With today’s refined techniques and heightened sensitivity of the plastic surgery industry, there’s no reason for any woman to be unhappy with how her feminine nether regions look or feel. We briefly discussed the topic of revitalizing the “V zone” in the Mommy Makeover blogs a few months ago. I thought it would be worth going over in depth to help more women, not just recent moms, realize that there can be a solution for their concerns in this area and it isn’t taboo.

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL… As women age and especially after childbirth, the female genitalia, let’s call it FemGen for short, can drastically change. It may look different, feel different or both. Every woman is unique, but some are born with irregularities that cause discomfort. Any of these irregular FemGen issues, whether genetic or from life experience, can be very troubling both emotionally and physically for women in all ages and stages of life. Revitalizing the “V Zone” through Labiaplasty or Vaginoplasty can help women feel normal in that sensitive area, which can increase self confidence and sexual satisfaction.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LABIAPLASTY AND VAGINOPLASTY… To simplify, Vaginoplasty addresses internal vaginal corridor and Labiaplasty addresses concerns with the outside labia minora or majora. There is also Perineoplasty, which is commonly done to correct poor healing from vaginal trauma in childbirth resulting in a drastic tear or episiotomy with an irregular scar. Vaginoplasty is usually done to tighten the vaginal canal. This is the most complicated of the FemGen procedures because it addresses internal muscles, so it requires a very skilled and experienced surgeon. Labioplasty is the most commonly performed surgery of the 3. It is also called Labial Revision, Labial Beautification, Labial Reduction, Labial Augmentation, etc.

1. LABIAPLASTY RESTORES BEAUTY AND COMFORT… To some women, their “flower” looks a little wilted, large or lopsided and so Labiaplasty can beautify this area. Refining the labia also means more comfort for some women. If the labia is too enlarged, thickened or elongated, it can cause several physical discomforts or embarrassment.

2.  Excess tissue from enlarged labia traps moisture causing irritation, rashes and infections.

3.  Visible lumps can be seen through tighter clothing, such as athletic wear, tight pants, baithing suits, etc.
4.  Certain movements can be uncomfortable, like when exercising, biking and during sexual intimacy.
5.  Labia can cause discomfort and pain during intimacy and get in the way of sexual gratification and fulfillment.

“V ZONE” VOLUME LOSS… This isn’t just an issue for the face. Volume loss that comes with aging affects the FemGen area too. This loss of padding on the pubic mons and labia majora can make sexual intimacy quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, the natural padding can be restored through Fat Transfer, also known as Fat Grafting.

So whatever it is you’d like to address in your FemGen area; tightening,contouring/ trimming, filling to replace volume or flattening (remove an obvious bulge), there is a safe and effective procedure that can help you restore confidence and comfort. To schedule a consultation with a confidential, caring specialist plastic surgeon, visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Going into summer, I can’t put enough emphasis on the importance of protecting your skin. It is one of the greatest causes of aging skin and skin cancer, which is the most prevalent form of cancer in the U.S.
How does the sun age skin?
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light harms the elastin to cause sagging skin later in life. When the elastin fibers break down over time, the skin loses its ability to go back into place after stretching, and will bruise and tear more readily. Collagen is also negatively affected by UV rays to cause a hollow, dehydrated appearance due to volume loss as we age. Skin discoloration called pigmentation comes to the surface of the skin, and this uneven skin tone also contributes to an aged appearance.

What is skin cancer?
It is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells that results in tumors. These are either noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Of the 3 main types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are less serious types and very successfully treated when detected early. Melanoma, consisting of abnormal skin pigment cells, is the most serious form of skin cancer. Of all the deaths from cancer, 75% of them all are from melanoma.

Protect yourself against aging and skin cancer caused by the sun… As you can see, skin cancer can be serious and yet in many cases it is preventable. Even if you’ve damaged your skin from over exposure, which you can’t completely undo, there still is hope. The skin is regenerative, so to some extent ongoing sun protection can help in the healing process and prevent further damage.

Tips to help prevent skin damage from the sun:
• Wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses that have UV shield.
• Stay out of the direct sun during peak UV radiation hours between 10 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Protect your children, especially since the majority of sun damage happens before age 18.
• For UVB protection, use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more. Sunscreen with zinc oxide provides UVA protection, but should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure. Be sure to reapply every 2 hours or more often if you are sweating or swimming.

Sunscreen Scam… A recent study done by Consumer Reports shows that many of today’s sunscreens falsely advertise levels of SPF. In some cases, certain brands had up to 70 percent less protection than advertised on the package. The test included 34 brands, 11 of which fell short of their protection claims, some of them being:

• Coppertone ClearlySheer for Beach & Pool SPF 50+ (delivered SPF 37)
• Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance SPF 50 (delivered SPF 28)
• Babyganics Mineral-Based SPF 50+ (delivered SPF 25)
• Banana Boat Sport Performance Clear UltraMist with Powerstay Technology SPF 50+ (delivered SPF 24)
• Yes To Cucumbers Natural SPF 30 (delivered SPF 14)

The brands that received good protection ratings were:
• Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50 lotion
• Equate (Walmart) Ultra Protection SPF 50 lotion
• Banana Boat SunComfort Continuous Spray SPF 50+
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Melt-in Sunscreen Milk SPF 60 (got a perfect score of 100 in the test)

Please perform skin self-exams regularly to be familiar with existing growths so that you notice changes. Also, if you are unhappy with the effects of elastin and collagen damage already caused by the sun and aging, I offer a variety of effective surgical and non surgical options to help rejuvenate your skin. Visit www.davinciplastic.com for more details.

Enjoy your summer!

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

Since I just finished writing about the Lower Face, I thought we’d work our way up to the Mid Face and review what we can do to rejuvenate the whole face by working on this often overlooked area. Most people start to notice gravity’s affects on their brows and upper eyelids, but the subtle effect of volume loss and sagging skin in the Mid Face or cheek area can have a ripple effect to simultaneously age the eyes and the lower part of the face.

EFFECTS OF AN AGING MID FACE… Bone loss and fat loss in the cheek area starts to become evident for most people in their 40s. This can show itself as a flattening of the cheeks. The drooping of the mid face can cause a hollowing look under the eyes as the smooth contour from lower eyelids to full elevated cheeks diminishes. The sagging skin also ends up causing nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and more prominent creases around the mouth.

OPTIONS FOR MID FACE REJUVENATION… Depending on what level of bone and fat loss you’re experiencing, the remedies can range from a non invasive to a varying degree of surgical options. During your consultation time, we will be able to determine your goals and which option(s) is best to accomplish them. Here’s an overview of the top options for correcting Mid Face aging:
1. Liquid Face Lift with the hyaluronic acid injectable Juvederm Voluma XC is a painless option that is great for milder cases of Mid Face aging and requires no downtime. This can effectively deliver improvement in cheek volume and youthful contour while minimizing the fine lines around the mouth, such as the nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Results would last about 8 to 12 months.

2. Midface Mini lift is a relatively minor surgery for moderate cases of Mid Face aging. It takes several years off your appearance by restoring youthful elevation and fullness to the cheeks, while smoothing folds and wrinkles in the Mid Face and deeper nasolabial folds. It doesn’t address the lower face issues like a full Face Lift would. Recovery time …to resume work and non strenuous daily activity is usually about a week after surgery.

3. Cheek Augmentation uses an implant to improve the overall look of your face to achieve those full, high cheek bones or it will restore the cheek contour of your youth. The filling and lifting effect in the cheeks will have a gentle pull on the sagging Mid Face skin to also soften or eliminate deep nasolabial folds. Recovery takes about a week, but the results of the beautiful contoured cheeks are permanent.

4. Face Lift is a comprehensive approach to the more severe effects of aging. Depending on the kind of Face Lift, it can address every area of the face from the forehead down to the neck. Face lifts correct fat and bone loss, and sagging skin and muscles to take 10 years off your appearance. You can see the blog series from February for more details on Face Lifts or… visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Stay Healthy!

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

In the blog last week, I talked about the importance of a smooth, tight contoured neck and jawline for an overall youthful appearance. An angled definition between the jawline and neck creates a desirable, aesthetic profile. This week you’ll find out how different neck procedures can reverse different aspects of neck aging. If you are unhappy with any of these characteristics of your neck and jowels, then this blog will address the possible solutions for you:
• loose sagging skin
• excess fat
• vertical bands
• horizontal creases

LIPOSUCTION FOR EXCESS NECK FAT… If you have excess fat under your jawline, then you may have no face to neck differentiation. The double chin can also make the face look bigger and disproportionate. A good candidate for liposuction… to correct these issues should have good skin elasticity and strong neck muscles. This usually applies to my younger clients, who may be genetically predisposed for pockets of fat under the chin… that are unaffected by diet and exercise. In cases like this, the reduction of fat below the jawline can give the neck a longer, refined appearance.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN NECK LIPOSUCTION…Liposuction for the neck, formally called Submental Liposuction, involves using a cannula (vacuum tube) or a syringe to gently suction excess fat. Since there is only minor discomfort and bruising with my gentle methods, Submental Liposuction can be performed on Friday and you could return to work on Monday. Also, if planned beforehand, I can treat and purify the fat to be transferred, using my special techniques, to fill in lips or deep creases and wrinkles in other areas of the body and face.

NECK LIFT FOR OVERALL NECK REJUVENATION… Most of my patients, who are looking to rejuvenate their neck and jawline, require the multi faceted approach of a neck lift. The two main kinds of neck lifts that I perform are Cervicoplasty and Platysmaplasty. Both can include liposuction, but Cervicoplasty specifically addresses the limp and drooping skin. Platysmaplasty is a combination of liposuction with surgical removal of the stretched or sagging skin AND tightening muscles. The surgery is named Platysmaplasty because it includes correcting the platysma muscle that can detach and sag with aging.

Each kind of neck lift can address the midline neck correction of muscles that cause “turkey waddle.” It improves the chin and neck definition with the removal of extra skin and fat, and in the case of Platysmaplasty, the muscle too.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN A NECK LIFT…. This 2 to 4 hour surgery requires tiny incisions under your chin and also possibly behind the ears. Sutures close the incisions and a compression bandage supports your neck after the surgery is performed in our state of the art outpatient facility. Mild discomfort easily managed with oral pain medication, will diminish a little each day along with any bruising, swelling and numbness. Stitches are removed within 7 to 10 days and you can typically return to work within 10 to 14 days after surgery.
A Neck Lift can be combined with a FaceLift or Eyelid lift, along with injectable fillers for a complete face and neck rejuvenation. Please contact me to schedule a consultation to discuss your face and neck contouring goals at www.davinciplastic.com.

Happy Spring!

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

No matter how smooth, firm and wrinkle free someone’s face is, when the neck is drooping, weathered and wrinkled, it can take away from any youthful appearance. So unless you want to be wearing a turtle neck or scarf year round, take care of your neck. If you’re already noticing the signs of aging, then don’t worry because I can help. There are a variety of ways to rejuvenate the neck and take years off your overall appearance.

Why Rejuvenate the Neck… Although it’s technically not part of the face, having a smooth, trim neck profile can dramatically restore an overall natural and youthful appearance. A youthful neck contour not only makes the patient appear younger, but also elegant and refined. The neck also can have a significant aging (or anti aging) effect on the profile.

How the Neck Ages… Understanding the underlying muscles of the neck and how they are affected by the aging process will help you understand why the neck ages and how. The platysma muscle is immediately under the skin of the neck. In our youth, it is tight and meets in the middle of the neck under the chin. You can easily see this muscle in the mirror when you clench your teeth and tighten your jaw.

As we age, the right and left sides of the platysma muscle come apart, which creates the look of vertical bands in the neck. Also, as the skin loses elasticity with age, the lower part of the face and neck show the effects most dramatically. This results in sagging, drooping jowel and waddle under the chin.

Reverse Aging of the Neck… I have extensive study and experience in the face and neck rejuvenation. As a matter of fact, they’re my specialty. The most effective surgical options for rejuvenating the neck are liposuction, cervicoplasty and the neck lift, technically called a platysmaplasty, which is named after the muscle in the neck that the surgery corrects.

Liposuction: Generally speaking, my younger clients who want more definition between their jawline and neck who still have good skin elasticity and strong muscles are good candidates for liposuction.

Cervicoplasty: This procedure is geared towards those people who are just concerned with the double chin or excess neck waddle.

Platysmaplasty: A neck lift deals with more midline neck correction of muscles that improves the chin and neck, as well as the removal of extra skin and fat.

Without a doubt, the neck is a major contributor to the overall youthfulness of the face. In the hands of a specialist, these surgeries for the removal of fat and excess skin, and tightening of the muscles, are sure to result in an attractive neck contour and rejuvenated appearance. Contact me today to schedule a consultation, www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon

Facelift for a Firm, Full and Fabulous Face

The Facelift is one of the most time tested and evolved cosmetic surgeries. Todays’ Facelift has many customizable options for facial rejuvenation and when performed by an expert surgeon like myself, you can expect to achieve beautiful results. Often, it is a combination of surgical and non surgical procedures that help my patients achieve the optimal age reversal results.

FACELIFT FOR FACIAL HARMONY…There certainly is an art to the science and surgery of the Facelift. It is always my goal to create a rejuvenated appearance that is harmonious and restores natural curvatures and volume in the right places. Each feature of the face may show the signs of aging at different rates, so it’s best to address each feature at the right time. It’s also important not to neglect an area of the face so that the effect is a disjunction in aging. In conjunction with injectables, there are levels of Facelifts, from less invasive to those that can take up to 10 years off your appearance.

FACELIFT IN YOUR 40s…It’s very normal to try liquid face lifts, especially now with VOLUMA XC to restore volume in the cheeks and create a subtle lift to the mid face that can even lessen marionette lines. But if the upper face and lower face need to be addressed as well, a mini lift is the least invasive surgical option. This option is highly requested by women in their 40s. Mini lifts give better definition by tightening the underlying muscles. This can really give a youthful boost to the brows or jaw line that can keep you looking younger for longer.

FACE LIFT IN YOUR 50s AND 60s… Often times, women in this age range are looking for more noticeable results that address specific age issues that can’t be fixed with injectables. A Traditional Facelift during this time can take 10 years off the face. As skin sagging becomes more apparent, so do concerns of drooping brow, mid-face and sometimes the neck. The Traditional, also called a Full Facelift is the only way to rejuvenate every area of the face from the forehead down to the neck.

• THE MANY FACETS OF THE FACELIFT…Facelifts address many layers of the face to restore youthful appearance. While in decades past it just involved tightening skin and using skin tension to contour the face, modern Facelifts accomplish more natural contours by taking a multi faceted surgical approach. It even improves the facial shape to be less square and more angular or tapered, which is more youthful. Addressing the layers of the FaceLift include:
• reposition sagging muscles, fat and tissue
• redrape skin
• reduce excess face, jawline and neck skin

COMBINATION FOR OVERALL FACIAL REJUVENATION… Each individual has unique needs, but a youthful appearance that is harmonious across all facial features often involves a facelift in combination with other common facial rejuvenation procedures. Some combinations include:

• eyelift
• browlifts
• lip filler
• chin augmentation
• necklift

I am triple board certified in plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, and head & neck surgery. You can be confident you’re in the best hands for a facelift. Contact me today to schedule a consultation. www.davinciplastic.com

You can trust your face to this facial plastic surgeon!

Steven Davison M.D.

Just What She Really Wants for Valentine’s Day …

With Valentine’s Day one week away, gift shopping is in full swing. But if you want to get one of the most desired gifts, you don’t need to brave the malls. Simply come in to DaVinci Plastic Surgery to get a gift certificate for your ‘someone special’ because surveys say that 78% of women would “be impressed” if they received this for a Valentine’s Day gift. And what are they most likely to get? Most certificates are in the price range that is perfect for Botox or dermal fillers.

BOTOX OVER CHOCOLATES AND FLOWERS… There are certain women who’d be offended by the gift, but you can be sure that your lady would love the gift if she is:

• already a regular consumer of injectables
• has asked for treatments as gifts for other holidays
• had one treatment of Botox or filler and expressed happiness with the results
• ever mentioned that she’s considered getting injectable treatments to address her aging concerns

WHY WOMEN WANT INJECTABLES AS GIFTS… Injectables such as BOTOX, JUVEDERM, VOLUMA, SCULPTRA and RADIESSE can directly affect the confidence and satisfaction one has with their looks. This goes much further than that designer purse or shoes. Every time they look in the mirror they’ll see the rejuvenated face and think of you in appreciation.

WHICH INJECTABLES TO CHOOSE… There is a benefit to giving a gift certificate since that eliminates the guess work as to which treatment to choose. Your Valentine’s sweetheart can select from a variety of the effective, safe treatments to address the area that she wants most. Here are some ideas of what they have to choose from:

• BOTOX is perfect to smooth out those two vertical lines between the brows, crow’s feet around the eyes, smoker’s lines above the lips, nose furrows and thick lines in the neck. One treatment achieves noticeable improvement immediately (expect a little swelling at injection sites) that increases for optimal results within 7 to 14 days of treatment. AND – these relaxed lines will last for several months.
• JUVEDERM is a smooth hyaluronic acid filler to instantly smooth out those lines on the side of your nose and mouth.  This is also a popular treatment used to create luscious lips. Juvederm’s natural looking results can last up to a year.
• VOLUMA XC is the only FDA approved filler to instantly add volume to the cheek area. By replacing lost volume, Voluma XC creates a non surgical mini facelift that can rejuvenate the midface and lessen marionette lines around the mouth. Results can last up to 2 years.
• SCULPTRA is the only facial injectable with gradual, subtle results that can last 2 years or longer. It adds youthful volume to the face while stimulating collagen renewal.
• RADIESSE is a semi permanent filler that uses unique, calcium-based microspheres to create scaffolding for your own collagen to grown around.  Long after the Radiesse breaks down, the collagen it encouraged will help keep the face youthful longer.

Take the guesswork out of Valentine’s Day gift giving and get something that your sweetheart would love… a certificate to choose their rejuvenation treatment at DaVinci Plastic Surgery. www.davinciplastic.com

See you soon!

Dr. Davison

Seasonal Guide to Cosmetic Surgery

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… for cosmetic surgery. While cosmetic surgery can easily be performed all year long, there are times of year that make it more convenient. This time of year, the winter, is perfect to get the majority of the surgeries on your list. (You added this to your Holiday Wish List already right?) Here is a guide for you when considering the ideal season for you to get the surgery you’ve been wanting.

Winter

Cosmetic surgeries in winter are great because:

• Cold climates require bulkier clothes, turtlenecks, scarves, and hats.
• Lots of holidays like Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years, Martin Luther King, and Presidents Day allow for long weekends and time off.
• Often business is slow so your absence from the work place wouldn’t be as noticeable.
• You’ve decided to finally get “the look” you’ve always wanted for the New Year!

LIPOSUCTION, TUMMY TUCK, BREAST IMPLANTS… just about any type of cosmetic surgery is great during the winter. The thicker clothing with more coverage conceals any swelling and bruising, and is overall more cozy and comfy for nurturing your healing. It also covers any drastic body changes so it won’t be noticed if your body looks one way today and different tomorrow.

RHINOPLASTY, FACELIFT, BLEPHAROPLASTY, BROW LIFT, LASER RESURFACING… and their after effects like swelling and bruising are discretely covered by hats, scarves, and turtlenecks. It’s also very normal to go darker in your hair color and makeup with the season change, so this can help draw attention away from facial surgery and cover any bruising.

Spring

Spring is a better time for surgery for those who want to focus on being around family and stay visible, in the social scene, during the winter. The “spring cleaning” mindset of getting things done can be an inspiration to get the surgery done that has been on the back of the mind.

BODY CONTOURING, LIPOSUCTION, BREAST AUGMENTATION… cross them off the list and allow your body a full recovery for summer months of beach, more revealing clothes, and bathing suits. New years resolutions for weight loss have a chance to kick in and become a habit so that body contouring can have the best results.

Summer

Unless you want to use your summer vacation time to recover, summer isn’t the ideal time for cosmetic surgery. But, if this is the best time for you then avoid the sun and sweating for a normal healing process… so no you shouldn’t be hanging out poolside while you heal. Dr. Davison’s advanced techniques allow for shorter healing times than with older procedures.

BOTOX, JUVEDERM, RADIESSE, SCULPTRA… are good choices for the summer months. These injectables require little or no down time or recovery. They are in and out and you’re on your way to looking fabulous on your vacation or for those summer parties.

Fall

This is another good time to consider cosmetic surgery. The fall boasts cooler weather that required clothes with more coverage. The back to school routine can provide some predictability that would allow for scheduling a surgery, just in time for the holidays.

But who wants to wait all the way until next fall? The winter season we’re in right now is ideal for any cosmetic procedure. Men and women of all ages and stages in life are taking advantage of holiday breaks to schedule a consultation and then the cosmetic procedure they’ve been wanting to have done.  You can do the same today at www.davinciplastic.com.

Best Wishes,

Dr. Steven Davison

Get a Glowing Face for the Holidays

December Beauty Tips

Oh the holidays are a joyful time of family, friends, and being with loved ones. There are countless social gatherings and many pictures will be taken. This is the time of year you’re going to want to look your best.

Along with all the fun comes a bit of stress and fatigue. It can take its toll on your health…and on your beauty. This can show up as dark circles, puffy eyes, fine lines, wrinkles, and a dull, uneven complexion. These culprits include:

• not enough sleep
• too much rich food
• more wine than usual
• cold, dry air

Nearly everyone is affected by these factors and the extra stress put on our looks this time of year, but there are also simple ways to neutralize some of the damage.

ADD THESE STEPS IN WITH YOUR HOLIDAY FUN TO HELP PRESERVE HEALTHY, GLOWING SKIN:

1)   For every glass of wine or other beverage … drink a glass of water. Alcohol is dehydrating and can age your skin. There is no substitute for good, pure water to flush toxins and help you stay hydrated.

2)   While there’s so much more to do, stay organized and take it one day at a time. Don’t skimp on your sleep to compensate, just try to make the most of the day time. Adequate rest helps your body heal and rejuvenate.

3)   You’ll have those frustrating moments where taking some deep breaths and counting to ten will be crucial. Don’t let the stress get to you. Play calming music, use aromatherapy, and laugh it off.

4)   As hard as it will be, maintaining your exercise routine will keep your metabolism going to burn those extra calories, the sweat will help flush out the toxins, and the endorphins will help you manage your mood during stressful moments.

5)   While eating splurges are just going to happen, balance those by eating nutrient dense foods, such as raw fruits and veggies, unprocessed nuts, avocados, salads and high quality proteins. Minimize the carbs and sugar as much as possible.

6)   And don’t forget to treat yourself to an anti aging procedure and skincare products that don’t just counteract the damage done, but repair and restore your skin’s youthfulness.

QUICK TREATMENTS TO GET THAT SMOOTH, WRINKLE FREE SKIN

With all the social events and photos you’ll be in, be proactive with your skin by taking advantage of the “in and out” procedures that don’t involve recovery, but offer fairly quick results.

Injectables such Botox smooth out those forehead wrinkles. The fillers Juvederm, Radiesse or Sculptra can plump and smooth lines and even contour the face for a fullness that turns back the clock several years.

A gift certificate for these, and other procedures offered at Davinci Plastic Surgery, will be sure to elicit a glowing smile. Visit www.Davinciplastic.com for more youth enhancing gift ideas.

Best Wishes to you and your loved ones.

Dr. Steven Davison

Take Years Off Your Face with Rhinoplasty

Poor Rudolph the Reindeer. All he’s known for is his bright red nose. In reality, no person suffers from a bright red glowing nose, but sometimes those humps and bumps, that droopy or bulbous tip, or crooked bridge can make some people feel like they do. Ideally, the nose is meant to fit harmoniously with your unique facial composition.

RESHAPING WITH RHINOPLASTY… Commonly called a “nose job,” Rhinoplasty plastic surgery can enhance the nose in many ways. By reducing its size or shape, or correcting injuries, the nose can become part of a pleasing facial unity. I’ve written about this before and am considered one of the experts in this area, but this time I’d like to focus on the anti aging benefits that can be provided by Rhinoplasty.

NEGLECTED NOSE NO MORE… Cosmetic procedures such as facelift, necklift, and blepheroplasty are very popular for turning back the time on the face. However, most people don’t realize that Rhinoplasty can have dramatic age reversing effects, as well. While Rhinoplasty is still predominantly considered a facial modification procedure to change the nose to be more visually pleasing, it is becoming more recognized for its age reversing effects. Predominantly it’s being done as part of an overall facial rejuvenating experience in combination with fillers and other surgeries.

HOW THE NOSE AGES THE FACE… The break down of collagen and elastin fibers in skin surrounding the nose and in the cartilage of the nose causes sagging and drooping. This can make the nose stretch and appear longer. This combination of droopy nose tip, and loss of elasticity and volume to the surrounding areas makes the nose look even larger, which amplifies the appearance of facial aging.

NOSE JOBS “THEN & NOW”… In years past, rhinoplasty involved removing most of the cartilage, which also made it more prone to aging faster. With less support structure for the tip of the nose, it would more readily fall down and forward. In today’s surgical methods, only a small portion of the cartilage may need to be removed. Even so, I also reinforce the supporting structures of the nose to make it less affected by gravity, therefore staying younger longer.

FACIAL HARMONY… The nose is the centerpiece of the face and so it really affects how well the other features are integrated. It shouldn’t distract from the lips or eyes, but if other areas of the face are receiving the anti aging attention of injectables and surgery, while the nose stays untouched, it could become a distraction.

YOUTHFUL NOSE FOR A YOUTHFUL FACE… There are some recognizable features of a youthful nose that can help rejuvenate your appearance. Here are a few:

1. Smooth and Even rather than bumpy and bulbous.

2. Tip pointed slightly up rather than dropping down.

3. Narrower width rather than poorly defined placement.

So follow your nose for an anti aging RHINOPLASTY that can help take years off your face. Visit my website www.davinciplastic.com to schedule a consultation.

Botox nose reshaping is one of today’s most popular procedures and requires no surgery. While you’re short on time for surgical Rhinoplasty for the Holidays, if surgery is not required, Botox may be a good option for you. Otherwise, schedule your Rhinoplsty surgery now for the first of the year and start enjoying a “more youthful” facial appearance.  Rhinoplasty is popular among people of all ages, stages and ethnicities and people love giving and receiving the gift of cosmetic procedures.

Dr. Davison

Tummy Tuck Time

With the coming feasts that are part of Thanksgiving and the December holidays, it’s going to be very hard not to put on an extra few pounds this winter season. Many people are already starting behind the curve by not meeting their summer weight loss goals, and will add more pounds to that over the next 2 months.

If that’s you, there’s no reason to be depressed about it. As long as you’re on the journey towards better health (or plan to start in the new year), there’s a solution to help you get the results you desire. A Tummy Tuck could be just the boost you need to get on the right track for the body you want.

WHO GETS A TUMMY TUCK AND WHY… This is one of the most common procedures. As with most elective surgery, it’s for people with generally good health, but can help most anyone who’s struggled to get rid of belly bulges. It could be from stubborn post pregnancy weight that won’t budge, to that extra bit that just won’t go away no matter how much you work out or diet. A Tummy Tuck can:

• reshape your body to fit comfortably in the clothes you want,
• relieve back ache from getting rid of extra weight,
• help boost your energy and self confidence.

WHAT IS A TUMMY TUCK…Formally called an Abdominoplasty, it is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area resulting in a smoother, flatter tummy. It is the “Gold Standard” and surgery of choice for men and women who want to be rid of the tummy rolls, beer belly, and muffin top. Unlike just getting liposuction, a Tummy Tuck removes both the fat and the stretched out skin for a completely smooth abdominal area.

WHERE CAN YOU TUCK… While Abdominoplasty, by name, is focusing on the abdominal area, you can also receive the same type of procedure and benefits on different parts of your body. For example, some other common areas include:

• hips
• thighs
• back
• bra line
• buttocks

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR A TUMMY TUCK… recovery from this type of surgery generally takes about 6 weeks, so it’s important to plan for some down time. Some people like to use the time off, they’re already getting for the holidays, others like to start off their “New Year with a New Body.” Every person is different, which is why our time in the consult is so important.

FULL BODY CONTOURING… If you’re looking for a full body lift and tuck, Abdominoplasty can be combined with other procedures to address all your areas of concern. Here are some more options for full body contouring:

• Liposuction to remove targeted fat deposits.
• Arm Lifts (Brachiaplasty) to eliminate the hanging, flabby skin under the arm.
• Breast Augmentation, Reduction and Lifts to create a harmonious upper body balance in breast size and form.
• Lower Body Lift to remove fat and extra skin, while lifting and reshaping the thighs, lower abs, and buttocks.

So is it your “time for a tummy tuck”? Let’s talk about your body rejuvenating goals. Visit my website www.davinciplastic.com for more info.

Steven Davison, M.D.

The face is such a harmonious masterpiece that even the slightest tweak can make a drastic change to the whole face. Just take the controversy last month over the Hollywood actress Renee Zellwegers’s new look. She stepped onto the red carpet at ELLE’s 21st annual Women In Hollywood Awards and something was markedly different about her appearance, particularly the eye and forehead area. Regardless of whether you think it’s an improvement or not, she’s still a beautiful woman, and yet it’s amazing how much change can be made from the small procedures (eyelid lift and botox) that are speculated she’s had done.

Before and After…I have many patients’ before and after photos that point out how much altering the eye and forehead area can change the overall appearance of the face. It offers a completely refreshed, alert, and newly rejuvenated look. So if you have struggled with the terribly aging effects of droopy or puffy eyelids, and deep forehead wrinkles, you can rest assured that there are simple, safe and effective solutions that Davinci Plastic Surgery can provide.

Consider eye lid lift if you…

• have excess, hanging skin covering the natural fold of the upper eyelids
• upper and lower eyelids appear puffy, making your eyes look tired and aged
• have deep troughs under your eyes

What BLEPHAROPLASTY involves… For upper lids you can expect a more visible eyelid that opens up the eyes by removing the excess, hanging skin. To accomplish this without any signs of surgery, the incision line will be made at the natural eyelid crease.

For the lower eyelids
 you can expect the dark shadow created by the bulge and hollow to disappear, giving you a more awake, rejuvenated look. There are a few surgical method options depending on the eye structure and elasticity of the skin, including making an incision just below the eyelashes or inside the eyelid.

Consider a BROW LIFT if you…

• Just don’t like heavy brows close to your eyes
• Have thickened, deep creases in between the brows
• Feel like your lower brows give you a sad, tired or angry look

What a BROW LIFT involves … There are a few methods to choose from depending on your facial structure, such as Biplane, Endoscopic and Traditional/Coronal/Direct Browlift. Knowing which one is best for an individual is why it’s so important to choose someone like myself who is an expert in these types of surgeries. The incisions will be hidden in the hairline and my techniques result in less swelling, bruising and recovery time.

Non Surgical Eye Area Rejuvenation…

• Try hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers lower eyelids. JUVÉDERM can be injected into the under eye trough where there’s normally dark circles to rejuvenate the appearance of the under-eye area.
• Fat grafting is also an option for filling in sunken under eyes.
• Lasers to tighten excess skin and remove wrinkles.
• BOTOX for relaxing the lines on the forehead and crows feet.
• These all may be used in conjunction with BLEPHAROPLASTY to accomplish optimal results for youthful eyes.

Rejuvenating your eye area will impact the youthful appearance of your whole face. Some say the eyes are the gateway to the soul, but I can at least attest that the eyes are the gateway to the face. Let’s talk about revitalizing your eye area today. To learn more visit www.davinciplastic.com

Steven Davison, MD

Facial & Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon/Board Certified