CosMedica - Cosmetic Surgery in New York City

What are injectable facial fillers? Are they different or better than Botox?

Injectable facial fillers include:

• Radiesse
• Sculptra
• Restylane
• Collagen
• Fat transfers

Injectable facial fillers work by filling in wrinkles, increasing volume in sunken facial areas and filling in where youthful plumpness once was.
Botox, however, reduces the action of facial muscles that cause wrinkles in the upper facial area, such as the forehead, and helps those areas to appear smoother.

And while no one can stop time, these products certainly can help to reverse some of damaging effects of time and restore a more youthful, fresher glow to the face.

Fillers are popular because:

• they're non invasive
• they provide dramatic, natural results
• they are less expensive than a full facelift

How can you determine which choice is right for you? Schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon and be sure to ask these questions:

• Do I want a permanent solution or something temporary?
• What facial areas am I considering enhancing?
• How much can I afford?
• What are the risks involved?

Most cosmetic surgeons will suggest that patients considering permanent fillers try a temporary filler for their first few treatments. Then they can know for sure if the filler is providing the results they had hope for before doing anything permanent.

According to Dr. Howard T. Bellin of www.CosMedica.com, serving New York City in Manhattan and surrounding areas, injectable facial fillers work very well when patients are carefully screened. "Doctors must ensure the right product is being used for the right reasons with the right application. Patients appreciate having choices. They also appreciate being educated about their options. The more the patient can be involved in the procedure, the happier the patient will be with the results."

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) has quickly become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. Our age tends to show in our eyes, and physical or heredity factors affecting our eyelids may cause us to appear overly fatigued or unwell when, in fact, the opposite is true.

Since so much of our social communication rests on the non-verbal cues we send with our eyes, it’s no wonder Americans are flocking to the offices of cosmetic surgeons to find out more about this procedure.

Our eyelids protect our eyes. As we age, the skin of our eyelids begins to sag and lose resiliency. Aging takes place most noticeably on the face, and our delicate eyelid skin usually shows the first signs.

The lower eyelid is prone to fatty deposits under the eyes (bags) as well as dark circles and puffiness; wrinkling can also occur. The upper eyelid develops extra fat and droopy skin. All of these conditions cause sagging and a tired look that adds to the illusion of older age.

But the cosmetic look of your eye is not the only concern. Your eyes may actually feel more fatigued because of the extra skin. For some, the eyelid skin droops so heavily it obstructs vision. This is obviously a medically undesirable situation that calls for immediate treatment.

Sun exposure, accumulation of body fluid, dehydration, and heredity all play a part in how your eyelids look and how the skin and fat of your eyelids changes as you age. Meeting with a qualified, board-certified cosmetic surgeon is your first and your best step in determining how to treat eyelid issues.

If you are considering eyelid surgery in Manhattan, New York City, or surrounding areas, contact Dr. Howard T. Bellin to schedule a private consultation.

For some patients, a traditional facelift is too extreme for their needs. If all you are really concerned about is a bit of fullness under your chin or the beginning appearance of neck cords, you may be a candidate for a new facelift procedure called the ‘mini’ facelift.

In the mini-facelift procedure, your surgeon uses smaller incisions and less invasive procedures that offer faster healing time and less expense.

For neck cords, your surgeon removes excess fat through a small incision made underneath your chin that is barely visible when healed. He can tighten your neck muscles and restore a smoother, more youthful contour.

If your jaw line is beginning to sag, your surgeon makes a small incision behind your ear, but no incision in front of your ear as in a traditional facelift. To lift your cheek area, an incision placed from the temple to the ear or, in some cases, the lower eyelid can accomplish a cheek lift that will give you a more rested look.

Keep in mind that these so-called ‘mini’ procedures cannot address aging taking place in your brows, eyelids or forehead area. To lift these areas, the mini-procedure is combined with other procedures to treat fine lines, wrinkles and skin texture.

While mini procedures can be less costly and require less healing time, they are not right for every person or every cosmetic surgery need. If your face has aged quite a bit overall, a traditional facelift may be more appropriate and offer better, longer-lasting results.

How should you decide what's right for you? Meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Howard T. Bellin, trained to expertly evaluate your bone structure and skin condition, as well as that of your underlying tissues.

Face lift procedures for men effectively minimize unwanted skin changes produced by age, stress, heredity and sun exposure.

Male face lift surgery offers results similar to those enjoyed by women, but a different approach is needed on the part of the surgeon to produce the best outcome, since there are sone specific differences in men’s and women’s skin.

To achieve the desired younger, more energetic appearance, facial fat and excess skin are removed and the muscles and tissue below the facial surface are remodeled, minimizing the effects of time, such as sagging in the cheeks, neck, and jawline, which contributed to an aged, tired or heavy look.

Because men generally wear shorter hair than women, hiding the small scars can be more difficult. Incisions are always placed inconspicuously along natural crease lines so as not to be obvious.

The successful male face lift can make men feel younger, more energetic and more confident. However, like all surgery, there are some risks including:

• visible scarring
• nerve damage
• imited facial paralysis.
• possibility of blood clotting

If a facelift procedure sounds right for you, schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has the experience and training to ensure the very best outcome.

Unfortunately, not every plastic surgeon possesses the same degree of experience or skill; even in the most capable hands, unexpected results can sometimes occur. In rare cases the damage is permanent. But more often than not, a poor nose job can be improved through a second operation.

Revision, or secondary, rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to correct an unsatisfactory result from a previous nasal surgery. In some cases, the cosmetic result is what you wanted, but there may be a functional problem that hinders your breathing. In other cases, your nose may be perfectly functional, but cosmetically unacceptable to you.

If a good result is not achieved the first time around, it is more difficult the second time around. Its complexity rests with the scar tissue formation in your body’s natural reaction to a wound and with the amount of tissue removed during the first surgery. The more rhinoplasties you receive the more difficult it is to correct; it is easier to take away than add to the features of your face.

If the original surgeon makes the correction, that surgeon should do it for free. But, if the nose looks horrible, you may prefer to find, and pay, someone else – you should find an expert in cosmetic reconstruction.

A woman’s breasts are in many ways a symbol of her femininity. They are not only an important part of her outward appearance, but should contribute to an inner security that goes far beyond her aesthetic appeal. They should be a constant source of pride and enjoyment.

There is a prevalent misconception that women want to enlarge their breasts to attract and please men. This is rarely the prime motivation. Most women do it for themselves. Numerous studies have shown that women want larger breasts for one reason - improving their self-esteem.

While you should not view plastic surgery as a cure for feelings of low self-esteem or sexual attractiveness, it is well-documented that the results of these procedures do have psychological benefits in most patients.

A new research from the University of Florida found that breast enlargement often induces and important rise in self-esteem and sexuality, including libido, in women.

It is for results like that that breast augmentation is one of the most common operations performed by plastic surgeons today. Among plastic surgeons there are varying beliefs about how the surgery should be done and I respect them; but, because of my extensive experience, I believe my opinions on the subject of breast augmentation should be strongly considered.

As people age their lips begin to thin. Full, plump lips are considered to be a sign of youth and an icon of sensuality. To achieve fuller lips a biocompatible material is either injected or implanted into the lips. One injection is usually sufficient to produce your desired results.

Temporary solutions for lip augmentation are achieved through collagen and fat injections, both requiring repeat treatments to maintain lip augmentation. The reason behind repeat treatments is that the materials are readily absorbed into the body.

Benefits of this procedure include: immediate return to normal activities and the ability to experiment with different looks over the course of time.

Risks include: a potential for allergic reaction to materials used, many injections are short-lived and require consistent upkeep.