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Early Development of Synthetic Collagen Shows Promise

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Staff Writer

A new type of synthetic collagen may enter clinical testing in the next few years if its development continues to go well, according to ScienceDaily.

Scientists at Rice University, where the synthetic collagen is being developed, say it is much different from other collagen products available today. For one, the scientists say it much more closely resembles natural collagen, which is a key component in your body. For cosmetic surgeons, collagen is often recognized as what gives volume to your face, helping to keep your skin looking smooth and youthful. Collagen makes up many of the key structures of your body like connective tissues and cartilage. A cosmetic surgeon may need to access your cartilage when performing otoplasty or rhinoplasty.

Most synthetic collagen used today is often derived from humans or animals. Because it can present immunological risks, animal-derived collagen may not always be the first choice of cosmetic surgeons who use synthetic collagen.

The scientists also noted that this new version of synthetic collagen is created in a way that mimics natural processes. This self-assembly process was developed over several years.

While this initial news is good, researchers say they still do not know if the synthetic collagen will behave in the same manner that natural collagen behaves in the body. To that end, researchers add that possible clinical trials could still be five years away.

To learn more about advances in cosmetic surgery and how non-surgical treatments can smooth skin, we encourage you to join the mailing list of Birmingham cosmetic surgeon Dr. Petro.

New Anti-Wrinkle Prescription Displays Positive Testing Results

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Staff Writer

You may soon be able to pop a pill to diminish wrinkles on the face, like crow’s feet, according to NewScientist.

In a recent study, many patients who underwent testing of a new anti-wrinkle prescription saw a decrease in visible wrinkles on the face, when taking the product as directed. Unlike creams which may only target surface wrinkles, researchers believe this new anti-wrinkle prescription works because it is able to access the deepest layers of skin—the dermis.

For the study, 480 middle-aged women from across Europe took part. Some were given a placebo, while others were given a true dose of the anti-wrinkle prescription. Even researchers did not know whether patients were given the placebo or not. After taking the anti-wrinkle prescription three times a day for 14 weeks, wrinkles on the faces of the participants were assessed.

While wrinkles were 30% shallower for some of the patients who received the actual anti-wrinkle prescription, many patients who received the same dose experienced wrinkles that were 10% shallower.

The anti-wrinkle prescription was developed after the researchers tested what natural components would increase collagen production in women of a certain age. What they found was that combinations of Vitamins C and E, acids from fish oil, as well as additional components, promoted collagen synthesis. It is the natural production of collagen that helps to keep skin looking young and smooth.

As an added boon to the producers of the anti-wrinkle prescription, government approval may not be necessary since the extracts they contain are already widely used. It is unclear whether FDA approval would be necessary should the product come to the US. Unilever, which produces the medication, plans to launch it in spas in the UK, Spain and Canada in October.

Testing only included short term effects for the anti-wrinkle prescription, and researchers recommend patients take the medication three times daily for at least three months to see the effects. It is likely that if a patient discontinues use of the capsule, that the normal aging process would resume.

To find out about non-surgical wrinkle treatments currently available in your cosmetic surgeon’s office, please join the mailing list of Birmingham cosmetic surgeon Dr. Petro.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged anti-wrinkle prescription | Leave a comment

Simple Daily Skin Care Routine May Yield the Best Results

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Staff Writer

While your daily skin care routine need not be complicated, it should be carefully planned, according to USA Today.

Even if you are not currently planning on undergoing facial rejuvenation, it is important to maintain the look and health of your skin with a daily skin care routine. While you may feel the more products you use, the better you’ll combat aging, this may not be so.

Rather, using just a few carefully selected products and cleansers as a part of your daily skin care routine may yield the best results.

The most important part of a daily skin care routine, according to many professionals, is how you clean your face. You should use a mild cleanser that will remove dirt and impurities, but not dry your skin. Washing gently with warm water is key, as hot water and aggressive scrubbing of your skin can irritate and dry it out.

You should also apply a moisturizer twice daily. This will keep your skin hydrated and, if you use a moisturizer containing SPF, will shield your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

Aside from these components of your daily skin care routine, you should try to stick to products recommended for your skin’s needs by your cosmetic surgeon. Using too many products can irritate your skin and leave you in an endless cycle of searching for skin care remedies.

If you have questions about skin care products, we encourage you to contact Birmingham cosmetic surgeon Dr. Petro. Please join our mailing list to learn about upcoming specials.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged daily skin care routine | Leave a comment

Medical Uses for Botox Grow with Urinary Incontinence Application

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Staff Writer

Restroom sign by vinnyocc, on Flickr

Patients who struggle with urinary incontinence may now be prescribed treatments of Botox for their condition, according to The New York Times.

Treatment of urinary incontinence joins the more than 100 medical uses for Botox. Some of these current and popular medical uses for Botox include treating:

excessive sweating
muscle spasms
eyelid twitching
chronic migraines

Though Botox was first approved by the FDA nearly a decade ago to treat lines and wrinkles on the face, these medical uses for Botox now draw about half of Botox’s $1.5 billion in yearly international sales.

Patients who struggle with urinary incontinence caused by multiple sclerosis or other neurological conditions that affect the spine may now be given Botox as a treatment option. However, using Botox to treat urinary incontinence caused by unknown factors is currently being investigated. If this wider range of treatment options is approved, more than 340,000 Americans who struggle with the issue may find relief.

Because Botox had been found to treat many health issues from wrinkles to migraines, it is sometimes called a “pipeline in a vial.” When this “pipeline” is injected beneath the surface of the skin, it causes the treated muscle to relax and limits contraction. This can smooth skin when treating a wrinkle, or will prevent muscle spasms which can lead to issues like urinary incontinence.

To learn more about medical uses for Botox or how the injectable can improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the face, please join the mailing list of Birmingham cosmetic surgeon Dr. Melanie Petro.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged medical uses for Botox | Leave a comment

Breast Implant MRI No Longer Necessary, FDA Says

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Staff Writer

The FDA has confirmed the safety of silicone breast implants following studies by two primary manufacturers, according to The New York Times.

While previously, patients were instructed to get a breast implant MRI three years after surgery and every two years going forward, that requirement is no longer in place.

“Women should feel assured that the FDA continues to believe that currently marketed silicone breast implants are safe,” said Dr. William Maisel, chief scientist for the FDA’s Center for Devices.

While there are some types of damage that a breast implant MRI can detect, such as ruptures that may not otherwise be visible, patients may not be at a greater risk. Additionally, the cost of a breast implant MRI may be too high and deter women from undergoing regular testing.

The discussion of how to track the performance of breast implants, aside from breast implant MRIs, continued. One idea favored by many is to keep a registry of all breast implant patients, though the cost of such a venture could be cost-prohibitive.

Given this new confirmation of the safety of silicone breast implants, the responsibility of tracking may come down to each individual patient. While not required, a breast implant MRI may be the only way to discover a rupture. You should discuss your breast implants with your cosmetic surgeon if you have any questions about safety or maintenance. She will be able to provide you with specific information about the devices used and how to monitor them.

To learn more about options for breast augmentation in Birmingham, please join the mailing list of cosmetic surgeon Dr. Petro.

Posted in Breast Surgery | Tagged breast implant mri | Leave a comment

Healthier Choices in a Post-Bariatric Surgery Diet

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Staff Writer

Patients who choose extreme measures like gastric bypass to lose weight may see a decrease in cravings for fatty foods, according to a new study.

The study, which looked at what sort of foods patients who underwent the surgery incorporated into their post-bariatric surgery diet. It found that many patients shunned fats high in fat and instead made healthier choices for their post-bariatric surgery diet. Interestingly enough, a study of lab rats found a similar effect lasting up to 200 days after surgery.

The researchers said the avoidance of fatty foods as part of a post-bariatric surgery diet may be attributed to hormones. An increase in certain types of hormones may lead to unpleasant digestive feelings, causing patients to curb their intake of fatty food and drinks.

Of course, in order to maintain the positive effects of the surgery, a healthy post-bariatric surgery diet is necessary. Of great importance, too, for many patients are body contouring procedures which are often needed after losing a great deal of weight.

Cosmetic surgeons often perform body contouring for patients who exhibit loose skin and pockets of fat on the body. These surgeries can include a tummy tuck, thigh lift, and breast lift.

To learn more about maintaining your body after bariatric surgery, we encourage you to contact Birmingham cosmetic surgeon Dr. Petro.

Posted in Body Surgery | Tagged Post-Bariatric Surgery Diet | Leave a comment

When Is Exercise After Breast Augmentation Possible?

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Staff Writer

Women who choose breast implant surgery often do so as a way to feel better about their body. Likely, these women also devote time to staying healthy and active. As a result many ask, how and when can I exercise after breast augmentation?

If you are one of these women who is eager to get back in the gym and exercise after breast augmentation, your cosmetic surgeon would advise you to take it slowly. Immediately following any surgical procedure, your body is in a sort of recovery mode. This means it is necessary to allow your body the time to adjust to the new breast size and allow the incisions to heal properly.

While you can’t take up jogging a day after your surgery, you should be able to begin walking around and improving your body’s mobility. Even if you are still experiencing discomfort, simply walking to the mailbox and back may be enough.

As the days go on and you feel more comfortable with your new frame and the speed of healing, you can begin to slowly increase your physical activity. It’s always important, however, to listen to your body and follow any individual aftercare instructions your cosmetic surgeon gives you. Several days after your surgery, you may feel ready to take longer walks. As you return to work, your regular activities will increase and your metabolism will also rise with the increased movement.

After a period of several weeks, you can begin to work in more of your regular workout routine with care. It is important to wear a supportive bra and to not push yourself. While kickboxing may not yet be an option, many types of cardio like riding a stationary bike may now be possible.

Usually after eight weeks or so, you should be able to fully return to your workout routine. If you would like to learn more about breast implant surgery and your options for exercise after breast augmentation, please contact Birmingham cosmetic surgeon Dr. Petro.

Posted in Breast Surgery | Tagged exercise after breast augmentation | Leave a comment

Brow Lift Techniques: Restraint May Be Beneficial

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Staff Writer

Performing a brow lift using a more subtle technique may actually provide better results for patients who struggle with a descending brow.

Using special brow lift techniques, cosmetic surgeons are able to help a patient appear younger and open an eye area that may suffer from a descending brow. Rather than fully lifting the brow to a higher position, your surgeon may only lift part of the brow for an ideal result, as discussed in Cosmetic Surgery Times.

One way a brow lift is sometimes performed is by unilaterally lifting the entire brow, but this may not be the ideal brow lift technique. In fact, in some cases, it may make the patient appear older and create a hollow appearance above the eyes, which may later need to be corrected.

Rather, the brow should ideally be lifted in a minimal manner, which can still create a dramatically younger-looking visage. In the case of cosmetic surgery, oftentimes less is more.

Instead of focusing on how high the brow should be after surgery, the shape of the brow overall may be more important. In the past, what was considered a beautifully shaped brow was different than it is today. At one point, a downturned brow was desirable, and later a more upturned brow.

Today’s ideal is somewhere in the middle, where the brow is lower near the center of the face, higher near the end and with a peak above the iris of the eye.

If you struggle with a descending brow but may not yet desire one of these brow lift techniques, Botox may be used to treat some types of brow deformities. Botox works by paralyzing the muscle at the treatment site, allowing the skin and brow to relax in a more natural position.

To learn more about brow lift techniques or how your cosmetic surgeon may use Botox to treat an aged-looking brow, we encourage you to join our mailing list.

Posted in Cosmetic Injections, Facial Surgery | Leave a comment

How Emailing and Texting May Cause Signs of Aging

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Staff Writer

Constantly checking your email or texting on your smartphone may be leading to excessive wrinkles on the neck, what some are calling “Blackberry neck.”

The constant downward gaze caused by smartphone use may be causing some individuals to experience more lines and creases on their neck than would appear naturally. Even if your face maintains its youthful volume, signs of aging on the neck can give you away.

Unfortunately, there’s not an app for that, but facial and neck treatments may help curb the effects of too much texting. One aesthetician in Manhattan developed the “Blackberry facial,” which included cleansing, peels, hydration treatments and additional light, oxygen and lymphatic components to reduce neck wrinkles, according to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

While you may not need to undergo such an intense, multi-step facial to correct signs of aging in your neck, whether from texting or age, many non-surgical options are available.

As a one step process, chemical peels can be applied to the face and neck to reduce neck wrinkles. These treatments work to remove dull, aged surface skin cells, allowing fresh, clean skin to be revealed. Chemical peels can also clear up uneven skin tone and other superficial skin issues.

Laser skin resurfacing treatments work in a way similar to chemical peels in that they allow new skin cells to surface. This light-based treatment removes surface skin cells, layer by layer, revealing smoother, more beautiful skin below. This can reduce neck wrinkles and smooth the appearance of your lower face.

For continued benefits of your non-surgical treatment for aging on the neck, a reliable at-home skin care regimen is important. Your plastic surgeon offers professional-grade skin care options, which work not only to repair skin damage and keep your skin looking supple, but can also protect your skin daily.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged reduce neck wrinkles | Leave a comment

Only Proper Application of Sunscreen May Prevent Sunburns

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Staff Writer

Even frequent application of sunscreen may not prevent sunburns if it is not applied correctly, according to a new study by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Sunscreen, the study found, was the most popular form of sun protection chosen by the 3,000 Caucasian adults who participated. In fact, 30% of those studied said they applied sunscreen when out in the sun for longer than one hour. Seeking shade was the second most popular form of sun protection with protective clothing options also being listed.

Startling is the fact that those who said they regularly apply sunscreen were at a 23% higher risk of sunburns, compared to those who rarely apply it.

While avoiding the sun, especially midday when its rays are strongest, is the best way to prevent sunburns and sun damage, applying the appropriate amount of sunscreen is key. For each body part that is exposed, like the legs or arms, a golf ball sized glob of sunscreen should be applied. This should be done half an hour before going outside so it has a chance to absorb and then be reapplied at least every two hours. If you get wet, sunscreen should be applied every 60 to 90 minutes.

People who say they regularly apply sunscreen are often likely not applying it correctly or often enough. Sunscreen should absorb at least 2mm for every square centimeter of skin. When reapplying, those who participated in a Brazilian study only used a quarter of what would be necessary for protection.

Though appropriate sunscreen application can help to prevent sunburn, other forms of protection, though less popular, may guard your skin better. Staying in the shade on sunny days is a prime form of protection from sun damage and burns, as is wearing a hat and clothing that does not leave your legs or arms exposed.

Proper sun protection, whether it comes in the form of correct sunscreen application or avoiding the sun’s rays in another manner, is important. Not only can it guard against the signs of premature aging like wrinkles and age spots, but it can prevent sunburns. Though sunburns may be uncomfortable for several days, in the long-term, they can increase your risk for skin cancer.

To learn more about products to protect your skin and prevent sunburns, as well as non-surgical treatments to correct sun damage, we encourage you to contact us or join our mailing list.