Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) February 16, 2012
With the demand for anti-aging cosmetic surgery procedures and minimally invasive injectable wrinkle treatments growing among both women and men, researchers and developers in the field of aesthetic cosmetic surgery are working to develop new products and procedures to keep up. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), more than 9.3 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2010, a nine percent increase over 2009, and according to a survey commissioned by the ASAPS, 51 percent of all Americans, regardless of income, approve of cosmetic plastic surgery.
Dominic Brandy, MD, a board certified cosmetic surgeon and founding medical director of The Skin Center Medical Spa with over 30 years of surgical experience, offers his predictions on coming trends and technologies in cosmetic surgery for 2012 and beyond.
Hand Rejuvenation Using Injectable Fillers and Laser Skin Resurfacing Gains Popularity Among Boomers
As we age, collagen loss and sun damage can result in thinning, heavily veined hands that can add years to an individual?s appearance. Hand rejuvenation, which involves laser skin rejuvenation treatments along with the injection of dermal fillers to plump and rejuvenate sunken areas, and smooth wrinkled and lax skin, can turn back the clock for those unhappy with the look of their hands.
?Women are particularly self-conscious about the appearance of their hands,? says Dr. Brandy. ?Our hands naturally thin out over time due to collagen, muscle and fat loss, but the latest injectable fillers are very effective at filling in the void of fat and muscle loss as well as thickening and tightening the skin and stimulating collagen. Laser skin resurfacing helps in fading textural irregularities on the hands for a smoother, more youthful appearance. While this procedure is only emerging in terms of its visibility in the market, I have no doubt that hand rejuvenation will continue to grow in popularity, particularly with the advancing age of the Boomer generation. Many times we a can rejuvenate a face to look many years younger, while the hands still maintain a very aged look."
The Facelift Alternative -- Injectable Fillers and Fat Transfer
?Cosmetic fillers offer clients the opportunity to add fullness and volume to the face, which gently lift skin and smooth wrinkles, without invasive surgery,? says Dr. Brandy. ?With many younger patients looking for conservative approaches for achieving a more youthful look, I believe we will see more patients opting to postpone facelift surgery in favor of cosmetic dermal fillers.?
And while injectable fillers such as Sculptra? and Radiesse? can deliver excellent, and very natural looking results, Dr. Brandy predicts that fat transfer ? the process of using your own body fat as a wrinkle filler to add volume to fine lines, facial creases and folds, and hollowed cheeks ? will gain popularity in the coming year and beyond.
?Fat transfer offers several benefits over other types of cosmetic wrinkle fillers,? says Dr. Brandy. ?Two to three treatments are generally required to offset the body?s natural re-absorption process, but results last for years, rather than for months as is the case with other types of injectable wrinkle fillers. And because the process employs the patient?s own fat, there is less likelihood of a reaction.?
New Technologies in Body Sculpting Emerge
Dr. Brandy predicts that new, minimally invasive technologies for removing targeted areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise will come to the market as consumers seek to retain or regain a more sculpted body as they age.
?We have seen excellent, permanent results from laser-assisted fat melting procedures such as SmartLipo?, or laser liposuction, which not only removes stubborn pockets of fat, but also has the added benefit of tightening the skin,? says Dr. Brandy. ?Consumers are looking for minimally invasive and non-invasive body contouring procedures that will sculpt and tone specific ? and often times very small -- areas that they feel need to be addressed. Developers are responding to that, and we will continue to see more non-invasive lasers and other types of technologies emerge.?
In addition, Dr. Brandy sees Natural Buttock Augmentation or Butt Lift Surgery through fat transfer as a growing trend among people wanting to restore a more curvaceous shape. "Natural Buttock Augmentation, also known as the Brazilian Butt Lift, is growing in popularity in large part to the more curvaceous celebrities today. Women want to enhance the buttocks and fat transfer is an ideal option to achieve the desired result." Following liposuction surgery the fat is processed to remove excess fluids and is injected into the buttocks. Results are seen immediately and, in most cases, only one treatment is needed.
Bimatoprost-containing products will help men and women with hair loss
Recently, bimatoprost-containing products that stimulate the growth of fuller, thicker eyelashes have come to market and proven popular with consumers. Dr. Brandy predicts that further research will result in the release of similar, topically applied products to generate hair growth on the scalp.
Topical emulsions containing clostridium botulinum help smooth away frown lines, crows feet and other expression related wrinkles.
?With competition for effective wrinkle treatments growing ever more intense, I expect to see new treatments come to market to rival Botox,? says Dr. Brandy. ?The next wave is likely to be products that can be applied topically, rather than via injection.?
Dr. Brandy also expects that market competition will drive companies to devote more time and resources to the development of products that deliver long-term results.
?Growing demand means more surgeons entering the field, more products coming to market, and more competition for customers. Customers are becoming more educated about procedure options, and as savvy shoppers they are looking for natural-looking, lasting results. Vendors must and will respond if they want to stay ahead of the curve.?
Celebrating 30 years, The Skin Center Medical Spa's team of board-certified cosmetic surgeons, board-certified plastic surgeons, vascular surgeons and nurses offer women and men advanced cosmetic plastic surgery and minimally invasive treatments for healthier-looking skin, and rejuvenation of the face and body. To schedule a consultation, call 1-800-429-1151 or visit http://www.theskincentermd.com to learn more.
About The Skin Center Medical Spa
The Skin Center Medical Spa, with three locations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Columbus, Ohio, is the region's premier, full-service medical spa offering the latest advancements in non-invasive and minimally invasive skin rejuvenation for the treatment of aging skin, hyper-pigmentation, rosacea, unwanted hair, varicose and spider veins, active acne and acne scarring. Established by board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dominic Brandy, MD, in 1981, The Skin Center is one of the few medical facilities in Western Pennsylvania specializing exclusively in cosmetic plastic surgery and anti-aging treatments. Dr. Brandy and his colleague Fernando Colon, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon and medical director of The Skin Center in Columbus Ohio, have a combined 50 years of experience in cosmetic plastic surgery, and together they have performed nearly 20,000 procedures. The Skin Center?s surgical facilities are accredited by the AAAHC.
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