Voluma XC- The New Fountain of Youth

 

Back in September, my interest was peaked when I read a NY Times article declaring "the cheek" as newest area of interest to recreate a youthful appearance. "Baby Faces", it seems, are having a moment...The Daily Mail UK also picked up on the story.

The problem? Mid-Volume Face Loss... 

Who knew?

Here is an excerpt from the NY Times article explaining, "The Triangle of Youth":

"In a young face, the widest part is at the cheeks", dermatologist Dr Marina I Peredo explained to the New York Times.

+5

New trend: Dermatologist Dr Marina I Peredo says cheek fillers are becoming increasingly popular

"But as we age, the cheeks deflate and excess skin falls toward the jawline. . . That makes the triangle flip upside down so that the widest part of the face is now at the jawline."

Enter Juvederm VolumaXC:

When this article came out, Juvederm XC was still pending FDA approval in the U.S. It had already been one of the most popular injectible fillers in Europe and Canada, over the past 5 years.

A few short months later, it was on our shores and patient curiosity was already at a fever pitch.

I immediately called Tami Healy at The NY Group for Plastic Surgery for the 411 when this article came out. They were  awaiting it for patient use and were already training to inject it.  

Juvederm Voluma XC is the only FDA-approved filler for adding volume to the cheeks. Similar to the original Juvederm formula, Juvederm Voluma XC is a hyaluronic acid filler that restores volume to sagging skin on the face. Results are visible almost immediately and do not require surgery.

What are the advantages of Juvederm Voluma XC?

• First and only FDA-approved treatment for adding volume to the cheeks
• Lasts up to 2 years with optimal treatment
• Little to no discomfort during treatment
• Non-surgical, minimally invasive injection
• Patients can return to normal activities immediately after treatment

How do Juvederm and Juvederm Voluma XC differ? 

Juvederm focuses on moderate to severe wrinkles around the nose and mouth. Juvederm Voluma XC, in contrast, targets sunken or sagging skin on the cheeks. Adding volume to this area can result in smoother, tighter skin and a more youthful facial contour. 

Before and After with Juvaderm Voluma XC
Looking Good!!!

I checked back in today with Tami, She and the Drs. are now injecting about 5 patients per week with Voluma XC, achieving excellent, immediate results, with a just a single treatment. Because it contains lidocaine, there is minimal discomfort.

Dr. Andrew Salzberg added, "patients are leaving happy and refreshed looking.  We expect this number to continue to grow, as more women become aware of this new tool in our anti-aging arsenal". "We are also now doing the Lazer Lift, a new procedure that lifts and tightens the lower face and neck without scalpels, stitches or scars and can be performed with just local anesthesia". "We are very excited to be able to offer this minimally invasive procedure to our patients".

Like some of the overly Botoxed, in Hollywood and other upper income enclaves, I fear we may be in for a phase of women resembling chipmunks with nut stuffed cheeks:

A youthful and natural Brandi Glanville

Brandi today...intervention anyone???

It may also be a Godsend to super skinnies with -0% bodyfat, who will no longer have to fear the old adage, "at some point, a woman must choose between her face and her *ss".

Madonna

Because Voluma XC can last for up to two years, I strongly recommend doing this minimally invasive procedure with a well trained Plastic Surgeon, Physician's Assistant or Dermatologist. It may not be surgery, but it still requires expertise to create a natural increase in volume, proportionate to the face.

The trend toward less invasive anti-aging beauty solutions continues.  As always, I trust and recommend my team at The New York Group for Plastic Surgery, who not only perform beautiful breast reconstruction but all areas of the face and body with care and great skill.  My readers will always enjoy the DivaDebbi discount; 15% off your for procedure, if you mention it when you book your appointment.

Here's to a beautiful, youthful, natural looking you...

xox,
DD

Girls Night Out: The New York Group for Plastic Surgery

Girls Night Out: The New York Group for Plastic Surgery

Beautiful friends Izabella and Christine

I have a  wonderful, long standing relationship with the doctors and practitioners at The New York Group for Plastic Surgery.  Dr. Andrew Salzberg is a personal hero of mine.  He compassionately and brilliantly did my breast reconstruction nearly 14 years ago, when I opted to do a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy, (think Angie),  and yes, I was way ahead of the curve.

When it came time to address my anti-aging concerns, it never occurred to me to go elsewhere. Though I think plenty of women don't fess up to all their tweaks, Botox, Restalyne, Sculptra, peels and lasers are as much a part of beauty maintenance these days as facials, highlights and root touch ups.

Lately, I have noticed a discouraging trend; Botox parties, Dentists doing injectibles, Groupon, Amazon and Living Social offering cut rate deals on anti-aging treatments and a new entry Zendy Beauty, modeled like Priceline, where you name your price and see if any of the doctors in their network will accept it.

I think it's begging for trouble.  After all, we wear our faces everyday, this is not an area you want to bargain hunt.

Truly, your very best bet for excellent, natural results is to select your practitioners based on their experience and friends who have had great results.

Accordingly, I gathered a group of 15 friends for an event at the NY Group for Plastic Surgery in Tarrytown, N.Y., where they had the opportunity to meet Dr. Salzberg, Dr. Aydin, Physician's Assistant Tami Healy and Ashlea Hoess. Nicely, there was champagne, munchies and goodie bags for all and their cheerful staff on hand to make sure everyone was comfortable and attended to.

Readers often email me for help and information. I also wanted my friends to have the benefit of hearing about all the latest in anti-aging advances too. As a jumping off point, I put together a list of questions to ask the experts and the Girls chimed in with their own as well.


Here were some of the questions asked and answered by their team of experts:

Tami Healy P.A. Expert injector, Ultherapy, Surgical Assistant

DD: We all know Botox is routinely used to smooth furrows on the brow, the "coin slots" between the brows and around the eyes. Are you using it anywhere else successfully?

Dr. Salzberg: Botox is a highly purified and diluted form of the muscle paralyzing botulism bacteria.  It is very effective in treating problem areas for people who perspire excessively. Cosmetically, we can get a nice result on the platysma muscles, the vertical bands on the neck,  and it can be used on the jawline to feminize it".

DD: Tell us about Restylane how is it most commonly used?

Dr. Aydin: "Restylane is stabilized hyaluronic acid, a filler, used to add volume and diminish wrinkles.  Commonly treated areas are the lips, nasolabial folds, (nose to mouth) and crows feet.  It can also be used to add volume to facial hollows".

DD: What kind of results are you getting with Sculptra and who are good candidates for this treatment:

Dr. Salzberg:  "Sculptra is used to replace volume in face.  It is deeply injected and stimulates the production of collagen.  It is generally done in a series, about 3 weeks apart. You can roughly approximate one treatment per each decade of life. Results are cumulative and will look best in a few months, lasting two or more years. Generally, one touch up treatment should be done each year. The areas most commonly treated are the temples, cheeks and jawline.  We are having fantastic results with patients reporting firmer lifted skin. This is a great option for women who are looking for a significant improvement without surgery. Because it is done over time, it is also a subtle change. Because it lifts the cheeks, the need to fill the nasolabial folds with Restylane may be diminished".


DD: It's interesting to me that Plastic Surgeons have embraced Ultherapy, a non-invasive FDA cleared procedure that uses ultrasound waves to tighten skin on the chin, neck and brow.  Is this in response to women trying to put off surgery and who are the best candidates?:

Tami demonstrating Ultherapy, a non-invasive lifting
and tightening treatment for the face and neck

Tami Healy: "Well, we are treating men with Ultherapy too, so, I would agree that people do want to retain their youthful good looks as long as possible and they are looking for non surgical alternatives.  Ultherapy is particularly appealing because there is downtime and very little bruising. Ultherapy is best used on patients with mild to moderate sagging.  The ultrasound waves stimulate the deep structural support layers of the skin, stimulating collagen,without disturbing it's surface. Results are best seen 2-3 mos. after treatment and can last for several years. The happiest patients are the ones who are doing this at the right time...meaning they really don't yet need surgery."

Discomfort is relative.  I have used this treatment myself and had no pain in my neck area. Tami performed a sampling of Ultherapy on three of my friends that night. All were pain free.

When the whole face is being treated, I can imagine that during the one plus hour treatment, the discomfort may be cumulative.  Tami told us some patients prefer a mild sedative during treatment.  If that is your preference, you will need to have someone drive you home.

Ashlea Hess- Certified in Advanced Asthetics

Ashlea Hoess recently joined the practice to head up their new Spa Nouevelle. She is certified in chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser treatments. Ashlea is passionate about helping each patient achieve their goals and is an expert at treating rosacea, melasma, spider veins and melasma.

(I recently underwent a three procedures that required zero downtime and some immediatebenefits.  I will share those with you with pictures, in the next day or two. I couldn't be more thrilled with the results!!!)

It was a fun and informative  Girls Night Out and I was happy to be able to share my team with my friends and offer them the "DivaDebbi" discount, 15% off your first procedure or treatment.

The N.Y Group for Plastic Surgery treats patients in four location including NYC. You can click on this link for for more details.

I like to think of my readers as friends too, so if  you are interested in consulting with my A team, please call 914-366-6139.  If you do book a procedure, please tell them I referred you and they will honor the same discount for you.

Whether it's the NYGPS or other highly trained, well recommended practitioners, my point to you is don't take chances.  There is an art to this artifice.  Be smart and beautiful.

xox,
DD

Ultherapy: A Brow Lift GIVEAWAY!!!

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2012

DivaDebbi and RHONJ Jacqueline Laurita 

I recently attended an event sponsored by Ultherapy, and hosted by Real Houswife of New Jersey Jacqueline Laurita. (Jacqueline, btw, is tiny, slim, pretty and has gorgeous skin)  It was held at elegant Lady Mendl's Tea Salon on Irving Place in NYC.  I've known about this special spot for ages, but never had occasion to visit...until now.


I've written about Ultherapy before, in my own popular blog "Are you heading south?" http://divadebbi.blogspot.com/2010/12/are-you-heading-south.html).  In this post, I spoke about my own experience with Ultherapy and interviewed both Plastic Surgeon C. Andrew Salzberg and Physician's Assistant Courtney Dunaventabout this non-surgical procedure.  Ultherapy has been featured on Dr. Oz, The Doctors, The Today Show and 20/20 dozens of magazines. 


What's all the excitement about and what motivated new Mom Jacqueline Laurita to visit Dr. William Song to try Ultherapy after losing all her baby weight? Read on:


About Ultherapy:

· The first and only energy-based device for aesthetics cleared by the FDAas a noninvasive face and neck treatment, with specific indication for eyebrow lift.

· A technological breakthrough in cosmetic procedures that lifts and tightens loose skin with ultrasound imaging with focused ultrasound therapy to actually see below the skin and precisely and effectively treat loose skin.

· Noninvasive treatment--no cutting or injections!

· Only takes 30-60 minutes and there is no downtime

The group split into two groups; one speaking informally with Jacquelineabout her experiences and the other watching Dr. Song perform the procedure on 55 year old Tina Nocera, a working Mom and Blogger.

The two most frequently asked questions were, 1) Does it hurt? (yes, to some degree, but it varies from patient to patient) and 2) Does it work? (yes, to some degree, but it varies from patient to patient).

Since Tina was having her entire face done, Dr. Song pre-medicated her with a light pain-killer and something to relax her. Anyone having an in office procedure would need to be accompanied by someone to drive them home, if opting for medication. 

In between "passes" of ultrasound waves, Tina was calmly able to answer our questions.  I asked her on a scale of 1-10 how she would describe her pain level.  I was a little surprised when she cheerfully responded, "6", but she was having her entire face and neck done at once.  Many patients opt to do just one or two areas.

H. William Song, MD

Dr. Song's entire practice is dedicated to non-surgical facial rejuvenation.  His credentials are impressive:

• Dr. Song is an Aesthetic Medicine Specialist. He is board certified in Internal Medicine
• He has been practicing in Bergen County since 1996
• He has received his undergraduate training at Bucknell University
• He received his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
• He did his internship and residency training at St. Lukes/ Roosevelt Hospital in New York City.
• He is currently on staff at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Dr. Song generously offered to provide each of us with a Gift Certificate for a freeBrow Lift with Ultherapy or the option to give it away.  I have opted to do a giveaway contest with mine, approximately, a $1500 value.


Dr. H. William Song is located at 12 Terhune St., Oakland, NJ (201-368-3800), about one hour from NYC.  If you wish to enter, please be aware of his location. California Girls, this ones not for you.  The G.C. expires Sept. 30 2012. DivaDebbibears no responsibility for the outcome of the winner's procedure, (unless you love it)!


How can you enter to win?  Simple. Just leave me a comment about why you would like to try it.  I will pick the winner at random on Wednesday May, 30th at 10 pm.  Don't forget to check back to see if you won!!!


Good luck and try not to fret, in a few weeks, no one would be able to tell if you did.


xox,
DD