7 Signs of a Successful Rhinoplasty

, , , , rhinoplasty

A Rhinoplasty operation, also called a “nose job” in common parlance, is a surgical procedure that reshapes or resizes the nose for health or cosmetic reasons.

 

The aim of the cosmetic surgeon who performs the operation is always to create the most attractive and natural result that complements the rest of a patient’s facial features.

 

Sometimes rhinoplasty is undertaken to help improve a patient’s breathing by minimizing nasal airway obstruction. In all cases, achieving the best possible functional and aesthetic result is the hallmark of a successful rhinoplasty.

 

Rhinoplasty surgery can create dramatic improvements to:

 

-Nose size and proportion in relation to facial harmony

-Nose width at the bridge, or a profile with visible bumps on the bridge

-The size, shape, and position of the nostrils

-A nasal tip that is bulbous, drooping, upturned, or hooked

-Nasal asymmetry

 

Both the open and closed rhinoplasty techniques are performed by making incisions (either across the columella or hidden inside the nose) to allow the surgeon to gently raise the skin that covers the nasal bones and cartilage, allowing access to alter the structure of the nose.

 

The skin is then carefully draped back over the newly enhanced nasal framework to give the nose its new and improved appearance.

 

Here are the 7 signs of a successful rhinoplasty:

 

  1. Symmetry

 

For centuries facial symmetry “has been linked to the perception of facial beauty, resistance to disease, and quality genetics.”

 

The goal of achieving greater facial symmetry is a very common one for patients seeking facial cosmetic surgery, particularly so for those seeking rhinoplasty.

 

Achieving greater bilateral symmetry of the face, or maintaining the symmetry of an already symmetrical nose while correcting another aspect of its shape or size is essential in rhinoplasty.

 

  1. Breathing

 

When it comes to the nose, form and function are intimately intertwined.

 

A1999 article from WebMD’s archives mentions how a few of the 130,000 patients to undergo rhinoplasty annually, at the time, would experience difficulty with nasal breathing after their procedure.

 

The reason for this was that a cosmetic surgeon at the time would occasionally remove too much cartilage during a rhinoplasty, causing the sides of the nose to collapse during inhalation.

 

Modern rhinoplasties avoid this complication through more delicate sculpting and an emphasis on creating a stronger overall nasal structure.

 

A successful rhinoplasty will improve or maintain a patient’s ability to breathe easily and comfortably.

 

  1. No Scars

 

A successful rhinoplasty should improve, not worsen, the appearance of the nose. In facial cosmetic surgery the results are intended to be aesthetic, so any visible scarring is considered an unsuccessful result.

 

An inexperienced or indelicate plastic surgeon is more likely to improve the nose’s shape without the concern of conspicuous, visible scarring.

 

The first and most important step for preventing unwanted complications and poor results like visible nasal scarring is choosing a plastic surgeon who is board certified, highly recommended, and very experienced in the rhinoplasty procedure specifically.

 

  1. No Need for Revision

 

Many times after a rhinoplasty the nose looks great, but after some operations many patients report having a collapsed nose, pinched nose, or a “skeletonized” – artificial-looking nose.

 

Unfortunately this problem is not rare. In fact it is estimated that between 5 – 15% of patients who undergo “nose jobs” will need revision rhinoplasty surgery. Some patients require only minor adjustments, while others need more significant revisions.

 

A successful rhinoplasty is one that’s done right the first time by an expert cosmetic facial surgeon with years or decades of experience, performing rhinoplasties that consistently achieve the very best results.

 

  1. Natural Look

 

The newly enhanced nose must look natural after a successful rhinoplasty. Unnatural results are obvious and unaesthetic.

 

The profile cannot be scooped too much. The nose should not be too upturned. The tip cannot appear pinched. The nostrils must not look too large. The front of the nose should not look pencil-like, something that occurs when the tip has been narrowed as much as the bridge.

 

An unnaturally enhanced nose calls attention to itself. A well-done nose looks great and inconspicuously complements the rest of the face.

 

  1. Facial Harmony

 

The eyes may be the windows to the soul, but nothing interferes with facial harmony like a disproportionate nose.

 

Flaws in such a prominent facial feature draw unwanted attention and can really hurt self confidence. Fortunately, just a slight alteration can balance the face and restore confidence.

 

A successful rhinoplasty surgeon comprehends the necessity of understanding both the nose and the patient’s overall facial structure in achieving natural-looking results and reducing the chance of needing revision rhinoplasty at a later date.

 

  1. Patient Satisfaction

 

What should an attractive nose look like? There really is not a single answer to this question.

 

Jeffrey R. Marcus, MD, a pediatric plastic surgeon at Duke University Health Center says it well:

 

“In the past, many plastic surgeons adhered to personal or popularized aesthetic ideals and allowed them to guide rhinoplasty procedures somewhat universally on their patients. Sometimes, this led to common appearance features among post-surgical patients. This is a trend that has fortunately been left to rest.”

 

A qualified, expert cosmetic surgeon will work with their rhinoplasty patient to create an individualized goal, plan, and result to achieve the unique goals of each individual patient.

 

 

About Dr. William J. Binder

 

Dr. William J. Binder is a facial plastic surgery specialist with over three decades of experience with facial plastic surgery.

 

For almost three decades, his individualized approach to rhinoplasty has led him to pioneer the new “structure” techniques of rhinoplasty, yielding more consistent results and rendering the pre-existing look of an unnatural nose-job obsolete.

 

If you want your rhinoplasty performed by one of the world’s leading facial plastic surgeons, contact Dr. Binder’s office today to schedule an initial consultation.

Botox for Migraines

What’s the Difference Between a Migraine and a Headache

Health Basics, Botox

Many migraine sufferers have their problems compounded when they don’t fully understand the difference between a migraine and a simple headache. Many people believe that a migraine is “just” a really bad headache, which is an oversimplification that leaves out many of the symptoms that make migraines a nearly unbearable malady for the millions of people who suffer from them.

The good news for migraine sufferers is that in the 1990s, Dr. Binder helped pioneer the effective use of BOTOX treatment for migraines, helping many who suffer from chronic migraines to find the relief they desperately need.

Below is a quick rundown of the important differences between headaches and migraines. Included in the list are some of the most effective treatments for each, including BOTOX treatment for migraines.

 

What Exactly is a Headache?

Headaches are fairly common, and can affect anyone at any age. They can be a mild to intense pain that typically affects both sides of the head.

Headaches are typically most intense around the temples, forehead, and the back of the neck where the spine connects to the skull.

Headaches happen for a number of reasons, including sinus pressure, high stress, muscle tension, dehydration, poor nutrition, and many other causes.

 

What Exactly is a Migraine?

A migraine on the other hand is a severe headache that occurs with a number of other acute symptoms that can include:

  • Intense Nausea
  • Severe pain behind one eye or ear
  • Severe pain in the temples
  • Seeing spots or flashing lights
  • Sensitivity to light and/or sound
  • Temporary vision loss
  • Vomiting

Migraines range from moderate to severe on the pain scale and can make performing everyday tasks difficult or impossible. Many people end up seeking emergency room care for severe migraines, especially if they’ve never experienced one before.

Migraines are also more difficult to treat, and typically last longer than a tension or sinus headache. The extra symptoms such as nausea and vomiting can make it difficult to keep medicine down as well.

 

Differences Between a Migraine and a Headache

A migraine is not just a really bad headache. It is an incapacitating neurological disease with neurological symptoms. In terms of the sufferer’s experience the primary difference between a migraine and a regular headache is the severity of the pain. A full-fledged migraine will involve pain that is much more severe than a typical headache.

Migraines can also present with severe nausea and/or a migraine “aura,” a neurological symptom which includes other sensory issues such as sensitivity to lights or sound, “pins and needles” sensation in the extremities, seeing flashing lights, and even depression and mood swings.

 

Treating a Headache

Headaches can typically be treated very effectively with home remedies or over-the-counter medication, and only rarely require professional medical help.

Some effective medications include:

  • Acetaminophen
  • Aspirin
  • Ibuprofen
  • Caffeine

There are a number of other treatments that have been shown to help as well, including neck stretching, relaxation techniques, meditation, and warm compresses/showers. These are all fairly effective for treating stress or tension headaches.

If you have a sudden severe or unusually persistent headache, contact your doctor immediately as this may be the sign of a serious condition such as migraines, stroke, or some other neurological issue.

 

Treating a Migraine

Migraine treatment is typically much more involved than the treatment for a headache. Typical headache treatments will be minimally effective at best, and will do almost nothing to prevent a migraine.

Unfortunately, there’s not much that can be done to relieve a migraine headache at home, so chronic migraine sufferers learn to identify their migraine triggers and do whatever they can to avoid them.

Common triggers include:

  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Aged Cheeses or other Aged Foods
  • Stress

Beyond the preventative measure of avoiding triggers, there are several medication options for treating migraines, but you’ll need to visit a doctor for them.

These include:

  • Antinausea medicines, such as promethazine (Phenergan), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), or prochlorperazine (Compazine).
  • Triptans, such as almotriptan (Axert), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or sumatriptan (Alsuma, Imitrex, and Zecuity).

 

BOTOX Treatment for Migraines

Finally, there have been several studies that have shown that BOTOX injections are extremely effective at preventing migraine headaches in chronic sufferers.

The exact mechanism of action is not yet fully understood. BOTOX has many cellular level inhibitory effects. It is believed that BOTOX actually inhibits pain pathways through multiple actions at the neurotransmitter level and pain fiber level.

BOTOX for migraines: Injection sites – To treat chronic migraines with BOTOX, your physician will make a series of small injections of BOTOX in specific areas across the frontal, temporal and glabellar regions of the forehead. In some instances, it is also injected into the back of the neck. The treatment takes about fifteen minutes.

BOTOX for migraines: Side effects – BOTOX has a considerably high safety profile for cosmetic and medical treatments. BOTOX has been used by patients with various conditions for over 20 years in over 60 countries.

BOTOX has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic migraines. The most common side effects are localized pain, tenderness or bruising at the site of injection. These side effects are normally local and transient in nature.

 

If you are interested in BOTOX injections for migraine treatment, contact Doctor William J. Binder today! Call us at: (310) 858-6749 or use our Contact Page.

Doctor Binder is the physician that pioneered BOTOX treatment for migraines, and is considered the foremost authority on the application of BOTOX for this purpose.

How Do Scars Form on Our Skin?

Skin Treatment

Like it or not, scars are a natural part of life, It’s hard to escape childhood without racking up at least a few cuts and bruises along the way. In order to make it easier to learn how to heal scars and how to further care for your skin, it is vital to better understand the process of skin and scarring.

More often than not, scars cannot be completely erased. Still, discoloration, surface irregularities, and other subtler flaws can be cosmetically improved upon with treatments like scar revision surgery, which offer very pleasing cosmetic results while drastically improving on any poorly healed scars.

The procedure is meant to minimize the look of a scar so that it is more consistent with surrounding skin tone and texture. A specific type of plastic surgery is performed to improve the condition or appearance of scars anywhere on the body.

Scar Formation

The skin is a sensory organ (and it has the unique distinction of being the body’s largest organ). When the epidermis is damaged, either by accident or through surgical incisions, the injury typically results in a scar. As such, scars represent the final phase of the body’s healing or repair processes. Scars are a direct result of everything from burns, surgery, skin conditions, or exposure. Even a procedure as simple as an ear piercing can sometimes cause a deforming scar or keloid.
 

Initial phases of the wound-healing process include control and cessation of bleeding and sealing the wound to prevent the penetration of bacteria or potential infection. The body then produces collagen to repair and close the wound. The entire healing process can be likened to human cement that is triggered by the body to fill up a hole—i.e. the wound. The resulting scar tissue has a different texture and quality than the older, surrounding tissue.

Types of Scars

There are various different varieties of scars, ranging from the more typical flat and pale-looking to more raised scars. The latter type is called a hypertrophic scar or keloid scar, and it occurs when the body produces too much collagen. Other blemishes have a more sunken or pitted appearance, occurring when underlying structures supporting the skin (like fat or muscle) are lost. Some surgical scars also have this appearance, as do some acne scars. 
 

Another classification of scars: those that occur when skin stretches rapidly, as evidenced in growth spurts or during pregnancy. This stretching phenomenon can also arise when the skin is near an overly stressed joint or experiencing increased tension during the healing process.

Best Scar Treatments

Like scars themselves, the plethora of treatment options for scars varies widely. During their early stage of formation, some scars should be vigorously massaged with a moisturizer several times a day for about one minute, as the active movement helps reorganize the not yet mature collagen bundles that are forming during the reparation of the injury. The moisturizer not only decreases friction on the tender new scar but also provides moisture to the area. Some choices such as cocoa butter and vitamin E oil are often quite effective.
 

One important thing to remember is to stay away from sunlight because immature scars need to be amply protected from the sun in order to prevent hyperpigmentation or becoming overly dark. 

No matter how well you care for a recent wound, scarring may be inevitable. In the case of such an eventuality, a medical procedure is required to alleviate the damage. Surgical techniques for scar revision are designed to make the scar as smooth and invisible as possible. It can involve everything from moving skin around the affected area to actually recreating the incision to make it less visible. What works best for any specific scar depends solely on where it is located and how it looks. Most of the time, surgeons will evaluate individual cases beforehand to discuss the many options for revision surgery.

Some of the most effective scar treatments available include:

  • Steroid injections: Long-term courses of steroid injections into a scar may help flatten it by helping soften the appearance of keloid or hypertrophic scars.
    • Dermabrasion: Removes the surface of the skin with special equipment and is especially useful when a scar is raised above the surrounding skin (though it is less useful for the treatment of sunken scars). Microdermabrasion, a less invasive form of dermabrasion, can also be minimally useful for very superficial scars.
    • Laser Resurfacing: Similar to dermabrasion, resurfacing removes the surface layers of the skin using different types of lasers. The advanced technology results in little downtime as opposed to traditional laser resurfacing and dermabrasion, which both require a long recovery.
    • Radiotherapy: Low-doses of superficial radiotherapy can be used to prevent the recurrence of severe keloid and hypertrophic scarring. 
    • Filler injections: Though the effects of injections are only temporary, they can be used to raise sunken scars to the level of surrounding skin. These procedures must be repeated regularly and there are many newer forms of injectable fillers now on the market that may be worth considering.
    • Surgery: Although it is not recommended in cases of hypertrophic or keloid scarring (raised scars), surgery can be used to alter a scar’s initial shape or to make it less noticeable.

The formation of scars after surgery or trauma to the skin is an inevitable fact of life that needs to be dealt with as it occurs—whether we like it or not. It is important to be proactive in regards to the treatment of scars early on in order to maximize the outcome of their final appearance.

Aftercare

As with any kind of surgery or scar revision, it is very important to follow the surgeon’s aftercare instructions to make sure the wound heals properly. Though some patients recover rather quickly, it’s best to err on the side of caution and take a more gradual approach when it comes to resuming your normal activities. Furthermore, depending on the surgery performed and the site of the scar, facial plastic surgeons will provide a list of activities and specific medications to avoid. It is also important to remember that scar tissue requires a year or more to fully heal and achieve maximum improved appearance.

Immediately after the procedure, expect to feel some discomfort, especially in the cases of facial scar revision surgery. Swelling, bruising, and redness are generally unavoidable, and though sutures are typically removed within days after the surgery, the skin still needs ample time to heal.

Facial plastic surgery and other forms of scar revision surgery essentially make it possible to correct any flaws in the skin that undermine self-confidence. Sometimes, even the slightest change in the appearance of a scar can help change how one feels about oneself. And like all other cosmetic procedures, teamwork between the physician and patient is always needed to help ensure an optimal result in scar revision.

Let Dr. William J. Binder, an experienced, acclaimed, and world-leading facial plastic surgeon be of help. Contact his office today to find out more about ways to address your scarring issues.

 

Common Nose Shapes a Rhinoplasty Can Address

, rhinoplasty

Many people who are unhappy with their nose shape, whether this is due to damage to the nose, a previously botched rhinoplasty, or the nose’s natural shape, would like to have rhinoplasty surgery performed to correct their nose, but think that surgery won’t be able to help them. The reality is that rhinoplasty is an individualized procedure that can help with all kinds of displeasing nose shapes. Let’s examine some common nose shapes and the common nose surgeries that can alter them.

Oversized Nose

This is cause for one of the most common nose surgeries. Some people are self-conscious because they feel that their nose is overly large or long in comparison to the rest of their face. This can make the face seem out of proportion and draw attention away from other, favorite or particularly attractive facial features, such as beautiful eyes or a warm and pleasant smile. Because decreasing the size of the nose requires modifications to the entire nose to achieve pleasant and attractive results, this kind of rhinoplasty can be rather complex. However, the final results are worth it, as they give the face a beautiful, proportional appearance that shows of all your best features, rather than just your nose.

Bulbous Tip

A bulbous nasal tip is another common nose shape, especially among men, that many people have corrected with nose reshaping surgery. A bulbous tip may droop, protrude, or simply appear out of proportion with the rest of the nose, as well as the face overall. A bulbous nasal tip can be corrected with the use of broad nasal tip, or tip refinement, rhinoplasty. Because the nasal tip is out of proportion with the rest of the nose, broad nasal tip surgery generally only requires modification to the tip of the nose, causing healing to be quicker and easier with this type of surgery than with other, more comprehensive rhinoplasties.

Bumped Nose

People can have bumps on their nose naturally, but they are also commonly the result of previous trauma and damage to the nose. Bumps can vary in size from barely noticeable to very eye catching. Some people want to keep traces of their bump to retain character or ethnic or family features, while others want their bump reduced entirely, leaving a smooth and straight nose. Either way, you can achieve beautiful results, but it’s important to communicate your preferences to your surgeon to make sure that you get the results you want.

Remember that it can take up to a year for swelling to completely reduce after a rhinoplasty procedure, so don’t be immediately concerned if your nose still appears to have a bump or a larger bump than you’d like, as this may simply be lingering swelling. If you’re still not happy with your results after a year then contact your plastic surgeon.

Crooked or Asymmetrical Nose

As with a bumped nose, a crooked or asymmetrical nose may be due to genetics or to damage experienced by the nose. This generally requires a comprehensive rhinoplasty to give the entire nose a straight and proportional appearance. In some cases, a nose that becomes crooked after trauma may also have internal problems as well, requiring a medical rhinoplasty, or septoplasty, but doing so can help improve your breathing and save you medical problems later that could result if left untreated. Performing septoplasty at the same time as cosmetic nasal surgery can also help you save money, as insurance will often pay for parts of the procedure that are medically necessary.

Pointy Nose

An overly pointy nose is generally due to excess or projecting cartilage at the tip of the nose. Fortunately, this is usually very easily resolved by reducing the amount of cartilage at the nasal tip, and perhaps some reshaping to help create a softer, more rounded appearance. In turn, reshaping the nose this way can give the face overall a softer and more balanced appearance.

Like with nasal surgery for a bulbous nasal tip, resolving too pointy of a nose typically requires rhinoplasty that is less invasive than in many other cases, so healing may be quicker and easier for patients who receive this type of surgery. However, in some cases your plastic surgeon may suggest modification of the bridge or nostrils as well to ensure that your nose retains symmetry and proper proportions after your surgery.

Wide or Flat Bridge

Some people feel that the bridge of their nose is displeasing, broad or flat. The variety of rhinoplasty most commonly used to correct this type of nose is augmentation rhinoplasty. Augmentation rhinoplasty can correct a wide or flat bridge by narrowing and adding volume to the bridge, perhaps through the use of implants, or by adjusting the size and shape of the tip of the nose to make the nose more proportional and well-shaped as a whole. For more dramatic case, both may be required.

Choose the Right Surgeon for Your Rhinoplasty

Dr. William J. Binder is one of the world’s leading rhinoplasty experts. To learn about the most uncommon and common nose surgeries, contact Dr. Binder’s office today.

How Do Scars Form on Our Skin?

, Skin Treatment

Like it or not, scars are a natural part of life, and most of the time, it’s hard to escape childhood without racking up at least a few cuts and bruises along the way. In order to make it easier to learn how to heal scars and how to further care for your skin, it is vital to better understand the process behind skin and scarring.

The skin is a sensory organ, the body’s largest organ, and when opened, either by accident or through surgical incisions, the injury typically results in a scar. As such, scars represent the final phase of the body’s healing or repair process after skin is damaged, occurring as a direct result of everything from burns, surgery, or skin conditions to any significant traumas. Even a procedure as simple as ear-piercing can sometimes cause a deforming scar or keloid.

Scar Formation

Scars form due to damage of the dermis (deep, thick layer of skin), as the body works to form new collagen fibers that then result in a scar.

Initial phases of the wound healing process include control and cessation of bleeding and sealing the wound to prevent the penetration of bacteria or potential infection. Collagen is then used to repair and close the wound. Scars form after a wound heals, usually having a different texture and quality than the surrounding tissue. The entire healing process can be imagined as human cement that is utilized by the body to fill up a hole—i.e. the wound.

Types of Scars

There are various different types of scars, ranging from the more typical flat and pale-looking to more raised scars called hypertrophic scars or keloid scars that occur when the body produces too much collagen. Other scars have a more sunken or pitted appearance, occurring when underlying structures supporting the skin (ex. fat or muscle) are lost.

Scars can also appear in the form of stretched skin. These occur as a result of rapid skin stretching, as in growth spurts or during pregnancy, or when the skin is under tension or near a joint during the healing process.

Best Scar Treatments

Like scars themselves, the various treatment options for scars range widely. If very early on, some scars should be vigorously massaged with a moisturizer several times a day for about one minute, as the active movement helps reorganize not yet mature collagen bundles that are forming during the repair of the injury. The moisturizer not only decreases friction on the tender new scar but also provides moisture to the area. Some choices such as cocoa butter and vitamin E oil are often quite effective.

One important thing to remember is to stay away from sunlight because immature scars need to be amply protected from the sun in order to prevent hyperpigmentation or becoming overly dark. Some of the best scar treatments available include:

• Steroid injections: Long term courses of steroid injections into a scar may help flatten it by helping soften the appearance of keloid or hypertrophic scars.
• Dermabrasion: Removes the surface of the skin with special equipment and is especially useful when a scar is raised above the surrounding skin (though it is less useful for the treatment of sunken scars). Microdermabrasion, a less invasive form of dermabrasion, can also be minimally useful for very superficial scars.
• Laser Resurfacing: Similar to dermabrasion, resurfacing removes the surface layers of the skin using different types of lasers. The advanced technology results in little down time as opposed to traditional laser resurfacing and dermabrasion, which both require a long recovery.
• Radiotherapy: Low-doses of superficial radiotherapy can be used to prevent the recurrence of severe keloid and hypertrophic scarring.
• Filler injections: Though the effects of injections are only temporary, they can be used to raise sunken scars to the level of surrounding skin. Procedures need to regularly repeated and there are many newer forms of injectable fillers now on the market that may be good to consider.
• Surgery: Although it is not recommended in cases of hypertrophic or keloid scarring (raised scars), surgery can be used to alter a scar’s initial shape or to make it less noticeable.

The formation of scars after surgery or trauma to the skin is an inevitable fact of life that needs to be dealt with as it occurs—whether we like it or not. It is important to be proactive in regards to the treatment of scars early on in order to maximize the outcome of their final appearance.

Let Dr. William J. Binder, an experienced, acclaimed, and world-leading facial plastic surgeon help with the best scar treatments available today. Contact his office today to find out more about ways to prevent scarring or to schedule a consultation.

How to Choose a Rhinoplasty Surgeon

, rhinoplasty

Preparing for a rhinoplasty, just like any surgery can be nerve-wracking, but feeling confident that you’ve chosen the right plastic surgeon can help put you at ease. With so many rhinoplasty surgeons out there, however, the options can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s helpful to be able to narrow down the sea of cosmetic surgeons to find the rhinoplasty surgeon that’s right for you. Here is everything you should investigate regarding your plastic surgeon when preparing for a rhinoplasty.

Examine Their Qualifications

Not all plastic surgeons are alike, but there are ways to tell the good from the bad and the best from the good. Look for a plastic surgeon with many years of experience and is certified by at least one plastic surgery board. If they’ve sat on the board or held a leadership position, that’s even better. Try to find a surgeon who teaches other surgeons or has held fellowships in facial plastic surgery and has had their work published in peer-reviewed journals. Choosing a specialist in facial plastic surgery is ideal.

Look at Their Work

A highly skilled and qualified surgeon isn’t enough, however. You also want to make sure that the appearances that the rhinoplasty surgeon is creating are consistent with your aesthetic goals and desires. A plastic surgeon may be excellent at their job, but simply not create the aesthetic you want, so patients should review the end results of rhinoplasties performed by any potential rhinoplasty surgeon. These types of images are usually easily accessible through the surgeon’s website, and more before and after images will typically be shown at a consultation with the surgeon. Use before and after images to determine whether the surgeon has experience with noses like yours and how he or she modifies them.

rhino-success-conceptDon’t Try to Cut Costs

Plastic surgery can be costly, particularly since it is rarely covered by insurance, so it can be tempting to try to go for the cheapest possible option for your surgery, but cosmetic surgery is one of those things where you get what you pay for, and bad results can cost you more in the long term. You only want to have to have rhinoplasty surgery once, but a bad rhinoplasty can lead to not only unattractive results, but also severe medical problems, either of which can lead to the necessity for revision rhinoplasty.

Though money might have been saved on the initial rhinoplasty procedure, the additional cost of a revision rhinoplasty makes the total cost far more than what it would have been to pay for a more expensive and qualified surgeon in the first place.

To avoid bad results and costly problems, always to be sure to look at any potential rhinoplasty surgeon’s reputation, qualifications, and results in addition to the cost. If you have specific goals in mind and find an excellent surgeon in another city, you may even want to pay a little more to travel to ensure that you get the right surgeon to get exactly the results you want. Doing the necessary preparations will only ensure that preparing for a rhinoplasty is a one-time ordeal.

Schedule a Consultation

You wouldn’t hire someone for a job without an interview, so why would you hire a cosmetic surgeon without talking to them first? Once you’ve narrowed down possible cosmetic surgeons, you can schedule a consultation with each one. During this consultation, your potential rhinoplasty surgeon should discuss the cost of the procedure, your general health, possible risks, and whether or not your desires are realistic. If not, you may want to cross that surgeon of the list. Your rhinoplasty surgeon should be informative about what happens before, during, and after your procedure and able to provide clear instructions for your recovery and follow up.

Finally, you should also feel comfortable talking with your surgeon, as you need to be able to easily communicate with each other and you need to feel confident asking any questions you have.

A Leader in Rhinoplasty Surgery

Dr. William J. Binder is one of the world’s leading facial plastic surgery experts. He is based out of Los Angeles, but due to his expertise and decades of experience patients from around the country and even the world come to receive treatment from him. Dr. Binder is extensively published and is board certified by both the American Board of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery and the the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. While his passion is in working with his patients, he also spends much of his time traveling to provide lectures and training to other plastic surgeons. If you have questions about facial reconstruction and want a consultation with the very best, contact Dr. Binder’s office today.

Beautiful women

5 Habits That Are Aging Your Skin

Skin Treatment

Does your skin seem to be aging faster than your actual years? Do you not love what you are seeing in the mirror? Well, it may be time to reassess some of those daily routines because like it or not, how you look and feel as the years progress often depends critically on the choices you make and the habits you acquire throughout the years. When it comes to aging skin care, consistent bad habits will not only threaten the youthful complexion you desire, but will also cause premature skin aging that will add decades to your face. Ditch that unhealthy routine early on and ultimately stop future epidermis woes by simply making some changes to everyday behavior. Here are five common culprits that speed up the aging process of your skin to take note of.

1. Holding Grudges & Carrying Stress

Life is way too precious and too short to hold onto old grudges. Sometimes, forgiving, forgetting, and just letting go can add years to your life as well as make it a lot more productive. What’s more is that you’ll likely notice fewer wrinkles from less frowning, especially around the eyes and on the forehead, as well as more vibrant looking skin from lower blood pressure, less depression, less stress, less anxiety, and overall better physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being.

All that said, nothing can and will make you feel or act older than allowing stress to take the driver’s seat. So, believe it: Stress doesn’t just make you anxious, it also works against aging skin care. Keep your mind young, your skin vibrant, and avoid cognitive impairment by simply letting go. Not only will you avoid acne and oily skin, but disruptions in sebum production, microcirculation, and hydration levels that can all lead to a duller, more aged complexion. Stress also leads to free radical damage, which is another top cause of aging.

2. Skipping Sunscreen & Heavy Toxin Exposure

Aging skin is a natural process and aging skin care demands you be aware of these natural processes and triggers. Daily sun exposure can actually contribute hugely to premature aging by slowing down the turnover of new healthy skin cells and old damaged cells. It is important to remember that UV exposure is the number one named cause of skin aging, as 90% of all visible age signs and 80% of skin-aging free radical damage are caused by everyday time underneath sunlight doing activities like gardening, dog walking, or even driving. Even for those who wear makeup containing SPF, full coverage is not available because layers upon layers upon layer of cosmetics – much more than an average person would wear – would be needed to reach the levels needed for ample protection.

Another cause for concern would be everyday toxins in the air. Though you cannot control pollution in the same way you can control something like fitness and diet, toxin exposure plays a huge role in affecting aging skin care by slowing down cellular growth which allows skin to age more rapidly. Toxins decrease oxygen and collagen in the skin, leading to duller, more blotchy appearances, uneven tone, and constant breakouts. The key to minimizing the risks is protection. So, do not skip on that sunscreen, as SPF protects not just from the rays of the sun, but free radicals that cause aging as well. Remember also to cleanse skin thoroughly every night, to exfoliate twice a week, and to use products filled with antioxidants to help moisturize and stay protected.

3. Lack of Sleep & Incorrect Sleep Positioning

In the short run, insufficient shut-eye causes dark circles under the eyes and a lackluster complexion. But did you know that not getting enough sleep also ages skin prematurely, leading to prolonged dullness and dryness by not allowing cells to receive the full repair and rejuvenation they would otherwise be getting during the normal hours of the night? Sleep deprivation also decreases vital collagen production and raises levels of the hormone cortisol, which increases oil production in the skin and can lead to bouts of acne. In the long run, skimping on Zzzzs can actually be more consequential than most would think — so hit the hay and your skin will be pleased.

Remember also that when it comes to sleeping, positioning in everything. Sleeping on the side or on the stomach increases wrinkles on the sides of the face, brows, and cheeks. For the best aging skin care, how and when you sleep is everything.

4. Smoking & Alcohol

Besides the obvious dangers of smoking and drinking such as heart, lung, and liver disease, there is also the fact that the two inhibit proper blood flow and age skin dramatically. Wrinkles around the mouth area become more visible, skin tone and vibrancy are affected, and skin elasticity breaks down more quickly than ever for those who choose to light up. Wine, beer, and liquor, in addition, severely dehydrate the skin, leaving it quenched for moisture. Without that moisture, skin is more prone to wrinkles and dryness.

Next to UV exposure, smoking and drinking are the worst habits for your skin, not only choking skin’s tissues by depleting them of much needed oxygen (which causes improper functioning that allows skin to become sallow and lined) but also damaging capillaries carrying away damaging free radicals (which leads further to a toxic skin environment and more accelerated aging).

5. Poor Diet Habits

You are what you eat. Everything you put in your body has a direct impact on the skin, and though the connections between diet and overall health are fairly obvious, poor diet actually has a much bigger impact on your skin than anyone would probably realize. Bad habits can cause dullness, puffiness, redness, congestion, acne, faster aging of the skin, and a myriad of other health disorders. High sugar intake, in addition, degrades collagen and elastin, which are the proteins that keep skin soft and supple. Lack of nourishment from vitamins and minerals, especially those found in fruits and vegetables, also shows up on the skin, as the nutrients found in the two feed the skin to keep it youthful, hydrated, and glowing. Make sure your diet also includes fish with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, as well as plenty of fiber from whole grains.

Dr. William J. Binder is experienced, acclaimed, and considered one of the world’s leading facial plastic surgeons. Contact his office today to find out more about ways to prevent aging and to schedule a consultation.

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The Rising Popularity of Male Plastic Surgery

Procedure Overviews

There is a certain perception, perhaps even a stigma, surrounding cosmetic surgery for men. You’ll often hear “that’s for women, I’d never get a facelift” and other similar comments from men if they’re asked about it. We’re hoping to change that industry stigma a little bit because the truth is, more and more men are choosing cosmetic or reconstructive surgery to fix what they see as faults, to get that little bit of a weight loss edge, or to restore a more vibrant and youthful appearance. Whatever the reason, the number of men undergoing elective or reconstructive plastic surgery is only going to go up in the future.

What are the Most Popular Types of Male Plastic Surgery?

There’s no real limitation or gender lines when it comes to who is eligible for plastic surgery, but obviously, there are certain surgeries that appeal to certain demographics more than others. Increasingly, male plastic surgery patients are coming in for anti-aging procedures and other procedures designed to return a more youthful and vibrant appearance. The most common of these are chin, cheekbone and jaw implants, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), and microdermabrasion and chemical peels that return a healthier, more youthful look to skin that is damaged by sun exposure, gravity, and the passage of time.

Facial Implants

A strong jawline. Powerful chin. Prominent cheekbones. These traditionally masculine facial features are extremely desirable to some men, and they tend to accentuate often sought-after male aesthetics like the rugged, masculine, and powerful male figures that so dominate popular culture. In decades past, if you weren’t born with these features, you had no choice but to live without them.

Now however, custom facial implants are attainable for many, both as a reconstructive option, and as a cosmetic choice to highlight, accentuate, or otherwise “improve” certain features. With recent advances such as three-dimensional computer modeling, CAT scan-assisted facial profiles, and more specialized manufacturing techniques, patients can get a safe, natural looking facial implant that meets their specific needs and surgical goals.

Blepharoplasty for Men

Blepharoplasty is a less well-known, but still extremely popular surgical option for both men and women, particularly working professionals who develop squint and smile lines around the eyes, bags under the eyes, or drooping skin around the eyes. Blepharoplasty can help turn back the clock on the aging that tends to hit us all sooner or later. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then blepharoplasty is the intense scrub and shine that gets the windows looking clearer, more inviting, and more attractive.

Blepharoplasty can be used to touch up fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, sagging eyelids, fat deposits that distort and distend the skin around the eye, and to remove or greatly eliminate chronic bags under the eyes, all of which can be very appealing to men.

Skin Resurfacing for Men

A disproportionate number of men work outdoors or in positions where they are exposed to the aging effects of the sun and wind. The wind-chapped, sun-dried look may have been popular in Clint Eastwood’s heyday, but that look has fallen well out of fashion with both men and women. These days, a healthy, youthful appearance tends to be more desirable, especially when it comes to the surface and complexion of facial skin.

Fortunately, there are a number of options available for men who want fresher, younger, and more vital looking skin. For one, there are traditional chemical peels that offer a shot at healthier skin that glows and gives off a much more attractive and healthy look. These peels work by removing the top layer of damaged and dead skin to expose the healthier, better looking skin underneath.

There are also laser treatments that work to do much the same thing, but with far greater control. These laser treatments can not only lessen discoloration and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but can even tone down or eliminate the appearance of scars.

Making the Appointment

If you have any questions about male plastic surgery, or just want to go over options, give Doctor William J. Binder a call today. Doctor Binder and his team are industry-leading experts in facial cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, and they will be more than happy to help you decide what, if any, of the many plastic surgery options might be right for you.

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What Laser Skin Resurfacing Does for You

Skin Treatment

Laser skin resurfacing is a cosmetic rejuvenation procedure that uses targeted laser therapy to safely and effectively remove damaged skin one layer at a time to reveal the healthy skin beneath. Because of its relatively lower cost when compared to other skin rejuvenation options, it is rapidly growing in popularity and has benefited from numerous advances in recent years.

Now, skilled cosmetic surgeons and reconstructive surgeons can offer patients an unprecedented level of care thanks to these exciting new tools.

How It Works

Laser skin treatment works by using very finely controlled laser diodes to remove damaged and dead layers or skin in much the same way that a more traditional chemical peel would, but with a much tighter focus and greater overall effectiveness. There are also fewer side effects and less recovery time (typically) with laser skin resurfacing than with more traditional skin resurfacing. There are two main types of lasers used for skin resurfacing. Both are perfectly safe, but have different applications.

● C02 Laser Resurfacing: This technique uses a carbon dioxide laser, either in a modulated pulse or continuous beam, to remove heavily damaged skin. This is by far the most common form of laser skin treatment, and it has a wide range of applications when it comes to skin resurfacing. It can be used to treat more involved conditions such as fine lines and wrinkles, or for scar removal and revision, particularly on sensitive areas around the eyes, nose, and mouth.

● Intense Pulse Light: This laser technique is more suited for younger patients such as young children with birthmarks, or patients with lighter skin pigmentation issues such as varicose veins and skin damage.

What Laser Skin Resurfacing Can Help Treat

Laser skin treatment can help to mitigate a number of skin issues including:

● Fine Lines and Wrinkles
● Blotchy Skin
● Age spots
● Scars
● Acne Pockmarks
● Skin Discoloration

Laser Resurfacing Can Help Fix Discoloration

Skin discoloration is something that can happen to virtually anyone. Most frequently the causes are aging, sun damage, congenital issue, or medical disorder. While laser skin resurfacing can’t fix dramatic discoloration, it can help to even out discoloration and blotchiness to make it less noticeable and easier to conceal. For mild discoloration, such as skin with mild sun damage, laser resurfacing can even out your skin tone to where only you, or a close loved one like a spouse would notice.

Laser Resurfacing for Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Typically, injections such as Botox or surgical lifts are the first thought when it comes to fine line and wrinkle treatment, even though these procedures are typically more invasive and disruptive to a patient’s schedule. Fortunately, laser skin treatment can also be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles such as crow’s feet and smile/laugh lines. For many patients who don’t see great results following lifts, laser resurfacing can be a much more successful option and can even be more successful than other options.

This technique is especially effective for treating crow’s feet and other small lines that develop around the mouth and eyes that can be very difficult to manage with something like Botox or a facelift and still maintain a natural appearance in the short term.

Laser Resurfacing for Scar Removal

Unlike other skin resurfacing procedures, laser skin resurfacing can improve the appearance of any and all types of scars, even acne scars, that other skin resurfacing treatments can’t handle effectively. Laser scar revision is one of the most commonly used scar revision techniques. Laser revision for scars can be used to lessen the severity and noticeability of scars from surgery or injury. Laser resurfacing of facial scars is so effective, primarily, because of its pin-point accuracy and fine control that lets the surgeon target just the scar or other imperfection.

This is especially important when treating something like acne scars, which other scar revision and mitigation therapies can struggle to treat. The same goes for chicken pox scars, and other pockmark type scars from injuries.

Laser Skin Treatment from Doctor Binder

Dr. William J. Binder is an industry-leading plastic surgeon based out of Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, California. Doctor Binder and his team specialize in treating a wide variety of cosmetic and reconstructive facial issues. If you want to learn more about laser skin resurfacing, or one of our other treatment options, contact Dr. Binder’s office today to schedule your consultation.

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Botox for Migraines

, Botox

For years, migraine sufferers have dealt with limited or ineffective treatment options for their condition. Sadly, medication options are few in number, and other alternative treatments are marginally effective at best. Fortunately, Botox for migraines can offer safe, effective, long-term relief.

Botox, long used as a way for cosmetic surgeons to bring youthful-looking skin to patients, can now also be used to combat chronic migraines and bring relief to patients that may not have another effective option for treatment. Doctor William Binder pioneered this technique after noticing that Botox patients who also suffered from migraines reported fewer and less severe migraines following their Botox treatment. The treatment has since been adopted by a number of physicians to help bring relief to their patients.

Migraines or Headaches?

There’s sometimes a bit of confusion about what exactly the difference is between a migraine and a regular headache. Neither are particularly fun, but migraines are considerably worse. Migraines can come with nausea, vomiting, pain behind the eyes or on one side of the head, sensitivity to light, smell, touch, and sound, lightheadedness, and blurry vision. Think of it this way: if a headache is an air horn, a migraine is a train horn. Some other migraine symptoms include:

  • Constipation
    ● Mood changes, from depression to euphoria
    ● Food cravings
    ● Neck stiffness
    ● Increased thirst and urination
    ● Frequent yawning

Causes of Migraines

There are a wide variety of things that can cause a migraine. These triggers can include hormonal changes, particularly in women on a hormonal contraceptive, or other individuals undergoing hormone replacement, aged cheese and other salty or overly processed food, food additives such as MSG and aspartame, alcohol (particularly wines with a high sulfite content), stress, skipping regular meals, changes in sleep habits/lack of sleep, and other physical factors such as exertion or head and spinal trauma. Many people also report migraines following changing the weather and rapidly shifting barometric pressure.

So, how have medical practitioners throughout history tried to alleviate their patients’ suffering? It’s been a long, strange trip indeed…

Failed Attempts from the Past

Science has come a long way over the past several centuries, and nobody is more grateful for these upgrades than those who suffer from migraines. Doctors in bygone eras took drastic (and often dangerous) measures to try and cure their wards, but the remedies were often more painful than the condition itself.

Some patients were subjected to the application of a scalding hot iron to try and sear the migraine away. Others were coated in a salve of opium and vinegar until their skulls were slick with the ineffective concoction. Perhaps most notable: one method of treating chronic headaches was to make an incision in the patient’s temple and insert garlic cloves into the fresh wound. Perhaps that would work to keep vampires out of your skull, but it was powerless to migraines.

The 1930s bore witness to a marked improvement in the treatment of this condition. Ergotamine was prescribed to constrict a patient’s blood vessels in an attempt to halt the spread of the headache.

An even more effective class of drug was engineered half a century later; triptans became the gold standard when it came to treating migraines. Even though they have proven beneficial to some patients, triptans can’t prevent the onset of an episode. They can only reduce the duration of a migraine once it has already taken hold, which is a mixed blessing for those who seek help yet desperately want to stave off the next dreaded flood of pain from an imminent recurrence of their condition.

That’s why the pharmaceutical field can really use some help from experts like Doctor Binder when it comes to delivering the treatment migraine sufferers are truly craving.

How Botox Works

Botox is the most commonly used brand of the industrially produced botulinum neurotoxin that is formulated from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Neurotoxin? Bacteria? It sounds a little scary when you think about it that way, but it’s actually completely safe when used by medical professionals. In fact, botulinum toxin is one of the most widely used and understood tools in a cosmetic surgeon’s arsenal, and it has been so for decades.

Botox works by essentially interrupting nerve impulses to muscles. This prevents individual muscles and muscle groups from contracting, which in turn causes wrinkles and frown lines to soften and smooth out. This treatment lasts 3-4 months and can be reapplied as necessary. The side effects for using Botox in this way are minimal and usually only include a bit of bruising at the injection site.

Botox for Migraines

Around 1992, Dr. William J Binder began conducting several studies to dig deeply into the usage of Botox for treating facial wrinkles. During this study, Dr. Binder noticed a pronounced improvement in patients that suffered from migraines who underwent cosmetic Botox. Since then, Doctor Binder has become one of the world’s foremost authorities on Botox usage, and is arguably the leading expert when it comes to treating migraines with Botox.

The exact nature of Botox’s effect on migraines is so far unknown, but it is theorized that Botox interrupts the very same nerve impulses that cause migraines, which is very similar to its effects when used for cosmetic purposes. When used to treat migraines, Botox is injected at several spots around the forehead and scalp, and occasionally on the back of the neck towards the base of the skull. This procedure takes less than fifteen minutes and can be performed during a regular office visit, with the patient returning to work immediately. Patients typically see improvements in 2-3 days and can experience relief for up to three months. The procedure is usually done again shortly before this deadline in order to extend the benefits.

Does It Work?

When you suffer from debilitating migraines, you want to skip all of the jargon and get to the bottom line: will Botox relieve my pain or not? According to recent studies, the answer is a resounding and triumphant YES.

Since pain mitigation is the metric by which we measure success in the realm of migraine treatment, it is important to note that the first such study showed an increase in so-called “crystal clear” days. This is the number of days in a given month when a patient experiences zero discomfort or distress due to migraines.

Even when migraines did occur in the survey group, they experienced a significant decrease in the duration of the wave, meaning that Botox offered a much-needed release from the grip of trauma that their condition.

In a related study, researchers attempted to analyze the benefits of repeat injections in the effort to subdue migraine effects more thoroughly. This pool of patients was asked to assess their progress after two rounds of Botox, and 50% of them responded that their number of days enduring headache pain each month was reduced by half.

When the same group was administered five rounds of injections, the number of them who experienced this measure of success rose to a staggering 70%.

Migraine Help from Doctor Binder

While Botox for migraines can be administered by many medical, and even non-medical professionals, getting help from the experts is much more likely to bring the targeted relief that migraine sufferers need. If you are suffering from migraines, contact Dr. William J Binder today to schedule a consultation and find out if you are a candidate for Botox-based migraine relief.

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