Archive for June, 2009

Facial Surgery Requires Good Patient Health

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Did you know that healthy patients – with a stable weight, who don’t smoke – are far more likely to have successful surgery outcomes? Persons with unhealthy lifestyles face greater risks and complications when they undergo surgery, so with the majority of those patients, it is wiser for the surgeon to simply forgo the procedure.

Those interested in cosmetic and facial surgery should first go through a sort of ‘lifestyle makeover,’ modifying their habits until they have reached a satisfactory state of health. We want our patients to have the best surgical experience and outcome possible, so we ask them to focus on being healthy. The ideal patient refrains from smoking or using illegal drugs, has a stable weight, and realistic expectations about cosmetic surgery.

Posted in Facial Plastic Surgery | No Comments »

How Should Surgeons and Doctors Use the Web?

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Given that we’re writers of a blog that pertains to specific Seattle Surgery practice, we are definitely poised to participate in the discussion started by Dr. Pauline Chen in the New York Times. She writes, “I blog, I tweet and I use Facebook,” saying they are “enormously useful” tools for her work. Blogger Tara Parker-Pope responds by asking, “Do you think more doctors should be using social media?”

Keeping an open mind to new networking possibilities while focusing on the core responsibilities of your profession can be quite a juggling act. The overwhelming stream of information that is characteristic of our age has led some people to simply shun networking tools that have become trendy, with Twitter perhaps being the most obvious example. For what professional purpose would a physician send out 140 character tweets? Well, there are a few reasons:

The value of social media for our surgical practice (this blog for example) is found in education, and in opening the channels for further correspondence. We want to let the community know what we’re doing and how we might be of service.

Dr. Christian Sinclair, who maintains a blog about palliative care, tells the NYTimes, “I can help to inform the public, I can put the knowledge I have out there. And if there are patients or families who need this knowledge, I can help them because of this network.”

When you’re seeking a physician with the right amount of expertise, getting out the yellow pages just won’t cut it anymore; it’s more convenient, and probably wiser, to get to know the doctor’s areas of expertise and surgical portfolio before scheduling a consultation, which in some cases may require traveling.

When it comes to the medical profession, the point is to provide a service, and for surgeons that service is actualized in the operating room. But that doesn’t mean surgeons shouldn’t augment the service they provide by using all the latest networking and communication tools this generation is so fortunate to have.

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For Your Skin’s Sake, Visit Us This Summer!

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Summer in the Pacific Northwest is lovely. It’s when we head for the beach, the pool, or the barbeque with our friends. Meanwhile, protecting your skin from the sun and choosing the right treatments can prevent premature aging to keep you healthy and looking your best. If you’re heading out for some fun in the sun this summer, here are a few procedures and skin management tips that can keep you looking hot while you’re out in the hot sun.

If you’re in need of some skin rejuvenation, a few microdermabrasion treatments each year can make a big difference. Microdermabrasion removes the top layer of skin to reveal a fresh, healthy layer underneath. It also stimulates collagen production, which improves skin elasticity. It’s an easy procedure that can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and even some forms of skin damage. If you use skin products (we recommend medical grade), it can increase penetration, so your daily skin care regimen is more effective. For many patients, this combination of at-home skin care and microdermabrasion is all it takes to achieve smoother, more silky looking skin.

If you exhibit age spots, zap them away with a Fraxel laser or a Vitalize Peel. Rejuvenate your skin while reducing or removing age spots.

FotoFacial RF is another great, painless way to refresh the skin’s surface If you don’t need an intensive treatment but want to freshen up your look, FotoFacial RF may be the right treatment choice.

Sunscreen is important any time of year, but especially during these hot summer months. Choosing the right sunscreen for your face – one that addresses your skin type and skin conditions – is not always easy. Use a sunscreen every day. For days spent mostly indoors, use a foundation with an SPF15 or higher. For outdoors you want at least an SPF45 that is waterproof or water-resistant. The right sunscreen can prevent sun damage, skin problems, and even skin cancer. Harmful UV rays can damage skin cells deep within the skin’s surface, making your cells vulnerable to toxins (free-radicals) in the environment. We can help you select the right sunscreen for your skin.

Self conscious about unwanted facial or body hair? Laser hair removal can erase excess hair to keep your skin looking smooth and buff, reducing the need for shaving and waxing.

Let us help you maintain the health of your skin. Come visit our Seattle office to find out which treatment will work best for your skin type; then look forward to looking hot all summer long!

Tags: chemical peel, Fraxel, laser hair removal
Posted in skin care | No Comments »

Road to Sexy Lashes: Paved With Bimatoprost?

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

Drugs sometimes make their way to the market inadvertently, and some even become ultra popular for uses that were never intended; such is the case with Allergan’s new offering, Latisse. The hot new eyelash enhancer was born out of a group of medications called topical prostaglandins, drugs frequently used to decrease intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

Doctors identified a particular ‘complication’ or side effect of using prostaglandins called “hypertrichosis,” a condition characterized by darkening, thickening, and lengthening of the eyelashes.

Allergan offered the topical prostaglandin Lumigan in 2001, a drug that contained the active ingredient bimatoprost. Two important precursors to Latisse occurred after the FDA gave clearance for Lumigan.

Jan Marini Skin Research Inc had over $2 million worth of product seized by the Food and Drug Administration. The product, Age Intervention Eyelash, evidently contained bimatoprost, which was unapproved for cosmetic use at the time. Allergan later filed a patent infringement suit against Jan Marini and several other companies that had tried to market bimatoprost in their eyelash enhancing drugs.

Some doctors started prescribing Lumigan off-label to enhance eyelashes. Knowing the desirable side effects it could produce. But Lumigan wasn’t formulated for cosmetic use and many believed more research was needed to confirm the safety of topical prostaglandins for cosmetic use.

Clinical trials and further research is exactly what Alllergan Inc did. In one early study, 278 healthy adults with minimal to moderate eyelash prominence applied bimatoprost or a placebo to their lash line. The results were favorable; researchers observed “statistically significant differences in eyelash growth and resulting patient satisfaction” while only 3.6 percent experienced itchy eyes and redness, and only 2.9 percent experienced skin hyperpigmentation.

Latisse received FDA approval late last year for the treatment of ‘inadequate’ eyelashes. Allergan now owns the patent on all use of bimatoprost for eyelash enhancement.

For more information on Latisse in Seattle, Washington, contact us.

Tags: Eyelashes, Latisse
Posted in Products | No Comments »

Prevent Eye Injuries This Summer – Medical Societies Offer Tips to Prevent Mower Accidents

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

hand_injury For the month of June – designated ‘national safety month’ – medical societies like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, The American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, and others, have collaborated to offer some safety tips to prevent injuries stemming from lawnmower use.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 200,000 people are injured each year in lawn mower accidents. Skilled surgeons are then given the task of performing arduous reconstructive procedures to help these patients regain function. The most unfortunate aspects are: 1) these injuries are preventable and 2) those injured are often children.

Just a few of the safety tips include the following:

Pick up stones, toys and debris from the lawn to prevent injuries from flying objects.
Always wear sturdy shoes while mowing – never sandals
Always wear eye and ear protection.
Wait for blades to stop completely before attempting to service the mower.
Only adults should service a mower.
To see the full list of safety tips, see the official press release.

Tags: eye surgery
Posted in Injuries | No Comments »

Why Do People Get Botox or Wrinkle Filler Treatments?

Monday, June 1st, 2009

A survey conducted by researchers from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has given us some insight about patients who choose wrinkle treatments. Researchers sent questionnaires last March to 687 patients who had received Botox and/or dermal filler treatment.

The following statistics illustrate the opinions of the ‘typical’ patient. Who is the ‘typical’ patient? Apparently, “a married, working mother between 41-55 years of age with a household income of under $100,000.”

Roughly 70 percent of the respondents claimed that Botox and dermal fillers play an important role in their cosmetic routine.

When asked what their motivation was for pursuing Botox treatment, 34 percent said their appearance looked “stressed” or “angry”. Others said that a friend, family member, or their physician had recommended it, or they were preparing for a social event. 66 percent said they received Botox treatment 2-3 times per year. 72 percent of the respondents chose Botox to treat glabellar lines – the vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows.

When asked about their motivation to use hyaluronic acid fillers, the majority (63 percent) of patients reported a desire to remove facial wrinkles and folds – mostly the nasolabial folds that travel from the nose to each side of the mouth.

Nearly 70 percent of the respondents who had been treated with Botox also opted for dermal filler treatment.

A full summary of the results is available (in MS Word) here.

Tags: Botox, Radiesse
Posted in Botox | No Comments »

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