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Thinking about Plastic Surgery and Over Sixty five? It may not be too late.

Plastic surgery is often safe even over the age of fifty

Sacramento, California. Recently on a trip home to visit grandma, I was asked about whether or not she could have a face or neck – lift. She is really bothered by the extra skin hanging down from her chin. When she looks in the mirror she sees an older women not what she feels on the inside. Now grandma is 83 years young and is currently dating. She is healthy other than her arthritis and her macular degeneration neither of which limit her activities. She takes the bus downtown and is very active in her community. She would be at low risk for anesthesia and a small procedure might improve her quality adjusted life years.

(The quality-adjusted life-year estimates the length and quality of extra years gained by a medical/surgical intervention. The concept is based on the experience of an individual’s health state over time, and each health state has a value attached to it. Health states have a value on a scale of 0.0 to 1.0, with 0.0 being dead and 1.0 being perfect health. An increasing value is equated with an increasing preference for a particular health state. This preference is referred to as a utility. Utilities can be obtained from quality-of-life assessment instruments, including visual analogue scales, the standard gamble, time-trade off, and multiattribute scales.) Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery: April 2010 – Volume 125 – Issue 4 – pp 1279-1287

We are seeing a growing number women and men taking advantage of the plethora of many small and safe cosmetic enhancements available to enhance their appearance and their quality of life. In fact in data from ASAPS data in a survey of people across the United States over 12% of people aged 65 and older were thinking about having plastic surgery in the future. We often hear the comment, “I won’t care about how I look when I get old”. When I hear this I always think to myself when will I feel old?, in fact when are we old? For me old keeps changing and is usually a good 20-30 years off. I am not sure there is a good answer as appearances can be deceiving of the spirit inside a person. And from personal experience it seems that people all age at different rates.

From national data the American Society of Aesthetic Surgeons collects every year from Plastic Cosmetic Surgeons across the country we see that people over 50 do have cosmetic surgery procedures. ASAPS data collected in 2009 reveal that the the age group most likely to have aesthetic surgery is the 35 – 50 year old demographic ( 4.5 million surgeries, 43% of all surgeries). However, 34 % of all cosmetic surgeries were completed in the age group 51 and over with a full 7% of the total 12 million patients being in the over sixty five year old age group and older. And this was an increase of 2% in a down economic year over the previous year (ASAPS 2010). The top two surgical procedures for those over 65 were blepharoplasty 21,290 and facelift 18,198.

Most people do care about their appearance throughout their life. In fact, most of us will care about our appearance until we no longer can do anything about it. In a recent survey of plastic surgeons many are providing cosmetic services to those over 65 whom are healthy (ASA II or less and a BMI of < 31). The combination of healthier people over sixty and the minimally invasive cosmetic procedure options available (Botox, Blepharoplasty, Mini-Facelifts, Fillers and Laser Skin Resurfacing) allow us Plastic Surgeons to care for more and more people whom feel younger than they look. In fact last year alone over 607,054 patients over the age of sixty had a non-surgical cosmetic enhancement.

It is exciting that we are able to offer many different possible enhancements to those that desire an enhancement in the quality of their lives. For many 65 is the new 55 and remember to be healthy and happy this year.

Blepharoplasty or fillers for lower eye lid contouring in Sacramento California

At Chrysalis Cosmetics in Sacramento California we have been addressing the lower eyelid hollowness or puffiness with blepharoplasty for years. Removing excess skin and lifting the stretched out muscles as well as contouring the eyelid puffiness. In more recent years we are also offering similar contour changes without the operating room. Using laser and injectable fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm as well as Radiesse Dr Perry (A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon) has been able to offer lasting contouring of the lower lid and cheek without surgery in some cases. Of course blepharoplasty (or eyelid surgery) lasts longer and is less expensive (2,500- 6000) than fillers and laser and Botox over time, however for some people it is the only way to go as they do not have the time to recover from surgery.

One recent example pictured here did not want to under go a surgical procedure.

BeforeAfter - Beautiful

She has such a busy complicated life and could not arrange for the time off to recover from surgery.

Laser, Restylane, Juvederm and Botox

She decided instead to make use of Botox to relax the smile lines and lift the brow as well as Profractional laser resurfacing and some Restylane and Juvederm under the eyes.

Blepharoplasty or Laser and Fillers?

Refreshed and Beautiful

By addressing her skin with the laser and the muscles with the Botox and the volume with the Restylane and Juvederm a subtle yet youthful look was created and she just radiates! While she did experience bruising requiring cover up she was able to work the next day.

At Chrysalis Cosmetics in Sacramento, we specialize in individual treatments to achieve the look you desire and do our best to accommodate your schedule as well! For more information on Blepharoplasty visit our website www.sacramentoplastics.com

Facelift Surgery Sacramento California

Facelift surgery has undergone an evolution recently here is the United States. Here is one example of a wonderful woman whom had wanted to look like she felt. Our friend decided that didn’t like the wrinkles on her face. She was tired of people asking her if she was tired. She was tired of seeing herself in the mirror looking like someone she didn’t recognize and decided that she was going to do something about it. After having a consult we decided to address her skin with laser resurfacing, her brows with an endoscopic brow lift, her eyes with a blepharoplasty and her neck and face with a facelift.

Before

A little Juvederm and Botox were also utilized to soften the look and enhance her results. She went home the same day following her procedure and recovered uneventfully.

Smiling after

She feels better about herself and is excited for the future! We love stories like this and look forward to helping you with yours!

Cosmetic Enhancements of the Lips, Cheeks, Chin and Under Eyes

Lip enhancement is one of the most popular procedures performed at Chrysalis Cosmetics in Sacramento California. Using multiple products such as Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Restylane and Radiesse the lips cheeks brow and chin can be lifted molded and shaped to enhance your look. With so many products available we are seeing that many people do better with more volume and multiple products. For the lips Juvederm Ultra can give a nice smooth look and feel. For the cheeks Radiesse can lift and fill. Under the eyes Restylane can lift and fill. There are many options for your individual needs and goals. With all of the different tools available there are many different options for us to assist you with your needs.

One of the newer areas for enhancement of the face is the midface – under the eyes and the cheeks. In the past cheek implants were utilized to lift this area and shape the face. Now it is even easier utilizing firmer fillers such as Restylane we are able to lift this area and shape the cheeks, lift the lips and smooth out the baggy eyes. The unwanted side effects of injectable fillers are, bruising, swelling, discoloration, some minor aches and pains, possible infection, embolization of the filler and tissue necrosis. While these unwanted effects are rare they can and do happen. Most of them are only temporary and resolve with time. However it is important to visit a well trained physician whom can care for you should some of the unwanted issues develop. Blindness has been reported as has nerve pain. In our office we will go over the risks and discuss the possibilities with you thoroughly. We want your experience to be comfortable and results to be beautiful. On occasion Neuromodulators such as Botox and Dysport can enhance the results especially when combined with Profractional Laser and MicroLaserPeels

At Chrysalis Cosmetics in Sacramento California an Ouchless Needle – a comfort needle and a Zimmer air cooler for your comfort. We look forward to introducing you to the new filler products and are excited to meet you. We offer a full line of products and can help you decide which one is right for you.

The Ouchless needle in Sacramento California allows for more comfortable Botox and Juvederm!!!

At Chrysalis Cosmetics in Sacramento California the Ouchless needle is being used to make your Juvederm injections as comfortable as possible. Dr Charles Perry a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon has discovered that vapocoolant spray increases the comfort during Botox and Juvederm as well as other cosmetic fillers. In some studies we have seen as much as a 67% reduction in pain. We are excited to see what you think of the Ouchless Needle. Plastic Surgery has never been so easy!

New Options for Fillers (Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus – Sculptra – Radiesse – Restylane) in Sacramento California

Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus recently released 0.4ml syringes to compliment their 0.8 ml full syringes for those times when only a little enhancement is required. This is exciting because now you can get exactly the amount you need and no more than necessary or you can add just a little more two weeks following the initial placement if you like the look initially and after the swelling is resolved you want just a touch back! Of course Restylane comes in a 0.6 cc syringe and a 2.5 cc syringe and a 1.5 cc syringe as well and allows your physician to help you obtain the look you. Dr Perry and Chrysalis Cosmetics are also offering Sculptra at a similar pricing to Restylane and Juvederm for facial enhancements and volume additions. The new pricing is to celebrate the FDA approval of Sculptra to treat for cosmetic indications. We are finding that many people in whom a laser procedure is being done also find Sculptra a great complement in that it helps stimulate collagen growth as well and gives a longer lasting enhancement than laser alone. The Micro laser Peel and Profractional as well as the SkinTyte Laser are often combined with the fillers to give an obverall enhancement to the appearance. Radiesse has also released a 0.8 ml and a 1.5 ml syringe for you convenience witrh similar price point to Restylane and Juvederm and Scultpra. With so many =options in fillers now available it is now more important than ever that you choice a physician that can offer you the right product for your needs and can give you the results you desire. We are finding that most people will respond to more than one product as each product tends to enhance a little differently create an individualized look. See your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to learn more about the exciting new products available and the new sizes!

Facelifts in Sacramento: an update

Enhancing your look through a facial plastic or cosmetic surgery has become very popular in Sacramento California and the surround areas of Roseville, Stockton, Folsom and Davis. We are witnessing an increased demand for a natural look with less wrinkles around the neck and a more vibrant look around the eyes and lips. For some the motivation to enhance their look is a new career, new love, or a dramatic weight loss. Whatever the inspiration, Chrysalis Cosmetics and Dr Charles Perry are interested in helping you achieve your goals. Facelifts have always provided the most dramatic rejuventation however there have never been so many different types of facelifts available to you. With the recent addition of the Sciton Laser and SkinTyte as well as Barbed sutures, Vaser and Microscopic techniques – many new and exciting possibilities exist for your personalized rejuvenation. When consider procedures such as blepharoplasty (eyelifts) brow lifts (rhytidectomy of the upper face) or facelifts and necklifts (lower facelifts) be sure that your plastic surgeon is board certified, and performs these types of procedures commonly. You may also want to combine your facelift with some skin resurfacing as well to enhance the glow of your skin as well. It is also important to make sure that the physician has privileges to perform the same procedure in a hospital. What great time of year to be enhance your appearance. Think positive, eat a plant based diet and smile! We look forward to meeting you.

Sculptra as a Facial Filler in Sacramento California used for Facial Rejuvenation and for Facelift Revision Surgeries

As a Plastic Surgeon in Sacramento California, Dr Charles Perry of Chrysalis Cosmetics has been using Scultpra for the past 3 years. Sculptra has been used for facial volumization in patients with facial atrophy from immune diseases. Now that the FDA has approved Sculptra for aesthetic uses it adds another option to enhance your appearance. By adding a little more cheek enhancement facial balance can be restored. Sculptra can also be used to thicken the dermis in areas around the eyes and lips. It works very well in the cheeks, lateral brow, and peri-oral region. What makes Sculptra so unique compared to other fillers such as Restylane, Perlane, or Juvederm is that it stimulates your own body to make collagen and so the volume that you create is yours to keep and in some situations 18 to 36 months of volumization have been seen. It is important to remember to see a trained plastic surgeon for your Sculptra treatment as there are some adverse reactions including but not limited to bumps, bruises, pain, too much volume, and need for multiple treatments to attain the look you’d like.

Sculptra used in combination with laser resurfacing and Juvederm enhance the appearance of the face so much so that they are now often combined with a facelift or eye lift procedure to enhance the result. In some instances Sculptra with laser resurfacing and Botox can be combined to create a liquid laser facelift. In some situations they can be done as a kind of facelift revision surgery as well. Scultpra is also often used instead of structural fat transfer in some individuals that either do not have fat or in whom want something that is perhaps more predictable than fat transfer in some situations. It is an exciting new product to enhance your appearance through volume.

Laser skin care in Sacramento California; Are more dramatic results possible with a longer recovery period? Or do I need multiple sessions with minimal recovery periods?

As a plastic surgeon in Sacramento laser skin resurfacing has become one of our most popular procedures. It is so amazing to see people after they have refreshed their skin. The way they feel when their skin glows and feels soft is so amazing to witness. Laser energy can be used in many different ways to renew the appearance of the face. Often times a combination of lasers can be used to enhance the appearance while limiting the recovery time. At Chrysalis Cosmetics we will develop a plan for you and your skin so that the best results possible will be achieved within your time frame. It is true that more dramatic results will require longer recovery times. If you have a month or two the best results are achieved with a full face resurfacing, however if you’d like good results with 3-5 day recovery this can be accomplished as well.

Often times three to four sessions are easier to recover from for most people. The question is really what type of result do want and what type of time frame works for you and your life. At Chrysalis Cosmetics we offer the Sciton Profractional and Contour TLR as well as the Broad Band Light and the Iridex Gemini treatments as a compliment to our skin care services. We look forward to speaking with you and answering all of your questions.