Cosmetic Dermatology

Synthetic fillers like hyaluronic acid are now incredibly popular to restore lost volume, like fat grafting. In this video we will compare the upsides and downsides of each procedure.

Poly-L-lactic acid is a filler recently approved by the US FDA for the correction of facial lipoatrophy in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Currently, poly-L-lactic acid, sold under the brand name Sculptra™ (Dermik), is the only product approved by the FDA specifically for this indication.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan explains what expectations patients should have in terms of recovery time. Can patients go right back to work the next day, or run a marathon?

The panelists for cosmeceuticals at Dermatology Update 2008 included 4 dermatologists: Jeffrey Dover, MD, Charles Lynde, MD, Catherine Zip, MD, and Jason Rivers, MD, who discussed cosmeceuticals and the role they play in current dermatology practice.

Wound care after laser skin resurfacing is critical for achieving a successful result. The superficial thermal injury created by laser skin resurfacing heals more quickly and with a reduced risk of scarring under occlusion. Effective management techniques can help minimize expected negative effects.

Moisturizers are widely used in various dermatologic and cosmetic skin therapies. Different classes of moisturizers are based on their mechanism of action, including occlusives, humectants, emollients and protein rejuvenators.

What is the cost of fat grafting compared to injectable fillers? Plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan explains that it depends on the timeline, the patient’s age, and what they are looking for. Fat grafting is initially more expensive compared to fillers, but has greater longevity by a wide margin.

Plastic surgery is a serious undertaking, and requires a lot of trust in the performing surgeon. In this video we asked plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan what patients should be looking for when choosing a plastic surgeon or a clinic.

Can you reverse the aging process? Dr. Bryce Cowan gives us the truth about aging, cosmetic surgery, and the difference between non-invasive procedures like Botox/fillers vs cosmetic surgery.

Patients need to be able to both understand and accept the risks of surgery. It's a balance between their motivation and desire to undergo surgery and their willingness to accept the risks involved with that procedure.

What are the advantages of cosmetic surgery over soft procedures like Botox and dermal fillers? The main advantage is that cosmetic surgery allows for a more profound and long lasting correction that's not possible with other treatment options.

We describe a method for liposuction reduction of female breasts that is safe, efficacious, and associated with high levels of patient satisfaction. Liposuction for breast reduction in women is an appropriate addition to the array of liposuction procedures available to the dermatologic surgeon.

There is no ideal filler, nor will there be a single product that can satisfy all requirements. However, RESTYLANE®, a non-animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA, Medicis), is a very versatile augmenting agent. It has been in clinical use for 8 years and experience has shown it to be close to the ideal filler in many respects.

The choice of facial cleanser is important for people with normal skin, as well as for those people with sensitive skin and skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and acne. Read this overview of all cleanser types for helpful recommendations.

The cosmeceutical industry has undergone phenomenal growth over the past decade. Acquiring a basic knowledge of the major classes of active ingredients that are found in cosmeceuticals will enable healthcare professionals to provide accurate and educational information to consumers.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous serum containing high concentrations of platelets and growth factors. PRP continues to evolve as an important treatment modality with many applications in dermatology, particularly in the areas of hair restoration, skin rejuvenation, acne scars, dermal augmentation, and striae distensae.

A telltale sign of the aging face is upper eyelid skin redundancy and lower eyelid bags. These changes can contribute to a “tired” appearance. Upper and lower blepharoplasty procedures can correct these processes. By removing skin and muscle, an upper eyelid blepharoplasty can give the eye a larger appearance.

With so many new peel preparations on the market today, the dermatologist must ask himself basic questions concerning the products. The most important question is directed to the medical literature rather than the advertising or marketing campaign so common among marketdriven cosmetic products.

Mandibular implantation is an outpatient procedure that can be used in combination with other minimally invasive cosmetic interventions. Specifically, silastic chin implants can help create a strong chin and smooth the jawline in carefully selected patients.

Men are a fast growing segment of the aesthetic industry. This article discusses important gender differences in facial anatomy and behavior that are relevant, as well as the requirement for different injection techniques when using dermal fillers and Botulinum toxins.

The botulinum neurotoxins (BTX) are an exciting group of therapeutic agents with dramatically expanding clinical indications. The US FDA has approved BOTOX® (BTX-A, Allergan) and Myobloc™ (BTX-B, Elan Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of cervical dystonia.

What cosmetic procedures might be useful for a given patient? The two key principles of aging of the face are volume loss and tissue malposition. There are many elements changing simultaneously, so it's very rare that there is an effective singular procedure that can act as a fix all solution.

Why is it that some people (other people!) seem to age slower? It's not fair! Plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan explains the complexities and factors that affect the timeline of aging, in the first part of the Science of Facial Aging series.

The upper, mid, and lower face all age as we go through the decades. Dr. Bryce Cowan explains how symptoms of aging typically manifest over time.

Adatosil® is a viscous silicone oil which was granted FDA approval in 1994. This designation removes the legal obstacles to usage for soft tissue augmentation. However, physicians are advised to exercise discretion when using this product.

Achieving an excellent surgical result while managing disease can be a daunting task when the basic surgical principles we were all taught have been lost to time and the perpetuation of poor surgical habits that were adopted from others. Here are strategies that can help to improve your scar outcomes.

Dermatologic surgeons are often faced with the repair of complex facial defects following Mohs micrographic surgery. While the size or absence of critical tissue layers may be daunting, the reconstruction of these complex defects follow similar principles to those for the closure of smaller, simpler defects.

The latest techniques for endovenous occlusion, i.e., radiofrequency ablation catheters or endoluminal laser targeting water are our preferred methods for the treatment of saphenous-related varicose veins. Clinical experience with endovenous techniques in more than 1,000 patients shows a high degree of success.

Blepharoplasty of the upper and/or lower eyelids can restore a youthful appearance to the aging face. This is a minimally invasive procedure that can be accomplished with little bleeding and a small incision.

What is fat grafting? Plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan explains this important rejuvenating options that is used both in restorative surgery (after a trauma) and for cosmetic purposes.

What cosmetic procedures might be useful for a given patient? The two key principles of aging of the face are volume loss and tissue malposition. There are many elements changing simultaneously, so it's very rare that there is an effective singular procedure that can act as a fix all solution.

Grafted fat is transferred as whole cells which are believed to contain stem cells that release cytokines and growth factors. This promotes a rejuvenative process in the surrounding skin.

The upper, mid, and lower face all age as we go through the decades. Dr. Bryce Cowan explains how symptoms of aging typically manifest over time.

In this video Dr. Bryce Cowan explains what the patient should expect after a fat grafting treatment in terms of results, as well as the side-effects that patients can expect following the procedure.

The ideal candidate depends on the specific treatment, but in general terms, we are looking at a patient who is a healthy, non-smoker, does not have high blood pressure, does not require anti-coagulants, is in their late 40s or early 50s, where the impact of the surgery is highest.

Aesthetic volume rejuvenation with dermal fillers continues to be a popular procedure that is sought by a growing number of patients who seek the rounder softer contours attributable to a more youthful appearance. This article will focus on the most popular, time tested, and innovative fillers available today.

Never before have so many people sought our assistance to help get get rid of their wrinkles. Until recently, most biological materials presented shortcomings – resorption within months, allergic reaction, and on occasion, foreign body or granuloma formation at the site of injection.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan explains the two primary processes that affect facial aging simultaneously - volume loss, and malposition.

As the range of soft tissue augmentation products proliferates, most will be used (with varying degrees of success) to shape and augment the lip. This review will discuss some of the factors that should be considered prior to injecting a lip with soft tissue augmentation products.

At what age do we start losing volume in the face, and in what areas? Plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan explains the process of volume loss with age, and how it affects the overall appearance of the face, and how fat grafting can help combat these changes.