Cosmetic Surgery Blog

Natural Anti-aging Supplement Shows Promise in German Study

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Copyeditor

German researchers have found that the antioxidant plant extract Pycnogenol shows promise as a natural anti-aging supplement.

Researchers at the Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine in Dusseldorf, Germany, had 20 female participants, between the ages of 55 to 68, take 75 milligrams of Pycnogenol each day for 12 weeks.

Their skins’ hydration, elasticity and fatigue were assessed at the start of the trial, at six weeks and at 12 weeks. According to results published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, Pycnogenol enhanced the skin in several ways:

Skin elasticity improved by 25%
Skin hydration improved by 8%
Skin smoothness increased by 6%
Wrinkles were reduced by 3%
Hyaluronic acid production increased by 44%

The supplement also improved skin fatigue. Those with dry skin before the study began saw the most noticeable results.

“To date, Pycnogenol is the only natural supplement that stimulates hyaluronic acid production in human skin,” said lead researcher Dr. Jean Krutmann. “And, we are encouraged by the molecular evidence confirmed in this study that shows nutritional supplementation with Pycnogenol benefits human skin.”

Pycnogenol, which comes from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, has also been used to treat allergies and asthma and for the prevention of stroke, heart disease and varicose veins. Previous studies have shown that the supplement may protect collagen, increase blood flow to the skin and protect the skin against UV damage.

The authors concluded that Pycnogenol supplementation may be useful to counteract the clinical signs of skin aging.

For those who are looking for more than a natural supplement to fight aging, hyaluronic acid fillers and chemical peels are two of the non-surgical procedures available to improve the skin’s appearance. To learn more about non-invasive cosmetic treatments, contact Rosen Cosmetic Surgery.

Women Who Want Curves Turn to Cosmetic Surgery

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Copyeditor

thigh augmentation Today’s women are embracing their curves. If they don’t naturally have them, they may turn to cosmetic surgery for enhancements.

For instance, RealSelf, a social media website for sharing information about cosmetic procedures, reported that in 2011 searches for butt augmentations on the site rose 39 percent, making it the “fastest moving topic on the site in terms of overall consumer interest.”

With the rise of procedures like the Brazilian butt lift, in which a patient’s own fat is transferred to enhance the shape and size of the buttocks, women are looking to enhance other areas as well.

Next Trend for Curves: Thigh Augmentation?

A study published recently in the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery examined thigh augmentation, which uses a custom implant. The authors report that: “Breasts are getting bigger, buttocks are getting fuller, and there is increasing demand for a fuller, more curvaceous look to the thighs.”

According to the study, 18 women received the implants to achieve a fuller appearance in the thighs. During the procedure, a custom-made lateral thigh prosthesis is surgically inserted to give more curve to the lateral thigh area.

The authors reported that all patients were satisfied with the procedure. There were no major complications during the study, and they concluded that the implants helped women achieve a fuller look in the thigh without significant risk.

Traditional Cosmetic Surgery for Adding Curves

Some of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures have always been about giving women more curves. For instance, many women who are dissatisfied with the size, shape and fullness of their breasts often turn to breast augmentation.

A tummy tuck is a popular way for a woman to get a flatter stomach. It creates a smaller waistline, which accentuates curves above and below the waist.

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Advances in Cosmetic Surgery Highlighted at Scientific Meeting

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Copyeditor

Surgeons recently gathered for the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery’s (AACS) annual scientific meeting to learn about the latest advances in cosmetic surgery.

During the meeting in Las Vegas, the academy also inducted Dr. Gerald Edds, MD, FACS, as the 2012 president of the AACS.

“To be elected president of the leading organization for cosmetic surgeons worldwide is an incredible honor,” said Dr. Edds. “The AACS remains the trusted source for the highest quality training and continuing medical educations for doctors practicing cosmetic surgery. We will continue to set the standard in these areas and expand our presence internationally.”

The AACS’s 28^th annual scientific meeting attracted record attendance, with more than 700 medical professionals.

Dr. Rosen was one of the presenters at the meeting. During the Foundations of Cosmetic Breast Surgery session, he presented on the topic of “Breast Augmentation: Analyzing Operative Anatomy.”

Dr. Edds said that this year’s meeting focused on the education mission of the AACS to advance cosmetic surgery and quality patient care by featuring sessions customized for each specialty within the field, focused on best practices, practice gaps, patient safety and quality improvement.

Cosmetic surgeons could attend sessions on a wide range of cosmetic surgery topics, including: Advanced Topics in Body Contouring and Post-Bariatric Surgery; Rhinoplasty and Otoplasty; Blepharoplasty and Browlift; Advanced Topics in Breast Surgery; and Advanced Topics in Face and Neck Surgery.

Keynote speakers came from around the world, including Dr. Jean Carruthers, of Vancouver, Canada, who is a pioneer of the cosmetic use of botulinum A exotoxin and Dr. Luitgard Wiest, of Munich, Germany, a renowned dermatologist.

To learn more about the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, visit www.cosmeticsurgery.org.

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Looking Younger One of the Benefits of Rhinoplasty, Study Finds

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Copyeditor

benefits of rhinoplasty Patients who undergo rhinoplasty to improve the shape of their nose may also look younger after the procedure, according to new research.

The study found that the anti-aging benefits of rhinoplasty were statistically significant, and, on average, patients looked 1.5 years younger after the procedure, according to Ali Sepehr, MD, and researchers at the University of Toronto.

During the study, 50 people guessed the ages of 53 rhinoplasty patients in before-and-after photos. The patients ranged in age from 15 to 61, and about three-quarters were women.

Patients who had a hump reduced or removed saw the greatest anti-aging effect. Among these patients, the reduction in perceived age was 1.6 years younger after surgery, compared to 1.1 years for patients who did not have a hump prior to surgery. Those with a droopy tip also saw more of the age reduction benefit.

Whether a patient was older or younger at the time of surgery was less of a factor, the researchers reported.

“Older patients tended to enjoy a greater degree of rejuvenation,” they wrote in the study. But the differences between age reduction in older vs. younger patients was not statistically significant.

While rhinoplasty may make you look slightly younger, this is not the reason people choose the procedure. Patients are usually motivated to have nose surgery in order to improve the look of their nose or to improve their breathing.

Dr. Sepehr told Reuters Health, “I wouldn’t say that in terms of the findings of this study, it adds a major reason to go forward with the procedure. It’s just a nice added benefit when somebody’s already going to get the procedure for another purpose.”

Nose surgery can reduce the size of the nose, remove bumps, improve the nasal angle and alleviate breathing problems. To learn more about nose surgery, contact Dr. Rosen.

Sources: MedPage Today, Reuters Health