Chrysalis Cosmetics – Blog


Its time to Celebrate!

Sacramento California, Chrysalis Cosmetics wishes a Very Happy Birthday to Taylor, Kathy and Lou.  And a Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms too! It is so exciting this time of year as we are celebrating birthdays, Mothers Day, May Day, and Cinco Day Mayo to name a few.  This time of year we encourage everyone to drink plenty of water and remember their sunscreen!  Have a great week.

Happy Birthday

Taylor celebrates another wonderful year!


Plastic Surgeons as Cosmetic Surgeons

Sacramento California. Recently reading an article in a Magazine A New You, I was struck by the fact that 3/5 people did not know what the difference was between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon.  And I guess to many they are synonymous and that is just as well as plastic surgeons are trained in full facial and body cosmetic surgery however there is some distinctions so I asked our staff.  They had a little difficulty as well explaining the differences.  So I thought I’d share my thoughts.  First of all there is no board certification for cosmetic surgery or surgery of the appearance.  There are societies and organizations for cosmetic surgeons but no board certification that is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.  That being said the American Board of Medical Specialties does certify Plastic Surgeons whom are specially trained in Cosmetic Surgery as a part of their board certification process.  Thus cosmetic surgery is a subset of the plastic surgery curriculum for training and certification that is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.  And this training is from the head to the toe.  For example this certifies a plastic surgeon in facelifts, blepharoplasty with brow lifts and tummy tucks, as well as liposuction and breast lifts, breast augmentation as well as buttock lifts and thigh lifts and arm lifts. In general this is a seven or more year training program in which the plastic surgeon trainee learns how to reconstruct and enhance the body and face appearance.  In my opinion this is a very rigorous and thorough training that prepares the plastic surgeon for a life – long learning and teaches one to think critically and apply their skills in a thoughtful, prudent manner.  After training in all facets of plastic surgery some plastic surgeons decide to tailor their private practice and will specialize in the art of cosmetic surgery or the art of reconstructive surgery while some choose to do a little of both and still others may choose specialize in an even narrow field such as craniofacial or hand surgery. 

Now are plastic surgeons the only cosmetic surgeons you will find?  Certainly not there are many other physicians that call themselves cosmetic surgeons. Other specialties’ such as Ear Nose and Throat Doctors or Oculoplastic Surgeons and Dermatologist as well as OB/GYNs are board certified specialties with specific training in one area of the body.  And in their training they are also exposed to and trained in areas cosmetic procedures within their specific body or facial region.  For example OB/GYNs do a fabulous vaginal rejuvenation, and Ear Nose and Throat Doctors may perform a wonderful rhinoplasty or otoplasties while Oculoplastic surgeons can perform wonderful blepharoplasties, while dermatologist perform wonderful chemical peels and liposuction.  

So are all cosmetic surgeons equally trained? Certainly not and not all cosmetic surgeons are trained in all areas of surgery like the plastic surgeons are.  Some questions to ask your cosmetic surgeon is if they feel comfortable with the procedure, and how many have they performed, and how were they trained in the procedure and if they are allowed to do the same procedure in the local hospital.

Any physician can call themselves a cosmetic surgeon and perform procedures in their office as there is no board of cosmetic surgery and no specialty of cosmetic surgery, however there are other boards that do certify their physicians and stand behind their training.  Plastic Surgeons are well suited to offer aesthetic procedures.  Let us know how we can help you.


American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Finds That 10 Million Cosmetic Procedures Were Completed in 2009

Sacramento California – Almost 10 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States in 2009, according to statistics released by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (March 09, 2010) .  The Aesthetic Society, which has collected multi-specialty procedural statistics since 1997, says the overall number of cosmetic procedures has increased 147 percent since the tracking of the statistics first began.

TRENDS AND DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Top surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures among men and women in 2009

Surgical                                                                                                Nonsurgical        

Breast augmentation        311,957                                 Botox                                     2,557,068

Liposuction                          283,735                                 Hyaluronic Fillers               1,313,038

Blepharoplasty                   149,943                                 Laser Hair Reduction        1,280,031

Rhinoplasty                          138,258                                 Microdermabrasion           621,943

Abdominoplasty                  127,923                                 Chemical Peel                     529,285

This represents a decrease of 2% in comparison to last year (data from the same source).  At Chrysalis Cosmetics we have witnessed an increase in facial rejuvenation with fillers, blepharoplasty, lasers and facelifts and compared to last year an increase in abdominoplasty or tummy tucks and liposuction interest.  We are so happy to be a part of so many exciting transitions or jump starts to the spring and summer seasons.  We are looking forward to a great year ahead.


Is plastic surgery something you talk about?

In the Sacramento Valley, with spring here and the flowers blooming and swim suit season around the corner there is a high probability you may have heard someone discussing plastic surgery. Whether they were considering it for themselves or discussing someone else’s recent enhancement more and more people are becoming comfortable with plastic surgery and enhancing their look.  In a recent survey published in American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery’s Magazine Surge of 1200 people, most (71%) believe that our society is less judgmental in regards to plastic and cosmetic surgery than it was five years ago.  As such 62% feel that they are more comfortable proceeding with a plastic surgery procedure as well.  With plastic surgery on the radio, video, internet, and television it is no wonder that more people are becoming aware o the possibilities.  With 79 million aging baby boomers and a society that is more open than ever people are sharing their experiences in open forums and generating interest as well as acceptance.  It is possible that you may even know someone whom has had a procedure and have shared their personal story. 

With the growing abundance of cosmetic surgery providers the accessibility has allowed for easier access for most people.  It is exciting to be a part of a growing field that has helped so many people in their everyday lives. Enjoy your spring.


Plastic Surgery Provides a Lift

With spring around the corner, it is exciting to be in the Sacramento Valley.  The trees are in blossom and everyone is anxiously anticipating the new season.  Tax returns are coming back this year as the economy seems to be picking up, an election year in the capital city, and the start of a new decade.   The realization of the potential and witnessing the new beauty is rewarding.  One of the greatest rewards I experience as a plastic surgeon is seeing the joy patients have after a procedure in which the results meet their expectations.  From the words of a friend “It gives the soul a little boost. “ Have a great spring.


Why Have Plastic Surgery in Sacramento?

Plastic surgery used to be something that only the rich and famous partook in.  Beverly Hills, New York or Miami used to be the centers of the cosmetic plastic surgery crowds.  Not anymore.  It is a worldwide phenomenon and is all around us.  Sacramento has become a literal Mecca of plastic and cosmetic surgery for the northern California region.  With so many talented plastic surgeons in one area it is no surprise that so many of us are taking advantage of their skills.

When traveling around town it seems as though more people are looking and feeling their best. Perhaps it is due to the fact that most people are realizing the benefits looking good can have – such as feeling confident in their place of work, removing the reminders of stressful time of life (work, marriage, child rearing) or being sexually desirable.  Looking good can make one feel good.  There certainly are many facets to looking good starting with a foundation of diet, exercise, sleep, rest and supportive friends and on occasion a visit to Chrysalis Cosmetics Plastic Surgery Center.

 It is interesting to note that many people think about doing something for themselves for a long time before actually proceeding.  Many will have known someone whom has had a procedure done as well prior to doing it themselves, whether it be an eye lift or Botox, Fillers or Lasers, liposuction or facelifts.  Often people choose to have an enhancement when there are other changes occurring in their lives like being between careers, a change in relationships or are done having children, getting ready for a vacation, a reunion, or have had some physical feature brought to their attention repeatedly.   As a practice Chrysalis Cosmetics and Dr Charles Perry look forward to being a part of these exciting changes and look forward to the opportunity to enhance your life here in Sacramento California.


A New Decade in Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery

A new decade is upon us. It is interesting to look back at some of the changes that occurred over the past ten years and look to the bright future ahead. Espically here in sunny Sacramento California with so much abundance. Some of the bigger changes in plastic surgery and cosmetics in general started with the advent of Botox, Dysport, Restylane, Juvederm and other fillers. Overnight plastic surgery’s name changed to plastics (dropping the surgery part and more often called aesthetics or cosmetics). Without requiring the operating room more people felt comfortable trying treatments such as laser hair removal, laser skin tightening, and skin enhancing lasers. Breast implants became more commonly silicone gels as the FDA approved the safety of the devices and breast enhancement became even more popular.
Plastic surgery becomes reality television. New shows reveal the exciting transformations of many happy people right in your own home. Shows such as the Swan, Extreme Makeover, The Doctors, Doctor 90210, Miami Slice and of course the often closer to reality than comfortable, Nip Tuck. Cosmetic plastic surgery became accessible to more than just the rich and famous as increasingly physician’s were able to make the procedures more affordable and convenient by keeping them safe and in their own offices as opposed to expensive and inconvenient in the hospitals. Credit cards and financing of medical treatments became common as did medical savings accounts and cash towards the end of the decade. Social media and the internet became new avenues to help educate patients about the benefits of plastic surgery and the exciting stories of before and after plastic surgery flooded our imaginations. Medical tourism and health care changes continued through the decade and political changes as well as economic changes marked the end of the decade.
What will the next ten years give us? Cosmetic plastic surgery will continue to expand and improve becoming more comfortable, affordable and convenient. We look forward to an exciting time for our county and world. With a new health care system being debated, a war in Afghanistan and an economic recession currently one thing stands out – it won’t be the same. The end of the Great generation, Baby Boomers retiring and the new Xs and Ys becoming the new earners and spenders we will certainly change our neighborhoods and work places. Our wish is that we all continue to be blessed with hopefulness, purpose, health and happiness.


How Many Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures at One time?

Recently an actress underwent 10 or more cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in California.  She was in People Magazine discussing the benefits of the procedures and how her image has helped her career.  There is no doubt that plastic surgery has helped countless people achieve more in their lives as feeling confidence brings out the best in most people.  However there may be a limit as to how much can be changed at one time.  Certainly this is an individualized decision based upon the physician’s judgment and the health status of the individual patient.  Recently in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons an interesting article was published regarding operative times and infection rates.  It revealed a linear correlation – so that the longer someone was being operated on the more likely they were to have an infection of either their wound or pneumonia or bladder. Other studies have also revealed that body temperature can decrease the longer someone is under anesthesia and this too can lead to post operative wound infections.  One of the other considerations is the difficulty of recovery following multiple procedures.  This being said it maybe less traumatic to recover once than multiple times and it may also be less risky to have anesthesia once rather than multiple times.  Certainly there are many other factors to consider as well.  Well trained plastic surgeons will help guide you safely through this process.  Aesthetic plastic surgery – especially extreme makeovers have become such a common topic in the news and magazines however it may not be for everyone.


Plastic Surgery in Sacramento: Things to consider when choosing your plastic surgeon

Do you buy your coffee at Starbucks, Tulleys or Pete’s or are you okay with AMPM or McDonalds?

Do you like Acura, Audi, Lexus, BMW, Mercedes or would you rather drive a KIA or Hyundai?

Do you make decisions based upon price or value?
These are some of the questions you may want to consider before looking for a plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgery office. There are many cosmetic and plastic surgeons that perform surgeries for cut rates and offer lots of special incentives. They base their business model on volume similar to McDonalds or Jiffy Lube. If you are choosing your surgeon which category fits for you?
Perhaps you are interested in value long term, relationships, and want to have a n experience that places a premium on your results, comfort, and safety. You want to be treated like an individual and cared for in a way that feels more comfortable to you.
Plastic surgery has never been more available. With so many options it is important to be selective and choose your surgeon wisely. Let us know if we can help.
Other things to consider:
Board Certification in Plastic Surgery?
Credentialed to perform the same surgery in a hospital?
When and where did the doctor learn to perform the particular surgery?
How many of these particular procedures have they performed?
What happens if a revision surgery is required?
Whom will cover the doctor in an emergency situation or on the weekend?
Does the office staff display confidence in the Doctor?
Has anyone in the office had the same procedure done?
Is their office accredited for procedures?
Do they take insurance?

In Sacramento you have many wonderful plastic and cosmetic surgeons to choose from.  It is our belief that their is the right surgeon and office available for your needs within this community.  It is an exciting time  for plastic surgery.


The Ouchless Needle for Facial Enhancements Utilizing fillers and Botox in Sacramento California

Using gentle techniques and the Ouchless needle, Dr Charles Perry of Chrysalis Cosmetics in Sacramento California is helping his patients experience the joys of both  Juvederm and Botox without the ouch.  Using an arctic air cooler, nerve blocks and numbing creams like most other plastic surgeons in the Stockton, Modesto and Roseville areas – Dr Perry has also added the Ouchless needle as well.   Many patients have commented that they love the results of the cosmoceuticals Botox and Juvederm as well as Restylane and Radiesse however the pain associated with the fine needle insertion often keeps them away for longer than they’d like while they build up the courage to visit the Sacramento Office.  Dr Charles Perry, a board certified plastic surgeon living in the Carmichael area,  has found that with the cool mist of the Ouchless Needle the insertion is much less noticed and patients are much happier.  The device often makes the process less cumbersome or messy as the numbi ng cream normally used to make the process easier is no longer needed.

If you are considering utilizing a filler such as Juvederm, Restylane or Radiesse for facial enhancement this season – consider the Ouchless needle as well.  At Chrysalis Cosmetics we focus on your comfort and result!  We look forward to helping you achieve the look you desire.


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Chrysalis Cosmetics
3800 J Street, Suite 210
Sacramento, California 95816
Ph. (916) 248-4447
Fx. (916) 760-8218

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Financing Your Cosmetic Surgery

To make financing the cost of your cosmetic surgery easier, we accept major credit cards and encourage patients to look into payment plans offered through the following companies:

Financing Available



Surgery Loans

Care Credit Financing

Chase Health Advance