A new study of twins demonstrates how smoking causes premature aging of the face, causing more wrinkles around the lips and sagging under the eyes
Researchers led by Bahman Guyuron, M.D., of the department of plastic surgery at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals, Cleveland, set out to identify specific components of facial aging secondary to smoking. They did so by identifying 79 pairs of twins in which only one twin smoked or where one smoked at least five years longer than the other.
Participants completed questionnaires, and professional photographers took standardized photographs of the twins. A panel of three blinded judges analyzed the twins’ facial features and graded wrinkles using the Lemperle Assessment Scale, then ranked age-related facial features on a four-point scale.
According to the study, which was published in the November issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, twins who smoked compared significantly less favorably to their non-smoking siblings in scores for upper-eyelid skin redundancy, lower-lid bags, malar bags, nasolabial folds, upper lip wrinkles, lower lip vermillion wrinkles and jowls. Lower-lid hyperpigmentation in the smoking group fell just short of statistical significance. There was no statistical difference in transverse forehead wrinkles, glabellar wrinkles, crow’s feet and lower lip lines accentuated by puckering.
Among twins with greater than five years’ difference in smoking duration, twins who had smoked longer had worse scores for lower lid bags, malar bags and lower lip vermillion wrinkles.
“The most important finding is confirmation of what was assumed to be the aging changes as the consequence of smoking in a scientific manner,” Dr. Guyuron tells Dermatology Times. “The malar bags and hyperpigmentation of the lower lids seem to be the most common features of the ‘smoker face.’”
This news is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Surgery & Med Spa
Would you consider traveling to Mexico or India for a less-expensive rhinoplasty or breast augmentation procedure? Would you consider traveling to Texas for a Robotic Hair Transplant procedure? Many Americans are doing just that-and the trend is having an impact on the market for cosmetic plastic surgery.
The paper, by ASPS Member Surgeon Dr. Kevin C. Chung and Lauren E. Franzblau of the University of Michigan, discusses “the rise and transformation of the medical tourism industry, foreign and domestic forces that influence cosmetic surgical tourism, and the pros and cons for all involved parties.” Chung and Franzblau write, “The rapid globalization of the industry also marks a fundamental shift in the world’s perception of elective procedures: patients are becoming consumers and these medical services are being viewed as commodities.”
At the office of Dr. Mark Bishara, with offices in Mansfield and Southlake, TX- we have patients traveling from all over the world for Robotic Hair Transplants. We perform the surgery in both of our locations, making it even easier for patients to access the closest office for them.
More ‘Medical Tourists’ Are Traveling for Cosmetic Surgery
Traveling for medical care is nothing new-but in the past, people were more likely to travel from poor countries to obtain higher-quality care in wealthier countries. Today, prompted by the ease and relatively low costs of travel, more patients from the United States and other western countries are traveling to the developing world to access less-costly medical and surgical procedures. Because cosmetic plastic surgery procedures aren’t covered by insurance, they make up a major part of the burgeoning medical tourism market.
Figures vary, but there’s a consensus that medical tourism is growing rapidly: India alone may have more than one million medical tourists per year. Other countries with growing medical tourism industries include Mexico, Dubai, South Africa, Thailand and Singapore.
In many countries, governments are working actively to foster their medical tourism industry. Some destinations even market procedures performed in resort-like settings, encouraging patients to combine a vacation with cosmetic surgery. Traveling abroad also lets patients recuperate privately, without anyone at home knowing that they’ve had plastic surgery.
Raising Potential Concerns Over Safety and Quality
The growth of medical tourism may have a significant impact on the cosmetic surgery market in the U.S., but also raises concerns over physical safety and legal protection. Although destination countries promote the quality and safety of their procedures and facilities, there is often little evidence to support these claims.
“Because the practice of medical travel does not appear to be going away in the foreseeable future, plastic surgeons must understand the international market and learn to compete in it,” Chung and Franzblau write. Since U.S. surgeons may find it hard to compete on price, effective strategies may include emphasizing superior quality and safety of care, or developing “niche markets” of procedures that can be profitably performed at home.
The authors emphasize that medical tourism “is not purely good or bad”-neither for patients nor the countries involved. Patients may be drawn by lower costs, but must consider the potential risks of undergoing surgery in a foreign country, as well as traveling after surgery. ASPS provides information for patients considering travel abroad for cosmetic surgery, including risks and follow-up care.
For the U.S. and other developed countries, medical tourism means fewer patients and less revenue-but may also bring increased opportunities for collaboration with rapidly modernizing countries in other parts of the world. Chung and Franzblau conclude, “To retain patients and be competitive in a global market, U.S. plastic surgery must be vigilant of the changes in medical tourism and must adapt accordingly.”
This news is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Mark Bishara and
The Paragon Surgery & Med Spa
Shopping malls and airports aren’t the only places that see more action around the holidays. This is also the time of year that merry-makers crowd the offices of plastic surgeons everywhere. Whether it’s because people can take extra time off for recovery, or because they want to be in top form for parties, plastic surgeons struggle to keep up with demand in November and December. However, there’s a few things you should keep in mind before booking your pre-holiday procedure. At the office of Dr. Mark Bishara- we want you to take time to think about any procedure, whether it is during the holiday season or any other time of year.
Party Perfect
Holiday parties and family gatherings, while fun, can be pretty stressful. You often see people you haven’t seen in a long time or those you’d like to impress. You splurge on new clothes, get your hair done and dissect your appearance in the mirror, your eye immediately drawn to what you don’t like. We’ve all been there. This added pressure leads many to take a proactive approach and seek cosmetic surgery.
It’s common for those considering cosmetic procedures to be motivated by the opinions of others. Though this is an understandable desire, we encourage patients to think about their own perceptions of themselves above all else. Showing up your snobby cousin over Christmas dinner or attracting a cute colleague at the holiday work party might not be the right reason to undergo major surgery. The decision should be about self-perception, with the understanding that a change to one’s appearance is not life-changing in itself.
Realistic Recovery
Another reason many choose this time of year for their surgery is the fact that it may be easier to take time off from work to recover. However, patients should be realistic about recovery times when considering having a procedure done during such a busy period. Though many surgeries only require a few days of rest, it’s important to err on the side of caution when it comes to recuperating in time for important events.
Though you can recover from a breast augmentation or liposuction over a long weekend, it’s normal for patients to experience some soreness for a few weeks after these procedures. On the other hand, recovering from more invasive procedures, like tummy tucks, can take up to a month.
What may normally seem like effortless tasks could become challenging or even painful when you’re recovering from surgery. Patients may be determined to have a procedure done in time for holiday fun, but they should be realistic about how the surgery will impact their everyday lives for a little while. The last thing you want is to be restricted by a surgery that was meant to increase your enjoyment of the season.
Good options for those who want a beauty boost without the recovery are Botox and dermal fillers. At the office of Dr. Bishara & The Paragon Med Spa we offer, Botox, Xeomin, Juvederm Ultra Plus XC, Radiesse…..and soon the new Juvederm Voluma XC. These in-office, non-invasive procedures won’t put you out of commission for important holiday events. Dermal fillers are great for giving a bit of extra volume to lips, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and enhancing contours. And Botox can be the perfect solution to wrinkles, crows feet and those pesky frown lines. Both procedures have immediate payoff and zero downtime, which may make them a better choice for those with packed calendars.
Other great options for short or no recovery time for the holidays are laser services, including laser hair removal, IPL fotofacials, VI Peel, skin resurfacing, skin tightening and skin remodeling. You can also do a quick microdermabrasion or facial treatment during your lunch hour to look refereshed for your holiday events.
We all know that the holiday season ends in a new year, full of resolutions. This time causes many to seek change, both inside and out…which can result in packed plastic surgery waiting rooms. It can be tempting to try to squeeze in a procedure in time for that Caribbean cruise or the return to work, but make sure that whatever you decide allows you to enjoy the season to the fullest.
Please call our office at (817) 473-2120 if you would like to speak with someone about scheduling an appointment so you can look refreshed for the holidays.
Dr. Mark Bishara is Harvard Fellowship trained in Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
If you are one of millions considering cosmetic or plastic surgery, then you may want to review this list, and check it off before having a procedure. Here is a list that can help you prepare before your procedure and during your consultation.
Make sure you do your homework to better understand the benefits, know what to expect from the procedure, recovery time, and associated complications and risks.
Research your surgeon: review plenty of before and after picture of patient cases, and look for consistent outcomes. Make sure your surgeon is experienced, qualified and certified to perform your procedure.
Develop realistic expectations: it is important for patients to have realistic expectations. Discuss your goals in detail with your surgeon to understand what you should expect, anticipated downtime and side effects to reduce disappointing results.
Medical history and evaluation in advance: share your medical history, medications and any health issues in advance. Some surgeries require blood work, and medical imaging results to make sure you are a good candidate for the procedure.
Associated Fees: Cost is a big issue for most patients. Find out if the fee is all inclusive. Anesthesia can make a difference, depending on if the surgeon is using a local or general anesthetic to perform the surgery. Also, most procedures are “outpatient” surgeries performed in accredited surgical suites, within the surgeon’s office or clinic.
Here is a list of questions to ask during your consultation:
- Are you licensed in the state where the procedure is being performed?
- How many of these procedures have you performed?
- Do you have hospital and/or surgery center privileges? Is your facility accredited?
- Am I a good candidate for the procedure?
- What are the possible risks and side effects?
- What technique would you recommend to get optimum results?
- How long will the surgery take and what can I expect during the recovery process?
- How much time should I take off work?
- How much will the procedure cost, total? Do you have finance options and payment plans?
- Do I have the right physical features to get the desired results from this procedure?
- Do you provide detailed instructions to follow, before and after the procedure and in the case of an emergency?
Cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures are a big step. To get the best from this experience, patients who do their homework, ask the right questions and develop realistic expectations are happiest with their results.
Please call the office of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Med Spa and we would be happy to discuss any questions you may have regarding cosmetic surgery. Our phone number is (817) 473-2120 or please click on the button below.
Dr. Mark Bishara is Harvard Fellowship trained in Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
If you are one of millions considering cosmetic or plastic surgery, then you may want to review this list, and check it off before having a procedure. Here is a list that can help you prepare before your procedure and during your consultation.
Make sure you do your homework to better understand the benefits, know what to expect from the procedure, recovery time, and associated complications and risks.
Research your surgeon: review plenty of before and after picture of patient cases, and look for consistent outcomes. Make sure your surgeon is experienced, qualified and certified to perform your procedure.
Develop realistic expectations: it is important for patients to have realistic expectations. Discuss your goals in detail with your surgeon to understand what you should expect, anticipated downtime and side effects to reduce disappointing results.
Medical history and evaluation in advance: share your medical history, medications and any health issues in advance. Some surgeries require blood work, and medical imaging results to make sure you are a good candidate for the procedure.
Associated Fees: Cost is a big issue for most patients. Find out if the fee is all inclusive. Anesthesia can make a difference, depending on if the surgeon is using a local or general anesthetic to perform the surgery. Also, most procedures are “outpatient” surgeries performed in accredited surgical suites, within the surgeon’s office or clinic.
Here is a list of questions to ask during your consultation:
- Are you licensed in the state where the procedure is being performed?
- How many of these procedures have you performed?
- Do you have hospital and/or surgery center privileges? Is your facility accredited?
- Am I a good candidate for the procedure?
- What are the possible risks and side effects?
- What technique would you recommend to get optimum results?
- How long will the surgery take and what can I expect during the recovery process?
- How much time should I take off work?
- How much will the procedure cost, total? Do you have finance options and payment plans?
- Do I have the right physical features to get the desired results from this procedure?
- Do you provide detailed instructions to follow, before and after the procedure and in the case of an emergency?
Cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures are a big step. To get the best from this experience, patients who do their homework, ask the right questions and develop realistic expectations are happiest with their results.
Please call the office of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Med Spa and we would be happy to discuss any questions you may have regarding cosmetic surgery. Our phone number is (817) 473-2120 or please click on the button below.
Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Mark A. Bishara, M.D., serving Fort Worth, Arlington, and the surrounding area.
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