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Press Release
Cosmetic enhancements are more popular than ever, and each day seems to bring a new procedure, product or usage. Bombarded by images of forever-young celebrities and airbrushed models, people are flocking to the nearest cosmetic surgeon in search of the fountain of youth. But use caution, urges Richard Bailey, Bullhead City cosmetic surgeon and ear, nose and throat specialist. "The misconception is that it's risk-free," he says. "These are medical and surgical procedures, they're not something that should be done willy-nilly. We take them seriously, and so should the patient."
He also warns patients that they're not going to walk out of the office looking decades younger. "Results don't happen in half an hour," he says. "There is recovery time for all these procedures," although some offer less downtime than others. Cosmetic procedures also shouldn't be expected to make time stand still. "You'll still age, but you'll look better than if you'd never had anything done. It'll be more graceful."
Hot topics and products in the field of cosmetic procedures include Botox, soft tissue fillers, wet microdermabrasion and super intense pulsed light treatment, Bailey says. Each can be done in a doctor's office on an outpatient basis. Most allow patients to return to normal activity the same day.
The wunderkind of today's cosmetic procedure world, Botox is a naturally occurring toxin that paralyzes muscles, thereby diminishing the look of expression lines. Its wrinkle-fighting properties were discovered by accident.
Initially used to treat facial twitches in patients who'd had strokes or other neurological incidents, it was only a matter of time before someone noticed that, after Botox injections, facial wrinkles diminished. Botox lasts four to six months when used to treat crow's feet and frown lines, and can lessen their intensity when used regularly.
But it seems new uses for Botox are studied every day. It is now being used to treat excessive underarm sweating, and typically lasts about 9 months for this purpose. Even newer still is using Botox in the fight against acne. Botox injections can shrink pores, thereby decreasing oil production and in turn, breakouts.
These are substances injected to plump the skin. Collagen gained early fame, but has given way to hyaluronic acids like those in Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm, which last longer. Doctors are finding that as the body's natural scavengers get rid of the foreign injected substance, a bit of new tissue is left in place, creating a long-term effect. It's too early to tell at this point what this will mean long term, Bailey says, but doctors are hopeful that nearly permanent results could be achieved.
During this skin resurfacing procedure, the doctor uses salt crystals or diamond tips to sand away the top layer of skin. The concept is similar to sanding a piece of wood until smooth, Bailey says. A fruit acid micro peel is then added to enhance results. Using these together, says Bailey, makes one and one equal three. "You get better results than if they were used alone."
These are lights similar to lasers but less expensive. These are used to treat acne, rosacea, veins and to remove hair.
Crow's feet and frown lines aren't the only facial problems cosmetic procedures can reduce. Acne scars serve as a constant reminder of previous skin problems, and many people turn to cosmetic surgeons for answers. "For acne scarring we try to use the longer-lasting ones," Bailey says. Resurfacing with one of the available methods coupled with a soft tissue filler can greatly reduce the appearance of pock marks and scars. When injected directly into the scar, the filler inflates that spot and smoothes the skin.
Nearly as interesting as what's new in the cosmetic surgery field is what's passé. No one gets collagen injections anymore, Bailey says. The effects are too short term. Cutting and lifting, although still done, has given way to reinflating. "Think of your face as a balloon that deflates over time," he says.
Doctors have found that with regular fat injections in the hands, the appearance improves over time. "We're noticing in five to 10 years, lasting effects. The color and texture improves," Bailey notes. The theory is that the fat cells injected revert back to stem cells, (which can become anything), and then transform into new tissue.
The next big revolution, Dr. Bailey predicts, will be the ability to store a person's own fat and inject it later. "This way, you wouldn't be wasting it," and patients would know the tissue used is compatible. "That's the best tolerated tissue," Bailey says.
Bailey offers these procedures and more from his offices in Bullhead City and Kingman. Jose Alvarez, a Bullhead City ob/gyn and cosmetic surgeon, offers residents another option for cosmetic enhancement. He too performs most of these procedures and more from his Bullhead City office.
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