Tomorrow I see 9 new patients who are seeking consultation for surgical facial rejuvenation and another 8 for non-surgical facial rejuvenation. This is a high number. So, why do so many people electively choose to have facial plastic surgical procedures. Well, from what I gather from my patients is... at some point you look in the mirror and no longer recognize the face looking back at you. You feel young and vibrant on the inside but the face in the mirror looks looks tired and old. For some, this can be emotionally difficult and eventually, the face in the mirror starts to affect the way the person feels on the inside. This is the problem and this is when most individuals begin to seek treatment. This is what I have seen in my patient population. As a surgeon I am sensitive to this as a result of my insight into the lives and motivations of my patients. Interestingly, once the patient gets the procedure(s), suddenly they regain their positive self image. This is the most meaningful part of what I do.  

I am curious how many of you relate to this.  Also.. if there are other perspectives, I would love to learn about them and discuss them further.

Interestingly, I would here my patients comment about how they feel that they feel more relaxed, less anxious, less stressed, and even less angry after they’ve been injected with Botox.   I always thought it was interesting but never really gave it much thought. Recently, I learned that there has been some scientific and medical research looking at this relationship.  Apparently, some of the early data suggest that indeed Botox can potentially have a positive impact on your mood, even in individuals diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder.   Just out of curiosity, has any one noticed this effect after a botox treatment?

Did you know skin cancer is on the rise?  Yes, this is true of all types of skin cancers, ranging from basal cell carcinoma (BCCA), squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) and melanoma.  

A few things that you can do to reduce the risk of forming skin cancers are:  

1) Apply good sun screen all the time when you are out and about.  What I mean by good is not necessarily something with a high SPF but one that has a combination of SPF of say 20-25 and above coupled with a physical blocker like zinc or titanium oxide.  The percentage of zinc or titanium oxide should be about 10%.   This block the suns rays from penetrating the skin more effectively.  

2) Stay covered.  If you are going to be working in the garden, hanging out at the beach or park, wear a wide rim hat that keeps your face covered.  Also, long sleeve sun protective apparel is great to keep the UV rays from ever getting to your skin.  You can find sun protective clothing online at stores such Sun Precautions in La Jolla, CA.  

3) Finally, see your dermatologist once a year for a head to toe skin check.  Picking up on early skin cancers can save you from having a large surgery and subsequent scar need to remove them.  This is especially true for people who have lighter skin types and have had a history of sun tanning.  

Remember, if you like the look of a nice tan, turn to spray tanning or skin bronzers.

There is no procedure in plastic surgery that makes a bigger impact in an individuals facial appearance than a rhinoplasty (nose job).  The goal of rhinoplasty is (and should be) to enhance facial harmony.  It is not just to sculpt a more attractive nose.  Even a small changes in the shape, size or contour of the nose can make a big positive impact in the individuals overall appearance.  The key, however, is to find a surgeon that truly specializes in performing rhinoplasty and who you communicate with regarding your desired changes. Rhinoplasty is the most difficult procedure to perform in plastic surgery.  So make sure your prospective surgeon is an expert.   Most people who get a rhinoplasty are individuals that are bothered by a particular nasal feature, and once this change is corrected they feel liberated from the persistent concern.  Their self image and self confidence is enhanced.  This is the most rewarding part of the surgery for both of us!

To see examples of rhinoplasty before and afters click here link     If you have any questions or would like to discuss this topic further, please comment.

Latisse is getting all the buzz these days.  Latisse is the first FDA approved drug specifically indicated to promote eyelash growth.  Allergan the makers of Botox and Juvederm, also make Latisse.  According to Allergan, “Latisse users can expect to experience longer, fuller, and darker eyelashes in as little as eight weeks, with full results in 16 weeks.” No wonder everyone wants it. Once Latisse is stopped, eyelashes will slowly return to there pre-treatment appearance.  

To get a prescription, a brief medical evaluation is required from a physician experienced with the drug to make certain there are no contraindications to its use.  We've been selling it since it hit the market... if you'd like to learn more please feel free to ask me.  Also you can learn more by clicking on our site drkaram.com  

The field of facial rejuvenation has advanced tremendously in the last 20 years.  Until recently, when a patient walked into a plastic surgeons office they were offered surgery and nothing else.   The surgical approaches were deeply invasive and the recovery took months.   Often as a result of overly aggressive surgical approaches to rejuvenate the eyes, forehead, cheeks and neck, patients ended up looking distorted, pulled and un-natural.  Unfortunately, many prospective patients today still have a vivid memory of these faces and they think twice about having facial surgery to refresh and rejuvenate their look.   Who can blame them?

Today, things have changed dramatically.   Now the modern and advanced facial surgeon will put together a customized and comprehensive plan that incorporates both surgical and non-surgical modalities in an effort to offer the most natural and minimally-invasive approach to facial rejuvenation.   Even the surgeries are significantly less invasive.  For example, many surgeons will perform a short incision short flap facelift which gives maximal correction of the jaw line and neck while yet allowing the patient to recover in about 1 week.  The midface and eyes are treated with volume augmentation (with fat transfer, Restylane or Juvederm, and Botox) as opposed to aggressive mid face lifts or eyelid surgery.     The skin is treated with conservative peels or advanced lasers that refresh the skin without permanently changing the tone and texture like many of the previous approaches.  

With the availability of more tools, the artistry of the field has improved so that patients can be offered a range of procedures that can produce subtle to substantial changes in their facial appearance. The net result of the New Paradigm in Facial Rejuvenation is less down side but a much higher upside with respect to a natural rejuvenation and restoration of facial youth.

To learn more and to see before and after photos visit link