Aging is a beautiful journey in many ways. As we grow older, our entire perspective on life – and how we live it – can improve. On the other side of all the joys that wisdom and memories bring are the problems created by all the squinting, laughing, crying, and frowning we have done while creating those memories. Of the various signs of aging, it may be sagging jowls that concern you the most. If that is the case, know that this is a problem you can address with personal care from your Bryn Mawr cosmetic surgeon. And there’s good news! Your treatment may not have to involve surgery!

Jowls: Why we Get Them

When we are young, the skin and superficial tissue beneath it drape nicely across the bone structure of the cheeks and upper face. With age, these tissues become weaker due to the loss of collagen and elastin in their matrix. From the mid-thirties on, we also begin losing fat tissue from the pads that lie over the cheekbones. With less substructure to support it, the skin starts to fall. Where does it go? To the lowest part of the face, the jawline.

Aging isn’t the only reason that a person may start to notice sagging skin and tissue across the lower face. In some instances, jowls develop as a result of weight loss. We know! That doesn’t seem fair at all! Depending on age and lifestyle, jowls may gradually decrease as skin naturally tightens. However, if too much elasticity has been lost, a little help will be in order.

How to Minimize Jowls

There are two ways in which jowls can be tightened. In is through a surgical face lift, but that may not mean what you think. The other way to tighten sagging jowls is to encourage natural constriction and rebuilding with non-surgical laser technology.

• Precision Tx™ laser skin tightening involves treating superficial tissues with a Nd:YAG 1440 nm wavelength laser. The heat from the laser is controlled with the precision Thermaguide™ temperature control feature, which maintains surface temperature for greater comfort. Beneath the skin, heated fibroblasts are stimulated into production mode, and existing collagen fibers quickly contract for a tighter appearance.
• Facelift surgery does not have to involve the entire face. When jowls are the primary concern, a mid-face lift may be conducted to restore smoother, younger looking skin. Surgery is the best option for the correction of severe laxity.

Dr. Clayor also offers facelifts for men.

We can help you regain definition along the jawline. Contact our Bryn Mawr office at 610-527-4833.

One of the important details that we cover when treatment planning is how to prepare the body for plastic surgery. Patients discuss the use of medications and herbal supplements, and also are asked to curb certain lifestyle habits, such as alcohol and tobacco use. You would think that no questions would remain about the dangers of smoking before any surgical procedure. In fact, the advent of vaping has created more questions than ever. Here, we want to create a clearer picture.

General Surgeries and Smoking Risks

Studies on smokers and general surgery risks demonstrate a clear increase in the opportunity for complications to occur. Quitting, even weeks before surgery, significantly reduces this risk. Individuals who do not smoke are only half as likely to suffer complications after a general surgical procedure. Plastic surgery procedures are an entirely different beast.

Fine Line? Not so Much!

Research has determined that there is quite a bit of difference between a procedure such as a facelift and a general surgery such as an appendectomy. In many cases, general surgery procedures can seem more complicated due to the depth of intrusion into the body. When it pertains to potential complications, though, it is the superficial nature of plastic surgeries that creates risk – and not a small risk. Smoking increases surgical hazards by 600%!

Plastic surgeries that involve the creation of a skin flap are of particular interest because the section of skin that is only partially attached receives minimal circulation for the duration of the surgical procedure. One this tissue has been reattached, it requires optimal circulation and oxygenation to heal properly. Since smoking impedes oxygenation, patients are encouraged to stop using tobacco weeks before any plastic surgery procedure.

New Questions

So, the chemicals in cigarettes are bad for the body. What about vaping, the alternative to cigarette smoking? This is a great question, but one that cannot be completely answered at this time. Vaping means that nicotine is absorbed in the body. Smoke also enters the lungs, but in a slightly different form than cigarettes. That being said, the research on vaping is inconclusive due to the newness of this habit. Because we cannot confirm that vaping does not carry the same risks as smoking, patients are asked to quit this habit, as well, before cosmetic surgery.

Comfort and safety are two top priorities at Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery in Bryn Mawr. To schedule your consultation for cosmetic enhancement, call 610-527-4833.

As we grow older, we gain a lot of wisdom. That’s the upside of aging. The downside is that we may gain a few adversaries, too. One example is gravity. Looking at your 40- or 50-year-old reflection reveals the effects of time and nature. Skin naturally loses its elasticity and tightness. It becomes thin and loose and wrinkled, and this is problematic for many people. To restore a youthful facial appearance doesn’t take much, just the right approach to volume replacement.

Filling and Fine-Tuning

The large majority of facial rejuvenation treatments involve some dermal fillers. These products are well-known for their ability to smooth lines, plump lips, and cheeks, and fill in areas that have become hollow. Natural and synthetic fillers differ slightly in their overall performance, though the end goal is the same, to add structure where needed. Synthetic fillers such as Sculptra tend to last longer due to the formation of new collagen fibers, but they are receiving a good amount of competition from the new kid on the block: fat.

Fat: Making a Grand Entrance

Fat is usually something that frustrates people. “If only . . .” So many people we meet have uttered these words. If only fat could be taken from one area and put into another to make it more look better. At one time, this may have seemed like a pipe-dream, but not anymore. Fat injections are making a big impact in the field of aesthetic medicine, treating more than 50,000 patients each year at this point.

Fat injections offer certain advantages that cannot be attained with dermal fillers. The cells that are purified and separated out from a patient’s blood are a life force that does more than fill in lines, furrowed brows, and scars. The life force of these cells also creates a beautiful glow as newly introduced fat integrates with tissue in the treatment area. Above all, though, the longevity of this integrated fat is what truly makes this treatment special. Once assimilation has occurred, the results achieved with fat injections last permanently, affected only by the natural progression of age.

Fat transfer is not limited to facial rejuvenation. In our Bryn Mawr office, autologous fat provides an excellent substance for breast augmentation. Learn more about this innovative technique when you call 610-527-4833 for a consultation visit.

Across various aspects of life, we could describe the modern age as an era of instant gratification. There are exciting perks to this; we can reach into the pantry for food, whip up a meal in a matter of minutes, and we can even refresh our facial aesthetic in under an hour. Getting instantaneous results from cosmetic treatment can be very rewarding. We offer several procedures that provide immediate or expedited facial rejuvenation. Here’s what you need to know.

“Injectable” doesn’t mean Instant

It is easy to think that you can come into the office and walk out looking several years younger. In some cases, this is possible, but not always. There are a few ways in which wrinkle-reduction may be approached. The method that is most appropriate, even with injectables, will differ based on the type of wrinkle that needs correction.

Dermal Fillers for Smoother Skin

Dermal fillers may be one of the only ways to truly achieve immediate rejuvenation. These products, whether they are natural or synthetic, are designed to replace volume in the tissue beneath the skin. A natural filler, such as Juvederm, will do this with hyaluronic acid, sugar that attaches to water molecules to add moisture to certain parts of the body. When the cross-linked HA compounds bind to water beneath a wrinkle, that line plumps to surface level, restoring a youthful appearance. A synthetic filler like Sculptra deposits tiny molecules of a lab-made product, such as poly-L-lactic acid into a tissue to restore the foundation beneath the skin. The granules of acid in Sculptra also stimulate increased collagen production for long-lasting support.

Botox: Different Action, Same Goal

Botox is classified as a neuromodulator. This class of cosmetic injectables reduces signs of aging by interrupting communication between nerves and the brain, hence the term neuromodulator. Injections of either of these products prevent the transmission of acetylcholine, ultimately keeping the targeted muscle in a relaxed state. This action takes some time to reach full effect. So, while the face may begin to look refreshed within the day of treatment, final results are best noticed after about one week.

Kybella is a new injectable treatment that whittles away a double-chin. Multiple treatments are usually necessary for maximum effect, and results appear gradually over a few months. Wait time is a given, but results are well worth it.

Call 610-527-4833 to reach our Bryn Mawr office, where we are happy to consult with you about your aesthetic goals.

Liposuction is a well-known and very safe cosmetic surgery procedure that has helped millions of men and women achieve the contours they want. Over the years, the way that liposuction is performed, or with which technologies or technique, has changed to improve patient outcomes. For instance, laser or ultrasound-assisted liposuction may decrease bleeding and, therefore, post-operative bruising compared to the original liposuction technique.

Bruising is a natural side-effect of any surgery, as is swelling. Here are some details that you need to know to make your recovery process that much better.

Post-liposuction swelling is not a short-term side effect

After liposuction, tissue is in “settling” mode for many months. The bulk of post-operative swelling decreases during the first few weeks after surgery. However, the full extent of healing occurs much more gradually. Don’t worry. This does not mean that you will look swollen. The effects grow more and more subtle with time.

Expect ups and downs

Yes, there may be ups and downs regarding your feelings after cosmetic surgery, but we’re talking about swelling. After the first few weeks, when substantial healing takes place, you may notice that your surgical area appears more swollen on some days and less on others. A lot of the time, this boils down to physical movement. When you start moving more, areas of the lower body that have had liposuction, such as the thighs, may retain fluid for short periods of time. On the other hand, areas on the upper part of the body, such as the arms, may swell when movement is lacking. In either situation, elevating that part of the body can reduce the side effect.

Compression is your friend

One of the post-operative instructions that patients seem to dread, but end up loving, is compression. Compression garments support the tissues as they heal after liposuction, and may also secure drains if any are placed. The support that is obtained with compression eases swelling and can improve comfort.

Remember, recovery means rest. It means listening to your body, not pushing to resume physical activity. Doing so will increase swelling and also exacerbate the risk of bleeding.

Are you in the Bryn Mawr area and interested in learning more about liposuction? We’d love to speak with you. Call 610-527-4833.

There are so many reasons to be excited about the change of seasons. As much as we may enjoy cozying up to a warm fire on cold nights, there comes a time when all that merriment just gets, well, old. As we move toward Spring, what may be on many people’s minds is how they will look come bikini season. Even if you’re not one to don a two-piece, the changes in clothing styles from Winter to Summer is dramatic enough to make you do a double-take at your physique. Here, we want to offer some suggestions on how you can get a  head start on your summer body.

Time to Trim the Fat

There is an inherent shift that tends to occur during the cold-weather months: we eat more! This could occur in a few ways. It could be that we are enticed by all the tasty treats on buffet tables at holiday parties. It could be that we indulge in a few extra drinks here and there or a few extra cookies. It could be that we don’t overeat at all, but that we consume more calorie-dense foods to warm the soul throughout Winter. Whatever it is that drives us, Springtime is a great time to trim the fat, and diet and exercise alone may not do it.

Turning to your Philadelphia plastic surgeon for fat reduction doesn’t necessarily have to mean liposuction or abdominoplasty, though it could. At Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery near Philadelphia, patients may also explore body contouring options, such as SmartLipo.

SmartLipo is a gentle, minimally-invasive liposuction procedure that is performed on an outpatient basis using a local anesthetic. The involvement of laser energy melts the lipids in fat cells before extraction, creating a very conservative process.

We all like to look our best and to feel confident about our appearance. To consult with Dr. Claytor and our friendly, experienced team, call 610-527-4833.

There is no denying the popularity of breast augmentation. Even in the midst of changing trends related to body type, women continue to seek treatment that will restore, or achieve, the breast shape and volume that brings harmony to the physical form. While the current trend in breast augmentation is to fill out the shape with smaller implants rather than larger, more obvious profiles, this has had little to no effect on overall popularity.

Why Women Undergo Breast Augmentation Surgery

The reason that breast augmentation may continue to be one of the leading procedures in cosmetic plastic surgery is simple: the benefits are only partially physical. In most cases, the woman who enhances her body with breast implants gains a sense of confidence that had been missing. This seems to be true across the board, regardless of patient age.

And yet, one of the most common questions about breast augmentation is “am I too old / too young for implants?”

Breast Augmentation and Age

Women of all ages can undergo breast augmentation surgery. The minimum age requirement is 18. However, it is important to note that one must be over the age of 22 to receive silicone breast implants. Before this time, the FDA approves only saline implants. Aside from the minimum age, there are other considerations that are more telling than the number of candles on the last birthday cake. These include:

• Physical characteristics. Only breasts that have fully developed should be augmented, and you cannot place an age on this. One woman may have completed the developmental stage by the age of 18, whereas another woman may continue to develop for another few years. The benefit to waiting is knowing that the results of the enlargement procedure will not be altered by further growth, only by the progressive age-related changes to small breast size that occur over several years.
• A woman who has had breast implants can still breastfeed and should have no difficulty during pregnancy or the nursing period. This is not the issue. What patients do want to consider, though, is how the breasts will inherently change throughout the year or so of carrying, then birthing, then nursing a child.
• Psychological readiness. It has been so widely documented that breast enhancement can improve a woman’s sense of confidence that this fact can be misconstrued. The emotional benefits of cosmetic surgery are possible only when a woman already has a steady sense of herself, and this has little to do with age.

Would you like to know how your shape would improve with breast augmentation? Call our Bryn Mawr office at 610-527-4833.

A facelift for men and women who want to achieve a noticeable improvement in the youthfulness of their face, there is nothing like a facelift. With so many non-surgical treatments available today, it is easy to think that the concerns you have will be successfully corrected without surgery and its recovery period. Here, we want to point out the specific benefits that are available to facelift patients, one facial region at a time.

Cheeks

A facelift can improve the appearance of facial structure from the cheeks on down to the chin and jawline. As age depletes our stores of collagen, elastin, and other chemicals that support the foundation of a youthful face, we lose volume. Primarily, this is noticed in the mid-face. The cheeks no longer look round or sit high. In fact, they may seem to flatten out completely. During a facelift, the superficial layer of muscles beneath the skin is redraped. This adjustment reinstates some degree of fullness to the cheeks. To accentuate cheek contours, even more, we can add volume with autologous fat or with an appropriate dermal filler.

Nasolabial Folds

Also, a significant concern related to the mid-face aging process are the lines and creases that form between the nose and mouth. The nasolabial folds can become particularly deep, creating a perpetually sad or angry appearance. As the muscles across the mid-face are lifted, the appearance of the smile lines decreases. In some cases, it is necessary to fill in the remaining lines with dermal filler or fat to fully erase them.

The Jowls

When the cheeks flatten and hollow out, where does all that tissue go? It falls. You may have noticed that your jawline has lost its definition; that there are small pockets on each side of your face that hang ever-so-slightly (or quite a lot) downward. One of the primary benefits of facelift surgery is the increase in the sharpness of the angle across the jawline, achieved by removing excess tissue that accumulates against the mandible ligament.

In addition to sharpening the curve along the jaw line by correcting jowls, a facelift can also result in a smoother, better-contoured chin.

We love helping our patients regain confidence in their appearance. To learn more about our deep plane facelifts and facial rejuvenation procedures in our Bryn Mawr office, call 610-527-4833.

Sometimes, a little nipping and tucking is the best way to overcome the changes that have occurred over time. Yes, we can diet, and we gain a lot from eating healthy. The body also benefits from a good workout several days a week. However, if you’re one who struggles to get that midsection tight and toned, you may realize that there is more to this game than saying “no, thank you” to that extra cookie or that glass of wine. Falling short of your ideal shape doesn’t mean you have to settle. As you continue your healthy lifestyle, a tummy tuck could be exactly what you need to get over the finish line.

A Slimmer Waistline, and then what?

You probably know that abdominoplasty is just a compliment to your healthy living habits. This procedure had helped many men and women attain the taut tummy they lost when weight was gained, or when pregnancy occurred. So, following that nip and tuck, sit-ups seem like the logical next step, right? Yes, but not so fast. Let’s talk timing.

Abdominoplasty Recovery – Month 1

During the first month after abdominoplasty, there may be very little desire to work out. This is fine! Feeling poorly for lack of activity won’t do you any good. What you can do in the first several weeks after your procedure is fueled your body with healthy foods that are easily digested. Clearly, the blues can cause you to want to eat processed foods or other unhealthy options. For this reason, pre-cooked, home-made meals that you love are highly recommended. Just heat and serve, it doesn’t get much easier.

Regarding exercise, the most you may want to do is walk on a level surface. This does not mean hopping on the treadmill for hours on end – or at all! Pain medications could create a bit of instability, and the last thing you want is to take a tumble.

Abdominoplasty Recovery – Month 2 and Beyond

After about 4 to 6 weeks, some patients are rocking and rolling down their road to recovery. On the one hand, this is great, because who likes to feel sore and limited? On the other hand, though, feeling so good could be deceiving. You see, physical sensation is not a very good indicator of healing when it comes to abdominoplasty. The muscles and connective tissue that has been tightened will require up to 6 months to get back to 100% usability. And until these muscles are completely healed, they should not be used.

Your Best Bet

The safest protocol to follow after a tummy tuck is the one provided to you by your surgeon. If you have questions, we are here to support you in your recovery. If you want to learn more about the tummy tuck procedure, call our Bryn Mawr office at 610-527-4833.

Change. It’s a constant we can count on. This is especially evident as it relates to fashion. As Heidi Klum says: “one day you’re in, and the next day, you’re out.” Trends change from one season to the next, and we are inundated with images of how we should look; women, in particular. While we stay at the forefront of trends in cosmetic surgery and non-surgical procedures, we also see the importance of timeless beauty.

Why Beauty should be Personal

If you look back over the past 30 years alone, you will see a vast difference in how the majority of women present themselves. To drive this point about trends home, we’re going to go back to the turn of the Century – and not the most recent one!

• The early 1900s woman wanted to look like The Gibson Girl, a shapely figure that was impossible to obtain without the use of a breath-stealing corset. Essentially, the waist-trainer of its day.
• By the 1920s, the adoration of the Gibson Girl was moved toward the all-but-shapeless flapper, whose fringed dress was the center of attention.
• World War II brought changes of its own. Namely, a trend toward a stronger, more angular woman – shoulder pads and pointed bra and all!
• The aggressive fashion of the 1940s melted into the Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe shapes of the fifties, and then into the Twiggy figure – or lack thereof, in the 60s.
• Twiggy-esque model Kate Moss brought back the love for petite, waif-like women in the 90s.

Can you pinpoint today’s cosmetic surgery trend?

According to People Magazine, we are in the era of the booty. Officially, People called it the Year of the Butt. However, the desire to be bootylicious sprouted in 2010!

Why Trendwatching in Plastic surgery is Vital

Many people love following trends. However, this is best left to fashion, not to your choices in plastic surgery. The historical review of what was deemed beautiful throughout the last 100 years demonstrates that this current booty-loving trend will end. And then, it will come back around again. That’s just how it goes.

Cosmetic plastic surgery is about you. It’s about bringing out the best in your figure, not following a trend or perceived idea of beauty. Let’s talk about how we can help you reveal your personal glamour. Call 610-527-4833.