Archive for November, 2009

Seeking Blepharoplasty in Seattle? 3 Reasons You Should Choose Us.

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

blepharoplasty_seattle1. Dr. Heffernan is a specialist in oculoplastics and offers a comprehensive focus on the eyelids, orbit, periorbital region, and face. As an oculoplastic surgeon, he can diagnose and operate on virtually any functional or cosmetic deformity of the eyelids.

2. Blepharoplasty may require different considerations for different patients. For example, the surgery techniques necessary for a patient of Asian descent and European descent will be slightly different.  Dr. Heffernan has training specific to many different anatomical differences, so patients can get a great aesthetic outcome while retaining key characteristics of their ethnicity.

3.  Experience is crucial when it comes to blepharoplasty, i.e. cosmetic eyelid surgery.  Check out Dr. Heffernan’s Curriculum Vitae to see his academic and professional achievements and credentials related to facial plastic surgery and oculoplastic surgery.

Tags: ,
Posted in Facial Plastic Surgery | No Comments »

Cosmetic Medicine Industry Speaks Out Against “Botax”

Saturday, November 21st, 2009

On Wednesday, the Senate revealed a new health care reform bill that includes a 5 percent tax on cosmetic procedures administered by a medical professional. Now plastic surgeons and others in the industry are publicly objecting to the proposed tax.

The strongest objection is that women, the predominant consumers in this industry, will pay the projected 5 billion dollar revenue almost entirely. Therefore, the bill is “discriminatory” and “the wrong way to raise money to pay for expanding health care.”

Jonah Shacknai, CEO of Medicis (maker of the popular wrinkle filler Restylane) suggested that lawmakers were allowing certain moral judgements about cosmetic surgery to affect their judgement. “What’s next? Are we going to tax people who color their hair?” asked Shacknai.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons rallied members late this week to call upon their local representatives and voice opposition to the bill, calling it “discriminatory, ineffective, and arbitrary.” Referencing ASPS statistics on purchasers of cosmetic services, the society cited the overwhelming female demographic – 86 percent – to argue that the bill was discriminatory.

If the tax remains in the healthcare reform bill, it will take effect in 2010.

Follow these links to read more about the elective cosmetic medical tax.

Tags: ,
Posted in In The News | No Comments »

Do I really need to wear sunscreen in the winter?

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Even in the winter, or on a cloudy, rainy Seattle day, you can be exposed to UVA/UVB rays.

You should get in the habit of protecting your skin with sunscreen on a daily basis. Choosing the right sunscreen for your face – one that addresses your skin type and skin conditions – is not always easy, but  the right sunscreen can prevent sun damage, skin problems, and 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.

Our Favorite Sunscreen

My favorite sunscreen is IS Clinical SPF 25 treatment sunscreen. Because most IS Clinical sunscreensunscreens can be tacky when applied, many of my clients have been resistant to applying them every day. IS Clinical Treatment Sunscreen goes on so smooth you don’t even know it is there, even under your foundation.

IS Clinical treatment sunscreen will provide you with UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection, reduce the appearance of erythema (redness), provide an antioxidant-rich protective seal, and may even soothe inflammation.

IS Clinical treatment sunscreen comes in clear and tinted formulas for darker skin (or if you just want a little extra color). The cost for one 8 oz. tube ranges from $33-36 and will last for several months.

Tags: ,
Posted in Products, skin care | No Comments »

Guest-Patient Blog: Fraxel Restore Dual Works Great for Hands

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

I am 44 years old and look about 10 years younger.  (Well, at least my face does, hand laser treatmentbut then I look at my hands!  Oh my how did that happen?)

I work out, eat well, maybe drink a few too many glasses of red wine but what about my hands?  I look down and see the dreaded pigmentation (I think they are called age spots) starting to appear on my aging hands.  This can’t be! And how am I going to fix it?

About 2 weeks ago, I went to my cosmetic surgeon’s office and discussed this issue and find a way to fix it..  He spoke with me about removing the pigmentation starting on my hands.  I told him whatever it he could please sign me up.

That day I had a Fraxel Restore Dual treatment done on my hands.  The procedure did not require any topical anesthesia and took about 15 minutes without much discomfort.  My hands were a little swollen and red for a few days and then after about 2 days I could see that the pigmentation was coming up to the surface of my skin.

I was elated because I knew that all of that pigmentation would flake off and be gone.  My hands looked like they had been sprinkled with coffee grounds for about 10 days but now look so much better.  One more treatment and then my hands will look more like 30-something instead of 40-something.

–A.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Fraxel | No Comments »

Video: Why Fraxel Restore Dual is Superior

Monday, November 9th, 2009

This video about the new Fraxel restore dual is geared toward physicians, but we thought it might be interesting for our patients to see as well.

From the video: “This new wavelength more effectively targets the superficial skin layers, resulting in an accelerated clearance of pigment for patients. The thulium treatment is more comfortable for patients and requires less anesthetic, allowing you to treat multiple body areas in a single session.”

Tags: ,
Posted in Fraxel | No Comments »

Botox and Dysport Boost Revenues for Pharmaceutical Companies

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Dysport SeattleFinancial news regarding two major pharmaceutical companies  – Allergan and Medicis – is positive lately, and analysts say it may be due to increased sales of injectable wrinkle treatments containing botulinum type a.

CNN reports that revenues for Dysport manufacturer Medicis last quarter represent an increase of over 30 percent compared with the same period in 2008.  CEO Jonah Shacknai tells CNN Money: “We are encouraged by the positive physician and patient response to DYSPORT.”  Although other new products have given Medicis a boost, a similar pattern is being seen with Botox manufacturer Allergan Inc.

With a 3 percent increase in Botox sales, “Allergan’s 3rd quarter profit rose 8.3 percent” reports the Wall Street Journal.  New medical applications have the potential to increase use of Botox even further in the future, pending FDA approval of course.

Although there’s been a positive response to Dysport in Seattle, the brand awareness of Botox is still a major factor affecting sales, and that probably won’t change anytime soon.

Posted in Botox | No Comments »