Want longer lashes? Grow them!

The first moment of engaging someone is with eye contact, and for women in our society, longer eye lashes are a hot commodity in portraying an attractive, aesthetic appearance. For centuries, women have attempted various methods to beautify their eyes and lashes, including hair trimming, eyebrow contouring, fake lash attachment, and use of a variety of cosmetics, including mascara, eyeliners, and creams. There has also been an explosion of products offered by a number of companies over the past few years that can be administered as minimal downtime office procedures aimed to rejuvenate the face. Allergan is one such company that has had a strong presence in the plastic surgery community with its extensive cosmetic line including the well-known Botox neurotoxin; Juvederm, hyaluronic acid soft tissue filler, and the Natrelle line of breast implants. A relatively recent addition to their armamentarium aimed at helping patients with hypotrichosis, or inadequate eye lashes, is Latisse. Currently, Latisse is the only FDA-approved prescription treatment for growing eye lashes thicker, longer, and darker.

Latisse, also known as bimatoprost ophthalmic 0.03% solution, is a medication that has been used for many years by ophthalmologists in the treatment of glaucoma. It is with this experience that doctors began to notice that treated patients’ eye lashes were growing fuller and longer. At this point, Allergan realized its cosmetic potential and formulated Latisse to be specifically aimed for the aesthetic consumer market to help with hypotrichosis. Having treated many patients, I can honestly say that it does work. It does take a certain time commitment and dedication to the regimen in order to achieve maximal effect. Treatment entails a nightly routine of applying 1-2 drops of the solution to the upper lash line with the supplied eye liner. Results become apparent at 6-8 weeks, but maximal effect usually requires a full 12-16 weeks. For the disciplined women who can stay consistent with this nightly regimen, they are rewarded with thicker, darker, and longer lashes that provide a beautiful aesthetic enhancement.

If you think you might be a candidate for Latisse be sure to call to make an appointment for a consultation. The vast majority of women are pleased with the dramatic improvement in their eye lashes with Latisse. If you wish your lashes would be fuller and longer without the hassle of mascara or fake lashes, you can grow them!

Parviz H. Goshtasby MD

Newport Plastic Surgery, Inc.

www.newportplasticsurgery.com

Is a Mommy Makeover for you?

‘Mommy Makeovers’ are popular cosmetic procedures performed today. The term implies aesthetic surgery for improvement of certain changes that mothers endure with pregnancy, but can be applied more broadly to other patients as well, including massive weight loss patients with severe skin excess from dieting or gastric bypass surgery. Essentially, a Mommy Makeover is any combination of cosmetic procedures aimed to rejuvenate various aspects of the body that have undergone the ravages and stresses of pregnancy, aging, and large fluctuations in weight, such as after gastric bypass surgery. It is important to consult with a fully-trained and knowledgeable Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon to determine which procedures are appropriate to address and improve each problem area.

There are many characteristic changes that occur with each stress that can lead to an unaesthetic appearance and can negatively affect self-esteem. The significant expansion of the abdominal wall with pregnancy often leads to significant skin laxity and spreading of the rectus abdominis muscles with stretch marks that cannot be improved upon with exercise alone. For this problem, an abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” would best address removal of excess tissue including many of the stretch marks with tightening of the rectus muscles. Engorgement of the breasts with milk followed by its subsequent deflation can lead to sagging, deflated breasts that can respond nicely to a breast lift or augmentation surgery. Persistent fat accumulation after pregnancy, especially in certain problem areas such as the flanks (“love handles”), thighs, and inner arms will respond well to liposuction. These issues are commonly seen with the massive weight loss patient, but usually to a more severe extent that may require a full body lift, brachioplasty/ arm lift, or thigh lift surgery to maximize aesthetic body contouring.

The aging process compounds and exacerbates all of the above changes. With age, our dermis gets thinner, the elasticity of our skin goes down, and there is progressive sagging and deflation of our tissues, which is most notable not only on the body, but on our faces. Deepening of cheek creases (nasolabial folds), tear trough creases (nasojugal folds), and marionette lines can respond to soft tissue fillers, such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse, which is performed in an office setting. Hyperactive wrinkles of the forehead, glabella (number ‘11’ sign), and crow’s feet can be managed with Botox or Dysport neurotoxin treatment. Facial dyschromias and sun damage spots, which are very common here in sunny Newport Beach, CA, can be managed with CO2 lasering and a good skin care regimen. More severe sagging can be treated with a forehead, face, and neck lift surgeries. Eyelid laxity can also be addressed with a blepharoplasty, ie. eyelid lift surgery.

There are many rejuvenation options available to help mothers deal with the stresses and changes brought about by pregnancy and the aging process. It is important to have a thorough consultation and candid discussion with a reputable and proficient Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon affiliated with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). There are many practitioners these days who are self-reported cosmetic surgeons with little or no training and I encourage you to explore and evaluate the credentials and training background for every physician you encounter. Your choice of a well-educated plastic surgeon along with a thorough communication of your interests and goals are critical in achieving an excellent outcome. A Mommy Makeover may be just what you need to bring back that youthful aesthetic contour and restore your self-confidence!

Parviz H. Goshtasby MD

Newport Plastic Surgery, Inc.

www.newportplasticsurgery.com