Skin Beauty Cosmetic: Juni 2007

Selasa, 26 Juni 2007

Jerry Hall: the thought of cosmetic surgery is terrifying

Jerry Hall has said she’s unlikely to have any cosmetic surgery as she ages because she’s seen it go wrong too many times.

The 50 year old model told the Evening Standard recently: “I think cosmetic surgery is terrifying. It never looks good. Those women look weird. They look in the mirror and think they look great, but they don’t see what we see.”

“You can see too much of the white of the eye, and this bit of the cheek is too tight, and they have these weird eyebrows sticking straight up. I think it’s hideous. They scare small children.

“I do think most women have stuff done for men, which can’t be right. Actually, if you are having cosmetic surgery you’re with the wrong man because you are either insecure or you’re desperately trying to hang on to a guy who’s obviously not interested or who doesn’t make you feel good.”

“I’m too lazy anyway. We’re all getting old, we’re all dying and it’s no big deal. I’m not afraid of it. I think it’s natural and normal.”

Yoga Facelift A Surgery Alternative

It's being touted as an alternative to cosmetic a way to help you appear younger without going under the knife.NBC11's Vicky Nguyen learned about the procedure from Marie-Veronique Nadeau, author of the book "The Yoga Facelift" and a chemist and a licensed aesthetician.Among the things she learned was that if you can do facial yoga with a straight face, you're not doing it right.This is the type of yoga that requires a sense of humor -- and an open mind.The result is a decidedly different kind of face lift.It's exercise that focuses on tiny muscles that most people don't ever think of working out."UYou have 190 muscles in face," said Nadeau, "and neck why not exercise them?"Nadeau started teaching facial yoga in the Bay Area four years ago. She recently published her first book on the practice."I like it," said Pauline Kuykendall. "I can feel my muscles -- especially around here, here, and here ... sore!"Some people are wondering if all the exercises and stretches could actually create more wrinkles. But that's not the case."You're not pushing your face, you're not stretching skin, you're just making muscles underneath work," Nadeau said.She said that it takes a few weeks to see results and while it can't provide the drastic change associated with cosmetic surgery, practitioners swear they see and feel a difference."I'm almost 39 years old," said Mary Bunnett. "My face has become firmer. My cheeks have been lifted."Said Julie Horwath: "It's interesting. I love the idea of doing it and I think if more people did it there'd be less botox."Nadeau said that facial yoga is beginning to catch on with men, although they only make up about 5 percent of her classes.Nadeau holds consultations every Sunday at the Elephant Pharmacy in Berkeley.Facial yoga, it's a new approach to an age-old battle.

What to know beforehand about cosmetic surgery

If you're considering cosmetic surgery, it's important to be well informed and well prepared. Here are tips from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery: 1Make sure the doctor is board certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Check online at abplsurg.org. Also check the doctor's standing with the Arizona Medical Board at azmd.gov.

2Ask about hospital privileges. Find out whether the doctor has operating privileges in an accredited hospital. If the doctor does not have hospital privileges to perform your procedure, look for another surgeon. If the doctor operates in an ambulatory or office-based facility, ask whether the facility is accredited.

3During your consultation, ask the following questions:

• What experience does the doctor have in performing this procedure? Ask what training has been completed, especially in new techniques, as well as how often he or she performs the procedure. Ask to see certificates of training.

• What are the possible risks? Find out what they are, how often they occur and how they will be handled if they do occur.

• What is the expected recovery for the procedure? Ask about postoperative restrictions on activity and typical time periods for resuming work and social activities.

• What is the doctor's policy on surgical revisions? Find out about any costs for which you may be responsible.

• How much will the surgery cost? Cosmetic surgery is not covered by insurance, and payment usually is required in advance. Costs include the surgeon's fee, surgical facility fees and anesthesia. Other possible costs are the preoperative physical and blood work, medications, surgical garments and private-duty nursing.

Achieving Facial Harmony': Cosmetic Surgery Times Features Dr. Slupchynskyj's Patented S-implant In Recent Article

Cosmetic Surgery Times, a publishing industry leader in the cosmetic surgery arena, featured Dr. Oleh Slupchynskyj in a recent article on March 1st, 2007, "Achieving Facial Harmony: Novel S-implant addresses complexities of African-American rhinoplasty." The article subject, "Achieving Facial Harmony," is timely based on the steady increase in plastic surgery procedures among ethnic groups. Confirmed by an ASAPS 2006 study, racial and ethnic minorities accounted for 22% of all cosmetic surgeries performed.

Rhinoplasty surgery in African Americans is complicated by several common characteristics: frontal nasal area is depressed, smaller amounts of cartilage and increased fatty tissue in the tip of the nose. As a result of these similarities Dr. Slupchynskyj patented a proven customized solution for patients: "Silastic (S-) Implant." The implant is unique as it corrects the depressed frontal nasal angle and increases the height of the bridge of the nose. Dr. Slupchynskyj states, "This is common, but not limited to, African Americans and Non-Anglics."

A study conducted on Dr. Slupchynskyj's patients confirmed:

1) patients were seeking not to change ethnicity, but achieve facial harmony, and

2) the majority of patients felt an increase in self-esteem post-surgically along with a significant preservation of ethnic characteristics.

Oleh Slupchynskyj, M.D. is the Director and Founder of the The Aesthetic Facial Surgery Institute of New York and New Jersey with offices in Manhattan, West Orange, and Lyndhurst. Dr. Slupchynskyj is double board certified through the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology with training specific to the head, neck and face. He is named one of the top 10 plastic surgeons with NewYork.com and is considered a face specialist. He is a member of the following Societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology, New York County Medical Society, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, and American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. More information on his surgical techniques can be found on his Web sites www.facechange.org and www.africanamericanrhinoplasty.com

Jerry Hall: the thought of cosmetic surgery is terrifying

Cosmetioc surgery Is Hideous

Jerry Hall is obviously not a fan of cosmetic surgery. The actress in a recent interview did not mince words about women who have plastic surgery. Hall said that “cosmetic surgery never looked good…and women who had procedures done looked weird.’

The 50-year old former model is not afraid of aging gracefully. Hall is the ‘ex-wife’ of Mick Jagger and mother of four. She has appeared in Batman and a number of television series such as Married With Children and Popetown. Hall will be appearing in the Vagina Monologues at The Mayfair Theatre in Southampton, London, a role she first took on in 2004.

Just Ask A Woman ... About Beauty

I have stopped way short of the knife, but I have to confess I am a beauty products junkie. I've had facials made of nightingale droppings (yes, exactly what you think they are). I've bathed in mud, seaweed and salt. I have bought even more skincare than Sindi, the woman who was in our piece today (see the video here).

In full disclosure, I worked for Avon for 10 years and have helped create ads for beauty companies, so I guess I'm a convert to the magic of "better looks through chemistry." Recently, I've upgraded to a weekly Skin Care Sunday routine while watching "Cold Case" on CBS on Sunday nights. But, like many women, even though I try to look as young as I feel, I realize that I look best when I am happy, rested and loved. And wisdom counts, too!

But in a youth-obsessed world, lots of us struggle with accepting our age, even when we are comfortable in our own skin. In research, where I've asked women their real age and the age that others "take" them for, I've seen that most subtract a good five or 10 years from the real number. We either feel younger or we talk ourselves into it.

It's easy to blame the beauty industry as the culprit, but perhaps we're all a little bit guilty. After all, who wakes up saying, "Gee, I'm glad I look older today?"

Inner beauty? Outer beauty? Tell the truth ... where do you stand?

source : www.cbsnews.com

Achieving Facial Harmony': Cosmetic Surgery Times Features Dr. Slupchynskyj's Patented S-implant In Recent Article

Carlsbad Plastic Surgeon Among First to Use FDA Approved Lunchtime Makeover Product

Carlsbad Plastic Surgeon Among First to Use FDA Approved Lunchtime Makeover Product

Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Steve Laverson of Carlsbad, CA, is one of the first cosmetic surgeons to begin using the recent FDA approved PERLANE(R) injectable wrinkle filler on patients in the United States.

Carlsbad, CA (PRWEB) May 18, 2007 -- What a difference a day makes. Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Steve Laverson of Feel Beautiful Aesthetic Rx of Carlsbad, CA, is one of the first cosmetic surgeons to begin using the recent FDA approved PERLANE(R) injectable filler on patients in the United States.

"We help patients maintain the youthful look they want in the easiest way possible," says Dr. Laverson. "It used to be the only way to restore youth was to either tighten or surgically lift the skin. Cosmetic fillers, like PERLANE(R), give consumers more options to smooth aging facial features."

PERLANE(R) is a hyaluronic acid injectable product used to fill creases of aging and augment the lips. Hyaluronic Acid binds water in your skin to lift and restore the skin's natural elasticity and volume.

"It's found in nature, so it can be used very safely and effectively. This is a huge advantage over synthetic injectables," Dr. Laverson said, "and it lasts six months or more, long enough to get you through that reunion, your child's wedding, or maintain a fresh appearance for more confidence in personal or business situations."

PERLANE(R) is the newest member of the RESTYLANE(R) family of products. The primary difference between RESTYLANE(R) and PERLANE(R) is that the hyaluronic acid gel particles in PERLANE(R) are larger than those found in RESTYLANE(R). PERLANE(R)'s larger gel particles offer enhanced volume and lifting power, ideal for wrinkle and fold correction in deeper layers of the skin. Perlane is commonly used for lip enhancement, wrinkle correction, moderate to severe facial folds, smile lines and thin superficial lines around the eyes, mouth and forehead.

"We are pleased to announce FDA's approval of another product from the RESTYLANE(R) family," said Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis. The company that distributes PERLANE(R) in the USA. "With PERLANE(R)'s approval, physicians now have a new treatment option for their patients. Perlane has been used safely by dermatologists and plastic surgeons since 2000 outside the U.S."

The U.S. market for facial fillers is about $175 million, and is growing every year, according to recent research from Allergan, one of the top producers of injectable wrinkle fillers.

Dr. Laverson has been a principal investigator in the FDA sanctioned gel implant study for six years and his new Tummy Tuck technique was recently featured in the Journal of Aesthetic Surgery. He offers a myriad of non-surgical and surgical treatments depending on the needs of each patient. "The development of new techniques and innovative products in recent years has resulted in minimally invasive and safer procedures that offer longer lasting results, with minimal downtime," says Dr. Laverson.

Dr. Steve Laverson is a renowned Carlsbad, CA plastic surgeon, Board Certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
source: www.prweb.com

Carlsbad Plastic Surgeon Among First to Use FDA Approved Lunchtime Makeover Product

Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Steve Laverson of Carlsbad, CA, is one of the first cosmetic surgeons to begin using the recent FDA approved PERLANE(R) injectable wrinkle filler on patients in the United States.Carlsbad, CA (PRWEB) May 18, 2007 -- What a difference a day makes. Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Steve Laverson of Feel Beautiful Aesthetic Rx of Carlsbad, CA, is one of the first cosmetic surgeons to begin using the recent FDA approved PERLANE(R) injectable filler on patients in the United States.

"We help patients maintain the youthful look they want in the easiest way possible," says Dr. Laverson. "It used to be the only way to restore youth was to either tighten or surgically lift the skin. Cosmetic fillers, like PERLANE(R), give consumers more options to smooth aging facial features."

PERLANE(R) is a hyaluronic acid injectable product used to fill creases of aging and augment the lips. Hyaluronic Acid binds water in your skin to lift and restore the skin's natural elasticity and volume.

"It's found in nature, so it can be used very safely and effectively. This is a huge advantage over synthetic injectables," Dr. Laverson said, "and it lasts six months or more, long enough to get you through that reunion, your child's wedding, or maintain a fresh appearance for more confidence in personal or business situations."

PERLANE(R) is the newest member of the RESTYLANE(R) family of products. The primary difference between RESTYLANE(R) and PERLANE(R) is that the hyaluronic acid gel particles in PERLANE(R) are larger than those found in RESTYLANE(R). PERLANE(R)'s larger gel particles offer enhanced volume and lifting power, ideal for wrinkle and fold correction in deeper layers of the skin. Perlane is commonly used for lip enhancement, wrinkle correction, moderate to severe facial folds, smile lines and thin superficial lines around the eyes, mouth and forehead.

"We are pleased to announce FDA's approval of another product from the RESTYLANE(R) family," said Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis. The company that distributes PERLANE(R) in the USA. "With PERLANE(R)'s approval, physicians now have a new treatment option for their patients. Perlane has been used safely by dermatologists and plastic surgeons since 2000 outside the U.S."

The U.S. market for facial fillers is about $175 million, and is growing every year, according to recent research from Allergan, one of the top producers of injectable wrinkle fillers.

Dr. Laverson has been a principal investigator in the FDA sanctioned gel implant study for six years and his new Tummy Tuck technique was recently featured in the Journal of Aesthetic Surgery. He offers a myriad of non-surgical and surgical treatments depending on the needs of each patient. "The development of new techniques and innovative products in recent years has resulted in minimally invasive and safer procedures that offer longer lasting results, with minimal downtime," says Dr. Laverson.

Dr. Steve Laverson is a renowned Carlsbad, CA plastic surgeon, Board Certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
source:news.yahoo.com

Do-it-yourself cosmetic lasers worry doctors

Last year, more than 11-million cosmetic procedures were performed in this country and 80-percent of them were non-surgical.

Now many people have found a way to revitalize skin, without the expense, in the comfort of their own home.

Hand-held, personal lasers pledge do-it-yourself costs with professional results. They promise to smooth wrinkles and get rid of blotches.

From $129 to upwards of $500, Web sites are loaded with convincing before and after photos.

"I think this is the wave of the future," says Dr. Jay Burns, former president of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Burns says some of the devices are based on legitimate science. Some are not.

The RejuvaWand is available online for just $159. It really does have two infrared wavelengths of laser energy. In theory, it's similar to the high-powered devices that cost customers hundreds of dollars a session.

Instead of half a dozen or so treatments over time, people are advised to use the RejuvaWand every day.

"The theory is that you do it every day so it adds up," says Dr. Burns. "Well, zero plus zero I think equals zero. I don't think there's enough energy to make a difference."

Aesthetician Tina Jackson says there may be another complication.

"I have a hard enough time getting my patients keep their cleanser on their skin for two minutes, let along hold a device on their skin for 10 to 30 minutes at a time," Jackson says.

News 8 also checked out the popular Zeno device which is widely advertised and sold in retail stores to reduce acne.

It operates on the same principle as a laser by heating beneath the skin to promote healing.

Dr. Burns says it does work.

"But if you compare that, it's actually no better than benzoil peroxide," Burns says. "So it might work, but it's a lot of money, and benzoil peroxide is just a prescription or over-the-counter [treatment]."

After several at-home treaments, patient Marsha Pendleton decided to return to a skilled clinician.

"I can already see more results than what I smeared on my face at home," she says.

Doctors say there may be some other positive news about these personal lasers. They're not powerful enough to do any real harm, right now.
sourch:/www.fox11az.com

Arab Girls Interested In Surgery Cosmetic

A Dove survey has revealed a change in how Arab women typically view beauty. A surprising 37 percent of girls between the ages of 15 and 17 said they would consider having cosmetic surgery. Only 27 percent of adult females in the region aged 18 to 64 would opt for cosmetic surgery. The survey done as part of Dove’s Real Beauty campaign surveyed 3,300 females aged 15 – 64 in ten Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Plastic surgeon, Dr. Buthainah Al-Shunnar said that in many “Arab countries, ‘plastic surgery’ is becoming a status symbol.

source:www.carefair.com

Scalpel Sharon Gives Up Surgery

Upon hearing news that she is due to replace Halloween, Sharon Osborne has decided not have any more cosmetic surgery.

Scary devil mum Sharon Osborne has had more surgery than hot dinners (definitely true if those alleged anorexia rumours are to be believed), but she has finally decided that enough is enough. Her old lady boobs can only get so big and that face of hers can only get so shiny, at some point common sense must prevail; at some point she needs to realise she has become the elusive Blair Witch. And that time is now.

Aesthetic Surgeons Sort Through Data and Hype on New and Upcoming Fat Treatments

The world's top plastic surgeons gathered here recently to discuss "Hot Topics" in fat treatment at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). SmartLipo(TM), a laser-assisted lipolysis (fat destroying) procedure, and two ultrasound-based techniques for fat reduction were discussed and debated. Although SmartLipo received FDA clearance in late 2006, alarm bells rang for many experts when discussing this procedure based on the recent publication of data showing that this procedure was no better than traditional liposuction, andthat it may present some risks to the liver and kidneys due to the way it releases free fatty acids when destroying the fat cells.

"We need to sit back and evaluate new technology as scientists before we can recommend it to patients. We now have a well-designed trial demonstrating that SmartLipo(TM) does not have any significant advantages over standard liposuction, that it may increase operative time, and that it's more costly. The study also raises the very serious concern that the effect of the laser emitted by the SmartLipo(TM) device releases free fatty acids that could be dangerous for our patients. Suction-assisted lipoplasty remains our standard of care," said presenter Z. Paul Lorenc, MD.

The data presented by Dr. Lorenc on SmartLipo were from a prospective randomized study published in 2006 by Arturo Prado, MD, in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal that compared suction-assisted lipoplasty and laser-assisted lipoplasty. With SmartLipo(TM), a laser probe is inserted into the target area through a small incision. The surgeon aims the probe at fatty tissue to rupture the fat cells. Smaller fat cells are then absorbed by the body, while larger areas are aspirated (suctioned). This technique has received significant media attention as a popular 'fat-melting' treatment with a celebrity following.

"Similar 'fat melting' technology was promoted about 15 to 20 years ago. I am amazed it could come back 15 years later in a different guise," noted Dr. Peter Fodor, MD, past president of ASAPS and past president of the Lipoplasty Society of North America.

During Hot Topics two other ultrasound fat treatment techniques were discussed. Liposonix(R) and UltraShape(R) are both in development and not currently approved by the U.S. FDA. These are ultrasound-based body sculpting devices that may offer some patients a non-surgical alternative to traditional suction-based liposuction. In both techniques, ultrasound is administered via external device. The excess fat targeted by the ultrasound is destroyed and then naturally absorbed and removed by the body.

All studies of Liposonix(R) to date have been performed in Mexico. Data from the Mexican research has been submitted to the FDA and a U.S. study is expected to begin soon. Data from studies in the U.S. and Europe, several of which have been published, has demonstrated that UltraShape(R) produces measurable reductions in circumference of treatment areas, no serious adverse events, and high patient satisfaction with minimal to no pain or discomfort. This technique is still being refined and improved for more consistent results.

"Ultrasound devices, if approved, could provide convenience for patients who don't want surgery or invasive treatment for contouring of the abdomen, flanks and thighs," said Benjamin Ascher, MD, UltraShape(R) investigator. "In general, the success of any body contouring technique requires selecting the right treatment for the right patient, and making sure the patient has realistic expectations."

Neither the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) nor the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF) advocates or endorses the procedures or technologies presented at the Hot Topics seminar. This seminar is strictly for the purposes of research and education in cosmetic plastic surgery. The reporting, advertising or clinical use of these procedures and technologies should be conducted cautiously, responsibly and with full disclosure of their unproven nature.

The 2400-member American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is the only plastic surgery organization devoted entirely to the advancement of cosmetic surgery. ASAPS is recognized throughout the world as the authoritative source for cosmetic surgery education. U.S. members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Canadian members are certified in plastic surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Toll-free referral line: 888.ASAPS.11 (272.7711). Web site: http://www.surgery.org/.

source:www.pr-inside.com

Eyelid Lift As A Medical Issue

Vision problems typically increase with age and sometimes the problem is on the outside. The eyelids and brow begins to sag as gravity sets in impairing vision. Many people have turned to cosmetic surgery, not covered by insurance. In a special report, KSBI-TV has discovered a growing number of patients are having insurance cover the procedure to repair drooping eyelids.

Judy Kenaga's sight is spectacular these days, but before surgery it was heavily impaired. Kenaga never noticed she couldn't see.

"I guess like everything else with age, you don't realize. It's so gradual, you don't realize that it's happening," says Kenaga.

Dr. Scott Sigler says Kenaga had a prominent frown line when she went to Sigler & Scott Eye Associates. The brows were below the brow line and her eyelids were sagging, blocking vision.

Sigler says this happens over time as gravity sets in. He says patients used to think of it solely as a cosmetic issue.

"People that noticed their eyelids drooping or noticed their brow drooping would go to a surgeon and pay money to have that corrected thinking it was cosmetic. But it becomes a functional surgery, not a cosmetic surgery, if their visual field is affected and so more people are aware of that," explains Sigler.

Kenaga was a perfect candidate for the surgery as a medical procedure.

She underwent a brow lift and a blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, both covered by insurance.

Sigler makes two incisions in the hairline to lift the brow. He removes excess skin and fatty tissue from the eyelids through incisions on the natural crease.

Kenaga says it made a world of difference just one week after surgery.

"It's a brighter world now, I can see more of it and it's brighter!" says Kenaga.

The visual field test helps determine if it's a medical issue. You look into a device and hit a button when a light comes into view.

Sigler says, "Then we tape up their eyelid out of the way and redo the test to see how much they've improved."

Sigler showed KSBI-TV Kenaga's test.

"Normally she's missing out on a lot of the world, she's only seeing to the 25 degree mark. Once we taped the lid out of place, she could see up almost to the 50 degree mark," explains Sigler.

Medicare and many insurances will cover the surgery if vision is below the 30 degree mark and improves to the 40-50 degree mark. Sigler says the procedure as a medical issue is gaining popularity.

"You've got all the baby-boomers getting older and they don't want to be older, they want to be young again and they want to be able to see good. They're very interested in being competitive in their workplace, so they're interested in the surgery," says Sigler.

Kenaga now looks years younger, but she says that was an added bonus.

"That was just a side effect, looking better. The main thing was to see better," says Kenaga.

Sigler tells us more men in their 40's and 50's are having this procedure within the last two years. He suspects it's because they want to remain competitive in their job fields.

Check with your doctor to see if you may be a candidate for the procedure.

source:www.ksbitv.com

Trade fairs focusing on beauty care and spa therapies commences in Dubai

Beautyworld Middle East 2007 and Wellness and Spas Middle East 2007, the two Messe Frankfurt trade fairs, commences from May 20th till May 22nd 2007 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The expos will be explore the latest in fashion, cosmetics and spa therapies, forming the largest combined personal care and lifestyle health event anywhere in the Middle East and providing the perfect opportunity for exhibitors to capitalize on the burgeoning trends.

Heather Nix, Group Exhibitions Manager, Messe Frankfurt, said on behalf of Beautyworld, “The growth of the region’s cosmetics and personal care industry has been phenomenal. Last year the market in the UAE alone was worth more than Dh1.51 billion in retail sales, an increase from Dh1.41 billion in the previous year. The consumption of cosmetics and perfumes in this region ranks among the highest per capita world wide, with an average purchase at around Dh1, 226 per head”.

source:www.gowealthy.com

Rembrandt(R) Oral Health and Beauty Debuts Haven for New Yorkers to Show Off Their Brilliant Mouths

Just in time for spring, REMBRANDT(R),
the world's first premium oral health and beauty brand, will enlighten
consumers on the brilliance of the mouth at their first-ever temporary
boutique in New York City dubbed, The Brilliant Mouth Experience.
The Brilliant Mouth Experience will be located on the bustling corner
of Broadway and Broome Street and will be open to the public for six weeks
beginning on May 18. The boutique's interactive and stylized atmosphere
will evoke the feeling of a chic, neighborhood apothecary. The Brilliant
Mouth Experience will mirror REMBRANDT(R)'s new, breakthrough packaging,
reflecting their vision to redefine the oral care category and say "bye
bye" to boring toothpaste.
Debuting on May 17 at an exclusive preview event in Manhattan's hip
SoHo shopping district, the 1,800 square foot boutique will pay homage to
the mouth - a revolutionary approach to a category that's focused on
function, teeth and smiles. REMBRANDT(R) Oral Health and Beauty understands
the emotional power of the mouth. After all, it's the only body part that
can speak for itself.
"Through the interactive activities at The Brilliant Mouth Experience,
we hope to inspire consumers to care about their mouth as much as they care
about their skin, their hair and their nails," said Carmen Nestares,
Product Director, REMBRANDT(R). "The power of the mouth should not be
underestimated - it is the closest we get to a person's innermost thoughts
and life experiences. Our products focus on caring for the entire mouth
because white teeth don't matter if there is nothing to smile about."
One of the highlights of The Brilliant Mouth Experience will be a
series of beauty events with magazines. In addition, guests of the boutique
will engage in activities that celebrate a Brilliant Mouth, including
sampling products from an Andy Warhol inspired REMBRANDT(R) installation
wall. When visitors remove a REMBRANDT(R) product, the wall reveals a
unique message conveying how oral health and beauty is both essential and
fashionable. Guests will also have an opportunity to capture their
Brilliant Mouths and show the world who they are through the REMBRANDT(R)
camera. Photos taken at the boutique will be transformed into a collage of
ever-changing Brilliant Mouths looping on televisions inside The Brilliant
Mouth Experience. Select photos will appear on the Rembrandt.com photo
gallery.
REMBRANDT(R) specialists will educate visiting consumers on the
Brilliant Science behind their oral health and beauty product suite. While
promoting a happy and healthy mouth, REMBRANDT(R) is innovating oral care
by using premium ingredients that gently whiten teeth. Using an enzyme
found in papaya plants, REMBRANDT(R) created CITROXAIN(R) to effectively
and gently break up stains without scratching the enamel. This proprietary
blend of citrates is core to the efficacy of Rembrandt's Classic line of
toothpaste. REMBRANDT(R) PLUS line of toothpastes use a BIO-AVAILABLE(R)
peroxide so that they can start to work immediately. REMBRANDT(R) Whitening
Treatments are made with a time-release peroxide which is designed to
reduce the tooth sensitivity and gum irritation people can experience with
whitening treatments.
About the REMBRANDT(R) Brand: Take Care of Your Mouth, It Can Be
Brilliant
REMBRANDT(R) paved the way in the oral care category as the first
toothpaste brand to whiten teeth with mild abrasives. At REMBRANDT(R),
having a healthy mouth goes beyond teeth and gums. We care about your
entire mouth. It's this mouth of yours that literally tells the world who
you are. With a little love and care, it can be brilliant. REMBRANDT(R)'s
innovative packaging and new brand identity was led by New York advertising
agency Mother.

Foot Care Products Market to Surpass $900 Million by 2011

Foot Care Products Market to Surpass $900 Million by 2011

The U.S. foot care market kicked up its heels for the first time in several years with a 5.7% sales increase in 2006, reaching $793 million in over-the-counter medication and device sales. Sales are expected to continue growing at a conservative pace, exceeding $900 million by 2011, according to Foot Care Products in the U.S., a new report from Packaged Facts.

Private-label sales, which accounted for 44% of the $43 million increase in 2006, have taken a step forward in the market as
consumer demand for both premium and value-priced products increased and as consumers become increasingly loyal to store brands.

Foot care medication sales are expected to outrun foot care device sales growth by 2011, but device sales have already proven they can go the distance. Foot care devices increased sales by 9% in 2006, catching up with medication sales for the first time since 2003.

The shift toward niche categories and emphasis on increasing household penetration will continue to gain momentum in the coming years as marketers race to change the definition of foot care with spa and beauty products. The 77-million strong Baby Boomer community is also expected to contribute to the foot care product market's steady growth.

"The foot care market has evolved from being a prescription-driven business to a self-care, consumer-driven one," notes Tatjana Meerman, Managing Editor of Packaged Facts. "People over 50 represent 50% of consumer spending, and they are more likely to experiment, research health and wellness issues, and value exercise and healthful diets in a never ending attempt to stay young."

Now in its third edition, Foot Care Products in the U.S. provides a comprehensive look at the over-the-counter foot care medication and devices categories of the foot care market. It provides in-depth analysis of key issues and trends, top foot care marketers and brands, and marketing dynamics within the foot care industry. The report is available from Packaged Facts by visiting http://www.packagedfacts.com/Footcare-Products-1432869 . It is also available at MarketResearch.com.

About Packaged Facts

Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer industries, including consumer goods and retailing, food and beverage, and demographics. For more information visit http://www.packagedfacts.com/, or contact Tom Ehart at 240-747-3014, or tehart@marketresearch.com.

source:www.pr-inside.com

Maximum Rejuvenation with Minimal Downtime at South Florida Center for Cosmetic SurgeryMaximum Rejuvenation with Minimal Downtime at South Florida Cen

The South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery is proud to unveil a comprehensive lineup of procedures to refresh and renew their clientele with minimal downtime. With a complete array of injectables, light therapies, and "weekend" treatments such as SmartlipoTM liposuction, the Miami and Fort Lauderdale offices of the South Florida Center can now offer men and women who are too busy for surgery an effective way to fine tune their appearance.

In the outdoor-oriented, body-conscious culture of South Florida, everyone wants to look their best. "We recognize that, for a variety of good reasons, not everyone in Fort Lauderdale and Miami can fit plastic surgery into their schedule," said Tess Jahnke, President of the South Florida Center. "We want to accommodate those for whom a minimal downtime procedure is most appropriate. With over 20 treatments available, we can offer just about everyone a way to look their best in no time."

"Our treatment menu is diverse," she continued. "It offers procedures that are non-surgical as well as those that, while they may technically be called 'surgery,' are minimally-invasive and allow a speedy recovery. We're experienced with both tried-and-true treatments as well as more recent innovations."

One of the newer procedures offered by the South Florida Center in their locations in Fort Lauderdale and Miami is SmartlipoTM liposuction. This FDA-approved liposuction innovation, recently featured in People magazine, is a much less invasive procedure than traditional liposuction and requires only local anesthesia. Another new procedure Jahnke predicts will become quite popular with her Miami and Fort Lauderdale clients is a "lunchtime" facelift with the AffirmTM laser. "It really delivers on the promise of non-invasive skin rejuvenation," she states. "The laser penetrates the skin deeply enough to prompt renewal, but not so deeply as to cause the undue pain, redness and swelling associated with some other treatments."

Some of Jahnke's clients know exactly what problem areas they want to treat, while others are more generally frustrated with the aging process and aren't sure where to start. No matter the situation, she invites residents of greater Fort Lauderdale and Miami to learn about rejuvenation treatments available from the South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery at www.floridacenter.com.

The South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery is the largest cosmetic surgery center in South Florida with locations in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The most popular surgical procedures at the Center are breast augmentation, liposuction and tummy tucks. The Center also provides a full range of other cosmetic surgery procedures, spa services, and cosmetic dentistry.

source:www.prweb.com

Sharon Osbourne too Old for Pain of Cosmetic Surgery

Sharon Osbourne has admitted to a number of nip and tuck procedures on virtually every body part including a breast job, face lift, brow lift and inserting and removal of gastric by-pass band. However, the 54-year old wife of rocker Ozzie Osbourne has declared that she has had enough. The British celeb was reported as stating that she is getting too old for the pain associated with cosmetic surgery. The Sun, a UK tabloid, quoted Osbourne as stating that previous plastic surgery was her “following a dream”. She was further quoted as declaring that her breast operation was “…the worst thing I ever did.”

source:www.carefair.com

Sharon Osbourne says no to cosmetic surgery

X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne is giving up on her love affair with cosmetic surgery

The 54 year old celebrity is now saying that she will never again go under the knife, despite having spent over £130,000 on giving herself a cosmetic makeover.

“I was following a dream. I’ve had enough,” Sharon Osbourne says about her love affair with plastic surgery. Apparently, now that Sharon Osbourne is getting older she is not willing to bear the pain of surgery any longer. “Surgery is agony - you don’t just wake up with huge breasts. That boob job was the worst thing I ever did. The op to remove my band really did me in. I’m too old for all that.”

Sharon had a series of cosmetic procedures after losing half of her body weight after undergoing a gastric bypass surgery. Due to her massive weight loss, she was left with excess sagging skin which could only be eliminated through plastic surgery. Osbourne started with a face lift and brow lift, and then had a series of other surgeries including a breast augmentation (to a DD size) and breast lift, liposuction on her neck and arms, tummy tuck, and other body contouring surgeries to remove sagging skin and lift her arms, neck, buttocks, and legs.

“I had liposuction on my neck and had it lifted, too. I had my breasts lifted, my arms lipo-ed and my tummy tucked. I had my bum lifted and implants inserted. And I had my legs lifted. The total cost was 120,000GBP [$236,844] and it was worth every last penny. I love cosmetic surgery,” said Sharon Osbourne in an interview with Night And Day magazine.

Since her weight loss, Sharon Osbourne has had her gastric band removed because she would have food binges and due to having the band was throwing up since her smaller stomach could not handle the food intake.

source:cosmeticsurgeryanswers.co.uk

37% of Arab Girls Would have Cosmetic Surgery

Tour operators offer trips for plastic surgery bargains

NEW package holidays for Scots include cut-price plastic surgery overseas.

The specialised deals include boob jobs, tummy tucks, liposuction and face-lifts.

A growing number of Scots now seek health treatment overseas at up to half the UK costs.

The move comes just weeks after a recent study revealed more than 50,000 Brits travelled abroad for treatment last year - 25 per cent more than in 2005.

Dental work is the most popular for medical tourists with cosmetic surgery a close second.

And people wanting hip or knee replacements, laser eye surgery and cataract removal are skipping NHS waiting lists and UK private treatment for operations abroad.

Bill Munro, who founded Barrhead Travel, wants to launch his new medical holidays this summer to countries including Norway, France, Belgium, Germany and Egypt.

He said: "Our deals will be between 30 and 50 per cent cheaper than the the price of treatments in the UK and that will include travel and hotel.

"People having cosmetic work will be able to fly and those having orthopaedic treatment will be able to use European rail services including the Channel Tunnel."

He went on: "There is a great deal of demand out there for these services. People are fed up of waiting lists and scared of the spread of MRSA, so going overseas is becoming more popular."

Researchers predict NHS budget shortfalls, waiting lists and fears over MRSA and other hospital superbugs in the UK will lead to the trend growing further.

Brits are now spending £160million ayear on medical treatment abroad.

Keith Pollard, director of medical tourism firm Treatment Abroad, which carried out the recent research, said: "We have seen visits to our internet site grow from 3000 a month to over 60,000.

"We wanted to see just how many people were going abroad, where they we going, what for and just how much they were spending."

India, Hungary and Turkey are currently among the most popular medical tourism spots for British patients.

Popular dental work abroad includes crowns, implants, bridges and veneers.

And last year, around 14,500 people travelled outside the UK for cosmetic surgery.

Last year alone, some 10,000 Brits spent £37million overseas on hip or knee replacements, laser eye surgery and cataract removal.

source: www.dailyrecord.co.uk

COSMETIC SURGERY MAKES YOU LESS BEAUTIFUL

SEVEN OUT OF TEN WOMEN THINK COSMETIC SURGERY MAKES YOU LESS BEAUTIFUL

Seven out of ten women think cosmetic surgery makes you less beautiful overall, according to a UK-wide survey of 3,400 women conducted by www.beautyflash.co.uk , the leading online beauty product and skincare advice portal.

The Beauty Flash survey revealed that only one in twenty women living in the UK have so far chosen to go under the surgeon’s knife and that six out of ten would never or are very unlikely to have cosmetic surgery.

Virtually all women (98%) agreed that a woman could be beautiful at any age and buy beauty products to sustain good looks. The most popular personal treatments are cosmetic dentistry, permanent body hair removal, Brazilians and botox.

Asked, ‘If money were no object… which personal treatments would you consider?’ 56% said ‘cosmetic dentistry’ and 52% would opt for ‘permanent hair removal’, way ahead of those that said breast implants (16%), a face lift (13%) or a ‘nose job’ (13%).

But some treatments – such as collagen implants - are very controversial, according to the survey findings. Only one in twenty women would consider having collagen implants if money were no object. Even less popular was vaginal lip trimming, which was nonetheless three times more popular than buttock implants.

Lisa de-la-Plain, head beauty therapist for BeautyFlash.co.uk (who treated burns victim and Paddington rail crash survivor Pam Warren after the surgical reconstruction of her face) said:

“More and more of us are taking care of our appearance and we all agree that we can carry on looking beautiful throughout our lives.

“This survey shows most women believe they can stay beautiful by using the right products and occasionally having a personal treatment. Combined with a good diet, use of quality beauty products offers a far less invasive way of preserving your looks for longer.”

source: www.responsesource.com

Maximum Rejuvenation with Minimal Downtime at South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery

Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, Florida (PRWEB) May 23, 2007 -- The South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery is proud to unveil a comprehensive lineup of procedures to refresh and renew their clientele with minimal downtime. With a complete array of injectables, light therapies, and "weekend" treatments such as SmartlipoTM liposuction, the Miami and Fort Lauderdale offices of the South Florida Center can now offer men and women who are too busy for surgery an effective way to fine tune their appearance.

In the outdoor-oriented, body-conscious culture of South Florida, everyone wants to look their best. "We recognize that, for a variety of good reasons, not everyone in Fort Lauderdale and Miami can fit plastic surgery into their schedule," said Tess Jahnke, President of the South Florida Center. "We want to accommodate those for whom a minimal downtime procedure is most appropriate. With over 20 treatments available, we can offer just about everyone a way to look their best in no time."

"Our treatment menu is diverse," she continued. "It offers procedures that are non-surgical as well as those that, while they may technically be called 'surgery,' are minimally-invasive and allow a speedy recovery. We're experienced with both tried-and-true treatments as well as more recent innovations."

One of the newer procedures offered by the South Florida Center in their locations in Fort Lauderdale and Miami is SmartlipoTM liposuction. This FDA-approved liposuction innovation, recently featured in People magazine, is a much less invasive procedure than traditional liposuction and requires only local anesthesia. Another new procedure Jahnke predicts will become quite popular with her Miami and Fort Lauderdale clients is a "lunchtime" facelift with the AffirmTM laser. "It really delivers on the promise of non-invasive skin rejuvenation," she states. "The laser penetrates the skin deeply enough to prompt renewal, but not so deeply as to cause the undue pain, redness and swelling associated with some other treatments."

Some of Jahnke's clients know exactly what problem areas they want to treat, while others are more generally frustrated with the aging process and aren't sure where to start. No matter the situation, she invites residents of greater Fort Lauderdale and Miami to learn about rejuvenation treatments available from the South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery at www.floridacenter.com.

The South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery is the largest cosmetic surgery center in South Florida with locations in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The most popular surgical procedures at the Center are breast augmentation, liposuction and tummy tucks. The Center also provides a full range of other cosmetic surgery procedures, spa services, and cosmetic dentistry.

source: www.emediawire.com

Sharon Osbourne too Old for Pain of Cosmetic Surgery

Sharon Osbourne says no to cosmetic surgery

cosmetic surgery on their genitals

More women are requesting cosmetic surgery on their genitals than ever before, according to a new report from the NHS.

The report claims that in Britain, the number of “labial reductions” jumped to 800, almost twice as many over the past five years.

“More and more women are said to be troubled by the shape, size or proportions of their vulvas”, wrote Lih Mei Liao and Sarah Creighton from London’s UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health.

“I’ve been doing this over 13 years, and it has become much more popular,” said Robert Rho, a plastic surgeon at the Labiaplasty Master Surgery Center of New York.

“We’re doing more cases in recent years. There’s been more exposure in the media, so people are more aware of the surgery.”

Patients who sought genitoplasty “uniformly” wanted their vulvas to be flat and with no protrusion, similar to the prepubescent look of girls in Western fashion ads, pornography and on genitoplasty web sites.

“Not unlike presenting for a haircut at a salon, women often brought along images to illustrate the desired appearance,” say Creighton. “The illustrations, usually from advertisements or pornography, are always selective and possibly digitally altered.”

More studies are needed to determine if vaginal surgery offers any long term benefits for women.

The report is published in the British Medical Journal Porn Influencing Women To Have Demand for ‘Designer Vagina’ Surgery.

cosmetic surgery on their genitals

Vaginal Cosmetic Surgery

Taking the quest for ideal beauty to the nether regions, more and more women are undergoing labial surgery. Doctors, though, warn that the procedure could have negative effects.When women opt for elective vaginal cosmetic surgery, are they taking the obsession with physical beauty too far? The sharp increase in women wanting "designer vaginas" has prompted the British Medical Journal (BMJ) to warn women seeking the surgery to find alternative solutions to a procedure they say could have unknown risks.

In this month's edition of the journal, London psychologist Lih Mei Liao and gynecologist Sarah Crieghton criticize surgeons who they say are taking advantage of female insecurities to perform genitoplasty -- even though the procedure could cause nerve damage and impaired function of erogenous zones, among other potential problems.

According to their article, "more and more women are said to be troubled by the shape, size or proportions of their vulvas," turning the operation into a "booming business." Although precise figures aren't available, an apparent trend is emerging. In 2004 and 2005, the British National Health Service performed 800 labial reductions -- six times as many as in 1998 and 1999. Meanwhile, the number of privately financed operations is unknown.

Women who undergo genitoplasty are reported to seek a flattened vulva that corresponds to the youthful ideal of fashion magazines. The procedure often entails reducing the size of the labia, removing the skin which protects the clitoris, and possibly even shortening the entire length of the vagina. According the BMJ article, fashion magazines often discuss genitoplasty, and patients have been known to show surgeons examples torn from pornographic magazines which have likely been digitally altered.Liao and Creighton report that of the 490,000 results from a "labial reduction" Google search, 47 of the first 50 results were advertisements from US and UK clinics offering the surgery. These ads frequently include before and after photos along with "life changing narratives."

In a study of patients in British hospitals, some women cited problems in their lifestyle, such as inability to wear tight clothing or ride a bicycle, as reasons for having the intimate surgery. The study, however, was not representative of the typical genitoplasty patient, the authors write.

source: www.spiegel.de

Tour operators offer trips for plastic surgery bargains

Cosmetic and aesthetic surgery in Serbia

Oxygen Zone launches the completely new web site dedicated entirely to Health and Beauty Tourism in Serbia.

It offers cosmetic and plastic surgery with internationally accredited aesthetic and plastic surgeons specialists and university professors who are at the cutting edge of their field with many teaching and practicing abroad. Serbia is country with the highest number of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons, (comparing to other Eastern European Countries such as Poland, Hungary, Check Republic), accredited by different International institutions such as ISAPS, IPRAS, ESPRAS, as well as many others.

Oxygen Zone partners practiced abroad for many years, and many are still performing their skills in European Plastic Surgery Hospitals as guest surgeons. To get attractive and naturally looking figure Plastic Surgeon must be a sculptor, an artist to be able to follow natural curves and enhance their beauty combining different Aesthetic and Cosmetic Surgery techniques. Due to those skills, Oxygen Zone carefully selected Aesthetic and Cosmetic Surgeons are sought after to perform in different hospitals abroad.

Oxygen Zone - the only agency of its kind in Serbia offers full support and advice for anyone interested in traveling abroad for cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures, giving unique guarantee to patients interested in cosmetic surgery and dentistry in Serbia. They promise that in the not likely event that you might need to return to one of their partner’s hospitals for further surgery or investigations due to their partner’s fault, they will reimburse the cost of your flights if required and pay for hotel accommodation for the duration of your stay.

Outstanding quality and cost combined with Oxygen Zone guarantee are just three out of many reasons for having surgery in Serbia. Oxygen Zone is able to offer HBOT used by many celebrities as complimentary therapy after plastic surgery Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy that will heighten healing after any surgery, so your bruising will disappear much faster. HBOT is very successful in the cosmetic and spa treatments such as rejuvenation, anti-aging, weight loss, skin toning, banishing cellulite, wrinkles reduction, weight loss, detox, and stimulation of the immune system as well as in longevity.

Skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or proper vascularization of tissue flaps, fat grafts, tissue grafts, heightened healing after any surgery, increased collagenation, increased chances of hair follicle growth after re-implantation, help with the digestive tract and increased nutrient absorption, allergy and IBS as well as numerous other conditions effectively treated by HBOT. Oxygen Zone does not only offer the essentials as meeting you at the airport, giving you local mobile phone with all relevant numbers inside for your comfortable and hassle-free stay in Serbia, taking you to your hotel, going with you to a hospital, holding your hand during the procedures and answering your questions over and over again, Oxygen Zone offers A-Z of serious fun dancing, drinking, posing playing … plus special surprise with guarantee to be unforgettable, with compliments of Oxygen Zone Guide.

Serbia offers many attractions to visitors, and those arriving for medical treatment can take full advantage of them. Sightseeing as well as wellness and beauty treatments, ranging from spas and massages to facials and detox, can be combined with your medical treatment. Serbia is positioned at the moment in such a way that enables the highest medical care at the fraction of the cost you would pay at home and is only couple of hours away.

source: www.economy.co.yu

Cosmetic and aesthetic surgery in Serbia

Oxygen Zone launches the completely new web site dedicated entirely to Health and Beauty Tourism in Serbia.

It offers cosmetic and plastic surgery with internationally accredited aesthetic and plastic surgeons specialists and university professors who are at the cutting edge of their field with many teaching and practicing abroad. Serbia is country with the highest number of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons, (comparing to other Eastern European Countries such as Poland, Hungary, Check Republic), accredited by different International institutions such as ISAPS, IPRAS, ESPRAS, as well as many others.

Oxygen Zone partners practiced abroad for many years, and many are still performing their skills in European Plastic Surgery Hospitals as guest surgeons. To get attractive and naturally looking figure Plastic Surgeon must be a sculptor, an artist to be able to follow natural curves and enhance their beauty combining different Aesthetic and Cosmetic Surgery techniques. Due to those skills, Oxygen Zone carefully selected Aesthetic and Cosmetic Surgeons are sought after to perform in different hospitals abroad.

Oxygen Zone - the only agency of its kind in Serbia offers full support and advice for anyone interested in traveling abroad for cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures, giving unique guarantee to patients interested in cosmetic surgery and dentistry in Serbia. They promise that in the not likely event that you might need to return to one of their partner’s hospitals for further surgery or investigations due to their partner’s fault, they will reimburse the cost of your flights if required and pay for hotel accommodation for the duration of your stay.

Outstanding quality and cost combined with Oxygen Zone guarantee are just three out of many reasons for having surgery in Serbia. Oxygen Zone is able to offer HBOT used by many celebrities as complimentary therapy after plastic surgery Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy that will heighten healing after any surgery, so your bruising will disappear much faster. HBOT is very successful in the cosmetic and spa treatments such as rejuvenation, anti-aging, weight loss, skin toning, banishing cellulite, wrinkles reduction, weight loss, detox, and stimulation of the immune system as well as in longevity.

Skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or proper vascularization of tissue flaps, fat grafts, tissue grafts, heightened healing after any surgery, increased collagenation, increased chances of hair follicle growth after re-implantation, help with the digestive tract and increased nutrient absorption, allergy and IBS as well as numerous other conditions effectively treated by HBOT. Oxygen Zone does not only offer the essentials as meeting you at the airport, giving you local mobile phone with all relevant numbers inside for your comfortable and hassle-free stay in Serbia, taking you to your hotel, going with you to a hospital, holding your hand during the procedures and answering your questions over and over again, Oxygen Zone offers A-Z of serious fun dancing, drinking, posing playing … plus special surprise with guarantee to be unforgettable, with compliments of Oxygen Zone Guide.

Serbia offers many attractions to visitors, and those arriving for medical treatment can take full advantage of them. Sightseeing as well as wellness and beauty treatments, ranging from spas and massages to facials and detox, can be combined with your medical treatment. Serbia is positioned at the moment in such a way that enables the highest medical care at the fraction of the cost you would pay at home and is only couple of hours away.

source: www.economy.co.yu

Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery

There’s a new “boutique” smack in the heart of Rodeo Drive. Among its neighbors are the likes of Chanel, Armani, and Hugo Boss. Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery is the first and only plastic surgery center on ultra-glamorous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California.

“Our medical center looks more like a boutique than a doctor’s office,” explains plastic surgeon Dr. Lloyd Krieger, who has been featured in the local and national media. Dr. Krieger is the founder and medical director of the posh 5,000 square foot facility at 421 North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. “It’s the only cosmetic surgery center on this street of luxury. I therefore made a point of creating an atmosphere that is luxurious, inviting, and soothing.”

Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery is high-end retail medicine, a boutique approach to beauty and well-being. The center offers top of the line medical expertise and, like its neighbors, also provides superb service in a setting of glamour and sophistication. Just as people shop for the finest fashion and jewelry steps away, they now come to the center for sophisticated California plastic surgery such as a tummy tuck or facelift.

To quote one of Dr. Krieger’s patients: “Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery has the aesthetic sense of an artist, of someone I’d want to work on me.”

Beyond his skill in performing the nips, tucks and lifts his patients seek, Dr. Krieger encourages them to open up to a new lifestyle to further enhance and maintain their youthfulness for years to come. He has an arrangement with a number of health, beauty and fashion experts including many of the clothiers on his street, who provide their services to his patients after they’ve had a procedure.

Plastic surgery is the first step in improving your image. “But why stop there,” he says. “I support my patients in prolonging and improving what I started in the operating room.” Dr. Krieger has established a unique professional network to offer his patients a lifestyle design, which may include a new wardrobe at nearby Rodeo Drive shops, a new hairstyle, spa treatments, and a new fitness regime.

Dr. Krieger, who completed his education at Stanford University and the University of Chicago and completed his residency at UCLA, maintains operating privileges at UCLA Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. “Because cosmetic surgery is elective, people are looking for a first-class experience, and that’s what we offer at our center,” Dr. Krieger concludes, “we designed our center to combine the convenience of storefront shopping with what I call the ‘Four Seasons treatment’.”

About Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery: This plastic surgery Los Angeles center is the first and only full-service plastic surgery center on Rodeo Drive. It creates a setting of unusual elegance and sophistication. The center has developed a national and international following, with many people flying in for its renowned plastic surgery procedures such as Beverly Hills breast enlargement, Los Angeles liposuction and Beverly Hills tummy tuck. It of course also caters to local California shoppers with its non-invaive treatments, which can be done between trying on new clothes at the neighboring Rodeo Drive boutiques.

source: pr-gb.com

Cameron Diaz Vows Against Having Cosmetic Surgery

Although she had her nose fixed last year, Cameron Diaz said it was for medical reason and that she has no plans to have any more work done. The 34-year old actress was quoted as stating that it was sick that people are having surgery to look like celebrities. In addition, the actress said she finds it unnerving when she looks at women who have had plastic surgery.

Diaz said she believes beauty comes from the inside and she has no plans to go under the knife as she ages because she didn’t want to lose the person she is because of plastic surgery.

The successful actress is the voice of Princess Fiona in the Shrek trilogy.

source: www.carefair.com

Cosmetic Foot Surgery

IT'S SUMMERTIME AND CLOSED-TOE SHOES ARE BEING TRADED IN FOR SANDALS AND FLIP FLOPS.

BUT MANY PEOPLE DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE BARING THEIR SOLES... BECAUSE THEY'RE EMBARRASSED BY HOW THEIR FEET LOOK.

AS MEDICAL REPORTER KATHY FOWLER TELLS US, COSMETIC FOOT SURGERY IS GETTING INCREASINGLY POPULAR.

Story:

HEATHER MULLEN'S BUNION HURT TERRIBLY AND STUCK WAY OUT ON THE SIDE OF HER RIGHT FOOT.

Heather Mullen, patient: "A lot of pain, constantly swollen, it hurt to even touch the bump, very wide and just not very attractive looking."

SO SHE HAD A BUNIONECTOMY SEVERAL WEEKS AGO... AND SHE'S THRILLED WITH THE CHANGES.

Mullen: "You can tell a difference already - it's still swollen, but it does look like a different foot."

DOCTOR RICHARD MENDELSOHN PERFORMED THE SURGERY, AND SAYS MULLEN IS LIKE MANY OTHER WOMEN HE SEES.

Dr. Richard Mendelsohn, podiatrist: "Part of the reason they're being evaluated is because their feet hurt, and part of it is because they don't like the way they look."

IRENE MCDONALD IS ONE OF THOSE WOMEN.

Irene McDonald, patient: "They just don't look pretty, it's hard to buy shoes because there's a bone sticking out on one side and I want to wear sandals and heels and open toes now that summer is coming."

DOCTORS CAN NOW INJECT A PADDING TO THE BALL OF YOUR FOOT, THEY CAN REMOVE BUNIONS TO MAKE YOUR FEET STRAIGHT, AND THEY CAN FIX HAMMERTOES BY SHORTENING TOES.

BUT THE PROCEDURES COME WITH RISKS.

Dr. Stephen Neufeld, orthopedic surgeon: "The risks of any foot and ankle surgery are infection, a recurrence of problem of deformity, and actually you could be worse after surgery than before."

MANY DOCTORS SAY THE RISKS ARE NOT WORTH THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF COSMETIC SURGERY.

Dr. Neufeld: "I always tell patients it's easier and safer to change the shoe to fit your foot, than it is to change your foot to fit your shoe."

BUT SOME PEOPLE, LIKE HEATHER, ARE WILLING TO TAKE THOSE RISKS... TO HAVE BETTER LOOKING FEET.

source: www.wjla.com

Cosmetic Surgery Goes Ethnic

The advertising slogan is a sly double entendre: Washington's Cultura Medical Spa bills itself as ``a place where it's appropriate to treat people based on the color of their skin.''

Founded six years ago by two African American physicians -- cosmetic dermatologist Eliot F. Battle Jr., an expert in laser treatments, and Monte O. Harris, a board-certified otolaryngologist who specializes in rhinoplasty and other facial plastic surgery -- Cultura is one of the first centers in the country to focus on the burgeoning field known as ``ethnic plastic surgery.''

Two-thirds of the center's patients are nonwhite, many of them black women who in increasing numbers are seeking such procedures as nose jobs and laser hair removal that until recently were largely the province of well-heeled white women. Many of these patients, doctors say, are also seeking treatments that seek to enhance -- not obscure -- their racial or ethnic characteristics.

Although white women continue to dominate the ranks of cosmetic medicine, the number of black, Hispanic and Asian patients has escalated dramatically in the past five years, according to officials at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Experts say the growth reflects increased acceptance of such procedures within these groups, greater economic clout and larger numbers of minority specialists whom many ethnic patients regard as more attuned to their needs.

In 2002, according to statistics compiled by the ASPS, minorities accounted for 16 percent of plastic surgery patients. Four years later minorities accounted for 23 percent of patients.

The rise in the number of ethnic patients is noticeable in Washington, cosmetic surgeons say, because of its diverse population and high levels of disposable income in some minority groups.

Doctors in such cities as Baltimore, Chicago and Philadelphia -- places which, like Washington, are not considered hotbeds of plastic surgery -- are reporting similar increases. In the past few years, Chicago's Northwestern University opened a Center for Ethnic Skin, while Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit launched a Multicultural Dermatology Clinic.

Surgeons say that minority women request many of the same procedures as whites, but there are some differences. Surgery to create a crease in the eyelid to give the eye a more open look is popular among Asian American women, while breast reduction, virtually the only cosmetic procedure that may be covered by insurance because it is usually considered functional, is popular among African Americans.

Some patients say minority physicians are more sensitive to their aesthetic concerns and have greater skill treating darker skin, which is more prone to scarring and pigment changes than white skin.

``I was looking for a doctor with a laser background'' who was experienced with African American skin, said Miriam Rudder, 50, a Cultura patient since 2001, when she underwent laser hair removal on her underarms. ``I didn't want to get burned.''

Ten years ago, nonwhite women -- and whites with a suntan -- were warned that they risked permanent scarring if they underwent laser hair removal as Rudder did, cosmetic dermatologists say.

In those days, Battle said, there were few cosmetic options available to women of color. Mostly ``what we could offer was a bleaching cream and Cetaphil,'' Battle said, referring to a skin cleanser often recommended by dermatologists to patients of all races. (Bleaching cream is used to even skin tone and minimize the appearance of dark patches.)

Battle, 50, left a career in international marketing at IBM when he was 34 to enter medicine. A graduate of Howard University and its medical school, he completed a laser dermatology fellowship at Harvard Medical School and displays an evangelical fervor about ethnic skin care. While at Harvard he helped develop laser treatments now widely used to treat dark skin.

First-generation lasers, he recalls, were designed for light skin and dark hair -- and the risks of scarring dark or tanned skin were well-known. But the newer lasers that he helped pioneer mean ``I can treat the darkest African and Indian skin safely.''

Equal parts glossy retail cosmetics counter, candle-scented day spa and white-coated medical practice with a stable of 30 lasers, Cultura treats about 85 patients six days a week.

They include former Miss America Ericka Dunlap, who flies in from Nashville for treatments of acne flare-ups and other skin care; tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams; and basketball stars Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning. Some patients have come from as far as Turkey, Iran and Brazil.

``This place is a mini-U.N.,'' Battle said, referring to its clientele and staff.

The growing acceptance of cosmetic procedures reflects a change in attitude, particularly in the black community, surgeons say.

Until about five years ago, said Chicago plastic surgeon Julius W. Few, cosmetic surgery was typically regarded as worse than frivolous in the African American community -- and often associated with the race-effacing look of Michael Jackson.

``There really was a sense of taboo, that if you were looking at plastic surgery you were seen as being ashamed of your ethnicity,'' noted Few, an associate professor of surgery at Northwestern. ``I've seen a tremendous swing.''

Many patients, he said, flatly tell him they don't want to ``look white. Most people want to preserve their original look,'' while making subtle changes.

``There are indeed cultural differences,'' observed Baltimore plastic surgeon Ricardo Rodriguez, chief of plastic surgery at Greater Baltimore Medical Center.

White women favor a thinner silhouette, Rodriguez said, ``while Hispanic and African American women want to be more curvy.''

Even the terminology differs: Whites often disparagingly refer to their ``saddlebags'' -- fat deposits on the lower hip and upper thigh -- while black and Latina women ``never use that word,'' Rodriguez said. They call them ``thighs'' and rarely request liposuction there.

Bahman Teimourian, a clinical professor of plastic surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine, said it behooves surgeons of all races to be knowledgeable about cultural standards.

A chin that might be considered weak by traditional American standards and a candidate for plastic surgery, Teimourian said, is seen as beautiful among people from the Middle East, where a small chin is regarded as a desirable sign of femininity.

Recently Teimourian said he repaired the nose of an African American patient who was unhappy with the ``very Caucasian nose'' a previous surgeon had given her. Teimourian said he removed some cartilage from behind the woman's ear to reshape her nose to better fit her features.

Moving beyond ``Eurocentric'' notions of beauty has been integral to Cultura's success and is central to its philosophy, said Harris, 40, a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine who trained at the University of Michigan.

``Half the world's going to be brown-skinned by 2050,'' he noted. ``We're not going to close our eyes to all those patients.''

Similarly, he said, Cultura has been catering to men, who account for about 10 percent of its clients. Many have been sent by wives or girlfriends for ``beard management'' and treatment of ingrown hairs.

Eric Ellerbee, 44, a UPS driver who for years has made regular deliveries to Cultura, is among its male patients.

Last fall, he received complimentary injections of Restalyne, a cosmetic filler, to soften the lines that run from the side of his nose to the corner of his mouth and are among the first signs of facial aging.

``I didn't even tell my wife I'd had it done,'' said Ellerbee. ``I wanted to see if she noticed.'' (She did and was impressed, he said.)

But a 47-year-old African American nurse said she would never tell her mother and sisters about the collagen injections, facelift, tummy tuck and breast implants she received from Rodriguez, which cost her $21,000.

``My mother says, `You look different,' but I would not tell her -- she would not be accepting,'' said the woman, who did not allow her name to be used. ``My husband and children know, and they're fine with it.''

Ellerbee said he's so pleased with the results that he keeps ``before'' and ``after'' pictures of himself on his cellphone.

``Everyone wants to age gracefully,'' he said, adding that Restalyne didn't hurt nearly as much as the tattoo he got years earlier.

source: www.cantonrep.com

Seeking Cosmetic Surgery

The number of minorities obtaining cosmetic medicine procedures has increased in recent years, the Washington Post reports. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, while white women still are the highest consumers of cosmetic medicine procedures, the number of blacks, Hispanics and Asians seeking such services has increased significantly in the last five years. In 2002, minorities accounted for 16% of plastic surgery patients, compared with 23% last year, according to ASPS data. Many of the patients are seeking procedures such as rhinoplasty or liposuction, while others are 'seeking treatments that seek to enhance -- not obscure -- their racial or ethnic characteristics,' the Post reports.

The Post featured Washington, D.C.-based Cultura Medical Spa, one of the first centers to focus on the growing field of 'ethnic plastic surgery.' Two-thirds of Cultura's patients are minorities and many are black women.

Eliot Battle -- a laser treatment expert, who along with Monte Harris, a board-certified otolaryngologist, founded the center six years ago -- said laser hair removal a decade ago was not designed for people with darker skin tones because of scarring. Treating minority skin requires additional training. New lasers -- such as ones Battle helped develop -- enable surgeons to 'treat the darkest African and Indian skin safely,' Battle said.

Experts attribute the increase of minorities seeking cosmetic medicine services to a rise in disposable income and a growth in minority plastic surgeons who can provide culturally sensitive care, the Post reports. Harris said, 'Half the world's going to be brown-skinned by 2050. We're not going to close our eyes to all those patients'.

source:www.medindia.net

plastic-surgery of lingerie on reality TV

A LEADING American doctor, whose plastic-surgery reality TV show is watched by 44 million people in the US, has joined with an Australian designer to create underwear that can be a cheaper alternative to cosmetic procedures.

Los Angeles medico Robert Rey has teamed up with Australian lingerie manufacturer Bruno Sciavi, of Jupi Corporation, to create a new range of body shapewear.

The pieces are designed to give wearers a new body look - without any downtime or possible side-effects.

"It was a very easy association, as there are so many women who just can't afford, and never will be able to afford, plastic surgery,'' Dr Rey said from his Beverley Hills surgery.

"To be totally blunt, one of the risks that can happen with some types of plastic surgery is that you can die.''

Dr Rey says death can be a reality of cosmetic surgery, with four per cent of tummy tucks going wrong. Body-enhancing clothing like the range he has created with Schiavi is a practical - and obviously much cheaper - alternative.

"We have designed Dr Rey's collection using his plastic surgery reconstructive secrets,'' says Schiavi, who is the name behind Delta Goodrem's underwear collection, Priscilla Presley's bedwear and a recent collection of celebrity-designed Schiavi shoes.

"Whether a woman has lost a breast to cancer, wants a butt lift, a tummy shaper (with 24 intricate lines of fabric), wants to look great for a school formal or wants her thighs to look more sculptured, we've designed appropriate shapewear.''

Dr Rey and Schiavi decided to work together on a shapewear collection called Dr Rey's Instant Shaper to show women that surgery should be the last resort and that all women can look, and feel, beautiful.

Dr Rey's reality TV show Dr 90210 (the area code of the American city renowned for its glamour and plastic-surgery fetish) screens in 173 countries, but the series gets the most reaction in Australia.

"We're on the E! Channel, and of the 50,000 letters and online clicks we get a month, many are from Australia,'' he says.

"We even have viewers like soldiers in Iraq who get in contact with us.''

Shapewear has become oneof the most desirable additions to many women's wardrobes, whether it be Madonna, Catherine Zeta-Jones or Katie Holmes walking down a red carpet or ordinary women who simply want to look good at a wedding.

Many underwear manufacturers in Australia and internationally are jumping aboard the body-shaper bandwagon, but Schiavi and Dr Rey say their move is different because the fabrics are "breathable'' and the bras "surgically'' designed.

"We've designed this collection out of need, not greed or vanity,'' Dr Rey said.

Australians can expect to see the shapewear collection in one of the big department stores late this year. It will be available in the US in September.

source:www.news.com.au

Cameron Diaz Not A Fan Of Cosmetic Surgery

Los Angeles, CA (BANG) - Cameron Diaz claims she would never have plastic surgery because it is "sick."

The actress can't understand why anyone would want to go under the knife and destroy their own characteristics.

She is quoted by Britain's Daily Express newspaper as saying: "Have you seen those shows where ordinary people want to look like Britney Spears or Brad Pitt? What on earth possesses them to want to destroy their own character? To go under the knife to do that, well, it's sick."

The 34-year-old star had an operation on her nose last year to correct a deviated septum, but claims she would never have surgery for purely cosmetic reasons.

She added: "I would never have anything done. I think beauty comes from the inside. When I see women who have had plastic surgery I find it unnerving. All I can see is the surgery. The person who has had it has vanished. I don't want to look like that."

Diaz, who turns 35 in August, is currently dating magician Criss Angel, 39, after splitting from singer Justin Timberlake in January.

source: www.allheadlinenews.com

Cameron Diaz Not A Fan Of Cosmetic Surgery

Los Angeles, CA (BANG) - Cameron Diaz claims she would never have plastic surgery because it is "sick."

The actress can't understand why anyone would want to go under the knife and destroy their own characteristics.

She is quoted by Britain's Daily Express newspaper as saying: "Have you seen those shows where ordinary people want to look like Britney Spears or Brad Pitt? What on earth possesses them to want to destroy their own character? To go under the knife to do that, well, it's sick."

The 34-year-old star had an operation on her nose last year to correct a deviated septum, but claims she would never have surgery for purely cosmetic reasons.

She added: "I would never have anything done. I think beauty comes from the inside. When I see women who have had plastic surgery I find it unnerving. All I can see is the surgery. The person who has had it has vanished. I don't want to look like that."

Diaz, who turns 35 in August, is currently dating magician Criss Angel, 39, after splitting from singer Justin Timberlake in January.

source: www.allheadlinenews.com

A patient doctor Cosmetic surgery

DR BUTHAINAH Al-Shunnar’s clinic in Jumeirah is tastefully decorated and exudes serenity. It reflects her personality.I have done it up myself,” she informs. “I love doing things.”

That is an understatement. Dr Al-Shunnar handles everything from botox injections to breast reconstructive surgery for cancer patients. She does tummy tucks, reconstructive hand surgery, and can put a youthful smile on your face or take a frown off it.

After an impressive academic and professional track record in Ireland and the US, she returned to her native land, the UAE, and practised in Abu Dhabi for two years, and has since established her own clinic in Dubai.

She carries her scholarship lightly on her shoulders. “Don’t take yourself too seriously,” is the dictum she follows.

This is a very unusual field for a national woman. What prompted you to become a plastic surgeon?

I come from a family of doctors. My parents are doctors. My mother is a gynaecologist. My sister — who is also a doctor — and I grew up helping my mom with deliveries — cutting the cord and such things. We grew up with the idea that we wanted to be doctors.

I wasn't sure what speciality I wanted until I went to medical school. I always liked to work with my hands. I like to paint and sketch. And I like to see visual results — the difference.

During rotation in plastic surgery, the first day there, it just felt like home, and I knew no matter how long it took, that's what I wanted to do. And it took 16 years abroad — education, training and practice.

Didn't it take a toll on your patience?

Actually it trains you to be more patient. I found that the pressures you have to be under — the training and the stress teaches you to be more patient.

What is your area of specialisation in plastic surgery?

Plastic surgery is a very wide field. It encompasses a lot of things. I do general plastic surgery. I also do general cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. I do microsurgery and hand surgery, hand trauma specifically.

I treat facial fractures and I do muscle flaps. I'm very passionate about breast reconstruction — after breast cancer. That's one of my subspecialities. It encompasses the cosmetic aspect, the emotional aspect and it involves microsurgery and makes a significant difference to the patient's life.

My job entails various things. People generally equate plastic surgery with cosmetic surgery, but that is actually a very small percentage of plastic surgery. Yes, I do body contouring, breast enhancement, facelifts, nose jobs etc. So it’s a huge field. That is why it takes so long to train.

So one day is not like another. One hour is not like another. It is very exciting and challenging.

Which hospitals are you connected with?

I have an outpatient clinic here in Jumeirah at Al Shunnar Plastic Surgery, where I do only minor procedures. All my major procedures are done either at Emirates Hospital or American Hospital. I’m also associated with the Wellcare hospital. I operate two full days a week. I operate at the different hospitals doing both cosmetic and reconstructive cases.

Plastic surgery is considered shallow and superficial. Do you think it is vain to want to look good and that people are ready to go under the knife for it?

I guess plastic surgery is looked down upon. I think it becomes shallow when it becomes obsessive — when they think they have to look a certain way or others won’t like them.

It is all about confidence. If you are confident about the way you look, fine. But if a specific thing about your look bothers you to the point of hindering you, then I don’t see any problem fixing it. You could make a huge difference to a person’s life with a simple procedure.

A patient came to me with a permanent frown on his forehead. He was a happy person, but everyone thought he was always angry. It affected his life. He found it difficult to keep his job because people thought he had an attitude. A simple procedure changed his life. Is this shallow? Is it cosmetic? Is it vanity? I don’t know.

It means there is a very thin line that separates vanity and self-confidence.

Yes. I want to say something for cosmetic surgery. To me it is very diverse. You could have a woman, for example, with five children. You do a tummy tuck for her and transform her. And it saves her marriage sometimes.

Cosmetic surgery is not like getting your gall bladder removed. There is no “Have to” to it. But then, if it improves your life, then why not?

I have learnt to look beyond wrinkles. It becomes second nature.

Are you happy with the way you look?

There’s a saying in Arabic: the door of a carpenter’s house is never fixed. I guess I don’t bother about it.

Have you ever come across typical attitudes and prejudices because you are a UAE national?

Believe it or not, no. I’m quite surprised myself. When I came back from the States to practise here, I assumed that I would encounter the usual prejudices. But fortunately, I have had a very positive response from patients, colleagues. And Emaratis have been very supportive and feel proud of me. Elderly nationals whom one would expect to be conservative, have often told me that they are very proud of my achievements because I’m like their daughter.

What about expatriate patients?

Even expatriate patients have been really supportive. I expected them to go to other doctors, but they have been very accepting. I guess my qualifications speak for me. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter where you are from. What matters is your qualifications and your work ethics. That's what comes across.

Did it take time for you to prove yourself?

It takes time to prove yourself no matter where you are. Whether I am an Emarati in the Emirates or an American in the States, how you work and the results you produce matter. Ultimately results speak.

Did you face prejudice in the West because you were from the Middle East?

Again, I was surprised. It is extremely difficult to be accepted into Johns Hopkins. It is one of the best hospitals in medicine in the States. To accept a foreigner like me is almost zero per cent. So I have to be very thankful to them.

I have to say one thing for the American system. They are very fair. If you work hard and prove yourself, they will give you a chance.

What about patients? Did they readily accept you?

I never had a problem. I worked in private practice for three years, and I was in the trauma centre. I never had a patient tell me, "I don't want you to operate on me."

It all depends upon how you present yourself. Patients can sense hesitation. They can also sense confidence. I think this is true for any field. Your confidence will be transmitted to your patients.

Especially with the media now, plastic surgery is under the scanner because it has become popular. The reality of it is, anything in medicine has complications. If you are very honest with your patients and spend more time with them and explain the positive as well as the negative aspects, they will accept you. I believe in staying connected Prejudice need not always be overt. It can be subtle. Have you ever sensed it?

It is like building a house. You might connect with one contractor instead of another. You might connect better with someone from your own country, for example.

I don’t feel insecure. If a patient wants to go to someone else, I have no problems with that because it is also something to do with chemistry. If someone doesn’t want me to operate on them, it’s their choice.

Oftentimes, I have patients coming to me from other doctors as well.

What kind of support have you received from your family?

My family has been very supportive. We are a very big family full of doctors. We are very education-oriented. I left the country when I was 17. It was very, very difficult. No one ever made me feel guilty for being on my own or taking so long to train myself. I always knew that if I ever needed anything, I could always pick up the phone and call home.

You just learn to be independent and cope. When I first arrived in Baltimore, they showed us around the emergency room. I found out that all the windows were bulletproof because of the violence around.

Almost all my patients came because of gunshot wounds at the trauma centre. I knew that this was something I would have to adjust to.

In fact, I went to Johns Hopkins with the idea of doing a one-year position. But when I went there I realised I could learn a lot. So I worked really hard and applied for the four-year programme. And my family encouraged me.

What about support from the community to pursue this unusual career?

The community feels very proud of me. Dubai is just emerging, and Emaratis are just beginning to make a mark and there are so few doctors in my field, so the community is even more proud of me. No one, however conservative, has ever told me I should sit at home.

One thing about Dubai is that compared to the West, it may be conservative, but it is not judgemental. You are allowed to do what you want to.

Why did you decide to come back?

I wanted to be with my family. And it’s home.

Do you miss the US and the freedom?

Yes and no. I spent my youth in the US. I miss my colleagues and the work environment. I feel free here too. And it’s nice to be back home.

What about culture shock and reverse culture shock?

Yes, I did experience culture shock when I went to the States. You carry a set of values with you. But I learnt to be comfortable in the West. Once you go through culture shock, you learn to be comfortable anywhere. You begin to identify how to adapt.

And when I came back, I had to adapt back to this life. There was a big difference between the UAE I had left and the one I came back to. The changes are both positive and negative. The skyline has changed and things are more exciting. But things were more cohesive earlier. Families met more often. Now everyone is busy with their own lives.

Do you feel bad that the UAE nationals are in a minority in your country, especially in the work place?

You see, things will take time. This is an emerging society. What we have now is the fruit of the past. It will take time for it to reach its potential. Look at Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s daughter. She has won a medal in martial arts. He is not only pushing his own children to succeed, but also the entire nation. We have the support of the rulers. What more can we ask for?

How is it to work with expatriates?

I’m used to it. I lived in the States for 10 years. So I’m used to working with foreigners. In fact, you should ask me what it is like to work with Arabs.

I think bonding is person-dependent, not necessarily nationality-dependent. You could have an American who is friendly, and another one who has a chip on their shoulder.

How do you feel when you see expatriates dominating the scene?

I have mixed feelings. I have to translate that experience with my experience in the States. I was an expatriate there, and I was given a fair chance like everybody else.

My philosophy is, you should be valued on the basis of your work ethics and your educational background and how hard and sincerely you work.

Having said that, I have mixed feelings when any culture takes advantage of their rights, to the point of not necessarily working as hard as they can because they can get away with it. This applies to nationals too.

If people are hired based on their merit, I don’t have a problem with that. But if they are hired because they belong to a particular community, then it is bad. But this happens in a multicultural society. Everybody will only to hire their own, regardless of merit. This encourages a clannish attitude — a mafia-like environment. That’s when I see a problem.

What is your advice to Emarati women?

Work hard and follow your dreams. It’s yours if you want it.

Medically speaking …

Dr Al-Shunnar answers questions on topics many of us are curious about

Could you explain microsurgery?

Microsurgery involves the microscope and usually involves reconnecting very, very small vessels and very, very small nerves, which the naked eye cannot put together. Here you really need about 200 to 400 times the magnification to delicately bring the blood vessels and nerves together.

Is it usually post-trauma?

Well, it is a tool that can be used in many different avenues. It can be used in trauma, for example, someone cuts their finger — the nerve in the finger. You can bring them back together. And if someone cuts their finger off, you can put that back by reconnecting everything together by using a microscope.

It can also be used in breast cancer reconstruction wherein we can make a new breast — recreate the breast using microsurgery to vascularise the new breast.

How is a new breast recreated or reconstructed?

In many different ways, depending on the patient's body, emotional status.... For breast cancer reconstruction you can either use an implant or a person's own tissue or a combination of the two.

Do you get a lot of such patients here?

In fact, quite a few. I think it is because that was one of my trainings of speciality and also because I am a woman. So a lot of female patients come to me for that. They feel closer home.

What about cosmetic surgery?

You know the usual cosmetic surgery — nose jobs, facelifts, breast job, body contouring — all that encompasses general plastic surgery.

Typically how much would these cost?

They vary very significantly. It also depends upon how many procedures we do. Facelifts can be more expensive than tummy tucks as they involve that much more expertise.

How many days does it take for post-surgery recovery for a facelift?

The difference between the face and a tummy tuck is that the face is exposed to the public. It has bruises, it has to be covered. Usually it takes 10 days. The patient is discharged the next day, but in terms of going out in the public, it takes about 10 days.

How long does the procedure take?

Again, it varies on the type of facelift, whether it's the face alone or the forehead, chin, neck…. It depends upon which part. But it can take up to four hours.

Is it very popular here?

I think it's popular everywhere. And it is kind of seasonal. During summer and Christmas times everything becomes an emergency — everyone wants to look good.

We hear about lunchtime or weekend facelifts. Can someone just walk in and get it done?

I'd be very careful about the media regarding this. It's very important not to give a false impression about this — that it is an easy way out. Because usually, the easy way out is not necessarily the answer.

Things like botoxes and fillers and certain types of peel can be done in a lunchtime or weekend break. They are minimally invasive, yet they make a significant difference to a person.

But lunchtime facelifts often don't last. So, you have got to be very careful. Even if it is for a particular occasion, you have got to pick your patients very, very carefully. You have to match the expectations with the amount of energy and money you are going to invest in it, as they don't last. And everybody's definition of expensive is different. For botox it is anywhere between Dh1,500 and Dh3,000, including the materials. There is no standard package.

Formidable credentials

Dr BUTHAINAH AL-SHUNNAR specialises in breast surgery, body contouring, aesthetic facial surgery, hand surgery, cancer reconstruction and microsurgery.

She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. She is also a member of the Johns Hopkins Medical and Surgical Association.

After graduating from medical college with honours from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland in 1991, Dr Al-Shunnar received her five years of general surgery training at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore and George Washington University Hospital in Washington DC, where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honour society. She then completed her plastic surgery training at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. She went on to work for three years in York, Pennsylvania, as Consultant Plastic Surgeon in private practice, also covering a major trauma centre for its reconstructive needs.

source: www.khaleejtimes.com

Selasa, 26 Juni 2007

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