As people progress through different stages of aging, they may begin to notice subtle changes in their appearance that bother them. Fine lines, wrinkles, and a loss of skin firmness around the jawline and neck are some of the most common concerns I hear from people considering a San Diego face lift. But oftentimes, these changes don’t yet warrant a full face lift procedure. For many people, an S-lift or “mini face lift” is an ideal alternative.

What is an S-Lift?

An S-Lift is a type of face lift that focuses on the lower portion of the cheeks, chin, and neck. The surgery uses minimally invasive techniques to pull and tighten the skin around the jawline and create a more defined contour.

What is the difference between an S-Lift and a Face Lift?

The S-Lift can best be described as a scaled down version of a full face lift. Unlike a traditional face lift, the S-Lift procedure is considered “minimally invasive” because it requires shorter incisions and is performed under local (rather than general) anesthesia, resulting in less downtime. The changes in appearance are also less dramatic with an S-Lift and the surgery targets more limited signs of aging.

Who is a good candidate?

Anyone who is unhappy with their appearance and notices a visible loss in skin firmness around the jaw and neck line could potentially benefit from an S-Lift. Typically, those who are good candidates include:

• People with minor signs of aging
• Those seeking a permanent change in their appearance
• Individuals wanting more subtle improvements
• People who desire faster healing time
• Those wanting a surgery with less risk and little to no scarring

What are the benefits of an S-Lift?

Many of my patients who have had an S-Lift are happy with the smaller, more natural changes in their appearance. Skin around the cheeks, jaw, and neck appears tightened and youthful. Additionally, patients enjoy the reduced costs and recovery time with this minimally invasive procedure.

In Santa Rosa, eyelid surgery is appealing to a wide variety of people. Those who are more mature often choose eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to give the skin a youthful “lift.” Younger patients like it because it helps correct naturally droopy eyelids or reduce under-eye bags. Whatever the concern, there are many reasons to choose this procedure. However, there are a few people who have special considerations – such as thyroid conditions or dry eyes – that may make blepharoplasty an inappropriate choice. Here is a quick reference guide to determine if eyelid surgery is right for you.

Blepharoplasty May Be a Good Choice If:

• You have excess skin on the upper eyelids
• You have excess skin and fine lines around the lower lids
• You suffer from under-eye bags and dark circles
• You are in good health with no serious medical conditions

Talk with Your Doctor First If:

• You suffer from hypothyroidism or Graves’ disease
• You have dry eyes or lack sufficient tears
• You have a detached retina
• You have been diagnosed with glaucoma
• You suffer from high blood pressure and/or other circulatory disorders
• You have a history of cardiovascular disease
• You have diabetes

Even for individuals with one or more of the conditions mentioned above, a surgeon may still be able to perform eyelid surgery by coordinating with the person’s primary physician to minimize risk during surgery and recovery. Even for those who are not good candidates for blepharoplasty, a skilled doctor can provide nonsurgical options such as laser treatments for the skin below the eyes or the use of an injectable like BOTOX® to minimize wrinkles around the eye area.

Baby boomers are those who were born shortly after World War II, when there was a dramatic increase in births. People in their 50s and 60s appear to be image-conscious and strive to fend off the signs of aging with cosmetic surgical procedures that rejuvenate the appearance. According to the survey, facelifts and cosmetic eyelid surgery tend to be the most popular among this generation, rising an astonishing 44% in 2009 over figures reported in the previous year. There was a 42% from 2008 to 2009 for cosmetic eyelid surgery.

However, noninvasive procedures that are designed to restore the youthful contours of the face experienced the highest increase. Dermal fillers that add volume and smooth out wrinkles experienced a 245% increase while there was a 157% jump in the numbers for Botox.

To be honest, the results of this survey come as no surprise. At our cosmetic surgery clinic in Toronto, our clients come from all walks of life and are from all generations. We have patients who are as young as 15 (usually for nonsurgical procedures such as laser acne treatment) and as old as 75 (liposuction). The most popular procedures for the baby boomer generation at Toronto Cosmetic Clinic are the following, in order of popularity:

1. Botox
2. dermal fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane
3. facelifts
4.cosmetic eyelid surgery
5.laser skin tightening
6.liposuction (usually laser assisted)

Admittedly, most of our patients tend to be in their 30s and 40s, but this just goes to show you that just because you’re older, it doesn’t mean you have to give up the fight against the signs of aging! As long as you are relatively healthy, both physically and mentally, you can still be a candidate for cosmetic surgery.

Designed by LPG Systems of France more than two decades ago, Endermologie® was the first method approved by the FDA to temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite without invasive surgery. It is a 35-45 minute procedure that is an essentially deep tissue massage which reduces subcutaneous fat viscosity in the target area and promote circulation. This allows trapped fluids and toxins to be released and facilitate lymphatic drainage. This deep tissue massage, performed by a device that gently kneads and suctions the skin in the desired area, is what assists the body to minimize the presence of cellulite. Typical of many nonsurgical cosmetic procedure, a series of sessions is required to achieve results. As the body reacts to treatment, results appear gradually.

There is no anesthesia or pain medication required during or following the procedure, although a body stocking, called Endermowear, is worn during a session for sanitary reasons and to provide a smoother surface for the Endermologie® device to operate.

For the best results, it is recommend that Endermologie® sessions are scheduled twice weekly. Patients should drink plenty of fluids throughout the course of their treatment to help the body eliminate released toxins.

A Note About Liposuction
Some still believe that liposuction can effectively remove cellulite. Unfortunately, liposuction is not an effective way to get rid of cellulite. Although some methods of liposuction, particularly those that are laser assisted such as Smartlipo, can tighten the skin and smooth it out, results may often be far from desirable. Currently, lifts and full tummy tucks are generally the most effective ways to reduce dimpled skin surgically.

How it Works
Laser skin tightening delivers energy to targeted areas of the skin to heat the underlying tissue. This initiates the body to generate new tissue, tightening the skin almost immediately. The body then starts producing new collagen to replace the damaged collagen, leading to further tightening in the months following treatment.

One of the most popular skin tightening technologies is the StarLux® 500, which is what we use at our clinic.  The StarLux® 500 is considered to be the “gold standard” of lasers, emitting pulsed light at a wavelength of 850 – 1350 nm. This infrared energy tightens the skin by gently coagulating the tissue in the dermis and hypodermis to initiate the generation of  healthy new tissue. Several areas of the body and face can be targeted with the device, including lax skin and stretchmarks on the arms, legs, buttocks and stomach. Loose skin on the face, particularly along the jawline, can also be treated.

The effects of laser skin tightening are noticeable immediately after treatment. Many patients notice that the tone and condition of their skin improves after the first treatment. However, the full results of laser skin tightening cannot be seen until 90 to 180 days after the initial treatment because that is about how long it takes for new collagen growth to take place.

There may be some warmth, redness, and tightness in the targeted areas following treatment but it will fade within a few hours. Typically, you can resume your daily activities immediately after treatment. Some people see excellent results after one treatment session but most need at least two treatments for optimal results. Those who have severely loose skin may need up to three treatments or more. Further maintenance treatments every one and a half to two years following the initial treatment may be required.

The Advantages of Laser Skin Tightening
Laser skin tightening in Toronto is becoming an increasingly popular solution to treat loose skin and stretch marks. It is a non-invasive procedure that dramatically firms the skin. It is effective in reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and loose skin on all parts of the body but unlike surgery, there is little risk of serious side effects and no downtime or discomfort.

By: Gus Galante, MD

I recently saw a book (actually a book review – you can read it here) that piqued my interest because it was talking about a study that showed how self-perceptions can reverse the process of physical aging. Obviously, if you think you’re old, you’ll feel old, but as a cosmetic surgeon I’ve also seen patients whose breast enhancement or tummy tuck seems to correct a lot more of the physical characteristics of aging than the surgery alone could explain.

Basics about the study: In this study, researchers had older people talking and acting for a few weeks as if they were really living in 1956. The really dramatic thing was that afterward, these people had less arthritis, higher intelligence test scores, and other measurable, physical evidence that they had taken years off of their age just by seeing themselves as “younger.”

Plastic Surgery Example: Breast Enlargement

Very often, women don’t just look younger and sexier after breast enlargement in Indiana – they ARE younger and sexier. A woman who feels confident with her body holds herself differently and makes different decisions about what kind of physical activity she can handle. As a result she can look younger, stronger, and happier.

Of course, it’s not reasonable to expect breast enhancement in Indiana to do all sorts of things that the surgery just isn’t designed to do. But I think it’s a good idea for patients to keep in mind how much the positive results of their procedure contribute to how they think and feel about themselves.

By: Daniel P. Slaughter, MD

The field of Facial Cosmetic Surgery is undergoing a tremendous change. A much greater understanding of the aging process has led to the development of many non-surgical techniques that can remove years of aging with minimal downtime.

Let’s look at three of the largest components of early facial aging.

1. Facial Fat Loss

As we age we loose the youthful fullness of our face. This is literally from a loss of the normal subcutaneous fat throughout the face. The loss of this fat causes a deflation of the skin much like taking air out of a balloon. This deflation results in sagging skin, thickening facial folds, and a hollowing appearance.

2. Dynamic Wrinkles

At the same time as our facial volume is deflating we begin to show the deep lines of facial muscular expression. These result from strong muscles in the forehead, around the eyes, and around the mouth. Vertical lines between the eyebrows, horizontal lines in the forehead, crow’s feet at the side of the eyes and upper cheek, and vertical lines around the mouth become increasingly visible.

3. Skin Texture and Pigmentation Changes

The facial deflation and lines of facial expression are then accentuated by fine wrinkling, pigmentation changes, and fine dilated vascular spots throughout the skin that occur secondary to sun exposure. This is associated with mild laxity secondary to solar weakening of the skin’s collagen.

Solutions

Instead of addressing these three areas surgically we can now offer specific non-surgical techniques to reverse these signs of aging.

• The loss of facial fat is naturally reversed by transplanting some of the patient’s unwanted fat that has accumulated in their thighs, bottom, or low back. Tiny cannulas are used to remove the fat and transplant the fat back to the areas where the facial volume has been lost. This restores the youthful fullness, lifts the sagging skin, and flattens the facial folds.
• BOTOX® Cosmetic can be used to weaken the strong muscles of facial expression and erase the associated frown lines, forehead wrinkles, crows feet, and smile lines. This is done with a deep understanding of the facial musculature resulting in a very natural appearance.
• Fraxel® re:pair CO2 laser resurfacing can be done to erase years of sun related aging. The fine wrinkles, pigmentation spots, and vascular spots are remarkably reduced and the face obtains a general lift and tightening. Unlike other laser techniques, the results are present with only one treatment and there is just a few days downtime.

Can a patient really restore their natural youthful appearance with minimal downtime and discomfort? Absolutely.  While surgical results continue to offer a greater degree of improvement, these non-surgical techniques can provide excellent results with minimal downtime.   The modern understanding of facial aging is providing this generation the opportunity to stay naturally youthful without the artificial appearing results or all of the downtime experienced by patients in the past.

By: Dr. David Stoker

Post 2 of 2 – Liposuction Solutions

As a Beverly Hills liposuction surgeon, I treat a wide spectrum of patients from their 20s to their 70s. In some ways, the cosmetic enhancement needs of older patients are the same as for any patient – stubborn fatty patches, for example, still pose problems later in life – but these patients also have special concerns that require specific individualized approaches to ensure attractive results.

In last week’s post, I discussed some special concerns that older patients need to keep in mind when they meet with their liposuction surgeon to discuss their options. This week’s post will focus on one option which I have found particularly effective for many of these patients: Smartlipo™ laser liposuction.

Why Smartlipo?

The right approach for you depends on individual factors, but in many cases I find that Smartlipo is the most effective way to address the needs of mature patients fully because it simplifies the liposuction process and helps prevent the kind of problems that mature Beverly Hills liposuction patients tend to encounter:

• Skin Laxity: Smartlipo uses gentle laser energy to liquefy fat cells while heating skin from the inside. This process helps the skin contract faster and more completely after the procedure, 54% better than with other liposuction systems.
• Skin Texture: While Smartlipo will not improve skin quality directly, the heat from the laser seems to stimulate the skin to maintain itself better by creating more of the proteins it needs to stay firm.
• Surgical Safety and Healing Times: Smartlipo allows for gentler procedures than traditional techniques because it helps the surgeon remove problematic fat cells without the vigorous movements required by older techniques.

Customization is key to a good liposuction result no matter what your age, so if you are considering this procedure be sure to research your options thoroughly and discuss your procedure carefully with your laser liposuction surgeon to find out more about how you can ensure good results. To learn more:

• Hear the stories of real Smartlipo patients
• Read an overview of Smartlipo™ laser liposuction
• Learn more about whether you are a good candidate for this procedure

Post 1 of 2 – Challenges You Should Know About

Over time, our body alters the ways it processes and deposits fat, and even healthy, physically active women and men may develop lumpy patches of fat. For younger patients near Beverly Hills, liposuction is the obvious solution for small, stubborn fatty patches, but older patients often hesitate to consider cosmetic surgery because they think that their age would prevent them from seeing the results they want.

For healthy patients, this is generally not the case. A few recent technological advances (laser liposuction in particular) have given plastic surgeons some important tools to correct stubborn fat for older patients, while at the same time preventing the kind of problems that loose skin and tissue tend to create for women and men over 45.

Today I will outline briefly why these concerns are an important issue for mature patients, and in next week’s post I will look at a few very effective solutions.

Liposuction for Mature Patients: Why Skin Quality Matters

Liposuction allows women and men to create a slimmer shape by removing fat. At the same time, part of its beneficial effect is in the changes it creates to the tone and texture of the treatment areas – a smoother, firmer look gives an appearance of fitness and vitality that can accomplish a great deal to create an appearance of slimness.

For older liposuction patients in Los Angeles, fat removal does not necessarily pose a problem. However, factors like sun damage and chemical changes in the skin over time can alter the elasticity, texture, and tone of the skin after surgery, giving it a loose or wrinkled appearance depending on the quality of the patient’s skin – and of the surgeon’s liposuction techniques. Fortunately, surgeons now offer solutions like Smartlipo™ that help avoid these problems, and in next week’s post I will outline the steps you can take to ensure a smooth, successful procedure.

In the meantime, you can visit the following links to learn more about these options:

• Hear the stories of real Smartlipo patients
• Learn more about whether you are a good candidate for this procedure

By: Thomas McNemar, MD

Contrary to what you might think, the majority of breast augmentation patients are in the 35 to 45 age range. As a breast augmentation surgeon near Danville and Walnut Creek, I perform many procedures for this age group and in fact I have even performed breast enhancement for healthy women who are in their upper 50s and 60s.

Age is not a deciding factor for breast augmentation procedures, but older women still should be aware of extra considerations that are important to make sure your surgery and recovery develop the way you want them to.

Specifically, you and your surgeon will need to take into account your:

• Breast position: Over time, loose breast skin can stretch and sag, changing the position of the breast mound. For women with smaller breasts this may be less of a problem, but childbirth and family traits can speed up the effects of gravity. Sometimes, breast augmentation can create the illusion of lifting the breasts, but in most cases (especially if you are receiving larger breast implants), it is more appropriate to elevate the breast mound slightly with a breast lift in addition to augmentation.
• Skin quality and vascularity: Depending on your genetics and health habits, your skin may have thinned significantly over time. This is not necessarily a concern, but it may affect your surgeon’s choice of techniques and it may add to the time it takes your incisions to heal and fade. Exercise promotes better blood circulation, so women with thinner skin but very good exercise habits typically do not experience these problems.
• Health and healing: Full disclosure about any medical conditions, medications, or nutritional supplements is essential for healthy surgical planning, so if you have questions or concerns about your eligibility for your procedure, do not be afraid to ask your breast augmentation surgeon. My Danville, San Ramon, Walnut Creek and Modesto patients sometimes have medical conditions that require them to receive a different type of anesthesia or take extra steps during recovery, and your surgeon should be able to explain how he or she will take these kinds of factors into account.

Regardless of your age, getting to know your options thoroughly is the first step to any successful cosmetic surgery procedure. I would also encourage women considering surgery to pay careful attention to their surgeon’s credentials and experience and take the time to compare different surgery centers.