Vegas Extravaganza

The Las Vegas Multispecialty meeting, held last week,  was a tour de force!! I was honored to be a part of the meeting and felt it was a world class educational experience. I lecture every day and helped to manage two symposia within the meeting.  What did I take away? After having panel discussions on minimally invasive technologies, such as focused ultrasound to tighten and lift the skin, to novel uses of injectables, to less traumatic surgery, I am more invigorated than ever to expand my Blending Concept. I believe that we are truly at a place of science fiction, for Star Trek fans remember the instant skin tightening device, all kinds of devices to make tissue better with less insult! I believe it is a brave new world and it is great to share this with dear, respected friends and colleagues at such a fantastic venue!! Bottom line, the combination of multiple applications, laser-focused energy devices/ultrasonic-injectables-skin care-minor surgery, creates a synergy that surpasses the independent value of any one alone, with more value to the patient!

Botox and Show Your Emotions: You Can Do Both!!

I am struck by an article in today's NY Times, http://mobile.nytimes.com/article?a=805027&f=26. This is an article that sites research studies that suggest Botox impairs our ability to show our true emotions. I find this interesting because I am often telling patients of the importance of saving some ability to express feelings. Experienced injectors can do Botox (or Dysport) treatments and still allow the patient to express themselves. Expressive Botox treatment can be done using less product, more widely distributed, in a strategic pattern. The results still last and you avoid the "frozen look". I believe this is the difference between a good Botox treatment, that no one can tell and the obvious, funny look that belongs in a circus. The responsibility is ultimately yours, go to an experienced plastic surgeon or dermatologist and make sure they know you want some movement ability in the given area of treatment!!

Controversy can bring out our best in Aesthetics!!

I was honored to be part of the faculty for the inaugural Summit in Aesthetic Medicine, Dr. Bass and Dr. Zachary did a brilliant job! It was very interesting to see differing approaches and to share opinions, positive and negative, on all things surgical, energy, and non surgical in Aesthetic Medicine. I made a plea for safety first, avoid aggressive treatments that alter graceful enhancement and related aging. I picked up some useful pearls on the use of lasers, I plan to bring these home! We all seem to be in agreement that aging is more than just sagging skin, it is a mix of volume loss-the balloon has lost some air, drooping of the tissue around the facial muscles, and wrinkling of the skin. Any successful cosmetic treatment has to include all three pieces of the puzzle-volume, droop, and skin! I am at the airport in Orange county now thinking of using my Ulthera-the ultrasound tissue tightener- in areas that I have injected filler. We may see even more improvement with the technology! These are some of the ideas at hand, more to come....