Introducing the RHA Collection
In the worlds of plastic surgery and skincare in the United States, we’ve grown familiar with injectables brand names such as Juvederm. And for good reason.
Juvederm is a hyaluronic filler know for effectively smoothing and plumping areas of the face where there’s a lack of volume.
Yet for the past five years in Europe, doctors and skincare specialists have utilized a new family of fillers to great success. They’re known as the RHA Collection and are now available here in the United States.
And they’re truly revolutionary.
Turn up the Volume
As we age, the production of hyaluronic acid at the cellular level steadily decreases. The lack of this means a decrease in elasticity. And all too soon, we start to notice sagging skin and stagnant facial wrinkles.
Like Juvederm, the RHA collection consists of an innovative hyaluronic acid formula that targets these areas to add volume and rejuvenate your skin. The result? A more youthful and exuberant appearance.
But where the RHA Collection has an advantage is with dynamic lines and folds that develop.
Your Face Is Constantly in Motion
Well, except maybe when you’re asleep. But the point is, decades of movements such as talking, laughing, squinting, smiling, and frowning create what’s known as dynamic wrinkles and folds.
These are more difficult to treat than stagnant wrinkles because dermal fillers up until now often relied on immobilizing muscles. This could cause treated areas to appear stiff and left patients feeling challenged to emote through facial cues – which is an important skill.
The RHA Collection fillers are FDA-approved and specially formulated to treat these dynamic lines and folds, while simultaneously allowing for the gel to move easily with the facial muscles without immobilizing them. This produces an outcome that is far more youthful and natural in appearance.
What Does the RHA Collection Refer to?
The term collection refers to three different treatment options; RHA 2, RHA 3, and RHA 4.
RHA 2 is best for perioral wrinkles. These are the lines that occur around the mouth and lips and are often the first to show up on the face. RHA 2 may also be used for the radial cheek lines, as well as for smoothing at a more surface level.
RHA 3 gets in a little deeper and is often used for the wrinkles that appear at the corners of the mouth (also known as commissures), as well as the nasolabial folds that are developing around the nose.
For deeper nasolabial folds, as well as lines in the lower face and jawline, RHA 4 is recommended. It’s also a top choice for contouring the cheeks in the midface.
In a nutshell, the RHA product your skincare specialist or plastic surgeon chooses will be the one that most closely resembles the natural product in your body. They will consider which one offers the most flexibility in usage, natural results, and longevity.
Take Advantage of This European Treasure
Are you ready to see what the RHA Collection can offer you?
Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our specialists to find out how RHA could give your face the youthful boost it needs and you want.
When all is said and done, you’ll look younger, your skin will be brighter, and you’ll smile and laugh with confidence.
The Zoom Boom in Plastic Surgery
Remember the days when you could distract yourself by staring at your coworkers or out a window or even at a wall during a meeting? Ah, the good ole days.
These days, the face we most often regard looking back at us in meetings is our own. Yep. There in the upper right corner of your screen is the world’s worst mirror.
And you’re suddenly asking yourself, have I always looked like this? Are my crow’s feet really that pronounced? When did my nose get so huge?
Such questions are driving more and more people to elective procedures in what’s being called the Zoom boom in plastic surgery.
What Exactly is the Zoom Boom in Plastic Surgery?
In a nutshell, it’s the worldwide surge in bookings for surgical and non-surgical treatments in an attempt to smooth out what is now known as lockdown face.
And it’s not just happening in the United States. Australian, Japanese, South Korean, and British plastic surgeons are all experiencing this same uptick in requests.
It makes perfect sense given the amount of time many people are stuck staring at themselves; suddenly faced with every glaring imperfection and flaw they were able to previously ignore.
In fact, it’s likely we’re all looking at ourselves FAR more now than we ever have in all of history. And this includes the many years obsession with selfies that continues to this day. So in the midst of this global crisis over which we’ve had no control, many people are tired of looking at themselves day after and day and taking matters into their own hands.
Or at least, putting them in their plastic surgeon’s hands.
The Most Popular Procedures
It’s bad enough that we have to look at ourselves from a particularly weird angle on Zoom calls. But soon enough, we’re also no longer paying attention to the content of the meeting because we’ve busied ourselves playing the comparison game with others. It’s a game we invariably lose.
Why does Laura’s face look so much smoother? Does my forehead have as many old acne scars as Ken’s?
So it’s not surprising that non-invasive facial procedures, like skin resurfacing, fillers, and Botox are among the most popular requests. They work to smooth out wrinkles as well as correct the lines caused by the facial expressions we make during those meetings.
In addition, since we’re frequently looking down into our computer’s camera, the demand for neck rejuvenation and jawline contouring has risen dramatically.
And if you think that just women are struggling with this lockdown face complex, think again. Men are showing up with requests too. Though, in their case, it’s more like lockdown hair.
The requests for hair restoration procedures among men has increased significantly. Being in a well-lit room on a Zoom call makes one’s hair look thinner. And since many men weren’t initially able to get to their stylists, they were plagued by the fact that hair also looked thinner when it was a little longer.
Whatever the case, all of these hours staring at ourselves has given some of us a new found respect for celebrities who must conform to the highest in standards.
Fortunately, there are plastic surgeons to help us conform to our own new standards.
Are You Ready for Change?
Life has been challenging during the pandemic. And we still can’t treat ourselves to all of the joys life has to offer – which feels deflating.
In the midst of all of this, the Zoom boom in plastic surgery has helped many people feel better and more confident about themselves. And not just when they’re on their laptops or devices.
So if you’d like to share in this uplifting experience, contact us today. We’ll recommend the best options and procedures for you so you can head back to your computer – and your life – with confidence.
Bariatric Skin Removal for a Whole New You!
If you recently had bariatric surgery or lost a lot of weight, you know how life-changing it is.
You look better. You feel better. Maybe you’ve bought all new clothes. Or perhaps you’re engaged in activities you previously couldn’t do. You feel lighter and more confident. Most importantly, you’re healthier.
Yep. For the most part, these changes are really positive. There is one drawback though.
Excess and loose hanging skin that remains after the weight loss can leave you uncomfortable, embarrassed and reminiscent of the days when you were overweight. Fortunately, bariatric skin removal procedures were developed with this in mind.
Areas Most Affected by Hanging Skin
The degree to which you experience excess skin depends on your skin’s elasticity, i.e. its ability to shrink back over the new foundation. Elasticity decreases with age, sun exposure, weight gain then loss, pregnancy, and genetic factors. Also, if you’re a smoker, your skin has less elasticity.
Obviously, your skin will be loosest in the areas where you lost the most weight.
The area people are most concerned with is the belly. There’s even a term for the overhanging apron of skin that folds over the abdomen. It’s called pannus and aside from being unsightly, it can also cause skin irritation and rash.
Because there are so many different areas that can be affected by weight loss, there are a number of procedures that fall under the umbrella of bariatric skin removal.
Procedures for Bariatric Skin Removal
An abdominoplasty (i.e. Tummy Tuck) is the most common procedure performed. And there are many different levels. It may be simply a matter of removing the pannus, also known as a panniculectomy. But there might be the need for a more complete tummy tuck with contouring of the abdomen, tightening the abdominal muscles, and moving the belly button.
Thigh Lift/Arm Lift
Treatment of loose skin on the thighs and buttocks involves an array of procedures that are customized to a patient’s individual needs. For example, an Inner Thigh Lift is performed by creating a crescent-shaped incision that allows the surgeon to remove excess skin. For patients with extremely loose skin, the Extended Inner Thigh Lift procedure uses a different incision that allows for even more excess skin to be removed.
Similar to the Thigh Lift, the particulars of an Arm Lift (or Brachioplasty) depend on each patient’s individual needs.
Various Body Lift Procedures
Since weight gain and loss is unique to the individual, plastic surgeons have to get creative when it comes to removing rolls of skin on the back and sides. So they may employ various other body lift procedures.
In addition, while liposuction is not used as a sole procedure for patients who have lost a lot of weight, it may be used along with lifting procedures to get a better contour.
Breast Reshaping
A large amount of weight loss in the chest/breast can result in the presence of sagging, deflated breasts in both men and women. For men, a breast reduction may be required. For women, the surgeon may recommend a breast lift with or without implants.
Could Bariatric Skin Removal Be Right for You?
If it’s been 12-18 months since your major weight loss or bariatric surgery, your weight has been stable for 3 months, and you’re just plain ready to get rid of that excess skin, then contact us today for a free consultation.
Your surgeon will advise you on the best bariatric skin removal procedures to treat your specific trouble areas.
And right now through October 31st, 2020, you will receive $1500 off a Thigh Lift, Arm Lift, or Body Lift. So don’t wait!
Benefits of the Drainless Tummy Tuck
Are you hesitating getting a tummy tuck?
It might help you to know that nearly 130,000 tummy tuck procedures were performed in 2017 alone. And the numbers keep rising each year.
This is partially due to the technological advancement of the drainless tummy tuck.
Once upon a time, in the not-too-distant past, recovering from tummy tuck surgery could be a daunting enterprise that required weeks of discomfort and inconvenience.
But that’s not the case anymore.
Doing Away with the Drains
Abdominoplasty – the doctorly term for a tummy tuck – is a surgical procedure that reduces excessive fat and skin around the abdomen and reconstructs the abdominal wall musculature.
In response to this procedure, the body builds up fluid between the newly lifted tissue and the abdominal wall. For many years, drains were the standard solution to rid the body of this fluid.
But they weren’t a great solution.
Patients would wake up from surgery to find they had to manage two or even three drains. These drains could clog or the hoses sometimes crimped. They were also a portal entry for bacteria and patients couldn’t shower with them.
Aside from the sheer inconvenience, they were also difficult to hide behind clothing – making recovery all the more restrictive and awkward.
If that weren’t enough, doctors found that oftentimes, the places where the drains left the skin were often very sore and tender.
Fortunately, there is no longer a need for those cumbersome drains.
Progressive Tension Sutures
Progressive tension sutures make it possible to shower and dress with relative ease after a tummy tuck procedure. Also known as quilting stitches, they enable the patient to completely do away with drainage tubes and dangling drains.
So how do they work?
Well, rather than placing drains in the space beneath the lifted and repositioned tissue, a skilled surgeon advances the skin flaps down toward the incision line to eliminate the space created during the procedure.
This decreases the tension on the final line of closure, which creates a much more aesthetic scar.
Because the sutures are on the inside, they keep the flap held down against the muscular wall – eliminating the need for drains. And all of this means a smoother and faster recovery.
Especially when used in tandem with Exparel.
What Is Exparel?
We’re glad you asked!
As with any surgery, the first three or four days following it will be the most painful.
Until now, narcotics have been the most effective medications for keeping post-surgical pain under control. But the side effects of narcotics are dizziness, drowsiness, constipation and nausea. Then there’s the risk of addiction – which has become epidemic in the U.S.
That’s why responsible plastic surgeons are now using a long-lasting anesthetic drug called Exparel to help to ease some of that pain during early recovery.
Much like getting a shot at the dentist to numb the pain, Exparel blocks the nerves of the abdomen during the procedure.
Exparel is administered at the end of the surgery before the patient is awakened. It can be done prior to closure by the surgeon by direct injection into the nerves behind the muscle, or by the anesthesiologist by way of TAP lock after closure.
When the patient comes out of surgery, much of the abdominal area is numb.
But unlike a dental numbing, Exparel then continues to provide pain control for up to three days. While it doesn’t eliminate the pain during recovery, it greatly reduces (by about 2/3) the amount of narcotics a patient would usually require.
And the fewer narcotics, the better.
Since tummy tucks have become so much more streamlined and recovery is much easier, many people choose to add liposuction.
Adding Liposuction to Your Drainless Tummy Tuck
Why schedule two separate surgeries when you can get it all done at once? One surgery, one recovery period.
The sheer convenience might be enough reason for you to consider this. But having your plastic surgeon get rid of that exercise-resistant fat while eliminating loose skin and repairing tissue is really the biggest benefit of adding liposuction to your tummy tuck.
It’s the ultimate way to maximize your waistline contouring to eliminate love handles and give that hourglass shape.
Boost Your Confidence
Whether you opt for a drainless tummy tuck with or without liposuction, you’ll still get fantastic results.
New advancements in plastic surgery have made recovery so much easier, so why not contact us today to schedule your free consultation?
Getting rid of that excess skin and flab will have you feeling lighter, breezier and just more confident in your own skin.
