as more pleasurable sexual experiences. 

CBC News followed the journey of Carrie Anne, a 40-year-old biker who experienced discomfort in her genitals whenever she participated in physical activity. She explained to the source that she opted for the surgery to help bolster her own well-being, and has been satisfied with the results. 

"I was very uncomfortable," Carrie Anne said. "I just feel much more ... it sounds maybe weird to say, but attractive."

While the procedure was beneficial for giving Carrie Anne the boost in mental and physical health that she desired, some surgeons have spoken out against the ethics of labiaplasties.

What to keep in mind
Much like one's facial structure and body type, the shape of a woman's vagina is unique to the woman. While some women opt for the procedure to help improve physical comfort, others seek it for purely cosmetic reasons, in an attempt to better resemble the picturesque labias they've seen in the media. Andre Shakti, an adult entertainer and sex worker, explained to CBC News that she opted for the surgery after being constantly exposed to vaginas in the porn industry.

While some surgeons are concerned about the potential negative side effects the procedure may cause, such as infection, bladder injury or hemorrhage, one surgeon assured the source that these negative considerations were extremely rare among recipients. He also noted that the satisfaction among labiaplasty patients was very high (86% satisfaction rating onRealSelf.com), and those who seek the operation for purely aesthetic reasons were rare, as well. 

Reference: www.smartbeautyguide.com

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Getting rid of cellulite: What works and what doesn't

Effective ways to eliminate cellulite

Cellulite can prove to be a less than appealing addition to one's physique, especially as time wears on and skin continues to lose its firmness. Unfortunately, this condition plagues a number of individuals, both male and female. The Washingtonian recently compiled a list of cellulite-fighting methods and their effectiveness. Currently, there exists an array of procedures aimed at eliminating this pesky problem, or improving skin elasticity to make it smoother. While there is no definitive cure for combating this condition, doctors weighed in to determine which methods are most likely to create the best results.

Skin rejuvenation
One method of skin rejuvenation that continues to yield favorable results is laser therapy, or skin resurfacing. During this procedure, doctors make a small incision then place a probe underneath the skin, which melts fat bulges and cuts the connective tissue that causes dimples. Skin rejuvenation and resurfacing has been proven to help alleviate the loss of skin tone and hinder the development of cellulite. The Washingtonian states that this path is minimally invasive, shows immediate results and only requires one session, though some patients may want to schedule yearly follow-ups.

Liposuction
Liposuction remains one of the most common plastic surgery procedures available, with almost 315,000 people undergoing this method in 2012 alone, according to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. While its popularity cannot be denied, doctors have warned that it may not be the most effective means by which cellulite can be reduced. The procedure can help decrease pockets of fat found on the body and make the body appear slimmer, but it should not be considered for patients who merely want to reduce the appearance of cellulite. 

Creams and lotions
Over-the-counter creams and lotions that claim to treat dimpling may be successful in making the skin appear healthier, but their long-term effectiveness on eradicating cellulite is unknown. The ASAPS explains that while creams may hydrate the affected area and mask a dimpled appearance, they have not been scientifically proven as a viable option for cellulite elimination. 

Endermologie
Roller mechanical massage therapy has been proven as a treatment for bumps and is sometimes used in conjunction with liposuction, but it produces no long-term effect on the appearance of the skin. The process works by increasing blood flow to the area and loosening connective tissue, producing temporarily healthy and smooth skin. But patients must undergo several treatments as its effectiveness is only short-term.

Reference: www.smartbeautyguide.com

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