Schedule  Surgery Now … to be Ready for the Holiday’s

Our social calendars fill up quickly this time of year. Celebrating the holiday season is a fun, festive time, and you want to look great at each of these social appearances, right? If you’re considering cosmetic surgery, you’ll want to keep in mind the recovery time needed for healing. The priority is to be enjoying the holidays to the fullest and not worrying about any bruising or healing that could hold you back.

Here’s a guide on the recovery time, during which you’ll need to rest and/or take off work. It’s better to schedule a little more time than you’ll need and be pleasantly surprised if you recover faster.

Procedures that need at least…

1 week… Breast augmentation, reduction or lift, arm lift (brachioplasty), liposuction, male chest reduction (gynecomastia)          

2 weeks… brow/forehead lift, facelift, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)

3-4 weeks… tummy tuck, “mommy makeover,” body lift

The recovery time frame can be influenced by your health and habits. Having plastic surgery would be the perfect reason to stop smoking – at least 2 months prior to your surgery. Two weeks prior and after surgery, stop taking anything that enhances bleeding, such as aspirin, Motrin, Vitamin E and some herbs (I’ll provide a full list). You can also do some things before surgery to help recovery go smoothly and to ease your mind going in and coming out of your procedure.

BEFORE SURGERY… try to set up your household to be on autopilot, such as electronic bill paying and have lawn or pool maintenance prescheduled. Stock up on groceries, but also give yourself a break on cooking the first few days and have your favorite restaurant delivery menus handy. Ideally you’ll need to have someone stay with you, at least the first couple days post surgery. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

AFTER SURGERY…

• I know recovery isn’t fun, but think positive and surround yourself with people, music, movies, aromatherapy, etc. that will uplift your spirits.
• Have some natural bruising recovery gel on hand, such as Arnica Montana and Bromelain…both can help reduce discoloration. Save rubbing Vitamin E on the incisions until after sutures are removed usually within 5-10 days post op.
• Stay well hydrated (non-alcoholic beverages please) and well nourished with whole foods so your body has nutrients to repair itself. I know you’re going to want convenient and comfort foods, but try to keep greasy or processed foods to a minimum.
• It’s perfectly fine to do a little moving around after a few days, but avoid all activities after surgery that increase your heart rate and blood pressure for 2 full weeks.
• Allow yourself time to sleep. When your body is physically at rest it can focus more energy on repairing itself.
• Follow instructions on caring for your dressings and drains. Call if you have any concerns.
• Keep your follow up appointment with me (usually within a week) so that we can make sure you’re recovery is on track and I can answer any questions.

You still have time for cosmetic surgery before the holidays, but if surgery is not an option for you, then consider our non surgical options to rejuvenate your face, such as Botox, Juvederm/Voluma, Radiesse, Fat Transfer/Grafting. Visit www.davinciplastic.com to learn more.  Today’s Men and Women are having cosmetic procedures.  Couples show up in my office on a regular basis, requesting today’s most advanced anti aging treatments.  Baby Boomers and Millennialls are aging more youthfully…together!

Let’s get you looking your absolute best so you can look younger and more vibrant…everyday!

Dr. Steven Davison

Board certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Well, we’ve written tons of material about facial aging and ways to restore youthfulness. That’s because, no matter what we do we will all continue to age…some people simply put, age more gracefully and beautifully than others.

Cosmetic enhancement is all about using procedures, techniques and products to stave off the “signs” of aging or by actually removing lines and wrinkles, sagging skin and more using the right option(s). The main question the past couple of years has been: “Dr. Davison, do I need surgery or can fillers get the job done?” So let’s look at this today:       

FILLERS/INJECTABLES vs SURGERY

First, it’s critical that your surgeon thoroughly understands the complex facial anatomy. Secondly, fillers require much knowledge also. The key is in knowing which filler(s) to use at a given time by knowing what they do and how they work. These simple guidelines remain foundational:

1)    Know when to use fillers – they are excellent to correct initial gauntness from volume loss and the right fillers can restore volume and definition while smoothing out early lines and wrinkles. They work well as long as there is no loose skin.

2)    When to choose surgery – Fillers can offer long lasting results, but if skin elasticity is poor the muscles slip and fillers cannot deal with these issues. Surgery is the right option at this stage. It can effectively deal with loose, sagging skin and reposition relaxed muscles to their more youthful positions.

While nothing replaces good genes, a good surgeon can help guide you in making the correct choices no matter what age or stage you are currently enjoying.

Men and women today, Boomers and Millennials, are choosing to have age defying cosmetic enhancements because they can, and because they want to look as good and youthful as they feel!

FALL IS HERE IN ALL ITS GLORY…and the calendars are filling up with social events for school, work, church, family etc. You can start now and breeze through a hectic season looking vibrant, radiant and healthy. In fact, it’s possible to look up to 10 years younger without surgery…and no one will know except you!

INJECTABLES mini REVIEW:

I’ve been doing non surgical facelifts and rejuvenating the cheeks, nose, eyes, chin and lips for years…using injectable fillers for wonderful natural looking results that can last up to 2 years.

Here’s what I use, how and where I use it:

• Lips   Nasolabial folds   Hollow cheeks
• Weak jawline     Nose job       Brow lift
• Marionette lines   Crow’s feet     Forehead lines/wrinkles
• Undereye shadows     Backs of hands

TODAY’S INJECTABLES OF CHOICE:

1. Juvederm (Voluma is fabulous!)
2. Radiesse
3. Restylane
4. Sculptra
5. Botox/Brotox/Dysport

OK…CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION SOON! You have choices to make to look fabulous.   See www.DAVinciplastic.com.

Dr. Davison

This is the time of year women line up to get breast augmentations in order to look great for beach season or… to restore a more youthful look lost while aging, or to get back a pre baby body…and for many other reasons.  One common concern always prevails and that is the desire for the most natural looking results possible.

IMPLANT LINGO…Avoiding a “fake” look is a top concern today because many women innocently have breast procedures done by doctors who are not always qualified to perform them, or who lack the knowledge base needed to guide patients into the right procedures using the right implants or they have little to no experience, and also by others who simply can’t get the job done right for various other reasons. Board Certification and specialized procedural training helps to avoid these sad situations. Here’s the “lingo” or critical elements in breast augmentations:

• SHAPE…implants come in round or teardrop shapes.  Round implants create more cleavage and fullness, while teardrop or stable form implants are shaped like natural breasts and they slope downward.
• PROJECTION/PROFILE…Projection is the distance the implant protrudes outward from the chest.  Wider chests require minimal projection while moderate projection is best suited to narrow bodies and maximum projection offers the most fullness.
• TEXTURE…Textured implants are firmer than smooth ones and may not look or feel as natural depending upon patient preference.
• VOLUME…is how full an implant is. A natural look, using implants, may involve compromise on size.  Too much volume has different effects on different people.
• PLACEMENT…Implants can be placed over or under the chest muscle.  Each placement has it’s virtues and should be well discussed with your surgeon before deciding on placement.

YOUNGER vs MATURE PATIENTS...Younger people today want more volume and “bigger sized” breasts while the more mature population wants to look “proportionate” but filled out (not larger) to overcome the ravages of aging.  But they all want this one thing:  an attractive size and pretty shape and position without looking “fake.” Nobody wants to look like they have “implants.”  The right surgeon helping you make the right choices at the right times can avoid the dead giveaways so common with fake looking implant jobs.

NATURAL LOOKING vs FAKE LOOKING AUGMENTATIONS:  Some breast augmentations are so good that you can’t tell they’re not the breasts you were born with (natural) while others are obvious from far off, and you know these are not natural.  There are 10 giveaways that tip people off to real vs fake breasts.  They are:

1. Breasts are too close together.  Real breasts do not touch each other all the time unless you’re wearing a bra or tight top.  Natural breasts have a normal space between them.
2. Breasts sit too high on the chest.  The top of the breast should start at the armpit. If they sit higher than this…they are probably fake.  High profile implants have a more pronounced look than their moderate counterparts or low profile implants.
3. Breasts are too round…are a dead giveaway! Breasts should more resemble pears than round watermelons.
4. NO natural slope…are a sign of large, round implants. Natural breasts always slope downward.
5. GAP that keeps the breasts too far apart.  This indicates implants that are too large or are placed in a pocket that is too small causing the area between the breasts to look wide and bony.

Well, there are more (5) and other “need to know” information I’ll share with you in my next couple blogs.  But I have patients waiting for their personal consultations.  You guessed it….they want Breast Augmentations or Reductions or Breast Lifts with Implants etc. 

FILLERS and BOTOX/BROTOX …for “quick fixes” now.

Are you Beach Body Ready?  Let’s talk now and tailor your own personal treatment plan!

Happy Spring!

Steven Davison,  M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Not just for women…Men also are getting Botox to regain lost youth. In fact, it’s become a phenomenon, because of the staggering numbers of men who are lining up to get these safe, exacting injections in an all out effort to defy aging.  Thus doctors have renamed it “Brotox.” 

Aging Men and Job Hunting Men are finding it absolutely necessary to feel and look their best, and the younger, more alert, more energetic one appears, the better the likelihood of getting that promotion…or that job. In 2010 alone nearly one half million men opted to get Botox thereby making it the leading cosmetic procedure choice among men.

Men are getting Botox to look younger, to keep their face free of emotion or movement, to appear more relaxed and friendly, to ease or erase forehead wrinkles, to get rid of a tired, angry look and for a myriad of other legitimate reasons.

The Stigma is gone and today’s men are taking advantage of the various age defying cosmetic procedures we can offer.

Botox for BrowLifts

It’s the eyebrow that is getting the most attention since men’s emotions become easily etched in their foreheads over time.  Men want to ease the forehead wrinkles that make them look angry.

One 47 year old man recently commented: “It’s become harder to stay fresh in my highly competitive career field and Botox got the job done.!” 

Brotox has exploded as older men turn to cosmetics to compete with the younger generation.  Men have had to become more open to new ideas, but it has caught on and it taking off like wildfire.

But, not just older men...In fact, younger men even in their 30’s are asking for “gifts” from wives and sweethearts for…you guessed it…Brotox.  And these are not the stereotypical guys you would expect to show up in a plastic surgeon’s office…these are guys from all walks of life and career backgrounds.  Recently a chemical worker from Detroit and a guy who restores old cars showed up on offices of colleagues for…Brotox.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons there was a 10 percent increase last year alone in male Botox treatments.

Look and Feel Younger in Days…No Discomfort…No Downtime…Subtle Changes

Botox injections are done in my office, often during a lunch hour.  There is little to no discomfort and no downtime.  Men and women walk in for treatment, walk out after treatment and return to normal activities/routines if they want to.  Results last for months but are not permanent, so if you want changes you can get them next go around.  Botox has been around for decades and used in various life changing treatments around the world.  We have perfected its use for cosmetic uses over the past several years with millions of users globally.  The safety and efficacy are well documented.

See my website for more complete info on Botox: http://www.DAVinciplastic.com. 

Just a few minutes in my office, a few tiny precisely targeted injections and a few days later….lines, wrinkles, angry look and more disappears!  

Come on in and let’s get you started.  I am a qualified Expert Injector, specially trained, skilled and get truly natural looking results men and women love wearing.

  Steven Davison M.D.

“At DAVinci…I combine the supreme elements of art and surgical science.”

As seasons change so does our skin. Winter is the worst season of the year and can be very hard on the skin.  In this blog I offer a few tips to help you avoid costly mistakes in your daily skin care program, that lead to dry, flaky and red irritated skin. You can keep looking and feeling your best even during harsh winters. 

1. Avoid licking your lips and do use lip balm.  The skin on your lips is very fragile and requires special care just like your facial skin.  Licking your lips frequently can cause them to dry out and become flaky.  Even though licking provides temporary moisture it leaves the lips drier due to evaporation into the dry winter air and heated environments. The digestive enzymes in saliva can break down the skin causing lips corners to crack and the skin to flake. Prevent damaged lips by exfoliating the dead skin away and then use a well formulated, conditioned lip balm throughout the day to keep in natural moisture.

2.  Do Use Sunscreen all year around.  Winter UVA rays are nearly as strong as summer rays.  They are responsible for changing the DNA in the skin and this causes premature lines, wrinkles and sagging. Damaging UV light is the #1 cause of premature aging skin because they interfere with skin barrier function while simultaneously preventing proper moisture levels in the skin.

3.  Use the right formula and amount of moisturizer.  Too much moisturizer is wasteful, can cause skin congestion, bumps and breakouts.  The skin, like a sponge, can only absorb so much.  Find the right formula for your skin needs, apply it daily and prevent future skin problems.

4.  Adjust your skin care regimen to your skin needs. Our bodies constantly change and so does our skin with fluctuating temperatures and conditions.  Make sure you are using the right products during each season.  For example:  you may need to switch from a foaming cleanser and creamy moisturizer, during winter months, to a gentler cleansing lotion and serum moisturizer, to avoid loss of drying the skin.  Find a good aesthetician (Nora handles this at DAVinci) to help you with your best skin care program/products. Visit my website for more info: www.davinciplastic.com.

5. Seal in your moisturizer right after cleansing your skin!  You have a one minute window after cleansing, to moisturize and prevent skin dehydration. Water acts like a magnet and attracts the water deep within your dermal layers and result in evaporation. Apply your moisturizer or serum while your skin is still damp to ensure plump, well hydrated skin.

BRILLIANT DISTINCTIONS® Reward Program that allows patients to earn redeemable points/coupons for SkinMedica® products, Botox® and Juvederm®.  My patients love this program. Check it out at: www.brilliantdistinctionsprogram.com.

Glow N” Go Treatments are popular all year long but especially during the winter months. Treatments include:  Botox® Cosmetic, Microdermabrasion, IPL treatments for dark spots and patchy or uneven skin color and Injectables are here to stay. The Seniors and the younger generations are in love with instant Liquid Facelifts when surgery isn’t necessary.  Manly Makeovers are rising in popularity as more men are choosing cosmetic procedures for career advantages and because they just want to look good.

Stay Well and Put Your Best Face Forward!

Steven Davison M.D.

BEAUTIFUL, YOUTHFUL AGING in 2014

Welcome to 2014, the age when 50 seems to be the new 30.  No, we can’t stop the aging process but there are a host of things each of us can do to enjoy the journey while turning back the clock and maintaining a “more youthful aging experience.” Each year, Americans spend billions of dollars on preventive health and anti aging beauty treatments.

 TIPS for AGING WELL in 2014

1)   Be practical…acceptance is at the core of aging well.  Authentic, aesthetic beauty embraces realistic goals.  This means at age 50 you can’t and should not try to look 20 again.  Today’s age defying options successfully recapture at least 10 years of youth…then you can always look 10 years younger as you continue to age.

2)   Live in the Moment and remain grateful for each day.

3)   Focus on the person you are, be yourself and be your best every day.

4)   Be Authentic by keeping it real.  Benjamin Franklin said we cannot control what happens to us but we can control how we respond.

5)   Laugh often because it keeps your soul young

6)   Get Creative.  It’s proven that exercising the right brain into the golden/bonus years keeps life fun, fresh and full of excitement.

7)   Enjoy Meditation it relaxes mentally and physically.

8)   Keep Love Alive.  If you’re married act /live as though you’re dating your spouse.  If you’re single go mingle.

9)   Find Your Passion by finding ways to play and laugh daily.

10)                  Be Healthy to ensure natural beauty.

11)                   Build Meaningful Relationships based on honesty, respect, trust, love, common goals, appreciation and togetherness.

12)                  Be Grateful.  My November blogs touched on the many benefits of gratefulness and the health and power it produces in your life.

THE BEAUTY GAP is CLOSING

MEN WANT IN

Just for men salons are popping up across the Nation and globally.  Men want in.  We’ve seen a growing trend for men seeking in and out cosmetic procedures to win their war on aging and keep them competitive in their careers and simply because they want to look good.

ECONOMICS of BEAUTY, ANTI AGING OPTIONS

The up and coming Generation sees anti aging procedures through the same lens as regular healthcare.  So, they include it in their annual budget and regularly seek  the latest, greatest options.  Beauty Options Economics is here to stay.

CULTURAL EMPHASIS ON YOUTH and BEAUTY

The new male has undergone dramatic social changes that demands looking younger, looking good.  The day of “looking rugged” is no longer required but rather looking healthy, more youthful and attractive sends men in quest of cosmetic procedures in increasing numbers each year.  Women still dominate this arena but not for much longer!

GEN X DEMANDS IN and OUT PROCEDURES

Today’s popular no downtime procedures include Botox, Brotox, Filler Facelifts, LipoBody Contouring, Laser Procedures, Skin Tightening, Skin Rejuvenation such as exfoliation by Dermabrasion or Chemical Peels, Injectable Chin Augmentation, Filler Cheek Augmentation, Lip Augmentation to restore gorgeous, sexy lips and many more…. Visit www.davinciplastic.com for compete info on all noninvasive procedures.

ALL for ONE – ONE for ALL PROCEDURES

Cosmetic procedures are no longer just for “celebs” or aging women.  Today Men and Women of all ages, stages and ethnicities are having aesthetic procedures on a regular basis.

THE CLOSING BEAUTY GAP is very evident today as seen by the age ranges (18-85) of both genders and from every cultural background who are seeking youthfulness.  While there will always be fundamental differences between the genders, it is clearly evident the “gap” is rapidly closing when it comes to both genders wanting to look good!  Let’s talk!

I’m here to help you look and feel your absolute best again in 2014.

Best To You and Yours,

Steven Davison  M.D.

Christmas is just 9 days from today and I thought we could all use some reminder tips on how to avoid overeating, under exercising and staying out of trouble. As with Thanksgiving, we tend to overeat, skip our workout sessions and end up with a few unwelcome pounds, a muddy complexion, often with breakouts, sluggishness and regrets that we lacked the self discipline to avoid these problems.  

Start applying these tips today and enjoy Christmas, all the parties, events and galas and coast through New Years festivities unscathed! See https://www.davinciplastic.com. To overview procedures offered at DAVinci.

1.  Understand your metabolism.  Each person is different and will burn calories at a different rate.

2.  Avoid repeated high calorie meals…for example enjoy Christmas dinner and avoid ongoing eating of the heavy foods.

3.  Eat more living foods (raw fruits & vegetables) like salads.

4.  Eat a filling low calorie meal before heading into the kitchen to cook for the crowd.

5.  Diet before the big day and after it….never diet on party or family reunion days.

6.  Eat smaller portions and still satisfy hunger by chewing your food until it is “liquid.”

7. Immediately freeze leftovers so you’re not tempted to keep eating these rich, calorie dense goodies too handy.

8.  Get back on track with a lighter, healthy diet the next day.

9.  Exercise to suppress hunger pangs.  Often, we’re not really hungry but may be thirsty instead. Drink plenty of pure water and walk 45 minutes each day on a treadmill.  This is scientifically proven to suppress false hunger and rev up your metabolism.

The average American adult gains 2+ pounds per year. This starts early in life. Healthy lifestyle, healthy, living foods and pure water help the body maintain strength, vitality and health.

LAST MINUTE BEAUTY FIXES

There is still time to get Botox or Brotox for an instant forehead/eye lift or an Injectable FaceLift to rejuvenate all three zones of the face, or just do target areas to take years off an aging face.  Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are great for resurfacing the face to allow a brighter, clearer more youthful you to shine through.

 POPULAR QUICK FIXES:  Lip Augmentation using injectable fillers for gorgeous lips now!  Chemical Peels and Dermabrasion resurfacing to rejuvenate dull, tired looking faces and refresh your own youthfulness.  Fat Transfer and Liquid Lift for instant facelifts without surgery and other age defying options to help you put your best self forward during the Holidays.

MORE TIPS for GORGEOUS SKIN … 1) clean your smart phone daily!  It attracts and carries as much bacteria as a toilet bowl according to new data from Stanford University scientists.  2) Clean your face daily – Morning and evening.  3) Be sure to get enough sleep.  It is true lack of sleep affects your entire body’s ability to repair and renew.  This process only occurs during sleep cycles.  4) Eliminate or minimize dairy products (bovine) since cow hormones stimulate our oil glands and pores.  Learn to love Soy, Almond milk and or Rice milk products.

 BABY BOOMERS REACH A NEW PLATEAU!  There were more babies born in 1946 than any other time, totaling 3.4 million and rising steadily every year.  As of 2008 there were 77.3 million American Baby Boomers. This was 40% of the population. It’s understandable why the Boomers have impacted our way of life so strongly.  They claim they are changing the way we live and are just getting started!  This is clearly evident in every developmental field…science, engineering, healthcare,  anti aging research and the list goes on. Boomers believe that aging is “breakdown”, but broken things can be fixed!  Needless to say, this generation firmly believes in “being ageless” and they choose cosmetic procedures to achieve that.  In fact, they are budgeted for every year as part of their routine healthcare regimen.  Boomers believe that if people stay youthful longer, our social systems are stressed less.  Boomers have it right.

More Next Time.

Best to You and Yours,

Steven Davison M.D.

With the Holiday Season full upon us, there will be many social events we all love to attend but managing food choices may be difficult. Enjoy this season while incorporating these ideas – they’re good for everyone!

BRILLIANT DISTINCTIONS PROGRAM for REWARDS!  Register now to get your treatments of choice and look your absolute best for Christmas, New Years and Every Day!  www.brilliantdistinctionsrewards.com.

Food, glorious, comforting and yummy food is all around us from now until after New Years.  Here are 11 choices that really work to inhibit cellulite, lines and wrinkles while adding positive, living nutrients to your diet.

Look for these healthy, life giving choices:

·      Pineapple is loaded with potassium, Vitamin C and bromelain to increase circulation and fight inflammation

·      Water cannot be overstated!  It is as important as food.  Water hydrates the body, plumps the skin and releases stored toxins

·      Asparagus strengthens the veins and capillaries, normalizes circulation, acts as a diuretic to flush out toxins

·      Green Tea is rich in “catechins” to prevent collagen breakdown for strong, firm skin

·     Sunflower seeds are antioxidant rich, strengthen weak tissues and are tasty

·      Chili Peppers increase body heat internally to burn fat faster

·      Bananas are a great source for potassium, B6 and magnesium which strengthens blood vessels and increases circulation

·      Broccoli contains ALA (alpha lipoic acids), high in selenium and calcium to reduce collagen hardening

·      Citrus is a great source for Vitamin C, methyoxylated bio flavonoids to increase circulation and strengthen capillaries

·      Oily Fish e.g. Salmon, sardines, tuna, trout and bass etc. are low in fat and rich in vitamins, minerals and EFA’s to increase circulation

Pears are wonderful as a detoxifier and are high in fiber and potassium

BEAUTIFUL LIPS and 6 Ways to to Glow-n-Go:  Botox, Botox and Fillers, Microdermabrasion, IPL skin resurfacing and others are top choices. 

Everyone likes to pucker up from time to time but aging, smoking, diet, loss of collagen and elastin and more can cause those tiny vertical lines to develop across the top of your upper lip.  These lines make you look older and cause “lipstick bleed.”  Use these tips to look your best and have gorgeous lips!  See: www.davinciplastic.com.

1)   Stop smoking to eliminate the continual pursing of the lips and slow the loss of collagen around your mouth.

2)   Moisturize and Exfoliate to correct dry lips caused by the sun and environment.  Use a daily “beauty balm” that includes honey or hyaluronic acid.  Also, exfoliate the old skin weekly.

3)   Use Nude shades to complement your skin tone…darker tones amplify lines and wrinkles.

4)   Resurface the Skin.   We offer age defying, youth boosting options such as laser treatments, dermabrasion, chemical peels to eliminate those unwelcome lines and uneven skin tones

5)   Fill in Lines using Injectable Fillers for fabulous, natural looking results that smooth out and plump up the right areas for a sexy, healthy look.  Only choose a Board certified Surgeon to perform injectable facial fillers.  We are specially trained in the complex facial anatomy and know the precise doses needed to avoid overfilling and “duck lips.”

TO LOOK FABULOUS for the HOLIDAYS

CONSIDER:  Mommy Makeovers, Daddy DoOvers, Seniors Youth Restoring Options, and much more….www.davinciplastic.com. 

BEST TO YOU and YOURS,

STEVEN DAVISON M.D.

Ladies are you fabulous?  Men, do you feel and look your best? Get rid of Crow’s Feet, Restore life to your complexion and treat yourself to a more youthful look.  Even with a super busy schedule, you still have time “get fabulous for the Holidays.”  

BRILLIANT DISTINCTIONS PROGRAM for SAVINGS and REWARDS  This new rewards program earns you points that are redeemable to purchase fabulous Skin Medica, Botox and Juvederm products. The free mobile app gets you points instantly!  See the website: www.brilliantdistinctionsprogram.com. For the mobile app visit: www.bdmobile.com.

BRILLIANT DISTINCTIONS …ENROLL, EARN, ENJOY

Enrolling takes only a minute and after you’ve registered you can start earning points redeemable for qualified purchases and enjoy your instant savings.  My patients are really getting excited about the Brilliant Distinctions program.  Get registered and enjoy your savings while having those Holiday procedures.

PURCHASES THAT EARN YOU POINTS and SAVINGS

• Botox or Juvederm injections for an instant age reversing facelift
• Latisse can regrow stronger, thicker eyelashes
• Vivite and SkinMedica skincare products are wonderful
• This is the only program available that allows you to earn points while saving on your qualifying procedure(s) of choice.

YOUR HOLIDAY GLOW N’ GO HEALTHY SKIN OPTIONS

Patients are scheduling their Holiday Glow N’ Go treatments.  These include microdermabrasion to exfoliate, smooth and brighten the skin and Botox to smooth out those Crow’s Feet and forehead parenthesis.  Popular also is IPL laser treatments to fade dark spots and eliminate rough/patchy skin areas.  Others are taking years of aging off their faces with instant filler injectable facelifts.  These treatments can all be done in combo to achieve your most desirable outcomes.   www.davinciplastic.com.

BEWARE of NON PHYSICIAN LASER PROCEDURES

Know before you go – “Who’s shooting your laser?”  Be advised that laser treatments are medical procedures and require specialized training to perform them.  However, sometimes people try to cut corners and have non-medical laser treatments.  The results, according to registered complaints and lawsuits, show that e.g. 75.5% of hair removal treatments were performed by untrained, uncertified and inexperienced nonmedical people and ended in injury and litigation.

THANKSGIVING and GRATITUDE  Harvard scientists tell us that giving thanks can make you happier, lift your spirits, enjoy good relationships, see improved health, deal well with adversity and much more.  For many people, this time of year is often tinged with sadness, anxiety and depression.  A kind word, a smile, a gentle touch can encourage and lift someone’s spirits.  So, let’s go about with an “attitude of gratitude”…it can be contagious.

GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF HEALTHY SKIN.  There’s still time for many youth boosting options so you can look and feel your absolute best!  Men and women alike, especially those over 50 are making anti aging treatments a regular part of their healthcare regimen.  It’s a great gift to yourself and others!

Mommy Makeovers, Daddy DoOvers,  Filler Facelifts with instant results, Botox/Brotox, Laser hair removal and much more are very popular this time of year.  Let’s talk about getting you started.

Steven Davison M.D.        

“DAVinci where I combine the supreme elements of art and surgical science.”

Dr. Davison is a Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

This blog will introduce you to the new age reversing Juvéderm Voluma™ XC the first FDA approved filler to restore youthfulness to your cheek area.  Watch for it at DAVinci in coming months.  I’m confident You will fall in love with it! 

It is the first filler developed specifically for the cheek area.  Other fillers have been used for years to rejuvenate this mid face area and restore volume and contour, but Juvederm Voluma XC is the first hyaluronic acid filler approved by the FDA to specifically address this area.

Normal age related changes cause loss of volume in the mid face. This volume loss causes the cheeks to flatten out and the skin to droop and sag.  Juverdern Voluma XC is the thickest hyaluronic acid available.  The gel flows smoothly, easily and more consistently.  It is formulated with a small amount of lidocaine to numb the injection site and ensure absolute comfort during injection with immediate results.

Hyaluronic Acid works by attracting water to itself.  This water then binds to the molecules of the filler thus creating volume that plumps up lines, wrinkles and hollows of the face.  When injected into the cheek area it gently lifts the skin, eliminating the hollow cheeks and removing years of aging from the face.

Immediate Results    During clinical trials, patients saw instant correction of age related volume loss in the cheek area.  The results were a more overall youthful appearance.

DAVinci…offers the best, most advanced anti aging treatments available today.  Juvederm Voluma XC is a preview of things to come at DAVinci, in the near future, as we continue to offer our patients the best, safest and most effective treatment options available.

EXPERT INJECTORs!  An expert injector has special training/certification in all dermal fillers, their uses and the  most effective injection methods.  Dentists, Spa personnel, walk in clinic medical doctors and many others who offer the latest, greatest injectable treatments… are not all qualified to perform these anti aging injections to the complex facial anatomy.  An expert injector is a Board certified plastic/reconstructive surgeon specialized in all facial procedures and who also train their medical staff to perform delicate injectable procedures. As Expert Injectors, they have additional specialized training and are certified as “Expert Injectors.” Nora and I are specially trained and certified Expert Injectors.  Know before you go!

THANKSGIVING  and GRATITUDE

Thanksgiving is this month and is recognized as the “time for giving thanks. The benefits of gratitude cannot be overstated.  Harvard researchers announced in 2011 that “giving thanks can make you happier.” I’m confident we all know that but reminders are good. Gratitude was often the forgotten factor in happiness research but is now a topic of serious focus.  Here are a few ways expressing gratitude affects us:

• Expressing gratitude can lift the spirits
• Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives- tangible or intangible
• Showing gratitude means acknowledging the goodness in our lives
• Helps us realize that the source of goodness lies outside ourselves (at least partially)
• Helps us feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, see improved health, deal better with adversity, build strong relationships

More on Gratitude next blog!   In the meantime, let’s all make a conscious effort to be grateful and to show it.

MINI PROCEDURES to LOOK & FEEL YOUR ABSOLUTE HOLIDAY BEST!  Check out my recent blogs and my website: www.davinciplastic.com.

Best to You and Yours,    Steven Davison M.D.

Often patients ask me: “Do I need a facelift?” 

Besides not liking the visible age related changes when looking into the mirror, some valuable guidelines can help determine when it’s time for a surgical facelift. Unwelcome Visible signs of facial aging include: lines, wrinkles, deep etched grooves, hollow cheeks and sunken eyes, thin sagging skin, a poorly defined neck/jawline often with “Turkey Wobble”, sagging eyelids and undereye bags and more.  These are the conditions that send men and women to plastic/cosmetic surgeons for a facelift, if injectables and other mini treatments are not appropriate.

AGING and YOUR FACIAL SHAPE:  Each shape affects how a face will age.

• OVAL FACE … will experience hollowing at the temples and in the cheeks due to fat loss.  Fillers can correct this if started early enough and if needed a Mid-Facelift corrects sagging.
• ROUND FACE…Cheeks and lower face tend to sag.  A lower Facelift addresses this while fat or fillers resculpt the hollow cheeks.
• RECTANGULAR OR SQUARE FACE…usually loose skin and sagging jowls are the most prominent issues.  A Traditional Facelift is usually the best option to effectively correct this extensive aging.
• HEART SHAPED FACE…aging appears first in the forehead and upper eyes. The high cheek bones of heart shaped faces tend to age slower than in square faces  with flat cheekbones.

WHAT ABOUT SURGERY AT AN EARLY AGE?  The trend for the past decade has shifted;  people are getting cosmetic procedures sooner, some at the first signs of aging, rather than later when more extensive work is needed to restore youthfulness.  Celebrities have been teaching us for decades that starting with small procedures early can slow down the appearance of aging and…keep you younger looking always!  Seniors, Boomers and Generation Xer’s are starting mini procedures in their 30’s, with periodic maintenance, and more as needed in their 40’s and no later than 50’s.  Visit my website to peruse the many anti aging options available: HTTP//:www.davinciplastic.com.

STARTING EARLY LEADS TO BETTER, LONGER LASTING RESULTS.  It allows patients to look fresher and younger from the improvement made now rather than dealing with greater aging challenges later in life.  They are getting facelifts along with fillers and Botox and are “looking great!”

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW…BEFORE YOUR SURGERY  –  1) Realistic expectations are essential!  Don’t expect to look 20 if you are 50.  The goal of surgery, in particular, is to  make you look refreshed, more youthful and to fix laxity, hollows etc. Know that a facelift does not always eliminate every single line and wrinkle.   2) Scars are inevitable in spite of our refined techniques and precision instruments.  But, I hide them so often they are not visible while they fade away or blend in.   3)  There is some “downtime.”  For traditional facelift surgery plan on 2-3 weeks before resuming normal activities.  Each case is different, but that’s a reasonable norm. It can take a few months for all swelling to resolve and for your facelift to really settle in.   4)  Learn what can and cannot be fixed/corrected.  The consultation is critical for arriving at an honest understanding of my patient’s concerns, goals and expectations. I believe in educating them as to their options and outcomes.

So if when you look into the mirror you see lines, wrinkles and deeply etched grooves, sagging skin, sunken eyes, loss of facial volume, changing jawline, disappearing neckline and chin…let’s talk about your options sooner rather than later!

Best to You and Yours,

Steven Davison M.D.

“DAVinci…where I combine the supreme elements of art and surgical science.”

A SERIOUS LEVEL OF SKILL IS REQUIRED TO PERFORM INJECTABLE TREATMENTS and to GET BEAUTIFUL, DESIRABLE RESULTS. These are experts and are qualified to give injectable treatments:  Board Certified Plastic Surgeons; Facial Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists or Oculoplastic Surgeons, specially trained RN’s, CRN’s or PA’s who work directly under a surgeons supervision.  The KEY WORDs to look for in their advertising is:  Specially Trained Expert Injector.   These people have specialized training, are certified in injectables of every kind and have a vast knowledge base of their best uses, the risks involved, their history and much more.

PEOPLE NOT QUALIFIED TO PERFORM INJECTABLE TREATMENTS: include aestheticians, hair stylists, cosmetologists, dentists or medical professionals who have not been specifically trained to use today’s injectables. They are not Expert Injectors.

TRUST YOUR DOCTOR’S OFFICE:  The only place you should get injectable treatments performed is in your doctor’s/surgeon’s office or Medi-Spa within that office under the physician’s direct supervision.  DO NOT GET INJECTABLES AT YOUR LOCAL SPA or SALON!  They are not qualified nor medically equipped for routine injections or for emergencies in cases of injury or health complications.  They are not required to follow medically defined sterility and health standards and they are not supervised by an on site doctor who is responsible, trained and experienced.  HTTP://www.davinciplastic.com.

INJECTABLES DO PREVENT LINES and WRINKLES and LIFT SAGGING SKIN…Today’s injectables are truly amazing and they do achieve results either instantly or gradually and subtly.

BOTOX®  is the well known “denerving agent” used to smooth out existing lines and to prevent future ones.  FDA approved in 2002, Botox works by relaxing/paralyzing the muscles in motion that create smile lines, forehead lines, parentheses between the eyes and Botox, (Botulinum Toxin Type A) has been used therapeutically since the early 1950’s for treating spasms, uncontrollable blinking and  much more and today successfully treats chronic Migraine Headaches, excessive sweating etc. and is a leader in cosmetic anti aging treatments.

HYALURONIC ACIDS:  HA is a naturally occurring body substance that declines with aging.  Similar to a sponge, HA attracts and binds to water to keep the skin hydrated and well contoured.  Hyaluronic acid fills in the spaces between collagen and elastin fibers.  Replacing it with injectable treatments means putting back into your body a substance natural to and recognized by the body…it’s accepted, works well and restores youthfulness!  Juvederm, Perlane and Restylane are top choices to replace depleted Hyaluronic Acid.

COLLAGEN BOOSTERS:  These provide long lasting results while stimulating your own collagen production.  Sculptra offers results often lasting up to 24 months and is excellent for filling in hollow cheeks, under eye hollows, nasolabial folds, thin lips and is used in combination with Restylane e.g. to create smoothness around the eye and tear troughs. RADIESSE also is very popular as a collagen booster and provides long lasting results while your own collagen is renewed.

FAT GRAFTING/FAT INJECTIONS using your own body…when injected into targeted areas, plumps up, restores contour, fills in hollows and rejuvenates an aging face, hollow hands and more.  It’s natural, with no risk of rejection or reaction.  Results are subtle and continue over time.

BOTTOM LINE ON INJECTABLES:  We help you decide your best choices to achieve more volume, lifting, to banish lines and wrinkles and to restore a more youthful look!

READY TO GET STARTED…WE CAN HELP YOU PUT YOUR BEST SELF FORWARD!

BEST TO YOU AND YOURS,

Steven Davison, M.D.

“DAVinci…where I combine the supreme elements of art and surgical science.”