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Allergan, Maker of Botox, Sees Sales Increases
Shoppers are returning to optional goods and services, like designer jewelry and cosmetic procedures as the economy begins to show signs of a rebound in Denver and around the country, according to a Wall Street Journal article. While lower-income individuals may still be shying away from “elective” spending, those whose investments are looking up are returning to cosmetic procedures, like those made by Allergan, to help their faces look as healthy as their pocketbooks.
Allergan, which produces cosmetic treatments like Botox, which reduces wrinkles and Latisse to promote eyelash growth, as well as breast implants, saw sales of its products rise in the last quarter—breast implant revenue was up 10%, while Botox sales rose 4%. While in the past, 50% of Allergan’s breast implant revenue came from individuals using credit, as estimated in the article, the estimate for today is lower—between 30-40%. This likely means consumers whose pocketbooks are healthy have returned to cosmetic procedures while those who are still struggling, are avoiding using their credit lines to purchase these treatments or are simply cutting back.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Mouchantat offers a variety of non-surgical cosmetic treatments in his Denver practice.
Unemployed Turn to Cosmetic Procedures for Assistance
With unemployment rates still lingering around 10%, many people are working hard to give their professional lives and resumes a lift. Some savvy individuals in Denver and elsewhere, however, are turning to a somewhat less conventional method for getting back into the workforce—cosmetic surgery.
According to the Chicago Tribune, older workers are considering a “nip and tuck to stay competitive in the job market.” Because most job seekers have limited income and less time to spend on a cosmetic treatment, minimally invasive procedures are the most popular.
Brief treatments like Botox or Dysport can reduce visible wrinkles and fine lines on the face, shaving years off your appearance. Other injectables like Restylane or Juvederm involve little downtime and can quickly correct wrinkles caused by reduced skin volume, conditions that can prematurely age you.
Skin renewal treatments like light chemical peels can often refresh the face with little to no downtime. With a chemical peel, dead, dull surface skin is removed, encouraging the production of new skin cells resulting in a more vibrant looking you.
While non-surgical treatments continue to grow in popularity, they can’t compare to the results of facial rejuvenation surgery. Blepharoplasty can reduce puffy and drooping eyelids, while a facelift can tighten the sagging tissues that make you look older. Surgery does require more downtime, but the latest minimally invasive surgery techniques can help you get back to your routine as quickly as possible.
Although cosmetic procedures might help one jumpstart his or her career, it pays to seek out a qualified surgeon that won’t try to sell you a procedure you don’t need or can’t afford.
Last year, a Medspa in the D.C. area announced a promotion of free Botox for the unemployed. Dr. Christopher Hess, a plastic surgeon near Washington D.C., questioned their motives. He wrote on his blog, “Why would anyone try to attract patients that clearly don’t have any disposable income to buy products that require disposable income?” Because “spas are businesses that look at the bottom line first and patient care later on,” he concludes.
Ultimately, the decision to undergo a cosmetic procedure, as well as the motives behind it, remains solely up the individual and what benefits they hope to gain from the procedure.
Subscribe to Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Mouchantat’s email list to learn about upcoming specials that can make treatments even more affordable.
Study Evaluates Alloderm for Prevention of Breast Reconstruction Complications
A recent study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery examines the use of accellular cadaveric dermis (ACD) as an alternative to the total sub-muscular approach in breast reconstruction. During the breast reconstruction study, an Alloderm ACD – a bioengineered tissue substitute – created a “retaining envelope” for the breast implant, which was hypothesized to reduce the risk of capsular contracture.
Capsular contracture is a possible complication with some breast implant patients, occurring when scar tissue tightens around the implant. The cause of capsular contracture is unknown, but inflammatory reaction is thought to be a related problem. Doctors predicted that ACD could work by decreasing the typical inflammatory response that occurs around the breast implant.
Dr. Bob Basu, along with colleagues Dr. Mimi Leong and Dr. John Hicks, assessed the results of twenty breast cancer patients (average age 47) who underwent two-stage breast reconstruction.
During the two-stage breast reconstruction procedures, the ACD was attached in the breast crease as well as the pectoral muscle. The surgeons then created a space for the tissue expander, the lower part of which was covered by the ACD. After a few months, they removed the tissue expander and replaced it with a breast implant.
Between the procedure stages, Dr. Basu and his colleagues performed biopsies of the integrated ACD, along with histopathologic analysis. They found that, compared to the control group, the samples from the ACD showed significantly reduced levels of granulation tissue formation, among other positive differences.
The doctors concluded that ACD may impede capsule formation, thus possibly inhibiting capsular contracture. Although the findings of this study make a promising case for the continued use of bioengineered tissue in breast reconstruction, Dr. Basu stresses that it is only a snapshot of a process that takes place over several years, and further investigation is necessary to determine the effectiveness of ACD in eliminating capsular contracture.
Plastic Surgery on Some Aussies' Christmas Lists
As the Christmas holiday approaches, the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons has seen a spike in cosmetic surgery procedures, according to a story in the Herald Sun.
Since the holiday season is often an artificial deadline for some people, says Peter Callahan, the president of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, people are increasingly checking cosmetic surgeries off their to-do lists.
The most popular treatments this time of year for Aussies are breast augmentation, various fillers, like Restylane, available in the US, and anti-wrinkle treatments, like Botox.
According to cosmetic surgeon Anoop Rastogi, the boom in procedures lasts from September to February, during which time Rastogi says he performs twice the amount of breast augmentations for the rest of the year combined.
Another in-demand procedure is rhinoplasty, often selected by students preparing to attend university.
Despite the popularity of many cosmetic procedures around the holidays, Rastogi warns against giving the gift of a new face or body. Rastogi says the patient should be electing to go under the knife because they want to, not because a loved one encouraged them to.
As with cosmetic surgeries performed year-round, Rostagi stresses the importance of finding a qualified surgeon and having realistic expectations about the outcome.
To keep a New Year’s resolution to get more beautified, contact Dr. Mouchantat in his Denver-area practice, and ask about procedures offered throughout the year.
UK Survey Finds More Women Over 50 Choosing Plastic Surgery
One in three women said they are concerned enough with their appearance that they would consider plastic surgery, according to a UK survey covered in the Daily Mail. The sample from the survey included 3,000 women ages 40 to 65 and asked questions about specific procedures as well as the ideal celebrity appearance for women of a certain age.
Women over 40 selected model Twiggy as “the perfect advertisement” for women over 60. Meanwhile, editor of Saga Magazine, Emma Soames, who carried out the survey said Helen Mirren (and her well-publicized bikini photographs) put pressure on older women to look a certain way.
Perhaps photos like that, as well as a personal desire for increased self-confidence, are what push some women to consider plastic surgery. According to the survey, one-fifth of the women between 40 and 60 said they would get a facelift to combat signs of aging, while nearly a third said they would choose to look 20 years younger over being a millionaire.
Additionally, a quarter of the women surveyed expressed interest in an eyelift procedure, nearly one-third said they desired a tummy tuck and 29% who said they would not go under the knife favored Botox and chemical peels to appear younger.
More than just cosmetic procedures, the survey found women spend an average of £137 ($216) per year on anti-aging creams. Women over 50 are five times more likely to wear padded bras than their mothers at the same age, according to the survey, and 62% of women surveyed feel they are judged more harshly on appearance than previous generations.
The survey highlights a growing interest and acceptance of plastic surgery procedures, not only in the UK, but also around the world. To learn more about the increasing popularity of many of these procedures, contact Dr. Mouchantat in his Denver practice.
Breast Cancer Survivor Learns of Implant Alternatives
More and more women who have had mastectomies are learning their breast reconstruction options stretch far beyond the traditional implant, according to a CNN story.
In the case of Elizabeth Anderson, one month after learning she had breast cancer in April 2009, Anderson underwent a double mastectomy. Though Anderson initially believed the only option she had for reconstructing her breasts was through the use of implants, she later learned about bilateral breast reconstruction. In this procedure, skin and fat are grafted from another area of the body, the buttocks in Anderson’s case, and used to create a new breast.
Prior to the surgery, Anderson had been wearing breast prostheses and not only found them to be cumbersome, but also struggled emotionally with the loss of her breasts. Given that she had undergone radiation therapy as part of her cancer treatment, Anderson’s doctor did not recommend breast implants.
When she learned about bilateral breast reconstruction from another radiologist, Anderson shared her new discovery with other breast cancer survivors, who also had not heard of the option.
That’s believable given that the American Society of Plastic Surgeons says only three in ten women are fully aware of their breast reconstruction options. According to many professionals, communication in the medical field must increase.
Dr. Ann Partridge, clinical director of the Breast Oncology Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said, “Medicine is not a solo-practitioner profession anymore; we need to work as teams for a better outcome.”
Still, the story has a happy ending for Anderson who, when speaking about her surgery says, “It’s amazing what doctors can do today. I’m absolutely thrilled I can just be normal. That’s all I want, is to be normal again.”
Contact Dr. Mouchantat in Denver, CO for more information about breast reconstruction.
Botox and Fillers Require a Trained Hand for Safe Treatment
The prevalence and frequency of the use of facial injectables has influenced some individuals to believe they can administer these drugs themselves—without a Ph.D. While wrinkle and facial fillers like Botox can be safely administered by a doctor, some untrained people have found ways to procure the drugs online and are choosing unwisely to take matters into their own hands in an effort to save a little money.
According to the Courier Post Online, Lynn Tibbets, a woman from New Jersey ordered Restylane treatments online from Canada and Switzerland over the course of two years. While she initially performed the injections herself without major issue, on one occasion she injected too much Restylane, which resulted in a large donut-shaped accumulation on her face.
Luckily, Tibbets’ doctor was able to remove the mass without much issue, but Tibbets decided the cost savings of ordering facial injectables online did not outweigh the risks to her health.
Though using injectable fillers is not a surgical procedure, the process still requires the proper training and skill that a doctor possesses and should only be performed by a professional to achieve the desired result safely.
Contact Dr. Mouchantat’s office in Denver, CO for information on a variety of safe, professional injectable treatments.
Survey Finds Mastectomy Patients Prefer Silicone Implants
Following breast cancer treatment and a possible mastectomy, patients have many continued treatment options moving forward. If the patient has undergone a partial or full mastectomy, she may choose to undergo breast reconstruction and make the decision to have breast implants to restore the breast.
A recent survey published in the journal Cancer found that women who had undergone a mastectomy and chose silicone implants were more satisfied with the result than those who had chosen saline implants. The survey included nearly 500 North American women who had undergone a double mastectomy; 176 chose silicone implants, while 306 chose saline implants.
“We now know that women who elect to proceed with the placement of a silicone implant report higher satisfaction with their reconstructed breasts than those who choose saline implants,” said Dr. Colleen McCarthy, a New York-based surgeon who led the survey.
McCarthy added, however, that patients should discuss implant options with their doctor as many factors play a role in what type of implant the patient may prefer. She reiterated that patient satisfaction is high when it comes to postmastectomy implant-based reconstruction in general.
ASBPS and RealSelf.com create online community for prospective body contouring patients
While many individuals may immediately celebrate recent weight loss with a new bikini and a trip to the Bahamas, others will have to deal with the unintended side effects of such a change—excess skin. For those patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, often as a result of bariatric procedures such as gastric bypass, The American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons (ASBPS) and online community RealSelf.com have created a consumer resource. The new section of RealSelf.com focuses on body contouring procedures, with topics ranging from liposuction to tummy tucks.
Individuals seeking information and answers to questions are able to explore RealSelf.com and access discussions, ratings of various services and procedures and share in the online community with the ASBPS’ 134 surgeon members. This is a significant expansion of the online community previously offered by RealSelf.com for patients seeking authoritative guidance.
ASBPS President Edward J. Domanskis, M.D., F.A.C.S., pointed out that given the personal nature of this issue, patients often turn to online sources for guidance and he sees the ASBPS’ partnership with RealSelf.com “providing consumers with an easily accessible expert community, an open forum for discussion, and credible, of-the-moment resources.”
The RealSelf.com online community provides information on hundreds of cosmetic services and procedures and includes first-hand accounts, ratings, costs, before and after photos, videos and more. Consumer questions on the community have yielded over 100,000 answers from board-certified doctors.
FDA Approves Botox for Chronic Migraine Headaches
The Food and Drug Administration recently granted clearance for Botox to be used as a preventive treatment for chronic migraine headaches. Some speculate that the new approval could lead to therapeutic Botox treatments surpassing the number of cosmetic treatments.
People suffering from chronic migraines regularly experience an intense throbbing pain in one area of the head, a condition that’s often very debilitating. To help prevent migraines, Botox injections are administered every 12 weeks around the head and neck. The injections are only intended for treating severe headaches that occur more than 14 days in one month. Neurologists believe Botox migraine treatments may work by disrupting the transmission of pain signals to the nerve endings.
Some analysts say Botox sales will dramatically increase, while others remain unconvinced. According to an article in the New York Times some argue that “minimal” effectiveness and high cost will prevent Botox from being embraced by most doctors and patients.
Read the FDA press release
