Radiesse and Sculptra are the last injectables that I’m covering in this series. While they may not have achieved the mainstream brand recognition as Botox and Juvederm, they are well known within the cosmetic industry for offering well established and proven volume restoring, wrinkle fighting results. They accomplish this through very different methods. Sometimes Sculptra and Radiesse are called the tortoise and the hare.

The Tortoise

In the Aesop’s fable The Tortoise and the Hare, the slow moving tortoise actually wins the race with a hare because of its steady effort. In a seemingly similar way, Sculptra offers visible results that are slower to appear, but achieve a big win because the results usually last a lot longer than any other fillers. It does this because it actually stimulates the skin to make it’s own collagen.

• Medical: Sculptra is made of a poly-L-lactic acid, which is a manmade polymer that is biodegradable and biocompatible. In the medical arena, it has also been used for over a decade with FDA approval to restore the hollowed facial features caused by HIV. This material is also used in absorbable stitches and bone screws.
• Cosmetic: The FDA approved Sculptra for cosmetic use in 2009. With 1 to 3 injections over the course of 6 to 12 weeks, Sculptra stimulates the skin’s collagen enough to effectively restore volume and smooth out wrinkles. If not under any event’s time constraints, some people prefer the gradual results because they come on less drastically and obviously. Generally, most onlookers notice the youthful results, but can’t pinpoint when or how they exactly occurred. It just looks like a mini facelift happened gradually over the course of 2 months. Also, unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Juvederm or Restylane, Sculptra can last much longer, such as 2 years or more.

The Hare

Instead of hyaluronic acid, which is used by Juvederm and Restylane, Radiesse is composed of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a gel. Calcium hydroxylapatite is a kind of mineral that is normally found in human teeth and bones. In addition to instantly adding volume, the scaffolding created by the calcium hydroxylapatite in Radiesse promotes collagen production. This offers benefits to the skin’s foundation that lasts beyond when Radiesse dissolves.

• Medical: In 2007, the same year it was approved for cosmetic use, the FDA approved Radiesse for treating facial wasting experienced by HIV patients. The medical community has also used Radiesse in therapeutic treatment for vocal cord deficiencies.
• Cosmetic: Radiesse is an injectable filler that also restores volume in a thicker gel than Juvederm and Restylane. Its dense formula is great for moderate to severe facial wrinkles, nasolabial folds and volume loss. It also is a phenomenal way to take 10 years off your hands, which tattle on your age.

I hope that this blog series, All About Injectables, has informed and encouraged you about the safety and efficacy of the top injectables. Isn’t it interesting that there are such helpful medical uses for them, as well as cosmetic? I think that just adds to their credibility.

As you can tell, at DAVinci Plastic, you’re certainly not lacking for great options for your cosmetic needs. Fortunately, you don’t have to be the expert in which of these injectables would be the perfect fit for you. Our expert injectors can help you find the best fit for your beauty goals. Schedule a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com today.

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

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

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

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

No matter how far out and down some people tilt their chin for photos… the double chin persists. With our current “selfie culture,” awareness of the under chin bulge is an even greater annoyance to an even younger group. While men and women of the more mature aged category can see drastic age reversing affects from contouring the chin and neck- I’m seeing an increase in inquiries from the younger generations who see their pictures and they also want a solution for a tighter chin and neck line.

This has led to an increased interest in nonsurgical options to remove submental fat. Recently I started a contrast of Kybella and CoolMini, both hot new nonsurgical options for battling the under chin bulge. The comparison continues here:

BEST CANDIDATES
Both Kybella and CoolMini are proven effective for obvious double chin, from mild to severe cases.

• Kybella does really well for people with good, tight skin.
• Looser, more mature skin may be better for the CoolMini since it has to suck the skin up into it in order to be chilled. Younger skin that is tighter might not allow for as much to be sucked in and treated. Also, even though both treatments have shown a slight skin tightening effect, neither can fix excess loose skin.

RESULTS & SIDE EFFECTS
Kybella conducted extensive clinical trials, in which 2 treatments – a month apart demonstrated about a 50% improvement in fat reduction with more treatments resulting in greater fat reduction.

CoolMini can freeze up to one third of the fat in the treated area, and up to 20% is usually seen in just one treatment.

…Both treatments require a little time for the full effects to be evident, and likely multiple sessions.

…Typically Kybella will take a little longer since each treatment is 4 to 6 weeks apart and the average person needs about 3 to 5 treatments.

…While results will be seen at about the 2 month mark with CoolMini, a second treatment is usually required about 3 months apart.

…Both are considered “in and out” treatments with mild side effects that vary for each person.

…Some people describe these treatments as very uncomfortable, while others give it only a level 3 of pain on a scale of 1 to 10. Patients will experience some swelling, soreness, numbness and redness, which may last a little longer from a Kybella treatment depending on how much is being injected, however any healing should be manageable with OTC pain meds and easily disguised with a scarf until they subside.

SURGICAL OPTION

While it is wonderful that non invasive options exist and are a great choice for some people, surgery may be the best option for others, particularly for people with loose skin due to age or drastic weight loss. In these cases, a neck liposuction and lift will trim the fat and loose skin for a completely contoured and youthful profile.

You will be amazed at how much a contoured chin and neckline will enhance your appearance. Schedule a consultation today to discuss the best options for you, by visiting www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

One of the hardest situations in the plastic surgery industry is to have a patient’s results not go as expected. This may or may not be the fault of the physician, but the best results are directly correlated to the most credentialed, experienced surgeon. This is why it is crucial to only trust your face and body to an experienced, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon…someone like myself.
In my area, I’m the only triple Board certified plastic surgeon, a member of multiple prestigious medical societies, and a published professor at Georgetown University. Along with my many years of experience, compassion and patient care, these credentials have led to my ability to provide a very high level of patient satisfaction. As a result, I’m often called upon to correct the concerns that arise from unsatisfactory surgeries, at the hands of other physicians, and the unforeseen side effects that happen from improper healing.

For example, an occasional unwelcome side effect after beast augmentation surgery is Capsular Contracture. This occurs when the scar tissue that has formed around breast implants tightens and hardens around the implants to create an imbalanced external appearance. This means that the affected breast will look a different shape or be at a different height on the chest. While meticulous surgical precision can help prevent capsular contracture, as with any surgical procedure there will be scar tissue and there are factors outside of the physician’s control.
Here are some tips that can contribute to avoiding Capsular Contracture:

…Avoid smoking is one of the most predictable ways to reduce your chances, as you’re twice as likely to have Capsular contracture if you smoke.
…Two weeks prior to surgery, start taking Vitamin E and possibly Prednisone, a prescription corticosteroid drug.
…Breast implants in a submuscular position, or under the pectoral muscles, may be less likely to develop capsular contracture than when breast implants are placed in a subglandular position, or over the pectoral muscles.
…There’s a slightly higher percent of Capsular Contracture with silicone implants over saline.
…Upon the instruction of surgeon, massaging and compression of the breast implants can help keep the capsule flexible and loose.

Capsular contracture may develop at any time, but can occur as early as 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, and usually not later than 6 months. It can affect just one or both breasts. Fortunately, it can be corrected with Revision Breast Surgery.  There is a special art and skill to correct Capsular Contracture… because of the difficulty of working with scar tissue. It’s a puzzle figuring out what possibly went wrong and then to skillfully correct it.

Revision Breast Surgery to correct Capsular Contracture can involve a variety of ways for releasing the interior scar tissue. These ways may include capsulotomies, capsulectomies, implant exchange or placement behind the pectoral muscle. A Capsulotomy is a surgical procedure that releases scar tissue without removing it from the pocket. This gives room for the breast pocket to expand, relieving the scar tissue contraction that is squeezing the breast implant. A Capsulectomy is a more aggressive approach, as it completely removes the scar tissue surrounding a breast implant. This procedure is more often used when the scar tissue is very thick and calcified or when a silicone breast implant has ruptured.

If you’ve experienced the disappointment of your breast augmentation not going right and want to trust your body to one of the leading plastic surgeons to correct it, please set up a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Fall is definitely here with changing air temperatures and weather patterns that all effect the condition of our skin.  Of course, we always concerned about putting our “best face forward”…..especially the older we get….and Botox is one of the amazing injectables that does just that.  With Botox you won’t need a Halloween mask for that party or special fall event because your skin will look so amazing and wrinkle free that people will wonder….but only you will know.

Here’s a short bullet list of what it does:

• Eliminates those telltale Crow’s Feet around the corners of your eyes
• Blows away those aging “cobwebs” – skin looks and is smoother, more rejuvenated and healthier
• Shooo away ghostly aging dull, lifeless skin – gain a youthful look and radiant glow
• Smooth away aging lines, wrinkles and grooves with Botox filler
• Basically trick Father Time into turning back your clock several years!

Today’s injectable fillers formulas are the most advanced ever….they have been in use worldwide for decades so they are considered well proven to be safe and effective.  Botox is also well known in the medicine for treating Migraine headaches, some neurological uses have been in existence in Europe for years and years….thousands and thousands and thousands of users and successful treatments shout out Botox’ virtues…worldwide.  Botox is widely used in the treatment of Bell’s Palsy.  You definitely want skill and experience in an injector for these treatments.

Expert Injector….Dr. Davison is a specially trained “expert injector.”  Not all physicians are, but as a surgeon who understands the complex facial anatomy, he sought out the most advanced information and training available to qualify himself as “an expert injector.”  That means…his staff is expertly trained trained, highly skilled and well experienced in the  fine art of facial injectables.  He helps his patients “keep their best face forward.”

Botox…is Bootox for Halloween because it virtually smoothes away unwanted lines and wrinkles giving you a fresh, more youthful appearance.…people will wonder what’s different…but only you will know!

Call today to reserve…slots are going, going…..fast

Our Halloween Botox event is only 3 days away…it’s our “Bootox” – scare your wrinkles away party and you are invited!

You can trick the effects of time by smoothing out lines and wrinkles…and Dr. Davison does this with Botox and other amazing injectable fillers like SculpSure.

Call now to reserve your spot:  202 966 9570….don’t be scared and hurry!

See you there!

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon & Expert Injector

SculpSure is an innovative – non surgical – body contouring treatment that can help you slim down for the summer months – without any recovery time. It is perfect for treating, without surgery, those stubborn fat spots that just won’t go away despite a healthy diet and exercise, such as love handles or a little belly pooch.

Safe and Effective SculpSure
With all of the options out there for body contouring, SculpSure is a leader because it uses innovative light technology that is clinically proven to target and destroy fat cells. It is the world’s first laser treatment cleared by the FDA for non invasive lipolysis of the abdomen and flanks aka “love handles.” The process of lipolysis uses hydrolysis, which breaks down fats and other lipids to release fatty acids.

Quick Treatments with Lasting Results
This state of the art, controlled light based technology can melt up to 24% of target fat cells in the matter of a lunch break. The 25 minute session has no discomfort or ill effect on the surface skin. This is due to the specialized laser targeting fat cells below the dermal layer of skin, as well as the dermal layer being protected by the Contact Cooling process included in the treatment. Also, SculpSure is competed without the use of any suctioning devise. The flat, hands free applicator is designed for consistent results every time.

The specific light wavelength targets adipose fat tissue and causes no damage to the dermal tissue. Once the adipose fat tissue has been destroyed, they will not regenerate and the body naturally eliminates the disrupted fat cells. This process can produce results in as early as 6 weeks, with optimal results in 12 weeks. In our consultation we will determine how many treatments are required to achieve your desired results.

Come in for a consultation to find out how we can sculpt and define your body with ScuptSure. Visit www.davinciplastic.com today.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Summer is here and you may not have that beach body you’ve dreamed about all winter long.  But don’t despair, there are non surgical options that can help you look great in that bikini!  If you are not too far off your desired weight …. body sculpting with liposuction can help you get the curves in places you want them while removing those few extra pounds that you just couldn’t budge.

Your bikini look can include a full Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty/surgical) or a non surgical approach using liposuction to sculpt areas of concern.

Liposculpting can be very effective, fast and safe if performed in a surgical suite by a competent, board certified surgeon.  DO NOT be talked into spa treatments involving liposuction…they are not done by experienced surgeons with life saving skills…in case a problem occurs during the procedure.

Benefits of Liposculpting…you can treat small or larger areas to remove fat deposits safely and effectively thus creating curves or definition in the desired areas.  Your recovery can be a short as a couple days to several days depending upon the extensiveness of your procedure.

Breasts may be too large, too small or out of shape from breast feeding.  Many women opt for little to no downtime breast procedures so they can look great in their beach bikini.  This can include implants, breast reduction (surgical) or non surgical injections to plump up and lift sagging breasts.

Buttocks Lift has become very popular the past few years.  Butt Uplift comes to us from South America where “big butts” are desirable and sexy.  It’s the new American look too.  Hurry though…time is running out on getting it done and being able to have enough beach time left to enjoy your new look.  Book your consultation today!

Well, there are other options…check out my website to get complete information and have a safe, happy summer.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

https://www.davinciplastic.com/blog/bikini-ready-with-tummy-tuck/

The Lipstick Effect is a well known theory projecting that, in times of economic downturn, people may cut back on the bigger luxuries in life and instead splurge on the smaller ones. For example, fewer people will be going on expensive overseas vacations, but they’ll spend the money to dine at local restaurants to still enjoy a treat – and to not feel like they’re going completely without any splurge. The question is, how does this theory apply to the cosmetic surgery industry?
Cosmetic Surgery and the Lipstick Effect… While some might consider cosmetic procedures a luxury that can be foregone in times of recession, the economy today has not hindered the growth of this industry at all.  Some analysts speculate that our society has developed a “collective vanity” and that social media has given us the mentality of maintaining good looks despite the costs. Another perspective is that youthfulness is a sign of health, vitality and success. Also, Millennials understand that prevention is the key and they include cosmetic procedures in their budget as part of their routine health regimen.

Injectables and the Lipstick Effect… For those who follow the purchasing pattern of the Lipstick Effect more truly, this still doesn’t mean they forego cosmetic procedures all together. It just means they choose the less expensive anti aging treatments, especially the injectables such as Botox and fillers, such as Radiesse. Maintaining youthfulness with these anti aging tools is a necessity to hold off surgery for a few more years. This practice is actually considered saving money. A much more cost effective, non surgical way to help maintain a younger look without a full Facelift is to consider a “Filler Facelift.”

Lipstick Effect for Luxurious Lips
Another indication of the Lipstick Effect is that during tight economic times, women don’t shy away from buying skincare or a new shade of lipstick to help them feel a little indulgent. You can absolutely love the way your new shade of lipstick looks – on fuller, more sensual lips plumped up with Juvederm. This would actually be a great gift for Mother’s Day.

Let the Lipstick Effect, using Injectables, lead you to save money in the long run by maintaining a more youthful look. And don’t forget about mom! Mother’s Day is May 8. Get her a new shade of lipstick to accompany her certificate for fuller lips with Juvederm. To set it up, call 202.966.9590 now – or visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon