Telephone: (310) 473-2200
Find Us: Get Directions
Get More Information:

March 13, 2010

Should I have lip filler or BOTOX for my lip lines?

Filed under: Beverly Hills Restylane, Botox, Botox Los Angeles, Restylane, Restylane Injections, lip augmentation, lip fillers, lip injections — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 1:20 am

Those who have very thin lips, asymmetrical lips, or irregularities in their lips such as lip lines, bumps, or wrinkles can benefit from lip treatment.  There are safe, effective options available for those seeking improvement in the lips.  Your treatment will depend upon the nature of the problem, but usually Restylane works the best.

What about BOTOX?

We have found that BOTOX in the lips is usually not ideal.  This is because BOTOX relaxes overactive muscles, which makes it great for areas like the forehead where muscles are often too tense, but not in the lips.  There are many important muscles around the mouth that don’t respond optimally to BOTOX.  Since hyper-contracted muscles around the lips are usually not a concern, it doesn’t make sense to use a muscle relaxant in this area.  There are a few people with “gummy smiles” who may benefit from having their lip elevators relaxed in this area, but generally this is not the issue we see very often.

Expression of emotion is very important in the face.  This means that BOTOX treatment is great for some things – for example, if you have forehead wrinkles that make you look continually angry, BOTOX can restore your relaxed face to a position of emotional neutrality, giving you a clean palette from which to express yourself.  This also means that BOTOX should not be placed into an area that is already aptly expressing emotion.  Most people have properly functioning muscles around the lips, which is why we usually recommend using a filler for lip lines treatment.

Lip lines BOTOX may not be the preferred option in most cases, but there are many other benefits of BOTOX application.  BOTOX is a precise treatment that can be applied exactly where it is needed and only there, so you don’t have to worry about BOTOX paralysis or a treatment in your cheeks migrating to your lips.  If you’ve already received BOTOX lip injections and would prefer an alternative to BOTOX, you don’t need to worry because the effects will wear off in time.  As long as you see an experienced physician for your cosmetic facial treatment, you can anticipate many BOTOX benefits as experienced injectors will individualize treatment for what is best for you.

Great Lip Filler Options

The lips can usually be treated in minimally invasive ways without using lip plastic surgery, although surgical procedures are useful in some situations.  One nonsurgical procedure that works great is Restylane lip enhancement.  From our experience, our opinion is that Radiesse and Perlane aren’t the optimal lip products, as Restylane is more forgiving and effective.

Restylane is ideal because it creates great results while maintaining the flexibility that more permanent treatments don’t give you.  Restylane is now available as Restylane-L, which contains a numbing medicine for increase lip treatment comfort. If you have any issue with Restylane in lips, your doctor can easily modify, lessen, or erase the treatment by injecting the enzyme hyaluronidase.  This is a safe and simple outpatient procedure.  Flexibility is essential in lip treatment because of the delicate nature of the lips’ skin and contour.  Restylane usually does the job well the first time, but in case it doesn’t, you can relax knowing that Restylane will not cause any irreversible problems.

Improving existing lip problems

Sadly, some have lips that are not pretty due to prior work by well meaning physicians, surgeons, and, yes, lay injectors. These lips may have been damaged by silicone oil, fat transfer, and mystery fillers, or just plain funky surgery and lip edge implants.  Well, help is available for these forlorn lips.  Many can be vastly improved with artistic application of Restylane to fill in and correct what is missing. Lips that have been damaged by accident or an unfortunate treatment experience can find help in Restylane.

Who can treat my lips?

Think of a meeting with a potential cosmetic surgeon like an interview.  Assess the experience and qualifications of each individual doctor, make sure it is a currently licensed physician or surgeon, and don’t forget to assess your own comfort level too.  The stuff you hear should make sense, and you should feel confident about the treatment options you discuss together.  We’re not telling you to interrogate the doctors you meet, but to make sure you communicate well, have all your questions answered, and feel good about the doctor’s ability to help you.  Like any good interviewer, be open to return questions and speak with honesty and frankness.

If you are looking for Los Angeles lip injections or other solutions for lip lines, we invite you to a no-risk consultation with Dr. Steinsapir.  Dr. Steinsapir specializes in cosmetic facial treatments and is equipped with top-notch medical offices in Beverly Hills and at UCLA.  His repertoire of experience uniquely qualifies him to perform sensitive, detail-oriented treatments.  Call us today to learn about how lip treatment options can be customized to your unique needs.

March 8, 2010

Is Mesotherapy Good For Lower Eyelid Bags?

Filed under: Eyelid Surgery, blepharoplasty, eyelid fat, lower blepharoplasty, mesotherapy, under eye fat — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 10:14 pm

Two common problems in the undereye area are the absence of fat and the presence of excessive fat.  Too little fat gives the eyes a hollow, sunken appearance, while too much fat makes them look puffy and swollen.  Because the appearance of the eyes makes a big difference in how we read facial expressions, correcting excess fat under your eyes can greatly improve your appearance.  While searching for solutions through cosmetic eye procedures, you may hear about a procedure called mesotherapy, which is being actively marketed by a few less ethical practitioners today.

What Is Mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy is a procedure in which a solution is injected into the body with the hope of reducing fat.  The solution includes chemicals like aminophylline, dimethylethanolamine, glutathione, hyaluronidase, isoproterenol, L-arginine, lidocaine pentoxifylline, yohimbine, and the bile salt deoxycholate and phosphatidylcholine.

Mesotheraphy is marketed under many catchy names like Lipodissolve, LipoShape, and Lipostabil.  Unfortunately, this procedure sounds appealing but is actually untested and unproven, making it a very real danger to those seeking treatment.

Is Mesotherapy FDA-Approved?

Mesotherapy has not been tested enough to demonstrate if it is safe, and we have documented some unpleasant side effects.  Mesotherapy remains an unproven treatment that not only doesn’t live up to its hype, but also presents a serious threat to anyone trying to sort through eyelid surgery options.  Mesotherapy dangers include scarring, damage to blood vessels, and pain.

For these reasons, the FDA has not approved mesotherapy.  The FDA will not endorse mesotherapy for human use unless further research can resolve its side effects and prove it safe and effective.  It is unlikely that mesotherapy will ever receive FDA approval. It can destroy fat cells, but it also causes significant inflammation.

You may be wondering what this means for removal of fat under eyes, since this represents a small yet significant fat deposit.  If mesotherapy someday be approved for under the eyes, then why not use it now?  In answer, you especially shouldn’t use mesotherapy under the eyes now or anytime soon.  The area under the eyes is especially sensitive to aging and treatment.  Because the skin here is so thin and delicate, it’s very hard to disguise problems in this area.  There are a narrower range of treatments that are proven to work here, primarily because the fragile skin here cannot compensate for even small mistakes or irregularities.  You don’t want to damage an already-sensitive area by experimenting with an unapproved and unsafe treatment.  And that’s exactly what someone performing mesotherapy is doing; they are conducting an uncontrolled experiment on you with chemicals not approved by the FDA.  Most doctors will not administer mesotherapy for ethical reasons, but there are a few people hoping to make a quick profit who will try to tell you that mesotherapy is safe.  Here’s the bottom line: if the FDA hasn’t approved it, they don’t have science on their side.

Here’s another word of caution: those who administer mesotherapy do not respect the recommendations of the FDA, so you are at increased risk for infection because these same practitioners may also disregard safe preparation procedures.  The chemicals are concocted in an unlicenced lab, which gives you no assurance that they were mixed under ideal conditions.

Alternative Treatments for Undereye Bags

Overall, mesotherapy is not a suitable alternative to liposuction and it is certainly no alternative to lower eyelid blepharoplasty.  If you are seeking treatment for your undereye bags in particular, a personal consultation may reveal that blepharoplasty or lower eyelid surgery is a much better option for removing fat under eyes.  These are flexible procedures that enable a qualified, experienced oculoplastic surgeon to present different treatment options to you and customize a procedure to help this sensitive area.  The eyelids and surrounding areas are incredibly complex, and our brains are programmed to pick up on very subtle irregularies, assymmetries, and problems in these areas, cuing us in on how a person is feeling and determining how attractive we view them as.  This is why only a proven, time-tested treatment should be administered by a highly experienced doctor who can treat you with the precision necessary to avoid mistakes while improving this area.

Find a Doctor Who Cares

Dr. Steinsapir specializes in cosmetic eye procedures in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.  His approach is to work with a patient to determine their goals and then customize a minimally-invasive treatment plan that makes sense and, most importantly, works.  Dr. Steinsapir has completed numerous fellowships and teaches at the prestigious Jules Stein Institute at UCLA.  Please contact us today to find out how Dr. Steinsapir can customize your safe treatment program today.

March 6, 2010

Is it safe to do a home chemical peel?

Filed under: chemical peel, chemical peel alternatives, chemical peel doctors, chemical peel los angeles, home chemical peel, natural chemical peel — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 2:38 am

Trying to perform a chemical peel on yourself is a sure way to turn a very safe procedure into a disfiguring one.  Because chemical peels are safe and highly beneficial when performed by an experienced cosmetic surgeon, and because they are a nonsurgical treatment, many people wonder if they can give themselves a chemical peel at home to save some money.  The internet has made these chemicals available. When someone asks us for advice on how to give themselves a home chemical peel, our advice is always this: Don’t!

Yes, the facial chemical peel cost is higher if you have it done right by a doctor, but that’s before you consider the cost of damaging yourself. If you try to perform this procedure on yourself, you will likely permanently alter the coloration of your face by introducing irregularities, scars, and hypopigmentation.  Further, you will not know how to care for your skin after the initial treatment without a doctor’s guidance in monitoring your healing.  In the end, you will have to bear the emotional cost of your damaged appearance and the financial cost of finding the best doctor who can help you reverse some of the destruction you have caused.  You wouldn’t do brain or heart surgery on yourself, right?  How about facial surgery?  That really is what is involved in doing your own chemical peel.

What can a doctor do that I can’t?

A chemical peel may seem deceptively simpler than it is.  Those who are just learning about the procedure often mistake it is merely a matter of dipping the face in a beneficial substance and then washing it off.  In truth, correctly performing a facial chemical peel takes a cosmetic surgeon years to master through education and first-hand chemical peel experience.  A licensed and highly trained cosmetic surgeon can perform a chemical peel so well because he or she understands the following:

•    The indications for a chemical peel treatment
•    The different skintypes classified in the Fitzpatrick scale
•    How each skintype responds to chemical peels
•    What concentrations and combinations help each skintype
•    How to give you enough treatment to see results
•    How to not give you too much treatment, which will damage you
•    How each type of problem respond to different treatments
•    How to assess the condition of your skin
•    Factors like skin thickness, sensitivity, sun damage
•    How your medical history effects your current treatment needs
•    Who is a good candidate for a chemical peel
•    Who is not a good candidate for a chemical peel
•    What to do in the rare incidence in complications
•    Post chemical peel treatment and how to follow up with care for your skin during and after the healing process
•    How to apply the chemical peeling agents differently to each facial area depending on the needs of the skin in each area
•    The powers and limits of each type of chemical peel

This is not something that any instruction manual can give you.  This is not something you can learn without training in biology, anatomy, medicine, and chemistry and many years of clinical experience.  This is not something you can learn without being mentored over a year or more.  This is not something you can “pick up” this weekend with a kit you ordered on the internet.  Most importantly, chemical peels are not a do-it-yourself activity.

Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of nonsurgical, minimally invasive treatments like the chemical peel is the fact that there are those who think that because it is so safe in a doctor’s office, it is something they can do at home in the kitchen.  Individuals trying to save a few bucks by treating themselves may be surprised and upset to see their experiment go so horribly wrong, but these poor at-home results don’t surprise a cosmetic surgeon who specializes in chemical peels and understands their complexity.  It is true that chemical peels are very safe, but only when performed in a medical setting by a qualified, experienced cosmetic physician who specializes in chemical peels.

Think of it this way: If you broke your leg, would you try to make a cast for yourself at home?  Of course not!  Doctors treat broken bones in emergency rooms everyday and consider this a safe, important procedure, but you would never dream of doing this to yourself.  Similarly, there is a lot more to the art of a chemical peel than you may imagine.

Finding the Best, Safe Treatment

Dr. Steinsapir specializes in individualizing each chemical peel to a patient’s unique facial needs.  He will answer your questions and develop a safe, effective treatment plan based on your individual goals.  Call us today to find out how a chemical peel performed safely on an outpatient basis can help you.

March 4, 2010

Are there any face creams I can use instead of getting surgery?

Filed under: Botox, Botox Los Angeles, face creams, facelift, facelift alternative, facial rejuvenation — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 12:35 am

We hate to bring bad news, but we want to be honest: if you are looking for a facial cream that rivals surgical results, you’re going to be disappointed.  This is not to say that creams or lotions are without some benefit.  It does mean, however, that if you are looking for a natural facelift, BOTOX results, or other dramatic improvements normally achieved through treatment by a cosmetic surgeon, a cream is not going to cut it.

A lot of businesses are profiting from misleading advertising by making claims about “natural alternatives” to cosmetic procedures that only a doctor can provide.  It’s hard not to be interested in a product that promises to give you the same results as surgery at a lower price and through “natural” methods without help from a doctor.  This is in part due to the unfair stigmatization that has been placed on cosmetic procedures, the misunderstanding of words like “natural,” and people who just want to make money.  Unfortunately, this means that a lot of customers end up buying really expensive moisturizers.  You may think you’re getting a deal if you spend “only” $300 on a “revolutionary” something-or-other cream, but you are likely getting no more than a regular, moisturizing lotion sold in a very expensive bottle.

What does this mean for your appearance?  If you aren’t already using a quality moisturizer on your face, your complexion may improve.  However, just because you look better after spending $300 on that jar of cream doesn’t mean that you are getting your money’s worth.  If you started with no moisturizer or a bad one, you will likely see results just as good with a cream you find under $20.  Moisturizers do hydrate the scaly outer most skin layers.   For a few hours this makes the complexion look better but that is all these over the counter products do.  When considering creams versus cosmetic procedures like BOTOX or face lift, ask yourself what kind of a change you need to see.  If you are suffering from flaky, dry skin, a cream may help you out.  If your skin is sagging, your cheeks are hollow, and your features creased with wrinkles, will a cream reverse these effects? Of course not!  It is not realistic to expect a cream to make these kinds of changes even a super expensive one from a fancy department store or boutique.

If you are looking for some kind of structural change, like eliminating wrinkles and hanging skin, filling in hollow areas, or making your eyes look bright and alert, a cream won’t get you far no matter how many buzz words the marketing uses.  This makes sense when you think about the reasons people need facial cosmetic procedures.  The effects of aging, stress, gravity, and sun exposure add up over the years and impair the actual structure of your face.  For example, BOTOX for wrinkles works great because it relaxes overactive muscles that are creating wrinkles.  If these muscles are causing your wrinkles, a cream that is merely absorbed into the outer most layers of your skin will not work.  Those seeking alternatives to facelift through creams would do well to consider how a facelift accomplishes the dramatic improvements we see.  A facelift tightens the deep plane structures of the face and removes extra skin.  Again creams only penetrate the last few cell layers in the outermost part of the skin.

The Cream We Always Recommend

It may not reverse the damages and signs of aging you’ve already incurred, but we know that there is a fantastic cream available that will help prevent the signs of aging: sunscreen!  Over time, our faces show the effects of sun damage through problems in complexion and texture.  Protect your looks and health by finding a sunscreen that smells good and is not greasy.  You will not wake up tomorrow with a new and revitalized face, but in ten years your face will thank you for protecting it.

Making an Informed Decision

We always encourage you to decide for yourself what you’ll do through research, private consultations, and finding a treatment plan that makes sense.  When you evaluate before and after photos, pay special attention the lighting and camera angles to see if the photos are misleading you by changing the photography methods from unflattering to flattering effects that are superficially created by a camera.  Also keep in mind that the images you see are examples of the very best results, rather than typical outcomes.

You can obtain great and natural results through surgeries like facelifts as well as nonsurgical, minimally-invasive treatments like BOTOX, Restylane, Fotofacial, and the chemical peel.  There are a lot of options out there for you to sort through, so be especially careful to look out for signs of a scam.  Effective treatment isn’t cheap, and it doesn’t come in the form of an overpriced magic lotion.  It doesn’t promise more than it can do, and it is honest in its portrayal of results.

Contact us today to schedule your individualized private consultation with Dr. Steinsapir, whom many esteem as one of the best cosmetic surgeons in Los Angeles specializing in facial treatments with natural results.  He can help you find the best solution based on your individual needs and answer your questions openly and honestly.

February 28, 2010

Should I get laser resurfacing?

Filed under: chemical peel, chemical peel doctors, facial laser resurfacing, facial resurfacing, laser resurfacing alternatives, laser vs. chemical peel — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 6:53 pm

As we often say, the key to receiving excellent results from cosmetic treatments is making sure that the treatment is customized to your needs and powerful without being over aggressive.  For a procedure to be beneficial, flexibility is essential.  If your doctor cannot tailor the procedure to your needs, it is likely to be either relatively ineffective or cause problems.

Forms of laser resurfacing are appealing to many doctors because they are easy to learn the public’s infatuation with lasers make the services easy to market.  In fact, surgeons can be trained in a two-day course on how to use a laser while it can take two years of intense fellowship to understand the art and versatility of the chemical peel.  The chemical peel is complex and adaptable, but after spending $150,000 on a laser,  a doctor will want to recoup these costs and will have little incentive to offer laser resurfacing alternatives.

Superficial Improvements

There are several facial laser treatment problems, one being that you may pay a lot for an expensive technology that doesn’t make a meaningful difference in your appearance.

The cost of this expensive technology is passed onto you, the client, which is fair, but it can mean that results are disappointing when you consider the price you pay.  For example, Fraxel laser treatments are considered very mild.  They do freshen up your complexion but will you be disappointed with the results if you don’t make enough progress in tightening the skin or providing dramatic improvements?

Laser peels are also usually performed with an erbium laser, and they are considered so mild that the treatment is rendered superficial, producing results comparable to microdermabrasion.  While this provides minimal improvement, the machine is still very costly, and you will have to pay a lot for this type of service.  Fractional C02 laser resurfacing achieves results that are similar to light chemical peels and certainly much more effective than microdermabrasion.  Again how you feel about the improvement has to be balanced against what you have had to pay for the service.

Side Effects from Overagressive Treatments

Deep CO2 laser resurfacing has fallen out of fashion because of the negative experience many have had healing from these treatments.  Before considering such a treatment it’s important to understand the real risk that your skin will suffer from permanent depigmentation, and that the scarring caused by such treatments will likely affect the texture of your face.  This is because the treatment depth needed to improve deep facial lines makes post laser resurfacing scars, particularly skin texture changes, relatively common.  In fact these types of skin texture changes and skin depigmentation are so common that many surgeons think that this is the expected outcome of the service!  This creates a permanent unnatural color change in the skin.  Will this type of change be worth living with?  For many younger individuals, the answer is no.  However, some older women who rely on foundation to improve the tone of the complexion may find that it is not a problem to continue the use of foundation to add color to the face after deep CO2 laser and appreciate the improvement in facial lines.

Facial laser procedures began as a promising technology that some even believed would replace the time tested and reliable chemical peel, but now we are seeing that the technology has ultimately been a disappointment.  In order to achieve line improvement with laser resurfacing, the unwanted treatment side effects are unavoidable.  With other kinds of laser, we see that the laser peel is so mild that the improvements, for many, are not worth the financial costs.  These problems can be traced back to the inflexibility of laser treatments making them suitable for treating a narrow range of complexion issues.

Laser Resurfacing vs. Chemical Peel

A chemical peel has the ability to rejuvenate your skin and restore your face’s youthful appearance through a carefully designed treatment plan.  Chemical peels are truly an art form with many options that make your treatment customizable and safe, and they’ve been the preferred facial resurfacing method for much longer than laser treatments have been available.  There is still a very small chance of change in pigmentation, but when we look at the chemical peel vs. laser treatment we see that the chemical peel is less likely to produce unwanted skin color and texture problems.  However, due to the experience and level of skill needed to perform this procedure, only a very limited number of surgeons are truly qualified to perform these procedures

You need an expert in chemical peels.

Dr. Steinsapir is a considered a master chemical peeler who is able to custom-tailor a peel to your unique needs.  He specializes in achieving natural results with little down time by using minimally invasive procedures like the chemical peel.  It is his philosophy to approach your needs on an individual basis and then carefully plan your treatment.  Because Dr. Steinsapir never standardizes cosmetic treatments into a cookie-cutter, assembly-line approach, he can help you achieve benefits that work just right for you.  Please contact us today to learn more about how a chemical peel or another option can achieve your personal goals.

February 21, 2010

I am thinking about getting neck liposuction.

Filed under: Liposuction Beverly Hills, face liposuction, facelift alternative, facial rejuvenation, neck liposuction, tumescent liposuction — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 12:33 am

Neck liposuction can be a great sculpting tool for those who hold excess fat in their necks that doesn’t go away with dieting and exercise.  Liposuction is a powerful sculpting procedure for those who seek firming of the lower face and neck.  Liposuction in these areas is an easy, powerful alternative to facelift, and it compliments the facelift for those who opt for both.  While excess weight does show up in the face, if you have already dieted and still cannot resolve this problem area then you may be a great candidate for neck liposuction.

Neck Liposuction Before and After Photo

Neck Liposuction Before and After Photo

In general, liposuction targets stubborn problem areas that persist in spite of a healthy lifestyle.  Any liposuction, including face and neck liposuction, will not change your weight.  Rather, the contour of your body will improve through sculpting.  Because we so often show even small fluctuations of weight in our faces, your friends will assume that you’ve lost weight after your neck and lower face liposuction procedure.  The benefits are double: neck liposuction will improve the aesthetic appeal of your face, and the improved contour will suggest a slimmer new you even though your weight hasn’t changed.  More important you will look younger because fullness of the lower half of the face is associated with aging.  Improving the contour can easily make one look 10 years younger.

Who needs neck liposuction?

The best candidates for lower face and neck liposuction are those who:

1.    Are looking for a younger, fresher look without undergoing a face lift..
2.    Have stable weight with sufficient fullness in the lower face and neck.
3.    Have minimal or no neck cords.

The lower face and neck responds very well to liposuction.  This includes the  area under the chin. Because our brains are programmed for facial recognition, even small changes in and around the face make a large difference in how people perceive you.  When you remove excess fat from the lower face and neck, your friends will probably think immediately think that you have lost weight.  In addition, you will look younger because this procedure creates better visual separation between the lower face and neck that is associated with youth.

Liposuction skin tightening is a common benefit in this area as well. Skin with proper tension is a feature of a youthful face.  The liposuction procedure appears to stimulate contraction of skin effectively preventing skin sag after the liposuction procedure.

Is neck liposuction safe?

Neck liposuction complications are unusual, especially when performed under local anesthesia.   Yes this procedure can be performed in an office procedure room with you awake and alert.  That is how comfortable the procedure is.  There is often no bruising associated with the procedure.  Many find that they can have the procedure on a Thursday and return to work on Monday and no one is aware that they had surgery.

The safest kind of liposuction, called tumescent liposuction, is performed under local anesthesia using very small cannulas to remove the fat.  In a review of 66,570 cases of tumescent liposuction, there were no serious health issues.  These impressive results indicate tumescent liposuction safety.  This procedure takes your cosmetic surgeon more time to perform, as it requires meticulous attention and the gentlest hand, resulting in detail-oriented contour improvement.  Recovery is swift;  recovery from, tumescent liposuction recovery time is only a few days.  It is worth repeating that you can receive the procedure Thursday morning and return to work Monday without anyone noticing a change.  At first neck liposuction swelling will replace the removed fat.  As this swelling decreases, your improved contour will become evident and people will assume you have lost weight.  The gradual yet definite change you see here makes tumescent neck liposuction a fantastic option for those who don’t want anyone to guess that they’ve had work done.

Choosing a Liposuction Doctor

The face is a dynamic and sensitive part of the body that requires the hand of an artistic doctor as much as a skilled one.  Research doctors and find one who makes sense to you and takes the time to determine the best individualized treatment program for your needs.  Be suspicious of doctors who prefer to perform liposuction under general anesthesia.  Unless you have unusual circumstances that require general anesthesia is better in your unique case, local anesthesia is the way to go.  Don’t just have general anesthesia because your surgeon likes to flirt with the nursing staff during surgery and he or she doesn’t want you to be aware of this banter. Avoiding general anesthesia means far fewer drugs for your system to deal with.  It just make sense that this is much safer than all the drugs and invasive procedures needed for general anesthesia and medical studies support this conclusion.

Dr. Steinsapir only performs tumescent liposuction because of its superior results and fast, comfortable recovery time.  If you have questions about how lower face and neck liposuction can help you, or whether you are a good candidate please call us today for a no-risk consultation.

February 17, 2010

Will getting BOTOX and Restylane make me look worse when they wear off?

Filed under: Botox, Botox Los Angeles, Restylane, Restylane Injections, restylane los angeles — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 11:55 pm

Let’s clear up this misconception right away: as the effects of your treatment begin to wear off after several months, your face will slowly regain the looks it had immediately before your treatment, but there is no evidence that Restylane and BOTOX treatments will make you look worse.  The only change is that you looked better for 4 months in the case of BOTOX and over a year in the case of Restylane.  They have very few side effects, which are generally mild anyway.  If you aren’t happy with your results then simply don’t return for re-treatment and you will return to exactly what you used to look like.

before and after Restylane and BOTOX photo

before and after Restylane and BOTOX photo

Are the scary stories I’ve heard true?

A lot of people are apprehensive when it comes to receiving cosmetic treatments.  With all the media scares, rumors about celebrity BOTOX disasters, and misinformation abound, it can be a challenge to sort the truth from the hype.  It can be even more of a challenge to separate an extremely rare risk from typical outcomes.  For example, an unusual story of something that happened one time may technically be an accurate story, but it ventures into dishonesty as soon as it’s misrepresented as a typical event.  In the cases of BOTOX and Restylane, it’s true that in rare cases there can be side effects that are usually mild and not long-lasting, but if you are thinking of a particular public face that just hasn’t been the same in years, then you probably aren’t looking at before and after photos of Restylane and BOTOX, as these treatments wear off over time.  It is treatments like silicone oil, excessive surgery, and simply the ravages of excessive lifestyles that create long term damage to the faces of our celebrities.

People love to talk about dramatic, dangerous situations.  But the truth is, BOTOX and Restylane have an incredibly safe history with results that aren’t permanent.

How will BOTOX and Restylane change my face?

Treatments like BOTOX and Restylane are popular because they are noninvasive treatments that together can smooth wrinkles, relax tense muscles, and fill in hollow areas.  They are remarkably safe and, since they aren’t permanent, create a win-win situation.  If you are happy with your BOTOX or Restylane treatment, touch-up the treatment when need.  If you are not thrilled, let it wear off and move on to something else.  Sometimes we hear patients ask questions like, does BOTOX make wrinkles worse?  Sometimes they express concern about what happens after Restylane injections wear off.

We cannot emphasize enough that BOTOX and Restylane will not permanently alter your looks.  BOTOX is a naturally-occuring muscle relaxant compound, and Restylane is made from a biodegradable sugar-gel that occurs naturally in the body.  Both of these are eventually broken down and expelled from your body completely.  You’ll notice as this happens that your wrinkles will slowly return.  They may stand out to you after months of looking much better, in some cases, fantastic, but if you look at photos of yourself from before treatment, you will see that your problems have not been made worse by treatment.  You are simply getting your old face back.  Will this make you feel like you need more treatment-absolutely because these treatments are truly effective.

In the short run, BOTOX and Restylane will give you a youthful appearance and resolve many problems.  In the long run, BOTOX and Restylane will not affect your looks after you allow their effects to wear off.  A difference between BOTOX and Restylane is that BOTOX treatments are generally needed twice a year, while Restylane is needed once a year.  Most patients opt for retreatment when they see their old problems beginning to return.  This will maintain the natural-looking results gained from treatment.

Can BOTOX and Restylane prevent problems?

We are often asked questions like, can BOTOX prevent wrinkles?  We know that BOTOX does not aggravate wrinkles or make them worse in the long run.  We also know that the face is subject to gravity and general usage as we age, and that wrinkles can be caused by tense muscles.  When these overactive muscles relax, as they do in response to BOTOX, the skin is no longer constantly being creased.  This is similar to a folded piece of cloth; if you take a wrinkle-free piece of cloth and fold it over, then bring it back, you’ll see that it doesn’t “remember” the fold and is not wrinkled.  However, if you fold that same piece of cloth and place it under a book overnight, it will have a set crease when you come back to it.  When BOTOX and Restylane dissipate wrinkles, they are keeping the skin taut so it doesn’t “remember” those problems that BOTOX and Restylane prevent.

The Bottom Line

When Restylane and BOTOX wear off, you will look exactly as you did before treatment, although 6 to 16 months older.  You will not look worse as a result of Restylane or BOTOX wearing off.  If anything, you may have delayed the aging process.  It is understandable why people maintain treatment effects by refreshing their service when the feel it is necessary.

An Individual Treatment Program

Now that you’ve done some research on BOTOX and Restylane treatments, you’re ready to take the next step: research a doctor who can answer the rest of your questions and decide if treatment is right for you.  Dr. Steinsapir specializes in cosmetic facial treatments like Restylane and BOTOX in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.  Dr. Steinsapir is a leader in facial cosmetic treatments and has innovated advanced treatments like Deepfill Restylane and Microdroplet BOTOX.  Call us today to find out how Dr. Steinsapir can individualize your treatment plan.

February 16, 2010

Which Type of Facelift Should I Get?

Filed under: facelift, facelift alternative, facelift los angeles, facial cosmetic surgery — Tags: , , , — admin @ 12:23 am

There are a lot of facelift methods you’ve probably heard about and it can be confusing to figure out the best one for your particular needs.  Our advice?  Don’t try to figure out which type of facelift you need because you’re asking the wrong question.  A great facelift is not characterized by type, but by customization.  The best way to get disappointing results is by looking for a cookie-cutter procedure.  A skilled surgeon can produce amazing results with almost any method if he or she customizes the procedure to your individual circumstances.

facelift before and after photo

facelift before and after photo

The right facelift surgery for you is not a matter of reading about incision methods, dissection planes, or vectors of lift, but about finding a reputable surgeon whose results (unretouched before and after photos) you like. You need to be comfortable in your surgeon’s ability both through your research and through an individual consultation.  If your potential surgeon says that every facelift procedure is the same or the focus is on how fast the surgery can be performed, it’s time to worry.  The best type of facelift is one tailored to meet your needs.  Whether it be the deep plane lift, the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) facelift, an endoscopic facelift, S-lift, or a MACS lift, the short scar facelift, or another method, the procedure must be customized to your unique features and goals to obtain natural, satisfying results.

How does the Deep Plane Facelift compare to other methods?

As stated above, most any type of facelift can procure excellent results if customized by an experienced facial cosmetic surgeon.  The deep plane facelift can be as effective as other methods, but the problem is that this is a riskier procedure and the benefits usually aren’t worth the risk when there are other options available.  With the deep plane facelift, there is an increased chance of injury to a facial nerve that can even happen in the best of hands.  The chance of these facelift complications are small but if it happens to you, it was 100%.  If this happens to you, some of your facial muscles will cease to work properly.  Since properly functioning facial muscles are essential to your appearance, your results will not be good.  Since there is no clear advantage to the deep lane facelift, why take the risk, even if it’s small?  If you are set on receiving this method, you will probably find someone who will perform it for you if you knock on enough doors and have enough money, but may end up regretting your inflexibility.

Can I use a home remedy?

There are a lot of proclamations about so-called miracle cures, like a non-surgical facelifts at home.  A useful rule to follow is this: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  If someone tells you they can give you a facelift in a bottle, be skeptical.  The truth is that moisturizers, so-called facelift creams, and other concoctions are generally a waste of money.  If you think about the hyped claims for these products, you’ll realize they don’t make logical sense.  There is certainly nothing stopping you from testing out these promises, but don’t expect much from them.

If what you really want is a facelift alternative, seek a personal consultation with an esteemed and qualified facial cosmetic surgeon.  A facelift is usually not indicated without the loose “turkey” neck skin, and in many cases a treatment like BOTOX or safe neck liposuction is a good option.

The Bottom Line

Of all cosmetic facial procedures, a facelift is the most powerful.  When it comes to something so important and complex, to obtain the best results it’s critical that you allow your physician the flexibility needed to customize your results.

Dr. Steinsapir is a cosmetic surgeon in Los Angeles who strives for the most natural, youthful results through minimally invasive procedures with the shortest possible recovery times.  He has been a leader in the move toward small-incision facelifts since 1990.  He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Oculofacial Surgery at UCLA.  Your surgery will be in the safety of the Surgery Center at the UCLA Medical Center.    Dr. Steinsapir is sought out by individuals both in California and across the nation and world for his expertise in designing individual facelifts and other facial cosmetic procedures.  Rather than directing you to a technician, nurse, or assistant, Dr. Steinsapir is personally available to answer your facelift questions, discuss options suitable to your aesthetic needs, and work with you to customize your facelift if your assessment indicates that one is needed. Contact us today for an individual assessment.

February 11, 2010

Common Questions about Under Eye Restylane

Filed under: Beverly Hills Restylane, Restylane Injections, Under Eye Restylane, restylane los angeles — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 11:19 pm

When do I need under eye Restylane?

You are a good candidate for under eye Restylane treatment if you have dark circles under your eyes or hollow facial features that make your eyes look tired and aged.  Restylane can restore volume under the eyes to give you a naturally youthful, soft, and alert appearance.

undereye Restylane before and after photo

undereye Restylane before and after photo

How long does under eye Restylane last?

Restylane treatments last for an impressive length of time.  You can expect benefits for a year or more.  Your doctor will discuss follow-up treatments with you after assessing your situation and goals.  The long-lasting effect of Restylane are a great convenience.

How is Restylane better than a permanent or fat filler?

Different fillers work great for different needs.  Restylane is usually the best choice for the under eye area because the skin in this region is very thin.  With so little room to hide a permanent filler, the margin for error here is low.  This is why a flexible, easily adjustable filler is essential.  Restylane is exceptionally appropriate for treating dark circles under the eyes because of its smoothness and flexibility.  If you experience any irregularity in the smoothness of your skin after treatment, Restylane is easily adjusted without surgery.

How much Restylane do I need under my eyes?

The average under eye circle each requires about 1 milliliter of Restylane to resolve the problem.  This quantity of course varies up and down depending on the severity and each recipient’s unique facial anatomy.

How much does Restylane cost?

Quality cosmetic treatments aren’t cheap, and you are unlikely to get good results if you seek out the cheapest procedure and provider.   If you are concerned about financing your individualized treatment program, talk to your doctor at your consultation.  Dr. Steinsapir works with patients to find them the best treatment they can afford, and after a no-risk assessment we can give you a precise quote.  Rather than seek partial treatment because of a tight budget, it’s best to completely resolve the issue.

How long is recovery time?

Healing from an under eye restylane treatment is swift, and you can usually resume normal activities within hours of treatment.  You will likely experience mild swelling for thirty to forty hours of treatment.  Both men and women can hide this slight redness immediately or within a few hours with some cover-up makeup.  Brusiing discussed below can also occur which may increase the recovery time.

Are there side effects?

Some degree of bruising occurs in about 20% of Restylane dark circles treatments.  This can range from a barely detectable micro-bruise to, in a few rare cases, a black eye.  Since a black eye fully resolves itself in just two or three weeks, this isn’t considered a serious side effect or barrier to treatment.  Just be sure not to get your treatment the day before your wedding or other event where you may be photographed, and you have little to worry about.

Some people with exceptionally sensitive skin may experience mild tenderness, discomfort, or itching, which resolves itself within a couple days.  Restylane side effects are uncommon and almost always very mild in nature.  The nature of associated side effects is that they will go away quickly on their own.

How can I prevent bruising?

Certain medicines like aspirin and many herbs thin the blood.  Normally this effect is so small that it doesn’t matter, but when you’re receiving Restylane treatment you should avoid these things for about ten days before treatment.  Your doctor can give you a list of drugs, herbs, wines, and so on to avoid.  If you are on a prescription medication, be sure to bring this up with both your cosmetic physician and the doctor who prescribed the medication.  If it’s important for you to take something everyday, you are probably still an excellent candidate for treatment; just realize that your risk for bruising is a little elevated, and that the bruising will go away.

How soon will I see results?

As soon as you leave the office, you will see that the hollows under your eyes have dramatically improved.

Who should give Restylane injections?

Restylane injections require the hand of a skilled specialist who is both qualified and experienced in providing Restylane treatments.  Those who are qualified to provide Restylane treatments include general plastic surgeons (aka board certified general plastic surgeons), fellowship trained eye plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, and dermatologists.  This doesn’t mean that everyone who can legally treat you is a good choice for what you need.  Restylane is considered a safe, minimally invasive treatment that is very easy on the recipient, but applying Restylane is also the most difficult of under eye treatments, and it demands a highly experienced professional with both skill and an artistic eye.  You need to find a qualified specialist who is comfortable and expert at this type of treatment.

How can I individualize my treatment program?

Our office believes in providing the best boutique care and natural results.  Dr. Steinsapir performs all services himself without relying on assistants.  We believe in approaching each patient as an individual, paying special attention to your health history, your goals and concerns, taking time to listen to your individual concerns with interest and care, and creating an individual plan that will work for you.  Call us today for a no-risk assessment.

February 2, 2010

Is a Thread Lift a Good Alternative to the Facelift?

Filed under: facelift, facelift los angeles, thread lift, thread lift Beverly Hills — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 11:49 pm

The thread lift or suture lift is often advertised as a cheap alternative to the facelift, and like so many things that sound too good to be true, it probably is.  The thread lift is a procedure in which a barbed suture is threaded through the face.  This is supposed to lift the face with minimal surgery.  It costs less than a facelift, yes, and sometimes recovery time is shorter, but this procedure doesn’t last and can have associated complications.  Many cosmetic surgeons do not perform thread lifts because they feel that they are ineffective.

The problem with relying on a barbed thread to improve facial features is that the threads can break or move, and you may be able to feel them.  You may not see any improvement, and if you do, it will likely last only a few weeks or months.  The thread lift is a superficial treatment that may temporarily improve problems like cheek ptosis, but it’s unlikely to give you lasting change.

Who Gets Thread Lifts?

Those targeted in ads for thread lifts are often those who worry about the cost of treatment and are looking for the best deal.  Unfortunately, when it comes to health care and cosmetic treatments, “the best deal” can sometimes mean the worst service.  The truth is that the best surgeons are expensive, and effective treatments cost time and money.  When you consider how costly medical school is and all the investment a doctor must put into his or her career on top of the high demand for the most skilled and experienced providers, it’s easy to see the great value in a procedure done right.  While a thread lift may cost less right now, if you think about how long it lasts and what you’ll have to pay for future corrective procedures, the thread lift is actually far more costly than it seems.

Another demographic commonly targeted for the thread lift are those who are young or appear young enough to not require dramatic change.  Thread lift providers may focus on people in their 30s who have faces that are just beginning to show signs of age.  The reason why the emphasis is on those seeking subtle improvements is because the thread lift is not considered a powerful procedure.  It simply isn’t capable of giving the results required by someone with more severe signs of aging.  People in this age group do much better with appropriate non-invasive treatments like Restylane and BOTOX.

Removing the Sutures Later

Not everyone has to have the sutures removed, but many people who are dissatisfied with their thread lift opt to have them taken out later on, especially if they are experiencing facial discomfort or seeking further treatment.  Removing the sutures can be a lengthy process, and one that should be done if you wish to receive a facelift later.  Having the sutures removed will add to your bill and increase your risks of complications.

Facelift: The Smart Solution

If you are concerned about your aging, sagging face, do yourself a favor and seek treatment that will last.  If your concerns are minimal, consider seeking a consultation to find out if nonsurgical treatments are more suitable.  For those who need surgery, a facelift is almost always a wiser choice than a thread lift, and for those with minor problems, there are minimally invasive cosmetic treatments available that you may not have considered.

The facelift is a dynamic procedure that gives real results and can be completely custom-designed for your needs.  There is a lot of flexibility with designing the best treatment program for you without resorting to thread lifts.

Complications

As with any treatment, there is a small risk of complications like numbness or suture migration.  What should most concern you is the significant risk that you will receive no improvement from this procedure.  If you do experience improvement, you still run the large risk of having this improvement last only a few weeks before the suture strips in the tissue.  For these reasons we recommend seeking alternative forms of treatment.

Seeking Advice

Find a doctor who specializes in multiple procedures that improve facial structure and aesthetics.  This way you will receive balanced advice.  A doctor with extensive experience in facial cosmetic procedures will best understand your options, rather than rely on thread lifts as a default.  As an incredibly complex and potentially beautiful part of the human body, the face must be treated on an individual basis with regard for its sensitivity and respect for its proven treatments.

Dr. Steinsapir is widely experienced in specialized facial treatments, including the facelift, BOTOX, Restylane, facial liposuction, reconstructive surgery, and more.  With resources available in his Beverly Hills practice and UCLA, Dr. Steinsapir uses proven facial treatments and insight gleaned from years of experience as a specialized physician.  Dr. Steinsapir always treats patients himself without relying on nurses, technicians, associates, or ghost surgeons.  Call us today to learn how to improve your facial structure through proven methods.

Older Posts »
--> Powered by WordPress

-->