Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Articles

Botox treatments (and the like) were the most popular cosmetic procedure performed in 2018. But that’s been a recurring headline for the last few years. The nearly 7.5 million treatments represented a 3% jump over 2017 and an astounding 845% increase since 2000, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Plastic surgery has become far less stigmatized over that span, and minimally-invasive procedures, like Botox injections, have grown the most dramatically as a result of the accessibility and interest that followed. Today, Botox is not only an effective means to minimize the early signs of aging, it’s also become popular as a preventative measure.

When should I start Botox treatments? It’s not unusual for a plastic surgeon to suggest the mid-twenties. We develop wrinkles because, as skin loses its elasticity with age, it can’t effectively bounce back from the countless facial expressions we make every day. Botox relaxes the facial muscles and prevents them from constricting and wrinkling the overlying skin.

Say you furrow your brow when you read from a screen. We’re essentially retraining your face to no longer do that and, in turn, lowering the chances that you’ll develop those dreaded wrinkles between your eyebrows. So, the earlier you begin getting Botox, the better, in most cases.

But I prefer to gauge a starting point by need rather than age because there are a couple more pressing factors that need to be considered, including the amount of sun you’ve been exposed to over your lifetime and your skin tone.

Caucasian women who’ve protected themselves fairly well can usually hold off until 35 or 40. For women with darker skin tones, it’s more like 40 or 45.

The benefit of a little wiggle room

The next natural question is, how far apart should you space your follow-up botox treatments?

The effects of Botox generally begin to wear off after three or four months, but that can vary from person to person. And, ideally, you don’t want to wait until the effects have completely worn off, around six months. What that really means is that the targeted muscle has regained its strength.

You’ll have a better long-term result if you schedule your follow-ups before you reach that point, because Botox has a cumulative effect. With each round of injections, the targeted muscle becomes progressively weaker and eventually atrophies. As that happens, it’ll also allow you to space your treatments a little further apart each time.

Consistency is what matters most

Another reason not to set your Google calendar reminder for three-month intervals is that there are a few other variables at play, too. For one, if you’re very physically active, you may need to schedule your follow-ups a bit sooner.

Also, some muscles, like the one behind those dueling wrinkles between your eyebrows, are stronger than others. So they’re going to require more frequent treatments. So, too, will wrinkles that are relatively fully formed.

Whatever schedule you settle on with your plastic surgeon, commit to it. Much as you may like the initial results of a Botox treatment, they’ll get even better over time—as long as you remain attentive to your follow-ups.

Textured breast implants made by Allergan that have been linked to a rare cancer are being recalled in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to The New York Times, 573 cases and 33 deaths from the cancer have been reported worldwide, with 481 of the cases clearly attributed to the Allergan Biocell implants. Of the 33 deaths, the FDA said the type of implant was known in 13 cases, and in 12 of those the maker was Allergan.

While the Allergan breast implant recall is newsworthy, the cancer is rare, considering that millions of women have breast implants. Breast augmentation is perennially the most popular cosmetic surgery performed in the United States. In 2018, more than 313,000 procedures were performed, a 4% increase over 2017, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

The anaplastic large-cell lymphoma is a rare cancer of the immune system. It is usually found within the fibrous scar capsule near the implant or in the fluid surrounding the implant, according to the FDA. It is not in the breast tissue itself, and it is not breast cancer. Researchers have not been able to explain the link between the Allergan Biocell implants and the rare cancer, according to The New York Times.

However, in most cases, removing the implant and the scar tissue around it cures the cancer. But if it is not detected early, it can spread.

Do I need to do anything?

The main symptoms of the lymphoma are usually swelling and fluid accumulation around the implant. There may also be some tenderness, which shouldn’t be confused for post-surgery soreness. The latter is normal.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, see your plastic surgeon. If that’s not practical, consult another plastic surgeon near you. Either way, your doctor will likely recommend an ultrasound or MRI.

If you have Allergan Biocell implants, but no symptoms, you don’t need to have them removed, the FDA says. The recall means that doctors and hospitals should not implant any more of them and should return any in their inventory to Allergan.

Allergan Biocell Implants? What if I don’t know which kind of implants I have?

The contents of the implant, silicone or saline, are not a factor in the lymphoma, the FDA says. The shell, which can be either smooth or textured, is the key. Textured implants, which have a slightly roughened surface that adheres to breast tissue and helps hold the implant in place, have been singled out as the cause.

It’s important to note, however, that the recall only affects the Allergan Biocell textured implants, not all textured implants. The Allergan Biocell implants carry a risk that is about six times that of other textured implants sold in the United States, according to the FDA. Allergan’s textured implants account for only about 5% of the implants used in the United States, according to The New York Times.

If you’re not sure what kind of implants you have, consult your plastic surgeon. Again, if that’s not practical, see a plastic surgeon near you. Even if they can’t tell you the type, they’ll conduct a physical exam to see if you’re having any issues with your implants.