According to Dictionary.com, the last two years have created an entirely new vocabulary – from social distancing to flattening the curve. We’ve also seen new terms emerge around our appearance as we continue to work from home while on video conferences day-in and day-out.

With people now spending hours on video-conferencing tools like Zoom or Microsoft teams – for both personal and work events or meetings – we all have plenty of time to scrutinize our images, often creating distortions in perception. 

One term that has made headlines of late is “Zoom dysmorphia,” which according to Science Direct occurs when “patients seek cosmetic procedures to improve their [perceived] distorted appearance on video-conferencing calls.” With Zoom becoming a part of our everyday lives, many people are seeking plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures to correct or enhance those perceptions – thus, guiding many procedures in 2021.

Looking Back to 2020 to Predict 2021’s Top Procedures

Before we look at the procedures that dominated 2021, let’s first look back to 2020. After all, looking backwards can often help predict trends for not only 2021 – but beyond into 2022. 

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the top procedures in 2020 were:

The top five cosmetic surgical procedures:

• Nose reshaping
• Eyelid surgery 
• Facelift
• Liposuction
• Breast augmentation

The top five cosmetic minimally invasive procedures:

• Botox injections
• Soft tissue fillers
• Laser skin resurfacing
• Chemical peels
• Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments

Top Cosmetic Surgery and Procedures in 2021

Although we didn’t know it then, 2020 was only the beginning of the pandemic. As we rounded the corner into 2021, we’re not sure anyone expected COVID-19 to hang around for the entire year – essentially directing how we live and work. 

As businesses tried to get back to “normal,” employers adopted work from home policies and turned to video-conferencing as the “norm” for meetings and collaboration. Although Zoom meetings allowed us to resume working into 2021, video-conferencing platforms created other physical issues and demands.

From Zoom fatigue to Zoom dysmorphia, workers worldwide were confronted with entirely new issues – such as pure exhaustion for day-long video meetings to staring at our own images, hours on end. 

As reported by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), 83 percent of respondents in a 2021 survey indicated that the “Zoom effect” influenced behavior changes, such as undergoing plastic surgery. 

Further, a recent study published in AAFPRS’s journal, Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine, found that “ZOOM dysmorphia” had “a huge impact on the way we view ourselves.” Simply, “through this hyperawareness of our images on live video (with no filters), people are turning to plastic surgery to fix imperfections and balance facial structure, creating a more pleasing look (and boosting self-confidence).”

In April 2021, The Economist introduced yet another term:  Zoom face-envy, when those on video-conferences compare their skewed impression of their own image with others. Because of this, “[t]he American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reckons that the pandemic has led to a 10% increase in cosmetic surgery countrywide.”

With all of this self-examination and comparison, here are four of the most popular procedures that took place in 2021:

1. Masseter Botox®

To say that people were stressed and exhausted in 2020 and 2021 is very much the understatement of the young decade.  And when stressed, many of us clench or grind our teeth we sleep. 

Because of this, the masseter muscle is “one of the muscles activated during chewing, and it’s located at the angle of the mandible (jaw).” When we clench our jaw or grind our teeth, extra tension is applied to this muscle, causing pain and weakening the masseter muscle. Masseter Botox® blends beauty and wellness by thinning and softening the jaw while reducing pain within one to two weeks. 

2. Nanofat

If you’re looking for fillers that look more natural and long-lasting, nanofat emerged as “a whole new level of facial fat injections” for 2021. Since traditional fillers can often appear and feel lumpy instead of smooth. 

Nanofat, on the other hand, smooths into a “milkshake-like consistency” more along the lines of Juverderm® or a hyaluronic acid injection.  And a bonus?  It’s permanent. 

3. The “Eyes” Have It  

And we don’t have to tell you, pandemic stress and fatigue often reflects in our eyes – from dark circles to droopy or swollen lids. From upper eyelid blepharoplasty to undereye filler to Botox brow lifts, many patients sought procedures that would lighten and brighten their eyes, making them look less stressed, younger, and – well, more awake. Think of it as a more permanent undereye concealer.

4. Liposculpting

As its name suggests, liposculpting is a variation on liposuction, where fat is removed from the body. However, with liposculpting, the physician does more than just removes unwanted fat. Through liposculpting, your body is reshaped, improving your body’s contour. 

Ideal candidates are over 18 years of age and no more than 25 pounds over their ideal body weight. Additionally, the fat has not disappeared naturally through diet and exercise. 

With COVID 15 (pounds that is), there is no doubt that this procedure will continue to be popular as we move into 2022. 

Thinking about exploring some cosmetic procedures as we move into a new year?  To get the most accurate information on cosmetic procedures, be sure to talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon.  Contact us today to learn more. 

On your TikTok FYP, you may have started seeing #BBL or #BBLjourney pop up.  Trending into the billions, #BBL has caught the attention of many – including critics.  And for good reason.

BBL stands for “Brazilian Butt Lift,” popularized by Kim Kardashian and others. When receiving a BBL, the surgeon takes fat from one part of the body through liposuction, transferring it to your hips, thighs, and butt, giving you that voluptuous fat-bottomed look.

Like many social media users, TikTokers are showing their before and after pictures, not only showing off their bigger booties but claiming the surgical procedure gives them the #BBLeffect. Sarcastically coined by TikToker Antoni Bumba, the “BBL effect is the unbothered confidence of those who have elected to bolster their buttocks,” essentially creating an unattainable savage diva effect.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Although many TikTokers are finding laughs in the #BBLeffect, poking fun at a cosmetic surgery that can change your attitude, the numbers don’t lie about this procedure’s skyrocketing popularity.

Citing the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Business Insider stated that in 2020, 40,000 butt augmentation surgeries were performed, raking in $140 million in revenue, with these surgeries increasing 90.3 percent between 2015 and 2019.

Additionally, with these surgeries dropping in costs, nationally from $5,507 to $3,329 on average, the procedure is more affordable. However, these lower prices haven’t prevented droves of patients from traveling to other countries, such as Mexico, in pursuit of cheaper procedures.

So, why the concern with TikTok boosting BBL posts?  Read on to learn about the potential dangers of this social media frenzy.

What Are the Dangers Associated with BBL?

With all surgical procedures, dangers can exist.  From going to an untrained surgeon to practices resulting in death, a BBL is not something to take lightly.

But couple that with the fact that TikTok is glorifying (and trivializing) plastic surgery to its primary audience—teens and children—it’s unsettling to say the least that young women are seeking to undergo surgery that alters their physical appearance when they’re not even done growing.

Potential Health Risks

When cosmetic surgeries become overly popular, you may find a host of unqualified, unlicensed practitioners willing to perform the procedure with unregulated standards of care in non-approved facilities, clearly putting profits above health and well-being.

Some physicians (not surgeons) can take an online or weekend class, learning how to perform a BBL. However, not going to a board-certified plastic surgeon can cause a higher risk of harm to willing patients, such as death, heart or pulmonary fat embolism (PFE), or irreparable physical damage.

A national medical malpractice law firm highlighted a traumatizing illustration of the dangers of a BBL when a 40-year-old woman died from a butt augmentation. According to the firm, the patient died during the surgery when “a vein deep in the patient’s buttocks was injured causing the fat being injected for the buttock lift to enter the bloodstream.  The medical examiner also found fat clots spread throughout the patient’s organs, heart, and lungs.” In this case, the surgeon was not board-certified in a specialty and did not carry any medical malpractice insurance.

In other cases, physicians may use fillers or silicone instead of fat.  Although both have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they are federally approved for breast or aging procedures, not butt augmentation. Using these products can give you undesirable results or may create significant complications, including death.

Other risks of BBL procedures include infection, bruising, stretch marks, blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, excessive blood loss, and complications from anesthesia or liposuction.

The Industry’s Response

In response to surgical abuses and the highest death rate of any cosmetic surgery, the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, International Society of Plastic Regenerative Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science formed the “Task Force for Safety in Gluteal Fat Grafting [the BBL Task Force] with the goal of conducting studies to develop specific safety guidelines.”

Representing board-certified plastic surgeons, this task force issued an advisory to surgeons in 2018, “urging discussion of these risks with patients and providing additional recommendations for the safe performance of the procedure.”

If you’re interested in getting this procedure but want it done safely and correctly, read on.

What Should You Consider Before Getting a BBL?

As recommended by the BBL Task Force, before signing up for a BBL procedure, consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in doing butt augmentations. Be sure to ask questions during this consultation, knowing how the surgery may impact your body. Ask about the surgeon’s fat injection techniques, understanding all the in’s and out’s of the surgery. Finally, ask about what risks or complications may occur and what you should do if they appear.

Your physician should also advise you on what to do pre-surgery and post-surgery, with safety as a priority. Additionally, your surgeon should discuss any medications you’re taking and how to handle these doses before and after the surgery.

Aging gracefully.  Sometimes Father Time makes the “gracefully” part challenging.  For many signs of aging, such as graying hair, a visit to your local stylist can fix that with hair dye.  However, what about your eyes?

You may have laugh lines that add character to your face. Those dark circles?  You finally found good makeup for those. 

But then there are saggy eyelids.  Developing in our late thirties and early forties, this droopiness may make you look more tired and older than you care to admit. 

A popular cosmetic surgery procedure, blepharoplasty (or “bleph” for short) is “an outpatient procedure that involves trimming excess tissue (that includes skin, muscle and fat) from around the eyelids. It can be performed by an ophthalmologist, oculoplastic surgeon, plastic surgeon, oral or maxillofacial surgeon, or ear, nose and throat surgeon.”

Some patients opt for blepharoplasty for cosmetic reasons, as we discussed above. Other patients, however, choose this procedure to correct vision issues as sagging eyelids can impair your vision. Surgery can be performed on both the upper and lower lids. 

Read on to see if you’re a good candidate for eyelid surgery.

Are You a Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty?

To fully know if you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery, consult with a board-certified physician with significant experience in blepharoplasty procedures. However, here are some things to consider when determining if this surgery is right for you:

• You’re physically healthy.
• You have no health conditions that can interfere with healing.
• You’re a non-smoker.
• You don’t have any eye conditions, such as dry eyes, that can interfere with the surgery itself or the healing process.

Your physician can weigh these conditions during your consultation, advising you if you’re a good candidate for surgery. Of course, in deciding whether to move forward, you should discuss the possible risks involved while expressing any expectations and concerns. Information is abundant but not always reliable, so it is always best to openly discuss the process and your concerns with your surgeon.

What to Expect Before the Surgery?

Before surgery, be prepared to have both a vision and physical exam done. You’ll also be instructed to arrange for transportation on the day of the surgery, as you will be unable to drive. You may also be asked to discuss your medical history and to avoid specific medicines, such as aspirin, before the procedure, as they can often cause bruising and excessive bleeding. Additionally, if you’re a smoker, you’ll be advised to stop smoking so as not to interfere with your healing process.

What to Expect During the Surgery?

During the surgery, you may be put under general anesthesia.  If you have ever had any adverse reactions to anesthesia in the past, be sure to tell your doctor in your pre-surgery consultation. 

Some doctors, however, may give you a mild sedative or local anesthetic, where you’ll be awake during the procedure. Discuss these options with your doctor, determining which is best for you.

Next, the doctor creates an incision, opening up the eyes by removing excess skin and fat from the area, improving your appearance. This may also help in fixing any overhanging skin that could be affecting your vision. Incisions are made in the natural folds of the eyelid, making scarring virtually unnoticeable once the healing process is complete.

Here are some standard techniques used during a blepharoplasty procedure:

Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty

This procedure is ideal for younger patients, who have fatty pockets under their eyes but no excess skin.

Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty with the Pinch Technique

This procedure is ideal for patients who have only a small amount of excess skin under their lower lid, utilizing a pinch technique.

Peels and Laser Resurfacing of the Lower Eyelid

In situations where a patient has excessive fine wrinkling or discoloration in the lower lid, a chemical peel or laser resurfacing can be performed along with surgery.

External Incisions & Canthoplasty

More severe eyelid conditions may require a reconstructive approach. These conditions include drooping lower lids, sagging skin and muscle of the lower lids, and tear trough deformity. Board-certified plastic surgeons may use various methods to shape and perfect the eye area, brightening the patient’s face.

Eyelid incisions are typically closed with skin glue or sutures. If sutures are used, then they are usually removed within a week.

What to Expect After the Surgery?

Like many cosmetic procedures, your results will appear gradually as the bruising and swelling diminish. Sutures will either dissolve or be removed within a week after the surgery. Patients can expect to experience some short-term discomfort such as light sensitivity, watery eyes, or dry eyes. You may also experience some discomfort or itching at the incision points.

Although severe complications are rare, patients should avoid straining or heavy lifting, rubbing the eyes, or wearing contacts, immediately following surgery. They should also make sure to wear darkly tinted sunglasses to protect their eyes from sunlight. You should also sleep with your head raised higher than your chest for a few days. Be gentle when cleaning the eyelids, and avoid makeup for ten days.

As you recover, you may use cold compresses or lubricating ointments, helping with any discomfort you may experience. Your doctor will give you further instructions for care, such as which oral medications are permissible. Further, your doctor will set a follow-up appointment, checking your healing process.

Schedule a Consultation

Ready to look bright and refreshed? Schedule a  consultation with Dr. Binder today to discuss what blepharoplasty can do for you. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Dr. Binder has the skills and expertise to give you the results you deserve.

Ah, summer. Sand, waves, and a good beach read. Many of us dream of having this kind of downtime, helping us to recharge and regroup.

However, those summer rays can do some damage if you’re not careful. Remember your freckles as a kid? Or that vacation where your shoulders and face burned?  Or, if you’re of a “certain age,” maybe you laid out with baby oil. On foil. Yikes.

All of these examples can cause or are signs of sun-damaged skin, which can appear as early as our teens or 20s.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, if you’ve received five or more sunburns over your lifetime, you have doubled your risk for melanoma. Further, 90 percent of “skin aging is caused by the sun.” Sun damage is also cumulative. Each year of too much sun exposure can increase damage to your skin. 

But all’s not lost. The damage to sun-soaked skin can be reversed if you know your options. 

Read on to learn about how Botox can help reverse your sun-damaged skin.

Signs of Sun-Damaged Skin

Signs of sun-damaged skin are numerous, depending on the pigmentation of your skin and your exposure. However, common signs include:

• wrinkles, 
• dark or sunspots, 
• uneven skin tone, 
• blotchiness or redness, or
• dry, coarse, or leathery skin texture. 

When the sun damages our skin, it essentially breaks down the skin’s structure, weakening it.  Further, the resulting damage often does not appear until years after the exposure.  

How to Protect Yourself

The best way to protect yourself from sun exposure is to—well—stay out of the sun.  Although this is an impossibility for most of us, the theory itself can be extended to everyday life.

For example, you can wear a hat to shield the sensitive skin on your face from the sun. You can sit in the shade or under a beach umbrella, preventing the sun’s rays from wrinkling or blotching your skin. 

Further, unlike the lack of advice in the 70s and 80s, now, it’s common to hear about the benefits of sunscreen, for your face, body, and lips. According to Cleveland Clinic, most people should use sunscreen with lead at 30 sun protection factors (SPF). If you’ve had skin cancer yourself or your family has a history of skin cancer, you should wear a higher SPF.

You can also use facial moisturizers and creams containing retinoids, vitamin C, and antioxidants. These elements can reduce the appearance of sunspots as well as the size of your pores, giving you a more youthful look. 

Don’t forget to shed those dull, dead skin cells with exfoliants, helping with uneven skin tones, dry skin, and clogged pores. 

With proper guidance, you can also pursue chemical peels, laser therapy, or lightening agents, evening out your skin tone while removing sunspots and blemishes caused by sun exposure. Again, be sure you work with someone skilled in these procedures, giving your look a boost. 

How Does Botox Help to Reverse Sun Damaged Skin?

Botox Is one of the “most versatile medical tools” available today. In addition to treating migraines, bladder disorders, and TMJ, Botox is most used “to eliminate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face and neck,” including those caused by sun exposure.

The drug Botox is typically administered through an injection, weakening and paralyzing the underlying muscle. Because of this paralysis, Botox can reduce the appearance of wrinkles by smoothing the skin. With the sun potentially causing deeper lines and wrinkles, Botox injections may be an ideal treatment.

 It’s important to know that Botox doesn’t eliminate wrinkles.  However, with proper use of Botox and as advised by your dermatologist or plastic surgeon, you can reduce the appearance of sun damage for three to six months before you need another injection. Over time, you may find that you only need two injections yearly to maintain your desired appearance. 

Even if your teens or 20s are well in the past, it’s never too late to protect your skin from sun exposure. However, just like with any procedure, cutting corners is not advised. Instead, a qualified and experienced physician can analyze previous damage to your skin, informing you of the best approach forward. So, to get that youthful, smooth skin, contact us today!

Ah, aging. You either embrace it or hate it. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much in-between.

But one thing is for sure. Plastic surgeons are frequently asked about the best way to reverse the aging process. Is it through fillers? Botox? Facial contouring?

One way to reverse or slow the aging process is to look at how you live your life. Through your daily activities, you may be causing your own premature aging.

Let’s look at some ways you could be causing premature aging and what you can do to combat it.

The Culprits of Premature Aging

Exposure to the Sun

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sun exposure is “the number one cause of aging.” If you’re of a certain age, this may make your skin crawl (in addition to aging). For those of us who laid out in the sun with nothing but baby oil back in the 1970s and 1980s, we may be seeing those carefree summer activities now reflected on our faces with premature wrinkling and sagging.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, part of the sun’s rays, “speeds the natural aging process [and ] is the primary cause of early wrinkling,” according to Mayo Clinic. UV rays exposure “breaks down your skin’s connective tissue—collagen and elastin fibers, which lie in the deeper layer of skin.” When your connective tissue breaks down and weakens, your skin loses its flexibility and strength, causing it to wrinkle and sag.

If you learned anything from those days of laying out with baby oil, it’s to wear sunscreen—anytime you’re in the sun for an extended period of time. So don’t forget protection for your skin when you’re outside gardening, at a ball game, taking a long walk, or, of course, at the beach or pool. It will do wonders for your skin.

Smoking

Smoking, another culprit, can prematurely age your skin as well.  According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, smoking is directly linked to “premature aging of the skin, increased amount[s] of infections, and delayed wound healing.” And if that weren’t enough, smokers are more apt to get inflammatory skin diseases than their non-smoking counterparts.

And the Mayo Clinic says that smoking can accelerate the aging process, giving you “crow’s-feet, pronounced lines between the eyebrows, uneven skin complexion, a grayish tone on lighter skin, deep creases and puffiness below the eyes, wrinkles around the mouth, and thinner lips.”

The best course of action is to stop smoking, often easier said than done. However, if you can back down on smoking, including vaping (and eventually quit), your skin will thank you.

Lack of Sleep

Quality sleep plays an integral role in our health. It helps our bodies recover and heal, letting us wake up well-rested, ready to take on what the day brings. However, for many of us, quality sleep is as elusive as a rainbow-colored unicorn.

According to the Sleep Foundation, over one in three people sleep less than seven hours a night. In addition, close to half of all Americans “say they feel sleepy during the day between three and seven days per week.” Between 30 percent and 48 percent of older adults have insomnia.

If you’re not sleeping enough hours or not sleeping soundly, then your body’s largest organ—your skin—will show it. Without good sleep, your skin can’t renew. Taking time to figure out what helps you sleep better can help slow signs of aging. Is it your mattress? A snoring spouse?  Toddlers jumping in bed with you? Think about how you can reduce distractions, allowing you to drift off – and stay asleep – in dreamland for at least seven hours nightly.

Stress

Like smoking, stress directly impacts our physical and mental health. And our skin is not exempt. As reported by the Business Insider, “[h]igh amounts of cortisol – the stress hormone – can break down the skin’s collagen and elastin, and form wrinkles.”

Citing to two different scientific studies published in the National Institute of Health’s journal, Business Insider further reports that “chronic stress can have negative effects on skin aging and cause wrinkles to form . . . because stress causes inflammation and impairs the body’s ability to repair itself.” Further, Business Insider cites that “[r]esearch has found that skin aging is often accompanied with a two to four times increase in plasma levels of inflammation.”

Learning how to combat stress seems to be a never-ending task. However, prioritizing yourself and your mental and physical health, can do wonders for your skin – as well as the rest of your body.

Although this list of culprits is a good start, it’s not comprehensive. We didn’t get a chance to talk about pollution and toxins, poor diet choices, and making repeated facial expressions (yep, that one). All contribute to premature aging as well. If you’d like to learn more ways about combatting premature aging, call Dr. Binder, an esteemed, board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills.

From “selfie-awareness” to the “Zoom effect,” people have spent more time looking at their facial features more than at any other time in history. According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), 83 percent of respondents in a recent survey indicated that the “Zoom effect” was a major indicator in seeking change, such as undergoing plastic surgery.

A recent study published in AAFPRS’s journal, Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine, found that “ZOOM dysmorphia” had “a huge impact on the way we view ourselves.” Simply, through this hyperawareness of our images on live video (with no filters), people are turning to plastic surgery to fix imperfections and balance facial structure, creating a more pleasing look (and boosting self-confidence).

Whether on a Zoom call or not, a receding chin, undefined cheeks, a narrow jawline, or damaged facial tissue can make many of us less confident socially interacting with others. We can now achieve a more balanced, aesthetically pleasing image through facial implants.

What are Facial Implants for Contouring?

With facial implants, you can change the contouring and structure of the face by inserting implants into the cheeks, chin, or jaw, enhancing the definition and look of your facial features. Facial contouring, specifically, is “the art and science of merging plastic surgical techniques with these newer implant designs to improve the relative balance of facial features.”

Today’s implants are also very different than those used in the past. “Contemporary facial implants are contoured to imitate the natural bone structure and youthful form of the overlying soft tissues. They may extend over smaller or larger areas with different thicknesses to create varying projections, thus enhancing either a portion or the entire cheek or jawline,” according to Dr. William Binder.

Additionally, these modern implants—typically made of solid silicone elastomer or rubber–can not only fix facial imperfections and feature imbalance, but they can also reverse signs of aging. As facial tissue begins to sag as we climb the years, facial implants can increase volume and definition, making us look younger. These types of inserts have been found to stand the test of time while maintaining “both shape and flexibility and this feel[ing] perfectly natural over the facial structure.”

Types of Facial Implants

For the Chin

If your chin recedes or isn’t defined to your liking, you can get a chin implant. Not your mother’s implants, these “wrap around the entire chin and mandible, provid[ing] a more natural look from both the front and side views than the older button-like chin implants used years ago.”

Chin implants help contour the face by building up the chin, creating a better profile and improving facial symmetry. These implants can also help with sagging skin around the chin, common as we age, by eliminating the double chin or sagging skin, causing us to look older.

A relatively minor procedure, you can receive chin implants in 30-40 minutes as an outpatient procedure.

For the Cheeks

Perhaps you have drooping skin around your cheeks. In that case, cheek implants may be for you. This procedure can dramatically alter your appearance, giving you those classic high cheekbones that most desire. According to Dr. Binder, “[o]lder cheek implants which often created an artificial appearance have been eliminated as a result of the new, more anatomically-designed cheek implants. These take into account the entire area we perceived as ‘cheekbones’ and compensate for both the bone and soft tissue components that comprise the aesthetically desirable ‘high cheekbone effect.’”

You can receive cheek implants in about an hour as an outpatient procedure.

 

For the Jawline

Another area that benefits from contouring is the jawline. Facial implants can add structure, definition, and volume to the jawline, and are commonly elected among both women and men. Like chin and cheek implants, jaw implants can also balance out all facial features, giving the patient facial symmetry.

More complex than chin or cheek implants, this surgery will take one to two hours as an outpatient procedure.

Using Technology in Face Contouring

Let’s give these new implants a further look. Today, “three-dimensional computer technology is now used for the production of a new generation of more accurate, anatomic facial implants that permit more effective, long-lasting and pleasing results in facial augmentation.”

Here’s how it works: 

This process begins with a CAT scan taken of the anatomical area surrounding the defect. A computerized three-dimensional image is created from the scan and is available for examination through a video screen. It is then transformed into an exact life-size model of the skeletal structure. The anatomical model is then used to facilitate production of an extremely accurate implant that will exactly correct the contour deformity. The back surface of the implant is extremely precise, fitting the contour of the bony defect and interlocking with the underlying bone to provide long-term stability, preventing movement or slippage.

. . .

With the actual procedure minimized, operative time is reduced and the procedure can usually be performed on an outpatient basis with less complications and a considerable reduction in cost.

However, remember that facial implants and contouring are medical procedures, and cutting corners is not advised. Instead, a qualified and experienced physician can analyze the symmetry of your face, informing you of the best approach forward. So, to get that Zoom-ready image, contact us today!

Progress is rarely linear. We take several strides forward, then invariably step back. How else can we assess our trajectory and determine the best path toward our ideal outcome?

Every generation contributes to our collective betterment, but perhaps no group is more synonymous with progress than millennials. They grew up with the internet, pioneered social media, and thrive on information and innovation.

For these reasons, it is noteworthy when millennials opt for a classic approach over more recent methodologies. Since the advent and proliferation of Botox and fillers, the popularity of brow lifts plunged precipitously. Between the years 2000 and 2019, the procedure saw a 69% drop, due primarily to the convenience, safety, and effectiveness of injectables.

But now, the pendulum is starting to swing back the other way. Millennials love the results they receive from dermal fillers and neuromodulators, and now they want to put a ring on it. Brow lifts provide a more permanent solution to drooping skin and wrinkled foreheads, so the procedure is beginning to trend among the trendy.

Brow Lifts vs. Injectables

Let’s face it: we’re all sick of wearing masks. They helped slow the spread of COVID-19, but they also obscured your beautifully expressive lips and lower facial features. Masks directed our gaze upwards, emphasizing the eyes and their surroundings. Every wink and frown became amplified, and people paid close attention to every fine detail of the upper face.

The forehead is a breeding ground for wrinkles. Every time you make a facial expression, your musculature pulls at the skin, forming creases along the brow. There are many ways to address the wrinkling process. Botox halts the persistent contraction of specific muscles, allowing for a smooth serenity to encompass your expression. You can also get an added boost from facial fillers. These gentle serums bring volume to the skin, filling out gaps and smoothing creases from within. 

But some lax, redundant skin is too much for injectables to solve in a long-term manner. If you have sagging or heavy brows, a brow lift will work wonders for you. A brow lift procedure comes in two types: the endoscopic lift and the classic (coronal) lift. Although the endoscopic lift is a favorite for a number of reasons, the coronal lift has its unique advantages as well.

The Endoscopic Lift

The endoscopic lift is named after the procedure’s essential tool: the endoscope. This minimally invasive technique holds several advantages over the coronal lift, which was once the industry standard.

In any brow lift, the objective is to lift the skin surrounding the brow after it has begun to sag from muscle constriction around the eyes. With the endoscopic brow lift, small incisions about an inch long are made in the scalp above the hairline. Then, your medical team employs an endoscope (with a camera and light) to assist the surgeon in making the incisions. 

Once the doctor makes skillful, subtle incisions, he can gently separate the skin from the muscles and adjust it to create the appearance of a lift. The forehead is then secured with metal posts, which are removed ten days later.

Many patients opt for a simultaneous upper blepharoplasty procedure to complement the benefits of endoscopic brow lifts. Blepharoplasty is eyelid surgery engineered to remove subtle pockets of fat and excess skin. By performing an eye lift in conjunction with a brow lift, your doctor can achieve seamless results. After all, there is no magic border between the forehead and the eyelids; it is a holistic landscape of expression and radiance. 

The endoscopic procedure is quick, lasting about an hour and a half. Patients can expect to resume normal activities in ten days and recover completely in about three weeks. Overall, the procedure produces similar results to the classic lift, with less scarring.

The Classic Lift

The classic lift earned its title from its history of being the industry standard of brow lift surgeries. It involves a much longer incision, extending from ear to ear. This incision may also be made mid-scalp, following the skull to appear less conspicuous. This procedure removes a strip of skin, allowing the surgeon to lift and smooth the remaining skin.

A minority of coronal lift patients may experience alopecia: circular bald patches usually resolve after a few months. There is also a small chance of swelling, but recent advancements in the brow lift field have nearly eliminated this risk.

There is also postoperative pain associated with the classic lift, and the patient may experience prolonged numbness around the incision. This soon leads to itchiness, which may last for six months.

Classic Brow Lift vs. Endoscopic Brow Lift

Some surgeons express doubts regarding the longevity of endoscopic brow lifts. The method may not produce the long-lasting results associated with the classic lift approach. This is due to the fact that endoscopic lifts merely shift the skin upwards without removing redundant skin, leaving a chance that the skin may resettle over time. 

According to one extensive survey of 628 endoscopic brow lift procedures, patient satisfaction was high. In fact, 70% of respondents indicated positive results, but their surgeons still hold an affinity for the classic lift approach. Only half of the physicians surveyed were satisfied with the long-term benefits of their endoscopic lifts, expressing a desire for more enduring results after five years.

The endoscopic lift also shifts the hairline upwards, thus making the classic lift a better option for people with thin tissue or a receding hairline.
When deciding which brow lift procedure is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Binder. His vast expertise ensures that he can answer any surgical questions or concerns you may have.

Beauty is a snapshot in time. The way your skin looks at a given moment is fleeting; it evolves and matures every hour of every day.

The dynamic nature of skin regeneration presents both opportunities and challenges. On the bright side, cells replenish and help your complexion maintain a healthy glow. But when the body begins to age, these regenerative properties slow down. By thoroughly understanding the ways in which skin forms and heals will guide our collective efforts to keep you looking and feeling your best.

WHAT IS SKIN RESURFACING?

Complexion is a story of two realms: superficial and subdermal. Let’s focus on the latter first. Under the skin’s surface, a complex network called the extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structure and support to a person’s features. 

One of the most prevalent compounds in the ECM is collagen. This protein generates growth, allowing new cells to flourish and replace dead and damaged skin. But as we get older, we produce less and less collagen.

In our later years, the skin reflects this shift in collagen levels. Wrinkles emerge, age spots linger, and the skin takes longer to repair itself in the event of breakage and splits. To resurface the skin as efficiently as possible, we may need to give the ECM medical boost every so often.

There are many ways in which a skilled physician can stimulate collagen production and bring vigor back to your complexion. The exact procedure(s) that works best for you will depend on several factors. Your skin tone and general health status will help determine which treatment is right for your aesthetic journey.

CHEMICAL PEEL OPTIONS

It’s time to face facts: dead cells peel away every time we wash our skin. It is a natural process, but it can be nurtured and amplified with a safe resurfacing strategy.

Chemical peels are procedures in which a licensed professional applies a carefully balanced compound to the skin for a precise length of time. Once the serum has reached a determined depth, your doctor will gently rinse off the chemical mixture, signaling your body to take over and replenish the affected skin.

The depth of your peel will depend on your cosmetic goals. If you have fine lines that you wish to tighten and smooth away, then a superficial peel may be ideal for you. On the other end of the spectrum, deep peels penetrate persistent creases and dark spots. To achieve your individual needs, your practitioner will utilize a bespoke blend of chemicals.

Glycolic peels are the lightest level of chemical resurfacing procedures. They are ideal for minimizing mild imperfections and textural inconsistencies.

Delving further below the surface, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels target splotches and discoloration, known as hyperpigmentation. In approximately five or six days, the outer layer of skin damage will flake away, revealing a healthy, youthful complexion.

The deepest peels available are formulated using a phenol compound. Phenol peels must only be administered seldom since they require up to two weeks of recovery time. Individuals with darker skin types may not be eligible for deep peels, so please consult with your aesthetic team to discuss the types of peel you desire.

LASER RESURFACING TREATMENTS

Technology is illuminating the way to new and innovative enhancements. One of the most brilliant techniques in our cosmetic toolkit is laser skin resurfacing.

By carefully swathing an area of dull, damaged skin with a concentrated energy beam, we can accomplish several goals simultaneously. First, the CO2 laser eradicates dead cells on the surface that may obscure one’s radiance. Meanwhile, the technology penetrates the dermis, where collagen activates and flourishes to create continued skin health.

Due to the highly delicate nature of laser resurfacing, you must only trust the procedure to a skilled, experienced professional. If you leave it in the hands of a non-licensed provider, it can lead to scarring, discomfort, and further damage.

DERMABRASION

Whether we mean to or not, we are sometimes harsh on our skin. Itching, picking, and daily abrasiveness deteriorate our glow. But perhaps the worst culprit of skin damage is sun exposure. Every time UV rays make contact with our complexions, it has an impact.

Sunburns, acne, and other wounds require healing. The skin patches itself via a process called epithelialization. Lower levels of skin create healthy new cells that rise to the surface to repair visible damage. Epithelialization takes time, however, and when it is rushed, it is noticeable. When collagen surges to fix a broken area of skin, it appears discolored or “tough” in texture. This is scar tissue.

But a medically guided epithelialization procedure can prevent scar formation and promote vibrant, gorgeous skin. Dermabrasion is one such procedure. Your doctor begins by administering a mild anesthetic to ensure comfort and safety throughout the session.

Once you are sufficiently comfortable, your skin is treated with a device that brushes away dead, discolored skin along the surface of your complexion. The depth of your dermabrasion session will depend on your goals and needs. Your doctor will meticulously work down through the layers of your skin to remove any unwanted blemishes and unearth your best attributes.

YOU DO YOU

Enhancement is not a “one size fits all” endeavor. Each of the procedures described above is customizable, so you will receive the treatment contoured appropriately to your skin. 

The recovery time associated with these techniques varies according to depth and duration. A light chemical peel, for example, requires less downtime than a comprehensive laser resurfacing session.

To prepare for your visit, chat with one of our friendly, knowledgeable staff members. We can’t wait to explore your skin resurfacing options with you! Call (310) 858-6749 to reach our Beverly Hills offices.

Cosmetic enhancement is the art of symmetry and balance. Sometimes, nature gives us too much bulk in some areas and not enough in other areas. A skilled surgeon can bring these two extremes into harmony through the science of fat transfer, also known as fat grafting.

Fat grafting is the process by which fat is removed from one portion of the body via liposuction, then liquefied by a process of straining and spinning, and finally surgically added to the body elsewhere. Traditionally, this process was used to fill out irregularities in the skin’s surface during procedures such as natural breast augmentation and Brazilian butt lifts. Now, however, fat grafting is becoming more and more important to facial plastic surgery.

Fat grafting is also used for facial reconstructive surgery and is now frequently used in other cosmetic facial plastic surgery techniques.

FACIAL FAT GRAFTING APPLICATIONS

Fat grafting can be used as an alternative to more traditional facial implants, with the added benefit of removing fat from less desirable locations. Using this technique, a surgeon can create a more natural facial profile, rebuild facial deformations, and repair tissue damage. Imperfections such as radiation damage from cancer treatment, birth defects, and damage resulting from prior surgery or trauma can now be treated with fat from a patient’s own body.

Facial fat grafting can also be used to augment the results of a facelift, which is becoming an increasingly popular technique used by plastic surgeons. According to a study in which 300 members of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons were polled, 85% of the surgeons polled used fat grafting during facelifts.

According to the study, these surgeons found that injecting fat from the patient’s body resulted in a more rounded and fuller appearance in the face. This result is especially beneficial when performing a facelift to improve upon cheeks that appear gaunt or sunken.

SUPPLEMENTING FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY

In recent years, fat transfer has become a valuable tool in restoring facial structure and splendor. There are many reasons why patients may need to bring harmony back to their appearance. These causes include Parry-Romberg syndrome and other such deformities.

Traditional reconstructive surgery employs the flap technique to address the loss of tissue in a given area. Two flaps of skin are skillfully joined to cover the affected facial feature, smoothing it over for aesthetic enhancement. Some grafting techniques transplant skin from other body areas for application to the face if there is insufficient material on the face itself.

Regardless of the flap technique required to achieve facial reconstruction, fat grafting can aid the procedure. By supplementing skin with lipids, your surgeon can round out your look and bring volume to gaunt, slack areas of the face.

Fat transfer has proven wonderfully effective for patients who have undergone cancer removal from the head and neck. Healthy fat cells can be removed from one body region and placed delicately in the area where problematic lumps have been removed.

SKIN REJUVENATION

On the topic of cancer treatment, fat grafting offers a helpful set of benefits to those battling the condition. Radiation sessions can take their toll on skin health. Peeling, thinning, and darkening are pretty common in cancer survivors due to the potency of radiation treatment.

Fat grafting can alleviate some of the symptoms mentioned above. Your doctor uses purified adipose tissue from elsewhere on your body to rejuvenate and replenish your natural glow.

A LIFTING EFFECT

One of the residual benefits of fat transfer to the face is its ability to create a lifting dynamic to sagging features. Cheeks, brows, and other subtle structures can significantly boost their profile with a minimal amount of injected fat.

Grafting is an excellent supplement to surgery because the two disciplines address your various needs. Surgery removes ptotic (dropping) tissue and erases redundant skin. Meanwhile, fat transfer bolsters your natural contours, propping up your ideal lines and curves. 

The right fat transfer approach can diminish nasolabial folds, crow’s feet, perioral lines, and other unwanted creases either with or without the need for a more invasive procedure.

AN EVER-EVOLVING TECHNIQUE

One certainty when it comes to fat grafting is re-absorption. Your body will process some of the cells transferred to the desired area and eliminate them naturally and gradually. However, medical science is advancing every day to minimize the loss of transferred fat and maximize your results.

Experts are constantly finding new ways to salvage healthy cells and nurture them as they are transplanted to facial contours. The study of stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) continues to raise questions and illuminate opportunities in the field of fat grafting.

Please be advised that you should not trust fad techniques or quick fixes regarding your health. Experimental procedures are just that: experimental. More research is required regarding the effectiveness and safety of stem cell therapy and PRP treatments. You are nobody’s test subject. It would help if you only embarked on a procedural strategy after its benefits have been well proven and deemed applicable to your case.

The process of maneuvering healthcare advances can be complicated, which is why you require an innovative leader in the field of cosmetic surgery to explore your best options. Enhancement is marvelous, but safety is a must. The right fat transfer procedure can bring your appearance from the here and now to the bright future that awaits you.

AN INCREASINGLY POPULAR TECHNIQUE

Fat grafting is one of many tools that a plastic surgeon can implement. Whether used for cosmetic purposes or medical purposes, one thing is certain: fat grafting is becoming increasingly popular and essential to facial plastic surgery.

If you would like more information on facial plastic surgery techniques or considering the procedure, reach out to Dr. Binder, a leading plastic surgeon, and innovator in the field. Call (310) 858-6749 or contact us online to schedule your consultation.

Your skin has many talents. It is a guardian, a tactician, and a doctor. Skin protects you from the elements while providing a vital sensation that helps you experience the world around you. And when you suffer a wound, the skin heals itself…to a degree.

Broken skin sends a signal to the body to seal the area. Collagen rushes to the site and rapidly forms new flesh, but this skin may not match the look and feel of its surroundings. That’s what we know as scar tissue.

But not all scars are created equal. In order to minimize the appearance of scarring, we must assess several factors, including skin tone, severity, and the nature of the scar itself.

Types of Scars

There are several scar tissue varieties, but the most common types fall into two major categories: hypertrophic and keloid. Hypertrophic scars have a red hue and tough texture but generally lay flush against the plane of the skin’s surface.

Keloids, on the other hand, extend well beyond the parameters of the original wound. They are raised approximately 4mm or more above the surface and are more persistent than hypertrophic scars. Individuals with darker skin types are more vulnerable to keloid scarring.

It is important to discuss your unique complexion, healing patterns and aesthetic goals with a skilled medical professional to determine the best course of action for scar treatment.

Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Scar Revision Techniques

As detailed above, collagen is both a virtue and a complication. When collagen forms too hastily, it has a fibrous consistency synonymous with scar tissue. To counteract this dynamic, collagen injections can supplement the skin and minimize the persistence of certain scars.

Another injectable solution is the use of dermal fillers like Restylane or Juvederm. These compounds can add fullness to divots or other inverted scars, bringing an even tone and texture to the area. Steroids may also be injected into the area to alleviate the itching and redness associated with scar tissue.

To address the scarring on a surface-level approach, your doctor may apply silicone gel sheets. Alternately, you may opt for pressure therapy, which requires several months of faithful usage to deliver noticeable results.

Laser skin resurfacing is a more comprehensive approach to scar revision. By heating the cells beneath the fibrous tissue, the CO2 beam encourages healthy new skin to form, replacing the unsightly scars that appear on your complexion.

Cosmetic surgery techniques have made incredible progress in the realm of scar revision. Your surgeon can literally excise scar tissue and suture the incisions back together with an eye for contouring and seamless functionality. For example, the elliptical, W-plasty and Z-plasty approaches are three variations on the same basic concept. The doctor works with the movement of your skin, assessing which incision shape will be the least noticeable.

For example, Z-plasty (as the name suggests) creates a zigzag incision that breaks up the stark, linear manifestation of a scar. Your skin is allowed to heal in several dimensions simultaneously, downplaying the original protrusion and dissipating the scar tissue in various directions. 

If your skin is struggling with scars that constrict your movement and expressions, your surgeon may recommend tissue expanders. These devices encourage your skin to flourish, overpowering scar tissue that pulls at your complexion.

The exact procedure that you require will depend on several factors. Before choosing between the surgical and non-surgical options outlined in this article, you must step back and take a holistic snapshot of your aesthetic landscape.

Careful Considerations

Scars affect everybody in different ways. The darkness of your skin, for example, will influence the type of scar tissue you develop (keloids vs. hypertrophic). But the proper scar revision technique must also consider the placement of a wound, the age of the patient, and the depth of the scarring.

One concept to keep in mind is that of relaxed skin tension lines (RSTL). When you look at scar revision under a microscope, you may think about your skin as it stretches, heals, and reforms. But we spend most of our time in a more calm state. When skin is relaxed, it has an entirely different vibe than when it is flexing and posing.

Take a casual look in the mirror. Does your scar stand out due to how rigid and straight it appears? That’s because it doesn’t have the same flexibility as the skin you have developed over the entire course of your life. Those relaxed skin tension lines define who you are, and scars get in the way of your resting best face.

A successful scar revision procedure will consider how you behave daily, not just how you will look in the clinic under certain lighting. We want you to be satisfied with your skin in the long term and under a bevy of scenarios.

From smiles to surprises and everything in between, your skin is a reactive gem. It demands individualized attention, and scar tissue is a facet of your complex complexion. Revision procedures are tailored to your ultimate goals, so be sure to discuss any and all medical needs with your physician before embarking on scar treatment.

Managing Expectations

Once the skin is broken, it can never magically go back in time to its perfect, unblemished status. That said, we can work with the skin to ensure it shimmers and glows at its optimum levels.

Realistic expectations are essential to cosmetic improvement. Scarring is natural because it is part of your healing process. Medical science is geared towards amplifying this process, but it can never replace your body’s own capabilities. Doctor Binder is an expert in the field of aesthetic enhancement because he respects and understands the skin. To benefit from his unparalleled expertise, contact our Beverly Hills office.