eyelid surgery

Facial Facts: A Look Inside the Blepharoplasty (Eyelid) Procedure

As the old saying goes, the eyes are the windows to the soul. When we are wide-eyed, anything is possible. But when time and toil weigh down upon us, our eyes show the ravages of age and neglect. We may appear sad or tired, even when the opposite is true. 

To open your perspective to new experiences, new visions, and a new outlook on life, consider the benefits of blepharoplasty. Eyelid surgery can remedy sagging, droopy lids or erase wrinkles and puffiness around the eyes. In short: Dr. William Binder can help you recapture a youthful appearance and see the world anew.

WHAT DOES BLEPHAROPLASTY COST?

Blepharoplasty means many things to many clients. Some individuals struggle with ptosis, meaning that the fine muscles in their upper eyelids are not strong enough to lift the lids out of their field of vision. This condition may get more pronounced with age as the levator muscles become weaker and the excess skin becomes more pronounced.

Other blepharoplasty candidates have a buildup of fluid in their lower lids. Dr. Binder can perform a simple “pinch technique” to alleviate the heavy lids. This procedure begins with a small incision, removes excess skin under the eyes, and sutures the area back together seamlessly.

Due to the fact that blepharoplasty methods are as varied as our clientele, every procedure must be priced individually. The helpful team at our Beverly Hills office can discuss costs, payment plans, and other important details prior to your blepharoplasty appointment.

IS BLEPHAROPLASTY PAINFUL?

Your comfort is our utmost concern. Even before you arrive for your blepharoplasty procedure, you will be assessed according to your aesthetic goals and your general health. During this consultation period, Dr. Binder or one of his helpful associates will explain what to expect on the day of your treatment.

You will receive the appropriate anesthetic to ensure that your surgery goes smoothly and gently. This may consist of a local numbing agent, sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the blepharoplasty procedure you will be undergoing. 

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TIME?

Blepharoplasty surgery is incredibly focused. The incisions are small, the affected area is finite, and the recovery time is much shorter than the healing required for other cosmetic enhancements. 

You may experience minor swelling or discomfort for the first few days following eyelid surgery. Dr. Binder will also schedule a follow-up visit to remove any sutures that have not dissolved naturally after the first week of your recovery. In the case of transconjunctival eye surgery, your lower eyelids will absorb the sutures delicately and innocuously, so no invasive procedure is required to address them further.

Dr. Binder may encourage you to apply gentle ice packs to the area to reduce swelling and promote optimal circulation. Please follow his instructions carefully to enjoy a happy, healthy recovery. You may be advised to avoid wearing makeup for about 10 days following eyelid surgery. On the bright side: you won’t need makeup to showcase your beautiful new lids!

HOW LONG DOES BLEPHAROPLASTY LAST?

While every case is unique, eyelid surgery is designed to be a long-lasting solution to issues with droopy or wrinkled eyelids. Estimates indicate that upper blepharoplasty results may dazzle your appearance for up to seven years. Lower eyelid surgery has an even better track record. Its benefits are so carefully crafted that they rarely require a follow-up procedure. 

To enjoy the mental and physical boost that blepharoplasty surgery can provide you, visit Dr. Binder. He is a genius when it comes to eyelid enhancement and general wellness. In fact, Dr. Binder is a pioneer in the field of Botox applications. If you want to smooth the creases around your face, eradicate the dreaded “crow’s feet” effect, and recapture your timeless vigor, consider a minimally invasive Botox session soon!

HOW DOES ONE PREPARE FOR BLEPHAROPLASTY?

Your aesthetic journey is a one-person ride. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to healthcare, so your preparation for blepharoplasty must be tailored to your specific case. Dr. Binder will advise you on which medications to stop taking in the weeks leading up to any cosmetic surgery procedure.

Please do not wear makeup on the date of your eyelid surgery. You will be given dietary and prescriptive directions to prepare you for your blepharoplasty prior to your appointment.

During the consultation period, we will assess your vision, skin elasticity, and other factors related to your eye health. Dr. Binder will ask to take “before” pictures of your face. He can use these pictures to discuss your aesthetic goals; you can literally point out any “problem areas” that you want to improve and help Dr. Binder strategize the best course of action.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BLEPHAROPLASTY?

Eyelid surgery replenishes your look and rejuvenates your face. It is truly a transformative procedure. The statistics are almost as impressive as the aesthetics: a staggering 94% of patients who experienced blepharoplasty are satisfied with the results they received. 

But numbers and data can never accurately reflect the true benefits of eyelid surgery. Your health and happiness are Dr. Binder’s main priorities. If you are dissatisfied with the look of your lids, or if your eyes cause you discomfort or blurred vision, then please contact us. Blepharoplasty may be the eye-opening experience you need to envision a brighter tomorrow.

The 3 Most Affordable Procedures You Can Gift This Holiday Season

‘Tis the season to look great! The holidays are full of photo opportunities and parties galore. When you step out in your Christmas sweater and matching cheer, you are giving the world the gift of your confidence.

But some people might need a little boost of self-esteem this giving season.

We all want to put our best face forward this Christmas, so consider presenting that special someone on your gift list with a cosmetic enhancement procedure. Spread the love of aesthetics by spreading your generosity of spirit. Many of the services we offer take very little time out of your loved one’s busy seasonal schedule and they are also surprisingly affordable. 

Feel free to forward the following list directly to Santa after you check it twice…

BOTOX

There’s a reason why Botulinum Toxin Type A (also known as Botox) is the most popular minimally invasive procedure in the United States. Americans enjoy the benefits of over 7.2 million Botox procedures every year. This statistic represents a 2% increase year over year, so the enhancement craze shows no sign of slowing down.

The word is out: Botox is in!

Botox is a neuromodulator, which means that it targets the troublesome muscles that cause wrinkles. By blocking the signals that emanate from your nerves, Botox disrupts contractions in your soft muscle tissue. When your facial muscles relax, they release the creases that cause crow’s feet, laugh lines, and other unwanted wrinkle formations. 

Botox has even proven effective in easing the stressed musculature that aggravates acne scars. If someone on your gift list is unhappy with the lines or lingering marks on their face, consider filling their stocking with Botox (or a gift certificate to Dr. Binder’s Beverly Hills clinic, to be more accurate)!

Not only can Botox benefit your facial features, but it is also a breakthrough treatment for migraine headaches. Let’s face it: the holidays can be stressful. Doesn’t your spouse or significant other deserves a release from the stress and strain of shopping, travel, and family drama?

Dr. Binder is a maverick in the application of Botox for migraine relief. Just as Botox can relax your facial muscles to reduce wrinkles, it can also ease the neural pathways that carry pain signals through your nervous system. In effect, Botox helps block a migraine in its tracks. 

Merry Christmas indeed!

DERMAL FILLERS

While Botox is great for relaxing the muscle contractions that contribute to wrinkles, that’s only half of the equation. As we age, we lose muscle mass. This leads to a loosening of the skin, leaving gaps beneath the surface. 

Dermal fillers help fill these gaps and plump the look of your skin. Restylane and Juvederm are perfect products for that hard to please person in your life. A facial filler injection only takes about 30 minutes, but its effects can last for months or even up to two years. That should cover your gift obligations for the next couple of Christmases!

Dermal injections promote the production of collagen under the skin. Collagen is the most prevalent protein in the human body, and it helps with the growth and maintenance of blood vessels, soft tissue, bones, and teeth. By stimulating collagen and its many benefits, dermal fillers add a youthful glow to your loved one’s face in the short term as well as long term.

For a deluxe gift that combines the benefits of both techniques described above, consider a Botox/filler pairing. These safe and complementary procedures work wonderfully together, addressing your special someone’s needs on two fronts at the same time. The Botox halts the damaging effects of facial muscular contractions while dermal fillers repair the existing damages done by time and the winter (wonderland) elements. This comprehensive cosmetic package truly is the gift that keeps on giving!

FACIAL PEELS AND LASER SKIN TREATMENT

If your loved one has blemishes or uneven patches on their skin, then a chemical peel may be the perfect holiday gift. By coating the affected area with a safe, FDA-approved solution, this technique simultaneously targets damaged spots while rejuvenating the surrounding tissue. To paraphrase an old saying, many skin aberrations are only skin deep. Dr. Binder can peel them off cautiously and gently, allowing your gift recipient to enjoy their natural luster just beneath the surface.

A ton of chemical peels are performed annually in America, but the popularity of the procedure is quickly being rivaled by laser skin resurfacing. This method of cosmetic enhancement uses amplified light waves to excite a focused, precise stream of carbon dioxide to the unwanted blemish. The laser removes the discoloration from the top later of the skin while stimulating collagen to rapidly replace the affected tissue.

Laser resurfacing is perfect for pinpointing “problem areas” on the skin while facial peels provide an overall evenness and rejuvenation to a recipient’s expression.

We sincerely don’t want to complicate your gift-giving dilemma by presenting you with too many options. That being said, Dr. Binder offers both laser resurfacing and facial peel options. If you are unsure which to choose, then you can simply buy a gift certificate and let your loved one navigate his or her individual enhancement journey.

DR. BINDER IS YOUR ONE-STOP COSMETIC SHOP

You know your friends and family intimately. You care about their every wish, and you want to fulfill them lovingly. If you are stumped for gift ideas this holiday season, consider contacting Dr. Binder for help.

Picture your significant other’s face. It’s a great sight, indeed! But if your sweetheart is hesitant to smile or laugh due to insecurities about their looks, then an affordable cosmetic procedure can help.

Now picture your loved one’s face again, this time on Christmas morning or the first night of Hanukkah. Think about how their eyes will light up when they open their present from you. If we can help make your holiday dreams a reality, then that is the greatest gift of all. 

More Women Are Getting Botox to Remedy Their RBF

What is RBF? If you ask, you might get a healthy dose of it. RBF stands for Resting B*tch Face, and it is duly earned by many women who react to the absurdity and unfairness of life by expressing their dissatisfaction daily.

But what happens after prolonged exposure to RBF?

When you frown (or laugh) excessively, you develop lines on your face. These can become ingrained in your silhouette if you don’t tend to them, and one of the best tools we have in the cosmetic kit is Botox. This injected serum works by relaxing the muscles in a focused area of your face or body and allowing a more placid, serene expression to overcome. The lines smooth out and your overall demeanor grows less severe and more approachable.

So, what are the residual benefits of treating RBF? Get happy, get informed, and get on the same page…

WORKPLACE VS. SOCIAL LIFE

It’s one of the greatest struggles in the modern era: how do you juggle a demanding career while also making time for a rewarding extracurricular existence? After 10 hours in the office, it’s difficult to rally and hit the bars with friends who are ready to mingle all night.

And it becomes even more daunting when you have RBF.

Wearing a stern expression at work may have its benefits. You exude an air of seriousness and gravitas, but how does that facial fortress transition to the after-hours portion of your life? When you sidle up to the bar and flash your RBF, it may be involuntary, but it’s definitely noticeable. People can spot your disdain from across the room and they may actively avoid you for fear of getting lectured or scolded.

If you become alienated by your own RBF, you could feel increasingly lonely and bitter, this contributing to further RBF. It’s a downward spiral.

But you can break the cycle with a considerate strategy to embrace the face you want to project to the world. Contrary to popular myth, cosmetic procedures don’t necessarily change your look in a drastic way; rather, they enhance the features and qualities you choose to accentuate.

DON’T TELL ME TO SMILE!

Although we have come a long way since the sexist old days of yore, we still have a lot of progress to make. It is unfortunately a male delusion that women should appear happy and flirtatious all the time, but that needs to stop.

Like, now.

Women are fed up with being told to “smile more” – in fact, some empowered females have actually embarked upon a campaign to boycott public smiles altogether. It is nobody’s place to tell another human being how to feel or what to express.

And that’s the beauty of Botox. It doesn’t force you to fake a smile, or contort your face in any other manner you don’t intend. In fact, the compound allows your face to relax for a change. No more cheesy grins, false happiness, or RBF. You can be you, and we’re here to help.

Own your destiny. Don’t be a prisoner of RBF.

CONTROL YOUR FACE, CONTROL YOUR FATE

Botox has become the go-to remedy for counteracting RBF. One clinic, in particular, has enjoyed a 100% increase in the simple, 20-minute procedure over the past year. The clientele visiting his establishment are setting aside their hostility and choosing the aesthetic that works best for their face.

And the results are astounding.

Resting B-face is essentially a defense mechanism. It tells pushy bystanders not to mess with you, and keeps the world at a distance. Sometimes, that’s a sad necessity, but women are finding themselves getting “locked in” with permanent frown lines and clenched musculatures. Now, let’s explore how Botox can free its recipients from staying in RBF mode when they would rather let go.

REAPING THE BENEFITS

Insecurities melt away when you smooth out the worrisome lines on your face. This leads to an increase in confidence, which improves your demeanor from within. This is the opposite of the downward spiral mentioned earlier.

Data supports this assertion, indicating that approximately 70% of patients who receive Botox injections do so to help improve their respective psychological statuses. Also, 59% of those surveyed said that they wanted to maintain a more professional look, seeking Botox to make them more approachable.

While RBF may have been a useful tool to fend off others in the past, we are evolving into a more enlightened age. That explains why Americans use Botox upwards of 1.5 million times per year, a figure that rose over 5% between 2017 and 2018.

We want to be happy. We want to be social. But we just don’t want to be told to “smile more.”

RISE ABOVE RBF

The modern world can be a collection of contradictions. Women are told to be ambitious yet soft, approachable yet strong. The mixed signals can be maddening, and the conflict can manifest itself on your facial features.

Vacillating wildly from overly chipper to harsh and withdrawn takes its toll on your skin. You can smooth out those reactionary lines with the help of Botox. If you find yourself jumping through hoops to meet life’s confounding demands, then you may be due for a consultation.

Our friendly and skilled team will listen to your enhancement goals, formulate a plan, and move forward with the right procedure to fit your face. Leave RBF in the rearview mirror and say hello to happy trails ahead.

How Plastic Surgery Improves Mental Health

Happiness is easy to define, but difficult to attain. We all want to be happy, but how do we achieve this demeanor in a healthy, sustainable way?

The answer will be different for every individual, but it’s a vital discussion worth having. By exploring the parameters of psychological wellness, we may arrive at some new and unconventional ways to promote it. For example, plastic surgery is often considered purely cosmetic, but the benefits that accompany these procedures go far deeper than skin level.

If you are considering an enhancement, think about why this decision is right for you. The answer might tap into a more fundamental truth about how you want to look, who you want to be, and how you want to live…

THE FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH

Wellness is a vast concept with many complex tenets. It encompasses your environment, your intellect, your fitness, your finances, and your social situation. If one of these elements is out of balance, the rest may soon suffer.

For instance, you might be strong and sound of mind, but if you lose your job, it assuredly weighs on you. You begin to worry about paying your bills, which negatively affects your mental health. Perhaps you spend all of your time job-hunting rather than exercising, which impacts your overall fitness. Hence, each spoke of the wellness wheel is interdependent. By ignoring your physical health, you invariably suffer mentally. 

THE BODY/MIND CONNECTION

The human brain and the physical self are inextricably bound. When you look in the mirror, you are performing an informal “check in” with yourself. You can practice what you project to the world around you by observing your reflection and defining your general persona.

It is this link between the physical and the mental that bolsters the argument for cosmetic surgery. 

Case in point: consider a cancer survivor who has lost her breasts to a life saving mastectomy. She is the same strong person she always was, but part of her is now gone. How she wants to proceed is ultimately her choice, but plastic surgery gives her so many more options. By restoring her bust to its former shape, she can reclaim the image she championed before her battles with cancer. 

This transcends cosmetics; it gets to the heart of the woman’s very identity.

Life can be unfair, but modern medical science can help level the playing field. If you or someone you love was stricken by cancer or some other affliction that took a physical toll on the body, reconstruction is a wonderful option for restoring not only your appearance, but also all of the mental perks that go with it.

CONFIDENCE BUILDING

If you are unhappy with your appearance, this dissatisfaction could spill over into your mental wellbeing. Perhaps you shy away from gatherings for fear that others are judging you as harshly as you judge yourself. 

But studies show that enhancing your appearance can reverse this trend. Researchers surveyed 550 patients who opted for cosmetic procedures to determine how it affected their life outlook, and the results were quite uplifting. Respondents indicated higher levels of self-esteem, which also elevated their quantified rankings of satisfaction and elusive “enjoyment of life” scores.

But this wasn’t just a quick fix. The study followed these patients over the course of a year, checking in with them at three, six and twelve month intervals. On the whole, they were happier than a “control” group of individuals who had considered plastic surgery but hadn’t gone through with their plans. The cosmetic patients reported amplified feelings of attractiveness and lower incidents of anxiety.

They had taken their fate by the reigns and improved their mental wellness as a result.

EMPOWERMENT YIELDS ENLIGHTENMENT

Many of us spend the bulk of our days following instructions at work, living by others’ rules, and resigning ourselves to a life that is out of our control. A feeling of mental decay inevitably sets in. 

When you feel powerless to change your circumstances, you are vulnerable to episodes of depression or anxiety. It is a phenomenon known as learned helplessness. By avoiding the pitfalls of such a situation, you can reclaim control of your overall wellness. Crafting the look you want, maintaining the life you choose to live, and taking control of your overall aesthetic are ways for you to take charge and empower yourself.

WE ARE SOCIAL ANIMALS

It’s easy to say that you don’t care what others think, but it’s impossible to ignore their opinions. We are bombarded by perspectives and projections every day, and the situation has escalated since the advent of social media. Our feeds are flooded with ideals of physical perfection, accompanied by hypocritical advice to “just be yourself” or other such empty platitudes.

Being yourself doesn’t mean accepting the status quo. You can enhance your best qualities and embrace the social creature you choose to be.

Yearning to improve your look is healthy, both mentally and socially. One recent study showed that the benefits of cosmetic enhancement include decreased anxiety and depression as well as increased social satisfaction. However, one caveat is that these results are dependent on a healthy set of expectations; if you have unrealistic plastic surgery goals, you’re only setting yourself up for disappointment.

That’s why it’s important to have an open and honest discussion with a highly trained professional.

ACHIEVE YOUR BEST SELF TODAY

Knowing what you want is the first step. We respect you for who you are and we are ready to listen to your plans, your hesitations, and your desired outcomes. Together, we can make your cosmetic dreams a reality.

Schedule a consultation with us soon and let’s discuss how to pivot from aesthetic enhancement to mental mastery.

October 19th Is Evaluate Your Life Day

Are You Embracing Your Best Self?

We often mark time with birthdays, New Year celebrations, and anniversaries, but how often do we take time to reflect on whom we are and where we’re going? The seasons pass, aging becomes more inevitable, and we often fall into a rut of daily obligations and routine interactions.

But you can change all of that on October 19th.

Evaluate Your Life Day is a chance to take stock of your hopes, dreams, goals and ambitions. Take a long look in the mirror and ask yourself if this is the person you want to be. How would you change yourself? What decisions can you make to improve your future? Who are you, and what do you want to present to the world as your ideal self?

THE POWER OF SELF EVALUATION

Taking the time to assess one’s self isn’t an act of selfishness; on the contrary, it’s a cathartic exploration of how you can be the best version of you. By asking basic questions about your values, your likes as well as dislikes, you can bolster your happiness and spread that sense of positivity to those around you.

Some simple items that you can add to your internal checklist include:

  • What do I want to accomplish today?
  • How does my schedule reflect my greater goals?
  • What can I achieve before lunch? Before dinner? Before bedtime?
  • How can I make better connections with my loved ones?
  • What image am I presenting to the world?
  • How can I improve that image?
  • Am I happy?
  • If not, what power do I have to change that?
  • If so, how can I help others achieve joy?

But these check-in moments don’t just improve your momentary feelings of accomplishment or awareness; they can also amplify your cognition on the whole. One breakthrough psychological study indicates that self-awareness helps sharpen one’s cognition. Simply put: flexing your mind muscles when it comes to your own internal evaluations makes you more able to think and problem-solve in general.

When we give ourselves realistic goals, we are able to process them against the parameters of how we think and what our limitations and strengths are. Evaluating your life gives you the keys to knowing what you can do, admitting to what you can’t do, and mapping out a plan for conquering each hour, each day, and each year of your life.

But it goes far beyond the self. People who regularly evaluate their lives have shown far greater success at work, in relationships, and when it comes to achieving their long-term life goals.

THE SOCIAL BENEFITS OF CONFIDENCE

Now that you have taken account of the ways in which you can ask yourself the vital questions that may improve your everyday life, think about how that sense of positivity ripples through your family, community, and society writ large.

Self-evaluation correlates to workplace success, as documented by a fascinating study of 155 members of the U.S. Navy. Various officers were asked to evaluate their own job performance. Their superiors and subordinates were also surveyed to get a full picture of how those officers really behaved on duty.

On one end of the spectrum, the officers who exaggerated their performances received low marks from their contemporaries, but those who were most self-aware ranked as the most accomplished officers in the group.

By regularly evaluating your values, goals, and abilities, you can harness the power to enact real change in your life. If you aren’t performing at the level at which you want to be, then it’s time to take an even closer look in the mirror.

PERCEPTION IS REALITY

It may be a cliché, but the old adage smile and the world smiles with you actually rings true for many individuals. Making yourself happy is a cyclical phenomenon; when you feel happier, you embrace positivity, which in turn makes you even more joyful and energetic, thus exacerbating the trend.

The statistics back up this assertion. According to one clinical trial of 362 cosmetic surgery patients, 61 of them were regularly taking antidepressants before their respective procedures. This number plunged to 42 after their successful plastic surgery. That’s a drop of over 30%.

And a whopping 98% of this same group expressed an uptick in their self-esteem thanks to the procedure. In this case study, people who proactively took steps to improve their appearances experienced life-changing benefits that elevated their opinion of themselves. They were evaluating their lives, identifying how they could improve, and taking steps to bring about positive change.

Re-evaluate, re-asses, repeat as necessary.

CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

This October 19th, you can begin a journey of self-discovery that may help you embrace the ideal version of yourself. Love more, laugh more, and live more fully. We applaud you in advance!

But this quest to be the best doesn’t need to end on October 20th. It’s never too late to become the YOU that you’ve always wanted to be, and you should never allow a setback to deter your progress. Go back to that mirror, tell yourself what you want, and make it happen!

If that improvement plan happens to include cosmetic enhancement, then we want to guide you along your path to self-realization. Ask us the tough questions you’ve been asking yourself in your newfound voyage to enlightenment and evaluation. Is this course of action right for you? What are your cosmetic goals? And how can we be your copilots on this trip to a triumphant tomorrow? Contact us now and let’s start making plans to go there together.

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