Spring brings with it a desire to refresh and renew. You can experience the vitality of Spring through your own facial rejuvenation with injectables. Here’s a little information about each injectable option we offer at our office:

BOTOX is a well known, FDA approved, safe injection using botulinum toxin type A. It halts muscle movement that is the cause of the wrinkles by blocking nerve signal to the muscles. When the muscles aren’t constricted, the lines are relaxed and the wrinkles are prevented from going deeper. Optimal results are seen within a week or 2, lasting for several months. Some of the most popular cosmetic uses for Botox are for smoothing:

• horizontal forehead creases
• vertical lines between the eyebrows (“eleven lines”)
• crow’s feet around the eyes
• nose furrows
• smoker’s lines around the lips

JUVEDERM is a volume restoring injectable filler that smooths out lines and folds using hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is a naturally occurring substance that attracts water to the area its injected. It is a highly cross linked smooth gel that is also offered in the Juvederm XC Ultra and XC Ultra Plus formulas, which are the first FDA approved HA fillers for all skin tones and color because of no risk for hyper pigmentation. Juvederm results are instant with long lasting results for 6 months and up. It is perfect for many needs of the mid to lower face:

• fill lines on the side of your nose (nasolabial folds)
• rejuvenate creases on the sides of the mouth
• plump up lips

RADIESSE is a semi permanent filler that creates scaffolding for your own collagen to grow around, naturally rebuilding in a lasting way. This gives immediate and ongoing wrinkle reducing results that remain beyond when Radiesse breaks down and dissolves. It uses calcium based microspheres to rebuild your skin’s foundation with results that last a year or longer for rejuvenated:

• cheeks
• nasolabial folds
• smile lines

SCULPTRA is the longest lasting filler, proven to last up to 2 years or longer. This is nearly twice as long as the majority of hyaluronic fillers. It is composed of PLLA, poly L lactic acid, that stimulates the body’s own collagen renewal for incredible enduring rejuvenation that is natural looking. Sculptra is a great base for a Liquid Facelift that offers lasting volume and skin thickness. It best addresses:

• aging skin folds
• indented chin surfaces
• hollow cheeks
• sunken eyes

VOLUMA XC is a thicker hyaluronic acid filler that instantly adds volume to the cheek area to fill in lost volume that comes with aging. It is the first FDA approved injectable filler for complete cheek volume restoration. It lifts and sculpts the cheeks for a gentle, subtle Liquid Facelift that lasts up to 2 years. Also, Voluma XC is better suited to fill more difficult folds and wrinkles. The lifting and sculpting benefits rejuvenate:

• nasolabial folds
• cheek volume and definition
• chin shape and smooth lines

As expert injectors, Dr Davison, myself and our PA Nora, are ready to help you rejuvenate and refresh your face for the Spring and beyond. Please visit www.davinciplastic.com to schedule your consultation today.

Dr. Pinell

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon of the Face and Body

Botox and smoothing wrinkles has become an automatic association. But is Botox and cheek streamlining or noselift a natural connection? Maybe not yet. However, through the creative experiences of medical professionals, there have been some cool discoveries of more “beauty tricks” that Botox has up its sleeve. I’ll be covering some of those here.

Facial Slimming

Botox can actually contour your facial shape particularly, the jawline and cheeks. If you feel your cheeks are chubby looking or your jaw is blocky, Botox can help you achieve a more oval shape. Injecting in the lower cheeks and jaw to relax the specific muscles will trim the appearance of the cheeks and facial profile. Along with this cosmetic benefit, injecting Botox into the jaw muscles can actually reduce teeth grinding associated with TMJ.

Lifts

There is no substitution for the degree that a Facelift can address the areas that need lifting, tightening and tucking away loose, sagging skin. However, there is a little magic that Botox can do to help you hold off on the need for a Facelift.

• Browlift… While smoothing out a creased forehead and frownlines is the Botox forte, it also can do a little lifting and elongating of the brow and forehead. Mild upper eyelid drooping and the drifting down of the forehead can give a tired, frustrated appearance. When expertly injected into the Orbicularis oculi muscle, Botox can actually raise the outer edge of the eyebrow. This results in a more open and awake eye area.
• Noselift… Even the nose starts to show its age over time. Botox could help if you’d like to raise the tip of your nose either to reverse the signs of aging or to see if you can prevent rhinoplasty. A little Botox injected to the base of the nose can accomplish this.
• Lip Flip… In combination with filler, such as Juvederm, or alone, using Botox is the newest trend to get a “poutier lip.” By relaxing the muscles around the mouth, Botox flips out the lip line to give you a plush pout you’ll rave about.

I hope you were encouraged to learn about these Botox beauty tricks that are outside the normal realm of rejuvenation associated with this injectable. Botox is such an incredibly versatile cosmetic treatment. Contact us today to see how we can use Botox or other treatments to help you reach your beauty goals, www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison, M.D.

Triple Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon

The back to school season has started. Depending on your temperament and the ages of your children, you’re probably crying tears or breathing a sigh of relief to see them go… maybe a mix of both. Once you get settled with the new routine of things and get the machine moving smoothly, it’s time for you to take some time for yourself. Get some projects done and breathe a bit before the holidays kick in.

It’s important to schedule for yourself some “me time,” whether that’s working out, socializing, volunteering, pampering… or all of the above. Consider it part of your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. When mamma is happy, everyone is happy, except toddlers and moody teenagers, but hopefully those are just phases.

There are a variety of beauty treatments you can choose to invest your resources into, but in the rejuvenating realm, there’s something so gratifying about the age defying results of getting Botox or fillers like Juvederm. The treatments are so quick you don’t have to schedule any more than a lunch break. Also, they don’t require any recovery time so you’re keeping the same pace with your schedule. Smooth forehead, no crow’s feet, a smile without the smile lines and fuller lips… how fantastic.

Another treatment with no downtime and can help you feel more confident and comfortable in your clothes is SculpSure. This FDA approved treatment is perfect for those little stubborn fat pooches that just won’t go away. You can firm up the belly or trim down those “muffin tops” to fit more comfortably in your fall jeans. With no time in your schedule to waste, you can get clinically proven results of 24% fat cell reduction in the treatment areas.

This back to school season is great for you to schedule in some “me time.” We can help you look and feel your best with “in and out” rejuvenating facial and body contouring procedures. Visit www.davinciplastic.com to schedule your consultation today!

Steven Davison M.D.

Triple Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Most people have a general knowledge about injectables through friends, social media and celebrities. They can be a great complement to plastic surgery or even help you restore some youthful features without any recovery or downtime. Injectables can address skin smoothness, feature definition and even correct a wide range of facial imperfections.

You know Botox stops the muscles from moving so that they can’t keep making wrinkles. You know Juvederm fills in the wrinkles so the lines are less prominent. You also know that there are different kinds of injectables, but maybe not what they are and the full range of what they can do. In this blog series I’ll give you a little orientation to expand your knowledge about the injectables that are currently available and those possibilities to come. In this blog, we will compare “neuromodulators.” In the next blog, I’ll go into depth about the uses for Botox (some surprising), and later, I’ll cover the “fillers.”

NEUROMODULATORS

This is the official name for the kind of injectable that is Botox and its main competitor Dysport. This kind of injectable uses botulinum toxin A to block the nerve signal to the muscle, which prevents movement. In tiny amounts and with impeccable accuracy in the hands of my highly trained, certified expert injector, this toxin is used to relax the muscle. This results in a less prominently visible wrinkle because of minimal localized muscle movement.

The most well known neuromodulator is Botox because it has been available in the US the longest (about 30 years ago) and has many clinical studies for medical and cosmetic use. However, you may not realize that Dysport has quite a bit of safety and efficacy testing also, and it was available in Europe long before it came to the US. They both use the same kind of molecules, but Dysport’s are slightly smaller. This makes for some differences between the two.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BOTOX & DYSPORT

• Dysport’s results are slightly quicker, within 3 days, while Botox’s results show in 5 to 7, so if you’ve got to get ready for a last minute event and don’t have a week to wait, Dysport might be better.
• Dysport distributes botulinum toxin A via a smaller molecules so there isn’t “unit to unit” match up, and no universal clinically accepted conversion ratio. This often results in Dysport’s cost per unit being less than Botox, but probably more units will be needed.
• This smaller Dysport molecule makes for a thinner solution and so it spreads out, or diffuses, a little more from the injection site. This makes it more or less suitable for different parts of the face. For example, it could be good for a larger treatment area such as the forehead, requiring less injections. However, Botox is necessary for a small area requiring exact precision, especially around the eyes and lips, as you don’t want any diffusion resulting in sagging or drooping.
• Both will require another treatment in 3 to 6 months, but its still up for debate whether Dysport doesn’t last quite as long as the thicker, more concentrated Botox.

There are benefits to both kinds of neuromodulators, making it impossible to say definitively one is better than the other. It allows us a greater diversity of applications to benefit our patients. Also it takes an expert injector to be versatile in using both effectively. You can trust us with the skill and knowledge to recommend and inject both correctly for beautiful results. Schedule your appointment today at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Are you enjoying your summer sun and fun? I hope so, but keep in mind that too much of both of these can take their toll on the skin. That golden glow from the sun doesn’t come without a price. Some mid summer skin rejuvenation may be in order.

Dehydration

Dehydrated skin is different than dry skin. Dry skin is due to lack of sebum, but dehydrated skin is due to lack of moisture. It appears dull because the lack of moisture prevents cellular turnover. It also can be sensitive and flaky because the topmost layer of skin is not functioning correctly, so irritants can penetrate and more moisture is lost. In addition to drinking lots of water, use skincare that focuses of restoring moisture and not oil. A good example that we sell in our office is SkinMedica Rejuvenative Moisturizer. Also, avoid soapy cleansers that can strip the skin even more, and use cream cleansers instead. Restorative serums, such as SkinMedica’s Vitamin C and E complex, which prevents and repairs UV damage are helpful.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Dehydration along with aging, lifestyle and sun damage contributes to wrinkles. Fortunately, along with making healthy changes, there are effective non invasive cosmetic procedures to help smooth things out.

Here are some areas that can really be aged by the sun and dehydration, along with some “quick summer beauty fix” suggestions for your face:

• Crow’s feet creep out from the outer corners of the eyes and extend outward towards the hairline. They are corrected with Botox or Dysport because limiting the muscle movement in the area will relax the wrinkles and prevent them from deepening due to activity.
• Forehead Lines are caused by excessive brow movement and forehead furrowing. Accentuated vertical lines between eyebrows can give an angry or scowling appearance. You can quickly lighten your look with Botox or Dysport.
• Tear Troughs or Hollows swoop below the eye from the bridge of the nose along the lower eyelid and sometimes extending downward toward the cheekbone. Their sunken appearance gives a tired appearance to the eyes, but Restylane and Juvederm are hyaluronic acid gels that safely restore volume to these areas.
• Cheeks and Temples lose fullness and hollow out due to volume loss. Facial fat loss naturally occurs with age, but is sped up by dehydration and sun damage. As fat diminishes, these areas commonly sag and appear shallow. Restylane or Juvederm help plump these shallow areas to restore youthFULness.
• Nasolabial Folds are formed due to volume loss and skin shifting downward. These lines are also called “marionette lines” and reach from the outer corner of the nostrils to the outer corners of the lips. Fillers Restylane and Juvederm help fix this issue.
• Lips lose volume over time, looking thinner and flatter. They also can become framed by smile lines, called “parenthesis lines.” We can help you restore the youthful shape and fullness with the effective lip plumper Juvederm.

 Along with avoiding sun damage, staying hydrated and using effective skincare, these injectables are great “quick summer beauty fixes” for your face. Schedule your summer beauty touch up today at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Mother’s Day is a month away and forward thinking husbands and family members are already putting their heads together about how they can honor the mothers in their lives. And rightly so. One thing for sure is that mothers work harder than most anyone I know. Their work is not only physical, but mental and emotional. They don’t get to clock out at the end of the work day or take many “vacation days,” especially in the early years of motherhood. Their job is ever evolving and lasts a lifetime. We should definitely be showing love to our mothers year round, but especially on Mother’s Day.

One thing that mother’s deserve is some pampering. For some women that means a day at the spa, a decadent brunch out with girlfriends or family, or for others they want to have lasting youthful effects from a variety of cosmetic treatments and procedures. While getting Botox injections as a gift isn’t the same kind of pampering as a day at the spa, many women prefer the enjoyment of waking up day after day to a younger looking face and demeanor. More and more women are being vocal about their desire to receive treatments like this as their gifts. This is how we at DAVinci Plastic Surgery can help.

This week we will talk about some of the quick “in and out” treatments that we offer for those mothers who would like a youth enhancing boost to last for months. Next week we will cover some options for Mommy Makeovers that involve surgeries that address moms most requested areas of help.

• Botox is known as a wrinkle eraser because it inhibits the muscle action that causes the wrinkles. This is especially useful for allowing forehead furrows to relax and smoothing out crows feet or wrinkles between the eyebrows.
• Juvederm fills in creases and wrinkles with water attracting hyaluronic acid. The cells plulp up like a sponge sucking up water so that those “parenthesis” around the mouth or nasolabial folds are filled in. It is also wonderful for plumping up lost volume to areas of the face, especially the lips.
• Radiesse immediately stimulates the body to produce collagen to replace volume for youth enhancing effects
• Sculptra may not necessarily be considered a “quick fix” because the effects build over time, but the results last twice as long as hyaluronic fillers.

Each of these treatments successfully gives the appearance of turning back the clock of time to reveal more youthful facial features. This effect is rejuvenating and confidence boosting. In combination with each other, they can have the effect called a Filler Facelift. While this doesn’t compare to the full effects of a Facelift, it’s as close as you can get without going under the knife. We will custom tailor a combination treatment to address a variety of concerns, such as to:

• Lift up sagging brows
• Brighten up the eyes by adding volume to hollowed temples and sunken eye sockets or tear troughs
• Erase forehead lines
• Lusciously fill those lips
• Lighten the lines around the mouth
• Plump the cheeks restore youthfulness and gently lift the midface
• Smooth and contour the chin

You can give these as a gift certificate to allow the mother in your life to choose what she’d like or designate the gift for a specific treatment that you know she’s mentioned that she wants. Visit www.davinciplastic.com today to pamper the mother in your life this Mother’s Day.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

It’s not too late to show your love with the gift of a Liquid Facelift. The spring is coming and there is no better feeling than going into a new season with a refreshed feeling and look. The new and rejuvenating experience can catapult confidence and productivity for not only a more youthful appearance, but invigorated feeling.

The Liquid Facelift, also called a Filler Facelift, is a visible, yet subtle rejuvenation involving multiple injection locations and kinds. While it doesn’t have the complete capabilities of an actual Facelift, it does address concerns throughout the facial features to provide a no downtime “refresher” for the face. It smoothes out wrinkles and restores volume to those trouble areas that are unique to each person. These are the benefits:

• Erasing forehead lines with Botox
• Brow lifting by replacing volume with Juvederm
• Revolumizing the eye area with Juvederm to minimize sunken eye sockets, hollowed temples or deepened tear troughs
• Plumping flat cheeks with Juvederm, Radiesse or Sculptra which gently lifts the entire midface, including the effects of volume loss on nasolabial folds
• Smoothing the “parenthesis” lines around the mouth
• Plumping thinned out lips with Juvederm
• Balance the chin definition with Radiesse or Sculptra

The Filler Facelift addresses these issues not in isolation, but within the facial framework and contours. This comprehensive injection session rejuvenates the entire face and not just one feature by utilizing different kinds of injectables. The Liquid Facelift is a great way to hold off the need for a surgical facelift. Results can last a couple of months to a couple of years.

The different kinds of injectables used in different areas of the face all work together for the Liquid Facelift rejuvenation. Here are the typical players we use in our office to give our patients beautiful results:

• Juvederm naturally attract water to the plump up the cells with hyaluronic acid. This sponge like effect, plumps up the cells at the injection site to fill in the creases. Its plumping abilities are fantastic for restoring youthful facial contours and lip fullness.
• Botox inhibits muscle action that stops the movement creating the wrinkles and creases. This stops forehead furrows and frown lines in their tracks.
• Radiesse immediately stimulates your own collagen renewal for your skin to work on replacing volume and firmness.
• Sculptra takes time to reveal the youth enhancing effects, but is well worth the wait. Its scaffolding stimulates the body’s own ability to rebuild collagen with long lasting results that can endure twice as long as hyaluronic fillers.

Experience the refreshing look that a Filler Facelift can offer. Give the gift to yourself or a loved one. To schedule your Liquid Facelift our highly trained injectors, visit www.davinciplastic.com

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Want a new smile in 2018 without any cosmetic or dental surgery? There are many non surgical options to transform your smile, whether it’s whiter or straighter teeth, fuller lips or reducing a “gummy smile.” Here are some solutions to these smile problems:

1. Gummy Smile

One way you can enhance your already beautiful smile is to reduce the amount of your gums that show between your lips and teeth. Using Botox in a very precise and careful placement, the injection is made into the muscle that is near the junction of your nostrils with the cheek, called the levator labii. Also, a very small amount can be injected into where the upper lip’s midline meets the nose at the columella (center column of the nose).

The necessity to use a highly experienced injector is crucial, as placement and the amount of Botox can easily ruin a smile rather than enhance it. Remember, the Botox is weakening the muscle so if too much is injected or its improperly placed, results won’t be as desired. For example, the lip will be completely flat, droopy or produce an uneven, half smile where one side lifts more than the other.

When properly placed, the upper lip still has movement, but won’t retract all the way to reveal the gums when you’re smiling. Botox to the upper lip can also reduce the vertical wrinkles and smokers lines. As with any injection, the results are temporary, which is actually a good thing as it gives you a chance to get used to the new look and decide if you’re more comfortable with your smile as it was naturally or would like to continue.

2. Thin Lips

One of the contributors to discontent with smiles is that the lips are too thin. This can even increase the look of a “gummy smile.” This improvement is an easy one, as Juvederm can provide beautiful, natural looking plumping effect for a full, luscious lipped smile.

3. Teeth Discoloration

The over the counter teeth whitenen systems are considered part of the beauty industry and not regulated by the FDA, as would a doctor prescribed system. You should proceed with caution with these. In regards to whitening procedures provided by dentists and technicians, it’s also important to consider the level of experience. Generally, you can be prescribed a custom gel with a tray to be used over night for a number of nights in order to match your desired lightening and contour to your teeth. This can be done in conjunction with certain high powered lights, but educate yourself on the kind of lights used since some can produce sensitivity and even damage the tooth’s inner pulp.

4. Crooked Teeth

Depending on the significance of your alignment or bite correction needed, there are some good options including alternatives to metal braces. Other kinds of permanent fixtures like clear braces and removable “invisible” aligning trays, such as Invisalign or Clear Correct, can be worn over time to adjust the teeth. There are now 5 tray system options for minor alignment issues.

You can have the radiant smile you want in 2018. Let’s discuss your non surgical smile enhancements to address issues such as “gummy smile” and thinning lips. Please visit www.davinciplastic.com to schedule a consultation.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Men and women in their 20s and 30s are heading to the plastic surgeons office in abundance like never before. The celebrity culture has removed any embarrassment or negativity regarding people knowing that they’ve had plastic surgery and injectables, like Botox and Juvederm. These treatments and the results are indeed celebrated and shared among peers and social media. The desires and needs of this group are different than other generations, which I’ll discuss below.

POPULAR TRENDS & CELEBRITY TELL ALL

Access to media and open sharing about plastic surgery among celebrities has not only removed any taboo, but created a normalcy and excitement to experience the benefits my industry can provide. The more seasoned actress Patricia Heaton was one of the early adapters to celebrity sharing about surgery. In 2003, she talked openly about her surgeries and how women shouldn’t compare themselves to Hollywood because things aren’t always as they seem. These days, more and more celebrities are talking about surgery, such as actress Kaley Cuoco and singer Iggy Azalea, who are popular among Millennials. Many express that they don’t want to keep secrets from their fans and Iggy even posted a picture of her with her surgeon thanking him for her perky breasts.

For the Millennials, Kylie Jenner has almost single handedly been the greatest influence for lip injections for young people. Her full lipped pout is one of the most requested outcomes for this age group, who happily share before and after photos on Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook (although Facebook is getting the reputation as the main platform for mostly for the “older” Millennials and above). As of 2 years ago, no one was taking selfies in the plastic surgeons’ office, but this is now commonplace.

PREVENTION ORIENTED

Millennials are viewing cosmetic treatments as preventative with hopes of putting off signs of aging. Before wrinkles even occur, men and women in their 20s are asking for Botox. This can be a great opportunity to work with relaxing the muscles before they create rhytids, however expectations need to be managed because there won’t be any drastic immediate results.

Also, it is important to keep in mind that a little bit goes a long way. Overdoing injectables can actually have the opposite affect and make Millennials look older or create distorted facial features. If done incorrectly, Botox to the forehead can result in a heavy brow. Instead, better results could be accomplished by injecting small amounts to the glabella, which is where the frown lines form in between the brows. Immediately noticeable results for someone who doesn’t have very visible wrinkles to reverse, would be a little brow lift that can be accomplished with injections to the outer eye where crow’s feet would form.

PROCEEDING WITH WISDOM

As with anyone considering surgery or cosmetic enhancements, it’s important to realize this isn’t a quick fix mentality. To really have a preventative affect, a one time Juvederm or Botox injection won’t be enough. The goal of wrinkle prevention with Botox involves weakening the muscles so they are smooth. This may take regular injections of small amounts about every 3 months for a year or 2, and then we can slow down.

In addition, the best results also involve protecting the skin from sun damage, using good skin care, eating well and drinking water. We should develop a relationship where there’s open communication and a comprehensive treatment plan. To get started, schedule a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

While you may initially come into my office to address an immediate beauty need, we will take the time in our consultation to talk about your long term beauty goals and to help you with a plan. This plan may start off with some non invasive treatments, such as a Liquid Facelift using a variety of injectables to touch up and rejuvenate some crows feet, furrowed brows or mouth parenthesis creases. Then it might build into a 5 to 10 year plan for a mini facelift to address slightly sagging jowls and neck or Blepharoplasty to open up drooping eyelids for a brighter, more rested looking eye area. Either way, this plan should not only focus on immediate needs, but incorporate treatments for future youth restoration goals and maintenance.

Cosmetic surgery and non invasive treatments can easily be performed all year long, however, there are certain times of year that lend themselves to easily incorporate the rest and recovery that make it more convenient. Also, there are also certain issues you may want to address before a special event (think: high school reunion or holiday party) or time of year (think: bikini season).

Here is a seasonal surgery guide with suggestions for planning your procedure:

Fall

After the activity of summer and before the flurry of winter festivities, the fall season offers a perfect break in the social calendar for most people. This means that recovery time away is easy to schedule. Also, the cooler weather means clothes with more coverage and comfort. After getting any kids and grandkids settled into school, the scheduled routine or empty nest would allow for effortless predictability and rest for scheduling a surgery. It also will allow plenty of healing time for you to approach the holidays recovered and looking great. This is a good time for anything from Liposuction, Blepharoplasty, Facelift to Breast Augmentation. Fall is my first choice for cosmetic procedures.

Winter

This season offers some good opportunities for cosmetic surgeries. Before the new year, the injectables are the best because you can’t afford downtime between Thanksgiving and New Years, but January is the perfect month to kick off the New Year with a big step towards your beauty and healthy body goals. Winter scarves and turtlenecks easily cover the bruising or swelling from Kybella or a Facelift. Also the bulkier clothes will conceal any over night changes to the body from a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction. The Martin Luther King and Presidents Day holidays allow for long weekends and time off work without the usual holiday social schedule.

Spring

These are the months to rejuvenate and refresh yourself along with the start of a new season, and to prepare for the summer season. Body image procedures such as Liposuction, Brazilian Butt Lift, and Breast Augmentation are popular this time of year. Also, by this time, some of the results from New Years resolutions for weight loss have a chance to kick in and become a habit so that body contouring can have optimal results.

Summer

Surgery can be a success in the summer, but it’s crucial to stay out of the sun. The heat and sweat can be irritating during recovery. It’s always a great time for injectables like Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra since these injectables are in and out so you’re on your way to looking fabulous for your vacation. Another fabulous non invasive, body contouring rpocedure to trim away small puches of stubborn fat is SculpSure. Popular summer break surgical procedures are Rhinoplasty and Otoplasty between the school years.

Let me help you make your procedure plan for your ideal image by scheduling a consultation today at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

When you’re going for any injectable treatment, the skill of the injector makes a tremendous difference in the results. When it comes to your face, this is definitely not something you want to be bargain hunting or wheeling and dealing. A bad injector can make you look older or even distort your natural appearance.

Here are some clues you’re going to get a bad injection, and what to look for instead:

Options

There are a good variety of injectables and some are a better fit for different facial structures, skin age and rejuvenation goals. If the office doesn’t represent this beauty of choice and tries to fit everyone in the box of a one size fits all injection, then you know something is wrong. Each person’s unique needs should be addressed regarding the placement of injections and what kind of injectables are used.

Cleanliness

Infections happen easily and so it is important to be very picky about the cleanliness of the facility. Don’t just breeze in the office and get your injection. Look at it with a critical eye and especially important to assess the cleanliness of the injection room. A sterile needle and fresh vial of injectable should be shown to the patient before treatment.

Quality of Care

You can trust your face to the quality of care that can only be provided by an injector with experience, certification, specialization, consultation and confidence.

• Experience: An injector should have a lot of experience with a variety of injectables and specialize in the art of injectables. This gives the injector a true “feel” for the unique needs of each patient.
• Certification: There’s actually an industry standard that is applied to the best practitioners, qualifying them as Expert Injectors. This extra certification and licensure ensures that the injector you choose has had the training and experience to give you the best chances for the results your desiring.
• Specialization: With injections being offered at home and almost every medi spa across the country, it’s important to recognize that doctors and nurse practitioners, such as our own PA Nora, with specialization this field have an intimate knowledge of facial structure and can provide the best results.
• Consultation: While injectables generally provide a “quick fix” for addressing aging concerns, the injector should take the time discuss your desires and long term goals. This might include a treatment plan to include other anti aging procedures.
• Confidence: The training, experience and specialization required for a job well done in this field provides a confidence that the practitioner has and one that you can have also. If your injector seems shaky or unsure in the least bit, walk away.

As an expert injector with experience of working on hundreds of faces with the highest levels of satisfaction, standards and level of artistry in facial rejuvenation, you can trust your face in Nora’s hands. To schedule an appointment for your injectables consultation, visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Mother’s Day is Sunday May 14. Most moms sacrifice their bodies, sleep, possibly a lucrative career, and much physical, mental and emotional energy for their children. While it’s all worth it, most moms want to restore some of the youthfulness and refreshed appearance that has been given up to time and family sacrifice. This is why more and more moms want cosmetic procedures as their Mother’s Day gift. Giving the gift of youthfulness as a gift certificate or as a specific procedure, such as a Mini Facelift, is growing in popularity and can make for a very happy mommy.

Putting your best face forward
A Facelift is the gold standard of facial rejuvenation. It’s one of the most common surgical procedures I perform. There’s definitely an art to realigning the facial tissue so that the skin doesn’t look stretched or “wind blown” and lays in a naturally firmer, more rested and youthful position. Each surgery is unique due to individual facial structures and skin condition. For those dealing with the early signs of loose sagging skin who want a faster recovery time, a Mini Facelift could be an option.

What is a Mini Facelift?
A Mini Facelift is a shorter surgery with a hidden incision that is smaller than a full Facelift. It is best for those who have minimal aging of the forehead and neck and relatively good skin elasticity. You can simulate the effects of a Mini Facelift by placing a finger on either side of the jaw and pulling skin back toward the earlobe by about a centimeter on each side. It can also be a great refresher for people who’ve already had a Facelift.
What aging issues does a Mini Facelift address?
A Mini Facelift mostly addresses loose skin in the mid face that has dropped. It helps with refining the skin in the lower face for a smoother, tighter jawline. Marionette lines, which are the folds around the corners of the mouth, can also be slightly reduced with this procedure, although the nasolabial folds will not.
How is a Mini Facelift different from a full Facelift?
…..During the Mini Facelift, the sagging skin and tissue is repositioned and attached in a very slightly higher. These factors make the Mini Facelift very comforting to anyone weary of any complications or recovery from surgery:

…..During the Mini Facelift, the sagging skin and tissue is repositioned and attached in a very slightly higher. These factors make the Mini Facelift very comforting to anyone weary of any complications or recovery from surgery:

…..While there is some variance in what this procedure involves, the Mini Facelift primarily takes place above the parotid salivary gland, which reduces the risk of nerve damage.
…..The surgery has minimal downtime with swelling and discomfort resolving over just a few days to a week. It’s sometimes referred to as the “weekend lift” because the recovery is so fast.
…..Mini Facelifts are also performed using local anesthesia.

When  a Mini Facelift is not enough?
The success of a Mini Facelift requires firmness of the tissues otherwise results can be disappointing or short lived. A full Facelift will be the right choice in the case where there is substantial skin laxity and droopiness This procedure would require a longer recovery time and a larger incision, but the full Facelift would provide the desired results of a long lasting youthful appearance when there is more loose skin.

To see if a Mini Facelift is a good fit for you personally or to give as a Mother’s Day gift, schedule a consultation at our newly updated website www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon