Skin Aging & Deep. – Pt. 1
October 27th, 2009
Skin Aging & Deep. – Pt. 2
October 27th, 2009Skin Aging & Deep. – Pt. 3
October 27th, 2009Skin Aging & Deep. – Pt. 4
October 27th, 2009Caracas Masque images Pt. 3
September 1st, 2009
Caracas Before
Caracas Masque Before (Above) and After (Below)
Caracas After
Drastic Change with Caracas Masque
September 1st, 2009Before Caracas Masque.
Caracas Masque Before
Above image. Before Caracas Masque
Caracas Masque After Below.
Caracas Masque After
Caracas Procedure -Before & After-
September 1st, 2009Caracas before and after pictures procedure.
Above. Caracas Masque Before.
Below. Caracas Masque After.
Caracas Masque After
Artefill – Before & After
September 1st, 2009Check these Before and After Images of Artefill procedures.
Before Botox – Forehead.
The Facelift Alternatives: Tightening Devices and Volume Restoration
August 16th, 2009Part II
The Facelift Alternatives: Tightening Devices and Volume Restoration
How much laxity and volume loss you have on a varying scale – mild to moderate; moderate to severe – can help your doctor determine whether or not you need a facelift. But it’s vital that you know, beforehand, so that you come to your doctor as prepared as you can possibly be.
Chapters 7 and 8 are designed to help you discover what non-surgical procedures are right for you and, if necessary, what non-surgical procedures might be complementary to various surgical procedures your physician might recommend. That’s right; gone are the days of one-procedure-fits-all – for everybody.
Today most doctors customize a diagnosis based not just on the degree of laxity and volume loss but that patient’s specific personality, pain and recovery threshold and a variety of other factors. But to perfectly tailor your procedure, or combination of procedures, you and your doctor need to work together as two equal parts of your own personal doctor-patient team.
That is why it is so important for you to be educated before you speak with your physician; being intimidated by all those degrees and pedigrees on the whole behind his or her head is no way to feel like you’re on equal footing with your doctor. However, that is exactly where you need to be; eye to eye, not sitting at his or her feet and lapping up those pearls of wisdom.
You want to discuss your options, openly and honestly; without fear that you are asking “dumb” questions and with the knowledge that your physician is interested in the unique and personal you. A generic diagnosis won’t do here; it has to be personal and unique to you and your specific needs if you are to get the results you desire.
A lot of what we do with our patients is actually “undoing” what the popular media and decades of hearing “facelift” have already done to them. Many people think that a facelift is the ultimate in plastic surgery or the gold standard of surgical procedures; others think that all the creams and lotions and skincare is something you do until the inevitable aging process makes a facelift equally inevitable.
Not true; as we always say in our offices the best procedure is the one you avoid by taking care of your skin in the first place. Just as importantly, through a complement of various surgical and non-surgical procedures, you can avoid the severity and invasiveness of a facelift altogether.
Then again, perhaps the years have been unkind to you and that, combined with genetics has increased the need for a facelift; so be it. Chapter 8 will cover all that – and then some. But for our purposes in this chapter we are gearing the information toward people with early laxity and volume loss that a typical facelift isn’t going to deal with.
After all, a facelift too soon is only going to make matters worse in later years just as waiting too long is going to make the need for a facelift later just that much more imperative. The key is to know what to do and when; we’re here to help you do just that.
The two issues we’ll be talking about in this chapter are:
To be Continued…
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The Facelift Alternatives: Tightening Devices and Volume Restoration
August 11th, 2009The Facelift Alternatives: Tightening Devices and Volume Restoration
“I don’t plan to grow old gracefully. I plan to have face-lifts until my ears meet.”
~ Rita Rudner
Before Botox®, before Restalyne® and Thermage® and all the other lotions, potions, lasers, products and procedures we’ve catalogued throughout this book, the default term for any surgical cosmetic procedure for the last few decades was pretty much this: facelift. “Tight was right” and less wasn’t even an issue; more was better and, quite often, not quite good enough.
“When are you getting a facelift?”
“Did you see Maryanne’s new facelift?”
“The plastic surgeon said I needed a facelift.”
“Do you think I need a facelift?”
“How soon before I can get another facelift?”
Questions like these and so many more were popular fare at water coolers, gyms and PTA luncheons throughout the land and, without any other clear options, facelifts became the end-all and be-all of plastic surgery.
How times have changed. Today there are so many other non-surgical options and so much patient- and doctor-driven education to inform the various surgical procedures that now exist that most of us realize there are many steps on the way to a facelift; that having a facelift is not the inevitable costly, surgical and intensive procedure we all must “face” one day down the road. This chapter is designed to help you discover what those alternatives are and, more importantly, where you fit on the “do I need a facelift?” scale. In other words, we will teach you a new scale to use that doesn’t necessarily involve how old you are or what you think you need.
WARNING: Age is NOT the determining factor in whether or not you need a facelift. In our practices we’ve both learned that age is not necessarily an indicator along the “who does and who doesn’t need a facelift” spectrum. Both of us know dozens of individuals in their fifties who don’t need a facelift – and just as many in their forties who do.
Where do you fall on this scale? To determine the answer we must consider the two mitigating factors that we will be discussing in this chapter:
1.) Laxity: As we have discussed, laxity is our term for “looseness and sagginess,” otherwise known as drooping.
2.) Volume loss: As your skin ages it loses volume and becomes more brittle and less supple, creating a more severe look to the face.
To be Continued…
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Dr. Hamilton in Telemundo
August 7th, 2009Four Recommendations for Beautiful Skin
August 4th, 2009So many people want absolute answers and black-and-white results, but neither life nor medicine works that way. Any procedure we undertake depends on our skill and your participation; be an active participant. You also need to be realistic; beauty is a process, not a procedure.
Accordingly, the first part of the consultation should focus on preventative measures to slow down the aging process. The following considerations will be discussed:
• Anti-aging regimen
• Skin care consultation with professional aesthetician
• Sun protection regimen
• Tobacco cessation
• Image consultation
• Dietary change
Part 2:
Non-invasive Procedures
The second phase of the consultation should address non-invasive procedures to improve the facial appearance. Many people will not need any further surgical intervention.
The options include:
• Laser resurfacing
• Chemical peels
• Soft tissue augmentation and fillers: Restylane®, Juvederm™, Perlane®, Hylaform, Radiesse®
• BOTOX®
• Collagen
• Fat grafting
• Thermage®, Titan™
Part 3:
Surgery Specific
The third aspect of the consultation should be designed to discuss areas of the face that will benefit from facial plastic surgical intervention. All regions of the face must be evaluated in order to achieve a balanced and aesthetically pleasing outcome (more on this in Chapter 2). When applicable, surgical and non-surgical methods are often combined in order to get the optimum outcome; we call these “complementary procedures” and will discuss them at length in future chapters. The following regions and surgical options are typically discussed in order to experience a thorough and realistic consultation:
The brow-eye complex
• Blepharoplasty – plastic surgery of the eyes
• Brow lift – endoscopic forehead lift
• Fat grafting
The mid-face and nasolabial fold region
• Facelift (rhytidectomy)
• Endoscopic midface lift
• Cheek implants (malar and submalar)
• Fat grafting
• Rhinoplasty (nasal reshaping, nose job)
The lower face and neck
• Facelift and Neck lift (rhytidectomy)
• Chin augmentation
• Fat grafting
Part 4:
Aftercare
The final phase of the consultation process should involve professional make-up artists and hair stylists to enhance and optimize the results achieved through non-invasive and surgical methods. After all, you want to keep the results, don’t you? So take pains to learn as much as you can about the beautification process in this all-important step.
Camouflage techniques for the initial healing process should be discussed in order to allow the patient to return to normal daily activities as soon as possible. (Skin care regimen with professional consultation needs to be continued.)
• Image consultants
• Hair stylists
• Make-up artists
• Continue anti-aging regimen
• Continue skin care regimen and consultation
• Continue dietary changes
After all, a facelift alone – be it surgical or not – cannot be considered a complete facial rejuvenation. A comprehensive approach must be utilized to obtain consistent results that are natural and long-lasting results.
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Extra – Beverly Hills Beauty Secrets – Dr. Hamilton
July 31st, 2009What is beautiful is good!
July 29th, 2009“What is Beautiful is Good…”
The Greek poet Sappho once wrote, “What is beautiful is good, and who is good will soon be beautiful.” Since then, much has been written about beauty and, not surprisingly, Sappho’s quote has proven to be quite astute; at least the first part: “What is beautiful is good.” Indeed, from better grades to more room on the sidewalk, those people we consider to be more attractive get preferential treatment in almost every area of life.
In an article for the American Journal of Sociology, authors Murray Webster and James E. Driskell combine several previous studies to determine that, “The most general conclusion from research is that the world must be a more pleasant and satisfying place for attractive people because they possess almost all types of social advantages that can be measured.”
Which social advantages, exactly? The authors go on to catalogue a myriad list of such advantages, beginning as early as childhood, “Attractive schoolchildren are expected by their teachers to achieve higher school marks than unattractive children, and they usually do so; their misdemeanors are judged less serious and it is predicted that they will have more successful careers.”
Attractive children often go on to become attractive adults, where the benefits continue to multiply: “Attractive adults are thought to have happier marriages than those who are unattractive, and that expectation seems to be fulfilled. Opinions of attractive adults are more likely to be agreed with; attractive adults are perceived as having better mental health; Attractive adults are even granted larger ‘personal space’ on the sidewalk than are the unattractive.”
Of course, we’ve all seen Tyra Banks wear an undercover camera while donning a fat suit and been amazed at how differently the supermodel was treated when compared to when the suit came off, but hard research reveals that what she experienced was no isolated event. Studies prove that attractive people really do earn more and become more successful – in business and in love – than those considered less attractive.
Case in point: a recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reports that, “Good-looking, slim, tall people tend to make more money than their plain-Jane counterparts”
Writing in the Journal of Young Investigators, author Charles Feng from Stanford University writes, “Psychological research suggests that people generally choose mates with a similar level of attractiveness. The evolutionary theory is that by mating with someone who has similar genes, one’s own genes are conserved. Moreover, a person’s demeanor and personality also influences how others perceive his or her beauty.”
Furthermore, a study from the Archives of Dermatology boasts research to support the theory that, “The best-looking women in high school are 10 times as likely to marry as the least attractive, and they are more likely to marry sooner and marry persons of greater wealth or social status. Sexual encounters are more numerous and varied for attractive people. Better treatment for the better looking extends to the workplace. West Point graduates with facial features more suggestive of dominance are more likely to achieve high rank. In the private sector, the good-looking are more likely to be hired, given a higher salary, and promoted sooner…”
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Beverly Hills Beauty Secrets Blog
The Role of Cosmetics on Your Skin.
July 25th, 2009The Role of Cosmetics
Cosmetics can help improve your appearance, but first you must understand something they cannot do. There is a common misconception that dryness of the skin causes aging. This leads people to think that moisturizing the skin is essential to prevent aging. Reversing dryness makes the skin look and feel better but it does nothing to slow the aging process. Moisturizers, oils and lotions, regardless of what they contain and how much they cost, will not stop or reverse aging.
Relying on your grandmother’s sunscreen – and your grandfather’s soap – will likely get you your grandparents’ skin! The expense of laboratory research, clinical trials, patent applications (in a few instances), and widespread marketing and implementation of sales force has driven up the prices of superior products.
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The aging process & Its Factors.
July 23rd, 2009The aging process revolves around four critical factors:
1.) WRINKLES (Skin ages/loses elasticity): If you’ve ever played an afternoon of pickup basketball with your younger relatives during an extended holiday weekend – particularly if you’re not used to doing so on a daily or even weekly basis – you will know that your muscles don’t quite “bounce back” the way they used to when you were a teenager. Well, your skin is much the same. Skin consistency changes as we age, creating fine lines, aging spots and overall producing an entirely different texture of the skin. We lose what we call the “snap” factor; the skin’s ability to snap back into place if you pinch, press, pound or pull it. Try it now; with your mirror. Pinch a spot on your cheek or neck and time how slowly it snaps back into place; the older you are, the longer this takes. Now try the experiment on a teenager or older relative (if they’ll let you!). The differences can be amazing.
2.) Volume loss: As the skin naturally loses its fullness, or volume, over the course of the years it becomes less supple and more brittle. There is less wiggle room, so to speak, when it comes to handling facial expressions and other environmental factors such as exposure to the sun or smoking. So it’s not so much that the skin is sagging or drooping, as many people tend to claim, it’s merely losing the fullness and suppleness of its younger years. In a very blunt way, we can compare the skin of a younger person to a grape and the skin of an older person to a raisin; this is the end result of volume loss. Several contributing factors to volume loss include:
• Less fat in our face as we age
• Bone, cartilage and facial structure changes – chin, nose, jaws, brows, etc. Think about individuals who have dentures or poor dental hygiene. Their faces look significantly older. That is because poor dental health leads to significant bone loss in the upper and lower jaw bones.
• Loss of muscle over time
3.) Laxity: You may not know what laxity means yet, but you know it when you see it: looseness and sagginess. In other words, the effect of gravity as it pulls already weakening skin down the contours of the face. This has to do with the effects of aging on skin. After all, things do drop; gravity does affect the aging process – and not in a good way. Individuals who have weak bone structure (small chins and cheek bones) don’t have good support for soft tissue (cheeks, etc.). They tend to have more laxity – and at an earlier age.
4.) Dynamic muscle contraction: Unlike other parts of the body, many of the muscles in your face don’t attach directly to bone; instead, many such muscles attach under the skin. This unique feature lets you contort your facial muscles into a variety of features and, in the process, make dozens of expressions: sad, glad, happy, mad – they all take a toll eventually. Despite their advantage to you in conveying emotions, these same muscle movements also cause aging lines (“expression lines”). Specifically, around the eyes and mouth. As you age these lines become more evident; when you’re younger they’re only there during the dynamic movements. In other words, smiling or wrinkle lines appear only while you’re doing the action; when you’re older they stay there even when you’re not doing that anymore. Loss of skin elasticity tends to increase the depth and persistence of these “expression lines.” Ever heard the expression, “Be careful; your face will freeze like that.” Well, your great grandmother might not have been so wrong after all.
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The Doctors on NBC Ch. 4 – Wrinkles Treatment
July 22nd, 2009Neck Lift Jowl Line.
July 18th, 2009My Nose Job in Beverly Hills
July 15th, 2009An extraordinary nose job in Beverly Hills by Dr. Azizzadeh. Rhinoplasty.
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SCULPTRA – Definition, How it works, side effects, & more…
July 14th, 2009
Sculptra
Sculptra® (marketed outside the United States as New-fill) is an injectable compound of poly-L lactic acid gel. A synthetic polymer, Sculptra® is designed to restore facial volume to areas of hollowness.
Sculptra® is currently approved for use in people with lipoatrophy secondary to Human Immunodeficiency Virus related treatment. The majority of its use, however, is off-label for aesthetic enhancements. The product works extremely well for individuals with moderate to severe volume loss. It is also extremely useful for areas such as temple, cheeks and around the mouth.
How does Sculptra® work?
This product works by encouraging new collagen growth and formation of fibrous tissues that make the complexion look smooth, supple, and youthful after the initial filling effect has worn off.
Sculptra® is a product that provides a natural framework for the growth of your own soft tissues and collagen production, creating natural volume and contour just where you want it. Injected beneath the skin in a simple office procedure, the results can last for two years. The areas best treated by Sculptra® include the cheeks, jaw line and temples. Sculptra® primarily restores facial volume in a very natural and long-lasting manner. The eyes should be avoided except for very experienced injectors.
Are there side effects with Sculptra®?
Sculptra®’s safety profile has significantly improved over the past several years with refinement in injection techniques, dilutions, and treatment protocols. The main risks associated with Sculptra® include bruising at the site of injection, nodule formation, and asymmetry. The overall risks of serious complications are well below one percent in the hands of an experienced physician. Special care should be used if your practitioner recommends Sculptra® for use under the eyes. Make sure that he or she has extensive experience using the product in that region.
How Many Times Must I Be Treated?
Generally speaking, most people will require three treatments spaced 1-2 months apart. Up to five treatments may be necessary for individuals with severe facial volume loss.
SKIN AGING EXPLAINED
July 13th, 2009SKIN AGING EXPLAINED
Toxins, primarily sunlight, cause damage to the nuclei of skin cells.
This damage leads to two major changes:
#1, the outer skin barrier is compromised over the years leading to loss of luster, roughness and dryness.
And #2, the inability of cells to maintain normal collagen levels.
This loss of normal collagen levels leads to wrinkling and looseness of the skin.
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How does Collagen work?
July 8th, 2009
How does Collagen work?
Collagen is a natural fibrous protein that is already naturally found in your own bones, skin, and cartilage. As we age, collagen levels in the skin begin to decrease, leading to loss of elasticity and fullness, particularly in the face.
How Many Times Must I Be Treated?
Treatment with bovine Collagen (Zyplast®/Zyderm®) requires a test to determine if you are allergic (3-5% of people are). A wait of 1 month is required; many physicians perform a second test and wait 2 weeks since very rarely the first test is falsely negative. Newer collagen products (Cosmpolast®/Cosmoderm® and Evolence® family) do not require allergy testing. The number of individual collagen injections will vary depending on what we are treating you for. Most individuals will need to repeat injections every three months.
Are there side effects with collagen products?
Collagen is an extremely safe product with excellent track record when used in the midface, laugh lines and lips. As with all fillers, collagen can have some adverse events such as: bruising, irregularity, over/under correction and nodularity. However, compared to hyaluronic acids which will be discussed below, collagen products cause less immediate swelling. Injection is not recommended for areas under or around the eyes.
How Long Will It Last?
Injectable collagen treatments will fill in depressions or lines and augment soft tissue features, to give you a fresh, glowing, youthful look. Bovine and human-derived collagen are the shortest lasting fillers, with the duration of three months. Evolence® has been reported to last six months or longer.
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Long Term Vs. Short Term Facial Beauty treatments
July 6th, 2009
Long Term Vs. Short Term Facial Beauty treatments
In general we can classify such treatments as either shorter (3-6 months) or longer (from 6-24 months) or even permanent. Which is which? In this chapter we take a look at two ways to approach facial procedures:
1. Short & Sweet – or Short-term – (3 to 12 months): Many of the treatments we offer fall into the “short and sweet” category, meaning they last for about three to six months and do require minimal upkeep to maintain their effectiveness.
2. A (Slightly) Longer Story – or Long-term – (over 12 months): Other procedures last longer and don’t require quite so many office visits to perfect.
Why two options? There are a few reasons. In the case of fillers, it may be a matter of cost (the shorter the duration, the lower the cost) or that certain fillers are not appropriate for certain areas of the face. Additionally, certain aging issues may only be addressed by certain technologies which have a specific duration of effect (e.g., loose skin treated by ThermaCool®). Another factor influencing choice is downtime (e.g., CO2 laser resurfacing vs. fractionated laser resurfacing).
Short & Sweet: 3-12 Months
In this section of Chapter 6 we discuss those facial treatments that we refer to as “short and sweet,” meaning just like your dentist or other doctors you only have to come into the office every three to six months to help maintain the youthful effect of these mostly temporary, but quite effective, treatments.
These short-term (3 to 12 month duration) treatments include:
• Botox®
• Hyaluronic Acids (Restylane®, Perlane®, Juvederm™)
• Collagen
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Injectables. How long will they last?
July 1st, 2009
The images above are from actual clients. Pre Artefill and Post Artefill.
Injectables: How Long Will They Last?
The Simple Answers
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“More than anything else, I’d like to be an old man with a good face, like Hitchcock or Picasso.”
~ Sean Connery
Duration of Injectable Products
This handy chart will help you determine how long a particular injectable lasts:
Short Term (3 – 12 months):
• BOTOX® (3 months)
• Collagen products
o Bovine collagen: Zyderm®, Zyplast® (3 months)
o Human-based collagen: Cosmoderm®, Cosmoplast® (3 months)
o Porcine collagen: Evolence®, Evolence® Breeze (6 months)
• Juvederm™ (6-12 months)
• Restylane® (6-12 months)
• Perlane® (6-12 months)
• Fascian™ (Extremely variable; increasing duration with repeat treatments)
Long Term (over 12 months):
• Radiesse® (1-2 years)
• Sculptra® (2-3 years)
• Artefill® (Permanent)
• Silikon® 1000 (Permanent)
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Typical Costs of Facial Rejuvenation
June 29th, 2009Typical Costs of Facial Rejuvenation
• Skin care products: $75 – $200 per month
• Botox®: $250 – $800 per treatment (depends on the area; typically $16 – $20/unit, 15 – 20 units for crow’s feet, 15 – 20 units for frown lines, 10 – 20 units for forehead lines, men need more units than women)
• Restylane®, Juvederm™, Perlane®: $550 – $650 per syringe (typically need 2 – 3 syringes face, 1 – 2 syringes for lips)
• Radiesse®: $800 – $900 per syringe (typically need 2-3 syringes)
• Sculptra®: $1,250 – $1,500 per vial (3 – 4 vials average per person)
• Rhinoplasty: $9,000 – $20,000 (depending on complexity)
• Forehead lift: $7,500 – $12,000
• Blepharoplasty: $3,500 – $8,000
• Fat grafting: $6,500 – $9,000
• Facelift: $12,000 – $25,000
• Fractional laser: $1,000/treatment (3 – 4 treatments typically required)
• CO2 laser: $4,000
The Consultation: Expectations, Questions, and Answers
We are not in a cookie-cutter business. The beauty of faces is that no two are exactly alike. Even identical twins – who may start out with startlingly similar features – will develop unique and personal differences over time. A beard, a way of applying makeup, five or ten additional or fewer pounds – each of these variables can affect one’s appearance.
Likewise, the aging process affects every individual differently. Genetic, environmental and gravitational forces have significant impact on the facial appearance. A comprehensive facial rejuvenation consultation should discuss skin, non-invasive and surgical management tailored to each specific patient. A systematic approach must be undertaken to address the face, eyes, nose and neck in its entirety in order to obtain a balanced, natural and un-operated appearance. We recommend a four-part consultation for maximum benefits.
1. Preventive Measures.
2. Non-Invasie Procedure.
3. Surgery Specifics.
4. AfterCare.
This steps in more detail later. Contact us for questions, suggestions, and advice.
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Let’s Talk About Lip Augmentation
June 26th, 2009
Let’s Talk About Lip Augmentation
Improvement and enlargement of lip contour is commonly desired. There are multiple ways to approach this goal. The treatment options include:
1. Hyaluronic acids: Juvederm™, Restylane®
2. Collagen: Cosmoplast®, Cosmoderm®, Evolence® Breeze
3. Lip implants: Gore-tex® (soft-form), Vera-fil* (new) AlloDerm
4. Fat grafting
5. Silicone*
6. Cymetra
Although collagen is the most commonly used method for lip augmentation, no single approach has become standard. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages.
Skin Care Regime – Change is coming!!
June 24th, 2009
A Change is Gonna Come: Maybe?
Only halfway through this chapter we’ve talked a lot about skin care products; the good, the bad and the ugly. And yet, chances are, you’re still confused. That is because there is so much new technology out there, making so many new products, discoveries and even delivery systems – serums, potions, lotions, capsules, oils, etc. – that it’s hard to keep up. Well, in this chapter we can’t promise to categorize every skincare product – or even list every skincare product – but we can at least simplify the search by classifying these products into one of only two categories.
When it comes to skin care products, believe it or not, change will come. We are all looking for change; better skin tone, more radiance, fewer lines, less wrinkles – changes all.
The two categories of skin products are:
1. A rejuvenating change – Reparative skin care products: Some skincare products attack symptoms, i.e. fine lines, sagging skin, discoloration, spots, wrinkles, laxity, etc. So when you’re shopping for these lotions and potions, you’re actively looking for something to change.
2. Postponing aging change – Preventative skin care products: A second aspect of skincare is keeping what you’ve got; the luster of youth. Skin care systems that prevent wrinkles from becoming prominent and provide proper support for clean, healthy skin. Some skincare products are designed not so much to change your face for the better, but to prevent changes from happening for the worse.
Reparative Skin Care Regimen
The glow of youth is lost over the years as the outer layer of the epidermis becomes thick and opaque. Some skincare products actually do create change. For instance, they can help restore the luster of skin on the outside and create better skin health from the inside. These include:
• Neo Strata: Hydroxy acids are one example of skincare products that actually produce a direct, measurable change; in this case, younger, glowing skin. The purpose of hydroxy acid products is twofold: 1.) Produce a smoother texture and even color and 2.) Help in acne-prone skin. While there are many hydroxy acid companies, we use NeoStrata (glycolic based) because it was founded and managed by Drs. Eugene Van Scott and Ruey Yu, who are the world recognized experts in glycolic acid research.
• RevaléSkin ™ cream: Brought to market in 2007, RevaleSkin ™ cream is a relatively new product on the market is utilizing the benefits of caffeine to, as the company’s slogan says, “Wake up your skin.” RevaléSkin ™ cream, an anti-oxidant derived from coffee berry, provides the promise of reducing lines as a result of moderate sun damage. RevaleSkin™ is the first professional line of anti-aging skincare that the authors are aware of that contains Coffeeberry, a powerful natural antioxidant. And as an aside, recent studies have shown that coffee drinkers seem to have a lower instance of internal diseases.
• Triluma®: Triluma® is the most widely used prescription bleaching agent in the United States. It contains three prime ingredients – 4% hydroquinone, Tretinoin, and a topical steroid. This product is excellent for color irregularities seen in photodamaged skin especially in darker skin types.
• 302™ Protein Drops: A new topical technology began in the laboratories of pharmaceutical giant, Eli Lilly, in the early 1990s. The fruits of this research of more than a decade yielded a spin-off company of former Lilly scientists in 2004. 302™ Protein Drops are avocado derived and have the unique ability to thicken skin: both the dermis and the epidermis. We prescribe it to help reverse the skin thinning effects of age.
Preventative Aging Change
When it comes to skincare, our first hope is to make one’s skin look better. But just as important is our other wish: to postpone or at least delay the aging process. In this instance, we want to maintain our youthful appearance and prevent the aging process. The prevention of wrinkles is typically focused on the abnormalities occurring in the collagen component of the dermis (deeper layer of the skin). Other elements of the dermis include elastic fibers, Hyaluronic acids and blood vessels. These last three are targets of some products as well. Yet it is the collagen stimulation factors of cosmeceutical creams and lotions that have received the attention of skin care professional and the public.
Retin-A, an acne preparation developed in the late 1960’s, was shown to stimulate collagen to the point that biopsy studies showed youthful collagen being generously deposited over a period of months. Tretinoin, Retin-A’s active ingredient (also found in Renova) quickly became the gold standard for “collagen creams.” It held its throne until the early 1990’s, when several competitors arrived. Currently we recommend the following powerful preventative skin care lines that have been proven by outstanding clinical research.
• Neova® (Copper peptide): Since 1999, copper peptide creams have been considered undoubtedly the most effective wrinkle prevention creams available, having been shown in several independent medical school studies to stimulate collagen at almost twice the rate as Retin-A and Renova®.
• NIA 24™: Niacinamide based NIA 24™ which was tested at the National Cancer Institute may be able to reverse DNA damage. This product is very important for people with fair skin who have had sun damage – even severe damage. We have noticed with numerous individuals a softening of color irregularity and reduction in scaling, precancerous growths. Therefore, this product serves a unique purpose by perhaps reducing the prevalence of skin cancer in people who use it and at the same time reducing the effect of the sun, wrinkles.
• Antioxidants: One of the leading theories for preventing skin aging is based upon the concept that cells are attacked by harmful elements called free radicals; aging can be prevented by preventing free radical formation with antioxidants. Antioxidant (“free radical scavengers”) skin care products have increasingly assumed center stage. There are numerous antioxidants used in skin care products including vitamins (C & E), herbal and green tea extracts (polyphenols) and others. This list is likely to expand rapidly and may even have value in preventing skin cancer.
1. Replenix™: Replenix™ is our most commonly recommended antioxidant preventative skin care product. It contains green tea derived polyphenols, which are known to be strong anti-oxidants.
2. Citrix® – Vitamin C: Vitamin C is the most plentiful antioxidant in human skin and a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Our recommended Vitamin C based antioxidant skin care system is Citrix®. Citrix® is used more commonly in acne-prone and oily skin because it functions as an astringent in these skin types.
3. Persimmon leaf: Persimmon leaf, a naturally occurring plant, contains tannins (as found in wine) and has skin-lightening and collagen-stimulating capacities. We are looking at new and recent skincare developments in this area.
• Broad-spectrum sunscreens: Sunscreen application is perhaps the most important preventative measure for sun damage and aging. Please see the section below for a detailed discussion
Ladies!!!….Stretch Marks in Cougar Town
June 23rd, 2009Ladies!!!….Stretch Marks in Cougar Town
These days, it is not uncommon to see a fit and fab 40 year old woman with her beau of 26 or 27. Thanks Demi Moore!!
But, in your quest to work your body into better shape than it was in your 20’s, you may be faced with an undesirable side effect…..stretch marks! Did I say it?—YES, I did!! Stretch marks!! Stretch Marks!! Stretch Marks!!—Almost as disturbing as it’s three syllable sister..Cell-u-lite! And just as unpleasant aesthetically.
Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox rely on talented make-up artists and skillful retouchers to wipe away stretch marks. But what can you do?
Technology has heard your cries and answered with the FRAXEL LASER. A laser initially designed to treat acne scars, fine lines and texture issues…new studies have found that it can do wonders on stretch marks!
Procedure usually takes 3-5 treatments and can be done 3 to 4 weeks apart. There is NO down time and that means no need to skip the sun this summer. Appearance of stretch marks improves with each treatment. Cost can range from $600-$1200 per treatment depending on the size of the area.
So, rejoice!—Have that baby, tone up those hips, get rid of those implants and ask out that hot neighbor…after all, he is getting his Master‘s degree!
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Our Goal, Your Book…BHBS
June 22nd, 2009
The Best Source for Your Information
Traditionally, the physicians such as plastic surgeons and dermatologists were the experts that clarified the appropriate intervention to address an individual’s concerns. Today, however, the Internet as well as print and television media have become an important source of information for people when seeking the appropriate procedure and available intervention.
Advertisements by physicians and cosmetic products and procedures are abundant. Multiple books have also been published about beauty and health. Most of the advice provided in these books is limited by the experience and specialty of the physicians. Regardless of the significant amount of available information, in our practices we have learned that people are more confused than ever and most do not feel that they have a source that would serve as an unbiased source for facial enhancement and preservation.
Until now. We are Douglas Hamilton, MD and Babak Azizzadeh, MD and our new book is called Beverly Hills Celebrity Beauty Secrets: The Secrets Celebrities Don’t Want You to Know – From Two Doctors Who Work On Them Every Day (?). To our knowledge, this is the first book written by both a facial plastic surgeon and a dermatologist with expertise in facial rejuvenation. This groundbreaking dual format allows for a broad-based – and unbiased – approach to facial rejuvenation.
It is a mixture of excitement and concern that has energized us to write this book. With the proper application of technological and surgical approaches now available, many elements of facial aging can be addressed today in ways that were not imaginable even five years ago. Yet, with this advancing tide of technology and surgery comes some muddying of the waters.
The promises provided by these advancements can be nullified by their inappropriate application in unqualified hands. This may range from doctors far removed from their specialties, with backgrounds as thin as a weekend course certificate, to non-physicians employed in a business model where medical professionalism has been suffocated by the drive to profit.
For individuals seeking to enhance and preserve their facial appearance, our goal in writing this book is to give “insider trading” that most cosmetic health care providers are aware of. These include:
1. Providing the guidelines for understanding the aging changes specific to their face so that they can be educated about alternative treatments
2. Clarifying the available surgical and non-surgical treatments
3. Providing the all-important criteria for choosing the physician specialist who would understand the appropriate procedure
Together, we have over four decades of experience in facial plastic surgery and dermatology, all of which is poured into “Beverly Hills Beauty Secrets”. Through a combination of sound advice, quantifiable research, unvarnished truth and actual case studies from both our practices, the reader will experience a life-enhancing result with money well spent – and hopes well placed. That is our sincere wish.
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Nose Job in Beverly Hills – Dr. Azizzadeh
June 19th, 2009“Three 3 Tips for an Age-Proof Face”
June 18th, 2009
Less Sun – More Sunscreen.
Stop worshiping the sun and start caring for your skin instead. We can’t say this enough. We all enjoy a day at the beach and the fresh, attractive feeling we have when our faces are suntanned – or sunburned. However spending too much time in the sun is like squandering your savings account in your youth only to regret it in your golden years – you will pay for it later. We have seen how the sun damages the skin; avoid harmful UltraViolet (UV) rays when you can and protect yourself when you cant. It’s simple as that. Use a total (UVB and UVA) sunblock.
Quit Smoking.
If you are still smoking, quit. If you are thinking about starting to smoke, dont. If your co-workers smoke, avoid them – or get them to quit. The chemicals and heat from a burning cigarette wreak obvious havoc on your face, and it isn’t always easy to remove. If you want to start achieving a more youthful appearance by tomorrow, quit smoking today. Nicotine has shown in numerous laboratory experiments to harm the varous components of the dermis (a deeper layer of the skin).
Stop Worrying.
What is done is done; you cant go back in time. If you were a sun worshiper in your youth or smoked until just yesterday, quit crying over spilled milk; it wont do any good. All you can do is move from today and look forward to tomorow. You can quit adding to the lines that are already etched into your face by worrying less from this day forward. Revel in the knowledge that modern techniques can delay or reverse the effects of aging.
Read More in our new publication.
At what age should I start worrying about facial aging?
June 16th, 2009Start early with prevention by using sunscreens. Most extrinsic aging is due to sun damage.
In your 20’s, skin care home products such as anti-oxidants and collagen stimulating creams become important along with mild collagen stimulation from microdermabrasions.
In your 30’s, lip enhancement (enlargement) and filling of forehead and smile lines (nose to mouth corners) can be treated with botox and fillers, respectively.
The 40’s are a perfect age for Thermage to tighten some early skin sagging and removal of fine lines and color irregularity with lasers like the IPL and Fraxel.
From the 50’s on, the above can maintain youthful appearance for a long time but invasive tightening (facelift or blepharoplasties (eyelids) ) may be needed. Remember for some people, you may be 55 and look 35 or the reverse. These are general guidelines.
Sculptra – Definition
June 16th, 2009Sculptra: Sculptra (marketed outside the United States as New-Fill) is an injectable compound of poly-L-lactic (PLA) acid gel. A synthetic polymer, Sculptra is designed to restore facial volume to areas of hollowness. Sculptra is currently approved for use in people with lipoatrophy as a secondary aspect of HIV-related treatment. The majority of its use, however, is off-label for aesthetic enhancements. The product works extremely well for individuals with moderate to severe volume loss. It is also extremely useful for areas such as the temples, the cheeks, and around the mouth.
Rhinoplasty – Definition
June 16th, 2009Rhinoplasty is one of the most common yet challenging cosmetic procedures. The key to a successful outcome resides in creating a natural-looking, well-proportioned nose without sacrificing an individual’s breathing function. Your desires, ethnicity, and facial proportions are of the utmost importance in determining the proper rhinoplasty procedure. A systematic approach is utilized for the treatment plan, which is almost always unique to each individual. A rhinoplasty begins with the plastic surgeon making incisions inside the nasal cavity. After that, the cartilage and bone of the nose are sculpted, shaped, or in some cases even reconstructed to the desired specifications of the preoperative treatment plan. The skin from the nose is then sutured carefully, and bandages are applied to prevent infection and promote proper healing. Rhinoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure; it can take from one to four hours, depending on the severity of the procedure. In most people, you will see no exterior, noticeable scars.
Juvederm – Definition
June 16th, 2009Juvéderm: Juvéderm is another product that, like Restylane and Perlane, is composed of hyaluronic acid; it comes in the form of a gel that is inserted into the skin. Juvéderm is a smooth gel that flows into the skin; it was designed so that the overall effect would be smooth and natural rather than harsh and abrasive.
Botox Definition
June 16th, 2009BOTOX Cosmetic: BOTOX is a purified version of a natural protein, Clostridium botulinum, that is derived from bacteria. Administered in very small doses, Botox can relax and smooth deep furrows and lines in the face. There’s no recovery time, so you can get back to work or participate in other activities immediately. BOTOX Cosmetic works by reducing muscle contractions and elevations in the treated area, causing even deep lines and forehead furrows to become smoother and less prominent. There usually is some reduction in the ability to raise the brows or squint.
Summer Sun Damage
June 16th, 2009
Summer is MOSTLY about the sun & facial skin aging is MOSTLY about sun damage.Prevention is about sunscreens but their efficacy is not just about the (SPF )numbers. SPF measures only protection from a small part of the sun’s harmful spectrum. For full protection:
#1 The right ingredients are needed- high % of Zinc; mexoryl; or helioplex.
#2 Apply thickly- only a minority of individuals apply sunscreens as thickly as in the SPF studies &
#3 Re-apply once or more if you perspire heavily. Additionally, studies suggest that antioxidants such as Vitamin C applied before sun exposure may offset much of the free radical damage elicited by UV exposure.
Douglas Hamilton M.D.
June 16th, 2009
Dr. Hamilton
DOUGLAS HAMILTON, M.D., is the director of the Laser Rejuvenation Institute and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Hamilton specializes in a full range of noninvasive cosmetic procedures designed to rejuvenate and enhance appearance. He has been featured on Good Morning America, CNN, ABC News, CBS News, Extra, and Access Hollywood, and in the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times.
Babak Azizzadeh M.D.
June 16th, 2009
Dr. Azizzadeh
BABAK AZIZZADEH, M.D., is the director of the Center for Facial and Nasal Plastic Surgery and an assistant clinical professor of surgery at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Azizzadeh has been actively involved with nonprofit organizations including Operation of Hope, and has recently started the Facial Paralysis and Bell’s Palsy Foundation. He has been featured on ABC News, Oprah, and Discovery Health, and in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and People magazine.
Beverly Hills Beauty Secrets Book Cover
June 16th, 2009
Book Cover
Find out how celebrities look their best, in Beverly Hills Beauty Secrets. From
Botox to facelifts, two top Beverly Hills doctors tell you what you need to
know about today’s key surgical and nonsurgical facial care treatments and
procedures to look terrific for your own red-carpet moments. With real-life
examples from their celebrity clientele and the authors’ lifelong Beverly Hills
Beauty Program used by many of their famous clients, you’ll have all the
advice you need to have a lustrous, youthful-looking face for years to come.
