Posted by Edward Kwak on Wed, Jul 27, 2011 @ 08:23 AM
In 1997, 2 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed. By last year that number had increased to more than 9 million, an astonishing jump of 155% in just 13 years, according to 2010 statistics released by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
While male cosmetic surgeries have increased 88% since 1997 when the ASAPS began keeping records, women continue to be the driving force behind the burgeoning New York facial plastic surgery market. Last year, women accounted for 92% of the cosmetic surgery market, undergoing 8.5 million procedures.
According to ASAPS statistics, the 10 most popular New York cosmetic surgery procedures for women are:
- 1. Breast augmentation
- 2. Lipoplasty (liposuction)
- 3. Breast reduction
- 4. Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
- 5. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
- 6. Breast lift
- 7. Facelift
- 8. Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty)
- 9. Autologous fat (fat grafting)
- 10. Forehead lift
While the improving economy spurred an across-the-board increase in the number of surgical cosmetic procedures performed in 2010 compared to 2009, NY nonsurgical cosmetic procedures proved to be nearly 4 times more popular than surgical procedures last year. Botox and other skin filler procedures rocketed to popularity when the recession forced many women to put off more costly surgical procedures. Botox provided an acceptable “quick fix;” but now that the economy is improving, women are scheduling delayed facelifts, eyelid surgery and forehead lifts with board-certified Manhattan facial plastic surgeons.
According to ASAPS statistics, last year women underwent 5.7 nonsurgical cosmetic procedures -- 3.6 injectable procedures and 2.1 skin rejuvenation treatments -- compared to a total of 1.4 million surgical procedures. The most popular wrinkle-eliminating injectable continues to be Botox, which outperformed other injectable fillers by 2 to 1 in 2010. Hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Restylane, were the next most popular class of injectable fillers. Nonsurgical skin rejuvenation treatments such as Ultherapy were also popular with New York women.
Posted by Edward Kwak on Wed, Jul 06, 2011 @ 10:24 AM
Botox Cosmetic has been the gold standard for facial wrinkle removal for years. Today’s most popular wrinkle treatment, Botox is facing some stiff competition from newer treatments, including Dysport, Restylane, Juvaderm, Radiesse and Sculptra. As Manhattan facial plastic surgeons have begun to develop long-term experience with these newer products, they are discovering that Botox is not always the best choice for every type of facial wrinkle. As Dr. Edward Kwak explains on the ESK website, removal of dynamic wrinkles and static wrinkles is more effectively achieved with different skin fillers. Botox can no longer be considered the one-size-fits-all solution to facial wrinkles.
A recent study compared the effectiveness of Botox and Dysport, two different kinds of botulinum toxin used to treat dynamic wrinkles, in alleviating crow’s feet. Dysport was found to be somewhat superior to Botox in erasing the tiny lines that gather at the outer corners of the eye. However, it is important to note that the study, recently published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, was limited to a 30-day trial of only 90 participants. A lengthier trial of a larger cross-section of patients will be required to determine whether Dysport can maintain its edge over Botox in larger trials and over the long term.
Study participants were injected with Botox on one side of their face and Dysport on the other. While there was no discernible difference when facial muscles were at rest, both researchers and patients preferred the Dysport side during normal activities. The results took many plastic surgeons, who typically use the two products interchangeably, by surprise as both they and their patients have found the products to produce comparable results. Cosmetic surgeons also noted that some patients have a personal preference for one product over the other. Bottom line? Heed your facial plastic surgeon’s recommendation.
Posted by Edward Kwak on Tue, Jul 05, 2011 @ 01:41 PM
Although they look equally unattractive when you look in the mirror, but all facial wrinkles are not the same. New York facial plastic surgery patients are often surprised to discover that there are two different types of facial wrinkles, each requiring a different plastic surgery treatment.
Dynamic wrinkles. The wrinkles that form across the forehead, between the eyebrows and around the eyes are called dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles develop in areas that are underlain by major facial muscles and are the result of repetitive muscle movement over time. People who are under constant stress or in pain or who have vision problems frequently furrow their brow or squint. In time, the constant contraction of their facial muscles can result in the development of dynamic wrinkles in the areas of greatest muscle movement.
Treatment for dynamic wrinkles. Manhattan facial plastic surgeons like Dr. Edward Kwak favor the use of Botox to treat dynamic wrinkles. The injection of Botox into a wrinkled area of the face slightly weakens the underlying muscle that is responsible for causing the wrinkles. Botox gently relaxes the muscle so that it cannot tense or bunch, preventing the skin from wrinkling.
Static wrinkles. When wrinkles are caused by genetics or environmental factors, they are called static wrinkles. Static wrinkles most often form in the nasolabial fold in the facial area around the nose and mouth. Genetics plays a major role in the development of deep laugh or frown lines, but the spidery wrinkles that radiate from the lips as people age is caused by excess sun exposure, an environmental issue.
Treatment for static wrinkles: Injectable fillers such as Restylane, Juvaderm, Radiesse and Sculptra are typically used to treat or “plump up” the skin to remove static wrinkles.
Posted by Edward Kwak on Wed, Jul 16, 2008 @ 01:22 PM
A look in any of todays beauty magazine and it may seem that every model has full and prominent cheeks. Well having more defined cheeks, has been considered aesthetically more appealing for years. Fullness to the mid-facial region, gives the allure of youth. As we age, specific anatomic changes occur in the middle of the face, resulting in a flatter appearance.
With the recent introduction of synthetic injectable fillers (Radiesse and Sculptra), plastic surgeons now have more options to treat patients wishing for a more prominent cheek bone. Besides the immediate effect of the procedure, this technique for augmenting the cheeks can be performed in the doctor's office and requires minimal down time.
Dr. Kwak can also use the injectable fillers to customize the amount of augmentation desired with greater precision.
To learn more about cheek augmentation, we welcome you to come in for a consultation with Dr. Kwak.
