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Terry L. Hand, M.D. |
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Don't Frown, The Botox Deal Is Still On!
Until the end of September, Allergan is offering $50.00 reimbursement for each session of Botox Cosmetic. Our office has received a limited amount of coupons from the manufacturer, Allergan, that we will assist our patients with until they are gone.
Offer valid through 9/30/2009
This months interactive tool is a treatment visualizer to show you the effect Botox has on commonly placed areas of the face. You can upload a photo of yourself or find one of the models with similar issues and "adjust" her face. Click on the link below and get started!
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ASK THE DOCTOR
I'm currently pregnant with 2 questions. What rejuvenation procedures can I still do to help me look my best and will I be able to breastfeed my baby since I have had breast implants?
This question is a common one and my response is always to avoid all fillers and Botox until after the baby is born and has finished nursing. Fortunately for most women, they are absolutely lovely during pregnancy and should relax and enjoy the glow!
The majority of women that have had breast augmentation surgery can go on to breast feed normally. Current techniques usually spare the milk ducts so that the breast anatomy remains intact. That being said, there are women that experience difficulty with lactation even when they are not augmented. Lactation specialists are well versed in techniques that may be helpful should that occur. The breast will experience the increase in size that it would have even if not augmented. |
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Study: Ideal woman's body is curvy, but not too curvy
According to USA today (yes I do read about cosmetic surgery in the newspaper too!) and The American Society of Plastic Surgery, new research shows that "the most important single predictors of female bodily attractiveness are weight and waist-to-hip ratio." Other important predictors were the: bust-to-underbust ratio and bust-to-waist ratio.
The above conclusion was scientifically obtained using the ever well-known "Morph Man" software, we'll call her "Morph Woman" to be fair. The program generated 243 variations of a frontal-view photograph of a woman with normal body proportions. Five components of the figure were manipulated: weight, pelvic width, waist width, bust size and leg length.
They then conducted a Web-based survey (where you can also check out the photos) that asked respondents to pick their favorite figure. More than 34,000 people ages 15 (the lower limit allowed) to 98 logged on and took the survey. Interestingly, the respondents opinions were pretty evenly divided between men and women.
Why does anyone need to know this interesting tidbit? The authors of the study that was published in The Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgery stated, "our experiment showed the existence of a clearly defined beauty ideal that may be measured and statistically described." I thought it was interesting on many levels but especially enjoyed the introduction to "MorphMan"! |
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| Patient Financing Plans |
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We now have a secure application that links directly to CareCredit from our financing page of our website by clicking on the blinking information box at the top of the page. Within minutes of applying, a line of credit is established to use whenever you are ready to pursue your procedure.
CareCredit is a financing agency that can establishes a line of credit accepted by most plastic surgeons, dentists and veternarians. Different offices participate with various plans offered by this lender. At our office, through November 30th, we are offering 12 month financing at 0% interest for procedures totaling $1,200.00 or more. As always, 3 months, same as cash financing is always offered. Credit lines from $300 to $25,000 are available with instant qualification and credit availability.
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Got Lashes?
Try Latisse!
Now that many of you have been using Latisse for awhile, compare your results to the Latisse growth chart. If you haven't tried it, what are you waiting for?
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Summer has brought an exciting addition to my practice, a combination of Syneron Fotofacial RF and the newest technology, Matrix RF. As many of you know, the technology for fractional laser resurfacing has continued to evolve much in the same way as computer technology, rapidly! I have always looked to find a solution for my patients that would first of all deliver noticeable results, secondly be an affordable adjunct to what my practice already offers and lastly be a realistic solution for most skin types.
I understand that many of my patients are looking for solutions that are less costly than surgery and that require much less downtime. One of the primary complaints I hear from many of my female patients is how to address the thin, fragile skin under the neck, the deccoltege area and the hyperpigmented areas of the hands and arms. I also have many patients that previously have been unable to take advantage of IPL because of dark skin coloration. I haven't had a great solution until now. The Matrix RF is a colorblind process that ignores the darker skin of the epidermis and targets the dermis (the area responsible for collagen formation). By combining the skin firming and remodeling aspects of the Matrix RF with the ability of the Fotofacial RF to address redness, discoloration and fine wrinkles, areas that used to be virtually untreatable can be dealt with easily and with little downtime for most skin types. What is RF? It is a new technology that delivers bipolar radiofrequency energy to the skin in a non-homogeneous fractional manner resulting in ablation and resurfacing of the skin. The procedure leaves areas that have been exposed to slight impact, in-between the targeted areas, which helps to maintain the integrity of the treated skin and serve as a reservoir of cells that accelerate and promote the healing process. All this sound confusing? Let Lisa or Cheri know you are interested in investigating Matrix RF or Fotofacial RF and I can explain which procedure might be the most appropriate to address your concerns. Both procedures can be combined or performed alternately. A course of treatment can be totally customized to individual needs.
I am a true believer in utilizing all of the wonderful antiaging solutions available to patients today. I still believe that surgical solutions are often the best for many patients but by being able to add products such as Botox, dermal fillers, Latisse and now fractional skin resurfacing, today's patients have many options.
This month's interactive tool is a Botox simulator since Allergan still has a $50 rebate going through the end of September for Botox.
Our featured article for September discusses a survey performed jointly by the American Society of Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Aesthetic Surgery on their "Beauty For Life" site. If you haven't seen the site, it is worth clicking into to check out.
Oh yes, I'm blogging again. Recent developments in health care are becoming very concerning. I don't know the answers but have some definate opinions!
All the best,
Terry Hand, M.D.
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| Why Skin Rejuvenation With Matrix RF™? |
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Prior to treatment with Matrix RF Skin Rejuvenation
After 2 treatments with Matrix RF Skin Rejuvenation
How is Fractional Ablative Different From Traditional Ablative?
Patients today desire face-lift-type results, yet do not want the weeks--to even months--of downtime associated with those treatments. Aggressive treatments also come with limitations on the range of skin types that can be treated, due to the high risk of skin discoloration. Although classified as an aggressive treatment, Sublative Rejuvenation with Matrix RF is unique because it delivers optimal efficiency with minimal downtime at an affordable price point--and it's safe for ALL skin types.
Traditional ablative resurfacing heats and removes the complete surface of the skin resulting in a longer recovery period. Fractional technology reaches deeper into the skin, but covers the skin area in patterns of dots instead of a broader area. The RF energy induces a skin injury over the region of the matrix spots with an accelerated healing process supported by the non-affected tissue surrounding the matrix spots. This way, the treatment can produce much more effective color and texture improvement--with significantly less recovery time than traditional C02 full ablative laser resurfacing.
The Matrix RF fractional treatment is customizable to your skin type and has varying intensities ranging from:
�Mild ablation & skin resurfacing with a shallow impact
�Moderate ablation & skin resurfacing with a mid-level impact
�Intense ablation & skin resurfacing with the deepest impact
 
Traditional Fractional vs Sublative Rejuvenation
How does Subblative Rejuvenation using MatrixRF work?
Matrix RF is the world's first radio-frequency only non-laser and non-light-based aesthetic procedure that is FDA-cleared to treat a range of skin conditions and skin types safely. To achieve the best possible results when addressing any skin imperfection, the energy, whether it be laser or light, must be delivered below the skin without overheating the top layer of the skin. This has been the challenge with current more aggressive treatments, because they work by overheating the top layer of the skin to the point of complete ablation (removal), forcing new skin to develop. Sublative Rejuvenation is the only fractional treatment that can be used on all skin types. Some skin conditions (such as eczema) may prohibit patients from receiving the treatment.
Sublative Rejuvenation uses fractional bi-polar radio frequency to penetrate through the skin--to allow more energy beneath the surface of the skin, to really maximize collagen production--while keeping the top layer of the skin intact.
Post treatment, you may notice increased levels of beneficial collagen as new healthy skin cells are produced. Mild to moderate wrinkles and superficial skin discolorations are reduced, and the texture of your skin becomes smoother and more elastic.
When can I expect to see results?
Typical treatment protocol is 3 treatments, 4 to 6 weeks apart. The total number of required treatment sessions depends on your skin's condition. Most patients see significant results after 1 treatment that continues to improve with each.
Does it hurt?
Matrix RF treatment is very tolerable. During treatment, many patients feel a warm, prickly sensation as energy enters their skin. After treatment a pink or red "sunburn" appearance and feeling is also common. Topical anesthetic ointments and cooling are used to reduce unpleasant sensations during treatment.
What can I expect afterward?
Transient skin edema and redness, as well as heat or tingling sensations may last for up to a few hours. Tiny scabs of less than 1 mm will usualy form 24-72 hours post treatment and may remain for several days. Sunscreen and makeup may be worn. Depending on the level of ablation decided on by you and Dr. Hand, mild to moderate redness may last for 4 to 7 days.
Are there any side effects?
No clinical side effects have been reported to date. The beauty about Sublative Rejuvenation is its capability to offer significant results to ALL skin types with little to no downtime.
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| How Do Our Attitudes About Beauty Change As We Age? |
 
What people find beautiful about themselves may be different than what they find appealing in another person. That's just one finding from a recent consumer survey conducted on the BeautyforLife website (a joint venture of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.) Visitors were asked "What aspect of physical beauty do you find most appealing in another person?" In their 20s, 30s, and 40s, respondents look for a fit, well proportioned body; youthful skin ranked at the top for respondents in the 50s and 60s. When considering "Which part of your body are you most concerned about?" respondents ranked their abdomen/hips number one in their 30s. But surprisingly, respondents listed the face, not their body, as the most popular choice in the 20s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
"It is always important to understand what our patients are most concerned about at different stages of their lives. We want to be equipped to help our patients make the right decisions to maintain their beauty at every age-no matter which type of cosmetic medical procedure they are interested in." said ASAPS President Renato Saltz, MD.
Additional results were revealed when answering "Which part of your body are you most concerned about?" While respondents primarily chose their face, significantly more respondents are concerned about their abdomen/hips than their breasts (chest) with the disparity increasing throughout the decades:
30s - 37% chose abdomen/hips as their top concern while only 18% chose breasts.
40s - 32% selected abdomen/hips and only 10% breasts.
50s - 25% chose abdomen/hips compared to 7% breasts.
60s - 23% indicated concern about their abdomen/hips, while only 7% selected breast.
Community members were also asked to consider "The most important reason to maintain your physical appearance." "To boost self-confidence" was the top choice across all decades, with "To attract potential partners" a close second for the 20s. In the 30s and 40s, the second-most popular choice shifted to "To increase professional opportunities," which remained the number two choice in the 50s, but by a much smaller percentage. In the 60s, increasing professional opportunities fell to third behind "To help make friends."
"The survey on the Beauty For Life website has provided interesting data about patients' attitudes, motivation and perception. Our goal is to provide useful tools for prospective patients to help them first decide if a cosmetic medicine procedure is right for them and then to provide information on how to choose an appropriate provider," said Dr. Richard D'Amico, past president of ASPS.
Another question asked members to contemplate "The most important factor in maintaining beauty." While adherence to a healthy diet, regular exercise and skin care were popular choices, approximately one in five members felt that a cosmetic medical procedure was most important in the 50s and 60s.
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Thank you for taking your valuable time to once again read our newsletter. As always, our office would like to extend the offer of a no cost consultation for our loyal clients that subscribe to this newsletter. Please do not hesitate to let Cheri or Lisa know if you have further questions about any of our procedures or financing.
Sincerely,
Terry L. Hand, M.D. |
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