Approaching Wedding Season Boosts Cosmetic Procedures

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Dr. Michael Workman

seattle increases plastic surgeryAs the weather warms and summer weddings draw nearer, more men and women are having their cosmetic procedures done in preparation for the big day.

For many, the most popular procedures are non-invasive injections such as Botox and dermal fillers, which can improve the facial appearance with minimal downtime and quick results. Other, more dramatic results are achieved with surgical procedures, which need to be scheduled further in advance.

Both Men and Women Choose Cosmetic Procedures Before Weddings

Depending on the wedding timeline, surgical or non-surgical procedures may be best for your unique situation. Some of the most popular cosmetic surgeries for brides-to-be and their wedding parties include breast augmentation, breast lifts, tummy tucks and liposuction. Liposuction is particularly popular due to the targeted results, relatively low cost and minimal downtime. For men, body contouring procedures and chin surgeries are popular for wedding preparation.

However, the most commonly performed pre-wedding cosmetic procedures are non-surgical. Botox injections and dermal fillers are often given in the weeks leading up to the wedding, to provide the best facial balance for those keepsake wedding photos. Often these injections are given throughout the winter as well, in order to find the best combination of injection locations and amounts that will achieve the desired result.

Other non-surgical procedures that are often performed prior to weddings include skin treatments, such as microdermabrasion and laser therapies. Chemical peels may also be performed to improve the overall skin texture. These peels may require a varying amount of recovery time before the wedding, depending on the severity of the individual peel. For the best possible results, schedule a consultation far in advance to work out the best combination of procedures for you personal goals.

Photo by Corey Ann on Flickr.

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Survey Shows Women Feel Greater Need For Youth, Cosmetic Surgery

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Dr. Michael Workman

seattle female cosmetic surgeryA new poll from Allure magazine raises interesting points about differences in aging between the sexes. According to the data, women feel more pressured by aging, and men are believed to age more gracefully.

According to the study, which was discussed recently in the New York Daily News, 90% of US men and women feel that women are under a greater pressure to appear young. The survey also showed that women cross the “old” threshold about five years sooner than men, who get away with looking “distinguished” rather than elderly. Men were even found to peak in physical attractiveness at an older age than women, around 34 for men in comparison to 30 for women.

Many of Those Polled Would Consider Cosmetic Surgery

In the words of Kristin Perrotta, executive editor of Allure, “People overwhelmingly said they were concerned about the effects of aging. They were concerned about how it would affect their attractiveness to the opposite sex and particularly with women, how aging would affect their career.” In fact, nearly twice as many women in their fifties reported that they felt they had to look young in order to succeed at their career.

While only 5% of the 2,000 people who participated in the survey had previously undergone cosmetic procedures, 42% of women and 18% of men reported that they would think about it as a future option.

The most common anti-aging procedures are non-surgical injections, like Botox or dermal fillers. Surgical procedures, such as brow lifts, face lifts, and breast lifts are particularly impactful for giving an impression of youthfulness. And this is an important factor, since according to Perrotta, “this survey definitely shows that aging, when we are talking about appearance, is a real emotional touch point for both men and women, no matter whether they are 20, 40, 60.”

Photo by UggBoy/UggGirl on Flickr.

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Study Finds Plastic Surgery Makes You Happier, Increases Self-Esteem

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Dr. Michael Workman

portland cosmetic surgery happinessAccording to a recent European study, plastic surgery leads to an increase in self-esteem and happiness immediately following the procedure and for several months afterward.

The study, which was conducted by Ruhr Universitat and the University of Basal, worked with 544 first-time surgical patients to establish information about those who choose cosmetic procedures. In addition, the study included 264 people who were interested in cosmetic surgery but chose not to get it, and 1,000 people who were not interested. The study was written up in the journal Clinical Psychological Science, and recently discussed in the NY Daily News.

Realistic Expectations Crucial to a Successful Plastic Surgery Outcome

Prior to their plastic surgery, there were no real happiness or self-esteem differences between those intending to have surgery and those who were not. However, when the breast lift, face lift, tummy tuck, and breast augmentation patients were interviewed again at three, six and twelve months post-surgery, the surgical patients were noticeably improved in these areas.

In the words of the study authors, “these patients felt healthier, were less anxious, had developed more self-esteem and found the operated body feature in particular, but also their body as a whole, more attractive. No adverse effects were observed.”

Another part of the study involved assessing how realistic the patient’s expectations were regarding their plastic surgery. According to these numbers, only about 12% of potential patients had unrealistic expectations of their outcomes and the effect their surgery would have on their lives. The American Psychological Association noted that previous research had firmly established a link between dissatisfaction, poor outcomes and unreasonable expectations.

Overall, other statistics collected by the survey showed that woman remain the driving force behind plastic surgery. According to those numbers, 87% of patients who choose cosmetic procedures are women.

Photo by Stf. O on Flickr.

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Now is the Time to Schedule Cosmetic Procedures for Summer

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Dr. Michael Workman

vancouver cosmetic surgical nonsurgicalThis may be the best time to schedule your cosmetic surgery and non-surgical procedures in order to be completely prepared for the busy events of the summer.

Both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures are often in demand at this time of year, and while most non-surgical procedures have very quick results, some may take longer than others, or work best in regularly scheduled treatments. Another advantage to early scheduling is that this will allow you to ensure the time slots that work best for you in relation to be events, parties or vacations this summer.

Popular Springtime Surgical and Non-Surgical Procedures

Some of the most popular non-surgical procedures that are performed for summer preparation are laser hair removal, laser skin treatments, and chemical peels. Recovery for some particularly deep chemical peels or skin treatments may require avoiding sun exposure for a long period of time, something that should be scheduled around vacations and other summertime activities.

The most popular surgical procedures done in preparation of summertime are body contouring and breast procedures, which often require a recovery period of several weeks. The most popular body contouring procedures are liposuction, tummy tucks and buttock lifts, which vary in terms of recovery time. Liposuction does not require a long recovery, but an in-depth tummy tuck procedure might. Setting up a consultation well in advance can help you to reach your goals without being surprised by a scheduling conflict.

With any surgical procedure, it is crucial to protect the incision lines from sun exposure for a certain amount of time, depending on the incision location and type. Your recovery will include specific instructions on how to care for your incisions, which may include lotions and sun exposure restrictions. Often, your incisions may be hidden within bathing suits, limiting sun exposure.

Photo by Moyan_Brenn on Flickr.

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FDA Approves New Natrelle Anatomical Silicone Breast Implants

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Nat

portland breast augmentation siliconeThe Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new form of breast implants that are designed to more closely match the shape of a natural breast. These new implants will be marketed for use in breast augmentation, reconstruction, and the revision of previous implants.

The new implants, known as the Natrelle 410, are unique in both shape and fill, with a surgical result that is already much sought-after in other parts of the world. The approval comes after an extensive 10-year study with more than 1,000 woman participating. The results of that study were closely examined by the FDA, along with information from many other studies and testing, culminating with this recent approval to market the product in the United States.

Allergan’s Anatomical Breast Implants Already Most Popular Shaped Implant in Europe

In addition to the newly designed shape of the Natrelle implant, it also utilizes a highly cohesive silicone gel filling, which is intended to give a long-lasting shape with a soft, natural feel. These features have made this new implant the most popular shaped implant in parts of the world where they have already been approved, including Europe and Canada.

The Natrelle implants have significant benefits for patients undergoing both augmentation and reconstruction, according to Dr. Scott L. Spear from Georgetown University School of Medicine, “For many patients, round silicone and saline breast implants are good options. For others, they may not provide the aesthetic outcome they desire.

As well, patients may have minimal breast tissue remaining after the removal of a tumor or have lost breast volume over the years, so the option of a shaped breast implant designed with an anatomical shape that lasts over time is an important one as it may help these patients obtain the aesthetic look they are seeking.”

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