“This year’s symposium will feature groundbreaking technologies from Europe, Latin America and the U.S. in the emerging fields of regenerative medicine, stem cell research, dermal fillers and volumizing agents, neuromodulators, lasers, light, ultrasound and radiofrequency based technologies and aesthetic plastic surgery. The faculty we have assembled represents top experts from plastic surgery, dermatology, facial plastic and oculoplastic surgery, as well as anti-aging medicine,” said Course Chairman Z. Paul Lorenc, M.D., F.A.C.S. “We are entirely focused on what is happening now, what is coming next and what the future will bring.”

The prestigious international faculty includes: William Adams, M.D., Robert Bard, M.D., Cheryl Burgess, M.D., James Carraway, M.D., Steven Cohen, M.D., Sydney Coleman, M.D., Joseph Eviatar, M.D., Steven Fagien, M.D., Rebecca Fitzgerald, M.D., Roy Geronemus, M.D., Christopher Godek, M.D., Miles Graivier, M.D., Joseph Gryskiewicz, M.D., Geoffrey Gurtner, M.D., Christine Hamori, M.D., David Hidalgo, M.D., Haideh Hirmand, M.D., Joseph Hunstad, M.D., Nolan Karp, M.D., Jeffrey M. Kenkel, M.D.,Brian Kinney, M.D., Wendy Lewis, Z. Paul Lorenc, M.D., Alan Matarasso, M.D., Foad Nahai, M.D., Ivona Percec, M.D., Joel Pessa, M.D., Jason Pozner, M.D., Andrea Pusic, M.D., Sam Rizk, M.D., J. Peter Rubin, M.D., Neil Sadick, M.D., Anthony Sclafani, M.D., Robert Silich, M.D., Henry M. Spinelli, M.D., Arthur Swift, M.D., Heidi Waldorf, M.D., V. Leroy Young, M.D., and Sabine Zenker, M.D.

The 2012 program has been expanded to include innovative workshops led by leading experts on social media and marketing, laser lipolysis and body shaping, facial rejuvenation with novel agents, advanced imaging systems, and new techniques for fat grafting and platelet rich fibrin matrix (PRFM). Live demonstrations of dermal fillers, volumizing agents and neuromodulators injection techniques will be featured.

The most common cosmetic surgery procedure of 2010 was breast augmentation, and the most popular non-surgical procedure was Botulinum Toxin Type A (also known as Botox) injections, with almost 2.5 million procedures reported last year, far surpassing other common non-surgical procedures including: hyaluronic acid, laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels.

Americans spent an estimated $10.7 billion on cosmetic procedures last year; $1.9 billion was spent on injectable procedures alone.

Several states, including New Jersey, currently charge what has been dubbed a “Botax”—a 6 percent tax on elective cosmetic surgery procedures, including Botox injections.  But the New Jersey legislature has just voted to phase out the tax; the bill is currently waiting for approval from Governor Chris Christie.

Proponents of the tax say the state needs the tax-revenue generated from elective surgeries. But opponents fear that people will simply choose to take their business to other states that don’t tax cosmetic surgery procedures.

Interested in having some cosmic surgery work done? Want to find the best plastic surgeons or best dermatologists in your area? FindTheBest’s Best Plastic Surgeons comparison can help users find and compare their options.  For those in the New Jersey area, FindTheBest’s New Jersey Plastic Surgeons comparison and New Jersey Dermatologists can help residents compare their options.

FindTheBest is an unbiased, data-driven comparison engine that allows you to find and compare your options.  We organize and present data in a consumer-friendly format so that you can make quick and informed decisions based on what’s important to you.

While less expensive than standard plastic surgery, cosmetic procedures like chemical peels, Botox and others can be costly as well. To help offset that cost, nearly one-in-ten (9 percent) women ages 18-44 said they have used a coupon or a daily deal to help pay for a cosmetic procedure. In addition, 22 percent of U.S. adults who haven’t used a coupon or daily deal to pay for a cosmetic procedure said they would consider it. Nearly one-third (31 percent) of women ages 18-44 indicated this, compared to 23 percent of men in the same age bracket.

Coupons and daily deals are not only being used for cosmetic enhancements, but for routine medical procedures as well. Five percent of U.S. adults said they have used a coupon or a daily deal for a medical procedure like a teeth cleaning or doctor’s visit. Of those who have used a coupon for a medical procedure, 34 percent said it was to help fill in gaps in medical insurance coverage.

“The popularity of coupon and daily deal use has spread from products and basic services to a variety of medical procedures,” said Jackie Warrick, President and Chief Savings Officer at CouponCabin.com. “Many people are taking advantage of the discounts offered by coupons and daily deals to enhance their appearances and maintain their overall health. Others may be more cautious about using such offers. No matter what side of the fence you’re on, it’s important to read all the fine print before using a coupon or daily deal for a procedure on your body.”

Of those U.S. adults who have used a coupon or daily deal for a cosmetic procedure, many were able to achieve significant savings. When asked approximately how much money they saved, respondents said the following:

Under $100 – 48 percent

$100 – $149 – 12 percent

$150 – $499 – 17 percent

$500 – $1,499 – 10 percent

$1500 or more – 13 percent

When a lifetime of sun damage shows up on your face — as dark spots and discolorations — you may feel like you’re stuck with unsightly spots forever. Time to let out a sigh of relief: beautiful, even-toned skin is on its way! As one of the nation’s top dermatologists, Dr. Zelaya stocks his practices with the new elure™ Advanced Skin Lightening system to erase unwanted discolorations on his patient’s complexions.

elure is a topical skin lightening product that contains Melanozyme™, an enzyme derived from (surprise!) a mushroom, which effectively reduces the dark-colored pigment in skin. It’s also the winner of the 2011 Best of Beauty award by Allure magazine in their Big Breakthrough Category.

Why? Current topical skin lighteners may decrease melanin over production, but they don’t get to the root of the problem and treat existing melanin. Or they contain hydroquinone, a known skin irritator. The result: Improvements are slow to come by and often aggravate skin.

elure’s results are fast-acting and users report a noticeable improvement in 28 days. “elure may be one of the biggest breakthroughs in skin lightening in years. Hyperpigmentation and melasma can be challenging to treat topically, but my patients have been truly impressed by the results they get after using elure,” says Dr. Zelaya, a nationally renowned medical and cosmetic dermatology expert. “I am thrilled that I can provide them with a skin care regimen that is well tolerated and effective in evening tone, smoothing skin and lightening pigmentation.”

The elure system consists of:

*elure Advanced Facial Wash lathers into a rich and creamy foam that removes dirt and dead skin cells. ($35)

*elure Advanced Skin Lightening Lotion: Melanozyme™ brightens, softens, and soothes skin morning and night. ($150)

*elure Advanced Skin Lightening Night Cream: Also with Melanozyme™ to brighten and provide a mega dose of hydration.($150)

Most people also hope to be ready to show off their new look in time for a big upcoming event. While every individual heals at a different rate, average healing times for the most common plastic surgery procedures can help guide your planning.

You can use the following dates as surgery deadlines for the procedure you are considering, if you want to be healed by a specific holiday:

Breast Augmentation or Liposuction
To be ready by New Year’s, have surgery by December 1.
To be ready by Valentine’s Day, have surgery by January 14.
To be ready for Graduation, have surgery by April 20.
To be ready by Independence Day, have surgery by June 4.
To be ready by Labor Day, have surgery by August 1.
To be ready by Thanksgiving, have surgery by October 22.
To be ready by Christmas, have surgery by November 25.

Facelift or Rhinoplasty
To be ready by New Year’s, have surgery by September 1.
To be ready by Valentine’s Day, have surgery by October 14.
To be ready for Graduation, have surgery by January 20.
To be ready by Independence Day, have surgery by March 4.
To be ready by Labor Day, have surgery by May 1.
To be ready by Thanksgiving, have surgery by July 22.
To be ready by Christmas, have surgery by August 25.

Tummy Tuck or Breast Lift
To be ready by New Year’s, have surgery by November 15.
To be ready by Valentine’s Day, have surgery by December 31.
To be ready for Graduation, have surgery by March 5.
To be ready by Independence Day, have surgery by May 15.
To be ready by Labor Day, have surgery by July 15.
To be ready by Thanksgiving, have surgery by October 7.
To be ready by Christmas, have surgery by November 10.

If you have your procedure later than the specific date above, you will still look better than you did before the procedure, but your final results may not yet be evident. If you stick with the dates on the chart, however, barring any complications, you will not still be bandaged or uncomfortable. Check with your surgeon at your consultation to confirm your plans.

Given the dates in the above chart, you may need schedule your initial consultation anywhere from 1 to 2 months in advance.

Considering that you will have to live with your results forever, you’re better off focusing on the skill, qualifications, and experience of potential providers. Instead of the location, look at the following critical attributes:

• Make sure the surgeon is board certified in his or her specialty (facial surgery or plastic surgery) by a nationally recognized organization.
• Review the surgeon’s before-and-after photos and make sure his or her aesthetic sensibility matches your goals.
• Expect an informative consultation where you are given precise explanations and written information about the procedure. A thorough doctor will study your medical history, take time to learn about your goals, make fitting recommendations, and answer all of your questions.
• Contact references (the surgeon’s past patients) to ask about their overall experience with the medical practice.
• Verify that the surgeon operates in an accredited facility with anesthesia provided by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists or Anesthesiologists.

It’s important to choose a New York plastic surgery practice that welcomes your questions, regardless of where they are located within the city. See if they are open to follow-up calls to make sure you are completely comfortable. Look for an environment that makes you feel comfortable, where you are not pressured. Support staff at the practice should be readily available and provide friendly assistance. These factors will end up being more important to your overall experience than where they are located.

The ideal plastic surgeon has the artistic eye, depth of training, and breadth of experience to provide the procedures you want that leave you looking like yourself — only better. We encourage you to choose the best for your New York facial plastic surgery, rather than the doctor next door.

No scars. No painful recovery. No long downtime. NeoGraft™ offers a revolution in hair restoration.

Over 50 million men and about 21 million women in the United States suffer from male/female pattern baldness orhair loss. More than 40 percent of men will have a noticeable hair loss by age 35. Sixty-five percent of women will have noticeable hair loss by the time they are 60.

Due to the challenges of the current job market, social relationship competition, and the aging baby boomer population affected by hair loss, hair restoration procedures and treatments are one of the fastest growing segments in the aesthetic industry. Past hair transplantation procedures were time intensive, invasive, and required specialized skills that were developed over time.

NeoGraft is a revolutionary, FDA-approved automated hair transplant device. Most doctors only use the traditional manual strip method of transplantation, which requires the doctor to surgically remove a strip of scalp from the back of the patient’s head.

With NeoGraft, hair is harvested without leaving the large linear scar associated with the strip method. The NeoGraft procedure is ideal for a man who wishes to wear his hair short, and for any woman who wouldn’t be happy to have a large scar on the back of her head.

Now, with the NeoGraft method of “follicular unit extraction”, or “FUE”, hair follicles are gently lifted out of the scalp with a small instrument and light suction then placed into the bald or thinning areas with reverse air pressure.

NeoGraft offers several advantages over the traditional hair transplant methods. Since there is no long linear scar there is no need for painful stitches and healing time is significantly reduced. There is no residual hair donor area numbness and tightness caused by an incision. Results are generally much more natural appearing due to the precision of the harvesting and implantation process.

After planning the appropriate pattern of hair restoration for each patient, a small area of hair in the back of the head is cut short. Then a hand piece with a very small instrument, about 1 mm in diameter, extracts each naturally occurring follicular unit (containing from 1-5 hairs) from the scalp. By using gentle air pressure to slide out each follicular hair unit, there is no twisting, pulling or cutting, thus avoiding any damage. These hairs are then quickly implanted into the bald or balding areas, maintaining their viability and increasing the success of the grafting process.

Before the availability of the NeoGraft device, an FUE hair transplant session was often limited to transplanting 500 to 600 grafts in a day. With NeoGraft, up to 2,000 grafts or more can be completed in a single day, making the process much faster and easier on the patient.

“Surgery can lead to scars, weeks of swelling and bruising – and our products are aimed at minimizing the effects and supporting an optimal outcome”, says Dr. Vishal Kapoor, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon and member of the physician advisory board for Surgery Vitamin.  “With over 13-million cosmetic procedures performed in the United States, there is a real need for a specialized product that can get patients back on their feet faster,” adds Dr. Kapoor.

Our Surgical Support Formula is a pre- and post-surgery supplement designed to deliver a select blend of vital nutrient to support optimal healing.  Our Bromelain+Quercetin supplement is a post-surgery complex that helps inhibit bruising, swelling, and discomfort.

“Unlike most vitamin preparations available in the drug store, Surgery Vitamin Surgical Support Program is a targeted proprietary blend of key-healing nutrients (vitamins, minerals, and amino acids) that not only provide the surgical patient with the proper ingredients for healing, but specifically avoids those ingredients that are not allowed to be taken around a surgery,” says Dr. Neal Blitz, president and founder of Surgery Vitamin.

Surgery Vitamin products can be ordered directly online at www.surgeryvitamin.com or by calling 888-878-7484, and are available at specific surgeon offices for direct dispensing to patients.

You bet it will, says Denise Mann, editorial director of the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery , All About Facial Rejuvenation and Breast Implants 4 You. In 2012, more plastic surgeons will be focused on targeting your really troublesome spots. We’re not talking muffin tops or saddle bags; we’re talking about unpleasant issues like excessively sweaty armpits (hyperhidrosis) and unsightly toenail fungus. Doesn’t sound sexy, does it? And it’s not, which is why growing numbers of men and women are desperate to cure these embarrassing ailments, and fed up with therapies that promise the moon and don’t deliver.

In 2012, more and more people will be turning to plastic surgeons who offer liposuction-based procedures to cure hyperhidrosis, as well as lasers to cure toenail fungus so that you can finally sport sandals or flip flops when the weather turns warm.

As for those more-traditional trouble spots, plastic surgeons will still be hot on Coolsculpting with Zeltiq in 2012. This fat-freezing technology will continue to shrink double chins, post-pregnancy pouches and love handles in the coming year.

Here’s what else you can expect to see:

The message finally gets through!

How many more horror stories do we need to hear about plastic surgeries gone wrong before realizing that these procedures should be left to the pros? At the end of 2011, widespread reports about a charlatan injecting fix-a-flat tire sealant into someone else’s derriere were the final straw. 2012 will likely mark the end of what the American Society of Plastic Surgeons dubs “white coat deception.” Plastic surgery should be reserved for a select group of trained specialists – a weekend course in liposuction does not a plastic surgeon make.

The Wrinkle Race Heats Up

With the approval of Xeomin in 2011, there are now three botulinum toxins used cosmetically. Expect to see rebates, price drops and Groupons galore as companies and surgeons vie for your business. The real dark horse in the race could be topical Botox. Preliminary studies are looking good; keep your eyes peeled for Revance therapeutics to get the FDA’s nod in 2012.

More Male Procedures

Glossy magazines sell off the rack when they feature photos of female reality TV actresses and film stars who may or may not have nipped or tucked. Expect to see more male celebs gracing these covers as male plastic surgery picks up speed in the new year.

Both the VECTRA® 3D camera and Sculptor software which make this possible were developed by Canfield Imaging Systems of Fairfield, NJ, the world’s leading provider of medical photography systems. The process starts with a VECTRA 3D session which produces a three-dimensional photograph of the patient. Then, using Sculptor software, the surgeon is able to simulate the expected results of a variety of aesthetic procedures.

“Our patients will absolutely love this,” said Dr. Herluf Lund. “For the first time, they will be able to see a 3D picture of themselves with their new look. Because it’s in 3D, I can rotate their picture to any viewpoint and they can really examine the desired result. We can make changes here and there and agree on a final look in advance, and this truly helps them make a decision.”

There are several plastic surgeons in St. Louis to choose from, but few have the experience, credentials, or artistic talents of the board-certified plastic surgeons at St. Louis Cosmetic Surgery. Our highly qualified professionals possess over 85 years of combined experience and are well-established leaders in both the medical and local communities. For over 35 years, our knowledgeable surgeons have continued to set the standards of excellence for cosmetic procedures in the St. Louis area.