Injectables for Facial Balance and Your Ideal Profile

May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The good news is that it can be prevented and if you get it, it can almost always be cured when found early and treated immediately upon detection. The goal in May is to raise awareness and encourage prevention. Visit: www.healthfinder.gov for complete info on skin cancer.

Well, this blog will continue telling you about facial balance and ways to achieve your “Ideal Facial Profile.  

Balance is the key to an attractive profile. Proportion is key; there should be balance between the forehead, the midface and the chin. When features are out of balance, and one overpowers the rest, the profile can look askew. A weak chin or backward sloped forehead makes the nose appear too dominant and creates a lack of balance and harmony.

INJECTABLE FILLERS and FACIAL BALANCE…surgery used to be the only way to achieve desirable facial balance or your “Ideal Profile.” Today, advanced, sophisticated injectable fillers make designing and achieving your desired outcomes absolutely possible without surgery. Injectables are today’s most popular cosmetic surgery alternative. For example, each year over 1 million people choose Injectables that restore youthfulness to their nose. Today’s Injectables can correct unsightly nasal bulges, humps, bumps, droopy nasal tips, nose bridge irregularities and more.

Since the nose is the most defining characteristic of the face, the size and shape can either enhance or distort your appearance. Nose reshaping, that is well done, will not change the way you look, but it will restore youthfulness by enhancing your own facial features.

The past decade has produced advanced, highly sophisticated Injectables that we employ to achieve wonderful, longer lasting results.

RESTYLANE, RADIESSE and JUVEDERM are top hyaluronic acid fillers that we use to reshape noses and achieve other age reversing cosmetic procedures. NASOLABIAL FOLDS are also injected when doing the nose, to restore volume and eliminate those unsightly folds. Results from Injectables are seen instantly with today’s advanced formulas.

BOTOX® for BROWLIFTS without surgery. Botox has been in use for Brow and Forehead lifts for several years now. Botox is used to lift and shape the brow area by correcting mild ptosis (droopy eyelid) while reducing forehead lines, crow’s feet, frown lines, sad lines etc. This offers a rejuvenated, refreshed appearance, again, without surgery.

SOMETIMES SURGERY IS THE RIGHT OPTION…As amazing as today’s injectables have proven to be, they are not always right for everyone. In order to avoid age reversing cosmetic surgery, you must start doing small anti aging procedures during the early years (20’s to 30’s) for many options. Then, maintaining them is critical to always look several years younger. For those who were not able to start treatments early, we offer wonderful age defying options for every concern. Check my website for more info on this: www.DAVinciplastic.com.

OK, we’re halfway through May already and graduations, career events, family reunions, vacations etc. are close. It’s time for Skin Peels, Injectable FaceLifts, and other “quick fixes” so you can look and feel your very best.

Let’s Talk Soon!

Steven Davison M.D.

DAVinciplastic Surgery…I combine the supreme elements of art and surgical science.

 

 

Balanced Face Profile…Small Changes that make a Dramatic Difference

My last blog overviewed the three views of the face: front, side/profile and the ¾’s. Each view dictates a different shape and different curvature of the facial features. This blog outlines how to get a perfectly balanced profile using small changes that make a dramatic difference. For those people who are unhappy with their profile, know that it changes as we age, but that it can be corrected and/or enhanced. For many patients, correction is of great value to them for various reasons.

The eyes nose and chin are three distinct facial components, but they all work together to present a youthful and attractive appearance, whether one area is detracting from your overall appearance, or the aging process has begun to affect your face as a whole. There are a variety of surgical and nonsurgical options we offer to create or restore harmony and beauty.

Profile changes that occur:

EYES … Drooping upper lids, under eye bags, crow’s feet and a sunken hollow appearance are the first signs of aging and profile change.

NOSE…Gravity takes its toll to add years to your visage as a “subtle lengthening” can cause a profound aging effect. Rhinoplasty and Injectables can reverse this and take years off the nose.

CHIN…The chin begins to look different as skin sags, fat accumulates and bone is lost with age, as these changes cause significant lower face aging. Injectables can restore volume, contour and youthfulness to this area.

YOUTHFUL EYES ARE CREATED WITH: Injectables and Botox for people who do not need surgery and who are looking to refine or extend the results of a previous procedure. They are very effective for correcting wrinkles and depressions around the eyes. Ideal patients:

–     Are in their 20s or 30s and have good skin elasticity Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane are good choices since they are hyaluronic acid that attract water to plump up the area.

–     Crow’s Feet and BrowLifts candidates benefit greatly from these fillers. Botox is also great for eliminating Crow’s Feet and achieving an injectable BrowLift. Botox cannot replace surgery, if needed, but the benefits of Botox cannot be minimized.

–     BROW SHAPING the eyebrows themselves can have an impact on the appearance of the eyes an adjacent facial areas. Eyebrows are essential to being youthful looking, rested and bringing balance to facial contours.

BLEPHAROPLASTY SURGERY for YOUTHFUL EYES when cosmetic options aren’t enough. The brow, upper eyelid and lower eyelid all age in unison. The outer corners of the eyes drop down, the upper lids become deflated and droop, and bags form under the lower lids. Eyelid surgery can correct these fat, excess skin and muscle changes. Youthful eyes can be yours again either with injectables of Blepharoplasty.

VOLUMA is the treatment of choice to restore hollow cheeks without surgery.  See my website for complete info on Juvederm Voluma: www.DAVinciplastic.com.

More on facial balance and your perfect profile in my next blog.

Are you ready for Beach Time?  Need “quick Fixes” for graduations, weddings, corporate events, family reunions etc…Let’s talk now.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgeon and Certified Expert Injector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Men and Laser Hair Removal…Celebs and Cosmetic Treatments

Hollywood Celebs, both young and older, recommend today’s amazing age defying cosmetic treatments so you can look/feel your best before you start to lose your looks!   Jane Fonda is just one of a host of celebs refusing to let go of her youthful appearance.

 Men and Women experience “change of life” sooner or later.  For women this means estrogen levels decline during menopause causing the skin to sag resulting in fine lines and wrinkles to appear. As collagen and elastin production slows down, these wrinkles become more defined, especially in the forehead due to muscles in motion.  Laser treatments, Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra and other super youth boosters correct various concerns.  www.davinciplastic.com. Also, instead of cell turnover occurring every 26 to 28 days, over 50 women replenish cells on average of every 50 days.  This change alone contributes to duller more sallow looking skin while volume is lost due to decreasing collagen and elastin production. For these and other reasons women (Baby Boomers + Gen X) are lining up for cosmetic procedures as part of their total healthcare program. Women frequently get anti aging cosmetic treatments for:

• Facial lines and wrinkles
• Volume loss resulting sunken areas
• Uneven pigmentation
• Spots – red and brown
• And many more…

Plastic Surgery to Boost Your Confidence and get the body of your dreams!  That is totally possible today but it should be your decision and your alone based upon good counsel, education and a strong desire to achieve your desired outcomes.  We’re here to help you get and put your best face forward before Christmas!  Give your self a special gift! MEN WANT LASER HAIR REMOVAL   Laser hair removal is one of today’s most requested options for men.  They get hair removed from:

• Chest,  Back,  Shoulders,  Ears,  Back of Neck,  Hands, Arms
• Legs,  Buttocks,  Feet,  Under chin,  Cheeks, Sideburns
• GIVE YOUR MAN the GIFt of LASER HAIR REMOVAL

 HOW HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENTS The laser emits a gentle beam of energy that passes through the skin and is absorbed by the hair follicles.  This laser energy disables the hair follicle without touching the tissue (skin) surrounding it.  The laser also has a cooling device that cools the skin as well to prevent discomfort.  Since hair grows in phases, it may take a few treatments to disable all follicles during the growth cycle. Most people achieve permanent results in fewer than six treatments.  SUGAR and HOW IT AFFECTS OUR SKIN I know, I know.  How can we get through the Holiday’s without sampling the cookies, cakes, pies and scrumptious deserts!  Well, we can’t but you need to know the following: American Heart Association says Americans  average up to55 teaspoons of sugar consumption daily – 2 to 4 X’s what we should.

• Sugar destroys collagen and elastin through“advanced glycation end products (AGE’s)
• AGE’s result in skin sagging/wrinkles and either
•  “stable or unstable” collagen production
• AGE’s deactivate our natural “antioxidants” increasing risk of sun damage and body toxins

WATCH FOR and MINIMIZE HIDDEN SUGARS:  high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, maltose, barley malt etc.  Also, take 1 mg of B1 and B6 daily during party season.  Talk to us about age/damage reversing Retinol products.  REMEMBER our BRILLIANT DISTINCTIONS REWARDS program…for HEALTHY SKIN! www.brilliantdistinctionsprogram.com. treat Yourself and give it as a gift.  

Happy Thanksgiving….remember to count your blessings!

Best to You and Yours,     

Steven Davison M.D.  

SLEEPING BEAUTY a Twilight Sleep for Painless Botox®, Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra and much more!

SLEEPING BEAUTY 

You go to sleep relaxed and comfortable and wake up Beautiful!     

Many of my patients love the many age-defying procedures I can offer them today, and even though Nora and I are specially trained and certified expert injectors, there is still some discomfort with an injection, period!  My patients hate the discomfort that goes along with many of the treatments I offer, such as Juvederm, Botox, Sculptra and Radiesse injectables. There is a remedy for this too…read on.

SLEEPING BEAUTY offers TOTAL COMFORT, TOTAL RELAXATION

I began offering “sleeping beauty” twilight sleep option to my patients a few years ago.  It means you are totally relaxed and comfortable during your entire procedure.

TWILIGHT SLEEP is safe, simple, painless and relaxing!

 Performed in our accredited Operating Room, Twilight sleep, or light sedation, involves an IV in the back of the hand, which puts you into a relaxed state, without the risks associated with general anesthesia.  This allows for a faster recovery since you breathe on your own during the procedure, and you can wake up quickly without that “hung over” feeling. When you wake up, like Sleeping Beauty in the Fairy Tale story…you really do feel rejuvenated and beautiful!

SLEEPING BEAUTY is THE SEDATION OF CHOICE TODAY!

Now that it’s been used for a few years and is tried and proven safe and effective,  Sleeping Beauty sedation is the sedation of choice today and is used not only for injections, but for other simple cosmetic procedures as well.  Be sure to request it for your next treatment.

ANTI AGING… A PRIMARY CONCERN of GENERATION Y 

It’s true, women in the United States aged 25-34 are now beginning to pay more attention to the signs of aging.  They are also actively looking for treatments and products to effectively address their concerns.  Results tell us that 39% of these women understand the importance of starting anti aging treatments early and they are doing so.  They are concerned with skin health such as spots and blotches, oily skin, dry skin and ways to correct these issues.  They also don’t like the early signs of lines and wrinkles and seek ways to prevent them.  Overall,  Gen Y women want to combat aging and are willing to start sooner rather than later.  They are seekers…we have remedies!  Generation Y men are close behind and feel cosmetic procedures are part of their normal health routine and job security.

FILLERS and INJECTABLES AMONG THE TOP ANTI AGING TREATMENTS TODAY

They offer quick results with minimal downtime.  Here’s how we use them:

• Hyaluronic acid fillers and collagen stimulators for…cheeks, temples and jawline
• Hyaluronic acid and fat injections to correct nasolabial folds
• Hyaluronic acid to plump the lips and restore their youthful shape and beauty
• Neurotoxins (Botox etc) to tone down muscle activity that creates lines/wrinkles
• Injectable fillers as wrinkle plumpers for a “liquid facelift” and natural looking results
• Collagen stimulators (Radiesse and Sculptra) to restore long lasting volume and fullness  (often done in combo in fillers)
• Understanding the complex facial anatomy is key to knowing what to use, how much to use and where to use it.  At DAVinci we are highly skilled and specially trained as expert injectors.   The results are beautiful!

At DAVinci, our main concern is what concerns you!  Come in and let’s chat so we can help you look and feel your very best!  You will be ready for the Holidays if you start now.

Best to you and yours,

Steven Davison M.D.  

Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

“DAVinci…where I combine the supreme elements of art and surgical science.”

MAY is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month….today is Melanoma Black Monday!

Hard to believe we’re into May already!  So, I must do my annual warning against skin cancer:  May has been designated by many organizations as National Skin Cancer Awareness Month…and that involves letting you know about skin cancers and ways you

Sun Protection

can avoid them.  We do this year after year because:  Melanoma and Non Melanoma  is the most common form of skin cancer in the United States.  For my faithful blog followers, please review this and pass it along to someone who needs this information.

SKIN CANCER FACTS AS THEY ARE:

1)  More than 90% of skin cancer is caused by sun exposure.  2)  Every hour 1 person dies from skin cancer   3)  Skin cancer accounts for more than 50% of all cancers combined   4) Per the American Cancer Association: more than 1 million cases will be diagnosed this year   5)  Skin cancer is most deadly among African Americans, Asians and Latinos   6)  One bad burn during childhood doubles the risk factor   7)  Men are diagnosed with skin cancer more often than women.

2 CATEGORIES:   Highly curable  (basal cell and squamous cell cancers) ……Deadly  (melanomas)

AVOID TANNING BEDS…the new trend among women between 18 to 29 years of age…involves an 8 times greater risk of developing skin cancer. and increased use of tanning beds increased the risk of getting skin cancers.

Skin cancer history is also linked to new skin cancers developing in other areas of the body according to a large study done by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston  (over 46,000 men and 100K+ women involved in the study) which ran from June 1984 to June 2008.  Nearly 70,000 new cases of skin cancers were diagnosed in these patients with a history of previous skin cancers with the women  being at higher risk than the men.  Bottom line is….both men and women get skin cancers…mostly from excess sun exposure and early diagnosis and treatment is critical to good outcomes.  SEE MY BLOGS FROM MAY 2012, 2011 for more info on skin cancer, risk factors, staying safe and more….

FIVE MORE SUN PROTECTIVE TIPS….  6)  Don’t use sunscreen that has “baked” in your hot car….it’s useless.   7) If you take medications or use OTC pain killers….talk with your Dr. since many of these cause “photosensitivity.”  8) UVA rays penetrate glass…so be aware when sitting by windows during the heat of summer   9)  Don’t count on makeup for protection….you must know what level of protection it offers…and if you need to also use sunscreen    10)  Beach umbrellas block sun from above…but not the glare from below or from the water….choose carefully when setting up for the day.

MOTHER’S DAY….give your Mom or Sweetheart a SPA DAY  or a GIFT COUPON for BOTOX, RADIESSE…JUVEDERM,  LIP AUGMENTATION….  or a procedure she’s been talking about!   Women love these kinds of gifts!   Give a “New Mommy” a SPA DAY….and info about Mommy Makeovers.

Have a great May!

Steven Davison M.D.

“DAVinci….where I combine the supreme elements of art and surgical science.”

Antiaging Treatments and Trends…for 2013

FACIAL AGING…Do you know how old your face really looks?  We look into our mirrors daily and see the same face…often not recognizing the age related changes that are taking place.  It’s important to look into the mirror and see your face as it is now….not how you remember it from 10 years ago.  Sings of facial aging can be seen:

• The eyes ..as “Crow’s Feet appear and deep grooves etch into the forehead between the eyes.  Eyelids (upper and lower) sag, hollows may develop and you may look “sad” even though you probably aren’t.
• The Nose knows about aging…it too can change shape with aging… Nasolabial folds often develop between the nose and lips caused by loss of facial fat/volume and changing boney structure.
• The Cheek fat pads start their descent down the face as they slowly deflate
• Lips can sag. loose their beautiful sexy curves (volume loss) and corners can turn down causing an angry frown.
• The Chin may become weaker with fat and volume loss and often highlights an aging nose.
• And More……

The idea here is to get you to pay attention to “your aging.”  Anti Aging treatments should be started in your 30’s and maintained…in order to always keep looking several years younger than you actually are. AntiAging….is really about prevention.

Today, our refined treatments/techniques often empower us to delay surgery…i.e. a facelift. If started early enough, you have can have injectables to restore volume to prevent a sagging, old looking face.  Women start to lose facial volume in their 30’s…in the temples, nasolabial folds and cheek fat pads. Men follow close  behind. By fixing these areas early in life, cosmetic surgeons are finding that the aging process can occur more slowly.

Dramatic Lifters replace yesterdays fillers!  For example:  Sculptra Aesthetic and Radiesse stimulate  your bodies own production of collagen…soft tissue volume to fill in those empty spaces again.  This lasts much longer, sometimes a few years.

Celebrities start early and do small treatments to slow and reverse the signs of aging….and they continue this trend so they always look years younger.

2013 Hot Age Defying Procedures in order of popularity…

1. Tummy Tuck  (Abdominoplasty removes excess fat, sagging, hanging skin, lifts and tightens muscles) achieves a firmer, more youth tummy.  Liposuction is part of this surgery.
2. Arm Lift  (Brachioplasty) removes excess fat in the under arm between the armpit and the elbow.  Loose, hanging skin is excised and the arm sculpted to look more youthful and natural.
3. BreastLift….involves lifting the sagging breasts to a higher, more youthful position and many women opt to include Breast Implants to achieve the desired breast shape and size.
4. Breast Augmentation…uses Breast Implants to increase the size and enhance the shape of the breast.   This is a standard request for New Mommy Makeovers….and midlife women who have experienced loss of breast volume and sagging breasts (ptosis).
5. BrowLift…Facial Aging often shows up in the forehead and eye areas first. Browlift does just that…as the brow is lifted to it’s more youthful position…Forehead Lift is usually part of this to remove those unwelcome lines and grooves and tighten and lift the forehead.
6. NeckLift…An aging neck …like “Turkey Waddle” is a sight for sore eyes!  Tightening and lifting neck muscles and skin (removing hanging skin) takes 10 years off your aging neck appearance immediately!

We’re halfway through February already.  Are you ready for Spring?  How about summer and beach time….in shape?   Come on in…let’s design your age reversing treatment plan.

Dr. Steven Davison

“DAVinci….where I combine the supreme elements of art and surgical science.”

FaceLifting Injectables…the story behind this magic injection…

Injectable fillers used to be just…wrinkle fillers.  Today’s Liquid Miracles…the injectable treatments I am able to use for my patients not only immediately erase lines and grooves  but also “lift” and “contour” aging facial features and flaws for men and women.

Temples, brows, upper eyelids, undereye areas, cheeks, mouth corners and jowls are all easily treated and magically lifted.

How Do They Work?  

Injectable fillers like Radiesse work immediately by replacing volume and stimulating your own collagen renewal while attracting water to the treated area. Juvederm is used in areas requiring less structural improvement…such as under the eyes and for marionette lines. Botox is used to inhibit muscle action allowing forehead furrows to relax and smooth out and also prevents future lines and wrinkles.

Old Injectables V New Injectables

When first introduced, injectables were primarily used to fill in wrinkles.  With product advancement and refined techniques, they are used more widely with effective natural outcomes.

Aging Face…it shows

As we age, the different facial compartments “shift” and fat pads migrate downward (e.g. the cheeks) often being reabsorbed into the tissues. Constant volume loss from lifestyle, aging, illness etc, causes facial contours to change and become visible as lines, wrinkles, grooves, sagging mouth and more.

Reconstructing the face with fillers allows for the architecture (framework) of the face to be lifted, restoring the natural…youthful contours of the face.

Using today’s fillers and getting the desired natural looking and long lasting results requires specialized training, experience and skill.  I am a trained/qualified/experienced “expert injector.”

Summer Events…weddings, family reunions, family trips, class reunion, job interviews… etc… often call for Quick Fixes  Don’t despair…you have safe, effective, quick options without downtime and with results that will amaze you and dazzle the special people in your life!  See http://www.DAVinciplastic.com for more info.

Age Defying Facial Rejuvenation…How we do it:

• Shape the cheeks…seamlessly shaping this area with Hyaluronic acid and long lasting fillers restores youthful contour & a refreshed, natural look 
• Lift the Mouth…get rid of that downturned smile and look young again
• Smooth out the jawline…to lift it before it goes too far south to redefine this part of the face
• Open up the eyes…revolumize this area to restore that fresh, full look
• Elevate the brows…restore volume to this sagging, sunken area
• Define the eyes…restructure the undereye area to compensate for bone loss, fat and thinning skin

About today’s “Injectors”…

It’s true that you can walk into many spas and get Botox for example…but are you willing to risk possible bad results by having an unqualified person work on your face?  Know this:  there are over 1 million doctors allowed to perform injectables and filler treatments…in the US alone.  ONLY 3% of these are qualified to do so.  Choose wisely!

Summer fun in the sun can wreak havoc with your skin and face…we have options to correct it.  In the meantime…remember the hats, sunglasses, Obagi sunscreen, lots of cool water and shade.

Enjoy your family times…make lots of wonderful memories.

Steven Davison M.D.

DAVinci…have a patient centric experience in an environment where we combine the supreme elements of art & surgical science.

Beautiful Lips, No Lines and Facial Balance…Look Years Younger Instantly! by Steven Davison, M.D.

KISS YOUR LIP LINES GOOD BYE…Look years younger instantly!

My last blog dealt with the aging chin and neck also referred to as the lower one third of the face.  I would be remiss if I didn’t cover the topic of aging lips.  Lips age right along with the rest of the face.  This is seen as collagen and elastin levels decline causing the skin’s scaffolding (support system) to breakdown while forcing the formation of lines and wrinkles.  These unwelcome, often unsightly, lines appear around the mouth…the most noticeable being above the upper lip (Smoker’s Lines).  At the same time your once luscious lips start thinning and facial balance/youthfulness flees.

CAUSES of LIP LINES and THIN LIPS

Loss of collagen and elastin, years of “pursing” the lips, smoking, excess sun exposure, poor nutrition, dehydration, illness etc. are frequent causes of lip aging and facial lines.  Some people are just born with thin lips…and come to me to give them the lips they’ve never had but always wanted!

FILLERS to ELIMINATE LINES…CREATE PLUMP BEAUTIFUL LIPS

Nothing compares with the instant transformation and long lasting results of today’s liquid fillers (injectable dermal fillers) to erase wrinkles and restore volume, plumpness and contour to facial areas.  The lips get immediate, remarkable results that my patients absolutely love.  I recommend and use hyaluronic acid fillers  that are safe and effective.

EXPERT INJECTOR vs NON EXPERT

Coupled with my injector training, comprehensive understanding of the complex facial anatomy and the right formula for each patient…my artistic and surgical skills are combined to achieve wonderful outcomes.

Did you know:

Over 1.2 million doctors are legally allowed to perform injectable treatments in the United States...BUT

Less than 7% qualify as an expert injector.

All Expert Injectors are board certified plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, dermatologists and oculoplastic surgeons who have demonstrated extreme due diligence in regards to patient safety, reliable results and consumer education.  Expert injectors are properly qualified to perform injectable procedures and will only administer products that are FDA approved for aesthetic use.

ABOUT EXPERT INJECTORS:

• ALL HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TRAINED BY THE PRODUCT MANUFACTURER…
• ALL EDUCATE THEIR PATIENTS ON THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE…EMPOWERING THEM TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS
• ALL EMPLOY CORRECT PROTOCOLS TO MINIMIZE POTENTIAL ADVERSE REACTIONS
• ALL KEEP ACCURATE RECORDS OF INJECTABLES PERFORMED FOR EACH PATIENT

INJECTABLE FILLERS TODAY…CHOICES

I offer my patients the safest, most advanced…but tried and proven fillers available including:  Juvederm®, Radiesse®, Restylane®, Sculptra® and Fat Grafting (gets amazing long lasting results). All treatments are customized to achieve your goals and desires and are done in office…often during a lunch hour!

Ready for a quick makeover?  Nose, Chin, Lips…we can do it in time for summer vacations etc.  Let’s talk now.

I’m here to hep you put and keep your best face forward.

Dr. Steven Davison

AT DAVinci…I combine the supreme elements of art and surgical science.