Posted September 15, 2011 in Beauty, Blog, Plastic Surgery in the News, Uncategorized
“If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair, if you’re going to San Francisco, you’re gonna meet some gentle people there” Scott McKenzie
How many times have you visited San Francisco without singing a song about it in your mind? Whether Tony Bennett’s classic “I Left My Heart in SF”, Otis Redding’s “Sitting by the Dock of the Bay”, or as in my case Scott McKenzie’s Woodstock anthem to the City, I can’t visit the city without constantly humming a SF song.. The beauty of the city, it’s people, and it’s art galleries were the perfect setting for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive 2011 Annual Fall Meeting. Among the art in the Weinstein Gallery (383 Geary St.) was the Picasso sketch shown here. The sketch caught my eye as the man in the sketch seems to be intensely focused on the nose in the foreground. The attendees of the meeting were fortunate to be able to focus on the brilliant rhinoplasty “works” and techniques of master surgeons who shared their pearls of successful rhinoplasty. Co-chair Richard Davis, MD(Miami, FL) discussed the importance of preserving the cartilage of the lower lateral nasal cartilages, reiterating the old saying, “Rhinoplasty is Seen in the Eyes.” Beverly Hills, CA rhinoplasty surgeon Raj Kanodia, MD, emphasized that “Rhinoplasty is about refinement, not change. The character and integrity of the nose should be preserved.” Dr. Kanodia added that successful facial plastic surgery “…should be able to fool your mother’s eye.” In other words, our results should be very natural and ironically, not “plastic” in appearance.
The “Emerging Trends and Technologies” section included brief talks onUlthera, topical Botulinum Toxin, Selphyl, the use of “needle cannula for filler injections, Xeomin, “fat melting” injections, freezing the forehead motor nerveas an alternative treatment to Botox, and the advantages of using Dysportover Botox. In summary, Ulthera works as a non-surgical lifting and tightening treatment; topical Botox is likely 3 years away from being FDA approved; Selphyl results look okay at 4 weeks, but longer results were not shown or discussed; needle cannulas are safe and greatly decrease bruising from injections; Xeomin looks to be equivalent to Botox; fat melting injection studies are attempting to legitimize mesotherapy, and may have a role if proved to be safe; freezing the facial nerve that causes forehead wrinkles works for a few months and is an alternative for those who do not wish to have a “neurotoxin” such as Botox injected; and lastly, Dysport is as effective as Botox at a slightly lower cost.
Lectures and panels on all aspects of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery including rhinoplasty,facelifting, and eyelid surgery, were covered in detail by world experts. Additionally there were half day seminars on the latest in laser skin rejuvenation and live injection demonstrations of the current facial fillers including Sculptra, Restylane, Juvederm, and Radiesse.
Dr. Perskypresented his 4 year experience with Fraxel fractionated CO2 laser skin rejuvenation and treatment of acne scars. The biggest “buzz” of the meeting was the continuing trend towards non-invasive techniquesto treat the aging face. The “hottest” of these (no pun intended) is the increasing popularity of targeted ultrasound energy (Ulthera) to lift and tighten the face, neck, and eye brows. The injectable that is revolutionizing facial rejuvenation is Sculptra.
Peter Adamson, MD (Toronto) led “Contemporary Concepts of Facial Beauty…Beauty and Brains–What’s it All About?”, a panel including Wendy Lewis, Jeffrey Spiegel, MD, and Katherine Forsythe, MSW(sex therapist). Needless to say, Ms. Forsythe entertained the most questions and the liveliest discussion following the presentation.
I would like to personally thank all of those who attended the meeting and shared their incredible work. Thank you!
As the meeting adjourned on the 10’th anniversaryof the terrorist attacks, my prayers were directed to those who lost their lives on 9/11/01 and from it’s aftermath…may their souls be bound to eternal life.
That’s the news from the bay. Enjoy the beauty of life and be well.
Dr Michael Persky and Dr. Sarmela Sunder are located in Encino, California and Beverly Hills, California (The Lasky Clinic) but service all of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Including, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Hancock Park, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Westlake, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills and more
