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July 14, 2011

Facial Sculpting with Microcurrent

Filed under: beverly hills facelift,facelift,facelift alternative,facelift los angeles,facial fillers,safe cosmetic surgery — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 7:22 pm

Microcurrent facial sculpting is a rising trend, but buyer beware the cosmetic surgery fads.  Like lasers, the term “microcurrent” sounds sexy and high-tech.  But the reality of microcurrents is that they are a lot of hype and very little science.  The use of microcurrent devices is essentially unregulated.  FDA clearance of these devices is very simple for the manufacturers because the amount of current used is so small.  The marketing for microcurrents would have you believe that by stimulating your facial muscles, your face becomes more toned and appears lifted and more youthful.  There is no evidence that this is true.

The Truth About Microcurrents

Quacks have been touting the value of electrical current for healing for about as long as man has controlled electricity.  Obviously, high voltage, high amperage devices are dangerous.  What we are talking about here is very low levels of electrical current.   Remember the adage that every good lie begins with a grain of truth.  It is easy to understand that if you lift weights consistently enough, the muscles become toned.  Proponents of microcurrent devices make the argument that the electricity of these devices will stimulate and tone the facial muscles and this will tone and improve the face, getting rid of wrinkles at the same time.  Sounds great.  The only problem is that there is not a single scientific study that supports this idea.   We call this “phony science.”  Microcurrents cannot, and will not lift and reposition the facial tissues.  Even the claims of mild improvement are unproven.  The harm here is that you are wasting your time and money and being deceived in the process.

Why all the Hype?

The hype surrounding microcurrent facial sculpting machines with unrealistic before and after pictures are equally misleading.  Typically these before and after pictures show a loose neck and jowls next to a youthful and sculpted jawline and neck.  These pictures could show the same person, but it is unlikely the differences were the result of microcurrent facial sculpting.  The smooth, wrinkle-free neck is most likely the result of a little Photoshop magic and lighting, not microcurrent.  These treatments offer empty promises.   The treatment does not compare to a facelift or nonsurgical facial fillers.

About Dr. Steinsapir

Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.

Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.

June 25, 2010

Can surgery improve my dark circles?

Filed under: Beverly Hills Restylane,eyelid fat,facial cosmetic surgery,facial fillers,midface lift,midface surgery,Restylane Injections,safe cosmetic surgery — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin @ 7:34 pm

There are a variety of means to address dark circles under the eyes, and surgery is often the best recommendation.  Dr. Steinsapir is one of just a few physicians who make treatment of under eye hollows a major focus their practice.  The best course of action always depends on a personal consultation and individualized treatment plan.  Let us discuss a few possibilities here.

Dark Circle Surgery Before and After

Dark Circle Surgery Before and After

Filler or Surgery?

In many cases, especially when the presence of dark circles under the eyes is pronounced, surgery may be advisable as the most beneficial option.  However, Dr. Steinsapir understands that there are many people who need surgery but are too apprehensive to seek it – perhaps they had a negative prior experience and are emotionally traumatized, or they may not be prepared for surgery for other personal or financial reasons.  In these cases, Dr. Steinsapir recognizes the importance of respecting emotional limits, and in order to help those who postpone treatment because they desire to avoid surgery, he developed the Deepfill Restylane method of correcting under-eye deficiencies.

Both fillers for under eyes and surgeries, such as the midface lift and arcus marginalis release, have been demonstrated to be safe and highly effective in treating under eye problems.  Find a surgeon who specializes in the treatment of dark circles under eyes to see what he or she recommends.  Your doctor should help you decide the best approach that is right for you.  When you make your decision, remember that surgery is longer-lasting and may yield more powerful results, while under eye Restylane is a flexible, long-lasting but not permanent, and necessitates little-to-no recovery time, making it a great option for those whose personal or work situation may limit their ability to undergo surgery, as well as those who have a less pronounced need for dramatic treatment.

Whether you and your midface surgeon ultimately decide to opt for surgery, a filler, or no treatment, the key to a successful outcome will be planning an individual treatment and then performing it with skill and precision so that enough treatment is given without overdoing it, and so that the look is natural and suits your face.

How Surgery Helps

Surgery addresses lower eyelid contours that contribute to the dark circle.  The effect is a less haggard appearance.  While no surgery lasts forever, the effects of surgery last longer than the non-surgical treatments.

Find a facial cosmetic surgeon who specializes in midface and particularly under eye treatments who also has the training, experience, and great results to make him or her highly qualified.  This is important because your surgeon will need to customize your surgery.  When working in the midface areas, an assembly-line-style treatment approach is not a good idea.  The key to a great outcome is careful planning and performance of the surgery to make it suit you on an individual basis.

One problem with the midface area that is frequently overlooked is the descent of the malar fat pad.  This worsens the hollow under the eye, the midcheek groove, and even the nasolabial fold.  You may interpret what you see as a simple hollowing around the eyes, but often this is truly an entire midface concern.  A midface lift can address all of these areas to smooth out your features and restore the fullness associated with youth.  Dr. Steinsapir helped pioneer the hand-carved ePTFE orbital rim implants in the midface lift, which greatly improves the area around the eyes.

There are different kinds of midface lifts, and the vertical midface lift can be a great way to lift the soft tissue in the cheek back into the lower eyelid where it belongs.

Another option may be the arcus marginalis release, which is suitable for people who have too much lower eyelid fat while also experiencing an under eye deficiency that creates a hollow.  To address this, your surgeon may make a small incision behind the lower eyelid so that the scar is hidden, and then he or she surgically rotates the lower eyelid fat to place it over the orbital rim, filling the hollow naturally and relieving your eyelid of excess tissue.  This is a comfortable surgery that should usually be performed under local anesthesia, followed by ten to twelve days of recovery time.

Finding the Best Cosmetic Surgeon

Dr. Steinsapir has had multiple fellowship trainings in both cosmetic surgery and eyelid plastic surgery, making him especially knowledgeable about how general facial treatments interact with specialized eye area treatments.  As a specialized eyelid plastic surgeon, he is qualified to customize your treatment in this sensitive under eye area in ways that a generalist may not be able to.  Dr. Steinsapir is attuned to your need to carefully decide whether a surgery or a filler is better for you, and he can help you make an informed decision.  Contact us today to find out how a private consultation can help you plan a course of action that improves your physical appearance and meets your needs.

June 3, 2010

Will nanotechnology make my face look better?

Filed under: best cosmetic surgeons,Beverly Hills Restylane,facelift alternative,facelift los angeles — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 12:29 am

When you are looking for results, seeking out the latest buzz in treatment is not necessarily the option that will yield the best results.  New technologies are new for a reason – they are still being developed and studied, while many less honest marketers piggyback on the work of actual scientists by claiming to use a technology when they really aren’t.  Being one of the first to undergo a treatment is risky; there are basically three things that could happen:

1.    Your results will be as amazing as you’d anticipated.
2.    Your results will be limited, disappointing, or nonexistent.
3.    You may experience negative side effects and complications.

Of course, we all hope for #1 to be us, but since new treatments haven’t had time to be studied, perfected, and tailored to the individual, #2 is more likely.  It’s also possible that the new treatment will harm you in ways that are hard to predict just because we don’t have enough information or experience yet; this could mean you are unlucky #3.

In the case of a cosmetic procedure, a brand-new, unproven treatment probably isn’t the best option.  You are probably better off going with a time-tested, successful treatment like BOTOX, the facelift, or a facial filler.  Many apparently cutting edge technologies that get talked about on the internet or even promoted by cosmetic physicians don’t actually exist.  This is currently the case for Nanotechnology.  It may be fun to speculate that one day, tiny nanobots might treat skin wrinkles from the inside.  However, at present this is the stuff of science fiction.  History has taught use that many of these cutting edge technologies may not prove to be safe and reliable.  Gene therapy is an example of this.  Early gene therapy for infants with severe combined immunodeficiency actually caused leukemia in a very high percentage of  successfully treated infants.  It sometimes makes sense for someone with a terminal condition to participate in new, scientifically-founded research.  However, this calculus does not make sense for someone looking for a cosmetic benefit to their appearance.  At least in a clinical study the potential risks are highlighted and complications are studied.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case with cutting edge cosmetic treatments.  Remember, there are currently many excellent and reliable treatment methods.  Why choose an option that has not stood the test of time or any testing for that matter?

The Concern Raised by Nanotechnology Face Treatments

We are further concerned by claims made by the sellers of products like face creams purported to use nanotechnology to revitalize your face.  We’ve discussed the limited effectiveness of face creams before, and unfortunately the hype about nano-cosmetics may rely more on a buzzword than on science itself.  Producers of a cream or makeup may claim their product works on a nano level because saying they heal tiny particles in our cells sounds pretty good; just don’t equate this claim with current research on nanobots.  We aren’t saying that a nanotechnology face cream will harm you or even that it’s no good; we’re simply saying we’re skeptical when someone asks you to pay $300 on an unproven cream that may have nothing to do with actual nanotechnology research.

One of the great challenges when seeking the best cosmetic treatment is sorting through all the smoke and mirrors, so to speak.  You may need dramatic results, and when everyone claims they have the best solution, how can you know who to trust?  This is why it’s so important to find a qualified physician to answer your questions, assess your situation, and help you navigate trusted scientific resources and proven treatment methods.

Seeking Science-Based Treatment

If you need a cosmetic surgeon in California, we invite you to a no-risk consultation with Dr. Steinsapir, who has extensive training in both oculofacial and cosmetic surgery.  He is a leader in nonsurgical cosmetic procedures like undereye Restylane.  He has been at the forefront of new treatments like the use of hand-carved ePTFE orbital rim implants in the midface lift, and he can help you recognize the difference between promising new treatments and fads.

Dr. Steinsapir relies only on proven treatments that are strongly supported by research and demonstrable results.  Rather than rely on inexperienced assistants, physician extenders, or unproven fellows, Dr. Steinsapir will personally customize your treatment to your particular concerns and goals, and he will administer your treatment himself.  Call us today to see how Dr. Steinsapir can use his expertise in leading scientific treatments to help you get real results.

March 4, 2010

Are there any face creams I can use instead of getting surgery?

Filed under: Botox,Botox Los Angeles,facelift,facelift alternative — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 12:35 am

We hate to bring bad news, but we want to be honest: if you are looking for a facial cream that rivals surgical results, you’re going to be disappointed.  This is not to say that creams or lotions are without some benefit.  It does mean, however, that if you are looking for a natural facelift, BOTOX results, or other dramatic improvements normally achieved through treatment by a cosmetic surgeon, a cream is not going to cut it.

A lot of businesses are profiting from misleading advertising by making claims about “natural alternatives” to cosmetic procedures that only a doctor can provide.  It’s hard not to be interested in a product that promises to give you the same results as surgery at a lower price and through “natural” methods without help from a doctor.  This is in part due to the unfair stigmatization that has been placed on cosmetic procedures, the misunderstanding of words like “natural,” and people who just want to make money.  Unfortunately, this means that a lot of customers end up buying really expensive moisturizers.  You may think you’re getting a deal if you spend “only” $300 on a “revolutionary” something-or-other cream, but you are likely getting no more than a regular, moisturizing lotion sold in a very expensive bottle.

What does this mean for your appearance?  If you aren’t already using a quality moisturizer on your face, your complexion may improve.  However, just because you look better after spending $300 on that jar of cream doesn’t mean that you are getting your money’s worth.  If you started with no moisturizer or a bad one, you will likely see results just as good with a cream you find under $20.  Moisturizers do hydrate the scaly outer most skin layers.   For a few hours this makes the complexion look better but that is all these over the counter products do.  When considering creams versus cosmetic procedures like BOTOX or face lift, ask yourself what kind of a change you need to see.  If you are suffering from flaky, dry skin, a cream may help you out.  If your skin is sagging, your cheeks are hollow, and your features creased with wrinkles, will a cream reverse these effects? Of course not!  It is not realistic to expect a cream to make these kinds of changes even a super expensive one from a fancy department store or boutique.

If you are looking for some kind of structural change, like eliminating wrinkles and hanging skin, filling in hollow areas, or making your eyes look bright and alert, a cream won’t get you far no matter how many buzz words the marketing uses.  This makes sense when you think about the reasons people need facial cosmetic procedures.  The effects of aging, stress, gravity, and sun exposure add up over the years and impair the actual structure of your face.  For example, BOTOX for wrinkles works great because it relaxes overactive muscles that are creating wrinkles.  If these muscles are causing your wrinkles, a cream that is merely absorbed into the outer most layers of your skin will not work.  Those seeking alternatives to facelift through creams would do well to consider how a facelift accomplishes the dramatic improvements we see.  A facelift tightens the deep plane structures of the face and removes extra skin.  Again creams only penetrate the last few cell layers in the outermost part of the skin.

The Cream We Always Recommend

It may not reverse the damages and signs of aging you’ve already incurred, but we know that there is a fantastic cream available that will help prevent the signs of aging: sunscreen!  Over time, our faces show the effects of sun damage through problems in complexion and texture.  Protect your looks and health by finding a sunscreen that smells good and is not greasy.  You will not wake up tomorrow with a new and revitalized face, but in ten years your face will thank you for protecting it.

Making an Informed Decision

We always encourage you to decide for yourself what you’ll do through research, private consultations, and finding a treatment plan that makes sense.  When you evaluate before and after photos, pay special attention the lighting and camera angles to see if the photos are misleading you by changing the photography methods from unflattering to flattering effects that are superficially created by a camera.  Also keep in mind that the images you see are examples of the very best results, rather than typical outcomes.

You can obtain great and natural results through surgeries like facelifts as well as nonsurgical, minimally-invasive treatments like BOTOX, Restylane, Fotofacial, and the chemical peel.  There are a lot of options out there for you to sort through, so be especially careful to look out for signs of a scam.  Effective treatment isn’t cheap, and it doesn’t come in the form of an overpriced magic lotion.  It doesn’t promise more than it can do, and it is honest in its portrayal of results.

Contact us today to schedule your individualized private consultation with Dr. Steinsapir, whom many esteem as one of the best cosmetic surgeons in Los Angeles specializing in facial treatments with natural results.  He can help you find the best solution based on your individual needs and answer your questions openly and honestly.

January 4, 2010

What’s the Difference between Dysport and BOTOX?

Filed under: Cosmetic Facial Fillers — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 8:38 pm

Both Dysport® and BOTOX® are botulinum toxin A products that relax overactive muscles to improve facial aesthetics.  But just because these products share a category does not mean they are equivalent.  In fact, it’s important to note that they are not equivalent and the FDA does not consider them to be so.  To be considered a generic drug that is the bioequivalent of a name brand drug, the generic product and name brand must share a dose and therapeutic effect by 90%.  This means that doctors do not have to adjust dose or treatment when switching between the brand name drug and the generic version.  This is not the case with Dysport and BOTOX.

The relative strength of BOTOX to Dysport is thought to be about 2 to 4, so they cannot be used in similar doses.  Further, Dysport diffuses more widely than BOTOX, meaning that treating one section of the face with Dysport will have a wider effect than treating the same portion with BOTOX.  This is not necessarily better or worse – what it means is that BOTOX and Dysport have different applications.  We don’t have meaningful evidence that Dysport lasts longer than BOTOX.  However, Dysport seems to kick in faster and some people really like this difference. These two products share important similarities, but we must be cautious in differentiating them as well.

Is Dysport Better than BOTOX?

It’s too soon to tell because Dysport only just became available in the United States in mid-2009.  So far Dysport and BOTOX seem to be comparable products with important differences outlined above, and Dysport has not demonstrated any clear advantages.   We already know BOTOX to be an extremely beneficial product that is here to stay, and we also know that Medicis (the maker of Dysport, Restylane, and Perlane) has consistently created effective products.  This said, BOTOX is still the market leader and Dysport will need to prove itself and withstand the test of time.

Some people are holding their breath in hopes that BOTOX and Dysport prices will compete until prices drop considerably.  Although there is some competition, we advise you to go ahead and take a deep breath and not expect a drastic change.  Introducing a new drug or product to the market is a costly endeavor that requires extensive research, production, and testing.  Add to this the cost of an experienced doctor who specializes in these procedures, and we see that cosmetic procedures from the better providers are never going to be significantly less expensive.  The advanced and technical nature of the medical field means that good medicine will always come at a premium, if administered safely and as recommended.  Since Dysport and BOTOX are not bioequivalent products, the competition between these products is even less direct than some imagine.  If you have been waiting for the price of BOTOX to drop sharply, you may be disappointed.  BOTOX is still worth as much as it was before, and Medicis still needs to recover the cost of bringing Dysport to the market.  Additionally, it is rumored that the price of BOTOX is scheduled to go up in 2010.

Dysport is turning out to be a great product, just as we expected.  Doctors are now gaining experience with Dysport and perfecting its use. So…

Should I Be Treated with BOTOX Or Dysport?

Your treatment will depend on the results of your private consultation.  Choose a doctor with extensive experience in treating the face with botulinum toxin A products for the best results.  Very subtle differences in treatment make the difference between good and extraordinary results, and experience guides doctors in making treatment decisions.  While any new product has the disadvantage of a short track record, a doctor with a demonstrable high skill level will know how to best apply the new product and when it’s preferable to use the leading brand.

Dr. Steinsapir trained with the inventor of BOTOX and has performed thousands of BOTOX treatments for over two decades.  In this time he has helped BOTOX recipients achieve remarkable results and has pioneered the patent pending MicrodropletTM BOTOX treatment.  As a professional considered among the top BOTOX practitioners, he can help you get the best results from a traditional BOTOX treatment or the new Dysport treatment.  Contact us today for an individualized consultation to find out the most appropriate treatment for your unique concerns.