Surgical Scars: How to Minimize and Treat Their Appearance
If you’re turning to plastic surgery to look younger and prettier, you might be disappointed to learn that many procedures leave a scar. Though many often don’t think of cosmetic surgery as “true surgery,” certain procedures can be rather invasive and may leave several scars. Lucky for you, there are things that you can do ... Read more
Thermage Explained: Is Wrinkle-Free Skin Worth $2,000 to You?
Thermage is a skin tightening procedure that quickly produces visible and long-lasting results. This procedure requires no incision, and essentially no recovery time. Sounds too good to be true? Here’s what you need to know about this ‘miracle’ treatment before scheduling an appointment. What is Thermage? Thermage is an FDA-approved non-invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency (RF) ... Read more
Flap Surgery Explained: From Breast Reconstruction to Z-Plasty
Breast reconstruction using tissue from the abdomen or back. Gum surgery to treat periodontitis. Skin from the forehead pulled down to correct damage in the nose. These procedures address wildly disparate parts of the body and different underlying concerns, but they have something in common: they’re all forms of flap surgery. Put simply, flap surgery ... Read more
Pain Management for Opiate Addicts: Anesthesia and Post-Surgical Recovery
Opioid addiction is now referred to as an epidemic in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 91 Americans die each day from opioid overdoses. To curb this trend, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) now strongly encourages patients to inquire about opioid alternatives following surgery. ... Read more
The Caveman Skin Regimen: Does It Really Work For Stubborn Acne?
Imagine not washing your face for weeks. This doesn’t mean just putting aside your favorite cleanser, this means no water whatsoever. Now imagine that this advice comes from skincare enthusiasts as a way of combating acne. If this strategy seems a little far-fetched to you, you’re in good company. Skincare professionals and laymen alike have ... Read more
Understanding Bunny Lines: Is Botox the Problem or the Solution?
This cosmetic buzz word might sound adorable — after all, who doesn’t love bunnies? — but it’s just another type of wrinkle to worry about. Like the dreaded crow’s feet, bunny lines show up when you make certain facial expressions. These lines appear straight or somewhat diagonally on either side of the nose just beneath ... Read more
Homemade Beauty Products: Recipes, Tips, and Warnings for DIY Skin Care
There are many benefits to making your own skin care products. It allows you to avoid allergens, spend less money on your skin, and tailor products to your specific needs. Does that moisturizer make your oily skin worse? No problem. You can adjust the recipe until it leaves your skin feeling perfect. An increasing number of ... Read more
Smoking and Surgery: How Cigarettes Affect Healing and Put Your Life at Risk
It’s no secret that smoking is bad for you, but smoking prior to surgery can be deadly. In fact, many surgeons refuse to operate on smokers or on those who refuse to stop even temporarily, given the associated risks. Some surgeons go so far as to require that patients take urine tests to prove that ... Read more
Paying for Your New Look: A Complete Guide to Plastic Surgery Financing
In 2016, Americans spent more than $16 billion on cosmetic surgery, and with good reason. Medical procedures — cosmetic or otherwise — aren’t cheap. And since most insurance companies decline to cover plastic surgery when it’s performed for aesthetic reasons, patients often end up footing some very large bills. It’s easy to get overwhelmed at ... Read more
Braces Removal: What to Expect and How to Care for Your Retainer
Whether you’ve been wearing braces for months or years, you’re likely dreaming of the day when you can finally have them removed. But when that day arrives, what can you expect? Here we break down the removal process from the moment your orthodontist sets that long-awaited date to the weeks and months following the event. ... Read more