woman-custom-facial-implants

How Custom Implants Achieve a Natural Look

Procedure Overviews

A major concern for many plastic surgery patients is whether or not their plastic surgery results will look natural, especially because of dated stereotypes about plastic surgery results looking artificial and aesthetically unpleasant. However, new plastic surgery techniques, like custom facial implants, allow for gorgeous, natural-looking results.

Custom facial implants are an alternative to traditional standard facial implants. While standard facial implants are cheaper than custom facial implants and there are multiple choices in the shape and size, standard facial implants are unable to match the natural results of facial implants that are customized to the shape, size, and proportions of your unique face.

3 Dimensional Computer Modeling

One of the reasons that custom facial implants are able to get such great results is because of the process that goes into designing them. First, the plastic surgeon takes a three dimensional “CT” scan of the patient’s head. This scan can be explored and manipulated via computer software. Then, the CT scan is transformed into a physical model of the patient’s skull. Finally, the digital scan and the physical model are used together to design an implant that is perfectly sized and shaped for the patient’s facial structure. This combination of CT scans and computer technology is called 3-D Accuscan®.

Custom Implants and Facial Reconstruction

While custom implants are ideal for patients who want modifications to their face for cosmetic reasons, they can be life changing for patients who’ve undergone severe facial trauma and are in need of facial reconstruction. Any properly inserted facial implants restore normal function and appearance to the face, but custom facial implants are unparalleled in their ability to recreate the patient’s appearance before their facial trauma.

Custom facial implants are also far less traumatic than the cutting, moving, and grafting of bone and cartilage associated with the traditional alternative to facial implants, orthographic surgery, which was also prohibitively expensive for many patients.

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon

While custom implants have great potential, the implants alone aren’t enough to guarantee great results. Your plastic surgeon will be responsible for the proper creation and application of your custom implants, so having a skilled plastic surgeon who understands what you hope to achieve from your plastic surgery is essential in getting attractive and natural looking results.

Your surgeon should have ample experience in custom facial implants and you should look at before and after images of their results to make sure their surgeries provide results you would enjoy living the rest of your life with. Choosing an experienced reconstructive facial plastic surgery specialist, even if you only want implants for cosmetic reasons, is ideal because a specialist has greater knowledge about custom facial implants and more experience creating and manipulating custom facial implants.

Dr. William J. Binder

Dr. William J. Binder is a Los Angeles based reconstructive facial plastic surgeon with decades of experience in the field. However, Dr. Binder is even more than just an experienced facial reconstructive plastic surgeon. Dr. Binder actually originated the 3-D Accuscan® process, which he presented at major national conventions and published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal.

Dr. Binder was also awarded the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery’s Outstanding Achievement Award because of the significance of this process in the fields of reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery, and is considered one of the world’s leading plastic surgeons.

If you’re interested in having your custom facial implants made and inserted by the world’s expert in 3-D Accuscan®, don’t wait to act. Contact Dr. Binder’s office today to schedule your consultation.

woman-receives-facial-laser-treatments

Facial Laser Treatments: How They Work

Procedure Overviews

You’ve been thinking about getting some sort of facial treatment, whether it’s to get rid of unwanted wrinkles or facial hair, or to just tighten up your skin, but you’re unsure about treatments that use lasers.

While facial laser treatments can help solve a number of problems, feeling concerned about the use of lasers isn’t uncommon. Here’s a quick look at laser facial treatments and how they work.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing is a treatment that works to reduce facial wrinkles and skin irregularities (blemishes or acne scars) by directing short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at irregular skin, precisely removing skin layer by layer.

The two types of lasers most commonly used in laser skin resurfacing are: carbon dioxide and erbium.

  • Carbon dioxide—uses very short pulsed light energy (ultrapulse) or continuous light beams that are delivered in a scanning pattern to remove thin layers of skin with minimal heat damage
  • Erbium—designed to remove surface level and moderately deep lines and wrinkles, while causing minimal burning to surrounding tissue and less side effects. This type of laser is also more ideal for people with darker skin tones.

Your doctor may treat individual wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, or forehead or treat your entire face. Partial facial treatments can take between 30-45 minutes, while full facial treatments can take up to two hours.

Laser Skin Tightening

Laser skin tightening is a minimally invasive, non-surgical process that uses an infrared laser to tighten skin by heating the collagen under the skin’s surface, causing the skin to contract and tighten.

Facial skin tightening is immediately noticeable after the treatment and your skin will continue to tighten over the next few months. For the best results, you should receive two or three laser skin tightening treatments about a month apart.

During the treatment, your doctor will use a hand piece to apply brief pulses of laser energy to the skin. A continuous burst of cool air from the laser will ensure your comfort. Most laser skin tightening systems require the practitioner to go over the treatment area three times.

Treatment sessions usually last from 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the size of the treatment area. Laser skin tightening treatments require no downtime, which means that you can return to work or play immediately following your treatment session.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a treatment in which highly concentrated light is beamed into hair follicles. Pigment in the follicles absorb the light, causing the hair to be destroyed. Laser hair removal can be useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, leg, arm, underarm, bikini line, and other areas.

Some of the benefits of laser hair removal include:

  • Precision—lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.
  • Speed—each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time, treating an area about the size of a quarter every second.
  • Predictability—most patients have permanent hair loss after an average of three to seven sessions.

If you are planning on undergoing laser hair removal, you should limit plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for six weeks before your treatment. This should be done because the laser targets the hairs’ roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking. You should also plan to avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after your treatment. Sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and makes complications after treatment more likely.

During your treatment, the hair that will be undergoing laser hair removal will be trimmed to a few millimeters above the skin surface. Then a cold gel or special cooling device will be applied to the outer layers of your skin in order to protect your skin and to help the laser light penetrate the skin. After your treatment, you may be given ice packs, anti-inflammatory creams or lotions, or cold water to ease any discomfort. Your next laser hair removal treatment should be scheduled four to six weeks later.

Facial Laser Treatments with Dr. Binder

If you are thinking about receiving any sort of facial laser treatment, you should first consult with Dr. Binder about which treatment options might work best for you. With years of experience in his field, he has the knowledge and knowhow to help answer any questions or alleviate any concerns that you might have about laser treatments.

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Skin Damage: Common Culprits and How to Avoid Them

Health Basics

Unavoidably, the skin becomes weaker as it ages, making it more susceptible to damage from simply living life. However, there are also many other factors that weaken and damage skin that are totally avoidable. Ideally, people should start taking precautions to avoid these factors at a young age, but even older people or people who already have significant skin damage can take these precautions to avoid further damage. Read on for common causes of skin damage, as well as advice on minimizing their impact on your skin.

Sun Exposure

Exposure to the sun is probably the most common cause of skin damage. In fact, most of the changes we think of as simply a part of aging are actually due to sun exposure. Signs of aging caused by the sun include wrinkles, a loss of elasticity in the skin, sallowness, dilation of small blood cells under the skin, freckles, sunspots, and other forms of discoloration. The sun can also cause more significant damage by causing the development of benign, cancerous, or precancerous tumors.

Fortunately, there are also plenty of simple precautions that can be taken to minimize the impact of this common culprit. Try to avoid sun exposure when the sun is at its most damaging, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Hats, sunglasses, contact lenses, and even clothes with sun protection are available. Most importantly, wear sunscreen, or a product that contains it, such as cosmetics or a moisturizer, with at least SPF 30 and zinc oxide daily. Apply at least 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours if you’re sweating or swimming. Be careful about layering products with sun protection, as the active ingredients in some products can break down when they come into contact and you only get the protection of the strongest product regardless.

Irritants

Irritants can be almost anything, but are most commonly strong chemicals, allergens, or something environmental. Most chemicals, like water, have no effect on you or can even be good for you. However, some chemicals, like bleach or ammonia, can irritate the skin causing damage via chemical burns or dermatitis, which is scaliness or irritation that can occur at the site of contact or elsewhere. Irritants can also be substances that a person is allergic to, such as an ingredient in a cosmetic or skin care product, or something that they encounter in their environment, such as smoke, fumes, and other pollutants.

Most people know to avoid things they’re allergic to, but it can be hard to predict how your body will respond to something new. Patch test new products on a less visible part of your body before applying them to your face so you can see how you respond. You can learn what triggers irritation for you by keeping a list of the ingredients of products that cause irritation to help your doctor determine the exact cause. Your doctor may also recommend a clinical allergy test. Whenever you notice skin irritation, thoroughly but gently wash the spot immediately to remove the irritant from the skin.

Smoking

Smoking causes blood vessels to contract. One effect of this is that nutrients and oxygen aren’t carried to the skin effectively, causing it to wrinkle, lose elasticity, and become less able to heal efficiently. The more you smoke, the more damage occurs. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, there are plenty of tools to help you quit, including nicotine gum, lozenges, patches, inhalers, and nasal sprays, as well as prescription medication. Your doctor can help you determine the best way for you to quit.

Acne Scars

There’s a myth that only teens experience acne; and while it’s true that puberty is usually the worst time for acne, adults, especially women, are experiencing acne at growing rates. Adult acne alone can be annoying, but when coupled with the long term damage of acne scars, it’s even more frustrating. The most common cause of acne scarring is an inadequate healing environment, such as dry or dirty skin and constant irritation.

The best way to prevent acne scarring is to prevent acne in the first place. Use acne fighting products if you’re prone to breakouts. Keep cosmetics to a minimum and be sure to thoroughly cleanse the face in the evening to remove them and other debris from the day. Use non-comedogenic (oil free) products, but be sure to moisturize. If you do break out, you can avoid acne scarring by doing many of the same things you do to avoid acne, as healthy skin is better able to both fight acne and heal scars.

Continue to use acne fighting products and moisturizer. It can be tempting to slather a breakout in foundation and concealer to hide it, but it’s best to let the break out breathe. If you must cover the blemish, remove the product as soon as you can. Don’t pick at the breakout or the scar, as this will only further irritation, which causes scarring and can actually worsen existing scars. Vitamin E is often touted as a way to prevent scarring, but there’s actually evidence to suggest that it impairs the healing process. Instead, use a cortisone product to prevent and even heal scarring.

Treating Skin Damage

Avoiding skin damage in the first place is the best way to help the health and appearance of your skin, but there’s no need to fret if you already have skin damage. Dr. William J. Binder has many treatment options available for reversing damage to your skin. If you have skin damage that you want taken care of, contact our office today to schedule your consultation.

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Choosing the Right Facelift for You

Face Lifts, Procedure Overviews

You’ve recently been thinking about getting a facelift, but you aren’t sure what type of facelift or what facelift technique would work best for you. Before receiving any type of surgery, it is important to consider all of the available options. Here’s a quick look at the different types of facelifts and facelift techniques that you have to choose from.

Types of Facelifts

  • Traditional full facelift—a full or traditional facelift will address your entire face, including your neck and eyebrows. A full facelift may be performed with a neck lift, for more comprehensive results. This type of facelift can address sagging skin in your cheeks, chin, and jaw; reduce creases between your mouth and nose; reduce deep wrinkles under your eyes; and reduce displaced fat deposits. Because it targets a larger area, the treatment requires a longer incision (usually running along the temple, around the ear, and down to the neck. Full facelifts can address more dramatic signs of aging, therefore making them popular among patients in their 50’s and 60’s.
  • Mini facelift—a mini facelift primarily addresses the middle of the face, and is typically recommended for younger patients and for patients who desire only moderate change. This procedure requires smaller incisions (usually made just below the earlobes) as it addresses a smaller portion of the face. This type of facelift is also referred to as a weekend facelift due to its much shorter recovery time.
  • Mid-face lift—a mid-face lift works to restore a smooth, youthful look to the lower eyelids and cheeks, getting rid of that tired and haggard look. During this procedure, your doctor will create incisions similar to a traditional facelift, only deeper. This will allow for your doctor to lift the muscles that are normally untouched during a traditional facelift. Since this procedure only addresses some of the signs of aging, it is more suitable for patients in their 30s and 40s. Dr. Binder commonly performs what is known as a mid-face lift, which you can learn more about here.
  • Thread facelift—during this type of facelift, special threads are use to discreetly hold repositioned skin and facial tissue in place after surgery. This treatment tends to be most suitable for patients in their 30’s and 40’s who want to make minor adjustments to their appearance. How noticeable the results are depends from patient to patient, and it was one type of facelift surgery not utilized that often by Dr. Binder. You can find out more as to why here.

Facelift Techniques

The different types of facelifts can be performed using several different surgical tools and incision patterns. Each technique has its advantages and disadvantages, and will work differently for each person. The different facelift techniques include:

  • Endoscopic facelift—this technique can be used on all types of facelifts, and uses an endoscope (a microscopic camera attached to a small, handheld wand) to obtain a clear view of the underlying facial structure. This technique is usually best for patients who want to address drooping muscles and misplaced fat, but don’t have a large amount of excess skin. The same method can be used to achieve an endoscopic forehead lift.
  • Cutaneous facelift—this is the oldest facelift technique for addressing only sagging and excess skin. This technique carries a reduced risk of nerve damage and other complications, but the results don’t last as long, and may not look as natural.
  • S–lift—this technique is most suitable for treating the jaw and lower face, as it doesn’t offer as dramatic of a result as traditional facelift techniques.
  • Deep plane lift—this technique is especially effective in treating the mid face, including deep nasolabial folds. However, this technique does involve more risks, especially to the facial nerves.
  • Subperiosteal facelift—this technique goes even deeper than the deep plane lift in order to address sagging in the mid face by targeting tissues just over the facial bone.

Make an Appointment

Before choosing which type of facelift and technique will work best for you, you should consult with a qualified doctor. Book a consultation with Dr. Binder today, so that he can answer any questions or concerns that you might have about getting a facelift.

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How Rhinoplasty Can Help Alleviate Breathing Issues

rhinoplasty, Procedure Overviews

Rhinoplasty is often thought of as a purely cosmetic procedure, but this surgical procedure can also provide medical benefits for some people. To be fair, rhinoplasty is usually performed for cosmetic reasons and is the third most popular cosmetic surgery after breast augmentation and liposuction respectively, with over 217,979 cosmetic rhinoplasties performed in 2015 and 217,124 performed in 2014.

Corrective rhinoplasty is usually performed to correct a deviated septum, decrease the size of turbinates, or remove nasal polyps, though it can also be performed on patients who had a previous rhinoplasty surgery that interfered with their breathing.

What is a Deviated Septum?

The nasal septum is simply the wall between the two air passages (nostrils) in the nose. When the septum is deviated (to one side or the other, rather than straight), it can block one of the air passages, which obstructs breathing.

What are Overgrown Turbinates?

The tissues that line the nasal passage are called turbinates. Most people experience some sort of blockage from swollen turbinates at some point in their lives due to ailments like allergies and respiratory infections, but some people experience long-term overgrowth that causes chronic breathing issues.

What are Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are small benign and painless growths that occur on the inside of the nasal passages in response to chronic inflammation, usually as a result of respiratory issues like allergies, asthma, or chronic infection. While one or two polyps generally do not cause problems, large polyps or groups of many polyps can obstruct breathing.

About Rhinoplasty Surgery

Each rhinoplasty is different, because each patient’s obstruction and goals are different. Depending on the cause and location of the breathing obstruction, a rhinoplasty may revise the bony top portion of the nose, the cartilaginous bottom part, or both; as well as the skin on the outside of the nose. Incisions may be made inside the air passages or at the base of the nose, in the septum. Either way, incisions are barely or not at all visible. Rhinoplasty may be performed using general anesthesia or local anesthesia alongside a sedative. Your surgeon should be able to determine which option is right for you, taking into account your surgery and your health history. Be sure to disclose any prior negative reactions to anesthetics during your consultation.

Corrective rhinoplasty can be performed alongside cosmetic rhinoplasty, though insurance typically only covers costs related to corrective techniques. Your surgeon’s staff should be able to work with your insurance provider to determine how much your insurance will cover and how much you’ll be responsible for paying.

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon for Your Rhinoplasty

Choosing the right plastic surgeon is imperative to ensure that your rhinoplasty sufficiently corrects your breathing problems, leaves an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and does not require revision rhinoplasty later on.

An experienced facial and reconstructive plastic surgery specialist, like Dr. William J. Binder, is able to give patients far better results than their more generalized peers. Dr. Binder, whose office is conveniently located in the Los Angeles area, stands apart from other facial and reconstructive plastic surgery specialists, however. Dr. Binder is one of the world’s leading plastic surgeons. He regularly travels around both the United States and the world to train and educate other plastic surgeons, has 10 U.S. and global patents on medical and surgical devices and pharmaceuticals, and has had his research and findings extensively published in various academic journals.

Dr. Binder’s skills have been recognized by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, both of which have granted Dr. Binder with board certifications. If these endorsements from other leaders in his field aren’t enough, Dr. Binder also has glowing reviews from his patients due to his passion for both helping patients achieve their goals and educating them about the process.

Don’t wait to act if you want your rhinoplasty, or any other cosmetic surgery procedure, performed by one of the best. Dr. Binder is taking consultations now, so contact his office today to schedule your appointment and begin to breathe easy.

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Malar and Submalar Implants: An Overview

Procedure Overviews

Do you have flat, deflated looking cheeks or cheeks with lines and wrinkles? Are you tired of under-eye bags and hollow looking cheeks? Then you might be a good candidate for cheek augmentation surgery.

However, just like with every other type of surgery, there are some things that you need to know about cheek augmentation and the different types of implants available before you run off to book your appointment.

What is Cheek Augmentation?

Cheek augmentation is a surgical treatment that works to restore plumpness, volume, and definition to the midface, recreating youthful contours that have become flat and saggy with age. Cheek implants are ideal for people with narrow or flat faces, or those who have lost cheek contour due to congenital deficiency, facial trauma, or the aging process.

Malar and Submalar Implants

Cheek implants come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be custom shaped to augment weak facial structure and combat the effects of aging to remove a gaunt appearance. There are also many different types of implant materials that can be used—from synthetic silicone, rigid polyethylene that needs to be screwed into place, and a synthetic material called ePTFE (a white rubbery material molded for medical use).

Cheek implants that are made of hydroxyapatite can integrate with natural bone tissue in the face and therefore become part of the cheek structure, while cheek implants that are made from silicone can be removed at a later date because they don’t integrate with the facial tissue.

There are three general shapes to cheek implants: malar, submalar, and combined.

  • Malar—are meant to correct a deficiency of the cheekbone itself by placing the implant directly on the cheekbones. Augmentation of this area gives the patient higher-arched cheekbones and a more attractive facial profile.
  • Submalar—are meant to correct a deficiency of the fleshy portion of the cheek and are placed directly below the most prominent portion of the cheekbone. By filling this area, the cheeks are restored a fullness that eliminates the sunken look that is associated with age and illness.
  • Combined—corrects deficiencies of both the cheekbone and the fleshy portion below the cheekbone.

While cheek implants come in various shapes and sizes, most can be custom shaped to a particular facial structure.

Recovery

After the surgery, there will be some swelling and mild bruising, and it is likely that your doctor will prescribe you pain medication for a couple of days after the surgery. While the amount of recovery time depends on the procedure and the extent of the bruising and swelling, you can expect to need two to seven days of recovery time. You will also need to limit some activities for a few weeks, but you should be able to return to work and normal activities within the first week of your recovery.

Complications from cheek implant surgery are very rare, although there are still some risks involved, such as:

  • Anaesthetic complications
  • Infection
  • Implant shifting

Cheek Implants from Dr. Binder

Before fully considering whether or not getting cheek implants is the right move for you, you should book a consultation with a highly skilled and experienced physician. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Binder today, so that he can answer any questions or concerns that you might have about cheek augmentation and the types of implants available to you.

woman-lip-augmentation-results

Best Lip Augmentation Options in Beverly Hills

Procedure Overviews

Do you ever wish that your lips were full and sensual? Then lip augmentation surgery might be the best fit for you. However, with so many options available in the Beverly Hills area, it might make it hard for you to decide which type of lip augmentation is right for you.

Here’s a look at some of the best lip augmentation options in Beverly Hills and what they can do for you.

Lip Fillers

There are a wide variety of injectable lip fillers that can be used to give your lips a plump, voluptuous look that fits your individual needs. Lip augmentation with injectable fillers can provide a pleasing result within as little as 30 minutes. However, most lip fillers are only temporary as the body will eventually breakdown and absorb the filler. The length of time the results last varies from person to person, but the average time is between four to six months.

There are two different categories of lip fillers: collagen-based and hyaluronic acid-based, the latter of which is used here at Dr. Binder’s office.

Collagen-based lip fillers come in two forms: bovine-derived collagen and human-derived collagen.

  • Bovine-derived collagen—is extracted from the tissue of cows that have been raised in constantly monitored, disease-free closed herds. An allergy test is required before receiving this type of collagen because there is a three percent chance of an allergic reaction. Some bovine-derived collagen fillers include: Zyderm, Zyplast, and Artecoll.
  • Human-derived collagen—is harvested from cadavers or excess skin removed during surgery. The biocompatibility of human-derived collagen eliminates the need for a pre-treatment allergy test and makes these lip fillers an excellent option for those who are allergic to bovine-derived collagen. Some human-derived collagen fillers include: Dermalogen, Cymetra, Autologen, Fascian, Cosmoderm, and Cosmoplast.

Hyaluronic acid-based lip fillers—hyaluronic acid is a clear, biodegradable substance that occurs naturally in the body’s joints and skin. It binds with water molecules once injected into the lips, allowing hyaluronic acid-based fillers to moisturize as well as plump the lips and provide longer-lasting results than collagen fillers. Some hyaluronic acid-based lip fillers include: Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, and Radiesse. The former two are used here.

Fat Transfer

If you’re a little reluctant about injecting foreign materials into your body, then you might want to consider lip augmentation with fat transfer. Lip augmentation with fat transfer utilizes your own body’s tissue, giving you soft, natural-looking results.

During the procedure, fat will be removed from a location on your body (usually the abdomen or thighs) with liposuction. This will not produce a noticeable effect in the removal site. The fat is then injected into the lips with a syringe and blunt needle. The injections only leave tiny prick marks. This procedure has a short recovery time of only two to three days.

Lip Lift

A lip lift is a surgical procedure that elevates the lips to create a more youthful and relaxed smile. There are two types of lip lifts: upper lip lift and corner lip lift.

Upper lip lift—shortens the skin distance between the upper lip and the base of the nose. This increases the amount of “pink lip” that is seen, exposes the teeth more, and gives you fuller, more youthful looking lips. This is the most common type of lip lift.

Corner lip lift—involves only the edges of your mouth and is designed for the patient who feels as though they have a permanent frown.

If you are worried about both fullness and excess distance between the nose and the upper lift as well as having a permanent frown, these two procedures can be performed together. Recovery time from having a lip lift is usually between seven to 10 days.

Lip Implants

Lip implants provide a permanent lip augmentation with more refined results than dermal lip fillers. This procedure is fairly simple, taking only about an hour. There are three popular types of lip implants in Beverly Hills: Gore-Tex, SoftForm, and Alloderm.

Gore-Tex—lip implants made from a medical-grade version of ePTFE, the same material used in tents and raincoats. Once implanted, Gore-Tex lip implants might feel slightly rigid, but most patients quickly become accustomed to them. Gore-Tex implants have micro-pores through which the natural lip tissue grows, making the implants part of the lip structure.

SoftForm—lip implants that are also made from ePTFE, but have a tubular shape. This allows for tissue ingrowth that provides better anchoring and lessens the chance of migration.

Alloderm—is a human-tissue lip implant made from donated skin. This product is soft and pliable, and will not invoke any type of allergic reaction.

Lip Augmentation with Dr. Binder

Before deciding which type to lip augmentation will work best for you, you should meet with a qualified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Binder today, so that he can help you make the best choice when it comes to your lip augmentation needs.

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Is Hardened Skin after a Rhinoplasty Normal?

Health Basics, rhinoplasty

Most people know to expect soreness and swelling after their rhinoplasty surgery, but one particular after-effect often takes patients by surprise. A few weeks after surgery, many patients are shocked to discover that the skin on their nose, especially around the tip of the nose, feels hard or firm. While not all patients experience this phenomenon, it is a relatively common, but rarely permanent, side effect of rhinoplasty surgery.

What Causes Hardened Skin after Rhinoplasty?

There are two major reasons for the skin on the nose to feel hard after rhinoplasty, but neither has to do with the skin itself. The hardness does not actually reflect a change in the skin, but rather the tissue underneath.

Edema (swelling caused by liquid under the skin) is the most common cause of hardness in the months directly following surgery. Built up scar tissue, however, does not fade so quickly, causing long term, even permanent, feelings of hardness. These two things generally cause a greater feeling of hardness for patients who already had thick skin on their nose.

How Long after Surgery Does Hardened Skin Last?

While the sensation of hard-feeling skin can be off-putting for patients, this hard skin is typically neither visible nor permanent. The nose, especially the tip, will remain hard for several months after surgery, after which the tissue will begin to soften as the remaining swelling fades. It will, however, not reach full softness until about a year after surgery.

It is recommended that patients wait one to two years after their rhinoplasty before seeking treatment for their hardened tissue or a revision rhinoplasty because tissue may soften, results can change during this time period, and surgical techniques are more difficult when the surgeon has to work around hard scar tissue.

Treating Persistent Hardened Skin

If you still experience hardened skin two or more years after your rhinoplasty, there are several treatment options. The two most common are steroid injections and revision rhinoplasty. The medication in steroid injections is very successful in breaking down scar tissue and is not particularly invasive.

Revision rhinoplasty, on the other hand, requires the surgical removal of built up scar tissue. This allows for more extensive changes than steroid injections and allows the surgeon to address any cosmetic issues the patient has after their surgery; but if not conducted in a delicate manner, revision rhinoplasty can lead to even more build up of scar tissue.

For this reason, it is important that the patient choose a skilled doctor with ample experience in detailed rhinoplasty surgery. Patients should always look at their prospective surgeons’ patient reviews and before and after photos to ensure that their surgical experience will leave them with the results they want.

Preventing Hardened Skin

Unfortunately, there is little the patient can do themselves to prevent hardened skin after their rhinoplasty surgery. However, the right plastic surgeon can minimize hardness by minimizing swelling and scar tissue, so it is important that the patient takes the time and effort to carefully select an experienced plastic surgeon. This is also true, perhaps even more so, for patients seeking a revision rhinoplasty, as hard scar tissue complicates the surgical process.

Dr. William J. Binder

Dr. William J. Binder is one such surgeon whose office is conveniently located in Beverly Hills. Not only is Dr. Binder skilled and experienced, he’s a facial and reconstructive plastic surgery specialist, and one of the world’s leading plastic surgeons; he has multiple patents, extensive published works, and board certifications from both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.

Whether you want your hardened skin treated, or are planning an initial rhinoplasty procedure and hope to avoid hardened skin altogether, Dr. Binder is heads above the rest. Contact his office today to schedule your consultation.

unhappy-woman-revision-surgery

Revision Surgery: Why Some Go Under the Knife Again

Health Basics, Procedure Overviews

No one gets plastic surgery expecting to have to modify their results, but nonetheless it sometimes happens. The most common revision surgeries are scar revision and revision rhinoplasty, but virtually any plastic surgery procedure can be revised. There are a number of reasons why patients might feel the need to undergo revision surgery.

Displeasure with Aesthetic Results

Sometimes plastic surgery patients simply do not get the aesthetic results they were hoping for out of plastic surgery. Sometimes this is because the patient did not have realistic expectations about what plastic surgery can achieve or because of an unskilled plastic surgeon, but often this occurs because of miscommunication between the doctor and the patient.

Excessive Scarring

Virtually any plastic surgery will leave some scarring, but usually the scarring is thin, minimal, and not easily visible. In some cases, however, scarring can be obvious, turning what would have been beautiful results into something displeasing and unsatisfactory. This can be due to a variety of different things, including improper surgical technique, or complications such as an infection during healing.

Change in Results

In other cases, the appearance of results simply change. This change can be due to any number of things, including aging, weight gain or loss, or trauma to the site of the surgery. Aging and weight loss can partially or fully reverse the results of surgery or simply change the contours and proportions of the face, making plastic surgery results that previously looked wonderful appear less than beautiful. Trauma can damage or move implants and delicate tissue, causing not only aesthetic concerns, but also potential health problems.

Functional Problems

Functional issues after plastic surgery are rare, but are most common after rhinoplasty. In some cases, rhinoplasty can result in obstruction in one or both of the nasal passages, significantly impairing the patient’s ability to breath and often, by extension, to get adequate sleep.

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon for Your Revision Surgery

Choosing the right plastic surgeon for revision plastic surgery is just as important as choosing the right plastic surgeon for your initial cosmetic surgery procedure, and is imperative in ensuring satisfaction with the results of the revision surgery.

The reasons patients seek revision surgery often mean that the surgeon who conducts the procedure needs to be highly skilled and very experienced. Ideally, patients are able to seek out a surgeon who specializes in revision and reconstruction procedures. Specialized plastic surgeons are able to give patients far better results than their more generalized peers because specialists have unique knowledge and experiences about revision procedures.

Dr. William J. Binder

One revision and reconstruction plastic surgery specialist, who also happens to be one of the world’s leading plastic surgeons, happens to be located in Los Angeles. Dr. Binder has a passion for educating patients and helping them meet their aesthetic goals, whether through an initial procedure or as part of a revision surgery.

Dr. Binder is well-known and respected among members of his field. He is board certified by not only the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, but also the American Board of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, demonstrating his impressive knowledge of the medical aspects of cosmetic surgery – not just the aesthetic aspects.

If you are unhappy with the results of your plastic surgery, regardless of the reason, there is no reason to live with these displeasing results, and there is no reason to settle for anyone but the best possible surgeon. Dr. Binder’s office is accepting consultations, so contact us today so that you can schedule your appointment and get the look you have been hoping for.

cosmetic-facial-treatment

The Top 7 Cosmetic Facial Treatments

Lifestyle, Procedure Overviews

Does your skin have fine lines, age spots, acne scars, or other issues that you’d like to clear up? Cosmetic facial treatments can help improve the look and feel of your skin. Since each cosmetic facial treatment is designed to work out a specific problem spot, here’s a quick look at the top seven most popular cosmetic facial treatments and what they can help you with.

1. Botox

Botox injections block certain chemical signals from nerves, mostly those that cause muscles to contract. The most common use for these injections is to temporarily relax the facial muscles that underlie and cause wrinkles, such as:

  • Frown lines between the eyebrows
  • Crow’s feet
  • Forehead furrows

During your treatment, you doctor will inject small amounts of Botox into the facial muscles (just enough to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles) using a very thin needle. You doctor will target specific muscles so the surrounding skin isn’t affected. The number of injection sites varies depending on the severity of your wrinkles, but treatment generally takes about 15 minutes and doesn’t require any recovery time. Results from Botox injections usually last several months.

2. Chemical Peel

A chemical peel is a treatment that uses a chemical solution, which is applied to the skin in order to make it blister and eventually peel off. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. Chemical peels can help:

  • Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
  • Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging
  • Improve the appearance of mild scars
  • Treat certain types of acne
  • Reduce age spots, freckles, and dark patches
  • Improve the overall look and feel of skin

Chemical peels range from mild to deep. The best type for you will depend on the severity of your skin problems. Mild peels use alpha-hydroxy acids, while medium peels use trichloroacetic acid; both of which will reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Deeper peels use phenol, which treats deeper scars and wrinkles, and can produce a much more dramatic and long-lasting effect than mild or medium peels.

3. Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing is a treatment that directs short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at irregular skin, precisely removing skin layer by layer, while also heating up deeper layers. This treatment can help reduce wrinkles and skin irregularities, such as blemishes or acne scars. Results from this treatment can last for years.

4. Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is an exfoliating treatment that uses a rotating instrument to remove the outer layers of skin, exposing new layers of skin that appear younger and smoother. Dermabrasion can help treat:

  • Acne scars
  • Age spots
  • Fine wrinkles
  • Precancerous skin patches
  • Redness and thick skin on the nose (rhinophyma)
  • Scars from surgery or injury
  • Sun damage
  • Tattoos
  • Uneven skin tone

5. Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a mild form of dermabrasion that uses the application of tiny rough grains to buff away the surface layer of skin. The healing process brings with it newer skin cells that look and feel smoother. Microdermabrasion can help:

  • Remove sun damage
  • Remove blemishes
  • Remove age spots
  • Reduce the appearance of minor lines or scars
  • Clean out clogged pores
  • Even out discolored skin

This treatment usually takes about 30 minutes and requires no recovery time. However, most people need several treatments before they see improvement. The results of this treatment depend on the severity of the skin damage and the number of treatments.

6. Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are a naturally-derived or synthetic material that is directly injected into the skin in order to plump the area to the point where the wrinkle, depression, or fold is gone.

There are two primary groups of dermal fillers: synthetic and natural.

Synthetic fillers—are considered semi-permanent because they don’t really dissipate.

Naturally-derived fillers—are immediate but will only last for three to 18 months because the filler eventually breaks down, taking the results with it. Once the filler starts to dissipate, you’ll need to go back and get more filler injections to maintain results.

7. Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal beams a highly concentrated light into the hair follicles. Pigments in the follicles absorb the light, which destroys the hair. Laser hair removal can be done on the face, leg, arm, underarm, bikini line, and other areas. Some of the benefits of laser hair removal include:

  • Precision
  • Speed
  • Predictability

This treatment works best on light skin with dark hair because darker hair absorbs more light, and lighter skin lets more of the light into the hair follicle. Hair loss is typically permanent after three to eight sessions.

Book a Facial Treatment Consultation

No matter what you think might be the best treatment option for you, be sure to consult with Dr. Binder before booking your desired treatment.

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