The FDA has approved Natrelle 410 anatomically shaped cohesive gel implants. This is great news for women in the United States who have been considering breast augmentation but prefer a more natural aesthetic. Natrelle 410 implants have been used in Europe and Canada for 20 years.
How do you know if shaped implants are right for you? We encourage all of our patients to do their research. Look at before and after pictures and choose the outcomes that most closely reflect your desired look. And of course, always choose a board certified plastic surgeon.
To find out more and see before and after pictures check out the Natrelle website: http://www.natrelle.com/410_landing.aspx
Casey Baty, Clinical Aesthetician/Laser Technician
From the Aspen Daily News, July 12, 2011.
Living in our high altitude paradise with its endless outdoor activities and countless sunny days, our skin is exposed to climate and environmental aggressors that most people will never experience. We’ve long known, and it bears repeating, the best and most effective way to limit the signs of aging and decrease the formation of premalignant skin lesions is SUNSCREEN.
For every 1,000 feet in elevation gain over sea level, there is an 8-10% increase in the sun’s intensity. A daily application of sunscreen is imperative for healthy skin, essential for reducing the impacts of aging, and crucial at Aspen’s 8000ft. Over-exposure, especially in children, can lead to melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, 8,700 Americans died in 2010 from melanoma. Daily use of a sunscreen, particularly at higher elevations, may save your life.
High altitude and physical activity can drastically change the efficacy of most sunscreens. Re-applying sunscreen while exposed (even to reflected sunlight) is required for proper protection at high elevation. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends two full applications of sunscreen spaced 30 minutes apart every morning before going outdoors, followed by one full application for every two hours of sun exposure. Start with at least one ounce (the size of a shot glass) of product to cover exposed body parts. The face and neck need roughly half a teaspoon of product; don’t forget the back of your neck and ears as well as your hands and lips.
Active mountain children need roughly half of the amount of product recommended for adults. Strong evidence suggests that cancerous lesions in adults begin with sunburn we had as children.
The FDA has announced new labeling regulations for sunscreens that will help consumers decide how to buy and apply sunscreen. These new requirements are part of an ongoing effort to ensure sunscreens meet modern-day standards for safety and efficacy and are based on the latest science available. Look for new labeling on sunscreens starting in the spring of 2012.
In the meantime, when choosing a sunscreen, look for products that advertise broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Both UVA and UVB protection are necessary to be fully effective in preventing skin cancer. Sunscreen ingredients work in several different ways. Chemical sunscreens like Avobenzone and Octisalate absorb UV radiation and protect the skin from UVA rays. UVA rays are relatively long wavelengths of light that penetrate deeply into the skin, are more harmful than UVB rays and are linked to serious cancers of the skin including melanoma. UVA rays are directly linked to premature aging. Physical sunscreens such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide reflect or scatter UV radiation and provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays, also known as the “burning” rays are linked to milder cancers of the skin such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
The sun protection factor of a sunscreen is a laboratory measure of the effectiveness of sunscreen. The higher the SPF the more protection a sunscreen offers against UV radiation. For example, if your skin burns in the sun after 10 minutes with no sun protection, a SPF 15 will give you 15 times 10 minutes of protection or 150 minutes of protection before your skin starts to burn. Exposure before burn increases at higher elevations making it necessary to wear a SPF of 30 or higher on a daily basis at 8000ft.
One complaint I hear about sunscreen is that it makes the skin look white and greasy. Over the last several years, sunscreen has become more cosmetically elegant and the quality has improved greatly. There are several brands on the market today that offer excellent protection without compromising the appearance of the skin. I like Epionce Ultra Shield SPF 50 or Neocutis Journee SPF30; both blend translucently into the skin. When shopping for an over the counter sunscreen, look for products that contain at least one physical block, either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
If you have sensitive or acne prone skin, look for a formula that is hypo-allergenic and non-comedogenic with a higher percentage of zinc oxide. I recommend Obagi Sun Shield SPF 50.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of sunscreen along with protective clothing for those of us living the good life at altitude. With the growing number of skin cancer and precancer diagnoses it’s imperative that we avoid tanning beds, schedule yearly skin exams with a dermatologist and use sunscreen every single day.
Q &A:
Which grocery store brands, if any, do you recommend?
I recommend Alba Fragrance-free Mineral Spf 30 $19.99 for everyday use on the face. This fragrance-free formula blends translucently into the skin and is great for all skin types including sensitive skin. I also love Neutrogena Pure and Free Liquid Spf 50 for the face and body $12.50. Both sunscreens offer UVA/UVB protection and are hypoallergenic.
Where can I find more information regarding the new FDA standards for sunscreens?
Visit the U.S Food and Drug Administration website and search sunscreen for more information regarding federal regulations on sunscreen labeling. http://www.fda.gov/
Do I Really Need a Facelift?
The most common question that is posed to me on a daily basis is “Dr. Martin, do I need a facelift?”. This may be in the office, the grocery store, at a dinner party or even on a chairlift. I often sense that patients feel that even bringing up this topic is admitting some failure on their part, as if wrinkles and sagging skin have somehow become punishment for living a fruitful and active life.
It is at this point in the discussion that I interject with some compassion and whole lot of honesty:
Time, gravity and genetics are constants. We can’t change them and it is not your fault!
Clearly, life choices like smoking, poor diet or not wearing sunscreen can have a real effect on one’s aesthetic condition, but they are only contributors.
The reality lies in the fact that changes in the skin and soft tissue that are associated with age are inevitable. This is obviously contrary to every 2am advertisement that pontificates on the newest, most amazing facial product.
Lasers, fillers, Botox and coordinated skin care protocols really help. But contrary to what most non-plastic surgeon aesthetic doctors (e.g. dermatologists) will tell you, they are only half the solution.
The reality is that jowling, lax facial skin, and a loose neck will not magically disappear with any of the above-mentioned non-invasive treatments. Doing 1000 treatments of Thermage, Fraxyl, or any other skin tightening treatment of the month will NOT reverse the perceived problems with facial aging. Doing all of those treatments may cost as much as a facelift and slightly improve the problem areas, but will not solve the problem.
So if what I have written in this post is truth, then why do patients choose every treatment under the sun before doing a facelift? The answer lies with common perception and the effect of history.
First and foremost, the examples of extreme facelifts that you see in the media are not representative of the procedures that are completed in high-end offices such as mine in Aspen and Denver. Barring close friends and family members, if you notice that an individual has had a facelift, it was not done correctly. A facelift is subtle, natural, and flows with the normal anatomy of a patient’s face.
Second, the history of this procedure has created a real stereotype that now distorts the public view of what a facelift really looks like. My forefathers in plastic surgery unfortunately veered away from the natural aesthetic during the 1980s and 1990s. Patients from that era tended to look windblown, pulled and unnatural. This set the stage for a real concern among patients that having a facelift could ultimately leave you looking unnatural.
Fortunately, the modern facelift has little relationship with the procedures of previous decades. The outcomes are natural and tailored to each patient’s specific facial features. There is an emphasis on restoration and balance. Volume losses are addressed and combination treatments with lasers are now the norm. Overall, the results give a subtle rejuvenating effect to the face that is unparalleled by any other treatment or procedure.
Most of these procedures I complete with advanced, minimally-invasive techniques. The incisions are short and hidden. The down time is less than ten days and that includes swelling and bruising. Most patients are back to normal activities at 7 days. The whole recovery phase is relatively pain free-and very manageable.
In the end, this is why I love my profession. With one amazing procedure, the patient who once said to me, “do I really need a facelift?”, is soon sitting in my office and saying with a smile, “I should have done this sooner”. It is really that simple.
Cellulite Treatment That Works
CELLULITE: for people who have it, it’s a four letter word. Have no fear, you are not alone. 85%-98% of women struggle with cellulite. Contrary to popular belief, healthy diet, regular exercise or youth cannot necessarily prevent cellulite. Genetic makeup, hormones, vascular changes and inflammation may all contribute to the appearance of cellulite. In other words, cellulite is not your fault!
But what can be done to help improve the appearance of cellulite? At Aspen Institute of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, we have a secret weapon: SmoothShapes. Unlike other cellulite reduction devices, the SmoothShapes system treats cellulite by improving enlarged fat cells through a proprietary technology called Photomology®. The Photomology® platform is a process that combines dynamic light and laser energy along with mechanical manipulation (vacuum and rolling massage), addressing the physical manifestations of cellulite and its underlying causes, and providing long lasting results that you can see and feel.
The process is comfortable and no preparation is needed. You can expect the following during treatment:
- Gentle warming of the skin
- A feeling similar to a deep tissue massage
- A relaxing and pleasant experience
After treatment, you will see smoother, tighter-looking skin in the treated area. Following the procedure, you can resume normal activity without downtime or any restrictions. The FDA-approved SmoothShapes system can treat all skin types including tanned skin.
We applaud your efforts to stay fit with a healthy diet and exercise, but when that stubborn cellulite just won’t budge, you may need to call in the experts. What have you got to lose? Nothing…except all of your inhibitions on the beach.
You don’t have to take our word for it. SmoothShapes has been featured in SHAPE Magazine’s summer issue for the past two years! Check it out: SHAPE JUNE 2010 and SHAPE JUNE 2009.
Call or email us to set up your complimentary consultation. You are only 4 weeks away from smoother, sexier skin!
Aspen Institute of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery: (970) 544-0500-, info@plasticsurgeryaspen.com
Aspen Magazine features AIPRS
The Spring 2010 issue of Aspen Magazine features a profile of Aspen Institute of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. In the story, The Quest for Eternal Youth, writer Linda Hayes notes that plastic surgery is a blend of science and aesthetics and highlights the unique perspectives that Dr. Dennis Cirillo and Dr. Jason Martin bring to their practice.
Visit the Aspen Magazine website to read the article online, or click here to read the full article.
