Beauty pro division

Wendy Lewis is an international insider to the world of anti-aging, skin care, beauty and cosmetic surgery. She is also the author of 10 consumer health and beauty books, including two editions of America’s Cosmetic Doctors & Dentists and her newest title, Plastic Makes Perfect; The Complete Cosmetic Beauty Guide. Her contributions to the beauty industry are vast, of which you can learn more on her website www.wlbeauty.com.

Pierce Mattie: In a recent article on Health News Digest you raved about Lumixyl. Would you say that it even works better than Tri-Luma? What do you see as the biggest difference between the two?

Wendy Lewis: Lumixyl is a newly launched peptide based skin brightening/lightening cream that will sell for around $120 US for 1 ounce pump. I love Tri-Luma, which is a prescription drug from Galderma that is modeled from Kligman's Formula and contatins 4% Hydroquinone, retinoid and a mild steroid. Lumixyl is a hydroquinone alternative, and the results of studies conducted at Stanford showed great results, and it is gentle for all skin types. Lumixyl is an OTC product sold through professional channels, whereas Triluma is an Rx and requires a prescription from an MD. I foresee that some dermatologists may put patients on a regimen that contains both of these formulations in some cases. 

Pierce Mattie: There are many aesthetic consultants in Manhattan, Palm Beach and Beverly Hills but no one who executes it as well as you. I have always said it’s your skill to really match up your clients with the right physician. What kind of research goes into your work?

Wendy Lewis: I am flattered Pierce, especially coming from someone who is a guru in the beauty biz. I take my "Knife Coach" brand very seriously and care about my clients and the recommendations I give them. I do a ton of research, attend conferences in the US and Europe, routinely interview and visit doctors in all specialties and read trade journals online so I am up to speed on all the latest developments. I have never altered from my original business model, which differs greatly from other me too "consultants" I have come across; my independence and impartiality is paramount, I treat all clients with total confidentiality, and I am not in anyone's pocket.

When I suggest a product or practitioner for a client, it comes from the heart and from my personal knowledge and expertise. I am doing more phone and webcam consultations today with private clients than face to face, both from an economical point and for convenience for the clients who are busy, active, and international. It's not perfect, but it's pretty close, and I have been at it now for over a dozen years.

In this economy I have noticed an increase in spending on faux luxuries aka knock-off’s especially sunglasses this summer but Botox, come on!

I will confess amongst my peers we have all been spending a little less time in our favorite surgeon’s office. The reality is that getting facial injections in this financial slump is not a priority with the majority. For those of you who refuse to go without those wrinkle flatteners and find a surgeon who has a record breaking price do your homework and please don’t skimp.

2009 is the year of the eye lash, we are obsessed - in America we have Brooke Shields touting Latisse, we have the new vibrational mascara wand from Lancome called Oscillation and we also have industry veterans who pioneered the category of growing the hair of your eyelash with Jan Marini's Marini Lash but leave it to the Brits to create the first cosmetic surgery procedure to fix your weak lashes. I am not certain if the beauty PR team at Pierce Mattie will elect to have this done, but we do find it most buzz worthy!

A breakthrough in UK cosmetic surgery with the announcement of the first ever eyelash transplant, allowing women and men to regain their eyelashes through a micro-surgical transplant allowing women and men with complete or partial eyelash loss to regain their eyelashes through a micro-surgical transplant procedure - doing away with the need for false eyelashes.

The micro-surgical eyelash transplant procedure is only available in the UK, by Transform and marks an important landmark in permanent treatment of Madarosis - the medical term for eyelash loss.

The procedure takes approximately four hours and is done under local anaesthetic. It begins by taking a hair graft from the back of the head and then by dissecting it under a microscope, it is placed into tiny incisions in the eyelid.

The procedure is minimally invasive and usually only one session is needed with natural results visible between 4-6 months post procedure.

Ideal candidates of eyelash transplants are those who suffer from alopecia, trichotillomania (self-inflicted obsessive plucking), or those who lost hair due to radiation or chemotherapy. However, the treatment can also be used for cosmetic purposes to improve the fullness and length of lashes - competing directly with the false lash market.

Transform's Shami Thomas comments; "As the UK's largest cosmetic surgery provider, we're constantly looking for innovative treatments that can offer our patients a new-found confidence.

"We often look to America for the latest in cosmetic surgery as they're the pioneers in the industry, but not all are as successful and safe as this one. The Eyelash Transplant procedure is a very safe, cost-effective and pain-free treatment that can have life-changing effects."

Case Study

Transform treated the UK's first ever patient, 19-year-old Louise Thomas of Stockport, Manchester, with resounding success. Trichotillomania sufferer, Louise, comments "Having suffered from trichotillomania for 17 years, I learned to accept that I'd never have real lashes again. That's quite a hard issue for a young girl to come to terms with.

"When I heard about this treatment it sounded too good to be true but the results are absolutely amazing! I feel so feminine again and simple things like being able to wear mascara have made such a positive difference with my confidence."

Eyelash Transplants at Transform clinics start from GBP3500. For more information, visit 
 
 

Liposuction was developed in the 1970s in Italy as a way for people to effectively remove fat from problem areas that do not respond to traditional weight loss techniques. The procedure gained rapid popularity over the years, soon becoming the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure in the US. New technology helped increase the effectiveness and simplicity of liposuction, including the introduction of tumescent anesthesia and laser energy. 

Laser lipolysis is a pioneering technology in liposuction that offers a less invasive alternative to the traditional procedure. LaserSculpt is performed using the Smartlipo Laser, manufactured by Cynosure or the SlimLipo manufactured by Palomar, and is the first laser liposuction procedure cleared by the FDA. Since its clearance in November 2006, Lasersculpt has become one of the fastest-growing procedures in the US, successfully offering a safer, more affordable and more effective choice for patients considering liposuction.

Such physicians as Dr. Steven Victor are advocating the use of laser technology vs. the knife as an alternative to liposuction. Dr. Steven Victor, CEO of LaserSculpt, Inc., is pleased to announce the airing of their infomercial promoting laser assisted liposuction. This is the first cosmetic infomercial to air the new technology of laser assisted liposuction.

Today, Icelandic TV show Frettaaukinn will air the story of a small girl, too sick to travel, who was in need of life-saving surgery and the heroic efforts of Dr. Paul Castellanos who performed the procedure using the UltraPulse SurgiTouch CO2 laser with Digital AcuBlade microsurgery system supplied by Lumenis
 
Lumenis Ltd., the world's largest medical laser company, announced today that it supplied an UltraPulse SurgiTouch CO2 laser with Digital AcuBlade microsurgery system to the Landspitalinn University Hospital in Reykjavik, Iceland. Lumenis' state of the art laser system, was used by Dr. Paul Castellanos to perform Trans-oral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) for the treatment of airway stenosis with obstructing neurofibromatosis of the laryngopharynx on a 9-year-old girl and four other patients.

Whether in a quest for beauty or out of necessity, millions of Americans will have plastic surgery this year. To stay ahead of the demand, the hottest topics, technologies, and research will be presented at Plastic Surgery 2009, the annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Oct. 23-27, in Seattle. The meeting, held at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, will be attended by more than 5,000 doctors, medical personnel and exhibitors in the field of plastic surgery.

"Plastic Surgery 2009 is the complete plastic surgery experience featuring the latest information on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery techniques," said ASPS President John Canady, MD. "New discoveries on facial aging, novel uses for Botox(R)( )to treat chronic pain, concerns about do-it-yourself cosmetic treatments and more will be explored. Amazing reconstructive surgery breakthroughs that will one day allow U.S. soldiers with artificial limbs to feel sensation will be revealed."

Dr. Michael Feiz, lead surgeon at the Beverly Hills Comprehensive Weight Loss Center, has performed more Lap Band surgeries than any other doctor. For overweight Los Angeles residents, Lap Band surgery is the answer they have been looking for to shed the unhealthy weight and return to a more active life. Performed laparoscopic with almost no scarring, Lap Band surgery has the added benefit of enabling the patient to control their weight loss progress. Unlike gastric bypass surgery, Lap Band surgery does not involve the permanent reduction in size of the stomach. Instead, a small cinched section of plastic is placed around the upper area of the stomach, creating a temporarily shrunken stomach area for food to pass through. The other factor that makes Lap Band surgery so unique from gastric bypass is that the Lap Band is connected to a port that enables adjustment of the amount of solid food that can pass through the stomach. Finally, Lap Band surgery is so attractive because it can be easily reversed by simply removing the Lap Band if something goes amiss.

A pioneer in successful Lap Band surgery, Dr. Michael Feiz of the Beverly Hills Comprehensive Weight Loss Center has performed the world's most cosmetic Lap Band surgery. With degrees from UCLA, New York Medical College and a residency and fellowship at USC Medical Center and Cedars Sinai, Dr. Feiz is highly trained and skilled in Bariatric and minimally invasive surgery. All prospective Lap Band surgery patients who visit the Beverly Hills Comprehensive Weight Loss Center must first undergo a full 360 degree evaluation of their health - mental and physical - as well as their habits and attitudes toward exercise and food.

Renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Julian Henley will be taking consultations in New York City, Darien, CT and New Haven, CT for potential candidates of his revolutionary new procedure the BioMatrix Lift.

For over 20 years, Dr. Henley has stood at the forefront of his field's exciting evolution, developing new techniques to improve results and expand possibilities. The culmination of two years of research, the BioMatrix Lift represents the latest in surgical facial rejuvenation procedures designed to provide a healthier and more youthful appearance.

Renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Julian Henley will be taking consultations in New York City, Darien, CT and New Haven, CT for potential candidates of his revolutionary new procedure the BioMatrix Lift.

For over 20 years, Dr. Henley has stood at the forefront of his field's exciting evolution, developing new techniques to improve results and expand possibilities. The culmination of two years of research, the BioMatrix Lift represents the latest in surgical facial rejuvenation procedures designed to provide a healthier and more youthful appearance.

Renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Julian Henley will be taking consultations in New York City, Darien, CT and New Haven, CT for potential candidates of his revolutionary new procedure the BioMatrix Lift.

For over 20 years, Dr. Henley has stood at the forefront of his field's exciting evolution, developing new techniques to improve results and expand possibilities. The culmination of two years of research, the BioMatrix Lift represents the latest in surgical facial rejuvenation procedures designed to provide a healthier and more youthful appearance.

Faces don't lie when it comes to showing signs of aging. Yet gravity alone is not the sole determinant of the aging face. Studies have demonstrated that volume loss of soft tissue and bone is at least equally important to facial aging. The loss of volume in the face over time can cause deep lines, sunken areas around the eyes, temples, nose and jowls. With the recent FDA approval of Sculptra Aesthetic, physicians now have a non-invasive tool to increase facial volume, stimulate collagen production, and reverse some of the visible signs of aging.

"The basics of facial aging are that first the face deflates with volume loss and then begins to sag," says Lori H. Saltz, M.D., a board certified plastic surgeon and Medical Director of La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre. "Sculptra is different than the fillers that are on the aesthetic market because it actually is a volumizer that stimulates a person's own collagen to rebuild some of the volume that is naturally lost during the aging process," adds Saltz. Sculptra contains poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and is biocompatible, meaning it will not harm your body. PLLA has been used for many years in dissolvable stitches and medical implants as well as for cosmetic purposes in Europe for the past ten years.

Despite enduring an almost 5% decline in market growth over 2008, the global facial injectable market will begin to recover in 2010, according to Millennium Research Group

According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, the nearly $1.2 billion global facial injectable market declined by almost 5% over 2008 as patients chose to delay or forego treatment as a result of the economic crisis. The market will, however, begin recovery in 2010, and by 2014, will return to the strong pre-recession growth rates of over 15%. MRG's facial injectable series, which includes separate reports on North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, finds that many manufacturers are refining marketing strategies and strengthening product portfolios in order to establish optimal market position in the coming years.

To combat financial pressures and bolster share in advance of economic recovery, some firms that had longstanding plans to enter the US market were granted FDA approval and launched new products in 2009 in hopes of stimulating interest and adoption amongst new practitioners and patients. In the US, notable releases included the highly anticipated Dysport by Ipsen and Medicis Pharmaceutical, and the approval of Sculptra Aesthetic by sanofi-aventis. In the European facial injectable market, Ipsen and Galderma launched Azzalure, a version of Dysport that is rebranded for aesthetic use in Europe. Although these competitors launched their products during difficult financial times, the interest stimulated through these launches will carry through into recovery, positioning the firms favorably for improved cosmetic procedure volumes.

Maybe you've received eye-opening holiday gifts in the past such as new electronics, an exciting vacation or that car you have always craved. The gift of cosmetic surgery is not a new phenomenon, but many are going that route this holiday season as husbands and wives yearn for that perfect present to their loved one.

"It's the season of giving and cosmetic surgery can fit into that category just as easily as some of the more traditional gifts out there," said Dr. Patrick McMenamin, MD, President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. "What better way to ring in the New Year than to get that procedure that you've always wanted? And if it's a present to or from a loved one, that makes it all the better."

According to a consumer survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, 46 percent of consumers say they would forego an expensive vacation or luxury car to pay for cosmetic surgery.

Surgery gift-giving does take some planning, as the procedures are often done before Christmas, so patients are either recovering or showing off their improved looks in time for their holiday gatherings. But make sure this is something you talk over with the surgery recipient beforehand, because surprising someone with cosmetic surgery is not recommended.

"There are a large number of people who really want cosmetic surgery, and they just need that little nudge or incentive to get it done," said Dr. Mark Berman, AACS President-Elect. "Well, if you're that spouse or significant other, just make sure you've discussed the idea in the past so it doesn't come as a surprise."

For information on choosing a cosmetic surgeon and other important questions to ask a doctor before having a procedure can be found on the AACS website, www.cosmeticsurgery.org. There's a surgeon finder on the website to help consumers make a well-informed decision on picking a qualified cosmetic surgeon.

LookingYourBest.com, the nationwide reference guide to a Who's Who of America's Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeons, offers more than just a bold new look with its comprehensive re-tooling. It offers an enhanced experience.

The first aspect of the new LookingYourBest.com that will surely catch the eye is the new layout and color scheme. The old, sterile layout with its pastel colors blending out to the window's edge has been supplanted by a sharp, clean page set against a rich chocolate tone, with deep rose accents and a commanding presence. In all, the site wears a more focused, sophisticated feel that visitors are sure to appreciate.

The visual changes, however, belie the underlying metamorphosis that now makes it even easier to seek out doctors and procedures by multiple criteria. A simplified menu and site structure are two of the keys to the improved ease of use, despite the addition of even more data than before. LookingYourBest has long been an excellent source for finding and comparing plastic surgery professionals in aesthetic medicine, both locally and nationally. Now, the search function in both the gallery and surgeon areas has been simplified and visitors are treated to informative videos and 3D procedure animations to further enhance their search.

There's an important difference in the underpinnings as well, though a casual visitor may not even notice. Nevertheless, by streamlining the site's code, the programmers at LookingYourBest have sought to improve what is often the most important aspect of a web site: browsing speed. The new LookingYourBest.com loads faster and is more intuitive than ever.

Dr. Jay Calvert, a Los Angeles-based cosmetic surgeon, is one of the major proponent s of using less invasive instruments to perform facelifts. He has incorporated the use of the endoscope into his practice since the beginning of his career and he views this tool as a valuable instrument in performing surgery because it minimizes the amount of incisions that need to be made in order to reconstruct or remodel the face.

Current facelift approach uses open surgery, a traditional type of operations where a long incision is made for the surgeon to insert the instruments and perform his work. This method often results to big scars and may even cause infections or complications because a large part of the person’s face is exposed thus potentially leading to internal bleeding, hematoma and sever blood loss. Dr. Calvert tries to avoid these risks by using an endoscope in his surgeries.

Despite the increased exposure of cosmetic surgery on television, many prospective patients are still mislead by prevailing myths regarding certain procedures. According to Riverside liposuction and tummy tuck specialized plastic surgeon Ben Childers, MD, many people who meet with him for a consultation are puzzled by the bad information they’ve received.

To help them become educated patients prior to undergoing liposuction, Riverside’s Dr. Childers sets the record straight on the following liposuction myths:

Myth #1: Liposuction is a weight loss surgery.

The truth: Liposuction should not be regarded as a weight loss surgery. Much like tummy tuck surgery and various body “lifts,” liposuction falls under the category of body contouring procedures. It can effectively reduce excess fat in specific body areas, resulting in a more slender figure. Moreover, it can be combined with other body contouring procedures (such as those mentioned above) to optimize results. If interested, Riverside liposuction patients of Dr. Childers should inquire during their consultation (as should patients of any cosmetic surgeon).

Myth #2: Today, liposuction is a “minor” or “lunchtime” procedure.

The truth: Although there are a variety of methods utilized today, all liposuction procedures require incisions, anesthesia, and an adequate post-operative recovery period. Like most plastic surgeons who perform liposuction, Riverside’s Dr. Childers prefers general anesthesia; this means that the patient will be completely asleep during the procedure, and require substantial rest upon waking. “Lunchtime lipo” and other fad procedures may be unsafe, as well as ineffective when compared with liposuction by cannula – which should always be performed by a qualified surgeon.

Myth #3: If areas of the body look disproportionate months later, the surgery was a “botched” liposuction.

The truth: In some cases, this is true; some of Dr. Childers’ Riverside liposuction patients are individuals seeking revision of a botched liposuction obtained elsewhere. More often, though, liposuction irregularities are caused by a patient’s post-operative weight gain. How this happens: Liposuction permanently removes fat cells from the targeted area, so any weight gained will accumulate in other body areas, resulting in a disproportionate appearance. For this reason, patients should keep weight gain at a minimum. Ask your doctor for details.

For more information on undergoing liposuction in Riverside, visit http://www.benchildersmd.com

Stem Cell Assurance, Inc. announced today that Arthur Handal, MD., F.A.C.S. has performed the first regenerative cell breast augmentation through its nationwide physician network.  The procedure was performed at Handal Plastic Surgery in Boca Raton, Florida in the practice's onsite accredited ambulatory surgical facility. 

The patient treated by Dr. Handal underwent regenerative cell breast augmentation on Monday with the goal of an approximate one cup size increase in each breast.  Fat was taken from her hips and thighs by tumescent liposuction and processed to extract naturally-occurring regenerative cells.  Commenting after the surgery, Dr. Handal stated, "Today is a defining moment in breast augmentation surgery.  The offering of this pioneering procedure through a collaborative national physician network is an important milestone that marks major improvement on current technology and the way in which it is delivered to the patient."

By using the Stem Cell Assurance method of breast augmentation, Dr. Handal was able to provide the patient with an augmentation that retains the natural look and feel of the breast.  This technique is currently the only way to perform a breast augmentation without introducing a foreign implant into the body.  The patient's own fat and regenerative cells are used to create a graft for reinsertion to the breast, resulting in no risk of the body rejecting it.  The Stem Cell Assurance technology offers improved outcomes in breast surgery. The fat volume retention rate is estimated to be 80% or more compared to the 30-50% survival rate of fat retention in previous fat grafting procedures.  This new procedure appears to offer a significant advantage with longer lasting results than traditional breast augmentation procedures.

MYA Cosmetic Surgery, one of the UK's leading cosmetic surgery providers, has reported a 15% increase in enquiries compared to the same period last year. MYA looked at figures from the 1st – 14th January 2010 and compared them to the previous year. Breast enlargement is the most popular procedure requested so far in 2010 with this procedure seeing an impressive 21% increase in enquiries compared to the same period last year.

"January is always a busy time for the cosmetic surgery industry," states John Ryan, MYA Chairman and previous owner of cosmetic surgery provider Transform. "After the Christmas and New Year period people often start setting new goals or New Year's resolutions. These goals often include improving ones appearance or completing a goal they never achieved last year. We get a lot of people coming in saying that they have been interested for a while but have never got round to arranging a consultation!"

Figures from MYA Cosmetic Surgery enquiries have shown that so far in 2010 the five most popular procedures with young women have been:

1.Breast Enlargement

2.Liposuction

3.Breast Uplift

4.Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)

5.Tummy Tuck

The popularity of these procedures has remained consistent with the same period in 2009. The extra growth in breast enlargement enquiries makes this easily the most popular cosmetic procedure and MYA expect this trend to continue throughout 2010.

So far this year the most interest in cosmetic surgery has come from the London (25%) region closely followed by Manchester (14%) and Birmingham (11%).

Disclaimer: We have never watched The Hills

This week our hearts sank a little (not too much!) for a reality star gone wrong; Miss Heidi Montag, cast member of MTV’s The Hills eager for press prevails at the young age of 23 with a transformational cosmetic surgery field day gone …wrong.

Here is why we are upset…

• Shame on the cosmetic surgeon; Dr. Frank Ryan who took her money (if they were paid and didn’t do this for free PR) – to give a girl in her 20’s a brow lift, are you nuts? And to go on to GMA and defend your procures, again quite shocking.
• Shame on the publicist that pitched this segment on ABC. Focus on the launch of an album, the sound of her voice, not a tutorial on what she had done. She looks like a cross between Cindy Jackson (Guinness World record holder for having the most cosmetic surgery procedures than anyone else in the world) and Faith Hill (who is two decades her senior, actually Faith now looks younger than Heidi).
• Shame on GMA for giving them continued airtime on such a lamorama topic! Yes this is OK for People Magazine, but I don't think the viewers that lead in to watch Kelly Ripa have coffee with Regis really care. But thank heavens you all chaired against it from your desks. I am sure NBC’s Today Show wouldn’t touch this with a ten foot pole, especially Al Roker.

Some PR advice for you Heidi & Dr. Frank Ryan…

• Get off your double d’s and do some good for humanity.
• Spend your money on therapy, you looked better esthetically before the surgery.
• Take some dance lessons (still not recovering from your Miss Universe performance)
• Get on a plane to Haiti to help w/ the relief aid. There are thousands of people that need medical attention right now including cosmetic surgery to help with severe injuries. 
• When you are asked to sing in an interview and decline, it’s usually because you can’t sing – at all.
• We will keep the PR team in our prayers - this is one hell of a mess that you will be cleaning up in the land of plastics for quite some time. Just remember your doctor clients are practicing medicine here, not doing hair and makeup!

Readers - I would love your thoughts on this! Do you think this type of beauty PR is good?

Disclaimer: We have never watched The Hills

This week our hearts sank a little (not too much!) for a reality star gone wrong; Miss Heidi Montag, cast member of MTV’s The Hills eager for press prevails at the young age of 23 with a transformational cosmetic surgery field day gone …wrong.

Here is why we are upset…

• Shame on the cosmetic surgeon; Dr. Frank Ryan who took her money (if they were paid and didn’t do this for free PR) – to give a girl in her 20’s a brow lift, are you nuts? And to go on to GMA and defend your procures, again quite shocking.
• Shame on the publicist that pitched this segment on ABC. Focus on the launch of an album, the sound of her voice, not a tutorial on what she had done. She looks like a cross between Cindy Jackson (Guinness World record holder for having the most cosmetic surgery procedures than anyone else in the world) and Faith Hill (who is two decades her senior, actually Faith now looks younger than Heidi).
• Shame on GMA for giving them continued airtime on such a lamorama topic! Yes this is OK for People Magazine, but I don't think the viewers that lead in to watch Kelly Ripa have coffee with Regis really care. But thank heavens you all chaired against it from your desks. I am sure NBC’s Today Show wouldn’t touch this with a ten foot pole, especially Al Roker.

Some PR advice for you Heidi & Dr. Frank Ryan…

• Get off your double d’s and do some good for humanity.
• Spend your money on therapy, you looked better esthetically before the surgery.
• Take some dance lessons (still not recovering from your Miss Universe performance)
• Get on a plane to Haiti to help w/ the relief aid. There are thousands of people that need medical attention right now including cosmetic surgery to help with severe injuries. 
• When you are asked to sing in an interview and decline, it’s usually because you can’t sing – at all.
• We will keep the PR team in our prayers - this is one hell of a mess that you will be cleaning up in the land of plastics for quite some time. Just remember your doctor clients are practicing medicine here, not doing hair and makeup!

Readers - I would love your thoughts on this! Do you think this type of beauty PR is good?

A new magazine dedicated to cosmetic surgery just launched at the beginning of this year. New You is the official magazine of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). Editor J.P. Faber says that its mission is promotion of cosmetic surgery "so that people who are thinking about it today will take action tomorrow."

Potential patients often have many questions or reservations about cosmetic surgery that may prevent them from undergoing a procedure altogether. According to research from Synovate, Inc, the four main factors that keep people from undergoing cosmetic procedures are high price, fear of an unnatural result, pain, and fear of a poor outcome.

Faber says, "We are going to educate the public about cosmetic surgery so that they will feel informed and comfortable enough to make a decision. Our goal is to remove the most common fears surrounding cosmetic surgery – as well as making it more attractive. All we have to do to accomplish this is to show the work of AACS doctors."

The magazine welcomes submissions from any AACS member and their PR firms. "We are looking for ideas and cases, before and after pictures, and other real stories that reveal the true effectiveness of cosmetic surgery," says Faber.

New You will be available free to all Academy members and for sale to the general public.

A new magazine dedicated to cosmetic surgery just launched at the beginning of this year. New You is the official magazine of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). Editor J.P. Faber says that its mission is promotion of cosmetic surgery "so that people who are thinking about it today will take action tomorrow."

Potential patients often have many questions or reservations about cosmetic surgery that may prevent them from undergoing a procedure altogether. According to research from Synovate, Inc, the four main factors that keep people from undergoing cosmetic procedures are high price, fear of an unnatural result, pain, and fear of a poor outcome.

Faber says, "We are going to educate the public about cosmetic surgery so that they will feel informed and comfortable enough to make a decision. Our goal is to remove the most common fears surrounding cosmetic surgery – as well as making it more attractive. All we have to do to accomplish this is to show the work of AACS doctors."

The magazine welcomes submissions from any AACS member and their PR firms. "We are looking for ideas and cases, before and after pictures, and other real stories that reveal the true effectiveness of cosmetic surgery," says Faber.

New You will be available free to all Academy members and for sale to the general public.

A new magazine dedicated to cosmetic surgery just launched at the beginning of this year. New You is the official magazine of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). Editor J.P. Faber says that its mission is promotion of cosmetic surgery "so that people who are thinking about it today will take action tomorrow."

Potential patients often have many questions or reservations about cosmetic surgery that may prevent them from undergoing a procedure altogether. According to research from Synovate, Inc, the four main factors that keep people from undergoing cosmetic procedures are high price, fear of an unnatural result, pain, and fear of a poor outcome.

Faber says, "We are going to educate the public about cosmetic surgery so that they will feel informed and comfortable enough to make a decision. Our goal is to remove the most common fears surrounding cosmetic surgery – as well as making it more attractive. All we have to do to accomplish this is to show the work of AACS doctors."

The magazine welcomes submissions from any AACS member and their PR firms. "We are looking for ideas and cases, before and after pictures, and other real stories that reveal the true effectiveness of cosmetic surgery," says Faber.

New You will be available free to all Academy members and for sale to the general public.

A new magazine dedicated to cosmetic surgery just launched at the beginning of this year. New You is the official magazine of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). Editor J.P. Faber says that its mission is promotion of cosmetic surgery "so that people who are thinking about it today will take action tomorrow."

Potential patients often have many questions or reservations about cosmetic surgery that may prevent them from undergoing a procedure altogether. According to research from Synovate, Inc, the four main factors that keep people from undergoing cosmetic procedures are high price, fear of an unnatural result, pain, and fear of a poor outcome.

Faber says, "We are going to educate the public about cosmetic surgery so that they will feel informed and comfortable enough to make a decision. Our goal is to remove the most common fears surrounding cosmetic surgery – as well as making it more attractive. All we have to do to accomplish this is to show the work of AACS doctors."

The magazine welcomes submissions from any AACS member and their PR firms. "We are looking for ideas and cases, before and after pictures, and other real stories that reveal the true effectiveness of cosmetic surgery," says Faber.

New You will be available free to all Academy members and for sale to the general public.

Patients now have a simple and all-natural way to improve wrinkles, laugh lines and even difficult-to-treat acne scars.  Pioneered by Anthony P. Sclafani, MD, FACS, Director of Facial Plastic Surgery at The New York Eye & Ear Infirmary and Professor at New York Medical College, this new therapy harnesses the body's natural healing ability to improve skin appearance while avoiding the use of synthetic implants, fillers and gels.

In a study to be published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Dr. Sclafani reported that patients treated with an extract of their own blood, platelet rich fibrin matrix (PRFM), demonstrated significant improvement in the appearance of their laugh lines within 2 weeks of treatment.  Results from the clinical study showed that the effects are stable over a 3 month period.  Additional studies examining the mechanism of action are to be reported soon.

Patients now have a simple and all-natural way to improve wrinkles, laugh lines and even difficult-to-treat acne scars.  Pioneered by Anthony P. Sclafani, MD, FACS, Director of Facial Plastic Surgery at The New York Eye & Ear Infirmary and Professor at New York Medical College, this new therapy harnesses the body's natural healing ability to improve skin appearance while avoiding the use of synthetic implants, fillers and gels.

In a study to be published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Dr. Sclafani reported that patients treated with an extract of their own blood, platelet rich fibrin matrix (PRFM), demonstrated significant improvement in the appearance of their laugh lines within 2 weeks of treatment.  Results from the clinical study showed that the effects are stable over a 3 month period.  Additional studies examining the mechanism of action are to be reported soon.

Patients now have a simple and all-natural way to improve wrinkles, laugh lines and even difficult-to-treat acne scars.  Pioneered by Anthony P. Sclafani, MD, FACS, Director of Facial Plastic Surgery at The New York Eye & Ear Infirmary and Professor at New York Medical College, this new therapy harnesses the body's natural healing ability to improve skin appearance while avoiding the use of synthetic implants, fillers and gels.

In a study to be published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Dr. Sclafani reported that patients treated with an extract of their own blood, platelet rich fibrin matrix (PRFM), demonstrated significant improvement in the appearance of their laugh lines within 2 weeks of treatment.  Results from the clinical study showed that the effects are stable over a 3 month period.  Additional studies examining the mechanism of action are to be reported soon.

Dr. Brett Kotlus, a cosmetic surgeon at Allure Medical Spa in Shelby Township, raves about the 3-D system he uses to simulate surgery on prospective clients.  The Vectra 3-D from Canfield Imaging Systems takes an image of the face or body with 12 different digital cameras at once, with a resolution of 36 megapixels.  "This 3-D system has a clever interface that constructs a realistic, modifiable image that can be sculpted in the same way that cosmetic surgery would sculpt a nose or a breast. Within minutes, we can see possible surgical results.  In this scenario, a picture is truly worth a thousand words," explains Dr. Kotlus.  On a computer screen, the patient sees side-by-side pictures, an untouched version and a surgery simulation.  

3-D imaging has emerged as a modern method that helps cosmetic surgeons and patients visualize outcomes.  There is a high demand for a tool that allows people to see what they might look like after cosmetic surgery.  The old days of red and blue tinted glasses are gone, and the newest version of 3-D uses sophisticated computers to create lifelike images. Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks have brought three-dimensional animated features to movie theatres, with blockbuster reviews. Patients are often surprised to find the same technology used in films like James Cameron's Avatar in their cosmetic surgeon's office.

Dr. Brett Kotlus, a cosmetic surgeon at Allure Medical Spa in Shelby Township, raves about the 3-D system he uses to simulate surgery on prospective clients.  The Vectra 3-D from Canfield Imaging Systems takes an image of the face or body with 12 different digital cameras at once, with a resolution of 36 megapixels.  "This 3-D system has a clever interface that constructs a realistic, modifiable image that can be sculpted in the same way that cosmetic surgery would sculpt a nose or a breast. Within minutes, we can see possible surgical results.  In this scenario, a picture is truly worth a thousand words," explains Dr. Kotlus.  On a computer screen, the patient sees side-by-side pictures, an untouched version and a surgery simulation.  

3-D imaging has emerged as a modern method that helps cosmetic surgeons and patients visualize outcomes.  There is a high demand for a tool that allows people to see what they might look like after cosmetic surgery.  The old days of red and blue tinted glasses are gone, and the newest version of 3-D uses sophisticated computers to create lifelike images. Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks have brought three-dimensional animated features to movie theatres, with blockbuster reviews. Patients are often surprised to find the same technology used in films like James Cameron's Avatar in their cosmetic surgeon's office.

Dr. Brett Kotlus, a cosmetic surgeon at Allure Medical Spa in Shelby Township, raves about the 3-D system he uses to simulate surgery on prospective clients.  The Vectra 3-D from Canfield Imaging Systems takes an image of the face or body with 12 different digital cameras at once, with a resolution of 36 megapixels.  "This 3-D system has a clever interface that constructs a realistic, modifiable image that can be sculpted in the same way that cosmetic surgery would sculpt a nose or a breast. Within minutes, we can see possible surgical results.  In this scenario, a picture is truly worth a thousand words," explains Dr. Kotlus.  On a computer screen, the patient sees side-by-side pictures, an untouched version and a surgery simulation.  

3-D imaging has emerged as a modern method that helps cosmetic surgeons and patients visualize outcomes.  There is a high demand for a tool that allows people to see what they might look like after cosmetic surgery.  The old days of red and blue tinted glasses are gone, and the newest version of 3-D uses sophisticated computers to create lifelike images. Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks have brought three-dimensional animated features to movie theatres, with blockbuster reviews. Patients are often surprised to find the same technology used in films like James Cameron's Avatar in their cosmetic surgeon's office.