Plastic Surgery Blog

Tweet

When it comes to pregnancy and breastfeeding, there's a lot of things that are suddenly verboten 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?

What's safe to use while there's a bun in the oven?

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.

Tweet

Hollywood starlets like Marlene Dietrich, Raquel Welch, and Joan Crawford, besides being famous actresses, have one more thing in common -  "Frownies." Frownies are adhesive strips meant to pull back wrinkles on the face, leading to a more youthful look. Actresses like these and more used them in the golden days of Hollywood, and they're still around today. But, could Frownies be an alternative to Botox?

New York Magazine columnist Gina Grey recently put Frownies - or more accurately, a more modern alternative, Furlesse - to the test, with herself as the guinea pig. She wore the Furlesse patches for a week as she slept, to see if they could reduce or even prevent visible wrinkles.

Are both wrinkle-removers made equal?

She found that the strips did visibly diminish the appearance of facial wrinkles - so long as she was wearing them. Once removed, her wrinkles reappeared. According to a New York dermatologist quoted in the piece, the patches could potentially prove useful in stemming wrinkles by preventing involuntary facial movements while we sleep, but would take a lot longer than a week to show results.

And since the effects are only noticeable while the strips are worn, it means they won't do you much good beyond the pillow - unless you're willing to wear them out on the town. Actresses like Dietrich and Crawford did wear the strips in real life, hidden beneath wigs, but Way says, "unless he’s lost his sense of sight and touch, or is completely clueless, any guy will notice that you have these on."

If you're looking for more long-term results that are noticeable in your everyday life, and the idea of wearing adhesive strips 24/7 doesn't appeal to you, there's no contest - Botox wins out. Though, as with any cosmetic procedure, it shouldn't be entered into lightly. Book a consultation with your plastic surgeon before you decide.

• Photo Credit: frownies+sunglasses+robe+red lips+pp by ...love Maegan, on Flickr

Tweet

Allergan, Inc., the makers of products like Botox and Juvederm, could end up with the first and only hyaluronic dermal filler on the market that the FDA unanimously recommends for cheek augmentation and rejuvenating age-related loss of facial volume.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration's General and Plastic Surgery Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee recently voted unanimously in favor of recommending Allergan's facial filler Juvederm Voluma™ XC as a treatment to restore cheek volume, and that the benefits of the procedure far outweigh the potential risks.

Allergan's new product receives support from FDA committee

This doesn't mean the product is officially approved by the FDA…not yet, anyway. The findings of the committee aren't binding in any way, but the FDA considers their opinion when deciding whether or not to approve a new drug or treatment. If it is approved, it will be the only treatment on the U.S. market for cheek augmentation with such a robust amount of approval from the FDA. If approved, Allergan plans to launch Juvederm Voluma™ XC in the later part of this year.

As we get older, sub-dermal tissue in the face can lose its volume, causing a sunken, tired appearance. Injectable fillers like the hyaluronic acid-based Juvederm can fill in these empty spaces, revitalizing the face and bringing back a youthful fullness. If you're curious about dermal fillers, contact your plastic surgeon to book a consultation.

Tweet

One of the reasons Botox is so popular with patients is how quickly and easily the procedure can be administered, compared to more invasive alternatives. But Botox is not simple and easy to produce, make no mistake - the product is made according to rigorous specifications and undergoes stringent quality control before it reaches the consumer.

Well, the official product, anyway.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to be on the lookout for counterfeit Botox. "FDA cannot confirm that the manufacture, quality, storage, and handling of these products follow U.S. standards," said the agency, according to this Reuters article.

How to spot the difference

The product, which the FDA says is being sold under the names "Online Botox Pharmacy," "Onlinebotox.com" and "Onlinebotox," is being shipped from foreign sources, and is not approved for sale in the United States. Despite the name, most of these products are being solicited via fax.

Allergan, the makers of Botox, said that besides breaking federal law, the fraudulent Botox's contents and the conditions of its storage and handling can't be vouched for, making it potentially ineffective, or worse, unsafe.

Lawmakers are hard at work writing bills that would better track and oversee what prescription drugs are moving through the distribution chain. In the meantime, if you're interested in Botox, but are wary of counterfeit product, feel free to bring up your concerns with your plastic surgeon during your consultation. As a patient, it's your right and your duty to be as informed as possible before undergoing any procedure. A long-practiced, board-certified surgeon will be happy to put your fears to rest and make you feel comfortable with the product they make available.

Tweet

Facial wrinkles are among the most unwanted signs of aging, and yet, among the most noticeable. Lines around the mouth and nose are among the most undesired by clients, such as marionette lines.

Marionette lines are the creases that form at the corners of your lips and extend down to the chin, which make the mouth appear droopy and gives the face an overall more grim or scornful appearance. Marionette Lines occur with the gradual loss of collagen and the decrease of fatty deposits in the mouth region. Some people never develop them, but others are genetically predisposed to them. Environmental conditions such as sun over exposure, poor diet, and smoking can also have an impact.

What's the best treatment for marionette lines?

Since one of the causes of marionette lines is depleted fat deposits, one of the better ways of treating them is filling that space up, with a dermal filler like Juvederm. By filling that empty space under the skin, the appearance of marionette lines and other facial wrinkles can be minimized, if not outright erased.

If you're worried about the onset of marionette lines, steps you can take ahead of time to avoid them include proper sunlight protection, getting lots of vitamins, exercise, and smoke avoidance. If, however, your smile falls victim to the onset of time, and marionette lines still occur, contact your plastic surgeon and book a consultation to see if Juvederm or another dermal filler is the right treatment for you.