Everything You Need to Know about Augmenting Your Lips

Everything You Need to Know about Augmenting Your Lips: Many us crave fuller, sexier lips, but have no idea where to start. Lip fillers and lip augmentation seem a bit complicated – and in truth, it is...

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Hold the face wash - bacteria is good for your skin?

If you care about your skin, then you've probably developed a face washing routine. These can be simple - a cleansing wash at night or in the morning - or complex, with numerous washes, exfoliators, toners, creams and lotions. But if your regimen includes antibacterial soap, you may want to think twice. It may come as a surprise that there are some bacteria that shouldn't be washed away, because they are good for your skin, according to the Daily Mail.
Referred to as "good bacteria," some microbes can help keep your immune system in shape and also ward off wrinkles. They help keep our faces moist and also fight the "bad bacteria," which is responsible for some of the most common skin woes - redness, spots and blemishes, the news source reports.

On top of that, a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) suggested that an ingredient known as triclosan, commonly found in antibacterial soaps, may impair muscle function and cause other health issues.
Some facial creams on the market are attempting to include ingredients in their products that include the beneficial bacteria. And while it's never a bad idea to use creams and lotions to help your skin, it's wise to shop around, do thorough research, and speak with a skin professional to find the best routine for your skin.
Of course, many people will find that no matter how much lotion and cream they slather on their skin, they're still prone to facial lines and wrinkles. That's why, as people age, many opt for cosmetic procedures to help combat these signs of aging.  Injectable treatments such as Botox, Dysport and Juvederm are all popular choices for those seeking minimally invasive procedures to help maintain a youthful appearance.

According to the Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety, patients considering injectables should be aware that there could be some minimal bruising after the procedure. To reduce the risk of this side effect, the group suggests avoiding medications or supplements that thin the blood, including ibuprofen or Advil.
Most injectable procedures will require more than one visit to your board-certified plastic surgeon, which means patients should try and plan ahead. If you know you're going on vacation or will be unable to visit a doctor, discuss your options with the doctor who will be administering your treatments.

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 For additional information on these subjects and other plastic surgery related topics, please go to www.surgery.org

Hold the face wash - bacteria is good for your skin?

How can I get rid of the parentheses around my mouth?

How can I get rid of the parentheses around my mouth?

You actually have several options:

1. Fillers. The most common treatment for marionette lines and mouth area wrinkles is fillers such as Juvederm. I prefer using hyaluronic acid-based fillers as opposed to anything else on the market as they lend a smooth natural appearance. Depending on the depth of the lines, one or two vials of filler may suffice. One advantage of this treatment is that it provides instant gratification, although the effects may not last much longer than a year.
2. Dermal-fat grafts. I use these when I’m performing facelifts or any procedure that offers the opportunity to harvest the patient’s own dermis and fat. In such cases, I’ll prepare two small grafts that can be inserted under the skin to permanently efface the lines. This provides a permanent solution with natural results.
3. Facelift. The facelift procedure by itself eliminates or significantly improves the lines by lifting the soft tissues of the cheek.
4. Cheek implants. I typically use cheek implants made of silicone. They naturally contour the cheek bones while compensating for the loss of soft tissue and bone that occurs over time. Along with the desired contouring effect they significantly improve the parenthesis lines around the mouth.
5. Fat injections. This option offers a permanent filling effect to the lines. That said, it’s important to note that because 40-60% of the fat is reabsorbed, it’s imperative that the fat be over-injected at first in order to reach the desired volume over the course of a two to three-month period. This, however, is not my preferred approach to the problem because fat as a filler is predictably unpredictable.

These solutions all need to be thoroughly discussed with the patient. Ultimately, an option is chosen based on the patient’s expectation and depending on the context and the site of treatment – in the office or in the operating room.

Dr. Vartan Mardirossian, Mardirossian Facial Aesthetics, Jupiter, FL