Lasting Treatment Results or Low Treatment Cost?

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Dr. Michael Leff

Both Are Important, According to Patient Surveys

An uncertain economy has caused many people to delay significant purchases, including cosmetic surgery. According to a recent survey by plastic surgeons, more people are delaying facial cosmetic surgery in favor of simple (but less effective) inexpensive cosmetic treatments.

Despite these trends, many of them said they would prefer to have a procedure with long-lasting results. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, surveys found:

  • Most people would prefer anti-aging treatments with long-lasting results over immediate results.
  • Most patients also felt that long-lasting results were more important than cost
  • Physicians however, perceived that patients wanted immediate results, and valued cost saving over long-lasting results
  • 53 percent of respondents considering facial plastic surgery had been affected by the economy in their decision, and many of the same group chose less expensive options or delayed surgery as a result.

Doctors weren’t surprised to hear that patients are favoring non-surgical treatments, but the “disconnect” between patient preferences and the physician’s perception was a surprise.

“Contrary to physician views, the survey results suggest that even for nonsurgical facial aesthetic options, treatment plans should focus more on longevity than on immediate impact,” said lead author T. Jonathan Kurkjian, MD, of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

“There is an opportunity here to better communicate with patients, discussing the pros and cons of nonsurgical treatments, particularly longevity of these treatments,” added Foad Nahai, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

Posted in Facial Surgeon | Tagged | Comments Off

Is Juvederm Safe During Your Pregnancy?

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Dr. Michael Leff

What’s safe while there’s a bun in the oven?

With pregnancy and breastfeeding come a lot of things that are suddenly off-limits until that baby’s out in the world and eating strained peas from a can. Anything from obvious no-nos, like alcohol and caffeine, to less obvious things such as Vitamin A and oxybenzone (often found in sunscreen), could prove harmful to your still-growing bundle of joy.

So, is something like skin care out of the question?

It’s definitely advisable not to start any new treatments or procedures while pregnant, as your body is in a constant state of flux, and you never know how your body might react to any new stimuli.

That said, you don’t need to totally abandon the possibility of skin care during your pregnancy. Hyaluronic acid, a chief ingredient found in injectable fillers like Juvederm, isn’t considered harmful since it’s something the body produces anyway, and some doctors even recommend it during pregnancy – dry skin is a common problem among pregnant women, and hyaluronic acid supplements help skin attract and retain moisture.

But what about Juvederm injections? Well, they’re not necessarily dangerous – due to its large molecular size, hyaluronic acid is not systemically absorbed, and thus very unlikely to reach your baby. But it might be wise to err on the side of caution until your pregnancy is over – after all, your baby’s well-being is your first concern. Your surgeon can give you a better idea if it’s safe for you to get an injection while pregnant or breastfeeding, or what alternatives are available in the meantime. Be sure to set up a consultation if you have any questions.

Posted in Botox and Fillers | Tagged | Comments Off

What’s the Best Treatment for Laugh Lines?

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Dr. Michael Leff

Surgery, fillers, or topical options?

They’re one of the most prominent, and least loved, signs of aging – it’s only a small comfort that they’re supposed to mean you’ve had a happy life so far. Nasolabial wrinkles, better known as “laugh lines” or “smile lines,” are the lines that seem to connect the edges of your lips to the edges of your nose. Some people take pride in their laugh lines, but plenty more would see them vanish.

If you’re one of the latter, you might be asking: what’s the best way to accomplish that?

It basically comes down to three options: surgical, injectables, and external skin care. Surgical options, such as facelifts or cheek implants, are the most permanent, but also the most expensive. Plus, being surgical procedures, there’s an element of risk involved. Injectable options like Botox and Juvederm are less risky, but also less permanent, and will still cost a pretty penny. For the more frugal, there’s creams with retinol, like Retin-A. Retinoids are effective in preventing collagen loss, a chief culprit in the formation of laugh lines.

With all of these options, what’s the best choice? When it comes to the maximization of results-per-cost, and the minimization of risk, the injectable option comes out on top. Juvederm won’t last as long as a surgical option, but it can last upwards of 12 months before it needs topping off – at around $450 per cheek, that could work out to just $900 per year to keep laugh lines at bay. Basically, the injectable option yields the best results at the best price, with minimal risk to you.

However, only you can truly know what’s right for you, be it surgery, injectables, topical treatments, or even just letting yourself age naturally. Well, you and your surgeon – book a consultation and see what they think about your options. Hopefully, you’ll leave their office smiling.

Posted in Botox and Fillers | Tagged | Comments Off

Botox on Your Lunch Break

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Dr. Michael Leff

One of the benefits to Botox is how little time is needed to complete the procedure

The world’s a busy place these days – there’s always somewhere to be, or someone to meet, or something to do. For busy folks who might want a little work done, the matter of recovery time might cause a problem.

Many aesthetic surgical procedures, such as facelifts, require a fair bit of down time in order for the body to heal properly, and it might be difficult for some people to set aside enough time to recover. But if you still want to say goodbye to wrinkles without using up your vacation time, you have options.

That’s one of the benefits of Botox – very little recovery time. Also, unlike more invasive surgical procedures, Botox and other injectables like soft tissue fillers don’t require a number of hours on an operating table to administer. Many of these procedures could be done on a lunch break – though, just to be on the safe side, it might be good too book at least a half day off work to let you go home and rest afterwards.

That said, Botox can’t permanently rid you of your wrinkles. However, Botox does last for several months, and while it can’t totally get rid of the wrinkles you have, it can help prevent new ones from forming. If you think you might be interested, the least you can do is spare a lunch hour to set aside time for a consultation with your plastic surgeon.

Posted in Botox and Fillers | Tagged | Comments Off