Every year for the past several years running, millions of people have been getting Botox injections. This product, the original injectable anti-ager, has been well-studied and widely used in its decades-long life. Within that time, we have seen good Botox – a lot of it. We have also seen effects that can only be described as going too far. The sensational nature of modern-day media makes these situations available for all to see. If there is even one high-profile celebrity you can point to and say “too far,” there is a chance that you may be avoiding Botox treatment due to a false perception of what it might do to your face. We’d like to discuss this.
Let’s see Botox for What It Really Is
Botox is one of the most popular non-surgical treatments for a reason; for several reasons, actually. Botox is commonly used to reduce the appearance of frown lines and crow’s feet. Botox can correct a downturned mouth and eliminate mild to moderate neck bands. This injectable is also one of the best ways to raise eyebrows that have started to droop. In lifting the brow line subtly, Botox is an excellent treatment for men and women interested eyelid rejuvenation related to the sagging brow. More recently, we have seen younger patients seek Botox. Their reason? They want to get ahead of the aging process by gently softening muscular tension on the upper face.
When referring to Botox, it is important to realize that some stories are nothing more than sensationalism. Yes, some individuals have gone too far with their treatments. This happens with dermal fillers and cosmetic surgery, too. Many of the mishaps that happened with Botox occurred during early use when injectors were learning the nuances of treatment and how each patient may respond differently. Today, we’ve got a much deeper understanding of Botox and what it can do.
Natural is the Norm
Millions of people are still getting Botox on a regular basis because it works. It’s an incredibly effective alternative to surgical facial rejuvenation procedures. In our office near Philadelphia, Botox treatments are performed only after thoughtful discussion about the desired result. Our conservative approach to treatment achieves natural results – that’s just the norm. For more information on Botox, call 610-527-4833.
One of the biggest complaints that we hear has nothing to do with lines and wrinkles; it has to do with the falling of the lower face. The loss of volume in the cheeks and the loss of collagen to support dermal thickness and firmness eventually leads to a collection of tissue at the jawline. This decrease in firmness may be one of the most obvious signs of aging to occur on the face. Historically, surgical facelifts has been the go-to method of raising tissue. Not anymore.
In our Philadelphia office, we frequently consult with patients who want to restore a more youthful appearance without a surgical lift. The widespread assumption is that the alternative to a non-surgical facelift is to reduce signs of aging with injectables. There is an in-between, and it may be exactly what you’re looking for. We are proud to offer lower facelifts using the PrecisionTxTM method.
PrecisionTx for Precision Results
The turkey neck, double-chin, and jowls that may develop with age can present an enormous challenge regarding self-confidence. To correct them with surgery typically means a few weeks of downtime. The PrecisionTx method of lower face lifting utilizes safe and effective laser energy. The Nd:YAG 1440-nm wavelength laser used during the single, hour-long procedure targets the fat and connective tissue that sits superficially beneath the surface of the skin.
To target these two aspects of the dermis requires only a few tiny incisions that, when healed, are not noticeable. No general anesthesia is necessary due to the small size of incisions and also due to the gentleness of the procedure overall. Through each incision, a tiny probe is inserted across the jawline. This probe emits powerful laser energy inward, toward fat cells that have accumulated beneath the chin and at the jowls. The liquefied fat is then removed through the small cannula. Dr. Claytor will then rotate the probe to target connective tissue, where fibroblasts live. These cells produce collagen. When stimulated by laser energy, their activity increases so, over time, collagen strands beneath the skin become tighter and stronger.
Schedule a Consultation
If you want longer-lasting results than what is possible with injectables, but you’re not ready for a surgical facelift, come by our office to explore the in-between. Call 610-527-4833 for your appointment to learn more about the PrecisionTx laser facelift in Philadelphia.
Facial aging isn’t characterized only by the appearance of lines and creases on the forehead or around the nose and mouth. Over time, what begins to plague many of the men and women we meet is expressed more like this: “my face is falling.” You may know what we’re talking about and, if you do, you know the frustration well.
Many of our patients say they don’t mind a few wrinkles here and there. They realize that subtle laugh lines and crow’s feet actually give the face character. What concerns them is the way tissue drapes facial skeletal structure in a droopier fashion than it had in the past. Patients can accomplish this extent of change in the appearance of the face in one of two ways: with facial surgery, or without. The question is, which approach is right for you?
A Look at the “Liquid Facelift”
Since the development of injectables like Botox and Juvederm, there has been no looking back at the way things used to be. Facial aging is not something we take anymore. We act early, and we act consistently to diminish problems like volume loss and sagging jowls. Why wouldn’t we when treatments are so easy?
The term “liquid facelift” describes a process that rejuvenates the face using injectable solutions. Botox or other neuromodulators relax muscles around the eyes and across the forehead, giving a lifted appearance to the eyes. This same mechanism of muscle-relaxation can turn the corners of the mouth upward, as well. Finally, the vial holds solutions to cheek flattening, undereye bags and dark circles, and a softening jawline. What stands out most to patients is that treatment immediately refreshes their appearance. Additionally, there is no downtime, bruising, swelling, or scarring to contend with.
But is that enough?
We are happy to accommodate patients’ wishes for non-surgical treatments, and we are familiar with the numerous benefits of injectable facial rejuvenation. At the same time, we recognize certain situations for which a liquid facelift may not be appropriate. A primary factor in the success of treatment is the condition of the skin. Injectable cannot improve the appearance of skin that has become moderately lax and loose. For this concern, a surgical facelift may be the most appropriate treatment. In addition to lifting skin and superficial tissue, a facelift also secures longer-lasting results.
Schedule a Consultation
Explore the many options for facial rejuvenation available in our Philadelphia area office. Call 610-527-4833.
When you’re excited about having breast augmentation, the last thing you might want to do is think about potential complications. At the same time, there is no way to completely shut down to the idea that the path to a better body may not go exactly as planned. One of the important aspects of cosmetic surgery is that our patients are well-informed. Capsular contracture may be an uncommon complication of breast augmentation surgery, but it is one that we should discuss. When you know why this problem may occur and what we do about it, you can feel more peaceful as your surgery day approaches.
What is capsular contracture and why might it happen?
Capsular contracture describes the formation of scar tissue around an implant. In some cases, it is unilateral, affecting only one implant. There is a chance, though, that scar tissue may develop around both implants. The problem with capsular contracture is that, if tissue thickens enough, the shape of the affected breast may become distorted. In severe cases, which are rare, the pressure of tissue against implants may be painful.
The development of capsular contracture does not mean that you have done anything wrong in your post-operative journey. It also does not mean your body will reject implants forever. According to studies, capsular contracture seems to occur when there is an irritant in the area of the implant. This can be difficult to avoid completely because that irritant could be bacteria or it could be blood. One of the natural processes of healing is the increase of circulation to the surgical site. If bacteria are in the blood, it may travel to the breast implant.
Do I need to treat capsular contracture?
Understandably, patients want to know if treatment will be necessary to treat scar tissue around the breasts. The answer varies from patient to patient because no case of capsular contracture is the same. If scar tissue is minor and causing subtle firmness but no deformity, no surgical treatment may be necessary.
Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery typically recommends breast augmentation revision to correct capsular contracture when the breast has obvious deformities due to scar tissue, or when pain is present. The revision surgery involves the removal of thickened tissue and repositioning of a new implant in the pocket, or envelop of tissue that has been created for support.
The risk of capsular contracture is between 1 and 2%, which is minimal in comparison to the advantages of breast augmentation. To learn more about this procedure and how we perform it, call our Bryn Mawr office at 610-527-4833.
Red Carpet season is one that some people look forward to more than they do Bikini Season. The dresses, the hair, the skin, oh my! We love to admire the ladies and gentlemen of the big and small screens, and there is no better time to do so than during this season of awards shows. Some people go so far as to host parties during which the main event is watching the Red Carpet. Whether you are one of these people or now, we can imagine that this season of beauty sparks a bit of interest in being Red Carpet Ready just because.
It’s never a bad idea to give your skin a boost. Here are a few ways we can help you tighten facial skin, give your skin a boost, and get that enviable glow!
Microneedling
Microneedling is often referred to as an “organic facelift,” due to its natural effects on the appearance of the skin. The process of microneedling doesn’t just change the appearance of the skin; it improves skin health and overall structure, which is the ultimate goal. During treatment, tiny sterile needles create micro puncture wounds in the skin. The depth of these channels can be adjusted based on skin thickness. After these tiny channels are created, collagen production increases to “heal” these perceived injuries. Over time, this proliferation restructures the foundation that keeps skin lifted, thick, and firm.
Microneedling may not be a treatment you want to schedule the day of a big event. Give yourself a good week for redness and swelling to completely subside and for your radiant new self to shine through.
Dermal Fillers
There are a few treatments that provide immediate results, and dermal fillers are probably the most popular. Sure, chemical peels and customized facials can brighten and tighten up the skin, creating a smooth surface for makeup. Dermal fillers, though, these powerhouse products can erase undereye bags in less than 30 minutes. A dermal filler treatment can rejuvenate the eyes, the mouth, the hands, or the entire face. All without downtime and with minimal side effects, if any.
We’ve got a plethora of treatment options for bringing out the best in your skin, face, and body. To learn more, schedule a consultation in our Bryn Mawr office by calling 610-527-4833.Treatment can often be conducted in that same visit.
Long before most people set up an appointment with their cosmetic surgeon, they spend hours on the internet, scouring for information related to the cosmetic procedure they intend to have. This is an interesting pattern, this quest for solid, reliable information. What patients often discover is that their initial efforts on their path to look and feel their best is only partially fruitful. They may obtain the details they seek, but end up with a bit of a surprise once they are in the cosmetic surgeon’s office. Here’s how that may go.
Take my fat, please!
One of the most common complaints uttered in the plastic surgery office is related to unwanted fat. In many cases, the extra fat that is refusing to whittle away with diet and exercise is located around the midsection. It makes a lot of sense to consider how liposuction might help this situation. Once in the office, it may come as a surprise to learn that all you need is a little skin and tissue tightening. Liposuction is beneficial for patients for whom unwanted fat is the only issue. If the skin has become lax, and if muscles have stretched during pregnancy or due to weight, liposuction alone isn’t like to achieve the ultimate goal, which is a flat, taut midsection.
Neck Lift or Facelift?
In recent years, neck lift procedures have gained ground on the Most Popular lists of plastic surgery. There is merit to a good neck lift; this procedure can restore a bit of the angular nature to the chin area, and can eliminate crepey skin and horizontal bands. What a neck lift can’t do is refine the jaw line, and this is what surprises many people. If your ultimate goal is to take a few years off your neck, but you also have jowls that you’d like to reduce, a facelift or face and neck lift combination will likely be the recommendation. The key lies in how severe jowls are and how long you want results to last.
Cosmetic surgery is truly a personal matter, from beginning to end. We are thoughtful about working with patients to understand their desired end-result, and bringing what they imagine to reality. Don’t learn only about certain procedures, learn about the various ways your plastic surgeon can help you look the way you want. Call our Bryn Mawr office at 610-527-4833.
There are a number of particulars about the average woman’s life that could lead her to feel dissatisfied with her shape. The breasts, being integral to a sense of femininity for many women, are a common area of concern that we address with personalized care. A longstanding belief about breast surgery has been that volume through the insertion of breast implants is the best way to correct all problems associated with deflation. This isn’t necessarily the case for all women. Here, we want to delve into what happens with the breasts and how breast lift surgery may be the most beneficial approach in some cases.
Breast deflation may occur for so many reasons. For some women, it has to do with breastfeeding and the hormonal changes that happened during pregnancy. Sometimes, breast changes are a matter of weight variances that may arise. And, of course, these factors add to the aging process, which depletes the skin all over the body of the collagen that keeps it firm and resilient. Add these things up and you have the perfect recipe for very specific problems, such as:
Fallen Breasts
There are many memes and cartoons and jokes made about the position of a woman’s breasts. On the technical side of things, we see that breasts sit high up on the chest wall when a woman is younger. Over time, the height of tissue changes. One reason this may happen is the loss of collagen we mentioned. Without adequate support, the weight of breast tissue pulls downward, actually stretching the skin ever-so-slightly.
Deflated Breasts
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are especially important to this problem. During this time, a woman’s breasts can enlarge up to a few cup sizes. This inflation is only temporary, though, caused by weight increase, hormones, and breastmilk. Eventually, most women experience a subsequent deflation, which often coincides with a change in shape. Breasts that are deflated have more volume at the bottom region. They may narrow at the sides and begin to look tubular.
Nipple Problems
Not every woman notices a change in the direction of her nipples, but this is still a relatively common complaint. A downward turn has to do with the volume increase at the bottom of the breast and the skin laxity that occurs without the support of healthy collagen.
Before & After Gallery
Dr. Brannon Claytor uses advanced techniques to provide natural-looking outcomes. See the results for yourself in our patient gallery.
Breast Lift to the Rescue!
Breast lift surgery can correct each of these concerns without the need for breast implants, just by repositioning the tissue that acts as an envelop for the fat cells that make up the breasts. Discover what a breast lift or mommy makeover can do for you. Call our Bryn Mawr office at 610-527-4833.
We don’t learn early enough in life just how delicate the skin around our eyes is. Therefore, we rub and lose sleep and get dehydrated and expose ourselves to UV rays from the sun more often than we really should. Eventually, the cumulative effects of our habits show up in the form of sagging, aging skin around the eyes. This can feel catastrophic sometimes, especially when bagging and sagging eyelids look severe. Here, we want to discuss what causes certain eyelid concerns and how we can tailor treatment, so you achieve the results you want.
Concern #1 – Undereye Bags
Many men and women notice that the skin under their eyes starts to look puffy at some point. This doesn’t always relate to age, either. We meet lots of people who are in their twenties and thirties who struggle with a persistently tired appearance caused by bags. Where puffiness stems from is the fat that lies beneath the surface. Overlying skin and superficial tissue are meant to hold this fat in place, but it doesn’t always achieve this.
Resolve undereye bags with blepharoplasty. One of the best ways to treat moderate to severe undereye puffiness is with blepharoplasty. This surgical eyelid rejuvenation tightens the tissue that secures fat, excising what isn’t needed. Dermal fillers can also improve appearance. However, periodic treatments are necessary to maintain results.
Concern #2 – Dark circles and Hollowing Beneath the Eyes
With age and environmental stressors, the fat that usually rounds out the upper cheeks loses height. Degradation in collagen strands lets this tissue fall lower on the face. As a result, some people notice that their undereye area begins to look dark and hollow.
Resolve undereye hollowing with dermal fillers. This temporary solution is popular because it is convenient and affordable. Dermal fillers such as Juvéderm® can decrease darkness by adding volume to superficial tissue beneath the eyes and across the upper cheek. The added volume is made up of water molecules that bind to the hyaluronic acid in the product. Another option for longer lasting results is to fill out the mid face area with fat. Fat transfer, or facial fat injections, is quickly becoming the gold standard for folks who want to eliminate the need for ongoing maintenance.
Because the eyelid skin is so fragile, there are several concerns that may coincide with age-related changes. We have treatments that can correct hollowness and bags, crepe-like skin, crow’s feet, drooping brows, and more. Learn more about our Bryn Mawr office. Call 610-527-4833.
A few months ago, we were approached by a talented friend who just happens to be a phenomenal photographer; he loved our “real patient” campaign and offered to create and shoot an ad campaign for the practice. It was a bit overwhelming at first, and I wasn’t sure it was something I could sink my teeth into, but in the end, it was too unique and exciting an opportunity to pass up. After working on the Ad agencies’ sketches with Vincent, the photographer, and approving the campaign, we would be heading out to LA with two patients to shoot in a studio there. The trick, I thought, would be to find patients willing to have their faces in print media throughout our local area. The advertising agency and the photographer seemed to be even more excited about the project than I. They are so sure that the campaign will share our message with creativity, humor and style. In fact, the campaign will likely be heading to the Cannes Lion Festival this summer.
Finding patients was far easier than I thought! Though two were nervous, the first three people we asked agreed to participate in the campaign!
I was on the phone on a Friday afternoon with one of the patients who had agreed to participate in the photo shoot. Deb is turning 64; she is reserved, and had had a revision necklift and a tummy tuck. She wasn’t at all sure that flying out to LA to shoot an ad campaign was something she would be good at. She was worried she wasn’t going to be “enough.” In explaining what her role would be in the shot, I explained that our goal was to share the motto of “look the way you feel.” After she heard the details of the ad agency’s sketch, Deb was quiet. “Do you have any questions or concerns?” I asked. Deb’s response was interesting, “Do they know I’m almost 64? Does the photographer think he’s photographing someone who is flawless, because I’m not.”
I was so glad she’d asked the question. “Deb”, I responded, “they know our mission is to celebrate the beauty in our patients. When we decided to do this project, the agency created a campaign that would underscore situations where even if you’re at the grocery store, you feel like a million bucks. We want to celebrate each individual looking the best he or she can at whatever age they are. We want our patients to know they are special, valued and beautiful – no matter how old they might be.”
I could hear the relief in Deb’s voice as she said, “ then I’d love to do it! It sounds like fun, and I’m so grateful that you think I would be a great fit for this. Thank you!” Of course, I am the grateful one, grateful that our patients are willing to put their best face forward and celebrate themselves, the practice and the art of aging gracefully.
Beauty, as we all know, comes from that essence emanating from an individual who feels she – or he- looks as confident, youthful and attractive as she feels. People who feel confident and happy exude a sense of beauty that plastic surgeons aspire to help them achieve. They have no desire to look like someone else; they simply want to look their very best at whatever age they happen to be.
We wanted to capture the happiness of our patients in a moment in time so that other potential patients would see someone they could relate to, not a photoshopped beauty of an unattainable age with flawless features – a real mom, a mature executive, a grandma, a twenty-something who has been perseverating over a flaw finally erased.
Our patients seemed to enjoy our first photo shoot experience last year, but I wondered how they felt a year out as I began to schedule this year’s shoot. I ran into a patient recently who had participated in the shoot last spring and asked how she felt a year out; her face lit up! “You know,” she said, “my surgery was a year and a half ago. I am so happy, and I could not have asked for a better surgeon or team. Every time someone asks me about my surgery, I tell them how it has changed my life and I send them to the website to see me on it!” Another woman who had participated in that photo shoot said, “I loved it! It was fun and the photographer was great.”
And she would do it again. Nicole agreed to be the model for our photo shoot at the local Ferrari dealership for our Open House– shy, nervous, funny turns sassy. With 7 children at home – including a set of quads! – having fun with the photographer and the cars, she became a natural in front of the camera. She was the face of the practice for our Ferrari Open House, and we are so grateful!
We celebrate the beauty of our patients – not canned, not determined by Hollywood or style magazines, but the real beauty that shines when an individual feels it in her core. I am still amazed that the only posts that receive any reaction are those with real patients, real news, real videos from our Doctor. So the photos and stories that patients are willing to share are truly priceless.
We’ve made it through the holiday season, and may now want to go into coast-mode to give our mind and body time to recover. For many people, this temporary cocooning lasts until Springtime when, suddenly, they realize summer is just around the corner. If this has been your historical mode of operation, this year may be the time to make a meaningful change. Instead of letting the advent of summer call on you with warm weather, start thinking now about the concerns your normally face as the temperature rises. Here’s an example: finally say goodbye to the outdated beauty regimen of shaving and plucking.
Laser Hair Removal is a Great Wintertime Treatment
Unwanted hair creates the hassle for many people. Shaving takes too much time, and may even be uncomfortable due to awkward positions and that little problem called razor bumps. Laser hair removal is an advantageous treatment that continues to be popular among adults of all ages. From the legs to the bikini area to the back and face, laser hair removal gets the job done once and for all. What a relief to think about having smooth skin all summer long, every summer, from here on out!
It isn’t just the potential for smooth skin that makes now a great time to schedule laser hair removal in our Bryn Mawr office. There are aspects of this process that make winter a perfect time to dive in:
- For optimal results, up to 12 treatments may be needed. These are scheduled weeks apart to allow new hair to enter into the follicles that are slowly being incapacitated for future hair growth. This means the entire process may take place over a couple of months. Summer is not the time you want to do this.
- Lasers are more efficient on the paler skin and darker hair. During the dead of winter, when virtually no one is lying around in the sun, our skin naturally lightens by several shades. This situation is the perfect setup for optimal hair removal using the latest laser technology.
- A suntan of any kind, even from a bottle or professional spray-tan booth will inhibit the efficiency of laser hair removal. During winter, we’ve pretty covered up anyway, so going without a sunless tanner for a few months doesn’t feel like we are being deprived. In the end, the reward is smooth and glowing skin.
- Laser energy gets absorbed into hair follicles, and this creates a bit of photosensitivity in the skin being treated. This may be one of the most important reasons to schedule laser hair removal long before summer when there is a stronger urge to warm the body under the sun’s rays.
Why wait? Contact us online to schedule your laser hair removal treatment or call 610-527-4833.