Plastic Surgery Boston Blog

Choosing the Summer’s Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Dr. Peggy Howrigan

beverly hills plastic surgery With the summer season rapidly approaching, these four treatments are often popular for those getting ready for beach season:

Medical-Grade Skin Products: As mentioned in a recent article for the international edition of marie claire, facial lines and wrinkles are often one of the primary concerns for those getting ready for summer. For mild facial aging, these issues are also the most treatable, with a wide range of possibilities from creams to face lifts. Medical-grade skin treatment products can tighten and firm skin. These skin treatments greatly vary in intensity based on the necessary amount of treatment.
Chemical Peels and Other Office Skin Treatments: Your skin tone really becomes important during the summer, when you want to be active in the sun yet keep yourself protected from possible damage. For improving skin tone, medical-grade skin products are an excellent first step, which may be followed with in-office treatments that may improve skin tone include microdermabrasion, chemical peels and laser treatments.
Lip Injections: The lips are often a focal point for many facial aging concerns, as a key location for fine lines, wrinkles, as well as more dramatic facial lines that can really change the look of the face. Increased lip volume through facial fillers can help to alleviate many of these issues.
Face, Neck and Arm Lifts: More serious signs of aging may include sagging or excess skin, which often accumulates at the neck, face, upper arms and thighs. These more serious amounts of skin may not be treatable with injectable procedures and other minimally invasive treatments. For these men and women, surgical intervention may be necessary, to remove the excess skin and tighten the remaining tissue. The most popular versions of these procedures are facelifts and neck lifts, as well as arm lifts, thigh lifts and complete body lifts, when excess tissue is removed around the midsection.

Photo by mikebaird on Flickr.

Darker Skin and Injectable Treatments

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Dr. Peggy Howrigan

darker skin dermal fillers The unique challenges faced by men and women with dark skin seeking cosmetic injections are best met by those with extensive experience with dermal fillers.

The growth in this demographic has led to increased dermal filler and Botox injections for these men and women as well, according to a recent story in Skin & Allergy News.

More Men and Women With Darker Skin Choosing Cosmetic Procedures

According to Dr. Valerie Callender, a dermatologist at Howard University, “Your typical skin of color patient is 45 years old, has some volume loss, some infraorbital hollowing, and is definitely concerned about laugh lines.”

Patients with darker skin pigmentation are at an increased risk of forming keloids, a type of scarring that may be caused by injections but is rare in those with lighter skin. Dr. Callender says that, “The No. 1 tip is to minimize the number of injections to minimize the risk of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. If there is erythema, apply a topical corticosteroid.”

One advantage for those with darker pigmentation is that an increased amount of skin pigmentation tends to have a protective benefit against UV aging, helping darker skin to look 10 or even 20 years younger than comparable lighter skin.

The unique characteristics of the various types of skin have not been studied conclusively with regards to specific cosmetic treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers and other skin treatments. Dr. Callender noted that more trials are needed in the future to determine short and long-term effects of the many available treatments on patients with darker skin.

Photo by DioBurto on Flickr

More Men and Women Choosing Arm Lift Surgery

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Dr. Peggy Howrigan

With more people experiencing dramatic weight loss then ever before, the demand for body contouring procedures like arm lift has risen sharply.

According to a recent report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, procedures to tighten and tone the upper arm have risen by 4,378% since 2000. This represents a dramatic increase, with only 300 men and women having the procedure in 200, and more than 15,000 last year.

Arm Lift Common After Significant Weight Loss

For those patients who have been working hard to lose weight, excess skin and fat deposits in the arm may serve as a constant reminder of what they have been working so hard to change. For many men and women, their body accumulates extra tissue in the upper arm, giving them the appearance of flabby arms, even when the rest of their body is slimming down.

This was the experience of Natalie Robinson, who was interviewed in the video report. After 36 months of weight loss training, she had lost more than 170 pounds, but still felt that her arms did not represent the major changes she was experiencing elsewhere. For that reason, she decided to have a surgical arm lift, along with thousands of other American men and women and many more internationally.

For those who have lost significant amounts of weight, the arm lift is just one of many procedures that may help to provide a more natural contour to the body as it responds to the weight loss. Other procedures that are popular for this purpose include the tummy tuck, thigh lift and buttock lift. Each body will respond to weight loss in its own way, so those wanting to improve their overall appearance after weight loss should schedule a personal consultation to determine what body contouring procedure is best for their body.

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The Gift of Cosmetic Surgery for Mother’s Day

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Dr. Peggy Howrigan

Many children and spouses are giving the mother in their life a new kind of Mother’s Day present this year: cosmetic surgery.

As cosmetic procedures become more mainstream, and discussion of these treatments becomes more common, satisfied customers are more likely than ever before to give these procedures as gifts to their loved ones and friends. This annual holiday celebrating mothers is a perfect opportunity for this kind of gift giving.

Mothers Frequently Choose Injectables, Breast Procedures

With the increasing popularity of these unique gifts, some cosmetic surgeon’s offices have begun encouraging this trend, offering cosmetic surgery specials for Mother’s Day gifts and mothers who schedule procedures around Mother’s Day.

Some of the most popular cosmetic procedures that are given to mothers are non-surgical procedures, such as injectables and various skin treatments. Affordable, fast, and requiring almost no recovery time, injectable treatments like Botox and dermal fillers may be ideal treatments for the busy lifestyles of mothers. These procedures give dramatic results without the larger commitment of surgery. They can also be an excellent option for those who have not used cosmetic procedures before, but have always wanted to get a taste of its possibilities.

Many gift givers will purchase a gift certificate in a certain amount, and then let the recipient pick their chosen procedure. For those who know exactly what the mother in their life is looking for, the financial details may be taken care of beforehand, improving the surprise of the gift experience.

For mothers who are more familiar with the options available through plastic surgery, and have a clear idea of what they are looking for, there are a number of these surgeries that make popular gifts. Popular plastic surgeries chosen by mothers include breast procedures such as a breast lift or breast augmentation, as well as body contouring procedures like tummy tucks and arm lifts.

Photo by mikebaird on Flickr.

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Improving Your Breast Lift Results with a Healthy Recovery Period

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Dr. Peggy Howrigan

One of the most important parts of any breast lift procedure is the recovery period. During the recovery period, proper care can help to ensure the best long term results.

Thoroughly discussing the plan for your breast lift recovery period will help to ensure that you have the swiftest and smoothest healing process possible. During your pre-surgery consultations, you will go over the expected stages of recovery, including a personalized schedule based on the details of your situation.

Planning for Your Breast Lift Recovery Improves Long Term Results

Breast lift procedures are performed under general anesthesia, which means that you may feel slightly groggy or tired for the first few hours after your surgery. In some cases, small surgical drains may be placed in the area to help with the removal of any excess fluids. The breasts are covered with gauze, and a specialized garment or bra may be used to help support the breasts and keep the drains in place.

The first few days of recovery are often spent at home, but it may soon be possible to increase the activity levels, with many women returning to work and normal schedules after about a week. A special compression surgical bra will be worn for the first 2-3 months to promote proper healing, decrease swelling and improve overall comfort.

For the best long-term results, it is often recommended to wear highly supportive bras after any breast surgery, such as breast augmentation or breast reduction, to minimize the natural process of drooping and keep the breasts in their new position, preserving their contours. Strenuous activity or exercise is often discouraged for the first month, including lifting arms over the head or carrying heavy items. Stomach sleeping should also be avoided for the first few weeks to limit the pressure on the breasts.

Photo by Daran Kandasamy on Flickr.