Is there anything to it? Or is it just a marketing gimmick?

Where you find stem cells, controversy is bound to follow. While you’re probably familiar with the debate surrounding embryonic stem cell research, you might be surprised to learn that even the cosmetic surgery industry is not immune to scrutiny surrounding the use of stem cells.

Embryos aren’t the only only source of stem cells; there’s some inside you right now, and one of the best places to find them is among adipose, or fat cells. Being ‘blank’ cells that can form into specialized cells around them, stem cells could be extremely useful in cosmetic procedures, encouraging growth of collagen, muscles, or other tissue wherever such tissue is needed.

This is the philosophy behind the so-called “Stem-Cell Facelift,” a procedure touted by some as having that extra special ingredient, which is supposed to enhance the appearance of the skin by promoting new tissue growth.

Although, the procedure’s not really a “facelift.” Facelifts are a surgical procedure, whereas Stem-Cell Facelifts are typically nonsurgical, and work instead by injecting liposuctioned fat into the facial features, filling them out. Critics of the procedure doubt there’s much difference between this procedure and fat grafting.

The problem with Stem-Cell Facelifts is a lack of clinical study to confirm the results of the procedure, or even the amount of stem cells, if any, the procedure involves. “We need studies that look at exactly how the skin tissue responds and whether more volume is retained if you use more stem cells,” said Dr. Karol Gutowski, a surgeon in Northbrook, Ill, in an interview with The New York Times. “We’re not seeing that research yet.”

That’s not to say Stem-Cell Facelifts or some similar procedure won’t be viable someday, but until further studies are conducted, it’s best to treat such procedures with a healthy dose of consumer skepticism. In the meantime, if you’re in the market for younger-looking facial features, consider some tried-and-true methods, such as facelifts (the surgical variety), Botox, or another injectable filler. To find out what the best option is for you, book a consultation with your cosmetic surgeon.

• Photo Credit: Neural stem cells by CodonAUG, on Flickr

Some factors that cause fat to accumulate in the waist

One of the hardest spots on the body to burn excess flab off of, and one of the easiest to put extra flab onto, is the abdominal area. Unfortunately, the abdomen is one of the last places anyone wants to find carrying a spare tire. Well, as they said in that cartoon from the 80s, “knowing is half the battle,” so here’s a few reasons behind why fat seems to gravitate towards the gut.

Besides the obvious things like exercising, and avoiding excess carbs and fat in your diet, something you may not have considered is the amount of alcohol you consume. We’re not just talking problem drinkers, here – even a semi-regular glass of wine a few times a week can pack some extra pounds onto your paunch. Dubbed a “Wine Waist” by fitness guru and trainer James Duigan, alcohol is pure sugar that keeps you from burning off excess fat until the booze has been processed. The occasional drink won’t do any lasting damage, but if you want to keep your belly flat, it’d be best to keep it strictly occasional.

Stress is another thing you may want to cut back on in your life. Easier said than done, for sure, but stress can have adverse effects on your midsection. Stress equals cortisol, and when your body produces it, it encourages the body to hold onto extra fat, especially around the stomach. Try to get a good night’s sleep, look into relaxation methods like deep-breathing and meditation, and cut back on caffeine if you feel stress might be the culprit.

But no matter what you do, or what you eat, age itself will be a factor in stomach weight. The older we get, the more muscles we lose (especially if we don’t exercise regularly), and thus, the body burns fewer calories. Basically, if you’re taking in the same calorie intake at 60 that you did at 30, you’re going to gain extra weight faster than you would have when you were younger.

If all else fails, consider liposuction by a skilled practitioner of cosmetic surgery, as liposuction is designed specifically to combat localized trouble zones of fat, such as the tummy. Contact your cosmetic surgeon to learn more about the procedure.

“Royal Rhinoplasty” gaining popularity in U.S.

Rarely have those two little words, “I do,” launched someone into the limelight quite so much as they have Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. Since wedding Prince Harry in 2011, Middleton’s become a household name, gracing supermarket tabloids across the world, with everything from her choice in wedding dress to her baby bump becoming worldwide news.

There are some women are looking to claim a little piece of Kate Middleton for themselves. That little piece? Her nose.

That is to say, they want cosmetic surgery to make their noses look more like that of the Duchess’. Demand for the procedure began in the U.K. (the most requested celebrity celebrity facial feature last year), but according to some New York surgeons, that demand has crossed the pond and overtaken their patients.

Dubbed the “royal rhinoplasty,” a Kate Middleton nose job can run upwards of $12,000. According to interested patients, the appeal of Middleton’s sniffer is it’s “natural” appearance.

“It’s just this cute, little perky nose,” hopeful client Johanna Ricardi told the New York Daily News. “It’s not too big. It’s not too small. It will pretty much suit any type of face.”

There’s nothing wrong with admiring Middleton’s nose, but if you’re thinking about reshaping your own schnoz, it may be best to think less about someone else’s nose and more about what’s best for your own. We all have different faces, of all sorts of sizes and shapes. What works for Kate Middleton might not work for you, and when undergoing cosmetic surgery, what really matters is what works for you. Be sure to discuss what’s best for you and your nose with your cosmetic surgeon when you drop in for your consultation.

• Photo Credit: KATE & WILLIAM 1 by Tom Soper Photography, on Flickr

Can what you wear affect how smooth your skin is?

The promise of dialling back the visible signs of aging, namely wrinkles, can be a big selling point. Cosmetic surgery and other cosmetic procedures can promise such results with relative reliability, but everything from make-up, to diets, or even yoga has been touted as being able to slow the signs of aging.

Well, you may store your next wrinkle treatment in your closet, The Gloss reports.

A new line of clothing from Cass Luxury Shapewear, a line they call Wear Repair, claims to be able to reduce wrinkles and age spots simply by wearing their shaping garments infused with copper, an element which is already widely used in anti-aging cosmetics. It is true that Copper peptide does have a positive effect on reducing the signs of aging, but whether or not copper in your clothes will have the same effect is up for debate.

No medical trials of the product exist to back up the claim that it combats wrinkles, although an informal trial conducted by The Rachel Ray Show produced participants who noticed a “significant decrease in age spots.” An informal TV show trial does not proof make, however, so the jury’s still out on wrinkle-deleting togs.

Maybe one day, science will create clothes capable of setting the clock back a few years, but until then, your best bet is to contact your cosmetic surgeon and ask about wrinkle-defying procedures, like Botox or face lifts.

• • Photo Credit: back lit closet by Darwin Bell, on Flickr

Try to keep your loved ones in the loop, for your sake as well as theirs!

Between the rise in popularity of minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox, high-profile celebrities flaunting fabulous results, and a general change in attitudes, cosmetic surgery is more widely accepted than it was during the early days of the field.

That said, some people may still want to keep their surgeries to themselves, be it because they’re shy, or because they worry how some people might react. The question is; should you hide your cosmetic surgery from others?

If you’re not interested in telling the whole world about your procedures, and consider cosmetic surgery a more private affair, there’s certainly no harm in not broadcasting it – you’re entitled to your privacy. Your coworkers and casual acquaintances generally don’t need to be privy to how you maintain your body, surgery or no. Especially if it’s a procedure they’re not likely to see the results of anyway, such as a tummy tuck. Furthermore, some surgeons specialize in more natural-looking results for the more visual procedures like a face lift. If your procedure yields highly visible results, such as a breast augmentation that noticeably adds to your bust size, be ready to field some questions. Otherwise, it’s none of their business.

However, when it comes to very close friends, family, and loved ones, it’s highly recommended that you keep them in the loop, no matter how worried you may be that they’ll disapprove. The decision to undergo any procedure is a big one, and going through it unbeknownst to your support circle is only going to hurt you in the long run. Most procedures require at least some recovery time, and a spouse, friend or family member can be instrumental in helping you through that period.

If you’re concerned that a spouse or a loved one is going to be unsupportive of your choice, the most you can do is try to reassure them that you’re doing it for all the right reasons. It can also be reassuring to have them sit in on your consultation with your surgeon. As an industry professional, your surgeon may be able to dispel your loved ones’ anxieties about your pending procedure.

Second time’s the charm!

Last year saw an increase in facial procedures, with more people than ever are seeking out face rejuvenating treatments, ranging from Botox, injectable treatments, and face lifts. Face lifts offer more long-lasting results than its non-surgical kin, but one study suggests more people are opting for seconds when it comes to rhytidectomy.

A face lift is certainly going to last much longer than a dose of Botulinum when it comes to giving your visage a more youthful appearance, but the results can’t last forever. Eventually, you’re going to age further, genetics and gravity will take their toll, and you’ll start to see fine lines returning to that face you see in the mirror looking back at you. But according to a study by Dr. Rod J. Rohrich and colleagues at the University of Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, people who get a second facelift later in life can expect to enjoy similarly lasting results, with a low risk of complications.

The study followed 60 of Dr. Rohrich’s 800 facelift patients, those who received a second facelift, between 1990 and 2010. These patients enjoyed an average of nine years after their first facelift before returning for a second one. Of those 60 patients, ten returned for a third facelift, an average of seven and a half years between their second and third facelifts. These results suggest that patients who undergo a second facelift can realistically expect similarly-lasting results to that of their first facelift.

There was also no increased risk of complications following a secondary surgery compared to the complication rate of those who undergo their first facelift. There was likewise no notable risk of facial nerve injury following a secondary facelift, contrary to the findings of some reports.

The study concludes that secondary and even tertiary facelifts have been on the rise along with the rise of the Baby Boomer market. “With an ever-growing middle-aged population and an overall interest in facial rejuvenation at an earlier age, there has been a substantial increase in patients undergoing secondary rhytidectomy,” according to Dr. Rohrich and colleagues.

Remember – it doesn’t matter if it’s your first facelift, second, or even tenth! If you’re interested in a facelift, or any surgical procedure, your first step every time is to contact your cosmetic surgeon’s office for a consultation.

The “gummy bear” silicone gel breast implants are now cleared for use.

If you keep yourself up-to-date in the world of cosmetic surgery, the term “gummy bear” should hold two meanings for you: the sugary candies, and what are known as “gummy bear breast implants,” the nickname for a type of silicone gel implant that’s been the subject of discussion and interest in the cosmetic surgery community.

Well, it’s now official – the “gummy bear,” or as it’s known officially, the Natrelle 410, has been given the green light by the Food and Drug Administration. Implanted under or over the pectoral muscles, these gel implants offer a firmer feel, due to their enhanced cross-linking silicone bonds.

Allergan, the creator of the Natrelle 410 (as well as patient-favourite Botox), performed clinical studies on 941 women, accruing seven years of data, before the FDA gave them the go-ahead to release the product commercially. Complications included re-operation, asymmetrical appearance, implant removal, and “gel fracture,” a problem unique to Natrelle 410, but overall, the product has passed the FDA’s standards as being reasonably safe and effective.

“It’s important to remember that breast implants are not lifetime devices. Women should fully understand the risks associated with breast implants before considering augmentation or reconstruction surgery, and they should recognize that long-term monitoring is essential,” said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

The FDA’s approval comes contingent on Allergan conducting follow-up post-approval studies for ten years, but for now, the much-talked-about “gummy bear implants” are finally out and ready for patient consumption. If you’re curious about these or any other implants, be sure to contact your cosmetic surgeon and seek a consultation on the matter.

• • Photo Credit: in love by .faramarz, on Flickr

Some simple things you can do to get the most out of your weight loss regimen

Weight loss is a common New Year’s resolution, but around this time, a lot of people who vowed to get slimmer will give up due to frustration that their efforts are not producing the results they’re after. Try not to get discouraged, though – there are small factors that can have a big impact on your attempt to lose weight, and knowing what they are can go a long way to overcoming them.

Fad Diets

Every so often, some hip new diet will rise up and gain popularity. Everyone you know will start telling you that cutting out carbs is the way to go, or to eat a lot of grapefruit, or even espouse home made baby food. But the simple fact is, these diets, at best, aren’t for everyone. An Atkins diet or a South Beach diet may work for some, but relying on a fad diet is likely to end in disappointment. The truth is low calorie, low fat & carbs, and plenty of greens really is the best way to go. But diet alone won’t do it all…

Diet AND Exercise

When it comes to weight loss, you really can’t have one without the other. Diet without exercise won’t burn off those extra calories that you’re trying to lose, and exercise will just cancel out your calorie intake without a proper diet. But combined, these two lifestyle choices can really give your waistline a one-two punch!

Eat!

Speaking of dieting, don’t take that to mean “eating less,” or “not eating altogether.” Dieting is about making sensible choices when it comes to what you eat, not how often you eat. Furthermore, it’s counterintuitive – if you’re not eating enough to keep your body going, it will actually store fat instead of burning it! So make sure you eat a normal amount of meals, and even feel free to snack! Just make sure what you’re snacking on is good for you.

If all else fails, and you’re still dealing with problem pockets of fat in localized areas, you might be a candidate for Liposuction. Contact your cosmetic surgeon’s office for a consultation to find out if liposuction is right for you.

• Photo Credit: How Much is That in American Money? by puuikibeach, on Flickr

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