The U.S. injectables market now offers lidocaine-containing versions of popular hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, reports Cosmetic Surgery Times in its July 2010 issue. Lidocaine, a local anesthetic that is injected directly into the body, decreases pain by temporarily numbing the injection area, according to WebMD. Three injectables received FDA approval in February 2010 for lidocaine [...]

The demand for plastic surgery among teens has grown in recent years and has even become a popular graduation present, according to a recent Crain’s New York Business article. Over 8,000 U.S. teenagers aged 18 and 19 had breast enlargements last year—more than triple the number in 2001, according to the American Society of Plastic [...]

This mother’s day, we found more than a few stories about moms influencing daughters to change their appearance.  Ideally, the mother-daughter relationship is one in which you can find support and make the right decision about a cosmetic procedure. If your mother had a successful rhinoplasty, would you do the same?  One young woman gives [...]

FDA warnings were issued to several medical spas on April 7th (although none were located in the Seattle area) regarding claims made about the safety and effectiveness of lipodissolve. With an injection of certain chemicals ((phosphatidylcholine, deoxycholate, and others) lipodissolve is said to remove areas of persistent fat.  Consumers should be cautious about lipodissolve says [...]

The latest news stories about plastic surgery seem to follow a do-it-on-a-budget trend, which is understandable given the economic landscape.  However, safety should always be number one priority  – another lesson in the news that seems to repeat itself. Patients are learning to prioritize their treatments, while surgeons are offering financing and even money back [...]

According to news reports over the weekend, lawmakers have dropped the elective cosmetic tax from the health care reform bill. In an interesting twist, they decided to trade one controversial tax for another; they’re replacing the elective cosmetic tax with a 10% tax on indoor tanning! Representatives of the Indoor Tanning Association accused plastic surgeons [...]

Considering a cosmetic surgery procedure? A recent article from CNN health offers a multitude of tips and guidelines that can help you get a safer experience. We organized them into 7 basic rules to follow. Do. 1. Ask about your plastic surgeon’s experience, credentials and hospital privileges. As ASPS president Phil Haeck says, “Good surgeons [...]

The so-called “Botox-tax” that was dismissed last July is now back in the healthcare reform bill.  After it was made public Wednesday, professionals from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery organized to make their opposition to the bill known. A special bulletin sent to ASPS members urged [...]

Pharmaceutical company Allergan Inc. – the manufacturer of Botox -  has filed a suit against the FDA, contending that marketing restrictions for Botox are actually inconsistent with the interests of patients and physicians. While Botox is commonly used, as FDA approved, to treat wrinkles on the face and forehead, a wide range of other treatment [...]

The Beauty for Life survey conducted by the ASAPS and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found marked differences in the way certain age groups perceived beauty in themselves and their partners.  ASAPS President Renato Saltz says the survey was intended to help surgeons “understand what patients are most concerned about at different stages of [...]