Showing posts with label Botox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Botox. Show all posts

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Male Interest in Plastic Surgery Rises

Looks like the cat’s out of the bag!  All this time we were hiding our beauty secrets from our significant others, but they’ve finally caught on. 1,098,034 men had cosmetic procedures last year to enhance their looks… and we thought women were the only ones who cared about their appearance! So move over ladies!

According to the ASPS, the number of men who have had minimally-invasive procedures has gone up almost 50% over the last 10 years.  The minimally-invasive procedures that are most popular for these appearance conscious males are Botox, filler injections, and laser skin resurfacing treatments.

For the guys that did turn to more intense procedures to maintain their boyish charm, the top 5 surgical procedures included Rhinoplasty, Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), Liposuction, Gynecomastia (breast reduction) and Hair Transplantation for hair loss.  Rhinoplasty was the most popular procedure among the guys with 66,334 total procedures just last year.

These average men, macho and metro alike, are getting hooked on these quick and easy minimally-invasive procedures to take years off and restore pride in their appearance. With injectables, there is little downtime, so business men can get back to work in no time at all and no one will ever have to know where they really went on their lunch break!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Unhealthy Habits Speed Up The Aging Process

To age gracefully.  That may be on the top of many of our wish lists, however, some of your daily habits could actually be promoting the formation of wrinkles, tired eyes and other signs of aging. 

Many women and men turn to cosmetic surgery and non-invasive aesthetic treatments to help turn back the hands of time.

Botox, fillers, facelifts, Mixto laser skin resurfacing and monthly facials are just a few effective ways to make it look like time is passing more slowly for you than for your peers. 

But the simplest intervention most of us could commit to in order to age as well as possible would be to omit the bad behaviors that make us feel and look older than we would like.

Here are the most common offenders:

Smoking. 
Smoking tobacco is not only damaging to your lungs, it also takes a toll on your skin by decreasing blood flow through the tiny vessels to the skin and diminishing its elasticity (that quality of young, healthy skin that makes it look full and vibrant).  Nicotine diminishes the Vitamin C in our bodies needed to keep skin looking young and radiant.  Cigarette smoke exposure causes your skin to look old, dry, and more wrinkled. Stop smoking- talk to your doctor if necessary for help, but smoking is the single most important deliberate and destructive behavior we could engage in. Stop now.

Laying Out.
Sunspots, wrinkles, and leathery skin are all evidence of sun damage.  Unfortunately, it’s only years after the harmful exposure that these signs appear. Excessive exposure to harmful UV rays, from the sunshine or a tanning bed, will also increase your risk of skin cancer.  Be sure to always lather up with sunscreen before heading outdoors, and don’t spend excessive time in direct sunlight.

Here at Aesthetic Enhancements we offer the MiXto Fractionated Carbon Dioxide Laser and the IPL Photofacial both of which can help treat sun damage and rejuvenate the skin for a younger looking complexion. If you are seeing signs of damage from your baby oil and iodine youth, call us today for a free consultation on how to restore your skin to a healthier and younger looking condition.

High Stress Levels. 
While keeping busy may be your style, overworking yourself can be stressful.  Stress is one of the major offenders when it comes to aging of the skin. 

Take a break –meditate, exercise, or just lose yourself in some favorite music for a few minutes during long workdays to help keep your sanity and give your skin time to restore itself under these more positive conditions.


Lack of Sleep.  
If you don’t get enough rest, your body does not have the time to replenish and repair itself.  Eight hours is recommended for a healthy night’s sleep.  Tired, saggy skin and dark under eye circles can be the result if you pull all nighters too frequently.  So do your skin a favor, and catch some Zz’s!

Having trouble sleeping? Physicians and sleep experts agree- your best remedy is to exercise more. If you wake frequently during the night and your spouse or significant other says you are prone to snoring, you may want to discuss this with your doctor, as these may be signs and symptoms of sleep apnea.

Unhealthy Eating.  
What we choose to eat affects our health and physique, but did you know it affects our skin too?  Even if you eat a balanced meal, be sure not to consume too many cooked foods.  Raw, wholesome, natural foods such as raw fruits, greens and vegetables contain live enzymes - which are destroyed when foods are cooked.  These enzymes not only help digest food, but also fight disease and signs of aging!

Alcohol Consumption.  
Research suggests that drinking alcohol in moderation can actually be good for your body, raising your good cholesterol level and reducing the risk of heart disease.  On the other hand, too much alcohol depletes your body of water, important vitamins, and minerals resulting in dehydrated and parched skin.  Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause blemishes and a dry, dull appearance.  However, a drink or two every now and then won’t cause any significant damage.

Not sure what might be causing you to look older or more tired than you would like? Come in to Aesthetic Enhancements for your free skin analysis and consultation. Our friendly experts will have you looking your best in short order!


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Monday, December 13, 2010

Vampire Fillers - Using Your Own Blood To Banish Wrinkles

Beauty seekers are always looking for new, exciting ways to maintain a youthful appearance.  When it comes to using something so simple, and natural like your own blood, it’s hard for some to resist.  Plasma fillers, also called “vampire fillers” are said to do just that. 

The filler is made by extracting blood from the patient and spinning it until the plasma is separated from the red blood cells.  The plasma is then injected to rid the face of fine lines and wrinkles.  It has also been used to treat under eyes, hands and the neck to rejuvenate and plump up the skin.  It takes about 3 months and a few treatments to notice the results.

Plasma filler providers say this is a natural alternative to other dermal fillers.  However, once the blood has been ejected from your body and processed, it becomes a foreign body like any other filler when re-injected.  The safety and success of this treatment are still questionable and much more research is needed before it becomes a mainstream solution for aging skin. 

There are already many other cosmetic fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm that are proven to be very safe and effective – and they even last up to a year! 

Regardless of what filler you use, it is important to keep in mind that the quality of the outcome is substantially dependent upon the skill of the provider.  If you are interested in learning more about dermal fillers offered here at Aesthetic Enhancements, call us today for your complimentary consultation with our filler expert - Michelle Boone, ARNP


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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Botox To Go!

Imagine being able to order your Botox injection on your lunch break! New Botox boutiques are already thriving in cities like N.Y.C and L.A. for beauty minded people on-the-go!  Patients seem to enjoy their hassle free Botox quick fix because it is so fast, easy and convenient.   They can stop in during lunch break or after work to de-wrinkle their worries away! However, the question is…”Is this putting the patients safety at risk?” 

Last week the first walk-in Botox Boutiqe, Luxxery Express, was launched in D.C with celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Hakki behind it all!  These new cosmetic walk-in clinics allow you to get your Botox and filler fix with no appointment necessary! 

With no surprise, these cosmetic clinics are raising some critics eyebrows...no pun intended!  Many core practitioners believe Botox boutiques will negatively impact the profession because of the lower quality of care for patients.  Instead of safety being a priority, getting patients in, out and on their way appears to be the main concern.

Though Luxxery Express claims that board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hakki will be administering all of the injections, don’t expect to receive that same expertise at many of the other walk-in spas. 

There is not doubt that Botox can work wonders when it is properly administered. However, it is important not to under estimate the need for a highly trained professional who understands the anatomy, exactly how the treatment works and where the proper injection sites are located. 

Due to the popular demand of Botox, many untrained providers are performing injections, therefore its important for the patient to do choose their injector wisely!  After all, the goal is to look better and not worse, right?



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Thursday, August 19, 2010

Medical Research Shows Additional Benefits of Botox

Botox - Taking on more than just wrinkles!
You may have caught one of the recent episodes of the Today Show where Kathy Lee and Hoda are chatting it up with Dr. Roshini Raj and singing praises of the miracle worker itself, Botox! Not only can Botox take years off your appearance, new research shows that Botox can help reduce the pain of migraines and to help fight excessive sweating!

No more wrinkles, headaches... or deodorant sticks? Too many of us know about the excruciating pain associated with migraines - and pills don’t always do the trick.  Then there’s sweating and all that comes with it (stinky odor and the oh, so embarrassing “pit stains”) which, like a migraine, can be more than just a pain!  But of course Botox, the conqueror of all evil, comes to the rescue! 

Botox injections given in the scalp, forehead and neck are becoming more common for the immediate relief of migraine headaches for up to 6 months.  The FDA has not approved Botox for this use, but made a statement saying, “Health care professionals are free to choose medicines for uses not approved by the FDA (off-label) if they feel such use will benefit a patients health condition.  The FDA approved prescribing information (labeling) lists warnings and precautions so that prescribers can make informed decisions about treatment for their patients.” 

In other words… Botox injections should be used under the doctor’s discretion.  So choose your doctor wisely! 

For your safety, the provider administering the treatment must thoroughly understand the anatomy of the injection site.  Though Botox has very minimal side affects when injected correctly, if poor judgment is used, Botox can cause drooping or other serious side effects.

Botox may not be FDA approved just yet as a pain reliever, however, Botox is FDA approved for the treatment of perspiration.  Tiny injections under the arm can put an end to your search for the stick that actually works.  The Botox paralyzes the glands that produce sweat and more importantly gives you back your confidence! 

Hmm..I wonder what will Botox take on next?

Call Aesthetic Enhancements today to schedule your complimentary consultation with our Nurse Practitioner, Michelle, to learn more about the benefits of Botox! 



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