Beverly Hills - Plastic Surgery, inc.

OK Ladies, admit it.  We have all looked at sleeping small children and thought to ourselves, how did they ever get those long lashes?  Especially little boys for some funny reason . . .

And yet we stand in front of our makeup mirrors, again with the mascara wand in hand, brushing our lashes into clumpy yet longer lengths and think ‘there must be a better way’?  Well girls, I’m going to let you in on the next big thing… eyelash extentions!

Mascara.  We all have woken up to dusky circles under our eyes from sleeping in it, paniced if we are on a trip and forgot to bring it, put it on our ‘if left on a desert island’ list and read countless advertisements for the newest, best wonder wand for most even application.  Can you imagine all this being a thing of the past?   The skin under my eyes just breathed a sigh of relief.

In about an hour with our skilled lash expert Holly, you can be transformed from a skimpy lashed lass into a full blown lash diva.  The process is a completely painless, somewhat pleasant experience as lashes are individually glued onto your existing lash.  The result is instant (don’t  we all just LOVE instant gratification?)

I just can’t stop fluttering.  Bus drivers stop where there is no bus stop.  The grocery clerk keeps flirting with me.  Policemen refuse to give me tickets.  Hmmm, am I on to something?

Imagine cutting the time it takes to get ready in the morning.  You just can’t get these kind of results with mascara.  Instead of glopping on product with a messy and potentially bacteria laden wand, you can just apply your favorite eye shadow and dash out the door.  All that’s needed for makeup removal is a quick swipe with oil free makeup remover.  Wash your face gently in the shower, no need to worry about the spray.  Just no rubbing your eyes!!!  Believe me, your eyes will thank you.

If you are looking for a double whammy, there is a new product called Latisse.  This is from the same company we have come to know and love as the producers of botox.  The lash growing ingredient in Latisse was discovered when scientists were working on a drug to control eye pressure.  The side effect was lash growth.  Now that’s my idea of a side effect!  It was patented, so Latisse is the only eyelash growth serum that actually contains the formula.  It’s applied nightly with a wand for sanitation and is applied similar to eyeliner.  Only the top lashes please!   Dramatic results in two months, and can be used in conjunction with eyelash extensions.  After a few months with Latisse, your extensions might also be a thing of the past!

Now since they are not infallible, you will lose your lashes naturally as your own lashes shed.  This means you will need to have them filled in occasionally.  It’s a much faster process that the initial application, and will keep you full and fluttering always.  I figure I’m in the nail salon much more often and always maintain beautiful hands.  Even more important is maintaining a beautiful face! 

Come in for your set soon.  I’ll wink at you when I see you

What vitamins should you take to keep young and elasticity in your skin? What types of skincare are good for you to keep from wrinkling or aging?

There are two things that definitely decrease the skin’s elasticity, causing wrinkling and accelerated aging: smoking and the sun. If you want to look young, protect yourself from the sun and don’t smoke. A healthy diet and exercise may also help because they increase blood flow. Fish and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids (such as flaxseed) may also be helpful.

Vitamin A, found in green leafy vegetables, whole milk, and liver, can help maintain and repair skin. Vitamin C & E are antioxidants that protect you from sun exposure, pollution, and smoking. They help remove free radicals, thereby reducing the damage. Besides citrus fruits, vitamin C can be found in broccoli, bell peppers, and Brussels sprouts. Vitamin E can be found in vegetable oils, nuts, olives, spinach, and asparagus.

Selenium, found in whole grains, seafood, garlic, and eggs, also help to minimize the damage caused by free radicals. Zinc can clear skin by controlling oil production and is important in cell growth. It can be found in oysters, lean meats, and chicken.

Lutein, a dietary nutrient available as a supplement and long-known for its effectiveness in promoting eye health, also provides specific skin health benefits. These include increasing the hydration, elasticity and superficial lipids of the skin, while decreasing the oxidation – a process that causes degradation – of those beneficial skin lipids.

As the weather warms up, many people notice a dull appearance of the skin. This is frequently caused by the build up of dead skin cells. A cleansing facial does very well, but a microdermabrasion is even better. Treating yourself to a medical-grade facial or microdermabrasion will not only make your skin feel more refreshed, youthful, and hydrated, but regular treatment has been shown to increase the amount of collagen, which helps reverse the aging process in your skin. Going a step further, various chemical peels can dramatically improve the look and quality of your skin without the downtime of a surgical procedure. For the body, use a skin care scrub to slough off the old skin, or a chemical exfoliator like an alpha-hydroxy acid.

Of course, be sure to use a cleanser specifically made for your skin type. Glycerin-based cleansers, like Neutrogena, may be good for acne, but is too drying for most skin. Soap bars should be avoided because they leave too much residue on your face and may not clean deeply. SkinCeuticals is an excellent brand, found only in physicians’ offices, that makes cleansers for different types of skin.

A good toner will not only refresh your face, but will balance the pH and remove any residue. Using a high-quality topical antioxidant, such as a vitamin C serum from Obagi, IS Clinicals, or SkinCeuticals, will fight the aging process and protect your skin from environmental damage. Finally, using a full spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 will help protect you from sun damage and its aging effects.

What’s the best type of sunscreen? We know about SPF, but should we look for more natural and less alcohol? If we get sunburned, what’s the best course of action to somewhat repair the damage?

There are two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays. UVB will cause you to sunburn, while UVA will cause your skin to age. Think B for “burn” and A for “age”! A sunscreen or sunblock should protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Unfortunately, most products on the market do not effectively absorb all wavelengths of UV light. And a high sun protection factor (SPF) will not assure full protection either, since SPF is a measure of a product’s effectiveness from only UVB rays.

The nonprofit Environmental Working Group says that 85 percent of sunscreens either inadequately protect from the sun’s rays or contain ingredients that may be unsafe. Of the products they recommended to consumers, only one of the 144 products sold by the top three sunscreen makers (i.e. Coppertone, Neutrogena, and Banana Boat) made it on the list!

Everyone should definitely use a sunscreen, preferably one that blocks all UV light, with at least an SPF 30. It’s arguable, but the best sunscreens on the market are the physical blockers that contain titanium and/or zinc oxide. Not only do they block the full spectrum of UV light, but they don’t contain any chemicals that may cause allergies or sensitivities. In that respect, they are safer for children to use. Unfortunately, they can leave a metallic shine on your skin.

Fortunately for those who have a doctor with knowledge of skin care and carry the best products on the market, there is TIZO3, by Solar Protection Formula. This product protects against the full spectrum of UV light, has an SPF 40, is very water resistant, is silky smooth to apply, and has a matte finish! Now if it could apply by itself to that area between your shoulder blades…

A very close contender (some would say it ranks first) is a sunscreen that contains Mexoryl. Mexoryl is a camphor-based lotion with full spectrum protection that can be found in the best of certain product lines by L’oreal: SkinCeuticals and La Roche-Posay. Sunsceens from these lines have SPF from 15 to 60. Not all of their products contain Mexoryl, so you must check the label to be sure that you get the right stuff.

Finally, make sure that you use sunscreen properly and religiously. Remember that a certain amount of UV light will still penetrate clothing, so it is important to wear anytime you are out enjoying the sun. Apply your sunscreen about 30 minutes before sun exposure, reapplying often, especially during the peak hours between 10 am and 4 pm. Even though they make claims to last longer, even waterproof and sweatproof sunscreens only last up to two hours.

Is there any “truth” in using that Vitamin E or Coco Butter on yourself while you’re pregnant to diminish your stretch marks?

Striae, or stretch marks, affect the majority (50-90%) of pregnant women. They occur when your skin cannot keep up with a rapid growth, like pregnancy or rapid weight gain. Stretch marks occur in the dermis, the elastic middle layer of skin that allows it to retain its shape. However, when constantly stretched, the dermis can break down leaving behind stretch marks.

While pregnant, adequate hydration keeps your skin soft and less likely to develop stretch marks. It not only means that you should moisturize your skin- this is where the belief that using cocoa butter, shea butter, lanolin, or vitamin E oil will help- but drink lots of water as well to hydrate from the inside. You should begin hydrating and moisturizing in the first trimester. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of these products in preventing stretch marks has been shown to be rather limited. On the other hand, caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, or soda can increase your risk of stretch marks.

Stretch marks can also result from nutritional deficiency, so it is very important to eat foods that promote healthy skin. Foods rich in zinc, selenium, protein, and biotin and with high amounts of vitamins A, C, & E, will help maintain the elasticity and strength of your skin.

There are other important factors involved, such as genetics, so if your mother or sister got them during pregnancy, you are more likely to have them too. Adhering to these recommendations won’t guarantee the prevention of stretch marks, but it’s a great place to start!

Skincare products.  A girl’s best friend . . . Or worst enemy!  By Carol McKibben

I’m sure like most people, you have spent time in the drug store, looking up and down the aisles of the multitude of products lining the shelves.  Have you ever noticed how much space is given up to skincare?  How much of your medicine cabinet space is taken up as well?  How much of what is in your cabinet is what you can’t live without?

I have been the victim of buying every crème, lotion, potion and miracle serum on the market.  At best I would find my skin hydrated for a very short while, at worst a product would make me break out or dry out.  Most people that have acne (and I’ve had my share) think they have to blast their face with the strongest acne product available.  Usually you just continue to break out on top of skin that looks like the Saraha desert. 

My experience with hydrating my skin was to have a greasy lotion that clogged my pores and wouldn’t stay put under makeup.  With a greasy lotion, who wants to look like a glazed doughnut? 

As time and suntanning have caught up with me I also noticed some brown spots appearing.  I thought this happened to eighty year old ladies.  Surprise, it can happen anytime.  All the afternoons of lying on the beach covered in baby oil or some coconut flavored concoction has finally caught up with me.  Who wants brown spots on their face????  Answer, no one.

Skinceuticals to the rescue.  The products I’ve found I can’t live without are the gentle cleanser, it is a lovely crème that smells of oranges and cleanses all makeup away.  Or using it in the morning is a refreshing way to wake up your skin.  Following that is Phyto +, a green liquid that contains fruit acids.  Guess what it does?  Fades those brown spots caused by years of abuse.  It works by gradual fading because it uses natural acids as opposed to chemical blasts.  I’d rather put a few months into working on my hyperpigmentation then to use something more severe, this is my face we are talking about, right? 

The Phyoto lays a nice groundwork to CE Ferulic, which hydrates and protects.  It comes in a serum that absorbs enough to go nicely under makeup, but stays in your skin all day.  The combination gives my face a ‘spongie’ texture, in the nicest way.  The layers actually feel plumped up.  This lasts all day and doesn’t go away by the time you are ready to go out the door.

For those blemishes?  Blemish control gel of course.  It can get rid of a ‘problem spot’ in a day.  Remember to moisturize even if you have oily skin, daily moisture is a product that will hydrate without leaving you feeling greasy.  Reduces pore size too!  What more can a girl ask?

These are just a few products in the Skinceutical line that I have used personally.  The best thing is that they actually work.  I have been faithfully putting them into my daily routine and see a HUGE difference in my skin.  The products I’ve invested in before?  I’ve found a new place for them, in the bottom drawer. 

Everybody is aware of the fact that prolonged sun exposure will burn your skin. Not as many people know that it will also cause your skin to age faster. For summer skin care, it’s the same old story, now with more information. Protecting your skin from burning is a must, but most sunscreens are inadequate to protect you from sun-induced aging. SPF for sunscreens measures how many times longer you can stay out in the sun than if you weren’t using it. But it only measures protection against UVB rays, which are associated with burning and skin cancer. SPF does not measure any protection against UVA rays, which are associated with skin aging from sun damage. Good sunscreen/sunblock products will protect you from both.

Most people don’t know that about 80% of skin aging and damage to your skin is caused by the time you are 30. It just doesn’t show itself until later in life. If you don’t take care of your skin when you are younger, you will regret it later with faster aging of your skin as well as increased risk of skin cancer.

Melanin, the pigment in the epidermis of your skin, actually protects you from burning as readily. So having a base tan, while not as good as having a UVA/UVB sunblock, will allow you to stay out in the sun longer.

For our Southern California, sun-loving patients, we recommend Tizo3 sunscreen. Tizo3 Mineral SPF is a mineral-based, utilizing ultra micronized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as its approved active sunscreen ingredients. It is free of dyes, fragrance, chemical-free, and oil-free, and it is tinted. The texture is that of silk or silicone, and patients love it. Give yourself 5 minutes to apply proper sunscreen, and you’ll get 5 years back . . .

This is the first year Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc. will participate in the National Kids in the Kitchen Week (March 2009), and we’re thrilled to be involved!! Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc. will work with Junior League of Los Angeles (Beverly Hills/West Hollywood chapters) to produce an inspirational, educational, and fun-filled day for AVIVA.

Aviva Family and Children’s Services is a non-profit, multi-service agency serving the greater Los Angeles community. Aviva provides care and treatment to abandoned, neglected, abused and at-risk youth and their families. Services include residential treatment, community mental health services, family preservation, after-school care, special education and foster family placement.

The event is called G.L.O.W: Getting the Body Moving, Loving Healthy Foods, Owning Yourself, and Wellness Inside and Out.  These girls will learn about health and wellness via celebrity guests and motivational speakers, hip-hop classes, interactive food stations (taco salad in a bag, whole wheat mini pizzas, fruit and yogurt parfait and more!), and a skin analysis session.

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc. will conduct individual skin analyses for the participants with use of a Skin Scope machine. With this machine, the girls get to see the sun damage they’ve incurred and other impurities forming beneath the skin’s surface! Our medical aesthetician will discuss the importance of proper sunscreen application, and each participant will receive a Skinceuticals sunscreen sample set.

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc. is also contributing to the “exercise” portion of the event. Originally, we were planning to gift the AVIVA center with a brand new treadmill. Well, the center actually asked for a Wii Fit system! The girls will now be able to choose amongst tennis, yoga, skiing, or dance for their daily exercise! How coolJ

To top it all off, we are giving all the AVIVA girls with brand-new Juicy Couture clothing!! They will receive fabulous dresses, tops, jeans, skirts, and of course, those famous sweatsuitsJ

Stay tuned for updates and photos of this event!!

Patients frequently ask me this question: Will fat cells grow back after liposuction?

Gender, health, heredity, diet and activity level are all factors in determining how much and where fat will be deposited on your body. When too much is deposited in specific areas for your liking, these trouble areas can be sculpted (liposuction and liposculpture are the same thing- one just sounds fancier) to improve and enhance your appearance.

Many patients worry that if they have liposuction, fat cells will not only grow back, but grow back in another area. This is not the case. Your body stops developing new fat cells after puberty and won’t grow new ones unless you become morbidly obese, at which point new fat cells are made to accommodate the storage of fat.

After liposuction, it would be ideal to maintain your weight… even better to lose a few pounds. But if you gain weight or fluctuate a significant amount, it has to go somewhere. You won’t grow more fat cells, the fat cells left over will expand. So if you keep eating more calories than you are burning off, the excess will be stored in the form of fat… and where it is stored depends on factors such as gender, health, heredity, lifestyle and types of activity.