Sculptra is FDA-approved for cosmetic use

I've been waiting for this for a couple years. The FDA has finally approved Sculptra for the correction of facial wrinkles. It will now go by the name Sculptra Aesthetic. Sculptra is the best injectable filler (poly-L-lactic acid) to return volume to the face. It has been approved for treatment of HIV-related facial wasting since 2004, but many plastic surgeons have used it off-label for general cosmetic use.

I have been using Sculptra for a couple years now, and have been very happy with the results. Second to fat grafting, I think it is the best way to add 3-dimensional volume to the face. Usually a minimum of three treatments is necessary, each approximately 6-8 weeks apart. The only drawback is the rate of granuloma (small inflammatory nodule) formation, which is definitely higher than other traditional fillers like Restylane and Juvederm, but still remains acceptably low if properly performed. I've been using it more and more, especially in the past several months. I think this product will be a hit.

For more information on Sculptra Aesthetic, click here.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Sculptra Is Approved for Facial Rejuvenation

I am very excited that the FDA has finally approved Sculptra®Aesthetic for cosmetic use. The product is ideal for women in their 40's who have noticed facial skin thinning and sagginess. I had Sculptra injections 2 years ago and love the results. Injections take about 20 minutes in the office and hurt much less then hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane, Perlane or Juvederm. Results start to

Michael Jackson, Dr. Murray, and IV Propofol

More details continue to emerge in the tragic death of Michael Jackson. This from TMZ:

Two days after Jackson's death, Dr. Murray told LAPD detectives he administered Propofol to the singer hours before he died ....We're told Dr. Murray gave Jackson an IV drip of the powerful anesthesia. Police believe Dr. Murray simply wasn't paying attention when the singer's heart stopped beating. Authorities believe Dr. Murray may have actually fallen asleep during the time the drug was administered and may have awakened to find Jackson already dead from heart failure... It is considered reckless in the medical community for a doctor to administer an IV drip of Propofol without the patient being monitored by an EKG, which sounds an alarm when the patient's pulse drops too low. No EKG was found in the house.

If the above claims are true, then the actions by Dr. Murray are horribly reckless. I've commented earlier that Propofol is an extremely powerful sedative, used mainly to induce anesthesia in controlled settings like operating rooms. In these settings it is a very safe drug. To use this medication in a person's house without respiratory and cardiac monitoring, however, blows my mind. Sadly, it is appearing that his death could have been prevented.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Michael Jackson and a Possible Prosthetic Nose

This is an interesting plastic surgery-related story regarding the sad tale of Michael Jackson. It appears that during the later years of his life he may have worn a prosthetic nose. From the New York Post:

Michael Jackson wore a prosthetic nose, according a report -- and it was missing from his surgically mangled face as he lay in an LA morgue.
Left behind was a small, dark hole surrounded by bits of cartilage, Rolling Stone magazine said, citing witnesses who saw the King of Pop's body on the autopsy table.
Jackson, who was notoriously shy about his appearance, wore the prosthetic to mask the effects of decades of plastic surgery, according to the magazine.

It seems that the more we learn, the sadder the story gets. Hopefully his children can grow up with some semblance of normalcy. As long as someone keeps that creepy Joe Jackson away from them, I suppose they have a chance.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Mickey Rourke's Facelift Scars

I was browsing Dlisted.com and came across this high resolution photo of the side of Mickey Rourke's head. Click the photo to enlarge it. If you look closely you can see the scars that extend in front of his ears, around his earlobe, and then head back into the crease behind his ears. This is the typical location of facelift scars. Notice also that the cartilage of the front of his ear (the tragus) is flat-looking. This is one tell-tale sign of a facelift.

If you haven't rented The Wrestler yet, check it out. Fantastic performances by two very talented actors.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Join Us for Special Skin Care Event August 5th!

Join us for an informational skin care event and learn about our Vivite glycolic product line and the clinically proven benefits of glycolic compound and natural antioxidants. This glycolic compound will gently exfoliate and promote the production of hyarulonic acid, collagen and increase the health and integrity of the skin. Come meet our Vivite representative and learn about this unique

Just thought you might need a chuckle...

Thanks to the Beauty Brains.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Bruce Jenner - Looking Better After Plastic Surgery

It's been reported here and elsewhere that Bruce Jenner has had a revision of his previous plastic surgery. According to OMG!:

"If you Google my name, the worst plastic surgeries of all time, or whatever it is... They've compared me to Michael Jackson," Bruce once said on an episode of his reality show "Keeping Up With The Kardashians."
Both Bruce and Michael were called out for going too far. After undergoing a nose job and partial face-lift in 1984, Bruce's post-plastic surgery face has been ridiculed and attacked in the media.

He does look better now. But why does he still look strange? There are two major things that don't quite look right, but are very difficult to change surgically:

First, there is virtually no excess skin of his upper eyelids. This looks odd in a man his age. Like George Clooney, there should be some extra skin up there. He doesn't look as bad as Kenny Rogers, though. Second, his nose is very thin, looking almost effeminate. This is very tough to change, and would require cartilage and maybe even bone grafts from his ribs to correct. There is another option, though. I once saw a doctor inject fat into the nose to correct a scoop, and it actually worked!

If you ever watch the Keeping Up with the Kardashians show, you'll find that while Bruce may be the most surgical-looking, he is also the most normal person in the family!

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Lifestyl- Lift Fined $300,000 For Posting False Internet Reviews

According to an article by ABC News, the Lifestyl- Lift Company has been fined $300,000 by the New York Attorney General for posting false reviews of their facelift procedures on message boards online. According to the article:

Cuomo's investigation revealed internal emails in which employees were encouraged by company executives to take spare time during the day to write the reviews and post to message boards. "Put your wig and skirt on and tell them about the great experience you had," read one.
In some cases, the employees also created entire websites that claimed to independently review the company's procedures in order to mislead consumers. Cuomo's case was based on New York and Federal statutes designed to protect consumers. His office claimed that astroturfing constituted "deceptive commercial practices, false advertising, and fraudulent and illegal conduct," according to the statement released Tuesday.

For more information, see ABC News and arstechnica.com.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

David Beckham - Botox Brow?

Is David Beckham exhibiting the classic Botox brow? It looks like he has something in common with Nicole Kidman. Check out bettyconfidential.com to read my thoughts.

Photo source: bettyconfidential.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Lifestyle Lift Has Its Day in Court

I noticed today that the famed "Lifestyle Lift" may not be all it has been hyped up to be... See the New York Times article: Company Settles Case of Reviews It Faked.Many patients have inquired about this procedure due to the low advertised cost and simple weekend recovery. I have explained to them that in my hands nice face lifts require about 1-2 weeks of recovery not just a weekend.

Dr. Youn Presents Dysport on NBC TV

Here is a television segment that aired last night which features me talking about and performing Dysport injections on a patient of mine. As you will see, it injects much the same way as Botox. So far I've found patients to be very happy with it, especially since they can save a few bucks too.
Thanks to WDIV and Dr. Frank McGeorge.

Dysport™ Is Here: Competitor to Botox® Now Available

I'm pleased to announce that I am now offering Dysport™ from Medicis (makers of Restylane and Perlane), which is a "botulinum toxin" similar to Botox®. Dysport has been approved by the FDA for the aesthetic indication (glabellar lines) — for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines in adults younger than 65 years of age. The active substance in Dysport is

Take the Victoria Beckham Breast Test

The OC Register reports that Victoria Beckham has identified four distinct time periods in her life based on her breast size. They are: Pre-implants (pre-1999), First Implants (34 D -1999-2001), Largest Implants (34 DD -2001-May 2009), and Smaller Implants (34 B - May 2009 to present). They also present a slideshow quiz to see whether you can identify from which breast period the photo is from. You can find it here. Good luck! (I'm ashamed to say I got most, but not all, right)

Photo credit: AP / OC register

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

How to Banish Cellulite?

Every day we get people call my office inquiring about how to get rid of cellulite. SpaWeek.com has recently posted an article detailing some of my thoughts on cellulite treatments such as topical creams, pills, and laser treatments. You can find it here.

Bottom line: Cellulite affects over 90% of women, both younger and older, thinner and heavier. There is no permanent cure for cellulite (no, liposuction can only make it worse), although there are some treatments that can temporarily improve it. In my office we offer Dermosonic, an FDA approved treatment that combines external ultrasound with a deep tissue massage. It's a relaxing treatment that seems to work well to smooth out cellulite... for a while.

Click here to view a piece I did on the local Fox News affiliate on Dermosonic.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Rachel Weisz Wants Botox Banned for Actors

According to an interview with Harper's Bazaar magazine, actress Rachel Weisz wants a ban on Botox for actors. According to Entertainment Daily:

The Constant Gardener star said that she wanted the cosmetic treatment forbidden onscreen since it came under the way of altering an actor’s expression.
“It should be banned for actors, as steroids are for sportsmen. Acting is all about expression; why would you want to iron out a frown?” the Daily Express quoted her as telling Harper’s Bazaar magazine.

Well, that's all fine and dandy. It would be funny if they agreed to this for her next movie and suddenly all the other actors show up wrinkle-free anyways. They could just use Dysport instead.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Model Arrested for Threatening Her Plastic Surgeon

According to Celebuzz, a French model has recently been arrested for threatening her plastic surgeon. According to the article:

Police revealed that in the calls, the Dutch-born catwalk strutter requested to have a procedure reversed and was "screaming and shouting about the operation and became extremely threatening." The rep added, "There were repeated calls to the female surgeon who was extremely scared. The suspect is being interviewed."

That is my nightmare. I think most plastic surgeons do their best to make their patients happy, but sometimes things don't work out the way we want them to, usually from poor healing or a miscommunication in expectations. I find that most patients are understanding if things don't turn out perfectly, as long as I do the best I can to make things as good as possible. Threatening behavior on the part of the patient is probably more common among those who suffer from Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Battle of the Bikini Beauties on Radar Online

Who looks better in bikinis, Models or Actresses? That was the question posed to me as one of a panel of judges for Radar Online's Battle of the Bikini Beauties. Some of the models and actresses evaluated include Jessica Alba, Bar Rafaeli, and Kate Hudson. Check it out here.

Thanks to Lynn Allison and Radar Online for asking me to be a judge!

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Michael Jackson, Propofol, and HIPAA

Not surprising, the rumors are swirling regarding Michael Jackson's death. A couple thoughts:

1. The medication that TMZ reported was found in his home, Propofol, is extremely dangerous indeed. I have never heard of it being used recreationally, but see it used every day when I perform plastic surgery. This powerful drug is given intravenously to induce a rapid unconscious state. It's fast acting but also cleared very quickly from the bloodstream. If it is given in a large quantity then the unconscious state can be so deep as to create respiratory arrest. This can eventually lead to a cardiac arrest. I believe the only people who should administer this drug are anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists.

2. I am surprised that the nurse who claims that Michael asked her to inject him with the medication is revealing this info to the press. I believe it's a violation of HIPAA privacy laws, similar to when a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills revealed through his publicist that he turned down Donda West for surgery due to heart disease.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

$99 Summer Spa Specials

July specials in Christine Hamori's Skin Spa include $99 specials for the following treatments:Ultrasonic FacialMicrodermabrasionVitalize Peel (single treatment)Also, through July 31, you can receive:10% off a Thermage treatment of your choice50% off a second area laser hair reduction (of equal or lesser value), when you purchase the first at full price30% off all sunscreens.For more information,