While people sound plenty optimistic about the economy this week, competition in the job market is still pretty fierce. At our Rancho Cucamonga location, we’ve had more than one patient say they suspect that age, or their appearance has affected their job prospects to some extent.
When you’re in competition with young adults fresh out of college, who often accept a significantly lower wage, you need to present yourself in the best possible light. To get an advantage, many job seekers turn to their hair stylist for a new look, or their local cosmetic surgeon for Botox or Dysport.
Botox is the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure in the country. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 5 million treatments were done last year. The cost of a single treatment will vary, and it pays to keep an eye out for monthly specials and events.
If you are going for treatments prior to a job interview, give yourself at least 7 days to heal and let the treatment take effect. Remember, doing well on an interview is not only about how you look, but whether you exude confidence about yourself and your ability to do the job.
Our own Dr. Jacob Haiavy was recently quoted in an LA Times piece about the business of cosmetic surgery making “a comeback” in this uncertain economy. When discussing patient incentives he said the following:
We used to give discounts on multiple procedures anyway, but we took it to the next level at the beginning of the year. It’s tough because 90% of what we do is elective. People have been more scrutinizing and resistant to spending money.
But as the article suggests, a strong surge in business may be nearing as cosmetic practices start offering special prices, and baby boomers consider the possibility of looking better to enhance their prospects.
President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Mark Berman says a large part of the U.S. economy “moves with the baby boom,” so if boomers grow dissatisfied with their appearance, surgeons will see an increase in business – even in down economy. An international research group called Freedonia predicted an 8.5 percent growth rate in demand for cosmetic procedures through the next three years.
At Inland Cosmetic Surgery, we recently learned about an exciting new product designed to familiarize women with breast implants: The Natrelle® Pre-Consultation Kit includes trial implants, a sizing bra, and an instructional DVD. If you’re not quite ready to commit to augmentation surgery, this kit can aid you, in the privacy of your own home, to make an informed decision about implants. Go to www.natrelle.com for more information, where you can also purchase it for $39.99.
We’re now offering a combination treatment for cellulite using serum and ultrasound technology. The serum is called Cellulean, a product composed of Aminophylline, a prescription asthma drug that’s been scientifically proven to achieve topical fat reduction and cellulite reduction.
Cellulean uses pharmaceutical and natural trans-dermal carrying agents that transport the active ingredient through your skin into the fat cells, where it works to reduce cellulite on the legs, buttocks, abs, arms, and other areas. We use Cellulean in conjunction with an ultrasound machine on a patient’s problem areas, which requires once a week treatments for 4 weeks to see modest results. The serum can also be bought and used at home.
Do you have areas of cellulite that need to be treated? Right now, we’re offering a buy 1 get 1 special, so you can get two areas of cellulite treated for the cost of one. Contact Inland Cosmetic Surgery for more information.
The Visia Complexion Analysis System does! This high-tech photography system gives you and your doctor a closer look at your skin. Using ultraviolet and polarized light, it looks deep into the skin to show things happening underneath that can’t be seen with the naked eye or even a magnifying glass.
The machine takes two photos of a patient’s skin. The first one is a highly magnified view of the visible skin — the “Epidermis” — showing visible fine lines, wrinkles, pores, brown spots and unevenness of skin damage. The second photo is taken under ultraviolet light and goes even deeper under the skin to show the “Dermis” and what is developing underneath the outer layers. It’s great for discovering indicators of sun damage that may lead to more wrinkles and spots in the coming years.
Cosmetic surgeons here in California and elsewhere know healthy patients typically have more successful surgery outcomes. That’s why many will decline to operate on an obese patient or one who engages in unhealthy habits like smoking.
People who are interested in facial cosmetic surgery should first go through a sort of ‘lifestyle makeover,’ modifying their habits until they have reached a satisfactory state of health. At Inland Cosmetic Surgery, we want our patients to have the best surgical experience and results possible, so we also ask them to focus on being healthy. The ideal patient refrains from smoking or using illegal drugs, has a stable weight, and realistic expectations about cosmetic surgery.
Contact us for a consultation and we can provide more specific information on health and surgery outcomes.
It’s true – we’re carrying the brand new Botox competitor, Dysport. Dysport is marketed by the pharmaceutical company Medicis, the same company that brings you Restylane and Perlane. We weren’t expecting it until mid-July but it’s available in our office as of today.
If you’re interested, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Dysport is a neuromuscular wrinkle blocker that has been used in the UK since the 90s. In clinical studies, Dysport acts much like Botox, though in some areas it is said to work even faster. Dysport was found safe and effective in a study of over 2,900 patients in 80 clinical studies throughout the country, which led to its FDA approval in May.
We’re passing some savings along to our patients with the launch of Dysport. The current price is $4 per unit. It should be noted that dosing is slightly different for Dysport. For glabbelar lines (frown lines) the cost is $200. Availability is somewhat limited, so please call our office to schedule treatment now. At Inland Cosmetic Surgery, we will always try to pass on savings from the manufacturers, but we can’t promise how long they’ll last.
During the current economic slump, permanent makeup has emerged as an excellent alternative for people to enhance their looks on a budget.
Permanent makeup artists create the illusion of bold features. They embed colored pigment into the skin to create perfectly shaped eyebrows, enhance the eyelids with permanent eyeliner, or create the illusion of fuller, younger-looking lips by ‘filling them in’ with a shade of pink or red.
The procedure creates a subtler look than a traditional tattoo and allows many people to enhance the vibrancy of facial features that have diminished over time.
For pure convenience, permanent makeup shortens the daily ritual of applying makeup before work or other social functions. Patients say they especially love it in the summer months because it’s waterproof, so their eyes still look attractive and vibrant after activities like swimming or exercising.
To minimize risks, you should always choose a physician with several years of experience in permanent makeup application. Ask to see photos of other patients who received the same treatment, or talk to former patients if possible.
Permanent makeup only requires a topical anesthetic. Healing can take up to two weeks depending on the type of tattoo. For more information, see our permanent makeup web page, or call our skin care counselor Marlene at 909-987-0899.
There’s nowhere I’d rather be in the summer time than California. While we’re at the pool, the golf course, or the barbeque with our friends, let’s remember to use sun protection.
This season, you may also want to choose the right cosmetic treatments to prevent premature aging, so you stay healthy and look your best. If you’re heading out for some fun in the sun this summer, here are a few skin management tips and procedures that can keep you looking hot while you’re out in the hot sun.
Sunscreen is important any time of year, but especially now. You should use sunscreen daily, but choosing the right type for your face – one that addresses your skin type and skin conditions – is not always easy. . For days spent mostly indoors, use a foundation with an SPF15 or higher. For outdoors you want at least an SPF45 that is waterproof or water-resistant. The right sunscreen can prevent sun damage, skin problems, and even skin cancer. Harmful UV rays can damage skin cells deep within the skin’s surface, making your cells vulnerable to toxins (free-radicals) in the environment.
If you exhibit age spots, zap them away with one of our laser therapies or a Chemical Peel. Rejuvenate your skin while reducing or removing age spots.
Ultrasonic Facials are another great way to remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, and they feel great! If you don’t need an intensive treatment but want to freshen up your look, a facial may be the right treatment choice.
Let us help you maintain the health of your skin. Come visit us at Inland Cosmetic Surgery to find out which treatment will work best for your skin type; then look forward to looking hot all summer long!
In the United States, it seems that many drugs become hugely popular for uses that were never intended; such is the case with Allergan’s new eyelash enhancement drug, Latisse. The hot new eyelash enhancer was born out of a group of medications called topical prostaglandins, drugs frequently used to decrease intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma patients.
What was first labeled a ‘complication’ or side effect of using these topical agents was “hypertrichosis,” a condition characterized by darkening, thickening, and lengthening of the eyelashes.
Allergan offered the topical prostaglandin Lumigan in 2001, a drug that contained the active ingredient bimatoprost. Two important precursors to Latisse occurred after the FDA gave clearance for Lumigan.
- Jan Marini Skin Research Inc had over $2 million worth of product seized by the Food and Drug Administration. The product, Age Intervention Eyelash, evidently contained bimatoprost, which was unapproved for cosmetic use at the time. Allergan later filed a patent infringement suit against Jan Marini and several other companies that had tried to market bimatoprost in their eyelash enhancing drugs.
- Some doctors started prescribing Lumigan off-label to enhance eyelashes. Knowing the desirable side effects it could produce. But Lumigan wasn’t formulated for cosmetic use and many believed more research was needed to confirm the safety of topical prostaglandins for cosmetic use.
Clinical trials and further research is exactly what Alllergan Inc did. In one early study, 278 healthy adults with minimal to moderate eyelash prominence applied bimatoprost or a placebo to their lash line. The results were favorable; researchers observed that the average patient’s eyelashes were 25 percent longer, 106 percent fuller, and 18 percent darker, while only 3.6 percent experienced itchy eyes and redness, and only 2.9 percent experienced skin hyperpigmentation.
Latisse received FDA approval late last year for the treatment of ‘inadequate’ eyelashes. Allergan now owns the patent on use of bimatoprost for eyelash enhancement.
Contact Inland Cosmetic Surgery for more information on Latisse in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.