Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Articles

As we embrace the current reality of the world, it’s almost starting to feel normal to don a mask before entering the grocery store and to have our temperature taken ahead of a haircut. Still, you may be hesitating, understandably, about scheduling your next appointment for filler or neuromodulator. Beyond the natural intimacy of these procedures, there are a number of practical considerations in play—a big one being the handling of the facial assessment that generally precedes such injections.

Every board-certified plastic surgeon across the country reopened their practice this spring with an overabundance of caution. While there was some guidance, the simple fact of the matter is that there was so much about this virus we didn’t know. Virtually every day, we’ve learned something new about it. And with the proper safety procedures we at Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery put in place, we’ve come to understand how we can live with it—to a certain extent.

Injectables were one of the last aspects of cosmetic plastic surgery to return. Initially, we scheduled only returning patients because it afforded them some expediency. As everyone grew more comfortable, we made the decision to make appointments available to new patients, too—as long as the patient agreed to a video consult beforehand. By using virtual consultations we are able to minimize our in-person non-procedural interaction.

Where are we now?

Where are we now, nearly six months into the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States? By most estimates, as a plastic surgeon in South Jersey, where infection rates have remained relatively low through the summer, we are back to administering injectables at or near the frequency they were prior to the pandemic. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s business as usual.

We require our patients to wear a mask throughout their treatment, unless it’s necessary for it to be removed. Early on, there was some debate that doing it this way, treating the upper face alone while temporarily ignoring the lower two-thirds could create a lopsided look. And while there’s no doubt that it is a challenge, there’s also value in addressing the face one area at a time.

It’s quite common to stagger treatments and address different areas at different times—the upper face in one visit, the chin and jaw in another, and the midface in a third—to achieve a seamless look in the end.

What can you expect?

Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery’s offices have adopted its own protocol to ensure patient and staff safety, but some practices have become universal. We’re finding a way through this by prioritizing safety at every turn to make sure you get your desired treatment, and staying safe.

Please feel free to contact Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery with any questions about our safety protocols or to schedule a virtual consult.

You’ve probably read a lot about the seductive lips and chiseled cheeks that fillers can create. But liquid nose jobs and jawline sculpting, two of the most popular requests for injectables, are actually not sanctioned by the FDA. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

As plastic surgeons have become more familiar with the nuances of the various fillers, including their different degrees of viscosity, lift, and longevity, they’ve become more inclined to use them in unapproved (or “off-label”) ways. Today, there’s almost no part of the body that hasn’t been enhanced by filler. These are a few of the more intriguing examples I’ve come across.

An alternative butt lift

Interest in the Brazilian butt lift has surged over the last few years. But, in order to achieve the desired results, the patient needs to have enough fat to be liposuction-ed and transferred to their butt. For those who don’t, plastic surgeons have come up with an interesting alternative: injections of Sculptra.

Sculptra induces the growth of collagen, so it’ll add a little more projection to the butt and obscure cellulite dimples in the process. It will take between three to six months to see the enhancement, and it’ll be relatively modest compared to a Brazilian butt lift, but the results will last an estimated four to five years.

Freeing the nipple

For all the attention we devote to breasts, very little is said about nipples. But they’ve become a growing source of insecurity for both men and women. In response, plastic surgeons have begun filling them for all sorts of reasons: one’s an innie and the other’s an outie, or one just sticks out further.

Typically, Restylane Defyne, a hyaluronic-based filler, is used because it’s firm enough to resist the skin’s natural tension. And those more pronounced nipples can last for six to nine months.

Walking on air

Hyaluronic fillers are FDA-approved to add volume to certain aspects of the face, as well as the backs of the hands. But, now, they’re also being used in the balls of the feet to provide additional cushion and alleviate leg and back strain. The trend’s being spurred by healthcare professionals, who can spend more than 12 hours a day on their feet.

Here, injectors turn to thicker, more robust formulations, like Juvéderm Voluma, because they’re able to absorb the constant pressure. Still, because the feet of those seeking the treatment tend to the see a lot of abuse, the filler can wear thin fairly quickly, requiring touch-ups every nine months or so. But what a difference while it lasts, they report.