For decades, breast augmentation has been among the top 5 most popular aesthetic surgical procedures for women. In fact, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, it has been one of the top 2 most popular procedures since they began surveying physicians 20 years ago! But, while breast augmentation has remained consistently popular, what has changed significantly over the past few decades are the myriad options available to women looking to add volume to their chest. Technological innovations and improvements in procedural techniques have advanced the procedure, making it much more accessible with less downtime and more tailor-made options for individual patients as opposed to a one-size-fits-all implant.

This is why it’s critical for anyone seeking breast augmentation to seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in the procedure, who is also well-versed on all of the options available and adept at guiding a patient to which choice might be best-suited for them.

Here are the augmentation options we share with our patients:

SILICONE IMPLANTS:

Among the most popular choices, silicone implants are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and profiles to accommodate nearly everybody. Silicone gel-filled breast implants are filled with soft, elastic gel and are available in a variety of shapes. All silicone gel breast implants are pre-filled and may require a longer incision for implant placement.

Cohesive gel silicone gel-filled breast implants, also known as “gummy bear” or “form stable” implants, are filled with a cohesive gel, made of cross-linked molecules of silicone, which makes them a bit thicker and firmer than traditional silicone gel implants. This enables them to hold their shape better. Approved by the FDA for use in the United States in 2012, these implants have been available in much of the world since 1992.
Women tend to like these implants due to their tendency to have a natural look and feel and because the chances of complications like breast rippling are reduced.

SALINE IMPLANTS:

Saline-filled breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. They may be prefilled at a predetermined size, or filled at the time of surgery to allow for minor modifications in implant size. Structured saline-filled breast implants are filled with sterile salt water, but contain a structure inside so they behave as if filled with soft, elastic silicone gel. This structure enables them to hold their shape better than traditional saline implants. Approved by the FDA and Health Canada in 2014, these implants have been available since 2015.

While not as popular as silicone, saline appeals to certain women due to the ability to customize the sizing on a fairly pinpointed scale.

FAT GRAFTING:

Autologous fat transfer, (AKA Fat Grafting) removes fat through liposuction from an area of your body in which there are abundant fat cells, such as your thighs, abdomen and hips. After a process of preparation and refinement, the fat cells are injected into your breast. This can be used independent of implants to achieve a small volume increase, (about a cup size), or in concert with implants to add an element of a natural look and feel. Fat grafting is a win-win for a lot of patients because it involves the removal of fat from an unwanted area and places it into an area where more fat is desired. Plus, your own body won’t reject its own fat, which is another bonus.

There are many choices in breast augmentation these days, designed to provide patients with customized results that will look both natural and beautiful. While we rarely see women requesting disproportionately large implants these days, many women come in looking for a small amount of added volume that is discrete and perfectly proportioned to their size and shape. It requires a skilled breast augmentation surgeon to deliver the right results for each individual patient. Make sure you look for an Aesthetic Society board-certified plastic surgeon if you’re considering breast enhancing surgery.

In a dream world, we don’t have fat pockets, but rather curves exactly where we want them. Well, hold on to your fat ladies, and get ready to live the dream! You can put those demonized “problem areas” to good use with a fat transfer procedure for the breasts, buttocks, calves or face. Yes, that fat you want to disappear can actually be aggregated to plump up lines and wrinkles, as well as other areas lacking robust curves while trimming the areas where it is most unsightly.

While it sounds too-good-to-be true, or too experimental, fat transfer is gradually increasing in popularity among plastic surgeons. According to 2015 statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, there were 18,135 fat grafting procedures to the breasts, 18,487 to the buttocks, and 48,059 to the face.

If you think the terms “natural” and “plastic surgery” don't necessarily roll off the tongue together often, that’s exactly what can be achieved with fat transfer – and yes, it’s a reality!

What is Fat Transfer?
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, fat transfer (also known as fat grafting or fat injection), is a “safe, long-lasting, well-tolerated procedure that produces natural-looking results. Every year, thousands of people undergo successful fat grafting procedures and are pleased with their outcomes.”. Can I get a woohoo?!

So What Can Realistically be Achieved with Fat Transfer?
Removing fat from one spot to augment another area can result in subtle changes to the overall body shape with natural-looking results.

For the face, deep lines, wrinkles, and even acne scars can be diminished with a dose of fat.

Elsewhere in the body, fat transfer can allow for more customization compared to implants however the augmentative properties are limited because you can only enhance so much at a time. But, by using a patient’s own fat, the plastic surgeon can add just enough to achieve your desired goals. For anyone with existing implants, fat transfer can also be used to enhance further or compensate for size differences between the breasts due to aging, asymmetrical sagging, etc.

Beyond the degree of customization, the advantage of using one’s own fat is that there is no risk of rejection; a consequence you may run into with an implant though it is rare. Fat from your body tends to take on the properties of the area in which it is injected into, which is also useful, as it blends with virtually anything surrounding it – other fat, tissue or even bone.

Unlike breast implants, many doctors are not yet comfortable with butt implant technology. According to board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Adam Rubinstein based in Miami, whom I interviewed previously about illegal butt injections, fat transfer is, “the best way to create a natural contour, and carries the least amount of complications, but a patient has to have to have enough fat to do it. Implants are an alternative, but I don’t perform that procedure at my practice because it has a higher complication rate)

What Isn’t Feasible Through Fat Transfer
First, like Dr. Rubinstein mentioned, if you don’t have enough fat to harvest, you’re not a candidate. An experienced plastic surgeon knows where to seek out fat throughout your body, and can advise you on your particular situation to determine if you are in fact a good candidate.

For a breast augmentation, fat transfer is ideal only when the objective is a minimal size increase. If you desire a much larger cup size then breast implants would be recommended. This is because it’s more difficult to get larger volumes of the fat to “take” per Smart Beauty Guide’s procedural overview.

Fat has to be properly treated before being injected to ensure positive long-term results, which means that the process is more time-consuming than it would be to use prepackaged dermal filler. This makes facial fat transfers more expensive, but the results last (another plus for using the natural stuff)! However, patients should be advised that some fat is lost in the transfer process.

In researching the before-and-after photographic results of fat transfers to the buttocks, I must say that what I saw appeared to be pretty transformative, yet natural-looking. Pretty amazing! Now I’m wondering why I haven’t considered this for myself before?!

Please note that like any other surgery, fat grafting does carry risks such as inflammatory responses to fat in the buttocks, as well as reabsorption, irregularities and hardness. Studies are also being conducted to see the 10-year results to determine the long-term viability of fat transfer since this is a slightly new procedure in comparison to use of implants.

For top results, and to minimize such risks, seek the counsel of a board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeon who is experienced in fat transfer. You want to find a plastic surgeon well-versed in the optimal ways to make your fat work for you. Now go on and rock some curves where you’ve always wanted them!

Soft, medium, hard boiled. Poached, scrambled, sunny side up. Over-easy, over-medium, over-hard. All of these are variations on a single theme (It’s eggs. BTW.)—and thank goodness they all exist. We don’t live in a one-size fits all world, which means a lot of things come in a variety of customizable sizes and options. And that makes everyone happy. This includes many of the nonsurgical skincare treatments on the market today. In this two part post, we're going to dive deep, deeper and deepest into the fully-customizable and efficient anti-aging treatment known as the chemical peel—what it is, what it does and whether or not this procedure might be right for you.

You’re probably thinking two things right now: 1. What do eggs have to do with chemical peels? (Nothing at all. Let’s move on.), and 2. What is a chemical peel and why does it sound so terrifying?

You’re right. These two words smashed together (chemical + peel) don’t exactly scream, “I need to have this on my face, right NOW.” But they’re not nearly as frightening as they sound. In fact, administered properly, chemical peels can be a highly effective treatment for minor and major sun-damage, unevenly pigmented and wrinkled skin, or a dull or blotchy complexion. Chemical peels can even improve upon the appearance of scars and treat precancerous skin growths. That’s a lot of heavy skincare lifting. And the bonus? In most cases, chemical peels—especially light to medium peels—require minimal downtime and discomfort. You might even be starting to think, “Maybe I do need this on my face after all!” So when results from your retinoid, Hanakure mask and moisturizing serum start to poop out, a chemical peel might be just the thing to revitalize your complexion.

But are all chemical peels the same? Nope. No they are not. Much like our egg analogy, chemical peels come in an assortment of strengths, applications, ingredients and application times. And just as no two patients are alike, no two chemical peels are exactly alike. That’s what makes them so customizable. But first things first.

What is a chemical peel?

A chemical peel is a nonsurgical treatment in which your doctor wipes or brushes on a topical chemical solution in order to produce a sloughing off of the outer layer of the skin and all those pesky dead skin cells that reside there. The solution is left on for an appropriate amount of time and is then removed and/or neutralized. Chemical peels can be used to treat the entire face, specific regions of the face, the neck, hands and other areas that may be showing signs of aging or sun-damage. And because a chemical peel is so customizable, your doctor can target your individual level of skin damage and get you as close to your desired result as is possible—(Let’s take a moment here to manage our expectations, shall we?)

And before you even ask, no, you don’t get to choose what strength, technique or depth in which your surgeon will apply your chemical peel treatment. That, my skin-savvy friends, will be up to your doctor—aka. the guy/gal who actually has the knowledge and experience to decide such matters. What you will do is be an active and over-sharing participant in explaining to your doctor your previous health history, desired results and current lifestyle during your initial consultation.

So now that we’ve gotten the basics out of the way, let’s dive into the baby of the three different chemical peels that we're going to discuss—the light chemical peel.

Light Chemical Peel:

The light chemical peel is one of those magical “lunchtime” procedures—in most cases, after the treatment you can slap on some sunscreen and makeup and dive headlong back into the day with no one being the wiser. Except, of course, for your new other-worldly glow.

Light chemical peels are mostly geared towards those in the beginning stages of the aging process or those using it as an ongoing preventative and/or maintenance treatment. These peels improve upon the appearance of tiny, fine lines, a dull, dry complexion and light discoloration with little to no downtime and what may amount to a temporary tingling or stinging sensation upon application. After swiping on a light layer of acid—typically an alpha hydroxy-type acid (glycolic, lactic and/or fruit acid)—your doctor will wipe it off, and you're done. So easy! This will promote a subtle sloughing off of the top layer of the dermis—the one where all those dead skin cells congregate. Once they’re gone—voila! An immediate glow-up!

Our next post dives even deeper into the rejuvenating anti-aging abilities of chemical peels. Beyond the baby of the bunch and straight to the medium and deep chemical peels that are more... well... just more. So if you're realizing that those beginning stages of aging are veering dangerously towards more advanced visual evidence, or if you're looking for ways to treat acne scarring or other skin ailments... join us!

Aging happens. And eventually we all reach a point when no amount of at-home skincare or h-y-d-r-a-t-i-o-n can deliver the same filtered-selfie glow that we're pining for. Which brings us to Part 2 of our series exploring the wondrous world of chemical peel treatments. So let's jump right back in where we left off in Part 1 , and head straight to the real deal on medium strength chemical peels.

Medium Chemical Peels:

The reality of aging skin is that when it comes time for treatment, there are degrees that must be adhered too. We're going to lean heavy on the drama here, but once you're past the "point of no return," a light chemical peel isn't going to deliver the results you're hoping for. And even if you're not in the advanced stages of aging, you might be wandering around in that no man's land beyond the beginning stages, where a light chemical peel isn't going to cut it. (Although patients with sensitive skin can see a cumulative visual benefit from multiple light chemical peel treatments.)

Medium strength chemical peels are typically comprised of either 35%+ trichloracetic (TCA) acid or 75%+ of the aforementioned Glycolic Acid (75+%). These peels are geared toward addressing more pronounced facial aging like hyper-pigmentation, lines and wrinkles, mild skin imperfections, age spots, melanoma and acne. And while all that sounds dandy, medium strength chemical peels are more powerful than their lighter counterpart. You can expect a bit more redness (like a sunburn), possible swelling and itching, flaking and dryness—most of which can be circumvented with proper pre- and post- treatment care. There may be some peeling of the upper dermal layer too. The actual process can be made more comfortable if your doctor uses a numbing agent, but typically, a medium chemical peel shouldn’t be too unbearable or inconvenient. And with minimal downtime, this treatment offers a lot of anti-aging benefit with minimal drawbacks.

Deep Chemical Peels:

And then we get to the Queen Bee of chemical peels—the deep chemical peel. There are two types of deep chemical peels—phenol peels and croton oil peels. Both are serious procedures that should only be performed by a qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon. Deep chemical peels are best suited to treat severe wrinkles and lines, excessive sun damage and acne scarring, other serious skin imperfections and dark spots. They're even used to treat certain precancerous conditions. Phenol peels produce a burning sensation that is somewhat cooled as the solution itself can act as an anesthetic, but it will be considerably more sensitive than if you've had a light or medium chemical peel. Another thing to consider is that phenol peels can cause skin discoloration, so chat with your doctor about this too. Croton oil peels require intravenous sedation or general anesthesia… ‘cause... they hurt. The bonus with the croton oil peel is that most patients wake up the next morning pain-free. It's important to talk about all of the potential risks and side effects with your surgeon, ensuring that you have completely grasped all the variables you need to consider before undergoing a deep chemical peel. Your surgeon is always the best resource for choosing what type of peel might be right for you.

Side effects of the deep chemical peel can include redness, swelling, temporarily increased pore size, blisters even—that might ooze as they break open. *ew. And if that doesn’t sound “a-peel-ing” enough, just wait ’til we tell you what happens next. (See what we did there? *wink.) The skin will then begin to crust over and peel off—and that process will take some time. Suffice it to say you won’t be rushing back out in public immediately after your treatment. Doctors advise 5-14 days downtime for deep peels, as well as avoiding sun exposure, makeup and sunblock for a couple of days. As with all serious procedures, your recovery will be dependent on your own propensity towards healing and your adherence to your surgeon’s instructions. With the deep chemical peel, cool compresses can help with any discomfort, and your doctor will advise a special lotion or ointment to apply as necessary. You may also be asked to take an antiviral medication—if that's the case... take it.

Patients who’ve undergone deep chemical peels and closely followed all of their doctor’s pre- and post-procedure directions, find the whole process much less dramatic than we're painting it here (#dramaqueen), and end up being very pleased with their results. So if you're looking for a treatment that can rejuvenate the skin and treat more advanced skin issues and signs of aging, a consult with your board-certified plastic surgeon will help you decide if a chemical peel might be right for you.

Lips—pretty amazing, right? They eat, they talk, they whistle, they kiss, they pout, they smile. Lips are 100 times more sensitive than fingertips. Scientists say that lips even allow for biological information to be exchanged between the kisser to the kiss-ee. And did you know that no two lip prints on a glass are ever the same? Well, you do now. If you’re comparing facial features, your lips are working overtime every. single. day. And eventually… they'll start to look like it.

We know, we know. It was all fun facts and then we had to go and spoil it with that last bit of #truth. Thankfully, like those individual lip prints, lip enhancements are also unique to each patient—their age, their genetic makeup, and the aging process itself. It’s no secret that injectable and noninvasive treatments can make a significant and positive improvement to a patient’s appearance and self-esteem without having to go under the knife. According to the latest statistics from The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, injectable dermal filler is the number two most popular nonsurgical procedure performed (right behind botulinum toxin —Botox, Dysport, Xeomin) and is up a staggering 54% since 2013. And since dermal filler doesn’t discriminate, the popularity of these types of injectables in treating too thin or age-related thinning of the lips is wide reaching. So let’s not digress. Here’s how your lips show their age, and some of the best ways to treat them.

Your lips in your 20’s:

In your 20’s, your lips are still the plump little pillows you were born with. The signs of aging in the lip (thinning, dryness and even sagging) haven’t hit your pretty little pout… yet. Some of us, however, are born more genetically blessed in the lip department. Problems like a thin upper or lower lip inherited from your grandmother or a lopsided lip can throw off the symmetry of the face. A lip line where the corner’s droop down on the ends can also make someone look more stern and unhappy then they might actually feel.

Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers like Juvederm and Restylane can address any asymmetry or cranky-face issues with precise placement of these temporary products into the offending area. The results are immediate, and outside of some swelling or bruising, there’s very little downtime. In the hands of an experienced injector, a patient can choose the shape and size that they’d like their lips to be, without looking like they’ve had “work done” to the area. A good injector, too. will remind you that overly aggressive filler can have the opposite effect, making you look even older than you are. So, you know... something to be aware of.

And let’s just give a shout out to prevention. Hydration, hydration, hydration—but sans the straw. Repetitive puckering can cause wrinkling around the lip area, and a wrinkled pucker is something that’s going to be bothersome in the future, particularly if you're a fan of wearing lipstick which will feather its way to other areas of your face. Also, your lips don’t have sweat glands, so for God's sake keep those babies moisturized with a nice lip balm. And sunscreen. Forever. #rantover

Your lips in your 30’s:

Your 30’s is when your body’s ability to create collagen and elastin (the fibers that make up the structure of your skin and keep it all firm and supple) begins its descent into deterioration. So, you know. The beginning of the end. We’re kidding. But a person in their 30’s may begin to see the beginning signs of aging around the lip area. The fine lines and dryness from excessive sun exposure that used to go away with a change in facial movement, may start to etch its way onto even the straightest of faces. And lipstick feathering? You may start to realize… it’s a thing. A real thing.

The good news is that, in your 30’s, these changes will be subtle and won’t require much to get them back on track. A good doctor will know exactly how, where, and how deep dermal filler needs to be injected to undo the beginning stages of the damage that lifestyle and father time will eventually inflict upon all of us. They may also recommend that you incorporate a retinol treatment and/or regular microdermabrasion treatments into your skincare regime to help stave off any fine lines and wrinkling. Continued skincare, sunscreen and hydration is a biggie too—remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (or something like that.)

While having lip enhancements in one’s 20’s and 30’s is mainly focused on correcting—a lack of symmetry, size and/or shape—having them in your 40’s and beyond is another matter entirely. And that matter is called restoration.

Your lips in your 40’s - 50’s:

Nothing says a dramatic entrance like a bold red lip, so let’s hope you’ve been keeping up with that prevention thing, eh? ’Cause the feathering, wrinkling, drying and thinning that we’d alluded to thus far… well, they’re not getting any better. In your 40’s the lips may start to lose their shape as their structure changes due to that pesky collagen/ elastin thing we mentioned earlier. The corners of the mouth can become weaker, pulling your lips into a perpetual frown. And the possibility of pronounced laugh and marionette lines etching their way to your nose and your chin… I can’t even. As these changes occur, the structure of the mid face also starts to droop, incrementally, which over-time can lead to an extension of the space between the nose and lip with the lips slightly dropping themselves.

Clearly, there’s some nonsense afoot. And that’s just fine, because today’s best plastic surgeons are attuned to the way the lips, mouth and skin age and have an arsenal of treatments with which to repair and restore your lip area. Dermal fillers, again, are a popular way plump up a lip that’s lost structure and prop up the corners of a downturned mouth. Your doctor may recommend microdermabrasion, a chemical peel or Intense Pulsed Light treatments to help reduce any light wrinkling, and may recommend dermal filler to fill in deep wrinkles. Doctors are even using a mix of filler and neurotoxin like Botox to recreate a drooping cupid’s bow, which can offer up a more youthful and refreshed kisser.

Your lips in your 60’s and beyond:

If your lips are in this stage of life, none of what we mentioned above will surprise you. In fact, you and your plastic surgeon may already be masters at correcting any and all nonsense that Father Time has doled out. Perhaps encouraging collagen growth, restoring fullness, staving off wrinkles and correcting facial structure through prevention, good skincare and in-office treatments with a licensed and experienced professional is old-hat to you. You’re a total pro. But there are a few things that your doctor has up his sleeve to help treat the advanced signs of aging in the lip area. Fat grafting in lieu of dermal filler can provide long-lasting, safe and natural looking results. A surgical facelift can also be an alternative to help treat any mid- and lower-face sagging that’s dragging you (and your lips) down.

The important take-away is this: lips, like the rest of us, age. And regardless of how crappy that reality is, at least there are things we can do about it. So let’s embrace our lips at every age, do our best to take care of the skin we’re in, and when it’s appropriate, consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon about lip enhancements and other treatments to do the correcting and restoring business.

In the immortal words of Billy Shakes —"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Except today we’re not talkin’ about roses. We’re talkin’ about age spots. And there’s nothing sweet about ‘em.

Call them what you will: liver spots, solar lentigo, senile freckles (I beg your pardon?!)—age spots happen, and while they’re harmless and generally don’t necessarily need treatment, I didn’t necessarily need to eat that entire cheeseboard by myself last night either. Yet, here we are.

Age spots are a naturally occurring phenomena where overactive pigment cells are triggered into producing high concentrations (or clumps) of melanin by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Think flat, oval areas of tan, brown or even black pigmentation on the face, shoulders, backs of hands, feet—any place that sees more unprotected sun exposure than it necessarily needs to—and sometimes seemingly overnight. And don’t let the moniker fool you, age spots aren’t strictly a skin woe of the over 40 set. They can happen to younger skin too, particularly if you’ve spent a lot of time in the sun, or in a tanning bed (yeah, don’t do that), or if you have particularly fair skin.

Before you spiral down a sun exposure shame hole, let’s talk about prevention and treatment. We don’t need to harp on the importance of protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful rays, do we? No, we don’t. You already know that protecting your skin from the environment is important. And you already know that you must apply sunscreen every day, reapply sunscreen every day, toss on a hat, sunglasses, etc… every day. Right? Right. Prevention covered. And for those of you already witnessing the dark, patchy effects of excessive sun exposure, let’s move on to treatments.

DIY?

The big question here is, “Can I DIY my own sunspot treatments?” The answer: Um… maybe?

There are plenty of wives tales about age-spot home-remedies like lemon juice. But in most cases, just don’t. Lemon juice is acidic and can cause dryness and irritation. It doesn’t work and it upsets the lemons. And what about other topical creams, lotions and potions? If you’re willing to commit to an elevated price tag, goopy textures, and disciplined application with the limited possibility of some result, then by all means… proceed. Just don’t expect miracles.

The truth is that the damage that causes age spots happens under the skin. So, the idea that topical treatments might banish said spots, isn’t entirely logical. That being said, there are prescription-strength spot-busting balms that doctors can recommend, and they might help by lightening the skin. They will not, however, remove the offending spot. (Insert Lady MacBeth reference here.)

To freeze, to burn, to scrape? That is the question.

Perhaps unbeknownst to you, your plastic surgeon is squirreling away some very effective sunspot treatments in their in-office arsenals. Things like chemical peels, photo rejuvenation (IPL) treatments, and dermabrasion/dermaplaning are all quite effective in treating age-spots.

• Chemical Peels: Chemical peels using alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and/or even stronger solutions are all ways in which your doctor or licensed skincare practitioner might treat sun spots and other bothersome skin discolorations. By applying an appropriate layer of chemical solution on the offending area and leaving it to sit lightly on the skin (or if recommended, rubbing the solution in with more vigor), your provider can safely create enough damage to the upper layer of the dermis as to allow the healing process to do its thing. After a specific amount of time, the solution will be neutralized and/or wiped away, and voila! What solution, how vigorously it’s applied and how long the solution is left on the skin will depend on your doctor’s good judgement.

• Photorejuvenation: Photorejuvenation is another in-office treatment, this one using intense pulsed light (IPL), sometimes combined with high intensity radio frequency (ELOS - electro-optical synergy) in order to heat up the collagen under the skin to help treat skin discolorations, tighten the skin and boost collagen and elastin production in order to improve the appearance of the dermis. You’ll get to wear sporty-looking goggles during the procedure (to protect your peepers) and can expect mild discomfort, like a rubber band snapping, but all in all it’s a fairly simple way to treat age spots.

• Dermabrasion/Dermaplaning: Dermabrasion and derma planing is another in-office treatment used to treat the offending spots. Depending on your treatment plan, your doctor will use a small tool featuring either a roughened spinning wheel (think a tiny sander w/ fine-grained sandpaper) or a dermatome (think a small electric razor) to skim off the top layer of skin. Once the healing process is complete, these treatments help to improve not only age spots, but also the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, other discolorations and even acne scars. #multitasking

So, there you have it, a beginner’s guide to treating age spots, sprinkled with a gentle harping on prevention and a smattering of unnecessary Shakespeare references. As always, your doctor is the best resource in deciding what treatment might be best to eliminate your own age spots and any other age-related skin woes. If you’re looking to banish liver spots, solar lentigo, senile freckles (*insert side-eye), then you need look no further than a sit down with your board-certified plastic surgeon.

Coffee or tea? To be or not to be? Life’s decisions have always been a complicated lot. Thankfully, today’s decisions—at least when it comes to improving your physical appearance through plastic surgery—have become less complicated due to the many advances in technique, accessibility and safety of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. Of course, “advances” don’t always allay fears. So today—in a single dose of “fear be gone”—we’re going to quash 5 big fears that might be stopping you from making an informed decision when it comes to having aesthetic plastic surgery. Let’s go.

The monster under the bed.

Roosevelt had a point when he said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” But he wasn’t staring down the barrel of cultural expectation and tabloid media, showcasing the horror stories of surgical procedures gone wrong or the triumphs of glow-ups gone right. Unfounded fear is a big reason why some people might steer clear of a cosmetic procedure, even if they want it really, really bad. And in a strange twist of fate, there are other media sources that can help by offering up the number one solution to unfounded fear: legitimate information. While a board-certified plastic surgeon is always your best resource for educating yourself before, during and after a procedure, there are plenty of reliable online resources that can touch on the basics of anything from dermal fillers to a facelift You’ll find information on the latest procedures, the safety and risk involved and even patient reviews. Sites like this one, The Aesthetic Society and Real Self are examples of sites that can offer up an empowering amount of information to help you make the most informed decision about plastic surgery procedures.

Hitting where it hurts.

Another sore spot in choosing to have plastic surgery is preferably kept neatly tucked into your purse or back pocket — yes, it’s money. Legitimate plastic surgery ain’t cheap. And if the price is too good to be true, trust us, it’s exactly that—too good to be true. Cosmetic surgery has, however, become increasingly more affordable for most budgets, and most reputable plastic surgeons offer financing options to help make the decision more palatable. So whether you’ve been pining for nonsurgical body contouring or a tummy tuck, if you’re holding off on consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon due to cost—it might be worth making that appointment to discuss your options anyway.

Looking ‘done'.

Today’s best surgeons are touted for their sense of aesthetics and their ability to provide natural and realistic results. And ongoing advances in technique and product give them the ability to do just that. So, while an unnatural result is a viable fear in making the decision to have a cosmetic procedure (and is one that you should discuss with your doctor), your board-certified plastic surgeon is aiming to make you look your best through open dialogue and mutually agreed-upon expectations. Aesthetic plastic surgery is meant to enhance your natural beauty - not to reshape you into someone you don’t recognize.

Pressed for time?

Most Americans already feel the pressure of work and family versus the ticking time bomb that is your daily schedule, so the idea of taking a day or a week or two off for recovery from a surgical procedure can strike terror into the hearts of even the most organized adult. Your initial conversation with your plastic surgeon should include limits to your available recovery time and he or she will steer you towards procedures that work for you. Since many of today’s most popular procedures don’t require an overnight hospital stay or even an overly-long healing process, you may be surprised to find out just how time-effective certain procedures actually are.

Who’s the boss?

The opinions of your family and friends are certainly reasons why you might avoid getting a cosmetic procedure that you want. We get it. Who wants to be judged? The question you should be asking yourself is: Should you let that stop you? Support from your significant other or BFF is a doozy when it comes to making big decisions, so why not include them in the process? Bringing your partner or a friend with you during your consultation gives them the opportunity to not only meet your doctor, but also ask questions, visualize the results and learn more about the procedure, which will ultimately help allay their fears as well as your own.

Ultimately, the decision to have plastic surgery is in your hands. It’s essential that you gather as much information as possible, and consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to ensure that you’re making the most informed and empowered decision possible.

See… plastic surgery isn’t quite so scary after all.

A nose is a nose is a nose. And while most are fairly good at accomplishing their basic functions—breathing, smelling, sending important messages to the brain like “eat this” and “don’t eat this”—for some people that’s just not enough. No, some people also want their noses to bring a certain je ne sais quoi to the proverbial party. And not all je ne sais quoi is created equal, is it?

Straight, buttoned, refined, pinched, wide, Roman, up-turned, aristocratic, hooked, Grecian, prominent… a nose that suits one face doesn’t necessarily suit another. And that goes double when it’s applied to both men and women.

According to the most recent ASAPS’ statistics, nose surgery continues to be one of the most popular procedures, with 41,000+ surgeries performed in 2018 alone. It’s one of those procedures—like liposuction, blepharoplasty and the tummy tuck—whose popularity translates to both men and women. And that’s where the similarity stops.

From the motivation to seek out rhinoplasty, to the communication used to discuss the procedure, and the actual physical differences in men and women’s skin and structure, it seems gender plays a big roll in choosing to have nose surgery. And don’t even get us started on the difference in results that men and women want to see after their procedures.

No wait. Do get us started on that one, because—while the reasons patients seek out cosmetic surgery are often complex—there is typically some component of gender-based cultural expectation and standard of beauty involved. So there’s that. And let’s not forget about the differences in the way that men and women communicate.

For example, word choice. Men are more likely to ask for noses that are “masculine” and “distinct,” while women might opt for a nose that’s “delicate” or “feminine,” or both. Where men might complain of asymmetry or a crooked nose, a dorsal hump or a too large nose, women might complain about a nose that’s “too-masculine” or not in proportion to the face.

However it’s communicated, and whatever detail is troublesome to the patient, an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon will be able to assess exactly what you mean and how best to get you there. On a woman, a slightly indented dorsum (the external ridge of the nose) with a proportional tip that’s angled upward can bring out more feminine features. And maybe “masculine” translates to a distinct straight dorsum with a whiskey sidecar (that whiskey part is not at all true) and a tip that’s in proportion with that.

Even the techniques used during surgery can differ between men and women. For men, your surgeon may remove the dorsum and perform an infracture to reduce the dorsal hump or overall size of the nose. While in a female nose they may simply shave the dorsum with a rasp in order to reduce and feminize it.

And if you thought we’d stop at communication, aesthetics and surgical technique, think again. There are actually real anatomical differences between men and women (aside from the obvious *wink). Did you know that the skin on a man’s nose is thicker than on a woman’s? Or that women’s noses by-and-large are shorter than men’s? The size of the nasal components, bone, skin and cartilage all differ between the sexes, and thus require that your surgeon be skilled and experienced enough to take all these differences into account during the consultation, surgery and recovery periods.

To be fair, there are gender neutral aspects of rhinoplasty. For example, during the procedure your surgeon will utilize an incision to access the base of the nose or inside the nostril to access the bone and cartilage, chisel away any hump, trim any necessary cartilage and improve the angle between the upper lip and nose. So yay! Everyone gets an incision!

Okay, okay. We get it. When it comes to rhinoplasty, men and women are different. If you're considering nose surgery, the best way to suss out these differences is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Viva la diffèrence!

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